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Samet Akaydın'dan Trabzonspor'a göz dağı

Trendyol Süper Lig'in 26. haftasında 14 Mart Cumartesi günü deplasmanda Trabzonspor ile karşılaşacak Çaykur Rizespor'un savunma oyuncusu Samet Akaydin, izleyenlere keyifli bir maç izletmek istediklerini söyledi.

Mehmet Cengiz Tesisleri'ndeki antrenman öncesinde basın mensuplarına açıklamada bulunan Samet, Türk futboluna ve Trabzonspor camiasına başsağlığı dileğinde bulunarak, "Orhan Kaynak hocamızın vefatı hepimizi derinden üzdü. Böyle zamanlarda futbol konuşmak biraz zor oluyor. Hem Trabzonspor camiası hem de tüm futbol ailesi için çok üzücü bir kayıp. Kendisine Allah'tan rahmet, ailesine ve yakınlarına sabır diliyorum." dedi.

Samet Akaydın

Son haftalarda yakaladıkları çıkışın kendilerini çok mutlu ettiğini belirten Samet Akaydin, "Öz güvenimizi de yerine getirdi. Bu seriyi yakalamaya ihtiyacımız vardı. Bunu başardığımız için mutluyuz. Şu anda takımın öz güveni tamamen yerinde ve sahaya en iyi şekilde odaklanmış durumdayız. Takım olarak mutluyuz ve inşallah bunun devamını getiririz." ifadelerini kullandı.

Amaçlarının Çaykur Rizespor'u en iyi yerlere götürmek olduğunu anlatan 31 yaşındaki futbolcu, "Bu şehir de bunu hak ediyor, buna ihtiyacı olduğunu düşünüyorum. Biz de sahada elimizden gelenin en iyisini vermeye çalışıyoruz. Takım içinde birlik ve beraberliğimiz çok iyi, her şey yolunda. İnşallah bundan sonra böyle devam eder." diye konuştu.

Samet Akaydın

Samet Akaydin, hafta sonu oynanacakları Trabzonspor maçıyla ilgili olarak, şunları kaydetti:

"Ben her zaman iki şehre de dost şehir diyorum. Buna gölge düşürenler olabilir ama ben her zaman bu iki şehri dost olarak görüyorum ve böyle kalmasını temenni ediyorum. Güzel bir maç olmasını diliyorum. Biz sahaya öz güvenli bir şekilde çıkacağız. Öz güvenimiz şu an tam. Elbette kazanmak için gideceğiz. Trabzonspor da şampiyonluk yolunda ilerliyor. Onlar da kazanmak isteyecek. İnşallah güzel bir mücadele olur ve izleyenlere keyifli bir maç izletiriz. Umarım maçın sonucu da bizim adımıza güzel olur."

Sezon sonunda sözleşmesinin sona ereceğini hatırlatan Samet, "Şu anda tamamen Çaykur Rizespor'a odaklanmış durumdayım. Bu takımın kaptanıyım ve abilik yapıyorum. Bu şehre gerçekten çok alıştım, Rize'yi de takımı da çok seviyorum. İnşallah aramızdaki küçük pürüzleri de giderip bir anlaşma sağlarız, bakalım. Ben Çaykur Rizespor'u gerçekten çok seviyorum. Buraya geldiğim günden beri başta taraftarlar olmak üzere herkes bana çok büyük sahip çıktı. Çaykur Rizespor eski günlerimi yeniden hatırlattı diyebilirim. Bundan dolayı çok mutluyum. İnşallah sezon sonunda iki taraf için de güzel bir sonuç olur." açıklamasını yaptı.

"Hedefimiz Dünya Kupası'na gitmek"

Samet Akaydin, Romanya ile Dünya Kupası yolunda önemli bir maç oynayacaklarını belirterek, "İstanbul'da oynayacağız ve bu maçı kazanmak istiyoruz. Hedefimiz Dünya Kupası'na gitmek. Gerçekten çok istiyoruz. Ülke olarak bunu hak ediyoruz. Ülkemizin de buna ihtiyacı var. Dünya Kupası'nda yer almamız gerektiğini düşünüyorum. Romanya maçına en iyi şekilde hazırlanıp sahadan iyi bir sonuçla ayrılacağımızı düşünüyorum. Ben de milli takım ve ülkem için elimden gelenin en iyisini vermeye çalışacağım. İnşallah o şans gelirse, en iyi şekilde değerlendirmek isterim." ifadelerini kullandı.

Rumen takım arkadaşı Valentin Mihaila ile Türkiye-Romanya maçı ile ilgili konuştuklarını anlatan Samet, şöyle devam etti:

"Kura çekimi yapılmadan önce Mihaila ile tabii ki biraz şakalaşmalarımız oldu. Çünkü Mihaila ve Romanya takımı, Türk milli takımının gücünün farkındaydı, zaten bunu biliyorlardı. Kura çekimlerinde Türkiye ile eşleşmek istemiyorlardı. Kura çekimine bakarsak, oradaki en güçlü hedef bizim olduğumuzu düşünüyorum. Onlar da öyle düşünüyordu. Tabii ki onlar da bizi çekmek istemiyorlardı. O gelince aramızda şakalaşmalar oldu. Mihaila bizim güçlü bir takım olduğumuzu zaten biliyordu. Romanya Milli Takımı gerçekten güçlü bir takım ve Mihaila da çok kaliteli bir oyuncu. Biz de kendi aramızda ona 'sizi her türlü yeneceğiz' tarzında şakalar yapıyorduk, o da gülüyordu. Böyle espriler geçti aramızda."

Samet Akaydin, teknik direktör Recep Uçar'ın geldiği günden beri takımla iletişiminin üst seviyede olduğuna değinerek, "Her oyuncuyla birebir konuşuyor. Sıkıntısı olan herkes kapısını çalıp yanına gidebiliyor ve yardımcı olmaya çalışıyor. Biz de geldiği günden bu yana hocaya yardımcı olmaya çalışıyoruz. Futbolcularla abi, kardeş ilişkisi gibi bir uyum var ve futbolcular arasında hiçbir sorun olmadı. Bunun karşılığını da iyi futbolla aldığımızı düşünüyorum. Daha iyi sonuçlar da alabilirdik. Sonuçlarda biraz geç kaldık. Puan tablosunda da rahatladığımızı düşünüyorum. Tabii bunu bitti anlamında söylemiyorum. Hedefimiz daha üstüne koyarak daha yukarılara oynamak. Çünkü takımımızda bu kalite var. İnşallah sezon sonunda daha iyi bir yerde bitiririz." şeklinde konuştu.

Rəhim Həsənov hakimlərin bütün qərarlarını dəstəklədi – Video

AFFA Hakimlər Komitəsinin sədri Rəhim Həsənov Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 23-cü turundakı mübahisəli epizodlara şərh verib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, komitə sədri ənənəyə uyğun olaraq, 22-ci turun oyunlarında qeydə alınmış mübahisəli epizodlarla bağlı fikirlərini bildirib.

Mütəxəssis Azərbaycan Kubokunun 1/4 final mərhələsinin oyunlarındakı mübahisəli epizodlarla da bağlı fikirlərini dilə gətirib. Rəhim Həsənov ümumilikdə 5 matçda qeydə alınmış mübahisəli epizodları dəyərləndirib. O, hakimlərin həmin vəziyyətlər zamanı düzgün qərarlar verdiyini bildirib.

AFFA Hakimlər Komitəsinin sədrinin Premyer Liqanın və kubokun son oyunlarındakı mübahisəli epizodları təhlil etdiyi həmin videonu təqdim edirik:

Nəriman Axundzadə ABŞ klubuna qoşuldu

Azərbaycan millisinin hücumçusu Nəriman Axundzadə yeni klubu olan MLS təmsilçisi “Kolumbus Kru”nun düşərgəsinə qoşulub.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ABŞ təmsilçisi sosial şəbəkə hesablarında 21 yaşlı hücumçunu azarkeşlərinə təqdim edib.

Axundzadə artıq yeni komandasının heyətində ilk məşqinə də çıxıb.

Xatırladaq ki, Nəriman fevralın əvvəlində Ohayo ştatını təmsil edən “Kolumbus Kru” ilə 3,5 illik müqaviləyə imza atıb.

“Qarabağ”ın yetirməsi hesab olan Nəriman Axundzadə 2023-cü ildən Ağdam klubunun əsas komandasında çıxış edirdi. Sağ cinah vingeri “Qarabağ”ın əsas komandasında 127 oyuna çıxıb. O, bu oyunlarda 35 qola imza atıb, 17 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.

Azərbaycanın U-19 və U-21 yığmalarında da forma geyinmiş hücumçu 2023-cü ildə əsas millimizdə debüt edib. O, Azərbaycan yığmasının heyətində keçirdiyi 13 oyunda məhsuldar fəaliyyəti ilə diqqət çəkməyib.

“Qarabağ”la 2028-ci ilin 30 iyununadək müqaviləsi olan Nərimanın keçidi üçün ABŞ klubu Azərbaycan çempionuna 2,5 milyon avro ödəyib.

“Kolumbus Kru” MLS-in cari mövsümündə artıq 3 oyun keçirib, 2 heç-heçə edib, 1 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb. Nərimanın yeni komandası hazırda 2 xalla 11-ci pillədə qərarlaşıb.

Italiano: ‘Bologna hope to tease Roma weakness out’

Vincenzo Italiano admits he would gladly have avoided the all-Italian Europa League duel with Roma, but Bologna ‘hope to tease some weaknesses out of them tomorrow.’

It kicks off on Thursday at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET) at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

The draw was unkind to the Italian teams, as while it means at least there will be one representative in the quarter-finals, it can only be one of the two sides who entered the tournament.

Bologna had a terrible start to 2026 and seemingly had turned a corner with a run of victories, but faltered again at the weekend with their home defeat to rock bottom Hellas Verona.

Italiano would have avoided Bologna vs. Roma

BOLOGNA, ITALY - JANUARY 22: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on January 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
BOLOGNA, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“We have already put that match behind us,” assured Italiano in his press conference.

“Roma have some weaknesses and we hope to tease those out of them tomorrow. As I said before, I had hoped in a different draw, because we could’ve gone far together in this competition, but instead one of the two Italians must go out.

“We are stuttering in our home games lately, but hope to change that tomorrow.”

The coach gave injury updates, as Juan Miranda and Torbjorn Heggem are back in training, but it remains to be seen if either of them could start.

He did hint that Tommaso Pobega has “a very good chance” of being in the starting XI, though Thijs Dallinga could finally give Santiago Castro some rest ahead of the Serie A showdown with Sassuolo.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna FC 1909, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Aston Villa FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Villa Park on September 25, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna FC 1909, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Aston Villa FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Villa Park on September 25, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

“Roma defend well and have now found a striker in Donyell Malen who is doing very well, giving their aggressive style of football an outlet. We know him too, as we already played against his Aston Villa earlier in the season.

“Gian Piero Gasperini has set the example for all coaches, winning important trophies both at team and individual level. He continues to exhibit wonderful football and I have incredible respect for him.”

Will the two coaches go out to dinner together?

“We’d need a restaurant that stayed open late, because we’d have so much to talk about!”

GENOA, ITALY - MARCH 8: Gian Piero Gasperini, head coach of Roma, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on March 8, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)
GENOA, ITALY – MARCH 8: Gian Piero Gasperini, head coach of Roma, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on March 8, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)

The second leg will be at the Stadio Olimpico next week, where the Rossoblu lost 1-0 in the opening game of the Serie A season back in August.

“I am not thinking about the second leg, because after tomorrow we already have another Serie A match to play, so there’s time for that. Obviously, it won’t be an easy atmosphere for us at the Olimpico, but we know that.

“The trouble with an Italian derby is we know each other so very well. It’s a new experience for me too, facing another Italian side in Europe.”

Santiago Castro scores the opening goal for Bologna in the Europa League play-off 1st leg against SK Brann (@bolognafc1909)
Santiago Castro scores the opening goal for Bologna in the Europa League play-off 1st leg against SK Brann (@bolognafc1909)

Bologna’s home record has been the most surprising aspect of their campaign so far, as since the start of December 2025 they have amassed just three victories at the Stadio Dall’Ara, two draws and eight losses in all competition.

“I analysed all those games, and some we deserved to lose, with others we could’ve won with a bit more concentration. The attitude is not the issue, but we are paying a heavy price for some distractions, and have the time to make up for it,” noted Italiano.

“We did win five games after that difficult period, and a situation like Verona can happen, in Serie A anybody can beat anyone else, it’s always a struggle. We have more difficulty against teams who let us take control of the game, leading us to become a bit too superficial in our preventative marking.

“Tomorrow is a big opportunity for us to progress in Europe, but we won’t be able to judge the season until the end.”

Inter handed Vicario transfer boost after Tudor’s Champions League decisions

Igor Tudor’s handling of Guglielmo Vicario during Tottenham’s 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid has given Inter a significant boost, with the Nerazzurri keen on signing the Italian goalkeeper next summer.

Tudor dropped Vicario for Antonín Kinský in a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but the 22-year-old’s early mistakes led to Vicario’s introduction after just 17 minutes. 

Inter already opened Vicario talks

According to various sources, Inter have already opened talks with Vicario’s entourage, having identified the ex-Empoli and Cagliari goalkeeper as their main target in goal for 2026-27.

Previous reports claimed that Inter directors would hold further talks with the goalkeeper’s representatives this month.

Vicario is eager to return to Italy in the summer, and Tudor’s management against Atletico Madrid seems to have only reinforced his desire.

According to Gazzetta, in fact, Vicario expected to start the match at the Wanda Metropolitano, believing his status within the team would be respected.

The Pink Paper adds that Juventus and Monaco are also closely following Vicario, and that Inter’s second option to replace Yann Sommer is Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Raul Jimenez of Fulham during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Raul Jimenez of Fulham during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Tottenham’s asking price for Vicario is reportedly around €20m, but if Spurs are relegated from the Premier League, then the goalkeeper’s price would be further reduced.

Tottenham are just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League, and their new coach, Igor Tudor, has lost all his first four games in charge.

VERONA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 20: Igor Tudor Head Coach of Juventus FC looks on prior to the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Igor Tudor Head Coach of Juventus FC looks on prior to the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

 

Man United unlikely to reduce Hojlund fee for permanent Napoli transfer

Napoli are prepared to make Rasmus Hojlund’s move from Manchester United permanent for €44m as the Red Devils are reportedly unwilling to reduce the striker’s transfer fee.

Napoli are destined to sign Hojlund on a permanent transfer from Manchester United for €44m, reports TMW.

Hojlund set for 44m Napoli transfer

The Denmark international joined the Partenopei on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy last summer.

The obligation to purchase is tied to Napoli’s Champions League qualification this season, but it seems like a fairly feasible target as the defending Serie A champions currently sit third in the standings with a five-point lead over fifth-placed Roma.

MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 11: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli shoots during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli shoots during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

According to the report, Napoli will try to lower Manchester United’s demands, but the Red Devils are unwilling to give any discount, especially because the Azzurri seem close to securing Champions League qualification.

Hojlund has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 35 appearances across all competitions this season.

Fiorentina coach Vanoli provides Kean injury update: ‘Day by day’

Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli says the club’s medical staff is assessing Moise Kean ‘day by day’ and hopes the Italian striker will be available for the next crucial Serie A match against Cremonese.

Fiorentina star Kean will miss tomorrow’s Conference League Round of 16 first leg game against Rakow, Vanoli confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday.

Kean to miss Fiorentina vs. Rakow

“We are continuing with a recovery process and evaluating him day by day. The target is to have him in Cremona,” the Viola coach said via TMW.

Kean has sustained a fibula injury, and Fiorentina hope he’ll be back for the next Serie A match away at Cremonese. It’s a crucial fixture for the Tuscans, who are just one point above the Grigiorossi in the relegation zone.

Gudmundsson is expected to be available tomorrow but is not in his best shape.

“Right now, he must regain full fitness after an ankle problem. He misses being decisive, but he still does important things,” Vanoli said.

FLORENCE, ITALY - FEBRUARY 23: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Pisa SC at Artemio Franchi on February 23, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Pisa SC at Artemio Franchi on February 23, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“I like him more in his new role than as a support striker. He must only find that spark; we know he can be decisive in the final games.

“We are focused on this game. The Conference League is an important trophy that we want to honour and go as far as possible. We find a team that did very well in the league phase. They defend well and have only conceded two goals. We must think that we’ll play across two games, so we have to be smart. We’ll think about Cremonese on Friday.”

Everton and West Ham scout Torino talent Casadei

According to Tuttosport, Everton and West Ham have recently scouted Torino midfielder Cesare Casadei.

Ex-Chelsea and Inter midfielder Casadei has attracted interest from Everton and West Ham, according to Tuttosport.

Everton and West Ham interested in Casadei

The two Premier League clubs will be looking for midfield reinforcement in the summer, although the Hammers must first secure Premier League survival.

The Italian midfielder, 23, has scored five goals in 28 appearances across all competitions this season.

He joined Torino in January 2025 on a permanent €13m deal from Chelsea.

During his time in England, he had played for Chelsea, Leicester City and Reading FC, collecting 11 Premier League appearances.

A product of the Inter Academy, Casadei is Torino’s best scorer since January with one goal in Coppa Italia and four in Serie A despite not being a regular starter.

TURIN, ITALY - JANUARY 07: Cesare Casadei of Torino celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Torino FC and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 07, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 07: Cesare Casadei of Torino celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Torino FC and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 07, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

No other Torino player has scored more goals since the start of the year.

Casadei’s contract with Torino expires in June 2029.

He has yet to make his senior Italy debut, but scored four goals in 16 appearances with Italy U21.

FERRARA, ITALY - MARCH 26: Cesare Casadei of Italy U21 during the UEFA Under21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and Turkey U21 at Stadio Paolo Mazza on March 26, 2024 in Ferrara, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
FERRARA, ITALY – MARCH 26: Cesare Casadei of Italy U21 during the UEFA Under21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and Turkey U21 at Stadio Paolo Mazza on March 26, 2024 in Ferrara, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Liverpool ready to splash £69m on La Liga ace backed to become a “superstar”

Liverpool are plotting a summer move for Takefusa Kubo from Real Sociedad. 

The 24-year-old Japanese international has done well in Spain, and he could prove to be a useful acquisition for Liverpool. Mohamed Salah has not been at his best this season, and the Egyptian has been linked with an exit. Liverpool will need to replace him properly, and they have identified the La Liga attacker as an option.

According to reports from Spain, they would be prepared to pay €80 million in order to get the deal done. The reported offer would be hard for the Spanish club to turn down, and they are likely to sanction his departure if the offer is presented in the summer.

Convincing the player to join Liverpool will not be difficult either. It would be a huge opportunity in his career, and he will look to join the Premier League champions if the opportunity presents itself.

The 24-year-old can operate on the right flank, and he will add goals and creativity to the team. He has recorded five goal contributions in all competitions this season. Joining a top-quality team like Liverpool could bring out the best in him. Kubo has been backed to become a “superstar” in future.

Liverpool needs more quality on the flanks, and ideally, they should look to invest in a left-sided attacker as well. It will be interesting to see if they can bring in two quality wingers in the summer. They have also been linked to Yan Diomande.

The 24-year-old Japanese international has the technical attributes to succeed in English football, and he will look to make his mark in the Premier League if the move goes through.

The post Liverpool ready to splash £69m on La Liga ace backed to become a “superstar” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

“Serious chances to leave” – Romano makes worrying claim about ‘world-class’ Tottenham star after nightmare season

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has “serious chances” to leave the club this summer, following a nightmare season that has left the North London side fighting for Premier League survival.

Despite signing a new four-year contract extension just last August, the 27-year-old’s future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is now shrouded in uncertainty.

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Taking to X, Romano revealed: “Cuti Romero has serious chances to leave Tottenham in the summer. Top clubs have started to call as exit is a possibility despite new deal signed last summer. Romero could be open to a sale, as Telegraph and TyC Sports reported.”

??? Cuti Romero has serious chances to leave Tottenham in the summer.

Top clubs have started to call as exit is a possibility despite new deal signed last summer.

Romero could be open to a sale, as Telegraph and TyC Sports reported.

?? https://t.co/Q4fcYNPTBg pic.twitter.com/pZlRd2h749

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 11, 2026

Cristian Romero could leave Tottenham

The World Cup winner is reportedly frustrated with the club’s lack of ambition and the chaotic managerial changes that have seen Igor Tudor struggle to stabilise a squad left in disarray by Thomas Frank.

Romero’s relationship with the club hierarchy has reportedly hit a breaking point, particularly after he publicly criticised the board earlier this season.

Several European heavyweights have already registered interest. Atletico Madrid remain long-term admirers, with Diego Simeone reportedly viewing Romero as the ideal leader for his defense.

Real Madrid and Manchester United are also said to be monitoring the situation closely, especially with the Argentine potentially available for a fee in the region of £60 million.

Tottenham also open to selling Romero as part of squad rebuild

While the ‘world-class‘ Romero’s departure would be a massive blow to the fans, the Spurs hierarchy appears increasingly resigned to a parting of ways.

It has been reported that the club is planning a ruthless summer overhaul, with Romero identified as one of the primary high-value assets to be cashed in on to fund a rebuild.

Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham has previously hinted that the club must balance the books to comply with financial regulations, and selling an unsettled captain for significant money is ‘best for all paries’.

With Spurs currently sit 16th in the table, the prospect of a summer firesale is becoming more likely as the club prepares for a total reset.

The post “Serious chances to leave” – Romano makes worrying claim about ‘world-class’ Tottenham star after nightmare season appeared first on CaughtOffside.

“Spurs have confirmed” – Tottenham make big Igor Tudor decision after humiliating defeat against Atletico Madrid

Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold has confirmed that Igor Tudor will lead the pre-match press conference on Friday, signaling that the interim manager will remain in the dugout for the crucial trip to Anfield.

The news comes in the wake of a humiliating 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, a result that has left fans and pundits questioning if Tudor is the right man to prevent a historic relegation.

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Taking to X, Gold broke the news of the club’s decision: “Spurs have confirmed that Igor Tudor is scheduled to take his press conference on Friday afternoon at 1.30pm ahead of the Liverpool match.”

Igor Tudor expected to remain in charge for the Liverpool game

Despite the outcry following the disaster in Madrid, the Tottenham hierarchy appears to be sticking with Tudor for at least one more game.

The 47-year-old’s brief tenure has been nothing short of a nightmare; since replacing Thomas Frank 25 days ago, he has lost all four of his matches in charge, conceding a staggering 14 goals in the process.

The defeat at the Metropolitano was particularly bruising. Tudor made the controversial decision to drop first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario for Antonin Kinsky, only to haul the 22-year-old off after just 17 minutes following two massive errors.

While Tudor claimed the move was made to protect the young keeper, the tactical chaos has reportedly left players unconvinced by his leadership.

Spurs could still sack Tudor amid serious relegation threat

While he will face the media on Friday, Tudor’s position remains incredibly insecure.

Tottenham currently sit in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone. With rivals like Nottingham Forest and Wolves beginning to pick up points, the once-unthinkable prospect of Championship football for the first time since 1977 is now a grim reality.

Match Venue Result
vs Arsenal Home Loss 1–4
vs Fulham Away Loss 2–1
vs Crystal Palace Home Loss 1–3
Atletico Madrid Away Loss 5-2

Igor Tudor is winless since taking interim role at Tottenham

The board, led by executive Vinai Venkatesham, is reportedly under immense pressure to act before the upcoming international break.

If Spurs suffer another heavy defeat against a top-four chasing Liverpool side, the club may have no choice but to pull the trigger on their second manager of the year.

Recently sacked Sean Dyche and former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi remain the top names on a survival shortlist should Tudor be dismissed.

The post “Spurs have confirmed” – Tottenham make big Igor Tudor decision after humiliating defeat against Atletico Madrid appeared first on CaughtOffside.

European giants are waiting to rip the heart out of Newcastle’s midfield this summer

Suffering last-gasp Champions League heartbreak at St. James’ Park on Tuesday night as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate on Tyneside, Newcastle know that they have an almighty battle on their hands when they travel to Catalonia next week. Watching their FA Cup adventure come to an end last weekend as they […]

The post European giants are waiting to rip the heart out of Newcastle’s midfield this summer appeared first on Soccer News.

The post European giants are waiting to rip the heart out of Newcastle’s midfield this summer appeared first on Soccer News.

AFFA veteran futbolçuya vəzifə verdi

AFFA-nın Elit-Məşq layihəsinin yeni direktoru məlum olub.

Futbolpress.az-ın əldə etdiyi məlumata görə, bu post Mirbağır İsayevə həvalə olunub .

Bunadək layihənin direktoru Yunis Hüseynov idi.

İsayev ilə AFFA arasında bu gün müqavilə imzalanıb.

Mütəxəssis “Səbail”də akademiya koordinatoru vəzifəsini icra edirdi. O, daha əvvəl “Neftçi”ni əsas və gənclərdən ibarət, “Kəpəz”in isə əsas komandasını, həmçinin Azərbaycanın U-17 yığmasını çalışdırb.

Şahin Cəfərov

Slot: “Atmosferdən təsirlənən tək biz olmamışıq”

“Liverpul”un baş məşqçisi Arne Slot Çempionlar Liqasında “Qalatasaray”a uduzduqları görüşü şərh edib.

Futbolpress.az UEFA-nın saytına istinadən xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis 0:1 hesabıyla bitən matçla bağlı bunları deyib:

“Standart vəziyyətlər zamanı hər faulda hakim “Qalatasaray”ın lehinə qərar verirdi. Ləğv olunan qolumuzdan öncə də Van Daykı formasından çəkirdilər. Lakin qərar fərqli oldu. Gördük ki, atmosferdən təsirlənən tək biz olmamışıq”.

Komandalar arasndakı cavab oyunu martın 18-də olacaq.

European giants are waiting to rip the heart out of Newcastle’s midfield this summer

Suffering last-gasp Champions League heartbreak at St. James’ Park on Tuesday night as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate on Tyneside, Newcastle know that they have an almighty battle on their hands when they travel to Catalonia next week. Watching their FA Cup adventure come to an end last weekend as they […]

The post European giants are waiting to rip the heart out of Newcastle’s midfield this summer appeared first on Soccer News.

The post European giants are waiting to rip the heart out of Newcastle’s midfield this summer appeared first on Soccer News.

Google expands Search Console branded queries filter to all eligible sites

Google branded queries filter

Google’s branded queries filter in Search Console is now available to all eligible sites. Google’s new branded queries filter, announced Nov. 20, lets you separate branded and non-branded search traffic in the Performance report.

Why we care. Separating branded and non-branded queries has long required manual regex filters or keyword lists. This update gives you native segmentation in Search Console, making it easier to measure brand demand versus discovery traffic.

Google’s announcement. Google confirmed the broader availability in a LinkedIn post today:

  • “The branded queries filter in Search Console is now available to all eligible sites! This feature helps you analyze the queries driving traffic to your site by automatically differentiating between branded and non-branded queries.”

The details. The branded queries filter appears in the Search results Performance report. It lets you segment queries into two groups:

  • Branded: Queries containing your brand name, variations, misspellings, or brand-related products and services.
  • Non-branded: All other queries.

When applied, Search Console limits metrics — impressions, clicks, CTR, and average position — to the selected group. The filter works across all search types (Web, Image, Video, News) in the report.

Insights report. Google also added a new card to the Search Console Insights report that shows a click breakdown between branded and non-branded traffic.

  • The card helps you measure brand recognition by comparing traffic from users already familiar with your brand versus those discovering your site for the first time, Google said.

Google’s brand classification. Google uses an internal AI-assisted system to determine whether queries are branded. The system can recognize:

  • Brand names in multiple languages
  • Misspellings and variations
  • Queries referring to unique brand products or services

Some queries may be misclassified due to the contextual nature of brand detection, Google said. The filter is strictly a reporting feature and doesn’t affect search rankings.

What to watch. Today’s announcement indicates it has reached all eligible sites, though some properties may still not qualify due to query and impression volume requirements.

Why the answer in SEO is almost always ‘it depends’

Why the answer in SEO is almost always 'it depends'

We joke every time we hear Google’s John Mueller answer a question with “it depends.” But actually, it’s true.

There are few definitive answers or universally established facts in SEO. Do meta titles matter? Yes. Is internal linking a good practice? Yes. Is duplicate content bad for SEO? Yes.

But if I tried to make a list of SEO questions with a single, clear, absolute answer, it wouldn’t be long.

That’s the real challenge: we operate in an industry where things almost always depend on context, intent, competition, your website’s situation, and the platform itself.

Yet over and over, we see questions framed as if there must be one right answer. SEO tips are often shared as universal truths — one-size-fits-all for websites, industries, and business models.

My purpose here is simple: to shift that mindset. Especially if you share SEO advice publicly, let’s move away from “this is the only way” and toward “this is one way, depending on your situation.”

Is schema important for SEO?

The idea for this article came to me when I saw Mueller respond to a Reddit thread about the importance of schema markup. He replied, “This question will stick with us for the next year and longer, and the short answer is yes, no, and it depends…”

And he’s absolutely right.

  • Is schema important for rankings in Google? Not directly, in most cases.
  • Is schema important for rich results eligibility? Yes.
  • Is schema important if you’re running ecommerce and want product snippets, pricing visibility, and review stars? Very likely.
  • Is schema important if you’re a news publisher trying to appear in Top Stories, Google Discover, and other news-specific areas? Highly recommended.
  • Is schema important for LLMs to cite your website? Structured data can help certain large language models interpret content more clearly. For example, as confirmed by Fabrice Canel, principal product manager at Microsoft Bing, schema markup helps Microsoft’s LLMs better understand your content.

Schema isn’t a special case of “it depends.” It’s just a familiar one. The same logic applies across almost every debate in our industry, including arguably the biggest one right now.

GEO vs. SEO

This has become one of the most debated topics going into 2025 and 2026. Is SEO the same as generative engine optimization (GEO)?

Well, it depends. If we’re talking about core tactics — content quality, structured information, entity relationships, internal linking, bot accessibility, and content discoverability — then yes, there is significant overlap.

But if we’re talking about platforms and how they operate, then no. SEO traditionally optimizes for search engines like Google. GEO aims to influence visibility within generative systems like those developed by OpenAI and others.

The mechanics differ:

  • Traditional search retrieves and ranks documents.
  • Generative systems retrieve, synthesize, and generate responses.

That doesn’t mean one replaces the other. It means the context changes.

So, do you still think GEO is the same as SEO? (Yes, no, and it depends are all correct answers.)

Can a one-year-old website outrank older websites?

This was another Mueller moment on Reddit, where he responded with: “I think I’m trying to say ‘it depends’?”

Is domain age a ranking factor? Not directly.

Can a newer website outrank an older one? Generally yes. Specifically, it depends on a lot of factors:

  • Is the newer site producing better content?
  • Is it targeting underserved queries?
  • Does it have a stronger brand presence on social channels?

There are too many moving parts to give a universal answer, and that’s exactly the point.

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Are 404s hurting your SEO?

While it’s tempting to say yes, the standard answer is no. 404s don’t automatically hurt your website’s performance in search.

Fixing 404s is on every technical SEO checklist. It’s a good practice and definitely reduces your website’s technical debt. They don’t naturally hurt your performance in search because Google understands that pages are retired naturally.

Products go out of stock. Articles get removed. Content evolves. A 404 status code, by itself, is not a penalty trigger.

Unless your website creates a large number of 404s in a short period, which can happen during website migrations, for example. If a significant percentage of previously indexed URLs start returning 404s, that can absolutely impact your search visibility for the whole website. Especially if the number of 404s is a noticeable percentage of your website’s pages.

But imagine this: a website with tens of thousands of pages, or even millions of pages, and they have 10 404s. These are definitely not a high-priority fix. Right?

Yes, I would ignore them, especially if your dev team has higher-priority items in their queue. They’re just 10 links. They don’t matter…

Unless they have valuable backlinks linking to them.

Or unless those URLs are heavily linked internally, meaning users and crawlers repeatedly encounter them.

Or you’re running a news website and content is timely, and these 404 pages are ranking in search for time-sensitive keywords instead of your status 200 working content pages.

See what happened? The answer changed based on context. For every rule, there seems to be an exception.

To be a great SEO, you cannot simply operate off a checklist: 

You have to ask:

  • How many?
  • How fast did they appear?
  • Are they receiving links?
  • Are they indexed?
  • Are they affecting users?
  • What’s the opportunity cost of fixing them right now?

And once again, it depends.

The real skill in SEO

The real skill in SEO isn’t memorizing best practices or having the best, most comprehensive checklist.

It’s knowing when different things apply and understanding:

  • Which factors matter in this situation.
  • Which tactics are leverage points for this business model.
  • Which platform you’re optimizing for.
  • What your backend is.
  • And many, many more.

Saying “it depends” means you understand the question well enough to know it has no single answer.

In an industry shaped by evolving algorithms, multiple platforms, and constantly shifting user behavior, knowing this is foundational.

So maybe instead of rolling our eyes every time we hear “it depends,” we should recognize it for what it is — the most honest answer in SEO.

Survey: PPC is getting harder — and AI is only saving 5 hours a week

PPC reporting concept

The largest annual survey of PPC professionals finds the industry under growing pressure — more opaque platforms, weaker measurement, and AI tools that help but haven’t transformed the day-to-day.

Why we care. More than half of practitioners (53%) say PPC is harder than it was two years ago, up from 49%. The dominant reason isn’t competition — it’s that platforms are making more decisions advertisers can’t see or override, and that gap is only widening.

With 89% of digital spend flowing to just three companies, advertisers who don’t build measurement infrastructure independent of platform reporting are increasingly flying blind.

By the numbers:

  • 1,306 respondents surveyed November–December 2025 across agency, freelance, and in-house roles
  • 62% cite platform opacity as the top reason PPC has gotten harder; 53% blame measurement loss
  • 5.2 hours/week saved on average through AI tools — 55% save just 1–5 hours; almost no one saves 20+
  • 59% now use LLMs for ad copy, up from 42% last year — the fastest-growing AI use case
  • 73% of in-house teams now keep PPC fully in-house, up from 44% two years ago
  • 20% of clients plan to replace agency work with AI — vs. just 12% planning to switch agencies
  • $1 trillion in global digital ad spend in 2025; 89% flows to Google, Meta, or Amazon

What they’re saying. Exact match keywords remain the most trusted feature (75% use them often or always). AI Max for Search has the lowest adoption of any tracked feature — 34% have never used it (but then it’s the youngest of Google’s major updates). Auto-apply recommendations are firmly distrusted across the board.

Between the lines. Agency survival is the subtext of the whole report. Finding talent and growing revenue are both flagged as “very or often challenging” by 62% of agency respondents. And the threat isn’t defection to rival agencies — it’s clients cutting agencies out entirely by using AI in-house.

The big picture. Practitioners seem to have found a pragmatic relationship with AI — use it for copy and research, distrust it for autonomous decisions. The harder problem is one AI can’t solve: platforms are taking more control while giving advertisers less visibility. That gap is widening, and there’s no clear fix in sight.

Dig deeper. The State of PPC Global Report 2026

NBA world reacts to Bam Adebayo's historic, wild 83-point game

Who?!?

That was everybody's reaction to the news that Miami’s Bam Adebayo scored 83 and passed Kobe Bryant for the second-most points scored in an NBA game. If you had given me 100 choices before the season to name the player I thought would score 83 in a game, I'm not sure I would have named Adebayo — he would have been fourth or fifth on his own team.

As it happened and the news spread around the league, reactions started pouring in from fellow players and former teammates.

Bro what

— Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) March 11, 2026

83 for CAP pic.twitter.com/wdoptsezDp

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) March 11, 2026

"I couldn't believe it when I was hearing it in real time. ... Congrats to Bam."

KD's reaction to Bam Adebayo scoring 83 points ❤️ pic.twitter.com/b3syWVjTzr

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 11, 2026

BAM BAM BAM

— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 11, 2026

DAMIAN LILLARD: "At the Olympics, Bam was like 'I'm trying to average 30.'

"I literally said to him 'you think you're a 30-point scorer like that?'

"When I was watching him (tonight) I'm like 'maybe he knew something I didn't know.'... A'ja been working with him."

pic.twitter.com/WEdeF0hY1j

— NBA (@NBA) March 11, 2026

YEAHHH @Bam1of1 ‼️‼️‼️

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) March 11, 2026

Not everyone loved it, or how it went down.

"In the fourth quarter, it turned into not a real basketball game," Wizards coach Brian Keefe said after his team let Bam walk all over them. "They obviously kept him in the game, and there was a lot of foul calls, 16 free throws in the fourth quarter... He still got some free throws 40 feet from the rim. Can't explain some of those calls, but that's all I've got to say on that."

"I walked in [the Lakers coach's office] and I saw the score. He was at the free throw line, and I saw the score, and they've been playing great basketball lately, and I said to my coaching staff, 'He's rolling'" Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "They all kind of looked at each other. They're like, Are you kidding? Right now? I was like, 'No, what's up? They're like, they're 36 and 28 or wherever they are. They're getting ready to be 37 and 28,' and they're like, 'No, Bam has 77' and I was like, huh? And I watched the last three minutes, and that was a different type of basketball."

Other people were sticking up for Bam, or just congratulating him.

Loved every minute of Bam’s 83. The absurd possessions. The home broadcast raving about his unselfishness when he made a pass. Spo’s ridiculous challenge. Fouling up 20+ to stop the clock. The bombs from 3. Washington fouling a different player so Bam wouldn’t get the shot. The…

— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) March 11, 2026

That was dope watching @Bam1of1 shoot his way into history…. Congrats young fella….

— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) March 11, 2026

83 Adebayo ‍

— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) March 11, 2026

@Bam1of1 going CRAZY

— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) March 11, 2026

Still, in the end, a lot of people were still just thinking, "Bam got 83? Bam?"

83?????

— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) March 11, 2026

Bills and Josh Allen agree to restructure QB's contract in salary cap-saving move, AP source says

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has agreed to restructure his contract in a move that frees up approximately $12 million in much-needed salary cap space for the team entering the NFL's new year, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the discussions were to remain private. ESPN was first to report the restructuring.

The move converts $15.2 million of Allen's salary this season into a signing bonus, and comes a year after he signed a $330 million contract extension that ran through 2030.

What is essentially a move on paper for Allen is significant for the Bills because it provides general manager Brandon Beane payroll flexibility to add players as the NFL’s signing period opened on Wednesday.

The Bills were projected to be about $4 million over the cap entering the day.

They were about $32 million over the cap a week ago, which led to the team releasing three players and trading cornerback Taron Johnson to Las Vegas. The team also restructured various other contracts, while re-signing center Connor McGovern and acquiring receiver D.J. Moore in a trade with Chicago.

Upon formally signing his four-year, $52 million contract on Tuesday, McGovern revealed that Allen played a role in bringing the two sides together.

“It doesn’t hurt when you have 17 (Allen’s number) in your corner,” said McGovern, who was otherwise preparing to test the free agent market.

Buffalo is undergoing a transition with Joe Brady taking over as coach, replacing Sean McDermott, who was fired in January following nine seasons. Though the team’s offense remains mostly in tact, the defense — previously overseen by McDermott — is being overhauled under new coordinator Jim Leonhard.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

A'ja Wilson Tears Up Alongside Bam Adebayo After He Credits Her for Scoring 83 Points in Historic Game

Bam Adebayo and A'ja Wilson.Credit: ESPN/YouTube
Bam Adebayo and A'ja Wilson.
Credit: ESPN/YouTube

NEED TO KNOW

  • A'ja Wilson teared up alongside her boyfriend, Bam Adebayo, during a post-game press conference on Tuesday, March 10
  • The Las Vegas Aces MVP was emotional after the Miami Heat star praised her for his 83-point game against the Washington Wizards earlier in the night
  • The longtime friends turned romantic couple confirmed their relationship in February 2025

Bam Adebayo is shining a light on his girlfriend, A'ja Wilson.

The Miami Heat star scored a historic 83 points in the team's 150-129 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night, and praised the Las Vegas Aces champion for her support.

During a postgame news conference, Adebayo was asked by reporters about how he was processing his feat of scoring the second-highest point total in a single game in NBA history, behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100 points scored in 1962.

A'ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo.Credit: Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty
A'ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo.
Credit: Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty

The center, who sat at the mic next to Wilson, noted how his girlfriend was away for a week and missed the game where he scored his 10,000th career point on Sunday, March 8.

"She was complaining about how I got my 10,000 points and how she wanted me to wait, so to have 83 [points] the first game she's here is very special," Adebayo, 28, said.

"The behind-the-scenes, the workouts and the conversations are very motivating. Obviously, you see what she does and you get inspired everyday by that," he added of his girlfriend. "I'm thankful to have her in my life."

To a visibly choked-up Wilson, Adebayo added, "She's gonna cry by the way."

Bam Adebayo and A'ja Wilson react to the Miami Heat star' 83-point game on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.Credit: ESPN/YouTube
Bam Adebayo and A'ja Wilson react to the Miami Heat star' 83-point game on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Credit: ESPN/YouTube

Wilson, 29, spoke to the press about why she was "hiding" in the tunnel at the Kesaya Center in Miami during the game.

"I see the countless hours that he puts in. I see the early morning workouts, the questioning, the self-doubt. I see all that," she explained of the Heat star. "So to see him thriving so well in that space during that time, I didn't want to mess up any mojo."

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"We are the two most routine people ever, and I'm like, 'Alright, if I'm not in my seat, he's doing pretty well.' I remember I sat down and you missed your free throw, and I'm like, 'Alright. Let me go back to the back', " she recalled with a laugh.

Wilson added, "But at the same time, I knew I just wanted to be there to show my support. This has been an incredible game, obviously, but journey for Bam. Witnessing it firsthand, the highs and the lows of it, it's been so much fun."

Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat smiles during his historic 83-point game on March 10, 2026.Credit: Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty
Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat smiles during his historic 83-point game on March 10, 2026.
Credit: Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty

The WNBA MVP then praised her boyfriend for inspiring her in her own life, both personally and professionally.

"I know he says that I'm his inspiration, but I don't think he has a clue how much he inspires me to continue to be the person that I am, but to show up for him," she said. "That's my biggest goal. Always to be present and show up for him."

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces.Credit: Travis Bell/NBAE/Getty
A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces.
Credit: Travis Bell/NBAE/Getty

In making history, the Heat star surpassed Kobe Bryant's 81 points, which has stood second on the list for 20 years.

Wilson and Adebayo first sparked dating rumors after being spotted together ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics. They remained tight-lipped for months, until the Aces player subtly confirmed their romance in February 2025 during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Later that month, Wilson was honored with a jersey retirement by her alma mater, the University of South Carolina. During her speech, she gave a subtle shout-out to Adebayo, who was sitting courtside.

"I wouldn't be who I am today without the love, support and sacrifices of so many people," she said. "What a blessing to have those most special to me courtside today, especially my favorite Olympian from out of town."

Read the original article on People

Zach Lowe Makes Stance Clear On Celtics' Chances To Win Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta

Zach Lowe Makes Stance Clear On Celtics' Chances To Win Eastern Conference originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Ringer's Zach Lowe believes the Boston Celtics are the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference and make the NBA Finals in June. He said so during a new Zach Lowe Show that aired Monday.

“Are they the favorites (in the East)?” Lowe asked rhetorically. “I am conservative when I may calls like that, but I'll say this” No one else in the East has given me a reason to call them favorites over Boston … I guess I (need) to see more from Tatum, but they right now feel like the most coherent and complete team out of the top four to me.”

By the "top four", Lowe was referring to the other contenders in the East outside of Boston: Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks.

Boston fell to the Knicks in the second round of last year's playoffs, in which Tatum tragically ruptured his Achilles tendon during Game 4.

The Celtics made a ton of offseason changes that had them talked about as a lottery team intering the 2025-26 season. Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla, and the rest of the Celtics' organization never agreed with such assessments, even if they kept their opinions in-house.

Boston has torn apart all expectations and grown into a true contender during what was supposed to be a gap year. Neemias Queta has emerged as a Most Improved candidate, and Boston's young wings -- Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, rookie Hugo Gonzalez, and even Ron Harper Jr. -- have all surged ahead in their development.

Derrick White and Payton Pritchard continue to add value to their offerings. Jaylen Brown has leveled up.

This has all contributed to the Celtics trending in a direction that no one outside of the Auerbach Center saw coming.

More NBA: Bill Simmons Shares Unexpected Baylor Scheierman-Jayson Tatum Theory

Why the Detroit Lions Are Unlikely to Earn a Compensatory Pick for Recent Departure

The Detroit Lions may not receive a compensatory draft pick for the departure of veteran wide receiver and return specialist Kalif Raymond, and the reason comes down to the structure of his new contract.

According to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, Raymond has agreed to a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears worth up to $5.055 million, including $3 million guaranteed.

The contract details include:

  • $1 million signing bonus
  • $2 million guaranteed salary
  • $15,000 per-game active roster bonuses (up to $255,000)
  • Up to $1.8 million in playtime and playoff incentives

However, as noted by cap analyst Nick Korte, Raymond’s base average per year (APY) of roughly $3.255 million likely falls below the threshold needed to qualify as a compensatory free agent loss for Detroit.

Detroit Lions compensatory pick Kalif Raymond

How the compensatory formula works

The NFL awards compensatory picks based on a confidential formula that weighs several factors, including:

  • Average salary per year (APY)
  • Playing time
  • Postseason honors

Generally speaking, players must sign larger contracts to qualify as compensatory free agents that would generate draft compensation for their former team.

Because Raymond’s deal is relatively modest, especially compared to many free-agent wide receiver contracts, it likely won’t register in the compensatory pick formula.

Raymond’s role in Detroit

Raymond spent several productive seasons with the Lions after joining the team in 2021. Known for his speed and versatility, he contributed as both a receiver and one of the NFL’s more dangerous return specialists.

During his time in Detroit, Raymond became a trusted depth target for quarterback Jared Goff and a key contributor on special teams.

But while his departure may create an opportunity for younger players on Detroit’s roster, it appears unlikely to produce any additional draft capital for the Lions.

The post Why the Detroit Lions Are Unlikely to Earn a Compensatory Pick for Recent Departure appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.

Florentino Perez still dreams of pairing Man City megastar with Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid

Florentino Perez still dreams of pairing Man City megastar with Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid
Florentino Perez still dreams of pairing Man City megastar with Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid

According toL’Equipe, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez still harbours dreams of signing Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland and pairing him with superstar Kylian Mbappe at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It is no secret that Los Blancos have long admired the Manchester City and Norway striker and have held a strong interest in acquiring his services.

In fact, as per the report, about a year and a half ago, Real Madrid had a dream that perfectly fit the club’s long tradition of assembling “Galactico” squads: bringing together Haaland and Mbappe in the same attack.

The idea of pairing two of the most explosive forwards in world football captured the imagination of the club’s leadership and supporters alike.

While they were successful in signing Mbappe after his contract expired at PSG in 2024, a move for Haaland did not take place.

Real Madrid’s dream. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Although such a transfer currently appears very complicated to carry out, the idea has not been completely abandoned inside the Real Madrid offices.

The possibility remains alive, at least as a long-term objective, even if the circumstances required to make it happen would be extremely difficult to align.

The topic becomes especially relevant as Real Madrid prepare to face Manchester City later tonight in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League.

Haaland is not currently experiencing the best run of form in his career, but that is unlikely to prevent him from starting on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Despite that, he has already plundered 29 goals from 39 matches this season in all competitions, along with seven assists.

For Real Madrid to stand a chance of progressing in the competition, they must make sure that Haaland has a quiet outing across the two legs.

Five players who could strengthen the Greens in March

Five players who could strengthen the Greens in March
Five players who could strengthen the Greens in March

Exclusive

New faces for Algeria

Algeria/@FAF

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Vladimir Petkovic is leaving no stone unturned, eager to assess every possible option in his squad to ensure he has the best at his disposal for the big event.

With a long list of injuries and several players struggling for form, here are five contenders who could make their return to the national team during the March international break.

Mehdi Léris (Pisa)

After clocking up 26 matches for Pisa in Italy, Mehdi Léris is poised for a comeback more than two and a half years since his last call-up. The 27-year-old, capped four times, could provide a valuable solution at right-back.

Rafik Guitane (Estoril)

He was called up just once during the last Arab Cup and was hoping for a spot in AFCON 2025, but luck wasn’t on his side. With eight goal involvements (three goals, five assists) in 22 outings for Estoril, Guitane is making waves as the best dribbler in the Portuguese league, boasting 65 successful dribbles.

Amin Chiakha (Rosenborg)

Seven minutes across two games—that’s all the playing time Amin Chiakha has seen with the Algerian national team. He hasn’t donned the green jersey since March 25, 2025. With a shortage of attacking options, he could get another chance in the upcoming camp, especially now that he’s finding his feet at Rosenborg.

Yassine Titraoui (Charleroi SC)

Called up for the November break, the Charleroi SC midfielder couldn’t convince Vladimir Petkovic for a spot in either the Arab Cup or AFCON. Nevertheless, he’s posted four goals and two assists in 33 appearances across all competitions in Belgium.

Kevin Van Den Kerkhof (Charleroi SC)

Absent from the squad since June 2024, Kevin Van Den Kerkhof is another strong candidate for the right-back slot. He’s featured in 24 matches (two goals, one assist) for his Belgian club this season.

'I thought my dream was broken': Sanju Samson's emotional confession after T20 World Cup glory

NEW DELHI: India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson expressed heartfelt gratitude after playing a key role in India’s successful campaign at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, saying the moment felt like the realisation of a long-cherished dream that he once believed had slipped away.


Samson scripted a remarkable comeback during the recently concluded tournament, battling inconsistency and spells on the bench to emerge as India’s leading run-scorer. He delivered crucial performances when it mattered most, producing a string of half-centuries from the virtual quarterfinal against West Indies cricket team to the title clash against New Zealand national cricket team.


The keeper-batter was also adjudged Player of the Tournament for his consistency, amassing 321 runs in five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. His tally included 27 fours and 24 sixes, and he finished as the third-highest run-getter in the tournament.

He also surpassed Virat Kohli’s tally of 319 runs in the 2014 edition to register the most runs by an Indian in a single T20 World Cup.

Speaking in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Samson admitted that he had always dreamed of achieving such a milestone for the country but never imagined it would unfold the way it eventually did.
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“Unbelievable, I think I already said before, I had the dream to achieve this, but I didn't know it would happen so exactly in this current moment. So very grateful. I absolutely don't have words for it, to be very honest. I know, I think genuine prayers and genuine wishes are very powerful, and when they are given by such a huge crowd, I think I can't ask for more. I think they definitely, genuinely wish and pray for me,” Samson said.

— BCCI (@BCCI)

India, who defended their T20 World Cup crown by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs, became the first team to win the marquee event three times since its inception in 2007 and the first to successfully defend the title in consecutive editions.

Reflecting on the support he received from fans across the country, Samson said the prayers from supporters meant more to him than any personal achievement.

“I think that is much, much bigger than anything for me in this life. I want to thank each and every one of you out there who has wished for me, who has prayed for me. Thank you so much, and this means the world to me. You definitely can have a dream, you can definitely think that that's what you want to achieve, but you can't plan the way to get there. That is something only one person can do. I actually lost it,” Samson added.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup, the wicketkeeper-batter endured a difficult home T20I series against the Black Caps, where he managed just 46 runs across five matches. Samson revealed that he believed his dream had been shattered after the series against New Zealand.

“I think I left it alone after the New Zealand Series. I thought my dream was broken. I actually wanted to do this, wanted to be the man for India in this World Cup, but after the New Zealand Series, I thought that I didn't utilise my opportunity, and the dream is broken. But I think the world and God's grace, things turned around, and I'm very happy that what has happened here,” Samson concluded.

'Outstanding' Andrews and Benham's early Bees vision

Keith Andrews surrounded by bubbles at West Ham
[Getty Images]

Brentford's majority owner Matthew Benham says head coach Keith Andrews proved to be an "outstanding" candidate at a time of high risk for the Bees.

Andrews - a former set-piece coach at the club - succeeded Thomas Frank during the summer at a time when the Bees also lost strike duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa to Manchester United and Newcastle respectively.

Speaking to presenter Roger Bennett from the Men in Blazers podcast at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference 2026, Benham discussed how he viewed losing key players, citing an increase in probability of relegation given both walked out the door.

On replacing Frank, he explained: "I'm a big believer in sort of the collective making decisions. Not in a group think way. So I don't like the idea of me saying 'oh I think we should go for Keith, does everyone else agree?' And they all say 'yes boss'.

"It's more myself, Phil Giles - who's a director of football, Lee Dykes, the technical director, and Ben Ryan, head of performance. The first thing we did, the four of us, we go away separately and think about, who could be interesting and then we come together to talk and and all four of us thought, you know, Keith seemed like a really, really strong candidate.

"He is clearly, as you have seen, an amazing communicator, fantastic leader. We knew that he was very good with with the players and also with the existing staff. We realised we were in a bit of a high-risk scenario anyway with all the sort turnover of staff and players.

"So we could have brought in a sort of big name from outside who comes with an entourage that would have had a lot of risk. It just seemed that Keith was like the clear logical candidate. Maybe we were in a bubble because then when it got announced and there was all this uproar we were like 'what have we done?'

"But from where we were sitting it just seemed that Keith was like a clear outstanding candidate."

Benham also spoke at length about buying into Brentford in 2005.

"For the first few years of being financially involved, really from 2005 until I took over fully, I didn't really see a serious long term prospect," he explained.

"It was more like a labour of love, the team I supported as a kid. This is a bit of fun, could I put enough money in to be a third or fourth division team?

"It was around the summer of 2013 that I thought it could be a bit more than a labour of love.

"Until then the conventional wisdom was unless you're a huge club with a huge following and stadium then you'll always be a lower league team. But it got to a stage where the TV deal in the Premier League was so big that it seemed you didn't need this traditional support to make a viable business.

"If we got to the Premier League we would have that TV money. But if we weren't the money was washing around and Premier League teams would buy the top players in the Championship. We could climb up via the transfer market."

Ronda Rousey claims Dana White pushed her to look beyond the UFC ahead of MMA return

Photo by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Photo by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

Ronda Rousey says Dana White was happy to see her return to fighting, even if it was not with the UFC.

She recently booked her first MMA bout in a decade and says she is giving the UFC some much-needed competition by signing with a different promotion.

As one of the sport’s biggest names, ‘Rowdy’ has called out several issues with the UFC that fans have long complained about, including fighter pay.

She also spoke about how White reacted when she told him she would not be coming back to the UFC.

Ronda Rousey says Dana White gave his blessing for her return after she told him about Netflix move

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

On 16 May, two former UFC champions will step back into competition, with Francis Ngannou joining Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA event.

Despite initially proposing a fight against Gina Carano to the UFC, Rousey has already clarified her reasons for not making a return to the organisation.

When asked during MVP’s press conference if the failed talks left any bad blood, she denied it.

She said: “No, not at all… He [Dana White] was the one that was like, ‘I want you to make as much money as possible. Don’t stay here and take less for me’. He gave me his blessing to go out and do it on my own.

“If anyone’s been his apprentice on how to be a promoter, it’s been me.”

She added that she let White know about her approach to Netflix because of their longstanding friendship.

Despite being concerned he might be upset, Rousey said White had nothing but positive things to say about her decision.

“He was like, ‘I could never be upset with you. I love you so much. I want you to do great, I want this to be successful,’” ‘Rowdy’ revealed.

Rousey also pointed out that many of her issues with the UFC stem from White no longer being an owner but rather an employee now.

Read more:

Team USA's WBC fate is out of its hands. Gaffe from Mark DeRosa only twists knife.

In theory, Mark DeRosa will be the most nervous observer when Mexico and Italy play the final game in Pool B of the World Baseball Classic Wednesday, March 11 in Houston, with the fate of Team USA in the balance.

In reality, his gaffe on national television can't totally be undone with the result of a ballgame.

In what will go down as one of the more significant managerial oversights in the middle of a championship, DeRosa went on his own network with friendly hosts and claimed that the Americans ‒ sitting at 3-0 and apparently indomitable ‒ were already through to the quarterfinals.

Alas, the buzz of their postgame celebration after vanquishing Mexico had hardly worn off when DeRosa joined MLB Network for the sort of interview he'd conducted hundreds of times. But an Italian team with legit big league power loomed in their final game.

And the Americans got crushed. And, in fact, suddenly have their own fate out of their hands.

Though the odds remain in their favor, a viable scenario ‒ Mexico beating Italy while scoring four or fewer runs ‒ exists to send Team USA home after pool play for the first time in WBC history.

Yes, this Team USA ‒ of Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber’s tape-measure power, Bobby Witt Jr.’s all-around brilliance, Paul Skenes’ utter dominance. Yes, the best collection of talent in a half-dozen WBCs.

On paper, they wouldn’t be going home because DeRosa misspoke, or because he rested a handful of so-called regulars. Heck, No. 9 hitter and part-time center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong drove in four of their runs with a pair of homers in an urgent comeback that fell short in the 8-6 loss to Italy. Lineup hot takes are almost worse in the WBC than the regular season, especially with the blue chip depth Team USA enjoys.

No, they’d be going home largely because the club was perhaps one starting pitcher short of unbeatable. Nolan McLean, entering his first full season as a New York Met, was not up to the task of putting the paisans down, leaving with a 3-0 deficit after giving up a pair of rockets to Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel and White Sox farmhand Sam Antonacci.

“I misspoke… Completely misread the calculations.”

Manager Mark DeRosa confirms he did not know Team USA could still be eliminated during pool play pic.twitter.com/n5Gbo3SxcB

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 11, 2026

Rockies right-hander Michael Lorenzen – a former teammate of several Team USA members – threw the ball terrifically. The deficit grew. Perhaps DeRosa could have lifted long reliever Ryan Yarbrough before his outing mushroomed into "wear it" territory, a situation that looked worse when the USA nearly clawed back all of an 8-0 deficit.

The looks on the faces of Team USA as all this unfolded were startling. A mix of astonishment, a sinking feeling that they could, in fact, be eliminated, perhaps doing mathematic machinations as the espresso shots flew in the Italians' dugout.

Funny thing about ballplayers: Some are thoroughly locked in to what's happening on a given day. Others don't know what day it is, nor whether they just took part in a historic Farris-Buehler matchup.

But a lot of that stuff isn't their job. Their job is to show up and ball. The button-pushing, the logistics, the bigger picture after The Neverending Today – that's the manager's job. The surprising thing about DeRosa's gaffe is that he's not a major league manager parachuting in from Florida or Arizona.

His lone job, other than gassing up his guests on MLB Network or playing wingman when Rob Manfred's in a union-bustin' mood, is managing the WBC team. Look, we all fall victim – present company included – to WBC Brain, misinterpreting pool-play standings and looming tiebreakers.

Yet this is DeRosa's whole deal. That three teams finishing pool play 3-1 is potentially bad news, and that there was one Team USA game remaining, against an unbeaten team, should have been seared into his brain.

Alas, he verbally punched their ticket, acknowledged at a pregame press conference both that he "misspoke" and also he "completely misread the calculations," and now his MLB Network friends have reportedly removed the video. A public service, in a sense, as more news networks would be wise to remove disinformation rather than spread it.

“It’s weird. We want to win this game even though our ticket’s punched to the quarterfinals.” -Team USA manager Mark DeRosa earlier today

Team USA’s ticket was not, in fact, punched to the quarterfinals, and now they’re in danger of missing out pic.twitter.com/xMPAdLODTY

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 11, 2026

The sequence does little to tamp down the notion that the Americans are a bit less passionate about this event than their rivals. Save for the grit-and-grind, Jim Leyland-led group that won it all in 2017, Team USA has always been Team Taciturn, the staid actors in an event fueled by passion. The guard has come down a little bit in recent events, but a Team USA game won't be confused for an international party anytime soon.

For that, DeRosa can be thankful. Imagine if he were managing Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic or Venezuela, and erred in his miscalculations, and then his team got their butts kicked by an underdog. The noise might be a bit louder than a few hot takes from a handful of vodcasters.

Of course, an Italy win over Mexico makes all this so much Mountain Valley Spring Water under the bridge. Or a Mexico win with a lot of runs on the board. DeRosa will certainly be watching, and will full well know the score.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mark DeRosa's gaffe twists knife as Team USA awaits WBC fate

Report: Lavonte David deciding between retirement and being a Buc

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a dire need for linebacking help heading into the offseason. Lavonte David remains up in the air, SirVocea Dennis has not been the player they hoped for, and the depth behind them isn't much to look at, either, in terms of production. So, the team made an agreement to sign Alex Anzalone from the Detroit Lions as he completes his homecoming to Florida, but what if they get Lavonte David back, too?

Auman reported, "No decision yet on Bucs linebacker Lavonte David, but he's choosing between retiring or returning to Tampa and not listening to any outside offers, per his agent, Ron Butler."

Until they know for sure, they have to remain flexible on the market, but one of those options is now gone, and it has gone to the Carolina Panthers. Linebacker Devin Lloyd is in agreement to sign with the Bucs division rival to help their continued overhaul of the defense.

Lloyd was seen as a fit for the Bucs, but they now have to look for David to return, as the market is now depleted. As for the NFL Draft, there are some pieces, but by the time the Bucs are on the clock at pick 15 the top tier of talent should be drafted well before.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Offseason: Lavonte David deciding between retirement and playing

Ravens have $58.5M in cap space after Lamar Jackson's restructure

The Ravens agreed to a four-year, $112 million deal with Trey Hendrickson on Wednesday, hours after restructuring Lamar Jackson's contract. The reworked deal freed up nearly $39 million in cap space and took Baltimore from the middle of the pack in cap space to No. 3 overall with $58,517,187 available, according to Over The Cap.

The updated ranking is impressive, but comes after the Raiders, Titans, and Commanders shelled out hundreds of millions to free agents, including Las Vegas making Tyler Linderbaum the highest-paid center in NFL history.

The reworking of the deal means it clears the $75 million cap hit for 2026, as Baltimore and Jackson have been unable to agree on terms for a contract extension, with the Wednesday afternoon deadline fast approaching. After a near-MVP season in 2024, Jackson was battered and missed four games, going 192-302 passing (63.6 completion percentage) for 2,549 yards (196.1 per game), 21 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 103.8 passer rating.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Updated Ravens salary cap space after Lamar Jackson restructure

D.J. Moore Is The Perfect Fit for Buffalo

Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) makes the eventual game winning touchdown catch against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFC Wild Card Round game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

On Thursday, March 5, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported a huge trade. The Chicago Bears agreed to send wide receiver D.J. Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for a 2026 second-round pick.

This trade is a win for both sides. For the Bills, they get a new wide receiver one. As for the Bears, they can open up more playing time for Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. 

From Buffalo’s perspective, there’s a lot to be excited about. Josh Allen will have a proven talent at wide receiver outside of Khalil Shakir. Additionally, Moore will be paired back up with his former offensive coordinator, Joe Brady.

ESPN sources: the Chicago Bears are working to finalize a trade that would send WR D.J. Moore to the Buffalo Bills.

Compensation still is being discussed, and the trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins, but both sides are pushing to make it happen. pic.twitter.com/pMM4pvGFaZ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2026

Familiarity With Joe Brady

The most intriguing part of this deal for the Bills is the reunion between D.J. Moore and Joe Brady. Brady was Moore’s offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021 in Carolina. In those years, Moore put up back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons while hauling in eight touchdowns. The Panthers didn’t have much team success while the two were together. However, Brady helped Moore officially break out and make a name for himself in the NFL.

Since their time together, Moore has had nothing but praise for his former offensive coordinator. Just a month ago, during an interview with Yahoo Sports’ Matt Harmon, Moore said Buffalo’s offense “has been electric.” Moore added, “He might just open it up this year,” when asked about Brady’s offense going into next season.

Despite not being together for over four seasons now, the respect between the two hasn’t been lost. Furthermore, their dynamic will likely make it easy for Brady to quickly integrate Moore into the Bills’ new look offense next season.

With Moore, Shakir, and Kincaid, the Bills look to have a respectable group of pass catchers for the first time since trading Stefon Diggs. Additionally, with Josh Allen at the helm, Moore should be able to thrive.

Familiarity with Joe Brady’s offense and the best quarterback of his career so far could make this the perfect situation for Moore.

I asked DJ Moore last month what he liked about playing in Joe Brady's offense back in Carolina when he was the OC. He highlighted the nuance, along with the new routes and concepts, Brady brought to the table.

"He might just open it up this year." – DJ Moore pic.twitter.com/Gep3Dy1piX

— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) March 5, 2026

More Help Coming?

D.J. Moore will likely slot in as the Bills’ wide receiver one going into next season. However, Tony Pauline reported that the team was still looking to add more at the position. 

The Bills reportedly liked former Packers’ wide receiver Romeo Doubs before he signed with the Patriots on Tuesday. While there’s still interest in adding more depth at the position, they’ll have to turn their attention elsewhere. Already, though, they have been linked to other options, such as Hollywood Brown orChristian Kirk.

Brown or Kirk could complement the Bills’ existing offensive weapons nicely. Another target to ease Moore and Shakir’s burden is exactly what the team needs.

If they fail to bring another wide receiver in during free agency, they could always pivot to the draft. Some interesting prospects the Bills may target are K.C. Concepcion and Omar Cooper Jr.

It’s time for the #Bills to make big moves at WR, in free agency, trade market or the draft. @KevC_Sports and I look at some of the top options in the draft, free agents and trade ideas on the latest #Buffalo End Zone podcast. #BillsMafia LINK: https://t.co/vkThUddwVc

— Andy Young (@AndyYoungTV) March 3, 2026

Regardless of how the Bills choose to get their receiver, they should be getting one of a specific type: another outside receiver. Khalil Shakir has secured the slot position, and Moore will be taking up one of the two outside spots. Thus, all they need is another bigger receiver to play opposite Moore, who can be more of a jump ball target, with Moore only being 6-foot.

When factoring in their moves so far with a healthy Dalton Kincaid and last season’s top rushing offense, there’s a lot to be excited about. It’s still early in the NFL’s offseason, and the Bills have a lot of work left to do on the defensive side of the ball. But addressing arguably their biggest need early on will allow them to shift their focus to the draft.

What’s Next?

While D.J. Moore might not have been most Bills fans’ first option for a big move at the wide receiver position, the fit is perfect. He knows Joe Brady’s offense, fills a huge need the team had, and has proven in two different places that he can be productive.

Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane came into the offseason knowing the roster had a lot of holes, and he got going early. Addressing this position was the first thing he needed to get done.

As for the rest of the offseason, the Bills still need to find a new safety partner for Cole Bishop. They also need a replacement for David Edwards at guard, and depth at the linebacker and edge rusher positions.

With a splash move like D.J. Moore already done, it’ll be interesting to see how creative Beane gets to fill out the rest of the roster. Nevertheless, the addition of Moore alone already has other NFL teams trembling.

The post D.J. Moore Is The Perfect Fit for Buffalo appeared first on The Lead.

McLaren, Williams Struggle With Mercedes F1 Team’s Inside Knowledge of New Power Unit

f1 grand prix of australia
F1's Mercedes Power Unit Customers Anni Graf - Formula 1 - Getty Images

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix was a voyage of discovery for all the Formula 1 teams, with everyone still learning about their new cars and power units—and in particular, how the latter have to be operated. And of the most intriguing outcomes of the weekend was the obvious frustration of Mercedes customers McLaren and Williams, with both teams wrestling with the possible fact they may be on the back foot due to a lack of information flow from their common power unit partner.

The circumstances brought to mind a similar situation in the first year of the V-6 hybrid rules back in 2014. McLaren ran a single season with the new Mercedes power unit that year, before switching to a Honda engine the following season. The works Mercedes team dominated 2014, and customer team Williams also benefited with some strong showings. McLaren, however, had a dire season by its standards.

At Suzuka, then-team boss Ron Dennis, frustrated by his cars' performance, made his feelings known. “One thing that jumps [at] you if you look at all of the qualifications of all of this year is the time difference between the Mercedes-Benz works team and the other teams,” he said in 2014. “What that means is that in my opinion, an opinion held by many people in our organization, is that you have no chance of winning a world championship if you are not receiving the best engines from whoever is manufacturing your engines.”

Ron Dennis McLaren Logo
Former McLaren team boss Ron Dennis.Mark Thompson - Getty Images

“A modern Grand Prix engine in this moment in time is not just about transparent power,” Dennis continued. “It’s about how you harvest the energy, it’s about how you store the energy, and effectively if you don’t have control of that process—meaning access to source code—then you are not going to be able to stabilize your car in the entry to corners, etc, and you lose lots of lap time. So even though you have the same brand of engine that does not mean you have the ability to optimize the engine.” (Mercedes boss Toto Wolff later denied customers didn’t get fair treatment.)

In more recent seasons, the FIA has very closely regulated the power unit supply situation, so that manufacturers are obliged to give the customers the same hardware and software and modes and so on. Over the last few years, there was never any suggestion that customers of Mercedes High Performance Powertrains were at a disadvantage; the fact that McLaren comprehensively beat the works team in 2024 and 2025 is proof of that.

f1 grand prix of australia
Mark Sutton - Formula 1 - Getty Images

That may have changed with the 2026 power units, though, and the incredibly complex energy management associated with them. Inevitably, Mercedes (and Ferrari) have been a step ahead of their customers over the last few years as they've developed the power units. It’s natural that the works teams would be totally embedded in that process, and thus come into this year with more knowledge. Customer teams knew that would be the case. However, as everyone has run their new cars on track, the customers have discovered the knowledge gap is apparently bigger than they had anticipated—and they feel Mercedes hasn’t been giving them the full story on how to fully optimize the power units.

Winter testing, and even practice in Australia, only revealed so much. The real story came during qualifying in Melbourne, where Mercedes was eight-tenths of a second ahead of the field, including McLaren—which dug into the data after the race to see where the missing time was. "I can say that we spent a lot of time looking at several overlays—not only obviously with HPP teams, in particular Mercedes, but also to other competitors,” said McLaren boss Andrea Stella. “The result of this analysis seems to direct to the fact that we have work to do as a team, in collaboration with our HPP engineers. We have work to do to exploit the potential of the power unit.”

Stella admitted McLaren has some catching up to do. “Now, it's not obvious how you do that,” he said. “We are in a journey of knowledge, probably—or maybe I should say certainly a journey that is earlier than the works team. The works team and HPP will have worked together for a long time, so they will have collaborated, talked about how to use the power unit. That's fair enough. But we'll definitely intensify the collaboration with HPP, because our understanding is that there is some low-hanging fruit that we should be able to cash in.”

f1 grand prix of australia qualifying
McLaren’s Andrea Stella and Zak Brown.Mark Sutton - Formula 1 - Getty Images

"Let me say, since we are a customer team... this is the first time that we feel we are on the back foot—even when it comes to the ability to predict how the car will behave, and the ability to anticipate how we can improve the car,” he added.

A cynic might suggest McLaren is simply frustrated it has lost the advantage it had over the past couple of years. But the view of Williams boss James Vowles is another story. His team has other problems at the moment with an overweight, under-performing car; however, when a guy who was part of the works organization for many years comes close to being critical, take note. "What Mercedes are doing on the power unit is something that caught us off-guard,” said Vowles. “It took a qualifying for us to really see just how off the pace we are, in that regard. That's probably three-tenths, something in that ballpark.”

“I'm confident Mercedes have provided us—because they're very good at this—with the ability to do what they're doing. I don't know how to do that right now, as I talk to you today," he said. "And that's what we're working through in the background right now. What have we missed, and how do we get there faster?”

Like Stella, he suggested the information flow isn’t what he’d like it to be. “It is not an open door, as you would imagine,” he said. “Because that's where the performance is found. So it is down to us to try and work around it. But I would say we have to acknowledge we, as Williams, do not have the sophistication that they have—the level of technologies. And definitely, that's on us."

"I would say the converse is that there's some inherent knowledge they have, which we don't. That's down to us to figure out.”

george russell of great britain drives the (63) mercedes amg
SOPA Images - Getty Images

As for Wolff, he downplayed the situation when asked about it. "I think it's clear when you roll out new regulations, there's so much to learn,” he said. “Whether you have a customer that's on your gearbox or suspension, and in the same way, on the power units, the development slope is very steep. And you can never deploy things to make everybody happy. But I think most important is, we are trying to provide a good service.”




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Runners earn Guinness World Record for deepest marathon

March 11 (UPI) -- A group of runners held a certified event over 3,000 feet underground, earning them a Guinness World Record for the deepest marathon.

The marathon took place in Garpenberg, Sweden, and featured 55 runners from across 18 countries. The course measured 3,669 ft. and 10 inches underground.

Guinness World Records noted that the depth is between the height of the world's tallest waterfall, Angel Falls, and the U.K's highest mountain known as Ben Nevis.

Runners had to wear headlamps to compete in the event, which contained 11 laps and raised around $1million for charity.

"It' hot, it's humid, it's a bit dusty, but we're good," one of the competitors told Guinness World Records.

The event was a joint venture between companies BecomingX, ICMM and Boliden. The previous Guinness World Record for deepest marathon went to the Crystal Mine Underground Marathon in Germany, which took place 1,640 ft. and 5 inches below sea level.

Runners strap headlamps on to tackle deepest marathon over 3,000 ft undergroundhttps://t.co/bfxoFBJEsa— Guinness World Records (@GWR) March 11, 2026

Alex Bowman to miss Las Vegas, Justin Allgaier to drive No. 48 car

Hendrick Motorsports has officially revealed Alex Bowman's status for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Bowman will miss the Cup Series event at Las Vegas, the team announced. Justin Allgaier, a driver for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR O'Reilly Series, will drive the No. 48 car in his place.

Bowman is still experiencing lingering symptoms from his vertigo diagnosis, and it is unclear when he will return to the No. 48 car for Hendrick Motorsports. After four races in 2026, the Hendrick Motorsports driver sits 36th in the point standings with a 77-point deficit to the Chase bubble.

The main priority for Hendrick Motorsports is making sure Bowman is 100% recovered from his vertigo before putting him back in the No. 48 car. It is a very disappointing development for Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, and the No 48 team, but Allgaier will try his best to have a good run at Las Vegas this weekend.

More: Carson Hocevar expresses interest in running the Indianapolis 500

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Alex Bowman to miss Las Vegas, Justin Allgaier to drive No. 48 car

Pressley on no derby enjoyment, Dundee momentum & Koumetio

Dundee manager Steven Pressley has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Sunday's derby against Dundee United.

