Ibrahima Konaté'ye yönelik ırkçı saldırılar sonrası UEFA'nın Galatasaray'a ceza vermesi söz konusu değil... ancak sarı-kırmızılı yönetim 'temizlik' için düğmeye bastı. Emniyet'le koordineli yürütülecek çalışmayla tespit edilen saldırganların üyelik, kombine ve Passolig kartlarının iptal edilmesi gündeme gelecek.
Galatasaray'da Şampiyonlar Ligi'nden elenmenin yankıları sürüyor. Liverpool forması giyen Ibrahima Konaté’nin girdiği ikili mücadelede Victor Osimhen'in kolunun kırılmasına sebebiyet vermesi, sosyal medyada bazı istenmeyen yorumlara neden oldu. Maç sonunda Konaté’nin sosyal medya hesaplarını hedef alan bir grup taraftarın ırkçı hakaretleri üzerine Liverpool kulübü "tiksinç ve kabul edilemez" vurgusuyla resmi bir kınama yayınladı.
GALATASARAY HAREKETE GEÇİYOR
Hukukçulara göre; UEFA, stadyum dışındaki ve kulüp kontrolünde olmayan dijital platformlardaki bireysel taraftar davranışlarından dolayı Galatasaray'a yaptırım uygulayamaz. Ancak Galatasaray yönetimi, "Avrupa'nın en centilmen taraftarı" imajına zarar veren bu azınlığı cezasız bırakmamaya kararlı. Kulüp kaynaklarından edinilen bilgilere göre, sarı-kırmızılı yönetim şu adımları atıyor:
ÜYELİKLERİ İPTAL EDİLECEK
Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü Siber Suçlarla Mücadele Daire Başkanlığı ile koordineli çalışılarak, ırkçı yorum yapan ve kendisini Galatasaray taraftarı olarak tanımlayan hesapların gerçek kimlikleri tespit edilecek. Kimliği belirlenen kişilerin varsa kulüp üyelikleri askıya alınacak, bu kişilere ait pasolig kartları ve kombineler süresiz olarak iptal edilecek.
6222 Sayılı Sporda Şiddet ve Düzensizliğin Önlenmesine Dair Kanun kapsamında, bu şahısların tüm spor müsabakalarından men edilmesi için yasal süreç başlatılacak.
Beşiktaş'ta teknik direktör Sergen Yalçın, milli ara sonrası Fenerbahçe derbisini prestij açısından kritik görse de asıl hedefi Türkiye Kupası olarak belirledi. Ligi dördüncü bitirip Avrupa mesaisine çok erken başlamanın gelecek sezonki şampiyonluk yarışını baltalamasından çekinen Yalçın, doğrudan Avrupa Ligi bileti için kupayı "tek yol" olarak görüyor.
Beşiktaş teknik direktörü Sergen Yalçın, milli ara dönüşünde oynanacak Fenerbahçe derbisini prestij açısından önemse de asıl hedefi Türkiye Kupası. Süper Lig'de zirve yarışının uzağında kalan siyah-beyazlılarda Yalçın, önümüzdeki sezonun planlamasını tehlikeye atmamak adına Türkiye Kupası’nı "tek kurtuluş reçetesi" olarak görüyor.
SERGEN YALÇIN'IN PLANI NET
Süper Lig’de şu an 4'üncü sırada bulunan Beşiktaş’ta, ilk üç sıradaki Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe ve Trabzonspor ile olan puan farkının kapanacak gibi durmaması teknik heyetin lig ikinciliği veya üçüncülüğü konusundaki umutlarını zayıflattı. Derbi mağlubiyetleri sonrası zirve hattından kopan Kartal’da Sergen Yalçın, lig dördüncülüğünün getireceği ağır yükten kaçmak istiyor.
BEŞİKTAŞ LİGE ERKEN BAŞLAMAK İSTEMİYOR
Beşiktaş, Türkiye Kupası'nı kazanamaz ve ligi 4. sırada bitirirse, Avrupa macerasına Konferans Ligi 2. Eleme Turu’ndan başlamak zorunda kalacak. Bu senaryo, siyah-beyazlılar için şu riskleri barındırıyor.
AVRUPA MAÇLARI MESAİSİ
Takımın tatil süresinin kısalması ve hazırlık döneminin bölünmesi. Gruplara kalabilmek için birden fazla tur geçme zorunluluğu ve fiziksel yorgunluk. Erken başlayan sezonun, gelecek yılın şampiyonluk yarışında takımı erkenden yıpratması.
BEŞİKTAŞ'IN HEDEFİ
Yalçın’a göre Türkiye Kupası sadece bir kupa değil, aynı zamanda stratejik bir anahtar. Kupayı müzesine götürmesi halinde Beşiktaş, UEFA Avrupa Ligi Play-Off Turu’ndan organizasyona dahil olacak. Daha az eleme maçı oynayarak gruplara kalma şansını artıracak. Sezonu daha geç açarak yeni sezon hazırlıklarını daha sağlıklı yürütecek.
Trabzonspor'da 2019 yılından bu yana yapılmayan bayramlaşma, bu bayramda da unutuldu. Pandemiyle başlayan zorunlu ara, 6 yıllık bir kopuşa dönüştü. Bordo-mavili camia, birliğin sembolü olan bu törenlerin neden yeniden canlandırılmadığını sorguluyor.
Trabzonspor’un köklü geleneklerinden biri olan ve camiayı bir araya getiren bayramlaşma törenleri sessiz sedasız rafa kalktı.
En son 2019 yılında gerçekleştirilen organizasyonun ardından geçen 6 yılda kulüpten bu geleneği canlandırmaya yönelik bir adım gelmedi.
Bir dönem genel kurul üyeleri, futbolcular ve taraftarların katılımıyla şölen havasında geçen, renkli görüntülerin yaşandığı bayramlaşma törenleri tarihe karıştı.
2019’dan sonra araya giren pandemi süreci, başlangıçta "zorunlu bir ara" olarak görülse de, gelinen noktada bu durum kulüp yönetimi için kalıcı bir alışkanlık halini almış durumda.
Bordo-mavili camianın en çok kenetlenmeye ihtiyaç duyduğu, saha içindeki sonuçların ötesinde bir "ruh" aradığı bugünlerde bu tür bir organizasyon çok işe yarayabilirdi.
Tribünle takımın aynı paydada buluştuğu, kırgınlıkların rafa kalktığı bu günler, kulüp kimliğini besleyen en önemli süreçerinden biri olarak görülüyordu.
Trabzonspor, 2014 Dünya Kupası'ndaki 2 oyuncu barajını aşarak tarihinin en geniş katılımına hazırlanıyor. 2026 yolunda 6 farklı ismin telaffuz edildiği bu süreç, sadece bir istatistik değil; bordo-mavili kulübün global vizyonunda yeni bir dönemin kapısını aralayabilir.
Trabzonspor, 2026 Dünya Kupası’na rekor sayıda oyuncu göndermenin hazırlığını yapıyor. İhtimaller gerçeğe dönüşürse bordo-mavililer, yaz başında yapılacak futbolun zirve organizasyonunda 6 oyuncuyla birden temsil edilebilir.
PINA VE OULAI DÜNYA KUPASINDA
Trabzonspor, 2014 Dünya Kupası’nda Didier Zokora ve Sol Bamba ile iki oyuncuyla temsi edilmişti. Bordo-mavililerin bu sefer muhtemel Dünya Kupası yolcuları ise Pina ve Oulai. Oulai, Fildişinin yeni prensi. Pina ise Yeşil Burun Adaları için vazgeçilmez.
ZUBKOV, BATAGOV VE MUÇİ İÇİN DE İHTİMAL VAR
Zubkov, Batagov ve Muçi için de ihtimal var. Ukrayna ve Arnavutluk için matematiksel olarak Dünya Kupası şansı devam ediyor... bu yüzden 3 oyuncu da 2026'da yer alabilir.
MUSTAFA ESKİHELLAÇ DA TÜRK MİLLİ TAKIMINA
Türkiye'nin Dünya Kupasını garantilemesi durumunda Mustafa Eskihellaç, Montella tarafından kadroya davet edilebilir.
TRABZONSPOR VİZYONU
Bu tablo Trabzonspor için manevi gururun ötesinde stratejik bir önem taşıyor. Kulüp kasasına FIFA'dan ciddi miktarda ekonomik gelir akacak. Oyuncuların bu büyük sahnede boy göstermesi, kulübün "marka değerini" ve "pazarlama gücünü" artıracak. Trabzonspor, artık sadece skor alan değil, dünya futboluna değer ihraç eden bir kulüp kimliğini perçinleyecek.
Beşiktaş'ta kale savaşı erken başladı! Sözleşmesi sezon sonunda bitecek olan 25 yaşındaki Ersin Destanoğlu'na henüz teklif yapılmazken ortaya atılan Altay Bayındır ve Brazao isimleri ipleri geldi. 8 yıldır kulübün parçası olan milli kaleci gelen kalecinin profiline göre radikal bir transfer kararı almaya hazırlanıyor.
Beşiktaş kaleci transferinde pirince giderken elindeki bulgurdan olmak üzere... yönetim, bir yandan yeni eldiven arayışlarını sürdürürken diğer yandan 8 yıldır kulübün bir parçası olan Ersin Destanoğlu’nu kaybetme riskiyle karşı karşıya.
ERSİN DESTANOĞLU AYRILMAYA SICAK BAKIYOR
Sözleşmesi sezon sonunda bitecek olan 25 yaşındaki file bekçisine henüz kontrat teklif edilmedi. Ayrılık ihtimallerini ortaya çıkardı. 2018 yılından bu yana siyah-beyazlı formayı terleten Ersin, kariyerinde yeni bir sayfa açmaya sıcak bakıyor.
Beşiktaş'ta Altay Bayındır ve Brazao yer gibi isimler üzerinde durulurken, transfer edilecek isim Ersin’in geleceğini de belirleyecek.
ALTAY BAYINDIR GELİRSE GİDECEK
Ersin Destanoğlu’nun geleceğiyle ilgili tavrı net: Eğer Altay Bayındır gibi kendi ayarında bir isim transfer edilirse, rekabete girmek yerine takımdan ayrılmayı planlıyor. Ancak kulüp dünya çapında, tartışmasız bir numara transfer ederse, o ismin arkasında beklemeye ve öğrenmeye devam ederek kalmaya sıcak bakıyor.
AVRUPA'DAN TEKLİFLER VAR
Aklının bir köşesinde her zaman yurt dışı hedefi olan Ersin için Avrupa kulüpleri şimdiden sıraya girmiş durumda. Bazı Fransız kulüpler Ersin’i "güçlü bir ikinci kaleci" olarak kadrosuna katmak istiyor. Hollanda ve Belçika'dan gelen teklifler ise Ersin’e doğrudan "birinci kaleci" olma garantisi veriyor.
Bu gün futbol üzrə Almaniya çempionatında (Bundesliqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 27-ci turunun növbəti oyunları keçirilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ikinci oyun günündə beş qarşılaşma baş tutub.
Altı qolun qeydə alındığı “Köln” – “Borussiya” (Mönhenqladbax) və “Haydenhaym” – “Bayer” matçlarında qalib müəyyənləşməyib. “Volfsburq” doğma meydanda “Verder”ə məğlub olubsa, Dortmund “Borussiya”sı “Hamburq”a qalib gəlib. Lider “Bayern” də “Union Berlin”lə ev oyununda 4 cavabsız qola sevinib.
27-ci turun qalan görüşləri bazar gününə təsadüf edəcək.
Azərbaycan millisinin yarımmüdafiəçisi Vüsal İsgəndərlinin formasını geyindiyi Albaniyanın “Partizani” komandası növbəti matçına çıxıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komanda Albaniya çempionatının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 29-cu turu çərçivəsində “Teuta” ilə qarşılaşıb.
“Partizani” səfərdə baş tutmuş bu oyundan heç-heçə ilə ayrılıb – 2:2. İsgəndərli bu oyunun iştirakçısı olmayıb. Onun adı qarşılaşmanın iştirak ərizəsinə də daxil edilməyib.
“Partizani” 29 turdan sonra 44 xalla 10 komandanın mübarizə apardığı Albaniya çempionatının yarış cədvəlində 4-cü pillədə qərarlaşıb. Sözügedən komanda 28 oyunda 12 qələbə qazanıb, 8 heç-heçə edib, 9 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.
Xatırladaq ki, Vüsal İsgəndərli Albaniya klubuna 2025-ci ilin yayında Türkiyənin “Boluspor” komandasından azad agent kimi keçib. Hücumçu “Partizani” ilə 1+1 illik müqaviləyə imza atıb. O, indiyə qədər bu komandanın heyətində 25 oyuna çıxıb, 5 qola imza atıb.
Vüsal daha öncə “Şamaxı”, “Zirə”, “Sumqayıt”, “Ankara Keçiörengücü”, “Eqnatiya”, “Boluspor” və “Simurq”da da forma geyinib. 2019-cu ilin noyabrında Azərbaycan millisində debüt etmiş 29 yaşlı hücumçu meydana çıxdığı 5 oyunda fərqlənə bilməyib.
A Milli Takım'da Uğurcan Çakır ve Barış Alper Yılmaz, ağrıları nedeniyle antrenmanda yer almadı. Abdülkerim Bardakcı ise takımdan ayrı düz koşu ile idmanı tamamladı.
Son dakika Galatasaray haberleri: Alman futbolunun efsane ismi Dietmar Hamann, Galatasaraylı futbolcu Leroy Sane'nin Almanya Milli Takımı'na seçilmesiyle ilgili şok ifadeler kullandı. İşte o sözler......Devamı için tıklayınız
Şans oyunu severler 21 Mart 2026 Cumartesi günü için “Çılgın Sayısal Loto sonuçları açıklandı mı?” sorusuna yanıt arıyor. Haftanın belirli günlerinde gerçekleştirilen çekiliş sonrası sonuçlar büyük merak...Devamı için tıklayınız
A Milli Takımımız, 26 Mart'ta Romanya ile oynayacağı 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası play-off yarı final maçının hazırlıklarını sürdürdü. İşte detaylar...Devamı için tıklayınız
İtalya Serie A'nın 30. haftasında Milan, Torino'yu konuk etti. Milan, Torino'yu zorlandığı maçta 3-2 mağlup etti. İşte detaylar...Devamı için tıklayınız
Massimiliano Allegri could barely contain his emotion after Milan edged a 3-2 victory over Torino, a result that keeps the Rossoneri firmly in the hunt for Inter’s lead at the top of Serie A.
The win was all the more significant given defeats against Parma and Lazio in the past month had briefly threatened to derail Milan’s title challenge at a critical stage of the season.
Allegri was so wound up during the match that he was caught telling referee Doveri he would quit football, a comment he addressed with characteristic humour in his post-match interview, with quotes via MilanNews.
“It was the heat of the moment,” he laughed. “I am getting on in years and I would not want my heart to give out. The match was very important for us at that point.”
The first half was not straightforward, with Torino presenting real problems in the first 30 minutes.
“We were forcing play inside the field too much and conceding too many counter-attacks,” Allegri admitted. “In the second half the players grew physically too, which was not easy after the equaliser at the end of the first half.”
Tactically, Allegri shed light on Alexis Saelemaekers’ demanding role in his 4-3-3.
“He is our balance player, when we defend he must be the fifth, when we attack he must be the third forward. Sometimes he arrives at the end of games a little spent.” The introduction of Pulisic wide helped open up a Torino side with a compact central block.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Strahinja Pavlovic of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Milan 3-2 Torino – Allegri defends Fullkrug and gives Pavlovic his flowers
Niklas Fullkrug was another subject of analysis, with Allegri defending the German striker while pointing to a broader truth about players who lack consistent minutes.
“It is not easy when you do not have continuity, the physical structure suffers,” he said. “He had a difficult first half but a much better second. Compare that to Ricci, who because of his physicality and mentality can come on at any point and immediately be in match mode. Players are different.”
The head coach was clear that Fullkrug’s second-half improvement was the kind of response he needed.
On Strahinja Pavlovic’s performance, capped off with a spectacular goal from range, Allegri was full of praise.
“He played a great match tonight, he has improved a lot,” he said. “He has character, soul, he defended well in open play. He is growing significantly and I am delighted.”
With the international break now arriving, Allegri took the opportunity for a light-hearted dig at his forwards.
“This week I ask nothing of anyone, the break is the only thing I asked them not to ruin for me. But the attackers will return to scoring in the decisive moments after the pause.”
Next up after the break is a trip to Napoli, second versus third, a match Allegri described simply as “a beautiful evening of football and sport.”
Sassuolo director Giovanni Carnevali admits it has ‘not been an easy week’ for them dealing with a whooping cough outbreak, but they ‘feel ready to have our say’ against Juventus anyway.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MARCH 01: Kristian Thorstvedt of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Atalanta BC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on March 01, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The Neroverdi are dealing with a truly extraordinary situation, as an outbreak of whooping cough has spread throughout the squad.
There is one confirmed diagnosis, with five others isolated after exhibiting symptoms, although the club has not named any of them due to privacy concerns.
It is fairly easy to work out who is missing from the squad today, namely Nemanja Matic, Kristian Thorstvedt, Woyo Coulibaly and Stefano Turati.
Sassuolo were already without injured Fali Candé, Alieu Fadera, Daniel Boloca and Edoardo Pieragnolo.
Carnevali has faith in decimated Sassuolo
SASSUOLO, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Giovanni Carnevali, US Sassuolo Calcio CEO, looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and ACF Fiorentina at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on December 06, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“When you face a side like Juventus, you will always have extra motivation, regardless of the circumstances. We know that we are not in the best situation possible, but we do feel ready to have our say in this game.
“The players who were taken ill are already improving, it’s part of the game and it gives an opportunity to those who haven’t played as much.”
The build-up has seen Sassuolo bring back Covid-era protocols to prevent the spread of this highly-infectious illness, which can even be fatal for babies.
That includes not shaking hands before kick-off, no exchange of jerseys at the final whistle, while families were warned not to get too close together in the stands either.
“Even if we haven’t beaten the big clubs yet this season, we always caused them a lot of problems.”
Darryl Bakola joins Sassuolo from Olympique Marseille
There is a first start for 18-year-old Darryl Bakola, who was purchased from Olympique Marseille in January for €10m plus €2m in add-ons.
“He is a young player and Sassuolo always trust youth, we made a big investment, we wanted him at all costs and beat a lot of competition from more prestigious clubs,” explained Carnevali.
“His growth process certainly doesn’t depend on this match, it’s a long-term project, and we believe Sassuolo is the ideal club for him to flourish.”
The Neroverdi have a veteran too, but Domenico Berardi was not called up for the Italy squad going into the 2026 World Cup play-offs.
“I had hoped he would get that call, as Domenico is having a great season. We’ve just got to hope that the Nazionale reach the World Cup, regardless of Berardi.”
Luciano Spalletti warns against Juventus getting ‘arrogant’ due to the Sassuolo whooping cough crisis, while he welcomes back Dusan Vlahovic and trusts Jeremie Boga in a new role.
Sassuolo are in a very strange situation, as there is one confirmed case of whooping cough in the squad, and another four players who have been isolated after showing symptoms.
Although the club has not named any of them due to privacy concerns, notably Nemanja Matic, Kristian Thorstvedt, Woyo Coulibaly and Stefano Turati are not here today.
The Neroverdi were already without injured Fali Candé, Alieu Fadera, Daniel Boloca and Edoardo Pieragnolo, but Spalletti refuses to see this as an advantage.
Spalletti does not expect struggling Sassuolo
UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Luciano Spalletti, Juventus manager, reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
“Any team usually has 15-16 first choice players, naturally there are some who play more, but that doesn’t mean the others aren’t valid,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.
“I remember during the Covid era when there were only 13 players who came here with Napoli, we got a draw with a wonderful Mertens goal. So this sort of thing can create a bit of arrogance if you are not intelligent enough to handle the news, or on the other side gives you extra motivation to give something more and help your teammates out.”
The Bianconeri got themselves back in the hunt for a Champions League spot thanks to the fightback for a 3-3 draw at Roma, then two consecutive Serie A victories over Pisa and Udinese.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 07: Jeremie Boga of Juventus celebrates after scoring the his team’s fourth goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Pisa SC at Juventus Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)
Among the keys to the turnaround was the move to a 4-3-3 formation, with Jeremie Boga as the centre-forward this time from the start rather than at half-time, sending Jonathan David to the bench.
“I asked all those who worked with Boga, they said he has to play on the left, but when I put him in the centre, he proved that he knows how to hurt the opposition centre-backs,” explained Spalletti.
“If he has 10 metres behind him, he can use that with a lethal change of pace, it’s impossible to keep up with him. So we’ll try to make the most of that, as well as his technique, as he does well with the ball at his feet.”
PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Dusan Vlahovic is back on the bench for the first time since November 29, when he suffered a serious thigh injury, and his future at the club remains to be seen with a contract that expires on June 30.
“Arek Milik is on the bench too, so we’ve got four centre-forwards on the bench. Vlahovic is doing well, naturally he has different characteristics, he had a lot of difficulty sticking to the rules after a very serious injury, but seeing as we are at the end of that process now, we will try not to do any more damage.”
Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez made his first appearance for Milan since October, when he came on as a 70th minute substitute for Niclas Fullkrug in the Rossoneri’s 3-2 win over Torino on Saturday evening.
The former Feyenoord forward underwent ankle surgery in December following a recurring issue that had been plaguing his fitness.
After the surgery was a success, Gimenez began his road to recovery and rejoined full training with his teammates this month.
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan celebrates after scoring to give the side a 1-0 lead during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Milan welcome Gimenez back at crucial juncture
It is a welcome boost for both club and country, with the Rossoneri struggling up front as of late and Mexico preparing to welcome the FIFA World Cup to its shores in the Summer.
Fullkrug’s flat performance tonight will have only strengthened the Mexican’s position as he strives to play a pivotal part in the end of Milan’s season.
With the win tonight, Milan moved within five points of league leaders and fierce city rivals Inter, albeit with the Nerazzurri still to play this weekend – they travel to Fiorentina on Sunday.
Milan scored a quick fire double early into the second half to secure a 3-2 victory over Torino, temporarily closing the gap on league leaders Inter to five points ahead of the Nerazzurri’s match at Fiorentina on Sunday.
Football Italia’s Man of the Match was Rossoneri defender Strahinja Pavlovic, for his phenomenal long-range effort to put his side 1-0 up and resolute defensive performance, despite giving away a late penalty after pulling down Simeone in the box.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammates during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Best Milan player: Strahinja Pavlovic – Despite giving away the late penalty, he more than made up for it with his efforts beforehand. Scored an outrageous goal from distance in the first half and worked really hard defensively to break up Torino’s attacks.
Lowest Milan rating: Niclas Fullkrug – Still yet to really settle in at Milan, the German stood in for the injured Rafael Leao tonight but did himself no favours in establishing a more permanent place in the team. Was largely very ineffective before being replaced with twenty minutes left to play.
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri 7 – Will be happy with the way his side dominated possession of the ball but will perhaps be disappointed that the chance creation is still missing something. His substitutes really helped Milan stay fresh, and Athekame even picked up an assist.
Best Torino player: Nikola Vlasic – Capped off an impressive midfield display with a late consolation goal from the penalty spot, the Croatian worked hard all evening, firing off attempts on goal, creating chances and also working hard defensively.
Lowest Torino rating: Saul Coco – Really struggled to win his individual battles on the right-hand side of the back three and his passing was also lacklustre.
Coach: Roberto D’Aversa 6 – Quite unlucky as despite their lack of possession, the visitors fashioned a number of good chances and perhaps deserved a point. Still showing signs of improvement under the coach, who seems to have no trouble in getting 100% out of his players.
Milan got back on track with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Torino, including spectacular Strahinja Pavlovic strike from distance, and Santiago Gimenez made his comeback.
The Rossoneri were feeling the pressure after going from Scudetto dream to nightmare in the space of a week, their defeat to Lazio leaving them closer to fifth place than the leaders. Rafael Leao had an adductor injury, so Niclas Fullkrug stepped in, with Santiago Gimenez on the bench for the first time since October. Davide Bartesaghi and Adrien Rabiot were also available again. Toro had two wins and a narrow defeat to Napoli since replacing Marco Baroni with Roberto D’Aversa, but missed Zakaria Aboukhlal, Alieu Njie and Zanos Savva.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Roberto D’Aversa, Head Coach of Torino, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
It was an aggressive start from the visitors, as Matteo Prati fired over from the edge of the box, then Nikola Vlasic got in front of Koni De Winter and Mike Maignan to flick on the Marcus Pedersen ball across the face of goal.
Maignan fingertipped a looping Ardian Ismajli header out from under the bar on a corner, while Christian Pulisic and Bartesaghi had efforts charged down inside the area.
Rabiot unleashed a screamer from distance that Albert Paleari flew to palm away, and it was only a warning for Milan to take the lead moments later. Saul Coco nodded a cross clear to around 25 yards, where Pavlovic took a touch, let it bounce, and smashed the left-footed half-volley in off the underside of the crossbar.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Strahinja Pavlovic of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Duvan Zapata tested Maignan at the near post moments later, and Pavlovic’s goal-line clearance on Pedersen wouldn’t have counted because Simeone was offside on the assist.
Torino did equalise on the stroke of half-time, as Maignan got down for a one-handed save on the Vlasic effort from the edge of the area, it took a double ricochet off the upright and his shoulder, until Simeone was quickest to react on the loose ball.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Giovanni Simeone of Torino celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
After the restart, Milan were much more aggressive after changing to a four-man defence. Ismajli came sliding in to charge down a Pulisic effort, and Bartesaghi’s volley was deflected wide.
The pressure eventually paid off when Christian Pulisic pulled across from the right and Rabiot was ready to bundle it over the line from point-blank range with his knee. It was his first goal scored at San Siro in the Rossoneri jersey.
Moments later they extended their advantage, as Zachary Athekame’s through ball was gathered by Fofana, who was allowed to take three touches and turn in a crowd of Torino players, firing in from 13 yards.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Youssouf Fofana of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammates during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Maignan made a sensational reaction save, sticking out a trailing leg to deny Simeone’s first-time sweep from 12 yards, then Cholito had another dangerous volley charged down for a corner.
There was a big moment, as Santiago Gimenez made his return after ankle surgery, his first appearance since the end of October 2025.
Samuele Ricci nearly scored against his former club, Alberto Paleari getting down to parry at the near post, but just before that was an incident that was spotted by VAR. Pavlovic had dragged back Simeone with an arm across his face and neck inside the penalty area, so even if he wasn’t going to reach the ball, it was a clear foul.
A penalty was awarded and converted into the top corner by Nikola Vlasic to get Torino back into the game.
The Granata had more penalty appeals for a Koni De Winter handball, but the arm was judged to be in a natural position.
Juventus have Dusan Vlahovic back in the squad after four months, but Jeremie Boga starts with Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao against a Sassuolo side affected by a virus outbreak.
UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Luciano Spalletti, Juventus manager, looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
The Bianconeri are back in the hunt for a top four finish after the 3-3 thriller with Roma, then back-to-back victories over Pisa and Udinese.
The key was dropping Jonathan David for Boga as a False 9, flanked by Conceicao and Yildiz, so that is repeated here today with Boga facing his former club.
Emil Holm is now the only remaining absentee, because both long-term injury cases Vlahovic and Arek Milik are on the bench.
Mattia Perin keeps the gloves, with Khephren Thuram preferred to Teun Koopmeiners.
TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Juventus Stadium on November 04, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
The identities of the players affected were not confirmed, with only one confirmed case of pertussis, which is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes.
The Neroverdi had been on fine form until recently, then suffered back-to-back defeats with Lazio and Bologna.
Sassuolo were already missing injured Fali Candé, Alieu Fadera, Daniel Boloca and Edoardo Pieragnolo.
The players not in the squad are Nemanja Matic, Kristian Thorstvedt, Woyo Coulibaly and Stefano Turati.
These teams met on January 6, with Juve running out 3-0 winners away from home.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – MARCH 01: Fabio Grosso head coach of US Sassuolo celebrates with his team during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Atalanta BC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on March 01, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Arsenal remain interested in signing the Cameroon forward Christian Kofane at the end of the season.
The 19-year-old has 15 goal contributions across all competitions and is regarded as one of the Bundesliga’s finest young talents.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Arsenal want Christian Kofane signed
Arsenal are hoping to secure his signature, and they have identified him as a top priority for the summer transfer window. According to reports from Spain, Arsenal are now preparing an offer of around €50 million to complete the deal. They believe that his directness and dynamism are a good fit for the Premier League, and he could be an important player for them.
It is no secret that Arsenal need more quality in the final third. Gabriel Jesus has been linked with a move away from the club, and they will need to replace him properly. The 19-year-old could be ideal for them. He has the potential to develop into a top-class player with the right guidance. Arsenal have done well to nurture young players in the past, and they could help the African fulfil his tremendous potential.
The €50 million investment might seem expensive right now, but the player has the potential to justify the outlay in future. If he manages to fulfil his potential at the London club, the deal could look like a masterstroke in the long run.
Also, the opportunity to play for Arsenal will be quite exciting for the young attacker. They are among the biggest clubs in the world right now, and they are fighting for the league title and the UEFA Champions League. Kofane will want to compete at the highest level with them and win major trophies.
Tottenham Hotspur need to improve their attacking unit with a quality striker, and they have identified Georges Mikautadze as a target.
The Georgian International has done well since joining Villarreal, and the North London club is keen on securing his signature at the end of the season. The 25-year-old has 11 goals across all competitions and has shown he is capable of operating in multiple attacking roles. He is more than just a goal scorer, and he will help create opportunities for his teammates as well.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Tottenham keen on Georges Mikautadze
According to reports from Spain, Tottenham are leading the race for his signature despite interest from multiple clubs. It remains to be seen whether they follow up on their interest with an official offer at the end of the season. Tottenham are prepared to offer close to €60 million in order to sign the player. The Spanish club paid around half of that when they signed him last summer, and they are likely to be attracted to the idea of selling him. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.
Randal Kolo Muani will leave Tottenham when his loan expires, and they will need to replace him. Dominic Solanke has not been able to score a goal consistently. He needs more help in the attacking unit, and the 25-year-old La Liga forward could be ideal. The player is likely to be tempted to move through the Premier League. It would be a huge opportunity for him, and he would get to test himself at the highest level.
It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can secure safety in the top and get the deal done in the summer.
Manchester United are interested in signing the French striker Ange-Yoan Bonny.
The French under-21 International has impressed with Inter Milan, and Manchester United are hoping to secure his signature. The player has registered 14 goal contributions this season, and he has attracted interest from PSG as well.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Man United could use Ange-Yoan Bonny
The player is reportedly valued at €35 million, and the Premier League site certainly has the financial muscle to avoid him. It is no secret that they need more quality and depth in the attacking unit, and Bonny could be a solid long-term acquisition.
According to reports from Spain, Manchester United are very serious about signing the player and believe he would be a long-term investment. He could complement Benjamin Sesko in the attack next season.
The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for the young attacker. Manchester United are among the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to join them will be an added incentive.
The player certainly has the quality to justify the €35 million investment in future, and he could prove to be a bargain for Manchester United, if he manages to fulfil his potential with them. It will be interesting to see if Inter Milan is willing to sanction the departure of the French under-21 international. He could develop into an important first-team player for them, and they might not want to lose a player of his potential. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.
Manchester United must add more quality and depth to the attacking unit if they want to fight for major trophies next season. They need more goals and creativity in the team.
A despondent Arne Slot claimed “a club like Liverpool should be able to get a result away at Brighton” following the Reds’ 2-1 loss at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. Danny Welbeck scored in either half to further dent Liverpool’s hopes of securing a top-four finish, following their 1-1 draw with Tottenham last time out. […]
MADRID (AP) — Elche left the relegation zone in La Liga by defeating Mallorca 2-1 for its first victory of the year on Saturday.
The host scored twice in less than 10 minutes in the second half to earn the come-from-behind victory.
Mallorca went ahead with a goal by Pablo Torre in the 58th minute but Elche rallied with scores by Rafa Mir in the 62nd and Tete Morente in the 71st.
The result moved Elche to 16th place, one point above the drop zone. It hadn’t won a match across all competitions since Dec. 21. It had lost eight of its last 12 games with four draws.
Mallorca dropped to 18th place and entered the relegation zone.
Also on Saturday, Espanyol extended its winless streak in 2026 to 12 games after a 2-1 home loss to Getafe. Getafe moved to eighth place, two spots ahead of Espanyol.
Osasuna defeated Girona 1-0 with an 80th-minute goal by Ante Budimir, halting a three-game winless run.
In a match between bottom-table teams, 19th-placed Levante beat 20th-placed Oviedo 4-2 at home.
LUCKNOW: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was honoured as the ‘Federation of the Year’ at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 on Saturday, capping off a year of administrative consistency and global dominance.
BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla accepted the award on behalf of the board during the gala event in Lucknow, which recognised excellence across 45 sporting categories for the 2025 evaluation period.
The recognition comes on the back of a relentless calendar where the BCCI managed high-stakes ICC events, bilateral series, and a robust domestic structure for both men’s and women’s cricket.
The jury, featuring legends like Abhinav Bindra, Mithali Raj, and PR Sreejesh, acknowledged the board’s role in maintaining operations at a massive scale while fostering player pathways that keep India at the pinnacle of world cricket.
In his acceptance speech, Shukla took the opportunity to address a significant point raised by the Uttar Pradesh administration regarding the expansion of domestic cricket.
Addressing the demand for more representation from India’s most populous state, Shukla clarified the legal constraints involved in creating new state units.
"The BCCI has received the award for Best Sports Federation. Today, I would like to clarify one point regarding what the Chief Minister had mentioned earlier," Shukla stated.
"The Chief Minister had said that Uttar Pradesh is such a large state that it should have four Ranji teams, so that more players can get opportunities. However, the challenge we face is that the Supreme Court has already settled this matter. It has clearly stated that there can be only one cricket association per state, except in cases where multiple associations already existed historically."
Shukla cited existing exceptions like Gujarat and Maharashtra but noted that the current legal framework prevents the fragmentation of newer associations.
"For example, Gujarat has three associations, Andhra Pradesh has two... and Maharashtra has multiple associations such as the Mumbai Cricket Association, Maharashtra Cricket Association, and Vidarbha. Apart from such exceptions, the rule remains the same. A new association can only be formed only if a state is divided," he explained.
To bypass these limitations and ensure young talent in Uttar Pradesh does not go unnoticed, Shukla highlighted the success of the UP T20 League.
"This creates a significant limitation... we ourselves want more opportunities for young players, we are bound by the Supreme Court’s directive. To address this, we discussed the matter with the Chief Minister and subsequently launched the UP T20 League, which provides opportunities to around 200 players," he added.
Closing his address, Shukla lauded the TOISA platform for its role in the Indian sporting ecosystem. "Once again, I would like to thank The Times of India for organising these awards. It is wonderful to see so many talented individuals here. Their achievements are truly extraordinary, and it is important that they are recognised," he concluded.
We had a great matchup of two dominant lefties in Spring Training on Saturday, with Chris Sale facing Garrett Crochet and Sale’s former team, the Red Sox.
Sale gave up two very hard-hit balls in the first at over 104 MPH each, but only allowed a walk for a single baserunner. Sale was able to reign in the hard contact after the first and generally looked like himself, touching 97 on the radar gun and generating plenty of whiffs, despite relatively low strikeout totals. Michael Harris gave Chris an assist with a great jumping catch in the third. Sale continued to cruise his way through the game efficiently, completing 6.0 innings on 86 pitches wit 4 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 1 run allowed. That’s a solid outing for Sale, even with the relatively tame strikeout total by his standards in his final spring tune-up. Tyler Kinley took over in the seventh and allowed a single in a scoreless frame with one strikeout. Dylan Lee was the last major league pitcher to get some work on Saturday, as he worked a clean 8th inning with one strikeout.
Elsewhere on offense, Ozzie also hit a double, Olson hit a 101 MPH single in the third and a 107 MPH single in the seventh, and Eli White drew a walk. There were some additional Looney Tunes moments that resulted in a box score single for Olson and double for Riley in the fifth that were not batted balls deserving of those box score classifications. Those were the most notable performances at the plate by players expected to be on the Opening Day roster.
Join us again tomorrow at 1:05 PM ET, as Reynaldo Lopez gets his last bit of work in this spring.
"From where we were in Tokyo to right now, having another world gold medal, that's all down to coaching, it's all down to physio and my mum. That's a family win right there," Kerr told the BBC.
Kerr hovered patiently behind the pack leaders, picking his moment to surge in front with about 200 metres remaining, and managed to hold off a final-stretch fightback from Hocker, who took silver in 7mins 35.70secs, just enough to beat Schrub, who rounded out the podium one millisecond later.
Kerr said before these championships that there was a time he could not even walk himself to breakfast, but he had surprised even himself with the speed of his recovery.
(AP)
The 2024 Olympic 1500m silver medallist had hoped to compete in the 3000m final at the British indoor championships last month, but was granted a medical exception, reportedly due to back issues.
Kerr was full of confidence approaching Torun, declaring himself still "the best athlete in the world at these distances".
He was not wholly pleased by how the race unfolded in Poland, nor parts of the event's execution, but was nevertheless relieved to get the job done after troubleshooting on the fly.
"For people watching, that is not how you win a world final," Kerr said. "I knew that I had to get that close right, or else I might be having a pretty tough conversation with my coach.
"I was extremely fit coming into this. Obviously I had some problems coming into British champs, but this was the main goal. From a coaching and staff standpoint, and from just general work, I just... I needed this one.”
Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane (R) and winger Michael Olise both grabbed goals in Saturday's win over Union Berlin (Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND)
Serge Gnabry scored twice and Harry Kane inched closer to the Bundesliga single-season goal record as Bayern Munich beat Union Berlin 4-0 at home on Saturday.
Kane's second-half strike took him to 31 this campaign -- the same number Union have scored all season -- and 10 short of Robert Lewandowski's mark from 2020-21, with seven games to play.
Michael Olise struck for the brilliant Bavarians.
"It's still possible, I just have to keep doing what I'm doing," Kane told reporters about the record.
"All it takes is a hat-trick or a couple of braces in a row and then it'll look a bit more likely."
Bayern have 97 goals this season, four short of the best mark set in 1971-72, when Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Mueller helped the Bavarian giants tear through the Bundesliga.
Coach Vincent Kompany made five changes from the side which thumped Atalanta on Wednesday to set up a Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid, but kept Kane front and centre.
Union, who had never beaten Bayern in 14 clashes, held out until the 41st minute, when Olise collected a punted Leon Goretzka pass and curled the ball into the top corner.
Gnabry made it two just before the break, knocking in a rebound at the far post.
Kane pirouetted and curled in Bayern's third just after the break, boosting his tally to 48 in 40 games in all competitions this season.
Gnabry was again in the right place to volley in with 67 minutes gone to add gloss to another big Bayern win.
- Wild comeback for Dortmund, Leverkusen 'speechless' -
Ramy Bensebaini scored two second half penalties as Borussia Dortmund came from two goals down to win 3-2 at home against promoted Hamburg and all but lock up second spot.
Philip Otele and Albert Sambi Lokonga scored to put Hamburg two goals up at half-time, after Dortmund's Felix Nmecha missed a penalty just before the break.
Bensebaini converted a penalty after 73 minutes to bring Dortmund back into the match and Serhou Guirassy hammered in a rebound while off balance five minutes later.
With six minutes left, Jobe Bellingham tried a long-range effort which hit Miro Muheim's hand, bringing Bensebaini to the spot again.
The Algerian nervelessly converted to bring Dortmund in front and put the hosts on track for victory.
Second-placed Dortmund are 11 points clear of RB Leipzig in third but remain nine points behind leaders Bayern.
Bayer Leverkusen's top-four hopes took a hit with a 3-3 draw at rock-bottom Heidenheim after leading 2-0 at half-time and 3-2 with five minutes remaining.
The draw leaves Leverkusen sixth, four points behind Leipzig, Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, who are all level on 50 points. Stuttgart have a game in hand.
"I'm speechless," goalkeeper Mark Flekken told DAZN. "We talked at half-time about not getting complacent."
Hoping to bounce back from Tuesday's Champions League exit at Arsenal, first-half goals to Malik Tillmann and Patrik Schick had Leverkusen on course for a routine win.
Heidenheim fought back through a Hennes Behrens goal and a Marvin Pieringer penalty. Schick once again gave Leverkusen the lead with a header but Pieringer levelled again from a corner with 85 minutes gone.
Justin Njinmah scored the only goal as Werder Bremen won 1-0 at Wolfsburg to push their hosts closer to a first ever Bundesliga relegation.