Here are the main points:

  • Dundee's victory over in-form Motherwell last weekend was "no surprise" to the Dundee boss, adding his players "showed an incredible resilience and determination to find a way to get a result".
  • Pressley believes there's "a lot more to come" from his players but is pleased "they want to get better all the time".
  • The head coach says the Dundee derby is a "terrific spectacle and a great game of football" and, in the wake of the pitch invasion and violence that followed last weekend's Old Firm showdown, he insists "we want the attention to be on the pitch".
  • Dundee can leapfrog their city rivals in the table with a win but Pressley insists his players "don't need" that motivation.
  • Having lost their previous home meeting with United 1-0 in August, Pressley says: "It was sore, it was hard for the players and myself. We don't want to experience that again."
  • Pressley knows how important Sunday's derby is for "momentum" and wants his side to "get the right outcome".
  • But the 52-year-old admits he "doesn't enjoy" derby outings, adding "there's a lot of relief at the end of it".
  • United have just one win in five games but Pressley says: "Form is over the course of a season. You can have five or six good performances, that doesn't mean you don't get relegated. When I look at form, I look at the form for the 29 games. At present, Dundee United's form is better than ours."
  • Clark Robertson remains unavailable, Billy Koumetio returned to full training on Tuesday and while the weekend may still come too early for him, Pressley insists "he's certainly a consideration".

A'ja Wilson trolled boyfriend Bam Adebayo after his 83-point night

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo scored 83 points on Tuesday, providing his girlfriend, Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson, with a prime opportunity to troll him over it.

Adebayo and Wilson have a special relationship. They show up for one another. So it shouldn't surprise anyone that Wilson was courtside as the Miami Heat center made NBA history against the Washington Wizards. It also shouldn't be surprising that Adebayo, who has previously trolled Wilson, was trolled mid-performance by his girlfriend.

"Welp, won’t have the highest career high in the house anymore, but at least it gives me something to go after," Wilson said on Threads, along with an iconic America's Next Top Model meme of fake crying.

MORE NBA:Bam Adebayo talks Kobe Bryant and what he would have said to 83 points

For context, in 2023, Wilson tied the record for most points scored in a single WNBA game with 53 points against the Atlanta Dream. Adebayo's previous career high before Tuesday's matchup was 41 points. So, as you might imagine, Wilson wasn't done with the jokes.

After Adebayo's breakout performance, she posted "Go ahead and pee in that cup my boi!" with a laughing Charlie Murphy meme, suggesting that Adebayo would be drug tested by the NBA for that sort of game.

Your move, A'ja 👀 pic.twitter.com/7Ed30whzkb

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 11, 2026

Honestly, that's low-key diabolical work by Wilson.

Fight back, Bam Adebayo. Don't let her do you like that.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Bam Adebayo trolled by A'ja Wilson after 83-point game vs. Wizards

The Bills still have cap space to sign players now that the league year has opened

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 26: General manager Brandon Beane of the Buffalo Bills arrives to the stadium prior to the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Buffalo Bills have made a series of moves to both get under the 2026 salary cap and agreed to signings and trades that will add to their cap load. Let’s recap everything they’ve done and assess where they are heading into the league year Wednesday.

The Bills entered the offseason projected to be $9 million or so over the salary capaccording to Spotrac, a national sports contract website. Then they re-signed Alec Anderson and Phadarian Mathis to low-level contracts, which doesn’t impact the top 51 contracts by much.

Buffalo Bills cut several players to shed cap commitments

In March, the Bills released several players with bloated contracts. WR Curtis Samuel ($6 million), Taylor Rapp ($3 million), and Dane Jackson ($1.2 million) were all released. If you add the totals up, it’s $10.2 million but those players were replaced in the top 51 contracts with players making $1 million each, so it’s a total savings of $7.2 million at this point. As the Bills add players, those $1 million rostered players will drop back out of the top 51, so we’ll just use the full amount.

The Bills also traded Taron Johnson, clearing $1.9 million in cap space

Added $12.1 million in cap space

Tyler Bass and Dawson Knox take pay cuts

Another move to create cap space was to actually lower what they were paying to two veterans in Tyler Bass and Dawson Knox. We know the numbers for Bass, who is making $1.5 million less in 2026. We don’t have numbers yet for Knox, but it is incredibly likely that part of his new contract was lowering his very high cost in 2026.

It’s safe to assume Knox’s number will go down by at least $3 million, and likely to be in the $4 to $6 million in cap savings range in 2026.

Added $4.6 to $7.5 million in cap space

Bills restructures create cap space

The biggest move the Bills have done this offseason to create cap space was move $15 million of Josh Allen’s salary into a bonus, pushing $12 million into future years. They pulled that lever Wednesday morning.

The Bills also used restructures with Ed Oliver, clearing $10.25 million, and Spencer Brown, creating $10.4 million in space.

Added $32.65 million in 2026 cap space

Buffalo Bills cap savings so far

When you total up the restructures, roster cuts, trade, and pay cuts, the Bills created $49.5 to $52.5 million in cap space, pushing some into the future and shedding some completely.

That would seem to give the Bills somewhere between $40 million and $43 million in cap space heading into free agency BUT they also signed a big contract before the league year starts. Since he was under contract, the Bills don’t need to wait for the new league year to execute the deal.

Connor McGovern’s new deal taps into Bills cap space

McGovern signed a four-year deal for $52 million for an average of $13 million per season. Assuming that the first season will be higher in cash outlay due to signing bonus, you can probably assume his 2026 cap hit is going to be around $6 to $7 million. Since McGovern was going to be a free agent, that is off the top.

We can say the same for Mitch Wishnowsky’s deal, but it’s going to be much smaller and have a smaller cap hit.

Subtracts $6 to $7 million in 2026 cap space

Buffalo Bills cap space heading into the 2026 league year

If you take the Bills $40 to $43 million in cap space and subtract the $6 to $7 million from the Connor MvGovern contract, the Bills sit somewhere between $33 million and $37 million in available cap space entering the 2026 league year at noon.

The DJ Moore trade can now become official and count against the cap

The Buffalo Bills have created enough cap space to trade for DJ Moore. His current cap hit is $24.5 million and they need to fit that number under their cap before they can restructure it to lower the number.

Subtracts $24.5 million in 2026 cap space

Once they complete the trade, they will restructure the move. I think the Bills should do it over four years instead of adding a void year due to Moore’s age. That would spread $22.185 million over four years, saving $16.6 million in 2026 cap space. If they add the void year, it would push $17.75 million so they might just add the void year anyway. We are using round numbers here, so let us split the difference.

Adds $17 million in 2026 cap space

What cap space do the Bills have to add free agents

When all is said and done then, the Bills will have in the neighborhood of $25.5 to $29.5 million to sign free agents. Please remember that will include both the deals that were agreed to this week during the tampering period.

  • CB Dee Alford ($3.23 million cap hit in 2026)
  • QB Kyle Allen ($1.9 million cap hit in 2026)

After accounting for that combined $5 million in cap space, the Bills still have plenty of room to be players in 2026 if they want.

Buffalo Bills have roughly $20 to $25 million in cap space

What can the Bills do to create more cap space in 2026?

They can also add more cap space by restructuring the contract of Dion Dawkins. I would personally rather they leave the contract alone to give themselves more flexibility in 2027.

If they restructure the max amount for Dawkins, they can add $11 million in cap space for 2026.

Adding that $11 million in dead cap to his current 2027 dead cap number, his cap hit would be $25 million if he was on the team and $25 million if he was cut. So they wouldn’t be able to open cap space by releasing him if he declines.

Game thread, ACC tourney Round 2: Pitt vs. NC State

RALEIGH, NC - FEBRUARY 17: Quadir Copeland #11 of the NC State Wolfpack celebrates the win with the rest of the team after the college basketball game between the UNC Tar Heels and the NC State Wolfpack on February 17, 2026 at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. (Photo by Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Yes hello I’d like to order one (1) victory please.

Panthers vs. Wolfpack

Tip time: Noon ET

TV: ESPN2 (Kevin Brown, Jay Williams)

Online streaming: WatchESPN

NCAA Tournament basketball projection for Vols after March 10 games

The SEC Tournament will tip off Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. No. 9 seed Kentucky will face No. 16 seed LSU in the tournament's first game. Tipoff between the Wildcats and Tigers is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. EDT (SEC Network).

Tennessee (21-10) is a No. 5 seed in the SEC Tournament. The Vols open play on Thursday in the second round against the winner between No. 12 seed Auburn (16-15) and No. 13 seed Mississippi State (13-18).

Following college basketball games on Tuesday, Joe Lunardi of ESPN released updated bracketology projections for the NCAA Tournament.

Lunardi projects the Vols as a No. 5 seed in Portland, Oregon. Tennessee is projected to face No. 12 seed Northern Iowa in the first round. The winner would advance to play either No. 4 seed Texas Tech or No. 13 seed Utah Valley in the second round.

The NCAA Tournament bracket will be announced March 15 on Selection Sunday (6 p.m. EDT, CBS).

More: 2026 SEC Tournament TV, game times, basketball schedule

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

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Updated bracketology for Tennessee basketball after March 10 games

Game Thread: No. 7 Iowa State vs. Arizona State — Big 12 Tournament Second Round

For the third time in the last four seasons, Iowa State begins its Big 12 Tournament run against the same opponent it just faced to close the regular season.

The No. 7 Cyclones meet Arizona State Wednesday morning in the second round at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Iowa State enters postseason play at 25-6 overall and 12-6 in Big 12 play, while the Sun Devils arrive at 17-15 and 7-11 in conference games.

The two teams met just days ago in Ames, where Iowa State used a dominant second-half surge — highlighted by a 24-0 run — to pull away for an 86-65 victory.

Now the stakes rise with a spot in the Big 12 quarterfinals on the line.

Cyclones to watch

Milan Momcilovic
The junior sharpshooter has been one of the nation’s most dangerous perimeter threats this season. He holds the Iowa State single-season record for three-pointers with 114 and is shooting an eye-popping 50 percent from deep.

Tamin Lipsey

The senior guard, and Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, continues to be the engine of Iowa State’s defense and transition offense, averaging double-digit points while filling the stat sheet with assists, rebounds and steals.

Open thread
  • Can Iowa State replicate the second-half dominance from Saturday?
  • Who steps up offensively if Arizona State slows the three-point attack?

Tip-off is set for 11:30 a.m. CT — drop your predictions, reactions, and in-game takes below.

VfB Stuttgart vs. FC Porto Europa League preview: Team news and predicted lineups

VfB Stuttgart vs. FC Porto Europa League preview: Team news and predicted lineups
VfB Stuttgart vs. FC Porto Europa League preview: Team news and predicted lineups

VfB Stuttgart's Europa League odyssey continues with the visit of Porto tomorrow evening at 18:45 CET at the MHP Arena. The first-leg clash will viewed as a great chance for the Swabians to make a sharp start. 

The league phase of the competition proved to be a positive one for Sebastian Hoeneß' side. Five wins and three defeats ultimately left them just outside the top eight direct qualifying places by a solitary point. 

Regardless, it set them up to face Celtic FC in the play-off round. The Scottish champions were simply swatted aside in the first-leg which ended 4-1, while the return fixture played out in a meaningless 0-1 defeat in truth.

Home advantage has treated the Swabians well so far with four wins from a possible five. That makes it all the more daunting for Porto who, despite only one away defeat so far, will be aware of the threat Stuttgart possess. 

Finishing fifth in the table gave them more room to focus on the domestic front recently. With 25 wins, 3 draws and just a solitary loss, Porto sit top of the Liga Portugal with four points to spare over Sporting Lisbon. 

Perhaps even more impressively, head coach Francesco Farioli's has only leaked 17 goals in 38 games across all competitions. If a solid defence remains as their backbone, Stuttgart could be in for a frustrating night.

Team news:

VfB Stuttgart will be grateful that their bill of health is in a decent state for tomorrow. Only Josha Vagnoman (thigh) and young talent Lazar Jovanovic (back) are the only doubts for tomorrow night's clash. 

Centre-half Nehuén Pérez (achilles rupture), Luuk de Jong and Samu Aghehowa (both ACL tears) remain as the only long-term absentees for Porto. Regardless, the their squad quality should be well able to cope without them.

Predicted lineups:

VfB Stuttgart (4-3-2-1): Nübel – Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstädt – Stiller, Karazor – Leweling, Undav, El Khannouss – Demirovic 

FC Porto (4-3-3): D.Costa – A.Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Sanusi – Froholdt, Varela, Viega – Pepe, Guel, Gomes 

Inter Milan Vs Atalanta – Personalized Training Session For Argentina, Turkey & Italy Stars

Inter Milan Vs Atalanta – Personalized Training Session For Argentina, Turkey & Italy Stars
Inter Milan Vs Atalanta – Personalized Training Session For Argentina, Turkey & Italy Stars

Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni trained separately from the squad ahead of Saturday’s home clash against Atalanta.

According to Sky Sport Italia via FCInterNews, French striker Marcus Thuram resumed full training after being out with illness.

Alessandro Bastoni suffered a knock in last weekend’s mouth-watering clash against AC Milan.

Indeed, he picked up a yellow card for a cynical tackle on Adrien Rabiot.

However, the 26-year-old injured himself in the process, as a nasty collision with the Rossoneri midfielder left him with a minor physical problem.

Therefore, Cristian Chivu may not be able to call upon his defensive mainstay on Saturday.

Alessandro Bastoni Trained Separately from the Group Ahead of Inter Milan vs Atalanta Clash

In addition to Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez, who are still recovering from injury, Bastoni also couldn’t train with the team.

Instead, the former Atalanta man had a personalized training session, casting further doubt on his availability for the upcoming game at San Siro.

With Bastoni at risk of missing Saturday’s fixture, Chivu is likely to turn to Carlos Augusto to fill the void.

Indeed, the Brazilian took Bastoni’s place in the Milan derby and fared reasonably well.

Should Patriots Trade For Maxx Crosby After Ravens Deal Fell Through

Las Vegas Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby

Should Patriots Trade For Maxx Crosby After Ravens Deal Fell Through originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baltimore Ravens are no longer acquiring Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders. Should the New England Patriots pick up the phone?

According to The Athletic's Dianni Russini on Tuesday, the Ravens backed out of the Crosby deal after he underwent testing at the Ravens facility. However, Russini later reported that the physical was not the reason for the Ravens backing out.

"It’s been made clear by multiple people around the NFL at all levels that Baltimore had all the information and understood where Maxx Crosby’s knee was in terms of his recovery timeline," Russini wrote on Wednesday. "Many in the league believe GM Eric DeCosta and the Ravens ultimately just got cold feet."

The Patriots were one of the first teams linked to Crosby in trade rumors. After reports indicate that K'Lavon Chaisson is signing with the Washington Commanders, the Patriots could really use Crosby. The Patriots are signing Dre'Mont Jones, but that does not mean their pass rush is fixed.

The Patriots' willingness to swing a trade is dependent on two things now. First, is Crosby actually healthy? Second, are the Raiders willing to come down in their asking price in the wake of recent events? Crosby's agent assures teams that he is on track to be ready by Week 1, and his rehab is going as expected.

"Maxx continues to be on track in his recovery and if anything is ahead of schedule according to his surgeon Dr Neal El Attrache," his agent wrote on X on Tuesday. "Maxx remains on track to return during the offseason program & will undoubtedly return as the dominant game wrecker he has been these past 7 seasons."

As for the second situation, the Raiders are reportedly maintaining their asking price of two-first round picks. Additionally, Crosby does not seem to be asking for a trade, so the Raiders have no incentive to take less. According to Ian Rapoport, his mindset is that he is ready to play football for the Raiders now.

It seems like trading for Crosby at this time would cost the Patriots too much. Even though he is reportedly going to be ready by week 1, the Patriots should hold off on a trade if it will require multiple first-round picks.

More NFL: Patriots Insiders Make Bold A.J. Brown Prediction After Romeo Doubs Signing

Steve Kerr reaffirms desire for 72-game NBA season after Stephen A. Smith criticizes stance: 'I'm not an idiot'

Steve Kerr is going to speak his mind. That's what he's done throughout his 12-season tenure as the Golden State Warriors' head coach. Backlash doesn't deter him.

He said Tuesday before the Warriors' 130-124 overtime defeat to the Chicago Bulls — their fifth loss in the past six games — that he wasn't even aware of Stephen A. Smith's response to him once again pushing for a shortened NBA season that he believes would lead to a more competitive and healthier league.

Although Smith prefaced his opinion by conceding that Kerr often makes profound statements that deserve everyone's attention, the ESPN pundit went on to criticize the nine-time NBA champion's desire to reduce the league's 82-game schedule by 10 games.

"Minimum salary in the NBA is over 1.2 million. The median salary in the NBA is over seven million. The maximum salary in the NBA goes anywhere on average like $54 million. We're talking about individuals signing $250, 350 million contracts. And now you come to us talking about there should be 10 less games?" Smith said on Tuesday's episode of "First Take." 

"What the hell do you want next? You want us to put a diaper and a bib on these guys?"

Smith added: "I assure you, you don't hear players that are making a million dollars or even making $5 million talking about how there should be less games. You know why? Because they want to position themselves to make that paper. Only when you get to that point do you say stuff like that. Steve Kerr didn't say that when he was playing. ... The NBA just signed an 11-year, $77 billion contract. How do you get that if you don't play those games?"

"I don’t hear hockey players talking about playing less games." – Stephen A. Smith responds to Steve Kerr suggesting a 72-game NBA schedule pic.twitter.com/rAoUhmX6Bc

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 10, 2026

This all came up again because Kerr was asked Monday ahead of the Warriors' 119-116 loss to the Utah Jazz what he would address if he was the NBA commissioner.

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2026 MLB season]

"That was my answer," Kerr said Tuesday. "And the reason is cause my No. 1 concern is the quality of the NBA product. And I think limiting the schedule would encompass a lot of issues: Player health, player availability, tanking — I think all of that stuff would improve. And I think the quality of play would improve. 

"We don't practice much at all. If we had those extra days for practice and a fresher team, the quality of the product would be better."

Kerr then got to the part of the discussion Smith was targeting.

"I know that it's a question of revenue," he said. "I'm not an idiot. Everybody would have to agree — to improve the product, we would actually have to make a little less revenue. It's not really an American concept anymore, but I'm of the belief that it should be. 

"I think quality is going to matter long term. And I think for the long-term health of the league, we need to think about this. And that means everyone would have to consider the ramifications. So of course it's about money, but you have to be careful, too. Just having more of something doesn't automatically mean you're going to make more money if the product isn't good. I know it's a controversial subject, but I'm going to keep speaking my mind cause I think it's important."

The Warriors have been riddled by injuries this season. They're currently 32-33 and ninth in the Western Conference standings.

Most notably, they lost six-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler III to a season-ending ACL tear, and two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry has missed the past 15 games with a lingering knee injury

Kerr said back in November that he was "very concerned" about the league's dramatic change in pace and frequency of play leading to more injuries across the NBA.

At the time, the Warriors were on a six-game road trip, during which Kerr said they hadn't had a single practice because of their cluttered slate.

As of Tuesday, NBA teams were averaging 115.2 points per game, the most since the 1969-70 season, according to ESPN, which also reported that players had combined to cover 37.1 miles per game during the 2025-26 campaign at an average speed of 4.29 mph. 

Those are both highs since player tracking started in 2013-14, per ESPN.

Maxx Crosby failed physical, explained: What we know about meniscus surgery that caused Ravens to get 'cold feet'

Maxx Crosby failed physical, explained: What we know about meniscus surgery that caused Ravens to get 'cold feet' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby was an unofficial member of the Baltimore Ravens for about four days. He was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday, March 6, and the deal would have become official when the new league year began on Wednesday, March 11. 

Before that deadline, though, the Ravens backed out of the deal, and reports cited that the defensive end failed his physical. This stirred up some controversy because the Raiders had made it clear to teams that Crosby was progressing from a knee injury he sustained in the middle of the 2025 season that ended up requiring meniscus surgery.

The morning after going back on the trade, Baltimore then signed Trey Hendrickson to a four-year deal. This makes it seem like the Ravens just wanted their first-round picks back and to just move forward with Hendrickson on a cheaper deal, despite his being older. 

Now, Crosby's future is uncertain as he returns to the Raiders. He can still be traded, but now there are questions about the status of his knee and the surgery he had in the offseason. 

Here is what we know about Crosby's failed physical and the meniscus surgery that caused the Ravens to back out of the trade. 

MORE NFL FREE AGENCY: Live tracker | Team-by-team grades | Best players available

Maxx Crosby physical, explained

Physicals are an interesting thing in the NFL. While the results will be pretty conclusive, a team can choose to take them and fail the player or look past them and pass the player. For Baltimore, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that they had conversations with the surgeon who did the surgery and the Las Vegas medical staff before offering trade packages. 

Per Russini, the Ravens' doctors and independent doctors alike agreed that Crosby's short-term outlook was "positive." The concern comes with Crosby's long-term outlook, with him playing on a three-year deal, and that is where Baltimore drew the line. The Ravens reportedly did not like the draft capital they were giving up in exchange for two first-round picks, and the long-term outlook came back into the deal. 

Did Maxx Crosby fail his physical?

Crosby is not healthy. He is still recovering from the knee surgery that he had at the end of the 2025 season. Crosby did fail his physical, but it is up to individual teams whether they like the results enough to look past it, given the recovery projections. 

What is Maxx Crosby's knee injury?

Crosby suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee on October 19, 2025, when the Raiders were taking on the Kansas City Chiefs. He played through it, dealing with the injury for the majority of the season and underwent surgery in early January.

Crosby is expected back for the 2026 preseason and should be fully ready to play when the regular season begins. 

MORE: Why did Ravens back out of trade for Maxx Crosby?

Maxx Crosby meniscus tear

Crosby suffered his knee injury in mid-October when the Raiders were taking on the Chiefs. The defensive end was on the receiving end of a low block from Chiefs tight end Noah Gray that caused Crosby to go head over heels after getting hit. Crosby initially thought that he was dealing with maybe a knee bruise or a sprain and kept playing through it. It was determined in December that it was actually a tear, and he needed surgery to fix it. 

Here is the play where Crosby suffered his knee injury. 

Maxx Crosby surgery

The star pass-rusher underwent surgery to repair his torn meniscus in January 2026. Initially, it was thought that Crosby would just need a meniscus trim, which would have his recovery measured in weeks. In reality, the defensive end underwent a minor meniscus repair, which upped the return timeline to months. According to Ian Rapoport, Crosby's recovery is expected to take between two and four months, and initially, the NFL analyst thought that a deal for the defender would be more likely to take place at the draft in April or in the preseason. 

ESPN's Bill Barnwell wrote about the difference in the procedures and what it means for Crosby's future outlook.

"A meniscus trim allows a player to recover more quickly than a repair, but teams I've spoken to in the past about these injuries generally believe that trims create more complications down the line and shorten careers," Barnwell said. "Meniscus repairs require longer recovery times, but they're more likely to produce stable knees after recovery and fewer deleterious long-term effects than the trims."

MORE: What's next for Maxx Crosby after Ravens deal fell through?

When will Maxx Crosby be ready?

Crosby himself said that he expects to be fully back in June on his podcast "The Rush with Maxx Crosby." He is already off of crutches and going through his rehab program.

There are still a few months to go in his recovery, so his official return to the field is still unknown. He could advance faster than expected, or suffer a setback, but for now, the assumption is that he is well on track to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. 

Dominican Republic vs Venezuela Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's World Baseball Classic Game

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Dominican Republic and Venezuela have both dominated Pool D, posting perfect 3-0 records with gaudy run differentials to boot.

My Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela predictions expect the firepower of DR to make the difference in this high-profile matchup.

Let’s take a closer look at my World Baseball Classic best bets for Wednesday, March 11.

Dominican Republic vs Venezuela prediction

Dominican Republic vs Venezuela best bet: Dominican Republic -2.5 (-110)

Dominican Republic has the most productive lineup in the tournament, plating 35 runs through three games.

They own a remarkable +29 run differential and have won each game by at least nine runs. Venezuela has faced the same opponents and scored 13 fewer runs while failing to create the same kind of separation.

Venezuelan starter Eduardo Rodriguez has posted a 5+ ERA in back-to-back seasons and allowed 21 home runs (5th most) to right-handed bats last year.

Righties Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Julio Rodriguez, and Manny Machado destroy left-handed pitching, and should power Dominican Republic to a convincing victory.

Dominican Republic vs Venezuela same-game parlay (SGP)

img src="https://images.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/811/draft_kings.png" alt="DraftKings Logo" loading="lazy" width="194" height="62"

Dominican Republic -2.5

Over 11

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1+ hits

+226 at DraftKings

Dominican Republic is an electric offensive side that has averaged more than 11 runs per game themselves. They score runs in bulk and have the ability to flirt with this Over themselves.

While their offensive ceiling should lead to another healthy victory, Venezuela is a dangerous offense as well and have the ability to get to Sandy Alcantara — who struggled mightily last — in the early going before they bring their flamethrowers in to tighten up late.

Vladdy has three hits through two games and is a contact machine, particularly against left-handed pitching.

Julio Rodriguez star player prop

Julio Rodriguez best bet: 2+ total bases (-110)

Julio Rodriguez consistently barrels the ball against lefties and excels when facing low-to-mid 90s fastballs, which is where Eduardo Rodriguez lives. Add in his elite speed and one good swing is likely to result in extra bases.

Dominican Republic vs Venezuela opening odds

  • Moneyline: Dominican Republic -235 | Venezuela +190
  • Run line: Dominican Republic -2.5 (-110) | Venezuela +2.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: Over 11 (-115) | Under 11 (-105)

How to watch Dominican Republic vs Venezuela and game info

LocationLoanDepot Park, Miami, FL
DateWednesday, March 11, 2026
First pitch8:00 p.m. ET
TVFS1
Dominican Republic starting pitcherSandy Alcantara
Venezuela starting pitcherEduardo Rodriguez

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

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.

Iowa State basketball to play Memphis in 2026-27 season opener

Iowa State men's basketball is headed back to the Sanford Pentagon, this time to open the 2026-27 regular season, the school announced March 11.

The Cyclones will play Memphis in a neutral-site game at Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Nov. 2. Tip-off time and TV designation are to be determined.

Iowa State played Mississippi State earlier this season and defeated the Bulldogs, 96-80.

"We're excited to head back to Sioux Falls next season,” Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said in a statement. “Our experience there last year was first-class, and we're looking forward to another great experience there next season against Memphis."

This will be the second meeting all-time between Iowa State and Memphis. The Cyclones previously defeated Memphis in Otzelberger's first year as Iowa State head coach, topping the Tigers 78-59 on Nov. 26, 2021.

Iowa State is 25-6 heading into the Big 12 Tournament. Meanwhile, Memphis is 13-18 going into the AAC Tournament. It has been a down year for the Tigers, after finishing 29-8 in the 2024-25 campaign.

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State basketball to play Memphis in 2026-27 season opener

Northwestern vs Indiana Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's Big Ten Tournament Game

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The Indiana Hoosiers are feeling very “bubbly” as they head to Chicago for their Big Ten tournament opener tonight versus the Northwestern Wildcats.

The Hoosiers are on the cusp of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament and need at least a win or two in the conference postseason to bolster their stock with the selection committee.

In tough times, head coach Darian DeVries is going to lean on one player he knows very well: his son. Tucker DeVries is wrapping up his college career for IU and playing his best basketball over the last month.

My Northwestern vs. Indiana predictions and college basketball picks like Tucker to top his scoring prop on Wednesday, March 11. 

Northwestern vs Indiana prediction

Northwestern vs Indiana best bet

Northwestern vs Indiana best bet: Tucker DeVries Over 13.5 points (-105)

Tucker DeVries has been a jack of all trades for the Indiana Hoosiers, playing the wing but also banging down low with the Hoosiers’ rotation running short.

They meet a Northwestern Wildcats team also going small without 6-foot-11 forward Arrinten Page (illness). Even with Page in, Northwestern plays small. It gets beat up in the paint and roughed up on rebounds.

DeVries is a tough matchup. He’s able to bully smaller defenders and burn bigger ones from the perimeter. 

He’s averaging 14.5 points over his last eight outings, and projections range from 14 to as high as 17 points tonight.

Northwestern vs Indiana same-game parlay

The Hoosiers need style points during the Big Ten tournament if they want to get off the bubble. Indiana is an efficient half-court offense that can score at the rim against a dreadful (and tired) NU defense.

DeVries shoots a lot of 3-pointers and can scrap for buckets around the rim. Without Page, the Wildcats get small, and the Hoosiers' senior can pick his spots.

If NU is going down, Nick Martinelli is going down swinging. The Big Ten legend is battling on the boards with nine or more rebounds in three of his last four games.

Northwestern vs Indiana SGP

  • Indiana team total Over 74.5
  • Tucker DeVries Over 13.5 points
  • Nick Martinelli Over 7.5 rebounds

Our beyond the arc SGP: Hoosier Daddy

The Wildcats are one of the worst rebounding teams in the country, and the coach's kid will draw smaller defenders who will struggle to box him out on the boards.

Northwestern vs Indiana SGP

  • Indiana -6.5
  • Tucker DeVries Over 13.5 points
  • Tucker DeVries Over 6.5 rebounds
  • Indiana team total Over 74.5

Northwestern vs Indiana odds

  • Spread: Northwestern +6.5 | Indiana -6.5
  • Moneyline: Northwestern +210 | Indiana -260
  • Over/Under: Over 142 | Under 142

Northwestern vs Indiana betting trend to know

Indiana is 14-2 SU and 10-6 ATS when laying -5.5 or higher this season. Find more college basketball betting trends for Northwestern vs. Indiana.

How to watch Northwestern vs Indiana

LocationUnited Center, Chicago, IL
DateWednesday, March 11, 2026
Tip-off6:30 p.m. ET
TVBTN

Northwestern vs Indiana key injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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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.

49ers Free Agency Tracker: Rumors, Reports, and Signings: Daniel Jones returns to the Colts

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 07: Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts passes the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As we head into Day 3 of free agency, the San Francisco 49ers have added a pair of backup offensive linemen. One might compete for the starting spot at left guard, while the other is a “just in case” at left tackle for Trent Williams. The splash signing of Mike Evans at wide receiver gives the team some flexibility heading into the NFL Draft.

It’s telling that some of the 49ers’ free agents, like Jauan Jennings and Brian Robinson Jr., haven’t inked deals yet. Those are the kinds of players that usually sign on Wednesday or Thursday after the first initial wave has passed.

Today is the day the 49ers will likely part ways with Brandon Aiyuk, likely tender their restricted free agents, and look to find an interior pass rusher, perhaps from the Dallas Cowboys.

So far, Trey Hendrickson has signed with the Ravens after the Maxx Crosby debacle. Hendrickson’s deal is for 4 years and $112 million. We’ll see how busy Wednesday is in free agency.

Kyle’s update, 8:40 a.m. PT: Daniel Jones, who is expected to be ready by the start of the season, received a two-year, $88 million deal to return to the Colts. Danny Dimes received $50 million in Year 1 of the deal.

Scarlets spot for Leggat-Jones after Wales U20s release

Carwyn Leggatt-Jones in action for Scarlets at Edinburgh
Carwyn Leggatt-Jones made his Scarlets debut against Glasgow in November 2025 [Getty Images]

Teenage fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones has been released by Wales Under-20s to play for Scarlets against Connacht in the United Rugby Championship on Friday (19:45 GMT).

The URC fixture is rearranged from round two in October when the Llanelli side could not travel to Galway due to Storm Amy.

The game now clashes with the Six Nations and none of the Scarlets' senior Wales players have been released.

However, it has been deemed Leggatt-Jones will benefit more from club action than the under-20s' final fixture against Italy in Newport on Sunday (13:00 GMT).

Scarlets interim director of rugby Nigel Davies said: "With the squad as it is, it was key that he was available to us.

"We've given him a couple of opportunities this season and it's another chance for him to progress further."

Scarlets have used Sam Costelow and Joe Hawkins at fly-half this season, but both are with Steve Tandy's Wales squad.

That meant Leggatt-Jones made his first senior start against Benetton before the Six Nations and he pulled the strings against Edinburgh a fortnight ago.

The Llandovery College student started the first three rounds of the junior Six Nations and came off the bench in Ireland last Saturday.

Wales Under-20s head coach Richard Whiffin said: "It was our decision and in the best interest of the player.

"Whether it was Friday night with Scarlets or Sunday with Wales, it would be a great experience.

"For him to keep getting minutes at the top end shows how good a player he is to be backed by his club team, and that will help his development.

"It's important that we don't put too much on him because he is still an 18-year-old schoolboy, but I am sure he will rip into it with the Scarlets and give a good account of himself."

Johnny Williams carries the ball for Scarlets
Johnny Williams joined Scarlets in 2020 from Newcastle [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Costelow has remained with the Wales squad to recover from an ankle injury suffered against Scotland.

He is in camp ahead of the Principality Stadium fixture against Italy along with hooker Ryan Elias, flanker Josh Macleod, centres Hawkins and Eddie James and Ellis Mee, Blair Murray and Tom Rogers in the back three.

Scarlets are stretched, but have been boosted by the return of centre Johnny Williams, who missed the trip to Edinburgh with a calf injury.

"Almost two thirds of our team are away with Wales at the moment, but I am really happy with the side that we are able to select," added Davies, who names his team at midday on Thursday.

"It's a really competitive team with some exciting players in it, so I am not dismayed. We have a strong squad and these boys are capable of fronting up."

Scarlets would climb above Dragons into 14th place with victory in Galway.

Connacht would leapfrog Ospreys into ninth and a bonus-point victory would move them level with Bulls in the last play-off spot.

Uncapped Billy Bohan was this week called into the Ireland squad to join fellow prop Finlay Bealham, back row forward Cian Prendergast and centre Bundee Aki.

Harry Redknapp speaks out on potential Tottenham return as pressure mounts on Igor Tudor

Harry Redknapp has played down his chances of managing Tottenham again (Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur is in turmoil, with interim head coach Igor Tudor facing an increasingly untenable position following a disastrous 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid and a stark warning from the Supporters’ Trust.

The crisis has even prompted former manager Harry Redknapp to play down his chances of a dramatic return, despite the club's alarming slide.

Tudor's brief 26-day tenure has seen the club plunge into unprecedented depths, becoming the first Tottenham boss to lose his opening four games.

The latest humiliation in Madrid, which included young goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky being substituted after just 17 minutes due to two costly errors, marked the club's sixth consecutive defeat – a historical low for the club.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) did not mince words, labelling the performance and result against Atletico "a total disgrace."

Spurs were thrashed by Atletico Madrid, with Antonin Kinsky taken off inside 17 minutes (PA Wire)
Spurs were thrashed by Atletico Madrid, with Antonin Kinsky taken off inside 17 minutes (PA Wire)

In a scathing statement, the THST declared: "It’s symptomatic of the abysmal state of things at Spurs right now. Emergency action is needed as right now we are sleepwalking off the edge of a cliff. Being a Spurs fan has never been so difficult, but supporters will not sit by and watch the club continue to decline."

They further demanded that "at the very least those in Madrid should have their match tickets refunded."

Tudor, who is scheduled to speak at a pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool, notably refused to address questions about his future post-match.

Speaking to the Press Association at Cheltenham, Redknapp, who previously managed Spurs between 2008 and 2012, expressed his doubts about a comeback.

"I’ve been asked a few times if I’d go back to Spurs and it’s probably not going to happen, is it?" he said.

While admitting, "Would I go back? Of course I would, but I doubt very much it’s going to happen”, Redknapp revealed his current focus lies elsewhere.

"My only concern at the minute is The Jukebox Man (his horse) in the Gold Cup, I’m nothing to do with Spurs any more."

He added that the club "haven’t been in touch, not at all”, but voiced concern for their league status: "They’ve got it all on to stay up, it’s going to be hard. I’m looking at their fixtures and (Nottingham) Forest are playing all right, West Ham are playing very well, it’s going to be tough for Tottenham."

He concluded by wishing both clubs well: "I hope Spurs stay up and I hope West Ham stay up."

Former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood offered a blunt assessment of Tudor’s impact.

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Sherwood described Tudor as "a firefighter who has a can of petrol in his hand," suggesting he is "adding fuel to the fire rather than restoring confidence to the players."

Igor Tudor is under huge pressure after losing all four of his matches in charge (PA Wire)
Igor Tudor is under huge pressure after losing all four of his matches in charge (PA Wire)

Sherwood criticised Tudor’s tactical indecision, stating: "He keeps chopping and changing things, which is a worry to be honest. He’s gone from three at the back to four at the back, then back to three again, with players playing out of position.

“I’ve scratched my head at some of the decisions he’s made since he came in."

Sherwood speculated that the upcoming international break after the Nottingham Forest game could provide "a good opportunity for a new manager to come in and have a look at things."

With Tottenham just one point above 18th-placed West Ham, the pressure intensifies ahead of their daunting visit to Anfield on Sunday.

Daniel Jones returning to Colts on contract worth up to $100 million

Keeping up with the Joneses just got a lot harder.

Daniel Jones and the Indianapolis Colts have agreed to a two-year, $88 million deal that could be worth up to $100 million with incentives, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. It is the biggest two-year deal in NFL history, which will keep the quarterback in Indianapolis through at least 2027.

The Colts initially placed the transition tag on Jones, ensuring that they would be able to match any offer in free agency.

Instead of exploring other opportunities, Jones will extend his stay in the Hoosier State, hoping to prove that his breakout 2025 is now the rule, rather than the exception. Jones is still recovering from a torn Achilles that ended his season in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. At the very least, his rehab can continue in a familiar place.

Jones revived his career in his seventh NFL season, leading the Colts to an 8-5 record in 13 starts, completing 68% of passes, throwing 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Now he has parlayed that into another long-term deal.

Here's what to know about Jones' new contract with the Colts.

Daniel Jones contract details

Jones inked a two-year, $88 million contract with the Colts, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. The deal could be worth up to $100 million with incentives and will pay him $50 million in 2026.

It marks the quarterback's second big contract in the league, with Jones already totaling over $122.8 million in career earnings, according to OverTheCap. Drafted by the New York Giants with the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jones experienced three up-and-down seasons with Big Blue.

The hiring of Brian Daboll proved to be a good thing for Jones' development, turning in a playoff appearance, his first and only to that point, with a 9-6-1 record while completing 67.2% of passes for 3,205 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions.

All of that led to the quarterback receiving a four-year, $160 million contract ahead of the 2023 season. He was promptly released by the Giants in Nov. 2024 and then signed with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.

He finished the season with the Vikings and then landed with the Colts in free agency ahead of the 2025 season, signing a one-year, $14 million deal to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting job.

Jones won that competition and, essentially, a second lease on NFL life in the process.

Daniel Jones career earnings

Jones has made about $122.8 million in his NFL career, according to OverTheCap.

Here's the breakdown by team:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daniel Jones inks contract with Colts: Details, career earnings

Where NY Giants players signed in 2026 NFL free agency

The offseason always represents two sides of the NFL coin for teams.

The New York Giants are no different, of course. In with the new for free agency means familiar faces wind up exiting.

Here's where they're going:

WR Wan'Dale Robinson

The Giants' former second-round pick followed Brian Daboll and will be one of Cam Ward's top playmakers with the Titans following his first 1,000-yard receiving season.

LIVE TRACKER: See the latest Giants free agency news and updates

CB Cor'Dale Flott

The ascending talent finally hit his stride, and now the 24-year-old will head to Tennessee where he will be one of the stars in the secondary for former Jets coach Robert Saleh and the Titans.

TE Daniel Bellinger

Bellinger wound up choosing to follow Daboll to the Titans as well, and he's hoping for more opportunities after the Giants signed Isaiah Likely in free agency.

GIANTS GRADES: How we see every Giants move made in NFL free agency

OL Austin Schlottmann

Schlottmann stepped up in reserve last season and showed he could be a capable starter when needed. He's on the train to Nashville as well, following Daboll and offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo to the Titans.

S Dane Belton

Belton thrived on special teams and in a reserve role at safety. He's staying in New Jersey, but flipping sides in MetLife Stadium by joining the Jets.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Where NY Giants players signed in 2026 NFL free agency

Where does Daniel Jones' new Colts contract rank among quarterbacks?

Where does Daniel Jones' new contract with the Indianapolis Colts rank compared to the other quarterbacks around the NFL?

As far as the contract details and what Jones' salary cap hit will be, we do not have that information yet.

But what we do know is how much he is earning on a per-year basis, along with how much of the contract is guaranteed. Those figures we can compare to other recent quarterback contracts.

Where does Daniel Jones' new Colts' contract rank with other quarterbacks?

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Jones is signing a two-year contract to remain with the Colts. This is an $88 million deal and could be worth up to $100 million with incentives. The contract also includes $60 million guaranteed.

Excluding the incentives, on paper, Jones will earn $44 million per year over the next to seasons. That ranks as the 16th-most among quarterbacks entering the 2026 NFL season, according to Over the Cap.

The Colts and QB Daniel Jones are finalizing a two-year, $88 million deal that can be worth up to $100 million with incentives, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

Originally on the transition tag, Indiana Jones gets over $60 million guaranteed on a deal done by @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/O3OfkLMuAS

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2026

The $60 million in guarantees that Jones is receiving also ranks as the 16th-most in football -- right in the middle of the pack. In both instances, Jones' deal exceeded what Sam Darnold received from the Seattle Seahawks last offseason.

Jones' total contract value of $88 million ranks as the 18th most among current quarterback contracts.

Including incentives, which would put this deal at $100 million if Jones were able to hit on all of them, Ian Rapoport notes that this is the biggest two-year deal in NFL history.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Comparing Daniel Jones contract to other quarterbacks

5 reasons Ravens signing Trey Hendrickson is better than trading for Maxx Crosby

Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson

5 reasons Ravens signing Trey Hendrickson is better than trading for Maxx Crosby originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Ravens saw their blockbuster trade for Raiders' edge pass rusher Maxx Crosby fall through. They were fortunate to have a quick fallback plan — signing now former Bengals edge pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.

Hendrickson was Sporting News’ top-rated unrestricted free agent. But was Baltimore smart to make such a quick pivot from Crosby to win the sweepstakes to take Hendrickson from division rival Cincinnati

Here are five reasons the Ravens’ reevaluating the Raiders deal and rejecting Crosby and rebounding with Hendrickson is the better outcome:

MORE NFL FREE AGENCY: Live tracker | Team grades | Best players available

5 reasons Ravens signing Trey Hendrickson is better than Maxx Crosby trade

The Ravens can keep their first-round draft picks in 2026 & 2027

This is the obvious advantage. The Ravens still have the opportunity to add an impact player at No. 14 overall on April 23 and hold on to their top pick next year, too. Don't blame the Ravens for having reasonable doubts about whether Crosby, working to get healthy from his knee (meniscus) injury, was worth giving up two significant future considerations.

Trey Hendrickson is less of a short-term injury risk than Maxx Crosby

Hendrickson did have an injury-riddled 2025 season, dropping his pass-rush production in his final season of his otherwise strong Bengals tenure. He first had issues with back and hip injuries in October and needed to have core muscle surgery in December. Hendrickson is also 31, while Crosby is 28. 

Hendrickson's injuries are more linear and seem to be less of a concern, but Crosby currently rehabbing his knee in the offseason, should worry teams. 

Trey Hendrickson can make a better schematic transition from end in the Ravens’ defense 

Hendrickson has played 4-3 defensive end throughout his career with the Bengals. He broke out with his first big sack season (13.5) playing that position for the Saints in 2020. His free-agent signing with the Bengals was key to getting them to Super Bowl 56 after the 2021 season.

Before delivering for defensive coordinators Dennis Allen and Lou Anarumo at the end, Hendrickson spent his first three seasons in New Orleans as an outside linebacker. 

Crosby has always played end since being drafted by the Ravens in 2019. Baltimore's new defensive braintrust, Jesse Minter and Anthony Weaver, will keep their 3-4 foundation and should be able to mold Hendrickson as a hybrid better into remaining effective getting to the quarterback. He can be either impactful, starting opposite Mike Green on the second level with some opportunity to rush from the inside of the three-man front.

MORE MAXX CROSBY NEWS: 

Trey Hendrickson is a cheaper investment than Maxx Crosby

Hendrickson got a four-year, $112 million contract upon joining the Ravens. That is $28 million in average annual salary and with $60 million of the contract guaranteed, or a little more than half of the deal. Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders in March 2025, putting him at $35.5 million per season with $91.5 million overall guaranteed.

Crosby will turn 29 in August. Hendrickson turns 32 in December. But for the Ravens' purposes, they were looking at who could provide more pass-rush bang for the buck over the next two years. That discount on a slightly older player who can have the same on-field impact is significant.

The Ravens can better manage their salary cap for this season and beyond 

Crosby, with his Raiders' contract, was set to count $35.791 million against the salary cap in 2026 with the number going down to $29.782 million in 2027.  Although Hendrickson's cap numbers are yet to be determined, he won't carry that same burden in restricting the Ravens' spending elsewhere.

Crosby had to be a much better acquisition than Hendrickson to make up for the fact that he came at a much higher price, personnel and contract-wise. The Ravens shouldn't get heat for not wanting an unhealthy Crosby, but rather praise for being able to still land Hendrickson.

Man United unlikely to reduce Hojlund fee for permanent Napoli transfer

Man United unlikely to reduce Hojlund fee for permanent Napoli transfer
Man United unlikely to reduce Hojlund fee for permanent Napoli transfer

Napoli are prepared to make Rasmus Hojlund’s move from Manchester United permanent for €44m as the Red Devils are reportedly unwilling to reduce the striker’s transfer fee.

Napoli are destined to sign Hojlund on a permanent transfer from Manchester United for €44m, reports TMW.

Hojlund set for 44m Napoli transfer

The Denmark international joined the Partenopei on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy last summer.

The obligation to purchase is tied to Napoli’s Champions League qualification this season, but it seems like a fairly feasible target as the defending Serie A champions currently sit third in the standings with a five-point lead over fifth-placed Roma.

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli shoots during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

According to the report, Napoli will try to lower Manchester United’s demands, but the Red Devils are unwilling to give any discount, especially because the Azzurri seem close to securing Champions League qualification.

Hojlund has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 35 appearances across all competitions this season.

What K’Lavon Chaisson, Anfernee Jennings departures mean for the Patriots

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 19: K'Lavon Chaisson #44 of the New England Patriots recovers a fumble for a touchdown during the NFL 2025 game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The New England Patriots’ defensive edge is going to look drastically different in 2026, that is one of the main takeaways from the first few days of NFL free agency week. After the team signed Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year, $36.5 million contract on Monday, it saw two departures at the position on Wednesday.

K’Lavon Chaisson is off to the Washington Commanders on a reported one-year, $12 million deal, while Anfernee Jennings will be released at the start of the new league year. Chaisson and Jennings finished first and third in snaps among their position group last year.

Let’s analyze what the moves mean.

New-look group

Bringing aboard Chaisson, Harold Landry, Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson in the offseason and trading away Keion White in October, 2025 was a year of change for the Patriots’ defensive edge. By November, Jennings remained as the only player on the roster who had been with the club before new head coach Mike Vrabel’s departure.

Four months later, he is gone as well, and so is Chaisson. As mentioned above, they as well as Landry were the top three in snaps played on the edge in 2025.

In turn, the group now looks as follows:

Defensive edge (5): Harold Landry III (2), Dre’Mont Jones (—), Elijah Ponder (91), Bradyn Swinson (43), Jesse Luketa (—)

Landry and Jones project as the current starters on the edge with Ponder a candidate to increase his role heading into his sophomore season. While that means more stability than a year ago — the biggest change is Jones effectively taking over for Chaisson — the uncertainty surrounding the group as a whole remains significant.

How will Landry look coming off a season disrupted by a nagging knee injury? How quickly will Jones adapt to his new team? Are Ponder and Swinson ready for more prominent roles? All those questions will get answered eventually, and they will decide the group’s success in 2026.

All-around questions

The questions above all relate to particular players, but it is their impact on the game as a whole that will be important in 2026. And if we look at those who have departed, we can see that both the pass rush and the run defense will be impacted.

Chaisson and Jennings were fundamentally different players in that regard, of course. The former was a quality pass rusher, whose 73 pressures and 10.5 sacks ranked first on the team in 2025. The latter remained one of the stoutest edge setters in all of football. If you put them in different situations, their impact was less pronounced: Chaisson’s run defense was suspect for much of the year, while Jennings’ 25 pressures in 18 games were solid but ultimately replacement level.

Still, both played well in their primary roles. How those will be filled remains unclear, especially in Jennings’ case. That said, the Patriots’ coaching staff seemed content with him playing a limited role and ultimately releasing him, so they are likely not sweating the situation either.

More help needed

The Patriots considered the edge as a primary area to improve all offseason, and they acted accordingly. They expressed interest in, among others, Ravens Raiders edge Maxx Crosby and eventually decided to sign Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year pact.

What Wednesday shows, however, is that they are far from finished building the group. While a blockbuster move such as trading for Crosby seems unlikely, there are still several players on the market worth taking a look at. Names to keep an eye on include the likes of Al-Quadin Muhammad, A.J. Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie or D.J. Wonnum — complementary pieces who would improve the group’s overall depth and serve as safety nets in case Elijah Ponder or Bradyn Swinson do not develop as hoped.

While more free agency investment could happen, the Patriots likely will take a close look at the edge class in this year’s NFL Draft. They already had some pre-draft contact with some of the top players available such as Cashius Howell (Texas A&M), Akheem Mesidor (Miami), R. Mason Thomas (Oklahoma) and Zion Young (Missouri).

Even with Jones brought aboard, the Patriots very well could invest a high draft pick at the edge. More help, especially from a longer-term perspective, is needed.

Special teams impact

While their primary focus was on defense, both Chaisson and Jennings also were actively involved in the kicking game in 2025.

Chaisson was a mainstay on the punt coverage team particularly early in the season, and ended with 129 snaps in the game’s third phase (23.4%; 16th). Jennings, meanwhile, played mostly on the kickoff return and coverage teams but also saw the occasional snap on the punt units as well; he finished with 194 special teams snaps (35.4%; 11th) and seven tackles (8th).

Replacing those parts of their contributions will not be quite that big of a task. Still, it is another angle for the Patriots to consider when it comes to roster construction.

Financial gains

While the Patriots are losing two proven players on Wednesday — one of them by choice, of course — they are gaining some more cap space. Releasing Jennings before the final year of his current contract created net savings of $2.85 million.

His non-guaranteed $3 million salary and $867,647 worth of likely to be earned roster and workout bonuses are now off the books, while his $1 million signing bonus proration remains as dead cap. Meanwhile, a player with a cap hit of $1.01 million will take his spot on the Top 51 list.

In total, salary cap expert Miguel Benzan projects the Patriots to be $50.13 million under the cap with all but one signing (WR Romeo Doubs) considered.

The Chaisson departure, meanwhile, does factor into the NFL’s compensatory draft picks formula. But while he is the fourth qualifying free agent to leave the team this week, it appears no additional picks will be headed New England’s way in 2027:

At the moment, two of the Patriots’ compensatory free agents this offseason remain unaccounted for: offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. and safety Jaylinn Hawkins. Not only are they unlikely to sign contracts that would massively impact the formula, both are realistic candidates to ultimately be retained by the club.

For a fourth straight year, therefore, it seems New England will not gain any extra draft capital through the compensatory process.

LINKS: Hoyas Face Familiar Foe in Late Slot of Big East Tournament

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: Brandon Maclin #0 of the DePaul Blue Demons dribbles up the court past Kayvaun Mulready #45 of the Georgetown Hoyas during a college basketball game at Capital One Arena on January 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The postseason has arrived, and your Georgetown Hoyas (14-17, 16-14) are heading to Madison Square Garden to face the sixth-seeded DePaul Blue Demons (16-15, 8-12) in the first round of the 2026 BIG EAST Tournament. After over a decade of disappointment, many of the Georgetown faithful are frustrated to be appearing in the last slot on day 1 at the Garden. Fans genuinely want the players to succeed here and in each game, but certainly not as a detriment or deterrent to positive change in the near future.

Winning tonight and building momentum with strong performances on both ends of the floor, regardless of the result, would be tremendous. There are no moral victories, but the season will end on a loss for all but one team. If they can’t see a banner, fans want to see discipline, defense, and determination.

It’s @BIGEASTMBB tourney time 👊

🆚 #6 DePaul  
⏰ 9 P.M.
🏟️ Madison Square Garden  
📍New York, N.Y.
📺 Peacock
📈 https://t.co/QCngkikZI7#HoyaSaxa#HoyaBoldpic.twitter.com/z9HJoHErCv

— Georgetown Hoops (@GeorgetownHoops) March 11, 2026

The Hoyas enter tonight’s 9 p.m. tipoff with fresh momentum after a gritty 80-79 victory over Providence to close out the regular schedule. Senior center Vince Iwuchukwu led the way in that finale, recording a double-double with a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

Hoyas fans have heard the unfortunate news that All-BIG EAST Third Team selection KJ Lewis will indeed miss the remainder of the season with a left ankle injury.

Stepping into a larger role is sophomore guard Kayvaun Mulready, who recently earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after averaging 16 points over the last two contests.

Round 1.

🕗 8 p.m. CT
📍 Madison Square Garden
📺 @peacock | NBC Sports Network
📻 SiriusXM | DePaul Blue Demons App pic.twitter.com/bjKBMjQCQS

— DePaul Basketball (@DePaulHoops) March 11, 2026

The Hoyas roster will need a collective effort against a DePaul squad that finished with the second-most conference wins in their program’s history under coach Chris Holtmann.

The two programs split their regular season matchups, with Georgetown securing a 70-61 victory at Capital One Arena in late January behind a 16-point performance from junior Malik Mack. The Blue Demons are coming off an 81-71 loss to Butler, but senior forward NJ Benson has been a formidable presence inside, averaging 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds over his last seven games.

Other Wednesday matchups include Providence vs. Butler (4PM) and Xavier vs. Marquette (6:30 PM). Winner of tonight’s DePaul-Georgetown (9PM) game will face Villanova tomorrow.

The bracket is locked in! 🔒

See you 🔜 at the 2026 BIG EAST Men's Basketball Tournament presented by JEEP. pic.twitter.com/gpdHWK0MKD

— BIG EAST MBB (@BIGEASTMBB) March 8, 2026

Here are the links:

Eleventh-Seeded Hoyas Face #6 DePaul in First Round of BIG EAST Tournament – Georgetown University Athletics | GUHOYAS

Georgetown men’s basketball will travel to New York to face the sixth-seeded DePaul Blue Demons in the first round of the 2026 BIG EAST Tournament Presented by Jeep. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. at Madison Square Garden.

FOLLOW THE HOYAS Wednesday’s game can be seen live on Peacock with John Fanta calling the play-by-play, Donny Marshall providing analysis and Caroline Pineda reporting from the sidelines. The game can be heard locally on Team 980 and on the SiriusXM app with Rich Chvotkin on the call in his 52nd season. A link to the live stats can be found on GUHoyas.com.

ABOUT THE HOYAS In its last outing, Georgetown (14-17, 6-14 BE) defeated Providence on March 7, 80-79, at Capital One Arena to close the regular season.

Vince Iwuchkwu scored a career-high 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting and a squad-best 10 rebounds off the bench to nab the double-double and lead a quintet of Hoyas in double-figure scoring.

Kayvaun Mulready was GU’s next leading scorer with 12 points, followed by Malik Mack and Caleb Williams with 11 points apiece, with Jeremiah Williams rounding out those in double figures with 10 of his own.Mulready dished out a team-high seven assists.

The 2026 BIG EAST All-Conference Third Team ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/jo3VGzkjbf

— BIG EAST MBB (@BIGEASTMBB) March 8, 2026

Hoyas Hopeful Ahead of Tournament DePaul Match-Up | The Hoya

Despite entering as the lowest seed, Head Coach Ed Cooley said the outcome of this year’s tournament is not predictable.

“This is the most open the Big East tournament’s been, in my opinion, in the 24 years I’ve been in the league,” Cooley said during a March 9 press conference before the team travelled to New York City.

This year, Georgetown and DePaul split their two regular-season matchups. The Blue Demons won the first meeting Jan. 6, defeating the Hoyas 56-50 in Chicago after Georgetown went 1-for-23 from the field in the second half. On Jan. 28, the Hoyas responded with a 70-61 win at home.

Even in their loss, Cooley said Georgetown has played well defensively against DePaul this season.

“Overall defensively, the two games we’ve played them, I think it’s been two of our better defensive games,” Cooley said.

Georgetown will need to contain key DePaul players, including guard CJ Gunn and forward NJ Benson, and Cooley said finishing defensive possessions will be critical.
“We’re doing a great job on everybody’s initial actions,” Cooley told The Hoya. “But in the last couple of games, what’s hurting us is our inability to complete the defensive possession by rebounding the ball.”

Georgetown men’s basketball enters the Big East tournament dead last, as the No. 11 seed, but head coach Ed Cooley is optimistic about the Hoyas’ chances. Georgetown plays No. 6 seed DePaul tonight at 9 p.m. https://t.co/YhMC7GpimC

— The Hoya Sports (@thehoyasports) March 11, 2026

Lewis Named All-BIG EAST Third Team – Georgetown University Athletics | GUHOYAS

Georgetown University’s KJ Lewis was named to the All-BIG EAST Third Team, as announced by the league office in New York on Sunday. The announcement comes at the conclusion of the regular season that saw the team finish with an overall record of 14-17 with a 6-14 mark in BIG EAST play. The Hoyas will be the 11th seed in the upcoming 2026 BIG EAST Tournament presented by Jeep.

Kayvaun Mulready Named to BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll – Georgetown University Athletics | GUHOYAS

In a 1-1 week, Mulready averaged 16.0 ppg on 52.4% (11-21) shooting from the field, 44.4% (4-9) from beyond the arc, and a perfect 6-for-6 performance from the charity stripe. In the win against Providence to sweep the series, the sophomore managed 12 points to go along with a career-high five steals and a pair of assists.

Against St. John’s, he tallied a squad-best 20 points to go along with seven rebounds and two helpers. He became the fifth GU player to achieve a 20-point outing this season. This is Mulready’s first accolade from the league this season and first in his career. It is the ninth recognition for the Blue & Gray this campaign as KJ Lewis, Malik Mack and Julius Halaifonua have also picked up honors.

Sources: Seton Hall's Shaheen Holloway has been named Big East Coach of the Year.

St. John's Zuby Ejiofor has been named Big East Player of the Year.

Official announcements on both later today.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 11, 2026

Hoyas Hold on for 80-79 Win Over Providence, Completing Season Sweep – Georgetown University Athletics | GUHOYAS

“You know, this game was indicative of our entire season, you know, coming down to the last shot, last play. I thought Providence played really well in the second half. We matched it, overcame it. They came up with energy in the second half and we had to bounce back. I mean, this game was clearly indicative, and we were fortunate today just to get a win. You know, the win that we needed. Looking forward to going to New York and facing DePaul.” – Head Coach Ed Cooley

“Honestly, it’s just the work I put in and the coaches and just them trusting and believing in me. I mean, my teammates kept giving me the ball in the second half. You know, they told me to go to work, you know … I mean, we kept trying to pick each other up as many times as possible, whether it’s a deadball, time out, media, whatever, just stay in poise. Ignore the loudness or the Providence fans, so just ignore them. We’ve been in tougher situations, environments, and we’ve been in close games. It feels like every single game. So it’s nothing new.” – Vince Iwuchukwu

Blue Demons Open BIG EAST Tournament Wednesday Night – DePaul University Athletics | DEPAULBLUEDEMONS

The winner of Wednesday night’s game advances to Thursday’s quarterfinals against third-seeded Villanova. That game is scheduled for an 8:30 p.m. CT tip on FS1. LAST TIME OUT DePaul (16-15, 8-12 BIG EAST) closed out the regular season against Butler, falling 81-71. NJ Benson had a personal-best in conference play with 24 points, in addition to 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season.

The Blue Demons’ defense held Butler without a field goal for the final eight minutes of the game but couldn’t complete the comeback attempt. The Blue Demons finished the regular season with the second-most BIG EAST wins in program history and highest seed in the tournament.

Full schedule of the 2026 BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournamet presented by JEEP! 📺 pic.twitter.com/jlTKUIIGIb

— BIG EAST MBB (@BIGEASTMBB) March 10, 2026

Blue Demons Run Out of Time With Late Comeback – DePaul University Athletics | DEPAULBLUEDEMONS

A late second half comeback for DePaul men’s basketball wasn’t enough to pull back from a deficit Saturday afternoon at Wintrust Arena as Butler won, 81-71. NJ Benson had a personal-best in BIG EAST play with 24 points for his fifth double-double of the season. DePaul (16-15, 8-12 BIG EAST) held Butler (16-15, 7-13 BIG EAST) without a field goal for the final eight minutes of the game, nearly erasing a double-digit deficit.

Kaleb Banks added his sixth double-digit outing of the year with 11 points, followed by a trio of nine- point scorers in Brandon Maclin, Layden Blocker and CJ Gunn. Maclin and Gunn both had career- high assists with seven and five, respectively.

Six seasons after winning the BIG EAST Tournament MVP with Georgetown, Dante Harris is named the OVC Tournament MVP for Tennessee State. pic.twitter.com/WewIJEbsFb

— Blaine Kellar (@sports_bk) March 8, 2026

No more MSG moral victories: DePaul wants more against Georgetown | CBSSPORTS

“There’s always excitement going into the conference tournament,” said DePaul coach Chris Holtmann. “Our guys are a pretty resilient group, and they’ve got a good way about them right now. They were disappointed they didn’t get the five seed and the bye. Being the six seed, I think they feel good about that.”

Georgetown’s second season under coach Ed Cooley ended with a 71-67 loss to DePaul in the opening round last year. The Hoyas (14-17) were picked sixth in the preseason poll, but finished under .500 for the fourth time in five seasons. Georgetown lost seven straight before eking out an 80-79 victory over Providence on Saturday. Georgetown lost 11 of 17 conference games by single digits, including a two-point loss to UConn on Jan. 17 and a three-point loss at St. John’s on March 3.

I caught up with Big East commissioner Val Ackerman after Trump's college sports roundtable (which she attended) and amid Big East tournament(s) week.

Full interview⬇️https://t.co/appWNr8Riq

— Amanda Christovich (@achristovichh) March 9, 2026

‘They just keep coming’: DePaul squares off against Georgetown in round one of men’s Big East tournament | DEPAULIAONLINE

The Blue Demons find themselves with the sixth seed, the highest in program history. They will play against the No. 11 seed, the Georgetown Hoyas on March 11 at 8 p.m. CT. In their last matchup, the Blue Demons fell 70-61 on the road. To rebuild their momentum following the two-game skid as they head into the tournament, senior forward NJ Benson highlighted watching film in a postgame press conference after their 81-71 loss to Butler in the regular season finale.

“Coach has started to show us a lot of response clips in the room — tight huddles and responding to bad calls or missed plays and diving on the floor, just the plays that win you games,” Benson said. “We haven’t been doing a lot of since Marquette.”

The road to crowning a Big East champion starts on Peacock and NBCSN. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/pnUlwBChBZ

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) March 11, 2026

DePaul faces Georgetown in Big East Tournament | APNEWS

The Hoyas are 6-14 in Big East play. Georgetown ranks fourth in the Big East with 9.7 offensive rebounds per game led by Vincent Iwuchukwu averaging 2.2. DePaul is shooting 43.7% from the field this season, 0.3 percentage points higher than the 43.4% Georgetown allows to opponents.

Georgetown averages 6.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.1 fewer makes per game than DePaul allows. The teams play each other for the third time this season. Georgetown won the last matchup 70-61 on Jan. 29. Malik Mack scored 16 to help lead Georgetown to the win, and Brandon Maclin scored 19 points for DePaul.

IT'S GAMEDAY‼️

All games on @peacock and @NBCSports! pic.twitter.com/9ryE9XMR4H

— BIG EAST MBB (@BIGEASTMBB) March 11, 2026

Big East Tournament Preview | 247SPORTS

While the Hoyas are the 11-seed, by no means will they be a pushover. While they have lost 7 out of their last 8 games, they won their last contest of the season, beating Providence at home 80-79 on Saturday night. However, once again they will be playing shorthanded without arguably their best player in KJ Lewis.

Lewis was the Hoyas’ leading scorer (14.9), and his absence has been felt. He injured his left ankle and has missed the last three games. However, several other players have been stepping up in his place. One player to keep an eye out for is sophomore guard Kayvaun Mulready. The 6’4″ sophomore guard has been Lewis’s de facto replacement. On the season, Mulready averages just 5.3 points in 15.7 minutes per game.

After limping into the Big East tournament having lost two straight home games–both by double-digits–to Villanova and Butler, the DePaul Blue Demons will head to the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden looking to hit the reset button… https://t.co/10SCektxaT

— WeAreDePaul.com (@WeAreDePaul) March 11, 2026

DePaul looks to respond | 247SPORTS

The last time these two teams met, Georgetown controlled the paint. The Hoyas scored 30 of their 70 points in the paint, and DePaul couldn’t get much going inside. Benson was held to just four points and six rebounds across 27 minutes in that contest.

However, things have been much different over the past five weeks. Benson has been one of the best big men in the conference, averaging 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.9 blocks over his past seven games. The senior forward will also enter this game with some fuel after not being selected to any of the Big East conference teams on Sunday. Benson averaged 11.7 points and 7.6 rebounds in the regular season.

NYC takeover 🚕 pic.twitter.com/ztdNyZetHk

— DePaul Basketball (@DePaulHoops) March 11, 2026

Butler spoils DePaul’s Senior Day | 247SPORTS

With the early shooting struggles, the Blue Demons leaned more on NJ Benson in the second part of the first half. Benson had his way inside across the first 20 minutes, catching some lobs and finishing some second-chance opportunities.

He led the team with 15 points in the first half. On the defensive side, Butler’s size was too much for the Blue Demons. They had a hard time boxing out Butler down low. The Bulldogs had nine offensive rebounds in the first half, which resulted in 10 second-chance points. Those 10-second-chance points were the difference for Butler heading into the break.

Although DePaul made four of its last seven shots to end the half, the team went into the locker room with a seven-point deficit (39-32).

It's been a tough season for @GeorgetownHoops but @HoyaCoachCooley and company, confident they can end things on a high note at the @BIGEASTMBB Tournament (and possibly beyond). DePaul up 1st for the Hoyas at 9p #HoyaSaxa#HoyaBold@GeorgetownHoyas@BIGEASTMBB@MarchMadnessMBBpic.twitter.com/Fv39aMLedz

— Jeremy Huber (@jrhubersxm) March 11, 2026

Hoyas Embrace Second Season | MTC Media

This season, the Blue Demons have shed the “lowly DePaul” label and, to be honest, have gotten the best of Georgetown in recent history, even though the Hoyas had a solid 70-61 home win in late January.

The Blue Demons have lost their last two games, with the Butler loss being the most damning. In the loss to the Bulldogs, DePaul shot 37.1% from the floor and 22% from the three-point line.

For the Hoyas, it’s getting by this one.

HOYA FANS, you’re invited!
Register today: https://t.co/GqsEZQaRb1#HoyaSaxapic.twitter.com/OshT9UDdKe

— Hoya Hoop Club (@HoyaHoopClub) March 10, 2026

Panthers continue to add defensive pieces to challenge the Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a dire need for linebacking help heading into the offseason. Lavonte David remains up in the air, SirVocea Dennis has not been the player they hoped for, and the depth behind them isn't much to look at, either, in terms of production. So, the team made an agreement to sign Alex Anzalone from the Detroit Lions as he completes his homecoming to Florida, but what if they get Lavonte David back, too?

Until they know for sure, they have to remain flexible on the market, but one of those options is now gone, and it has gone to the Carolina Panthers. Linebacker Devin Lloyd is in agreement to sign with the Bucs division rival to help their continued overhaul of the defense.

The Panthers previously added Jaelen Phillips in free agency as well, which has them in the upper echelon of classes this offseason.

Lloyd was seen as a fit for the Bucs, but they now have to look for David to return, as the market is now depleted. As for the NFL Draft, there are some pieces, but by the time the Bucs are on the clock at pick 15 the top tier of talent should be drafted well before.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Free Agency: Panthers continue to add pieces to challenge the Bucs

Daniel Jones gets major injury update after signing $88 million extension with Colts

Daniel Jones gets major injury update after signing $88 million extension with Colts originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Indianapolis Colts signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a two-year extension worth $88 million that can reach $100 million, and the franchise also received a pivotal injury update on the veteran.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Jones is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 season, and there is also a high chance he's back when training camp kicks off.

"Recovering from a torn Achilles, Colts QB Daniel Jones is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, and one source even said he expects him to be ready for training camp," Schefter said.

Jones suffered a torn Achilles tendon in December 2025, but is making fast progress and looks to be the Colts' Week 1 starter for the second straight year.

In 13 starts this past season, Jones tossed 19 touchdowns to eight interceptions and had Indianapolis in first place in the AFC South. He revived his career with the Colts, and now cashes on a lucrative short-term extension with the franchise.

With Jones back in the fold, Indianapolis will finally have some continuity at quarterback, and a ton of questions have been answered.

We'll see what other moves general manager Chris Ballard makes in free agency as the Colts work to end their five-year playoff drought in 2026.

More NFL News

Wednesday Open Thread

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 07: Dominic Canzone #8 of the Italy runs to first base in the first inning against Brazil during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Brazil and Italy at Daikin Park on March 07, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I’m putting the open thread up today, because the Jays don’t play until the evening and there is nothing pressing as far as Jays news. I have a couple of things I want to write about, but they will take awhile.

Jose Berrios wanted to play for Puerto Rico but can’t because of insurance issues. It seems funny that a guy making $19 million this year, won’t be playing because of insurance issues. But then it isn’t health insurance, it is insurance for his contract. If he were to get hurt and miss this season, the insurance would be needed to cover his contract. I can understand insurance companies not wanting to be on the hook for the, roughly $70 million left on his contract. Especially with him missing time last year with an elbow issue.

The WBC is a bit of a tough sell for MLB teams. If something bad was to happen to the top player from the Yankees or Blue Jays or whoever, you know that it will be harder to get them to let players go to it in the future. But it is fun to watch the baseball (especially the big upsets). I wonder how much a $100 bet on Italy would have paid? Likely not as much as I think, because a number of people will bet on the long shot.


Anyway, as always, use the thread to talk about whatever you are interested in (within site rules). I’m all for religion and politics, as much as I like people swinging their arms, but just not in my face. I do have a personal rule, I’ve hit that age where I’m sometimes sitting with groups of men around my age, having coffee and I’ve said I’m happy to sit and chat but when politics become the subject I get up and leave. I’m not going to change a mind, and they aren’t going to change my mind, so let’s not do it.

Though, strangely enough for a devote atheist, I’ve been having pretty deep conversations with friends about religion lately. As long as they understand they aren’t going to convert me, I’m ok with it all.

Nasir Wyatt setting up for 'breakout season,' per Ducks DC Hampton

Much has been said about the Oregon Ducks' standout true freshmen during the 2025 season, with the running back duo of Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. along with wide receiver Dakorien Moore heavily impacting the offense while cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. was an absolute star on the defensive side of the ball.

But a player who hasn't been talked about as much is linebacker Nasir Wyatt, who served as a pass rush and blitz specialist last season in limited reps. He was on the field for 39 total defensive snaps, to be exact — a small fraction of the Ducks' defensive snaps considering they played in 15 games.

Normally, a player who averaged just 2.6 snaps per game wouldn't come into his next season with high expectations, but that's not the case for Wyatt. And it's not just that he was a four-star recruit and the No. 18 linebacker in the 2025 class, per 247 Sports Composite. It's not just his 6-foot-2, 228-pound frame with explosion and speed. Rather, it's the product that the California native put on the field in his limited snaps.

In 2025, he finished with 11 tackles, seven quarterback pressures, four tackles for loss, three sacks (third on the team) and a forced fumble — again, all in just 39 total snaps, a mark that starting edge rushers Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti routinely surpassed in a single game.

To say that Wyatt gave everything he had in the limited reps that he saw is an understatement. But for Wyatt to take the next step and be on the field for snaps, there's certain parts of his game that he'll have to work on.

"I think he's just got to continue to grow and develop in his knowledge of the scheme," Oregon defensive coordinator Chris Hampton said in an exclusive interview with the Bleav in Oregon Podcast. "He has to show that he can play on first down versus run, second down versus run, which I think he can. I'm fired up about him. I think everyone in the organization is. I think this guy can have a big season for us. We're happy that he's here, and he's working extremely hard in the offseason. I can tell from some of the meetings we've had that his knowledge and IQ has tremendously skyrocketed since last season."

Presumably, one of the biggest things across the offseason that Wyatt can improve upon body wise is his weight. Putting on more muscle will allow him to not get pushed around by bigger players, as he entered college with a slighter frame for an edge rusher. However, making sure that he still has the same explosiveness off of the edge is paramount.

Hampton certainly believes that he can do so, touting Wyatt as someone who could have a strong campaign this fall.

"I think he can be a guy to have a breakout season for us," Hampton said. "As part of the ‘who’ you were talking about, you know, when you asked about what's the defense going to look like? Think a lot depends on guys like Nas, and how they continue to develop."

The entire defensive line is coming back, with Tuioti and Uiagalelei being joined by defensive tackles Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington. But with that, much of the depth behind them departed, leaving Wyatt and several other holdovers, along with multiple transfers, to pick up the slack behind the starters.

While there isn't necessarily pressure, as Wyatt will be just a true sophomore next season, the onus is on him to become a more well-rounded player so that he can be on the field and do exactly what he did last season, but at a higher rate: wreak havoc upon opposing offenses.

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: Chris Hampton claims Nasir Wyatt is primed for 'breakout season'

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp outlined 6-theme plan moving forward

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: The Players Championship Trophy is seen as Brian Rolapp, CEO of the PGA Tour, speaks during a press conference prior to THE PLAYERS Championship 2026 at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on March 11, 2026 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The PGA Tour is in its Brian Rolapp era.

The Tour’s new CEO spoke on Wednesday ahead of the Players Championship beginning, his first public address before the Tour’s signature event (no pun intended) given that he is still relatively new to the job.

Overall Rolapp addressed a future for the PGA Tour that will be built around six particular themes.

A letter to fans on the progress of the Future Competition Committee. pic.twitter.com/FFevfLmmZM

— Brian Rolapp (@brianrolapp) March 11, 2026

It is clear that Rolapp wants the Tour to have more events of a signature variety. He noted that the Tour wants to essentially double the “big time” events and that when you toss in the major championships, Ryder Cup, and Tour Championship… there should ideally be 21-26 events that carry serious weight and status.

Rolapp also noted that the Tour wants to have larger fields for more equitable opportunities throughout itself and that there will be a cut in these hypotheticals. This runs counter to the current Signature Event model.

One of the biggest things that Rolapp noted was that the PGA Tour wants to begin its season on the West Coast in a big fashion and that they want to have an event that concludes in primetime on the East Coast. Many have often said that the PGA Tour should begin the week after the Super Bowl, and right now they run into that.

It is clear that the PGA Tour also wants to continue to tap into big media markets as any sports business would. Rolapp also noted that promotion and relegation are options that are being considered in the future, and match play is something that could return to specific formats and events.

Overall Wednesday was a very strong step from the PGA Tour’s newest point of leadership. It is clear that they have established the greatest Tour in the world and that they are intent on capitalizing on it as much as they can.

It is exciting for golf fans everywhere.

Colts missed out on Trey Hendrickson in free agency for $3 million

Trey Hendrickson

Colts missed out on Trey Hendrickson in free agency for $3 million originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Indianapolis Colts were pretty much linked to Trey Hendrickson from the very first signs of discontent.

It was hard to read a Hendrickson rumor dating back to last summer that didn't include the Colts in the mix.

That's what makes Wednesday's Hendrickson news particularly disappointing. He's signing in free agency to leave the Cincinnati Bengals and join the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens backed out of their trade to get Maxx Crosby and pivoted to Hendrickson, shutting out anyone else who was interested.

And to be clear, the Colts were still interested. They just were $3 million per year short.

ESPN's Stephen Holder reported this on X on Wednesday:

"On Colts and Trey Hendrickson, per sources: IND made what it hoped was a competitive offer. Colts were in the mix as of Tues. After the Maxx Crosby trade dissolved, Ravens' offer turned things upside down. Colts wanted to be closer to $25M/year. Baltimore’s deal is for $28M/yr."

MORE: Why the Raiders are no longer trading Maxx Crosby to the Ravens

Sure, $3 million per year isn't nothing, especially in an offseason when the Colts are giving Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce both huge contracts.

But in the grand scheme of the NFL, it isn't a ton, and in this case, it means the Colts miss a pass rusher they've been after for months.

"They are still endeavoring to add an impact edge rusher," Holder added on X. "Time will tell whether they can still pull that off."

That impact edge rusher won't be Hendrickson, though, which is a bummer after all this time.

More NFL news:

(PR) GIGABYTE Launches Z890 Plus Series Motherboards Supporting Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus Series Processors and CQDIMM

GIGABYTE, the world's leading computer brand, introduces the Z890 Plus Series Motherboards engineered to support the new Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus series processors. Highlighting AORUS ELITE DUO X and Z890M FORCE DUO X WIFI7 models built on innovative CQDIMM technology, these dual-DIMM designs deliver uncompromised memory performance, superior signal integrity, and refined features tailored for mainstream gamers and performance-focused users.

Designed for optimal memory performance without tradeoffs between capacity and speed, the Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X and Z890M FORCE DUO X WIFI7 models support 128 GB memory per DIMM via Quad-Rank memory modules, enabling full 256 GB capacity with just two memory modules. Through optimized motherboard circuit design, GIGABYTE reduces memory channel loading and enhances signal integrity to ensure high frequency under heavy workloads, boosting speed up to DDR5-10266. Complementing the hardware advancements is GIGABYTE's sophisticated D5 DUO X BIOS tuning technology. Through an optimized clock driver architecture, GIGABYTE's BIOS intelligently manages timing, signal synchronization, and voltage behavior to unleash potential performance.

(PR) ASRock 800 Series Motherboards Fully Support New Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus Processors

ASRock, the global leading manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, mini PCs, gaming monitors, power supply units and AIOs, today announced that its Intel Z890, B860, and H810 series motherboards fully support the newly launched Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors, including the Ultra 7 270K Plus, Ultra 5 250K Plus, and Ultra 5 250KF Plus. With this support, gamers and creators can fully leverage the performance improvements of the latest processors, delivering enhanced gaming experiences and improved productivity.

Intel today introduced three new Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors, including the eight-core Ultra 7 270K Plus, as well as the six-core Ultra 5 250K Plus and Ultra 5 250KF Plus. Featuring increased E-core counts and updates through the Intel Platform Performance Package (IPPP), these processors deliver improved gaming performance and stronger multitasking capabilities. To further simplify installation, ASRock has integrated the IPPP driver into its Auto Driver Installer (ADI) utility on all 800 series models. Users only need to download the installation tool from the official support page to quickly enable the IPPP and enjoy noticeably improved gaming performance.

Fedora 44 Beta Goes Live With Updated Gnome and KDE Desktops and Linux 6.19 Kernel

The full release of Fedora Linux 44 is drawing near, and, as such, the Fedora Project has officially made Fedora 44 Beta available for download for those who want to test the upcoming version of the workstation Linux distribution. Fedora 44 has a long changelog, but some of the biggest changes are simply newer versions of the included defaults, like the move to Gnome 50 and KDE Plasma 6.6 as well as an update to Linux 6.19. Like many distributions that use KDE, the Fedora 44 KDE Desktop edition officially makes the move from SDDM to Plasma Login Manager as the default. In general, Fedora 44 also improves things like the installer, which no longer automatically and unnecessarily creates network profiles for devices not involved in the initial configuration. This makes it easier to configure these devices later when necessary.

Fedora 44 also adds support for Budgie 10.10, which is itself migrating from X11 to Wayland, Fedora changes the build infrastructure to make package builds more predictable and reproducible. Wayland support and the built-in emojis are also now better supported thanks to the upgrade to IBus 1.5.34, and various other frameworks and programming languages have been updated to improve security and modernize the OS. Fedora 44 launches officially on April 14, 2026, but beta ISOs for Fedora Workstation (with Gnome) and Fedora KDE Plasma Desktop can be downloaded ahead of the official launch. There are also the usual ISOs for server, cloud, and IoT versions.

(PR) MSI Motherboards Support New Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus Series Processors

MSI proudly introduces its latest generation of motherboards, purpose built to pair seamlessly with the new Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus Series processors. MSI 800 Series (Z890/B860/H810) motherboards are engineered to unlock the full potential of the newest desktop architecture, delivering and improved overall performance compared to the existing Intel Core Ultra Series 2 desktop processors. This ensures you can build a powerful, reliable system tailored to your needs.

"MSI bridges the gap between Intel's cutting-edge architecture and the high-speed demands of modern users. By pairing Intel's new Core Ultra 200S Plus Series Processors with its increased core counts and 5.5 GHz clock speeds, MSI's robust 16-phase Duet Rail Power System on the MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI II, we've created a platform that doesn't just run the latest games; it masters them. This is the definitive foundation for the next generation of high-performance computing", said James Yeh, VP, Computing & Display Group, MSI.

(PR) MSI AI Gaming Desktops Now Powered by Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus Series

MSI today announces that its AI gaming desktops, the MEG Vision X AI and MPG Infinite X3 AI, are now equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus Series processors (Arrow Lake-S Refresh). Featuring up to the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus with 24 cores (8P+16E) and a 5.5 GHz max boost clock, these updated systems deliver faster gaming performance and significantly improved multitasking.

Performance Refined with Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus Series
The Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus Series brings targeted but meaningful upgrades over its predecessor—adding 4 more cores on both the Ultra 7 and Ultra 5 CPUs, a +200 MHz bump on P-Core all-core frequencies, and official DDR5-7200 MT/s memory support. The result is approximately 9% faster gaming performance compared to the previous generation, alongside massive leaps in multithreaded workloads—making these systems a compelling choice for gamers and creators who multitask heavily across streaming, editing, and gameplay simultaneously. The processors remain fully compatible with Intel 800 Series chipsets, meaning users get a meaningful performance uplift without any platform overhaul required.

XRP Could Surge to $1,000 Following New ETF Launch – Up to 415% in the Short Term

XRP ETFs

The post XRP Could Surge to $1,000 Following New ETF Launch – Up to 415% in the Short Term appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

With the Kurv XRP Enhanced Income ETF scheduled to launch on March 11, 2026, XRP is once again in the spotlight of global capital markets.

The Kurv XRP Enhanced Income ETF has officially launched on US stock brokerage platforms. What makes this product unique is that it not only allows Wall Street funds to legally hold XRP, but also attracts a large number of investors seeking passive income through “enhanced returns” strategies (such as covered call options).

Recently, several cryptocurrency analysts have made optimistic predictions: with the official launch of the new XRP ETF, the price is expected to surge by 415% in the short term, followed by a longer-term acceleration towards the important $1,000 mark.

This prediction has immediately attracted significant investor interest. However, despite market expectations of price increases, many XRP holders and traditional cryptocurrency investors have made a more rational choice: to allocate a portion of their funds to Investor Hash in anticipation of the new ETF era, ensuring immediate cash flow and stable returns.

After the new ETF launch, investors can leverage the Investor Hash cloud computing platform to earn daily returns.

During the new ETF launch phase, Investor Hash offers investors the opportunity to automatically acquire cloud computing power using its high-performance mining solutions—requiring no mining hardware, technical expertise, or high electricity costs. Users simply select a contract to automatically earn cloud computing power rewards. The platform supports fully automated processes for XRP, BTC, and ETH, with daily settlements and instant payments, easily achieving passive income.

These high-yield solutions enable users to earn stable passive income daily. Rewards are continuously paid out regardless of market fluctuations. This guaranteed and market-independent cash flow is unattainable with traditional cryptocurrency investments.

About Investor Hash

Investor Hash is headquartered in the UK and strictly adheres to the EU regulatory framework MiCA and MiFID II financial standards. This compliance system provides comprehensive legal protection for the platform in terms of transparency, operational compliance, and investor rights.

Furthermore, Investor Hash has successfully passed numerous internationally recognized audits and security certifications, including:

  • Annual financial and security audit by PwC
  • Guardian insurance from Lloyd’s of London
  • Cloudflare enterprise firewall + McAfee® cloud security system
  • Multi-layered encryption architecture and 24/7 real-time security monitoring

With its global compliance framework and best-in-class security architecture, Investor Hash is one of the few platforms that can simultaneously ensure compliance, security, and transparency. We currently accept: USDT, BTC, ETH, LTC, USDC, XRP, BCH, DOGE, SOL (Solana), and other popular cryptocurrencies.

How to join Investor Hash and earn money daily?

Step 1: Register an account. Visit investorhash.com, create an account, and receive a $15 welcome bonus.

Step 2: Choose a mining plan. Select the cloud mining plan that best suits your needs from a variety of options.

Step 3: Earn Rewards. Rewards will be automatically distributed daily after contract activation.

Conclusion

The launch of the new XRP ETF is changing market expectations: analysts are optimistic that it could see a short-term gain of 415% with a long-term target price of $1,000. In this environment, more and more investors are choosing a dual strategy—investing in the long-term value of the ETF while also obtaining a stable daily cash flow through the Investor Hash platform.

For investors looking to participate in XRP investment and simultaneously obtain stable returns, Investor Hash offers a more robust and secure option. Now is the ideal time to leverage cloud computing capabilities for investment, before the ETF market peaks.

Visit https://investorhash.com and join Investor Hash now!

(Click here to download the mobile app)

Inside EvoCash: The Architecture Behind a Crypto-to-Fiat Bridge Connecting Web3 Wallets to Compliant USD Accounts

evocash

The post Inside EvoCash: The Architecture Behind a Crypto-to-Fiat Bridge Connecting Web3 Wallets to Compliant USD Accounts appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

How MSB registration, FBO structures, real-time USDT-to-USD conversion, and multichain support enable institutional-grade crypto-to-fiat flows for global users.

The promise of cryptocurrency has always been financial sovereignty. But that promise breaks down when users try to pay rent, buy groceries, or handle real-world expenses in fiat currency.

Traditional banks freeze accounts. Exchanges impose withdrawal limits. Transfers take days. Legitimate crypto users worldwide — traders, international freelancers, digital nomads, and cross-border businesses — navigate a fragmented maze just to access their own money. This friction is amplified in emerging markets.

EvoCash is building infrastructure to fix this, establishing itself as a crypto-to-fiat bridge designed for global users.

The Compliance Foundation: MSB Registration

EvoCash’s platform starts with proper compliance structure. The company holds Money Services Business (MSB) registration with FinCEN under the Bank Secrecy Act, a compliance registration enabling money transmission services in the U.S. and internationally.

This MSB registration carries obligations: AML procedures, KYC verification, suspicious activity reporting, and ongoing monitoring. It provides legitimacy that unregistered platforms lack — critical for global users seeking a compliant crypto-to-fiat bridge.

The FBO Account Structure: Partnering for Scale

EvoCash partners with licensed financial institutions to provide USD accounts structured as For Benefit Of (FBO) arrangements — accounts held “for the benefit of” end users.

The partner institution provides regulatory compliance and FDIC insurance. EvoCash provides the Web3 interface, wallet integration, fiat on-ramp/off-ramp functionality, and real-time conversion technology.

Advantages:

  • Speed to market using existing banking infrastructure
  • Compliance structure with partners handling banking regulations
  • User protection through licensed institutions
  • International scalability without local banking requirements

The Conversion Engine: Real-Time USDT-to-USD

The core innovation is seamless conversion between stablecoins and fiat. When a user converts USDT to USD:

  1. USDT transfers from the user’s Web3 wallet to EvoCash’s liquidity pool
  2. The conversion engine executes at market rates across multiple sources
  3. USD credits to the user’s FBO account
  4. Funds become immediately available

This happens in real-time — not days. No wire transfer holds. No manual review processes. This is critical for international users across time zones.

For traders, it means locking in profits instantly. For freelancers, receiving crypto income and paying USD bills without friction. For emerging market users, accessing fiat without traditional banking restrictions.

Multichain Infrastructure: Flexibility for Global Operations

EvoCash supports assets across Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum, and other major chains — critical for serving global users.

Benefits:

  • Users keep assets on preferred chains without forced bridging
  • Cost optimization through lower-fee networks
  • Deeper liquidity pools for better conversion rates
  • International businesses manage assets across jurisdictions through one interface

The technical challenge is maintaining security and compliance across different blockchain protocols while providing unified user experience. EvoCash’s wallet integration handles this abstraction layer.

Global Onboarding: The Fiat On-Ramp for Everyone

Traditional banking requires local residency. EvoCash’s MSB registration and FBO structure enable global onboarding — users access USD accounts regardless of location after completing KYC.

This serves:

  • Digital nomads travelling full-time who need USD access globally
  • International freelancers in emerging markets earning from global clients
  • Cross-border businesses requiring reliable crypto-to-USD settlement
  • Developers in underserved regions paid in crypto needing fiat access
  • Workers sending remittances across borders

The compliance framework includes identity verification, address confirmation, and source of funds documentation — standard KYC aligned with MSB registration requirements.

The Integrated Ecosystem: Beyond Conversion

Beyond real-time USDT-to-USD conversion and fiat on-ramp/off-ramp, EvoCash provides a complete financial stack:

  • Multi-asset crypto trading
  • USD balances functioning like checking accounts
  • Access to precious metals for portfolio diversification
  • Integrated USD payment processing for international operations

This eliminates platform fragmentation — users operate from a single interface instead of juggling exchanges, conversion services, bank accounts, and payment processors.

The Visa Card Integration: Completing the Ecosystem

EvoCash is pursuing approval for a Visa card linked to stablecoins through issuing partners. The card, currently under review, would connect to users’ crypto-backed USD balances, enabling point-of-sale spending worldwide.

This allows users to:

  • Spend USD balances globally
  • Make ATM withdrawals in local currency
  • Receive merchant acceptance anywhere Visa is supported
  • Maintain real-time balance visibility across crypto and fiat

Once approved, it completes the loop: earn in crypto globally, convert to USD instantly, spend in the real world — all within a compliant infrastructure.

Why This Architecture Matters

The crypto industry has produced countless “bank alternatives” that operate in compliance gray areas or provide limited functionality. EvoCash’s architecture aims for properly structured infrastructure with MSB registration that works for crypto-native users and international participants.

MSB registration provides a compliance foundation. FBO partnerships provide banking infrastructure. Real-time USDT-to-USD conversion provides liquidity. Multichain support provides flexibility. Global onboarding provides accessibility. Fiat on-ramp/off-ramp provides bidirectional flows.

The result: a platform that doesn’t force users to choose between crypto innovation and financial legitimacy. It delivers both at institutional speed with consumer simplicity — particularly for international users underserved by traditional banking.

For crypto to truly disrupt traditional finance and serve global users, infrastructure like this isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Learn more about EvoCash’s compliant infrastructure for global users

While Markets React to Global Conflict, BI DeFi Users Are Still Earning

bidefi

The post While Markets React to Global Conflict, BI DeFi Users Are Still Earning appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Global markets briefly rallied after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the conflict with Iran could be “essentially over” and may end soon. The remarks eased geopolitical concerns and quickly lifted sentiment across risk assets.

Cryptocurrencies reacted within minutes. Bitcoin moved back toward the $69,000 level, Ethereum held above $2,000, and XRP also saw renewed buying interest. While such reactions are common during geopolitical developments, they also highlight a familiar reality in crypto markets: prices can shift quickly on headlines, but the underlying blockchain ecosystem continues to evolve.

Smart Contracts and the Shift in Participation

As volatility becomes a regular feature of digital asset markets, many participants are rethinking how they engage with crypto.

Instead of relying solely on predicting price movements, attention is increasingly turning toward smart contract–driven systems, where transactions and financial agreements execute automatically once predefined conditions are met.

These automated mechanisms are becoming a key part of blockchain infrastructure, enabling networks to process activity more efficiently while reducing the need for constant manual oversight.

As blockchain adoption grows, the conversation is gradually expanding beyond trading alone.

From Asset Ownership to Network Participation

As on-chain activity expands, the networks supporting it must scale as well.

Greater transaction volume requires:

  • Increased computational resources
  • Stable validation capacity
  • Efficient processing infrastructure

For this reason, some market participants are beginning to look beyond simple asset ownership. Instead, attention is shifting toward participating in the operational layer of blockchain networks themselves.

This shift is bringing growing interest to platforms designed to simplify infrastructure-level participation.

BI DeFi: Simplifying Access to Blockchain Infrastructure

One platform exploring this model is BI DeFi, a UK-registered digital asset platform offering a cloud-based computational contract system.

Rather than requiring users to purchase and manage mining hardware, BI DeFi allows participation through computing contracts that operate within the platform’s infrastructure. This removes many of the operational burdens associated with traditional mining, including equipment maintenance, cooling systems, and electricity management.

Key features of the platform include:

  • Entry starting from $100
  • A $17 registration reward
  • Support for major digital assets including BTC, ETH, XRP, and SOL
  • Automated 24-hour settlement cycles

At the infrastructure level, the platform also emphasizes operational safeguards and security measures, including:

  • Strict segregation of user assets and operating funds
  • Independent audits conducted by PwC
  • Custody insurance provided by Lloyd’s of London
  • Enterprise-grade security with layered encryption and continuous monitoring

Together, these measures are designed to support a secure environment for digital asset participation.

Looking Beyond Market Headlines

Short-term reactions to geopolitical events—such as the recent rally following Trump’s comments—demonstrate how quickly sentiment can shift in cryptocurrency markets.

But beyond daily price movements, the digital asset ecosystem continues to evolve at the infrastructure level. As blockchain networks expand and smart contract activity increases, participation is gradually extending beyond trading toward engagement with the systems that power the network itself.

Within this broader transition, platforms such as BI DeFi are positioning themselves as part of the growing infrastructure layer of the digital asset economy.

Official Website: https://bidefi.com/

Fed at a Crossroads: Rate Cuts or Hold Firm?

Fed at a Crossroads: Rate Cuts or Hold Firm?

The post Fed at a Crossroads: Rate Cuts or Hold Firm? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

February’s CPI delivered what the Federal Reserve had hoped for—but possibly too late. Inflation held at 2.4% YoY, while core CPI slowed to 0.2% MoM from 0.3% in January, signaling easing price pressures. However, the data reflects conditions before recent geopolitical shocks and the surge in oil prices. Meanwhile, the labor market is softening, with 58K jobs added vs 126K expected and unemployment rising to 4.4%. As the March 18 Fed meeting approaches, policymakers face a dilemma: cut rates based on cooling inflation, hold steady despite weakening jobs, or signal future easing while monitoring energy-driven risks.

Binance Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal

Binance Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal

The post Binance Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Wall Street Journal appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Binance has filed a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over a February 23 report alleging the exchange stopped investigating $1.7 billion in crypto flows linked to Iran-connected networks after Donald Trump pardoned founder Changpeng Zhao. Binance strongly denies the claims, saying it continued the probe, removed related accounts, and shared corrections before publication. The company, previously fined $4.3 billion in 2023, is seeking a jury trial, calling the article misleading and damaging.

Critical n8n Flaws Allow Remote Code Execution and Exposure of Stored Credentials

Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed details of two now-patched security flaws in the n8n workflow automation platform, including two critical bugs that could result in arbitrary command execution. The vulnerabilities are listed below - CVE-2026-27577 (CVSS score: 9.4) - Expression sandbox escape leading to remote code execution (RCE) CVE-2026-27493 (CVSS score: 9.5) - Unauthenticated

Hey Plex is gone; Samsung phones will receive Hey Perplexity, CEO confirms

Something unexpected happened for Samsung Galaxy S26 users after the latest software update. Many people noticed that the “Hey Plex” voice command suddenly disappeared from the Perplexity app on their phones. Soon after this change, new information appeared online that explained what might be happening.

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas has confirmed the reason behind the change. Replying to a user comment online, he said that the wake phrase is being changed. Instead of “Hey Plex,” Samsung phones will soon support a new command – “Hey Perplexity.” This means the voice activation feature is not being removed completely, but it is simply getting a new name.

The feature allows users to activate the Perplexity AI assistant with their voice. Once the wake phrase is enabled, users can say the command, and the assistant will open instantly, even if the phone screen is off. This makes it easy to ask questions, search for information, or perform quick tasks without touching the device.

Samsung Hey Plex information

Earlier, Samsung introduced this feature in partnership with Perplexity when the Galaxy S26 series launched. The phones came with several AI assistants, including Gemini, Bixby, and Perplexity. Users could choose which assistant they preferred and switch between them through the device settings.

However, after the February 2026 security update, the “Hey Plex detection” option was removed from the settings. Because of this, the wake phrase stopped working on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, although the assistant can still be opened using the side button.

With the CEO now confirming the change to “Hey Perplexity,” the voice wake-up feature is expected to return in a future update for Samsung devices. Stay tuned.

Google Search Top Stories Preferred Source

The post Hey Plex is gone; Samsung phones will receive Hey Perplexity, CEO confirms appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Amazon Spring Deal Days: Galaxy, Xiaomi and Redmi tablets, Galaxy and Apple Watches too

Amazon’s Spring Deal Days are the first major sales event from the retailer for this year. Here we will focus on tablets and smartwatches, but we will also have a look at smartphone deals soon. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Tab S10 FE+ are 10.9” and 13.1” tablets, respectively, with 90Hz IPS LCDs. Both are powered by the Exynos 1580 chipset and have expandable storage. The smaller slate has an 8,000mAh battery, while the larger one has a 10,090mAh battery. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Tab S10 FE+ £125...

How to watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City in the USA: Live Stream and TV for 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League

Real Madrid face Manchester City in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 edition. Here you can find kickoff times along with TV and streaming information for viewers in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO Real Madrid vs Manchester City
WHAT UEFA Champions League
WHEN 4pm ET / 1pm PT • Wednesday, March 11, 2026
WHERE Paramount+ and DAZN
FREE TRIAL WATCH NOW

Match Overview

A marquee Round of 16 clash arrives early in the bracket as two of the tournament’s top contenders square off, with Real Madrid meeting Manchester City in a matchup that feels worthy of a final. Madrid punched their ticket after a fiercely contested and controversial knockout battle with Benfica.

Now Vinicius Jr. leads a star-studded squad aiming to keep its championship run alive. Standing across the pitch is a City side loaded with elite talent and riding strong form, making this heavyweight showdown one of the most anticipated series of the Round of 16.

More details on how to watch

Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
Paramount+ features more than 2,000 live matches each year. In addition to Serie A, the extensive portfolio of soccer properties also includes EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League; NWSL; and much more.
Paramount+ includes exclusive original programs such as: Halo, Star Trek: Discovery, Frasier, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Evil, as well as movies including Mean Girls, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning and more. You can also stream CBSN (CBS News), CBS Sports HQ and ET Live, as well as — with the Premium Plan — your local CBS network.
Paramount+ is available on PC or Mac as well as Roku, iPhone and Android phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung smart TV, Vizio and XBOX One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Paramount+ soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
Here are the steps to sign up for your 7-day free trial to Paramount+:

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.

Free resources available to you

World Soccer Talk is the number one destination in the United States for soccer television and streaming information. We recommend that you bookmark our soccer games on TV today page as well as subscribing to our free daily email newsletter that includes TV schedules and the latest soccer news and opinion from around the world.
Courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid

How to watch Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting CP in the USA: Live Stream and TV for 2025/2026 Champions League

Bodø/Glimt will face Sporting CP in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 edition. Here you can find kickoff times along with TV and streaming information for viewers in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting CP on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting CP
WHAT UEFA Champions League
WHEN 4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT • Wednesday, March 11, 2026
WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and ViX
STREAM WATCH NOW

Match Overview

After stunning Inter Milan with wins in both legs of the knockout stage playoffs, Bodø/Glimt now aim to keep their Cinderella run alive when they meet Sporting CP in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Sporting also exceeded expectations earlier in the competition, securing direct passage to the knockout rounds during the league stage despite entering as underdogs. With both teams riding the momentum of surprising results, this matchup has all the makings of an entertaining clash!

More details of how to watch

With Fubo, you can watch Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting CP and tons more games. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV or hook it up to your TV with Google Chromecast.
Now with Fubo, you can stream USA Network, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect, beIN SPORTS XTRA, NBC (in select cities), CNBC, USA, FOX (in select cities), FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, Telemundo, Universo and Galavision.
Plus Fubo, the legal streaming service, also streams Liga MX, World Cup, Women’s World Cup, MLS, UEFA Champions League (in Spanish), Europa League (in Spanish), Primeira Liga, Ligue Un, World Cup qualifiers, NWSL, select USMNT games, select USWNT games, select Mexico games, select England games and more.
The Fubo app is available for Windows PC, Mac, Apple iPhones, Android phones, Amazon Fire TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense TVs, iOS devices, LG TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TVs and Xbox One.
If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full Fubo soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.

Free resources available to you

World Soccer Talk is the number one destination in the United States for soccer television and streaming information. We recommend that you bookmark our soccer games on TV today page as well as subscribing to our free daily email newsletter that includes TV schedules and the latest soccer news and opinion from around the world.
Courtesy of World Soccer Talk, download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming.
To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).

Gonçalo Inacio of Sporting CP

Is Vinicius Jr. playing today? Predicted lineups for Real Madrid vs. Manchester City in Champions League clash

After a hard-fought series against Benfica, Real Madrid face Manchester City, seeking a spot in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. With Kylian Mbappe out, fans are keeping a close eye on Vinicius Jr., who looks set to make a difference in terms of goalscoring.

Real Madrid face Manchester City in a promising competitive series in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Nonetheless, coach Álvaro Arbeloa encounters a significant challenge, as he will be without key players like Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. In contrast, coach Pep Guardiola has his full roster available. Given these circumstances, fans are closely monitoring Vinicius Jr.’s status, as he stands out as the team’s greatest hope.

After training normally with the group, Vinicius Jr. is expected to start, leading Real Madrid‘s offense. In Mbappé’s absence, the Brazilian emerges as the solution to the team’s lack of goals. With this, the 26-year-old star has a great opportunity to reverse his low impact in the competition, as he has only scored three goals, compared to the Frenchman’s 13. However, he has already proven himself capable of leading the team.

Alongside the Brazilian, Álvaro Arbeloa may opt for Brahim Diaz as his key partner, considering his experience in big games and his standout performance in the African Cup of Nations. However, the coach will have to rely on Ferland Mendy at left back due to Álvaro Carreras’s recent injury. While the French defender brings extensive experience, he has only logged 202 minutes this season, raising concerns among fans.

Unlike Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City arrive with their entire roster available, having Erling Haaland back after missing the previous game. Alongside the Norwegian, Antoine Semenyo is expected to play a crucial role, opening spaces in the defense of coach Arbeloa. Given the numerous absences of Los Blancos, the Citizens could make the difference, as they come into the match with eleven consecutive games without a defeat.

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid misses a chance as he is challenged by Matheus Nunes and Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid misses a chance as he is challenged by Matheus Nunes and Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Manchester City

Unlike the previous encounters against Manchester City, Real Madrid arrive at the Champions League Round of 16 with seven important absences: Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Álvaro Carreras, Rodrygo, Dani Ceballos, Eder Militao and David Alaba. Because of this, coach Álvaro Arbeloa will be forced to make tough changes in the lineup, relying on a system similar to the one used in the series against Benfica, but with Vinicius Jr. leading the attack.

With this in mind, Real Madrid could lineup as follows: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy; Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga; Vinicius Jr, Brahim Diaz.

Manchester City predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid

Following a convincing victory against Newcastle United, Manchester City arrive in great form to face Real Madrid. Nevertheless, coach Pep Guardiola will have three absences: Josko Gvardiol, Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic. Despite this, the Citizens have managed to establish key consistency, with Rodri Hernandez close to his best level and Rayan Cherki playing a crucial role, while Erling Haaland keeps dominating in the scoring side.

Considering this, Manchester City could play as follows: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Rayan Ait Nouri; Rodri; Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Nico O’Reilly; Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland.

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match.

How to watch Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal in the USA: Live Stream and TV for 2025/2026 Champions League

Bayer Leverkusen receive Arsenal in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 edition. Here you can find kickoff times along with TV and streaming information for viewers in the United States.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
WHAT UEFA Champions League
WHEN 4pm ET / 1pm PT • Wednesday, March 11, 2026
WHERE Paramount+, DirecTV Stream, UniMás, TUDN and ViX
FREE TRIAL WATCH NOW

Match Overview

All signs point to a highly competitive showdown as Arsenal enter the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League as one of the tournament’s hottest teams. The Gunners dominated the group phase with a perfect record, securing a direct spot in the Round of 16 and reinforcing their status as a serious contender for the title.

Standing in their way are Bayer Leverkusen, who battled past Olympiacos in a tightly contested series to keep their campaign alive. While Arsenal enter as the clear favorite based on form and depth, Leverkusen know the pressure is off and will aim to shock one of Europe’s top sides in what promises to be a must-watch clash.

More details on how to watch

Paramount+ is now offering a 7-day free trial promotion for new subscribers, giving fans the ability to watch a ton of soccer fans (and other content) for free.
After the 7-day trial, Paramount+ is just $7.99 per month.
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Eberechi Eze of Arsenal

Mexico February 2026: Nissan Kicks and Ram 1200 hit record rankings

The Nissan Kicks hits a record 5th place in Mexico in February.

The Mexican new light vehicle market is stable in February at -0.2% year-on-year to 118,305 units. The year-to-date volume is up 4.4% to 250,084. Nissan (-5.5%) remains by far the most popular carmaker in the country but sees its share drop to 17.1%. Chevrolet (+4.4%) is solid in 2nd place with 12.7% share, with Volkswagen (+0.4%) and Kia (+3.4%) in tow. Weak month for Mazda (-10.5%) and Toyota (-1.4%). Ram (+54%) posts the largest YoY gain in the Top 10, while Geely (+283.6%) is up to a record #11. Notice also Jetour (+707.7%), Cupra (+89.6%) and Changan (+63.9%).

Model-wise, the Nissan Versa (-24.6%) freefalls but still keeps the lead with 5% share vs. 6% so far this year. In contrast the Chevrolet Aveo (+13%) is in great shape at 4.5% share and is also up 19.8% year-to-date. The Kia K3 (+5.8%) and Nissan NP300 (-22.3%) ensure the Top 4 is identical to YTD. The Nissan Kicks (+15.5%) is up 20 spots on January to a record 5th place, its previous best being #6 hit in March and August 2025. The Ram 1200 (+128.8%) improves a further two spots on a record January showing to an all-time best #6. The Nissan Magnite confirms its instant blockbuster status at #8, its highest ever ranking also reached in August and December 2025.

Previous month: Mexico January 2026: Geely (+245.3%), Ram (+83.2%), MG (+54.2%) highlight record market

One year ago: Mexico February 2025: Ram (+59.1%), Mazda (+43%) highlight 2nd largest February in history

Full February 2026 Top 53 All brands and Top 382 All models below.

Mexico February 2026 – brands:

PosBrandFeb-26%/25Jan2026%/25PosFY25
1Nissan20,26417.1%– 5.5%144,95918.0%+ 7.8%11
2Chevrolet15,06412.7%+ 4.4%230,27212.1%+ 4.4%22
3Volkswagen10,8629.2%+ 0.4%422,0578.8%– 3.9%33
4Kia9,2027.8%+ 3.4%518,2347.3%+ 4.2%55
5Mazda8,3217.0%– 10.5%617,0256.8%– 0.6%66
6Toyota8,1166.9%– 1.4%319,7857.9%+ 3.0%44
7Ram4,3663.7%+ 54.0%89,0533.6%+ 67.8%812
8Ford4,2433.6%+ 8.9%118,2603.3%+ 1.6%98
9Honda3,3752.9%+ 2.8%107,4293.0%+ 10.6%1110
10Hyundai 3,3652.8%– 18.0%97,4903.0%– 7.4%107
11Geely3,2072.7%+ 283.6%126,5632.6%+ 263.0%1216
12MG3,1442.7%+ 1.3%79,3103.7%+ 31.0%79
13Suzuki3,0202.6%– 18.5%136,2682.5%– 10.6%1311
14Mitsubishi2,5442.2%+ 13.8%154,6511.9%+ 12.9%1514
15Renault2,4162.0%+ 0.5%145,0522.0%– 6.7%1413
16Peugeot1,7211.5%+ 18.9%193,0181.2%– 3.5%1818
17JAC1,7171.5%– 18.4%163,7251.5%– 8.0%1615
18Changan1,6391.4%+ 63.9%173,1851.3%+ 70.1%1717
19Seat1,4291.2%– 6.7%182,9381.2%– 8.8%1919
20GWM1,1050.9%– 11.8%202,3410.9%– 9.5%2021
21BMW1,0930.9%– 8.4%212,1730.9%– 8.2%2122
22Jeep1,0240.9%– 17.2%221,9910.8%– 25.2%2220
23Dodge7560.6%– 24.9%231,5950.6%– 12.2%2323
24Audi7190.6%+ 0.1%261,3680.5%+ 9.1%2526
25GMC6510.6%– 9.1%241,4130.6%– 3.0%2425
26Mercedes6460.5%– 34.8%251,3450.5%– 33.9%2624
27Cupra5460.5%+ 89.6%271,0420.4%+ 112.2%2729
28Jetour4200.4%+ 707.7%288440.3%+ 335.1%2838
29Volvo3420.3%– 38.2%306700.3%– 37.1%3027
30Subaru2790.2%+ 6.9%296790.3%+ 20.4%2930
31Porsche2680.2%– 3.6%335450.2%– 4.0%3234
32Mini2520.2%– 7.7%325310.2%– 8.1%3331
33Fiat 2450.2%– 56.3%315460.2%– 51.4%3128
34Lexus2420.2%+ 26.0%354620.2%+ 28.0%3435
35Buick2170.2%– 24.4%344580.2%– 14.1%3532
36Zeekr1890.2%new383370.1%new37 –
37Isuzu1820.2%+ 18.2%373310.1%+ 13.4%3836
38Lincoln1710.1%+ 11.8%403060.1%– 5.0%3939
39Land Rover1700.1%– 9.6%363440.1%– 1.4%3640
40Cadillac1490.1%– 18.1%412770.1%– 20.9%4041
41Lynk & Co1150.1%new392550.1%new41 –
42Infiniti1120.1%+ 3.7%422210.1%+ 12.8%4243
43Deepal810.1%+ 153.1%431650.1%+ 236.7%4347
44Acura640.1%– 5.9%441340.1%+ 0.0%4446
45Foton590.0%– 61.7%45980.0%– 80.3%4537
46BAIC570.0%+ 256.3%52670.0%+ 24.1%4644
47Soueast350.0%new48660.0%new4748
48JMC320.0%– 38.5%46650.0%– 55.2%4845
49DFSK270.0%+ 42.1%51380.0%– 11.6%5049
50Alfa Romeo220.0%– 12.0%49370.0%– 21.3%5150
51IM100.0%new47420.0%new4951
52Seres70.0%+ 133.3%5390.0%+ 125.0%5354
53Bentley30.0%n/a –30.0%n/a5455

Mexico February 2026 – models:

PosModelFeb-26%/25Jan2026%/25PosFY25
1Nissan Versa5,9045.0%– 24.6%114,9206.0%– 8.1%11
2Chevrolet Aveo5,3124.5%+ 13.0%211,2084.5%+ 19.8%22
3Kia K34,8714.1%+ 5.8%39,2863.7%+ 8.1%34
4Nissan Pickup (NP300)4,0073.4%– 22.3%57,7863.1%– 16.7%43
5Nissan Kicks2,4652.1%+ 15.5%254,0351.6%– 6.7%138
6Ram 12002,3312.0%+ 128.8%84,8231.9%+ 143.7%737
7Mazda22,1991.9%– 16.3%114,4821.8%+ 2.7%87
8Nissan Magnite2,1331.8%new94,4591.8%new920
9Mazda32,1141.8%– 0.9%104,4001.8%+ 20.1%1017
10VW Virtus1,9731.7%+ 2.9%124,1341.7%– 16.6%129
11Nissan Sentra1,8961.6%+ 4.2%65,3282.1%+ 65.0%511
12Chevrolet Onix1,8321.5%+ 37.1%462,7181.1%+ 15.1%2941
13Chevrolet S101,6801.4%+ 29.6%243,2501.3%+ 22.8%1715
14Mazda CX-301,6751.4%– 20.3%193,3791.4%– 21.7%166
15Ram 7001,6541.4%+ 21.5%163,4231.4%+ 43.9%1524
16Hyundai Grand i101,6241.4%– 7.9%143,4341.4%+ 0.1%1410
17Nissan March1,5871.3%– 46.0%74,2931.7%– 19.1%115
18VW Tiguan1,5501.3%+ 49.6%223,2131.3%+ 31.0%1919
19Chevrolet Captiva1,4891.3%– 8.4%292,9691.2%– 3.3%2325
20VW Taos1,4431.2%– 25.4%153,2381.3%– 4.2%1813
21Kia Seltos1,4271.2%+ 20.5%282,9441.2%+ 18.5%2527
22Geely Emgrand1,4231.2%+ 354.6%183,1721.3%+ 400.3%2039
23Ford Territory1,3621.2%+ 43.1%342,5911.0%+ 25.7%3132
24Mazda CX-51,3581.1%+ 37.9%272,8761.2%+ 31.0%2731
25VW Jetta1,3531.1%– 34.9%312,6071.0%– 25.7%3016
26Chevrolet Groove1,3101.1%– 1.2%232,9361.2%+ 6.1%2623
27Toyota Hilux1,3091.1%– 14.6%173,0701.2%– 6.7%2118
28VW Tera1,2931.1%new352,4401.0%new3591
29Renault Kwid1,2901.1%+ 13.1%212,9661.2%+ 9.3%2422
30Nissan X-Trail1,2801.1%+ 29.3%332,5101.0%+ 32.7%3426
31Kia K41,1251.0%– 12.5%392,2060.9%– 14.7%3730
32Ford F-Series/Lobo1,1190.9%– 2.5%422,0870.8%+ 8.1%3933
33Hyundai Creta1,1030.9%– 24.9%202,7941.1%+ 1.6%2812
34Chevrolet Tornado Van1,0980.9%– 11.8%322,3430.9%– 8.8%3621
35MG 51,0940.9%– 16.9%44,9952.0%+ 98.1%614
36Kia Sonet1,0870.9%+ 11.3%372,1800.9%+ 4.8%3834
37Suzuki Swift1,0830.9%+ 3.0%302,5181.0%+ 25.3%3336
38VW Saveiro1,0520.9%– 14.1%412,0780.8%– 14.3%4029
39Toyota Yaris9920.8%+ 134.0%133,0311.2%+ 63.0%2235
40VW Taigun9780.8%+ 44.2%441,8790.8%– 17.2%4444
41Toyota Avanza9730.8%+ 34.0%262,5431.0%+ 36.0%3240
42Mitsubishi L2009640.8%– 1.0%491,7560.7%– 2.2%4538
43Seat Ibiza9080.8%+ 12.4%401,9480.8%+ 11.0%4247
44MG 39020.8%+ 20.1%791,2180.5%– 43.9%5648
45Honda CR-V8910.8%– 1.9%362,0320.8%+ 9.0%4142
46Toyota Tacoma8860.7%+ 42.0%471,7470.7%+ 44.1%4643
47Nissan Urvan8740.7%+ 123.5%581,4620.6%+ 54.9%5150
48Honda City8520.7%+ 79.0%381,9380.8%+ 179.7%4368
49Toyota Corolla8050.7%+ 3.2%451,6980.7%+ 5.3%4746
50JAC Frison7700.7%– 5.2%501,5530.6%+ 0.3%4849
51GWM Haval Jolion7510.6%+ 31.3%541,5030.6%+ 29.2%4959
52Toyota Sienna6900.6%+ 20.2%511,4700.6%+ 12.6%5054
53Honda HR-V6730.6%– 25.3%531,4380.6%– 23.2%5245
54MG ZS6710.6%+ 247.7%751,0240.4%+ 30.9%64119
55Suzuki Jimny6310.5%– 11.0%601,1930.5%– 3.6%5753
56Peugeot Partner Rapid6190.5%+ 99.7%779530.4%+ 43.7%6692
57Dodge Nuevo Attitude5800.5%+ 2.1%551,3150.5%+ 22.8%5358
58Geely Coolray5760.5%+ 201.6%868590.3%+ 114.8%7094
59Mitsubishi Xpander5570.5%+ 31.4%651,0500.4%+ 52.8%6173
60Ford Ranger5460.5%– 27.9%631,0730.4%– 23.4%6061
61Kia Sportage5170.4%– 3.5%521,2830.5%+ 24.0%5457
62Chevrolet Silverado/Cheyenne5140.4%– 51.4%591,0930.4%– 51.6%5951
63Geely EX24970.4%new –4970.2%new91 –
64Mitsubishi Outlander Sport4800.4%+ 7.9%611,0350.4%+ 18.7%6356
65VW Teramont4460.4%– 16.8%678990.4%– 15.7%6870
66Chevrolet Trax4140.3%+ 32.3%629480.4%+ 17.9%6763
67Peugeot Partner3900.3%– 2.7%836870.3%– 15.5%7777
68Toyota Prius3900.3%– 3.9%561,0940.4%+ 158.6%5871
69Toyota Camry3760.3%+ 172.5%707790.3%+ 42.4%7382
70Ram 1500-40003740.3%– 0.3%876450.3%– 24.9%8076
71Toyota Highlander3730.3%– 45.0%668660.3%– 37.7%6964
72Toyota Raize3690.3%+ 23.8%431,2830.5%+ 50.1%5552
73Suzuki Baleno3590.3%+ 172.0%896160.2%+ 132.5%83137
74Toyota Corolla Cross3580.3%– 15.6%697900.3%– 14.7%7260
75Mazda CX-33540.3%– 36.7%727260.3%– 34.5%7555
76Hyundai Tucson3470.3%– 18.9%737100.3%– 23.3%7672
77Geely EX53430.3%new571,0410.4%new62133
78Honda Civic3390.3%+ 4.0%766760.3%– 7.1%7881
79Honda BR-V3260.3%– 22.9%648240.3%– 16.2%7166
80Suzuki Ertiga3210.3%– 33.0%687670.3%– 7.5%7469
81Cupra Formentor3190.3%+ 10.8%856040.2%+ 23.0%8496
82Seat Leon3170.3%– 4.8%806270.3%+ 1.6%8289
83Toyota 4Runner3150.3%new746730.3%new79165
84Suzuki Dzire3140.3%new995290.2%new87168
85Suzuki Fronx3100.3%+ 42.2%786390.3%+ 52.5%8178
86Ford Transit2880.2%+ 33.3%815920.2%+ 17.2%8574
87Changan CS55 Plus2830.2%+ 180.2%1525130.2%+ 156.5%8898
88Mitsubishi Outlander2830.2%+ 232.9%1224530.2%+ 148.9%98201
89Changan Alsvin2790.2%+ 18.2%825760.2%+ 36.5%8684
90Chevrolet Spark EUV2730.2%new1004870.2%new93179
91Mazda BT-502710.2%+ 165.7%1623790.2%+ 116.6%109180
92Renault Kardian2620.2%+ 13.9%1783530.1%– 24.7%115129
93JAC 82550.2%+ 27.5%915040.2%+ 57.5%90104
94Mitsubishi Mirage G42460.2%– 17.7%1803350.1%– 39.1%120128
95Jeep Renegade2390.2%– 7.0%885050.2%– 6.3%8995
96Renault Arkana2350.2%+ 33.5%974650.2%+ 5.7%96120
97Ford Maverick2320.2%– 32.9%1024430.2%– 34.3%99103
98Jeep Compass2320.2%– 16.5%944660.2%– 22.8%9586
99Cupra Terramar2270.2%new1014380.2%new100151
100Changan New Star Truck2260.2%+ 37.0%1154120.2%+ 29.2%104127
101Changan CS35 Plus2230.2%+ 20.5%1213950.2%+ 14.5%10799
102Changan Eado Plus2210.2%new934630.2%new97152
103MG RX52050.2%+ 20.6%481,0100.4%+ 214.6%6579
104BMW X32040.2%+ 65.9%1113950.2%+ 71.0%106115
105Jetour T21910.2%n/a1263530.1%+ 35200.0%114177
106Ford Edge1890.2%n/a1433250.1%n/a126277
107GMC Terrain1880.2%+ 118.6%984090.2%+ 157.2%105144
108Renault Oroch1840.2%+ 4.0%1073850.2%– 3.8%108111
109Chevrolet Montana1820.2%– 38.5%964130.2%– 28.2%10387
110Isuzu Elf1820.2%+ 18.2%1333310.1%+ 13.4%122117
111Audi Q31780.2%+ 10.6%1692780.1%– 5.4%143141
112Volvo EX301770.1%– 31.4%1483070.1%– 40.8%13197
113Geely Cityray1760.1%+ 15.0%924190.2%+ 67.6%102150
114Toyota Hiace1760.1%– 15.0%844700.2%+ 0.0%94116
115Chevrolet Tahoe1750.1%+ 17.4%1083710.1%+ 6.6%110139
116Jeep Wrangler1740.1%– 30.4%1552910.1%– 41.9%134100
117Peugeot 20081730.1%– 50.6%1123610.1%– 47.8%11185
118Seat Arona1730.1%– 29.1%1572900.1%– 44.6%135118
119GWM Poer1720.1%– 52.9%904220.2%– 42.3%10180
120GMC Sierra1710.1%– 26.6%1173500.1%– 31.8%11693
121Chevrolet Suburban1650.1%– 28.6%1163450.1%– 33.0%117112
122Dodge Durango1620.1%+ 252.2%2042250.1%+ 100.9%163265
123Chevrolet Colorado1610.1%+ 17.5%1093530.1%+ 28.8%113136
124Chevrolet Express/Max1610.1%+ 570.8%1852430.1%+ 386.0%158186
125Peugeot Manager1610.1%+ 46.4%1882430.1%– 12.0%159173
126Jeep Grand Cherokee1570.1%– 7.1%1422960.1%– 23.1%133125
127Renault Kangoo1560.1%– 18.8%1203290.1%– 3.2%123147
128VW Transporter1560.1%+ 40.5%1532760.1%+ 49.2%145155
129Mercedes GLE1540.1%– 4.3%1273160.1%– 13.9%128153
130Ford Bronco Sport1530.1%– 4.4%1283140.1%– 31.0%129123
131Peugeot Expert1520.1%+ 913.3%1872340.1%+ 387.5%161216
132Hyundai HB201510.1%– 52.1%1472810.1%– 54.9%138108
133JAC Sunray1500.1%– 8.0%1043570.1%+ 14.1%112135
134Mercedes GLC1500.1%– 35.9%1502790.1%– 45.5%142131
135BMW X11470.1%– 50.7%1462810.1%– 52.5%137126
136Chevrolet Tracker1470.1%– 64.7%1382880.1%– 66.0%13662
137Mazda CX-901420.1%– 57.6%1183190.1%– 40.4%127101
138Audi A31410.1%– 16.6%1412800.1%+ 0.0%141143
139VW Nivus1400.1%– 52.2%1392810.1%– 41.8%140121
140Honda Odyssey1380.1%+ 43.8%2361720.1%– 19.2%183167
141Fiat Pulse1360.1%– 34.9%1103280.1%– 25.6%124102
142Changan CS751350.1%new1962040.1%new169218
143Audi Q51320.1%+ 20.0%1063350.1%+ 56.5%118148
144Mazda CX-501320.1%– 55.7%1342810.1%– 41.3%139106
145Jetour Dashing1310.1%+ 297.0%1492600.1%+ 185.7%152280
146VW Crafter1310.1%+ 44.0%1682320.1%+ 39.8%162107
147Jeep Gladiator1300.1%+ 39.8%1862120.1%+ 3.9%166162
148Porsche 9111300.1%+ 109.7%1442660.1%+ 146.3%149206
149GMC Canyon1290.1%+ 9.3%1193020.1%+ 48.0%132159
150JAC 41270.1%– 45.3%1133140.1%– 43.3%130110
151Ford Explorer1260.1%+ 20.0%1033350.1%+ 4.0%11988
152Peugeot 30081260.1%+ 12.5%1922060.1%– 17.6%168171
153Renault Nueva Koleos1260.1%new1512500.1%new157172
154VW Polo1240.1%– 77.7%1053280.1%– 76.6%12567
155Changan Hunter1220.1%+ 45.2%1322720.1%+ 82.6%146157
156Honda Pilot1200.1%+ 20.0%1362620.1%+ 11.5%151156
157Zeekr 7X1190.1%new1662210.1%new165 –
158BMW 2 Series1140.1%+ 21.3%1372550.1%+ 57.4%155163
159GWM Haval H61140.1%– 43.8%1292700.1%– 42.8%147105
160BMW X51110.1%– 4.3%1352540.1%+ 18.7%156160
161Kia Sorento1080.1%– 34.9%1562250.1%– 43.3%164154
162MG HS/eHS1080.1%– 66.4%714880.2%+ 13.5%92140
163Subaru Forester1070.1%+ 24.4%1242770.1%+ 38.5%144146
164BMW 3 Series1050.1%+ 128.3%1951800.1%+ 40.6%177207
165Geely Monjaro1050.1%new1312570.1%new153204
166JAC 21050.1%– 61.3%1252670.1%– 50.2%148109
167Buick Envista1020.1%– 24.4%1452370.1%– 13.8%160130
168Changan Honor S1000.1%– 46.8%953320.1%– 2.9%121134
169Audi A5970.1%+ 115.6%1931760.1%+ 141.1%180200
170Lexus NX960.1%+ 41.2%2101500.1%+ 2.0%196189
171Mini Countryman960.1%+ 3.2%1632030.1%– 5.6%171185
172VW Golf/GTI940.1%– 19.0%1641980.1%– 16.8%172166
173Lynk & Co 08930.1%new1582080.1%new167 –
174Subaru Crosstrek930.1%– 26.2%1232630.1%+ 1.5%150145
175Jetour T1920.1%new1671930.1%new173274
176BMW X6910.1%– 3.2%1731880.1%– 12.1%175170
177Fiat Fastback900.1%– 1.1%1941680.1%– 8.7%185190
178Mercedes Sprinter880.1%– 53.7%1592030.1%– 47.4%170113
179Ford Bronco850.1%+ 49.1%1711830.1%+ 43.0%176188
180BMW X2830.1%– 7.8%1841650.1%– 9.8%187181
181Chevrolet Traverse820.1%– 46.4%1751770.1%– 30.0%179161
182MG 3 HEV820.1%+ 49.1%1911620.1%+ 3.2%190224
183Renault Master820.1%+ 60.8%2231240.0%+ 113.8%201227
184Deepal S07810.1%+ 153.1%1821650.1%+ 236.7%188223
185Ford Expedition780.1%+ 59.2%2081330.1%+ 16.7%198197
186GMC Acadia780.1%– 42.2%1791670.1%– 27.1%186184
187Mini Cooper770.1%– 47.6%1761720.1%– 40.3%184122
188JAC X350760.1%– 17.4%1651780.1%– 7.8%178176
189Land Rover Defender740.1%+ 76.2%1831570.1%+ 61.9%194244
190Porsche Cayenne740.1%– 31.5%2001400.1%– 41.2%197191
191Peugeot Rifter690.1%– 52.1%1142560.1%– 26.9%15483
192Renault Duster690.1%– 36.1%1811580.1%– 5.4%193142
193Cadillac Escalade ESV670.1%– 14.1%239990.0%– 27.2%215226
194JAC 6660.1%+ 112.9%1611760.1%+ 188.5%181235
195Lincoln Nautilus660.1%– 31.3%2021310.1%– 39.4%199187
196Volvo XC60660.1%– 52.2%1741620.1%– 27.0%191174
197JAC Sunray City620.1%new1721600.1%new192306
198VW Caddy620.1%– 48.8%2091170.0%– 42.4%206164
199Lexus RX610.1%+ 69.4%1981290.1%+ 46.6%200233
200Infiniti QX60580.0%+ 18.4%2211020.0%+ 20.0%214257
201VW Amarok580.0%– 54.3%2011240.0%– 45.4%202138
202Nissan Pathfinder570.0%+ 5.6%299680.0%– 39.3%241221
203Buick Enclave560.0%+ 7.7%222980.0%+ 66.1%216229
204Ford Mustang550.0%+ 0.0%1541720.1%+ 42.1%182203
205Kia Niro540.0%– 30.8%262780.0%– 53.8%227194
206Nissan Frontier540.0%– 54.6%235890.0%– 72.3%218169
207Toyota Tundra540.0%– 23.9%2051170.0%– 24.0%205211
208BMW 4 Series520.0%– 24.6%2121040.0%– 23.0%213215
209Geely Starray520.0%– 59.4%1401920.1%– 31.9%174178
210Jeep Commander520.0%– 69.9%1601650.1%– 59.2%189124
211Lincoln Navigator520.0%+ 173.7%249820.0%+ 148.5%225256
212Audi A1510.0%+ 4.1%231880.0%+ 17.3%219225
213Mazda MX-5500.0%– 7.4%1991160.0%– 22.1%207175
214Lincoln Corsair480.0%+ 108.7%257740.0%+ 57.4%232261
215Porsche Macan470.0%+ 4.4%2031120.0%+ 15.5%209213
216Hyundai Santa Fe460.0%– 41.0%2061070.0%– 52.9%212210
217GMC Yukon430.0%– 34.8%218890.0%– 45.1%217217
218Volvo XC40430.0%– 35.8%237770.0%– 52.5%229228
219Changan UNI-K420.0%+ 2.4%1971110.0%+ 16.8%210214
220Mini E420.0%+ 223.1%219880.0%+ 137.8%220286
221Zeekr X420.0%new270610.0%new247
222Audi Q2400.0%– 14.9%252680.0%– 10.5%237232
223Audi Q8390.0%+ 2.6%250680.0%– 17.1%238247
224Mercedes GLB390.0%+ 50.0%234740.0%+ 25.4%233239
225Subaru Outback390.0%+ 129.4%323470.0%+ 30.6%262351
226Cadillac Escalade380.0%– 51.3%217840.0%– 44.0%222220
227Hyundai Palisade380.0%+ 137.5%240700.0%+ 94.4%236282
228Hyundai Elantra370.0%+ 19.4%232740.0%– 6.3%231238
229Mini Aceman370.0%+ 85.0%246680.0%+ 78.9%240284
230Volvo XC90370.0%+ 15.6%220830.0%+ 18.6%224241
231Honda Accord360.0%– 33.3%213870.0%– 33.6%221209
232Mercedes CLA360.0%+ 5.9%227760.0%– 10.6%230250
233MG RX9360.0%+ 125.0%1891170.0%+ 88.7%204291
234Buick Encore340.0%– 10.5%238670.0%– 17.3%242253
235GMC Yukon XL320.0%– 36.0%215790.0%– 45.5%226222
236JAC Sei2320.0%– 68.6%261570.0%– 63.5%248258
237Range Rover Evoque320.0%– 15.8%284480.0%– 37.7%260270
238Seat Ateca310.0%– 78.8%224730.0%– 77.5%235182
239BAIC U5300.0%+ 275.0%333350.0%+ 75.0%280288
240Geely GX3 Pro300.0%n/a1901100.0%– 12.7%211195
241GWM Tank 300300.0%– 54.5%230680.0%– 45.6%239198
242Jeep Cherokee300.0%new –300.0%new286 –
243Mercedes C-Class300.0%– 33.3%233670.0%– 37.4%244262
244Acura ADX290.0%new260540.0%new252329
245Foton S3 EV290.0%n/a351320.0%+ 1500.0%283389
246BMW iX280.0%+ 47.4%279440.0%+ 33.3%265326
247Lexus UX280.0%– 12.5%375290.0%– 48.2%287259
248Zeekr 001280.0%new256550.0%new251 –
249BMW X7270.0%– 30.8%280430.0%– 32.8%267266
250JAC X200260.0%– 49.0%226660.0%– 26.7%245243
251Mazda CX-70260.0%– 75.2%225670.0%– 53.8%243245
252Mercedes GLA260.0%– 23.5%229650.0%+ 6.6%246249
253Peugeot 5008260.0%n/a255540.0%n/a254322
254Buick Envision250.0%– 59.7%244560.0%– 52.5%250234
255Foton S3250.0%+ 1150.0%350280.0%+ 211.1%290298
256Mercedes G-Class250.0%– 40.5%251540.0%– 34.1%253272
257Range Rover Sport240.0%– 70.7%211770.0%– 35.8%228212
258BMW iX1230.0%+ 360.0%314310.0%+ 121.4%284292
259Infiniti QX50230.0%+ 76.9%264460.0%+ 155.6%263293
260JMC Vigus230.0%+ 76.9%282390.0%– 7.1%275273
261Lexus GX230.0%new214730.0%new234305
262Mercedes A-Class230.0%– 70.9%258490.0%– 58.1%258240
263Toyota Sequoia230.0%– 14.8%207840.0%+ 140.0%223237
264GWM Tank 500220.0%+ 29.4%277390.0%+ 8.3%274290
265BMW 1 Series210.0%– 62.5%243520.0%– 54.8%255208
266Mercedes E-Class210.0%– 19.2%259470.0%– 39.0%261287
267MG 7210.0%– 25.0%1771120.0%+ 31.8%208279
268Subaru BRZ210.0%+ 40.0%268410.0%+ 46.4%270309
269Acura RDX200.0%– 13.0%271380.0%– 26.9%276300
270Chevrolet Equinox EV200.0%+ 0.0%276370.0%– 11.9%278311
271BAIC X35190.0%+ 280.0%347220.0%+ 100.0%305267
272Chevrolet Blazer190.0%– 52.5%273370.0%– 53.8%277252
273Fiat Argo190.0%– 85.2%245500.0%– 81.7%257192
274Hyundai Ioniq 5190.0%+ 280.0%374200.0%+ 81.8%313393
275Mercedes GLS190.0%– 57.8%283350.0%– 41.7%281289
276MG 4190.0%+ 46.2%1701180.0%+ 162.2%203281
277Soueast S06190.0%new288330.0%new282320
278Subaru Impreza/WRX190.0%+ 11.8%242510.0%+ 24.4%256297
279Volvo C40190.0%– 67.2%265410.0%– 55.4%271285
280BMW iX2180.0%+ 20.0%266390.0%+ 44.4%272294
281Lexus TX180.0%– 5.3%312270.0%+ 42.1%293303
282BMW X4170.0%– 77.0%228560.0%– 63.6%249196
283Range Rover170.0%+ 183.3%326240.0%+ 60.0%299332
284Range Rover Velar170.0%+ 0.0%306270.0%– 18.2%294341
285GWM Ora 03160.0%– 46.7%263390.0%– 32.8%273276
286Infiniti QX80160.0%– 46.7%296280.0%– 42.9%292295
287JAC Traveler160.0%new267360.0%new279330
288BMW Z4150.0%+ 275.0%339190.0%+ 72.7%316348
289Cadillac Optiq150.0%new292280.0%new289357
290Infiniti QX55150.0%– 6.3%248450.0%+ 2.3%264302
291Audi Q6 e-Tron140.0%new327200.0%new310334
292DFSK 600140.0%+ 180.0%371150.0%+ 50.0%326343
293Dodge Journey140.0%– 96.0%247440.0%– 91.9%26665
294JAC E10X140.0%– 30.0%316220.0%– 59.3%306242
295Lexus LX140.0%– 17.6%254420.0%+ 147.1%269308
296Mitsubishi Montero Sport140.0%+ 75.0% –140.0%– 57.6%331327
297Audi A6130.0%+ 18.2%325200.0%– 4.8%309337
298BMW 5 Series130.0%+ 18.2%285280.0%– 3.4%288331
299Lynk & Co 01130.0%new305230.0%new302 –
300Audi Q7120.0%– 81.5%272300.0%– 70.3%285254
301Chevrolet Corvette120.0%+ 20.0%295240.0%+ 33.3%297349
302DFSK E5120.0%+ 100.0%372130.0%– 13.3%332328
303Porsche Panamera120.0%+ 33.3%331180.0%+ 20.0%321372
304Soueast S07120.0%new322200.0%new314313
305Chevrolet Cavalier100.0%– 74.4%302200.0%– 85.8%312301
306IM LS7100.0%new241420.0%new268299
307Jeep Wagoneer100.0%– 41.2%281260.0%+ 0.0%295316
308Kia Telluride100.0%– 76.7%294230.0%– 77.0%301275
309Mercedes CLE100.0%– 61.5%297220.0%– 56.9%307304
310Acura Integra90.0%– 30.8%307180.0%– 33.3%319360
311Cadillac XT490.0%– 40.0%309180.0%– 53.8%320319
312JAC E30X90.0%– 50.0%304190.0%– 59.6%317325
313VW ID.490.0%new345130.0%new335364
314Alfa Romeo Giulia80.0%+ 60.0%346110.0%+ 83.3%340379
315Cadillac Escalade IQL80.0%new308170.0%new322 –
316Changan CS9580.0%new310170.0%new323346
317Chevrolet Blazer EV80.0%– 20.0%340120.0%– 25.0%337359
318Lynk & Co 0980.0%new286230.0%new303 –
319Toyota GR Yaris80.0%– 84.3%290220.0%– 85.9%308278
320Toyota RAV480.0%– 99.4%344120.0%– 99.6%33928
321Alfa Romeo Stelvio70.0%+ 250.0%324140.0%+ 180.0%328368
322Alfa Romeo Tonale70.0%– 61.1%332120.0%– 66.7%336314
323BAIC X5570.0%+ 133.3%36980.0%– 42.9%355312
324BMW i470.0%– 56.3%35890.0%– 60.9%347342
325BMW i570.0%+ 40.0%338110.0%+ 37.5%341354
326Cadillac Escalade IQ70.0%new291200.0%new311 –
327Ford Mustang Mach-E70.0%+ 40.0%35990.0%+ 50.0%348338
328JMC Grand Avenue70.0%– 81.1%278240.0%– 76.2%298271
329Nissan Z70.0%+ 600.0%36390.0%+ 200.0%353395
330Renault Koleos70.0%– 92.9%321150.0%– 90.9%327248
331Acura MDX60.0%– 80.6%275230.0%– 54.0%300307
332BMW XM60.0%+ 0.0%315140.0%+ 27.3%329369
333Jetour X7060.0%+ 0.0%269250.0%– 56.1%296317
334Land Rover Discovery Sport60.0%+ 100.0%336110.0%+ 57.1%342371
335Mercedes S-Class60.0%+ 500.0%318140.0%+ 600.0%330385
336Mercedes SL-Class60.0%+ 200.0%330120.0%+ 100.0%338378
337Seres 5 Max60.0%+ 100.0%36580.0%+ 100.0%359406
338Toyota GR Corolla60.0%new289200.0%new315 –
339Geely Okavango50.0%– 87.5%298160.0%– 78.4%324315
340GMC Hummer EV Pickup50.0%– 68.8%36070.0%– 73.1%361358
341GMC Hummer EV SUV50.0%– 58.3%335100.0%– 44.4%346355
342JAC Sei4 Pro50.0%– 88.4%34190.0%– 81.6%349339
343Lincoln Aviator50.0%– 66.7%287190.0%– 26.9%318318
344Peugeot E-Partner50.0%n/a274230.0%+ 1050.0%304268
345Porsche Taycan50.0%– 50.0%34390.0%– 43.8%354377
346Ram ProMaster50.0%– 78.3%37860.0%– 94.1%364296
347Toyota Supra50.0%+ 66.7%300160.0%+ 300.0%325386
348BMW 7 Series40.0%– 42.9%37050.0%– 58.3%366384
349MG Cyberster40.0%new33790.0%new352365
350Renault Megane E-Tech40.0%new36460.0%new365394
351Soueast S0940.0%new313130.0%new334361
352Cadillac XT530.0%– 50.0%34960.0%– 45.5%362367
353Ford E-Transit30.0%+ 0.0% –30.0%– 40.0%375264
354Kia EV630.0%– 40.0%32890.0%– 47.1%350353
355Mercedes AMG GT30.0%+ 200.0%32990.0%+ 800.0%351396
356Bentley Continental GT20.0%n/a –20.0%n/a378416
357Cadillac Lyriq20.0%– 60.0%34850.0%– 64.3%367374
358Foton Tunland EV20.0%new –20.0%new379426
359Foton View20.0%– 98.1%33470.0%– 95.5%360260
360JAC J720.0%– 95.7%35250.0%– 94.6%368283
361JMC EV-Black20.0%+ 0.0% –20.0%+ 0.0%380418
362Lexus LC20.0%+ 100.0%36140.0%+ 300.0%371409
363Mercedes EQA20.0%+ 100.0%34260.0%+ 200.0%363392
364Mercedes EQB20.0%– 33.3%37630.0%+ 0.0%376376
365Mercedes EQE SUV20.0%– 84.6%36240.0%– 73.3%372340
366Mercedes EQS SUV20.0%– 77.8%35350.0%– 54.5%369381
367Mercedes Vito20.0%– 88.9%35450.0%– 83.3%370344
368MG RX820.0%– 96.2%216490.0%– 44.3%259263
369Ram DS20.0%– 96.5%1301560.1%+ 105.3%195149
370Audi A410.0%– 91.7%35630.0%– 85.0%374366
371Audi A810.0%– 50.0% –10.0%– 66.7%383420
372BAIC BJ4010.0%n/a –10.0%+ 0.0%384407
373Bentley Bentayga10.0%n/a –10.0%n/a386425
374DFSK 50010.0%– 85.7%311100.0%– 37.5%344380
375Foton TM 310.0%n/a –10.0%– 98.6%388230
376JAC EX45010.0%n/a –10.0%+ 0.0%389310
377JAC Sei7 Pro10.0%– 90.0% –10.0%– 94.1%390356
378Lynk & Co 0210.0%new –10.0%new391 –
379Renault Stepway10.0%– 97.8% –10.0%– 99.3%393246
380Seres 5 EV10.0%n/a –10.0%n/a394430
381Suzuki Ciaz10.0%– 80.0% –10.0%– 93.3%395382
382Suzuki Ignis10.0%– 99.9%35540.0%– 99.8%37390

Source: INEGI

Trabzonspor Orhan Kaynak'a veda etti

Trabzonspor'un vefat eden yardımcı antrenörü Orhan Kaynak için tören düzenlendi.

Trabzon'da, dün kalp krizi sonucu hayatını kaybeden Trabzonspor yardımcı antrenörü Orhan Kaynak için tören düzenlendi.

Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanı Ahmet Metin Genç, Kaynak için Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Tesisleri'nde düzenlenen törende yaptığı konuşmada, şehir adına hüzünlü bir gün yaşadıklarını söyledi.

Trabzonspor'a yıllarca hizmet etmiş Orhan hocayı uğurladıklarını belirten Genç, "Küçük Orhan'ımızı uğurluyoruz. Bizler de onun emeğine, katkılarına yakından şahit olduk. Gerek futbolculuğu döneminde, gerekse antrenörlük kariyerinde Trabzonspor ruhunu her zaman taşıyan ve bu kulübün başarısı için büyük bir emek ortaya koyan çok kıymetli bir isimdi. Kıymetli hocamıza Allah'tan rahmet diliyorum." dedi.

Trabzonspor

Genç, şehrin bir yöneticisi olarak Orhan Kaynak'ın ismini yaşatmayı kendisine bir görev olarak gördüğünü ifade ederek, "İnşallah Trabzon'un en güzel mekanlarından birinde, Büyükşehir Meclisimizde alacağımız kararla Orhan Kaynak ismini bu topraklarda ilelebet yaşatacağız." diye konuştu.

Trabzonspor Asbaşkanı Zeyyat Kafkas ise kulübün çok değerli bir evladını uğurlamanın derin üzüntüsünü yaşadıklarını dile getirerek, "Orhan Kaynak hocamız sadece kulübümüzün formasını giymiş futbolcu değil, aynı zamanda camianın ruhunu taşıyan, Trabzonspor sevgisini yüreğinde büyüten bir isimdi." ifadelerini kullandı.

Orhan Kaynak'ın Trabzonspor'a önemli katkılar sağladığının altını çizen Kafkas, şunları kaydetti:

"Sahada gösterdiği mücadele, attığı goller ve özellikle Avrupa kupalarında yaşattığı gurur dolu anlarla camiamızın hafızasında özel bir yer edinmiştir. Taraftarlarımızın 'Küçük Orhan' diye bağrına bastığı Orhan Kaynak, futbolculuk kariyerinin ardından da kulübümüzden kopmamış, antrenör olarak bilgi ve tecrübesini genç oyunculara aktarmaya devam etmiştir. Trabzonspor'a olan bağlılığı, çalışkanlığı ve karakteriyle her zaman örnek gösterilen bir isim olmuştur. Bugün bir futbolcuyu, bir antrenörü değil, aynı zamanda iyi bir insanı, iyi bir dostu ve kulübümüzün çok kıymetli bir parçasını kaybetmenin derin üzüntüsünü yaşıyoruz. Orhan Kaynak'ın Trabzonspor'a verdiği emek, bu camianın hafızasında ve kalbinde daima yaşayacaktır. Kendisine Allah'tan rahmet, başta kıymetli ailesi olmak üzere tüm sevenlerine ve camiamıza sabırlar ve başsağlığı diliyorum. Ruhu şad, mekanı cennet olsun."

Eski Devlet Bakanı Faruk Nafız Özak da kulüp başkanlığı yaptığı dönemde Orhan Kaynak ile çok anıları olduğunu belirterek, "Küçük Orhan ile benim sizlerden daha fazla hatıram var. Ünvanı küçüktü ama yaptığı işler çok büyüktü." dedi.

Trabzonspor

Özak, Kaynak'ın Trabzonspor'u ve ülkeyi hem yerelde hem de uluslararası arenada mutlu eden insanlardan biri olduğunu sözlerine ekledi.

Trabzonspor Teknik Direktörü Fatih Tekke ise "Ailesine ve sevenlerine başsağlığı diliyorum. Benim takım arkadaşımdı. O zamanlardan da hatırası olumlu bir kişiydi. Bir senedir teknik ekibimizde yer aldı. Her şeyiyle çok pozitif, çok güleç, iyi bir insandı. Allah rahmet eylesin. Bu şoku nasıl atlatacağımızı bilmiyorum ama çok üzgünüz." diye konuştu.

Kaynak'ın bordo-mavi bayrakla örtülü tabutunun başında bir süre altyapıdan oyuncular bekledi. Kaynak'ın fotoğrafını ve isminin yazılı olduğu 11 numaralı Trabzonspor formasını sporcular taşıdı.

Konuşmaların ve dua edilmesinin ardından Kaynak'ın cenazesi, İstanbul'a uğurlandı.

Törene, Kaynak'ın ailesinin yanı sıra Trabzon Valisi Tahir Şahin, CHP Trabzon Milletvekili Sibel Suiçmez, CHP Bursa Milletvekili Kayıhan Pala, CHP Samsun Milletvekili Murat Çan, bordo-mavili kulübün yöneticileri, teknik ekibi, futbol ve basketbol takımı oyuncuları ile vatandaşlar katıldı.

İran'dan Dünya Kupası kararı! Resmi açıklama geldi

2026 Dünya Kupası için İran'dan kritik bir karar geldi. İran Spor Bakanı Ahmed Donyamali, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri'nin ev sahibi olduğu 2026 Dünya Kupası'na katılmayacaklarını açıkladı.

İran Spor Bakanı Ahmad Donyamali, mevcut güvenlik durumu ve ABD ile olan gerginliklerin ülkenin turnuvaya katılmasını imkansız hale getirdiğini açıkladı. Son aylarda devam eden çatışmaların binlerce kişinin ölümüne yol açtığını ve İran'ın turnuvaya katılabilmesi için gerçekçi koşulların kalmadığını da ifade etti.

11 Haziran - 19 Temmuz tarihleri arasında 3 ülkenin birlikte düzenleyeceği Dünya Kupası için yapılan kura çekiminin ardından İran'ın G Grubu'ndaki üç maçının da ABD'de oynanacağı açıklanmış, maçlardan ikisinin Los Angeles'ta diğerinin ise Seattle'da oynanacağı belirtilmişti.

Atakaş Hatayspor-Özbelsan Sivasspor: 1-2(MAÇ SONUCU)

Trendyol 1. Lig'in 30. haftasında Özbelsan Sivasspor, deplasmanda Atakaş Hatayspor ile karşılaştı. Sivasspor mücadeleyi 2-1 kazandı.

Trendyol 1. Lig'in 30. haftasında Özbelsan Sivasspor, deplasmanda Atakaş Hatayspor'u 2-1 yendi.

Stat: Sarıseki Fuat Tosyalı

Hakemler: Erdem Mertoğlu, Burak Sami Şad, Kadir Akıllı

Atakaş Hatayspor: Emir Dadük, Muhammed Gönülaçar, Yılmaz Cin (Dk. 71 Mustafa Sait Aydın), Ünal Emre Durmuşhan (Dk. 46 Ating), Seyit Gazanfer (Dk. 64 Ersin Aydemir), Yunus Azrak (Dk. 46 Ali Yıldız), Sinan Özen (Dk. 80 Cenk Doğan), Sharif Osman, Chaadaev, Yiğit Ali Buz, Melih Şen

Özbelsan Sivasspor: Mehmet Göktuğ Bakırbaş, Appindangoye, Okan Erdoğan, Emirhan Başyiğit (Dk. 46 Mehmet Feyzi Yıldırım), Murat Paluli, Bekir Turaç Böke, Emre Gökay (Dk. 80 Malle), Mert Çelik (Dk. 31 Kerem Atakan Kesgin), Ethemi, Avramovski (Dk. 80 Badji), Yusuf Cihat Çelik (Dk. 57 Kamil Fidan)

Goller: Dk. 63 Bekir Turaç Böke, Dk. 86 Badji (Özbelsan Sivasspor), Dk. 77 Muhammed Gönülaçar (Penaltıdan) (Atakaş Hatayspor)

Sarı kartlar: Dk. 28 Melih Şen, Dk. 85 Ali Yıldız (Atakaş Hatayspor)

Hacıosmanoğlu: Gelecek nesillere temiz futbol bırakmak istiyoruz

TFF Başkanı İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası kura çekimi hakkında açıklamalarda bulundu.

Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nda çeyrek ve yarı final müsabakaları kura çekimi gerçekleştirildi. TFF Başkanı Hacıosmanoğlu, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nın Türk futbolunun en önemli markalarından biri olduğunu söyledi.

Çeyrek finalde mücadele edecek takımlara başarı dileyen Hacıosmanoğlu, "Türk futbolunun en önemli markalarından Ziraat Türkiye Kupası kura çekimi heyecanını birlikte yaşıyoruz. Amatörden Süper Lig'e kadar geride kalan turlarda mücadele eden, milyonlarca taraftarın futbol hasretini dindiren ve bu tura renk katan tüm takımlarımıza teşekkür ediyorum. Son 8 takım arasına kalan ekiplerimize bundan sonraki maçlarında başarılar diliyorum." diye konuştu.

Gelecek nesillere temiz bir futbol bırakmak istediklerini aktaran İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, şunları kaydetti:

"Çıktığımız bu yolda futbol ailemizin tüm paydaşlarıyla birlikte hareket etmeyi ve ortak değerler etrafında buluşmayı öncelik edindik. Bu amaçla futbolumuzun birlik ve beraberliğini güçlendirmeye, herkes için güven veren bir ortam oluşturmaya çalıştık. Amacımız ülkemizin eşsiz potansiyelini sahaya en güzel şekilde yansıtmak, Türk futbolunu hak ettiği uluslararası konuma ulaştırmaktır. Çünkü çocuklarımıza ve gelecek nesillerimize yalnızca kupa zaferleri değil, temiz bir futbol ve sağlam bir miras bırakma sorumluluğumuz var. Futbol, güçlü bir ekonomiye ve zengin bir kültüre sahip milyonları etrafında toplayan bir dev organizasyondur. Güçlü futbol yapılarının en önemli destekçileri ise sponsorlardır. İş ortaklarımızın desteği kulüplerimizin, liglerimizin ve organizasyonlarımızın daha güçlü bir yapıya kavuşmasının önemli unsurlarındandır. Bu yapının gelişmesi futbolumuzun hem sportif hem de finansal açıdan güçlenmesi için vazgeçilmezdir."

TFF Başkanı, Türkiye Kupası'nda ülkenin dört bir yanından oyuncuların kendilerini gösterme şansı bulduğunu dile getirerek, "Bu özelliğiyle futbolumuzun en büyük markalarından biri olma özelliğini taşımaktadır. Lig tarihimizle neredeyse aynı şekilde sahip bu kupayı 162 yıllık köklü ve geleneğe sahip ülkemizin bayrak kurumlarından olan Ziraat Bankası'nın ismiyle özdeşleştirmenin mutluluğunu yaşıyoruz. Kurulduğu günden bu yana ülkesinin ve milletinin yanında olan Ziraat Bankası'nın verdiği destek sayesinde gençlerimize ve ülkemize daha büyük fırsatlar sunma imkanı buluyoruz. Değerli iş ortaklarımıza ve yaklaşık 20 yıldır Türkiye Kupası'nın sponsorluğunu yapan Ziraat Bankası'na şahsım ve Türk futbolu adına teşekkür ediyorum." ifadelerini kullandı.

A Milli Futbol Takımı'nın 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası için play-off oynayacağını hatırlatan Hacıosmanoğlu, "Milli takımın Dünya Kupası'na katılım yolunda önemli son iki maçı var. Teknik direktörümüz Montella'nın yönetiminde milli takımımız bizleri onurlandıracak ve 24 yıl aradan sonra Dünya Kupası biletini alacaktır. Bu maçlar öncesinde tüm taraftarlarımızı ve futbol paydaşlarımızı tek yürek olmaya davet ediyorum. Dünya Kupası, futbolun zirvesi. O zirvede yer alarak Türk futbolunun gücünü dünyaya göstermek istiyoruz. Bizim için ayrı bir gurur vesilesi Kadın Milli Takımı'mız oldu. Dünya Kupası elemelerinde oynadıkları ilk maçı kazandılar. İnşallah bundan sonraki maçları da kazanacaklar ve aldıkları güzel sonuçlarla Türk kadınının gücünü bir kez daha dünyaya göstereceklerdir." şeklinde görüş belirtti.

“Atletiko” ÇL-də “Barselona”nın rekordunu təkrarladı

İspaniyanın “Atletiko” komandası futbol üzrə UEFA Çempionlar Liqasında (ÇL) “Barselona”nın rekordunu təkrarlayıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Dieqo Simeonenin baş məşqçisi olduğu kollektiv buna evdə İngiltərə təmsilçisi “Tottenhem”ə qalib gəldiyi 1/8 final mərhələsinin ilk oyununda nail olub.

Madrid təmsilçisi tarixində ilk dəfə qitənin bir nömrəli klub turnirində matçın ilk hissəsində 4 qol vurub.

Üstəlik, madridlilər “Barselona”dan sonra bunu UEFA Çempionlar Liqasının pley-off qarşılaşmasında bacaran ikinci İspaniya klubudur. Kataloniyalılar 2009-cu ildə Lion “Olimpik”i (Fransa) ilə görüşdə buna nail olmuşdular.

Xatırladaq ki, “Atletiko” “Tottenhem”lə ilk oyundan 5:2 hesablı qələbə ilə ayrılıb. İspaniya və İngiltərə təmsilçiləri arasındakı cavab qarşılaşması gələn həftə, martın 18-də Londonda baş tutacaq.

“Turan”ın şikayəti təmin edildi, “Sabah” rədd cavabı aldı

Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında mübarizə aparan “Turan Tovuz” klubunun apellyasiya şikayəti qismən təmin edilib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə AFFA Apellyasiya Arbitraj Tribunalı qərar çıxarıb.

Araşdırmalara əsasən, Kurban Berdıyevin hərəkətləri AFFA İntizam Məcəlləsinin 53.1-ci maddəsi ilə tövsif edilib. Buna görə “Turan Tovuz” komandasının baş məşqçisinə 3 oyunluq diskvalifikasiya, klubun özünə isə 6000 manat cərimə tətbiq olunub.

Qeyd edək ki, ötən il fevralın 5-də Azərbaycan Kubokunun 1/4 final mərhələsinin ilk oyunları çərçivəsində keçirilmiş “Turan Tovuz” – “Kəpəz” matçının 64-cü dəqiqəsində Kurban Berdıyev hakimi itələdiyinə görə birbaşa qırmızı vərəqə almış, daha sonra hakimləri təhqir etmişdi.

Buna görə AFFA İntizam Komitəsi məşqçiyə 4 oyunluq diskvalifikasiya, Tovuz klubuna isə 10000 manat cərimə vermişdi.

Apellyasiya Arbitraj Tribunalının qərarı ilə həmin qərar ləğv olunaraq cəza azaldılıb. Apellyasiya şikayəti qalan hissədə təmin edilməyib.

Birinci Liqada çıxış edən “Mingəçevir”in baş məşqçi Ramiz Məmmədovla bağlı verdiyi apellyasiya şikayəti də təmin olunub. Mütəxəssisin dörd oyunluq cəzasının biri İntizam Məcəlləsinin 19-cu maddəsinə uyğun olaraq təxirə salınıb. Məmmədova 6 aylıq sınaq müddəti təyin edilib.

Xatırladaq ki, Ramiz Məmmədov 15-ci turda “Şəfa”ya qarşı keçirdikləri matçın 45-ci dəqiqəsində hakimi təhqir etdiyi üçün 4 oyunluq diskvalifikasiya edilib, klub 3 000 manat cərimələnib.

“Sabah”ın Oyunçuların Statusu və Transferi Komitəsinin 3 dekabr 2025-ci il tarixli 8604 saylı Qərarından verilmiş şikayətinə də baxılıb. Paytaxt klubunun apellyasiya şikayəti təmin edilməyib. Oyunçuların Statusu və Transferi Komitəsinin “Yusif İmanov – “Sabah” Futbol Klubu” işi ilə əlaqədar qəbul etdiyi 3 dekabr 2025-ci il tarixli 8604 saylı qərarı öz qüvvəsində saxlanılıb.

Birinci Liqa: “Şəfa” “Şimal”a qalib gəldi

Bu gün futbol üzrə Azərbaycan Birinci Liqasında 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 18-ci turunun oyunlarına start verilib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ilk oyun günündə bir qarşılaşma baş tutub.

Turun açılış oyununda “Şimal” “Şəfa”nı qəbul edib. Qonaqlar bu oyundan inamlı qələbə ilə ayrılıblar.

18-ci turun qalan görüşləri martın 12-də və 13-də keçiriləcək. Bütün oyunlara saat 15:00-da start veriləcək.

Birinci Liqa
18-ci tur
11 mart

“Şimal” – “Şəfa” 0:2
Qollar: Emin Zamanov, 57. İbrahim Əliyev, 89.
Hakimlər: Elvin Bayramov, Samir Qaracayev, Rəşad Quliyev, Rövşən Rəcəbov.
Hakim-inspektor: Əmrah İbrahimov.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Anar Şıxəliyev.
Şamaxı Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 15:00.

12 mart

“Şahdağ Qusar” – MOİK
Hakimlər: Ruslan Quliyev, Səbuhi Əmrahov, Səbuhi Soltanov, Elçin Abdullayev.
Hakim-inspektor: Asim Xudiyev.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Seymur Səlimli.
Şamaxı Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 15:00.

“Difai” – “Baku Sportinq”
Hakimlər: Nicat İsmayıllı, Orxan İbişov, Sənan Atayev, Niyaz Əhmədov.
Hakim-inspektor: Rövşən Əhmədov.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Elman Musayev.
Ağsu şəhər stadionu, 15:00.

“Mingəçevir” – “Səbail”
Hakimlər: Əli Əliyev, Vüqar Bayramov, Ruslan Babayev, Şamil İmanzadə.
Hakim-inspektor: Orxan Məmmədov.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: Erkin Hüseynov.
Yaşar Məmmədzadə adına Mingəçevir şəhər stadionu (ehtiyat meydança), 15:00.

13 mart

“Cəbrayıl” – “Zaqatala”
Hakimlər: Alik Yunusov, Qəzənfər Məmmədov, Taleh Məmmədov, Nazim Abdullayev.
Hakim-inspektor: Ramil Diniyev.
AFFA nümayəndəsi: İlham Əliyev.
Şamaxı Olimpiya İdman Kompleksinin stadionu, 15:00.

Video: Musah ‘grateful’ for Atalanta fans’ support despite 6-1 loss

Yunus Musah says Atalanta players are ‘grateful’ for the support they received last night despite a 6-1 home loss against Bayern Munich.

Atalanta, the only Serie A side remaining in the Champions League Round of 16, are practically out of the competition already having suffered a 6-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Musah reacts to Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich

Despite the heavy result and despite Bayern scoring three goals in the opening 25 minutes, the home crowd never stopped supporting the players and continued chanting for the team after the final whistle.

“It’s like this every week. They are very good supporters and fans. Always behind the team,” Musah told CBS Sports.

BERGAMO, ITALY - MARCH 10: Players of Atalanta and FC Bayern Munich head out onto the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Players of Atalanta and FC Bayern Munich head out onto the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“You can really feel like ‘this is Bergamo.’ The whole of Bergamo comes to support us in the stadium, every game. The fans are amazing here. We are really grateful for the support they showed us today. This is what they are like every week. We really appreciate our supporters.

“It’s always special to take part in these Champions League games,” the USMNT international continued.

“We had a lot of hope before the game, but unfortunately, Bayern have so much quality, and the game escaped us from the beginning to the end.”

Watch the full interview below.

“The whole of Bergamo comes to support us… We’re really grateful.”

Yunus Musah on the special support Atalanta receive their fans 🫶🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/6xwoc1ycbu

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026

Tudor goes six months without a win, seven straight defeats across Juventus and Tottenham

Igor Tudor’s most recent win as a coach came on September 13, 2025, when Juventus beat Inter 4-3, and the Croatian tactician has now suffered seven consecutive losses across his spells with the Old Lady and Tottenham.

Safe to say, Tudor has not had a brilliant start to his Tottenham career, having lost all of his opening four games in charge.

Tudor’s depressing results for Juventus and Tottenham

The Croatian tactician was appointed on February 14, barely three months after he departed from Juventus.

The Bianconeri sacked Tudor at the end of October 2025, following three consecutive defeats across all competitions.

The Bianconeri had lost 2-0 to Como, 1-0 to Real Madrid in the Champions League, and 1-0 to Lazio. They had not scored a goal in their last four matches under the 47-year-old and had not won since September 13, when they beat Inter 4-3 at the Allianz Stadium.

ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 26: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on October 26, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 26: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on October 26, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

To date, that also remains Tudor’s last win as a coach.

Juventus replaced Tudor with Luciano Spalletti, and even though the Bianconeri are still out of the top four in Serie A, they have grabbed 15 wins in 28 matches under the Italian tactician and are just one point below a Champions League spot.

GENOA, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Igor Tudor, head coach of Juventus, looks on during a warm-up session prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Juventus FC at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
GENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Igor Tudor, head coach of Juventus, looks on during a warm-up session prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Juventus FC at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

 

The evolution of Rafael Leão at Milan

When Rafael Leão joined Milan in the summer of 2019, he arrived as a talented yet inconsistent forward. He had shown flashes of pace and technical ability in France, but he had not built a complete profile.

Over the following seasons, he changed his role, sharpened his decision-making, and increased his influence on matches. His development did not follow a straight line. He struggled at times, responded to criticism, and grew into a central figure for the team.

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This article examines how Leão evolved tactically, improved his numbers, and adjusted his mentality. It focuses on facts and match data rather than praise or comparison. It also addresses how he handles responsibility in a club that demands results every season.

Early period: raw pace and direct play

Leão entered Serie A as a 20-year-old forward with explosive speed and strong ball control. During his first season in Italy, he alternated between the wing and a central role. Coaches used him as a second striker in a 4-4-2 and sometimes as a left winger in a 4-2-3-1. He often received the ball wide and attacked defenders in isolation.

His early strengths stood out:

  • Acceleration over short distances
  • Confident dribbling in one-on-one situations
  • Ability to strike with power from the edge of the box
  • Calm finishing in open play

Yet his game lacked balance. He drifted out of matches for long spells. He tracked back inconsistently and did not always read defensive triggers. When Milan pressed high, he sometimes arrived a step late. Coaches demanded more discipline without limiting his attacking freedom.

During the 2019–20 season, he scored six league goals. That total reflected promise rather than dominance. He needed structure. He also needed clarity about his best position.

AC Milan’s Rafael Leao celebrates with head coach Stefano Pioli after scoring the 1-0 opening goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Hellas Verona in Milan, Italy, 23 September 2023. EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI
epa10878627 AC Milan’s Rafael Leao celebrates with head coach Stefano Pioli after scoring the 1-0 opening goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Hellas Verona in Milan, Italy, 23 September 2023. EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI

Tactical shift under Stefano Pioli

The arrival of Stefano Pioli brought stability. Pioli fixed Leão on the left side of a 4-2-3-1 and gave him a defined role. The coach asked him to stretch the field, attack the half-space, and link with the left-back. He also demanded quicker decisions in the final third.

This shift marked a turning point. Leão no longer drifted inside too early. He held wide during the buildup and waited for the right moment to cut toward the goal. He combined more often with the central striker and the attacking midfielder. He started to use short passes to draw defenders before accelerating into space.

During the 2021–22 campaign, he reached a new level. He scored 11 league goals and added 10 assists as Milan won the Serie A title. His output showed greater consistency. He attacked defenders with intent rather than hesitation. He chose when to dribble and when to pass.

Key changes in that season included:

  1. Faster ball circulation near the box
  2. Better timing of runs behind the defence
  3. Stronger defensive tracking on the flank
  4. Improved composure in tight areas

Leão did not rely only on speed. He learned to control tempo. At times, he slowed play, drew two markers, and opened space for teammates. That maturity signalled growth.

BOLOGNA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 03: Rafael Leao of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AC Milan at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium on February 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 03: Rafael Leao of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AC Milan at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Statistical growth across seasons

The numbers confirm his progress. The table below outlines his league contributions during key seasons with Milan:

Season Goals Assists Key Passes per Game Dribbles per Game
2019–20 6 2 1.1 1.6
2020–21 7 6 1.5 2.2
2021–22 11 10 2.1 2.5
2022–23 15 8 2.3 2.4

These figures show steady development. He increased both scoring and creative output. He also raised his involvement in build-up phases. His dribble volume remained high, but he used it with greater purpose.

Coaches valued his ability to carry the ball over long distances. He often turned defence into attack within seconds. When Milan recovered possession, he sprinted into open channels and forced opponents to retreat. That direct threat shaped match dynamics.

Mental growth and responsibility

Leão faced criticism during slower periods. Observers questioned his focus and work rate. He answered through performance rather than statements. In tight matches, he started to demand the ball. He accepted the burden of creating danger when the team struggled to break lines.

He improved his reaction to physical contact. Early in his career, he sometimes avoided duels. Over time, he engaged more often and used his frame to shield possession. He also reduced unnecessary touches. Instead of attempting a dribble in every scenario, he scanned options and chose simpler solutions.

Leadership does not always require loud communication. Leão leads through actions. When Milan needs penetration, he attacks defenders without delay. When the tempo drops, he injects pace. Teammates look to him during critical phases.

His contract renewal in 2023 confirmed the club’s trust. That decision placed him at the centre of the sporting project. He now carries expectations that extend beyond statistics.

Role in European competition

Leão’s influence extends to continental matches. In the UEFA Champions League, he often faces compact defensive blocks. Those settings demand precision. Space shrinks quickly. Opponents double-mark him near the sideline.

He responds by adjusting his movement. Instead of hugging the touchline at all times, he drifts inward to combine with midfielders. He also drops deeper to collect the ball and initiate transitions. That versatility complicates defensive plans.

In the 2022–23 Champions League run to the semi-finals, he scored crucial goals and created several clear chances. His acceleration caused problems against organised back lines. Even when he did not score, he shifted attention and freed space for others.

Relationship with teammates

Leão’s link-up play has improved with experience. His connection with the left-back stands out. He often waits for the overlapping run before cutting inside. That coordination stretches the defence.

He also combines effectively with the central striker. When the striker drops toward midfield, Leão attacks the channel behind defenders. When the striker stays high, Leão uses short passes and quick exchanges to enter the box.

His passing range has expanded. Early in his Milan spell, he favoured short combinations. Now he attempts diagonal balls across the area and early crosses from advanced positions. These additions increase unpredictability.

Areas that required correction

Development never occurs without setbacks. Leão needed to address specific weaknesses:

  • Inconsistent defensive tracking during high press
  • Fluctuating concentration in matches with low tempo
  • Shot selection from difficult angles
  • Emotional reaction to fouls or refereeing decisions

He tackled these issues through repetition and tactical instruction. Coaches reviewed footage with him and highlighted positional errors. Training sessions focused on quick decision cycles in the final third.

He still experiences dips in form. However, those periods no longer define entire months. He recovers faster and contributes even when he does not score.

Physical conditioning and durability

Leão’s physical profile supports his style. He combines height with speed, which gives him leverage in duels. Over recent seasons, he has improved his stamina. He now sustains high-intensity runs into the final stages of matches.

Injury management also plays a role. He missed a limited time due to muscle problems compared to earlier stages of his career. Consistent availability strengthens rhythm and confidence.

Influence on team structure

Milan’s tactical setup often revolves around Leão’s presence on the left flank. Opponents adjust their shape to contain him. They assign a second defender to block his inside runs. That focus opens corridors elsewhere.

When Leão attracts two markers, Milan switches play quickly to the opposite wing. This pattern stretches defensive lines. His gravity alters spacing even when he does not touch the ball.

He also improves counterattacking speed. The team seeks him immediately after regaining possession. His first touch usually directs play forward. That directness reduces transitional risk.

Current stage and future direction

Leão now stands in his mid-twenties. He has moved beyond the label of prospect. He carries the responsibility of a leading attacker in Serie A. His challenge involves maintaining standards over multiple seasons.

To continue progress, he must refine three aspects:

  1. Increase efficiency in front of goal during congested matches
  2. Sustain defensive contribution during long stretches without possession
  3. Guide younger teammates through example and communication

He already shows signs of growth in these areas. He accepts tactical adjustments without complaint. He contributes in matches where space disappears. He also handles pressure from title races and European knockout rounds.

Conclusion

Rafael Leão’s evolution at Milan reflects steady refinement rather than sudden change. He arrived as a fast and talented forward. He grew into a structured, productive winger who shapes matches in multiple ways. His statistics improved, but numbers alone do not capture his influence. He alters defensive positioning, accelerates transitions, and injects urgency when the team requires initiative.

He still seeks greater consistency. Every top attacker faces scrutiny when form dips. Yet he responds with effort and focus. His growth stems from tactical discipline, mental maturity, and physical development.

Milan relies on him not only for goals and assists but also for momentum. He accepts that burden. If he continues to refine his decision-making and sustain intensity, he will remain central to the club’s ambitions in domestic and European competitions.

 

Major club monitoring important Chelsea star’s uncertain transfer situation

Chelsea central midfielder Enzo Fernandez is reportedly on the radar of Paris Saint-Germain amid some uncertainty over his long-term future.

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The Argentina international has been one of the major signings of the Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali ‘BlueCo’ project, but it seems he might not be staying for the long term after all.

That’s according to a report from L’Equipe, who cast some doubt over Fernandez seeing out his long-term contract with Chelsea as he prepares to play against transfer suitors PSG in the Champions League this evening.

We’ve previously covered Fernandez transfer interest from Real Madrid, but it seems PSG could also be one to watch as they look to make changes to their midfield.

PSG eyeing Enzo Fernandez transfer to build star-studded midfield

PSG already have some of the finest midfield players in world football in the form of Vitinha and Joao Neves, but there’s still perhaps also some room for improvement.

Fernandez would likely be an upgrade on Fabian Ruiz and Warren Zaire-Emery, though one imagines he wouldn’t come cheap as CFC surely won’t be too keen to let him go.

In fact, a recent report from TEAMtalk stated that the Blues were keen to open talks with both Fernandez and Moises Caicedo over new contracts.

That is perhaps a message to a club like PSG over their chances of landing Fernandez, though aside from the cost we’re adamant that he’d be a great fit at the Parc des Princes…

Enzo Fernandez Transfer Fit rating

Using our Transfer Fit rating system, we’ve scored Fernandez a high 18/25 for PSG.

Enzo Fernandez TOTAL SCORE: 18/25
Transfer fee ★☆☆☆☆
Performance ★★★★☆
Achievements ★★★★★
Career phase ★★★★☆
Squad need ★★★★☆

Fernandez is close to ideal for the Ligue 1 giants’ needs, as he’s one of the finest midfielders in world football on his day, who’s won major trophies such as the Club World Cup and the Europa Conference League with Chelsea, and the World Cup with Argentina.

His price tag would likely be an issue, but at the age of 25 they’d also get him for what should be his peak years in the near future, so this could be a player well worth paying over the odds for.

The post Major club monitoring important Chelsea star’s uncertain transfer situation appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Talks scheduled: Manchester City star could leave for surprise La Liga transfer

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku is reportedly attracting transfer interest from Atletico Madrid ahead of this summer.

This comes as Man City and Doku have talks scheduled to resolve the Belgium international’s long-term future at the Etihad Stadium, according to TEAMtalk.

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Despite showing moments of real quality since joining City, Doku hasn’t quite established himself as a regular starter, particularly since Pep Guardiola brought in Antoine Semenyo in January.

Doku could surely still have a role to play as a squad player at City, but that’s also probably not something the 23-year-old himself would be that happy with.

Jeremy Doku could get La Liga transfer opportunity

TEAMtalk’s report adds that Doku could get the opportunity to move to Spain as Atletico Madrid are planning to make major changes to their attack this summer.

It remains to be seen if City will allow such a deal to go ahead, as the report suggests they have already planned talks over a possible new contract for a player they rate highly.

Still, Doku himself seems to be unsettled, so Atletico may fancy their chances of getting a deal done here.

Should Man City keep Jeremy Doku?

Doku is an exciting talent who could still blossom into a more well-rounded player, but City might also do well to cash in on him.

With only three goals and seven assists in all competitions so far this season, Doku isn’t really contributing enough on a regular basis.

It’s not too surprising that MCFC felt they needed to add someone like Semenyo to their squad in January, while there was also the addition of Rayan Cherki in the summer.

All in all, that gives Guardiola a lot of options, so it might make sense to offload one or two of those players to perhaps make room for signings elsewhere in the squad.

The post Talks scheduled: Manchester City star could leave for surprise La Liga transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

FIFA Türkiyə klubunu növbəti dəfə cəzalandırdı

FIFA İntizam Komitəsi Türkiyənin “Adana Demirspor” klubunu növbəti dəfə cəzalandırıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, I Liqa təmsilçisi maliyyə öhdəliklərini yerinə yetirmədiyi üçün daha 6 xaldan məhrum olub.

“Adana Demirspor” -51 xalla liqada sonuncudur. Klubun yarışı tərk etməsi dəqiqləşib.

İran millisi dünya çempionatından imtina etdi

İran millisi bu yay ABŞ, Meksika və Kanadanın ev sahibliyi edəcəyi dünya çempionatında iştirakdan imtina edib.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə İranın İdman Naziri Əhməd Donyamali yerli mətbuata açıqlamasında deyib. O, yığmanın mundialda iştirak etməyəcəyini bildirib.

İran millisini kimin əvəzləyəcəyi məlum deyil.

Bu qərar bir neçə gündür İran ilə ABŞ arasında baş verən hərbi gərginliklə bağlıdır.

Rüdiger İngiltərəyə qayıdır?

“Arsenal” yayda “Real”ın müdafiəçisi Antonio Rüdigeri heyətinə qatmaq niyyətindədir. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, Madrid klubu 33 yaşlı futbolçu ilə müqavilənin […]

Source

Google launches dedicated Merchant Center hub for agencies

Google Shopping Ads - Google Ads

Google is making Merchant Center for Agencies generally available in the U.S. and Canada today — giving agency teams a single login to manage, monitor, and optimize merchant clients at scale.

What’s included:

  • A unified dashboard for managing all client accounts from a single login
  • Proactive diagnostics that surface critical alerts across the portfolio
  • Merchandising-based opportunity tools to identify performance improvements feeding directly into Google Ads.

Why we care. Managing multiple merchant accounts across Google’s ecosystem has historically meant jumping between logins and dashboards. Having it all surfaced in one place means problems get caught faster, before they quietly drain client revenue. And with merchandising opportunity tools built in, it’s not just a monitoring dashboard — it’s designed to actively surface ways to improve performance across your entire client portfolio.

Early results. Digital marketing agency Socium Media piloted the product ahead of the holiday season, using it to monitor client promotions, inventory, and feed diagnostics from one place — and reported 50% faster resolution on monitoring tasks as a result.

The big picture for agencies. Time spent on account monitoring and diagnostics is time not spent on strategy. Tools that compress that operational overhead — especially during high-stakes periods like Q4 — directly translate into capacity for higher-value client work. Agencies managing large retail portfolios should prioritize getting set up before the next peak season.

What’s next. Full details are available in Google’s Help Center, with the rollout live in the U.S. and Canada starting today.

AI citation data shows there is no universal top source for brands

What four months of AI citation data reveals about chasing headlines

Every few weeks, a new study drops declaring that Reddit (or YouTube, or Wikipedia) is the most important source for AI citations. Marketers share it. Clients ask about it. Someone starts drafting a Reddit strategy.

Because it does. These analyses often flatten the nuance of prompt intent, model differences, and vertical context into a single headline number, and brands jump to start building strategies and teams around benchmarks that have nothing to do with their actual category or customer journey.

The shiny object problem in AI search is real, and it’s getting more expensive.

Tinuiti’s Q1 2026 AI Citation Trends Report (Disclosure: I’m the senior director of AI SEO innovation at Tinuiti) tracked high commercial-intent prompts across nine verticals and seven major AI platforms, including ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Mode, Google AI Overviews, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Meta AI, over four months ending in January 2026.

The early finding is also the most important one: there’s no universal top source. There are only patterns shaped by intent, platform, and category.

Reddit grew 73% in citations, but not for every brand

The Reddit headline is real. Across all categories and platforms we tracked, Reddit’s citation share grew by at least 73% from October 2025 to January 2026 and more than doubled in some industries. For Perplexity specifically, 24% of all citations in January came from Reddit alone.

But a deeper look at ChatGPT social citations adds important context for brands: 99% of Reddit citations point to unique discussion threads, not subreddit pages, brand profiles, or corporate content, according to analysis from Profound. ChatGPT isn’t citing just anything from Reddit, so a Reddit presence simply isn’t going to cut it.

The citation opportunity lives in whether the authentic conversations happening in your category contain useful, self-contained answers and whether your brand has any presence in those conversations at all.

This means brands need to focus on driving authentic conversations, not simulating them. Fostering real community in spaces like Reddit — finding your brand ambassadors, participating genuinely, making it easy for satisfied customers to talk — is community building and reputation management. That’s the work that earns citations.

Reddit share of AI citations by category

The vertical variance is dramatic.

  • Apparel AI citations included a 10% Reddit share in January.
  • Transportation and logistics accounted for 2%.
  • Beauty, electronics, food and beverage, and home and garden all landed in different places, each with its own growth trajectory.

A brand in OTC health looking at the aggregate Reddit growth number and assuming it applies to them is starting from the wrong baseline.

The platform layer makes it more complex still. Reddit’s share on ChatGPT was above 5% in January. On Google Gemini, it was 0.1%.

If your audience is primarily finding your category through Gemini, the Reddit conversation is almost irrelevant to your AI visibility right now.

Dig deeper: A smarter Reddit strategy for organic and AI search visibility

Google’s three AI surfaces are citing the web very differently

Here’s where the “it depends” argument gets uncomfortable even for brands that think they’ve done the work of platform segmentation.

Reddit accounted for 44% of all social media citations in Google AI Overviews in January. In Google Gemini, that number was 5%. That’s nearly a 9x difference in Reddit’s influence between two AI products built, maintained, and branded by the same company.

The divergence extends across every social platform we tracked.

  • Medium made up 28% of Gemini’s social citations and just 6% of AI Mode’s.
  • YouTube registered 29% of Gemini social citations.
  • 21% for AI Overviews, and essentially nothing on ChatGPT.
  • Facebook, LinkedIn, and Quora all showed dramatic splits depending on which Google surface you looked at.
January 2026 share of social media citations by platform

A brand building its AI visibility strategy around Gemini performance data could draw nearly the opposite conclusions about Reddit than a brand tracking AI Overviews. They’d also reach different conclusions about Medium, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Same parent company. Same logo. Fundamentally different citation ecosystems.

This is also why the volume of unique domains cited diverged so sharply across Google’s surfaces over the same period.

By January, Google AI Mode was citing 143% more unique domains than AI Overviews – a gap that barely existed two months earlier. The surfaces are evolving at different speeds, in different directions, with different source preferences. Treating “Google” as a single AI channel is like treating “social media” as a single content strategy.

Another data point adds context: roughly 17% of AI Overview citations overlap with Page 1 organic rankings, according to BrightEdge, and that share varies significantly by industry.

Gemini, AI Mode, and AI Overviews cite different sources, and AI Overviews operate on logic that’s largely separate from the traditional Google rankings you’ve spent years optimizing. The surfaces diverge from each other and from organic at the same time.

Dig deeper: AI Overview citations: Why they don’t drive clicks and what to do

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What Amazon’s bot strategy means for your competitive set

Consider what happened between Amazon and Walmart on ChatGPT over the past four months.

In October 2025, Amazon led all major multi-category retailers in ChatGPT citations. By November, its share had dropped sharply. The major cause: Amazon has been aggressively blocking AI crawlers, with nearly 50 specific user agents restricted in its robots.txt file by late January, including all three of OpenAI’s crawlers. 

Walmart, which hasn’t taken the same approach, filled that gap and has seen its ChatGPT citation share rise steadily ever since.

Share of ChatGPT citations for top ecommerce sites

Amazon’s strategy is deliberate, but complicated. By blocking the Google-Extended crawler that feeds Gemini while allowing Googlebot (which powers AI Mode and AI Overviews), Amazon is being very intentional about what information it allows direct access to, with the trade-off that it’s not included in the marketplace set in ChatGPT embedded ecommerce.

Amazon would clearly rather drive users directly to Amazon, where it controls the cross-sell, the upsell, and the recommendation via its own shopping agent, Rufus, than have its long history of product data and user-generated content fuel competitor platforms. Amazon sued Perplexity in late 2025 over exactly this kind of access dispute.

The result is that Amazon’s citation share looks completely different depending on which platform you’re analyzing. In Google AI Overviews, it still holds a commanding lead over every other ecommerce player. On ChatGPT, Walmart has taken over.

Share of Google AI Overviews citations for top ecommerce sites

Dig deeper: How AI-driven shopping discovery changes product page optimization

Know your category before you know your strategy

Citation studies (including ours) should be used as directionals. When you see Reddit growing, check whether it’s actually part of your customers’ research journey in your category. Listen to the conversations, identify your brand ambassadors, and assess the level of effort versus the impact.

When a platform dominates headlines, weigh whether it matters for your vertical before building a brand-new strategy and team around it.

Value, effort, and impact look different for a beauty brand than a manufacturing company, even if they’re reading the same AI search news cycle.

Test with that context. Use aggregate benchmarks to generate hypotheses, then validate them with your own data. The brands building durable AI visibility are doing the less glamorous work of understanding their own category well enough to know where to show up and why.

For the full methodology and findings, see Tinuiti’s Q1 2026 AI Citation Trends Report (registration required), developed with Profound.

Why Tripadvisor still matters for local SEO in 2026

Why Tripadvisor still matters for local SEO in 2026

Optimizing your client’s TripAdvisor listing is an important part of the local SEO ecosystem, even though it’s often treated as a secondary channel. Done well, it can increase visibility, drive more qualified website traffic, and strengthen brand positioning and online reputation.

TripAdvisor frequently appears in search results for tourism and hospitality businesses and often serves as a key third-party discovery touchpoint. Treating it as a strategic SEO asset — not just a review site — can create meaningful advantages in visibility, trust, and conversions.

How Tripadvisor fits into the local search ecosystem

TripAdvisor is a travel booking and decision-making platform where users arrive with clear conversion intent, typically in the mid-to-lower funnel stages. It functions as both a comparison tool and a marketplace for hotel reservations, excursions and attractions, restaurants, and cruises.

Reviews on TripAdvisor matter, but they don’t operate in isolation. Their impact depends on the overall quality of the business profile, including the clarity of its unique value proposition and the strength of its brand image.

TripAdvisor offers less control than an owned website and doesn’t align with classic technical SEO frameworks the way platforms like Amazon or LinkedIn do. Still, Google continues to surface TripAdvisor prominently across tourism and local business searches, reinforcing its role as a trusted external source.

TripAdvisor is also known for operating one of the most powerful programmatic SEO architectures in the industry, with millions of URLs indexed by city, category, search intent, and experience type. The platform is estimated to receive around 490 million unique visits per month.

Dig deeper: Local SEO sprints: A 90-day plan for service businesses in 2026

Why Tripadvisor SEO is about much more than simply collecting reviews

Optimizing your business profile on Tripadvisor doesn’t just mean hoping users will leave positive reviews of your location or services. Follow these three strategies to strengthen your listing.

1. Respond to reviews with intention

Strategically responding to reviews can strengthen semantic SEO by enriching the contextual signals around your business and increasing the likelihood of being referenced in AI-powered search experiences and LLMs.

For example, if a guest mentions enjoying the hotel pool during a family trip but provides little detail, your response can thank them for their stay while highlighting the range of water-based activities available for children and older guests. This builds richer context around the hotel’s leisure facilities beyond the original review.

It’s also important to guide guests when possible. For example, when using QR cards to encourage reviews, briefly explain the value of writing a detailed, descriptive review rather than a one-line comment.

2. Using fresh, high-quality images with descriptive captions

Images on TripAdvisor act as immediate scroll stoppers. They must be visually strong, eye-catching, and vibrant, clearly conveying a positive emotion and a high-quality experience within seconds.

If you’re unsure which images to place in cover or top positions, review performance data from platforms like Instagram or TikTok to identify visuals that generated the highest engagement.

Ideally, refresh images every 4 to 6 weeks. Each caption should include a clear description, written in natural, fluent language, that provides context for the dish or service, the target audience, and the type of experience offered.

For example: “Grilled salmon served on our sea-view terrace, a popular choice for solo travelers during the summer.”

Dig deeper: The local SEO gatekeeper: How Google defines your entity

3. Categories and tags: Getting the basics right

Proper tagging and categorization is one of the most poorly handled aspects of TripAdvisor. Incorrect categorization or missing relevant tags directly affects internal visibility, influencing rankings, filters, and curated lists.

As part of TripAdvisor’s programmatic SEO architecture, these signals also influence how pages are structured and surfaced in Google when users search for local businesses.

For example, to appear in TripAdvisor rankings like [The 20 Best Restaurants for a Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner in New York], your categories and tags must cover the full range of real experiences your business offers.

Get the newsletter search marketers rely on.


How Tripadvisor strengthens local and brand signals

It’s surprising how many businesses still have duplicate listings on TripAdvisor in 2026. This usually happens because creating a listing is relatively easy and doesn’t require official business verification—something the platform could improve.

However, claiming and merging duplicate listings does require official documentation to verify ownership, such as a business registration certificate or a recent utility bill linked to the business address.

Make sure your business description, menu item names or services, opening hours—especially public holiday hours—and any other sensitive business information match exactly what appears on your Google Business Profile.

From a brand SERP perspective, particularly in tourism and hospitality, TripAdvisor is often the main third-party channel where users discover your brand.

In many cases, a TripAdvisor listing appears above your own website. An incomplete, outdated, or poorly optimized profile can weaken trust before users reach your site. Optimizing TripAdvisor means owning a critical part of your brand’s search footprint.

Dig deeper: Want to win at local SEO? Focus on reviews and customer sentiment

Tripadvisor optimization is a competitive advantage

One advantage of TripAdvisor business profile SEO, which receives relatively little attention, is that when you execute it properly and quickly, it can become a clear competitive advantage and a strong strategic position against competitors.

Just keep the following in mind for TripAdvisor rankings:

  • Review velocity: A consistent flow of reviews is just as important as overall volume.
  • Freshness signals: Maintain updated photos, current menus (including holiday menus), and seasonal activities.
  • Engagement: Profile clicks and interactions indicate how well a listing captures user attention.
  • Owner activity: Regular activity or responses from the business owner or a dedicated representative is crucial to send strong signals of a well-managed, customer-focused business.
  • Profile completeness: Having a complete, robust profile demonstrates commitment and clarity in the value proposition.

TripAdvisor SEO depends on consistency, attention to detail, and understanding how reviews, content, and engagement signals work together to influence rankings and user decisions.

When you do it well, your customers become your strongest marketing asset.

Preview: Louisville takes on SMU in ACC Tournament opener

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - JANUARY 31: Boopie Miller #2 of the Southern Methodist University Mustangs dribbles against Ryan Conwell #3 of the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on January 31, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

6) Louisville Cardinals (22-9, 11-7) vs. 11) SMU Mustangs (20-12, 8-10)

ACC Tournament Second Round

Game Time: (Approximately) 2:30 p.m.

Location: Spectrum Center: Charlotte, N.C.

Television: ESPN

Announcers: Kevin Brown (play-by-play) and Jay Williams (analysis)

Favorite: Louisville by 6.5

Series: Louisville leads, 10-3

Last Meeting: SMU won, 95-85, on Feb. 17 in Dallas

Series History:

Projected Starting Lineups:

Louisville

  • G Adrian Wooley (6-4, 200, So.)
  • G Isaac McKneely (6-4, 195, Sr.)
  • G Ryan Conwell (6-4, 215, Sr.)
  • F J’Vonne Hadley (6-7, 210, Sr.)
  • C Vangelis Zougris (6-8, 240, Jr.)

SMU

  • G Boopie Miller (6-0, 175, Sr.)
  • G Jaron Pierre Jr. (6-5, 210, Sr.)
  • F Corey Washington (6-6, 190, Sr.)
  • C Jaden Toombs (6-10, 230, Fr.)
  • C Samet Yigitoglu (7-2, 270, So.)

Statistics:

SMU’s Season to Date:

SMU Team Sheet:

Relevant Videos:

About SMU:

Familiarity won’t be an issue for Louisville in its ACC Tournament opener, as the Cardinals square off against an SMU team they’ve already faced twice this season, most recently on Feb. 17. The two teams split their regular season series, with U of L winning by 14 at home and falling by 10 in Dallas.

After defeating Syracuse by 17 on Tuesday, SMU heads into its second round game in Charlotte still sitting squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble. SB Nation’s Chris Dobbertean currently has the Mustangs as one of the last four teams in the field of 68, and he isn’t the only one who’s given Andy Enfield’s team that distinction. It goes without saying that knocking off Louisville in a Quad1A situation would be an enormous boost for SMU.

As Louisville fans should know by now, offense is the primary story for this Mustang team. SMU ranks near the top of the ACC in scoring offense (85.0, 2nd ACC, 20th NCAA), assists (17.1, 3rd ACC, 30th NCAA), fastbreak points (12.2, 1st ACC, 87th NCAA), field-goal percentage (49.3%, 3rd ACC, 22nd NCAA), 3-point percentage (37.8%, 2nd ACC, 23rd NCAA) and free-throw percentage (74.2%, 5th ACC).

Leading the charge remains senior guard Boopie Miller (19.5 ppg/6.5 apg), a Second Team All-ACC selection. Standing just 6’0 tall, Miller is a dynamo with the ball in his hands. He’s a threat to score from anywhere on the floor and is also one of the best distributors in the ACC. He ranks in the ACC’s top 20 in steals per game (1.8) but is prone to getting caught gambling (see Chucky’s performance against him last season or Mikel’s second half performance last month).

Miller is a more than capable outside shooter (43.2 percent), but the strength of his game is getting downhill and either scoring inside the arc or getting to the free-throw line, where he shoots nearly 90 percent. Miller is also one of the most clutch players in college basketball, with a handful of game-winning buzzer-beaters under his belt. If this game is tight in the final minute, there should be no doubt who SMU will be looking towards to save the day.

Miller needed some backcourt help last season, so after the year was over, Enfield went out and got Jacksonville State transfer Jaron Pierre, one of the most coveted guard in the portal. Pierre was the nation’s fourth-leading scorer a year ago and has had zero trouble adjusting to the ACC level. He’s scored 20 points or more in three of SMU’s last four games and enters Wednesday afternoon averaging 17.6 ppg for the season.

Not only is Pierre one of the better tough shot makers in the country, but he’s one of the country’s most athletic guards as well.

This Jaron Pierre, Jr. dunk is just SICK. pic.twitter.com/044AcuCatx

— Billy Embody (@BillyEmbody) February 11, 2026

Pierre is the perfect combo guard to play alongside Miller. He’s a good three-point shooter (37.0 percent), but his real strength is using his athleticism to whip his man off the dribble and finish strong at the rim. Pierre hasn’t been asked to be the playmaker for others that he was at JSU, but he’s a capable enough passer to be respected. He’s also a terrific rebounder for his size. Like Miller, he’s a much better offensive player than defensive. He can (and I assume will) be attacked when Louisville has the ball, just as he was in each of the first two games.

Senior guard B.J. Edwards (12.7 ppg/4.9 apg) has missed SMU’s last four games with an ankle injury, and his status for Wednesday afternoon is currently unknown. A career “just ok” outside shooter, Edwards has shot 37.2 percent from deep this season and has made at least one three in 11 consecutive games. While his offensive numbers are all up, the strength of his game has always been his defense. The third runner-up for ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Edwards currently leads the league in steals at 2.3 per game. He didn’t score especially well in either of the first two games against Louisville, but he recorded three steals in both contests.

Samet Yigitoglu, a 7’2 center from Turkey, has upped his production significantly in his sophomore season. He’s averaging 11.0 points and 7.o rebounds per game, and is an effective rim protector averaging 1.3 blocks per contest. Yigitoglu isn’t overly skilled or mobile, but if you allow him to catch the ball at or near the block, he becomes a more than capable scorer. He’s 11-of-16 from the field in two games against Louisville, although the Cards did a much better job against him defensively in round two … which is about the only thing they did better defensively in round two.

With Edwards sidelined, Enfield has opted to go with a two center starting lineup, inserting freshman big man Jaden Toombs (7.6 ppg/4.1 rpg) into the starting five. Toombs was terrific against Syracuse, scoring 16 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out six assists from the soft middle of the Orange zone. Keeping SMU off the offensive glass becomes even more of an issue with Toombs playing bigger minutes.

Seniorforward Corey Washington (11.3 ppg) is capable of torching any defense that becomes overly focused on slowing down Miller and Pierre Jr. Louisville found this out first hand three weeks ago when Washington scored 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 3-for-3 from deep against the Cards.

If Edwards doesn’t play again on Wednesday, depth is a concern for SMU. Enfield played just three players from his bench in the win over Syracuse, and that trio combined for zero points over 21 minutes. A tightly called game likely benefits the Cards here, even with SMU being a pretty good free-throw shooting team.

While SMU shoots the ball very well from three (37.6 percent, 24th-best in the country), they’re usually very selective with their outside shooting. Where they really thrive is scoring in transition and attacking the basket in the halfcourt. Knowing this, Louisville played off the Mustang shooters in an attempt to cut-off driving lanes in the first meeting, and SMU promptly went nuts from the outside. The Cards adjusted to take away the three in the second 20 minutes, and held them to just 27 points. They tried a similar approach in round two, and the Mustangs lit them up from both inside and outside the arc.

This is about as dangerous an offensive team as there is in the ACC outside of Duke, but if you’re reading this, you almost certainly already know that. Without Mikel Brown Jr., the Cards will need to shoot the ball as well as they did against Miami on Saturday if they want to spend at least one more night in Charlotte.

Notable:

—Louisville is 4-5 all-time in ACC Tournament openers.

—Since joining Conference USA in 1995-96, Louisville is 18-10 in its first conference tournament game across C-USA, the Big East, the American and the ACC.

—Louisville is 5-9 all-time in the ACC tournament, and is coming off the first year where it won more than one game in the event.

—SMU went 1-1 in its first ACC Tournament (2025) defeating Syracuse 73- 53 in the second round before falling 57-54 to Clemson in the quarterfinal.

—The Mustangs have won three conference tournament titles in their history (1988 Southwest, 2015 American, 2017 American).

—Louisville has made it to at least the quarterfinals in 11 of the last 15 conference tournaments it has participated in.

—In college basketball history, a team has never lost its first conference tournament game and gone on to win the NCAA tournament. Every national champion has advanced to at least its conference tournament semifinal.

—SMU has lost 16 of its last 18 games against AP ranked opponents, including its loss to Louisville on Jan. 31. The Mustangs are 2-5 against top 25 teams this season, with one of those wins and one of those losses coming against the Cardinals.

—Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey has an 18-4 overall record in conference tournament games, and has led his teams to five conference tournament championships. Kelsey has won eight of the last nine conference tournament games he’s coached in.

—SMU head coach Andy Enfield is 15-12 all-time in conference tournament games, with one conference tournament championship.

—SMU’s upset over No. 2 Louisville in the 1967 NCAA Midwest Regional (Lawrence, Kan.) is tied for the highest ranked opponent that SMU has defeated

—Louisville is 39-4 under head coach Pat Kelsey when leading at halftime.

—Louisville is 0-9 under head coach Pat Kelsey when trailing by 5 points or more at halftime.

—Louisville has won four of the last 15 conference tournaments it has competed in, but has not won a league tournament since 2014.

—Louisville’s team average of 85.8 points per game is the 17th-best in college basketball.

—Louisville averages 11.9 made three-pointers per game, the most in the ACC and the fourth-most nationally.

—Louisville is 12-1 in Saturday games so far this season, and just 10-8 in games played on any other day of the week.

—Louisville has hit the 100-point mark six times in a season for the first time ever.

—Louisville is 48-0 under head coach Pat Kelsey when leading with five minutes to play. The Cardinals are also 0-17 under Kelsey when trailing with five minutes to play.

—Louisville is 14-0 over the past 11 seasons when limiting opponents to no more than one three-point field goal.

—Louisville is 122-0 all-time when scoring 100 or more points in non-overtime games.

—Louisville has won 167 consecutive games when holding an opponent under 50 points.

Ken Pomeroy Prediction: Louisville 87, SMU 81









Michigan basketball could lose 3 stars to NBA draft

The problem with being an elite basketball team is that the chance that you retain the nucleus from that squad the next year starts to become awfully unlikely. Such may be the case for the Michigan Wolverines, should everything both go to plan (in the postseason), but less so in the aftermath.

The maize and blue have a lot talent on the roster, with star forward Yaxel Lendeborg leading the way. He was a fringe first-round NBA draft pick last year before he withdrew and opted to transfer to Michigan basketball. But this year, he's certainly going to hear his name called in round one.

But as ESPN's Jeremy Woo put together a full two-round mock draft in advance of the NCAA Tournament, he has three Wolverines going in the first round -- perhaps a sign of things to come this postseason, but also a sign of potential losses going into next.

Here are the three.

Yaxel Lendeborg

Lendeborg is out of eligibility regardless and was going to be on his way out, but the question more so has been how high might he go? According to Woo, he looks to be something of a mid-round pick, going behind former Michigan commit Christian Anderson, at No. 17 to the Memphis Grizzlies.

17. Memphis Grizzlies (via Orlando)

Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, MichiganSenior2025-26 stats: 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists in 31 games

Amid an excellent year at Michigan, winning Big 10 Player of the Year, Lendeborg has looked like a readymade rotation player, the primary drawback being his age (23).

He has successfully defended opposing guards and bigs alike, while also helping to facilitate offensively on the perimeter, showcasing a level of versatility that NBA teams appreciate. A capable if not stellar shooter (34.3% from 3), Lendeborg's switchability and skill level should allow him to plug in all over the floor. He'll have a big platform in March to buck the age narrative and play his way into the lottery.

The Grizzlies own the better of Phoenix's and Orlando's picks, likely giving them a second selection inside the top 20.

Lendeborg's skillset is tailor-made for the NBA, given that he's a big man who can handle the ball like a guard. A stout defender, Lendeborg was also named to the Big Ten all-defensive team on Tuesday.

Aday Mara

The hopes in Ann Arbor have to center around Mara returning, given that he's the catalyst for this team, even with Lendeborg running the show. Everything runs through Mara on the court, as the big man has thrived after transferring to Michigan from UCLA following his freshman year.

But, with success comes the likelihood that the NBA comes calling. According to Woo, Mara would go at No. 24 overall should he exit college.

24. Philadelphia 76ers (via Houston)

Aday Mara, C, MichiganSophomore2025-26 stats: 11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists in 31 games

Mara is an acquired taste for some scouts, but it's hard to ignore his role in Michigan's success.

His gigantic frame -- 7-foot-3 -- allows him to effectively wall off the paint, and he has real skill and playmaking feel to lean on offensively.

Mara has a hard time covering ground at his size and will likely be limited to drop coverage. He lacks upper-body strength and struggles with ball security at times, too, but he's a unique player some teams will be willing to invest in, particularly if he can develop a functional 3-point shot. His stroke looks passable in warmups, but it hasn't translated to game action or the free throw line (52.9%).

Philadelphia acquired this pick at the deadline from Oklahoma City in the Jared McCain trade.

One of the things that Mara is elite at that doesn't get enough credit for is his ability to pass the ball. Yes, that does sometimes come with mistakes, but even still, he can handle, he can shoot, can defend, and is even getting increasingly better at free-throw shooting compared to earlier in the year.

Morez Johnson Jr.

At No. 27 overall, right ahead of the first-round break line, it's not a guarantee that Morez Johnson Jr. would see his name on a first-round mock (players don't make decisions from mock drafts anyway, they do from draft grades following the combine) and depart, but the idea that the second-year player who transferred from Illinois isn't going to test the waters is becoming increasingly unlikely.

There might not be a player on the Michigan basketball roster who has been more consistently good, outside of Lendeborg, than Johnson. Thus, ESPN has him slated to the Knicks late in the first round.

27. New York Knicks

Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, MichiganSophomore2025-26 stats: 13.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists in 31 games

It's been a strong season for Johnson, who has worked his way up draft boards with consistent play and a willingness to do the dirty work.

His strong frame and 7-foot-2 wingspan allow him to play bigger than his size (6-9), and he's shown the ability to guard 4s and 5s.

His offensive role will be limited, but he's knocked down spot 3s (10 of 24 on the season) and finishes simple plays around the basket. With NBA teams pivoting back toward double-big lineups, Johnson should have long-term utility and provide immediate depth.

There are no other Wolverines in the first or second round of the mock, but Nimari Burnett is out of eligibility, and Elliot Cadeau has been somewhat streaky offensively, while being excellent on defense.

The Wolverines do have some young players on the current team (Winters Grady, Oscar Goodman, Malick Kordel) who could step up beside Trey McKenney, who is an emerging star. The maize and blue also have four 2026 players signed and another committed, with forwards Quinn Costello and Lincoln Cosby both having the potential to be able to step in and play early. Even still, should Michigan lose the two underclassmen to the draft, as projected, it would change the dynamic of what could be next season. But if this season continues as it has, many would trade continuity for immediate success in the NCAA Tournament.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Three Michigan Wolverines in ESPN's NBA mock draft

Iran sports minister announces nation cannot participate in 2026 World Cup due to current war

TEHRAN, IRAN - MARCH 25: Players of Iran celebrate after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A game between Iran and Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium on March 25, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Iran's national football team celebrated after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan. (Photo by Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images

Citing the ongoing airstrikes on Iran launched by the United States and Israel, the nation’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali announced on television Wednesday that Iran cannot “participate” in the 2026 World Cup.

The United States, along with Mexico and Canada, is set to host the World Cup later this year.

Speaking on Iranian television, Donyamali declared that “[c]onsidering that this corrupt regime ⁠has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we ​participate in the World Cup.

“Our children are not safe and, ​fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” continued Donyamali. “Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they ‌have ⁠forced two wars on us over eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence.”

Israel and the United States launched coordinated air strikes on Iran on February 28. In that initial wave of strikes, Iranian supreme leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei was killed, along with several high-ranking Iranian officials, and members of Khamenei’s family. Those initial air strikes have touched off wider conflict in the region, with Iran responding by launching drones and ballistic missiles at Israel and American bases in gulf nations, including Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

Iran’s national soccer team qualified for the 2026 World Cup nearly a year ago, after a 2-2 tie with Uzbekistan secured the points Iran needed to qualify out of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). At the 2026 World Cup Draw, held in Washington D.C. in December, Iran was slotted into Group G along with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.

They are slated to begin their World Cup journey on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles. After which they are scheduled to play Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, and finish group play on June 26 in Seattle against Egypt.

It is not entirely clear who would replace Iran if and when they officially withdraw from the 2026 World Cup. Article 6.5 of the FIFA World Cup 26 Regulations describes this scenario and the options are pretty wide open:

If a Participating Member Association withdraws or a match cannot be played or is abandoned as a result of force majeure, the authorised FIFA organising body (including the Tournament Operation Centre) shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary.

At the World Cup Draw in December, FIFA awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to President Donald J. Trump.

Miami Dolphins restructure Austin Jackson’s contract ahead of 2026 season

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Austin Jackson #73 of the Miami Dolphins runs onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Miami Dolphins are now officially cap compliant after restructuring the contract of one of the team’s 2020 first-round draft picks.

According to Spotrac, the Dolphins and right tackle Austin Jackson agreed to restructure his contract ahead of the 2026 NFL season — which officially kicks off at 4 PM EDT today. Jackson’s new deal is worth $7 million over 1 year, with $5.475 M fully guaranteed.

Spotrac, as always, has the details:::

OT Austin Jackson signed a 1 year, $7M restructured contract with the #Dolphins that includes $5.4M fully guaranteed, and 4 void years.

The move clears $8.5M of cap space for Miami.

— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 11, 2026

The second of Miami’s 2020 draft picks, the Dolphins selected Austin Jackson with the 18th-overall pick. (Yes, it was the Minkah Fitzpatrick pick) He would go on to start 48 games with the team before signing a three-year, $36M extension in December 2023, after starting his first full season in the league.

Unfortunately, that was the last time Jackson was fully healthy. He’d go on to play eight games in 2024 before suffering an injury to his meniscus. He’d later get surgery to repair the tear in 2025. In 2025, he suffered a toe injury that forced him to miss time throughout the year, eventually requiring season-ending surgery.

In total, the 26-year-old has started 60 out of 62 games for the Dolphins. He will now play the 2026 season on a one-year prove-it deal, with the hopes of impressing Miami’s new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, and head coach Jeff Hafley.

What are your thoughts on Austin Jackson restructuring his contract? Do you see this as his last year in Miami? In hindsight, how would you grade the pick of Austin Jackson in the middle of the first round? Let us know in the comments section below!

49ers receive high grades for signing Mike Evans in free agency

Through the two days of the legal-tampering window, the San Francisco 49ers have only agreed to contracts with three outside free agents, including offensive linemen Vederian Lowe and Brett Toth.

However, their most impactful signing has been the addition of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans on a three-year, $42.4 million deal with $16.3 million guaranteed.

NFL analysts and experts have shared their reactions to some of the biggest moves across the league this week, and the Evans signing is being received well. Let's take a look at how the expected transaction is being graded.

USA Today: A

This is probably the rare case when you can believe an agent when he says a decision wasn't driven by money," Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. "Evans' deal was first reported as a $60.3 million pact, but that's actually the maximum value with incentives rather than the base. And with only $16.3 million guaranteed, this partnership is pure upside for San Francisco. Evns sizes up as the kind of well-built X receiver to whom Kyle Shanahan used to love funneling targets. He doesn't need to be anything beyond what he is at this stage in his career to make a massive difference for the 49ers offense. San Francisco just needs to settle the Trent Williams saga to make sure the offense is in top form for a title push.

CBS Sports: A-

"I projected this match in a recent mock free agency exercise, and it came together just days later," Zachery Pereles wrote. "At 32, Mike Evans isn't the supercharged, borderline unfair size/speed combination he once was, but the size is still considerable, he can still eat man coverage alive, he is outstanding in the end zone, and he still wins downfield. Health is the big factor here, but this feels like a great fit; Brock Purdy loves to give his receivers shots at 50-50 balls, and Kyle Shanahan will love scheming up opportunities for Evans downfield."

The Sporting News: A

"Evans is leaving Tampa Bay after 12 Hall of Fame-caliber seasons to help the 49ers better contend and clean up a wide receiver mess," Vinnie Iyer wrote. "He is the ideal savvy big-play and red zone go-to guy for Brock Purdy with plenty left."

FOX Sports: A

"It’s hard not to love this one. The 49ers offense continues to be a hotspot for the best skill players in the NFL — albeit those at an advanced age," Henry McKenna wrote. "Evans is 32 and not in the same league with Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase anymore, but he has 11 career 1,000-yard seasons and six with double-digit touchdowns. 

"He’s perfect for this offense. He should return to dominant form in this offense, in part because of how much help he’ll get. It starts with coach Kyle Shanahan, but it extends to quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey."

ESPN: A-

"After seemingly being flush with wide receiver talent not too long ago, the 49ers entered this offseason needing a wideout. They got a good one," Seth Walder wrote.

"Evans is finally leaving Tampa Bay, heading to San Francisco to join Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy. And while we're still waiting on all the contract details, the $16.3 million guaranteed makes it seem like they got a good deal. We'll work under the assumption that's the one-year cost -- which is what matters here.

"Evans, 32, is coming off an injury-shortened season that marked the first year he did not reach 1,000 receiving yards. He amassed 368 receiving yards in eight games. If he's still the same player, he has the potential to be a No. 1 X receiver for Shanahan, adding another dimension to an offense with other veteran playmakers such as Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle. The move lets Ricky Pearsall be a complementary second wide receiver as he develops. Jauan Jennings is a free agent."

More 49ers: 49ers 2026 free agency tracker: Latest news, rumors and signings

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL free agency: 49ers receive high grades for signing Mike Evans

MC Alger make Rulani Mokwena decision amid uncertain future

MC Alger make Rulani Mokwena decision amid uncertain future
MC Alger make Rulani Mokwena decision amid uncertain future

Exclusive

MCA make decion on Rulani's future

Photo: MCA @ X

Foot Africa can confirm that MC Alger have made a decision to keep Rulani Mokwena in the hotseat amid exit rumours.

This comes after the Algerian champions endured a four-game winless run across all competitions, sparking discontent among the club's supporters.

The situation intensified when MCA were knocked out of the Algerian Cup in the quarter-finals by Sead Ramovic's CR Belouizdad during the winless form.

Now, sources have indicated that club President Mohamed Hakim Hadj Redjem recently held a meeting with Mokwena, assuring his backing for the 39-year-old tactician.

The South African mentor has a deal that's set to lapse after the 2026/27 campaign, with Libyan big spenders Al-Ittihad said to have presented a lucrative offer.

Mokwena reportedly rebuffed Ittihad's offer worth in the region of €75 000 (R1.4 million) per month in favour of seeing out the season with MCA.

Though his immediate future appears to be resolved, insiders close to the club told this publication that both parties will review the situation once again when the season ends.

Having responded to the winless streak with a resounding 5-0 victory over ES Mostaganem over the weekend, MCA will visit Paradou AC on Friday the 13th.

Hankook introduces new WRC tyre at Safari Rally Kenya

Motorsport photo

World Rally Championship teams will have a new tyre at their disposal to tackle this weekend’s Safari Rally Kenya and the remaining gravel rounds this year.

WRC tyre supplier Hankook has developed a new soft compound gravel tyre known as the Dynapro R213, which will make its debut on the brutal gravel stages in Kenya this week.

Its introduction comes following criticism from WRC drivers regarding the performance and reliability of the tyres particularly in rough gravel events, with Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville saying that the rubber was “not the level” required for the championship after suffering multiple failures at Acropolis Rally Greece last year. This year, drivers were also critical of Hankook’s winter tyre at Monte Carlo in January. Hankook has since confirmed it is developing a new winter tyre for 2027.

The new gravel tyre is visually similar to those utilised last year, but features a different construction and compound, and should provide more of a distinct difference in performance compared to the hard compound tyre. It should also deliver better performance and durability in the harshest of conditions. This new soft compound gravel tyre has undergone extensive development that began last year with all three Rally1 teams involved in the process.

“This tyre has been in development throughout last year. In fact, since the announcement of our tyre supply in 2024, we’ve been working closely and diligently on tyre specification development together with the FIA and the manufacturers,” said Hankook’s Steven Cho in a media conference.

“This particular tyre was developed by taking a lot of the feedback we received from the manufacturers and the drivers as they started to better understand our product a little bit better.

"Some of the key feedback we received was that our first specification, which we launched last year, was generally commendable feedback. Aside from extremely rough rallies – or situations where punctures are unavoidable, generally speaking our reliability and durability have been strong points.

Hankook tyres

Hankook tyres

“But we also got feedback from the drivers saying that a little more compliance would be nice. They wanted a bigger performance delta between the hard and soft compounds would be a good performance step forward, and a bit more compliance to all for some improved performance in lower temperatures, particularly in damp or wet outside. So, we took all the feedback on and set a direction with our R&D team in Korea and through several iterations and test events we are ready to bring this new tyre to the WRC.

"The feedback of the tyre has been across the board positive and for sure in the right direction and it will be put to good use this weekend.”

Hankook has confirmed the new soft compound gravel will be available at all gravel events for the remainder of the season with a new hard compound version to be introduced at Rally Portugal in May following delays in completing the final tests. There are no plans to make any changes to the asphalt tyres for this year.

Hankook braced for tougher Safari Rally Kenya

The new tyre is set to undergo a thorough examination this week with this edition of Safari Rally Kenya expected to be even more challenging that last year’s event.

“Last year, when we came to Kenya for the first time, people were already saying it was the roughest Safari anyone had seen in a while,” Cho added.

“So, I asked how this year compares, and the answer was even more difficult.

“The heavy rain has brought a lot of mud onto the roads, and that mud is now exposing large rocks, bedrock and other hidden hazards. So, we’re expecting another incredibly difficult and challenging event for the drivers, teams and of course for our tyres as well. But we are expecting a much improved performance from where we were last year.”

Read Also: Toyota tips Hyundai to fight back in WRC 2026 Hyundai's WRC upgrade plan to close the gap to Toyota Why Hyundai WRC team is "working at 120 per cent" to salvage its difficult 2026 season

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Atlanta Braves officially announce launch of Braves.TV

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 15: Manager Fredi Gonzalez #33 of the Atlanta Braves jokingly uses a television camera before the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 15, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves announced in late-February that their TV network BravesVision was coming our way. This came long with a future promise to announce what the future of their streaming options would be and as it turns out, it’s a familiar one if you’ve been following baseball in recent years.

Via press release, the Braves have revealed that Braves.TV will be their new streaming home with the price point being either $19.99 monthly or $99.99 for an entire season. Here’s more information from the press release:

Fans can stream Braves.TV at home and on-the-go across web, mobile, and connected devices, making Braves games easier to access than ever before. Supported platforms include iOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, and Samsung, LG, and Android smart TVs.

Braves.TV subscriptions are now available for $99.99 for the 2026 season, bringing every moment of this season’s action to fans for less than 70 cents a game. Monthly subscriptions will be available ahead of Opening Day for $19.99 per month. A-List and Premium Members will receive an email with details on how to redeem a 30% discount on a season subscription.

The most important part of all of this is that the team announced that there will be no local blackouts, either. Those days are officially in the past and you’re now free to watch the team any way you want no matter where you live at — for a fee, of course.

https://t.co/O4YXj2SEfZ is here!

Stream over 140 regular season Braves games in-market with NO BLACKOUTS! Visit https://t.co/AlC8pSKFZb for all info. pic.twitter.com/S5WqScEjLy

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 11, 2026

If you visit Braves.TV right now, you’ll be greeted with the various subscription options on offer instead of the placeholder page that was there before, so this is live and running now. If you’re interested, the monthly option will be available starting on March 23 (right in the shadow of Opening Day) while every other option appears to be available right now.

So as of right now, you have the option to watch the Braves on traditional TV platforms via BravesVision or you can watch from basically any other streaming platform out there via Braves.TV. You could also just listen to the team on the radio for free if you so choose! They even provided a nifty FAQ in case you’re confused about anything. Like Captain Planet once (kinda) said, “The power (to watch the Atlanta Braves) is yours.”

Wednesday Morning Links

SURPRISE, ARIZONA - MARCH 10: Relief pitcher Kumar Rocker #80 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning of the spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 10, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Morning, all!

Josh Sborz has had decent results so far this spring, but his fastball is still down 4 mph from before his injury plagued 2024 and 2025 campaigns.

Andrew McCutcheon has hit the ground running after spending most of the spring unsigned, collecting two doubles in four at bats over two games.

Jacob deGrom and Kumar Rocker pitched yesterday, with deGrom expressing frustration with his mechanics and Kumar Rocker still not throwing many changeups despite the team prioritizing incorporating it more into Rocker’s repertoire.

Cameron Cauley, the Rangers’ number 13 prospect and 2021 3rd round pick, has been getting noticed in his first big league camp and has survived several rounds of roster cuts.

Coincidentally, Shawn McFarland profiled Cauley yesterday in his ongoing prospect countdown and identified him as someone who could make major league contributions this season.

Kennedi Lamdry’s latest roster projection looks a lot different than what we’ve been used to the last few years.

Red Sox Star Jarren Duran Teases Exciting Change For 2026 Season

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran

Red Sox Star Jarren Duran Teases Exciting Change For 2026 Season originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After having the best season of his career in 2024, Jarren Duran took a step back in 2025. He declined in many offensive categories, including WAR, runs, hits, home runs and OPS.

While he enjoyed making the playoffs last year, Duran wasn't happy with his individual production. Accordingly, he worked hard this offseason and wants to be better in 2026.

In his recent "Day in the Life" video for Bruce Bolt, Duran opened up about his goals for this coming season.

"This season's gonna be fun. We've got a really good, exciting team," Duran said. "I think last year we kind of showed what we can do as a young team and we're just getting more experience under our belt."

Duran also teased a big change on his part.

"For me, I'm kind of going in with a different mentality this year," Duran added. "It's something that I've been working on this whole offseason, just mentality-wise. I'm excited to see if the fans can notice my different approach to the game this year."

The 29-year-old outfielder thinks he put too much pressure on himself last year and wants to play more free and loose this season.

"Honestly, I've just been trying to have more fun again," Duran said. "I feel like in '25, I got a little antsy and anxious to try to repeat what I did in '24. Thinking like that doesn't get you back to that, so I just need to kind of get back to having fun and playing loose again."

Duran's looked plenty loose so far, bashing three home runs in spring training and three more in the World Baseball Classic. If he keeps it up, he could be headed for another All-Star, MVP-caliber season like 2024.

More MLB: Red Sox's Sonny Gray Explains How He Knows When He's Ready For Season

Top 10 NHL teams right now

The NHL trade deadline was March 6th, and a handful of players headed to playoff-bound teams. With less than 20 games remaining, certain teams are solidifying their playoff standings, while others are making a final push to claim a wild-card spot. Both conferences wild-card spots will see movement in the final week of the season. As the 2025-2026 season enters the regular season twilight, here are the top 10 teams in the NHL right now.

MORE: 5 potential bracket-busting March Madness 2026 Cinderella teams

10. New York Islanders

Jan 29, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Islanders right wing Max Shabanov (49) and New York Islanders center Kyle MacLean (32) celebrates the goal by New York Islanders defenseman Carson Soucy (4) against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

New York has struggled to produce offensively. It’s been the issue throughout the regular season. The Islanders’ defensemen and goaltenders must be at their best in the playoffs.

9. Montreal Canadiens

Montreal’s offense continues to be one of the NHL’s best. They are the top three in goals scored per game. The one glaring issue is defense.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh is a team to be reckoned with in the playoffs. The Penguins’ veteran squad has their eyes set on the Stanley Cup Finals. Pittsburgh needs a healthy return from Sidney Crosby.

7. Detroit Red Wings

Mar 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) skates with the puck in the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Detroit added offense at the trade deadline. It was the team’s biggest need, and they were active on Friday. Still, the Red Wings’ defense will be heavily relied upon in the playoffs.

6. Buffalo Sabres

They are hot and pushing for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. It’s becoming a two-team race between Buffalo and Tampa Bay. Which team will be the first to slip down the stretch?

5. Tampa Bay Lightning

They’re doing their best to hold onto the Atlantic Division lead. Even if they finish second, the Lightning will be a tough matchup in the playoffs. They are one of the league’s best on both ends of the ice.

4. Minnesota Wild

Mar 1, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) plays the puck against the St. Louis Blues in the first period at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Wild will be a dark horse to reach the Western Conference Finals. If it weren’t for Colorado and Dallas, Minnesota would be the conference’s best team. The team is as confident as anyone in the NHL.

3. Dallas Stars

Dallas entered Friday undefeated in its last 10 games. They’re on a heater and at the perfect time. They are within 10 points of Colorado for the top spot in the Central Division.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina has been the Eastern Conference’s top team throughout the season. They are one of the few teams that have had success offensively and defensively. It will be a letdown if they do not reach the conference finals.

1. Colorado Avalanche

Mar 6, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) skates against the Dallas Stars during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Avalanche are the league’s best team for a reason. They excel in every aspect of the game. They have a top offense, defense, and goaltending.

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The post Top 10 NHL teams right now appeared first on The Big Lead.

Bills restructure Josh Allen’s contract to create 2026 cap space

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 17: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks on against the Denver Broncos during the national anthem during an AFC Divisional Playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Buffalo Bills made another move most felt was coming by restructuring Josh Allen’s contract on Wednesday. Allen enters the 2026 season in Year 9 of his NFL career, and Buffalo again leaned on the same cap adjustments it has used with several contracts: converting salary into signing bonus and spreading the charge across future years. His base salary drops to $1.3 million, while $15.2 million of the remaining salary is converted into bonus money.

That accounting move lowers Allen’s 2026 salary cap hit to $44.2 million, creating $12 million in immediate cap savings for the Bills. In practical terms, Buffalo pushes the immediate hit across future seasons, buying breathing room today while increasing the dead cap charge later. 

Updated 2026 Josh Allen cap snapshot:

  • Base salary: $1,300,000
  • Salary converted to bonus: $15,200,000
  • New 2026 cap hit: $44,200,000
  • Cap savings created: $12,000,000

Because Allen’s contract already stretches across multiple seasons, Buffalo can absorb the prorated bonus without dramatically changing the long-term structure. The move signals clear intent: keep the championship window open while Allen remains in his prime.

For Buffalo fans, this is less of a surprise and more an annual ritual. When cap pressure rises, Allen’s contract becomes a lever. This latest adjustment gives Brandon Beane more operating space as the Bills pursue more additions as the new league year begins. The Bills used a prorated bonus in 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.

Not that they would cut him, but Allen’s dead cap number is now more than $173 million. It is only $138 million if they trade him. Rest assured, he’s sticking in Buffalo for a while.

Tennessee Titans re-sign K Joey Slye to a one-year contract

The Tennessee Titans have turned their focus to their specialists. After re-signing Morgan Cox and agreeing to terms with Tommy Townsend, the team now came to terms with a kicker. 

After scouring the market, the Titans decided to bring back kicker Joey Slye on another one-year deal. 

Known for his erratic but strong leg, Slye had a solid first season in Nashville, connecting on 28-of-35 field goals in 2025. But a deeper look at his accuracy shows what kind of weapon he can be. Slye was perfect under 40 yards, and only missed two between 40-49 yards. But it was his accuracy over 50 yards that took a hit, 9-of-14, with some of those attempts over 60 yards. 

The #Titans are signing back their kicker Joey Slye, source says, as he gets a 1-year deal. He went 28 of 35 last year.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2026

Slye may not be the most accurate kicker on the market, but he is familiar with the organization, and special teams coordinator John Fassel, who surely signed off on his return. 

With Slye in the fold, the Titans specialists for 2026 should be set. 

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans re-sign K Joey Slye to a one-year contract

Syracuse fires coach Adrian Autry following 3 unsuccessful seasons in post-Jim Boeheim era

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Adrian Autry has been fired as head basketball coach at Syracuse after three largely unsuccessful seasons.

The school announced the decision Wednesday, one day after the Orange lost 86-69 to SMU in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. Syracuse lost its final six games and 12 of the last 15 under Autry to finish 15-17.

Autry was 49-48 over three seasons after replacing Jim Boeheim and failed to reach the NCAA Tournament.