Second-last with just one victory in the calendar year, 2009 German champions Wolfsburg could be six points from safety if St Pauli beat Freiburg on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Rhine rivals Cologne and Borussia Moenchengladbach played out a 3-3 draw.
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 21: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on March 21, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by S. Mellar/FC Bayern via Getty Images) | FC Bayern via Getty Images
Bayern Munich beat Union Berlin in a rather dominant display with goals of Michael Olise, Harry Kane, and a brace by Serge Gnabry. At the moment, sits atop the Bundesliga table with 70 points from 27 matches, while having scored 97 goals. With 7 games left in the Bundesliga campaign, the Bavarians will surely surpass that record, unless the world suddenly disintegrates or is affected by a massive cosmic event.
In a postgame interview, Bayern Munich attacker Serge Gnabry was questioned about the record, stressing how it shows the current level of the team’s attack (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “During games, you don’t really think about records like that. Of course, when we break it we’ll be happy and see how much higher we can push it. The fact that we’re already at 97 goals is really incredible; I didn’t expect that at all. It simply shows how good our attack is.”
It’s worth noting that the current record has stood over 50 years, when in the 1971/72 campaign, Udo Lattek’s Bayern scored the aforementioned 101 goals. That season also saw legend Gerd Müller establish a 40-goal record, a mark that stood 49 years, until Robert Lewandowski broke it with 41 goals in the 2020/21 season.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Real Madrid star to return to the pitch vs Atlético
La Liga giants Real Madrid are set to welcome a leading member of the club’s midfield ranks back to the pitch in Sunday’s derby.
The player in question? Jude Bellingham.
England international Bellingham has for his part not featured in a competitive setting since all the way back in early February.
This comes owing to a serious hamstring injury picked up during a La Liga meeting with Rayo Vallecano.
Bellingham has spent the last couple of weeks ramping up his recovery efforts, to the point that he was named as part of Álvaro Arbeloa’s squad to face Atlético on Sunday.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Real Madrid’s headmaster was therefore drawn on the former Borussia Dortmund man’s status for the derby.
And Arbeloa went on to confirm:
“Jude Bellingham is already available. I think he’s going to play vs Atlético. I’m really looking forward to seeing him on the field already.”
Tries: Duncan, Hiddleston, Horne 2, Rowe, Smith Cons: Horne 4
Leinster (12) 17
Tries: Kenny, Keenan, Frawley Cons: Prendergast
Glasgow Warriors strengthened their place at the top of the URC with a bonus-point win over a strong Leinster side as their rivalry continues to deepen in the tussle for another title.
It was Leinster's ill-discipline that undid them at Scotstoun, with Glasgow striking four times while the Irish side were briefly down to 13 men in the first half.
It was Leo Cullen's side who got the scoring started when All Blacks star Reiko Ioane nabbed the ball inside his own 22m and sent young winger Joshua Kenny flying along the wing to dot down.
However, Glasgow responded with four tries of their own to secure the bonus point before they reached half-time.
With Leinster's Brian Deeny in the bin, a set-piece move from a tap-and-go 5m out put Maccenzie Duncan over the line - some way to celebrate signing his first pro deal at Scotstoun.
From the restart, Leinster went down to 13 men when Ronan Kelleher was adjudged to have put in a high tackle on Stafford McDowall. After a bunker review, the card remained yellow.
The Warriors immediately made use of the extra two men, with Gregor Hiddleston scoring at the back of a driving maul before George Horne scored a breakaway try after line breaks from centre partnership McDowall and Johnny Ventisei, the latter making his pro debut.
The fourth try was the pick of the bunch from one of Glasgow's form players.
Receiving the ball on the edge of his own 22m line, Kyle Rowe burned past Ireland international Jimmy O'Brien before hacking on and collecting his own kick.
In the corner, he even had the composure to dance inside the last defender and score undoubtedly one of the best tries of his career.
There was still time in the first half for Leinster to score, sucking players in at a driving maul before spreading wide for Hugo Keenan to dart over.
The second half was a low-scoring affair in comparison to the first, but the all-important try came Glasgow's way when Ollie Smith spun out of three tackles to break free and score to seal the game for the hosts.
Leinster kept fighting, and gave themselves hope of a losing bonus point when replacement Ciaran Frawley fought through the bodies to cross the line.
But it was Glasgow who scored just before the end as Josh McKay broke the line and fed Horne, who crossed for his second and the Warriors' sixth try before a good, old-fashioned dust up that ended up with Adam Hastings and Rabah Slimani going to the bin.
Hastings, who will depart for Montpellier in the summer, was cheered from the pitch by the home fans after ruffling the feathers of opposite number Sam Prendergast.
In another sterling season for Glasgow and Franco Smith, this marked a statement win against a Leinster side with plenty of recognisable names.
The Warriors team was considerably depleted with plenty still on rest from Scotland duty, but Smith has built such unbelievable depth at the Warriors that their standards rarely dip, if at all.
Antrim avoided relegation from Division 1B of the National Hurling League despite a dramatic last-gasp defeat at the hands of Ulster derby rivals Down at Pairc Esler.
Donal Hughes was the matchwinner for the Mournemen as his goal in the final minute of the game secured a 3-22 to 3-20 success.
Despite the victory, Down finish bottom of the division and are relegated to Division 2, along with Carlow, who went down 0-34 to 2-14 to Dublin at Dr Parnell Park.
Antrim retain their status on points difference and will face Down again in the Joe McDonagh Cup in four weeks' time.
Fortunes ebbed to an from in a pulsating game on Saturday as the sides traded scores throughout a close contest, with the outcome in doubt right until the end.
Shea Pucci scored two of Down's three goals, with Ruairi Donaghy doing likewise for the Saffrons.
Pucci found the net twice in the opening quarter of the contest but Donaghy's first goal reduced his side's deficit to five points at 2-7 to 1-5.
The same margin prevailed at the interval as the hosts went in 2-11 to 1-9 to the good despite five first-half points from Seaan Elliott.
The visitors began the second half strongly and Donaghy's second goal brought Davy Fitzgerald's side to within one of their opponents.
Elliott scored Antrim's goal and the see-saw encounter continued until the away side managed to nudge ahead 3-20 to 2-22 in added time thanks to a James McNaughton point.
Hughes had the final say however to clinch victory for his side.
Tries: Lipowicz 2, Navarrete, Marc Goals: Sexton 5
Hull KR (6) 20
Tries: May, Burgess, Amone Goals: Lewis 4
Reigning Super League champions Hull Kingston Rovers suffered a third defeat in their opening four games as Catalans Dragons earned a remarkable 26-20 victory in Perpignan.
The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all three domestic trophies before beating Brisbane Broncos to become world champions last month, but the French side were exceptional as two tries from Zac Lipowicz and one by Romain Navarrete had them 20-6 ahead at the 60-minute mark.
It seemed like Rovers, despite an unconvincing display, were hauling their way back towards victory as tries from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' penalty levelled the scores.
In a dramatic finale, Catalans went up the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning try which boosts them up to seventh place.
Beto scored twice in Everton's 3-0 win over Chelsea (Darren Staples)
Chelsea's hopes of Champions League qualification suffered another damaging blow as Everton stormed to a 3-0 win on Saturday to compound a miserable week for Liam Rosenior's men.
Dumped out of the Champions League 8-2 on aggregate by holders Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, the Blues have now lost four consecutive games to put Rosenior under pressure just over two months into his reign.
Beto struck twice for the Toffees as they surged into contention for a top-five finish, before Iliman Ndiaye rounded off Everton's best win so far at their new home.
Only two points now separate the sides as Chelsea remain in sixth, while Everton climb to seventh.
A place in the top five will almost certainly guarantee Champions League football next season due to the strong performance of English sides in European competitions this season.
But Chelsea's chances are fading fast with a tough run-in after the upcoming international break with Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool to come in their remaining seven games.
The debate over who should start in goal for the Club World Cup winners will also rage on after another error-strewn night for Robert Sanchez.
James Garner celebrated his first ever call-up to the England squad with a brilliant pass that allowed Beto to beat Sanchez for the opening goal on 33 minutes.
Moments later Jordan Pickford proved the value of a top goalkeeper with a stunning save to tip over Enzo Fernandez's blistering strike.
Worse was to come for Sanchez after the break when he allowed Beto's fiercely struck shot to slip between his legs just after the hour mark.
Beto even played a part in his side's third as he bullied the Chelsea defence to head Pickford's long ball into the path of Ndiaye.
The Senegal international wriggled into the box before blasting into the top corner to this time give Sanchez no chance.
Everton have struggled to settle into their new 53,000 capacity stadium.
But for the first time they have won back-to-back home league games this season to climb within three points of neighbours Liverpool.
And they face off in the first ever Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Everton's next home game on April 19.
South Carolina had one of the biggest blowout wins in women’s NCAA tournament history on Saturday.
The No. 1 Gamecocks beat No. 16 Southern 103-34 in the first round. It’s the largest margin of victory for South Carolina in NCAA history and only six women’s NCAA tournament games have had a larger point differential.
Joyce Edwards had 27 points and missed just three shots from the field as all nine players who took the court for the Gamecocks scored at least one point and played at least 14 minutes. The Gamecocks were up by 25 at halftime and really blew the game open in the third quarter when they outscored Southern 32-2.
The Jaguars were just 1-of-15 in the quarter and missed eight shots in the paint as the margin grew to 55.
South Carolina’s win came exactly a year after it last set the record for its biggest NCAA tournament win. On March 21, 2025, the Gamecocks beat No. 16 Tennessee Tech 108-48 in the first round. In 2022, South Carolina beat Howard 79-21 in the first round of the tournament.
Biggest NCAA tournament blowout is 89 points
For as staggering as South Carolina’s margin of victory was against Southern, it’s still not close to the biggest blowout in women’s NCAA tournament history. That game happened nine years ago, when Baylor beat Texas Southern 119-30 in the first round. That game eclipsed the previous record by one point as UConn had beaten Saint Francis (PA) 140-52 in 2018.
Oddly enough, none of the winning teams in the five biggest blowouts in women’s tournament history went on to win the national title. The national champion with the biggest blowout in the same tournament is UConn in 2000. The Huskies, who are the overwhelming favorites to win the 2026 tournament, beat Hampton 116-45 on their way to the title 26 years ago.
Cam Schlittler pitched into the fourth inning without allowing a run, but the Yankees bats went cold in their 3-1 loss to the Tigers on Saturday afternoon.
With the loss, the Yankees are 17-11 in Grapefruit League play.
Here are the takeaways...
-In his final spring start before the regular season, Schlittler continued his dominant March. He didn't allow a runner into scoring position until the third, after Javier Baez led off with a single and made it to third base on a sac bunt and sac fly. However, Schlittler stranded Baez at third to keep the scoreless tie.
To the Tigers' credit, they made Schlittler work the second time through the order. They were patient and forced the young right-hander to throw 5-6 pitches per at-bat. With two outs and a runner on first, manager Aaron Boone pulled Schlittler after 3.2 scoreless innings (62 pitches/40 strikes). He allowed just two hits and one walk, while striking out one.
Over his three spring starts, Schlittler has allowed just one run on six hits and two walks across 9.2 IP while striking out 11 batters.
-On the offensive side, the Yankees had opportunities against Framber Valdez but could not break through until the third. Amed Rosario, starting at third base, led off with a double and Jasson Dominguez hit a one-out bloop single to put runners on the corners for Austin Wells. The Yankees backstop, who had a double earlier in the game, hit a sac bunt to first base to drive in Rosario.
-Jasson Dominguez continued his very strong spring on Saturday. He went 2-for-3 with a standup triple, hitting right-handed against Valdez. The talented outfielder was optioned to Triple-A on Friday as the Yankees outfield is cluttered to start the season, but the 23-year-old is showing the organization why he was highly touted over the years.
Dominguez is now hitting .349 with three home runs, two doubles, one triple, 10 RBI and three stolen bases across 15 spring games.
Randal Grichuk, who will make the Opening Day roster as the Yankees' fourth outfielder over Dominguez, started as the DH in this one. He went hitless and is now batting .111 in seven games after signing late this spring.
-Brent Headrick, looking for a spot in the bullpen, got the final out for Schlittler in the fourth. He's allowed two runs in seven appearances (7.0 IP) this spring.
-Ryan Yarbrough took over after Headrick and was not his sharpest. The southpaw allowed a two-out single to Kerry Carpenter in the fifth to score Baez from second. He then followed up with a leadoff walk to Jahmai Jones in the sixth and Colt Keith's single put Jones on third with one out -- Keith was thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a double. Dillon Dingler flew out to left field to push across the Tigers' second run.
In the seventh, Yarbrough allowed back-to-back, one-out doubles in the seventh to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead. However, that second double was lost in the sun by center fielder Kenedy Corona and dumped in for a ground-rule double when it should have been the second out. Yarbrough got one more out before he was pulled with a runner on, but he was stranded by Angel Chivilli as the book closed on Yarbrough's day.
Yarbrough threw 54 pitches (30 strikes), allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in 2.2 innings pitched. He's allowed four runs in three spring appearances (7.2 IP). It was just his second spring appearance since returning from the WBC.
-Although the Yankees picked up seven hits, they could only get one run across the plate. Not too surprising considering most of their starters did not play in this one. But here's how the notable names, who will likely be on the Opening Day roster, did in Saturday's game:
Paul Goldschmidt: 0-4, 2 K
Jose Caballero: 1-3, BB
Rosario: 1-4, R, K
Grichuk: 0-3, BB
Wells: 1-2, RBI, K
What's next
The Yankees' spring training slate continues Sunday afternoon against the Phillies. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.
HSV looked set for a famous away victory for much of the contest, leading 2-0 through goals from Philip Otele and Albert Sambi Lokonga. However, Dortmund showed immense resilience after the break, with Ramy Bensebaini converting two penalties either side of a Serhou Guirassy strike to complete a dramatic turnaround.
The opening exchanges were scrappy, with both sides struggling to maintain possession. Dortmund fashioned the first clear opportunity when Nicolai Remberg was dispossessed deep in his own half, allowing Maximilian Beier to race through on goal, but Daniel Heuer Fernandes reacted sharply to deny him with an outstretched leg.
HSV gradually grew into the contest and took the lead just before the 20-minute mark with their first real chance. William Mikelbrencis won the ball high up the pitch, drove into the area, and squared for Otele to tap home his first goal for Die Rothosen.
Dortmund were almost caught again soon after, with Gregor Kobel producing a fine save to keep out Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer from close range. At the other end, the hosts thought they had a penalty when Felix Nmecha went down in the box, only for the offside flag to cut the move short.
Seven minutes before the break, HSV doubled their advantage in fortuitous fashion. Dortmund failed to fully clear their lines, and the ball fell kindly for Fábio Vieira, who slipped in Lokonga to finish clinically and put the visitors firmly in control.
Dortmund were handed a golden opportunity to respond on the stroke of half-time when Warmed Omari brought down Beier inside the area. However, Nmecha squandered the chance, dragging his penalty wide to leave the hosts trailing 2-0 at the interval.
The home side emerged with renewed intent after the break, with Heuer Fernandes again called into action to deny Nmecha from close range following good work from Beier.
With time ticking away, Dortmund were given a lifeline in the 73rd minute when they were awarded another penalty. Bensebaini stepped up and calmly slotted down the middle to ignite hopes of a comeback.
Momentum quickly swung in Dortmund’s favour, and the equaliser arrived just five minutes later. Julian Ryerson delivered a dangerous cross that Guirassy met, and although his initial effort was saved, the striker reacted quickest to bundle the rebound over the line while on the ground.
HSV were rattled, and the turnaround was completed shortly after when Dortmund were awarded a third penalty following a handball by Miro Muheim. Bensebaini held his nerve once more, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to fire into the bottom corner and send the Westfalenstadion into raptures.
Guirassy had a chance to seal the result in stoppage time, but Heuer Fernandes produced another excellent save. It proved inconsequential, however, as Dortmund held firm to complete a stunning 3-2 victory.
The win makes it three consecutive league victories for Dortmund and cuts the gap to leaders Bayern Munich to nine points. For HSV, the defeat leaves them with just one win in their last five matches, sitting 11th and at risk of slipping closer to the relegation battle depending on other results.
Georgia Bulldogs football fans are in a golden age. The Bulldogs won back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022 to silence rival fan bases. Dawg fans suffered for a long time before coach Kirby Smart and Georgia won a championship in 2021. Now, opposing fan bases can no longer flaunt that Georgia has not won a title since 1980.
To make things even better for Bulldog fans, several of Georgia's rivals are struggling to win. Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech (who has improved recently) are all struggling to win in recent seasons. This trio of Georgia rivals has each experienced turmoil, while Georgia has been in a state stability under Kirby Smart.
Georgia is far ahead of many of its rivals. Georgia's second-straight SEC-championship winning season in 2025 was viewed as a disappointing by some fans. However, none of Georgia's top rivals (outside of Alabama) have won an SEC title since Auburn won the SEC in 2013.
When was the last time Georgia's biggest rivals won a national championship in football?
Clemson Tigers
Last national championship: 2018
The Dawgs and Tigers often battle on the recruiting trail and renewed their rivalry in 2024 with Georgia taking home a dominant win. Georgia has gotten the better of Clemson in the Kirby Smart era. Clemson's national championship years seem further and further away in the name, image and likeness era.
Auburn Tigers
Last national championship: 2010
College football has changed a lot since Cam Newton and Auburn won the 2010 national championship. One thing has stayed the same: Auburn's program has been in almost continuous turmoil.
Georgia has won 14 of its last 16 games against Auburn since the Tigers won a national championship.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Last national championship: never
The Georgia-South Carolina rivalry is no longer being played annually in the expanded SEC. The teams will renew the series in 2026. The Gamecocks and Dawgs had faced off every season from 1992-2023. A pandemic couldn't stop the rivalry, but a conference expansion is making it be played less frequently.
Is South Carolina a future national title contender? The Gamecocks would settle for a second SEC championship appearance at this point. Coach Shane Beamer is fighting to keep his job.
Florida Gators
Last national championship: 2008
Alabama has won six national championships since Florida last won a title. Georgia has won back-to-back national titles and even Florida State has won a championship since 2008.
The Gators and Bulldogs will keep playing each other every year in the 16-team SEC. Florida is Georgia's top rival and will try to regain momentum in the series under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Last national championship: 1990
Georgia Tech fans will say we are their biggest rival, but Georgia fans don't feel the same about the Yellow Jackets. Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate games become competitive recently in the Brent Key era, but Georgia still holds a significant winning streak in the series.
Georgia Tech isn't winning a national title any time soon. The Tech rivalry certainly intensified thanks to Georgia's eight overtime win in 2024 and a competitive game again in 2025.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Last national championship: 2020
Georgia and Alabama are not traditional rivals. However, they are two of the top programs in college football. Alabama derailed Georgia's national championship hopes in the 2012, 2018, and 2023 SEC championship games.
The Crimson Tide and Dawgs have met twice in national championships in the College Football Playoff era. Georgia defeated Alabama in the 2021 national title and looks like the top program in college football under Kirby Smart. Alabama is in a new era under Kalen DeBoer, who has the tough job of replacing Nick Saban.
Tennessee Volunteers
Last national championship: 1998
Tennessee Volunteers fans thought that 2021 was going to be their year (like they do every year when they are decent) until they faced the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens. The Volunteers missed a golden chance to beat Georgia in 2025. Tennessee and Georgia won't play in 2026, so Georgia's nine-game win streak in the series will continue.
The Volunteers seem to be back on track under head coach Josh Heupel. However, it has been over 25 years since 1998.
Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia football coverage!
Best performance of the season sees Everton's biggest win over cheating Chelsea since 1987!
Everton 3 - 0 Chelsea
Everton are back home at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend after their cruel defeat to Arsenal this time last week, Chelsea are just 5 points ahead of Everton in the Premier League table and come to Merseyside with a massive cloud over them after the Premier League's paltry fine levied for grievous misdoings that far outweigh Everton's breaches of PSR.
David Moyes was not giving much away at his pre-match press conference yesterday, with no apparent advance leaks of the line-up for this match in which James Tarkowski is now available while Jarrad Branthwaite is on the bench. Tyrique George is ineligible for selection against his parent club.
Still no sign of Charly Alcaraz and his mysterious unspecified injury, as O'Brien switches to left-back and Garner features in midfield. Iroegbunam and Armstrong are on the bench.
First Half
The visitors kicked off as the spring sunshine faded behind the West Stand of the glorious Hill Dickinson Stadium. Beto inspired a forward drive but McNeil could not fashion an early shot.
Everton looked to press Chelsea and it forced them back to Sanchez. Tarkowski#s long ball went through to Sanchez but the Blues' high press again forced a turnover, but again, Everton could not make it count.
Chelsea's first advance saw Caicedo shoot well wide. The pace of the game was too slow, Pickford trying a long punt which was lost by Beto. Fofana then gifted Everton a corner, Garner taking it but lots of silly pushing and a free-kick given to the visitors. But Beto chased the ball down and blocks Sanchez's clearance but could not turn the ball into the empty net, Sanchez recovering with a lucky touch.
Everton forced another turnover in midfield and Dewsbury-Hall got free down the right but crossed low too close to Sanchez with Beto on the wrong side.
Another giveaway fell for Ndiaye, but again, Everton could not turn it into a real chance. Yet another switch, Beto crossing for Garner but his shot was blocked. A great opening quarter of an hour for the Toffees... but nothing to show for it.
Palmer advanced but O'Brien blocked the cross from Neto behind off the Chelsea player. Everton built again, Mykolenko's hard low cross bouncing off Ndiaye. An Everton throw-in led to more forward play across the Chelsea area... but still no decent shot on goal.
Palmer adavanced and it looked like Gana caught him but nothing given, Ndiaye tried to play Dewsbury-Hall forward but it was initially deflected away but Everton kept pressing and yet still couldn't make that chance come.
Fernades swept the ball forward but Cuereela's cross was well over-hit, no-one there. But Everton allowed Neto to run the ball into the Everton area, however, no other Chelsea player anticipated his move. But it was the first spell of Chelsea momentum, testing the Everton defence on 25 minutes.
A much quicker Everton move ended wiith a poor cross from Gana on the byeline and Chelsea surged forward, Pedro's, shot blocked. A Chelsea corner was played to the far post where Keane headed clear.
But Chelsea worked it back, a dangerous ball forward wins a corner. An incredible sequence followed with four or five Chelsea shots, all blocked in a crowded penalty area.
Chelsea were now exerting much more control of the game, but out of notheingm a fantastic ball forward from Garner, looked impossible for Beto (33') to manage but a perfect dink over the advancing Sanchez bobbled and bounced into the Chelsea net -- a brilliant Everton goal!
A huge response from Chelsea saw Everton's goal under huge pressure. A corner came out to Neto, but a brilliant Pickford save prevented a certain goal. Another Chelsea corner followed as Everton had to withstand a veritable onslaught of Chelsea pressure.
Everton finally relieved the pressure with Dewsbury-Hall advancing down the left, winning a throw-in. Mykolenko's delivery to the near post forced Sanchez to punch it behind. The corner led to more Everton throw-ins. Eventually, Ndiaye got free down the left but yet again, the cross was just not good enough.
Chelsea passed the ball around until the board went up for 2 minutes added... and they carried on passing it around until Gana intercepted and tried to release Beto. But Chelsea came back and crossed in, Keane rising high to head it away and bring to an end a very good Everton half with a finely worked goal to cap it off.
Second Half
Everton restarted with a box kick, Beto almost upsetting Sanchez again before Chelsea regained control. But McNeil fought smartly for the ball and a ball in led to an Evertob corner from McNeil, Trakowski at the far post, Sanchez just beating Beto to the headed ball.
Chelsea slowed it right down again, trying to draw Everton out, but Dewsbury-Hall forced another turnover. Everton tried a couple of neat moves but both were cut off by good Chelsea defending. There were some lively exchanges in midfield, and some great turnovers, but Everton weren't holding the ball or making much of the possession.
Dewsbury-Hall was fouled by Caicedo wide left. McNeil gave way to Garner, swung hard to the far post, Sanchez backing into the post as he caught it and just kept it out. Another Chelsea advance broke down... and likewise another Everton advance. Joao Pedro got annoyed when his crazy antics were awarded with an Everton free-kick.
Cucurella then fouled O'Brien, winning a better free-kick to the right of the Chelsea area. But Garner swung it far too close to Sanchez -- what a waste!
Another lively Everton attack broke down and Chelsea finally got forward. Garnocho played back for Pedro who shot a brilliant curler coming onside the far post, Pickford parrying it brilliantly.
Chelsea advanced but Gana intercepted brilliantly and strode forward, setting up and another tantalising ball forward to Beto (63') who shot straight at Sanchez, and an immense fumble saw the ball creep over the line behind him. Fantastic!
The Chavs were devastated, but tried their best to pull things together after another stunning setback.
Mykolenko wanted to press forward around 5 minutes in but Ndiaye told him to calm down and pass it backwards… our style of play is intentional and it is effective. We try not to ever stretch the game and get caught on the break.
Most Premier League teams have elite forward players who pray on mistakes and open spaces…. We keep it tight and nick goals which is good enough to get teams in the top 8-ish places in the Premier League.
As opposed to Angeball etc that is arguably more exciting but less effective… I'm fine with how we play and enjoy stifling opposing players.
With a couple of elite forwards of our own, our style would be even more effective. UTFT… in my opinion, the first objective in a game of football is not to concede. Scoring a goal comes second.
Ged Simpson
6 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:10:05
Christy Ring
21/03/2026 : 18:01:34
Beto shocking
Sean Kearns
7 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:10:25
Also I would keep Beto next season even if he is a backup.
A big heart goes a long way around these parts and the lad gets my vote.
Neil Tyrrell
9 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:21:56
Impressive half, brilliant from Garner and Beto for our goal.
Keep it going, boys! COYB
Dave Abrahams
10 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:22:11
A brilliant pass that made a good goal brightened up a mostly boring game.
Neil Lawson
11 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:22:38
Sean 4. Reluctantly, I have to agree with your assessment. We could be so much better though if we had a midfielder to drive gorward and break the lines. Winning is great but we arent great to watch.
That said, what a pass and what a finish.
Neil Tyrrell
13 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:30:13
Agree Sean @11, Beto over Barry all day even though neither are good enough really. Barry probably would have fell over and not even touched the ball, he's beyond useless. Be interesting to see if DM does the usual and brings him on around 60-70', and what reaction he gets. Imagine it will not be good.
John Collins
14 Posted
21/03/2026 at
18:34:59
Dave,
Thats the best half of football ive seen at home.
Not a high bar but I thought we played on the front foot and got plenty of players in the final third
Sean Kearns
15 Posted
21/03/2026 at
19:01:15
Keep Barry on the bench for fuck sake unless we get a third. He’s the last thing we need
16 Posted
21/03/2026 at
19:29:36
Credit where it's due, that's a brilliant performance from all involved, including the manager. I am not a Moyes fan in any way, shape, or form, but he got everything spot on in this game.
Special shout out to Pickford,he made crucial saves at vital times and McNeil has been excellent recently.
I wasn't impressed with the line up when I first saw it, how wrong can you be?
It's almost 3:30am here I'm the Philippines but I feel the need to celebrate with a few Red Horses.
For me that's one of our best performances of the season and a thoroughly deserved win.
All 11 starting players were outstanding and Chelsea weren't just beaten, they were outclassed
When Cody Rhodes made his return to WWE in 2022, one of his primary goals was to win the company's top championship – something his father, Dusty Rhodes, was never able to do. Over the last four years, Cody accomplished that and more. During a recent appearance on "Insight with Chris Van Vliet," he was asked to share his thoughts on the fact that his accomplishments have surpassed his dad's.
"Mr. Heyman told me that, and I thought, 'He might be the one guy I believe it [from]," Rhodes said. "I mean, they're still doing things of his today, and there's a whole fandom that will never even know they were his brainchild, or something that he – like, this was a silly one, but for example, the cage lowering [little by little], that's a Dusty thing. These production things are still in play. I appreciate you saying it. I think I have a lot more to do."
Among Rhodes' many WWE accomplishments over the last several years is his winning the King of the Ring tournament in 2025. Rhodes said it was a prize that he desperately wanted, and he celebrated the victory accordingly.
"I don't ride on the WWE charters anymore coming back from Saudi, because after the King of the Ring was probably the most partying I've ever done on a flight," Rhodes continued. "I got photos with people I don't even know. I'm arm wrestling Santos [Escobar] in one photo. My shirt is unbuttoned to my naval."
Rhodes' only regret from that night, though, is the fact that he didn't have the King of the Ring crown with him in the pictures that were taken.
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Insight with Chris Van Vliet" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 18: Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona, looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg, football match played between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United at Spotify Camp Nou stadium on March 18, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images
The UEFA Champions League is down to eight teams, and according to some predictions, Barcelona sit in that middle ground. Close enough to dream big, but a small mistake could undo them. One thing that has helped them, at least in the minds of pundits, is the draw. It’s Atlético Madrid again, which won’t be easy given the Copa del Rey elimination, but the experts tip it toward Barça this time.
Projections have them moving on, and some even see them reaching the final. Of course, nothing is settled on paper.
Movistar+ pundit Julio Maldonado has been blunt about it. “I would see Barça as a finalist,” he said, but then added a warning that almost anyone would echo. “Barça has to improve defensively.”
Watching them, it’s easy to understand why. In attack, they can explode in a few minutes. Lamine Yamal finds pockets to play passes, Raphinha drifts into space, Pedri pulls strings in tight moments, Robert Lewandowski finishes. But the knockout rounds don’t forgive lapses, and Barcelona still has too many of those.
Hansi Flick is trying to adjust to the situation. Maldonado highlighted that too. “If Barça can win this Champions League it’s because Flick takes slightly fewer risks and has a lot of talent up front.”
The other side of the bracket is the tough one, according to most. Bayern Munich keeps appearing as the benchmark. “Bayern is a goal-scoring machine and I maintain they are the main favorite,” Maldonado said.
A potential semifinal opponent for Barcelona is Arsenal, who are perhaps a bit of a wild card. Their form has dipped since the start of the season, but they are still a highly dangerous team.
“I see Arsenal worse than at the start of the season… but I’ll give them quite a lot of chances,” Maldonado said.
Looking at the rest of the picture, PSG are trending upward again. The Chelsea win turned heads, and the return of key players makes them more dangerous. “They’re improving… not the top favorite, but I give them quite a lot of chances,” was Maldonado’s opinion.
Liverpool are not considered favorites but they are in the mix, too. You can’t predict knockout tournaments.
One team you definitely can never rule out is Real Madrid. But they have a potential roadblock up ahead. It’s that classic tie, Bayern versus Real Madrid. Maldonado doesn’t mince words. “I think Madrid will be eliminated, I hope I’m wrong.”
UCLA women’s basketball has six seniors and graduate students entering the 2026 WNBA Draft after this season. As these Bruins approach the final games of their collegiate careers, UCLA’s program has helped set these players up for successful professional careers.
“Not a lot of people get to play basically on a pro team,” senior guard Kiki Rice said, per Jack Maloney of CBS Sports. “That will help all of us.”
Rice added that she has had the opportunity to play with multiple star players throughout her four seasons at UCLA. In a recent mock draft by The Athletic, Rice and four other UCLA players were projected to be drafted in the first round.
“I see a lot of alignment in their current roles to what they will need to be as pros,” a WNBA talent evaluator told CBS Sports about UCLA players. “Identifying and projecting a role for players at the next level is a critical part of this process. Each of their key players is in a role where they can impact winning and a lot of what they need to do now for this year’s team will apply to what they’ll need to do to be impactful contributors as pros.”
In addition to Rice, senior center Lauren Betts, senior guard Gabriela Jaquez, graduate student guard Gianna Kneepkens, graduate student guard Charlisse Leger Walker and graduate student forward Angela Dugalić are entering the 2026 draft.
Adding Michaela Onyenwere As an Assistant Coach Has Also Helped the Bruins
UCLA hired Michaela Onyenwere as an assistant coach this season, and she has given some advice to the Bruins entering the draft. Onyenwere was the No. 6 pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft and the 2021 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
She played with New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and Chicago Sky and is currently a free agent.
“I think we’re really fortunate to have someone who’s been through that and is currently still playing, so can give us some behind-the-scenes advice on what it’s gonna take to be successful,” Rice said.
Aug 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Sky forward Michaela Onyenwere (12) against the Phoenix Mercury at Phx Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The WNBA Draft will take place on April 13 in New York City.
Gianluca Scamacca major doubt for key Italy World Cup playoffs
Gianluca Scamacca will join the Italy squad at Coverciano despite suffering an injury setback ahead of the crucial World Cup play-off fixtures against Northern Ireland and potentially Bosnia or Wales.
According to TMW, the striker has picked up an adductor tear, but he remains determined to respond to Gennaro Gattuso’s call-up. Scamacca is reportedly highly motivated to participate in the international break and is unwilling to withdraw from the squad despite the physical issue. He is no stranger to injuries but wants to push through this time.
His availability for the match against Northern Ireland on Thursday remains uncertain. The medical staff will conduct final tests in the coming days to determine if the forward can recover in time to feature. For Gattuso, having Scamacca present at the national team base is a priority, and the player’s commitment to the cause is seen as a significant boost for the group as they navigate a high-stakes play-off path.
Iowa State's Joshua Jefferson is unlikely to play in the Cyclones' NCAA Tournament round of 32 game Sunday, March 22, against the No. 7 seed Kentucky Wildcats, according to a report March 21 via Twitter/X from Field of 68's Jeff Goodman.
Goodman added that Jefferson "will continue to receive treatment prior to the game, but the chances of him being able to play against the Wildcats on Sunday are slim."
Jefferson was the second-seeded Iowa State Cyclones' leading rebounder (7.6 per game) and second-leading scorer (16.9 per game) in 34 games this season.
Jefferson was injured and played just three minutes during the second-seeded Cyclones' 108-74 win against No. 15 Tennessee State in the NCAA Tournament round of 64.
Inter 2-2 Napoli Women: Nerazzurre concede twice in closing stages
Inter Women played out a frustrating draw at the Arena Civica Gianni Brera in Milano on matchday 17 in Serie A Women. After a goalless first half, the Nerazzurre started the second 45 with character and aggression, breaking the deadlock through Bugeja (54') and doubling their lead with a precise left-footed strike from Wullaert (65'). However, Napoli caused problems for Piovani’s side in the closing stages. After pulling a goal back through Fløe, the Danish forward launched a counter-attack that allowed Barker to equalise in the 86th minute. Inter picked up a point to take their tally to 34 in the table.
At the Arena Civica in Milano, Inter lined up against Napoli with the duo of Wullaert and Bugeja in attack. The game began cautiously as both sides felt each other out. Inter’s first real chance came from Glionna, who received a pass from Schough but couldn’t find the target. Banusic was the biggest threat for Napoli in the first half: she had a go with her left foot (32') before wasting an opportunity from a Rúnarsdottir clearance shortly afterwards. After a goalless first half, the Nerazzurre came out with more aggression. Ten minutes into the second half, Bugeja opened the scoring, finishing off Andres' assist for her seventh league goal of the season. Inter kept control and doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Wullaert, set up by Detruyer, beat Beretta with a precise left-footed strike to score her twelfth league goal of the campaign. The Belgian striker moved into Inter’s all-time top scorers’ podium with 26 goals, level with Chawinga. Napoli pulled a goal back just over ten minutes from time through Fløe (78'), who also launched a counter-attack that allowed Barker to equalise (86'). In between, Tomasevic nearly scored a spectacular long-range effort, only for Beretta to tip it away. Inter took a point from the match and move up to 34 in the league table.
INTER-NAPOLI WOMEN | LA DIRETTA
SECONDO TEMPO:
94' - Si chiude sul 2-2 la sfida tra Inter e Napoli Women
86' - Pareggio del Napoli: progressione di Fløe che va sul fondo e serve Barker che a due passi dalla porta chiude in rete
85' - Conclusione di potenza di Tomasevic su cui si allunga Beretta
85' - Destro di Tomaselli, blocca Beretta
78' - Accorcia il Napoli: su un'incertezza di Milinkovic, Fløe si inserisce e chiude in porta di sinistro
76' - Colpo di testa diFløe, blocca senza problemi Rúnarsdottir
65' - RADDOPPIO NERAZZURRO!!! Wullaert servita da Detruyer supera Beretta con un sinistro preciso e letale e segna il suo 12esimo gol in Campionato e il 26esimo centro con la maglia nerazzurra (terzo posto marcatrici all-time al pari di Chawinga)
54' - INTER IN VANTAGGIO!!! Cross dalla sinistra di Andres e gol di testa di Bugeja: settimo centro per l'attaccante nerazzurra
46' - Squadre in campo: inizia il secondo tempo del match. Per l'Inter Tomaselli prende il posto di Schough
PRIMO TEMPO:
45' - Si chiude a reti inviolate e senza recupero il primo tempo della partita
39' - Anche Csiszar ci prova, palla smorzata e recuperata da Beretta
38' - Detruyer cerca l'incrocio dei pali, palla fuori
32' - Sul disimpegno di Rúnarsdottir, recupera Banusic che spreca una chiara occasione per la formazione partonopea
23' - Sinistro di Banusic, blocca tutto Rúnarsdottir
13' - Tiro a giro di Wullaert non lontano dalla porta del Napoli
12' - Cross di Schough per Glionna che non inquadra lo specchio della porta
1' - Inizia Inter-Napoli Women all'Arena Civica di Milano
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 10: Obi Toppin #1 of the Indiana Pacers controls the ball against Precious Achiuwa #9 of the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center on March 10, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Kelley L Cox/Getty Images)
Getty Images
MILWAUKEE – It’s rare that an NBA player misses 50-plus consecutive games within one NBA campaign, then returns before the season ends. Yet Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin pulled it off, missing 56 straight games from October 29 through February 24.
In that nearly four month span, Toppin was sidelined with a foot injury. In the Pacers third game of the season, the normally-durable forward exited the contest with what the team deemed a hamstring injury at the time. Further testing revealed Toppin had been diagnosed with a partial stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The original estimate was at least a three month absence.
123 days later, he finally returned to the court. It was a long gap, and Toppin hasn’t reached 20 minutes in a game since his comeback. The Pacers want to be cautious with his playing time. But he’s back on the hardwood, and that means something to both him and the rest of his team.
Why did Obi Toppin return this season for the Pacers?
“Obviously, I love playing. I want to be out there as much as I can. I never want to sit any games out,” Toppin said of his desire to return this season. He couldn’t sit still during his rehab. At one point, he got up shots at the Pacers practice facility while riding around on a knee scooter. “We didn’t want to rush anything, but we still wanted to get out a couple of games just so I’m not going into the summer wondering how it’s going to feel when I’m out there playing real basketball. So that’s what we’re doing now and everything’s been good.”
Practice is one thing, and simulated games are another. But there is nothing like NBA action against an opponent to get rhythm and improve conditioning. That’s what Toppin has been doing the last four weeks. He’s started three times, seen his minutes increase, and played in all but two games – he missed one leg of two back-to-backs – since his return in late February.
At first, there were struggles. Toppin missed his first 10 three-point shots and didn’t make more than one field goal in a game until his fifth post-return outing. His non-rebounding numbers were muted outside of a five assist performance against the Memphis Grizzlies. A low minutes total was certainly a factor, but it was clear Toppin had to reacclimate to his teammates, some of whom were new, and to NBA action in general.
He’s been far more effective in recent games. Across his last four appearances, in which Toppin has only posted 16.3 minutes per game, he’s averaging 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest on 53% shooting from the field. Almost half of his outside shots have gone in. It took about 10 days, but Toppin looks more like himself of late.
New York Knicks' Mikal Bridges (25) defends Indiana Pacers' Obi Toppin (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
“I’ll say after the first game. After [it], I got that ‘I can do this now’ feeling. Because you really don’t know coming back from injuries, putting a screw in your foot, and then playing that same year,” Toppin said when asked about what time he started to feel like himself on the court again. “You don’t know how that’s going to feel. So getting out there that first time, it was more just see how it feels, see if I can play through it and stuff. And everything felt good, I had no issues with my foot. Probably the second game I started to feel like myself. [I] need to make a couple more shots, but when I’m out there, I think I’m good.”
He has already started to make more shots and, importantly, play with more varied lineups. Toppin has played for 38 minutes with prized Pacers acquisition Ivica Zubac this season, and he also got some run with Kobe Brown, Micah Potter, Kam Jones, and Jalen Slawson for the first time. Those players are all new to the Pacers with the exception of Jones, a rookie who was injured early in the season when Toppin was initially playing.