“Adrian first came to Syracuse as a student-athlete in 1990, and this program has been a constant in his life ever since: as a player, assistant coach, associate head coach and ultimately as head coach,” Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said in a news release. “His dedication to our student-athletes on and off the court never wavered throughout his time here, and we are grateful for his service and commitment to Orange Basketball.”

Autry said Tuesday after the loss that “ I didn’t get the results that we wanted.”

“It has been an honor to coach at my alma mater, ” Autry said in a statement Wednesday following the firing. “I want to thank Chancellor Syverud, John Wildhack, Jim Boeheim, my team and my staff for their support.”

The four-year Syracuse starter under Jim Boeheim and later his associate head coach took over for the retiring Hall of Famer in 2023, only to fail to gain any traction in carrying the program into its post-Boeheim era.

Last spring, Wildhack didn’t lay out specifically what Autry had to do to keep his job. He did, however, lay out clear expectations: “The goal of this program is we should be playing meaningful games in March.”

Wildhack already has announced he is retiring in July, and replacing Autry will be among his final responsibilities. A national search will begin immediately.

Autry failed to get the Orange to March Madness, the place where Boeheim routinely led them while building a nationally relevant program. Instead, Syracuse finished with consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1968-69.

Going back to NCAA Tournament expansion to 64 teams in 1985, Syracuse won the 2003 championship, reached the finals in 1987 and 1996, reached two other Final Fours in 2013 and 2016, and reached the second weekend 11 other times under Boeheim. Yet this year marks the fifth straight season without a bid, continuing a string of mediocrity across Boeheim’s final two years at the helm.

Autry was 24-34 in league regular-season play in his three seasons.

The Orange have lost 27 games by double-digit margins while managing just four Quadrant 1 wins that top a postseason résumé.

The nadir for Autry came on Feb. 16 with a 37-point loss to Duke, the Orange's worst ACC loss since joining the conference 13 years ago and tied for the fifth-worst loss in program history. The game symbolized how far the program has drifted, with the Orange overwhelmed in talent and athleticism.

Autry seemingly had an improved roster heading into the season. He retained his two best players in J.J. Starling and Donnie Freeman, while the transfer portal yielded a six-player haul that including ACC assists leader Naithan George. Syracuse also landed a quality recruiting class highlighted by consensus top-40 prospects Sadiq White and Kiyan Anthony, son of 2003 title winner Carmelo Anthony.

But the team failed to find any consistency. A defensive intensity preached by Autry peaked in a win over Tennessee in early December, then vanished. The trademark 2-3 zone that once frustrated opponents had been replaced by a unit that too often looked disorganized and vulnerable. Stretches of that isolation offense, inconsistent guard play and limited interior toughness undermined late-game execution.

Starling and Freeman, who missed nine games because of injury, mostly struggled. The Orange rarely played to maximum “Level 5” effort and too often had prolonged “dips" — words that became part of the Autry vernacular. Near-upsets of Houston and Kansas were followed later by inexplicable losses to Hofstra and Boston College.

As the program changed hands over to Autry in October 2023, he had preached Syracuse was striving to return to the “Orange Standard.”

“I think we all know where we want to be as a team, what we want to be as a program,” Autry said at his introductory news conference.

At the end of the Autry era, Syracuse stood the furthest it’s been from that standard in a long while.

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Wawrow reported from Buffalo, New York. AP freelancer Mark Frank in Syracuse, New York, contributed to this report.

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Cam Payne reflects on journey back to NBA after historic Sixers night

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers were able to earn a much-needed 139-129 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night as they look to stay in the race for the top 6 in the Eastern Conference despite the injuries up and down the roster.

The Sixers received a historic Cam Payne night as he scored 32 points off the bench with 10 assists. He had a near-perfect shooting night as he was 9-for-10 from the floor, 8-for-8 from deep, and 6-for-6 from the foul line. The eight 3s he made were the most made in Sixers history without a miss.

On a night where there was some obvious NBA history in Miami regarding Bam Adebayo scoring 83 points, the Sixers had some history of their own on Tuesday.

"It's crazy," Payne said of his historic night. "My initial reaction is just like, that's crazy. Like, Tyrese (Maxey) ain't did that (expletive)? Honestly, I'm just, I don't know. I just feel like, finally. Like, that's how I feel like, finally. I know I've been getting in my work, getting in my shots, just like, Finally, man. Like, hopefully I'm turning this corner, getting back to how I normally been playing. So hopefully I can stay hot, that's the goal. Stay hot."

#Sixers guard Cam Payne on making history tonight: pic.twitter.com/r2SKOaXq14

— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) March 11, 2026

Payne has had an arduous journey back to the NBA. After 10 seasons in the league, and a productive 2024-25 season with the New York Knicks, he found himself playing overseas in Serbia playing for Partizan. With the Sixers needing guards following the Jared McCain trade, they brought him back to Philadelphia--where he spent half of the 2023-24 season--on a deal for the rest of the season.

"That's really like a good monkey off my back to show people that I'm good enough," Payne said of his journey. "Like I said last night (Monday in Cleveland), I need to be more consistent and be more efficient every single night. So I just got to keep bringing that, changing the game. That's what I do."

With the injury to Maxey, the Sixers will need more of these nights from Payne. He will need to bottle up this type of performance and continue to find his rhythm off the bench. He is a sparkplug type of player and will need to help Philadelphia stay afloat on the offensive end. It had been a struggle before Tuesday's performance. The hope now is to keep this going.

"That's what I achieved to do coming off the bench," Payne added. "Bench guys, you have to have a different kind of motor, because you don't really have that much time sometimes. So you need to come in, find a way to change the game, and that was my goal tonight, and sometimes, man, the nights turn into big nights, and that was the case tonight."

As the Sixers now head to Detroit to face the East-leading Pistons, Payne hopes to keep things moving in the right direction.

"Hopefully, it keeps me going," Payne finished. "Hopefully, I take it into the game against Detroit in a couple days and, man, it just felt good to see it go in. I know I'm capable. I don't know, man. It’s just good to see him go in tonight. Man, hope I can keep it going."

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Cam Payne reflects on journey back to NBA after historic Sixers night

Vissel Kobe beats FC Seoul, becomes 2nd Japanese team in AFC Champions League quarterfinals

Japan’s Vissel Kobe claimed a place in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Elite with a 2-1 win over FC Seoul of South Korea on Wednesday.

Yuya Osako and Yosuke Ideguchi scored late at home as Kobe advanced 3-1 over two legs in the round of 16. Patryk Klimala scored in the first half for Seoul.

Kobe becomes the second Japanese team to reach the quarterfinals after Machida Zelvia qualified on Tuesday.

Johor Darul Tazim of Malaysia also advanced despite a 1-0 loss at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, thanks to its 3-1 win in the first leg, to prevent a third Japanese reaching the last eight.

Buriram United of Thailand rounds out the eastern zone quarterfinalists.

The tournament is divided into two geographic zones until the quarterfinals. Games in the western zone have been postponed because of the Iran war.

All matches from the quarterfinal stage onward are scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from April 16–25 but it’s unclear when games in the western zone can resume.

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

Canada vs Cuba Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's World Baseball Classic Game

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Canada pulled off the upset vs. Puerto Rico in a true road game, setting up a winner-take-all matchup against Cuba.

The Canadians not only advance but also win the pool with a victory. However, they’re out entirely with a loss. Cuba will earn the second spot with a win, with Puerto Rico winning the pool in that situation.

This is setting up to be a great game, and Canada vs. Cuba predictions and World Baseball Classic picks are locked in on the total for this pivotal Pool C game on Wednesday, March 11.

Canada vs Cuba prediction

Canada vs Cuba best bet: Under 8.5 (-115 at DraftKings)

This is a really intriguing matchup. 

Canada has been the better-hitting team overall, with Cuba batting just .170. However, they’ve shown more power with four home runs. 

Then we get a great pitching matchup as Cal Quantrill faces Liván Moinelo. 

Quantrill is looking to earn a spot with the Texas Rangers this season and has a 4.35 ERA over seven big-league seasons.

Meanwhile, Moinelo is coming off a great season in the NPB with the Softbank Hawks, pitching to a 1.46 ERA over 167 innings.

An intense, well-pitched game like this has "Under" written all over it.

Canada vs Cuba same-game parlay (SGP)

img src="https://images.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/811/draft_kings.png" alt="DraftKings Logo" loading="lazy" width="194" height="62"

Under 8.5

Canada team total Over 4.5

Canada moneyline

+495 at DraftKings

Cuba has a great starter on the mound, but the staff overall has had a problem putting runners on, pitching to a 1.38 WHIP in four games. Canada’s penchant for contact will allow it to take advantage of that and drive in some extra runs.

Canada’s pitching staff has done an excellent job of zapping power in this tournament and has yet to allow a home run. If Cuba isn’t going yard, it isn't scoring.

This should be a close matchup, and I like Canada to come out on top at the end of the day.

PLAYER NAME star player prop

Owen Caissie best bet: 2+ total bases (+155 at DraftKings)

Miami Marlins fans should get excited because prospect Owen Caissie looks legit. The Canadian outfielder is 6-for-11 with three doubles and a home run so far in the WBC. We’re looking at a great price for another 2+ total bases day from the 23-year-old Canadian.

Canada vs Cuba opening odds

  • Moneyline: Canada -160 | Cuba +130
  • Run line: Canada -1.5 (+100) | Cuba +1.5 (-120)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5

How to watch Canada vs Cuba and game info

LocationHiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
DateWednesday, March 11, 2026
First pitch3:00 p.m. ET
TVFS2
Canada starting pitcherCal Quantrill
Cuba starting pitcherLiván Moinelo

Canada vs Cuba weather

Text

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Ravens free up nearly $40M in cap space by reworking Lamar Jackson's deal

In a move that was expected if a new contract wasn't reached, according to Aditi Kinkhabwala, the Ravens restructured Lamar Jackson's contract to create about $40 million in salary cap space for 2026, similar to offseason moves by Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.

The Chiefs converted $54.45 million of Mahomes' 2026 salary into a signing bonus to create some much-needed cap room. The move lowered Mahomes' salary cap number from $78.2 to $34.65 million for 2026, opening up $43.56 million in cap room for Kansas City. This will be the fourth straight year that the Chiefs have restructured Mahomes' contract to improve their salary cap situation.

Baltimore needed to make some moves to afford Trey Hendrickson, and Jackson's reworked contract was among the moves the Ravens could make to create millions in salary cap space, per Over The Cap.

The #Ravens renegotiated Lamar Jackson’s contract YESTERDAY to create more cap room, multiple sources tell me.

They were clearly readying to onboard Maxx Crosby - until the medical assessment made the price of two first round picks too risky. https://t.co/D2fovIa3Jp

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) March 11, 2026

The reworking of the deal means Baltimore and Jackson have been unable to agree on terms for a contract extension, with the Wednesday afternoon deadline fast approaching. After a near-MVP season in 2024, Jackson was battered and missed four games, going 192-302 passing (63.6 completion percentage) for 2,549 yards (196.1 per game), 21 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 103.8 passer rating.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens free up $40M after restructuring Lamar Jackson contract

Ime Udoka: Rockets are ‘different team’ with aggressive Jabari Smith Jr.

HOUSTON -- Inside the building at Toyota Center, fourth-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. is referred to by some within the Rockets as “Mr. Reliable.”

But there is hope that the 22-year-old can be even more.

In Tuesday’s win over Toronto, which moved Houston (40-24) back into the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference standings, Smith finished with an efficient 23 points while making 8-of-14 shots (57.1%) and 3-of-7 from 3-point range (42.9%). Only Kevin Durant, an All-Star, had more points for the Rockets.

“When he’s aggressive, we’re a different team,” head coach Ime Udoka said postgame. “Amen (Thompson), Alperen (Sengun) and Kevin are going to have the best defenders, usually, so we want him or Reed (Sheppard) or Tari (Eason), whoever, to dominate those matchups.”

Udoka noted that Smith also had “a few good drives.” After criticizing his team’s apparent lack of physicality in Sunday’s blowout loss at San Antonio, the story was very different versus the Raptors.

“It wasn’t just our defensive physicality, it was offense, as well,” Udoka said.

As Smith explained, aggression means “making the right play,” and “not just looking to score.” But, if defenders commit resources to Houston’s All-Star duo of Durant and Sengun, that does often does leave scoring opportunities elsewhere.

“It’s just another threat on the floor,“ Smith said. “We can attack that mismatch. They usually put weaker defenders on me and I think this opens up the floor. The ball is popping more, and I think when I’m aggressive, the floor is open for guys like Alpi and KD. They get open shots.”

“It’s just a whole different look when everybody is aggressive.”

Going forward, with 18 games left in the 2025-26 regular season, the question is if the Rockets can bring that approach more consistently. That starts Wednesday night in Denver (39-26), where the Rockets will play night two of a split back-to-back.

Tipoff is at 9:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised and streamed regionally on Space City Home Network and nationally via ESPN.

“Just being the same team every night.” Smith said of Houston’s focus down the home stretch of the season. “If we’re physical like how we were tonight, if we’re flying around how we were tonight, I think everything else falls into play.”

More: Rockets 113, Raptors 99: Kevin Durant leads 40th win on peak efficiency

#Rockets beat the Raptors 113-99 #AllFire

Jabari Smith Jr with 23 points and met with the media after the @HoustonRockets WIN pic.twitter.com/MIER2JNZ2w

— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) March 11, 2026

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Ime Udoka: Rockets are ‘different team’ with aggressive Jabari Smith Jr.

What I saw on the Washington Nationals back fields

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 16, 2025: Luke Dickerson #16 of the Washington Nationals throws to first base during the seventh inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 16, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

The Washington Nationals were playing the Marlins in Jupiter yesterday, but that was not where I wanted to be. I learned that the Nats prospects were playing in some backfield games against the Astros prospects. This allowed me to see some players I had never seen before.

There were four games going on, two on the Astros side of the facility and two on the Nats side. The more experienced prospects were playing on the Astros side, so that is where I started. Luis Perales and Sean Linan were throwing for the Nats in those two games.

Both of them looked fairly sharp. As the higher ranked prospect that was closer to the big leagues, I was paying more attention to Perales. He threw two innings and was mostly solid. Perales gave up one monster home run, but was good besides that. Here is a video I took of him fielding a ground ball.

Luis Perales gets a ground out to start his outing pic.twitter.com/sMyTkeFcS3

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) March 10, 2026

Perales was mostly in the zone, which was good to see for a guy with control questions. He was getting hit harder than you would expect for a guy with his stuff, so the quality of the strikes still needs to improve. However, he has such amazing stuff. Perales threw a 100 MPH fastball with almost 20 inches of carry to get a strikeout. That is really rare stuff because fastballs that hard do not tend to have that kind of movement.

The contrast between Perales and Sean Linan was also fun to see. Linan is a very different type of pitcher. He is reliant on a very unique changeup that can totally befuddle hitters. Linan had mixed results, but it was good to see him throw the ball.

A video of Sean Linan on the mound pic.twitter.com/FlsebrsBbQ

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) March 10, 2026

The whole scene on that side felt very professional. Nats and Astros coaches were all around the complex and locked in on the games. There were also some Astros players watching the games. One cool thing I saw was Astros prospect AJ Blubaugh interacting with his family after he threw a pair of scoreless innings in the game. 

When I went to the other side of the field, things felt more laid back. These games were mostly filled with the team’s younger prospects. I saw the likes of Eli Willits, Gavin Fien, Coy James, Ronny Cruz and Luke Dickerson among others. 

There was one game with a lot of the younger Dominican prospects. In that crowd were a bunch of middle aged men wearing Dominican Republic hats. I figured they were the parents of some of the players, but I was not sure. They looked like they were having a blast watching the game.

One player that stood out yet again was Ronny Cruz. I wrote about him after he hit a home run in a Spring Training game the other day. He was playing in one of the games and ripped a single between the shortstop and third baseman. Then, the youngster stole a base. I am going to be watching him very closely this spring.

The Nats were aggressive on the basepaths in all the games I saw. I got a video of prospect Angel Feliz stealing a base while Luke Dickerson was hitting. Feliz is not known for his speed, but he got a great jump and swiped the bag.

Angel Feliz steals a base while Luke Dickerson hits pic.twitter.com/h02OiLPIAF

— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) March 10, 2026

Interestingly, the games with mostly younger players had some big league players getting work in as well. Miles Mikolas was throwing to Riley Adams in one of the games. This must be a replacement for Mikolas’ between-start bullpen. He shut down the young Astros hitters.

After his outing was over, I saw him chatting with his wife and playing with his three young kids. That was a really cool thing to see, and humanized a guy who I have been watching perform in the big leagues for nearly a decade. At that moment, he was just a dad and a husband.

Overall, seeing the backfields was a really cool experience. It was a hot afternoon, but this was worth sweating over. While fans mostly just see the Spring Training games, there is so much other stuff that goes on during the spring. I got to see some of that yesterday, and it was a fun experience.

Kentucky vs. LSU game thread and pregame reading

Mar 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) attempts a layup against Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) during the second half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

It is finally SEC Tournament time, and the Kentucky Wildcats will tip things off in the opening game as they face the LSU Tigers. Game time is set for 12:30 PM ET on SEC Network.

Emotions of the BBN are all over the place, as on one hand, it is finally one of the best times of the sport calendar. On the other hand, the Cats are not well-positioned for a deep run whatsoever. If they hope to change that narrative, however, it will need to start with a statement win over the Tigers in Bridgestone Arena.

They also have a chance to return a key piece in forward Kam Williams. After suffering a broken foot, Williams was upgraded to ‘probable’ in Tuesday night’s injury report, meaning it could be the first time we see him in over five weeks.

Now what are they playing for? With a decent run in Nashville, the Cats could bump up a seed line. They could also be playing for their first weekend appearance in the SEC Tournament since 2019. Will it be a long stay in Nashville or a short one? We will find out today.

Go Cats!

Pregame Reading

Let’s Go CATS!

Chelsea hoping to lure Bunny Shaw away from Man City

Chelsea hoping to lure Bunny Shaw away from Man City
Chelsea hoping to lure Bunny Shaw away from Man City

Chelsea are looking to make the statement signing of Khadija Shaw this summer with the striker's contract expiring at the end of the season.

Manchester City goal machine Bunny Shaw is currently top of the WSL scoring charts this season having netted 15 goals in just 16 league appearances for the Citizens, who look likely to end Chelsea's grip on the top flight this year.

However, Shaw could then swap Manchester for London according to journalist Kit Shepard of The Times who states that Sonia Bompastor's side are 'eyeing' a move for the 29-year-old.

The striker has yet to commit to City, raising concerns that the Jamaican is looking at moving on this summer.

Shaw first joined City from Bordeaux in June of 2021 and has since scored over a 100 goals for the club in all competitions.

Ravens Face Backlash After Nixing Maxx Crosby Trade, Signing Trey Hendrickson

Ravens Face Backlash After Nixing Maxx Crosby Trade, Signing Trey Hendrickson
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens have pulled off two stunning moves over the last 12 hours. The Ravens backed out of their trade for EDGE Maxx Crosby on Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced. Baltimore then signed free-agent EDGE Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million contract, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

This is a shocking development, as the Ravens end up with two first-round picks and Hendrickson on a similar contract to Crosby. It is undoubtedly an improvement to have Hendrickson and two first-round picks instead of Crosby; however, the league perception is not good for the organization, according to an NFL insider.

Several NFL decision makers believe the Ravens got “cold feet” on trading for Crosby, and it could impact how other teams work with the organization, as reported by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. Baltimore reportedly backed out of the Crosby trade due to a failed physical on Tuesday.

However, it has been made clear by multiple people around the NFL at all levels that Baltimore had the medical information and understood where Crosby’s knee was in terms of his recovery timeline, as reported by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Needless to say, there are unhappy NFL team personnel after Hendrickson signed with the organization.

The Ravens haven’t made an announcement on backing out of the trade for Crosby. For now, Baltimore has to conduct a physical for Hendrickson, who is coming off a core muscle surgery. The Raiders are welcoming Crosby back to the organization, leaving the door open for another trade.

It remains to be seen how NFL team personnel and agents will navigate negotiations with the Ravens moving forward. If true, it could affect the way Baltimore conducts business with other teams.

Read More: Winners, Losers From Baltimore Ravens Signing Hendrickson After Crosby Trade Falls Through

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Gary Anderson says Adrian Newey made a Honda claim in Australia that won’t have gone down well

Photo by George Hitchens/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by George Hitchens/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Gary Anderson has advised Adrian Newey to tread carefully after the Aston Martin boss raised doubts about how transparent Honda have been with their F1 engine situation.

Anderson was caught off guard by Newey’s remarks before the Australian Grand Prix. The highly regarded engineer spoke to reporters in Melbourne, laying out the issues that have come up between Aston Martin and Honda early on in their new engine partnership.

Aston Martin had high hopes for their exclusive deal with Honda, especially with the 2026 regulations on the horizon. They saw it as a potential path to race wins and even a title shot. But things haven’t started well – both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll failed to finish the race, with Honda struggling due to a lack of spare parts.

Newey shared in Australia that Honda were down to just two working batteries after repeated failures during testing. It wasn’t until after two sessions in Bahrain that they realised the engine was causing severe vibrations that were damaging the batteries.

Adrian Newey’s comments on Honda caught Gary Anderson off guard

Newey also noted at Albert Park that vibrations from Honda’s V6 engine are making their way through Aston Martin’s chassis. The vibrations are so severe that Alonso and Stroll could be at risk of permanent nerve damage if exposed to them for too long.

But what stood out most to Anderson was Newey saying that he and Aston Martin didn’t realise until last November just how far behind Honda’s engine programme was when they started work on the 2026 PU. He doesn’t think Honda will be happy about that comment.

Anderson explained to The Race: “I was surprised not only by how bad things are, but also how Adrian Newey is dealing with those problems in public.

“Drawing on my experiences of working with Honda, you can get a rapid and very successful response out of them once they recognise a problem. However, that was all done behind closed doors. And while there’s nothing wrong with talking about the fact engine vibrations were damaging the batteries, Honda really do not like anyone being disrespectful in public.

“Newey stating that Honda were not clear about the state of their F1 department when the deal for engines was done won’t have pleased anyone at Sakura.

“With his double role, Newey needs to be very careful and open about which hat he is wearing when he does these media sessions. His questions and answers will and should be very different. Team principals can get into the politics of any situation, but as technical director it has to be all about engineering and facts.”

Adrian Newey believes just 30% of Red Bull engine staff stayed with Honda

Before the Australian GP, Newey said Aston Martin weren’t made fully aware of the state of Honda’s F1 engine programme when they agreed to an exclusive deal for 2026. Honda had to restart their operation after their initial decision to leave the sport in 2020.

It wasn’t until a visit to Japan by Newey, team owner Lawrence Stroll and chief strategy officer Andy Cowell in November that they saw how much work Honda still had ahead. According to Newey, only around 30% of the staff who worked on Red Bull’s engine remained.

Honda were also working under F1’s engine cost cap from the very start of their new project. Other teams had two full years before it took effect in 2023, giving them a big head start before Honda reversed their decision to stay out of Formula 1.

Read more:

Best available free agents for Colts on Day 3 of NFL free agency

On the first day of NFL free agency, over 100 players agreed to new contracts. Day 2, however, was much quieter league-wide. The Indianapolis Colts did not make any additions or re-signings on Tuesday.

So, as we embark on the third day of free agency, who are the best available players still out there?

Focusing on positions that the Colts should still be looking to address, here are Pro Football Focus' best available free agents heading into Wednesday.

Best available free agent defensive ends

What's the need? The Colts signed Key but lost Kwity Paye to the Raiders, while Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis are free agents as well. In addition to depth, more pass-rush juice is needed after the Colts ranked 30th in ESPN's pass-block win rate metric in 2025.

  • Joey Bosa
  • Arnold Ebiketie
  • Bradley Chubb
  • AJ Epenesa
  • Haason Reddick
  • Cameron Jordan

Best available free agent linebackers

What's the need? This room is short on experience after trading Zaire Franklin. Jaylon Carlies, who has played just over 200 career defensive snaps, is the most experienced player on the Colts roster at this position.

  • Bobby Wagner
  • Germaine Pratt
  • Willie Gay
  • Eric Kendricks

Best available free agent safeties

What's the need? With Nick Cross a free agent, the starting role next to Cam Bynum is available. Hunter Wohler could be an option on the roster to take over, but banking on a former seventh-round pick who missed his entire rookie season to step into a larger role comes with risks. After signing Bynum to a big deal last offseason, we may not see the Colts be big spenders at this position.

  • Kevin Byard
  • Jabrill Peppers
  • Jaylinn Hawkins
  • Jaquan Brisker

Best available free agent tight ends

What's the need? With Tyler Warren leading the way, this isn't a pressing need, but both Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree are currently free agents. Depth and another blocking presence are needed.

  • Chioziem Okonkwo
  • Dallas Goedert
  • Darren Waller
  • David Njoku
  • Jonnu Smith

Best available free agent wide receivers

What's the need? I doubt we see the Colts spend much, if anything, at wide receiver, but without Pittman, this unit could use an addition. However, my guess is that Chris Ballard accomplishes that in the draft.

  • Jauan Jennings
  • Stefon Diggs
  • Deebo Samuel
  • Calvin Austin
  • Keenan Allen

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Best available players on Day 3

Jannik Sinner hails ‘incredible’ Joao Fonseca on Instagram following Indian Wells duel

Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images

Jannik Sinner came away from Indian Wells with plenty of respect for Joao Fonseca after their intense match at Indian Wells.

The Italian got the better of Fonseca in straight sets, 7-6(8-6), 7-6(7-4), but it was far from a straightforward win as shown by the scoreboard.

Fonseca brought plenty of aggression and energy, forcing Sinner to stay sharp throughout both tight sets.

The Brazilian teenager, just 19 years old, showed little sign of nerves despite the occasion and opponent.

Sinner needed over two hours to get past the world 35 on Stadium 1.

Following his victory, the winner took to social media to share a gracious message, paying a great compliment to his Indian Wells opponent.

Joao Fonseca earns praise from Jannik Sinner after Indian Wells victory

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Sinner shared photos from the match on Instagram, posting: “Quarters next!

“Really happy with yesterday’s match.

“Congrats to Joao Fonseca on playing incredible tennis.

“Great atmosphere out there [Indian Wells].”

Sinner’s comments were a nice gesture and will have given Fonseca plenty of encouragement after a strong showing against one of the game’s top players.

Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien named ATP rising stars

Sinner, though, will not have much time to reflect on the win. He needs to shift his attention quickly to his upcoming quarter-final match at Indian Wells.

There he will face American Learner Tien, who is seeded 25th at this year’s tournament.

Tien first caught the spotlight with a surprise win over Ben Shelton, then followed it up by saving two match points before beating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Sinner versus Tien, just like Sinner versus Fonseca, is another glimpse into what the future of tennis could look like.

Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner are already established as top talents in men’s tennis. But Fonseca and Tien seem to be among those closest to challenging that dominance in the years ahead.

All four players – Sinner, Alcaraz, Fonseca, and Tien – are past winners of the Next Gen ATP Finals. But it is still early days for the youngsters when it comes to reaching the same level as the Italian and the Spaniard.

What is clear is that both Fonseca and Tien are rising stars worth keeping an eye on. Jakub Mensik and Arthur Fils are also making steady progress up the rankings.

Read more:

BYU star AJ Dybantsa forced to remove Red Bull after Big 12 Tournament win — here’s why

BYU star AJ Dybantsa forced to remove Red Bull after Big 12 Tournament win — here’s why originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

BYU star AJ Dybantsa dropped 40 points in his Big 12 Tournament debut win over Kansas State on Tuesday night. But it wasn't just the outstanding performance that had social media buzzing.

The Cougars freshmen phenom was told by conference officials to remove his Red Bull during the postgame press conference. Not because of BYU's stance on caffeinated drinks, but because the energy drink wasn't an official sponsor. This is odd at this stage, but nonetheless understandable.

Dybantsa was one of the first Red Bull signature ambassador athletes and has always promoted the brand during his time in Provo. As one of his first NIL deals, he even participated at events in Europe for Red Bull's F1 team over the course of the offseason. One endorsement that will likely carry over to the soon-to-be days in the NBA.

The only thing that stopped AJ Dybantsa tonight was his Red Bull. He was made to remove it during the postgame press conference because it wasn’t a sponsor. pic.twitter.com/a9PKmFJBXh

— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) March 11, 2026

On the court, Dybantsa has carried the load for BYU, who are without six key contributors in the midst of the Big 12 tourney. This includes Cougars star Richie Saunders in Kevin Young's lineup. However, the team has adjusted to a lighter bench with more minutes to go around, including Dybantsa playing nearly 40 per game down the stretch.

More: Why Nike's influence might keep AJ Dybantsa at BYU next year

All signs point to this being a one-and-done year for the former five-star and projected top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Yet, Dybantsa has teased the possibility of staying in school. This would be a long shot for Young and the Cougars, but it would be huge if it actually happened.

BYU faces West Virginia on Wednesday night in Kansas City.

More college basketball news:

Reds ace Hunter Greene to have elbow surgery, expected out until July

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene is expected to miss the first four months of the season after needing surgery on his right elbow, the team announced.

Cincinnati says Greene has bone chips and loose bodies in his elbow, confirmed by an MRI after he left spring training with elbow stiffness.

"I felt no discomfort a few days later, and as I started my offseason throwing program, I felt great," Greene said on social media. "However, the pain returned as I got close to the start of camp and as I began throwing harder and manipulating pitches more. The irritation in my elbow is affecting my ability to finish and execute pitches without a sharp stabbing pain. I simply need to have the bone spurs removed.

"All I want to do is play the game I love and compete with my brothers as we take on the 2026 season. But it's important that this procedure take place now instead of trying to pitch through it, not be sharp on the mound and risk further injury. Trust me, nobody is more frustrated than I am."

In 19 starts last season, Greene went 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA as the Reds broke a five-year playoff drought by earning a wild-card spot.

The injury is a big loss for Cincinnati, as the 26-year-old Greene has been one of the game's fireballers, averaging nearly 100 mph on his four-seam fastball velocity. He had 296 pitches that clocked in at 100 mph or higher in 2025.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hunter Greene: Reds ace to miss months after having elbow surgery

Trump tells FIFA president Infantino Iran is welcome at 2026 World Cup

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran is welcome to compete at the 2026 World Cup, according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Infantino and Trump met Tuesday, March 10 amid a growing crisis in the Middle East and questions surrounding Iran's participation in the World Cup.

The U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran late last month, kicking off an armed conflict that shows no sign of slowing down and has drawn in several countries across the Middle East.

Iran qualified for the World Cup, and is scheduled to play New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Iran's soccer federation president cast doubt on his country's participation in the aftermath of the U.S. and Israeli attacks.

"What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope," Mehdi Taj told Iran state television.

Gianni Infantino meets with Trump

Infantino has been mostly silent when it comes to the situation in the Middle East, but said he discussed the crisis with Trump during a meeting Tuesday.

"This evening, I met with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump to discuss the status of preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and the growing excitement as we are set to kick off in just 93 days," Infantino said on Instagram. "We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026. During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States. "We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World."

Trump's comments to Infantino were in stark contrast to last week, when he told Politico "I really don't care" if Iran participates in the World Cup.

Infantino has faced heavy criticism for his decision to award Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iran in World Cup 2026: Infantino says Trump told him Iran is welcome

Roundtable Reactions: Ravens sign Trey Hendrickson to 4-year deal

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 16: Trey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After shockingly backing out of their trade for Maxx Crosby last night, the Baltimore Ravens quickly pivoted just hours later. As reported early Wednesday morning, the Ravens have agreed to terms with edge rusher Trey Hendrickson on a four-year, $112 million contract. Here is the Baltimore Beatdown staff’s reactions to the move.


That was quick! Eric DeCosta certainly contributed to league-wide suspicions regarding the circumstances of the Maxx Crosby trade renege. Still, in doing so, he filled a significant need in getting a true, tier-one edge rusher. Trey Hendrickson doesn’t have the same every-down impact that Crosby does, and is two years older, but the numbers don’t lie. Hendrickson’s pressure rate remained near the top of the league despite an injury-riddled 2025 season. The contract is expensive, but the guarantees make it seem like it isn’t a true four-year deal. Even though Crosby is probably a better player, I’m happier with Hendrickson and keeping the first-round picks than I would have been losing them to get Crosby. I’m interested to see how the cap hit looks in 2026 and also learned about the reported Lamar Jackson contract restructure. The Ravens still have plenty of needs, but it’s nice to know pick 14 is back to fill one of them. — Mark Myers

There is no sugar coating the gut punch that is losing out in Maxx Crosby, but Trey Hendrickson is a great player in his own right. While he is older than Crosby and not the same type of dominant force against the run, Hendrickson should still provide a massive upgrade to one of the league’s weakest pass rushes. As with Crosby, injuries and age are a concern, but at least with Hendrickson the Ravens won’t be giving up massive draft capital to take that risk. Possibly the only positive of the Crosby deal falling through is that Baltimore can now address another position of need with the 14th pick in the upcoming draft. — Dustin Cox

Putting the Maxx Crosby trade debacle aside, Trey Hendrickson was the best free agent edge rusher available from the get-go. He’s been one of the most impactful pass rushers in the league over the past several years. Signing him to such a large deal is risky given he’s returning from a significant injury at 31 years old. However, it’s a move the Ravens needed to make given their desperate need for pass rushing help on the defensive front. Hendrickson is not great against the run, but will instantly boost the team’s ability to generate pressure in a big way. Pivoting quickly to land Hendrickson softens the blow of not acquiring Crosby. — Frank Platko

Man, what a whirlwind the last few days have been. First, it seemed unlikely the Ravens would trade for Maxx Crosby – then they actually did. Last night we all get the shocking news that Crosby failed his physical, nullifying the trade. The next morning, the Ravens move quickly to sign Trey Hendrickson. Is he as good as Maxx Crosby? Probably not, but his production and pass rushing prowess are certainly similar if not better. Against the run is where the real difference lies. Crosby is arguably the best EDGE run defender in the league whereas Hendrickson is viewed as more of a liability. Regardless, Hendrickson should be a major upgrade to the Ravens pass rush. At the end of the day the Ravens just traded Maxx Crosby for Trey Hendrickson and two first rounders which feels like a pretty good deal. The tsunami of conspiracy theories over the Crosby debacle have already started and unfortunately, we’ll probably never know the truth. — Stephen Bopst

Panthers reportedly restructure DL Derrick Brown's contract to create cap space

The Carolina Panthers have reportedly moved some (big) money around.

According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the team has restructured the contract of defensive lineman Derrick Brown. The adjustment, per Person, converts $16.9 million of Brown's salary into his signing bonus and adds two void years to his pact.

As a result, the Panthers have cleared up $13.5 million in salary cap space—a much-needed chunk of change following the reported agreements with outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips and inside linebacker Devin Lloyd.

Carolina is expected to sign Phillips to a four-year, $120 million deal (with $80 million guaranteed) and Lloyd to a three-year, $45 million deal (with $25 million guaranteed). Those agreements can be signed and become official after the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Follow our free agency tracker for all the latest moves.

Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers create cap space by restructuring DL Derrick Brown's contract

‘Going to sound daft’ – Phil Thompson provides a left-field take on Liverpool’s loss in Istanbul

‘Going to sound daft’ – Phil Thompson provides a left-field take on Liverpool’s loss in Istanbul
‘Going to sound daft’ – Phil Thompson provides a left-field take on Liverpool’s loss in Istanbul

In contrast to the prevailing woe which greeted Liverpool’s defeat to Galatasaray, Phil Thompson has adopted a philosophical stance on the result in Istanbul.


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Just like in September, the Reds went down 1-0 at Rams Park after putting in a tepid performance and losing to an early goal from the home side, leaving them requiring victory at Anfield next Wednesday to remain in the Champions League.

The external reaction to the result was largely unforgiving, with John Aldridge labelling it a ‘horrible watch‘ and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat of The Times describing LFC as ‘a sad and faded force’, but our former European Cup-winning captain saw it in a different light.

Thompson airs left-field take on Liverpool defeat

Thompson put forward the theory that, by losing rather than drawing, Liverpool’s focus for the second leg will likely be sharper and, in turn, they may be less susceptible to complacency.

He told the Official Liverpool FC Podcast“I’m not panicking at all. Sometimes – it’s going to sound daft, and I’ve made a lot of daft statements – a 1-0 defeat can be better than 1-1 because you’d go back to Anfield and think, ‘Oh, we’ve got it done, it’s all there’.

“We’re going to be up for it. The fans are going to be more up for it, not thinking that this game’s given away. They can’t have any fans there, which will be a big blow to them, and I just think this is well within our capabilities. I’m not too down.”

Thompson’s optimism doesn’t tally with Liverpool’s Anfield record

We get the logic of what Thompson is saying – Liverpool have no choice but to go for victory and should be more proactive as a consequence – and the ban on Galatasaray supporters from attending the second leg ought to play into our hands as well.

The result and performance in Istanbul should cajole the Reds into setting things right at Anfield in seevn days’ time, but such has been the frightfully inconsistent nature of this season that Kopites could be forgiven for not being overly optimistic about next Wednesday’s encounter.

Also, while LFC have a well-earned reputation for producing famous nights on home soil in Europe’s flagship club competition, that hasn’t been the case in recent years – we’ve won just one of our last seven Champions League knockout games in L4 in the 2020s.

Liverpool have given themselves a difficult task for next week, but the performances against Real Madrid and Marseille in particular during this season’s European run illustrate that the Reds have it in them to avenge last night’s defeat in an emphatic manner.

Similar to Jamie Carragher, Thompson is retaining plenty of belief for the second leg. Let’s hope that their faith is well placed and we’ll look back on Tuesday’s defeat as a momentary nuisance rather than a season-defining setback.

2026 World Cup: Iran announces its withdrawal! (Official)

2026 World Cup: Iran announces its withdrawal! (Official)
2026 World Cup: Iran announces its withdrawal! (Official)

2026 World Cup: Iran slams the door!

2026 World Cup: Iran announces its withdrawal! (Official)

The 2026 World Cup will take place without Iran. On Wednesday, the Iranian football federation made it official: they are withdrawing from the tournament scheduled for next June in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali confirmed that the national team will not travel to American soil amid a particularly tense geopolitical climate.

This decision comes in the wake of US-Israeli strikes that led to the disappearance of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iranian authorities have condemned what they view as a hostile act, arguing that the conditions are no longer suitable for participating in a tournament partly hosted by the United States.

The government also cited ongoing diplomatic tensions, particularly the difficulties Iranian officials face in obtaining visas and the continuation of the "travel ban." Despite assurances from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who stated that Iran was "welcome," Tehran has decided to uphold its boycott of the tournament.

The one reason Rosenior might pick Robert Sanchez over Filip Jorgensen in goal tonight

The one reason Rosenior might pick Robert Sanchez over Filip Jorgensen in goal tonight
The one reason Rosenior might pick Robert Sanchez over Filip Jorgensen in goal tonight

Liam Rosenior gave an update on his goalkeeper situation for tonight’s game, without giving much away about who might start.

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In his press conference yesterday, Liam Rosenior was asked about his goalkeeper situation and how he would decide who would be starting tonight against PSG.

“With this squad, every position is a difficult position [to pick],” the manager said.

“That’s how it has to be for us to be successful. We have a fantastic squad, top players. Not even just the starting XI, making a decision who’s on the bench is difficult. That’s the job that I’m here to do. We’ll make that decision in terms of the goalkeeping position, in terms of the No.9 or No.10 or No.7 position.

“I’ve said before, for me, the goalkeeper position is no different to an outfield position. I will pick what I think is the right choice for each game. You’ll see what decision I make tomorrow on the team sheet.£

The only reason Rosenior might bring Sanchez back into his team

As always, Rosenior is saying a lot about the goalkeeping situation without saying much at all. This is how we see it: Sanchez was dropped because of a poor performance against Arsenal. He didn’t do much to recover that place with a poor performance against Wrexham. So we expect Jorgensen tonight.

The only reason we could see to change things again would be that Sanchez is better at kicking long, and that proved a great weapon against PSG in the Club World Cup win in the summer.

In other news…

Former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva also played for PSG, and has given his thoughts on how Liam Rosenior could affect tonight’s game.

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

Strugglin' Scottie, Anchorin'(?) Akshay, and Love for the Island: 10 Things for the Players Championship

Golfpocalypse is a meandering collection of words that runs prior to each week's PGA Tour event, mostly ABOUT that event. Reach out with your hottest takes on absolutely anything atshane.spr8@gmail.com. We'll publish the best emails here.

1. The Rogue Golf Thought: Is Scottie mediocre now?

Yes, I'm asking that question very tongue-in-cheek, because we are literally three weeks from tweets likethis onewhere we thought Scottie might win every event this year. However, this stat from Justin Ray did raise my eyebrows. BOTH of them, in, in fact—this was a two-brow take:

When Scottie struggles, we're used to that struggle coming on the greens. He'll finish 8th, and be 90th in SG: Putting, but still top five in approach and driving, and we'll understand that he's a tweak or two away from being superhuman again. But 44th in SG: Approach, as Ray noted, is kind of unprecedented. And check this out from Data Golf:

The idea that his putting is doing "more" of the workload in his exceptional SG numbers also means, by inference, that the approach and drive are doing a little less. And look, yes, this is all reacting to the moment more than is warranted, but we also know that heaters like the one Scottie has been on for the last few years eventually end—we've seen it with Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy and, more dramatically, Jordan Spieth. At the same time, it seemed like maybe he was on the Tiger trajectory, where it would last for a decade. These last couple weeks, with the relatively mediocre performance at Bay Hill and the odd hiccups on Thursdays, might look like a total anomaly very soon—in fact, I'd bet on it—but it's not unfair to wonder if they signify something more critical. I hope not, because I'm not sure we're ready for a golf world with a new top dog. We just got comfortable with this one!

2. Pump 17 straight into my veins, please

We are at SAWGRASS this week, the OFFICIAL FIFTH MAJOR (ha, ha), and of course all eyes are on what I consider the second-most famous hole in American golf: 17. The island green. (For the record, no. 1 is the 12th at Augusta). It became an island by accident, when Pete Dye dug too much dirt, created a huge hole in the swamp, and then had to get bailed out by his wife Alice, who came up with the idea for the island. But anyway, every year like clockwork the island green haters come out of the woodwork to try to convince you that it's not that cool a hole, that it's overrated, blah blah blah blah blah. They should all be dumped in the pond with the gators.

There are two critical things that matter when it comes to 17; first, it's a ridiculous theater, with the stands and the banked hill along the water and the isolation of the water. Second, as a spectator either on site or at home, your heart is in your throat every time a player steps onto the tee with anything on the line. It's blood-pumping stuff, and outside of majors, nothing is nearly as exciting. They should make the entire course out of the island, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

3. Speaking of 17, You should read about Tree Island

Did you know there's a second island near the 17, if indeed we can call 17 an island (note: we can't, it's a peninsula). This other one, an actual island called "Tree Island," is very small, but absolutely loaded with weird history and little quirks that continue to the present. We made a whole video about that I think is pretty fun, and you can watch thathere, and if you prefer to read instead, I tackled it all in amoderately entertaining Q&A. I should warn you: it involves more than a few mentions of bird poop. But in a very classy way.

4. This week, we're going to find out if the Tour is serious about this fifth major stuff

I'm writing this on Tuesday, before Brian Rolapp's press conference on Wednesday, and the one thematic question will linger over it all is this whole "fifth major" business. Joel Beall wrote anice pieceon what the Tour is trying to do behind the scenes, and as fascinating as that is, all of this boils down to a simple question: Is the Tour willing to make a bold move and justsaythe Players is a major now. Let me guarantee you that the media won't do it for them, and the players really won't do it for them—they'll either demure or, like Rory, they'lloutright say, "nah." If you can't get Rory on your side, you're not getting anybody. This has to be a power grab from the top, which comes with obvious risks—like everybody laughing at you—but if they're not going to take a big swing, they should stop flirting with the idea in social media posts. Personally, I'd love to see them try, but I have a feeling we're going to get the same thing we've seen for decades, which is passive wishing for major status, but no real movement.

5. Jordan Spieth Sadness Watch: We're ... getting happy?

It just keeps dropping! Last week we were down to a 6.6, and with an 11th-place finish at Bay Hill, we have to downgrade all the way to a 5.9. This is the first time we've ever been below six (note: we invented this like a month ago), and the concurrent rise in hope is truly alarming. Is he good now? Is he creeping toward greatness? What if he wins at Sawgrass and then reels off 19 straight majors? WHAT IF HE LITERALLY ASCENDS INTO THE SKY ON ANGEL WINGS?

6. Golf Tweet of the Week

Look, I know nothing about handicapping or gambling or anything in that field; I react to it like the Amish react to TikTok (I imagine). But I loved this tweet from our own Chris Powers anyway:

It seems like people are constantly looking backward and finding trends that are absolutely not predictive, and I will ride with Powers' vibes metric eight days a week.

7. It's a little messed up that we can'tseethat Akshay isn't anchoring, right?

This is quickly becoming golf's most aggravating narrative, because on one side you have mouth-breathers who have never been more sure of anything than they are that Akshay is anchoring his putter, and on the other you have apologists who flog the "this isn't an issueat all" line to death. On one hand, no part of me thinks that he's anchoring, because that would be insane. On the other, it's pretty wild that at least from the spectator angle, there is nothing that visually distinguishes him anchoring vs. what he says he's doing, which is stopping the putter an inch or two from his chest. Michael Kimsaysthat none of the players are worried about it, and then Tron from NLU said thatsome were, and on and on we spin. Throw in the fact that Akshay was nothing short of insane on the greens in his Bay Hill win, gaining 10 strokes on the field, and you've got a complete mess. Again, I don't think Akshay is anchoring, but as a hypothetical, if he just decided to anchor on a particular putt, would anyone see it? And if not, doesn't that defeat the purpose of the rule? Am I crazy here?

8. Cam Young is on the doorstep of greatness

This is not exactly a red-hot take, but it's been brewing for a couple years, and I want to get in on the prediction before the big breakthrough happens. You could argue that the breakthrough was last year, with his kill-everyone performance at the Wyndham Championship segueing into his only-American-bright-spot performance at the Ryder Cup, but he's still not getting the credit he deserves. Granted, he has to win more for that to happen, but that's why I'm here—I don't think it's going to be this week, but Young is going to win a huge tournament soon, and once that happens, he's going to be one of the most terrifying men in golf.

9. One Normie Pick, One Weird Pick

Even the normie pick is hard this week! Do you go with Scottie, even though we scientifically proved he's garbage now? Do you take a risk on Rory to repeat, even though we're not even sure if he's playing? Beyond that, who would you even consider a "favorite"? Morikawa? Bhatia? I mean ... Russell Henley?It's actually hard, and my initial instinct is that I should just go with Young or Xander Schauffele, both of whom seem to be approaching a level near elite. But you know what? For the last three years, accuracy has beenincredibly importantat the Players, which means iron play should carry the day, which means the only smart heavyweight to pick is, indeed, Collin Morikawa.

For my weird pick, I'm going with Tom Hoge. I don't care that he's on two straight missed cuts—there's just something about this guy at Sawgrass. Two top-threes in the last three years? Zero missed cuts in seven tries? Magic happens when "TPC Tom" steps on these grounds, and I'm rolling with magic.

10. The Rogue Non-Golf Thought: It's been a long time since I've seen an outdoor gas station bathroom that requires a key

I thought of this while driving south to Florida this week. It feels like at the peak of my road warrior days, maybe 15 years ago, I was constantly having to get a key attached to a giant block of wood from the clerk if I wanted to use a gas station bathroom. Now? They're all inside. And they're horrid, just like the outdoor key-entry ones were—that part hasn't changed. But there's something nostalgic about the old key bathroom days, remembering the dread as you opened the door and half expected to see a dead body on the cement ground. Also, there was always a spider in the corner. Bad scenes. I miss it.

'Process a mess' as Aberdeen turn to Robinson - the fans' verdict

Your opinions
[BBC]

We asked for your views after Aberdeen were given permission to speak to St Mirren's Stephen Robinson about becoming the new Dons manager.

Here's what some of you said:

Mike: Can't argue that he hasn't done well at St Mirren (except recently), however it all feels a bit panicky. Surely if he's first choice it should have happened three months ago.

Andrew: We could've gone out and got Robinson a day after Jimmy Thelin was sacked. The whole process has been a mess. A bit of passion on the sidelines and he won't accept players not putting in effort, maybe that's what we need.

Stefan: Two months on from sacking Thelin and we've arrived at Robinson. Candidate number who knows. It feels as though Lutz Pfannenstiel's entire process and shortlist have been pushed aside, with Dave Cormack panicking about drifting toward a relegation fight. The club looks completely rudderless, both on and off the pitch. The players left Thelin out to dry, now the board are doing the same to the supporters.

Larry: A panic move by the board, understandable given current league trajectory. I think, however, that the current coaching set-up should have had enough to keep the Dons clear of the relegation places and we'd have been better to wait until the summer - if of course our original target(s) were still interested. Would Thelin have done any worse?

Anon: Disgusted, zero ambition from the club. All these false promises about what a new manager would bring. Are we actually looking to sign a manager with five league wins all season? His team can't score either. Long-ball tactics. He'll be gone by January.

Malky: Under Robinson, Aberdeen will get back to being a hard-working, honest team, and that's the bare minimum required. For too long this club has been a soft touch on the pitch and he will not allow that. Has he had a poor season? Comparable to Thelin, won a trophy but horrific league form. Maybe with our resources and facilities he can get Aberdeen motoring and then Darren Mowbray is back as well, so recruitment will be more astute I'd hope. He knows the league, will work his socks off and make sure the players follow.

‘Even if you want to laugh ...’: Gautam Gambhir explains his serious dugout look after Dhoni’s viral comment

NEW DELHI: Gautam Gambhir has finally addressed the long-running jokes about his serious expressions in the dugout, saying the pressure of representing India in major tournaments leaves little room for smiles — even in moments of celebration.

The Indian head coach was reacting to a playful message from former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni after India’s triumph in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Dhoni congratulated the team on social media and humorously told Gambhir that a smile suits him.

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“History gets created at Ahmedabad… big congratulations to the team and support staff and to all the fans of the Indian team worldwide. Coach Sahab smile looks great on u, intensity with smile is a killer combo,” Dhoni wrote in an Instagram post following the victory.
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Responding to the message, Gambhir said he appreciated the gesture but explained that the intense pressure during global tournaments makes it difficult for players and staff to openly express emotions.



“It’s very difficult to be in a situation where people have not been. But good on him that he posted on that,” Gambhir told ANI. “When you’re in a dugout, there is so much at stake. There is always so much expectation from the Indian team that even if you want to laugh, you can’t laugh, especially in a tournament like the World Cup.”

He added that the expectations surrounding Indian cricket are enormous and losing, even though part of sport, is often treated as unacceptable.

“In India, unfortunately, losing is not an option — but it can happen. If losing was not an option, then India would have won all the World Cups. But that doesn’t happen,” he said.

India’s emphatic 96-run win over New Zealand in the final sealed a historic title defence, making the India the first side to win the T20 World Cup on home soil and the first to lift the trophy three times.

Seahawks free agency 2026: Ravens to sign Trey Hendrickson after leaving Maxx Crosby at altar

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 30: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is pressured by Trey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium on September 30, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks don’t have a ton of roster holes that need to be addressed, with only a handful of starters from the 2025 team not under contract or under team control for 2026.

However, one position of concern has been EDGE, with 2022 second round pick Boye Mafe set to depart for the Cincinnati Bengals, and the many of the other players either on the wrong side of 30, under contract only for the 2026 season, or both.

As such, there had been considerable fan interest in Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals from many Seattle fans, including during his holdout last offseason, at the trade deadline and ahead of the start of free agency this spring. And, while his market in free agency may have been slower to develop than many anticipated, according to multiple reports from NFL insiders Wednesday morning, Hendrickson has found a new home.

🚨 🚨 🚨 #Bengals FA edge Trey Hendrickson, the top pass-rusher on the market, is set to sign with the #Ravens, per me and @TomPelissero.

With the Maxx Crosby trade off, Baltimore lands the top edge available. pic.twitter.com/EDFuM1sKbQ

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2026

The Baltimore Ravens, of course, now have plenty of cap space to work with after restructuring Lamar Jackson’s contract Tuesday, and also suddenly in need of an edge rusher after opting to not go through with their trade for Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.

So, while one of the top edge rushers available this offseason Crosby, is now back on the market, another one is off the market.

2026 Fantasy Baseball Park Factors: Ranking the best (and worst) MLB stadiums by pitching boosts

After looking at ballpark effects on hitters on Tuesday, we will turn our attention to hurlers. Overall, the impact on pitchers will be the exact opposite as the impact on hitters. For example, if Coors Field is a hitter’s paradise, it’s also a death blow to the fantasy baseball value of any pitcher. But there is more nuance in some circumstances.

For example, strikeout tendencies by ballpark matter more for pitchers, as those totals are more directly tied to their fantasy production. And although home run tendencies matter greatly for hitters, the impact on pitchers is more closely tied to pure run production, unless the pitcher is especially prone to allowing homers.

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2026 MLB season]

Here are some ballpark tendencies from 2025 that fantasy managers will want to know before drafting and setting their lineups.

Best Overall Park Factors (2025)

Worst Overall Park Factors (2025)

T-Mobile Park (SEA) 91

Coors Field (COL) 115

Globe Life Field (TEX) 91

Sutter Health Park (ATH) 108

Progressive Field (CLE) 95

Comerica Park (DET) 105

Petco Park (SD) 95

Dodger Stadium (LAD) 104

PNC Park (PIT) 96

Oriole Park at Camden Yards (BAL) 103

Kauffman Stadium (KC) 97

Fenway Park (BOS) 103

loanDepot park (MIA) 97

Rogers Centre (TOR) 103

Daikin Park (HOU) 97

 

Busch Stadium (STL) 97

 

Classic Pitchers Parks

T-Mobile Park

Although the Mariners have several pitchers who are coveted in fantasy circles, it’s fair to wonder if their home park embellishes their true talent. After all, last season Seattle hurlers produced a 3.28 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP at home, in comparison to a 4.50 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP on the road. That’s the difference between being the baseball pitching staff in baseball and a bottom-10 group. Fortunately, fantasy managers can bake in the T-Mobile advantage to the long-time Seattle starters who remain with the team this year.

Globe Life Field

Life is tough for hitters in the AL West, as Globe Life Field has quickly separated from the pack to join T-Mobile in their own tier of offense-suppressers. In fact, Globe Life could be the worst park for hitters, as it is not only tied with T-Mobile in overall park factor, but it ranked 28th (ahead of Busch Stadium and PNC Park) in terms of producing home runs.

Although the durability of Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi remains in question, they are both likely to be excellent on a per-game basis. And MacKenzie Gore has a good chance for a breakout season now that he has been moved from the Nats to the Rangers. Finally, although Jack Leiter has not yet shown exciting skills, he is still a former notable prospect who will continue to benefit from his home venue.

The best of the rest

The next tier of pitcher-friendly parks includes several venues that are well-known for aiding hurlers, including Petco Park (Padres), PNC Park (Pirates), Busch Stadium (Cardinals), Kauffman Stadium (Royals), loanDepot park (Marlins) and Daikin Park (Astros).

Hitter-friendly parks

Coors Field

There is no need to spend significant time reminding everyone that Coors Field remains undefeated in terrorizing pitchers. The Rockies rarely produce a viable fantasy pitching option, and most opposing pitchers should be benched in Coors Field. Colorado’s deep rebuild and lackluster roster are the only reasons to be a little more liberal with road starters at Coors, especially early in the season when the weather remains cold.

Sutter Health Park

Luis Severino has been vocal about his dislike for the Athletics temporary home. He likely isn’t the only one, as the Athletics logged a 4.96 ERA at home and a 4.42 mark on the road last season. The team has a few pitchers who could be sleepers this season, especially Jacob Lopez and Luis Morales. Unfortunately, the hitter-friendly nature of their home venue makes them less appealing in the final rounds of drafts.

The best of the rest

Comerica Park (Tigers) played surprisingly well for hitters last season, not that Tarik Skubal noticed. It is part of the second tier of hitter-friendly parks, along with Dodger Stadium (Dodgers), Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Orioles), Rogers Centre (Blue Jays) and Fenway Park (Red Sox).

Strikeout superiority

Some fans may not be aware that, in addition to having an impact on batted balls, some parks have qualities that lead to more or fewer strikeouts. Here are the parks at each end of the spectrum.

Best Strikeout Park Factors (2025)

Worst Strikeout Park Factors (2025)

T-Mobile Park (SEA) 113

Coors Field (COL) 89

Daikin Park (HOU) 110

Busch Stadium (STL) 90

Citizens Bank Park (PHI) 107

Kauffman Stadium (KC) 91

Angel Stadium (LAA) 106

Chase Field (ARI) 92

American Family Field (MIL) 106

Fenway Park (BOS) 93

Progressive Field (CLE) 106

Rogers Centre (TOR) 94

T-Mobile Park

Not only does Seattle’s venue suppress scoring, but it also helps with strikeouts to a greater degree than any other venue. The ridiculous benefits of this park is a good reason to choose Logan Gilbert or Bryan Woo from the second tier of aces.

Daikin Park

The park formerly known as Minute Maid is the second-best venue for racking up whiffs. Unfortunately, beyond Hunter Brown, Houston lacks starters who are known for their swing-and-miss abilities. Still, Daikin Park could help newcomer Tatsuya Imai and offseason addition Mike Burrows exceed expectations.

The best of the rest

The second tier of strikeout stadiums includes Citizens Bank Park (Phillies), Angel Stadium (Angels), American Family Field (Brewers) and Progressive Field (Guardians). This would normally be the part where I mention starting pitchers who joined these teams in the offseason, but unfortunately, these four clubs failed to invest heavily in the offseason pitching market.

Strikeout suppressers

Coors Field

Is there any part of pitching that this park doesn’t ruin? The answer is no.

Busch Stadium

The venue in St. Louis is a polarizing one, as it limits scoring but also limits strikeouts. To make the problem even worse, the Cardinals have several starters who already struggle to put batters away. The ceiling is incredibly low for Matthew Liberatore, Dustin May and Michael McGreevy.

Kauffman Stadium

Although Cole Ragans is unfazed by the tendencies of his home park, the rest of the Royals rotation lacks the swing-and-miss ability to overcome this venue. That list includes Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic, Seth Lugo and Noah Cameron.

The worst of the rest

The next tier of venues that reduce strikeout totals includes Chase Field (Diamondbacks), Fenway Park (Red Sox) and Rogers Centre (Blue Jays). The Blue Jays added two notable pitchers (Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce), as did the Red Sox (Sonny Gray, Ranger Suárez). Fantasy managers may wish to knock a few whiffs off their projections.

Girls basketball: Unbeaten Fairmont to face defending state champ in D-I state semifinal

Mar. 11—The Fairmont High School girls basketball team's path to a state title runs through the defending Division I state champions.

The undefeated Firebirds will play Pickerington Central in a D-I state semifinal at 8 p.m. Thursday at University of Dayton Arena.

Fairmont (26-0) is seeking its second state championship and first since 2013. They finished runner-up in 2011 and 2012.

This time, they're likely to have plenty of extra support in front of their home crowd.

"It's a great opportunity for our players," said Firebirds coach Jeremey Finn. "I think playing at UD Arena in the final four, it's something they'll remember forever. Our girls have worked really hard, and I know they're excited. Our families are all excited that we put ourselves in a great position, and it's a great opportunity to see how we do. We're excited for the challenge, and we're all so grateful. So just a lot of really good positives, being right next door."

Pickerington Central is one of the storied programs in state history, winning eight state championships. They beat Princeton 47-44 to win last year's D-I state title.

"Pickerington Central is such an outstanding program overall," said Fairmont coach Jeremey Finn. "They're the defending state champions for a reason. They're physical, they pressure the ball. They're extremely well-coached. (Tigers coach Johnathan Hedgepeth), I've gotten to know over the last several years. He's a great, great coach and an even better person. We know we're going to have to play one of our best games of the year on both sides of the basketball to compete, but we're excited. We're excited for the opportunity."

The Firebirds beat Pickerington Central 60-54 in their season opener on Nov. 23.

But Fairmont knows it has its work cut out for it with their season on the line in the state final four, said Firebirds coach Jeremey Finn.

"It was one of those things where it was early in the season," Finn said. "Both teams, obviously, we're different now, and they're different now. They're healthy, they're playing really good basketball and it'll be a new challenge."

Pickerington Central (23-3) enters the game on an 11-game winning streak. Its lost loss came against Toronto Crestwood Academy in the Classic in the City showcase on Jan. 19.

They're led by 5-11 junior Zoe Coleman (17.8 points per game) and 6-1 senior Blossom Wallace (13.8 ppg), who each All-Central District first team honors.

The key, Finn said, will be handling the Tigers' pressure on the offensive end.

"Our defense has kind of carried us all season long," Finn said. "They're very similar, they like to run and jump. They do have great length ... and they're all athletic. It's one thing to have length, but when they can also get up and down the floor, it creates a different type of problem. We've got to talk and communicate with one another and help each other out. That's kind of why we had a little bit of success that first game, we were able to handle the pressure a little bit and make some things happen."

The Firebirds are led by six seniors, including Lena Buskard, Nico Cornett, Georgia Von Handorf, Chloe Randall, Georgia Sosebee and Ohio Ms. Basketball candidate Kaylah Thornton, who have played together since second grade.

Fairmont senior Lena Buskard gets around the defense. Fairmont defeated Mason 61-31 in a Division I district championship game on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Fairborn. STEVEN WRIGHT / STAFF

Credit: Steven Wright

icon to expand image

Credit: Steven Wright

"We've got different players that step up every night, and that's kind of allowed us to have the season that we've had," Finn said. "The senior class is a great group of girls. They do really well academically. They're a lot of fun to be with outside of basketball. Our practices are pretty competitive and they're challenging, but our girls have done a great job."

The trip to UD Arena is the culmination of years of hard work, Thornton said.

"It means a lot," she said. "I mean, we have ups and downs, but we're still together, still happy, still work hard, push each other, and I'm really happy. I'm so proud of them."

"It's been a tremendous ride," Cornett said. "We don't want to stop now, we're here, we're ready to go. We're very confident. I'm just so excited, and I'm so happy to be with them."

The Firebirds senior class watched as the 2019 and 2020 classes made deep tournament runs. This year's class will serve as motivation for future athletes in their program, Finn said.

Fairmont senior Nico Cornett and Mason sophomore Nicole Davis chase down a loose ball. Fairmont defeated Mason 61-31 in a Division I district championship game on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Fairborn. STEVEN WRIGHT / STAFF

Credit: Steven Wright

icon to expand image

Credit: Steven Wright

"I think our whole community kind of gathers around girls basketball, and like my daughter, who's a fifth grader, has been watching this," he said. "Hopefully when they're in high school, being around and having a chance to go to UD arena and just watch all of it kind of happen over time and evolve, is kind of a cool experience for everyone."

Fairmont athletic director Chris Weaver rented a charter bus for the girls team to take Columbus last week as part of their regional finals experience, knowing they would be riding a yellow school bus for their 14-minute ride from Kettering to the famed arena on Edwin C. Moses Blvd.

"It's right down the road," Finn said. "I think we'll have a great turnout. Our fans have always traveled, but to be right down the road, it's going to be pretty awesome."

GIRLS DIVISION I STATE SEMIFINALS

Who: Fairmont vs. Pickerington Central

When: 8 0.m., Thursday

Where: UD Arena

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Prep talk: Your guide to state basketball and soccer championships in Sacramento

The Golden 1 Center in Sacramento will be the site for the state basketball championships on Friday and Saturday.
The Golden 1 Center in Sacramento will be the site for the state basketball championships on Friday and Saturday. (Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

It's time for the CIF state championships in basketball and soccer (first time for soccer) in Sacramento on Friday and Saturday. Basketball will be played at Golden 1 Center. Soccer is at Natomas High.

Here's the ticket information and times for basketball.

Here's the ticket information and times for soccer.

Here's a look at Natomas High's sports fields.

Near Golden 1 Center are plenty of places to eat and a mall. Yard House is one of the more popular places to eat with lots of televisions for watching sporting events.

If you can't make it to Sacramento, Spectrum is televising all 12 games. Friday's games will be on SportsNet, the Lakers' channel. Saturday's final three games will be on SNLA, the Dodgers' channel. The first three games are on SportsNet.

The weather report is for cloudy sky on Friday and sunny on Saturday with temperatures in the 70s.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Girls basketball: Freshman duo playing key role in CJ's run to state

Mar. 11—There's an accepted acknowledgement that by March, freshman have gained enough experience to be treated like sophomores.

Chaminade Julienne head coach Logan Allen said at this point of the season he tells his group of young players to prep as if they aren't freshman any longer.

Two of CJ's best players are first-year players, but have games resembling upperclassmen.

Mychael Hanson and Ja'Kyiah Cook have been crucial pieces on the floor during the successful run the Eagles are experiencing this postseason.

Their impact has been felt all over the hardwood. Both have led the team in scoring for most of the season. Their names can be found in the top-five of rebounding, assists and blocked shots amongst all Greater Catholic League Co-Ed players this season.

Cook, a 6-foot guard, made first team All-Southwest District in Division III, and Hanson, a 5-foot-8 guard, was a third team performer.

Cook saved one of her best performances of the season for Saturday's regional final 49-45 win against Carroll. She produced her fourth double-double in scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, and hit a season-high six free throws to help close out the victory.

"Those two together, I think some of it is just they don't know any better, right?" Allen said. "The things they don't know aren't worrying them. They're just going out there playing.

"I think our seniors and our other kids are doing a good job of helping put them in positions where they're comfortable, where they can just go play and they don't have to overthink the game. They can use some of their natural ability."

CJ plays Copley in the state semifinals at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Nutter Center. The winner advances to face either Unioto or Akron St. Vincent St. Mary in the D-III championship game scheduled to tip at 3:45 p.m. Friday at UD Arena.

It's the first time since 2013 the Eagles are in the final four and the program's eighth overall appearance.

CJ has won nine games in a row. Its last three tournament wins have been nail-biters.

A four-point win against Badin in the district final saw senior Maggie Bush hit go-ahead free throws in the final minute. Cook did the same to fend off Tippecanoe during a five-point victory in the regional semifinals.

Allen said players like Janae Cain, a senior, and others have stepped up for not only the team overall, but as on-court mentors for Cook and Hanson.

"We told our seniors before our semifinal against Tipp, just 'hey, the freshman haven't been here. Make sure you stay with them and in their ear,'" he said. "Especially if for no other reason, because it's loud and they may not be able to hear me."

Allen credited Bush, Cain and fellow senior Mahaliyah Hill as being the emotional weight bearers that allow Cook and Hanson to be "supremely talented players."

Allen said he still sees freshman-like mistakes from his young duo. At the same time, he feels their instant attachment to being members of the team makes it seem like the group has been together for longer than just this season.

"I think the thing that I've been most proud of is they've grown. We're in game 25 or 26 or whatever game that we're in right now, and they continue to get better," Allen said. "They continue to learn where they can have success and where they don't, they're not forcing it. They make really good reads and right decisions and the great thing is, they're unselfish."

And Allen says they just want to do one thing.

"They just want to win."

GIRLS DIVISION III STATE SEMIFINALS

Who: Chaminade Julienne vs. Copley

When: 11 a.m., Thursday

Where: Nutter Center, Wright State University

Boys basketball: Dennis makes last second shot, Trotwood defeats Tippecanoe

Mar. 11—Trotwood and Tippecanoe both had heartpounding district title wins. Why not play another one against each other?

A game coming down to the last seconds for the Rams and Red Devils was nothing new Tuesday. It saw Trotwood execute its play and Tippecanoe not thrilled from the lack of a whistle.

Trotwood junior Darius Dennis was the hero as the Rams prevailed 46-44 in a Division III regional semifinal game at the Cintas Center.

Dennis drove into the lane to his right and appeared to apply a push to Tippecanoe senior Colin Turner defending him. Dennis then spun to his left and put up an acrobatic layup around Tipp senior Bryton Otto that swished through the basket with four seconds remaining.

After several timeouts by both sides, Tipp got an open look from the corner by senior CJ Bailey which would have been for the win but his shot went long as time expired.

"They were bringing it. Coach Brock [Moon] had a great game plan that they came with and we just had to keep fighting," Trotwood head coach Carl Blanton Jr. said. "We had to put some grit and keep fighting to take that last quarter and that's what happened."

Trotwood had hit two free throws in the final 20 seconds of its district title win Saturday against Goshen. Tippecanoe overcame a 19-point deficit to beat La Salle with a furious comeback in the final minutes.

Trotwood will play Badin in a battle of top seeds in the Region 12 final at 3 p.m. Saturday back at the Cintas Center.

Tipp outscored Trotwood in each of the first three quarters Tuesday to lead 39-31 going into the fourth. An 8-0 run closing the third helped stave off Trotwood tying the game four times in the period, but never allowing them to get over the hump.

The Rams tied the game again at 44 with 4:50 remaining. Tipp proceeded to have a 90-plus second possession with multiple offensive rebounds but couldn't find a basket.

Trotwood on its ensuing possession also took the air out of the ball as senior Je'Carious Reaves dribbled around near midcourt for most of the remaining two-plus minutes of the game.

A timeout with 29 seconds left set up a play for Dennis to go one-on-one with his defender. Dennis got the look as it was drawn up, according to Blanton.

"We wanted Darius to attack him at the rim and finish," he said. "We waited to about eight seconds and said it's time to go ahead and attack and he did a great job of getting to the basket and making that bucket."

"I'll say it. That's a charge," Moon said. "We had a charge before the half that they said came after the [horn]. ... That's a push off on a great defensive possession where a kid steps in front of the kid going to his right hand and takes one right in the chest. That's a charge."

Reaves scored 17 points to lead all scorers and Dennis had eight. Tipp had sophomore Hudson Ganger lead the team with 13 points. Bailey, the D-III player of the year in the Southwest District, was held to a season-low three points.

Trotwood upped its aggression driving toward the rim in the fourth quarter while holding Tipp without a point for the final 5:18 of the game.

"We did a pretty good job defensively," Blanton said. "Still our goal was to put the ball in the basket, so I started telling our guys they had to attack the basket to try and get some fouls and get them in foul trouble and to the free throw line to get us back in the flow of the game."

Moon said he was surprised Bailey came open on the game's final play and believed he would draw more attention, but was happy with the shot and told his team to hold their heads high despite the result.

"I don't think a lot of people thought we beat LaSalle and I'm not sure we thought it there in the third or fourth quarter," Moon said. "We talked about it leading up to this game, like, no one thinks you guys are gonna win this game. We're gonna go out and compete as hard as we can. ... I'm proud of the guys and the LaSalle game will still be a memory for a lifetime."

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Trotwood senior Je'Carious Reaves goes through pregame warmups before a Division III regional semifinal game Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati. Trotwood won 46-44. STEVEN WRIGHT / STAFF

Boys basketball: Dennis makes last second shot, Trotwood defeats Tippecanoe

Mar. 11—Trotwood and Tippecanoe both had heartpounding district title wins. Why not play another one against each other?

A game coming down to the last seconds for the Rams and Red Devils was nothing new Tuesday. It saw Trotwood execute its play and Tippecanoe not thrilled from the lack of a whistle.

Trotwood junior Darius Dennis was the hero as the Rams prevailed 46-44 in a Division III regional semifinal game at the Cintas Center.

Dennis drove into the lane to his right and appeared to apply a push to Tippecanoe senior Colin Turner defending him. Dennis then spun to his left and put up an acrobatic layup around Tipp senior Bryton Otto that swished through the basket with four seconds remaining.

After several timeouts by both sides, Tipp got an open look from the corner by senior CJ Bailey which would have been for the win but his shot went long as time expired.

"They were bringing it. Coach Brock [Moon] had a great game plan that they came with and we just had to keep fighting," Trotwood head coach Carl Blanton Jr. said. "We had to put some grit and keep fighting to take that last quarter and that's what happened."

Trotwood had hit two free throws in the final 20 seconds of its district title win Saturday against Goshen. Tippecanoe overcame a 19-point deficit to beat La Salle with a furious comeback in the final minutes.

Trotwood will play Badin in a battle of top seeds in the Region 12 final at 3 p.m. Saturday back at the Cintas Center.

Tipp outscored Trotwood in each of the first three quarters Tuesday to lead 39-31 going into the fourth. An 8-0 run closing the third helped stave off Trotwood tying the game four times in the period, but never allowing them to get over the hump.

The Rams tied the game again at 44 with 4:50 remaining. Tipp proceeded to have a 90-plus second possession with multiple offensive rebounds but couldn't find a basket.

Trotwood on its ensuing possession also took the air out of the ball as senior Je'Carious Reaves dribbled around near midcourt for most of the remaining two-plus minutes of the game.

A timeout with 29 seconds left set up a play for Dennis to go one-on-one with his defender. Dennis got the look as it was drawn up, according to Blanton.

"We wanted Darius to attack him at the rim and finish," he said. "We waited to about eight seconds and said it's time to go ahead and attack and he did a great job of getting to the basket and making that bucket."

"I'll say it. That's a charge," Moon said. "We had a charge before the half that they said came after the [horn]. ... That's a push off on a great defensive possession where a kid steps in front of the kid going to his right hand and takes one right in the chest. That's a charge."

Reaves scored 17 points to lead all scorers and Dennis had eight. Tipp had sophomore Hudson Ganger lead the team with 13 points. Bailey, the D-III player of the year in the Southwest District, was held to a season-low three points.

Trotwood upped its aggression driving toward the rim in the fourth quarter while holding Tipp without a point for the final 5:18 of the game.

"We did a pretty good job defensively," Blanton said. "Still our goal was to put the ball in the basket, so I started telling our guys they had to attack the basket to try and get some fouls and get them in foul trouble and to the free throw line to get us back in the flow of the game."

Moon said he was surprised Bailey came open on the game's final play and believed he would draw more attention, but was happy with the shot and told his team to hold their heads high despite the result.

"I don't think a lot of people thought we beat LaSalle and I'm not sure we thought it there in the third or fourth quarter," Moon said. "We talked about it leading up to this game, like, no one thinks you guys are gonna win this game. We're gonna go out and compete as hard as we can. ... I'm proud of the guys and the LaSalle game will still be a memory for a lifetime."

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Trotwood senior Je'Carious Reaves goes through pregame warmups before a Division III regional semifinal game Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati. Trotwood won 46-44. STEVEN WRIGHT / STAFF

Ravens finalize Trey Hendrickson contract details after NFL free agency move

The Baltimore Ravens needed less than a day to pivot after their pursuit of Maxx Crosby collapsed. Baltimore struck an agreement with former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson on Wednesday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The four-time Pro Bowler went unsigned during the NFL‘s two-day negotiation window, but the Ravens acted quickly once their deal for Crosby fell through. Hendrickson now joins a division rival and will face his former team twice each season.

MORE: Maxx Crosby opens up on offseason routine before failed Raiders-Ravens trade

Baltimore had previously agreed to send two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders for Crosby before concerns surfaced during his physical examination.

With that deal off the table, the Ravens shifted their focus entirely to Hendrickson and committed significant resources to land the veteran edge rusher.

According to Rapoport, it’s a four-year contract worth up to $120 million with $60 million fully guaranteed. The base value comes in at $112 million, with incentives in the first two years potentially pushing the guaranteed money to $64 million.

Details: 4 years, $120M max deal with $60M fully guaranteed, with the base being $112M. Incentives in the first two years can take the $60M up to $64M. https://t.co/iNg6iyEJqP

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2026

Hendrickson has been one of the league’s most productive pass rushers when healthy. The nine-year veteran spent his first four seasons with the New Orleans Saints before joining Cincinnati.

He’s recorded double-digit sack totals in four of the past six seasons, with his best work coming recently. Hendrickson posted 17.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024, leading the NFL in 2024 while earning first-team All-Pro honors and finishing runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year.

MORE: Analyst predicts major upside for Brock Purdy after 49ers add WR Mike Evans

Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson
Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, now with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Trey Hendrickson move addresses a major need for Baltimore. Their edge group had grown thin heading into free agency. Dre’Mont Jones agreed to terms with the New England Patriots, while Kyle Van Noy and David Ojabo are both free agents.

That leaves Tavius Robinson, Mike Green, Adisa Isaac, and Kaimon Rucker as the remaining options on the roster. Those four combined for just 12.5 sacks last season.

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Girls basketball: Previewing the 28 teams chasing OHSAA state titles this week in Dayton

Mar. 11—High school girls basketball programs from across Ohio will descend on the Miami Valley this week with one goal — bringing home a state championship trophy.

The 51st annual Ohio High School Athletic Association girls basketball state tournament tips off Thursday at three Dayton area sites.

Four local teams — Fairmont in Division I, Chaminade Julienne in D-III, St. Henry in D-VI and Russia in D-VII — are among the 28 programs seeking state titles.

For the sixth consecutive year, the University of Dayton Arena will host the state tournament, while state semifinal games will also be hosted at the Nutter Center at Wright State University and the Vandalia Butler High School Student Activity Center.

All 21 games of the state tournament will be streamed live by Spectrum at OHSAA.tv and http://SpectrumNewsApp.com, with the seven championship games televised live on Spectrum News 1. The OHSAA Radio Network will have live radio coverage of every game.

Here's a look at each state tournament game taking place in Dayton this week:

Division I State Semifinals

Wadsworth (24-2) vs. Cincinnati Princeton (22-4)

6 p.m., Thursday at UD Arena

How they got here: Wadsworth beat Mentor 64-55; Princeton beat Lakota West 65-47.

Ones to watch: Vikings sophomore guard Erin Thomas is averaging 19.7 points and 2.9 steals per game and is shooting 84.3 percent from the free throw line.

Notable: Wadsworth is making its seventh trip to the state tournament and first since 2018.

Pickerington Central (22-3) vs. Kettering Fairmont (26-0)

6 p.m., Thursday at UD Arena

How they got here: Pickerington Central beat New Albany 59-28; Fairmont beat Olentangy 66-45.

Ones to watch: The Firebirds are led by do-it-all senior Kaylah Thornton, a Ms. Basketball candidate and Akron commit, who is averaging 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 2.4 assists per game

Notable: Fairmont, which beat both Pickerington Central and Princeton in the regular season, is seeking its first state championship appearance since 2013. ... Pickerington Central is the defending state champion. They beat Princeton 47-44 in last year's state title game.

D-I State Championship: 8:30 p.m., Saturday at UD Arena

Division II State Semifinals

Akron Archbishop Hoban (20-4) vs. Olmsted Falls (22-4)

6 p.m., Friday at Vandalia Butler

How they got here: Hoban beat Twinsburg 76-50; Olmsted Falls beat Hudson 40-29.

Ones to watch: Hoban has five senior starters led by guard Nierra Stevens (17.6 points per game).

Notable: Hoban is seeking its first state title since 1988. ... Olmsted Falls is making its fourth straight trip to the state tournament.

Sunbury Big Walnut (23-4) vs. Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame (25-0)

8 p.m., Friday at Vandalia Butler

How they got here: Mount Notre Dame beat Seton 61-51; Big Walnut beat Worthington Kilbourne 67-54.

Ones to watch: Big Walnut junior Sydney Mobley, one of the most coveted recruits in the country, is averaging 20.5 points and nine rebounds this season.

Notable: Mount Notre Dame is making its 12th trip to the state tournament. They're seeking their eighth state title in school history. ... Big Walnut is making its second state championship appearance.

D-II State Championship: 5:15 p.m. Saturday, at UD Arena

Division III State Semifinals

Dayton Chaminade Julienne (22-4) vs. Copley (21-5)

11 a.m., Thursday at Nutter Center

How they got here: CJ beat Carroll 49-45; Copley beat Lyndhurst Brush 67-51.

Ones to watch: Copley are led by senior Evelyn McKnight, a Ms. Basketball candidate and Youngstown State commit, who is averaging 24 points, six rebounds and six steals; CJ freshman guard Ja'Kyiah Cook averaged 20 points per game in regional victories over Tippecanoe and Carroll.

Notable: CJ is back in the state tournament for the first time since 2013. ... Copley last advanced in 2024.

Chillicothe Unioto (25-2) vs. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (21-5)

1 p.m., Thursday at Nutter Center

How they got here: Unioto beat Col. Bishop Hartley 66-44; SVSM beat Toledo Notre Dame 46-36.

Ones to watch: Unioto senior Milee Smith, who averages nearly 24 points per game, signed to play at the University of Dayton next season.

Notable: Unioto is making its first state appearance since 1995, where it fell to Akron SVSM 47-43 in a state semifinal game. SVSM beat Sherwood Fairview to claim the state title.

D-III State Championship: Friday, March 13 at UD Arena at 3:45 p.m.

Division IV State Semifinals

Cincinnati Purcell Marian (22-6) vs. Shaker Heights Laurel (20-4)

Noon, Thursday at UD Arena

How they got here: Purcell Marian beat Alter 50-34; Laurel beat Beloit West Branch 53-41.

Ones to watch: Purcell Marian junior Samaya Wilkins is averaging 22 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Notable: Purcell Marian has won four straight state championships and advanced to the semifinals for the sixth consecutive season. ... Laurel is playing in its third straight state tournament and fourth in the last six years. ... Purcell beat Laurel 79-52 to win the D-II state title in 2024.

Circleville (23-4) vs. Bellevue (28-0)

2 p.m. Thursday at UD Arena

How they got here: Circleville beat Wintersville Indian Creek 40-26; Bellevue beat Genoa Area 59-31.

Ones to watch: Bellevue's Kaitlyn Turinsky, a 6-foot-3 Youngstown State commit and Northwest District POY, will battle Circleville junior Addison Edgington, the Southeast District POY.

Notable: Circleville is making its first-ever trip to the state tournament.

State Championship: Friday, March 13 at UD Arena at 12:30 p.m.

Division V State Semifinals

Ottawa-Glandorf (27-0) vs. Proctorville Fairland (23-4), Friday, March 13 at Nutter Center at 5 p.m.

How they got here: Fairland beat Anna 60-38; Ottawa-Glandorf beat Col. Africentric 54-40.

Ones to watch: Fairland senior guard Bailey Russell recently became the program's all-time leading scorer with more than 1,700 career points. ... Ottawa Glandorf's Karsyn Erford, a Ms. Basketball candidate averaging 19.5 points per game, is committed to Findlay.

Notable: Fairland is making its fourth straight trip to the state finals and fifth overall, but they've yet to advance to the state title game.

Semifinal #2: Creston Norwayne (24-2) vs. Portsmouth (22-4)

7 p.m., Friday at Nutter Center

How they got here: Portsmouth beat Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley 66-48; Norwayne beat Doylestown Chippewa 52-33.

Ones to watch: Portsmouth senior guard Sienna Allen (17.1 ppg) is headed to Ohio University.

Notable: Portsmouth is the defending state champion and split the season series with Ohio Valley Conference rival Fairland.

State Championship: 2 p.m., Saturday at UD Arena

Division VI State Semifinals

St. Henry (25-1) vs. Canal Winchester Harvest Prep (22-3)

5 p.m., Thursday at Nutter Center

How they got here: St. Henry beat Fayetteville-Perry 38-36; Harvest Prep beat Sarahsville Shenandoah 52-42.

Ones to watch: Harvest Prep sophomore guard Janay Carter (14.7 ppg) has multiple Division I offers.

Notable: St. Henry is making its first-ever Final Four appearance. The Redskins' lone loss came at Parkway 37-28 on Feb. 5.

Castalia Margaretta (26-1) vs. Canton Central Catholic (22-5)

7 p.m., Thursday at Nutter Center

How they got here: Margaretta beat Hamler Patrick Henry 37-31; CCC beat Smithville 35-30.

Ones to watch: Margaretta senior Cassidy Lane, a 6-foot post, is averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Notable: Margaretta advanced to the state tournament for the sixth time, but has yet to win a semifinal game. ... CCC is back at the state tournament for the first time since 1981.

State Championship: 7 p.m., Friday at UD Arena

Division VII State Semifinals

Ottoville (25-4) vs. Strasburg-Franklin (23-5)

11 a.m., Friday at Nutter Center

How they got here: Ottoville beat Stryker 44-39 in a game that was played over two days due to condensation on the floor at Bluffton University's Sommer Center; Strasburg-Franklin beat Reedsville Eastern 50-33.

Ones to watch: Ottoville junior guard Brooklyn Koester is averaging 19.6 ppg.

Notable: Ottoville is making its 10th trip overall. They trailed Stryker by six points in the fourth quarter when the game was called; the following day they went on a 13-2 run to end the game and advanced to Dayton.

Attica Seneca East (18-7) vs. Russia (24-3)

1 p.m., Friday at Nutter Center

How they got here: Seneca East beat Cortland Maplewood 31-25; Russia beat Cedarville 40-32.

Ones to watch: Russia junior Hazel Francis is averaging 10.3 ppg.; Seniors Izzy Stockmaster and Alexa Snay each average over 13 ppg.

Notable: Both teams advanced to the state tournament for the first time in school history.

State Championship: 10:45 p.m., Saturday at UD Arena

Power couple: Heat’s Adebayo affectionately celebrates his 83 alongside WNBA icon Wilson, ‘He inspires me’

MIAMI — As the points mounted, as Miami Heat and NBA milestones moved within view and then were dispatched by Bam Adebayo in a breathtaking 83-point performance, a wholly different type of competition and compassion was playing out Tuesday night at Kaseya Center.

On the night Bam Adebayo eclipsed the likes of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in the Miami Heat record book, a night he made himself second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s iconic 100 in the NBA record book with his performance, love and basketball also were entering the equation.

Because there, along the sideline, stood, sat and celebrated A’ja Wilson, as in the player who shares the WNBA record for points in a game, at 53 for the Las Vegas Aces in August 2023 against the Atlanta Dream.

For years, as respect turned to romance, first privately and then more publicly at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the two have pushed themselves to be better people, better players.

And then, on one unforgettable night, Adebayo, the center drafted in 2017 by the Heat as a defensive presence, created a new bond, one for the record books.

The two embraced immediately afterward.

Then, after being showered with affection and water bottles by teammates, sharing an embrace with Heat President Pat Riley in the Heat’s Championship Alley that leads to the locker room,  and a brief retreat by the Heat captain to his locker to be feted by coach Erik Spoelstra, an exhausted and elated Adebayo shared the moment with Wilson in his postgame media session.

Talk about your power couples.

So even before the conversation turned to 83, it started at 10,000.

As in the career scoring milestone Adebayo reached in Sunday night’s victory over the Detroit Pistons, joining Wade as the only two players in franchise history to do so.

As in the moment Wilson also wanted to be part of.

“Well,” Adebayo started, “she’s been gone for like a week. So, she was complaining about how I got my 10,000th point and how she wanted me to wait. So to have 83 the first game she’s here is very special.

“The behind the scenes, the workouts and the conversations, they’re very motivating. And obviously you see what she does. And you get inspired every day by that. So I’m thankful to have her in my life.”

Adebayo, then paused, and turned to his left.

“She’s going to cry, by the way,” he added.’

“No, I’m not,” Wilson replied.

Then it was mentioned how Wilson actually superstitiously retreated to a nearby tunnel in the first half as Adebayo was rolling to his 31-point first quarter and 43-point first half, eclipsing James and Wade franchise records along the way.

“They have eyes everywhere.” Wilson said with a smile.

“Yeah, I was hiding a little bit.” she continued, “only because I don’t know, I got nervous. Because like Bam said, I see the countless hours that he puts in. I see the early-morning workouts, the questioning himself. I see all that.

“And, so, for him to be thriving so well in that space during that time, I didn’t want to mess up any mojo. ‘Cause we’re two of the most routine people ever. And I’m just like, ‘All right, if I’m not in my seat, he’s doing pretty well.’ And I remember, I sat down and he missed a free throw, and I was like, ‘All right, let me go back to the back.’ But at the same time, I knew I wanted to just show my support.

“But this has been an incredible game, obviously, but journey for Bam. Witnessing it firsthand, the highs and the lows of it, it’s been so much fun. I know he says I’m his inspiration. But I don’t think he has a clue how much he inspires me to continue to be the person that I am.

“But just show up for him, that’s my biggest goal, is always just to be present and show up for him . . . and I was a little mad that you got your 10K and I wasn’t here. But you made up for it and I’m grateful.”

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As was Adebayo, fittingly, perhaps, amid Women’s History Month.

“It didn’t hit me,” he said of passing James’ 61 points as the most by a Heat player and Kobe Bryant’s 81 as the most outside of Chamberlain’s 100, “until I like hugged her and then I hugged my mom. Because those two . . . those are the emotional moments, because they see me at my lowest, behind the scenes. They’ve seen me like at the lowest, bottom of the bottom, trying to figure out how to really pick myself up.”

There was one voice missing, one nonetheless emotionally embedded.

As with so many of his generation, Adebayo, 28, grew up idolizing the late Bryant.

“My mind’s like, ‘What would he say to me?’ ” Adebayo reflected, “because I’ve always wanted to have a conversation with him.”

Bryant died in a helicopter accident in January 2020, months before Adebayo would make the first of his two career appearances in the NBA Finals.

“Just a surreal moment being in the company with somebody you idolized growing up.”

War Thunder is getting upgraded with Nvidia DLSS 4.5

Nvidia confirms DLSS 4.5 upgrade for War Thunder Nvidia has confirmed that War Thunder will be getting upgraded with support for DLSS 4.5, improving the fidelity of Nvidia’s AI upscaling solution. With this change, Nvidia users should be able to enjoy clearer visuals in War Thunder, especially when upscaling from lower resolutions. Nvidia has boasted […]

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(PR) Turtle Beach Unveils Victrix x Capcom Pro KO Leverless Fight Stick - Street Fighter II: Champion Edition

Leading gaming accessories maker Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: TBCH), today revealed its newest variants in its award-winning line-up of Victrix fighting game gear, the new Victrix Pro KO Leverless Fight Stick - Street Fighter II: Champion Edition. The fully customizable Victrix Pro KO Leverless Fight Stick - Street Fighter II: Champion Edition is officially licensed by Sony Interactive Entertainment and Capcom and emblazoned with a bold new look celebrating the golden era of gaming. The Street Fighter II: Champion Edition design features the legendary Street Fighter Player Select screen as well as its iconic fighters Ryu and Chun-Li on the faceplate. And whether you choose Ryu, Chun-Li, or other favorite characters, you're still equipped to claim more victories in your chosen arena.

The Victrix Pro KO Leverless Fight Stick was named as the "2024 Best Tech" at the EVO Awards ceremony that recognizes excellence within the global fighting game community. Today, it remains the choice of gaming champions because it's designed and crafted to the highest standard with premium features and components. Hot swappable Cherry MX Speed Silver RGB switches, customizable RGB lighting, a removable aluminium top plate, and up to 16 moveable and mappable buttons give players total control over their gaming experience.

(PR) Elgato Brings Native Voicemod Effects to Wave Link and Stream Deck

Elgato, a Corsair brand, today announced a major expansion of its partnership with Voicemod, bringing their creative voice and audio tools directly to Elgato platforms. Gamers can now apply professional voice changers to their microphone in Wave Link as VST effects, without needing to run the Voicemod app. Creators, meanwhile, can install full soundboards to Stream Deck and route them to any audio mix in Wave Link—now free to use with any microphone or interface. Both are available today on Elgato Marketplace.

"For the first time, Voicemod's voice technology is running natively inside the tools creators already rely on," said Jaime Bosch, Co-Founder and CEO of Voicemod. "Elgato gives people the control layer for their audio setup, and Voicemod adds the creative layer, so your voice can become part of your identity online. We've always believed everyone should be able to express themselves through sound, and this partnership makes that easier than ever."

(PR) AOC Announces 16T20E2 Compact IPS Portable Monitor

Display specialist AOC introduces the AOC 16T20E2, a compact and lightweight portable monitor designed for professionals, digital nomads, and hybrid workers who demand visual clarity and flexible connectivity wherever they work. Featuring a 15.6" (39.6 cm) Full HD IPS panel with wide 178°/178° viewing angles and a 1000:1 contrast ratio, the 16T20E2 delivers sharp, colorful visuals in a sleek, ultraportable form factor.

Ultraslim, ultra-light, ultraportable
At just 9 mm thin and weighing approximately 1 kg without its magnetic cover, the AOC 16T20E2 is one of the slimmest and lightest portable monitors on the market. It fits effortlessly into any backpack, laptop bag, or carry-on, making it the ideal companion for users who need a reliable second screen on business trips, at co-working spaces, in hotel rooms, or during client presentations. The display surface features 3H hardness for scratch resistance, ensuring durability even on the go.

Intel Launches "Arrow Lake Refresh": Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, New Binary Optimization Tool

Intel today announced the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and Core Ultra 7 270K Plus desktop processors in the Socket LGA1851 package. These chips are drop-in compatible with existing Intel 800-series chipset motherboards, with some boards needing UEFI firmware updates. Both chips are based on the current "Arrow Lake" microarchitecture, and are carved out of the "Arrow Lake-S" disaggregated silicon that uses TSMC N3B (3 nm) foundry node for its Compute tile containing the CPU cores, TSMC N5 (5 nm) for its Graphics tile, and TSMC N6 (6 nm) node for its SoC and I/O tiles.

Both the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus ($199) and Core Ultra 7 270K Plus ($299) processor models are designed to push the current Core Ultra 5 245K and Core Ultra 7 265K, respectively, down from their current price-points. The two come with increased E-core counts, larger L3 caches, slightly increased P-core maximum boost frequency, and a 900 MHz faster die-to-die I/O frequency among the Compute and SoC tiles, which essentially makes these chips have "200S Boost Mode" out of the box. The new Core Ultra 5 250K Plus comes with a 6P+12E core configuration compared to the 6P+8E of the Core Ultra 5 245K. Its shared L3 cache has been enlarged to 30 MB, up from the 24 MB on the 245K. The P-core maximum boost frequency is up to 5.30 GHz from 5.20 GHz.

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Binance Coin (BNB) Price Prediction 2026, 2027 – 2030: Will BNB Price Hit $2000?

Binance Coin (BNB) Price Prediction

The post Binance Coin (BNB) Price Prediction 2026, 2027 – 2030: Will BNB Price Hit $2000? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Story Highlights

  • Binance Coin Price Today is  $ 649.42785853.
  • Expanding exchange-ecosystem demand could lift BNB price toward $2000 by the end of this year.
  • Long-term network usage growth may extend BNB price toward $10,000.

Binance Coin (BNB) suggests a fundamental shift in how the asset responds to broader market dynamics. In 2026, the token’s performance increasingly reflects on-chain utility and ecosystem liquidity rather than mere speculative volatility. This transition from reactive price swings to a more structured price action indicates a maturing market environment.

As the ecosystem stabilizes, the technical narrative centers on long-term accumulation and the absorption of supply within established demand zones. Sustained network activity across the Binance Smart Chain provides a foundational backdrop for this consolidation, potentially setting the stage for a period of extended price discovery. By focusing on fundamental network health and institutional integration, the outlook for the next several years leans toward organic growth and structural resilience within the global digital asset landscape.

So, what’s next for the BNB price in the rest of 2026 and beyond? What can be the future price movements? Let’s get into the Binance Coin (BNB) Price Prediction 2026–2030.

BNB Price Today

Cryptocurrency BNB
Token BNB
Price $649.4279 up 0.23%
Market Cap$ 88,554,845,687.02
24h Volume$ 1,615,786,139.9195
Circulating Supply136,358,249.07
Total Supply136,358,249.07
All-Time High$ 1,370.5460 on 13 October 2025
All-Time Low$ 0.0961 on 01 August 2017

Binance Coin (BNB) Price February- March 2026 Outlook

In Q3 2025, we saw a 125% rally from the $600 support level to $1,375. However, by Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, the price returned to the $600 demand area, completely wiping out those gains. Since February, there has been visible accumulation on the daily chart around this $600 demand area, indicating that it could serve as a strong support level where bullish momentum might resume.

Binance Coin (BNB) Price Prediction March 2026

Despite the broader market pessimism, the consolidation continued throughout March, demonstrating resilience as the price remained above the $600 mark without further declines. In March of Q1 2026, long-term accumulation may persist, and short-term reactions could turn bullish, as early March indicators already suggest. If bullish pressure increases, we could see BNB price retest the $750 level by the end of March, but if short-term reactions stay muted, then further consolidation could continue throughout March.

Recent News/ Opinions

A recent ruling news on March 7th came from the US federal court that it has positively dismissed all anti-terrorism claims against Binance, alleviating a significant legal burden. In the Southern District of New York, a judge concluded that the plaintiffs, comprising 535 individuals citing 64 attacks from 2017 to 2024, did not establish sufficient evidence to demonstrate that Binance had assisted or conspired with terrorist organizations. This decision marks a commendable step forward for Binance, affirming its commitment to compliance and integrity.

Binance Coin (BNB) Price Prediction 2026

Based on the technical structure of the BNB/USD weekly chart, the price action reflects a long-term ascending channel (or wedge) that has defined the asset’s trajectory since the massive demand surge from the $40 level in early 2021. This multi-year uptrend culminated in a new all-time high of approximately $1,375 in late 2025, validating the token’s utility and its position within the Binance ecosystem. Currently, the market is witnessing a convergence of horizontal price levels with channel’s dynamic trendline support, which reinforces the technical significance of the current price zone.

As of Q1 2026, BNB price is testing a critical turning support zone around the $600 horizontal support, which aligns precisely with the lower boundary of the primary ascending channel. This area is currently serving as a consolidation floor, suggesting a period of institutional accumulation. Historical precedent highlights the importance of this trendline; a similar touchpoint in late 2023 at the $200 range served as the launchpad for a massive rally, though it took roughly 238 days to reach the channel’s median line.

Binance Coin (BNB) Price Prediction 2026

Looking ahead through 2026, the primary bullish thesis anticipates a recovery toward the $1,000 psychological level. If the recovery pace mirrors previous cycles, BNB/USD could reach the channel’s middle band by Q3 2026. However, if consolidation extends further into the year, the recovery might be more gradual, stretching toward the year-end. 

Conversely, a decisive break below the $600 footing would invalidate the current setup, significantly increasing the probability of a deeper correction toward the major $200 demand zone.

BNB Onchain Analysis

Recent on-chain data highlights the network’s resilience, with daily transactions stabilizing at 15 million in Q1 2026 despite market fluctuations. This sustained utility, paired with total unique addresses nearing the 800 million mark, signals a consistent rise in global adoption. These fundamental metrics suggest a robust foundation for long-term ecosystem growth and structural asset valuation.

BNB Onchain analysis

Binance Coin Crypto Price Prediction 2026 – 2030

YearPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($Potential High ($)
2027120014201800
2028160019502300
2029210032503900
2030250038004500

Binance Coin Price Prediction 2027

As per the Binance Coin Price Prediction 2027, Binance Coin may see a potential low price of $1200. The potential high for Binance Coin price in 2027 is estimated to reach $1800.

BNB Price Prediction 2028

In 2028, Binance Coin price is forecasted to potentially reach a low price of $1600 and a high price of $2300.

Binance Coin Price Prediction 2029

Thereafter, the Binance Coin  (Binance Coin) price for the year 2029 could range between $2100 and $3900.

Binance (BNB) Coin Price Prediction 2030

Finally, in 2030, the price of Binance Coin is predicted to remain steadily positive. It may trade between $2500 and $4500.

Binance Coin Price Prediction 2031, 2032, 2033, 2040, 2050

The long-term projection assumes Binance Coin sustains relevance in enterprise blockchain use cases, with growth moderating over time as the asset matures.

YearPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($)Potential High ($)
20316000980012000
203280001030015000
2033109001240018000
2040132002580038800
2050220003500050000

Binance Coin (BNB) Price Prediction: Market Analysis?

Year202620272030
Changelly$1600.00$2200$5200
CoinCodex$1800.00$2900$6400
WalletInvestor$2260.00$2500$5550

CoinPedia’s Binance Coin Price Prediction

The BNB/USD chart shows a long-term ascending channel which is testing a key support at $600 in Q1 2026, indicating potential accumulation. 

For 2026, a recovery towards $1,000 is expected, possibly reaching the median of the channel by Q3. However, if it stays below $600, the risk of a deeper drop to $200 increases.

Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!

Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.

FAQs

What is the BNB price prediction for 2026?

BNB could recover toward $1,000 in 2026 if the $600 support holds and Binance ecosystem demand grows, supported by rising network usage and liquidity.

What will be the BNB price in 2030?

BNB could trade between $2,500 and $4,500 by 2030 if blockchain adoption grows and the Binance ecosystem maintains strong network activity.

How high can BNB price go by 2040?

Long-term projections suggest BNB could reach $13,000–$38,000 by 2040 if the network expands globally and maintains strong adoption across DeFi and Web3.

What factors influence Binance Coin’s price?

Price depends on exchange network usage, liquidity, adoption trends, historical support/resistance zones, and institutional participation.

Is Binance Coin (BNB) a good long-term investment?

BNB is often viewed as a strong long-term asset due to exchange utility, token burns, and ecosystem growth, though crypto investments always carry risk.

Dogecoin Price Signals Historic Rally Setup as Elon Musk Teases X Money Launch

Is Dogecoin (DOGE) About to Repeat History Third Base Structure Nears Completion

The post Dogecoin Price Signals Historic Rally Setup as Elon Musk Teases X Money Launch appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Dogecoin price is once again attracting attention across the crypto market as traders look for the next major opportunity in the memecoin sector. After weeks of consolidation and broader market uncertainty, DOGE is showing early signs of renewed interest. But beyond the price action, analysts believe something more significant may be forming.

A technical structure now appearing on Dogecoin’s higher timeframes closely resembles a pattern that historically appeared just before some of DOGE’s biggest rallies. At the same time, Elon Musk’s latest update about the upcoming X Money platform has revived speculation around Dogecoin’s potential role in digital payments.

With technical signals, on-chain activity, and social sentiment beginning to align, traders are now asking one key question: Is Dogecoin quietly preparing for another explosive move?

Analyst Says Dogecoin May Be Repeating a Historic Rally Pattern

According to an analyst, Dogecoin is currently printing what he describes as the “final pattern before a massive surge.” The analyst compared the current chart structure with previous market cycles and found striking similarities between the two setups. In past rallies, Dogecoin spent months consolidating within a tight range before momentum suddenly flipped bullish and triggered a powerful breakout.

Dogecoin price analysis

The pattern visible on the 3-day DOGE chart suggests that the memecoin may once again be entering the final stage of accumulation. In earlier cycles, similar consolidation structures appeared shortly before Dogecoin experienced explosive price expansions driven by speculative demand and retail participation.

If history repeats, analysts believe Dogecoin price could be approaching another critical breakout phase. However, confirmation will only come if DOGE successfully breaks above key resistance levels.

Elon Musk’s X Money Launch Reignites Dogecoin Speculation

Adding further attention to Dogecoin is Elon Musk’s latest announcement regarding the X platform’s financial ecosystem. Musk recently revealed that early public access for “X Money” will launch next month, marking an important step toward transforming the social media platform into a broader financial and payments network.

🚨LATEST: NO NEWS FOR $DOGE AS ELON TEASES X MONEY…@ElonMusk has officially confirmed that 'X Money' will launch in April 2026.

However, despite famous support for $DOGE @Dogecoin, the memecoin appears to have no place in the launch whatsoever.

Many expected $DOGE to be… pic.twitter.com/Z4npC9js8b

— BSCN (@BSCNews) March 10, 2026

Although Dogecoin was not explicitly mentioned in the announcement, Musk’s long-standing support for the memecoin quickly reignited speculation across the crypto community. Musk has repeatedly promoted Dogecoin in the past and has integrated DOGE payments into several businesses. Because of this history, developments connected to Musk or the X ecosystem often influence Dogecoin price sentiment. As a result, the X Money update has once again placed DOGE back into the spotlight among traders and investors.

On-Chain Data Shows Rising Whale Activity

On-chain data is also revealing interesting activity behind Dogecoin’s current market structure. According to Santiment data, large Dogecoin transactions have increased noticeably over the past several weeks. Whale transaction counts, particularly transfers exceeding $100,000 and $1 million, have recorded multiple spikes throughout late February and early March.

DOGE on-chain data

Historically, rising whale transaction activity often appears during accumulation phases, when large investors begin repositioning before potential market moves. Wallet distribution metrics also highlight continued influence from large holders. Addresses holding 100,000 to 1 million DOGE currently control around 5.73% of the total supply, while wallets containing 1 million to 10 million DOGE hold roughly 7.12%.

DOGE on-chain data

For traders, such whale activity can sometimes precede periods of increased volatility, particularly when technical setups begin aligning with on-chain accumulation signals.

Dogecoin Price Analysis: Key Levels Traders Are Watching

Dogecoin price remains within a prolonged consolidation phase following months of downward pressure. DOGE is currently stabilizing near a key demand zone while a descending resistance structure continues to cap upside momentum.

Dogecoin price chart

Key levels traders are watching include:

Support

  • $0.09 – $0.088 demand zone

Resistance

  • $0.10 breakout level
  • $0.13 major resistance

A confirmed breakout above the descending resistance trendline could signal a shift in momentum. If Dogecoin price manages to reclaim the $0.12 level, analysts believe the next upside targets could appear near $0.20 and $0.25, where previous supply zones exist.

Why is TRUMP Coin Crashing Today?

Why is TRUMP Coin Crashing Today?

The post Why is TRUMP Coin Crashing Today? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Why is the TRUMP token falling today?

The Official Trump meme coin, launched on the Solana network, has continued to drift lower in recent sessions. The token recently traded around $2.90, after briefly touching $2.87, marking one of its weakest levels since it began trading in January 2025.

According to data from CoinGecko, this is the lowest level recorded since the token’s early trading period following its initial sale.

The drop looks even sharper when compared with its explosive start. TRUMP surged to an all-time high of $73.43 just before Trump began his second presidential term in early 2025. Since then, the token has steadily lost momentum and now trades over 96% below that peak.

What went wrong?

Unlike most major cryptocurrencies, the Official Trump token is closely tied to political sentiment. Recent polling showing a dip in support for Donald Trump, along with ongoing U.S.–Iran tensions, has made traders more cautious about politically linked assets.

What stands out is that the broader crypto market remains stable. Bitcoin is trading near $70,000 and Ethereum around $2,000, suggesting the decline in TRUMP is largely sentiment-driven rather than a wider market pullback.

TRUMP Price Analysis: Can the Token Stabilize?

At the time of writing, the Trump token is trading near $2.91, posting only a small 0.34% daily gain. However, the broader trend still points downward. The token has dropped 14.16% over the past week and 12.87% over the past month, highlighting both short and long persistent selling pressure.

However, the long- term performance also remains weak. TRUMP is down 67% over the past six months, 39% since the start of the year, and nearly 96% over the last twelve months. 

Despite the decline, trading activity remains active. The token still holds a market capitalization of about $676 million, with roughly $118 million in 24-hour trading volume. With a circulating supply of around 232 million tokens out of a maximum 1 billion, traders continue to watch how future supply and sentiment could shape the next move.

Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!

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FAQs

Why is the TRUMP token falling today?

TRUMP token is falling mainly due to weaker political sentiment around Donald Trump and sustained selling pressure, even while the broader crypto market remains stable.

Is the TRUMP token decline linked to the crypto market?

Not entirely. Bitcoin and Ethereum remain relatively stable, suggesting the TRUMP token’s decline is driven more by sentiment and speculation than overall market weakness.

Can the TRUMP token price recover in the future?

A recovery depends on renewed investor interest, positive political sentiment, and stronger demand. Meme coins often move quickly when sentiment shifts.

Iran Warns to hit Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Oracle – What this means for Crypto?

Has Iran Agreed to Abandon Its Nuclear Program Bitcoin Price Impact Explained

The post Iran Warns to hit Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Oracle – What this means for Crypto? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The U.S-Israel and Iran conflict has now entered its 12th day, which started with attacking military and nuclear sites, to bombing an oil refinery and water infrastructure, and now hitting Iran’s banks. 

IRGC-linked media Tasnim News Agency published ‘Iran’s New Targets,’ listing infrastructure from Google, Microsoft, Palantir, IBM, Nvidia, and Oracle in Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain.

This has raised concerns in the traditional and crypto markets. If Iran escalates, how will the market react?

US-Israel Big Tech Firms are Now “Iran’s New Targets”

According to statements circulated by Tasnim News Agency tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, facilities linked to several US technology companies could become new targets.

The list includes companies such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle Corporation, Palantir Technologies, and IBM.

IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency says offices and infrastructure run by US tech firms with Israeli links including Google, Microsoft, Palantir, IBM, Nvidia and Oracle are “Iran’s new targets”.

They are located in Israeli cities, as well as in some Gulf countries.

🔴 LIVE updates:… pic.twitter.com/2LGE32LgwM

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 11, 2026

The report says that offices and infrastructure linked to these companies in Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain could be targeted, as Iran believes they help Israel through cloud and AI services.

The escalation began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, after which Iran retaliated with missiles and drones targeting economic and tech infrastructure across the region.

US–Israeli Strike Hits Iranian Civilian Bank

Recent tensions increased after reports that the U.S. and Israel bombed a civilian bank in Tehran. The strike hit Bank Sepah on Haghani Highway, where several bank employees were reportedly killed while working extra hours to prepare salary payments.

Following the incident, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, speaking for Khatam ol Anbia, urged civilians to stay at least one kilometer away from U.S. and Israeli banks or financial offices.

#BREAKING
Spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters:

🔺 Last night, the US and the Israeli regime targeted one of our banks after failing to meet their military goals. pic.twitter.com/lcntodREPX

— Tehran Times (@TehranTimes79) March 11, 2026

Iranian officials also warned people to avoid areas near financial centers linked to U.S. or Israeli interests.

How Will This Impact the Crypto Market?

After the latest tensions, the U.S. stock market saw a small drop, while stocks of companies like Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia showed slight volatility.

The crypto market also reacts to geopolitical tensions. When uncertainty rises, many investors move money away from risky assets. Because of this, crypto prices can rise or fall very quickly within hours. Similar reactions were seen during the Russia–Ukraine War.

With Bitcoin already about 50% below its all-time high, the price could face more pressure if the conflict continues to escalate.

Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!

Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.

FAQs

How could the U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict impact the crypto market?

Geopolitical tensions often increase volatility. Investors may shift funds to safer assets, causing sharp crypto price swings within hours during periods of uncertainty.

Why do geopolitical conflicts affect Bitcoin and crypto prices?

Conflicts raise global uncertainty. Traders reduce risk exposure, which can trigger quick sell-offs or sudden rallies in crypto markets depending on sentiment.

Why are big tech companies mentioned as potential targets in the conflict?

Iranian sources claim some tech firms provide cloud or AI services linked to Israeli infrastructure, raising geopolitical concerns around digital and tech networks.

Do wars or geopolitical crises always crash crypto markets?

Not always. While conflicts increase volatility, crypto sometimes rebounds quickly as traders return when uncertainty stabilizes or global liquidity improves.

DOJ Investigates Binance Over Alleged Iran Sanctions Breach

DOJ Investigates Binance Over Alleged Iran Sanctions Breach

The post DOJ Investigates Binance Over Alleged Iran Sanctions Breach appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether Iran used Binance to bypass American sanctions by moving large sums of cryptocurrency through the exchange. The probe reportedly focuses on about $1.7 billion in transactions, including funds allegedly linked to networks supporting Iran-backed groups such as Yemen’s Houthi militants and the Revolutionary Guard Corps. Binance says its internal review found far smaller exposure, shut down flagged accounts, and is cooperating with authorities while denying any direct ties to sanctioned entities.

US CPI Data Release Today at 12:30 PM UTC

US CPI Data Release Today at 12:30 PM UTC

The post US CPI Data Release Today at 12:30 PM UTC appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The United States will release its February Consumer Price Index (CPI) data today at 12:30 PM UTC. Economists expect monthly inflation to rise 0.3%, slightly higher than January’s 0.2%. Yearly inflation is likely to remain at 2.4%. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, is expected to increase 0.2%. February reflected a relatively calm global environment, but rising tensions and economic uncertainty in March may influence inflation trends in the coming months.

US CPI Meets Expectations, But Oil at $108 Could Push Inflation Higher

US CPI Inflation Report (LIVE)

The post US CPI Meets Expectations, But Oil at $108 Could Push Inflation Higher appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

March 11, 2026 12:33:42 UTC

CPI Meets Expectations, But Bigger Inflation Risks May Lie Ahead

The latest US CPI report came in exactly as expected at 2.4% year-over-year, while Core CPI cooled to 0.2% month-over-month, down from 0.3% previously. On the surface, the data suggests inflation is stabilizing. However, the report reflects February conditions, before recent geopolitical tensions and the surge in oil prices to around $108 per barrel. Analysts warn that the real inflation impact from energy shocks and supply disruptions could appear in the March and April CPI reports, meaning stronger inflation pressure may still be ahead.

March 11, 2026 12:33:42 UTC

US Inflation Holds Steady as February CPI Meets Expectations

The latest US inflation data came in largely in line with market expectations. February CPI rose 0.3% month-over-month, matching forecasts and slightly higher than the previous 0.2% reading. On a yearly basis, CPI remained stable at 2.4%. Meanwhile, Core CPI increased 0.2% monthly, easing from 0.3% previously, while Core CPI year-over-year stayed unchanged at 2.5%. The steady data suggests inflation pressures are stable but not fully cooling, keeping markets focused on future Federal Reserve policy moves

March 11, 2026 12:13:48 UTC

Rising Oil Prices Could Push Inflation Above 3%

Oil prices are emerging as a key driver of inflation. According to a Federal Reserve study, every $10 increase in oil can raise inflation by about 20 basis points. With oil already climbing from $55 to $80 per barrel, this adds roughly 50 bps of inflation pressure, potentially pushing CPI from 2.4% to around 2.9%. If oil rises above $90 per barrel, inflation could accelerate further, with estimates suggesting around 3.2% CPI at $95 oil, making energy prices a crucial indicator for future inflation trends

March 11, 2026 12:08:10 UTC

Altcoins Quietly Outperform Bitcoin Despite Market Volatility

Altcoins are not underperforming Bitcoin as many believe. In fact, they have outperformed Bitcoin for a notable period, particularly during the recent February market crash. While Bitcoin remains the dominant asset, several altcoins showed stronger relative resilience and recovery. Market analysts suggest the overall trend for altcoins remains upward, and it may only be a matter of time before more liquidity flows into the altcoin market, potentially accelerating their momentum.

It's not like #Altcoins are underperforming Bitcoin.

The opposite is true.

They have actually outperformed Bitcoin for a significant period, especially during the recent February crash.

The trend is up, a matter of time until more liquidity moves into the asset. pic.twitter.com/YGjzLhZUYf

— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) March 11, 2026

March 11, 2026 12:08:10 UTC

Markets Tread Water Ahead of CPI as Energy Volatility Looms

US equity futures are holding near the flatline as investors weigh geopolitical tensions and incoming inflation data. Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100 futures are each moving about 0.1% while markets await the February CPI report. Inflation expectations remain sensitive to energy markets, with Brent crude near $90 after briefly spiking to $120 earlier in the week amid disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Economists expect headline CPI to rise 0.3% MoM and core inflation around 0.2%, key for Federal Reserve policy expectations. Meanwhile, Oracle reported $17.19B in revenue, with cloud growth surging 44% YoY, highlighting strong AI infrastructure demand.

March 11, 2026 12:06:48 UTC

Bitcoin Traders Eye Liquidity Sweep Ahead of CPI Volatility

Crypto markets are preparing for volatility as the US CPI report releases today. Analysts highlight a bullish daily bias for Bitcoin, but expect price to first sweep relatively equal lows before any potential upward move. A 1-hour close below $68,350 could invalidate the long setup. Compared to Ethereum and Solana, Bitcoin currently shows the strongest trading structure.

March 11, 2026 12:02:10 UTC

US CPI Forecast

Bitcoin has historically reacted strongly to US CPI releases. In March 2025, BTC rebounded from $76K, followed by a rally past $90K in May, and a push toward $95K in December. February inflation is expected to hold at 2.4% YoY, the same as last month. However, the broader trend shows inflation cooling from 3.0% to 2.4% over six months, nearing the Fed’s 2% target. This steady decline reduces pressure on the Federal Reserve and increases expectations of future rate cuts—liquidity signals that crypto markets often anticipate.

March 11, 2026 12:00:13 UTC

Bitcoin Compresses Ahead of CPI Data Today as Traders Eye Key Levels

Bitcoin is consolidating ahead of the US CPI release after sweeping liquidity near $71,563 and rejecting the level. Traders are watching the $69,268 low closely, as a break could signal a market structure shift and open the door for further downside. Short positions are targeting liquidity around $65,957, with a small portion left for a potential extended move. However, a break above the $71,784 weekly high could invalidate the bearish setup and even trigger short-term scalp longs.

March 11, 2026 11:56:18 UTC

Investors Watch CPI Data as Rate Cut Hopes Hang in Balance

Today’s CPI report will play a key role in shaping expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate decisions. Forecasts suggest no change in inflation levels, but any surprise could quickly shift market sentiment. Lower inflation may give the Fed more room to cut rates, supporting equities. However, hotter inflation data could delay policy easing and push bond yields and the US dollar higher.

March 11, 2026 11:55:29 UTC

Markets on Edge as US CPI Data Releases Today

The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report is set to be released today, a key inflation indicator closely watched by investors. Forecasts expect core CPI to remain unchanged at 2.5%, while the monthly CPI forecast also stands steady at 2.4%. The data will be released one hour before market open, potentially triggering major volatility. Lower-than-expected inflation could boost stocks, while higher inflation may pressure markets and delay Federal Reserve rate cuts.

March 11, 2026 11:51:32 UTC

US CPI Report May Trigger Big Gold Breakout

The upcoming US CPI report could be a major catalyst for gold prices. If core inflation rises more than expected, hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts may fade, strengthening the US dollar and pushing gold toward the $5,000 support area and possibly the 50-day moving average near $4,897. However, if inflation slows faster than expected, gold could break its consolidation range and rally above the $5,250 psychological level, potentially testing the $5,342 resistance level.

March 11, 2026 11:42:06 UTC

US CPI Data Release Today Time

The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) is due at 12:30 UTC, with economists expecting annual inflation to remain at 2.4% in February. On a monthly basis, CPI is forecast to rise to 0.3% from 0.2%, while core CPI is expected to hold steady at 2.5%. Persistently firm inflation, alongside rising oil and energy prices, could keep pressure on the Federal Reserve to remain cautious. As a result, markets see limited chances of another rate cut in the near term

March 11, 2026 11:23:41 UTC

US CPI Steady, Fed Likely to Stay the Course

February’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) is unlikely to shift the Federal Reserve’s near-term policy stance, according to Bank of America. Headline inflation is expected to rise 0.3% month-over-month, while core CPI may increase 0.2%, signaling relatively contained consumer prices. BofA analysts say the anticipated figures align with the Fed’s current outlook and should not prompt immediate policy adjustments. With inflation pressures appearing stable, the central bank is likely to maintain its cautious approach as it continues monitoring economic data before making any rate decisions.

NAGA Review: A Platform Trying to Find a Middle Ground Between the Tools It Provides, Its Accessibility, and How Easy It Is to Use

naga-everything-money

The post NAGA Review: A Platform Trying to Find a Middle Ground Between the Tools It Provides, Its Accessibility, and How Easy It Is to Use appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The multi-asset trading platform market shows a clear trend when it comes to multi-asset trading platforms: they are usually known either for their “wow factor” or for their real-world usability. This NAGA review fits somewhere in the middle of that trend. Although NAGA markets itself as a trading environment where everything comes together, the most notable aspect of the platform is how all of these components fit together. It appears to be built for traders who want a certain level of structure, yet do not want to feel limited by it. Not flawless, but it is apparent that a lot of thought went into the platform’s design.

Prices, charts, and asset lists coexist without constantly competing for attention, which is more difficult to achieve than it sounds. In practice, this works well enough to keep sessions focused, especially for traders who move between instruments rather than sticking to a single market.

Platform Experience and Trading Web App

NAGA Trading Web App showing market lists and charts
Source: https://naga.com/en/trading-platform

Most users will be spending their time on the Trading Web App, and as such, this NAGA review would be incomplete without mentioning its flexibility in a browser-based setting. Accessing the full platform is possible directly from the official NAGA website. There is no imposed download process, nor are there transitions that feel difficult to navigate. Charts load quickly, orders execute promptly, and moving around the platform becomes intuitive after the initial impression.

Once you become familiar with the layout, the different tools tend to work together reasonably well. For traders who prefer control without endless customization, the web app strikes a fairly balanced approach.

Security and Account Structure

Security is rarely exciting to talk about, but it matters. NAGA applies standard protective measures such as account verification and encrypted access, which is generally expected in this space. What feels reassuring is how these processes are integrated into the overall platform flow. Verification steps are clear, not rushed, and users are guided without being overwhelmed by technical language.

This NAGA review also notes that the account setup process is relatively streamlined. Documents can be uploaded directly through the platform, and progress is clearly visible, which helps reduce uncertainty. It is not instant, but it does not feel unnecessarily slow either. Overall, the process feels functional rather than designed for visual impact.

Customer Support and Help Center

NAGA Help Center with articles and support categories
Source: https://capital.naga.com/help-center

Support is one of those areas where expectations are often modest. NAGA, however, offers a Help Center that is surprisingly well structured. Articles are clearly categorized, and common questions related to verification, deposits, and platform usage are easy to locate. The Help Center on NAGA Capital covers many of the basics before direct contact with support becomes necessary.

Live support options are available, although response times can vary depending on demand. This is not unusual. Still, the written resources are thorough enough that many users may not need to rely on direct assistance very often. In this NAGA review, customer support feels capable, even if it does not stand out as exceptional.

Community Perception and Final Thoughts

Looking at external feedback helps add perspective. Independent reviews and social media discussions suggest a generally balanced user experience for those using the NAGA platform. Most trader comments focus on ease of use and the variety of features available. Feedback posted on NAGA Reviews: Trading Reviews and Ratings by Real Users reflects a similar sentiment. Overall opinions tend to be positive, with occasional frustration related to the amount of information displayed within the platform layout.

In conclusion, this NAGA review presents a platform that appears to understand its target audience. NAGA is not trying to oversimplify trading, nor does it overwhelm newer users with unnecessary complexity. While there are areas where the interface could feel slightly less heavy, the platform delivers a consistent and organized trading environment. It may not be perfect, but it is solid enough to justify its place among other established trading platforms.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 67.24% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. 

Bitcoin Reserves Hit Record Low Amid Market Uncertainty

Bitcoin Reserves Hit Record Low Amid Market Uncertainty

The post Bitcoin Reserves Hit Record Low Amid Market Uncertainty appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Bitcoin exchange reserves have fallen to roughly 2.7 million BTC, the lowest since 2018, as investors withdraw coins to private wallets and long‑term custody, tightening available supply. This outflow, partly driven by U.S. spot ETF and institutional accumulation, reduces immediate sell‑side liquidity and creates a structural supply squeeze that can amplify price moves. Meanwhile, about 40-45 % of Bitcoin’s circulating supply is held at a loss, a level seen in early bear phases, keeping traders cautious despite signs of reduced sell pressure.

Is It a Good Time To Buy Bittensor(TAO), NEAR, ICP, The Top AI Coins?

Is It a Good Time To Buy Bittensor(TAO), NEAR, ICP, The Top AI Coins

The post Is It a Good Time To Buy Bittensor(TAO), NEAR, ICP, The Top AI Coins? appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

The crypto market has remained resilient amid the war, and Bitcoin has recovered quickly from the red zone. Currently hovering near $ 70,000 USD, BTC has also boosted confidence in altcoins. 

Following NVIDIA’s February earnings report, AI Crypto coins such as TAO, NEAR, ICP, RENDER, FET, and Virtuals have been volatile. It’s time to monitor how these Artificial Intelligence Coins might perform over the next few weeks.

Bittensor TAO

The flagship of AI Coins, Bittensor TAO, turned bullish in the last 2 days, as it flipped its resistance of $191 and made it a support now.

In the TAO/USDT 1D chart, we can see the asset has formed a clear symmetrical triangle pattern, moving towards a squeeze where a strong volatility surge is expected. At press time, TAO trades at $196.4, after losing its gain from the $207 zone.

Bittensor TAO Still Bullish
Bittensor TAO Still Bullish

The key technical region for TAO is at $204 to $208 a strong breakout above this will regain buyers’ confidence and increase liquidity. The RSI is at 55 with a direction towards and the MACD already printing bullish crossover. If the trend continues, we can see the crypto hitting $240 zone again. 

In case of trend invalidation, TAO may slip and find support at 170–$175, with still a bullish structure. 

NEAR protocol 

NEAR/USDT Day chart shows how the AI coin lost its control below the $1.40 resistance and quickly experienced buyers’ entry. Near Coin printed a significant low at $0.841, building a short-term support at $1.1 now. 

NEAR:USDT
NEAR:USDT

The chart also seen printing Cup and handle pattern that shows a bullish scenario, making an area for bulls to reclaim $1.40 again as strong support. The RSI has reclaimed the 50 zone and is moving flat. 

Any Invalidation from here is still under the control of the $0.8 Support level. 

Internet Computer (ICP)

This top AI coin, Internet Computer (ICP) surged nearly 16% after listing today on South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit. ICO jumped from $2.34 to $2.86, followed by corrections ahead. 

ICP/USDT is on a daily chart, showing a long-term, continued downtrend. Just this year, it recorded a monthly high of $4.7 in January and currently trident $2.72, after the listing surge. 

ICP USDT
ICP USDT

A confirmed breakout above the descending channel, followed by my higher highs and lows, will confirm the potential trend reversal.

Meta Disables 150K Accounts Linked to Southeast Asia Scam Centers in Global Crackdown

Meta on Wednesday said it disabled over 150,000 accounts associated with scam centers in Southeast Asia as part of a coordinated effort in partnership with authorities from Thailand, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Korea, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia. The effort also led to 21 arrests made by the Royal Thai Police, the company said. The action builds upon

Samsung Galaxy A57 design and colors revealed in new renders

Samsung is getting ready to launch its new mid-range phone, the Galaxy A57. Ahead of launch, new renders of the Galaxy A57 phone have appeared online, which give a clear look at its design and colors. 

The new renders show the Galaxy A57 in four colors – Charcoal, Icy Blue, Lilac, and Navy. The back of the phone has a vertical, pill-shaped camera module. It has three cameras, likely a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro sensor. The camera design looks similar to previous models.

The front of the phone has a flat screen with a small hole in the middle for the selfie camera. The top and side edges of the screen are thin, while the bottom edge is a little thicker. On the right side, there are power and volume buttons.

Samsung Galaxy A57 Renders

Image via @Mohammed_K_2010 (X)

Earlier leaks revealed that the Galaxy A57 could have a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED screen and be only  6.9mm thick. It may have Samsung’s Exynos 1680 processor, with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The battery could be 5000mAh with 45W wired charging, so it can charge quickly and last a long time.

Samsung may launch the Galaxy A57 and Galaxy A37 this month. These phones are mid-rangers and will give users a good-looking phone with solid performance and different color options. The new renders show that the Galaxy A57 will be a stylish and powerful phone.

Google Search Top Stories Preferred Source

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Acer announces TravelMate P4 / P2 Copilot+ business laptops with Intel vPro Core Ultra 300 processors

All new TravelMate P4 and P2 models are powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 365 processor with up to 64 GB DDR5 RAM and up to 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage. Screen options include 1920 x 1200 and 2880 x 1800 IPS panels and the laptops come with Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and fingerprint sensor plus Intel vPro security.

Intel announces Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus desktop processors: Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus unveiled

Intel is expanding its desktop portfolio with the new Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors for gamers and content creators. Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus offer more cores, higher clock speeds, and faster DDR5 memory support. In addition, new optimization features improve the performance of modern games and applications.

Bungie targets Marathon data mining leaks on launch day, promises takedowns for unrevealed content

Bungie launched Marathon, its sci-fi extraction shooter reboot, and warned on day one that it would issue takedowns for any publicly shared data-mined content that had not yet been officially revealed. The studio says creators are still free to mine and share art based on content already playable in the current build, while unreleased assets and story details will be targeted to protect planned surprises and community-driven discoveries.

Honor Magic9 to sport a bigger battery than the OnePlus 15T while being a similar size

According to a new rumor from China, Honor is currently testing the upcoming Magic9 with a 6.36-inch flat OLED screen and a battery capacity around 8,000 mAh. The phone will also have a periscope telephoto camera, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, and support for wireless charging. If this pans out, then the Magic9 will be smaller than its predecessor, and it will also pack the biggest battery of any phone of a similar size to date. It will steal that crown from the soon to be unveiled OnePlus 15T, which is going to sport a 7,500 mAh battery in a similarly sized...

Oppo and OnePlus are raising prices from March 16

Oppo has announced that it will raise prices on some of its cheaper devices in China, as well as on OnePlus devices, starting on March 16 at 12AM local time. The price hikes will affect all OnePlus models sold in China, alongside the Oppo A and K series. For now at least, prices won't be increased for the Reno and Find series smartphones, nor the Oppo tablets. These are the brand's higher-margin devices, so it makes sense that they wouldn't be affected yet. OnePlus 15 While the company hasn't provided an official reason for this price hike, or any indication of how much the prices...

Mike Tyson rates Terence Crawford’s chances against the Four Kings Leonard, Duran, Hagler and Hearns

has assessed ’s chances against the Four Kings, determining how successful ‘Bud’ would have been in such a competitive era. With Crawford calling time on his decorated career last December, after becoming a five-division world champion, many have wondered how he would fare against the likes of , , and . During this iconic era, […]

The post Mike Tyson rates Terence Crawford’s chances against the Four Kings Leonard, Duran, Hagler and Hearns appeared first on Boxing News.

“How can he ignore me?”: Usyk’s mandatory challenger reacts to being left off hit list

Oleksandr Usyk has named his ideal final three fights, starting with Rico Verhoeven in May, followed by the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois and ending with a trilogy against a returning Tyson Fury. Only the Verhoeven fight is secured — controversially for Usyk’s WBC heavyweight title – and the other match-ups must still […]

The post “How can he ignore me?”: Usyk’s mandatory challenger reacts to being left off hit list appeared first on Boxing News.

Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2: Ryan Garcia names who had the better career

believes it is clear who accomplished more between and . Mayweather and Pacquiao are both legends of the sport, each achieving incredible things that some boxers could only dream of ever managing. The pair famously met back in May 2015, though the bout didn’t live up to the pre-fight hype as Mayweather ran out a […]

The post Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2: Ryan Garcia names who had the better career appeared first on Boxing News.

Dmitry Bivol sets his sights on one man after mandatory defence of world title

has had a number of potential opponents outlined ahead of making his long-awaited return to the ring. The Russian is set to face mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on May 23 on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, defending his IBF, WBO and WBA world titles at Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza. This represents Bivol’s […]

The post Dmitry Bivol sets his sights on one man after mandatory defence of world title appeared first on Boxing News.

İstanbulspor-Amed Sportif Faaliyetler: 0-4 (MAÇ SONUCU)

Trendyol 1. Lig'in 30. haftasında Amed Sportif Faaliyetler, deplasmanda İstanbulspor ile karşılaştı. Amedspor mücadeleyi 4-0 kazandı.

Trendyol 1. Lig'in 30. haftasında Amed Sportif Faaliyetler, deplasmanda İstanbulspor'u 4-0 yendi.

Bu sonuçla Amed Sportif Faaliyetler, ligdeki 18. galibiyetini elde etti. İstanbulspor ise 10. kez mağlup oldu.

Stat: Esenyurt Necmi Kadıoğlu

Hakemler: Kadir Sağlam, Selahattin Altay, Kadir Beyaz

İstanbulspor: Alp Tutar, Duhaney (Dk. 8 Yunus Bahadır), Mendy, Fatih Tultak, Turan Tuncer (Dk. 46 Mamadou), Vorobjovas, Yusuf Ali Özer, Özcan Şahan (Dk. 69 Sambissa), Ömer Faruk Duymaz, Aroujo (Dk. 75 Fahri Kerem Ay), Mustafa Sol (Dk. 46 Krstovski)

Amed Sportif Faaliyetler: Erce Kardeşler, Murat Uçar, Mehmet Yeşil (Dk. 75 Saba), Syrota, Celal Hanalp, Cem Üstündağ (Dk. 80 Çekdar Orhan), Sinan Kurt, Afena-Gyan (Dk. 69 Tarkan Serbest), Hasani (Dk. 75 Kahraman Demirtaş), Dimitrov (Dk. 69 Moreno), Diagne

Goller: Dk. 34 Afena-Gyan, Dk. 39 ve 89 Diagne, Dk. 47 Mehmet Yeşil (Amed Sportif Faaliyetler)

Sarı kartlar: Dk. 19 Turan Tuncer (İstanbulspor), Dk. 36 Hasani (Amed Sportif Faaliyetler)

Beşiktaş'ın kupaya inancı tam

Beşiktaş Kulübü Yönetim Kurulu Asbaşkanı ve İcra Kurulu Başkanı Murat Kılıç, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası kura çekimi hakkında açıklama yaptı.

Beşiktaş Kulübü Yönetim Kurulu Asbaşkanı ve İcra Kurulu Başkanı Murat Kılıç, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nı kazanacaklarına inandığını söyledi.

Kılıç, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nda İstanbul Finans Merkezi'ndeki Ziraat Bankası Oditoryumu'nda yapılan çeyrek ve yarı final kura çekiminin ardından açıklamalarda bulundu.

Çeyrek finalde Corendon Alanyaspor ile eşleşen siyah-beyazlıların yöneticisi, "Türkiye Kupası bizim için çok önemli. Çeyrek finalde ve çıkarsak yarı finalde kendi sahamızda oynamanın avantajını kullanacağız. İlk maçta Alanyaspor'u, sonrasında da yarı finalde gelecek rakibi geçerek final oynamayı hedefliyoruz. Bu sene Türkiye Kupası'nı almak için mücadele edeceğiz. Büyük ihtimalle biz alacağız." diye konuştu.

Yüksel Yıldırım: Kupanın en zorunu Samsunspor çekti

Samsunspor Kulübü Başkanı Yüksel Yıldırım, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nda çekilen kuraların ardından açıklama yaptı.

Samsunspor Kulübü Başkanı Yüksel Yıldırım, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nın Avrupa kupalarına katılma konusunda en kısa yol olduğuna dikkati çekerek kupayı kazanmak istediklerini söyledi.

Yıldırım, İstanbul Finans Merkezi'ndeki Ziraat Bankası Oditoryumu'nda yapılan Ziraat Türkiye Kupası çeyrek ve yarı final kura çekiminin ardından açıklamalarda bulundu.

En zorlu kurayı kendilerinin çektiğini dile getiren Yıldırım, "Kura, tüm takımlara hayırlı olsun. Bana göre kupanın en zor kurasını Samsunspor çekti. Çeyrek finalde Karadeniz derbisi olacak. İyi tarafı evimizde oynayacağız. Trabzonspor, zorlu bir rakip oldu. Onu geçersek Galatasaray'a konuk olacağız. Onun için Samsunspor'un işi zor. Bu sezon tamamen Türkiye Kupası'na odaklandık. Biz zoru seviyoruz. Takımıma güveniyorum. Çeyrek finali ve yarı finali geçerek final oynamak istiyoruz. Avrupa'ya gidişin en kısa yolu Türkiye Kupası'nı kazanmak. Umarım Samsunspor tarihinde ikinci defa kupa finali oynayarak, ilk kez kupayı kazanırız." diye konuştu.

UEFA Konferans Ligi son 16 turunda İspanya ekibi Rayo Vallecano ile mücadele edeceklerini hatırlatan Yıldırım, "Son 16 turundayız. Yarın önemli bir maçımız var. Kazanarak Madrid'e avantajla gitmek istiyoruz. Bunu gerçekleştirebilirsek Samsunspor tarihine geçeceğiz. Avrupa'da devamlılık sağlamak için Türkiye Kupası da bizim için çok önemli." ifadelerini kullandı.

Fenerbahçe'den TFF'ye yabancı VAR önerisi

Fenerbahçe Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi Ertan Torunoğulları, Türkiye Kupası'ndaki kura çekimi sonrası açıklamalarda bulundu.

Türkiye Kupası çeyrek finalinde Konyaspor ile eşleşen Fenerbahçe'de yönetim kurulu üyesi Ertan Torunoğulları, TFF'ye yabancı VAR önerisinde bulundu.

Ertan Torunoğulları'nın açıklamaları şöyle:

-Dışarıdan eleştirmek kolay oluyor da bir takımın 6-7 as futbolcusu sakatlandığı zaman ister istemez planlamada, oyun sisteminde değişiklik oluyor. Biz hocamıza ve oyuncularımıza inanıyoruz, güveniyoruz. Milli arada da bütün sakat oyuncularımız inşallah geri dönecekler. Ondan sonra yine eski tempomuzu bulup yolumuza devam edeceğiz. Biz şampiyon olacağız.

-Biz geldiğimizden beri hakemlerle ilgili açıklama yapmıyoruz ama şu anda hakemlerle ilgili şikayeti olmayan kulüp var mı? Herkes şikayetçi. Ligin sonuna doğru geliyoruz. Hem şampiyonluk hem de küme düşme maçlarının sıkıntılı olacağını görüyoruz.

-Benim kişisel olarak önerim, bundan sonraki maçların da konuşulmaması için yabancı VAR hakemi olsun. Gerekirse müsabakayı oynayan takımların birer temsilcisi de VAR odasında olsun. Konuşmaları dinlesin. Ondan sonra ne dedikodu olur, ne şikayet olur.

Bu konuyu kendi aramızda değerlendireceğiz, herhalde bir müracaatımız olacak.

Abdullah Kavukcu'dan Beşiktaş'a: 8 kişi mi oynayalım?

Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nda çeyrek final eşlemeleri netleşti. Kura çekiminin ardından kupadaki yarı final eşleşmeleri de belli oldu. Eşleşmenin ardından Galatasaray Sportif A.Ş. Başkan Vekili Abdullah Kavukcu açıklamalarda bulundu.

Türkiye Kupası'nda gerçekleştirilen kura çekiminin ardından açıklama yapan Galatasaray Sportif A.Ş. Başkan Vekili Abdullah Kavukcu, Beşiktaş'ın derbi açıklamalarına cevap verdi.

Abdullah Kavukcu'nun açıklamaları şöyle:

-Biz aslında bugün kendi sahamızda oynayacağımız bir kura için gelmiştik ama şu anda kim gelse bugün hocamla da onu konuştuk maçtan sonra. Bu kurayla alakalı... Bize 3 takım gelebiliyordu; Fenerbahçe, Trabzonspor ve Gençlerbirliği. Gençlerbirliği ile 1 maça daha çıkacağız. 19 kupamız var, bu sene 20 kupamız olsun istiyoruz.

-Dün öyle bir ortam vardı ki, biz çok duygulandık. Koreografi... İnanılmaz bir duygu anlarıydı. O dakikada başladığımız o heyecanla beraber futbolcularımız, hocamız bizi çok mutlu etti. Gururlandık. Tüm Türkiye'yi gururlandırdık. 2'te 2 yaptık, 3'te 3 için Anfield'a gideceğiz. Sonra bir hayalimiz var. İnşallah o hayalimiz gerçek olur.

BEŞİKTAŞ'IN AÇIKLAMALARI

-Biz anlamıyoruz. Devamlı olarak başkanla konuşuyoruz bunu. Biz 10 kişi oynuyoruz, 8 kişi mi oynayalım konuşmasınlar diye?

-Biz konuşmak istemiyoruz. Taraftar 'Niye konuşmuyorsunuz? diyor.

-Biz iyi veya kötü hakem ayrımından dolayı Türk hakemlerine de güveniyoruz, çok iyi hakemler var.

-5 büyük ligden gelecekse yabancı VAR gerekli. Bugün söylemedik, 2 sene önce söyledik.

TFF'den Beşiktaş'ın başvurusuna cevap: Yok sayamayız

Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu Başkan Vekili Mecnun Otyakmaz, Beşiktaş'ın derbinin ardından yaptığı başvuruya yanıt verdi.

Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu Başkan Vekili Mecnun Otyakmaz, Beşiktaş'ın derbinin ardından yaptığı başvuruya yanıt verdi.

Mecnun Otyakmaz'ın açıklamaları şöyle:

-Dışarıya veremeyiz VAR görüntülerini. Buyursun gelsinler birlikte izleyelim. Bundan sonraki dönemde iki tane takımdan birer yönetici gelsin, VAR odasındaki teknik bölümde otursun. Gelsin VAR odasında oturup beraber izlesinler. Baksınlar ne oluyor.

-Ben kulüp başkanlığı yaptım. Böyle bir şey olabilir mi! Bu kadar insanı ilgilendiren bir işte aymazlık yapabilir miyiz, böyle bir şey olabilir mi. Lütfen güvensinler.

BEŞİKTAŞ'A CEVAP

-Dışarıya görüntü falan veremeyiz. Beşiktaş'ın yazısını da yok farz edemeyiz. Onlara uygun lisanla cevap vereceğiz. Kim görmek istiyorsa gelsin, tüm yöneticilere kapımız açık. Buyurun gelin gösterelim neler yaşandığını.

İki kulüp anlaşsınlar, orada VAR ile beraber izlesinler. Buna biz izin veriyoruz. Burada VAR protokolüne aykırı bir şey yok.

-Ben de kulüp başkanıyken bu işten mustariptim. Elemeli tek maç, birer birer geçelim. Yarı final oldu bittiye gelmesin diye çift aşamalı olsun. Orada sürpriz olaylar olmasın, orası çift aşamalı, diğerleri tek. Gelecek sezon için... Bu Kulüpler Birliği'nin de kararı...

Alınan cezaların yaz aylarında süresi durduruluyordu. Kulüpler Birliği istedi, bu kuralı kaldırdık. Ligin son haftalarında gerginlik oluyordu, kulüpler ileri geri konuşuyordu. Bu 3 ay içinde sayılacak.

"YAYIN GELİRİ ARTMASI GEREK"

-Anadolu kulüplerinin idaresi çok zor. Mutlaka yayın gelirlerinin artırılması, sponsorlukların artırılması lazım. Dünyada savaş ortamı var. Bu iş de ekonomiyle ilgili. İnşallah dünyada ve Türkiye'de ekonomi daha düzelir.

"HACIOSMANOĞLU GİBİ BİRİ YAPABİLİRDİ"

-Yeni bir karar aldık. Şampiyonlar payını Anadolu kulüplerine dağıtma kararı aldık. İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu gibi birisi böyle bir karar alırdı ancak. Avrupa'da yayın gelirleri yüzde 50 gibi eşit dağıtılıyor, bizde yüzde 38'di. Şimdi bütün kulüplere eşit dağıtılacak. Tepkiler olabilir. Dikensiz gül bahçesi yok. Yasal hakları var, Tahkim'e başvuracaklar ama biz kararımızı bu yönde verdik.

AFFA 4 klubun əvəzedicilərini 70 manat cərimə etdi

Bu gün AFFA İntizam Komitəsinin növbəti iclası keçirilib, İkinci Liqanın 17-ci turu ilə bağlı bəzi qərarlar qəbul edilib.

Arena.az AFFA-nın rəsmi saytına istinadən həmin qərarlarla sizi də tanış edir:

Əvəzedicilər Liqası, 19-cu tur

“Sabah-2” – “Sumqayıt-2” oyununda “Sabah”da 4 nəfər sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün paytaxt komandası 70 manat cərimə edilib. “Sumqayıt”ın 5 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün sözügedən komanda da 70 manat cərimə ödəyəcək.

“Şamaxı-2” – “Araz-Naxçıvan-2” oyununda “Şamaxı”nın 4 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün sözügedən komanda 70 manat cərimə edilib. “Araz-Naxçıvan”ın da 5 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün Naxçıvan komandası 70 manat cərimə edilib.

Türkiyə Kubokunda 1/4 finalın və yarımfinalın püşkü atıldı

Bu gün futbol üzrə Türkiyə Kubokunda 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 1/4 final mərhələsinin püşkatma mərasimi keçirilib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, İstanbul təmsilçilərindən “Beşiktaş” bu raundda “Alanyaspor”la üz-üzə gələcək.

“Fənərbağça” “Konyaspor”la, “Qalatasaray” “Gənclərbirliyi” ilə münasibətlərə aydınlıq gətirəcək. “Trabzonspor” isə “Samsunspor”un müqavimətini qırmağa çalışacaq.

“Qalatasaray” – “Gənclərbirliyi” cütünün qalibi növbəti raundda “Samsunspor” – “Trabzonspor” duelinin güclüsü ilə qarşılaşacaq. “Beşiktaş” – “Alanyaspor” görüşündə üstün olacaq tərəf “Konyaspor” – “Fənərbağça” qarşılaşmasının qalibi ilə münasibətlərə aydınlıq gətirəcək.

Xatırladaq ki, Türkiyə Kubokunda 1/4 final mərhələsinin oyunları 21-22-23 apreldə keçiriləcək. Yarımfinal matçları 12-13-14 mayda, final isə 24 mayda baş tutacaq.

Türkiyə Kuboku

1/4 final cütləri

Beşiktaş – Alanyaspor
Konyaspor – Fənərbağça
Qalatasaray – Gənclərbirliyi
Samsunspor – Trabzonspor

Yarımfinal cütləri

Qalatasaray/Gənclərbirliyi – Samsunspor/Trabzonspor
Beşiktaş/Alanyaspor – Konyaspor/Fənərbağça

AFFA “Şəmkir”ə texniki məğlubiyyət verdi

Bu gün AFFA İntizam Komitəsinin növbəti iclası keçirilib, İkinci Liqanın 17-ci turu ilə bağlı bəzi qərarlar qəbul edilib.

Arena.az AFFA-nın rəsmi saytına istinadən həmin qərarlarla sizi də tanış edir:

İkinci Liqa, 17-ci tur

“Şirvan” – “Quba” oyununda “Quba”nın 4 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün sözügedən komanda 70 manat cərimə edilib.

“Şəmkir” – “Xankəndi” qarşılaşmasından əvvəl “Şəmkir” komandası Əsasnamənin tələblərini pozaraq oyuna çıxacağı forma haqqında məlumat vermədiyinə, AFFA nümayəndəsinin, PFL-in tələblərinə məhəl qoymadığına, müxtəlif bəhanələrlə matçın keçirilməsindən imtina etdiyinə və PFL tərəfindən təyin edilmiş, nümayəndə və hakimlər tərəfindən bildirilmiş oyun vaxtında meydançaya çıxmadığına görə “Şəmkir”ə 0:3 hesablı texniki məğlubiyyət verilib.

“Ağdaş” – “Qaradağ Lökbatan” oyununda “Ağdaş”ın 4 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün sözügedən komanda 70 manat cərimə edilib. Oyunun 81-ci dəqiqəsində “Ağdaş”ın futbolçusu Vasif Nəsirov təcavüzkar davranışa görə birbaşa qırmızı vərəqə aldıqdan sonra hakimi təhqir etdiyinə görə 5 oyunluq cəza alıb. “Ağdaş” buna görə 1000 manat cərimə ödəyəcək.

“Sabah” iki rekordu bir oyunda təkrarladı

2025/26 mövsümündə uğurlu çıxışı ilə diqqət mərkəzində olan “Sabah” Premyer Liqada ən böyükhesablı ev qələbəsini qazanıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Bakı klubu Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 23-cü turunda “Qəbələ”ni 7:1 hesabı ilə məğlub edib.

Bu, həm də ən böyük fərqli qələbəsinin təkrarı olub. 2022-ci il dekabrın 23-də “Sumqayıt”ın qonağı olan bakılılar 6:0 hesablı qələbəyə sevinmişdilər. Həmin matç da Premyer Liqa çərçivəsində baş tutmuşdu. 2022/2023-cü illər mövsümündə səfərdə 6 top fərqi ilə qalib gəlmiş “Sabah” eyni uğuru evdə təkrarlayıb.

“Bayquşlar” Premyer Liqanın cari mövsümünün ən böyük qələbəsini də təkrarlayıblar. 23-cü turun bir gün əvvəlki matçında “Qarabağ” “Araz-Naxçıvan”ı 6:0 hesabı ilə məğlub etmişdi. Bu rekordu təkrarlamış paytaxt təmsilçisi mövsümün bir oyununda 7 qol vuran ilk komanda olub və öz tarixində ilk dəfə Premyer Liqa görüşündə bu qədər qol vurub.

Hazırda Valdas Dambrauskasın rəhbərlik etdiyi “bayquşlar” Premyer Liqanın cari mövsümündə 23 oyuna qazandıqları 56 xalla zirvədə qərarlaşıblar. 17 qələbə qazanmış komanda 5 heç-heçə və 1 məğlubiyyət də görüb.

Basketbol millimiz səfərdə Bolqarıstanla üz-üzə

Qadınlardan ibarət basketbol üzrə Azərbaycan millisi bu gün Avropa çempionatının seçmə mərhələsində növbəti oyununa çıxacaq.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, yığmamız səfərdə Bolqarıstan komandası ilə üz-üzə gələcək.

Plovdiv şəhərindəki “Kolodrum Arena”da təşkil ediləcək oyuna saat 21:00-da start veriləcək.

Xatırladaq ki, Azərbaycan millisi Bolqarıstan yığmasına qarşı keçirdiyi ev oyununda 48:141 hesabı ilə məğlub olmuşdu. Komandamız bu qrupda Monteneqroya (62:104) və Ukraynaya (34:98) da uduzub. Yığmamız yer aldığı E qrupunda 3 xalla sonuncu – dördüncü sırada qərarlaşıb. Qrupa 6 xala malik Bolqarıstan yığması liderlik edir. Ukraynanın 5, Monteneqronun 4 xalı var.