Beyond Toppin getting his feet back under him, those moments of chemistry are important. That’s what the Pacers are trying to build in their games down the stretch of this season – while already eliminated from the playoffs, anything the Pacers can discover about their team right now that could help next season is beneficial. For example, it’s possible that Toppin and Jay Huff make up the Pacers reserve frontcourt next season. They’ve played together for just 68 minutes this season, including 47 since Toppin returned from injury. The more time they can get together to develop chemistry before the season ends, the better.
Chemistry for Toppin goes beyond the court. He’s one of the heartbeats of the Pacers team, and it’s easier to grow connections when actually playing in games. “He’s our engine. He brings energy on both ends of the floor,” Pacers guard T.J. McConnell said of Toppin. “To have him back, it’s just such a positive for our team. We’ve missed him dearly.”
Toppin has played in nine games since returning from injury. He’s averaging 7.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game so far, with those stats growing of late. It’s been a strange year for the Dayton product – he played in 79 games last season and all 82 the year prior.
Some of his talent comes from his natural athletic gifts. Toppin grabs rebounds simply by jumping higher than surrounding players and gets system buckets for the Pacers by lifting above the rim and outrunning players in transition. His athleticism has a significant function for the blue and gold.
The injury was a challenge for his pop. “It didn’t feel normal. I’m still working on that now. It takes in-game like dunks to get that feel back,” Toppin said last weekend of his athleticism. “So we’ll see how these next couple games go. I might take off a couple times and see how it feels. But other than that, doing that (jumping up and grabbing the rim) before the game, that’s been feeling regular.”
He has just five dunks this season, and a career-low 8.4% of his field goal attempts have been dunks. That’s the next step for Toppin individually – showing more of the natural traits that make him special. With a screw in his foot, there should be little expectation for an instant recovery. His former level will return eventually, though.
And there are recent signs, particularly from a shooting and minutes perspective, that Toppin is more comfortable and closer to his pre-injury self. He’s played 12 games this season, and the Pacers have 12 more before 2025-26 ends. Toppin will hope to show off some of his athletic gifts as he continues his rare in-season return from such a long absence.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Max Holloway has shared his thoughts on what could come next for him after reflecting on UFC 326 in a recent video.
It comes after Charles Oliveira’s win over Holloway, which saw some fans head for the exits early due to the one-sided nature of the BMF title fight.
Although ‘Do Bronx’ was in control from start to finish, there were questions about whether the fight matched up to the usual standards expected of that title.
Max Holloway is open to any weight class for a potential Conor McGregor rematch
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
After his brief social media message following the fight, Max Holloway shared more of his thoughts on the aftermath of UFC 326 in a video posted to his YouTube channel.
‘Blessed’ mentioned that there are a few things he needs to take care of before reaching out to the UFC about booking another fight.
He didn’t commit to any specific opponent but did mention that a rematch with Conor McGregor interests him, no matter which division it happens in.
“I mean, Conor’s there, you know. Conor’s got one over me,” he said. “He’s talking about coming back. I’m coming off of a loss, I mean it would look pretty fun to get that one back with him.
“So, we’ll see what happens. I know a lot of people are worried about the weight and this and that but if he doesn’t want to cut weight, then I don’t want to cut weight,” Holloway continued. “We can do it at any weight to be honest. It’s just about getting it back.”
The two first met in 2013, with McGregor winning by unanimous decision early in his UFC career. Before UFC 326, McGregor had hinted that he could face the winner of the BMF title bout based on conversations with those around him in the promotion.
Certainly, given their history and fighting styles – not to mention OliveIra isn’t as much of a draw as Max – this would be a far better fit for ‘The Notorious.’
“Sign me up man,” Holloway said. “If 155 is kind of busy right now, we don’t know who to pick, I know Conor keeps talking about coming back. That’d be a fun fight. That fight really excites me and weight wouldn’t be an issue.”
Max Holloway and Conor McGregor’s timelines could clash
Conor McGregor mentioned International Fight Week as a more likely return date, especially after the UFC White House card was announced.
In his video, Max Holloway explained that he needs to complete all his medical procedures before even thinking about another training camp.
Holloway also said he plans to fight again in 2026 but has other obligations to handle before focusing fully on training.
“I got a bunch of work things I actually have to do outside of fighting,” he said. “After that, take a little vacay and then wait for news like I said from my team”, he concluded.
NEW CASTLE – With 1:16 remaining in Mt. Vernon’s 66-46 win over Decatur Central in Saturday morning’s Class 4A semistate semifinal at New Castle Fieldhouse, coach Joe Bradburn was able to send Luke Ertel to the bench to rest for the first time.
A little rest might be needed.
“Anything we can spare,” Bradburn said. “We need to get him extra rest in some way.”
Postgame with New Albany guard Reece McKee. A huge 23-point game in 65-57 win over Terre Haute North pic.twitter.com/JhFBjdHJO0
Class 4A fourth-ranked Mt. Vernon (26-3) is one step from a spot in the state finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. But that one step looks like a tough one.
No. 9 New Albany ended seventh-ranked Terre Haute North’s 22-game winning streak in the second semistate semifinal, rallying from a six-point third-quarter deficit for a 65-57 win in a physical, uptempo battle of a game.
It sets up for a tremendous semistate championship on Saturday at New Castle: Mt. Vernon vs. New Albany.
“They are a load, obviously,” New Albany coach Jason Jones said of Mt. Vernon. “We’ll try to get off our feet and regroup and prep as much as we can for the next four or five hours. One thing I know about this group is they will go out and compete. You can live with the results when the guys do that.”
Mt. Vernon took command in the second quarter of the first semistate game, outscoring Decatur Central 16-5 on the way to taking a 14-point lead into halftime. Owen Daughtery drilled one of his three 3-pointers during a 13-0 run that allowed the Marauders to get some separation.
The Purdue-point Ertel, who was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Indiana on Friday, led Mt. Vernon with 24 points and nine rebounds. Max Vise, a 6-8 junior standout, added 17 points. The supporting cast, including Jamaree Collins (10 points) and Daugherty (nine points), filled their roles.
“The atmosphere is just electric here,” Daugherty said of playing at New Castle. “I just know my role and try to play it. Huge shoutout to coach Bradburn because he gives me the confidence. These past couple games I haven’t been shooting as much or had as much (playing time), but I just have to trust in my team and stay ready for it.”
He certainly has the trust of Ertel, who calls Daugherty “the best shooter in the state.”
“He gave us a big lift on that three,” Bradburn said Daugherty’s second quarter 3-pointer. “It energized our crowd and energized our team. It just opens up the door a little bit for us to relax. We knew that. We talked about his team having different people stepping up every week. I thought that was Owen’s moment to get our team going.”
Decatur Central (20-7) pulled as close as 12 points late in the third quarter but Ertel answered with a three-point play and a putback to push the lead back to 17 going into the fourth. The Hawks, a regional champion for the first time, seemed to show some nerves after taking a 6-0 lead in the first two minutes. Decatur Central was just 2-for-16 from the field in the decisive second quarter.
“Those are shots our kids make all the time,” Decatur Central coach Bryan Surber said. “I thought we had some frustrations that carried over to the defensive side of the floor, but I thought our defensive game plan was pretty good for the most part. Mt. Vernon is really good. We tried to get after (Ertel) a little bit through their offense. It worked a little bit. But I wish we would have shot it a little bit better. I feel like we could have kept it pretty close. Their defense was good, too. They were more physical than us and bumped us off our spots.
Elyas Zapata led the Hawks with 14 points and Devin Colbert Jr. added 12.
In the second game, New Albany (23-5) got a big performance from Reece McKee, who finished with a game-high 23 points to lead Bulldogs (23-5) into the semistate championship. The junior guard scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including a key putback with 2:30 remaining to push the New Albany lead to four points.
“He took it to another level,” Jones said of McKee. He just kind of has that, ‘I’m not going to let us lose’ mentality. If we do lose, he’s going to go down swinging. We can always live with that.”
New Albany took a 38-30 lead into halftime despite leading scorer Noah Washington sitting the final seven minutes of the second quarter after picking up his third foul. Washington, who had seven points in the first quarter, scored just two points in the third quarter, which was dominated by Terre Haute North. The Patriots (24-4) started the half on a 16-2 run before New Albany was able to gather itself and score the final four points of the quarter.
“Third quarter, we were not very good and they were really good,” Jones said. “We just had to regather and refocus. We felt like we took a pretty good hit from them. We survived it and the fourth quarter guys did a good job going out there and making plays.”
Blake Hammond, a 6-5 junior, led Terre Haute North with 12 of his 22 points in the third quarter. Cam Fennell added 13 points in his final game for Terre Haute North, which was making its second consecutive semistate appearance.
“It feels honestly like you are going to the state game after that win,” McKee said. “But we have another tough team coming in here we have to be ready for so we’re going to watch some film and relax.”
Mt. Vernon has never played in the state finals. New Albany won state titles in 1973 and 2016.
Following last night’s game, Nate Rohr Of Huskers Radio described Coach Rhonda Revelle as “animated” when discussing yesterday’s 2-0 win with her team out in left field post-game.
There’s no telling 100% what the subject of that discussion was, but their inability to bring runners home would probably have been a solid guess. Despite 11 hits and receiving 5 walks, the Huskers stranded 13 runners and were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. So if Rhonda did get a little salty with her charges?
On what ended up a cool, sunny brunch date in East Lansing today, consider her message received.
The Huskers ripped out 16 hits, half of those for extra bases, cut the runners left on base almost in half, and crossed the plate 13 times while shutting out the Spartans to clinch a series victory before going for the sweep 30 minutes after the end of the first game.
Five Huskers – Kacie Hoffman, Jordy Frahm, Jesse Farrell, Alexis Jensen and Sammie Bland – had multiple hit games. Three – Frahm, Jensen and Ava Kuszak – all left the yard. And Hoffman had a perfect day at the plate going 4-for-4 with 2 RBI’s and 2 runs scored. Frahm reached based 4 out of 5 trips and her 3-run blast in the 6th inning to conclude the scoring seemed to justify the Spartans attempts to pitch around her and walk her twice. Michigan State pitching by then had turned into a batting practice machine as their team ERA ballooned to 5.68 following the game.
On the mound, Jensen tossed a 1-hit complete-game shutout over the 6 innings. She began the game retiring 9 straight before getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the 4th. She then settled back down striking out 4 in the last two innings to finish things off and collect her 11th win of the season.
The teams meet again shortly due to the doubleheader being played because of wet weather expected on Sunday. Once again, games will be streamed on B1G+ and broadcast on Huskers Radio.
Manchester City Are Facing Stiff Competition For This Newcastle United Ace: Is He Worth The Fight?
In a recent report, Fichajes claimed that Manchester City are facing stiff competition for Newcastle United ace Sandro Tonali. It has been revealed that the Mancunian giants would have to compete with Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to land the Italian talent this summer.
Tonali is having an impressive campaign at the Tyneside club as he has put in a lot of influential displays for them at the centre of the park. The Italy international has registered three goals and secured seven assists in 47 matches for Newcastle this season across all competitions.
The 25-year-old is currently among the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League. Thus, Man City would do well to lure him to the Etihad Stadium in this summer transfer window.
His current contract at St. James’ Park will run out in the summer of 2028, which could make it difficult for the Mancunian giants to sign him on the cheap this off-season.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MARCH 10: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James’ Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Manchester City Are Facing Stiff Competition For Tonali: Is He Worth The Fight?
Tonali is a solid tackler of the ball and can sense the danger well to secure the ball back for his team inside his half. He doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball when needed and is a tidy passer as well.
The Italian sensation can even contribute by scoring and creating a few important goals for his team from midfield. Tonali is primarily a defensive midfielder but can also operate as a box-to-box midfielder if needed. He is already quite familiar with the Premier League and won’t take much time to adjust to life at Man City.
Tonali would undoubtedly enhance the quality of Pep Guardiola’s midfield department. He is good enough to nail down a regular starting spot at the Etihad Stadium next season.
At 25, Tonali has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a decent choice for Man City to consider in the summer transfer period. He might even help the Mancunian outfit challenge for some major honours over the next few years. All in all, he would be well-worth the fight, so Man City should focus on recruiting him soon.
Spalletti: ‘Juventus must not be arrogant amid Sassuolo crisis, new Boga role’
Luciano Spalletti warns against Juventus getting ‘arrogant’ due to the Sassuolo whooping cough crisis, while he welcomes back Dusan Vlahovic and trusts Jeremie Boga in a new role.
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
Sassuolo are in a very strange situation, as there is one confirmed case of whooping cough in the squad, and another four players who have been isolated after showing symptoms.
Although the club has not named any of them due to privacy concerns, notably Nemanja Matic, Kristian Thorstvedt, Woyo Coulibaly and Stefano Turati are not here today.
The Neroverdi were already without injured Fali Candé, Alieu Fadera, Daniel Boloca and Edoardo Pieragnolo, but Spalletti refuses to see this as an advantage.
Spalletti does not expect struggling Sassuolo
UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Luciano Spalletti, Juventus manager, reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Friuli on March 14, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
“Any team usually has 15-16 first choice players, naturally there are some who play more, but that doesn’t mean the others aren’t valid,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.
“I remember during the Covid era when there were only 13 players who came here with Napoli, we got a draw with a wonderful Mertens goal. So this sort of thing can create a bit of arrogance if you are not intelligent enough to handle the news, or on the other side gives you extra motivation to give something more and help your teammates out.”
The Bianconeri got themselves back in the hunt for a Champions League spot thanks to the fightback for a 3-3 draw at Roma, then two consecutive Serie A victories over Pisa and Udinese.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 07: Jeremie Boga of Juventus celebrates after scoring the his team’s fourth goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Pisa SC at Juventus Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)
Among the keys to the turnaround was the move to a 4-3-3 formation, with Jeremie Boga as the centre-forward this time from the start rather than at half-time, sending Jonathan David to the bench.
“I asked all those who worked with Boga, they said he has to play on the left, but when I put him in the centre, he proved that he knows how to hurt the opposition centre-backs,” explained Spalletti.
“If he has 10 metres behind him, he can use that with a lethal change of pace, it’s impossible to keep up with him. So we’ll try to make the most of that, as well as his technique, as he does well with the ball at his feet.”
PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Dusan Vlahovic is back on the bench for the first time since November 29, when he suffered a serious thigh injury, and his future at the club remains to be seen with a contract that expires on June 30.
“Arek Milik is on the bench too, so we’ve got four centre-forwards on the bench. Vlahovic is doing well, naturally he has different characteristics, he had a lot of difficulty sticking to the rules after a very serious injury, but seeing as we are at the end of that process now, we will try not to do any more damage.”
Juventus plot summer raid for Real Madrid defensive leader – report
After having gone through a difficult patch, due to continued fitness issues, Antonio Rudiger appears to be back to his best at Real Madrid.
The veteran defender has put in some extremely solid displays in recent games, particularly against Manchester City, with his form leading to a return to the Germany national team setup.
However, question marks linger over his future at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond this season, given that his contract expires on 30 June.
Juventus ready to move in on Rudiger
And, according to Tuttosport (h/t SPORT), Juventus have made Rudiger a priority target as they aim to compete again for the Serie A title. His candidacy has gained strength due to his strong relationship with head coach Luciano Spalletti.
The two previously worked together at AS Roma, where Spalletti played a key role in elevating the German defender after his early years in Italy.
Rudiger has recently added agent Hasan Cetinkaya to his representation, a figure who also maintains strong connections in Italy.
Rudiger is a target for Juventus. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
As such, the report states that initial contacts have already taken place regarding a potential deal that could deprive Real Madrid of a player who has become increasingly important under Alvaro Arbeloa.
Real Madrid had initially planned to part ways with Rudiger at the end of his contract, but Arbeloa is keen for him to remain at the club.
But Juventus’ unexpected interest could alter the situation significantly, as they are offering a him two-year contract, compared to the one-year extension Los Blancos are willing to propose.
What has Rudiger said on his future?
Speaking to the media about his contract situation earlier this week, Rudiger had said: “For me, the most important thing is to be healthy. I feel fine. As for the rest… I’m sure we’ll reach an agreement. Now is not the time to talk about it.”
“I feel good here. I notice the respect of the people and I appreciate it a lot.But sometimes you can’t just think about the emotional side; I also have to think about the fact that I feel good and I have a job to do. But I love Real Madrid.”
It now remains to be seen which way the German veteran leans amid growing interest from Juventus.
Everton x Chelsea - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
1':
The match begins
6':
Opportunity wasted. Moisés Caicedo of Chelsea attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from Marc Cucurella.
Everton takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Chelsea. Beto scores for Everton with a right-footed shot from inside the penalty area.Everton takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Chelsea. Beto scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, finding the bottom right corner. The assist comes from James Garner, who delivered a precise through ball.Everton takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Chelsea. Beto finds the back of the net with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, placing it into the bottom right corner. The assist comes from James Garner, who delivered a perfectly timed through ball.
33':
GOAL Everton: Beto (Everton) scores!
Beto scores goal number 5 in the competition (31 matches)
33':
GOAL Everton: Beto (Everton) scores!
Liam Delap makes appearance number 22 in the competition - used as a sub on 13 occasions. Beto scores goal number 5 in the competition (31 matches)
37':
Missed opportunity! Roméo Lavia from Chelsea attempted a header from the right side of the six-yard box but failed to score. The chance was set up by Enzo Fernández, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.
Everton leads Chelsea 2-0. Beto scores for Everton with a right-footed shot from the center of the box after a quick counterattack.Everton leads Chelsea 2-0. Beto scores with a right-footed shot from the middle of the box, finding the center of the net. The assist comes from Idrissa Gueye after a quick counterattack.
62':
GOAL Everton: Beto (Everton) scores!
Beto scores goal number 6 in the competition (31 matches)
62':
GOAL Everton: Beto (Everton) scores!
Beto scores goal number 6 in the competition (31 matches)
Everton leads Chelsea 3-0. Iliman Ndiaye scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area.
76':
GOAL Everton: Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) scores!
Iliman Ndiaye scores goal number 6 in the competition (25 matches)
76':
GOAL Everton: Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) scores!
Iliman Ndiaye scores goal number 6 in the competition (25 matches)
The No. 10 Florida State Seminoles softball team beat the Cal Golden Bears 9-0 on Saturday at JoAnne Graf Field in Tallahassee, Florida. FSU won the series with the victory and is now 27-4 overall and 5-0 in ACC play, winning their last 16 games.
Isa Torres' hit streak came to an end in the game, she recorded a hit in 16 consecutive at-bats, setting a new NCAA record. She finished the game 2-3 with a double and an RBI.
The Seminoles took control of the game with seven runs in the bottom of the first inning. Torres doubled before Beachum walked, and Shelby McKenzie scored one run with a single. A sacrifice fly scored another run before Makenna Sturgis drove in two more runs with a double, and Bella Ruggiero scored on a wild pitch.
Hayley Griggs drove in Sturgis with a single before scoring on a single by Torres, giving them a 7-0 lead.
Bella Dimitrijevic got the start for FSU and allowed two hits and a walk in three innings, striking out four. Makenna Reid pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit and striking out two.
Ruggiero made it an 8-0 game with a single, driving in Ashtyn Danley in the second inning. Danley doubled in Madi Frey in the fourth, giving FSU a 9-0 lead.
The Seminoles will go for the sweep against Cal on Sunday at noon ET. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of FSU news, notes, and opinions.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea reacts after his side concedes a goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
El.
Oh.
ELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
It took Chelsea some 20 minutes to wake up and start playing, and by that time we had gifted at least two prime opportunities to Everton.
Ironically, they didn’t take advantage of those, instead taking advantage of some lazy play in midfield and defense to take the lead through Beto.
Chelsea huffed and puffed but couldn’t really do anything. The few times we did, Pickford pulled off a great save. Goalkeeping can be important, it turns out.
Set pieces seemed like our most likely avenue to a goal, but our luck was not in today in that regard either.
Beto would make his a brace halfway through the second half, then a lovely strike into the top corner from Ndiaye would put us out of our misery with 15 minutes still to go.
Carefree.
Hato-Fofana pairing at center back
Back-to-back 3-0 defeats obviously building the best team in the world
Will we ever win a game again?
Chelsea stay sixth and in the mix for top five, but our prospects of Europe are as dim as they’ve ever been
And no, none of us noticed how good he was after the move.
"Here is perhaps our favorite fun fact of the 2025 season: Which team had the best offensive production out of first base over the final two months of the season?" MLB.com's Mike Petriello wrote in a new article on Saturday. "You’re thinking maybe the Blue Jays (Vladimir Guererro Jr.) or Dodgers (Freddie Freeman) or A’s (Nick Kurtz) or any of the other clubs with stars at first and … well, no. It was the Pirates. Yes, really. Horwitz still counts as a breakout possibility because you absolutely did not notice this while it was happening."
Horwitz always had some promising hitting metrics as he rose through the minor leagues.
But to be that good isn't necessarily someone would've seen coming.
"He reached the All-Star break hitting only .232/.298/.329," Petriello wrote. "But the rest of July into August was very good (.833 OPS), and September was fantastic (1.089 OPS), and all of a sudden, Horwitz has gone from an afterthought to a particularly interesting piece in what Pittsburgh hopes is a revitalized lineup."
The Blues made huge errors at the back as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was very poor, the center backs weren't much better, and Everton forward Beto dominated the game.
Beto nearly made the most of a very early Sanchez error which was a harbinger of what was to come as the Bissau-Guinean scored twice and won an aerial that Iliman Ndiaye turned into the Toffees' third goal.
It was so poor from the Blues, who were without Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah for the first time and the yield was not fruitful.
Liam Rosenior reaction to Chelsea’s defensive circus in blowout loss at Everton
We'll share all of Rosenior's words as soon as he speaks from Hill Dickinson Stadium.
New York Yankees fans, annoyed about Netflix being the home for the team’s Opening Day game against the San Francisco Giants, are sure to give a face palm following the announcement of a new addition for the historic broadcast.
If you haven’t noticed yet, streaming giant Netflix has made a concerted effort in recent years to get live sports content. They now have the NFL’s games on Christmas Day. Weekly content from WWE, and are the home for Jake Paul’s circus fights.
Well, beginning next week, they will officially add a slice of the MLB regular season schedule to their portfolio of live sports when they broadcast the first game of the year, the March 25 matchup between the Yankees and Giants.
The game not being on the regional networks for the legendary franchises has annoyed diehard and old school fans for the clubs. Well, those folks are sure to dislike the news about a “special guest” for the historic broadcast.
Jameis Winston will join the NY Yankees vs. SF Giants Opening Day broadcast
JAMEIS WINSTON ON OPENING NIGHT!
The NY Giants quarterback will be a special guest for Yankees vs. Giants on #OpeningNight — the first-ever MLB game on Netflix.
This week, Netflix announced that New York Giants backup quarterback Jameis Winston will make an appearance during Wednesday’s broadcast. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft played baseball while at Florida State, and is a fun and energetic personality, but the addition simply makes no sense.
This will be the first MLB game ever broadcast on Netflix. Considering the service’s massive reach and wealth, you would expect them to bring in a guest with ties to the NY Yankees or Giants. Or at least to MLB. Even if they didn’t want to have an old timer, they could have still brought in a popular social media influencer who focuses on baseball.
Winston is not even a great player in the sport he plays, which isn’t baseball. The old-timer fans are sure to give an eye roll when the veteran QB makes his appearance during the game next week.
Beto and Everton feasted on error-prone Chelsea on Saturday, inflicting an embarrassing 3-0 defeat on the Blues at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
The Bissau-Guinean scored twice and won a huge header that led to Iliman Ndiaye's goal as Everton hit 46 points to slide into seventh place, just two back of sixth-place Chelsea.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez struggled with the ball at his feet and between his legs, while the side did not adjust well to the absences of newly-injured Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah.
The loss is Chelsea's fourth-straight across all competitions, with a pair of Champions League defeats to PSG joining a PL loss at home to Newcastle. Their last goal was in the first loss to PSG, running their goalless streak to 303 minutes.
More to come...
What’s next?
Another big European six-pointer awaits Everton after the international break, as they'll visit Brentford at 10am ET on April 11.
Chelsea can try to work out their kinks at home to Port Vale in an FA Cup quarterfinal on April 4 before returning to the Premier League at home to Manchester City on April 12.
Everton vs Chelsea final score: 3-0
Beto 33', 62', Iliman Ndiaye 76'
Everton vs Chelsea live updates — by Nick Mendola
Full time — Everton 3-0 Chelsea
Rosenior's efforts to shore up his beleagured back line did not go well, and his goalkeeper didn't help things.
Iliman Ndiaye goal — Everton 3-0 Chelsea
Chelsea undone again.
Rosenior looks furious as Beto wins a Jordan Pickford goal kick backward in front of Wesley Fofana.
Moises Caicedo can't keep Iliman Ndiaye from the spoils and a gorgeous arrow into the upper reaches of the far side-netting.
Beto goal (and Sanchez error) — Everton 2-0 Chelsea
Not really debatable at this point: Robert Sanchez has no confidence.
Idrissa Gana Gueye seizes a ball out of the air and leads an Everton counter attack.
The Toffees get into the box and Gana Gueye feeds Beto, who wheels and rips a hopeful shot toward Sanchez.
The keeper fails to keep it from going through his legs and it's 2-0.
Ambitious from Enzo
Fernandez tries a curler across goal toward the far post and Joao Pedro is trying to redirect it inside the post.
It might've just missed wide but Jordan Pickford flies to his left anyway to palm it out for a corner..
Sub at the break
Alejandro Garnacho replaces Malo Gusto, who landed awkwardly in the first half.
Moises Caicedo should drop to right back with Enzo Fernandez playing deeper next to Romeo Lavia as Chelsea chase an equalizer.
Halftime — Everton 1-0 Chelsea
Chelsea are leading in shots by more than double (9-4) and have about 60% of the ball.
But it's not great at the back and Liam Rosenior may make a switch there as the Blues have not adjusted well to the absences of Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah.
Chelsea nearly answer
Jordan Pickford (arguably) makes an error going for a corner kick and the ball bounds back to Enzo Fernandez.
The Argentine chops a hard volley toward goal but Pickford recovers to his right to make an excellent leaping save.
Beto goal — Everton 1-0 Chelsea
Creak, creak, creak, snap.
James Garner plays Beto in behind Wesley Fofana.
The Blues back is nipping at Beto's heels and hoping Sanchez can close down the center forward.
Beto sees Sanchez lean to his right and that's the invitation he requires to dink it the other way.
Chelsea a mess at the back
Mistakes and open spaces from the Blues (wearing white, against the Toffees, who are in blue (naturally)).
James Garner has a shot blocked from 14 yards and Everton have grown in confidence.
0-0, 15'.
Robert Sanchez plays into his reputation
Just awful from the Chelsea goalkeeper.
Robert Sanchez takes a back pass and then a heavy touch. He sees Beto coming and somehow decides to dribble out of it.
Beto takes the ball off of him but Moises Caicedo zips back to put out the fire.
With Filip Jorgensen injured, Chelsea only have 22-year-old Teddy Sharman-Lowe on the bench. Sharman-Lowe has been in a starter in loan stints with Doncaster Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, and Havant & Waterlooville.
Team news evaluated
Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah is out for a month or more, and Jorell Hato is heading inside to partner with Wesley Fofana. Reece James is out for a few weeks so Malo Gusto starts at right back. Pedro Neto is back, so Alejandro Garnacho heads to the bench.
Everton will start Beto up top over Thierno Barry.. Jarrad Branthwaite hasn't passed his fitness test, while Timothy Iroegbunam doesn't start for the Toffees.
David Moyes’ Everton lost 2-0 at Arsenal last weekend but they were right in the game until late on and missed several glorious chances to take the lead. The Toffees are in the hunt for European qualification and are really fun to watch.
Chelsea are reeling as they lost 1-0 at home to Newcastle last weekend and were hammered 8-2 on aggregate by PSG in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after a 3-0 beating in the second leg at home in midweek. Rosenior is under pressure already and Chelsea have to improve defensively if they're going to finish in the top four this season.
Everton team news, focus
Center back duo Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski are both doubts after missing the defeat at Arsenal last weekend. That means Michael Keane and Jake O'Brien could continue there. Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are a real handful in attack and will look to hit Chelsea on the counter.
Chelsea team news, focus
Reece James and Filip Jorgensen are the latest Chelsea players to suffer injuries, with Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile also doubts. Trevoh Chalobah is out as Rosenior has a real headache in central defense. Given the huge defeat they suffered to PSG, Chelsea will be lacking in confidence and will know they are vulnerable defensively on the break.
Everton vs Chelsea prediction
This feels like a game where Everton will make the most of a fragile Chelsea side. Especially on the counter. Everton 2-1 Chelsea.
How to watch Everton vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time:1:30pm ET Saturday (March 21)
Venue:Hill Dickinson Stadium — Vauxhall, Liverpool
LUCKNOW: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was named 'Federation of the Year' at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 on Saturday.
BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla received the award on behalf of the board.
The ceremony in Lucknow recognised athletes, teams, and organisations across more than 45 sporting categories, honouring performances delivered during the evaluation period from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
This edition reflected a year where Indian cricket continued to deliver results across formats, alongside administrative consistency in conducting domestic and international competitions.
The BCCI oversaw multiple tournaments during the year, including bilateral series, ICC events and domestic competitions, ensuring continuity across men’s and women’s cricket.
India’s performances on the field across formats contributed to the federation’s recognition, along with its role in managing infrastructure, scheduling and player pathways through domestic cricket.
The award acknowledged the federation’s role in maintaining operations at scale while supporting teams competing at the international level.
The winners were selected by an illustrious jury comprising legendary athletes whose achievements have shaped Indian sport.
Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Leander Paes, and Devendra Jhajharia formed the panel for this edition.
Their collective experience ensured that the honours reflected contributions across levels, recognising organisations that shaped India’s sporting ecosystem.
Tom Brady (L), Alix Earle (M), Joe Burrow (R); Credit - USA TODAY Sports
Joe Burrow and Alix Earle dating rumors appeared out of nowhere after the Cincinnati Bengals QB was seen going to an Oscars afterparty with her, influencer Stassie Karanikolaou, and musician Tate McRae. Just days after the photos were released, Tom Brady seemingly took a dig at Burrow at a Fanatics event.
For the uninitiated, Brady and Earle are reportedly a thing. They’ve also been seen alongside each other on several different occasions. Earle describes their relationship as “casual.”
Casual or not, analyst Skip Bayless thinks that Brady is starting to become jealous of Burrow after he was seen partying with Earle at an Oscars afterparty.
“Tom Brady is jealous,” Bayless stated on The Arena. “I never thought I would see the day that Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr., at age 48, would be obviously, publicly jealous of a Joe Burrow over a 25-year-old influencer named Alix Earle.”
It’s quite a time that we’re living in. Ever since Brady retired, he’s continued to remain media-relevant and not just by being a color commentator for Fox on Sundays. He’s also stirred up some drama with his love life quite a bit.
Bayless referenced the story of Brady and Earle allegedly hooking up at the Super Bowl as ammo for why he thinks the GOAT is jealous of Burrow.
“People reported at the Super Bowl that Tom Brady and Alix Earle were ‘Hooking up.’ So, that got reported. And then we saw the picture on Oscar night in Los Angeles of Joe Burrow riding in a car, a black SUV, with Alix Earle, and two friends of hers,” Bayless detailed.
“We saw that, and then up on stage, Tom just takes a shot, ‘Oh, he’s the wildcat at Oscar parties.’ It’s just clear to me it’s because he’s hanging out with Tom’s girl. I’m sorry, that’s what I see,” he added.
It’s certainly been a wild and unexpected series of events. At the Fanatics Flag Football event, just days after Burrow was seen at the Oscars alongside Earle, Brady took a clear dig at the Bengals QB.
“That’s what they call Joe [Burrow] at those Oscar parties. Wildcat! At least he’s here. No fashion shows to attend to,” Brady said towards Burrow on stage via People.
The comment prompted a sheepish grin and side eye from Burrow. It’s almost as though he knew that he’s been up to something that he shouldn’t be.
However, just four days after the Oscars, Burrow squashed his romance rumors with Earle. The QB was seen attending the Fanatics Flag Football Classic party with supermodel Olivia Ponton. The two have been linked since rumors first sparked in December 2024 even though neither of them has ever confirmed or denied their relationship status.
All in all, Burrow has been creating a lot of chaos in the media lately for the women he’s been seen alongside. Brady could be legitimately upset at him for partying with his supposed girlfriend. But it’s more than likely that he was just talking some trash to ruffle some feathers ahead of the flag football game.
As analyst Kyle Brandt said about Brady recently, he’s becoming a bit of a “promoter” like a WWE superstar. He’s talking trash to Logan Paul, sparking love interests with 20-year-old models, and now talking smack to Burrow. It’s hard to decipher if he really means what he’s saying, or if he’s playing things up to get a reaction from the media. Either way, it’s working.
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Veteran reliever Ryan Brasier has been released by the Texas Rangers.
The Rangers announced Saturday they had granted the 38-year-old right-hander his release.
Brasier went 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 28 appearances with the Chicago Cubs last season. He owns a 10-9 record with a 3.90 ERA and 10 saves in his nine year career.
His career has included stints with the Los Angeles Angels (2013), Boston Red Sox (2018-23), Los Angeles Dodgers (2023-24) and Cubs (2025).
New Auburn head coach Alex Golesh and his staff have lined up an impressive list of visitors for spring practice this weekend. One of the top visitors on The Plains is an elite trench monster.
Gilmer (Texas) four-star interior offensive lineman Ismael Camara is being heavily-courted by a slew of SEC programs and the Tigers are trying to up their standing with the 6-foot-6, 335-pounder.
— 5Ismael’’FREAKISH’’Camara (@Only1_iscamara) March 21, 2026
It’s the third spring SEC trip for Camara, who’s also recently gotten a look at Kentucky and Alabama. The blue-chipper isn’t going to be short-changed with his recruitment and intends on giving plenty of schools a really hard look. Auburn has piqued his interest.
“Coach Golesh and I have a lot in common,” Camara previously posted when offered by AU. “We were not born here. We found our calling a world away in a sport that is our mutual obsession. Now Auburn football intersects our American journeys.
“I am told Auburn is a special place. I want to thank Coach Golesh and Coach Hoodie for building the bridge there. I’ll build from my side too and look forward to where it leads.”
Camara is the No. 36 overall prospect and No. 4 IOL in the 2027 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 5 player in Texas.
Thus far, SMU, Texas A&M, LSU and Texas have locked in official visits with Camara. Oregon and Tennessee are among the other programs looking to get more involved in his process. There’s still plenty of visits to be taken and programs to be sifted through before Camara comes to a decision.
Auburn landed a massive commitment last month
Golesh and Co. now have a pair of commits in their 2027 class early on. In February, the Tigers won out for Bessemer City (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Donivan Moore.
The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder is the No. 85 overall prospect and No. 8 DL in the nation. He was trending toward AU for some time and pulled the trigger on his pledge leading into the spring.
“This is like a dream coming true for me,” Moore told Rivals’ Chad Simmons about his decision. “I’ve been an Auburn fan growing up. I watched the Iron Bowl and told myself as a kid that I wanted to play in that game. I never imagined things would happen this fast. To get the offer from Auburn and now be committed — it’s shocking.”
“Every time I go to Auburn, it feels like home,” he added. “Everyone welcomes me, and the love from Auburn’s coaches is real. It just feels right — like another home.”
Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage three-star tight end Tank Proctor is also committed to the Tigers very early on. He’s currently the No. 36 TE in the cycle.
This offseason, the New York Jets have been spending on their roster to build a far-better team than what they had a year ago in a disastrous season.
While there is a bit more optimism for the 2026 season, there are a few positions and roster moves the Jets need to make. One of those moves is at their number two wide receiver spot. Garrett Wilson needs a better No. 2 than Adonai Mithcell.
This idea from Knox would have the Jets using the offer sheet on Pickens, offering him a massive contract despite the Cowboys using a non-exclusive tag on the star WR.
Teams can give Pickens an offer sheet that, if the Cowboys do not match, would allow Pickens to head to a new team at the cost of two first-rounders. That's a lot to spend on a wide receiver.
"However, it could be worth considering for teams with a surplus of cap space and a need at receiver, like the New York Jets and the New England Patriots," Knox writes.
In theory, the Jets adding Pickens seems like a great idea. Because it would be. Last year for the Cowboys, Pickens had 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 93 receptions, earning a second-team All-Pro nod and his first Pro Bowl.
However, there is a major issue with this kind of move for the Jets. They would be spending not just the massive contract that the Cowboys wouldn't match, but they would be losing two first-round picks as well.
Considering that they've built up a lot of draft capital, in the form of two firsts in 2026 and three in 2027 (including what could be the Cowboys' pick), they have the draft capital and cap space to make such a stunning trade work.
However, the Jets might be better off trying to trade for Pickens instead of trying to get him to sign an offer sheet. And if the trade talks don't work, then they should use one of their first-rounders the next two years on a top WR.
As good as Pickens is, spending what would likely be around $100 million and two first-rounders on a WR on a team without a quarterback doesn't make much sense.
In theory, adding Pickens to the offense would be a fun move. But the ridiculous cost to acquire him in this proposed offer sheet idea from Knox would be far too much to give up. Only Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson would make such a cost worth it.
When Jalen Suggs tossed his mouthpiece off the court after he was bumped by LaMelo Ball roughly halfway through the first quarter of Thursday’s game at Charlotte, the Magic guard was quickly assessed a technical fine from official Scott Foster. What Suggs didn’t know at the time was that his wallet would take a hit, too. Suggs was fined $25,000 for “throwing his mouthpiece in the direction of the spectator stands,” the NBA announced Saturday afternoon.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 16: Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the New England Patriots in the third quarter during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 20-12. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, this team is never boring…
I had nearly finished an article about the Vikings’ quarterback situation, considering the Kyler Murray signing and the idea of a Murray-McCarthy-Brosmer/other quarterback room for 2026. Then, the Vikings unexpectedly re-signed Carson Wentz out of nowhere.
Now I don’t know what the heck is going on. Well, a bit more than usual for me, anyway.
Let’s go over the options, shall we?
It’s the Kyler Murray Show: Like those before it, featuring stars such as Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, Brett Favre, Sam Bradford, Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, and others, it’s a reboot.
Those had varying levels of success. Heck, some even achieved an impressive number here and there. But none managed to top the Nielsen ratings, let alone build a streak of seasons at or near the top of the heap.
And so, we’re back at it in 2026. Is it finally our moment? I’ve spent the past week or so getting familiar with Murray’s time in Arizona, including its ups and downs and the main reasons for the split. This includes Warren Ludford’s in-depth look at his career to date. There is a compelling argument that the situation was more the result of a poor organization failing a talented quarterback than the other way around. Even the much-discussed schematic issues within KOC’s offense seem greatly exaggerated and overblown. Will KOC need to make some adjustments to fit Murray’s strengths? Certainly. Will it require a complete overhaul of his offensive approach? Not at all.
To no one’s surprise, Murray played well when his supporting cast was at its best. I’ve always believed that quarterbacks often get too much credit when things go well and too much blame when they don’t. That’s a discussion for another time, but for now, the 2026 Vikings’ overall roster, offensive weapons, elite defense, and coaching staff will be the best Murray has had in the NFL. If he shows anything close to his best play in Arizona, it’ll be hard to argue against 10 wins as the floor for this team. However, as mentioned, this upcoming season will primarily focus on what happens in the playoffs.
Indeed, the relatively cautious approach Rob Brzezinski and his team have taken in free agency so far could have as much to do with preparing for a potential Murray extension, if everything goes as planned, as with balancing the financial ledger after some costly free-agent contracts. Before the Wentz signing, the Vikings had around $68 million in cap space next season. A significant number could also be carried over from this year if Brian O’Neill is extended (which is good) or if Jonathan Greenard is traded (which is bad). This could hypothetically enable a heavily front-loaded extension for Murray. Also, hitting on some of our early draft picks this year could reduce the need for future free-agent spending. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?
Wentz as insurance for Murray (and McCarthy): Everything is on the line for KOC in 2026. Playoff success is essential. Despite a promising final stretch, J.J. McCarthy finished the season ranked 35th in PFF overall grade, 38th in quarterback EPA/Play, 45th in completion percentage, and had a league-high 11% sack rate. The risk is too high, and the unknowns too great, to simply hand him the starting job again without additional security.
Enter Wentz, whose last season must be viewed through the lens of a shoulder injury that would land most of us in the hospital rather than starting behind center in an NFL game. Before sustaining the injury, Wentz executed KOC’s offense efficiently. He had two games with a QB rating over 100, completed nearly 70% of his passes, averaged 253 yards passing per game, and threw five touchdowns against two interceptions. With a full offseason back at 100% health, there’s reason to be optimistic about Wentz guiding the team if needed.