Qeyd edək ki, basketbol üzrə növbəti Avropa çempionatının final mərhələsi 2027-ci ildə təşkil ediləcək.

Ayaz Abdullayev “Quba”dan getdi

Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan İkinci Liqasında mübarizə aparan “Quba” klubunun prezidenti Ayaz Abdullayev vəzifəsindən gedib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə əyalət klubunun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.

Rəsmi açıqlamada bunlar qeyd edilib:

“Məlumatınıza çatdırırıq ki, Ayaz Abdullayev “Quba” PFK-da fəaliyyətini başa vurub. Onun rəhbərliyi dövründə klub qısa müddətdə böyük inkişaf yolu keçib. Komanda Region Liqasından İkinci Liqaya yüksəlib, ötən mövsüm pley-off mərhələsinə vəsiqə qazanıb, bu mövsüm isə çempionatın ilk üçlüyündə qərarlaşaraq mühüm nəticələr əldə edib.

O, şəxsi işlərinin çoxluğu səbəbindən klubun nəzarətsiz qalmaması və daha irəliyə getməsi üçün vəzifəsini təhvil verib. Yaxın günlərdə yeni icraçı direktorun və yeni rəhbərin adları açıqlanacaq.

Quba futbolunun inkişafı naminə göstərdiyi zəhmət və klubun əldə etdiyi uğurlarda verdiyi töhfələrə görə Ayaz Abdullayevə klubumuz adından minnətdarlığımızı bildirir, gələcək fəaliyyətində uğurlar arzulayırıq.

Hər şey “Quba” Peşəkar Futbol Klubunun daha yaxşı gələcəyi naminədir!”

Florenzi says Mourinho wanted him back at Roma: ‘He knew’

Former Roma defender Alessandro Florenzi says José Mourinho wanted to bring him back to the Stadio Olimpico in 2021: ‘He knew it wasn’t true that I had argued with everyone.’

Ex-Italy international Florenzi reveals Mourinho wanted to work with him at Roma in 2021 after the Portuguese surprisingly took charge of the Giallorossi.

Florenzi: Mourinho knew I hadn’t argued with everyone at Roma

“He called me; he wondered why I had argued with everyone,” Florenzi told Corriere dello Sport.

“Ask people in Trigoria; it wasn’t true. Mourinho knew it too. He wanted me, and I’d have played for him.”

Florenzi spent nine seasons at Roma, leaving the club in January 2020. He then played for Valencia and PSG, on loan, but when Mourinho was appointed as the new Giallorossi coach in 2021, the Italian had a chance to return to the Olimpico.

After his return from PSG, however, Florenzi joined Milan, first on loan and then on a permanent deal from 2022-23.

The Euro 2020 Italy winner scored 28 goals in 280 games with Roma. He retired at the end of the 2024-25 campaign; so what’s next for him?

“Being a coach must be tough,” he said.

“I can’t say it with certainty now, many people say that a coaching role would suit me, others say I should be a director. I’d like to talk to the players, work with them and help, but I still don’t know in which capacity.”

Florenzi also scored two goals in 49 appearances with the Italy national team. His final appearance was in June 2022, in a 0-0 draw against England.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 05: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SL Benfica and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at on November 05, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 05: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SL Benfica and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at on November 05, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Hart hits out at Tudor after Kinsky substitution: Even Buffon had bad nights

Ex-Torino goalkeeper Joe Hart feels Igor Tudor was wrong to replace Antonin Kinsky just 17 minutes into Atletico Madrid-Tottenham: ‘Even Gigi Buffon had bad nights.’

Tudor has once again made headlines for the wrong reasons at Tottenham as Spurs suffered a 5-2 away loss at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Hart reacts to Kinsky’s substitution in Atletico Madrid 5-2 Tottenham

Tudor surprisingly benched Italy international Guglielmo Vicario to start Kinsky instead, but after the 22-year-old made two silly mistakes that led to Atletico Madrid goals, the Spurs boss changed his mind and brought Vicario back in.

“To get to this level, signed by Spurs, one mistake does not alter you,” Hart, a former Torino goalkeeper, told TNT Sports via The Sun.

“That is a technical error, but what precedes that… was it the right decision? Maybe it was. But what I saw after…

“I hate being reactive because I like to know all the facts. But the fact he has taken him off in that situation, having played him… he is young, 22, he is not a man, he has done nothing to try and hurt Spurs.”

Tudor attracted plenty of criticism, even in Italy, where ex-West Ham striker Paolo Di Canio suggested that his goalkeepers’ management during last night’s match could have consequences for his coaching career. 

“[Kinsky had] a couple of bad moments, but to rip him off in this situation and not even acknowledge the guy?” Hart continued.

“Every single one of Tottenham’s players who are feeling the pain doesn’t know what to do. How is that good for him?’

“It is a thing with ‘keepers, you have got to accept you will have nights like that. Everyone has them. Buffon, Neuer, Schmeichel.

TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 27: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, gestures during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Atalanta BC at the Allianz Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Igor Tudor, Head Coach of Juventus, gestures during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Atalanta BC at the Allianz Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“They have had moments, but everything that has gone on on top of it, he will feel so unwelcome as far as the management is involved.

“You have to be treated like a human, just a little bit. I understand the situation.

“This needs getting a serious grip of. Madness happens all the time in football. That was mad. Maybe he didn’t handle it how he should have.

“I saw the whole bench’s hearts drop. They are saying, “Don’t worry, we are here for you”.

Joe Hart Andrea Pirlo penalty England v Italy Euro 2012
epa03280280 Italy’s Andrea Pirlo (L) scores against England goalkeeper Joe Hart (R) during the penalty shootout of the quarter final match of the UEFA EURO 2012 between England and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, June 24 2012. Italy won 4-2 after penalty shootout. EPA/SRDJAN SUKI UEFA Terms and Conditions apply http://www.epa.eu/downloads/UEFA-EURO2012-TCS.pdf

“It’s the human side of things. If you aren’t willing to show it, that’s when it starts to divide.”

Tudor has lost all four of his games in charge of Tottenham and is already on the brink of being sacked in North London.

He was sacked by Juventus at the end of October and hired by Spurs on February 14.

Italy Euro winner ‘never talked’ to Gattuso, World Cup play-off fear ‘is real’

Bologna winger Federico Bernardeschi says he ‘never talked’ to Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso and admits fear of World Cup play-off is ‘real’ but ‘it must not turn into a phobia.’

The World Cup play-offs are just around the corner, with Italy hosting Northern Ireland in the semifinals in Bergamo on March 26.

Bernardeschi, a Euro 2020 winner, is not expected to be part of the team that Gennaro Gattuso will release next week.

Bernardeschi: World Cup play-off fear should ‘push you to raise the bar’

“I’ve never talked to him, except when he visited Serie A clubs, and we exchanged a couple of words,” Bernardeschi said in the second part of his interview with Gazzetta via TMW.

Italy have already been knocked out of the World Cup play-offs in 2018 and 2022.

“It’s a real fear, and it’s right that it exists, but it must not turn into a phobia,” said the experienced winger.

“It should push you to raise the bar, so you’re ready to compete. The entire external environment needs to start helping, because it’s something that belongs to all of Italy.

“It seems to me that people almost take pleasure when the Azzurri do badly, and that’s an ugly thing. They can’t wait to say you aren’t good enough and judge you after just two matches.”

When asked to pick two wingers for the Azzurri, choosing among him, Domenico Berardi, and Mattia Zaccagni, Bernardeschi replied, “The Euros champions,” which means he and Berardi.

BOLOGNA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 23: Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna FC celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Udinese Calcio at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna FC celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Udinese Calcio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

During the same interview, Bernardeschi revealed that he could have joined Atalanta before signing for Toronto FC in 2022, admitting that his decision was mostly driven by money.

Bernardeschi returned to Serie A last summer, joining Vincenzo Italiano at Bologna.

A former Fiorentina and Juventus star, Bernardeschi has grabbed five goals and one assist in 32 appearances across all competitions.

Bernardeschi

Atalanta’s 6-1 loss vs. Bayern Munich ’embarrassing’ for Italian football

La Gazzetta dello Sport examines Atalanta’s 6-1 loss to Bayern Munich, calling it ‘an embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football.’

Atalanta, the last Serie A club remaining in the Champions League, suffered a humiliating 6-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich last night in the Round of 16 first leg.

Fabio Capello noted that the result was a “lesson” for Italian football, and Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luigi Garlando had exactly the same feeling.

Atalanta’s huge defeat an ’embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football’

“In the last Champions League, the last Italian team remaining, Inter, conceded five goals in the Final in Munich. This year, the last one to go out, Atalanta, conceded six at home against the team from Munich,” the journalist wrote.

“There’s no point beating around the bush. It wasn’t just an embarrassment for Atalanta. First and foremost, it was an embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football.”

BERGAMO, ITALY - MARCH 10: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich scores his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Juventus and Inter were eliminated in the knockout play-off, while Napoli didn’t even go beyond the league phase.

“The defending Serie A champions, Napoli, finished in 39th in the league phase. The current league leaders, Inter, were knocked out before the Round of 16 by the honest but hardly galactic Bodo/Glimt,” continued Garlando.

“Add that to Norway’s aggregate 7-1 win over Italy, draw a line, and do the math: this is who we are.”

Italy will play in Bergamo in just two weeks, hosting Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal.

MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“The good part, so to speak, is that in 15 days, in this very stadium, our national team will face Northern Ireland to try to avert a third Apocalypse,” Garlando sadly concluded.

“If Gattuso was hoping for a morale boost from our top clubs in Europe, he didn’t get it.”

Bid prepared: Arsenal considering move for contract rebel who’s also United & City transfer target

Arsenal are reportedly considering a summer transfer window move for Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento amid uncertainty over his future.

The 23-year-old will have just two years left on his Newcastle contract this summer and has so far not shown a willingness to sign a new deal.

That’s according to a report from the Telegraph, which goes on to state that Arsenal are keen on Livramento and eyeing up a possible summer offer for him.

This is not the first time we’ve seen Livramento linked with Arsenal, while we’ve also covered Manchester United and City’s interest in the England international.

Tino Livramento transfer opportunity will surely be tempting for Arsenal and other big clubs

Livramento has done well at Newcastle, despite some injury problems, so his situation will surely continue to be of interest to Arsenal and other big clubs in the weeks and months ahead.

The former Chelsea youngster’s contract situation might mean he is able to move for relatively cheap this summer, though the Telegraph do not name a specific price in their report.

That requires a bit of guessing for our Transfer Fit rating, but see below for the score Livramento to Arsenal got, and click here to read more about how our methodology works

Tino Livramento TOTAL SCORE: 17/25
Transfer fee ★★★☆☆
Performance ★★★☆☆
Achievements ★★★☆☆
Career phase ★★★★☆
Squad need ★★★★☆

Livramento looks like he has it in him to be at the higher end of ‘medium’ for Arsenal in that he’d most likely add good depth to a position they may well need to strengthen in.

As noted by the Telegraph and by our previous reports, Ben White’s future at the Emirates Stadium could be in some doubt this summer, so the club will need to replace this experienced and influential player.

Livramento is also young enough that he could improve with time and perhaps challenge to be a starter later on, all without costing a fortune.

The post Bid prepared: Arsenal considering move for contract rebel who’s also United & City transfer target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Report: Tottenham star immediately linked with transfer away after Atletico Madrid disaster

Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky is reportedly already expected to leave the club after last night’s disaster performance against Atletico Madrid.

The 22-year-old was thrown in at the deep end last night as Spurs manager Igor Tudor named him in the starting line up against Atletico Madrid.

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However, Kinsky was then remarkably substituted off after a nightmare opening 15 minutes that saw him concede three goals, including one from a major howler.

Tudor replaced Kinsky with the usual number one Guglielmo Vicario, in what really feels like the ultimate humiliation for the young ‘keeper who’d been given a very difficult task coming into such an out-of-form and unconfident team.

Antonin Kinsky expected to leave Spurs on loan in summer transfer window

According to the Telegraph, this incident now looks likely to mean that Kinsky leaves Tottenham on loan this summer.

The Czech Republic Under-21 international is seemingly considering his options in a bid to rebuild his career, in what now looks like a long way back for him with Spurs.

It’s not often you see goalkeepers substituted during games unless they’re injured, and the overall feeling is that Tudor handled this badly.

The Telegraph are already casting serious doubts over Kinsky’s future, with the report also quoting a former club employee as describing Tudor’s behaviour as “disgraceful”.

Antonin Kinsky had looked set for no.1 position at Spurs

The Telegraph’s report also suggests Kinsky had looked set to challenge for the number one spot at Spurs, though this plan is now in tatters.

It will be interesting to see where his career goes from here, but it’s going to require huge mental toughness to overcome this humiliating incident.

Kinsky had been highly rated before joining THFC as a youngster, and this will now be a big test of his quality and his character.

The post Report: Tottenham star immediately linked with transfer away after Atletico Madrid disaster appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Man United and Chelsea to compete for £43m Bundesliga midfielder

Several of Europe’s biggest clubs are reportedly monitoring SC Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi, with Premier League sides Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal among those showing interest.

According to TEAMtalk, representatives from the three English clubs have recently attended matches to scout the promising 20-year-old Switzerland international.

Manzambi has emerged as one of the most exciting young midfield prospects in the Bundesliga.

His performances have not only attracted attention from England but have also caught the eye of continental giants Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, setting the stage for a potentially competitive transfer battle in the coming windows.

Manzambi has impressed in the Bundesliga

Manzambi has enjoyed a rapid rise at Freiburg, establishing himself as one of the club’s most dynamic midfielders despite his young age.

The Swiss international is widely regarded as a modern box-to-box midfielder, capable of contributing in both defensive and attacking phases of play.

His game is defined by energy, physical strength, and tactical intelligence.

Manzambi regularly covers large areas of the pitch, helping his team recover possession while also driving the ball forward in transition. Scouts have also highlighted his composure on the ball and his ability to link midfield with attack.

Freiburg have built a reputation in recent years for developing talented players and giving young prospects opportunities to flourish.

Man United and Chelsea among clubs monitoring the midfielder

Johan Manzambi of Freiburg challenges Dimitris Giannoulis of Augsburg  (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Man United, Chelsea, and Arsenal are all believed to be evaluating Manzambi as part of their long-term recruitment strategies.

Each of the three clubs has been seeking midfielders who can combine technical ability with athleticism, and the Swiss youngster fits that profile.

Man United have been exploring several midfield options as they continue reshaping the squad, while Chelsea’s recruitment model has focused heavily on signing young players with significant potential.

Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, are also keen to add depth and energy to their midfield as they compete on multiple fronts.

Man United consider move for 28-year-old midfielder who has impressed scouts this season 

The post Man United and Chelsea to compete for £43m Bundesliga midfielder appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham could lose key player to Euro giants looking for a long term solution

Inter Milan are reportedly monitoring Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as they begin planning for the future of their goalkeeping department.

According to Calciomercato, the Serie A leaders have been tracking the Italian international for several weeks and have identified him as a potential long-term replacement for veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Inter’s recruitment team is believed to be assessing several candidates capable of strengthening their squad ahead of the next season.

Vicario has emerged as one of the most intriguing options due to his performances in the Premier League and his growing reputation within Italian football.

Vicario’s development at Tottenham has been impressive

Vicario has gradually established himself as one of the club’s most reliable performers.

The 29-year-old shot-stopper is known for his quick reflexes, command of the penalty area, and ability to distribute the ball effectively from the back.

His recent form has been inconsistent though but there is no question about his quality as a goalkeeper.

The 29-year-old shot-stopper is known for his quick reflexes, command of the penalty area, and ability to distribute the ball effectively from the back.

His ability to produce important saves during difficult matches has helped maintain his status as one of the squad’s standout players.

Inter Milan are planning for the future

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario
Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Inter Milan’s interest in Vicario is closely linked to their long-term planning between the posts.

Yann Sommer, who has been an important figure in the team’s recent success, is now approaching the latter stages of his career.

The club’s hierarchy is therefore evaluating options capable of taking over as the next first-choice goalkeeper in the coming years.

Vicario’s experience in both Serie A and the Premier League makes him an attractive candidate.

Reports suggest that Tottenham would likely demand a fee of around €30 million to consider a transfer.

Man United and Tottenham have same Premier League manager on their radar

The post Tottenham could lose key player to Euro giants looking for a long term solution appeared first on CaughtOffside.

“Sabah”ın şikayəti təmin edilmədi, Berdıyevin cəzası azaldıldı

Apellyasiya Arbitraj Tribunalının qərarları açıqlanıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Sabah” klubunun sabiq qapıçısı Yusif İmanovla bağlı etdiyi şikayət təmin edilməyib.

“Turan Tovuz”un baş məşqçisi Kurban Berdıyevin kubokda “Kəpəz”lə matçda aldığı qırmızı vərəqəyə görə verilən 4 oyunluq cəzası 3-ə endirilib.

Qərarları təqdim edirik…

“Sabah” Futbol Klubunun Oyunçuların Statusu və Transferi Komitəsinin 3 dekabr 2025-ci il tarixli 8604 saylı Qərarından verilmiş şikayətə baxılmasına dair:
1. “Sabah” Futbol Klubu tərəfindən verilən apellyasiya şikayəti təmin edilməsin.
2. Oyunçuların Statusu və Transferi Komitəsinin “Yusif İmanov – Sabah Futbol Klubu” işi ilə əlaqədar qəbul etdiyi 3 dekabr 2025-ci il tarixli 8604 saylı Qərarı öz qüvvəsində saxlanılsın.
3. Apellyasiya Arbitraj Tribunalının qərarından Lozannadakı (İsveçrə) İdman üzrə Arbitraj Məhkəməsinə (CAS) şikayət verilməsinin mümkünlüyü maraqlı tərəflərə izah edilsin.

“Turan Tovuz” Peşəkar Futbol Klubunun Azərbaycan Kubokunda ¼ finalın ilk görüşü çərçivəsində “Turan Tovuz” – “Kəpəz” oyunu ilə bağlı verilən qərardan şikayətə baxılmasına dair:
1. “Turan Tovuz” Peşəkar Futbol Klubu tərəfindən verilən apellyasiya şikayəti qismən təmin edilsin.
2. 5 fevral 2026-cı il tarixində Azərbaycan Kubokunda ¼ finalın ilk görüşü “Turan Tovuz” – “Kəpəz” oyununun 64-cü dəqiqəsində “Turan Tovuz” komandasının baş məşqçisi Kurban Berdiyev hakimi itələdiyinə görə birbaşa qırmızı vərəqə aldıqdan sonra hakimləri təhqir etdiyinə görə 4 oyuna buraxılmaması və “Turan Tovuz” komandasının 10000 manat cərimə edilməsi barədə İntizam Komitəsinin 11 fevral 2026-cı il tarixli qərarı ləğv edilsin.
3. Apellyasiya Arbitraj Tribunalının Əsasnaməsinin 2-ci maddəsinə uyğun olaraq “Turan Tovuz” komandasının baş məşqçisi Kurban Berdiyevin əməlləri İntizam Məcəlləsinin 53.1-ci maddəsi ilə tövsif edilsin və Kurban Berdiyevə 3 oyun oyuna buraxılmama, “Turan Tovuz” komandasına isə 6000 manat cərimə cəzası tətbiq edilsin.
4. Apellyasiya şikayəti qalan hissədə təmin edilməsin.
5. Apellyasiya Arbitraj Tribunalının qərarından Lozannadakı (İsveçrə) İdman üzrə Arbitraj Məhkəməsinə (CAS) şikayət verilməsinin mümkünlüyü maraqlı tərəflərə izah edilsin.

“Mingəçevir” Futbol Klubunun (I Liqa) “Şəfa” – “Mingəçevir” oyunu ilə bağlı verilən qərardan şikayətə baxılmasına dair:
1. “Mingəçevir” Futbol Klubu tərəfindən verilən apellyasiya şikayəti təmin edilsin.
2. 19 fevral 2026-cı il tarixində I Liqada XV turun “Şəfa” – “Mingəçevir” oyununun 45-ci dəqiqəsində “Mingəçevir” komandasının baş məşqçisi Ramiz Məmmədov hakimi təhqir etdiyi üçün birbaşa qırmızı vərəqə aldığına görə 4 oyuna buraxılmaması barədə İntizam Komitəsinin 20 fevral 2026-cı il tarixli qərarı ilə nəzərdə tutulmuş 4 oyunluq cəzanın 1 oyunu İntizam Məcəlləsinin 19-cu maddəsinə uyğun olaraq təxirə salınsın və 6 aylıq sınaq müddəti təyin edilsin.
3. Apellyasiya Arbitraj Tribunalının qərarından Lozannadakı (İsveçrə) İdman üzrə Arbitraj Məhkəməsinə (CAS) şikayət verilməsinin mümkünlüyü maraqlı tərəflərə izah edilsin.

“Biləsuvar” Futbol Klubunun AFFA İntizam Komitəsinin 11 fevral 2026-ci il tarixli qərarından verilmiş şikayətə baxılamsına dair:
1. “Biləsuvar” Futbol Klubu tərəfindən verilən apellyasiya şikayəti təmin edilsin.
2. 8 fevral 2026-cı il tarixində AFFA Region Liqasında keçirilən Biləsuvar FK-Viləş PFK oyununda Biləsuvar FK komandasının heyətində 12 nömrəli futbolçu Emil Həsənzadənin qarşılaşmanın 26-cı dəqiqəsində rəqibi təhqir etdiyinə görə qırmızı vərəqə ilə meydandan kənarlaşdırıldığı üçün növbəti 3 (üç) oyuna buraxılmaması ilə bağlı İntizam Komitəsinin 11 fevral 2026-cı il tarixli qərarı ləğv edilsin.
3. AFFA İntizam Məcəlləsinin 15-ci maddəsində nəzərdə tutulmuş ədalətlilik və mütənasiblik prinsiplərinin təmin edilməsi məqsədi ilə Emil Həsənzadə ilə bağlı İntizam Məcəlləsinin 52.3-cü maddəsində göstərilən intizam pozuntusu ilə əlaqədar İntizam Məcəlləsinin 44.1-ci maddəsində nəzərdə tutulmuş cəza tədbiri seçilməklə Emil Həsənzadəyə növbəti 2 oyun müddətinə oyuna buraxılmama cəzası tətbiq olunsun.
4. Apellyasiya Arbitraj Tribunalının qərarından Lozannadakı (İsveçrə) İdman üzrə Arbitraj Məhkəməsinə (CAS) şikayət verilməsinin mümkünlüyü maraqlı tərəflərə izah edilsin.

Firuddin Əmirxanovun Oyunçuların Statusu və Transfer Komitəsinin 16 fevral 2026-cı il tarixli, 8613 nömrəli qərarından verilmiş Şikayətinə baxılmasına dair.
1. Firuddin Əmirxanov tərəfindən verilən apellyasiya şikayəti təmin edilməsin.
2. Oyunçuların Statusu və Transfer Komitəsinin 16 fevral 2026-cı il tarixli, 8613 nömrəli qərarı qüvvədə saxlanılsın.
3. Apellyasiya Arbitraj Tribunalının qərarından Lozannadakı (İsveçrə) İdman üzrə Arbitraj Məhkəməsinə (CAS) şikayət verilməsinin mümkünlüyü maraqlı tərəflərə izah edilsin.

Türkiyə Kuboku: “Fənərbağça” və “Qalatasaray”ın rəqibi bilindi

Türkiyə Kubokunda 1/4 final və yarımfinal mərhələsinin cütləri məlum olub.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Qalatasaray” 1/4 finalda “Gənclərbirliyi”, “Fənərbağça” isə “Konyaspor”la qarşılaşacaq. “Beşiktaş”ın rəqibi “Alanyaspor” olacaq. “Trabzonspor” isə yarımfinal yolunda “Samsunspor”la üz-üzə gələcək.

Türkiyə Kuboku
1/4 final mərhələsi

Beşiktaş – Alanyaspor
Konyaspor – Fənərbağça
Qalatasaray – Gənclərbirliyi
Samsunspor – Trabzonspor

Yarımfinal

Qalatasaray – Gənclərbirliyi / Samsunspor – Trabzonspor
Konyaspor – Fənərbağça / Beşiktaş – Alanyaspor

Azərbaycanda keçiriləcək “FIFA Series – 2026”nın biletləri satışda

Azərbaycanda keçiriləcək “FIFA Series – 2026”nın oyunlarına biletlər satışa çıxarılıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Azərbaycan, Oman, Syerra Leone və Sent Lüsiya millilərinin iştirakı ilə təşkil olunacaq turnirin martın 27-də baş tutacaq ilk matçlarına bilet satışı “https://iticket.az/” vasitəsi ilə həyata keçirilir.

Azərbaycan ilk oyunu martın 27-də Sent Lüsiya millisinə qarşı keçirəcək.

 

“Qarabağ” braziliyalı müdafiəçi ilə maraqlanır

“Qarabağ” Braziliyanın “Sport Resife” klubunda çıxış edən Marselo Ayulu transfer etmək istəyir.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Braziliya mətbuatı məlumat yayıb. “Atlılar” müdafiəçi üçün rəsmi təklif göndərsə də, qarşı tərəf bunu qəbul etməyib.

23 yaşlı futbolçu 2023-cü ildən “Sport Resife”də çıxış edir. Onun “transfermarkt”da dəyəri 100 min avrodur.

Argentinalı futbolçu “Tottenhem”dən ayrıla bilər

Argentinalı futbolçu Kristian Romero yayda “Tottenhem”dən ayrıla bilər.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə “The Telegraph” nəşri məlumat yayıb. Yayda heyətdə ciddi dəyişikliklər etməyi düşünən London klubu Romeron satışa çıxaracaq. Argentinalı futbolçu da klubdan ayrılmağa müsbət yanaşır.

27 yaşlı müdafiəçi bu mövsüm 29 oyunda 6 qol vurub, 4 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.

Rodriqo əməliyyat olundu

“Real”ın braziliyalı hücumçusu Rodriqo uğurlu keçən əməliyyatından sonra azarkeşlərinə müraciət edib. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, futbolçu sosial şəbəkə hesabında paylaşım […]

Source

Bastoni uğrunda mübarizə qızışır

“Barselona” “İnter”in mərkəz müdafiəçisi Alessandro Bastonini transfer etmək uğrunda mübarizədə liderlik edir. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, “Barselona”nın idman direktoru Deko […]

Source

Phison CEO says that NAND prices hiked by around 50% overnight, highlighting severe shortage in the industry — warns 'our current concern is that both money and inventory are insufficient'

SSD controller manufacturer Phison said that NAND chip prices increased by around 50% overnight, and that it's increasing its inventory to ensure that it will have sufficient supply as it pivots towards enterprise customers.

Intel announces Arrow Lake Refresh CPUs, claims 15% higher gaming performance and multi-threaded boost — Core Ultra 7 270K and Core Ultra 5 250K come with more cores, faster memory, and a price cut

Intel is introducing two new Arrow Lake CPUs under the Core Ultra 200S Plus banner, while slashing prices and adding more E-cores. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus are said to offer 15% better gaming performance than standard Arrow Lake chips at 1080p.

Intel's Heracles chip computes fully-encrypted data without decrypting it — chip is 1,074 to 5,547 times faster than a 24-core Intel Xeon in FHE math operations

Intel has revealed an 8192-way SIMD compute engine for fully homomorphic encryption math called Heracles. By operating directly on encrypted data, it has the potential to eliminate entire classes of attacks under some workloads.

5 B2B LinkedIn Ads tests to run in 2026

5 B2B LinkedIn Ads tests to run in 2026

LinkedIn made some good moves last year that I’ve seen pay off for our suite of B2B clients. Now that we’re into 2026, with yearly marketing goals in focus, I’ve got some recommendations based on our 2025 learnings for you to test and leverage in the coming months. Those include:

  • Video.
  • Thought Leader Ads.
  • Personalized creative.
  • Qualified Lead Optimization.
  • Ads duplication.

Let’s put a magnifying glass on each and explain the benefits you stand to gain.

LinkedIn video is a must

Even though Meta and TikTok are more natural fits for video, LinkedIn isn’t immune to the video movement — particularly short-form video (between 7-15 seconds). While having video content is an important line item on your marketing strategy plan, the right content is even more important.

There are plenty of ways to leverage video, including new-ish placements like First Impression Ads. What I recommend is that you try video ads in the feed first to compare performance and engagement with other types of in-feed ads you’ve been running.

The usual caveats apply here:

  • Don’t just repurpose videos from other platforms. Beyond having a unique UI that could affect whether video content does or doesn’t stand out, LinkedIn spurs different behavior from its users. Test videos that speak to a professional challenge your brand can help solve, or highlight testimonials, tutorials, or case studies.
  • Make sure you have a follow-up plan for users who engage, since one video isn’t going to convert anyone into a customer without lots of nurturing.
  • Set a strategy for measuring the value of video engagements, from views to direct responses taking action on prompts like “Comment X for the full guide.”

Dig deeper: LinkedIn study reveals how B2B video ads can gain +129% engagement lift

People respond to people, so try Thought Leader Ads

One of the toughest parts of B2B advertising is engaging potential customers on behalf of a business or corporate entity. Thought Leader Ads (where companies can essentially boost content from employee accounts) have actually been around for a couple of years, but we got serious about testing them in 2025 and earned much higher engagement than with typical ads from business profiles.

TLAs open up some creativity, too. Humor-focused posts, for one, are a lot more natural a fit from a personal account.

As with other boosted content, be judicious about where you invest. If a post already has traction organically (and that’s become harder over the last year as LinkedIn has throttled back reach) and makes a good business case for working with your company, that’s a good candidate for a TLA.

A couple of caveats here, too:

  • Make sure any employee whose content you boost has your brand as visible as possible on their profile and has creator mode activated so that users can follow them (which creates long-term value for future posts).
  • Per LinkedIn (we’ve also seen this to be true), it’s best to repurpose content originally published fewer than 30 days before you boost the post.

Dig deeper: LinkedIn Ads retargeting: How to reach prospects at every funnel stage

Get the newsletter search marketers rely on.


Personalize your creative

In the latter half of 2025, we ran a significant number of tests with personalized LinkedIn ads across different geos and using different campaign types.

In our global campaigns, we saw an average of >20% improvement in cost per lead, with higher CTR and lower CPC. U.S. campaigns were even more successful. CPLs dropped 33%.

Per our LinkedIn rep, European users in particular value privacy more than U.S. users, so it makes sense that personalization was more effective stateside. Either way, and even in U.S. campaigns, personalized ads began to show signs of fatigue after about a month. 

We responded by combining personalized and non-personalized ads into one campaign to lower the frequency of the personalized ads — and also allow for side-by-side comparisons in the same environment.

Dig deeper: LinkedIn’s new playbook taps creators as the future of B2B marketing

Test Qualified Lead Optimization

If you’ve run Conversions API (CAPI) and enhanced conversions in Meta and Google, you’re familiar with the idea of Qualified Lead Optimization. Essentially, this is LinkedIn’s way of letting you integrate your first-party data into the platform’s back end to help its algorithm find higher-quality users.

Now, this isn’t quite as effective as its Meta and Google counterparts yet, but we’ve seen an increase in the proportion of qualified leads.

To test it:

  • Use LinkedIn’s CAPI to sync your CRM data and provide the platform with your definition of a qualified lead. 
  • Set up a CAPI conversion event of qualified leads, and make sure those are being relayed to the Campaign Manager.

Use the new ads duplication feature

This one is tactical, but it’s saved me a ton of time in our accounts, so it’s worth making sure you’re aware of it.

In March 2025, LinkedIn launched a few updates to Campaign Manager, including a new feature that makes it easier to duplicate ads across campaigns and accounts. This has greatly improved our time to launch new campaigns – there’s no downside to getting your hands around it.

One more LinkedIn ad format to watch

We haven’t yet aggressively tested LinkedIn’s new CTV capability, but we’re keeping an eye on industry perspectives. This can be a great medium to gauge the messaging and positioning that works for your brand with niche targeting options before rolling out big-screen campaigns.

In the scheme of things, LinkedIn provided some quality-enough updates last year for us to shift more client budget there. As always, you need to carry the right expectations for the platform and make sure you have a strong methodology for measuring its value in your pipeline. 

With those in place, and with a rock-solid understanding of your ICP that lets you fully leverage LinkedIn’s targeting levers, I’m betting LinkedIn can be a pleasantly surprising source of growth in the coming months.

Bam Adebayo, A'ja Wilson share sweet moment after 83-point night

Bam Adebayo and A'ja Wilson push each other to be the best they can possibly be in their respective leagues. So when Adebayo surpassed Kobe Bryant for the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, it gave the couple an opportunity to reflect on their journey and how they've inspired one another.

Adebayo went off for 83 points against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night, besting Bryant's mark of 81 points. Wilson -- who tied the WNBA's single-game scoring record with 53 points in 2023 -- was in attendance for the historic moment after missing Sunday's, when Adebayo joined Dwyane Wade as the only Heat players to reach 10,000 points.

The Las Vegas Aces star also attended Adebayo's postgame press conference, where they expounded on what their mutual support means to them.

"This has been an incredible game, obviously, but journey for Bam," Wilson said. "Witnessing it first-hand, the highs and the lows of it, it's been so much fun. I know he says that I'm his inspiration, but I don't think he has a clue how much he inspires me to continue to be the person I am, but to show up for him. That's my biggest goal is always just to be present and show up for him.

"And I was a little mad you got your 10K and I wasn't here."

Adebayo looked down but couldn't hold back a smile while Wilson was speaking. When he took the mic, he expressed a similar sentiment about her.

They did the press conference together after Bam's big night 🥺

Bam says he gets inspired every day by watching A'ja ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5z9Y9CPfgR

— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) March 11, 2026

"She was complaining about how I got my 10,000th point and how she wanted me to wait," Adebayo said. "So to have 83 the first game she's here is very special. The behind-the-scenes, the workouts and the conversations -- they're very motivating. And obviously you see what she does and get inspired every day by that. So I'm thankful to have her in my life."

That's what it's all about.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Bam Adebayo, A'ja Wilson share sweet moment after 83-point night

Jets legend who helped team win its only Super Bowl has died

Matt Snell, the Jets running back who scored the only touchdown in their lone Super Bowl victory, has died at 84.

According to ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini, Snell died Wednesday morning on Long Island.

“Matt Snell will forever hold a special place in the history of the New York Jets,” Jets Chairman Woody Johnson said in a statement on the team’s website. “He was the embodiment of toughness, selflessness, and belief — traits that defined our organization’s proudest moments. His performance in Super Bowl III was nothing short of legendary. Against the odds, Matt set the tone with his physical running, delivering the Jets’ lone touchdown and helping secure one of the most important victories in sports history.”

A product of Ohio State, Snell had the distinction of being drafted by both the Jets and the Giants in 1964.With the AFL competing against the NFL, the Jets selected Snell with the third overall pick in the AFL draft, while the Giants selected him in the fourth round of the NFL draft.

Snell opted to play for the Jets and spent his entire nine-season career with the team, rushing for 4,285 yards and 24 touchdowns in 86 games, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He also caught 193 passes for 1,375 yards and seven touchdowns. Snell earned All-Pro honors in 1969 and was selected to three Pro Bowls.

His biggest accomplishment, however, came in Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts. Snell rushed for 121 yards on 30 carries and scored the game’s only touchdown on a 4-yard run that opened the scoring. The Jets won 16-7, claiming their first and only world championship in franchise history.

The game was significant because it proved the AFL was a viable league capable of competing with the NFL. The two leagues eventually merged in 1970.

In 2010, Snell spoke with NJ.com sports columnist Steve Politi and explained why he did not attend Jets-related functions, including anniversary ceremonies honoring the Super Bowl III champions. Snell said the Jets, under former owner Leon Hess, had promised him a job after a knee injury forced him to retire, but the team never followed through.

“I’ve got nothing to say about the Jets,” Snell said. “I don’t want to have anything to do with them.”

Snell was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor in 2015 but did not attend.

NJ.com’s Steve Politi contributed to this story.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Hundred 2026 - men's and women's squads so far

Rashid Khan, left, Kate Cross, centre, and Liam Livingstone split picture
Rashid Khan, left, Kate Cross, centre, and Liam Livingstone have all signed deals to play in The Hundred for 2026 [Getty Images]

The Hundred's inaugural player auction will be held in London on 11 and 12 March.

For the first five editions of the competition, players were allocated to teams via a draft system with a set of salary tiers.

But following substantial private investment in The Hundred, players not already signed or retained will now have their team and pay set by an auction.

Squads will be made up of between 16 to 18 players, while there is a salary cap limit along with a salary collar, a minimum amount teams must spend.

The salary pot in the men's competition for 2026 has risen by 45% to £2.05m per side, and the fund for women's teams has increased by 100% to £880,000.

The minimum salary for a female player has also risen by 50% to £15,000, while the number of overseas players permitted in both competitions increases from three to four.

Here is how the squads are looking after each team was given the opportunity to sign or retain up to four players each prior to the auction.

Men's competition

Birmingham Phoenix

  • Jacob Bethell, £340,000
  • Rehan Ahmed, £250,000
  • Donovan Ferreira, £210,000
  • Mitchell Owen, £130,000

London Spirit

  • Liam Livingstone, £350,000
  • Jamie Overton, £225,000
  • Adam Zampa, £190,000
  • Dewald Brevis, £185,000

Manchester Super Giants

  • Jos Buttler, £350,000
  • Heinrich Klaasen, £250,000
  • Noor Ahmad, £175,000
  • Liam Dawson, £175,000

MI London

  • Sam Curran, £350,000
  • Will Jacks, £250,000
  • Nicholas Pooran, £175,000
  • Rashid Khan, £175,000

Southern Brave

  • Jofra Archer, £400,000
  • Jamie Smith, £300,000
  • Marcus Stoinis, £150,000
  • Tristan Stubbs, £100,000

Sunrisers Leeds

  • Harry Brook, £465,000
  • Mitchell Marsh, £200,000
  • Nathan Ellis, £145,000
  • Brydon Carse, £140,000

Trent Rockets

  • Tim David, £350,000
  • Tom Banton, £225,000
  • Ben Duckett, £200,000
  • Mitch Santner, £175,000

Welsh Fire

  • Phil Salt, £450,000
  • Marco Jansen, £250,000
  • Rachin Ravindra, £140,000
  • Chris Woakes, £110,000

Women's competition

Birmingham Phoenix

  • Alice Capsey, £130,000
  • Ellyse Perry, £100,000
  • Linsey Smith, £100,000
  • Lauren Filer, £95,000
  • Tammy Beaumont, £70,000
  • Davina Perrin, £50,000
  • Alana King, £37,500
  • Lucy Hamilton £35,000
  • Emma Lamb, £27,500

London Spirit

  • Nadine de Klerk, £170,000
  • Marizanne Kapp, £130,000
  • Charlie Dean, £85,000
  • Mahika Gaur, £75,000
  • Grace Harris, £70,000
  • Amy Jones, £70,000
  • Deandra Dottin, £37,500
  • Seren Smale, £15,000

Manchester Super Giants

  • Paige Scholfield, £115,000
  • Sophie Ecclestone, £110,000
  • Meg Lanning, £95,000
  • Smriti Mandhana, £90,000
  • Kathryn Bryce, £65,000
  • Richa Ghosh, £50,000
  • Mady Villiers, £45,000
  • Grace Ballinger, £42,500
  • Maitlan Brown, £40,000
  • Grace Scrivens, £40,000

MI London

  • Hayley Matthews, £120,000
  • Danni Wyatt-Hodge, £110,000
  • Nic Carey, £95,000
  • Melie Kerr, £80,000
  • Chinelle Henry, £70,000
  • Kirstie Gordon, £55,000
  • Hollie Armitage, £45,000
  • Alice Davidson-Richards, £30,000

Southern Brave

  • Lauren Bell, £140,000
  • Issy Wong, £130,000
  • Tilly Corteen-Coleman, £105,000
  • Maia Bouchier, £85,000
  • Laura Wolvaardt, £75,000
  • Sarah Glenn, £75,000
  • Jemimah Rodrigues, £60,000
  • Sophie Molineux, £47,500
  • Lizelle Lee, £27,500

Sunrisers Leeds

  • Danielle Gibson, £190,000
  • Annabel Sutherland, £130,000
  • Phoebe Litchfield, £120,000
  • Jess Jonassen, £110,000
  • Kate Cross £50,000
  • Deepti Sharma, £27,500
  • Bryony Smith, £27,500

Trent Rockets

  • Beth Mooney, £210,000
  • Nat Sciver-Brunt, £140,000
  • Ash Gardner, £100,000
  • Sophia Dunkley, £78,000
  • Kim Garth, £42,000

Welsh Fire

  • Sophie Devine, £210,000
  • Freya Kemp, £120,000
  • Em Arlott, £110,000
  • Georgia Wareham, £100,000
  • Georgia Voll, £80,000
  • Sophia Smale, £20,000

The Fantasy Options Most Hurt by Their Division in 2025

The NFL schedule changes every year. Your results, and those of others, swing it from one season to the next. But there is a big chunk of every season that stays the same.

Divisional games.

The Bengals might face the Patriots one season, the Titans the next, the Chargers the year after that, but we know for a fact that they’ll face the Ravens, Steelers and Browns twice each season. That’s six games, 35% of the schedule, that is predictable.

That doesn’t have to mean much, but at the least, you can use teams’ divisional games as the control to the rest of the schedule’s variable. If a team is in a division with three putrid defenses, and its players thrive in those games but struggle out of the division, well, that tells us something, but it also means good news for that team’s players the next year, because they will still play those teams. The inverse is also true if a team’s divisionmates are all defensive stalwarts.

Of course, this is small samples we’re dealing with here. In a 17-game season, you face divisional opponents six times and non-divisional opponents 11. Miss a game here and there, and the sample size is even smaller. So just doing well or poorly against division foes isn’t enough to draw a conclusion. But it’s a heck of a place to start, especially as we’re progressing through free agency and seeing where most everyone will be playing next season.

That’s what I’m doing yesterday and today. Below, I’m looking at the fantasy players most hurt by their division in 2025, and what (if anything) that means for 2026. Tuesday, I did the opposite — players most helped by their division.

(All scoring is PPR, and players needed at least four intradivisonal games to be considered.)

Players Most Hurt By Their Division in 2025

Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Outside the division: 10.1 PPR points per game Inside the division: 3.8 Difference: -62.4% By any definition, Worthy was a big disappointment in his second season. He went from 742 scrimmage yards as a rookie to 619. He went from 9 touchdowns to 1 (!). He was even worse in divisional games, though to be fair one came when he got hurt against the Chargers in Week 1 and another came with Patrick Mahomes hurt in Week 17, with no receptions in either game. Still, in between, he had 3-35 on 4 targets against the Raiders, 3-25 on 5 targets against the Broncos and 2-35 on 4 targets against the Chargers. My takeaway here isn’t “You want Worthy outside the division and avoid him inside it,” though — it’s “Eh, maybe we just don’t bother with Worthy at all.”

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Arizona Cardinals (then Falcons)

Outside the division: 9.0 Inside the division: 4.0 Difference: -55.7%

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 02: Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) during the NFL game between the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons on October 02, 2022, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire)

The impact of Allgeier on Bijan Robinson’s fantasy upside has been a topic since Robinson entered the league. Allgeier is good, but Robinson is so obviously better than any time Allgeier got a significant number of touches there was gnashing of teeth and rending of garments. The thing is, though, that it’s pretty clear that the Falcons realized the gap as well — per the FTN Splits Tool, they gave Allgeier 9.8 carries per game outside the division but, when the games matter that much more, 5.8 carries per game inside the division. Basically, they used their “good enough” back in the secondary games, but when the rubber met the road, they focused on the big guy. What does that mean for 2026? Well, with Allgeier heading to Arizona and a new group in charge in Atlanta, it’s hard to say, but in a vacuum it seems like Bijan Robinson is always a top-five running back, but he’s a top-one running back in NFC South games.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

Outside the division: 26.2 Inside the division: 13.1 Difference: -50.0% With the AFC North taking a big step back last year, the knockdown, dragout-iest division last year was pretty clearly its NFC counterpart, with all four teams finishing with winning records. And when you have that rough a go against the teams you face the most, it’s reflected in your fantasy scoring. Gibbs averaged 26.2 points per game outside the NFC North. That was nearly two points per game better than Christian McCaffrey last year, basically record-setting sort of numbers. He had games of 55.4, 38.2, 37.0, 36.8 and 26.9 in that sample. He was Ultron wiping out swaths of humanity. Inside the division, he averaged 13.1 points. That was Kenneth Gainwell. That was good. Gainwell was a good player last year. Gibbs had games of 20.3, 19.4 and 15.0 games against the division. But “good” isn’t why you draft Jahmyr Gibbs. Going from runaway overall RB1 to back-end RB2 number is a big gap. The departure of David Montgomery probably helps Gibbs, but at the least, I’d think twice about using him in DFS in divisional games. (Worth noting: D’Andre Swift’s performance dropped 42.8% in divisional games. Josh Jacobs’ dropped 33.6%. The NFC North ate running backs up last year.)

Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Outside the division: 16.0 Inside the division: 9.8 Difference: -38.7% Darnold silenced a lot of doubters with his Super Bowl run, including maybe the best game of his career in the NFC Championship against the Rams. That being the freshest thing in our memory helps Darnold, but it also papers over some real warning signs during the season. Outside the NFC West last year, he had 21 touchdowns against 7 interceptions; inside it, the ratio was 4:7. To be fair, that includes a 0-TD, 4-INT game against the Rams in Week 11, but there was only one NFC West game last year when Darnold had more touchdowns than interceptions (Week 4 against the Cardinals, 1 touchdown and no picks). The NFC West games (or at least, the ones against the 49ers and Rams) were the most heated games of the year, and when the temperature went up, Darnold’s performance went down. The Rams aren’t going anywhere, and the 49ers should be healthier in 2026. I’d be wary of Darnold in divisional games yet again.

Tiger Woods can't play The Players, but will be play in TGL semifinal?

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — Tiger Woods has been eligible for The Players Championship since his first time playing the event in 1997.

Until now.

Woods' exemption into The Players from winning the 2019 Masters expired this year — he was granted an extra year because of COVID — and he has not met other qualifications because of his inactivity in recent years due to multiple injuries.

Even the "Tiger Rule," created specifically for the 50-year-old Woods that allows for a lifetime sponsor exemption for anyone with more than 80 Tour wins and gets him into all Signature Events does not apply to The Players.

That was news to Tommy Fleetwood, who did not know Woods is not eligible for The Players.

"That's unbelievable. I can't believe he's not eligible. How bad is Tiger Woods at golf?" he asked, tongue firmly planted in cheek.

The Players does not give out sponsor exemptions. Would it if Tiger called? Hard to see anyone saying no to the 15-time major champion.

Especially his peers.

"I'm always going to be for him playing," Jupiter's Justin Thomas said. "I think for the betterment of golf and the tournament, I don't think there's anybody that would be against it. I guess unless somebody that isn't qualified, I'm sure they would like to play, too."

Said a more serious Fleetwood: "If Tiger Woods wants to play anywhere in the world I think, yeah, I think Tiger Woods should be able to play."

Will Tiger Woods play for Jupiter Links in TGL playoffs?

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on from the 18th green during the final round of The Genesis Invitational 2026 at Riviera Country Club on February 22, 2026 in Pacific Palisades, California.

Of course, Woods has no such dilemma when it comes to TGL, especially when you are one of the co-founders.

Woods, who lives on Jupiter Island, has not played this season for his Jupiter Links team following disc replacement surgery Oct. 10. He has attended every Jupiter match at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens.

Unlike TGL's inaugural year, Jupiter advanced to the playoffs and faces Boston Common on March 17. Rory McIlroy, Woods' partner as a TGL co-founder, plays for Boston but his availability is unknown after withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a back injury the morning of the March 7 final round.

Woods has hinted about his return to TGL and the Tour in recent weeks and was asked about it after Jupiter's final regular-season match.

"I'm looking forward to it," he said.

When asked if that meant playing, he said: "Well, I'll be here either way."

When told by teammate Kevin Kisner that he "dodged" that question, Woods said: "Bob and weave, bob and weave."

Woods was hoping to join his team for at least one match at the end of the TGL season.

He last played in the 2024 PNC Championship in Orlando. He and son, Charlie, lost in a playoff to Bernhard and Jason Langer. Wood's last PGA Tour event was the 2024 British Open.

The winner of the Jupiter-Boston TGL semifinal faces the winner of the Atlanta Drive-Los Angeles Golf Club semifinal in the best-of-3 finals that starts March 23.

Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: What is Tiger Woods' status for TGL playoffs with The Players out?

Players 2026: This tour pro is the newest member of the Brooks Koepka fan club. Here's why

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — Brooks Koepka was among the more popular members of the PGA Tour before he left for LIV Golf in 2022, his laidback vibe allowing him to fit in well with his peers even as he was claiming titles and brandishing himself among the top players in the game. It’s why his comeback this year under the newly created Returning Members Program was met with mostly positive reviews.

In actuality, Kopeka’s fan base among players has grown only grown, in part because of one of the conditions for his return: the five-time major winner cannot take a spot in the field of any tour event he plays in from another player; instead, the event must add two players to fill out a complete a threesome.

“I think every week somebody's thanked me, which has been kind of … it's weird. I don't know. Just never been thanked for playing an event before,” Koepka mentioned on the eve of competing in the Players Championship for the first time since 2022. “So it was cool. It's kind of nice. It's a good opportunity for those guys to get in and play, and if they play good, you know, hopefully keep it running for the rest of the year.”

Among those on the lookout for Koepka this week at the Players Championship is Seamus Power. The 39-year-old Irishman got one of the extra spots at TPC Sawgrass, along with Patton Kizzire.

“I haven’t seen Brooks yet this week,” Power said on Tuesday afternoon after his practice round. “Hopefully I’ll see him at some point.”

More Players Championship Preview stories Ranking The Field Players 2026: Power rankings for the entire field at TPC Sawgrass Players Championship Players 2026: What's the deal with the little island by TPC Sawgrass' 17th green? An explainer Analysis Players 2026: Behind the scenes of the PGA Tour's renewed pursuit of major status for the Players

Power is playing on tour this season with conditional status after his exemption for winning the 2023 Butterfield Bermuda Championship ran out last fall and he finished outside the top 100 the FedEx Cup points list in 2025 (117th). Grateful to play in any event he can get into, Power is especially so in this the tour’s flagship event—where the purse is worth $25 million and the FedEx Cup points are the biggest of any event.

“It wasn’t even something that was on my radar a couple weeks ago,” said Power of the Players, until being made aware of the “Brooks” loophole. “It's great, he's back on tour. The fact he got me in this week is a bonus.”

This is the fifth time Power is competing in the Players, his best finish being T-33 in 2022. It’s why he was out doing his due diligence on Tuesday, playing as a single over the final few holes of his practice round, only his caddie keeping him company in the late afternoon.

“It was always going to be week to week for me, I knew that going in [to the season],” Power said. But with more FedEx Cup points available, a solid performance here can be a springboard for returning to full status on the tour.

“This week is important,” Power said. “It’s a cycle where, you know, you’ve got to play better and you got to get in [events], and when you do get in, you got to take advantage of it.”

Power is 88th on the current FedEx Cup points list, making the cut in four of five starts and posting a T-11 at the Farmers Insurance Open. He knows from experience on tour that players make the majority of their points in three or four events. “The thing is, you never know. You never know which week it’s going to be.”

Power is obviously hopeful this is the week, as have the others who benefitted from Koepka’s return in earlier event this season. This is Koepka’s fourth start. Of the six players who have gained access to events in the three previous tournaments, three have missed the cut. The best finish has come from A.J. Ewart, who posted a T-28 showing at the WM Phoenix Open in February.

Power is paired with Kizzire and Johnny Keefer, teeing off at 9:28 a.m. Thursday morning off the 10th tee. The goal is to not put too much pressure on himself.

An hour ahead of him, Koepka goes off the 10th tee with Akshay Bhatia and Tony Finau. Should Power play well, he’ll have even more reason to track down Koepka and let him know just how appreciative he really is.

More Players Championship Preview stories Viewer's Guide Players 2026: How to watch all the golf action from TPC Sawgrass on TV and streaming Payday at TPC Sawgrass Players 2026 prize money payout: Here's how much money each golfer will earn at TPC Sawgrass Tee Times Players 2026 tee times: Pairings for the first and second round at TPC Sawgrass

Wrexham 'not good enough' and must improve says Phillips

Phil Parkinson standing on the touchline with his arms outstretched and his mouth open saying something to the assistant referee who is stood infront of him.
[Getty Images]

Former Wrexham winger Wayne Phillips says the Red Dragons simply "weren't good enough" in their defeat to Hull City on Tuesday night, insisting a strong response is now essential.

Wrexham fell two goals behind just after the hour mark, with Welsh international Lewis Koumas extending the Tiger's lead.

But speaking to BBC Radio Cymru on Tuesday evening, Phillips believes the damage was done long before the second goal.

"Put simply, too many of them weren't good enough on the night," he said.

"We could see that from the first 10 to 20 minutes. The passing wasn't good enough, and we don't see that very often with Wrexham."

Nathan Broadhead did offer Wrexham late hope, scoring his sixth of the season in a finish reminiscent of Alejandro Garnacho's goal for Chelsea against the Welsh side on Saturday.

"The goal in the second half gave them a little bit of hope," said Phillips.

"But over the 95 minutes I don't think they deserved a point or anything else out of the game."

Despite the setback, Phil Parkinson's team remain firmly in the play-off positions, three points clear of Derby County and just six behind their opponents Hull.

Fellow Welsh side, Swansea City have surged into contention as well, and victory in Friday's all-Welsh clash (13 March, 2000 GMT) could move the Swans to within two points of Wrexham.

Phillips, however, expects a reaction in the derby from his former side: "That's what they do, when they lose games, they respond," he said.

"It's not going to be easy, just like the nine games that follow the Swansea match. But what a game it is to look forward to."

"Swansea had a great result at Portsmouth, and we saw how strong Portsmouth were here a few weeks ago. But I hope Wrexham will be able to respond after losing tonight."

Celtics' Deadline Acquisition John Tonje Drops 42 Points In G League Performance

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Celtics' Deadline Acquisition John Tonje Drops 42 Points In G League Performance originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Celtics' recent trade deadline pickup, John Tonje, turned heads with a dominant showing for the Maine Celtics on Tuesday night. In a game that showcased his scoring prowess, Tonje erupted for 42 points while shooting an impressive 8-of-10 from beyond the arc.

This happened tonight! https://t.co/4TlKvpeSDT

— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) March 11, 2026

Tonje's ability to stretch the floor and contribute on the boards aligns with head coach Joe Mazzulla's emphasis on versatile players.

Analysts have praised Tonje's work ethic, drawing comparisons to other late-blooming shooters who have thrived in Boston's system. The game also featured contributions from other Maine players, but Tonje's efficiency stood out, converting at a high clip in a fast-paced matchup.

As the regular season winds down, the Celtics' front office will monitor such outings closely for potential roster adjustments ahead of the playoffs. This explosion adds to the buzz around Boston's developmental pipeline, which has produced key contributors in recent years.

Originally selected by the Utah Jazz with the 53rd pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Tonje has emerged as a promising talent in his first full professional campaign.

More NBA: Bill Simmons Shares Unexpected Baylor Scheierman-Jayson Tatum Theory

Monroe County Region sends 37 athletes to MHSAA swim-dive state finals

Owen Keith was dominant last week.

The Gibraltar Carlson senior was the only swimmer in the Downriver League Meet to take first place in four events.

He won the 50-yard freestyle, the butterfly and was part of the winning medley and 200 freestyle relays.

Now he moves to a bigger stage.

More: Airport, SMCC, Summerfield girls move into regional title games

Keith is one of 37 Monroe County Region athletes who have qualified to compete in the state championships on Friday and Saturday.

Gibraltar Carlson's Owen Keith will compete in four events at the Division 2 state finals Friday and Saturday.

Carlson and Bedford will be part of the Division 2 meet at Eastern Michigan, Monroe will be represented in the Division 1 meet at Oakland University and Dundee, Erie Mason-Ida and Milan will send athletes to the Division 3 event at the Holland Aquatic Center.

Keith qualified for state in the same four events he swam at the league meet.

“We expect Owen to have great swims in both of his individual races and move on to finals on Saturday,” Carlson coach Beth Stoney said. “A second goal is to earn the 50 free varsity record as well swimming a time under the 1997 record of :21.38.”

His Carlson teammate Jace Starll was 13th in the state in diving last year.

One of his competitors will be Bedford’s Jackson Andrews.

“Jack is looking strong but there is some tough competition in diving,” said Bedford coach Andrew Williams. “Overall this is a fairly new group to states so it should be a good experience for all of them.”

Milan also is young.

“We have a nice mix of younger and older swimmers,” Milan coach Dan Heikka said. “No seniors on our state team have us excited for next year, but we are not done yet, We are looking to swim fast and see where it gets us.”

David Mills leads Erie Mason-Ida.

“The team has an opportunity to surpass last year's ninth-place finish,” Mason-Ida coach Andy Mosley said. “David Mills is currently ranked among the top eight in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events, while Jared Tunison is also within the top 16 for the individual medley.”

Jayce Hay was the only Monroe athlete to reach the tough qualifying standards in Division 1.

Jayce Hay of Monroe swims the individual medley during the Southeast Michigan Independent Swimming League White championships on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

“Monroe really came close to several other qualifiers this year,” Monroe coach Erin Dowen said. “Both the medley and sprint free relays narrowly missed, and Alec Adams just missed the 100 free event. That’s a huge accomplishment for this program, D1 times are so crazy fast.”

A complete list of Monroe County Region qualifiers follows.

Medley Relay: Bedford (Carter Brodzinski, Andy Nelson, Aaron Majewski, Ryan Sharkus, Parker Williams); Dundee (JR Hess, Chandler Gossiaux, Chris Hurst, Mason Edelbrock); Erie Mason-Ida (Bowie Jacobs, Jared Tunison, Brandon Tross, David Mills); Gibraltar Carlson (Owen Keith, Jack Dunwoody, Conor Raftery, Donovan Randazzo); Milan (Tadas Zukovskis, Cameron Garcia, Jameson McShane, Dylan Nichols, Caleb Furlong).

200 freestyle: Alec Markham, Milan; David Mills, Erie Mason-Ida; Mason Reynolds, Erie Mason-Ida.

Individual Medley: Jayce Hay, Monroe; Bowie Jacobs, Erie Mason-Ida; Jared Tunison, Erie Mason-Ida; Parker Williams, Bedford.

50 freestyle: JR Hess, Bedford; Owen Keith, Gibraltar Carlson; Brenner Nelson, Erie Mason-Ida Brandon Tross, Erie Mason-Ida.

Diving: Jackson Andrews, Bedford; Aaron Brewer, Dundee; Kylor Freshour , Dundee; Jace Starll, Gibraltar Carlson.

Butterfly: Jayce Hay, Monroe; Owen Keith, Gibraltar Carlson; Andy Nelson, Bedford; Ryan Sharkus, Bedford; Brandon Tross, Erie Mason-Ida; Parker Williams, Bedford; Tadas Zukovskis, Milan.

100 freestyle: Brenner Nelson, Erie Mason-Ida.

500 freestyle: Alec Markham, Milan; David Mills, Erie Mason-Ida.

200 freestyle relay: Bedford (Carter Brodzinski, Andy Nelson, Aaron Majewski, Ryan Sharkus, Parker Williams); Erie Mason-Ida (Mason Reynolds, Brandon Tross, Bowie Jacobs, Brenner Nelson); Gibraltar Carlson (Owen Keith, Owen Lancaster, Dean Manthei, Jack Dunwoody); Milan (Alex Marham, Tadas Zukovskis, Cameron Garcia, Dylan Nichols, Koleton Tolfree).

Backstroke: JR Hess, Bedford; Bowie Jacobs, Erie Mason-Ida; Mason Reynolds, Erie Mason-Ida; Tadas Zukovskis, Milan.

Breaststroke: Chandler Gossiaux, Dundee; Jared Tunison, Erie Mason-Ida.

400 freestyle relay: Bedford (Carter Brodzinski, Andy Nelson, Aaron Majewski, Ryan Sharkus, Parker Williams); Erie Mason-Ida (Brenner Nelson, Brandon Tross, Mason Reynolds, David Mills); Milan (Alec Markham, Jameson McShane, Tadas Zukovskis, Dylan Nichols, Ryan Johnson).

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Region sends 37 athletes to MHSAA swimming state finals

3 Tight Ends the Detroit Lions Should Consider on Day 3 of Free Agency

The Detroit Lions have already built one of the league’s most dangerous offenses around quarterback Jared Goff, star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta.

But with the Lions entering Day 3 of NFL free agency, there is still room to add another weapon at tight end.

New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has historically used multiple tight end sets throughout his career. Adding another experienced tight end could give Detroit even more versatility in the passing game while also strengthening the run blocking on the edge.

Here are three tight ends the Lions should consider as free agency continues.


1. David Njoku

David Njoku would immediately be the most explosive option available.

The former first-round pick has been a consistent playmaker throughout his career, recording 384 receptions for 4,062 yards and 34 touchdowns across 118 games.

Even in a shortened 2025 season, Njoku still produced 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games.

At 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds, Njoku provides a rare blend of size, speed, and athleticism, making him a difficult matchup for linebackers and safeties. Pairing Njoku with LaPorta would give the Lions a nightmare two-tight-end combination capable of stretching defenses and dominating in the red zone.


2. Tyler Higbee

Tyler Higbee brings a different skill set — one built on experience, toughness, and postseason success.

A longtime member of the Los Angeles Rams, Higbee has been one of the league’s most reliable blocking and possession tight ends.

Over his career, he has totaled 386 receptions for 3,949 yards and 27 touchdowns, including a Super Bowl championship during the Rams’ title run.

In 2025, Higbee recorded 25 receptions for 281 yards and three touchdowns. While he may not be the explosive athlete Njoku is, he would bring veteran leadership and physical blocking to Detroit’s offense.

That type of skill set could be particularly valuable if the Lions want to lean even more into their power running attack with Jahmyr Gibbs and the offensive line.


3. Tyler Conklin

Tyler Conklin may not generate the same headlines, but he could be the most realistic Day 3 target.

The former Central Michigan Chippewas football standout has quietly built a productive NFL career with 270 receptions for 2,645 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Conklin’s biggest strengths are reliability and versatility. He can line up inline, in the slot, or in motion — traits that would fit nicely into Detroit’s offensive system.

In 2025, Conklin appeared in 13 games and recorded seven receptions for 101 yards.

For a Lions team looking to add depth behind LaPorta while keeping the offense flexible, Conklin could be a smart and affordable option.


Why a second tight end makes sense

Detroit’s offense has already shown how effective it can be with LaPorta as a centerpiece. But adding another capable tight end could unlock even more possibilities for Petzing’s offense.

Two-tight-end sets can help the Lions:

  • Create mismatches in the passing game
  • Improve run blocking at the edge
  • Give Goff more reliable middle-of-the-field targets
  • Add red-zone versatility

Considering Detroit’s Super Bowl aspirations, adding another tight end may not be the flashiest move — but it could be one of the smartest.

The post 3 Tight Ends the Detroit Lions Should Consider on Day 3 of Free Agency appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.

Bengals News (3/11): Could Bengals swoop in on Crosby?

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) lifts his award as general manager John Spytek, left, looks on after receiving the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award before a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Bengals News

Ravens Back Out of Maxx Crosby Trade, Why Bengals Could Strike Deal With Raiders

The Maxx Crosby trade is off after the Ravens “backed out” of the deal on Tuesday night. The NFL world is in shambles.

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Cincinnati Bengals Miss Out on Two Ideal Defenders in Free Agency

The Bengals need linebacker help this offseason, but the free agency options are starting to run thin.

How Bengals signing Boye Mafe overhauls NFL draft plan

The Cincinnati Bengals found themselves a new veteran edge-rusher by agreeing to terms with Seahawks free-agent defensive end Boye Mafe on a three-year, $60 million contract. Details of the contracts have not been released yet.

NFL News

Raiders: Ravens ‘backed out’ of trade for pass rusher Maxx Crosby

The biggest trade of the 2026 offseason is no more.

Travis Kelce reportedly reaches deal to return to Chiefs for 2026 season

Kansas City Chiefs tight end and future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce has reportedly reached a deal to return to the Chiefs for the 2026 NFL season, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday.

Super Bowl champ Jalen Hurts reveals he nearly quit football

Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Hurts opened up Monday about a time when he started to question whether he wanted to continue pursuing his football career.

Ex-NFL linebacker charged with killing girlfriend asked ChatGPT for advice before calling 911, court documents say

A former NFL linebacker charged with killing his girlfriend sought advice from ChatGPT, telling the chatbot the woman “stabbed herself” and asking what he should do, according to messages revealed in a Tennessee courtroom Monday.

Maxx Crosby opens up on offseason routine before failed Raiders-Ravens trade

A deal that seemed locked in completely unraveled Tuesday night. The Las Vegas Raiders announced their agreement to trade Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens had collapsed, with the team stating that Baltimore “backed out of our trade agreement.”

The reason surfaced shortly after through multiple reports. Crosby failed his physical examination in Baltimore. The two franchises had reached terms on Friday for a massive trade that would have sent the star defensive end to the Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks.

MORE: NFL GM reveals shocking Ravens move after failed Maxx Crosby trade

Under NFL rules, all trades require players to pass a medical evaluation before becoming official. This standard procedure became the dealbreaker in what would have been one of the most significant defensive acquisitions of the offseason.

Baltimore fans had plenty of reasons to get excited about the potential addition. Crosby has built an impressive resume over seven seasons with the Raiders, recording 278 solo tackles, 161 assists, 69.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, and one interception. The enthusiasm did not last long once the medical concerns came to light.

Maxx Crosby reveals routine that changed his career

Before any of this news broke, Crosby had sat down with Rams linebacker Jared Verse on The Rush podcast. The two discussed what separates elite players from the rest, and Crosby opened up about the work that transformed his career.

“I stretch every night, no matter what, I’ll stretch 365, before I go to bed every single night. I swear to God, it changed my career, bro. I started doing that back in college. You’ve watched some of my film, and I’m bending, doing weird [expletive], the run game, and making people miss, because you’re not second guessing yourself,” Crosby said.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby stretches during warmups prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

His point went beyond just flexibility. Crosby explained how daily preparation eliminated the hesitation that plagued him early in his career. He used to reach the top of a rush and freeze instead of committing fully to bending around the edge. The constant work on flexibility and grip strength built the kind of confidence that removes doubt once the play starts.

When a rusher already has speed off the edge and reliable power moves, the ability to dip and turn corners cleanly becomes what separates good from great. It leaves offensive tackles guessing instead of reacting with any certainty.

MORE: Ravens pull unprecedented stunt on Raiders in Maxx Crosby agreement

Maxx Crosby explains offseason mindset most players avoid

Crosby also touched on how players approach the offseason, and his philosophy runs counter to what most do after a successful year.

“Like every offseason, a lot of players think, ‘Okay, I had a good season. Now we’re gonna build off of that,’ No, you gotta break that [expletive] down to the studs and figure out, ‘Okay, I need to get better here. I need to get stronger here. Maybe my left footed stands compared to my right is not as good. I need to work on it,’ It’s just little [expletive] like that that’s gonna take your game to the next level,” Crosby added.

Former Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby
Former Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Maxx Crosby’s agent issues update after trade collapse

The irony of that conversation is hard to miss given what happened next. The Raiders retain Crosby while he works through a significant knee injury. Baltimore needs to pursue other options to upgrade their pass rush.

Crosby’s future remains uncertain as he recovers from an injury serious enough to derail a blockbuster trade.

His agent, C.J. LaBoy, responded quickly after the news surfaced.

LaBoy insisted his client is “ahead of schedule” in his recovery and will return stronger than before, maintaining that Crosby remains the type of player who creates problems for offensive coordinators during game preparation.

Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead

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The post Maxx Crosby opens up on offseason routine before failed Raiders-Ravens trade appeared first on The Big Lead.

Dalton Knecht plays two minutes for Lakers in win over Minnesota

Los Angeles (40-25) defeated Minnesota (40-25), 120-106, Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Former Vol Dalton Knecht played two minutes for the Lakers and did not record statistics.

Luka Doncic recorded a double-double for Los Angeles, totaling 31 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Austin Reaves also scored 31 points, while LeBron James was inactive for the Lakers.

Knecht transferred to Tennessee from Northern Colorado and played for the Vols during the 2023-24 season under head coach Rick Barnes.

During his one season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He led the Vols to a SEC regular-season championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for a second time in school history. Knecht was named SEC Player of the Year and SEC Newcomer of the Year.

Los Angeles will next play Thursday versus Chicago. Tipoff is slated for 10:30 p.m. EDT at Crypto.com Arena.

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

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Dalton Knecht by the numbers for Lakers versus Minnesota

Free agency pool vaporizing, Cowboys backed into corner at linebacker

The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2026 NFL offseason with the linebacker position highlighted as one of the biggest, most pressing, needs to address. For years Dallas’ off-ball linebackers have been a source weakness on the defense. Discipline, accountability and play recognition have consistently plagued this unit, leading to breakdowns in both phases of the game, while setting the Cowboys on a path for the worst defense in the NFL.

On Monday, free agency’s legal tampering period kicked off with determined teams quickly coming to agreements with the various objects of their affection. Dallas joined in on such festivities, with the Cowboys agreeing to sign safety Jalen Thompson to a three-year, $33M deal when the new league year begins. Unfortunately for them, that’s where the free agent action stopped, leaving that all-important LB spot unaddressed and offering the Cowboys with very few options to improve.

A shallow pool of FA talent from the start, the Cowboys likely knew they’d have to overpay if they wanted to lure good linebackers to Dallas. According to reports they had multiple irons in the fire but eventually were rebuffed by all.

Wow: Nakobe Dean was offered a "similar deal" by the Cowboys but went with his "gut feeling" and signed with the Raiders, per @SlaterNFL

Dallas almost had one of the best defenders in the NFL.

😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/R9BHFoIAVP

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 9, 2026

With an available pool that currently has one - maybe two - viable starting options, things are looking bleak for this maligned position group.

Talks of a trade have done little to quell the concerns, with Pittsburgh’s Patrick Queen the most commonly linked name. Queen was one of the worst LBs in the NFL last season and would be, at best, a lateral move from Kenneth Murray. If that trade happened, it’s likely the Cowboys would feel obligated by Queen's status and contract in the same way they did Murray, making for a true subtraction-by-addition scenario for Dallas. It's a bullet they should dodge.

Day 2 of #Cowboys FA.

Let’s see where this LB search lands.

Interest still there with Patrick Queen but still work to do.

They got close with Nakobe Dean will they still pursue a similar deal with the few left or address need in the draft?

Back on NFL Network today with…

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) March 10, 2026

Fortunately in some's eyes, Tuesday came and went and interest in Queen has apparently fizzled.

A favorite contingency plan of many, former Chiefs LB Leo Chenal inked a sizeable deal with the Washington Commanders and Dan Quinn. It’s now a pretty safe bet the Cowboys will be forced to lean on the draft to once again fill their enormous needs at off-ball linebacker. The problem with that is rookie LBs rarely hit the ground running, and the ones that do, are drafted early.

Of the eight qualifying rookie LBs graded by Pro Football Focus last year, only two graded above league average. Those two players, Jihaad Campbell and Carson Schwesinger, both were picked up in the top 33. Working in Dallas’ favor is the fact they have two picks in the top 20. The Cowboys don’t have any picks in the second or third round so such a course backs Dallas into a corner, almost requiring them to draft a LB in the first round, no matter what.

Anyone who’s spent any time around the NFL draft knows drafting a predetermined position for need is a great way to welcome disaster. To make matters worse, the Cowboys likely need to double-dip at the LB position as well. DeMarvion Overshown’s medical history suggests he’s going to miss time and Shemar James hasn’t shown he can even be rotational, let alone next-man-up in case of injury. With Marist Liufau moving to outside linebacker (aka edge in a 3-4) the Cowboys don’t have much at inside linebacker.

The 2026 NFL draft is going to have to do the heavy lifting, meaning important positions like edge pass-rusher, cornerback, and safety may have to take a backseat out of sheer need. A lot can happen between now and the 2026 season but things started about as poorly as they could have for the LB position.

You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: NFL free agent LB pool vaporizes, Cowboys searching for Plan B

2026 NFL mock draft: Broncos select Miami's star pass rusher

In their latest 2026 NFL mock draft for Yahoo! Sports, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald have the Denver Broncos adding to an already-stacked position on defense.

In the first round of the Yahoo mock draft, the Broncos add Miami edge defender Akheem Mesidor. This was Tice and McDonald's commentary on the selection:

Another pass rusher for the Broncos because that’s what we do with teams at the bottom of a mock draft. Mesidor showed he can put heat on the quarterback on the edge and the interior of Miami’s defensive line, registering 12.5 sacks in the Hurricanes’ run to the national championship game. Pro Football Focus gave him a 92.5 pass rush grade, which is third among edge rushers. His PFF run defense score was 88.3, which ranked in the 91st percentile.

Denver already has Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman and Que Robinson at outside linebacker, so if they added Mesidor, the club would presumably make a corresponding trade to make room.

The Broncos received two compensatory picks ahead of the new league year, and the team now holds nine selections in the 2026 NFL draft, held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25. 

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/XDid you knowThese 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft: Denver Broncos select Akheem Mesidor

Africa U-17 Cup of Nations 2026 qualifiers: Full schedule for the North African Union zone

Africa U-17 Cup of Nations 2026 qualifiers: Full schedule for the North African Union zone
Africa U-17 Cup of Nations 2026 qualifiers: Full schedule for the North African Union zone

Three teams will represent North Africa at the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.

Africa U-17 Cup of Nations 2026 qualifiers: Full schedule for the North African Union zone

The complete schedule for the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations qualifiers for the North African Union zone has been revealed. The tournament will take place from March 24 to April 5 in Libya.

This competition features the five national teams affiliated with the 'North African Football Union (UNAF): Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. The tournament will be played in a round-robin format, giving every team the chance to face each other.

The top three teams in the final standings will secure qualification for the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, set to take place in Morocco from April 25 to May 15, 2026. This qualifying mini-league for the North African Union will be hosted in the Libyan city of Benghazi from March 24 to April 5, 2026.