J.J. McCarthy is the Vikings’ Jordan Love: Just as Love sat three full seasons behind Aaron Rodgers before being handed the starting job in 2023, another full season behind Murray (and possibly) Wentz would amount to nearly two-and-a-half seasons not starting an NFL game. An additional year to work on his mechanics, on top of the 10 starts he had in 2025, will then make him QB1 in 2027 if Murray thrives and the Vikings get outbid, or if his season is underwhelming due to an unfortunate injury or performance. I’m fairly certain Wentz is not the long-term answer.
J.J. McCarthy’s time in Minnesota is over: As much as I hate this option, denying it isn’t a realistic choice. Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt. I remain unconvinced, but if the decision has been made to move on, it would contradict KOC’s often-repeated quote: “I believe that organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations.” Again, proceeding with a healthy dose of skepticism, but if the whispers and rumors about KOC preferring to go with Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones last year—or even signing Aaron Rodgers—are true, and if his heart was never fully in making McCarthy the guy for 2025, then the pieces of this puzzle start to align.
I mentioned this in my last article, and it’s worth repeating. Why? Because nothing has changed in my mind.
All I know is this: I’m a huge fan of J.J. McCarthy and believe he’s still our QBOTF. Giving up after 10 starts would be incredibly misguided. I hate it with the intensity of a thousand suns. And if he goes on to be a great quarterback for another team and we’re back to square one in five years with no Super Bowl appearances, it could break a large part of the long-time fan base. That could be the final straw for those whose scars go back several decades. How much suffering can the human spirit endure? The Vikings seem to exist to answer that question.
There will be a genuine competition for the starting QB position in training camp. I saved this one for last because it’s the least likely scenario, though anything is possible. The Cubs finally won a World Series, and I actually recognized a new song on SiriusXM’s Hits 1 while in the car the other day. But the chances of J.J. McCarthy starting under center in Week 1 are probably less than 20%.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted earlier this week that he feels the starting quarterback job is still “fairly wide open,” but that seems to be the unconventional view. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said that Wentz would have remained the starter if he hadn’t gotten hurt last year. While The Athletic’s Alec Lewis added that many inside the Vikings organization believed the Vikings would have indeed made the playoffs if Wentz hadn’t suffered the season-ending injury.
So what does this likely mean? Murray is #1, with the real competition between McCarthy and Wentz for the backup spot. Unfortunately, it’s too early to guarantee McCarthy at #2. He’s probably the favorite, but he’ll need to prove himself in training camp. Based on what we know, Wentz won’t make it easy.
Yes, folks, not only is there no guarantee that a healthy McCarthy won’t be the emergency quarterback when the season starts, there’s even a chance he won’t be on the roster at all.
If you’d have told me this on draft night in 2024, I’d look at you quizzically before laughing. Then I’d quickly realize I do, in fact, root for the Minnesota Vikings, shake my head, and concede: “Yeah, that checks out.”
On a related note, it’s been 9,834 days since Daunte Culpepper was drafted. For those keeping track, that’s not in the current century, you know, because it’s 2026.
The New England Patriots signed Romeo Doubs this offseason, and his contract has some financial incentives he can reach.
Doubs' contract with the Patriots is a four-year, $68 million pact. However, it has up to $3 million in incentives each season, which pushes the maximum total value to $80 million. He also has $31 million guaranteed over the first two seasons.
The Boston Globe's Ben Volin revealed what the actual incentives in Doubs' contract are. He will receive $750,000 for reaching each of the following benchmarks:
70 receptions
80 receptions
1,000 yards
1,200 yards
Doubs career high for receptions is 59 and his career high for yards is 724. Reaching any of his benchmarks would mean he had a career year. However, reaching the milestones is not far-fetched.
Unlike with the Green Bay Packers, Doubs will not simply be another name in a loaded wide receiver room. Additionally, the Patriots' offensive philosophy saw Stefon Diggs record 1,000 yards last season. The Packers' philosophy is based on running the ball and spreading the wealth in the passing attack.
Doubs now joins the MVP runner-up in Drake Maye on a team that needs a new No. 1 receiver. Douvbs is very talented, and after the season, there is a chance his contract looks like a bargain.
Warzone fans decried Raven Software and Treyarch's decision to only have quad queues for Black Ops Royale. The team has now updated the battle royale modes to bring back Solo queues and the Standard Battle Royale mode with Verdansk as the big map, even in the face of Black Ops Royale's success.
Valfred is a real-time AI sales copilot that helps B2B sales teams win more deals. Unlike post-call tools like Gong or Modjo, Valfred assists reps during live calls by surfacing proof points, objection responses, and competitive arguments in real time. It connects to your CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive) and ingests call transcripts, emails, and case studies to build a living sales knowledge base. Features include dynamic battlecards, smart success stories, CRM auto-fill, proof pages, pre-call briefs, and an AI sales chat, making it ideal for SDRs, AEs, sales managers, and RevOps at B2B SaaS companies and agencies.
Hannspree Hybri monitor uses ambient light for paper-like readability, reducing energy use while maintaining standard display performance across varying conditions.
They say kids will be kids… but when their actions have major (and expensive) consequences, should they be made to pay the price? That’s the question some are raising in the wake of an incident which unfolded aboard a Royal Caribbean ship.
Coast Guard and Ship Involved In Search
(Photo via Royal Caribbean)
Several passengers aboard the just-concluded sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas reached out to our tipline with news that a passenger had reportedly gone overboard. The code “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar” was heard over the ship’s PA at approximately 1 p.m., with the captain soon after confirming the news shortly thereafter.
As is protocol, Oasis immediately changed course in order to initiate a search for the passenger. Simultaneously, the Coast Guard was alerted to the situation so that they, too, could join the search.
While hunting for a person who has gone overboard is much like searching for a needle in a haystack, this particular scenario was literally an impossible mission. Why? Because it would soon turn out that all passengers were accounted for, and that a group of teenagers were responsible for the false report.
What Should Happen Next?
The trajectory of events could be followed live in a Facebook group dedicated to the sailing in question. Members first express concern and send up prayers for the person who’d supposedly gone overboard. But as word of the hoaxes true nature spread, concern turned to anger… much of it aimed at not only the teens but their parents.
“Those kids should be confined to their cabins,” wrote one passenger, adding that “their parents should have to pay for the rescue boats coming out.”
“Man, if you’re here as the parent of these kids, do better!” said another, while numerous commenters cited a rash of bad behaviors on the part of young travelers across the vessel.
“This will definitely be out last Spring Break cruise,” echoed yet another upset guest.
While unconfirmed by Royal Caribbean, it was claimed in the Facebook group that a young female passenger had urged her friends to tell her grandmother that she’d gone overboard.
Man Overboard Prank Could Prove Costly
While there is no word on whether the responsible parties will face punishment for their actions, there are policies in place governing such situations. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s web page, penalties for “issuing a false distress call” can include a $250,000 criminal fine, up to six years in prison and being made to reimburse the Coast Guard for the cost of performing the search.
The page outlines just how far-reaching the consequences of such a prank can be. Why? Because it places members of the Coast Guard at unnecessary risk, can cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and could potentially interfere with the agency helping those who are genuinely at risk.
The Ultimate Way to Explore Gozo in One Day and Experience Its Culture Nature and Stunning LandscapesNestled just north of Malta, Gozo is a small island that packs a surprising amount of history, scenery, and charm into its rolling hills... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Your Ultimate Guide to This Week’s Most Incredible Hotel Openings in Barbados, Portugal, and Beyond Plus Exciting Global Resorts Coming Soon!Explore the latest hotel openings in Barbados, Portugal, and Atlanta, plus exciting upcoming properties in Mexico, Fiji, the Philippines, and... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Princess Cruises Welcomes Moreshnie Pather to Oversee Key Relationships in Asia Pacific, Strengthening Presence in Australia and High-Growth Regions, New UpdateMoreshnie Pather takes on an expanded role at Princess Cruises to enhance relationships in key Asia Pacific markets and Australia.... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
FS Italiane Group Accelerates European Rail Transformation with State-of-the-Art High-Speed Maintenance Hub in France and Expanded Cross-Border ConnectivityFS Italiane Group is making a bold move to reshape high-speed rail operations in Europe through a landmark investment in France. The post... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
TSA Shutdown Triggers Chaos at US Airports With 2-Hour Lines, 1,300+ Flight Delays, and Travelers Left Fuming Amid Political Gridlock!Spring break travel chaos hits U.S. airports as ongoing DHS shutdown leaves thousands of TSA officers unpaid, sparking long wait times... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
USA Faces Flight Chaos as Over 100 New Flights Are Cancelled Including Spirit, Delta, United, JetBlue, Emirates, and More Affecting Routes to New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, and MoreThis report details the latest flight cancellations across... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Egyptian National Railways Announces Massive Eid Al‑Fitr Train Boost Across Key Rail Routes in March 2026 – You Need to KnowEgyptian rail passengers are set for a significant boost in travel options this Eid Al‑Fitr holiday period, as the national... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Milan Welcomes an International Assembly of Travel Experts at DUCO Italy 2026 to Explore the Finest Hospitality and Customized Experiences Italy OffersMilan is set to become the epicenter of luxury travel as it hosts the eighth edition of DUCO Italy,... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Dubai’s Loss, Melbourne’s Gain: Singapore Airlines Redeploys A380 Amid Iran ConflictSingapore Airlines suspends Dubai flights till April 30, 2026, due to regional conflict. The A380 is now redeployed to Melbourne. Get the latest tips The post Dubai’s Loss, Melbourne’s Gain:... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Discover the Ultimate Mediterranean Escape at W Sardinia Where Luxury Meets Sardinia’s Natural Beauty in Costa Smeralda!Discover W Sardinia, a luxurious hotel nestled in the heart of Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, offering stunning views, modern amenities, and world-class dining experiences. The... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Tesla and Samsung are working together to build a new and powerful AI chip. This chip is very important for Tesla’s future plans, mainly for self-driving cars and robots. Now, there is news that the design of this chip could be finished this year. This shows that the project is moving ahead smoothly and quickly.
Elon Musk shared that the AI6 chip might reach a stage, tape-out, by December this year. Tape-out simply means the design work is complete and the chip is ready to be made in factories. It is a big step because it turns an idea into a real product.
Samsung is playing an important role in this project.As a well-known chip maker, Samsung will help produce the chip once the design is ready.This partnership is important because Tesla needs strong support to build such advanced technology in large numbers.
The AI6 chip is expected to be very powerful. It will help Tesla cars understand roads better, detect objects faster, and make quick decisions. This can make driving safer and more reliable.
If the chip design is completed this year, it will be a big achievement for both companies. It will also show how fast AI technology is growing. Stay tuned for more information.
Bitcoin ETF outflows are too small to signal a bearish pivot from traders, but worsening US macroeconomic conditions and high oil prices keep BTC traders on the hedge.
Save yourself some time and money by just going with the cheaper Core Ultra 5 325 instead of the pricier Core Ultra 7 355 as their performance levels are nearly identical.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is dealing with Version 1.0 launch issues, including audio problems, as Netmarble updates its official known-issues notice during Early Play.
Some Pearl Abyss developers reportedly recognized shortcomings in the Crimson Desert story. However, leadership dismissed these concerns and resisted any pushback. Randomly collecting features from popular games, reviewers label the resulting control scheme as overly complex.
According to one of the Lux Optics co-founders, who's also the developer behind the Halide camera app, Apple was close to acquiring Lux Optics in an attempt to improve its native Camera app. Lux Optics is also behind the Kino, Spectre and Orion apps.
The deal eventually fell through in September last year. However, the report claims that Apple was pretty close and planned to improve the camera experience in its default Camera app on iPhones.
If you've been following the news lately, you've probably seen headlines about Apple working on a variable aperture feature for the iPhone 18...
Guillermo Ochoa has returned to the Mexico national team and is now in contention to match Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a FIFA World Cup record.
With just over two months remaining until the start of the 2026 World Cup, Guillermo Ochoa has been recalled to Mexico’s squad. This puts him in a strong position to reach a record also coveted by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo: the most appearances in the FIFA tournament.
Currently, Ochoa, Messi, and Ronaldo are part of a select group of players who have featured in five different World Cups. Other legends from the past include Germany’s Lothar Matthaus and Mexico’s Antonio Carbajal, Rafael Marquez, and Andres Guardado.
Having started his World Cup journey in Germany 2006, Ochoa, Messi, and Ronaldo also featured in South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022. The Argentine forward and the Portuguese star appear likely to participate in North America 2026, putting them within reach of the historic record of becoming the first players to appear in six World Cups.
Ochoa, on the other hand, until just a few weeks ago seemed almost out of contention, having lost favor with head coach Javier Aguirre as one of Mexico’s goalkeepers. However, Luis Malagon’s serious Achilles tendon injury unexpectedly opened the door for his return.
Mexico icon Guillermo Ochoa.
Ochoa back with Mexico
This week, the Mexico national team officially announced its 26-player squad selected by Javier Aguirre for the FIFA March break friendlies against Portugal and Belgium. Guillermo Ochoa is listed as one of the three goalkeepers, alongside Carlos Acevedo and Raul Rangel.
For Ochoa, this marks his return to Mexico after several months away. He had not been included in the September, October, November, January, or February call-ups, and his World Cup hopes appeared uncertain.
His last call-up was for the 2025 Gold Cup, where he did not see any game time. To find the last occasion Ochoa played internationally, one must go back to November 2024, when he appeared against Honduras in the Concacaf Nations League.
These are the players chosen by our manager, Javier Aguirre, to face Portugal and Belgium. ⚽
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) March 19, 2026
Ochoa at club level
At 40 years old, it’s clear that Guillermo Ochoa’s prime days as a professional player are behind him. Nevertheless, he remains active in the Cypriot league: in the 2025-26 season, he has made 24 appearances—all as a starter—for AEL Limassol.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have featured in five World Cups so far.
Inter Miami are preparing to face New York City FC in Major League Soccer, and Rodrigo De Paul was absent from the team’s final training session ahead of the match.
This Sunday, Inter Miami will take on New York City FC for Matchday 5 of the 2026 MLS season. In the final practice ahead of the clash, Rodrigo De Paul was missing, along with two other key players who did not train with the squad.
“Rodrigo De Paul is absent from this morning’s Inter Miami training,” reporter Jose Armando said via his official X account on Saturday. “Maxi Falcon and Sergio Reguilon will not be available against NYCFC.”
Falcon has been sidelined for over a week due to an injury sustained during the first leg of the Round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, when he had to leave the match in the opening minutes against Nashville SC at Geodis Park on March 11.
Reguilon’s absence is also injury-related. After recovering from a knee sprain suffered during preseason, the Spanish left-back made his official Inter Miami debut last week, starting against Charlotte FC in MLS. He started again on Wednesday against Nashville, assisting Lionel Messi for his 900th goal, but had to leave the field minutes later with another injury.
🎙️ Javier Mascherano: “La desilusión de quedar fuera de la Champions tiene que llenarnos de energía para hacer un gran partido en Nueva York”. pic.twitter.com/9kRvLXWlor
Amid these forced absences and uncertainty over Rodrigo De Paul’s availability for the NYCFC clash, there is good news regarding two of the team’s biggest stars. “Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are available,” added Jose Armando.
MLS now Inter Miami’s main focus
Following their elimination from the Concacaf Champions Cup, Inter Miami now have two possible titles to chase this season: MLS and the Leagues Cup. The latter will take place after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning the Herons’ focus is currently on the league.
They sit in third place in the Eastern Conference standings with seven points, the result of two wins, one draw, and one loss. Their opponents this Sunday will be none other than the Conference leaders: NYCFC, who have 10 points and share the top spot with Nashville SC.
Mascherano reflects on Concacaf Champions Cup exit
As usual, Javier Mascherano held a press conference the day before the match and reflected on the impact of the Champions Cup elimination. “What happened, we can’t change it anymore, there’s no point in regretting it. We’re still in the process of accepting the disappointment of being knocked out, but it’s soccer and it can happen,” the coach said.
In looking to move forward, Mascherano addressed Inter Miami’s goals for the rest of the season: “It’s on us to show that what happened was just an accident. The best way to prove that is to focus on the league now.”
set many world records throughout his boxing career but one former heavyweight world champion looks poised to break one of them upon his return. When Roy Jones Jr ended a five-year hiatus to box UFC star Anthony Pettis, ‘Captain Hook’ broke Jack Johnson’s record as the former heavyweight world champion with the longest boxing career, […]
Fenerbahçe'de 17 Şubat'ta geçirdiği ayak bileği operasyonunun ardından tedavi süreci hızla ilerleyen Edson Alvarez, önümüzdeki hafta İstanbul'a gelerek takıma katılıyor. 1 Aralık'taki derbi sakatlığı sonrası fedakarlıkla oynayan ancak sahalardan uzak kalan tecrübeli oyuncu Nisan başında tam kapasiteyle dönmesi ve kritik virajda savunma hattındaki eksikleri kapatması bekleniyor.
Fenerbahçelilerin "varlığını unuttuğu" Edson Alvarez'den haber var. 17 Şubat'ta ayak bileğinden başarılı bir operasyon geçiren Meksikalının tedavi süreci beklenenden daha pozitif ilerliyor.
EDSON ALVAREZ İYİLEŞTİ
Alvarez, 1 Aralık tarihinde oynanan Galatasaray derbisinde ayağına aldığı darbe sonrası sakatlandı. Fedakarlık yaparak takımdaki yerini korumaya çalışan Meksikalı, ağrılarının kronikleşmesi ve performansını etkilemesi üzerine cerrahi müdahale kararı aldı. Tedavi sürecinin önemli bir bölümünü yurt dışında geçiren Alvarez’in, önümüzdeki hafta içinde İstanbul’a gelerek takıma katılması bekleniyor.
FENERBAHÇE KADROSUNA DAHİL OLUYOR
Samandıra'da sağlık heyeti tarafından detaylı testlere tabi tutulacak. Test sonuçlarına göre vakit kaybetmeden bireysel saha çalışmalarına başlaması planlanıyor. Son sağlık raporları, Alvarez’in Nisan ayı başında tam kapasiteyle takıma dahil olacağını işaret ediyor.
TEDESCO DÖRT GÖZLE BEKLİYOR
Teknik direktör Domenico Tedesco, ligin son virajına girilirken ve kritik kupa maçları öncesinde Alvarez’in tecrübesinden faydalanmayı hedefliyor. Meksikalı ön liberoyu stoper rotasyonuna eklemek isteyen Alman teknik adam oyuncunun fiziksel durumunu yakından takip ediyor.
Slovakya kampından gelen haberler Fenerbahçe'de moralleri bozdu! Teknik direktör Calzona'nın 'Kariyerini riske atıyor' sözleriyle duyurduğu Milan Skriniar'ın sakatlığında kritik eşik Kosova maçı. İddialara göre kısmi yırtığın kopma riski büyük. Sarı-lacivertliler, yıldız stoperin sezonu kapatmaması için milli kampa özel fizyoterapist gönderdi.
Fenerbahçe’de Milan Skriniar’ın sakatlık durumu, milli ara öncesi sarı-lacivertli yönetimi ve teknik heyeti alarm durumuna geçirdi. Slovakya Milli Takımı Teknik Direktörü Francesco Calzona’nın açıklamaları ise camiadaki endişeyi bir kat daha artırdı.
SKRINIAR AÇIKLAMASI KORKUTTU
Calzona, Skriniar’ın fedakarlığına dikkat çekerken durumun ciddiyetini şu sözlerle özetledi:
- Oldukça ciddi bir sakatlıkla mücadele ediyor. Bu maçlarda hazır olmak için kariyerinin bir kısmını riske attığını söyleyebiliriz. Bizimle olmak için elinden geleni yapıyor.
SAKATLIĞI ÇOK KRİTİK
Şubat ayındaki Nottingham Forest maçında sağ kasığından (adductor) sakatlanan tecrübeli stoperin durumu oldukça hassas bir dengede ilerliyor. Sağ kasığında "kısmi yırtık" (Grade 2) olan Skriniar için 4-6 haftalık bir iyileşme süreci öngörülmüştü. Son Gaziantep maçında kulübede yer aldı. 26 Mart’taki Kosova maçında forma giymesi, iyileşmekte olan dokunun tamamen kopmasına (Grade 3) neden olabilir. Ani bir depar veya sert bir müdahale, sakatlığın 12 haftaya uzamasına ve sezonu kapatmasına yol açabilir.
FENERBAHÇE MÜDAHELE ETTİ
Fenerbahçe yönetimi, Beşiktaş derbisi öncesi yıldız oyuncusunu kaybetmemek için Skriniar’ın yanına Slovakya Milli Takım kampına özel bir fizyoterapist gönderdi. Bu uzman, milli takım kampı boyunca oyuncunun her anını takip edecek.
BEŞİKTAŞ MAÇINDA SAHADA OLMASI ÖNEMLİ
Oyuncunun antrenman yükü, ağrı eşiği ve tedavi süreci her an İstanbul’daki sağlık heyetine raporlanacak. Teknik heyetin ilk amacı, Skriniar’ın Beşiktaş derbisinde tam kapasiteyle sahada olması.
Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde Noa Lang'ın parmağının koptuğu skandal sonrasında Galatasaray topu tüfeğiye saldırıya hazırlanıyor. Liverpool'un "nezaketsiz" tavrına ve cevapsız kalan özür beklentisine sert tepki gösteren sarı-kırmızılı yönetim, asıl darbeyi UEFA üzerinden vurmaya hazırlanıyor. Güvenlik standartlarını onaylayan UEFA'ya da dev tazminat davası gündemde.
Anfield Road’da Liverpool'la oynanan Şampiyonlar Ligi son 16 turu ikinci maçında yaşanan talihsiz kaza, Galatasaray tarafından büyük bir hukuk savaşına dönüşmek üzere. Sarı-kırmızılıların yıldızı Noa Lang’ın saha kenarındaki reklam panolarına çarparak parmağından ağır yaralanması sonrası Galatasaray yönetimi, "ihmal" ve "güvenlik kusuru" iddialarıyla düğmeye bastı.
GALATASARAY ÖZÜR BEKLİYOR
Galatasaray Genel Sekreteri Eray Yazgan, olayın ardından Liverpool kulübünden tek bir özür dahi gelmediğini belirterek sert bir açıklama yaptı:
- Başta sorumlu Liverpool kulübü ancak bu ekipmanların kullanımına onay veren kurum UEFA’dır. Bu tavırlar sorumluluktan kaçma göstergesi. Haklarımızı hem Liverpool’a hem de UEFA’ya karşı sonuna kadar savunacağız.
NOA LANG İÇİN TAZMİNAT HAMLESİ
Sarı-kırmızılı kulüp, oyuncunun sahalardan uzak kalacağı süre boyunca ödenecek maaş, başarı primleri ve sponsorluk kayıpları dahil olmak üzere dev bir tazminat paketi hazırlıyor.
Olayın ardından UEFA, Anfield’daki panoların tasarımını (çelik çerçeve yapısı ve aradaki boşluklar) mercek altına aldı. Soruşturmanın odak noktası, panoların saha çizgisine olan mesafesinin güvenlik sınırları içinde olup olmadığı.
Soruşturma sonucunda Liverpool’a ağır para cezası ve Anfield Road’da tribün kısıtlaması cezası gelmesi ihtimali doğarken; UEFA’nın tüm Avrupa’da LED pano standartlarını değiştirecek radikal kararlar alabileceği konuşuluyor.
AİLESİ MORAL VERİYOR
Öte yandan Whiston Hastanesi’nde başarılı bir operasyon geçiren Hollandalı yıldız, ailesi tarafından Hollanda’da karşılandı. Oyuncunun ağabeyi yaptığı açıklamada, "Noa Lang sağlam karakterlidir, daha güçlü dönecek" diyerek moral verdi. Sakatlığına rağmen Noa Lang, Hollanda Milli Takımı kadrosuna çağrıldı.
TRABZONSPOR MAÇINDA OYNAYABİLİR
Öte yandan kulüp doktorları oyuncunun oynamasında tıbbi bir engel olmadığını belirtse de, yıldız ismin Trabzonspor maçında oynayıp oynamayacağı belirsizliğini koruyor. Gelen son bilgilere göre, Lang'ın kadroda olma ihtimali hala masada.
Galatasaray'da 'ikinci Osimhen' operasyonuna "ırkçılık" bulaştı. Onyedika görüşmelerinde masaya gelen Ibrahima Konate, 'Kimseye kapım kapalı değil' diyerek sarı-kırmızılıları heyecanlandırdı. Sami Yen'den çok etkilenen Fransız stoperin aklının parçalıya kayması üzerine Liverpool yönetimi transferi engellemek için sosyal medyadaki "zibidilerden" medet ummaya başladı.
Galatasaray transfer piyasasında dev bir hamle peşinde koşarken, bazı "sosyal medya zibidilerinin" saçmalıkları yüzünden keyifler kaçtı. Ocak ayında Liverpool'un dünyaca ünlü stoperi Ibrahima Konate için nabız yoklanmış sonrasında da sessiz bir bekleme sürecine geçilmişti.
KONATE İÇİN HAMLE YAPILDI
Devre arası transfer çalışmaları kapsamında Raphael Onyedika için mesai harcanırken menajeri Vanzini ile George Gardi üzerinden temas kuruldu. Abdullah Kavukçu önderliğinde yapılan görüşmelerde Ibrahima Konate'nin durumu da masaya yatırıldı. Toplantıda Fransız yıldızın Liverpool'daki güncel maaşı ve Real Madrid başta olmak üzere Avrupa devlerinin oyuncu için hazırladığı teklifler incelendi.
GALATASARAY'DA "OSIMHEN UMUDU"
Galatasaray cephesi, "Teklif yaparsak bizden beklentileri ne olur?" sorusuyla Konate’nin nabzını doğrudan yokladı. Gelen yanıt sarı-kırmızılı camiada "Osimhen umudu" yarattı:
- Kimseye kapım kapalı değil ama önceliklerim tabii ki Avrupa devleri.
Galatasaray'ın seyircisi ve Sami Yen'in ortamından etkilenen Konate'nin ılımlı yaklaşımı, Galatasaray'da Osimhen transferinde olduğu gibi "imkansızı başarmak" adına umut yarattı.
LIVERPOOL SAÇMALADI
Ancak Liverpool'un oyuncusunu bırakmaya niyeti yok. İngiliz ekibinin yönetimi, Galatasaray da dahil olmak üzere tüm talipler aleyhine oyuncuya olumsuz bildirimlerde bulunuyor. Bu noktada "3-5 sosyal medya zibidisi"nin Konate'ye yönelik ırkçı saldırıları, Galatasaray'ın keyfini kaçırdı. Liverpool ise bu çirkin olayı koz olarak kullanmaya çalışıyor.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan millisinin hücumçusu Mahir Emreli Almaniyanın “Kayzerslautern” klubunun heyətində növbəti matçına çıxıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, 28 yaşlı futbolçu 2-ci Bundesliqanın 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 27-ci turu çərçivəsində “Nürnberq”lə oyunun iştirakçısı olub.
Səfərdə baş tutmuş bu görüş “Kayzerslautern”in 0:3 hesablı məğlubiyyəti ilə yekunlaşıb. Baş məşqçi Torsten Liberknext bu matçda Emreliyə də şans verib. Azərbaycanlı hücumçu 56-cı dəqiqədə meydana buraxılıb.
27 turdan sonra 40 xalı olan “Kayzerslautern” 18 iştirakçı arasında 7-ci pillədə qərarlaşıb. Komanda keçirdiyi 27 oyunda 12 qələbə qazanıb, 4 heç-heçə edib, 11 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.
Xatırladaq ki, Mahir Emreli “Kayzerslautern”lə 2025-ci ilin yayında 3 illik müqavilə bağlayıb. Azərbaycanlı futbolçu bu komandanın heyətində 10 oyuna çıxıb, 2 qola imza atıb.
Mahir ötən mövsümü Almaniyanın digər klubu “Nürnberq”də keçirib. Azərbaycanlı futbolçu sözügedən komandanın heyətində 25 rəsmi matça çıxıb, 11 qol vurub, 1 assistlə yadda qalıb.
“Bakı”nın yetirməsi olan Emreli karyerası ərzində “Qarabağ”, “Legiya” (Polşa), “Konyaspor” (Türkiyə) və “Dinamo” (Zaqreb, Xorvatiya) klublarında da forma geyinib. Hücumçu Azərbaycan milli komandasının heyətində meydana çıxdığı 59 oyunda 6 qol vurub, 3 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Bayern Münih forması giyen Michael Olise, Bundesliga'da karşılaştığı her rakibe karşı skor üretti. Fransız yıldız, bu sezon toplamda ise 39 maçta 43 gole katkı sağladı.
Napoli'de 2024 yılında geçici bir süre teknik direktörlük görevini üstlenen Francesco Calzona, İtalyan ekibinde yaşadığı sorunları anlattı. Calzona, Victor Osimhen ve Khvicha Kvaratskhelia dikkat çeken sözler kullandı.
Atletico Madrid have already made their move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, submitting a formal offer ahead of the summer transfer window as sporting director Mateu Alemany prioritises a new central midfielder.
However, Atalanta are holding firm at a minimum fixed fee of €40 million plus add-ons, a stance that could push the total value of any deal towards €50 million.
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Ederson with his teammates of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring the opening goal from penalty spot during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on February 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Atletico ready to try and try again for Atalanta’s Ederson
It is not the first time Atletico have pursued Ederson.
The Spanish club attempted to sign the 26-year-old during the January window before turning their attention elsewhere after Atalanta rejected their approach. Their persistence suggests he remains their primary target heading into the summer.
Time is beginning to work in Atletico’s favour.
Ederson’s contract runs until 2027, meaning Atalanta will soon find themselves with a player entering the final year of his deal, a position that typically forces clubs into a difficult choice between selling or risking losing a valuable asset for a reduced fee or even nothing at all.
Should renewal talks stall, Atalanta’s negotiating position weakens considerably.
For now, a gap remains between the two clubs’ valuations, and any deal is expected to be revisited in the coming months rather than concluded imminently.
Luka Modric reached yet another remarkable milestone during Milan’s clash with Torino on Saturday, making his 550th appearance in Europe’s Big 5 leagues, a figure that places him second on the all-time list among players who debuted in the top divisions from the 2008/09 season onwards.
According to OptaPaolo, only Antoine Griezmann has made more appearances in Europe’s elite leagues since that cut-off point, with the Atletico Madrid forward ahead on 555. The Croatian legend’s longevity at the very highest level is quite extraordinary.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Luka Modric of AC Milan celebrates the victory at the end of the Serie A match between AC Milan and Inter at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Milan star Modric makes 550th appearance in Europe’s Top 5 leagues
Modric began his Big 5 league journey with Tottenham Hotspur, where he made 127 Premier League appearances between 2008 and 2012, scoring 13 goals.
He then spent 13 years at Real Madrid, accumulating 394 La Liga appearances and 30 goals between 2012 and 2025 before making the move to Milan last summer.
He has now added 29 Serie A outings to that remarkable tally, with two goals to his name in what has been an impressive debut season in Italy.
Now 40 years old, Modric shows little sign of slowing down, a fact that has been noted with admiration by former teammates, opponents and observers alike.
Alessandro Nesta recently described him as “a monster of humility” who applies himself with extraordinary dedication, while Andriy Shevchenko was similarly struck by his physical condition during a recent visit to Milanello.
Parma chief executive Federico Cherubini made no attempt to defend his side after a chastening home defeat to Cremonese, openly acknowledging that the supporters who booed at the final whistle were entirely justified in their reaction.
The result is a damaging one for Parma, whose hopes of pulling clear of the relegation zone now look considerably more precarious with eight games remaining, especially with Cremonese picking up the three points.
The defeat makes it back-to-back losses after a run of form that had briefly raised optimism around Carlos Cuesta’s side, and Cherubini was in no mood to sugarcoat the situation.
PARMA, ITALY – MARCH 21: Youssef Maleh of Cremonese celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Federico Bonazzoli during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and US Cremonese at Stadio Ennio Tardini on March 21, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Parma 0-2 Cremonese – Cherubini: ‘The boos were deserved’
“The boos were deserved and there is nothing to argue about, the picture is accurate,” he told DAZN, with quotes via AlfredoPedulla.com.
“I think it is entirely normal that supporters react the way they did to a performance like today’s. We must remain united in this moment and understand that the objective we thought was close is still very far away.”
Cherubini had issued a similar warning before the Torino defeat, and his message now carries even greater urgency.
“I don’t think it was a lack of concentration but unfortunately we come off the back of a very poor performance and the objective will be extremely difficult to reach,” he said.
The CEO did, however, identify one potential silver lining. The forthcoming international break arrives at a convenient moment for a squad badly in need of regrouping. “The pause comes at the right time to allow us to recompact the team,” he said.
Liverpool are looking to improve the defensive unit in the summer, and they have identified Roggerio Nyakossi as a target.
The 22-year-old defender has impressed at OH Leuven and is also a target for Marseille. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool follows up with an official offer to sign him at the end of the season. It is no secret that they need more quality in the defensive unit, and the Swiss prodigy could prove to be a quality long-term investment.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Liverpool could use Roggerio Nyakossi
Ibrahima Konate is expected to leave the club at the end of the season. His contract expires in the summer, and he has not yet signed an extension with Liverpool. They will need to replace him, and the 22-year-old Swiss defender could be ideal. He has the physicality and technical attributes to try in English football, and he could prove to be a useful addition.
The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for the young defender as well. He would get to join one of the biggest clubs in the world, and Liverpool could nurture him into a future star. If they can sign him for a reasonable amount, the deal could be worth it.
According to a report from Nieuwsblad, the 22-year-old defender would very much like to join Liverpool in the summer. It is no surprise that he wants to play for them. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they could provide him with the platform to showcase his qualities at the highest level.
Liverpool won the Premier League title last season. Even though they have struggled this year, there is no reason why they cannot bounce back and compete with elite clubs once again in the upcoming campaign.
Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in signing the Hoffenheim attacker Bazoumana Toure.
The Ivory Coast international has done quite well for the German club, and several clubs are monitoring his situation. He could be on the move at the end of the season, and it will be interesting to see if Arsenal or Manchester United win the race for his signature.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Multiple clubs keen on Bazoumana Toure
They are not the only Premier League clubs keen on the player. The physically imposing winger is also a target for clubs like Leeds United and Everton. He will cost around €55 million in the summer, and it will be interesting to see if the interested parties are prepared to pay up for him.
He is a young player with a lot of potential, and he has the physical attributes to succeed in England. He could justify the investment in future.
It is no secret that Arsenal and Manchester United need more quality on the flanks. They need someone who will add pace and unpredictability in the final third. The 20-year-old could be the ideal long-term acquisition for both clubs. The opportunity to join them will be exciting for the Ivorian as well. It will be interesting to see if either of the two clubs is willing to come forward and submit an official proposal for him in the summer.
Arsenal and Manchester United have done well to nurture young players in the past, and they could help Toure fulfil tremendous potential.
Hansi Flick has urged his Barcelona side to “maintain our level” from their Champions League win over Newcastle United when they host Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Barca thrashed Newcastle 7-2 in their Champions League last 16 second leg, securing an 8-3 aggregate victory to set up a quarter-final clash with Atletico Madrid. The Blaugrana are […]
Liverpool’s Champions League aspirations took another hit as Danny Welbeck’s brace helped Brighton to a 2-1 victory over the Premier League champions on Saturday. Welbeck netted either side of Milos Kerkez’s first-half finish, with the Brighton striker’s 56th-minute winner compounding Liverpool to a 10th league defeat of the season. Arriving without the injured Alisson and […]
On an episode of Yahoo Sports’ “Football 301” podcast, host Nate Tice and NBC’s Connor Rogers examined the most intriguing and debated positions in the 2026 NFL Draft: tight end.
They dove deep into their rankings, discussed key traits that separate top prospects from the rest, and highlighted some of their favorite names that might surprise NFL teams and fans alike.
Below, we recap some of the most notable tight ends — both consensus favorites and potential hidden gems — from their discussion.
The tight end class is deeper than it may appear at first glance. While Sadiq stands alone atop most boards, teams looking for role players, big-bodied blockers, or developmental freaks have options deep into Day 3.
Tice and Rogers emphasized the importance of two traits: versatility (run, catch, block) and willingness to contribute on special teams. In today’s NFL, one-trick tight ends struggle to earn roster spots. Those who can check multiple boxes, or who showcase grit, athletic potential, and a unique body type, will always have a suitor.
When draft day comes, don’t be surprised if a few of these names outside the consensus rankings end up carving out meaningful roles in the league.
No. 1 TE: Kenyon Sadiq
Tice and Rogers are in agreement: Kenyon Sadiq stands as the consensus No. 1 tight end in this draft class. While not a “perfect” prospect, Sadiq’s athletic upside and unique skills put him in his own tier. According to Tice, Sadiq’s explosiveness, willingness as a blocker, and ability to stretch the field make him a dynamic piece for a creative NFL offense— “somewhere in that archetype between Tommy Tremble and Vernon Davis.”
Rogers ranked Sadiq 14th overall on his big board. He pointed out that while Sadiq isn’t a typical 260-pound inline monster, his toughness and versatility — lining up in the backfield, blocking on the perimeter and making plays as a receiver — make him “a very, very unique player.”
Both analysts agree that Sadiq's landing spot will be huge for his development and usage.
Sam Roush could fit in nicely in the NFL with an offense that runs the a heavy 12 personnel scheme. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sam Roush: The pro-ready all-rounder
Stanford’s Sam Roush is the name to circle for any team that plays a lot of 12 personnel and values versatility.
Rogers raved about Roush’s “big body” (6-foot-6, 267 pounds) and readiness for the pro game, noting he’s played over 1,000 inline snaps the past two years. Roush’s blend of contact courage as a blocker and surprising yards-after-catch ability shows up on tape. While his arm length is on the shorter side, both analysts agree he’s a tough and savvy player who can contribute immediately as a role player in the NFL.
Rising stock: Eli Raridan
One of the most intriguing stories comes from Eli Raridan, who has overcome two ACL tears and is still climbing up draft boards. Rogers loves how Raridan “just climbs over linebackers,” plays with impressive receiving efficiency, and has handled heavy blocking assignments at Notre Dame. The size, the hands and the flashes are there; if Raridan can stay healthy, he's a high-upside pick with real “every-down” potential.
Max Klare and the receiving-only type
Max Klare drew “summer darling” status for both hosts — especially after flashing at Purdue. They noted his fluidity and hands as a receiver, but admitted he struggled to develop further after transferring to Ohio State. Still, as a receiving-only type, Klare could contribute as a Day 3 or fringe Day 2 selection if an NFL team uncovers untapped playmaking.
Day 3 options with upside on their development
Dae’Quan Wright (Ole Miss): Tice and Rogers called Wright a “moose in the open field” with real pop as a blocker and after the catch. He’s imperfect, but could carve out an NFL role if asked to do what he does best: stretch the field and provide a physical presence.
Justin Joly (NC State): Excellent hands and contested-catch ability, though both had questions about his speed and separation against higher-level competition.
Michael Trigg (Baylor): Rogers described him as a high-variance, highlight-friendly prospect with incredible length (“inspector gadget arms”) but an inconsistent game and blocking effort.
Carsen Ryan (BYU): A former 4-star recruit, Ryan didn’t get a scouting combine invite but put up big numbers and played with a high-effort, aggressive style. Both analysts expressed surprise at his lack of buzz
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, March 21 — West Virginia's WVSSAC boys basketball championships take place Saturday in Charleston, West Virginia.
The second game of the day will feature the Wheeling [WV] Central Catholic Maroon Knights against the Wyoming East [New Richmond, WV] Warriors in the Class AA title tilt.
The game will tip off after the Class A title game with a tentative start set for 12:30 p.m. EST local.
The reigning Super Bowl champions have made an expected decision regarding two key contributors.
The Seattle Seahawksofficially announced that they have exercised the fifth-year options on wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
Seahawks pick up fifth-year options for Smith-Njigba, Witherspoon
By exercising the options, the Seahawks keep both players under contract through the 2027 season. Both players are now also extension eligible and Seattle is expected to pursue long-term extensions with both players.
According to ESPN's Bill Barnwell, the combined annual salaries for Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon on new deals could be in the ballpark of $76 million.
Seattle selected both players in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Witherspoon was the No. 5 overall pick, while Smith-Njigba was the No. 20 overall selection.
Witherspoon was named a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons in Seattle and he was already named one of the 50 best players in Seahawks franchise history. Smith-Njigba was named to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons and he led the entire NFL in receiving in 2025.
Smith-Njigba was recently named Seattle's most underpaid player by Bleacher Report. While that may be true for now, that will no longer be the case once that extension hits.
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 21: Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammate Joshua Kimmich during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on March 21, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Bayern Munich continue their conquest of the Bundesliga. Coming off their 10-2 aggregate scoreline against Atalanta in the Champions League, Bayern were a side thriving at home against Union Berlin. The opposition were mercilessly beaten 4-0, as Bayern finally pick up a long overdue clean sheet. Here are the standout performers from tonight’s game.
Jersey Swap: Frederik Rønnow
Rule #1 of the Bundesliga rulebook for players states that every goalkeeper, when facing Bayern, is obligated to turn into prime Manuel Neuer.
Union are perhaps my second favorite team in the league and with good reason — they perfected the art of being an utter nuisance to the opposition. They play a low-block, extremely compact, and will not let you complete your passes. Their counter-attacking playing style worked because they were ruthless to pounce upon loose balls, extremely fast and fluid and had the right man at the right place to finish.
However, this Union performance was totally unlike anything I have ever seen from them. They were compact, but they were also slow. Their pace (or lack thereof) let them down as several chances were taken away by Bayern’s timely defensive interventions. Crucial figures like captain Christopher Trimmel and Rani Khedira showed clear signs of aging. It was in this setting that Frederik Rønnow’s performance mattered the most.
Six extremely crucial saves easily altered the course of tonight’s game, all made by the Dane. Bayern’s players may have lacked clinical edge tonight — several attempts going wide, far and hitting the crossbar, but the ones on target? Rønnow saved all variants — distant shots, ones in point-blank range, mid-range, you name it. His team was sinking and yet, he held their dignity together and saved them from what could have been a much worse score line. In a game when Bayern had no one to stop them, Rønnow single-handedly challenged them, making them work harder to own for their goals. And that is why he deserves the Swap.
Der Kaiser: Josip Stanišić
Earlier this season, in the Hinrunde Wrapped that our writer LoneStar hosted, I said that Serge Gnabry was the biggest surprise of the season. I believe now that laurel goes to Josip Stanišić.
The Croatian fullback has somehow completely turned his game around and the credit must go to Vincent Kompany. From the guy who was just “not bad” at both his defensive and offensive duties to a defender reborn, greedy for the ball, fighting for goals and assists, this is the version of Stanišić I always hoped would show up.
The first half featured what could have been one of the game’s biggest moments — a phenomenal cross to Lennart Karl. However, this proved to be a bust as Karl missed the shot. Within just the last three months, the Croatian has secured two goals and two assists in the league.
Stanišić had some of the highest number of touches in the opposition’s half and a majority of his touches were either the middle or the final third. A staggering 91 percent pass accuracy coupled with the fact that this was one of his most impactful games this season makes him the most deserving candidate for Der Kaiser.
Der Fussballgott: Harry Kane
This is either very disrespectful to Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, or insanely respectful to Harry Kane.To be completely fair, Kimmich had an excellent game, but Kane’s impact as the ‘quarterback’ really needs to be spoken about.
A striker whose heatmap looks more like Andrea Pirlo than a classic number 9, Harry Kane redefined what it meant to be a striker. The term quarterback is often used, but really there is no term good enough for Kane who has somehow partially filled the shoes of a certain Thomas Müller.
53 goals, 5 assists with 58 G/A in all three competitions this season — these are clearly the numbers of a striker, so what is he getting Der Fussballgott for?
Most strikers wait to be supplied. Harry Kane IS the supply.
Any striker at his level could easily complain about the nature of tonight’s game — claim the low block kept him from getting the ball, the crowded box kept him from scoring and that his teammates would not pass him the ball. But not the English talisman — he dropped into the deep-lying playmaker’s spot. He played several crucial long balls to the overload created by the full-backs, the wingers and everyone’s progressed far enough. He was the initiator of the counter-press as and when needed and most importantly, he drew the defenders ont0 him so that whoever progressed into the final third could do so uninterrupted.
The only player in the world who can both be the best defensive midfielder in the game AND bag a brace like it’s that easy.
Der Bomber: Michael Olise
What’s a Muller_Era article these days without a story or too many references?
Back in the 1800s, Paris was a city that resembled a maze, as supposed to the boulevards we now see. This irked the then-Emperor Napolean III for several reasons. As we know, France was a boiling pot, a country in constant rebellion. The width of these lanes made it easier for rebels to block it and restrict the military’s entry. Additionally, disease ran rampant in Europe back then and Napolean intended to change this too. Last but not least, Napolean cared deeply about image and wanted to be remembered as the man who made Paris a modern architectural wonder.
The solution to all his problems lay in the hands of an architect, Baron Haussmann, who executed the Emperor’s will. Haussmann constructed wide boulevards, implemented a standard template to Parisian buildings and created the modern sewer systems — all of which dramatically changed the landscape of the city.
Perhaps the French make the best architects — for the architect of Bayern’s attack is none other than Michael Olise.
This game could have easily turned into an affair where Bayern were congested, unable to move from Union’s low block. A team that thrived on suffocating their opponents in narrow lanes was met with the Haussmann of Bayern, who wielded a sledgehammer that utterly destroyed Union’s attempts at choking Bayern. Olise flowed, creating space for Bayern magic. He worked in the tiniest of spaces and created magic.
Referencing SofaScore for his passing map, because this is perhaps the best form of evidence.
To further cement his impact, let me bring his goal into picture. Nearing half-time, Goretzka played a long ball from behind, that reached Olise. Olise took a stunning first touch on the ball, and then cuts in to make a lethal finish. Olise breaking the deadlock with this goal was the most important factor behind Bayern’s extraordinary display that followed.
(Historical note: Haussmann is also widely criticized for displacing several people from their homes and for destroying old Parisian architecture. Olise has no such flaws to his credit.)
Meister of the Match: Chef Serge Gnabry
Serge Gnabry had his best performance of the season tonight and we absolutely need to talk about it.
Dear Serge, if you are reading this, I am truly sorry. I said I preferred Lennart Karl on the left wing over you but my god, you made me eat my words and for that I am both deeply sorry and extremely happy.
I worried about Gnabry’s pace and passing accuracy. I was happily proven wrong on both accounts — as he finished his stint with a 96% accuracy. He was absolutely on fire — his flank passed a whopping 42% of the attack through it. Gnabry’s finishing needs no introduction and it should come as no surprise that both his shots on target were converted into goals. But, additionally, his goals tonight were special and definitely need to be a part of the discussion.
Gnabry’s first goal can made me chuckle. Stanišić gets a fantastic ball to Olise, who then shoots it. It barely misses the entire Union defense and goalkeeper Rønnow barely gets a touch on it an. This ball then lands at Gnabry’s feet. Poor Rønnow’s life flashed in front of his eyes perhaps, as Gnabry pounced upon that poorly saved ball and smashed a volley into the net.
The second goal came from some fantastic teamwork. Olise does this gorgeous spin first to get off the two defenders on him, and then does a little one-one with Konrad Laimer (that partnership is sorely missed) and gets it to Gnabry who does a stunning close-range finish.
No Lucho? No problem. Bayern Munich’s chef is home.
What do you think about the awards? Who else do you think deserved a shout? Let us know in the comments!
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
UFC London main event fighter Movsar Evloev. | Getty Images
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is live TODAY (Sat., March 21, 2026)with UFC London, streaming live online via Paramount+. The event is happening inside O2 Arena, at 1 p.m. ET this afternoon (start time details here). The main event is Movsar Evloev vs. Lerone Murphy in what should be a Featherweight title eliminator match-up.
UFC London Preview
UFC London’s main event pits two undefeated fighters against each other for a likely shot at a belt (right?!?!?). The problem is, these are two of the least hyped and discussed undefeated fighters we’ve ever seen in UFC.
Evloev has dominated everyone he’s faced. However, because of always taking them to decisions, he’s not exactly got fans clamoring for him to get a title shot. Don’t call him boring, though … he hates that.
Murphy has been a little more exciting than Evloev, finishing Aaron Pico with a spinning elbow in his last fight. However, he’s not really captured much attention (unlike a few select others in the Featherweight rankings).
It seems likely that the winner of this will get a title shot. However, it wouldn’t be too surprising if either got passed over in favor of someone else who gets a big win and captures a lot of attention while doing so.
The co-main for this one is Luke Riley vs. Michael Aswell Jr. Riley is undefeated, too. He’s a highly-touted prospect out of Paddy Pimblett’s gym who fight fans must keep their eyes on.
The main card also has Michael ‘Venom’ Page vs. Sam Patterson, which might be a bit of a spite booking for Page (who is not very pleased with the state of UFC right now).
The main card also has Iwo Baraniewski, who was part of one of the wildest rounds in UFC history last year. He’s taking on human heavy bag, Austen Lane. The streaking Christian Leroy Duncan also meets the slumping Roman Dolidze, while up-and-comer Kurtis Campbell will be tested by Danny Silva.
The “Prelims” have a lot of interesting prospects, including former OKTAGON double champ, Losene Keita (who fights Nathaniel Wood), and Mario Pinto (whose got Felipe Franco).
UFC London Start Date and Time
We’re doing things a little different this weekend.
This event is airing during primetime in the United Kingdom. That means an earlier start for us on this side of the Atlantic.
UFC London’s “Prelims” will begin at 1 p.m. ET.
UFC London’s main card is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET.
All of UFC London airs on Paramount+, which you can stream here.
The live blog here starts rolling at 1 p.m. ET. Join us and chat it up in the comments below.
UFC LONDON QUICK RESULTS
Main card
145 lbs.: Movsar Evloev vs. Lerone Murphy
145 lbs.: Luke Riley vs. Michael Aswell
170 lbs.: Michael Page vs. Sam Patterson
205 lbs.: Ibo Baraniewski vs. Austen Lane
185 lbs.: Roman Dolidze vs. Christian Leroy Duncan
Nathaniel Wood vs. Losene Keita: These two put on a close and highly technical fight. There weren’t many big moments, though. That’s the norm with a Nathaniel Wood fight. Keita looked very good, but just didn’t do enough to stop Wood from coming forwards and implementing his cautious yet effective game.
Official decision: Nathaniel Wood def. Losene Keita by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Mario Pinto vs. Felipe Franco: Pinto failed to live up to his hype in this one. He looked patient at first, but that soon drifted into looking passive. Franco looked good in his short notice debut and was able to stifle and ware out Pinto. Pinto ended up doing just enough to earn the decision, but the fight was a dud.
Official decision: Mario Pinto def. Felipe Franco by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mantas Kondratavicius vs. Antonio Trocoli: Trocoli’s anti-fighting made this a bit of a slog to get through. Kondratavicius, after being held against the fence in the first, almost got a finish in the second. He was tired in the third, though. Kondratavicius is the obvious winner in his debut here and that’s first time he’s ever gone the distance.
Official result: Mantas Kondratavicius def. Antonio Trocoli by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Louie Sutherland vs. Brnado Pericic: Percic continued to look like a very interesting prospect at Heavyweight. He and Sutherland threw heavy shots at each other, but his landed with far more power. Sutherland eventually crumbled under that pressure, including some nasty clinch knees and uppercuts.
Back-to-back victory for him 👏
Brando Peričić earns the RD1 TKO win in dominant fashion!
Official decision: Brando Pericic def. Louie Sutherland by TKO (punches), round 1 (1:48)
Shem Rock vs. Abdul Kareem Al-Selwady: Rock started well, but after he got stung be Al-Selwady half-way through the first he got shy. Rock was very tentative from that point on and that meant Al-Selwady was able to come on and land lots of offense across the rest of the fight. As things went longer Rock locked to have less and less ideas.
Official decision: Abdul Kareem Al-Selwady def. Shem Rock by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Shanelle Dyer vs. Ravenna Oliveira: Oliveira looked very game in the first round, throwing lots of punches but not handing very efficiently. Dyer was landing, especially to the legs. In the second round she went upstairs and hurt Oliveira with a head kick before finishing her on the ground. That’s an impressive debut for the Contender Series grad.
Official decision: Shanelle Dyer def. Ravenna Oliveira by TKO (head kick and punches), round 2 (1:17)
Live stream begins at 1 p.m. ET. …
Join our March Madness conversation!
Drop in SB Nation’s March Madness open thread during Saturday’s games where we’ll be talking about all the wild upsets, buzzer beaters, and Cinderella runs!
SB Nation’s cast of characters will be enjoying the game together, so join Chris Dobbertean, Mike Rutherford, Ricky O’Donnell, Mark Schofield, James Dator, and others for 12 hours of basketball chaos!
For more UFC London: “Murphy vs. Evloev” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
Mar 20, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Utah State Aggies guard Kolby King (7) reacts after defeating the Villanova Wildcats in a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
SAN DIEGO—Getting into March Madness is nothing new for Utah State, which is in the NCAA Tournament for the 26th time including six of the last seven tourneys. But winning a game has been far more rare.
Friday’s victory over Villanova was just the third time in the last 50 years the 9th-seeded Aggies (29-6) made the second round. Their last trip to the Sweet 16 was in 1970, when the tourney only had 25 entries.
Utah State won the Mountain West regular season and conference tournament titles, though Villanova was only the third NCAA tourney opponent it played this season. That likely contributed to it getting a No. 9 seed despite being ranked in the Top 30 by KenPom.com.
To better understand the Aggies, we reached out to Matt Hanifan from SB Nation sister site MW Connection for some insight and a score prediction. Below are his simple answers to our convoluted questions:
AZ Desert Swarm: Utah State shot 62.5 percent in the second half against Villanova and only missed two shots in the final 12 minutes. What has been the key to the Aggies’ offensive success this season?
Matt Hanifan: “Aggies head coach Jerrod Calhoun is one of the more innovative minds in the country with how his offenses have multiple layers to their actions. Their offense is driven by ball and player movement. Rarely will you see Utah State’s offense completely stagnate in the halfcourt, where it ranks in the top 35 nationally in assist percentage. Mason Falslev and MJ Collins (as well as point guard Drake Allen) are the drivers behind that.”
Leading scorers Mason Falslev and MJ Collins combined for 42 points in the first round. What are their best skills, and where do they struggle?
“Collins is a flat-out bucket getter. That’s his MO. He can score from all three levels and is a very good off movement as a secondary creator. He’s also one of Utah State’s more athletic play finishers in transition. Falslev is Utah State’s Swiss Army knife. He’s not as dynamic a scorer, and he’s not very athletic. But he’s an outstanding processor on both ends of the floor. His superpower is his brain, where he’s oftentimes a few steps ahead of his opponent. Both players are pretty savvy in the passing lanes as well, especially Falslev.”
The Aggies made the most of the eight turnovers they forced on Friday, scoring 18 points off them, and for the season they get a takeaway on more than 20 percent of possessions. How have they been so successful in this area?
“Utah State primarily utilizes a shape-shifting matchup zone that will throw the rhythm of opposing offenses off. One second, they’ll be in a 2-3 zone. The next? Well, they’re in man. There’s no true shape to its zone; it’s amoebic. The Aggies have good ball pressure and do an excellent job forcing deflections/turnovers on the defensive end, allowing them to get out in transition for easy opportunities.
Arizona dominates teams in the paint, both by getting to the rim and drawing fouls to go to the line. How do you expect Utah State to handle this from a defensive standpoint?
“On paper, Motiejus Krivas will be a handful for Utah State. And it’s not just him; Brayden Burries and Koa Peat will be, too. I expect Utah State to do its best to congest the paint in its zone to try and force Arizona to beat them from deep. Utah State’s also going to have to buckle down on the defensive glass against Arizona, too, which is a tall task (figuratively and literally).”
Jerrod Calhoun has continued the trend of Utah State coaches to have instant success, and rumors are he could also be the latest to quickly move to another job. Could Sunday be his last game with the Aggies?
“Understandably, Calhoun has been linked to the Cincinnati job, his alma mater. Though his buyout is $4 million after this season, and the program will be transitioning into a better, more powerful Pac-12 next season, so I think there’s less than a 50 percent chance that Sunday is his last game (should USU lose). But anything is possible in the coaching carousel at this time of year. Money talks.”
Prediction time. Does Utah State make it to the second weekend for the first time, knocking off a title contender in the process, or does Arizona make a third straight Sweet 16 and fourth in five seasons under Tommy Lloyd? Give us a score prediction.
“I think Arizona wins 82-66. The Wildcats are too talented, point blank.”
DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 21: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21of the Colorado Rockies throws against the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning at Coors Field on September 21, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yesterday, facing off against Nick Pivetta and what may well have been a preview of the Padres Opening Day lineup, the Rockies managed a convincing 9-3 victory. Combining 14 hits across ten different batters, the offensive outburst was a team effort. Similarly, on the pitching side, six different pitchers combined to only allow four hits and two walks while striking out seven.
Today, the Rockies take on the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium in a duel between both teams Opening Day starters.
For the Royals, that means Cole Ragans will be on the mound. After a fourth place finish in the AL Cy Young race in 2024, shoulder problems limited Ragans to 61.2 innings last year.
So far this spring Ragans has struggled to keep runs off the board and enters todays contest with an 8.44 ERA. That can largely be attributed to his second start of the spring in which he allowed six runs in fewer than two innings.
Opposing him will be Kyle Freeland in his final tune up before his franchise record fifth Opening Day start. Between his two other spring training starts and his exhibition game against team USA, Freeland has looked sharp (two runs/seven strikeouts) in limited innings (six).
He has yet to exceed a pitch count of 43 this spring, so how high he’s able to push that number in this final outing will inform how long Warren Schaeffer will be able to use him on Opening Day.
Hinata Miyazawa: Man United Women star returns a champion
Manchester United Women star Hinata Miyazawa has won the Asian Cup with Japan.
Fantastic season
The Japanese international signed for Manchester United in 2023 from MyNavi Sendai.
She has played 77 times for the Red Devils, scoring three goals.
Miyazawa has truly become a crucial first-team option this season, and Manchester United have missed her since she has been away at the cup.
Head coach Marc Skinner has previously described her as “one of the most intelligent midfielders” he has ever seen.
United will hope that she will be available as soon as possible, as the Red Devils will take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League and runaway leaders Manchester City in the league before the end of the month.
Asian Cup
The midfielder has been wonderful for her country once again, as they came out on top in the tournament.
She scored a hat-trick in an 11-0 romp over India in the group stage and played in every other match of the cup.
The diminutive midfielder also grabbed an assist in the 4-0 win over Vietnam.
Miyazawa also played a decisive role in the 7-0 destruction of the Philippines and the 4-1 win over South Korea in the semi-final.
She played the entire 90 minutes of the final against Australia, as they ran out 1-0 winners after an early goal from Maika Hamano.
The club’s website reported on the victory by commenting, “United midfielder Hinata Miyazawa will return to Manchester as an Asian Cup winner, following Japan’s 1-0 victory over holders Australia on Saturday.”
She played in every match for the Japanese side, just like she had for Manchester United in all 32 matches they had played up to the beginning of the tournament in Australia.
The club also stated, “congratulations, Hini – we look forward to welcoming you back soon!”
Coaches Nick Lee and Cody Sanderson do good work in the medal round | Scott Pilutik, Black Shoe Diaries
Superlatives abound
The math is officially over. With Marcus Blaze’s Consi-Semi Tech paired with Oklahoma State’s Troy Spratley falling to Vince Robinson, Penn State mathematically clinched the 2026 NCAA Team Championship—It’s 5th straight, 13th in 15 years with Cael Sanderson as Head Coach, and 14th in program history. It is another “That’s What We Do” party in Cleveland as Cael Sanderson adds more hardware to the trophy case before the finals even begin. Speaking of the finals—if the favored Lions win tonight, the team is on pace to break the all time scoring record at the tournament for the 3rd consecutive year.
133 lbs – (3) Marcus Blaze, Penn State TF (15) Tyler Knox, Stanford, 20-4
Marcus Blaze used his elite snap, go-behind series for his first takedown. After conceding a quick escape, Blaze went back to the well with an underhook-to-snap transition, eventually chasing down both legs to extend the lead. By the time he finished a single leg at the 1:17 mark of the first, the rout was on.
Knox proved sticky on top in the second, but Blaze remained composed. He fought through a five-count stalling warning on Knox before getting a reversal. In typical Penn State fashion, Blaze looked for the bonus points, utilizing an optional start to get back to neutral where he converted a takedown right at the buzzer. He finished the job in the third with another reversal and an ankle pick to seal the 20-4 Technical Fall in 5:45.
157 lbs – (1) PJ Duke, Penn State DEC (7) Kannan Webster, Illinois, 7-3
Duke misdirected to an outside step single and, despite Webster’s world-class balance, finished the sequence with a back trip for the opening takedown. Duke’s heavy hands and relentless snaps dictated the pace for the remainder of the first period.
In the second, Duke stayed aggressive with a sharp re-attack takedown that pushed the riding time over the minute mark. Webster rode tough in the third, killing riding time and Before PJ escaped—ending in a comfortable 7-3 Decision. It was a professional win against a Big Ten foe that kept Duke’s momentum rolling toward the top of the podium.
3rd Place Matches
133 lbs – (3) Marcus Blaze, Penn State LOST (4) Aaron Seidel, Virginia Tech, 5-0 Dec
3rd Place between Marcus Blaze and Aaron Seidel was a tactical stalemate that didn’t go the Nittany Lions’ way. After a scoreless first period defined by heavy hand fighting, Seidel showed Pennsylvania-grade top chops in riding Blaze for the entire second period. That three-minute ride proved to be the difference-maker, as it gave Seidel the riding time advantage and forced Blaze to create action in the third.
Blaze opted for an optional release to start the final frame, trailing 1-0. While hunting for the winning takedown, Seidel countered a Blaze shot into a neutral danger takedown. Seidel rode out the remainder of the match to secure the 5-0 Decision.
157 lbs – (1) PJ Duke, Penn State Teched (8) Brandon Cannon, Ohio State, 20-4 TF
Duke went to work immediately with a 2-on-1 to a knee pick, doubling off for a powerful takedown. He followed that up with a slick underhook throw-by that sent Cannon to his back for a takedown and two near-fall points. By the end of the first, Duke held a commanding 8-1 lead.
The match paused in the second as Cannon went through concussion protocol following an escape. On the resumption of action, Duke pounced for a go-behind takedown to push the lead to 11-2. Duke’s third-period pace was relentless, scoring on another throw-by and a scrambled single leg. After a fast mercy escape to a broken Cannon, Duke pounced one last time to secure the 20-4 technical fall in 6:36.
The Team Trophies are likely allocated before the Finals, with the Buckeyes having a chance to bonus their way onto the podium with Mendez and Davino wrestling.
LUCKNOW: The India women's cricket team and the India women's blind cricket team led the honours in the team category as they were named ‘Team of the Year’ at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 on Saturday.
The ceremony in Lucknow recognised athletes across more than 45 sporting categories, honouring performances delivered during the evaluation period from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
This edition reflected a year where Indian women’s teams delivered results on the global stage and marked milestones in both mainstream and disability cricket.
For the India women’s cricket team, 2025 marked a breakthrough year.
The team secured the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title, registering its first triumph in the tournament. The campaign was defined by consistent performances across departments, with the side remaining unbeaten through the competition to clinch the title.
In the blind cricket category, the India women’s blind cricket team registered a milestone achievement.
They won the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup, becoming the first team to lift the title. The side went through the tournament without a loss, completing an unbeaten run to finish as champions.
The winners were selected by an illustrious jury comprising legendary athletes whose achievements have shaped Indian sport.
Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Leander Paes, and Devendra Jhajharia formed the panel for this edition.
Their collective experience ensured that the honours reflected performances across levels, recognising contributions that shaped India’s sporting year.
When Liverpool came to Brighton last May, the away end was in party mode at the full-time whistle despite the defeat as they sang and celebrated with inflatables and balloons.
By then, Arne Slot's side had won the Premier League title and a trip to the south coast was another excuse to enjoy themselves. And rightly so.
Ten months on, Liverpool tasted defeat against Fabian Hurzeler's side again but this time the away end was half empty by the time Slot made his way over to the travelling supporters.
Their latest defeat is the 10th in the league this season, making it only the seventh time the reigning Premier League champions have lost 10 or more games during their title defence.
Since starting the campaign with five wins on the trot, Slot's side have won just nine of their next 26 games in the league. With that kind of form, Liverpool do not look like a team that has it in them to qualify for the Champions League.
It is all but certain that the Premier League will get an extra place in the Champions League and Liverpool currently occupy that fifth spot, though they have a game in hand on sixth-placed Chelsea who play later on Saturday.
Much had been made in the build-up about the 62 hours Liverpool had to prepare between their Champions League win over Galatasaray at Anfield and this trip to Brighton.
With Alisson and Mohamed Salah forced out with injuries, Liverpool's situation worsened when striker Hugo Ekitike was forced off early on.
"What went wrong started off with the lead up to this game," Slot said.
"As so many times has happened this season, when we played a very good game [against Galatasaray] and we thought we could bring that level to the next game, or even better, we had Mo Salah injured, we had Alisson injured and, after two minutes, Hugo Ekitike out.
"That has happened to us so many times this season and what happened to us a lot this season is that the first chance of the other team immediately went in.
"But in the second half Brighton were the better team and deserved to win."
Slot was the first to say that his side deserved to lose here and it would hardly have surprised him. Of their 10 Premier League games this season following a Champions League fixture, Liverpool have lost five of them.
Questions have to be asked about fitness and, despite spending £450m in the summer, Liverpool lack proper squad depth.
"It makes complete sense if you win the league last season and you spent £450m that the expectations are high, and those expectations were high for the pundits, for the media, for me, for the fans," said Slot.
"At our club we're also looking at the situation and the challenge we had during this season, and then we might be a bit more realistic [about] why the season has gone why it is gone.
"But still it's not good enough no matter how much excuses I can come up with - it's still not good enough for the position we're in right now."
Liverpool have conceded 42 goals in the Premier League this season, more than in each of their past two campaigns [Getty Images]
'A backwards step for Liverpool'
Liverpool's only goal at the Amex came from a Brighton mistake and, even after going behind again in the second half, Slot said that the Seagulls were more likely to make it 3-1 rather than his side earning a draw.
"This is a backwards step for Liverpool," said former Premier League goalkeeper Rob Green on 5 Live. "You just don't know what you are getting from this team. The spine of the team is not there. They are looking around saying 'what's going on?'. They can't find an answer."
As ever, it would be hard to pin the blame entirely on the manager but, ultimately, it is his team that are regularly underperforming.
For a man who has always emphasised his desire to play good football, he cannot have enjoyed what he has seen for bulks of this season.
Liverpool were superb in midweek against Galatasaray but have been woeful in their past three Premier League games picking up just one point against Wolves, Tottenham and Brighton.
Those 62 hours between Galatasaray and Brighton are gone and it is now about the next fortnight, where most of the Liverpool players will be on international duty. Slot will know that it may well go a long way to defining his future.
"Let's hope the national team coaches help us out by not playing 180 minutes over two games," he pleaded on Match of The Day.
When they come back, Liverpool travel to Manchester City for their FA Cup quarter-final against Pep Guardiola's side before a trip to Paris to take on Paris St-Germain in the same stage of the Champions League. The return leg at Anfield is six days later.
"If they go and play like that in Paris it could be 10-0," said former Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock on 5 Live.
"That's how bad Liverpool were today. Brighton weren't clinical and tried to walk it in, but PSG will be clinical. It's very, very worrying for Liverpool"
With seven top-flight games left, Liverpool's tally of 10 Premier League defeats this season is already their most since 2015-16.
When BBC Sport asked Slot if it was a worry that his side is making the wrong kind of records, he responded: "Of course. It says a few things.
"First of all, it says what a great team Liverpool have had in the last 10 years and a great manager as well. I could come and tell you all the reasons why we've lost this season 10 times.
"One of them is late goals. Today sums it all up in terms of our injury problems - to go without three great goalscorers [Ekitike, Isak and Salah] is never helpful for any team.
"But it's not my job to make excuses. My job is to find answers and that's what I tried to do again today.
Slot has already conceded that it would be unacceptable if Liverpool are not playing Champions League football next season, even if he stays in the job.
And the reality is that he needs answers quickly or else those unwanted records may no longer be his only worry.
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 21: Vincent Kompany, Head Coach of FC Bayern Munich, reacts during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on March 21, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany said that he will talk to Germany national team boss Julian Nagelsmann regarding his players, especially as midfielder Aleksandar Pavlović is battling an undisclosed injury.
“I’ll speak to Julian [Nagelsmann] again. We’re always in close exchange. There’s no big difference between what the national team wants and what we want. They have two friendlies, they want to keep the players fit for the World Cup. It’s our goal as well. We’ll speak to the doctors and then make the right decision,” Kompany said (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
There is definitely concern as Bayern Munich is attempting to prepare for a serious run at a treble. The Bavarians can ill afford any serious injuries to key players — or even subs. Depth will be key in helping Kompany manage the daunting schedule ahead.
For Pavlović, a conservative approach will be key. No one wants to see the youngster at risk in two (essentially) meaningless games for Germany.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
CLEVELAND − When the final whistle blew in Gabe Arnold's bloodround match at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, the Iowa sophomore had to take a peek up at the scoreboard to make sure it was real.
The final score was 4-3 vs. Rutgers' Remy Cotton, in favor of the Hawkeye. Arnold was an NCAA All-American for the first time. Tears streamed down Arnold's face, his head dipping into the shoulder of head coach Tom Brands as the emotions overcame him.
Arnold had just done something pretty special. Wrestling in January at 174 pounds, he bumped up two weight classes to 197 for the good of the team. Despite being just 5-foot-7 and the No. 27 seed, he knocked off four in a row in consolations on March 20 before securing a seventh-place finish with a 5-2 record on March 21.
The Iowa City High alum was a true team player, and he blew all expectations out of the waters of Lake Erie to become the highest-seeded All-American.
The achievement came one year after Arnold lost in the round-of-16 at 184 pounds, when tears of pain instead of joy ran down his cheeks. He chatted with Iowa associate head coach Terry Brands shortly after last year's struggles, and his coach's words of tough love stuck with him a year later.
"Terry (Brands) told me, and I was sucking my thumb a little bit, he was like, 'Listen, you need to get your head out of your a--, you need to work, you need to wrestle. If you're tired of this feeling, then be tired of it and stop the feeling,'" Arnold said. "So I stopped the feeling and I did what I had to do. I worked like a madman and I'm an All-American."
It was a moment of triumph for Arnold, taking the logical next step in his career by reaching the podium, even if at a non-ideal weight. Those tears streaming down Arnold's face came from his accomplishment on the mat as well as his appreciation for those who helped him out of his darkest times and for the growth he's made off the mat.
Gabe Arnold reaches podium after mental-health battles
The 2024 Soldier Salute was set to be highlighted by a clash in the 184-pound finals. A budding star (true freshman Angelo Ferrari) vs. the fellow blue-chip recruit and redshirt freshman (Arnold). Questions swirled on who might get the lineup spot and whether Iowa would consider burning Ferrari's redshirt. A scrap in the finals would shed some light on that.
Meanwhile, Arnold was struggling with a more serious problem. As he later chronicled in an Instagram post following his redshirt freshman season, he wrote, "On December 30th, 2024, I found myself in the hospital. Questioning my worth, my ability, my will to live, everything. The only answer I could come up with was simply just not being alive. I didn’t want to deal and live with the hurt, pain, and regret that had been swirling around and around my head for years upon years. I was lost, nowhere to turn, no want to fight anymore. The demons were winning. I had given up, I was exhausted of fighting this so called 'good fight.'"
Jersey Bulls have yet to lose a game this year [BBC]
Jersey Bulls remain in play-off contention in Isthmian League South East after a 2-0 win over nine-man Eastbourne Town at Springfield.
The win means they are level on points with fifth-placed Faversham Town and are only below them on goals scored.
Rai Dos Santos, who scored a hat-trick in Bulls' last home game, was again in fine form as he forced an excellent save from the visiting goalkeeper in the first half.
He gave the islanders the lead 30 seconds after the break as he slotted home after a good pass from Miguel Carvalho.
JJ Walker was sent off three minutes later for a second booking before teammate Eliot Jenks followed him after a straight red card.
With the extra space and men Bulls took control - Carvalho hit the crossbar while Dos Santos saw another effort saved.
But Adam Trotter made the game safe with 15 minutes left as he curled an effort into the net.
Eastbourne defended well to keep the score down as Bulls kept up their unbeaten run in 2026.
💫 First Bundesliga goal in front of 80,000 fans: HSV star living his dream
There are hardly any away trips in the Bundesliga more awesome than to the Signal Iduna Park, which holds over 80,000 spectators. And there are hardly any better opportunities to score your first Bundesliga goal.
That’s exactly the dream Philip Otele is living right now. The Nigerian, whom HSV signed from FC Basel in the winter, has just scored a surprising 1-0 lead for the visitors in the top match against BVB.
The left winger, who has often been a bit unlucky in recent weeks, was brilliantly set up by William Mikelbrencis and only had to tap the ball over the line from close range.
Before that, Mikelbrencis had won the ball in a spirited duel against Daniel Svensson.
Will HSV really pull off the sensation in Dortmund and thus almost certainly secure their place in the league?
Hamburg managed to provide another argument for that still in the first half. After a flawless assist from HSV ace Fabio Vieira, Lokonga increased the lead to 2-0 for the visitors.
So far, Kovac’s team seems to have few answers to this surprising turn of events.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 04, 2023: Gabriel Arias #13 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on during the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on August 4, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Guardians fans will see Gabriel Arias as the team’s starting shortstop to begin 2026. How long will he stay there?
Readers of this blog may recall that I have been staunchly of the opinion that the Guardians should start Brayan Rocchio at short and let Travis Bazzana or Juan Brito try their hand at second base to begin 2026, allowing Arias and Daniel Schneemann to compete for the utility role. In over 1,000 major league plate appearances, Arias has a 76 wRC+. His defense at short – especially his bazooka of an arm – has been good. But Arias is 342nd in wRC+ out of 360 MLB hitters with 1,000 plate appearances or more since 2021. That is simply not good enough to hold a place in a major league lineup.
However, Arias is about to get one more shot at proving a Guardians’ front office that apparently loves him like I love Matt Festa a chance to show their unreasonable faith is justified. Partially this is because Juan Brito did not do anything to win the second base job this Spring, and partially it is because Bazzana has not quite been busting down the door to make his ML debut. But, I genuinely think the Guardians still have a sliver of hope for Arias to become a valuable major league. Let’s look at what reasons for hope they may have:
–Arias is only 26 years old.
This is, reasonably, the last year an Arias defender can point to his youth. 27 is generally acknowledged as the peak age for the average major league player and by 1,200 plate appearances, the conclusions to be drawn about the average major league hitter are pretty sticky. There are always exceptions and late breakouts. But, within the general bounds of logic, the team shouldn’t have any doubts about what kind of player Arias is by the end of May, if he is given regular plate appearances and doesn’t show marked improvement. Arias will be handed the full-time shortstop job and all the runway needed to keep it. So, he will have no excuse of having to fight for playing time.
–Arias has shown an improved ability to avoid chasing.
It is hard to know what to make of Spring Training stats, but Arias has always had three primary flaws as a hitter: 1. He chases bad pitches, 2. He hits too many groundballs, and 3. He whiffs too much in the zone. Numbers 2 and 3 on this list have remained true in Spring Training so far, but Arias has cut his chase rate 15% from his career average and his overall whiff rate by 3%, while hitting the ball as hard as he ever has (his only skill as a hitter). Can he sustain this? Very probably not. But if he can make a significant cut in chase and a minor cut in whiff, he would give himself a chance at a 90 wRC+, which would make him a roughly 3-win player with his fielding skills at short.
–Arias was an incredibly clutch hitter last season.
It is useless to read much into one season’s worth of situational data. With that said, Arias had a 182 wRC+ in high leverage situations last season. For a player whose attention has often seemed to wander, he showed the ability to lock in at crucial moments last year. It’s not repeatable but it can give players a sense of confidence and calm at the plate that can carry over. Arias has tried to move his hand position and stand closer to the plate this spring. Perhaps the adjustments and confidence can provide some intangibles to give him slight improvements to inch his offensive output up.
-Arias’s glove at short has the potential to be GOLD.
When Arias is focused, he is a great defender at short. When he isn’t focused, his arm is still strong enough to cover over a multitude of sins. Arias and Rocchio provided great defense for the Guardians down the stretch in 2025 and they will get a chance to do the same to begin 2026. Perhaps that familiarity and trust will enable Arias to grow into the potential we have all seen in him since day one.
I believe by June, we will see Brayan Rocchio at short and Travis Bazzana at second base. But, I’ll be rooting for Arias to prove me wrong and make the team look like geniuses for sticking with him this long. Either way, we are about to find out the answer to “how do you solve a problem like Gabriel?” very soon.
No. 3 Ohio State women's basketball won 75-54 against No. 14 Howard March 21 and will advance to the second round of the women's NCAA tournament for the fifth straight season.
Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
During the Lakers' 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
Brad Davis, a 6-foot-3 point guard, came into the NBA as the No. 15 overall pick in the 1977 draft by the Lakers. He spent his first season and change with the Lakers and averaged 2.7 points and 2.4 assists in 10.5 minutes a game during that time.
He was waived early in the 1978-79 season, and he would eventually find his way to the Dallas Mavericks for the 1980-81 season. It was in Dallas where Davis found a long-term home. He remained there for 12 seasons until his retirement, and he played a key role in the expansion Mavericks eventually becoming a quality team by mid-decade.
He retired with career averages of 8.2 points and 4.9 assists in 23.2 minutes a game.
JuJu Watkins is one of the most electrifying talents in college basketball.
Around this time last year, Watkins' dominance had the Trojans heading toward a potential Final Four run. But a torn ACL in the second round forced Watkins to miss the rest of the tournament, and the Trojans fell to eventual champion UConn in the Elite Eight.
USC is back in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 9 seed. Jazzy Davidson has been the driving force as she leads the Trojans in points (17.6), rebounds (5.7), assists (4.2), steals (2) and blocks (2).
So, with just under a year removed from Watkins' injury, will she return for the Trojans during March Madness?
The answer is no. Watkins announced in September she'd be sitting out the entire season to focus on making a full recovery.
"JuJu's health and well-being are our top priority, and we fully support her decision to focus on recovery this season," USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said in a statement at the time. "While we will certainly miss her impact on the court, she continues to play a vital role in our program as a leader and teammate. The strength and maturity she has shown through this process is a reflection of who she is, and we know the Trojan Family will continue to rally behind her. We look forward to the day she returns to competition stronger than ever."
With Watkins sidelined, the Trojans start March Madness against No. 8 seed Clemson on Saturday.
Last weekend Mike Tyson conspicuously wore a cast on his right arm the Mike Tyson Invitational, a three-day amateur boxing event. Naturally, that has fueled some doubt about his exhibition fight scheduled with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for April 25 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This week, during Tyson’s trip to Thailand, there was no sign of the cast in videos and photos of Tyson. So what does it all mean?
Let’s start with Tyson’s interview on "The Ariel Helwani Show" on March 11. Tyson, 59, said he injured himself boxing.
“Training, punching stuff,’’ Tyson said. “Just a little sprain, I have to go hard, it’s the only way I’ve got to go.’’
Initially, Tyson seemed to suggest the fight take place as planned. But when Helwani asked if the injury would affect the exhibition, Tyson replied, “We'll see.’’
A representative for Tyson did not immediately respond to a request for information about Tyson's injury and the fight.
CSI Sports, the group that announced the fight in September, did not immediately respond to a USA TODAY Sports request for comment.
This may conjure up memories of the ulcer flare-up Tyson had that postponed his fight with Jake Paul for four months. And remember, the erstwhile Baddest Man on the Planet will turn 60 in June.
Tyson vs Mayweather: What else is up on the air?
Longtime boxing writer Dan Rafael reported early this month that the fight still is in the works but it won’t take place April 25 and might not be held in the Congo.
“Been much discussion about the Mike Tyson – Floyd Mayweather exhibition taking place April 25 in Congo,” Rafael wrote, according to SB Nation. “But, per source with knowledge of the plans, it definitely won’t be that date. It will move to a later date and while it might be in Congo, no site is set.”
CSI Sports, the group that announced the fight, still has the original information on its website – that includes no date.
Tyson-Mayweather fight: What do we know for sure?
The men agreed to fight. Well, according to a news release.
The announcement of the proposed fight came by news release issued in September. Since then, Tyson has reaffirmed his commitment to fight, said there won't be a weight limit and said the fight is scheduled for eight rounds. But Mayweather has made no such public proclamations.
Meanwhile, Mayweather has committed to a rematch with Manny Pacquiao Sept. 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas, according to a news release issued in February by Netflix, which plans to livestream the fight.