Full schedule for the North African Union qualifying tournament for the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations:

Matchday 1 – Tuesday, March 24, 2026

  1. Morocco vs Tunisia at 13:00
  2. Libya vs Algeria at 16:00

Matchday 2 – Friday, March 27

  1. Tunisia vs Egypt at 13:00
  2. Algeria vs Morocco at 15:00

Matchday 3 – Monday, March 30

  1. Libya vs Tunisia at 13:00
  2. Egypt vs Morocco at 15:00

Matchday 4 – Thursday, April 2

  1. Libya vs Egypt at 13:00
  2. Tunisia vs Algeria at 15:00

Matchday 5 – Sunday, April 5

  1. Algeria vs Egypt at 13:00
  2. Morocco vs Libya at 13:00

The best and worst PGA Tour players on TPC Sawgrass’ 17th hole include Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass is perhaps the single-most iconic hole in all of golf.

It’s a 137-yard par three completely surrounded by water, as these players look to fire a dart into this small target with the world’s pressure on their shoulders. It’s a spectacular sight, and an incredible challenge, one that Rory McIlroy rose to at last year’s Players in a playoff vs JJ Spaun.

It’s hosted some of the most historic moments in The Players Championship’s history, from Rickie Fowler’s playoff-winning moment to Tiger Woods’ legendary putt.

67 players in this year’s field have played the 17th at Sawgrass at least 10 times. Some have conquered it repeatedly, and some have floundered. Here is a breakdown of the best and worst performers at this legendary hole.

Photo by Stan Badz/PGA TOUR
Photo by Stan Badz/PGA TOUR

Brooks Koepka is the worst performer on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass

In one of the more shocking stats from this year’s Players Championship, Brooks Koepka has the single worst scoring average on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass among players who have played it 10 times in this year’s field.

He has averaged a four on this hole during his career, and has made a seven on this hole twice. The second worst in the field is Tony Finau, who averages a 3.54, followed by Patrick Rodgers, Aaron Rai and Michael Kim.

An honourable mention goes to Andrew Putnam, who isn’t among the five worst players, but he’s never recorded a birdie in 14 attempts.

The best player on the 17th in this year’s field is Kurt Kitayama, whose average is just below a par with 2.7. He’s followed by Matt Hubbard, Ryan Fox, 2015 winner Fowler, and Joel Dahmen. Fox and Hubbard have not bogeyed the hole yet in 24 combined trips.

Interestingly, only one of the top five players on this hole has won the event, suggesting that success at The Players is more about surviving the 17th than excelling on it.

Brooks Koepka explains his terrible record on TPC Sawgrass’ 17th hole

Speaking before this year’s Players Championship, Koepka was asked to explain why the 17th hole has given him so much trouble over the years.

He replied, “Between 17 and 12 at Augusta, it seems to be the par-3s. But then again, I’ve hit — I think the last time we played here, I think I hit 5-iron on the hole. It was the year it was blowing like crazy.

“We stopped I think we were on 16 green. I want to say I was playing with Scottie or maybe Rory, one of the two. Somebody hit 6-iron I think came up short, so I hit 5, then it went over. I mean, it’s kind of tough to argue when it’s blowing 35.

“But yeah, my friends bust my chops about it pretty good. So I mean, it’s all fun and games. Then just got to go out and go do it.”

In perfect conditions, it’s still a tricky shot, but the way the wind swirls above this island green can make it impossible for players. Expect it to be no different this year.

BYD could become China’s first-ever F1 team as they explore a ‘competitive involvement’

Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Formula 1’s addition of Cadillac to the 2026 grid saw one of the world’s leading car manufacturers join the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport. A recent report has suggested that BYD, China’s largest automotive company by volume, is now exploring a ‘competitive involvement’ in F1.

BYD has become a world leader in the electric automobile market since the start of the current decade. They experienced substantial sales growth in China in 2020, before expanding into overseas markets in the following year, to much success.

However, a presence in motorsports is lacking, which can be a lucrative source of advertising and revenue for any car manufacturer.

While Bob Tasca Sr’s phrase, “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday,” may not ring quite as true as it did back in his heyday, mainly due to F1 cars being close-to-impossible for the average Joe to own, it’s a proven formula that suggests success on the race track translates to success in the dealerships.

BYD are seeking a ‘competitive involvement’ in motorsport

As such, BYD are looking to strengthen their brand image by finding an opportunity in motorsports, with it being suggested that the top brass within the company are looking at Formula 1 or the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Whether it plans to enter a 12th team in F1 or seek out a team to invest in is unclear at this stage, but either would prove to be mutually beneficial for both the sport and BYD themselves.

According to a report by Autosprint, F1 would ‘gain’ in terms of entering the Chinese market, in which they currently don’t have any presence, while BYD would find a category that is ‘perfectly aligned’ with its strategy as an electric engine manufacturer with a deep expertise in hybrid systems.

The potential of there being a 12th racing outfit on the grid has met stern opposition from F1 team bosses due to how it will affect the overall prize money, but it is possible for the sport to welcome another manufacturer, providing they fit a certain description.

As an industry leader, BYD certainly match the profile F1 are looking for, and the report states that the Chinese giants hold a ‘numerically superior’ supply of engineering prowess and human resources to its European and North American counterparts.

China’s most recent involvement in motorsport came in Formula E

It remains a bit of a mystery as to why China hasn’t previously managed to field a team in the pinnacle of single-seater motor racing in the past.

The second-most populated country’s most recent involvement in worldwide motorsports came in the Formula E world championship, where there have been two teams that have raced under the Chinese flag.

Nelson Piquet Jr found success with Formula E outfit China Racing during the category’s inaugural championship, winning the title by a single point at the final round of the 2014-15 season.

Chinese public equity and venture capital firm China Media Capital then purchased Team Aguri in 2016, and spun the team into DS Techeetah, which went on to win three consecutive titles between 2018 and 2020 before it fell off the grid ahead of the 2023 campaign.

Bam Adebayo reveals how Kobe Bryant would have reacted to his 83-point scoring record

Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Bam Adebayo admitted Kobe Bryant was the first player who came to mind after he produced one of the most historic scoring nights the NBA has ever seen.

The Miami Heat star stunned the basketball world with an incredible performance that pushed him past Bryant in the league’s all-time single-game scoring list.

Even after the final buzzer, Adebayo was still thinking about the late Lakers legend.

Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images
Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Bam Adebayo wonders what Kobe Bryant would say after a record night

Naveen Ganglani shared Adebayo’s emotional reaction after his record-breaking game.

“To me it’s wondering what he’d say… to be at 83 and you pass him, my mind is like, ‘What would he say to me?’ Because I always wanted to have a conversation with him,” Adebayo said.

The Heat star added: “He’ll probably say, ‘Do it again.’ Just a surreal moment being in the company with somebody you idolized growing up.”

Adebayo has often spoken about Bryant’s influence on his mentality and work ethic.

Breaking a scoring record held by someone he admired growing up clearly made the moment even more meaningful.

How Bam Adebayo’s 83 points compare to Kobe Bryant’s 81

Adebayo delivered his historic night in a 150–129 victory over the Washington Wizards, finishing with 83 points to produce the second-highest scoring game in NBA history.

The Heat center shot 20-of-43 from the field, knocked down seven three-pointers and went 36-of-43 from the free-throw line, setting NBA records for both free throws made and attempted in a single game.

Bryant’s iconic 81-point performance came for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006 and had stood for nearly two decades as the second-highest total in league history.

Only Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point game in 1962 now sits above Adebayo’s extraordinary performance.

The historic night instantly placed Adebayo alongside some of the most unforgettable scoring displays the NBA has ever witnessed.

Read more:

AEW's Jeff Jarrett Comments On Whether He Sees Vince McMahon Ever Returning To WWE

Vince McMahon during a video addressing WWE's United Kingdom fans.
Vince McMahon during a video addressing WWE's United Kingdom fans. - WWE

As online fans become more and more disillusioned with Paul "Triple H" Levesque's booking of WWE, more and more people seem to be calling for the return of Vince McMahon. While some believe there's still a window of opportunity for the former WWE Chairman to return, AEW's Jeff Jarrett doesn't see that being the case.

"The dynamic between Ari [Emmanuel] and Vince, and we were just talking about the cutting of, you know, the fixed income – how does that fit in there, like, is Vince going to create more revenue for him," the veteran wondered during an episode of his "My World w/Jeff Jarrett" podcast, before doubling down over the financial realities. "I just don't see it happening."

Jarrett considered McMahon's options. Jarrett says he's seen millionaires in Nashville build up multiple companies and sell them off, while McMahon has only built one company and sold it. 

"They never get out of the game," he added. "What is next for Vince? I don't think it's TKO, but he's not gonna go away quietly..."

Eric Bischoff has been one name that's voiced his opinion on McMahon coming back to WWE multiple times. According to the WWE Hall of Famer, he believes that WWE has been slowly cushioning their stance on McMahon and will eventually move to, at the very least, showing him on television again.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "My World w/Jeff Jarrett" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Read more: Where Are MTV's Wrestling Society X Stars Now?

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Read the original article on Wrestling Inc.

Where Chelsea are rated in Premier League’s most valuable squads – it’s not top

Where Chelsea are rated in Premier League’s most valuable squads – it’s not top
Where Chelsea are rated in Premier League’s most valuable squads – it’s not top

Chelsea have been rated third in the Premier League’s most valuable squad by transfer valuation website, Transfermrkt.

The Blues have spent well over £1.5bn on their current squad since the new owners arrived in 2022. But interestingly enough, they are not the highest value squad in the league, at least according to this report.

EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea in for former Barcelona forward with two Brazil caps to his name!

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They have based it on what they call market value for each player, so it is only really on their forecast., yet it presents an interesting set of results all the same.

Manchester City top the list, with Arsenal behind them, and then Chelsea in third place just above Liverpool.

Most valuable squads

The most valuable Premier League squads based on market value:

Tottenham in 5th spot should be concerning for them due to where they currently are in the Premier League table and how bad they have been lately. They got hammered again last night as well in the Champions League.

Chelsea will be hoping that their market values go up very soon with the amount they have spent on their squad. But we all know that could take time because they buy development talent and then hopefully watch them grow some.

In other news this week…

One move that will definitely be made in the summer is arrival of Geovany Quenda to Chelsea from Sporting for around £18m – and there are already plans in place for him.

Luis Enrique took his PSG press conference yesterday, and he previewed tonight’s Champions League game by speaking a lot about Liam Rosenior’s style of play.

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

Mets Morning News: Mets win, America loses

HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 10: Nolan McLean #26 of Team USA warms up his pitch on the mound prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool B game presented by Capital One between Team Italy and Team USA at Daikin Park on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Meet the Mets

The Mets beat the Cardinals decisively 6-1 yesterday, with David Peterson giving up just one run in four innings and Francisco Alvarez hitting a mammoth two-run home run.

The Carlos Beltrán redemption tour needs one last piece to be fully successful: another shot at managing in MLB.

Nolan McLean’s rise from prospect to Mets starting pitcher and potentially pitching in the World Baseball Classic final has been helped by his competitive spirit.

Bryce Harper gave Nolan McLean some extremely high praise before the World Baseball Classic game he started last night.

Jonah Tong has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

Baseball Prospectus has posted their season preview for the Mets.

Francisco Lindor played in a game on the minor league side of camp, leaving him very optimistic about his chances to make it back for Opening Day.

Around the National League East

Jayson Stark argued as to why the Phillies’ plan of running it back might not be the worst idea.

Former Met Richard Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Nationals after four spring training games to make room for pitcher Zack Littell.

Around Major League Baseball

Italy jolted Team USA with an 8-6 win over the superstar-loaded team, putting the Americans in a situation of scoreboard watching to see if they move on or have their worst result in the history of the tournament.

Canada holds their World Baseball Classic fate in their own hands thanks to a 3-2 win over Puerto Rico 3-2 last night. The winner of Canada-Cuba today will advance to the quarterfinals.

Buster Olney wrote about the team perspective when a star player goes to play in the World Baseball Classic.

Despite being shut out for seven innings, Japan beat Czechia 9-0 to go undefeated in the pool stage.

Hunter Greene has to get arthroscopic surgery in his right elbow for bone chips and loose bodies, and he’ll be out until July.

Israel beat Netherlands 6-2 in the last game of the tournament for both teams, though they both have reasons to celebrate despite their early exits.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Chris McShane wrote about Luis Robert Jr.’s possible potential going into 2026.

This Date in Mets History

The Mets got their first ever win (of any kind) on this day in 1962.

Dolphins 17-game starter signing 2-year deal with Super Bowl favorite

The Miami Dolphins moved on from long snapper Blake Ferguson in 2025 after five years and replaced him with former New England Patriot Joe Cardona.

However, Miami will have to find a new long snapper in 2026, as Cardona has agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.

More to come...

More Dolphins: Dolphins 2026 free agency tracker: Latest news, rumors and signings

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: NFL free agency: Dolphins lose Joe Cardona to Los Angeles Rams

Ladies' Day brings out the fashion at Cheltenham

A young woman with long brown hair and a brown trilby-style hat at the Cheltenham Festival 2026.
The second day of the annual festival provides a reason to dress up [PA Media]

Ladies' Day is making a comeback at the Cheltenham Festival this year, with the outfits getting as much attention as the races themselves.

The festival, which began on Tuesday, attracts hundreds of thousands of ticket holders to the course at Prestbury in Gloucestershire.

It will culminate with the sold-out Gold Cup day in front of 70,000 racing fans on Friday.

Last year Ladies' Day was rebranded as "Style Wednesday" but has returned to its traditional name this year, with cash prizes on offer for the best outfits.

A young woman with wavy blonde hair smiles as she poses for the camera at Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival 2026. She is wearing a plum red berry-style beret with feathers attached to it, and a jacket that matches her hat
[PA Media]
A line of women laugh as they pose for the camera at the start of Ladies' Day at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. Some of them have bright yellow or blue outfits on, and all of them are wearing bright fascinators on their heads
[PA Media]
A woman with large sunglasses and a white, fluffy hat poses for the camera as Ladies' Day gets under way at the Cheltenham Festival. Behind her is a mixture of blue sky and cloud
[PA Media]

Hats off to them: Ladies' Day always attracts some eye-catching outfits and headgear, and this year has proved no different. Many racegoers were through the gates early on Wednesday to show off their finery.

Four women, three of them young and one slightly older, smile as they stand arm in arm at the Cheltenham Festival. They are all wearing smart dark jackets and hats or fascinators
[PA Media]
A woman with a black and white checked jacket holds onto a dramatic piece of headgear at the second day of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. The hat is made of long, curling pieces of black and purple material
[PA Media]
Two men face each other as they chat while holding drinks. One has a shiny orange formal suit on, while the other is wearing a light blue suit with colourful emblems on it
[Reuters]

Suits you sir: While Tuesday is all about the ladies, some of the male racegoers also made some bold fashion statements.

Darts star Luke Littler walks into the Cheltenham Festival, with his other guests either side. He is wearing a dark blue suit and waistcoat, a white shirt and dark pink tie and sunglasses
Darts player Luke Littler was among the VIP guests on Tuesday [PA Media]
A horse and rider are silhouetted against a bright sky early in the morning on day two of the Cheltenham Festival 2026
[PA Media]
Five young women pose with their hands on their hips side on to the camera. They are all wearing tweed or smart jackets and dresses with hats and fascinators.
[BBC]
Six women of various ages all wearing fascinators with feather details smile at the camera. They are wearing smart coats and jumpers and skirts or dresses.
[BBC]

More on this story

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Players 2026: Wyndham Clark cracks Kay Adams up with wild drivers-girlfriends analogy

Wyndham Clark is a longshot to win the 2026 Players Championship, but he's already wrapped up the unofficial title of doing the cheekiest interview of the week at TPC Sawgrass.

The 2023 U.S. Open winner joined FanDuel's "Up & Adams" show and when the discussion turned to his frequent equipment changes, Clark cracked up host Kay Adams by making a wild drivers-girlfriends analogy.

RELATED: Adam Scott tells hilarious bar story involving his now wife

"Sometimes it's nice to have a week-long girlfriend," Clark says with a laugh. "I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding."

We—and clearly, Kay—didn't see that response coming! Anyway, here's the full clip:

"Wyndham?! Are you kidding?" Adams presses.

"I am kidding. You know, I haven't found the right one. And when you find the right one, you lock it down, OK?" continued the unmarried Clark. "We're still talking about drivers, right?"

Wyndham Clark's got jokes! The three-time PGA Tour winner went on to say that he's currently using a TaylorMade Qi4D.

"It's your fourth swap of the season?" Adams asks. "Settle down, Wyndham!"

"I'm a free agent, and you know, sometimes it's nice to spice things up," Clark replies. "As you said, the honeymoon stage can be really nice."

OK then . . . Here's hoping Wyndham has finally found true (driver) happiness.

RELATED: Akshay Bhatia's historic short-game stat & Lexi Thompson ties the knot

Consistency key for Oregon CB Brandon Finney to be 'best in country'

It seemed as if there was a big defensive play to be made in the Orange Bowl against Texas Tech, Oregon Ducks freshman corner Brandon Finney was there.

Finney was named that game's defensive Most Valuable Player with his two interceptions and a fumble recovery to help the Ducks move on to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff with the 23-0 win over the Red Raiders.

According to Oregon defensive coordinator Chris Hampton, Finney is about to explode onto the scene as one of the country's best corners. He made an early name for himself in 2025 with his 42 tackles and three interceptions.

"I mean, he's got a tremendously high ceiling. I think he could be a guy that's one of the best in the country," Hampton said in an exclusive interview with the Bleav in Oregon Podcast. "And I think he's striving to be there. I really do. He's got an extreme, extreme work ethic. This guy's infatuated with the process. He works extremely hard. I think that he can just continue to be more consistent. I think that's the biggest thing with him is being consistent each and every game. He's working it there to dominate his opponent ... each and every week."

That consistency that Finney is working on can be seen in the final two games of the season last year. He had a big game against Texas Tech, but just had two tackles against Indiana in the Peach Bowl. But to be fair, most of the Ducks struggled in the loss to the eventual national champion Hoosiers. It wasn't just Finney.

But that loss should be a learning opportunity for all of the defensive players in Oregon camp this year. You have to bring it each and every week, no matter the opponent or the situation. Finney could be one of those players who make a big jump from his freshman season to his sophomore year, and if that's the case, good luck to the 12 quarterbacks scheduled to play the Ducks in 2026.

They'll need it.

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 DC Chris Hampton details how Brandon Finney can improve

Virat Kohli hits the nets: Practice video goes viral ahead of IPL 2026

NEW DELHI: Star India batter Virat Kohli has kickstarted preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season, sharing a practice video on social media that quickly went viral among cricket fans.

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In a reel posted on Instagram, the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain was seen going through an intense net session, focusing on his batting as he gears up for another campaign in the cash-rich league. The clip showed Kohli timing the ball crisply and working on different shots, hinting at his readiness for the new season.



The video generated excitement among fans, with thousands flooding the comments section to express their anticipation for the 2026 edition of the tournament.

WATCH:





Kohli remains one of the most prolific batters in IPL history. Across 267 matches and 259 innings, the right-hander has amassed 8,661 runs at an average of 39.54 and a strike rate of 132.85. His record includes eight centuries and 63 half-centuries, making him one of the league’s most consistent performers since its inception.
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The 2025 season was particularly memorable for Kohli and RCB. The veteran batter scored 657 runs in 15 matches at an impressive average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, including eight half-centuries. His contributions played a crucial role in helping Bengaluru lift their maiden IPL title.

The 2026 IPL season is scheduled to begin on March 28, although the full fixtures are yet to be released.

Soccer-Barca fan's GPS blunder lands him at wrong St James Park for Champions League tie

March 11 (Reuters) - A Barcelona fan's navigation mishap turned into an unexpected adventure when he arrived at the wrong ‌St James' Park on Tuesday for a Champions League ‌clash, ending up 366 miles from where his team was actually playing.

The Spanish fan, ​who had travelled from London expecting to watch Barcelona take on Newcastle United in the first leg of the last-16 tie, instead found himself at the turnstiles of third-tier Exeter City's St James ‌Park.

It was only when ⁠he presented his ticket to staff that the mix-up became apparent but rather than turn him away, ⁠Exeter City staff took pity on his plight and provided him with a ticket for their League One match against Lincoln City.

"One of ​our ​volunteers came to the office to ​let us know that ‌this guy had turned up expecting to see FC Barcelona. His English wasn't great, but from what we could gather, he'd come from London," said Adam Spencer, Exeter City's Supporter Experience Officer.

"My guess is he'd put St James Park in his phone and then ‌just followed the directions from there. ​He was pretty gutted and a ​bit embarrassed.

"So, we sorted him ​out a ticket and he got to watch ‌a game at the real St ​James Park. He'd ​be welcome back any time."

While the Barca fan watched the home side lose 1-0 to league leaders Lincoln City, ​Barcelona salvaged a 1-1 ‌draw in Newcastle after Lamine Yamal netted a penalty ​with the final kick of the game.

(Reporting by Rohith ​Nair in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Beneil Dariush calls out Paddy Pimblett after losing UFC 327 opponent

Beneil Dariush needs a new opponent for UFC 327.

Manuel Torres (17-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is out of his April 11 lightweight bout due to injury, Dariush announced on the Overdogs Podcast. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the news to MMA Junkie.

Dariush (23-7-1 MMA, 17-7-1 UFC) plans on remaining on the card at Kaseya Center in Miami and expressed interest in Paddy Pimblett, who's coming off an interim title loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in January. Dariush will look to rebound from a 16-second knockout loss to Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 322 in November.

Mexico's Torres was looking to continue building momentum after back-to-back first-round TKOs over veterans Drew Dober and Grant Dawson.

The updated UFC 327 lineup includes:

  • Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg – for vacant light heavyweight title
  • Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira – for flyweight title
  • Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit
  • Beneil Dariush vs. TBA
  • Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker
  • Paulo Costa vs. Azamat Murzakanov
  • Patricio Freire vs. Aaron Pico
  • Mateusz Gamrot vs. Esteban Ribovics
  • Nate Landwehr vs. Cub Swanson
  • Randy Brown vs. Kevin Holland
  • Kelvin Gastelum vs. Vicente Luque
  • Loopy Godinez vs. Tatiana Suarez
  • Christopher Alvidrez vs. Francisco Prado
  • MarQuel Mederos vs. Nazim Sadykhov

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 327: Beneil Dariush eyes popular lightweight after losing opponent

Anchor Drop and Open Thread: Wednesday, March 11, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 15: A general view of the arena floor at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. prior to the first game of the ACC Tournament Semi Final on March 15, 2024. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Good morning.

Optional Musical Accompaniment

Vanderbilt baseball stopped the bleeding a bit with a 14-6 win over Indiana State last night thanks to a six-run fifth inning, after falling behind the Sycamores 6-2. That improves Vanderbilt to 11-7 going into SEC play, which opens on Friday against LSU.

Today’s SEC Tournament schedule, for those watching. All games on the SEC Network:

  • Game 1 (11:30 AM): LSU vs. Kentucky
  • Game 2 (30 minutes after that): Mississippi State vs. Auburn
  • Game 3 (6:00 PM): Ole Miss vs. Texas
  • Game 4 (30 minutes after that): South Carolina vs. Oklahoma

And all of today’s conference tournament games, as we get into the good part of Championship Week:

  • 10:30 AM: A-10: St. Bonaventure vs. La Salle (USA)
  • 11:00 AM: Big Ten: Maryland vs. Iowa (Peacock)
  • 11:00 AM: ACC: Pitt vs. NC State (ESPN2)
  • 11:30 AM: Big 12: Arizona State vs. Iowa State (ESPN)
  • 1:00 PM: SWAC: Prairie View vs. Bethune-Cookman (ESPN+)
  • 1:00 PM: A-10: Loyola Chicago vs. Richmond (USA)
  • 1:30 PM: ACC: SMU vs. Louisville (ESPN)
  • 1:30 PM: Big Ten: USC vs. Washington (Peacock)
  • 2:00 PM: MWC: Wyoming vs. UNLV (MWN)
  • 2:00 PM: Big 12: Cincinnati vs. UCF (ESPNU)
  • 3:00 PM: Big East: Providence vs. Butler (Peacock)
  • 4:00 PM: Southland: McNeese vs. Stone Cold Stephen F. Austin (ESPN2)
  • 4:30 PM: MWC: Air Force vs. Nevada (MWN)
  • 5:00 PM: MEAC: Delaware State vs. Morgan State (ESPN+)
  • 5:30 PM: CUSA: Missouri State vs. Liberty (ESPN+)
  • 5:30 PM: Big Ten: Northwestern vs. Indiana (BTN)
  • 5:30 PM: Big East: Xavier vs. Marquette (Peacock)
  • 6:00 PM: Patriot: Boston University at Lehigh (CBS Sports)
  • 6:00 PM: Big 12: BYU vs. West Virginia (ESPN2)
  • 6:00 PM: American: Memphis vs. Tulane (ESPNews)
  • 6:00 PM: ACC: Cal vs. Florida State (ESPNU)
  • 7:30 PM: WAC: Tarleton State vs. Abilene Christian (ESPN+)
  • 7:30 PM: SWAC: Jackson State vs. Florida A&M (ESPN+)
  • 8:00 PM: MWC: Fresno State vs. Colorado State (MWN)
  • 8:00 PM: CUSA: New Mexico State vs. Sam Houston (ESPN+)
  • 8:00 PM: Big West: Cal Poly vs. UC San Diego (ESPN+)
  • 8:00 PM: Big Ten: Rutgers vs. Minnesota (BTN)
  • 8:00 PM: Big East: Georgetown vs. DePaul (Peacock)
  • 8:00 PM: American: Temple vs. Florida Atlantic (ESPN+)
  • 8:30 PM: Big 12: Oklahoma State vs. TCU (ESPNU)
  • 8:30 PM: ACC: Wake Forest vs. Clemson (ESPN2)
  • 10:30 PM: MWC: San Jose State vs. Boise State (MWN)
  • 10:30 PM: Big West: UC Santa Barbara vs. UC Davis (ESPN+)
  • 10:30 PM: Big Sky: Idaho vs. Montana (ESPN2)

Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder, top prospect for Shohei Ohtani's $5M game-changing teammate

Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder, top prospect for Shohei Ohtani's $5M game-changing teammate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves are still reeling after last week’s news that Jurickson Profar will be suspended for PED use once again. Last season, Profar missed half the year due to a PED suspension. This time, however, he faces a full-season ban as it is his second offense.

“Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary,” Jeff Passan wrote.

The Braves have yet to release a full statement, as there remains a possibility that Profar’s suspension could be overturned.

“The Players Association plans to challenge MLB’s intention to suspend Jurickson Profar for 162 games, source tells The Athletic,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal posted.

With Profar’s salary no longer an immediate burden, the Braves could explore other moves to bolster their roster, particularly in the outfield. One potential target is St. Louis Cardinals’ Lars Nootbaar.

“The Atlanta Braves would have a strong incentive to trade for Lars Nootbaar by sending Bryce Elder and John Gil to the St. Louis Cardinals because of their pressing need in the outfield following Jurickson Profar’s suspension for the entire season. Nootbaar would provide a reliable everyday option to fill that void, bringing strong on-base skills, solid defensive ability, and the versatility to play multiple outfield positions. His left-handed bat would also help balance a lineup anchored by power hitters like Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley, making it harder for opposing teams to exploit matchups,” SI’s Ryan Shea wrote.

Trading John Gil is notable, as he has been making waves in Spring Training. Bryce Elder is also a less-than-certain asset, though he could still be useful.

Given that the Cardinals are in a rebuild, the trade makes long-term sense for both teams. For the Braves, acquiring Nootbaar would fill a critical void in the outfield and strengthen their lineup overall.

More MLB news:

Britt, Fayetteville State alum with 2 Super Bowl titles signing with Titans

Jack Britt High School and Fayetteville State alum, two-time Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams will be closer to home the next two seasons.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Tennessee Titans are signing Williams to a two-year deal, making him the fourth Chiefs defensive back from last season who isn't returning.

An All-CIAA cornerback for the Broncos, Williams was selected by the Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 135th overall pick. He was the first Fayetteville State player to be drafted in nearly 50 years, joining James Godwin, an FSU Hall of Famer who was taken in the 16th round of the 1976 NFL Draft. 

BRONCOS HONOR: Fayetteville State to retire jersey of Chiefs' Joshua Williams after his 3rd Super Bowl

'STEADFAST AND FOCUSED': Joshua Williams' journey to his second Super Bowl in young career

Williams had a standout moment in the 2023 AFC Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals. He secured a clutch interception of a Joe Burrow pass, which helped the Chiefs preserve the 23–20 victory. The former Bronco had 65 regular-season appearances and 12 starts in four seasons in Kansas City.

The Tennessean's Nick Suss writes: Williams hasn't started a game since 2024, but he's been highly productive when he's been on the field. He logged seven pass breakups as a rookie, five in 2023 and four in 2024 before he was cast into a smaller role in 2025, dropping from playing a little more than a third of the Chiefs' defensive snaps in each of his first three years to just 2% of the Chiefs' defensive snaps in 2025.

"Joshua Williams embodies the excellence, determination, and perseverance that define Fayetteville State University,” FUS Chancellor Darrell T. Allison said last year when the Broncos retired Williams' jersey. “His journey from FSU to the highest level of professional football is an inspiration to our students, alumni, and the entire HBCU community. As a two-time Super Bowl champion – all within his first three years in the league, he has brought immense pride to our institution."

Williams is one of only eight football players from Fayetteville to reach the Super Bowl, along with Pine Forest’s Jeff McCall (Oakland, 1984), Terry Sanford’s Tim Morrison (Washington, 1988), Seventy-First’s Harry Sydney (San Francisco, 1989-90), Douglas Byrd’s Brad Edwards (Washington, 1992), E.E. Smith’s Russell Davis (New York Giants, 2008), Terry Sanford's Dwayne Allen (New England Patriots, 2019) and Pine Forest's Harold Landry (New England Patriots 2026).

"I always give a real sincere thank you to everyone along the way," Williams told The Fayetteville Observer after his second Super Bowl. "I was just a normal kid in Fayetteville just like the rest of them. I just so happened to be the kid that blew up."

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville State HBCU alum Joshua Williams signing with Titans

Detroit Lions restructure Jared Goff's contract, create salary cap space

Just ahead of the start of the new league year, the Detroit Lions restructured quarterback Jared Goff's contract.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero was first to report the Lions had restructured Goff's contract. With the restructure, the Lions converted $40 million of Goff's base salary into signing bonus, creating $32 million of salary cap space in 2026.

The restructure lowered Goff's 2026 salary cap hit from $69.6 million to $37.6 million, per Over The Cap. Detroit also added a void year to Goff's contract.

Here's a look at Goff's new cap hits over the coming years, per Over The Cap:

  • 2026: $37.6 million
  • 2027: $62.6 million
  • 2028: $69.6 million
  • 2029: $16 million

Goff was viewed as a likely Lions restructure candidate. Detroit could create an additional $36 million in salary cap space if it chose to restructure the contracts of offensive tackle Penei Sewell and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

According to Over The Cap, the Lions currently have $35 million in cap space. The new league year begins today at 4 p.m. ET.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a likeFollow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions restructure Jared Goff's contract, create salary cap space

Chelsea Xl to face PSG looks to have been leaked already thus lunchtime

Chelsea Xl to face PSG looks to have been leaked already thus lunchtime
Chelsea Xl to face PSG looks to have been leaked already thus lunchtime

Chelsea will be annoyed to see that it looks like their starting Xl to face PSG tonight in the Champions League has been leaked already.

The Blues face PSG in Paris tonight in the first leg of the competition, with the return leg back at Stamford Bridge next week.

EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea in for former Barcelona forward with two Brazil caps to his name!

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

It’s going to be a tough game for both sides and a really hard one to predict really. It all depends what kind of team turns up on the night and who wants it more. And now, we can apparently see who Chelsea are lining up with tonight.

The leak has come from reliable French reporter Fabrice Hawkins, who has put the starting Xl that ‘should’ be starting for Chelsea tonight.

Chelsea Xl leak

Joao Pedro celebrates scoring against Aston Villa. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Hawkins has posted on X just now:

“To face Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea should arrive at the Parc des Princes with this team composition: Jörgensen – Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella – James, Caicedo – Palmer, Fernandez, Neto – Pedro.”

If true, this is a strong starting Xl for Chelsea that they are going for tonight. We will soon find out if it is enough to get part of the job done.

In other news this week…

One move that will definitely be made in the summer is arrival of Geovany Quenda to Chelsea from Sporting for around £18m – and there are already plans in place for him.

Luis Enrique took his PSG press conference yesterday, and he previewed tonight’s Champions League game by speaking a lot about Liam Rosenior’s style of play.

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

UEFA Champions League / Real Madrid – Man City: the very bad news is confirmed! (Official)

UEFA Champions League / Real Madrid – Man City: the very bad news is confirmed! (Official)
UEFA Champions League / Real Madrid – Man City: the very bad news is confirmed! (Official)

UEFA CL / Real Madrid – Man City: the verdict is in!

UEFA Champions League / Real Madrid – Man City: the very bad news is confirmed! (Official)

Real Madrid is gearing up for a major European showdown this Wednesday night against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. This highly anticipated clash is shaping up to be a tough one for Los Blancos, who will be without several key players.

As anticipated in recent days, Kylian Mbappé is not included in Madrid’s squad for this opening leg. However, the Spanish club is hopeful of having the French forward back for the return match.

Alvaro Arbeloa will also have to do without Rodrygo, who recently underwent surgery, as well as Éder Militão and Jude Bellingham. Kick-off for this much-awaited encounter is set for 9:00 PM at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid and Manchester City have faced each other 13 times in the past decade.

Italy Euro winner ‘never talked’ to Gattuso, World Cup play-off fear ‘is real’

Italy Euro winner ‘never talked’ to Gattuso, World Cup play-off fear ‘is real’
Italy Euro winner ‘never talked’ to Gattuso, World Cup play-off fear ‘is real’

Bologna winger Federico Bernardeschi says he ‘never talked’ to Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso and admits fear of World Cup play-off is ‘real’ but ‘it must not turn into a phobia.’

The World Cup play-offs are just around the corner, with Italy hosting Northern Ireland in the semifinals in Bergamo on March 26.

Bernardeschi, a Euro 2020 winner, is not expected to be part of the team that Gennaro Gattuso will release next week.

Bernardeschi: World Cup play-off fear should ‘push you to raise the bar’

“I’ve never talked to him, except when he visited Serie A clubs, and we exchanged a couple of words,” Bernardeschi said in the second part of his interview with Gazzetta via TMW.

Italy have already been knocked out of the World Cup play-offs in 2018 and 2022.

“It’s a real fear, and it’s right that it exists, but it must not turn into a phobia,” said the experienced winger.

“It should push you to raise the bar, so you’re ready to compete. The entire external environment needs to start helping, because it’s something that belongs to all of Italy.

“It seems to me that people almost take pleasure when the Azzurri do badly, and that’s an ugly thing. They can’t wait to say you aren’t good enough and judge you after just two matches.”

When asked to pick two wingers for the Azzurri, choosing among him, Domenico Berardi, and Mattia Zaccagni, Bernardeschi replied, “The Euros champions,” which means he and Berardi.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna FC celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Udinese Calcio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

During the same interview, Bernardeschi revealed that he could have joined Atalanta before signing for Toronto FC in 2022, admitting that his decision was mostly driven by money.

Bernardeschi returned to Serie A last summer, joining Vincenzo Italiano at Bologna.

A former Fiorentina and Juventus star, Bernardeschi has grabbed five goals and one assist in 32 appearances across all competitions.

Why Jaguars running back Travis Etienne chose the Saints

The New Orleans Saints opened their checkbooks for former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. 

Etienne, who is from Louisiana, wanted to be closer to home, which is why he signed with the Saints. While with the Jaguars, Etienne rushed for  3,798 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns.

But Etienne was also known for being a great pass catcher, as well as setting a team record this season with the number of touchdowns caught by a Jaguars running back in one game.

According to reports, Etienne signed a four-year contract worth $52 million.

His former Jaguars and Clemson teammate, Trevor Lawrence, had an emotional farewell to his former teammate and posted this on social media;

“We’ve come a long way!! Going to miss you man, been a hell of an 8-year run. Best is yet to come.”

We’ve come a long way!! Going to miss you man been a hell of an 8 year run. Best is yet to come 💪🏼🧡 @swaggy_t1pic.twitter.com/BbW1Rcfiyl

— Trevor Lawrence (@trevorlawrence) March 9, 2026

Lawrence and Etienne have been teammates for almost a decade, so it’s definitely the end of a very successful era for both.

But as he gets older, Etienne is obviously prioritizing family over everything else, as he chose to be closer to his family and to end his career in New Orleans rather than Jacksonville.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Why Jaguars running back Travis Etienne chose the Saints

Browns free agency: Profiling everything you need to know about new LB Quincy Williams

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 14: Quincy Williams #56 of the New York Jets in coverage during an NFL 2025 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Everbank Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Browns were hopeful that the excellent year that LB Devin Bush had last year would rub off on another excellent season of production going into 2026. And despite being on a series of one-year deals, he appeared to be that he just might return.

Bush then left the confines of the Schwartz-less Browns and signed with the playoff Chicago Bears on a three-year, $30 million deal.

RELATED: BROWNS FREE AGENCY TRACKER

Bush, coupled with rookie sensation Carson Schwesinger, was an electric pair. Now, Browns GM Andrew Berry had to find a suitable replacement. Without breaking the bank. That left Jacksonville’s Devin Lloyd scratched off the list. Who then?

Berry then inked LB Quincy Williams of the New York Jets to a two-year contract worth up to $17 million.

Problem solved? Who is this dude? Why did Berry sign him? What can Browns fans expect?

Beginnings

Williams, age 29, was raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended Wenonah High School. He was 5’-10” and 215 pounds at this time and played safety, linebacker, and fullback, and participated in track. He had great speed, being timed out at 4.43 with a vertical jump of 37.5”.   

His younger brother is Quinnen Williams, a DT with the Dallas Cowboys who was obtained from the Jets at the trade deadline last year. This means both brothers were playing for the same ballclub. How odd is that? In all, there were three brothers and one sister.

In his senior year, he was voted First Team All-Metro Area and named to the Birmingham News Honorable Mention All-West. In 2013, he won the Alabama state high jump championship with a height of 6’-4”.

His mother passed away from breast cancer in 2010 when he was just 14 years old.  

While the younger Williams had scouts coming out to see him play football in his junior year of high school from Power-5 colleges, Quincy Williams had little interest. His only offer was from Murray State University, located in Murray, Kentucky, just northwest of Nashville.

Williams redshirted his freshman year. As a sophomore, he started three games with 31 total tackles. In his junior campaign, he played in all 10 games with three starts and recorded 32 tackles, four QB hits, one blocked kick, and one batted pass.

As a senior, he started 10 of 11 contests and had two interceptions, a pick-six, one forced fumble, along with 78 tackles.

On to the NFL

Williams was selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Right off, the Jags started him at outside linebacker. He played in 11 games with eight starts before a hand injury placed him on IR. It was his first major injury at any level. He finished that year with 48 total tackles.

Early in 2020, Williams again became injured with a core muscle issue. This landed him on IR but returned to action before the Week 5 matchup with the Houston Texans, a 30-14 loss. He played in seven games with zero starts and ended up with 11 tackles. At the final cutdown after training camp the following year, Jacksonville waived him.

He was instantly claimed off waivers by the Jets and signed a four-year deal worth $18 million. His brother Quinnen had been drafted by New York with the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft out of Alabama. In the Week 4 home game against the Tennessee Titans, both brothers had a sack. It was a first since the sack became an official stat in 1982.

Williams was the sign of dependable defense for the Jets for the past five years and was the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient this past season. He has played in the NFL for seven years, playing in 96 games with 81 starts. He had four straight seasons in which he had 100+ tackles: 2021 (110), 2022 (106), 2023 (139), and 2024 (116). He had 83 this past season.

Williams recorded 80 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 13 games during a turbulent 2025 season with the Jets,

— NFL (@STEPHENSSANN) March 9, 2026

Other career stats include 21 QB hits, 61 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 28 batted passes, 10 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 28 pressures, 5 hurries, 9 knockdowns, and 79 missed tackles. Five of his seven seasons have included double-digit missed tackle numbers, including a high of 15 last year.

In 2023, he had 139 tackles and was named First Team All-Pro, with current Browns DC Mike Rutenberg as his position coach.

Both head coaches that Williams played for with the Jets were defensive-minded. Now with Cleveland, an offensive guy is taking control. He has stated that they will stay true to the Jim Schwartz blueprint, although the new DC is not a Schwartz disciple.

Last year, his Pro Football Focus rating was 45.5. That is a very low number. The main issue is his pass coverage. His man was targeted 48 times, and 35 were completed. Whether it was a running back or a tight end he was covering, they averaged 10.7 yards per reception on Williams. So, all an offense had to do to gain a first down was look in the direction of Williams and fire the ball.

Last year, he was benched in the middle of the season. The Jets informed Williams that he was underperforming. He had some bad coverage habits, missed a lot of tackles, and his numbers from the previous years were at least 25+ fewer tackles. But he remained the best linebacker on New York’s defense in spite of the fact that he isn’t that athletic.

Some wondered if the Jets trading away his brother last season impacted his play as well.

Quincy Williams is the only Linebacker in the NFL to have

100+ Tackles
15+ TFLs
10+ PDs
1+ INTs

Get Quincy his first ever All Pro selection!!! pic.twitter.com/LSJ6vjeGXS

— Quincy Williams Fan (@QuincyWilliamsF) December 25, 2023

But last year he struggled to maintain his “sideline-to-sideline” effectiveness. The Jets viewed him as a player in decline and attempted to trade him before the trade deadline last year, wanting a fourth-round pick for him. After no takers, they began playing him again, then let him go via free agency.

With Cleveland, Williams is looking for a fresh start, and the Browns are looking for Williams to get back to his 100+ tackle form.

Williams is not married, but he and his girlfriend, Coy, have a daughter. His X is @Q_williamz10, and his Instagram is @thequincywilliams.  

Lakers' JJ Redick makes $104M nightmarish announcement, putting all pressure on Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic JJ Redick IMAGN 03062026

Lakers' JJ Redick makes $104M nightmarish announcement, putting all pressure on Luka Doncic originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to get hot at the right time and make a deep playoff run. The team has shown improvement on the defensive end recently, highlighting just how dangerous they can be. LeBron James has missed significant time this season, but the Lakers are still contending—just the way he wants.

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Rich Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”

James has been sidelined for the last few games, and head coach JJ Redick provided an update on Tuesday night.

“He probably still needs a couple of more days,” Redick said. “He’s still day-to-day.”

This isn’t ideal for James, as it suggests he may miss additional time. His absence also puts more pressure on Luka Doncic, who risks being worn down as the playoffs approach.

“King James hasn’t played since March 5, and the Lakers are ruling him out with a hip contusion and left foot arthritis on the official injury report. Both injuries are problematic for a 41-year-old superstar with LeBron’s mileage. Fans should not expect to see him on Thursday night against the Chicago Bulls, and Redick’s comments likely mean he will miss multiple more games. The Lakers can win without him, but it takes a herculean effort from Luka Doncic. Fans know number 77 is one of the five best players in the world. The Don can answer that challenge, but LA needs him at his peak in the playoffs. They certainly can’t afford to wear him out down the stretch by forcing him to carry a massive workload,” Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts wrote.

At 41, James’ latest injury battle underscores why retirement may be a serious consideration this offseason. The Lakers will need him fully healthy for the playoffs, but there is a significant cost to his absence now.

Doncic will continue carrying the team and managing playoff seeding, with Austin Reaves providing strong support. Ultimately, the Lakers’ postseason hopes will hinge on how much LeBron can contribute before the playoffs begin.

'It takes a bit of pressure off' - Smit on goals

Stoke City striker Milan Smit said it was "a relief" to score his first goals for the club and is glad that pressure has now been lifted.

The Dutch forward, 23, has had to be patient while he gets used to English football following his arrival on loan from Go Ahead Eagles at the end of January.

But in Wednesday's 3-3 thriller against Ipswich Town, Smit played a vital role, scoring his first goal to put them in front on 35 minutes, and staying cool from the spot to convert an injury-time penalty to clinch a point.

Afterwards, Smit told BBC Radio Stoke he was delighted to get off the mark in his eighth appearance.

"Yeah, of course, it's a relief. When you come as a striker into a new club, you want to score as soon as possible," he said.

"If you score your first goals, it takes a bit of pressure away.

"I hoped that I would score a few games earlier but you have to wait and trust in what you were able to.

"I know I can score goals. I knew it was coming, but I'm really happy that it was today."

Smit came to Stoke having scored nine goals in 25 games in all competitions for his parent club in the Eredivisie and Dutch cup this season.

And he said acclimatising to the English game has been tough.

"It's a big difference. If you watch the games here the intensity is so high in 90 minutes," he said.

"If you compare it to Holland, then the intensity is the biggest difference.

"Everybody's talking about the physicality, of course it's a difference, but it's not the biggest difference.

"The intensity running 90 minutes long, which I think that fits me. I'm getting used to it now, every game a bit more, so I'm settling in now."

Wrexham's play-off hopes assessed ahead of 10-game run-in

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson wearing a black puffer coat with the Wrexham badge on his chest and his hands in his coat pockets.
Wrexham are seeking a fourth successive promotion under manager Phil Parkinson [PA Media]

Wrexham's Championship play-off hopes took a hit as they were beaten 2-1 by fellow promotion rivals Hull City.

Defeat brought an end to the Red Dragons' three-game winning run in the league, although Phil Parkinson's men remain in sixth place with 10 matches still to play this season.

Their push to clinch a top six spot resumes on Friday night as they host Welsh rivals Swansea City at Stok Cae Ras (20:00 GMT).

BBC Sport Wales takes a closer look at the current state of play as far as the Welsh side's play-off hopes are concerned.

State of play

Prior to the remaining midweek Championship fixtures on Wednesday night, Wrexham still have a three-point gap between themselves and the chasing pack.

Southampton have a game in hand and still look to be a strong contender to secure a top six spot while Derby County currently sit seventh.

In terms of the run-in, Wrexham next face a Swansea side who have been transformed since Vitor Matos took charge in mid-November.

They then face three successive away games against Watford, Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion before returning to north Wales to host Southampton in what could be a pivotal contest in the race for the top six.

Trips to Birmingham City and Oxford United are sandwiched by a home meeting with Stoke City.

And the final two outings of the season are far from simple as Wrexham travel to league leaders Coventry City before hosting second-placed Middlesbrough on the final day of the regular season - although the Red Dragons claimed four points in total from the reverse fixtures.

A list of Wrexham's next ten Championship fixtures
[BBC Sport]

It means just four of their remaining 10 matches are at home, although the Red Dragons' away form of late has been sublime.

They have taken 16 points from their past six league games on their travels and have the sixth-best away record in the Championship this season.

It also means they face six sides currently in the top-half, highlighting the testing nature of the remainder of their schedule.

The Opta Analyst data model says Wrexham - currently on 57 points - are expected to end the campaign on 70.69 points.

And they believe that will be enough to secure sixth place, with the Saints predicted to end the campaign on 70.04 points.

Wrexham co-chairman Ryan Reynolds (wearing red hat) in the stands
Wrexham co-chairman Ryan Reynolds watched the second half of Wrexham's loss to Hull City with fans in the Tech End of Stok Cae Ras [PA Media]

Injuries mounting

News of Kieffer Moore's injury served as a real blow to the Red Dragons.

The striker, the side's top scorer this season with 13 goals across all competitions, missed the Hull defeat having sustained a split tendon. Parkinson has confirmed it is very possible he could be unavailable until after the international break.

It was also confirmed that left wing-back Liberato Cacace has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Parkinson was already juggling a number of other issues too.

Wrexham were without George Dobson against the Tigers due to suspension - with the midfielder also unavailable for the fixtures against Swansea and Watford.

It added to the club's midfield concerns as Ben Sheaf is already sidelined with a season-ending knee injury and Matty James has recently suffered a setback in his recovery from a toe injury.

Ollie Rathbone is also having his minutes managed due to an ongoing groin problem.

Elsewhere in the squad, Issa Kabore came off the bench in the 70th minute against Hull but is continuing to be carefully managed having had his own injury concerns this season.

But it's fair to say injuries are mounting for Wrexham at a point where quality of depth is arguably at its most pivotal due to the magnitude of the upcoming schedule.

Bigger picture remains positive

Crucially, Wrexham's destiny remains in their own hands, thanks to their strong campaign overall so far.

And Parkinson says his side must relish the opportunity they have ahead of them.

"We've got to dig deep as a group, which we will do. We're in a great position still," Parkinson said.

"I think we've just got to take a step back and say, with 10 games to go, to be in the play-off position, we would have been delighted with that at the start of the season.

"Of course it's sometimes hard to be positive in defeat, especially against a team who were there for us to go above.

"But it's happened. 10 games to go, we're in a play-off position and we've got to make the most of this opportunity, starting with Friday night."

Braves News: JR Ritchie makes first spring start, mock draft, and more

The Atlanta Braves dropped Tuesday’s spring contest against the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-0. The bats were quiet, with Atlanta recording just six hits. More so than the bats, pitching was a struggle. JR Ritchie made his first start of the spring and went four innings. He gave up two runs on a single hit. He walked four and recorded a couple of strikeouts. José Suarez came in to relieve Ritchie, and in 2.2 innings he was tagged with five runs.

Overall, it was a lackluster day for the Braves, who look to bounce back this afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays. 

More Braves News:

Baseball America’s recent mock draft has the Braves taking an outfielder out of the University of Virginia and a shortstop out of high school in Alabama. 

Our 2026 positional preview series continues, and this time, we’re checking in on the infield. 

Several familiar names were on FanGraphs’ updated Top 33 Prospects list.

MLB News:

Former Brave Julio Teheran announced his retirement. Two days prior to the announcement, he missed his scheduled start in the World Baseball Classic due to a shoulder injury. 

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene will have elbow surgery today and is expected to be out until July. The arthroscopic procedure will remove bone chips and loose bodies from his throwing elbow. 

The Washington Nationals signed right-hander Zack Littell to a one-year, $7M deal. The deal includes a mutual option for the 2027 season. 

Florentino Perez to consult Mbappe before making move for former PSG boss – report

Florentino Perez to consult Mbappe before making move for former PSG boss – report
Florentino Perez to consult Mbappe before making move for former PSG boss – report

Real Madrid could be considering a surprising managerial option for the future, with Mauricio Pochettino reportedly emerging as a strong candidate for the job.

As reported before, the Argentine coach is gaining attention within the club as a potential replacement for current manager Alvaro Arbeloa. 

While no final decision has been made, discussions around possible coaching changes have already begun internally.

There is a catch

As reported by Defensa Central, one factor that could play a key role in this situation is the opinion of Kylian Mbappe. 

The French forward previously worked under Pochettino during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain, and the two developed a strong professional relationship.

During Pochettino’s spell in charge at PSG, Mbappe was one of the standout performers in the squad. 

The forward took on a leadership role in the team and delivered some of the best performances of his career during that period.

Because of that connection, Real Madrid believe that Pochettino’s appointment could help Mbappe perform at an even higher level if the two were reunited in Spain.

For now, however, the club’s leadership is still exploring options, as Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is known for carefully evaluating multiple opinions before making major decisions regarding the club’s direction.

Perez knows Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino is on Real Madrid’s shortlist. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Reports suggest that Perez already knows Pochettino well, as the coach has previously appeared on the club’s shortlist of managerial candidates in the past. 

Within certain circles at the club, the Argentine is viewed positively, and his chances of being considered again have reportedly increased.

Nevertheless, the Real Madrid president is expected to consult several voices before making any move. 

And among those opinions, Mbappe’s view could carry significant weight given his importance within the team.

So what now?

At the moment, Pochettino is working as head coach of the United States men’s national soccer team, but speculation about his future has continued to circulate in recent weeks.

When asked about the growing rumours linking him with Real Madrid, the Argentine coach did not completely dismiss the possibility, although he chose his words carefully.

“There are many rumours, almost always negative, so as long as they are pleasant…”

Furthermore, Pochettino was also asked about his relationship with Perez, and he confirmed that his connection with the Real Madrid president remains positive.

“I always have a very good relationship with almost all clubs, not just Madrid,” he added.

UEFA investigating Michael Olise’s ‘intentional booking’ during Bayern’s victory against Atalanta

UEFA investigating Michael Olise’s ‘intentional  booking’ during Bayern’s victory against Atalanta
UEFA investigating Michael Olise’s ‘intentional booking’ during Bayern’s victory against Atalanta

According to a report from RMC Sport, UEFA are investigating Michael Olise’s (24) ‘intentional booking’ during Bayern Munich’s 6-1 first-leg victory against Atalanta in the RO16 of the UEFA Champions League. The French international forward was booked in the 77th minute. 

Olise received a yellow card after taking too long to take a corner. The former Crystal Palace attacker has already been booked twice in the competition, which means he will miss the inconsequential second leg against the Serie A side with the Bundesliga champions holding a commanding advantage heading into the reverse fixture. 

Was Olise’s booking intentional?

The Frenchman has now removed the potential threat of suspension later in the competition. With a headline knockout tie against Manchester City or Real Madrid awaiting the Bavarian outfit in the quarter-finals, Europe’s footballing body is investigating the suspension to see if it was intentional so that the 24-year-old would be available later in the competition. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith

The Daily Mauling 3.11.26

Feb 28, 2026; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) attempts to take the ball from Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) during the second half of the game at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Kansas Jayhawk News

Dillon Davis at SI discusses the chatter about whether or not Self may give it up after this season.

“There are a lot of things out there … all it takes is for one person to say it and then it’s your guys’ job to follow up on that one person,” Self said. “But I wouldn’t believe what social media or the internet is saying. I actually feel pretty good and I’m really excited about the next (hopefully) several weeks, whatever it can be.”

Through the Phog takes a look at something that may end up hurting the Jayhawks on Selection Sunday:

“The big argument I will make for Vandy is something that stuck with me from the mock selection in Indianapolis last month. Clark Kellogg said he values road wins almost more than anything else. Vandy is 8-4 on the road and 3-0 in neutral games. Kansas is 5-6 on the road and 4-1 in neutral games,” quotes lead Bracketology modeler Jacob Fetner

Melvin Council proved the transfer portal rankings wrong this season:

Council’s emergence is a sign of coach Bill Self’s recruiting and evaluation prowess. According to 247Sports, Council was ranked No. 123 among all transfers and No. 29 among shooting guard transfers this past offseason.

Jay Bilas had this to say about Peterson’s season while naming him to his 3rd Team All America:

Kansas phenom Darryn Peterson has been, at times, the best and most captivating scorer in the game. But his injuries, illness and periodic unavailability have been frustrating — mostly to our selfish nature of wanting to see him perform for us. Peterson might be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft in June and would be on the 2026 All-American First Team, except he has played in only 20 of the Kansas Jayhawks‘ 31 regular season games. Under the current NBA rules, Peterson would not be eligible for All-NBA or any of the postseason awards. In the games he has played, he has been All-America good. There is no such designation for this honor, yet there should be.

Yahoo has the bracket and schedule for the Big 12 Tournament here in case you need a refresher.

Kansas softball freshman Ella Boyer was named Big 12 Freshman of the Week.

Freshman catcher Ella Boyer took home the Big 12 Freshman of the Week award for softball for the week of March 1-7.  Boyer went 6-12 during that stretch including three home runs (two against Wichita State on March 4). She also drove in nine total runs during the week.

Kansas baseball took a beating on Sunday against St. Thomas:

Kansas was hitless through the first five innings. With little offensive support, its pitching struggled to shut down St. Thomas. The Tommies recorded hits against eight of the nine Kansas pitchers who appeared.

Other Links!

The Kansas Legislature may make a change requiring drivers to use blinkers in a roundabout, however I question how this would make things easier:

 bill recently introduced to the Kansas Senate could make things easier for drivers, requiring them to use a turn signal while traversing a roundabout.

Staying in the Kansas Legislature, we’ve also seen an obviously unconstitutional law proposed that would punish school districts for student protests:

On March 3, the Senate voted 21-18 in favor of an amendment to punish school districts for student walkouts. The amendment, tacked onto a 364-page appropriations bill, would require parental permission for students to participate in protests and would impose harsh financial penalties for school districts found to have improperly encouraged or facilitated a walkout. The fine would be equivalent of the district superintendent’s salary for each day of a walkout, which for larger districts could be more than $200,000.

Think any of them have even heard of Tinker?

Team USA was upset by Italy in the World Baseball Classic, putting them in a tough spot in the tournament.

NFL free agency is in full swing with the Jets trading for Geno Smith, who was previously with the Jets until this:

Smith will be the Jets’ starting quarterback, a job he held for the Jets from 2013 to the 2015 preseason — until he was punched by a teammate in a locker room dispute that resulted in a fractured jaw.

Defector link of the week is David Roth on Trump buying shoes for staffers.

It goes without saying that there is a great deal of Psychology going on in Donald Trump’s second term. None of it is especially complicated, because the people involved are without exception clammy, low-wattage sociopaths who universally dislike and distrust each other, see their hugely consequential jobs primarily as opportunities to make short-form video content and fly on private planes, and have not let their (correct) understanding that they will be going to go to hell when they die sway them from gulping down huge foamy draughts of humiliation every single day. But if none of it and none of them are very interesting, the volatility of the visibly decaying real-estate priss at the center of it all generally keeps it surprising.

QOTD: It’s spring break next week in Kansas and I’m heading to the beach for 6 days. Do you have any fun spring break stories from growing up or college?

Colon boys end basketball season in quarterfinal loss to Concord

PORTAGE — This year's Colon boys basketball team advanced further than any other in school history.

The Magi, coached by Steve Vinson, won both district and regional titles this year. Tuesday's Division 4 state quarterfinals proved to be the deepest run of any from the school. Unfortunately, it ended there as well as Colon lost 49-41 to Concord inside The Igloo at Portage Northern.

"I'm super proud. Concord is a good team, and by God, we're a good team too, and I expected it to come down to the end, I really did," Vinson said following the game. "We knew we could compete tonight and we did. I thought we played pretty physical, we pulled ourselves back into it."

Concord (23-4) scored only two buckets in the fourth quarter. The Yellow Jackets made up for that by living at the free-throw line; however, they connected on 10-of-14 from the free-throw line in the final eight minutes.

Colon seniors Dalton Williams and Colin Trattles share a hug, while Brennan Morrel is embraced by coach Steve Vinson late in Tuesday's game.

ITS PROBABLY GONNA FLOOD: Flood watch issued for southwest Michigan

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Part of that was because of Colon (22-5) fouling to try and get back into the game offensively, but the Yellow Jackets were able to hold them off long enough to secure the win.

"We did what we needed to do to give ourselves a chance and we just came up short," Vinson said. "Sometimes that happens. I'm proud of my guys. We gave ourselves a chance, which is where we had to be."

A close game took place in the opening half. Both Jett Smith and Darrell Dean Jr. scored five points in the first stanza, which saw Concord build a modest lead, only to see Colon close the gap. Both teams put up 11 points in the second quarter as Concord took a 22-18 edge into the locker room for halftime.

Magi senior Quincy Blair, Dalton Williams and Brennan Morrell were playing as tough at both ends as possible, keeping the Magi in it. But Colon wasn't able to get many good looks offensively as Concord's defense looked to be causing them fits.

Colon's defense was playing solidly as well. The Magi knew if the game was played at their pace, they had an opportunity.

Concord's Darrell Dean Jr. shares a moment with Jeremiah West of Colon in the final seconds of Tuesday's quarterfinals.

Heading to the fourth, Concord's lead was down to just a single possession at 35-32. Colon continued to fight against the athletic Yellow Jackets, but ultimately, the Magi could not gain a lead.

Even in defeat, Vinson said the Magi should be proud of their season.

"We talked a lot about building our legacy. From the beginning of the season, we knew we were gonna have a pretty good team," he said. "We happened to have a couple good teams in our district and in our league as well. Mendon was a good team, we did what we needed to do to win districts. Then we did what we needed to do to pull out a regional game against St. Phil."

Dalton Williams scores two points for the Magi in the fourth quarter on Tuesday.

Williams led the offense with 15 points, Blair scored 13 and Morrell added 11. Dylan Smith also added a deuce for the Magi in the game.

Vinson said he hopes the run from his team will continue to help build the program, which has won five of the last seven district championships.

"These guys have paved the path for all the future Magi guys. Now they know it can be done," he said. "I think we excited our fan base and our kids in the program. Hopefully they continue to come up and perform like the past few years, especially this team."

Concord was led by Smith with 19 points in the win. The Yellow Jackets advance to the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University to play in the state semifinals later this week. They will take on Wyoming Tri-unity Christian at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12.

Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at bwatson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Colon boys basketball year ends in MHSAA quarterfinal loss to Concord

Arman Tsarukyan and Carlos Prates move away as chaotic press conference altercation erupts

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Arman Tsarukyan is no stranger to chaos in the fight world.

The top-ranked lightweight contender often finds himself at the centre of it all, though this time, it was not his doing.

He was just a spectator as things unfolded during a Hype Fighting Championship press event on Tuesday.

Video captures brawl at Hype FC press conference

Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC

Tsarukyan is scheduled to meet Muhammad Mokaev in a Hype FC grappling bout on Wednesday.

The event, taking place at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will also feature Jean Silva vs Bryce Mitchell 2 as the co-main event.

Carlos Prates was present to support his Fighting Nerds teammate when things turned chaotic during a pre-event press conference.

The welterweight contender ducked out of the way when a water bottle flew past him and quickly moved to safety.

From a safe distance, Prates laughed as undercard fighters Lev Sarkisyan and Joilton Lutterbach began trading blows.

Tsarukyan appeared less amused by the situation and made an effort to intervene, but eventually left the scene himself when another fighter jumped onto his table and threw a kick towards someone nearby.

Arman Tsarukyan taken out of UFC pound-for-pound rankings

‘Ahalkalakets’ was taken off the UFC’s pound-for-pound list on Tuesday.

The timing of the move raised some eyebrows, coming just two days after Dana White had spoken publicly about his dissatisfaction with Tsarukyan.

“I’m not thrilled with Arman right now,” White said after UFC 326. “There’s a lot of different reasons, it’s not just the stuff you see publicly.”

The vacated spot went to Charles Oliveira, who moved into the top 15 following his BMF title win over Max Holloway at UFC 326.

Read more:

Report: New York Giants no longer willing to pay for mid-tier guard

One of the goals for the New York Giants this offseason was to upgrade the interior of their offensive line. That meant going out in free agency and finding either a veteran guard or center to fortify them up front.

So far, they've been able to do just about everything else. That veteran guard/center has not materialized -- yet. The apple of their eye was former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, but they were blown out of the water by the Las Vegas Raiders, who signed Linderbaum to a ridiculous, three-year, $81 million deal ($27 million AAV).

Their efforts to find a guard have not been fruitful, either. The top six free agent guards signed thus far have gotten deals anywhere from $10 milllion to $15 million AAV. That has been a bit too rich for the Giants, and now they are backing off and refusing to overpay.

After speaking with sources Tuesday it became clear Giants pivoted and were no longer willing to pay a mid-tier guard. Unless that changes it eliminates the likelihood of signing a vet like Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio or Dylan Parham.

In the meantime, they wait out that market.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) March 11, 2026

There are still some interesting names available for the Giants to go after. But as Raanan mentioned, the Giants appear to have the leverage now and are willing to wait.

Two names that perhaps won't excite Giant fans are Greg Van Roten and Kevin Zeitler. Both are over 35, but both are still durable.

Van Roten is the only Giants' offensive player to play every snap the past two seasons. Zeitler has been with three teams since he left the Giants in 2021, but one of them has been the Ravens. He has not played fewer than 15 games in a season since 2014.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants no longer willing to pay for mid-tier guard

Idaho men's hoops advances to first Big Sky Conference Tournament championship since 1993

Mar. 11—BOISE — Nobody is enjoying late-night "Starch Madness After Dark" more than the Idaho men's basketball team.

Idaho's Kolton Mitchell is healthy now — or healthy enough to be the driving force that put the Vandals in the Big Sky Conference Tournament championship.

After dealing with a back injury that held him out late in the regular season, Mitchell scored a game-high 26 points in 37 minutes of play as the No. 7 seed Idaho Vandals upset the No. 3 seed Eastern Washington Eagles 81-68 in the Big Sky Conference Tournament semifinals Tuesday night at the Idaho Central Arena in Boise.

The sophomore point guard from Coeur d'Alene dribbled out the last seconds of the game, waving to the crowd to start shouting and after the final buzzer, and stamped the Idaho sticker into the championship spot on the Starch Madness big board.

Idaho is headed to the Big Sky championship game for the first time since 1993, when it played Boise State. The last conference tournament championship that the Vandals went to was in 2014, while Idaho was in the Western Athletic Conference.

How it played out

The Vandals lost the opening tipoff and then stole the ball from a bad pass from former Lewis-Clark State and current Eastern Washington forward Alton Hamilton, which led to a fast-break layup for Idaho's Isaiah Brickner. Idaho led for most of the first half, except for a 5-4 Eagles lead with 17 minutes, 22 seconds to go in the period.

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Idaho went on a 9-0 run from 16:01 to 14:08 left in the half.

The run was sparked by a turnaround jumper from Idaho guard Biko Johnson, followed up with a stepback jumper from Mitchell, then a Brickner driving layup and a stepback 3-pointer from Mitchell.

The Vandals led 17-7 at that point.

Idaho then took its largest lead of the game at 23-10 with 11:58 left in the half.

Eastern Washington would fight back, but with both teams in the bonus and eventually the double-bonus late, it was a free-throw fest near the end of the half.

Idaho went 8-of-14 from the line, and Eastern Washington went 8-of-13 in the half and Mitchell totaled 10 first-half points.

The Vandals held the lead for the entirety of the second half, although the Eagles got within three points with 11:43 to go.

With 7:57 left in regulation, Biko Johnson had a traditional three-point play with a spinning layup and a free throw to put the Vandals up 61-50.

Mitchell came out in the second half firing. He hit a deep 3-pointer to give the Vandals a 13-point lead at 66-53 with 6:33 left in the half.

Jackson Rasmussen nailed a 3-pointer from the wing to give the Vandals a 69-58 lead with 5:01 to go in regulation. He then hit another from the right wing to make it 72-60 with 3:15 left, following a jumper from Eastern Washington's Kiree Huie.

Near the end of the game, the Vandals closed out the contest on free throws.

Mitchell hit the last two free throws to end the game.

Standout players

Mitchell was huge for the Vandals offensively on Tuesday. He shot 9-of-15 from the field, shot 3-of-7 from the 3-point line and was a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. He also had team-highs in rebounds (7) and assists (3).

Rassmussen totaled 16 points for the Vandals. He hit two big 3s late to assist the win.

Rasmussen shot 6-of-9 from the field and was a sharp 3-of-3 from long range. He also grabbed six rebounds.

Johnson added 11 points for the Vandals. He shot 5-of-7 from the line and grabbed four rebounds and passed two assists.

Brickner was the other Vandal in double-digits with 10 points. He shot 4-of-8 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line.

What's next?

Idaho advances to the Big Sky Conference Tournament finals for the first time since 1993, and the first time in any conference tournament championship since 2014.

The Vandals will play against the No. 6 Montana Grizzlies at 8:30 p.m. Pacific today at Idaho Central Arena. The championship will be broadcast on ESPN2.

IDAHO (20-14)

Rasmussen 6-9 1-5 16, Rowbury 1-1 0-3 2, Brickner 4-8 2-2 10, Johnson 3-10 5-7 11, Mitchell 9-15 5-5 26, Blassingame 1-4 0-0 2, Payne 2-4 4-4 9, Joba 1-1 3-3 5, Klapper 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-53 20-29 81.

EASTERN WASHINGTON (14-19)

Hamilton 4-6 2-2 10, Huie 9-17 2-6 20, Moses 3-12 4-4 10, Powell 0-1 0-0 0, Scherer 1-5 0-0 3, Anderson 4-11 3-6 12, Rogers 1-2 6-8 8, Radford 0-2 2-2 2, Marquardt 0-2 0-0 0, Thomas 1-4 0-0 3. Totals 23-62 19-28 68.

Halftime — Idaho 36-28. 3-Point Goals — Idaho 7-21 (Rasmussen 3-3, Mitchell 3-7, Payne 1-3, Brickner 0-1, Blassingame 0-3, Johnson 0-4), Eastern Washington 3-20 (Anderson 1-4, Scherer 1-4, Thomas 1-4, Hamilton 0-1, Powell 0-1, Radford 0-1, Marquardt 0-2, Moses 0-3). Fouled Out — Rowbury, Moses, Rogers. Rebounds — Idaho 28 (Mitchell 7), Eastern Washington 33 (Hamilton, Huie 7). Assists — Idaho 8 (Mitchell 3), Eastern Washington 10 (Moses 6). Total Fouls — Idaho 22, Eastern Washington 23.

Junt can be reached at 208-848-2258, tjunt@lmtribune.com or on X @TrevorJunt.

Crimson Desert’s PC/Console specifications put other developers to shame

Pearl Abyss released detailed hardware requirements for Crimson Desert Crimson Desert is due to be released on PC and consoles next week, and Pearl Abyss have released detailed PC and console specifications for their game. This includes detailed resolution, settings, and framerate targets for their game. On PC, Crimson Desert appears to be well optimised, […]

The post Crimson Desert’s PC/Console specifications put other developers to shame appeared first on OC3D.

(PR) Minisforum's N5 MAX Marks a Breakthrough in NAS Industry With Built-In OpenClaw in Local Computing

Minisforum's to-be-launched AI NAS N5 MAX, has been confirmed to successfully run the built-in OpenClaw in local AI LLMs. Equipped with AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, the self-developed MinisCloud OS unleashes full power of integrated AI NAS, fulfilling diverse user needs running data locally.

With more safety handling personal data on private platform, N5 MAX is the first AI NAS in the world to integrate OpenClaw with local computing, marking a revolution in the industry.

Dozens of Vendors Patch Security Flaws Across Enterprise Software and Network Devices

SAP has released security updates to address two critical security flaws that could be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The vulnerabilities in question listed below - CVE-2019-17571 (CVSS score: 9.8) - A code injection vulnerability in SAP Quotation Management Insurance application (FS-QUO) CVE-2026-27685 (CVSS score: 9.1) - An insecure deserialization

What Boards Must Demand in the Age of AI-Automated Exploitation

“You knew, and you could have acted. Why didn’t you?”  This is the question you do not want to be asked. And increasingly, it’s the question leaders are forced to answer after an incident. For years, many executive teams and boards have treated a large vulnerability backlog as an uncomfortable but tolerable fact of life: “we’ve accepted the risk.” If you’ve ever seen a report showing

P&O Cruises Offers Bonus Onboard Spend Money for Fly-Cruises

P&O Cruises is offering additional onboard spend money for over 400 Select Price fly-cruise holidays departing between April 2, 2026, and March 18, 2028. Up to £850 onboard spending money is available for fly-cruises to Canary Islands, Mediterranean and Caribbean booked by April 13, 2026, the company said in a statement. Carnival UK & P&O...

Oceania Cruises Launches New Global Brand Campaign

Oceania Cruises launched a new global brand campaign called The Joy of Traveling Well, the company said in a press release. The campaign reflects the company’s focus on intentional, enriching travel at sea and aligns with Oceania’s transition to an adults-only experience. “The launch of The Joy of Traveling Well campaign offers a clear expression...

Airbnb Appoints Former Uber Executive Gus Fuldner as Global Head of Operations

Airbnb Appoints Former Uber Executive Gus Fuldner as Global Head of Operations

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky announces the appointment of former Uber SVP Gus Fuldner as Global Head of Operations. Fuldner succeeds Tara Bunch to lead Airbnb's trust, safety, and operational expansion in 2026.

The post Airbnb Appoints Former Uber Executive Gus Fuldner as Global Head of Operations appeared first on Travel And Tour World.

Samsung boosts R&D spending to power the future of AI

Samsung has increased its spending on research and development (R&D) to grow its business in AI chips. In 2025, the South Korean technology company spent 37.7 trillion won (about $25.6 billion) on research. This is the highest amount the company has spent on R&D so far.

According to Samsung’s annual business report, the company’s R&D spending in 2025 was 7.8 percent higher than in 2024. In 2024, the company spent about 35 trillion won on research. This shows that Samsung is increasing its investment in technology every year.

Most of this money was used to develop advanced memory chips. These include high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and high-capacity DDR5 chips. These chips are very important for artificial intelligence systems because they help computers process large amounts of data faster.

Samsung HBM4 AI Memory Chip

Source – Samsung Newsroom

The demand for these memory chips is rising quickly as big technology companies expand their AI infrastructure. Companies such as AMD, Google, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia are using these chips in their AI data centers and cloud services.

Aside from this, Samsung also spent a lot of money on improving its factories. In 2025, the company invested 52.7 trillion won (around $35.7 billion) in its facilities. This money was used to upgrade semiconductor factories and build new research centers.

One important project is the NRD-K complex at Samsung’s Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea. The company also shipped the first batch of mass-produced HBM4 chips recently. Samsung plans to continue investing in advanced memory technology to meet the growing demand for AI.

Google Search Top Stories Preferred Source

The post Samsung boosts R&D spending to power the future of AI appeared first on Sammy Fans.

US Galaxy S26 users start receiving first software update

Samsung is now expanding the first software update of the Galaxy S26 series in the US. It is based on One UI 8.5, and it improves the phone’s security and makes the system more stable.

The update is currently rolling out to carrier-locked Galaxy S26 devices in the US. Samsung released the update earlier in South Korea and later expanded it to Europe and India. Now, US users are also starting to receive it. The update improves security and keeps the device safe.

February 2026 security update for the Galaxy S26 series in the US arrives with the One UI build version given below.

  • S941USQS1AZC7 – Galaxy S26
  • S946USQS1AZC7 – Galaxy S26 Plus
  • S948USQS1AZC7 – Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 First update US

Image via Samsung Community

It has a download size of about 540MB. Since the rollout is gradual, some users may receive the update earlier while others might have to wait a little longer.

This update brings the February 2026 security patch. According to Samsung, this patch fixes 37 security issues found in earlier software versions. These fixes help protect the phone from potential security risks.

Aside from this, some users have also noticed a new feature – Inactivity Restart. This feature automatically restarts the phone if it is not used for 72 hours. After the restart, lock-screen notifications are hidden, and the phone asks for a passcode to unlock it. This helps protect personal data and improve privacy.

If you own a Galaxy S26 in the US, you can check for the update manually. Simply open Settings, go to Software Update, and tap Download and Install. If the update is available for your device, it will start downloading.

Google Search Top Stories Preferred Source

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Vivo X300 Ultra: Launch timeline, more camera samples and benchmark leak emerge for new 35 mm camera flagship

More details about the Vivo X300 Ultra have emerged in the last few hours. An executive has published more camera samples showcasing the device's 35 mm camera and 400 mm zoom capabilities. At the same time, the X300 Ultra has also appeared on Geekbench and is tipped to officially launch before the end of the month.

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