The Los Angeles Lakers enter Saturday's road matchup against the Orlando Magic in search of their ninth consecutive victory.
During their current eight-game win streak, the Lakers have defeated six playoff teams, including the Houston Rockets twice.
After sitting in the middle of the Western Conference standings for the majority of the season, the Lakers are peaking at the right time, now third in the West.
That said, there's a chance they'll be without one of their main contributors Saturday, as Austin Reaves has been added to the injury report.
Reaves is listed as questionable due to left heel soreness, according to NBA insider Benjamin Royer.
Maxi Kleber remains sidelined due to a lumbar strain in his back.
As for the Magic, they're currently dealing with a plethora of injuries.
For starters, Franz Wagner remains out due to an ankle injury. Wagner has now missed over a month, sidelined since early February.
Jonathan Isaac is also listed as out due to a knee injury.
15.3 point per game scorer, Anthony Black will miss Saturday's game due to injury as well.
Lastly, Wendell Carter Jr. is listed as questionable due to a rib injury.
Slipping in a tightly contested Eastern Conference pack, the Magic will be eager to earn a win and stop their current three-game skid.
Following Saturday's game, Orlando will host the Indiana Pacers Monday.
In regards to Los Angeles, they'll have two more road games against the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers before returning home to host the Brooklyn Nets.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 01: Monroe Freeling of the Georgia Bulldogs participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In celebration of March Madness, WCG is bringing Chicago Bears fans a special kind of bracket. Drawing on the Consensus Board at Mock Draft Database and looking at other individual boards for perspective, we are going to present 16 different 2-round mock drafts for the Chicago Bears. These 16 mocks are divided into four groups: the Defensive Tackle group, the Edge group, the Safety group, and the Offensive Tackle group. In round one, for each group, we will be asking of these choices, which pair of options fans prefer for Chicago.
We wrap up the opening round with offensive tackle.
#1 vs #4
#1 Seed. Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah) + Gabe Jacas (ED, Illinois) + Zakee Wheatley (SF, Penn State)
The middle of the trenches still need love, but otherwise the major boxes are checked with the picks Chicago currently owns.
VS
#4 Seed. Blake Miller (OT, Clemson) + Malachi Lawrence (ED, UCF)+ Sam Hecht (C, Kansas State) + 2027 R2 Indianapolis + 2027 R3 Indianapolis
Here, Poles was tempted to move back to #47 by the promise of a future windfall but needed to pivot to offense when the defensive prospects were sniped in front of him. Blake Miller might have been a right tackle in college, but so was Ozzy Trapilo.
Which of these two round mocks for the #Bears do you like?
A) 25: Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah), 57: Gabe Jacas (ED, Illini), 60: Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State)
B) Trade – 47: Blake Miller (OT, Clemson), 57: Malachi Lawrence (ED, UCF), 60: Sam Hecht (C, Kansas State), IND '27 R2 & R3
If Freeling fell to 15, where he could be picked up in exchange for only #57, would Poles make the move? This option assumes so and that Tampa Bay was willing to deal.
Proctor poses an interesting addition to an offensive line that lacks a player of his proportions, but he would undoubtedly vie for the starter position quickly. Again, no trades were made.
Our Mock Madness Tourney continues with the OT bracket. Which of these two round mocks for the #Bears do you like?
A) Trade up 15: Monroe Freeling (LT, Georgia), 60: Kamari Ramsey (S, USC)
The defender has been one of the standout performers in Napoli’s first team, yet his contract is nearing its expiry, and no agreement has been reached over an extension. Napoli remain keen to retain their key players, and Spinazzola is firmly among those they would prefer to keep. However, Juventus are working to persuade him to reject Napoli’s proposal and make the move to Turin instead.
Contract Situation
Recent developments suggest that Juventus may hold the advantage in negotiations. A report from Tuttojuve indicates that Napoli have offered Spinazzola a one-year contract, while Juventus have proposed a two-year deal. This difference is significant, as the longer contract aligns more closely with the player’s preferences and provides greater security.
Such terms could prove decisive, particularly for a player considering his long-term future. Juventus are aware of this and appear to be leveraging their offer to strengthen their position in the race for his signature.
Potential Return to Turin
Juventus view Spinazzola as an experienced and high-quality addition who could enhance their squad in the upcoming transfer window. His familiarity with the club, having previously represented the Old Lady, could further encourage a return.
From the player’s perspective, a move back to Turin may offer both stability and a chance to continue competing at a high level. The prospect of a more favourable contract, combined with a familiar environment, makes Juventus an appealing option.
This situation has provided Juventus with a significant boost as they aim to finalise a deal. While Napoli remains hopeful of retaining him, the balance currently appears to be shifting towards the Bianconeri as they push to secure Spinazzola’s services for the 2026 to 2027 season.
Arsenal players are not discussing winning the quadruple
Arsenal could still achieve a remarkable quadruple by the end of this season, with their pursuit beginning in earnest in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday against Manchester City. The Gunners have shown strong belief in their ability to compete across all competitions and have made consistent progress in recent seasons.
Focus Remains on Immediate Challenge
While the prospect of winning four trophies is an exciting one, Arsenal understand that any such ambition depends on taking each step as it comes. Failure to secure victory in the Carabao Cup would immediately end their hopes of completing a quadruple, making this weekend’s fixture particularly significant.
Manager Mikel Arteta would undoubtedly take pride in leading his side to silverware, especially given the steady development the team has demonstrated under his guidance. However, the emphasis within the squad remains firmly on maintaining focus rather than looking too far ahead.
Arteta Plays Down Quadruple Talk
As reported by Arsenal Media, Arteta addressed whether his players have discussed the possibility of winning all four competitions. He said:
“No, because we know that we need to go game by game and trophy by trophy.”
His comments reflect a disciplined mindset within the squad, prioritising immediate objectives over long-term speculation. Arsenal’s performances this season suggest they possess the quality required to challenge for major honours, but those ambitions must be realised through results on the pitch.
The upcoming final will provide a stern test of their credentials. City remains one of the strongest sides in Europe, and overcoming them will require a composed and determined display. Nevertheless, Arsenal have consistently demonstrated resilience and high-level form throughout the campaign, indicating they are capable of rising to the occasion.
Ultimately, success at the highest level demands overcoming difficult challenges rather than seeking comfortable fixtures. If Arsenal are to fulfil their ambitions this season, they must prove their quality in matches of this magnitude, starting with Sunday’s decisive encounter.
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
After advancing through the first round, Louisville faces Michigan State on Saturday in the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.
Michigan State forward Cameron Ward (3) shoots a free throw against North Dakota State during the second half of NCAA Tournament First Round at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
The NCAA Tournament continues on Saturday, as teams look to advance to the Sweet 16, setting the stage for another day of dramatic finishes. With eyes set on a national title, the tournament always promises the chaos and excitement that make March Madness one of the best events to follow in sports.
In this East Region second‑round matchup, No. 6 Louisville Cardinals advance after an 83–79 win over No. 11 South Florida in the first round, earning their first NCAA Tournament victory in nine years behind 23 points from Isaac McKneely and clutch scoring down the stretch.
They now face No. 3 Michigan State Spartans, who dominated No. 14 North Dakota State 92–67 to reach the Round of 32, paced by a 20‑point, 10‑rebound performance from Carson Cooper and strong shooting from deep.
With Louisville’s outside shooting and late‑game poise up against Michigan State’s length, rebounding, and disciplined execution under Tom Izzo, this game will be a contrast of tempo and physicality as both look to reach the Sweet 16.
With Fubo, you can watch live television without cable on your phone, TV, or tablet. Fubo carries a wide array of sports and entertainment channels, including local sports packages and top national channels like ABC, FOX, CBS, ESPN, FS1, MTV, Comedy Central, and much more. The best part is you can try it out today for free.
Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
A Celtic title win would be the sweetest but not our greatest
A Celtic title win would be the sweetest, but it would be far from our greatest…
Martin O’Neill applauds the Celtic support. theRangers v Celtic. 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
It’s fair to say that if we manage to win this year’s title, and there’s still a great chance that we will, then it will be one of the sweetest moments in the club’s history.
Enjoy tea, biscuits and The Celtic Star – completely ad free…
Never see another Ad on The Celtic Star! Subscribe Now and get Seven Days for Free!
Considering everything that’s happened in these last few months, from our incompetent dealings in the transfer market, to losing Brendan Rodgers, then turning to Martin O’Neill, then being lumbered with the inept Wilfried Nancy, before Martin rescued us in our hour of need yet again. So to still be in touching distance of top spot is absolutely tremendous, ridiculously so.
Tomas Cvancara of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
We’ve also suffered the blow of losing several key first team players for a lengthy period, players who are mainstays of the side. This campaign is on a par with the infamous COVID campaign, although remarkably the current crop of players are in a much worse position than Neil Lennon’s side of that period, so to still be in contention is quite frankly astonishing.
That’s in a big way down to our Glasgow rivals having just a poor a campaign as ourselves, something that Heart of Midlothian have taking full advantage of, although it seems that the wheels might be starting to fall off the Gorgie bandwagon, although a late winner at Tynecastle today gave them a hard fought 1-0 victory over Dundee.
Tomorrow Celtic has a chance to bring the gap back to two points and also to add to our own goals for column, because that may well be significant. We had been there before.
Hyunjun Yang of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
A terrific comeback to rescue a point at Ibrox, plus a battling win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie, and a spirited home win over an inform Motherwell have rejuvenated our title hopes, not to mention the dramatic penalty shootout win at Ibrox has raised the confidence and spirit of the entire squad and support, giving us some much needed hope in the run in for a dream league and Scottish Cup double.
Three of our games after the split are also at home, so the possibility of securing five in a row is a lot more likelier than it was a month ago. We have to win all our games of course, but our destiny is firmly in our own hands, and confidence is high that the players under the guidance of Martin O’Neill can do just that.
Tomas Cvancara celebrates scoring the penalty that takes Celtic into the semi-finals. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Will it be the greatest title win ever? No I wouldn’t go that far as we’ve been shockingly poor for a the entirety of this campaign, but it will be one of the sweetest, that’s for sure.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Click to join Celtic Pools
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: WR Omar Cooper Jr. #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers looks up field after a catch during the Alabama Crimson Tide versus Indiana Hoosiers College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
NFL free agency is well underway with the Philadelphia Eagles making quite a few critical moves to add and retain impact players. Here is how the 2026 NFL Draft could shake out considering their needs right now. Simulation run using the Pro Football Focus Mock Draft Simulation. No trades made.
Pick 1.23: Omar Cooper Junior, Wide Receiver, Indiana
Don’t overthink this. Even with the Hollywood Brown addition, the Eagles need a long term receiver to pair with DeVonta Smith. That player is not on the roster. Even in a world where AJ Brown plays one more year in Philly, the Eagles should not pass up on the opportunity to draft a player like Omar Cooper.
Cooper would give the Eagles an inside/outside receiver with playmaking speed and a great toughness on the field. He would be a dynamic addition to what will be a very different looking offense in 2026. In my opinion, the Eagles should be loading up on weapons to give Jalen Hurts and Sean Mannion maximum firepower in this do or die season.
Pick 2.54: Eli Stowers, Tight End, Vanderbilt
Dallas Goedert returning does not change the long-term outlook for this team.
Passing on Eli Stowers would be stupid, straight up. Stowers can be TE2 in his rookie year, learning critical skills and bulking up to become a more reliable blocker. In the long term, he can be a multi-faceted weapon for this offense to move around and create mismatches.
Pick 3.68: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
Without a slam dunk answer at edge rusher, the Eagles can take a big swing on a high upside player here. Dani Dennis-Sutton is raw in many ways, but is physically gifted through the roots and flashes legit dominance as an edge rusher. Let Coach Fangio show this young man some things and watch him grow!
The Eagles should also be taking big swings at tackle in this draft. Crownover is a big bodied athlete who could get coached up into being a difference making blocker in the NFL. He is raw, but he would also have the benefit of sitting behind Lane Johnson for a year.
Pick 4.114: Brian Parker II, Offensive Tackle, Duke
While Brian Parker II could also compete for a tackle spot, he could also be an interesting fit at guard. He is a smart, physical, high effort player who might be a better NFL guard than tackle. With a gap at right guard staring the Eagles in the face, Parker would be a great addition.
Pick 4.137:Devon Marshall, Cornerback, NC State
With the addition of Riq Woolen, the Eagles have reduced the urgency for cornerback help. However, with Woolen only being on a one year deal it makes sense to bring in some high upside depth.
Devon Marshall was excellent during his one year at NC State and could develop into a solid boundary cornerback for the Eagles.
Pick 5.153: Kaytron Allen, Running Back, Penn State
I have a hard time getting away from this fit. Even with the Dameon Pierce signing, the Eagles still could use more competition in their backfield. Pierce has struggled to stay healthy in the NFL and even when on the field, he has struggled to be consistent.
Allen is a player who could eventually step up in two seasons and be a quality starter and that warrants consideration to draft him this late.
Pick 5.178: Jalen Stroman, Safety, Notre Dame
The Eagles are really hurting at safety. Even before the Sydney Brown trade, it was a glaring need. It’s possible they target the position much higher, but they can take some late round swings too.
Jalen Stroman is a physically gifted player who didn’t see the field a ton at Notre Dame. He’d be more of a project player, but a offers versatility, athleticism, and physicality.
Pick 6.197: Lorenzo Styles Junior, Safety, Ohio State
This is a fun late round pick. A former offensive player, Lorenzo Styles is an absurd athlete who lit up the combine with a 4.27 40-yard dash. While his fit on an NFL defense is less clear, his upside at safety is obvious.
Neil Kengni scored his first goal for Forest Green and Gabe Kircough added a second as the hosts secured a 2-0 victory over Wealdstone at the New Lawn.
Wealdstone goalkeeper Dante Baptiste saved attempts from Laurent Mendy and Kircough before Jayden Clarke sent a huge chance just wide.
The hosts finally broke through in the 41st minute when Kyle McAllister flicked the ball on to Kengni, who applied the finish to open his Rovers account.
Kircough would not be denied a second time, adding a cushion three minutes after the hour.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Washington Nationals released right-handed pitcher Drew Smith on Saturday.
Smith, 32, had signed a minor league deal with an invitation to major league camp after missing the entire 2025 season to recover from Tommy John surgery. He went 1-1 with a 3.06 ERA and two saves in 19 relief appearances with the New York Mets in 2024.
Smith has gone 12-13 with a 3.48 ERA and five saves in 191 career games, all with the Mets.
Kelepi Tanginoa scored four tries as rampant Warrington Wolves thrashed Castleford Tigers to keep their 100% Super League record intact.
The big Australian forward had previously not scored a hat-trick in his senior career, and his quadruple came after Matty Ashton marked his return from a long-term injury lay-off with the first two tries before completing his own hat-trick late in the game.
Wolves were irresistible at the Halliwell Jones Stadium as Ben Currie (two), Albert Hopoate, Sam Stone and James Harrison also went over and 18-year-old half-back Ewan Irwin, preferred to veteran Marc Sneyd, kicked 12 out of 14 attempts.
The win takes Warrington second in the table behind leaders Wigan Warriors, who have played a game more and are the only other side to have won every game they have played.
Much has been made of the competitive nature of Super League this season, but this was an old-fashioned, one-sided thrashing from start to finish, as Wolves completed their first 36 sets and threw in some moments of real flair.
Cas, who lost Jack Ashworth and Joe Stimson for head injury assessments in the first few minutes - with Stimson staying off for the rest of the game, could not cope with Wire's ruck speed and pace out wide.
Ashton, out for 10 months after damaging anterior cruciate ligaments, added to Irwin's two penalties with two tries inside 15 minutes, leaving Cas wing Mikaele Ravalawa standing for the second.
That left side of the Wire attack was running riot and when the Tigers over-compensated it left Currie with space to go over underneath the posts before Semi Valemei showed a good leap and some strength to score the visitors' only try.
Normal service was quickly resumed as Tanginoa collected a George Williams grubber for his first try and then bounced Tom Weaver to clear a path to the try-line for his second.
Tanginoa, who won three trophies with Hull KR last season, completed his hat-trick three minutes after half-time before Hopoate sprinted 60 metres for another.
Currie raced clear to pile on the misery for Cas, and Tanginoa made it four tries for himself, arriving like a thunderbolt onto Williams' pass after a sublime offload from Jordan Crowther.
The sin-binning of Toby King made no difference to Wolves as Josh Thewlis' break set up Stone for another try while they were down to 12 men.
And, after King returned, Harrison grabbed his first try of the season and Ashton completed his own triumphant return with his third after showing good dribbling skills.
With Irwin, who kept his place after kicking 13 goals last week against Goole Vikings in the Challenge Cup, claiming 24 points of his own, it meant Warrington had recorded the biggest win over Castleford in their history.
'A very polished performance' - reaction
Warrington coach Sam Burgess told BBC Sport:
"It was very clean. Firstly, I liked our physicality early in the game. We were physical when we needed to be and kept hold of the ball - I don't think we made an error until late in the game so it made it very hard for Castleford.
"The ball bounced our way, we had a few calls so it just fell in our lap. You have those days so we'll take them but it was a very polished performance and I'm happy with it.
"At half-time we challenged them as we thought they might be complacent and take our foot off the gas but we were very consistent with who we want to be. Today was a good step forward for us as a group.
"Kelepi was nice for us and George [Williams] prefers playing on the left and Ewan [Irwin] slots on the right so the balance of the team was nice, and the control."
Castleford coach Ryan Carr told BBC Sport:
"It was horrible, not good enough. They played really well, we played really poorly, and that sums it up.
"There are no excuses for it. It hurts you, losing middles to head knocks, but at the end of the day we didn't make the decision to go out, put our bodies on the line and go after it.
"We're not going to skim over it. We're going to have a good look at ourselves. I feel like we have been competing in the last few games but it's a disappointing day for us.
"It's embarrassing and not good enough. I feel sorry for our members and our fans and we have to make sure that we fix it.
"The tries they scored were things we had talked about all week, that we'd worked hard on, specific drills to combat what they're good at, because they're a good footy team.
"But when they're making a line-break straight through your middle third that's nothing to do with personnel, that's just whoever is in that jersey needs to make that tackle."
Only a day after his bold statement about his college basketball eligibility, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley received an offer from one of the most talked about team of the 2026 NCAA tournament.
High Point Panthers stunned the #5 Wisconsin 83-82 on Thursday, proving that their 30-win season was no fluke. In the postgame conference, head coach Flynn Clayman said that they aim to win six games. Barkley responded to the comment during ESPN’s March Madness segment.
“I got one year of college eligibility left, I’m going to get there by next game. That guy makes me want to play,” Barkley said.
HPU ready to sign Charles Barkley
After the former NBA forward’s comment went viral, the HPU Men’s Basketball account extended an offer to Barkley.
“Hey Chuck, you are blessed to receive an offer from High Point University! Due to only playing 3 years at Auburn, we feel positive about your waiver for immediate eligibility. Let’s work! -Coach Clayman,” the caption read.
“Hey Chuck, you are blessed to receive an offer from High Point University!
Due to only playing 3 years at Auburn, we feel positive about your waiver for immediate eligibility. Let’s work!”
The graphic featured Barkley in a purple-and-white High Point #34 jersey. The joke, of course, centers on Barkley leaving Auburn early for the NBA Draft in 1984.
The 11-time NBA All-Star is a close friend of HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein and has been a vocal ambassador for the school’s "Premier Life Skills" philosophy for years.
The Hall of Famer’s praise didn't stop at the locker room fire. He pointed out that HPU’s success is about a refusal to be intimidated by Power Conference logos.
“I said earlier, this is going to be a dangerous game for Wisconsin. It was a comfortable matchup, but that team has won 30 games. You win 30 games, you know how to win. You’re probably not intimidated,” Barkley said.
The 1993 NBA MVP went on to give a massive compliment to Flynn Clayman.
“I want to see that coach… you want to play for a coach like that.”
The High Point Panthers are set to go up against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday in the Round of 32 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 07: Guard Isaiah Adams #74 of the Arizona Cardinals in action during the first half against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 45-17. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Arizona Cardinals have been busy in this year’s free agency period. GM Monti Ossenfort needed to get down and dirty while finding new talent to replace the ones who weren’t getting it done.
Maybe the Cardinals will be able to compete in the ultra-competitive NFC West Division this year instead of being the ones who have to sweep up the parking lot, being in the basement position.
Ossenfort has signed 20 players to date. Think about that. That is almost half a roster. The breakdown is nine players on offense, four on special teams, and seven on defense. And that’s just the first wave from the first two weeks.
Now comes the second wave of free agent signings. Often, players and agents will wait to sign new contracts to see whether the market for a certain position becomes more valuable, so the agent can negotiate a better financial deal for his client instead of inking a deal right out of the gate. Other athletes end up on the second level of signings and are approached later rather than sooner.
Still others sign whatever deal comes their way to ensure they are participating in somebody’s training camp instead of looking for employment in the UFL or CFL, taking a substitute teaching job back home, or working in their dad’s tire store.
Has Ossenfort solved all the issues with the Cardinals?
For the offense, he signed a seasoned backup QB (Minshew), a complement RB (Allgeier) as well as RB3 (Knight), the best interior offensive lineman available on this year’s market in LG Isaac Seumalo, a new RT (Wilkinson), a true WR3 (Bourne), a player to solidify the fourth receiver position (Fehoko), quality offensive line depth (Pryor and Udoh), and a blocking tight end (Quitoriano).
What’s left to accomplish?
Right guard.
This may not be solved in free agency, as Ossenfort has with other positions. Right now, the depth chart has Isaiah Adams as the starter and Matt Pryor as his backup. This may become the problem area that is not resolved going into April.
Adams (6’-4”, 315 pounds) was selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft and the 71st player taken after a great career at several colleges: Illinois, Garden City Community College, and Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. He was drafted as a future player on the interior of the offensive line. And he has played and started games.
As a rookie, he played in 15 games with five starts. This past season, he played in all 17 contests with 11 starts. But the Cardinals’ offensive line was constant agony for most of the year, and at season’s end, it was ranked #26. The run game was abysmal after both starting backs ended up on IR, and career backups and practice squad guys carried the remainder of the season.
The term “underperforming” was putting it nicely. This was a dumpster fire all season.
Adams and LG Evan Brown were blamed for most of the issues along the offensive line. Add another problem area in OT Kelvin Beachum, and the line suffered from a lack of consistency. Smartly, Ossenfort dumped Evans and signed Seumalo (6’-4”, 303 pounds), which solved that side of the interior, then allowed Beachum to test the free agent waters, which he remains unsigned.
C Hjalte Froholdt (6’-5”, 310 pounds) is a very good player and deserves more attention than he receives. LT Paris Johnson (6’-6”, 325 pounds) was injured last year, but when healthy, is one of the best. In free agency, Ossenfort signed Wilkinson (6’-6”, 310 pounds), who manned the right tackle spot for the Atlanta Falcons for the past two seasons.
That leaves right guard.
The solution?
Coming out of training camp last year, Adams was praised for his improvement since his rookie campaign with the belief that drafting him was exactly what Arizona needed. However, in live games, it was obvious he was out of his league. He struggled early and by Week 5 was benched for the veteran Will Hernandez.
Then Hernandez became injured, so the coaching staff had no other choice but to put Adams back into the lineup at right guard. But he continued to struggle and often could not manhandle meatier defensive tackles. Adams can hold his own on passing downs, but his run blocking isn’t good. Not good at all. In most games, he appeared overwhelmed. His Pro Football Focus grade for 2025 is a disappointing 57.2. In just 11 games, he had seven penalties and allowed 23 pressures.
If Adams struggles in training camp this year when he lines up in actual games, the new coaching staff will need to re-evaluate where they are with Adams and see if their plans include him. But for now, he is in the mix for the starting right guard spot.
Hernandez (6’-2”, 332 pounds) is another option. Currently, he remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent but could be re-signed to a lesser deal. Last year, he dealt with hip and knee injuries.
Currently listed on the depth chart behind Adams is Pryor (6’-7”, 332 pounds). He is a huge man, and last year his PFF grade was a healthy 71.6. He only allowed three sacks, had one penalty, and just four pressures. He has plenty of game experience with 109 NFL games played with 40 starts. He may come out of training camp as the new starter, or he may compete with Wilkinson for the right tackle job and could very well become the starter there instead.
Olisaemeka Udoh (6’-6”, 320 pounds) is another option. He has just 22 NFL starts, but has played in 74 games. Of his 22 career starts, 14 have come at RG.
Maybe Ossenfort isn’t done with his free agent signings. Perhaps, he is still looking for the answer at right guard and in negotiations with some player’s agent as we speak. But remember, the list has been cherry-picked. Many times, the second wave is guys nobody wants.
Kevin Zeitler (6’-4”, 332 pounds) of the Tennessee Titans is a seasoned veteran, is 36, but he’s still capable of blocking at a high level. James Daniels (6’-4”, 320 pounds) of the Miami Dolphins is a tremendous talent when he is on the field and just 28 years old, but he is injury-prone and has only played five games in the last two seasons, rehabbing from an Achilles tear plus a pectoral injury.
Has Ossenfort done a good job with his free agent signings? Is he finished, or just pausing between tee times?
One thing is certain: If the offense fails again this year, it won’t be because the offensive line has played horribly. Nope. This group has been transformed, and it is exactly what was needed to happen.
Now, where is that box of Wilson Staff Model X balls?
The tiniest of twigs caused Englishman Matt Wallace considerable bother in the second round of the Valspar Championship. Thankfully for him, his honesty about the rules was matched by his own resilience.
Wallace was playing the par-5 11th hole of Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course on Friday when he drove into pine straw and leaves. As he readied for his shot, he saw his ball move ever so slightly.
“This one twig was sticking out, and I think when I was waggling the ball definitely moved,” Wallace recalled after the round. “Didn’t know whether it was in the action of my swing or anything, but I definitely touched it, and then the ball moved from that.
“So, I had to replace it … didn’t think I would be standing here making the cut after that. But a good bit of karma and managed to make some birdies coming in.”
Yet again we have an example of a player calling a penalty on himself when no one else would have had a clue what happened. Wallace couldn’t remember if he’d ever needed to take such an action.
“I was thinking back after, from the time I did it to walking to the next shot, I was like, ‘Has that ever happened?’ I don’t think it’s ever happened,” he said.
Impressively, Wallace recovered on the 11th to make a par, and then he made birdies at 14, 15 and 17 to shoot 68 and make the weekend. On Saturday, he double bogeyed the par-5 fifth, but bounced back with three birdies on the back nine and was tied for 20th as play continued.
Wallace, 35, missed the cut at the Valspar last year, but he previously finished T-7 in 2023 and T-17 in ’24. A solid finish this week would be big for him, since the one-time tour winner had missed the cut in three of his first four starts.
“It’s one of my favorite courses that we play. It’s so hard,” Wallace said. “No one’s going to get away from you. You need to play well no matter what. You’re not going to breathe around here. So I still feel like I’ve got a chance to make a run at this weekend. ... That’s the big part for me is not just about this week, it’s about playing well. I’ve got three events coming up now that I like, so carry that on and hopefully get in contention at the weekend at some point.”
Caroline Harvey's list of accolades keeps growing.
The MVP of the Milano Cortina Olympic tournament was named the Patty Kazmaier Award winner on Saturday, March 21. The award recognizes the best player in women's college hockey, and Harvey is only the third defender to win it.
The Salem, New Hampshire native, is the seventh Wisconsin player to win and second in a row, following last year's winner Casey O'Brien.
Harvey beat out U.S. Olympic teammates Tessa Janecke of Penn State and Abbey Murphy of Minnesota for "the Kaz."
Harvey was a favorite to win the award. Despite being a defender, the Wisconsin senior ranks first in the nation with 1.40 assists per game and second with 1.97 points per game.
Harvey's 63 points in just 32 games — she missed eight games for the Olympics — was more than 20 points ahead of the next defender on the scoring list.
Harvey also has led the Badgers to the NCAA title game for a second year in a row. The defending champions will play Ohio State on Sunday.
LUCKNOW: Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma headlined the honours in the cricket category as they were named 'Cricketer of the Year' (Male and Female) at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 here on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav and Harmanpreet Kaur bagged the award for special recognition in the Cricket (Male) and special recognition in Cricket (Female), respectively.
The ceremony in Lucknow recognised athletes across more than 45 sporting categories, honouring performances during the evaluation period from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
This edition reflected a year where Indian cricket recorded strong performances across formats and tournaments on the global stage.
For Shubman Gill, 2025 marked a phase of consistency and leadership.
He won two ICC Men’s Player of the Month awards during the year, becoming the first male cricketer to claim the honour four times overall. Entering the ICC Champions Trophy as the top-ranked ODI batter, Gill scored an unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh in the group stage, setting the tone for India’s title-winning campaign. He also served as deputy to Suryakumar Yadav in the Asia Cup (T20), where India defeated Pakistan in the final to lift the trophy.
In Tests, Gill took over as captain following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He began his tenure with a century at Headingley, becoming one of the Indian captains to score a hundred in their first Test in charge. He followed it with successive centuries at Edgbaston, including 269 — the highest Test score by an Indian captain — and 161 in the same match, aggregating 430 runs, the second-highest in a Test after Graham Gooch. Gill also became only the third Indian captain to score five Test centuries in a calendar year.
In the women’s category, Deepti Sharma delivered a key all-round performance in 2025.
She was named Player of the Tournament at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup after scoring 215 runs and taking 22 wickets in nine matches. She became the first cricketer to register the double of 200 runs and 20 wickets in a single World Cup edition. Her contribution in the final in Mumbai played a role in India winning the title.
The winners were selected by an illustrious jury comprising legendary athletes whose achievements have shaped Indian sport.
Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Leander Paes, and Devendra Jhajharia formed the panel for this edition.
Their collective experience ensured that the honours reflected performances across levels, recognising contributions that shaped India’s sporting year.
Eli Tomac is consistently strong coming out of off-weeks, and Round 10 at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, was no exception as he led Qualification 1.
Qualification 1
Eli Tomac (50.962) took his time getting to the top of the board in the first qualification session in Birmingham, but he got there at the end by more than half a second ahead of Ken Roczen (51.528).
Cooper Webb (51.557) topped the chart early, but ended third overall.
Fourth-place Justin Cooper (51.729) and Malcolm Stewart (51.776) rounded out the top five.
Championship leader Hunter Lawrence (52.002) was just outside the top five in sixth.
Jorge Prado (52.179) brought out a red flag during the first qualification session when he came up short on a jump. Prado ended his session at that point, but rode back to the paddock under his own power. Prado landed seventh on the chart.
An Iain Robinson hat-trick without reply from hosts Skye kept Newtonmore on 100% in the Mowi Premiership after three games.
Fort William made it back to back victories, 2-1 against Kyles at An Aird.
Champions Kingussie came from behind to defeat Caberfeidh 2-1 at The Dell for their second victory and there was yet another 2-1, this time for Kinlochshiel away to Lochaber.
In the South derby, Oban Camanachd had a 3-1 success over Col Glen at Mossfield.
Robinson scored his first before half-time and completed his treble, including a penalty, after the interval.
Archie MacKinnon struck for Fort after just three minutes and Mark Fraser made it 2-0 by half time, before Roan MacVicar's reply for Kyles in the penultimate minute.
Caberfeidh's Logan Beaton shocked Kingussie with an opener early in the second half but Roddy Young grabbed an equaliser and Alexander Michie won it for the champions with a late penalty.
John MacRae and Oliver MacRae put Shiel 2-0 up and Lochaber's Fin MacDonald scored the game's final goal after just half an hour.
Daniel MacVicar in the first half and a Lewis Cameron double in the second secured the points for Oban Camanachd before Cally McNaughton scored Col Glen's first-ever Premiership goal.
A 3-1 home win over Kilmallie kept Glenurquhart top of the National Division. Lovat defeated Bute 3-1 at Balgate, helped by a penalty double in two minutes from Greg Matheson.
Struggling Oban Celtic followed up two 10-0 wipeouts with a heavy 7-1 defeat by Glasgow Mid Argyll who produced seven different scorers at Yoker.
The other pointless second tier side are newly relegated Beauly who went down 4-1 at Inveraray.
The NFL combine came and went. Free agency is in full swing. The New England Patriots have evaluated top prospects in the lead-up to the draft, while also making additions to their roster in the open market. With just over five weeks to go until the draft commences on April 23, the Patriots are widely projected to address their pass rush with the No. 31 overall pick.
According to Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt, the Patriots select Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell at No. 31 overall in his 2026 NFL mock draft 2.0.
“Howell’s gotten this knock for short arms,” Klatt said. “Just watch his tape, man. The guy was one of the more productive pass rushers in all of college football in a tough league. So, Howell for me makes a lot of sense with the Patriots, and in particular, with Vrabel, who is gonna like a guy like Howell. So Howell to the Patriots at 31.”
Howell went for 11.5 sacks as well as 14 tackles for loss in 2025. The Missouri native is one of the top prospects at defensive end in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
The San Francisco 49ers have one of the NFL's best coaches in Kyle Shanahan. Through the first two weeks of the NFL offseason, the 49ers have already made a few moves to help their offense going forward.
Mike Evans and Christian Kirk are quality receiver additions, and with Eddy Pineiro coming back as well, the 49ers offense and field goal/extra-point units are in good shape.
However, according to Arye Pulli of Sports Illustrated and Sleeper, the 49ers "really liked" what a UTSA kicker did at his pro day. This kicker, Jaffer Murphy, put up some truly ridiculous numbers with a 70-yard field goal and a 4.47 40-yard dash.
49ers 'really liked' UTSA kicker Jaffer Murphy
"Kicker (!!) Jaffer Murphy clocked as low as 4.47 in the 40-yard dash and made a 70-yard FG," Pulli shared. "He also made 12 of his 13 attempts. Murphy spoke with over a dozen teams, I'm told."
With more than a third of the NFL showing interest in this kicker, the 49ers' interest that Pulli shared is noteworthy.
"From what I've heard, the 49ers were one of the teams in attendance and really liked what they saw," Pulli shared on Twitter/x.
While the 49ers already brought Pineiro back on a multi-year deal, they could still look to take a chance on Murphy as a depth option or practice squad player.
And if he wins a camp battle with Pineiro, or takes over in case of an injury, he could be a fun option for the 49ers on special teams.
After such an outstanding pro day, the analysis of his 2025 season production is important context to recognize. Last year for UTSA, Murphy only attempted one kick, which was an extra point. He made it, but that was all he tried for UTSA last year.
That lone extra-point was his only kick in his collegiate career. He did play all season for the Roadrunners, but he was strictly handling kickoff duties.
He wasn't a bad kickoff specialist, but he never actually got much of a chance to kick field goals or extra points in his collegiate career.
That's a good reason to pause on whether he's worth adding this spring. But, for a rookie kicker who will likely be an undrafted free agent of seventh round pick at best, this athleticism and range is the exact kind of player worth taking a flier on.
The Denver Broncos no longer have a pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but that should not faze the fanbase. General manager George Paton has been in this position before.
After trading for Russell Wilson during the 2022 offseason, Paton dealt the team's first-round picks in 2022 and 2023. He still found Nik Bonitto and Marvin Mims Jr. with his second-round picks in those drafts. In both cases, those picks were made near the end of the second round, much like he will be doing this year.
Bonitto and Mims have each made the Pro Bowl, so Paton should be trusted with his first pick in this spring's draft, which will come at No. 62 overall.
The Athletic recently put together a mock draft made up of its beat writers and Nick Kosmider has the Broncos making a selection that fans will greatly enjoy should it come to fruition. He has the Broncos grabbing Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is a popular mock draft selection for the Broncos due to the team's need at the inside linebacker position. The team chose to re-sign both Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad in free agency and they are the presumed starters as the roster sits right now. But it's clear that more depth, and perhaps an upgrade, is necessary.
Rodriguez could be that upgrade. Here is Kosmider's analysis:
"The Broncos are in familiar territory after trading their first-round pick to acquire Waddle. Denver did not make its first selections in the 2022 and 2023 drafts until the 60s after surrendering a combined three first-round picks to acquire QB Russell Wilson and coach Sean Payton. The Broncos came away from those drafts with pass rusher Nik Bonitto (2022) and receiver/returner Marvin Mims Jr. (2023), who have since made a combined four Pro Bowls. Only time will tell whether Rodriguez will have that kind of impact in the NFL, but his ball production for the Red Raiders (four interceptions, seven forced fumbles last season) could be appealing for a Denver defense intent on creating more takeaways in 2026."
Rodriguez could come in and take a starting job from either Singleton or Strnad based largely on his ability in one area... pass defense. That is an area where the Broncos have struggled, particularly in Singleton's case, and Rodriguez could help the team improve in that area while also being a tackling machine who is in on nearly every play.
Rodriguez ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash at last month's combine and he led the country with seven forced fumbles last year. He is a player who is always looking to make a play for the defense by forcing a turnover. If he is still on the board at No. 62, there might not be a better pick that the team can make.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Alex Freeland #76 talks with Hyeseong Kim #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers between innings of a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch on February 23, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Getaway day for the Dodgers on Saturday morning in Arizona. Emmet Sheehan is on the mound, Will Klein is also scheduled to pitch, and the starting lineup has four players who will be on the opening day roster.
Penalties are some of the most intense moments in a football player's career.
The pressure from the spot is ramped up, with players knowing they are expected to score with every effort, even if that's unrealistic over the course of a long career.
Well, unrealistic for most, but not all. Some players simply have ice in their veins.
The Sporting News details the most successful players in Premier League history from 12 yards.
Which player has the best penalty record in the Premier League?
The best record for penalties taken in Premier League history is Raul Jimenez, whose 100% record through 14 penalties is the best in the league's history. No player has attempted as many spot kicks as the Mexico international across his stints with Wolves and Fulham and scored every time.
Jimenez's 14 from 14 in Premier League action is three more than the 100% record of Yaya Toure, who was perfect across his 11 penalties in league play.
He has scored his 14 penalties against 13 different goalkeepers, only doubling up on Christian Walton of Ipswich Town by bagging two in the same match.
Number
Date
Match
Goalkeeper
Result
1.
Nov. 3, 2018
Wolves 2-3 Tottenham
Hugo Lloris
Scored
2.
Feb. 23, 2019
Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves
Artur Boruc
Scored
3.
Aug. 25, 2019
Wolves 1-1 Burnley
Nick Pope
Scored
4.
Oct. 19, 2019
Wolves 1-1 Southampton
Angus Gunn
Scored
5.
Jan. 18, 2020
Southampton 2-3 Wolves
Alex McCarthy
Scored
6.
Jul. 12, 2020
Wolves 3-0 Everton
Jordan Pickford
Scored
7.
Jan. 15, 2022
Wolves 3-1 Southampton
Fraser Forster
Scored
8.
Sep. 28, 2024
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Fulham
Matz Sels
Scored
9.
Jan. 5, 2025
Fulham 2-2 Ipswich Town
Christian Walton
Scored
10.
Jan. 5, 2025
Fulham 2-2 Ipswich Town
Christian Walton
Scored
11.
Dec. 22, 2025
Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest
John Victor
Scored
12.
Feb. 1, 2026
Man United 3-2 Fulham
Senne Lammens
Scored
13.
Feb. 22, 2026
Sunderland 1-3 Fulham
Robin Roefs
Scored
14.
Mar. 21, 2026
Fulham 2-1 Burnley
Martin Dubravka
Scored
Best penalty takers in Premier League history
Only two players in Premier League history have a perfect record through double-digit attempts: Raul Jimenez and Yaya Toure.
Behind them, Dimitar Berbatov was nine-for-nine, but does not make the volume cut.
The record was held by Toure until his 11-of-11 record was surpassed by Jimenez who scored against Manchester United on February 1, 2026 to put himself at the top of the list. Cole Palmer had a chance to tie Toure, but missed with his 11th effort against Leeds in March, 2025.
Best penalty record by percentage in Premier League history
Minimum 11 penalties taken
Player
Scored/Taken
Record
Active/Retired
Raul Jimenez
14/14
100%
Active
Yaya Toure
11/11
100%
2019
Matt Le Tissier
25/26
96.2%
2002
Danny Murphy
18/19
94.7%
2013
Callum Wilson
16/17
94.1%
Active
James Beattie
16/17
94.1%
2013
Julian Dicks
15/16
93.8%
2002
Cole Palmer
18/19
94.7%
Active
Bukayo Saka
12/13
92.3%
Active
Thierry Henry
23/25
92%
2014
Who has scored the most penalties in Premier League history?
Alan Shearer holds the record for most Premier League penalties scored with 56.
Most penalties scored in Premier League history
Player
Scored/Taken
Record
Active/Retired
Alan Shearer
56/67
83.6%
2006
Frank Lampard
43/50
86%
2017
Mohamed Salah
35/41
85.4%
Active
Harry Kane
33/37
89.2%
Active*
Steven Gerrard
32/39
82%
2017
*Active but not currently contracted to a Premier League club
Who has the worst penalty record in the Premier League?
Alan Shearer has missed the most Premier League penalties of any player with 11, but it's hard to call the league's all-time top taker as the "worst" given the misses are more of a volume than anything. He is tied with Wayne Rooney, who took 33 across his career.
In fact, this is an extremely difficult question, because for the most part, if a player is a poor penalty taker, they would not be given more opportunities to take penalties.
As a result, it's exceedingly hard to quantify, as shown above where those who have missed the most are also legends of the game.
Rooney is probably a candidate for the answer, with his 67% success rate well below the traditional expectation. Others who boast low score records with a fair amount of attempts include Juan Pablo Angel (5/10), Steed Malbranque (6/10), and Dwight Yorke (6/10), but all were eventually yanked from spot-kick duties due to their failures. Raheem Sterling (4/10) fares even worse, although his attempts for Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and England are spread across all competitions.
One player who displayed a poor return from a sizable volume was Michael Owen who struck just 14 times from his 21 attempts for a 67% success rate, similar to Rooney's.
Who is the best penalty taker ever?
Given the vastness of competitions across the world, this is an exceedingly difficult metric to quantify, but there are a few candidates.
GiveMeSport ranked the best penalty takers in football history from available data, identifying Cuauhtemoc Blanco as the best ever, with a 95% success rate across 73 attempts, with just two misses in his entire career which spanned 1998 to 2015.
Another candidate is Dutch star Ronald Koeman, who holds the record for most consecutive penalties scored in the Spanish top flight with 25, and finished his career with an astonishing 94% success rate from 103 attempts (97 scored, 6 missed).
The individual with the best record in England would be Rickie Lambert, who played multiple years with Southampton, Liverpool, West Brom, and Cardiff City. Lambert scored 48 of his 51 career penalty attempts, but he does not appear on the Premier League's all-time greats because he only attempted seven (without a single miss) in the top flight.
Southampton is something of a hotbed for English greats from 12 yards. Club legend Matt Le Tissier's 25/26 put him on the list of the best Premier League takers. Across all competitions, his record was a remarkable 43/44, with only Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley able to deny him in a March 1993 Premier League match. Le Tissier then strung together a run of 27 perfect penalties.
Callum Roberts' late penalty earned Scunthorpe a 3-2 win at struggling Braintree and strengthened their grip on a play-off place.
It took the home side just 49 seconds to open the scoring when a ball over the top from Ben Drake set John Akinde free and he slotted past the goalkeeper.
Scunthorpe equalised in the 38th minute when Pat Jones' low cross was turned in by Leo Farrell.
Callum Roberts hit a post for the Iron, while Louis Jones pulled off a superb save to keep out Akinde's deflected strike at the other end shortly afterwards.
Scunthorpe edged in front in the 58th minute through Oli Ewing's composed finish but Walker hauled Braintree level with a close-range finish three minutes later.
Roberts, who saw a free-kick come back off the crossbar, won and scored a last-gasp penalty to snatch the points.
The Cardinals shrugged off a slow start and dominated the second half in the 72-52 win over No. 14-seeded Vermont in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center. They move on to play either No. 6-seed Alabama or No. 13-seeded Rhode Island in the second round on Monday.
Here are three takeaways from Louisville’s first-round win over Vermont:
Louisville's postseason Mac attack
Mackenly Randolph put up solid numbers during the ACC Tournament, earning a spot on the all-tournament first team. But she wasn't done.
The sophomore wing was the gritty, fearless player that the Cardinals needed to run away with the first-round win. Randolph had her fourth double-double in the last five games, finishing with a career-high 20 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Midway through the second quarter, Randolph erased Vermont's 22-21 lead with an assist on Taj Roberts' 3-pointer before hitting one of her own. The Cards never gave up the lead after that.
Louisville continues being a second-half team
UofL is no stranger to slow starts this season and had another one against the Catamounts. Vermont used a 7-0 run during the first quarter for one of its two leads in the first half. Though Louisville had the 32-28 halftime lead, the team dominated the third quarter.
The Cards slapped the floor in unison when the second half began and proceeded to outscore the Catamounts, 23-10, in the frame. Randolph and Laura Ziegler combined for 16 of the team's points. UofL also used seven offensive rebounds to tally nine second-chance points in the frame.
Louisville women’s basketball struggled to find Vermont’s shooter early
Keira Hanson was the Catamounts’ second-leading scorer and entered the game averaging 14.1 points per outing. The senior guard was already at 14 points after the first half, doing most of her damage in the first quarter. At times, Louisville lost her on defense, allowing for open looks during the first quarter. During a three-minute stretch, Hanson outscored Louisville by herself, 9-2, for a 16-12 Vermont lead.
The Cardinals did a better job of containing her in the second half with Reyna Scott and Roberts being the main players guarding Hanson. They did a better job in the second half, holding her to only two points during the third quarter.
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 30: Ronda Rousey prepares to walk to the Octagon to face Amanda Nunes in their UFC bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 207 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 30, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Ronda Rousey is one of the greatest women’s champions in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) history, but you wouldn’t know it from the promotion’s recent social media post to celebrate women’s history month. That’s because Rousey was completely left off.
While Rousey hasn’t competed professionally in nearly a decade and walked away from UFC after back-to-back losses, the 39-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best female fighters ever. A case can be that Rousey’s overall skill set isn’t as good as Amanda Nunes or Valentina Shevchenko, but there’s no debating that Rousey is one of the most important trailblazers in the history of the sport. She more or less put women’s MMA on the map when she transitioned to the Octagon.
All of that said, Rousey was left off of UFC’s recent tribute post for women’s history month. Instead of including Rousey, UFC’s media team named Nunes, Shevchenko, Cris Cyborg, and Rose Namajunas as UFC champions who have been “breaking barriers one round at a time.” Rousey is nowhere to be seen, but there may be a reason for that.
Over the past month, Rousey has done her best to besmirch UFC and how they’ve been handling fighter pay under the new Paramount+ model. Rousey was hoping to have her upcoming superfight with Gina Carano take place inside of the Octagon, but UFC wasn’t willing to pay the type of money both sides needed. That forced Rousey and Carano to partner with Jake Paul for a throwdown on Netflix this May. It also cast a shadow over Rousey’s relationship with UFC, even if she had Dana White’s blessing.
Check out UFC’s Rousey-less post below and let us know if you think there’s anything behind it!
MURFREESBORO, Tennessee, March 21 — Tennessee's TSSAA boys basketball championships are taking place Saturday at The Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.
The Division I Class 3A championship game will feature a couple of Knoxville-area rivals as the Alcoa [TN] Tornadoes will take on the Fulton [Knoxville, TN] Falcons.
The game will tip off after the conclusion of the Class 2A game with a tentative start time of 2:30 p.m. EST/1:30 p.m. CST local.
Former India left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan said Mumbai Indians (MI) hold the edge over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the debate over the greatest Indian Premier League (IPL) team, citing the former’s role in contributing to giving match-winners to the Indian team.
MI vs CSK debate: Pathan picks his side
"On picking the side between CSK and MI as the greatest team in the IPL, this will always be debatable. CSK started winning the IPL title from 2010 onwards. They won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 and were the first team to do so. But when MI started winning from 2013, they kept winning after every alternate year. Then they won the IPL trophy back-to-back in 2019 & 2020,'' Irfan Pathan said.
“MI have given more match-winners to India”
“But what I like about MI is their contribution to Indian cricket. The number of match winners they have produced for the Indian team is absolutely tremendous. How do you achieve that? First, you make your franchise big. Second, you deliver results with the team you have. Even now, MI had a great squad last season that could have easily won the trophy, but they couldn't for different reasons,'' Pathan added.
“CSK don't have four Indian captains, MI do. In that respect, assembling a team and contributing to a bigger cause, I think MI are the greatest IPL team. I know CSK will always say they are also the greatest, having won five trophies too. There is no doubt. There will always be a debate and it is a fair debate. But I think MI take the edge because they have given so many wonderful cricketers and young talents to Indian cricket," said Pathan on JioStar.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi faces crucial IPL 2026 season
He also spoke about how the 2026 IPL season would become a crucial learning phase for teenaged batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The left-hander became the fastest Indian batter to hit a century in the IPL in just 35 balls last year and was retained by Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of IPL 2026.
Sooryavanshi is also coming on the back of being Player of the Tournament and Player of the Final in the 2026 Men’s U19 World Cup won by India. "This season of the IPL for Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be a learning one. He has played in the tournament last year, he has played domestic cricket, and he is playing cricket in all formats everywhere.
“He played in the Under-19 World Cup, he has taken part in the Ranji Trophy with Bihar, and he has scored runs everywhere. In white-ball cricket and red-ball cricket, everyone is taking note of him. Bowlers are doing the same. Since he has played so much cricket since his IPL debut last year, other players are watching his videos and analysing his weaknesses,” he said.
Opposition bowlers set to target weaknesses
Pathan signed off by saying it would be interesting to see if Sooryavanshi upgrades his game when the opposition bowlers target his weak areas. “So he needs to find a way to upgrade his game and work on his weaknesses. He has slammed centuries with ease in all forms of cricket. When you do that consistently, not just in IPL but in domestic cricket, Under-19 cricket and emerging matches, your confidence keeps going higher.
129719919
“This IPL season, all bowlers will be ready with their strategies and Vaibhav will be looking to prove a point. He can do that by slamming another hundred in the IPL. When he scores runs consistently this season, that is when we can say Vaibhav Suryavanshi has upgraded his game."
According to a Nikkei report, the update will allow consumers to remove and replace batteries using ordinary tools, without special equipment or risking damage to the device. The more easily repairable model is expected to debut in Europe, with the design expanding to other markets if required by similar legal...
Available now to Steam Deck Preview channel users, the update includes various fixes and improvements that appear aimed at addressing the Linux distro's weaknesses. Many of the changes facilitate connecting displays, controllers, and other external devices.
PlayStation 5 architect Mark Cerny said in an interview that Sony will add frame-generation technology to the console in the future, but didn't specify which console will get it or when.
RazFit is a fitness app for iPhone and iPad that delivers 1–10 minute, equipment-free workouts tailored to your level. Choose your time and focus area, then train with clear video guidance, timers, and automatic tracking. RazFit includes 30 calisthenics exercises, 32 achievement badges, and AI coaches Orion and Lyssa to keep you motivated and on form. You can track progress, unlock milestones, and see results in weeks, with support available in six languages.
Postica is a Reddit growth platform for founders and marketers. It analyzes over 20 million posts across more than 100,000 subreddits to show you the best posting times, highest engagement keywords, flair performance, and audience overlap between communities. No more guessing where to share your product.
It also generates personalized daily growth plans based on your product and experience level, with titles modeled after top-performing content. Postica includes a post studio for drafting and scheduling, a conversation finder for comment marketing, and link tracking to measure clicks.
An anonymous Substack post accuses compliance startup Delve of “falsely” convincing “hundreds of customers they were compliant” with privacy and security regulations.
Philippine Airlines Marks Its Anniversary, Expanding Access to South East Asia: All You Need to KnowPhilippine Airlines’ eighty-fifth anniversary boosts Philippines and Southeast Asia tourism, enhancing flights to Manila, Cebu, and beyond. The post Philippine Airlines Marks Its Anniversary, Expanding... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Delta’s Emergency at DFW: Why Your Cabin Lights Might Go Out—and Why You’re Still SafeDelta Flight 521 landed safely at DFW after a mid-air cabin power loss. FAA cites generator issues. Discover how this impacts travel safety in 2026. The... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
US Travel Advisory for Travelers: New Embassy Warning Reveals Hidden Costs That Could Derail Your Journey!US Embassy Dhaka issues a critical travel advisory for Bangladeshis. Learn about financial prep, public charge rules, and the risks of visa fraud to avoid... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Tanzania Tourism Boom Wingu Africa Powers New Digital Infrastructure GrowthTanzania Tourism Boom Wingu Africa Powers New Digital Infrastructure Growth The post Tanzania Tourism Boom Wingu Africa Powers New Digital Infrastructure Growth appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Direct to Tashkent: Qanot Sharq Breaks Monopoly on New York-Uzbekistan RouteUzbekistan's Qanot Sharq Airlines launches direct Tashkent-New York flights in May 2026. Explore new travel options and lower fares to Central Asia. The post Direct to Tashkent: Qanot Sharq Breaks... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
United Airlines Slashes Flights: Rising Fuel Costs and Conflict Shatter Dream Vacations – All You Need To KnowUnited Airlines cuts flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv as fuel prices soar. Discover how this conflict impacts your travel plans and the... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
EgyptAir, Emirates, Gulf Air and Qatar Airways Spark Flight Disruption in Egypt with Over 30 Cancellations Affecting Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Baghdad, Hurghada, Port Sudan, Sayun, and More – New UpdateThis report analyzes widespread flight cancellations... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
The Sleeping Giants of Teruel: Why Your Next Flight Might Be Parked in a Spanish DesertTeruel Airport becomes a strategic haven as Qatar Airways moves 17 widebody jets to Spain amid Middle East conflict. See how this impacts travel. The... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Australia Launches Landmark Green Initiative to Promote Sustainable Tourism Practices Nationwide, Embracing Eco-Conscious Travel and Cultural Preservation – Everything You Need to KnowTourism Australia launches its 'Green is Our Gold' sustainability initiative, aiming to drive responsible tourism across the country... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Gulf Air and Iraqi Airways Trigger Travel Disruptions Across Iraq as Six Flights Are Cancelled Affecting Baghdad, Najaf, Bahrain, and Cairo, and More Routes – New UpdateAn analytical report detailing recent flight cancellations from Baghdad International Airport and Al Najaf... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Samsung is becoming a leader in making advanced memory chips for artificial intelligence (AI), mainly with its new HBM4 technology. At the GTC 2026 event, Samsung said it will supply a large number of these chips to NVIDIA.
These HBM4 chips are very fast and can reach speeds of 13Gbps, which is higher than what NVIDIA actually needs.Samsung also shared that all of its HBM4 chips are high-performance, giving it a strong advantage in the market.
A big reason for Samsung’s success is a part called the base die. This is like the brain of the chip, as it controls both speed and power usage. Samsung uses a modern 4nm process to make this part, which helps the chip run faster while using less power.
It also improves stability, so the chip can work smoothly even during heavy tasks. This is important because AI systems need strong performance but must also control heat and energy use.
Samsung is also preparing for the future. It is working on the next version called HBM4E, which is expected to be even faster, reaching 16Gbps. This is about 23% faster than the current HBM4 chips, but it will still use the same amount of power.This means better performance without extra energy use.
In the coming years, Samsung plans to use an even more advanced 2nm process to make its chips even better. Samsung is focusing on speed, efficiency, and large production, which is helping it stay ahead in the fast-growing AI chip market.
MIT engineers have developed a groundbreaking method to inject liver cells alongside protective gel particles, creating functional "satellite livers" that may one day eliminate the need for major transplant surgery.
Crimson Desert has been the talk of the town in recent weeks, for both good and bad reasons. The highly-anticipated open-world game has been six years in the making, but its reception since going live has taken a turn for the worse.
The ZimaCube 2 and ZimaCube Pro 2 NAS systems are finally available for pre-order. Starting at $799, the premium NAS family packs GPU support, PCIe expansion, as well as up to 64 GB RAM and 164 TB storage.
Waveshare has introduced a new mini PC case for the Raspberry Pi CM5. Offering a plethora of ports, the new ultra-compact CM5-powered mini PC can pull off decent performance in lightweight day-to-day tasks.
Alvaro Arbeloa shared his thoughts on France’s call-up of Kylian Mbappe, which comes amid the forward’s recent injury issues at Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have been without Kylian Mbappe for most of their recent matches due to fitness concerns. Now, as he continues his recovery and gradually returns to action, the forward is set to join the France national team—something Alvaro Arbeloa addressed.
“It seems great to me,” the Real Madrid head coach said when asked about the situation during Saturday’s press conference, via Marca. “I don’t see any problem with him going to his national team. It’s good news.”
Arbeloa also offered reassurance regarding Mbappe’s physical condition. “He’s a player who is available to the coach, who has already played with us and who will definitely play tomorrow,” he added, referring to Real Madrid’s Matchday 29 La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid.
“Having many international players is positive because it means our players have a high level and quality. If they’re called up, it’s because they’re very good, which is good news for Real Madrid,” Arbeloa added.
𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐔𝐒 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄! 💙🔥
Heading to the United States with 2 matches against Brazil 🇧🇷 and Colombia 🇨🇴
Mbappe’s situation is just one of several Real Madrid are dealing with ahead of the March international break. In total, 12 players from the squad will travel to join their respective national teams for international fixtures over the next week.
Mbappe, along with Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, will join France, while Antonio Rudiger has been called up by Germany. Dean Huijsen will represent Spain, while David Alaba joins Austria. The other European call-ups are Jude Bellingham (England) and Arda Guler (Turkey).
In South America, Vinicius Junior has been included in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad, while Federico Valverde will represent Uruguay. Franco Mastantuono was not initially included in Argentina’s squad but was added at the last minute by Lionel Scaloni. The final case is Brahim Diaz, who returns to Morocco after the controversial AFCON final against Senegal.
Several additional cases are also worth noting. Rodrygo and Eder Militao were not included in Brazil’s squad due to fitness issues, while Thibaut Courtois misses out for Belgium for the same reason. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also among the most notable absences from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
Neymar's availability has gained extra significance as Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti monitors his fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Santos faces a critical Brazilian Serie A clash against Cruzeiro, and all eyes were on Neymar and his role in the match. His availability has gained extra significance as Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti monitors his fitness ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Neymar, who recently returned to Santos following knee surgery in December 2025, has been struggling with consistency and injuries, making his availability a key talking point ahead of Brazil’s pre-World Cup friendlies. Although the Peixe is grappling with inconsistency this season, and Cruzeiro is yet to secure its first win, Neymar remains central to the club’s ambitions.
His presence on the pitch has been limited, but when fit, he has shown flashes of brilliance, scoring three goals in three league appearances so far. Yet, for the game against Cruzeiro, he will not play the full 90 minutes, as coach Cuca has chosen to manage his workload carefully.
Cuca confirmed Neymar’s absence, citing workload management as the reason. “I had a separate conversation with Neymar, and I can tell you now that he will be out of Sunday’s game because he played two matches and cannot play a third in seven days due to workload management. According to our physiology team, the chance of injury is very high, and we cannot take that risk,” the coach said.
This decision comes amid mounting pressure for the 34-year-old to showcase his fitness to Ancelotti, who is preparing Brazil for friendlies against France and Croatia at the end of March. The forward’s ongoing recovery from an ACL injury in October 2023, coupled with intermittent match fitness, has made him a risk in consecutive matches. While some fans were hoping to see Neymar in action, his cautious management is aimed at sustaining him for both Santos and the national team.
Why Santos’ decision makes sense
Research highlights the risks of congested schedules. According to a 2022 study in Frontiers in Physiology, soccer players are 2.5 times more likely to sustain injuries when playing matches within 72 hours of each other, reinforcing the manager’s cautious approach. This includes muscle strains, ligament injuries, and other overuse problems. The underlying reason is simple: the human body needs time to recover from physical exertion.
After a high-intensity match, muscles, tendons, and joints are fatigued, and micro-damages need repair. If players return to full competition too quickly, they don’t have enough time to rebuild strength and resilience, making injuries much more likely. Neymar’s ongoing fitness challenges and history of injuries, including an ACL tear in 2023, further justify the load management strategy.
Neymar of Santos reacts during the Brasileirao 2025.
What Neymar needs to do to prove he is 2026 World Cup-worthy
Neymar’s absence from Santos mirrors his omission from Brazil’s March friendlies, which are the last preparation games before Ancelotti finalizes his World Cup squad on May 18. The 34-year-old forward, the Selecao’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, expressed his disappointment candidly.
“I’m upset and sad for not being picked by Ancelotti for the two friendlies. But my focus remains, day after day, training after training, match after match. We will reach our goal, there’s still the final squad,” he said.
Carlo Ancelotti sobre Neymar:
“Neymar pode estar na Copa se estiver 100%. Por que não chamei agora o Neymar? Porque não está 100%, é preciso de jogadores 100%.”
Ancelotti has emphasized the importance of physical readiness over technical ability. The Italian manager remarked, “Neymar is not at 100 percent, and therefore he is not on the list. If he can be at 100 percent physically, he can be there. Neymar could be at the World Cup. Neymar has to keep working, playing, showcasing his qualities, and maintaining good physical condition.”
The pre-World Cup friendlies will provide a platform for emerging talents such as Endrick, Igor Thiago, and Rayan, while veterans like Marquinhos, Vinicius, and Casemiro provide leadership. For Neymar, the challenge is clear: he must prove his fitness and form in the limited time left to earn a place in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Neymar of Santos and Head coach Carlo Ancelotti of Brazil.
Fenerbahçe'de yönetim, takımın en değerli ismi Guendouzi'ye bir YouTube kanalı için özel röportaj izni vererek bir nevi ayağına sıktı. Büyük medya devlerinin "etik" gerekçesiyle mesafeli durduğu paralı röportaj döneminde, kulübün bir başka adayına yakınlığıyla bilinen bir kanala kapı açması camiada "kendi kalesine gol" olarak yorumlandı.
Fenerbahçe yönetimi kendi kalesine gol attı... Sarı-lacivertli yönetim hali hazırda takımın en değerli ismi Matteo Guendouzi için bir YouTube kanalına özel röportaj izni verdi. Dev medya kuruluşlarının bile oyunculara ulaşmakta zorlandığı bir dönemde, bu iznin bilinirliği olmayan bir dijital platforma tanınması soru işaretlerine neden oldu.
GUENDOUZİ İÇİN ÖZEL İZİN
Son dönemde kulüplerin, oyuncu röportajlarını gelir kapısı haline getirerek para karşılığında izin vermesi medya ile arayı açtı. Etik bulmadıkları bu uygulama nedeniyle ana akım medya kulüplerden uzaklaştı. Kulüpler de kendi içeriklerini üretmeye yöneldi. Ancak Guendouzi için verilen bu son izin, alışılmışın dışındaki detaylarıyla dikkat çekiyor.
En dikkat çekici detay ise röportajın yapıldığı mecra... söz konusu kanal, son dönemde Fenerbahçe başkan adaylığı için adı geçen bir ismi destekleyen bir yayın politikası izlediği biliniyor.
İddialara göre bu isim, başkanlık yolunda elini güçlendirmek adına sosyal medyaya yatırım yaparak kendisine bir medya gücü oluşturma gayretinde. Ancak kulislerde konuşulanlara göre, daha önce bu ismi destekleyen hesaplar saf değiştirerek cephe aldı.
Soruların kulüp denetiminden geçerek sorulduğu mülakatta Fransız yıldızın bazı açıklamaları:
- Süper Kupa finali yoğun bir süreçti, uykusuz kaldım ama daha iyi bir başlangıç hayal edemezdim.
- Arsenal'deyken Emery ile çalışmaktan keyif alırdım. Kısa sürede Tedesco'dan da çok şey öğrendim. Onu tarz olarak Emery’ye benzetiyorum.
Galatasaray'da beklenen patlamayı yapamayan ve Şampiyonlar Ligi kadrosunda yer almasına rağmen süre bulamayan Yaser Asprilla ile yollar ayrılıyor. Süre bulmakta zorlanan ve skor katkısı üretemeyen genç oyuncunun sezon sonunda bonservisinin alınmama kararı kesinleşti.
Galatasaray'da sezon sonu planlamaları şekillenirken, performansı ve saha dışı görüntüsüyle beklentilerin uzağında kalan Yaser Asprilla ile yolların ayrılmasına kesin gözüyle bakılıyor.
YASER ASPRILLA YOKLARI OYNADI
Ocak ayında Girona'dan satın alma opsiyonu ile kiralanan genç Kolombiyalı istenen patlamayı yapamadı. Şampiyonlar Ligi kadrosuna Renato Nhaga’nın yerine tecrübesi nedeniyle dahil edilmesine rağmen, devler arenasında (Juventus ve Liverpool) tek bir dakika bile süre alamadı.
Süper Lig'deki son 3 maçta sadece 3 dakika şans bulabilen, son iki karşılaşmada ise kulübeye hapsolan Asprilla’nın sezon sonunda bonservisinin alınma ihtimali tamamen ortadan kalktı.
Süper Lig: 5 maçta toplam 85 dakika.
Türkiye Kupası: 2 maç (Antalyaspor ve İstanbulspor) 180 dakika.
Takımın izin gününde ortaya çıkan görüntüler, oyuncuların profesyonellik anlayışındaki farkı da gözler önüne serdi. Formayı kaptıran Asprilla, kız arkadaşıyla havuzda vakit geçirirken görüntülendi. Bu durum, oyuncunun takımdaki geleceğine dair konsantrasyon kaybı olarak yorumlandı.
RENATO NHAGA GÖZE GİRDİ
Şampiyonlar Ligi listesi dışında kalmasına rağmen Renato Nhaga, izin gününde bile Kemerburgaz'a giderek bireysel çalışmalarına devam etti. Genç oyuncunun bu disiplini teknik heyetten tam not aldı.
DAVINSON SANCHEZ'İ ÖRNEK ALMALI
Takımın diğer Kolombiyalısı Davinson Sanchez ise Asprilla’nın aksine yükselen grafiğini sürdürüyor. Galatasaray’dan özel izin alarak ülkesine giden ve form tutmak adına América de Cali kulübünde antrenmanlara çıkan tecrübeli stoper beklendiği gibi Kolombiya Milli Takımı'na alındı.
Milli arada rota yeniden İtalya! Liverpool maçı sonrası İstanbul'a dönmeyen Okan Buruk, Milano'da Hakan Çalhanoğlu ile gizli bir zirve gerçekleştirdi. İtalyan basınının "ayrılık kaçınılmaz" dediği ortamda tecrübeli yıldız için Galatasaray, 10 milyon Euro altındaki bonservis operasyonu için düğmeye bastı.
Galatasaray’da teknik direktör Okan Buruk, milli arayı fırsat bilerek tatil için yine İtalya’yı tercih etti. Liverpool karşılaşmasının ardından İstanbul’a dönmeyip Milano’ya geçen tecrübeli çalıştırıcı, sarı-kırmızılı taraftarları heyecanlandıracak dev bir buluşmaya imza attı.
OKAN BURUK İTALYA'YA GEÇTİ
Sezon başı ve devre arasında kadroya katılması için yoğun mesai harcanan Hakan Çalhanoğlu ile Milano’da bir araya geldi. Geçmişteki halka açık pozların aksine bu kez gizli tutulan görüşme, transferin ciddiyetini gözler önüne serdi.
HAKAN ÇALHANOĞLU İLE INTER ANLAŞAMADI
Hakan Çalhanoğlu cephesindeki hareketlilik İtalyan basınında da geniş yankı buldu. La Gazzetta dello Sport, hafta içinde geçtiği haberde Inter ile Hakan arasındaki sözleşme uzatma görüşmelerinin tıkanma noktasına geldiğini vurguladı:
- Inter'de Hakan Çalhanoğlu ile sözleşme uzatma ihtimali azalmış görünüyor. Galatasaray’ın yeniden devreye girmesi artık kaçınılmaz.
GALATASARAY'IN EN BÜYÜK KOZU
Sözleşmesi gelecek sezon sonunda bitecek olan 30 yaşındaki kaptan için Galatasaray yönetimi stratejisini belirledi. Haziran ayında, Dünya Kupası süreci başlamadan imzayı attırmayı hedefleyen sarı-kırmızılılar, kontrat süresinin azalmasını koz olarak kullanacak.
Beklenen bonservis bedelinin 10 milyon Euro’nun altına düşmesi öngörülüyor. Zira Inter, Haziran ayında satış yapmazsa, 6 ay sonra bedelsiz olarak Galatasaray’a imza atma ihtimaliyle karşı karşıya kalacak.
Real Madrid'in Elche karşısındaki galibiyetine 70 metreden attığı akılalmaz golle damga vuran Arda Güler, kulübün resmi kanalına açıklamalarda bulundu. 21 yaşındaki genç yıldız, bu tarihi vuruşun bir tesadüf olmadığını belirterek; çocukluk kahramanlarından bugünkü ilham kaynaklarına kadar merak edilenleri anlattı.
İspanya La Liga'nın 28. haftasında Real Madrid'in evinde Elche'yi konuk ettiği maçta 89.dakikada yaklaşık 70 metre uzaklıktan gol atarak gündeme oturan Arda Güler, kulübün resmi YouTube kanalına dikkat çeken açıklamalarda bulundu..
"HER ZAMAN BÖYLE BİR GOL ATMAK İSTİYORDUM"
Attığı gol hakkında konuşan 21 yaşındaki futbolcu, "Daha önce de denemiştim. Her zaman böyle bir gol atmak istiyordum. O tarz bir vuruş kalitem var. Kaleciyi önde gördüğümde böyle vuruşlar deneyebiliyorum. Maçın içerisinde bir an gelişti. Uzaktan böyle bir gol attım" dedi.
"ÖRNEK ALDIĞIM FUTBOLCU ALEX DE SOUZA'YDI"
Küçükken Fenerbahçe'nin eski futbolcusu Alex de Souza'yı örnek aldığını söyleyen Arda, şimdilerde ise yine Fenerbahçe'nin eski futbolcusu Mesut Özil'i izlediğini söyledi.
Genç yıldız, "Küçüklükten beri örnek aldığım futbolcu Alex de Souza'ydı. Şimdi biraz daha Mesut Özil ve Luka Modric'i izliyorum. Kendimi onlara benzetmeye çalışıyorum. Çok elit futbolcular" ifadelerini kullandı.
Halkbank Kadınlar Basketbol Süper Ligi play-off çeyrek final ikinci maçında Galatasaray Çağdaş Faktoring, deplasmanda Nesibe Aydın'ı 94-75 yendi.
Galatasaray Çağdaş Faktoring,Halkbank Kadınlar Basketbol Süper Ligi play-off çeyrek final ikinci maçında deplasmanda Nesibe Aydın'ı 94-75 yendi.
Eşleşmenin İstanbul'da oynanan ilk maçında da rakibini 86-61 mağlup eden sarı-kırmızılı ekip, seriyi 2-0 kazanarak yarı finale yükseldi.
Galatasaray Çağdaş Faktoring, yarı finalde Emlak Konut ile karşılaşacak.
Salon: TOBB ETÜ
Hakemler: Barış Turgut, Melikşah Mercan, Aygün Akgül
Nesibe Aydın: Davis 18, Bone 18, Pelin Gülçelik 5, Green 22, Yağmur Önal 9, Derin Yaya 3, Büşra Akgün, Melike Yalçınkaya, Turner
Galatasaray Çağdaş Faktoring: Gökşen Fitik 9, Ayşe Cora Yamaner 16, Johannes 8, Kuier 16, Williams 21, Sude Yılmaz 13, Sehernaz Çidal 3, Zeynep Şevval Gül 2, Elif Bayram 6
Yiğidolar deplasmanda hata yapmadı! Ligin 32. haftasında Manisa FK'ye konuk olan Özbelsan Sivasspor, 90 dakikayı 1-0 üstün tamamlayarak kritik virajı kayıpsız döndü.
Özbelsan Sivasspor,Trendyol 1. Lig'in 32. haftasında deplasmanda Manisa FK'yi 1-0 mağlup etti.
Öte yandan müsabakanın 70. dakikasında Özbelsan Sivasspor'dan Bekir Turaç Böke, kazanılan penaltı atışından yararlanamadı.
Stat: Manisa 19 Mayıs
Hakemler: Muhammet Ali Meteoğlu, Cem Özbay, Salih Burak Demirel
Manisa FK: Vedat Karakuş, Ayberk Karapo, Herelle, Yasin Güreler, Umut Erdem, Cissokho, Lindseth, Osman Kahraman (Dk. 76 Ada İbik), Benrahou, Muhammed Enes Kiprit (Dk. 63 Umut Can Aslan, Dk. 90+1 Yunus Emre Dursun), Diony
“Turan Tovuz”un baş məşqçisi Kurban Berdıyev Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 25-ci turunda “Qəbələ”yə qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Sumqayıtda baş tutmuş görüşü Tovuz təmsilçisinin 2:3 hesablı məğlubiyyəti ilə yekunlaşıb.
Kurban Berdıyev matçdan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:
“Çətin oyun oldu. Qarşılaşmaya yaxşı başlamışdıq. Amma ilk hissənin ortalarından etibarən üstünlüyü rəqibə verdik. İkinci hissədə üstünlüyü ələ keçirərək qələbə qazandıq. Fikrimcə, daha çox qol vura bilərdik.
Üçüncü pillənin sahibi kimi danışmaq tezdir. Hələ qarşıda çoxlu matçımız var. Növbəti oyunlara hazırlaşmalıyıq. Arxayınlaşmaq olmaz”.
Xatırladaq ki, “Turan Tovuz” hazırda 48 xalla Premyer Liqanın yarış cədvəlinin 3-cü pilləsində qərarlaşıb.
“Qəbələ”nin baş məşqçisi Kaxaber Sxadadze Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 25-ci turunda “Turan Tovuz”a qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Sumqayıtda baş tutmuş görüşü “Qəbələ”nin 2:3 hesablı məğlubiyyəti ilə yekunlaşıb.
Kaxaber Sxadadze matçdan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:
“Bayram münasibətilə hər kəsi təbrik edirəm. Çox axmaq qollar buraxırıq. “Neftçi” ilə oyunu yada salsaq, həmin oyunda da cərimə meydançasında bizim 4, onların 1 futbolçusu var idi. Lakin çox asan qol buraxdıq. Azarkeşləri də başa düşürəm. Təbii ki, nəticəyə baş məşqçi cavabdehdir. Mən də qorxmuram, cavab verməyə hazıram. Biz rəqibə bütün komponentlərdə uduzmuruq. Futbolçularda konsentrasiya problemi olduğunu düşünürəm. Biz bundan sonra daha yaxşı hazırlaşmağa çalışacağıq. Liqada qalmaq üçün əlimizdən gələni edəcəyik.
Təbii ki, komanda uduzanda üzərimizdə daha çox təzyiq olur. Son ayyarımda 11 oyun keçirdik. Bu gərginlikdə matçlar keçirmək oyunçularda psixoloji problem yaratmışdı. Daha güclü olmalıyıq. Qışdan sonra daha yaxşı oynayırdıq. Lakin nəticə qazanmaqda çətinlik çəkirik. Vaxt var. Bundan sonra daha yaxşı çıxış etməliyik”.
Napoli'de 2024 yılında geçici bir süre teknik direktörlük görevini üstlenen Francesco Calzona, İtalyan ekibinde yaşadığı sorunları anlattı. Calzona, Victor Osimhen ve Khvicha Kvaratskhelia dikkat çeken sözler kullandı.
Liverpool maçında kolundan yaşadığı sakatlık ile sarı-kırmızılı taraftarları endişelendiren Victor Osimhen ile ilgili flaş detay ortaya çıktı. Galatasaray'ın Nijeryalı golcüsünün yaşadığı sakatlığın nedenini...Devamı için tıklayınız
Trendyol 1. Lig'in 32. haftasında Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü, Adana Demirspor'la karşı karşıya geldi. Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü evinde oynadığı maçta rakibini 7-0 mağlup etti....Devamı için tıklayınız
Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi 23. haftasında Galatasaray MCT Technic ile Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol karşı karşıya geldi. Heyecanın son saniyelere kadar sürdüğü maçta Galatasaray MCT Technic evinde...Devamı için tıklayınız
Halkbank Kadınlar Basketbol Süper Ligi çeyrek final maçında Galatasaray Çağdaş Faktoring, Nesibe Aydın'ı 75-94 mağlup ederek seriyi 2-0 kazandı ve yarı finale yükseldi. İşte ayrıntılar...Devamı için tıklayınız
Misli Premyer Liqasının XXV turunun “Turan Tovuz” – “Qəbələ” oyunundan (3:2) sonra Tovuz təmsilçisinin baş məşqçisi Kurban Berdıyev fikirlərini bölüşüb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis matçla bağlı bunları deyib:
“Çətin oyun və çətin qələbə oldu. Oyuna yaxşı başlamışdıq. Birinci hissənin ikinci yarısından etibarən təşəbbüsü rəqibə verdik. İkinci hissəni bütövlükdə yaxşı oynadıq. Hesabı bir qədər də artıra bilərdik. Çox vacib və çətin qələbə oldu”.
Misli Premyer Liqasının XXV turunun “Turan Tovuz” – “Qəbələ” oyunundan (3:2) sonra qonaq komandanın baş məşqçisi Kaxaber Sxadadze jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis əvvəlcə görüşlə bağlı fikirlərini bölüşüb…
– Çox axmaq qollar buraxırıq. “Neftçi” ilə oyunu yada salsaq, həmin oyunda da cərimə meydançasında bizim 4, onların 1 futbolçusu var idi. Lakin çox asan qol buraxdıq. Azarkeşləri də başa düşürəm. Təbii ki, nəticəyə baş məşqçi cavabdehdir. Mən də qorxmuram, cavab verməyə hazıram. Rəqiblərə bütün komponentlərdə uduzmuruq. Sadəcə bəzi məqamlarda diqqət əskikliyi olur. Liqada son mərhələyə başlayacağıq. Daha yaxşı olmağa çalışacağıq.
– Futbolçularda psixoloji baxımdan problem olduğu görsənir. Baş məşqçi kimi bu problemi aradan qaldırmaq üçün hansı addımı atmağı düşünürsünüz? – Təbii ki, komanda uduzanda üzərimizdə daha çox təzyiq olur. Son ay yarımda 11 oyun keçirdik. Bu gərginlikdə matçlar keçirmək oyunçularda psixoloji problem yaratmışdı. Daha güclü olmalıyıq. Qışdan sonra daha yaxşı oynayırdıq. Lakin nəticə qazanmaqda çətinlik çəkirik. Qarşıda fasilə var. Bu vaxtdan istifadə etməyə çalışacağıq.
Max Allegri gives an important injury update on Rafael Leao and warns Milan ‘need to be on our toes’ against Torino. ‘Niclas Fullkrug has different characteristics.’
It has been a strange couple of weeks for the Rossoneri, as they went from sudden Scudetto contenders beating Inter in the Derby della Madonnina, to losing 1-0 at Lazio and finding themselves closer to fifth place than to the Serie A leaders.
Allegri forced to make Milan changes
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“It is an important match, as we are coming off a defeat, the table is closing up, and we need to be on our toes,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.
“Torino are doing very well, they are defensively strong, solid on second balls and deadly with counter-attacks, so we need focus and determination.”
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri embrace his player Rafael Leao after substitution during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Unfortunately, he felt this twinge in training yesterday, we talked with Rafa, and decided it was best not to risk it. I think Portugal removed him from their squad too for international duty, so he’ll have a couple of weeks to make a full recovery, then we can dive into the final eight games of the season.
“He needs specific work to get back to 100 per cent, Leao is in no condition to play for Portugal either.”
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
With Fullkrug as a centre-forward on loan from West Ham United, it is a very different interpretation of the role to Leao, and so Milan will be expected to provide more crosses.
“Fullkrug has different characteristics. Even if he didn’t score that many goals, Leao moved well acting as a centre-forward, we just didn’t give him the right service,” insisted Allegri.
“Of course, Fullkrug is more accustomed to that position.”
Santiago Gimenez is on the bench for the first time since his ankle problem started in October, while Adrien Rabiot returns from suspension and Davide Bartesaghi is back in the starting XI.
“I am fortunate enough to see Modric train every day and I think it’ll be tough to see one like him again in future,” noted Allegri when asked if the 40-year-old is planning on retirement this summer.
Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona reveals behind the scenes drama during his Napoli experience. ‘Victor Osimhen never trained, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wasn’t happy, there were problems with the club.’
The Partenopei won the Scudetto in 2023 with Luciano Spalletti, who had Calzona as his assistant manager, but the coach and his staff walked away that summer because they felt it could not be topped.
The general feeling within the group was a negative one, seeing them finish 10th in Serie A after going through three coaches, culminating with Calzona sharing the Slovakia job with Napoli from February 19 to June 30.
Calzona came to Napoli’s rescue during crisis
EMPOLI, ITALY – APRIL 20: Francesco Calzona manager of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Empoli FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani on April 20, 2024 in Empoli, Italy.(Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“Nobody can dare say no to Napoli, it feels like my home.”
When Calzona picked up the pieces at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, he inherited a chaotic situation both on and off the field.
“As what happened later confirms, everyone was already seeing a way out in June and that had a big influence, as well as the other problems.
“There were issues between players and the club, people who just wanted to get to the end of the season and leave. More than anything else, the five or six new signings that were made, none of them were up to the standard of playing in that season, so by the end of that term they were all frozen out.
UDINE, ITALY – MAY 06: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Udinese Calcio and SSC Napoli at Dacia Arena on May 06, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“So that was a fundamental problem at the core of it, but apart from that, there was a general sense of unhappiness and grumbling.
“Osimhen never trained, Kvaratskhelia wasn’t happy, there were so many problems I won’t list here. I didn’t expect to find myself in such a delicate situation, but it was still a wonderful experience,” concluded Calzona.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli shows his disappointment during the Serie A match between Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 08, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Osimhen had signed a new contract with Napoli, but with the understanding he would be sold that summer, so when several different negotiations collapsed, he was loaned to Galatasaray in September 2024.
Kvaratskhelia had also been pushing for the exit, but was not allowed to leave for Paris Saint-Germain until January 2025.
Milan are feeling the pressure without Rafael Leao, so Niclas Fullkrug starts with Christian Pulisic and Adrien Rabiot against a Torino revitalised by new coach Roberto D’Aversa.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Inter at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Rossoneri had been dreaming of the Scudetto after beating rivals Inter to close the gap on the leaders, but a surprising defeat to Lazio saw them drop closer to fifth now than first place.
To make matters worse, Rafael Leao suffered an adductor injury after his tantrum at being substituted, so he is ruled out here along with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Matteo Gabbia.
It means Fullkrug is chosen to lead the attack with Pulisic, but the good news is that Santiago Gimenez gets his first appearance on the bench since his ankle injury in October.
Rabiot also returns from suspension to bolster the midfield with Luka Modric, while Davide Bartesaghi is back from injury to replace Pervis Estupinan.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
Torino sacked coach Marco Baroni after a dismal run of results and have been revitalised by the arrival of D’Aversa this month.
He oversaw two victories over Lazio and Parma, narrowly falling 2-1 to Napoli.
Zakaria Aboukhlal, Alieu Njie and Zanos Savva did not make the trip, but Nikola Vlasic, Giovanni Simeone and Duvan Zapata lead the attack, with Che Adams and January signing Sandro Kulenovic ready to come off the bench.
When these sides met back in December, Milan ran out 3-2 winners in Turin, ending a run of just one point from three previous meetings with Toro.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 1: Giovanni Simeone of Torino FC celebrates after scoring the team´s first goal during the Serie A match between Torino FC and SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on March 1, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images)
Marco Giampaolo had a dream Cremonese debut, dragging Parma right back into the relegation battle with rare Youssef Maleh and Jari Vandeputte goals at the Stadio Tardini.
The Ducali were still fairly comfortably mid-table, despite just two points from the last three rounds, including a 4-1 defeat to Torino. Enrico Delprato was suspended, with Adrian Bernabé, Benja Cremaschi, Pontus Almqvist and Matija Frigan injured.
Cremonese were increasingly desperate after the 4-1 hammering by Fiorentina left them three points adrift in the drop zone, sacking Davide Nicola. Warren Bondo sat out a ban, with Federico Baschirotto, Michele Collocolo and Faris Moumbagna still sidelined, but Giampaolo moved to a 4-4-2 formation.
PARMA, ITALY – MARCH 21: Marco Giampaolo head coach of US Cremonese during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and US Cremonese at Stadio Ennio Tardini on March 21, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Jari Vandeputte sprinted away on the counter from his own half to sting Zion Suzuki’s gloves at the near post, while Federico Bonazzoli’s acrobatic overhead kick flashed over the bar.
Cremonese had the ball in the net on 24 minutes with Bonazzoli tapping in a poor clearance, but it didn’t count as Alessio Zerbin was offside in the build-up.
PARMA, ITALY – MARCH 21: Antonio Sanabria of Cremonese battles for possession with Lautaro Valenti of Parma Calcio 1913 during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and US Cremonese at Stadio Ennio Tardini on March 21, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Mateo Pellegrini drilled the first Parma opportunity just wide, while Bonazzoli’s glancing header was smothered by Suzuki.
Cremonese took the lead when a poor Sasha Britschgi clearance fell to Maleh, who still had plenty to do with a ferocious first-time left-foot strike from 20 metres into the far bottom corner. It was his first Serie A goal since 2021.
PARMA, ITALY – MARCH 21: Youssef Maleh of Cremonese celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and US Cremonese at Stadio Ennio Tardini on March 21, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
They doubled the deserved advantage when Jamie Vardy came off the bench and within minutes provided the decisive assist, rolling across from the left for Vandeputte to run through the centre, taking a touch to then beat the on-rushing Suzuki.
Gabriel Strefezza fired high and wide, but Hans Nicolussi Caviglia’s strike was going on target until deflected inches wide by Sebastiano Luperto’s backside.
Martin Payero should’ve made more from a similar Vardy assist late on, but his first touch let him down. Cremonese’s last victory in Serie A was 2-0 against Lecce on December 7, followed by four draws and 11 defeats.
Manchester United are plotting a surprise move for the Tottenham Hotspur prodigy Archie Gray.
According to a report from Sports Boom, they will look to make a move for the 20-year-old midfielder if Tottenham are relegated at the end of the season. Gray has been a promising acquisition for Tottenham, and he has established himself as a first-team player since joining from Leeds United in 2024.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Could Spurs lose Archie Gray?
Relegation would be a massive financial blow for Tottenham, and it could cost them around £250 million in revenues. They will need to sell players in order to balance the books, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to sanction the departure of the 20-year-old.
There is no doubt that Gray is a quality player, and he has shown that he can slot into multiple roles and perform at a high level. He could be an asset for Manchester United. They need more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and the 20-year-old could be the ideal option for them. He is a young player with a lot of potential, and Manchester United could groom him into a future star.
Losing the player to Manchester United would be devastating for Tottenham. He is one of their best young players, and he could develop into a star for the club. Tottenham need to hold on to players like him if they want to build a formidable team for the future.
Clubs like Real Madrid and Munich are keen on the talented young midfielder as well, and they believe that £55 million could be enough to secure his signature in the summer. It will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds.
Aston Villa and Newcastle United are interested in signing the French midfielder Corentin Tolisso at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old has been outstanding for Lyon, and he has 11 goals to his name in all competitions. The player will cost around €30 million, and it appears that the two Premier League clubs are willing to get the deal done.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Corentin Tolisso could be a useful signing
They could use more creativity and control in the middle of the park, and the 31-year-old could be an excellent short-term acquisition. According to a report from Sports Boom, Aston Villa have been closely tracking his progress and are hoping to tempt him in the summer. Meanwhile, Newcastle United are keen on the players as well.
Furthermore, Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring his situation, as the lack of European football could complicate a move. It remains to be seen whether the 31-year-old is prepared to move to the Premier League in the summer.
Apart from being a quality performer for the French outfit, he is also the club captain. The likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham could use his leadership skills.
There is no doubt he has the technical attributes for English football, and he could be a very useful addition for all three clubs. The €30 million asking price seems reasonable for a player of his quality and experience. He should be able to justify the investment if he ends up moving to England.
Aston Villa are pushing for Champions League qualification, and they could be an attractive destination for the French international. On the other hand, Newcastle and Tottenham have ambitious projects as well. It will be interesting to see what the 31-year-old decides.
Adam Wharton has been linked with a move away from Crystal Palace in recent months, and Manchester United are very keen on securing his signature.
According to Sports Boom, they have identified the Crystal Palace midfielder as their number one target for the summer transfer window, and they are ready to launch a move worth around £60 million to the England international.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Adam Wharton to replace Casemiro?
Casemiro is set to leave the club at the end of the season, and they will need to replace the Brazilian. The talented young England International could be the ideal replacement for the South American.
The 22-year-old has established himself as a reliable performer in the Premier League, and he will help Manchester United tighten up defensively. His ability to control the game from the deep would add a new dimension to the team as well. There is no doubt that he is one of the brightest young talents in the country right now, and he has all the tools to develop into a world-class player.
The opportunity to join Manchester United could be quite tempting for the 22-year-old. They are among the biggest clubs in the world, and joining them would be the ideal next step for him. He should be competing for major trophies, and Manchester United can provide him with that platform. He has clearly outgrown Crystal Palace now, and this is the right time for him to move on and take on a bigger challenge.
It will be interesting to see if the Eagles are prepared to sanction his departure for a fee of around £60 million.
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 18: Avieon Terrell #8 of the Clemson Tigers runs in coverage against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Memorial Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has a tall task ahead of him in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The club still needs a starting-caliber left tackle, a wide receiver who can catch the ball and then do something with it, and, if it is not too much trouble, an actual NFL starting quarterback.
Those are just the top-of-mind needs, and they should be taken care of, outside of the quarterback, in the first round, where Cleveland currently holds two selections.
But other parts of the roster need to be addressed, and Berry needs to make the most of the Day 2 selections when the Browns are on the board in the second round (selection No. 39 overall) and third round (selection No. 70 overall).
With that in mind, let’s take a look at what some of the national mock drafts have the Browns doing with their second-round selection.
(Head coach Todd) Monken has espoused an open competition for that position, and you know how it is — a new head coach will want at least one quarterback he likes, as opposed to those he may have inherited. Monken was also open to bringing in an outsider to compete for reps, and this is where someone like Alabama’s Ty Simpson could come in.
Because on the surface, Simpson seems to have it all on the ball, especially for a guy who only started one year in college. In 2025 for the Crimson Tide, the 6-foot-1 ⅛”, 211-pound Simpson completed 306 of 474 passes for 3,561 yards, 28 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a passer rating of 102.5. He also ran the ball 70 times for 292 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 26 of 62 passes of 20 or more air yards last season for 784 yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions, and a passer rating of 101.2, and when under pressure, he managed 58 of 111 passes for 703 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 75.0. Now, when blitzed, Simpson was amazing — 121 completions in 208 attempts for 1,409 yards, 13 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 95.6. He also adds functionality to one’s offense as a runner on designed runs and scrambles, and he’s very good outside the pocket.
I recently did a longer-form video about my concerns regarding Simpson’s NFL future, but I also don’t think that any of the things he needs to work on are unmanageable — they just require more coaching. And that’s something that Monken can certainly do.
McGuiness did not give a summary of why the Browns should select Young, so let’s turn to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein for an overview of the 6-foot-6 and 262-pound Young, who Zierlein compares to former Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith:
Long, well-built edge rusher with the size, strength, and temperament engineered for trench battles at the next level. Young is a fiery alpha who brings immense energy to the field and locker room. He majors in block destruction using base power and aggression to play through opponents. He extends and locks out as an edge-setter and sheds when needed, but his pursuit speed and range are average. He has the power to bull rush or drive through edges, but lacks instincts and variety in his rush approach. His NFL pressure production will lag behind without better go-to moves and counters. Young’s physical tools and rugged demeanor give him a chance to be an instant run-stopping upgrade with average rush.
Chase Bisontis is a strong, versatile, and dependable three-year starter with more than 1,950 snaps at both guard and center. He was arguably the most consistent performer on a solid Aggies offensive line and has the ability to thrive in both zone and gap schemes. Bisontis shows quick, active feet to cut off backside defenders and climb smoothly to the second level. He plays with a finishing demeanor and excellent functional strength. Still a young prospect, Bisontis has the tools to develop into a starter at either center or guard, and that versatility could help him stick in the league for a long time. The one concern: he committed 16 penalties over the past two seasons.
I keep coming back to Ponds being the pick here for the Browns in a best player available situation. Ponds’ height may end up limiting him to the slot, which is fine because it’s an increasingly important position in the NFL. The Browns adding a potentially elite nickel to an already very good defense only takes the unit to another level.
Avieon shares the same bloodlines and coverage temperament as his brother, A.J., a first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2020. Avieon Terrell is an athletic, fluid mover with clean transitions and enough speed to stay in phase on most vertical routes. He’s most effective in press-man coverage, where he mirrors releases with timing and discipline, staying crowded to the route. He concedes 50/50s to bigger targets at times, but is a constant catch irritant with good technique on all three levels. He can play wide or inside and is willing in run support, but he lacks ideal size. Terrell projects as an early starter thanks to his polish, ball skills, and coverage versatility.
What do you think, Browns fans? Would you like to see the Browns select any of these players in Round 2? Or would you go in a different direction? Share your thoughts in the comments.
In the 16 games played on Friday, March 20, all of the lower seeds prevailed, including No. 1 Texas, which picked up a dominant 87-45 win over Missouri State to open March Madness. No. 4 Minnesota and No. 6 Baylor needed huge fourth quarters to advance.
For women's college basketball fans who filled out brackets with the expectation that the NCAA Tournament selection committee made the right calls, that decision likely paid off.
However, for the fans who filled out brackets while hoping and praying for upsets, well, sorry. Your bracket is likely busted.
Here's a look at how many perfect brackets remain in women's March Madness, with some opportunities for upsets on the horizon, still:
How many people still have a perfect bracket in women's March Madness?
Last updated Noon ET on March 21
A little under 1 million (beginning with 5 million)
As of Noon ET on March 21, less than one million perfect brackets remain in either the ESPN or NCAA bracket challenges. The NCAA does not provide the full number of brackets submitted.
Depending on how many perfect brackets under a million are remaining, that means around 20% of the brackets filled out are still perfect.
Of course, with 16 more games scheduled for Saturday, March 21, there's a good chance we see that percentage fall even more by the end of the day.
Calzona confession: ‘Napoli had so many problems, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia unhappy’
Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona reveals behind the scenes drama during his Napoli experience. ‘Victor Osimhen never trained, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wasn’t happy, there were problems with the club.’
The Partenopei won the Scudetto in 2023 with Luciano Spalletti, who had Calzona as his assistant manager, but the coach and his staff walked away that summer because they felt it could not be topped.
The general feeling within the group was a negative one, seeing them finish 10th in Serie A after going through three coaches, culminating with Calzona sharing the Slovakia job with Napoli from February 19 to June 30.
Calzona came to Napoli’s rescue during crisis
EMPOLI, ITALY – APRIL 20: Francesco Calzona manager of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Empoli FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani on April 20, 2024 in Empoli, Italy.(Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“Nobody can dare say no to Napoli, it feels like my home.”
When Calzona picked up the pieces at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, he inherited a chaotic situation both on and off the field.
“As what happened later confirms, everyone was already seeing a way out in June and that had a big influence, as well as the other problems.
“There were issues between players and the club, people who just wanted to get to the end of the season and leave. More than anything else, the five or six new signings that were made, none of them were up to the standard of playing in that season, so by the end of that term they were all frozen out.
UDINE, ITALY – MAY 06: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Udinese Calcio and SSC Napoli at Dacia Arena on May 06, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“So that was a fundamental problem at the core of it, but apart from that, there was a general sense of unhappiness and grumbling.
“Osimhen never trained, Kvaratskhelia wasn’t happy, there were so many problems I won’t list here. I didn’t expect to find myself in such a delicate situation, but it was still a wonderful experience,” concluded Calzona.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli shows his disappointment during the Serie A match between Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 08, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Osimhen had signed a new contract with Napoli, but with the understanding he would be sold that summer, so when several different negotiations collapsed, he was loaned to Galatasaray in September 2024.
Kvaratskhelia had also been pushing for the exit, but was not allowed to leave for Paris Saint-Germain until January 2025.
East Lansing — Ishpeming seniors Jenessa Eagle and Mya Hemmer showed why they are two of the best girls basketball players to ever play in the Upper Peninsula.
After being sophomore starters on Ishpeming’s Division 4 state championship team two years ago, Eagle and Hemmer carried Ishpeming to another crown on Saturday, dominating Portland St. Patrick in a 48-28 win at Michigan State’s Breslin Center.
Signed with Michigan Tech, Eagle finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Headed to play volleyball in college for Baylor, Hemmer made everyone around the state wonder if she should keep pursuing basketball, registering 18 points, 17 rebounds, nine blocks and six steals in a monster all-around game.
She also eclipsed 1,000 career points.
“This is my last organized basketball game, which is sad for me,” Hemmer said. “This is my first sport and my first love. I changed to volleyball my freshman year, so it’s kind of a shock I’m already done. I’m going to be honest. I don’t like running. So I’ll stick with volleyball.”
Ispheming head coach Ryan Reichel, who said after the game it was his last as head coach after 14 seasons with the program, said having a day of rest did wonders for his team.
Following a brutal snow storm earlier in the week in the Upper Peninsula, Ishpeming’s quarterfinal game was postponed to Wednesday, and it had to turn around and play its semifinal game against Morenci on Thursday in East Lansing.
Ishpeming gutted out a 37-34 semifinal win over Morenci despite shooting 0 of 22 from 3-point range, and had Friday to recover and prepare for the final.
“Starting two games within a 24-hour span at this high level is not easy,” Reichel said. “They showed that UP grit in the last game on Thursday that we won. (Saturday), you got to see them do it with fresh legs and energy. The defensive pressure was remarkable.”
As for why he’s calling it quits,, Reichel said it’s to spend more time watching his daughter, who plays at Negaunee.
“I’ve got to watch my kid play,” Reichel said while fighting back tears. “It was a hard season because I missed seven games of hers. Her being unselfish, she told me to go get a title. I appreciate her.”
The difference in the game was the second quarter, which saw Ishpeming (25-3) outscore St. Patrick 15-0, turning a 14-13 lead after the first quarter into a 29-13 lead at halftime.
Ishpeming ended up going on a 19-0 run to take a 32-13 lead, with St. Patrick going scoreless for over a 10-minute stretch that spanned the last 18.1 seconds of the first quarter through the first 1:53 of the third quarter.
St. Patrick (23-6) did finally find some footing, going on an 8-0 run to cut Ishpeming’s lead to 36-24 with 6:39 remaining in the game.
But that was as close as St. Patrick would get as Ishpeming finished the game off and celebrated another title on the court while fans serenaded them with chants of “UP Power.”
Many of Ishpeming’s students couldn’t make Thursday’s semifinal because the Mackinac Bridge was closed due to falling ice.
A fan base did manage to make it for Saturday’s final, leaving Ishpeming after midnight and arriving in East Lansing an hour before the game started.
After winning the Division 4 title two years ago, Ishpeming won 18 games in the regular season last year, but was classified in Division 3 and didn’t advance to the Final Four.
Back in Division 4 this year, Ishpeming finished back on top again.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea will open the season working out of the bullpen rather than having a spot in the starting rotation.
Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters Saturday that Manaea would have a “piggyback” role in which he immediately follows a starter the first couple of times the team goes through its rotation.
“We have six guys throwing the ball really well,” Mendoza said. “We were pretty honest with all of them at the beginning of camp. If everyone was healthy, we were going to have to make some tough decisions, and one of them was going to be pitching in that type of role.”
The Mets plan to open the season with a starting rotation of Freddy Peralta, David Peterson, Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes and Koda Senga. The Mets had a surplus of candidates after acquiring Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers in January.
The 34-year-old Manaea has started in 210 of his 243 career regular-season appearances. He signed a $75 million, 3-year contract after going 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA and finishing 11th in the NL Cy Young Award balloting in 2024, but he followed that up by going 2-4 with a 5.64 ERA last season.
Mendoza noted the Mets probably wouldn’t need a sixth starter the first couple of times through their schedule because they have more off days than usual.
“We don’t feel like we need a sixth starter yet,” Mendoza said. “He’s going to make starts for us.”
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season is scheduled to begin on March 28, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
How is the Most Valuable Player selected?
The league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) is decided through a points system that measures a player’s overall contribution during the season. Players do not earn points for runs directly. Instead, each four earns 2.5 points and each six fetches 3.5 points. Bowlers receive 3.5 points per wicket and one point for every dot ball. Fielding efforts are also counted, with 2.5 points awarded for each catch and stumping. The player with the highest points total at the end of the season is named MVP.
The concept was introduced in 2017, replacing the earlier Player of the Tournament award. Under this system, performance across batting, bowling and fielding is factored into a single points tally.
The highest points recorded in a single IPL season stands at 450, achieved by Sunil Narine in the 2024 edition.
Shane Watson was the first recipient of the Player of the Tournament award in 2008, playing a key role in Rajasthan Royals’ title win. He won it again in 2013 with the same franchise, becoming the first player to claim the honour twice. That season also marked the introduction of the points-based system. He remains one of three players to have won the award more than once.
Among others, Kolkata Knight Riders players Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have won the award multiple times, with Narine holding the record with three wins in 2012, 2018 and 2024. Players such as Adam Gilchrist, Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Harshal Patel, Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill have each won it once.
Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians was named the Player of the Tournament (MVP) in the 2025 season.
Mar 19, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Saint Louis Billikens center Robbie Avila (21) speaks to the media after a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Georgia Bulldogs at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
🚨 BREAKING: Everton and Chelsea name XIs for PL meeting
Further criticism of the BlueCo era at Chelsea may be on the cards today as the Blues travel north to take on Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Under David Moyes, the Toffees have embarked on a season that has flown under many a radar across the 2025/26 campaign, with the iconic club boss guiding them to within striking distance of the outlying European places.
In contrast, Chelsea have fallen well short of the mark, sitting a whopping 22 points off league-leading rival Arsenal, as questions remain surrounding the stewardship of co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
Here is how the two sides will line up on what could be an impactful Saturday clash for the pair...
Can Everton once more narrow the gap to the top six places, or will Chelsea put in a much-needed performance as they push for Champions League qualification?
Kenneth Walker III, Coby Bryant, Riq Woolen, and Boye Mafe have all left for new teams. Part of that is the Super Bowl tax, but there are two other reasons why they aren't bringing everyone back.
With the looming contracts for Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon on the horizon, ESPN's Bill Barnwell predicted that the combined value of both players on their new deals will reach around $76 million, or nearly $40 million each.
Seahawks get $76M prediction on Witherspoon, JSN
"The combined going rate for JSN and Witherspoon on their new deals should be something in the ballpark of $76 million per-year," Barnwell predicts.
This $76 million number isn't the total amount of money that Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon will get on their new deals. That's just how much they're likely to make in one season.
Smith-Njigba, coming off an All-Pro and Offensive Player of the Year season for Seattle with 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 119 receptions, is surely looking for top-of-the-market money.
That could look to be around the $40 million per-year range. While cornerback contracts aren't nearly as ridiculously high as the wide receiver contracts, Witherspoon is also sure to land a massive new deal as well.
He had a Pro Bowl season once again, making him 3-for-3 in making Pro Bowls in his NFL career so far despite playing just 12 games. He also earned second-team All-Pro honors this year as well.
Trent McDuffie of the Los Angeles Rams signed a $124 million four-year deal, meaning that if Witherspoon want's to reset the market, which he can justify with how good he's been, the Seahawks would need to beat $31 million per-year for their star cornerback.
Combining the two contracts together will have Seattle spending around $76 million per-year on their top wide receiver and cornerback.
That's a ton of money to invest in just two positions. But, with how good both are, and the seasons they're coming off of, it's hard to justify not spending so much on these 2023 first-round draft picks,
The Montreal Canadiens will try to avenge a recent overtime loss to the New York Islanders when the two teams clash tonight.
Each side has leaned into low-scoring, defense-first hockey down the stretch as they prepare for the postseason, and I’m expecting a similar script to play out in my Islanders vs. Canadiens predictions.
Montreal has allowed just 2.71 goals per game over the past two weeks, while New York has been even stingier at 2.17 — the third-best mark in the league over that span.
The Under is 5-1 in each team’s last six games, with the Islanders hitting Under 5.5 in four straight and the Canadiens in two straight.
New York has also cashed the Under in 53.6% of its games this season, the seventh-highest rate in the NHL.
Islanders vs Canadiens same-game parlay
Goals will be hard to come by tonight, but if there’s anyone who can break through, it’s Cole Caufield.
The Habs winger has goals in three of his last four games and six of his last 10, including a tally vs. the Islanders in their last meeting on February 26.
The Under is 9-4 in New York’s last 13 road games. Find more NHL betting trends for Islanders vs. Canadiens.
How to watch Islanders vs Canadiens
Location
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Date
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
MSGSN, SNE
Islanders vs Canadiens latest injuries
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.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Head coach Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during the first half against the VCU Rams in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Getty Images
North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham has broken his silence on head men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis.
There has been much speculation surrounding Davis’s future after back-to-back first-round exits in the NCAA Tournament.
“Every year at the end of the season, it’s important to evaluate all facets of the program and look for ways to improve,” Cunningham said via text message. “The Chancellor, Steve and I are doing that together now and will continue to have discussions over the coming days.”
North Carolina would owe Davis $5.312 million if it fired him on April 1, according to records reviewed by the New York Post, which also reported the coach’s base salary is $1.25 million. He earned an additional $1.8 million through supplemental income. His contract runs through June 30, 2030.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Saturday that Davis could be ordered to make staff changes following its first-round loss to No. 11 seed VCU on Thursday in which the No. 6 Tar Heels blew a 19-point lead.
Davis struggled to explain what went wrong in the post-game press conference. When asked about it, he said, “What do you mean?”
He was also asked why he went with a six-man rotation in the game.
“’Cause that was my decision,” he said.
The former Knicks guard is 125-54 in five seasons at his alma mater.
In his first year, he led the Tar Heels to the NCAA Championship game, where they blew a 15-point halftime lead against Kansas in the final.
Oliver Rioux pictured with his Florida Gators teammates Credit: James Gilbert/Getty (2)
NEED TO KNOW
Florida Gators basketball player Olivier Rioux, who is 7 feet, 9 inches tall, became the tallest player to appear in a NCAA game on Friday, March 20
He stepped on the court in the last few minutes of the game and further widened his team's lead over the Prairie View A&M Panthers with a put-back dunk
Rioux previously earned the Guinness World Record of the tallest male teenager in the world at the age of 16 when he was 7 feet, 5 inches
Basketball player Olivier Rioux is setting a new record thanks to his impressive height.
Rioux, who plays for the Florida Gators men's basketball team, became the tallest player to appear in a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) game after his team took on the Prairie View A&M Panthers on Friday, March 20, according to The Athletic.
The basketball player — who is 7 feet, 9 inches tall, per the Gators website — was brought in to play on the court in the last few minutes of the game and sealed the team’s win with a put-back dunk, according to the outlet.
Olivier Rioux #32 of the Florida Gators during the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 20, 2026 Credit: Mike Carlson/Getty
A clip of the dunk posted on X by CBS Sports showed him making the two points, with the crowd and his teammates jumping up and going wild right after. His scoring widened the gap over the Panthers and helped the Gators win 114-55.
“It feels amazing,” Rioux said after the game, per The Athletic.
The 20-year-old also broke records earlier in the season after becoming the tallest player to play in a college basketball game, score in a game and make a field goal in a game in November and December 2025, per the outlet.
His height is notable as he towers over the rest of his team. The next tallest player on the Gators roster is Micah Handlogten, who stands 8 inches shorter than Rioux at 7 feet, 1 inch, per The Athletic.
However, Rioux's college career isn’t the first time he’s broken these kinds of records. He previously took the achievement as the tallest male teenager in the world at the age of 16 when he was 7 feet, 5 inches, according to the Guinness World Records.
In his Guinness World Records profile, Rioux shared that his height came with its own pros and cons, which include having to duck under doors and find clothing that fits. He said that his family was “still not 100% sure why I’m so tall.”
“After investigation, doctors could only explain it with the genetics that my family has,” he said. “My father is 6’8, my mom is 6’2 and my older brother is 6’9. So we’re a pretty tall family!”
Center Olivier Rioux #32 of the Florida Gators during a game on Feb. 11, 2026 Credit: Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“It feels great being the height I am. I love it,” he added. “I was always taller than the rest of my friends at school or teammates. This is what nature planned for me. I learned to be peaceful and happy about it.”
As for what’s next for the basketball player, who hails from Quebec, Canada, he and his team are next scheduled to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 on Sunday, March 22.
The Washington Commanders have made some key additions to their defense in 2026, but one position that could use more love is safety.
The signing of Nick Cross should be helpful and he will start at one safety spot, but who starts next to him remains to be seen. Right now, Washington's choices aren't ideal, with guys like Will Harris and Quan Martin set to compete.
One idea floated by FanSided's Wynston Wilcox involves the Commanders pulling off a blockbuster trade for Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who Wilcox considers a trade candidate.
"Baker is expensive, but he’d be a major veteran asset to this defense. They have had one of the oldest rosters in the NFL the last couple of seasons; why not double down on it and improve the secondary at the same time? They did sign Nick Cross to a two-year deal, but with Baker, this team is that much closer to dethroning the Philadelphia Eagles as the NFC champs," Wilcox wrote.
With the Cardinals in the midst of a rebuild and looking to add more draft capital, it makes sense to deal a 30-year-old safety who will be a free agent after 2027.
The former second-round pick is one of the better safeties in the NFL, as evidenced by his eight Pro Bowl nods, including seven in a row, and four All-Pro selections.
Baker had a down season in coverage in 2025, tallying a Pro Football Focus grade of 35.7 in that area. However, that was an outlier for his career, with Baker routinely being above 60 and posting a career-high 74.7 the year prior.
Where Baker didn't falter was in the pass rush and in run defense, where he notched grades of 83.8 and 76.6, respectively, showing he can be one of the best all-around safeties in the league.
That's exactly what the Commanders need, too, along with Baker's aggressiveness on the field that will make Washington's defense nastier.
Baker has big cap hits in 2026 and 2027, but the Commanders have $49.3 million in cap space and Baker can be cut with very little penalty next year if things don't pan out, so there isn't a ton of risk here.
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Oswaldo Cabrera #95 of the New York Yankees smiles before the game against the Detroit Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The moment that news broke late Friday afternoon that the Yankees would be optioning Jasson Domínguez to Triple-A, it seemed like a cinch that big-league veteran Randal Grichuk would make their Opening Day roster. Although he arrived to camp as a late-signing non-roster invitee and manager Aaron Boone tried to make it sound like it wasn’t a sure thing that be with them at the start of 2026 (even saying so yesterday), Grichuk so clearly seemed to fit what the Yankees claimed they were looking for all winter: a righty-hitting bench outfielder.
As such, it has to come to pass: Grichuk will be on the 2026 Yankees, per Boone’s report on Saturday morning. Domínguez wasn’t the only player who had to make room for Grichuk given the crowded roster situation, and so came the related news that utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera would begin the year in Triple-A:
Randal Grichuk has made the team, Aaron Boone said.
Cabrera had an option and is coming back from a pretty brutal ankle injury, only making it into seven games thus far in spring training. So for as solid as a bench option as he is at full health, he’s not quite there yet, and he can keep getting regular reps at Scranton rather than rarely playing in the majors. More likely than not, he’ll be needed sooner rather than later given the overall age of the Yankees’ roster.
As for Grichuk, he’s not terribly exciting on the surface, but as Estevão noted earlier in March, there’s a reason why he had the Yankees were interested in him. Is it possible that he was just cooked in his 85 OPS+ age-33 season last year? Sure. However, he has an .819 career OPS against lefties and that figure was .913 as recently as 2024. So it’s worth the flyer to see if he still has that in him, especially when the roster flexibility is available at the moment with Cabrera and Domínguez’s options (and need for playing time).
Just to throw my hat in the ring on Opening Day roster projections, here’s what I think it could be as of now, acknowledging that Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Anthony Volpe will all begin the year on the IL:
Catchers (2) Austin Wells J.C. Escarra
Infielders (6) Ben Rice Jazz Chisholm Jr. José Caballero Ryan McMahon Paul Goldschmidt Amed Rosario
Starting Pitchers (5) Max Fried Cam Schlittler Luis Gil Ryan Weathers Will Warren
Bullpen (8) David Bednar Camilo Doval Fernando Cruz Tim Hill Ryan Yarbrough Paul Blackburn Cade Winquest Jake Bird
That last spot in the bullpen could go to someone like Brent Headrick rather than Bird, but aside from that, this all seems to be in order. What do you think?
The 33-year-old outfielder was informed he wouldn't make the 2026 Opening Day roster on Saturday, March 21, after he triggered an automatic opt-out clause in his minor-league contract, forcing the Tigers to put him on the 40-man roster or let him become a free agent.
The Tigers chose free agency for Slater.
"He's a good player," manager A.J. Hinch said before Saturday's game in spring training. "It's very easy to see why teams have always really liked him. He brings experience. He brings skill. He's a good defender. He's a good baserunner. He's a very good hitter. For a role that he has generally played over the last few years, he's very adaptable."
Slater, a nine-year MLB veteran, would have earned $2 million (with $500,000 in incentives) while in the big leagues had he been added to the 40-man roster. Without any minor-league options remaining, the Tigers wouldn't have been able to send him to Triple-A Toledo.
It was Opening Day roster or free agency.
Now, Slater gets to explore other opportunities.
"Not a lot to not like when it comes to how he fits on major-league rosters," Hinch said.
During spring training, Slater hit .267 (8-for-30) with one home run, five walks and 10 strikeouts in 15 games, registering an .856 OPS. He spent 29 innings in right field and 19 innings in left field, without any reps in center field.
His speciality is hitting left-handed pitchers as a right-handed hitter.
"We have a couple of guys who fit in that same category," Hinch said, referencing fellow outfielders Jahmai Jones and Matt Vierling, "which is where the discuss is surrounding right now. We'll see where it lands."
Had Jones or Vierling suffered an injury, Slater would've had an easy path to the Tigers' Opening Day roster – but all of the outfielders stayed healthy throughout camp.
In his MLB career, Slater has hit .267 with a .787 OPS in 1,022 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers – compared to hitting .227 with a .640 OPS in 836 plate appearances against right-handers. He has been worth plus-4 and plus-5 defensive runs saved in left field and right field, respectively, across more than 3,500 innings in the outfield.
Slater has competed in 699 games with the San Francisco Giants (2017-24), Cincinnati Reds (2024), Baltimore Orioles (2024), Chicago White Sox (2025) and New York Yankees (2025).
His eight years in San Francisco overlapped with Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris, who served as the Giants' general manager from 2020-22.
The Giants selected Slater in the eighth round of the 2014 draft out of Stanford. He made his MLB debut for the Giants in June 2017.
MURFREESBORO, Tennessee, March 21 — Tennessee's TSSAA boys basketball championships continue Saturday at The Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.
The day gets started with the Division I Class 2A state title game between the Chattanooga [TN] Prep Sentinels and the Westview [Martin, TN] Chargers.
The TCU Horned Frogs get their shot at the top when they take on the No. 1 overall seed Duke with a berth in the Sweet 16 on the line.
TCU blew a big lead against Ohio State in the first round but pulled that game out and have now won seven of its last eight. It will need all the momentum it can muster against Duke, which closed the year No. 1 in every poll and earned the top seed in the bracket.
Duke is obviously a heavy favorite in this battle to reach the Sweet 16.
TCU men's basketball vs. Duke in March Madness today
The No. 9 TCU men's basketball team takes on No. 1 Duke in a second-round NCAA tournament game in Greenville, S.C. The 3:15 p.m. MT/4:15 p.m. tip on Saturday, March 21, will air on CBS.
How to watch TCU vs. Duke in the NCAA tournament
The TCU vs. Duke game will be at 3:15 p.m. MT/4:15 p.m. on CBS on Saturday, March 21.
The winner of the No. 9 TCU vs. No. 1 Duke advances to the Sweet 16 East Region semifinals in Washington, D.C., where it will play the winner of No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 5 St. John's.
TCU men's basketball record
The TCU Horned Frogs are 23-11.
Duke men's basketball record
The Duke Blue Devils are 33-2.
TCU Horned Frogs vs. Duke Blue Devils odds
Odds from BetMGM.com: Duke -11 1/2. Moneyline: Duke -700, TCU +500. Over/under 139 1/2.
TCU Horned Frogs men's basketball vs. Duke Blue Devils predictions, picks
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The scare against Siena will prove to be a wake-up call for the Blue Devils, who now know they can't take any opponent lightly, especially a TCU team that could make things interesting against Duke."
Bill Speros writes: "Duke survived a scare thanks to Siena in the first round. The Devils won 71-65 but Sienna scored an easy cover at +28.5. Duke comes in at 33-2 and has won 13 straight, TCU slipped past Ohio State Thursday. But TCU on the cover at -3.5 after blowing a 15-point halftime lead. TCU's defense got some nifty game film on how to keep Duke in check. But it needs to play a full 40 to keep this close. Any letdown here and this one's a blowout. The path is clear for the Horned Frogs — attack inside and defend the rim against Boozer & Co. But this number is too high. Duke may take everyone's money until it wins the whole thing."
Zachary Cohen writes: "TCU is just going to have to prove that it can score efficiently enough to really make Duke sweat. The Horned Frogs might have good defensive numbers, but they’re simply average offensively. However, the team is 11-5 both straight-up and against the spread in postseason games under Jamie Dixon, so the veteran coach tends to find a way in key games. TCU’s three-headed monster at forward, which includes David Punch, Xavier Edmonds, and Micah Robinson, should also find some success in this game. That said, if somebody like Jayden Pierre or Liutauras Lelevicius can step things up on the perimeter, the Horned Frogs might be able to pull this off."
The octagon is in London, England for tonight's UFC Fight Night 270: Evloev vs. Murphy event at the O2 Arena. The fight card is headlined by a featherweight bout between top contender Movsar Evloev (19-0) and No. 3 ranked Lerone Murphy (17-0-1).
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 07: Movsar Evloev of Russia reacts to his win in a featherweight bout against Aljamain Sterling during the UFC 310 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
This is one of the very best Featherweight bookings possible, a collision of undefeated fighters who have repeatedly proven themselves as world-class talent. Murphy didn’t have much hype at the start of his UFC career, but “The Miracle” has improved significantly over the years and developed into a real title contender. Evloev, conversely, made his UFC debut as a decorated M-1 champion with ties to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s fight camp. Expectations were high, and after 10 fights and zero losses, it’s safe to say that Evloev has proven he’s no flash in the pan.
Presumably, this fight will decide the next title challenger to Alexander Volkanovski’s throne … though Jean Silva might argue otherwise. Either way, let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:
Murphy has put together a very well-rounded MMA game. He’s really slick at distance with a wide variety of clinch, definitely has power in the pocket, and does great work with his clinch offense too. His wrestling has come a long way over the years, and he’s quite good at scrambling back to his feet when taken down.
Obviously, Murphy’s takedown defense is going to be seriously tested here. Evloev attacks the shot like a dog with a bone, and it’s ultimately up to Murphy to damage and discourage Evloev. The Russian may show up in incredible physical shape, but he’ll slow down like anybody else if Murphy is able to make him consistently burn gas.
That process begins at range. Murphy has to be kicking safely, targeting the body with snap kicks and outside calf. He has to take the initiative and attack rather than be rendered defensive early. When Evloev does start wrestling, Murphy has to prolong those transitions and really make Evloev work for every successful shot. If Evloev takes a bad shot, Murphy better be on point with his knees and elbows while Evloev recovers his posture.
Murphy is the much sharper striker, and if he plays his cards right, Evloev will find the takedown harder and harder to land as the fight wears on.
How Evloev Wins
I’ll offer a controversial take: I like watching Evloev’s fights against high-level opponents like Aljamain Sterling and Arnold Allen. He has such a deep bag of transitional techniques both to finish takedowns and maintain top control when actually challenged — it’s impressive to watch! On the feet, Evloev has a nice jab but often prefers to swing wide and shoot.
It’s no secret what Evloev wants to do here. He’s a grinder, a nonstop takedown artist who smothers his opposition. He’s not a finisher at the UFC level, but Evloev isn’t just a lay-and-pray fighter either. He’s active, always chipping away at his opponents and making their lives miserable.
Like Allen, Murphy is the kind of range sniper that can make starting that wrestling cycle difficult. Evloev will have to work for his entries, perhaps by extending his combinations or really ramping up the aggression. Another great strategy for Evloev would be to blast kicks and wait for the return. If Murphy kicks back or even just catches Evloev’s kick, that’s the start of a wrestling exchange.
Murphy vs. Evloev Prediction
I’m kind of shocked at the odds here. To my eyes, this is very much a razor-close, coin flip fight. Both men have shown incredible skills in their undefeated runs, but they’ve also been put in bad positions and nearly defeated along the way. It’s part of what makes this fight so interesting: both men can adjust and recover from a bad round, which should produce some fascinating momentum shifts.
Ultimately, my deciding factor is that Evloev has beaten the better competition. Taking out Lopes, Allen, and Sterling in three straight fights is a major statement, and Murphy’s top wins don’t quite compare. Oddly enough, I actually think Murphy has a better shot versus Volkanovski, but in this five-round fight, I’m backing the Russian.
Prediction: Evloev via decision
Join our March Madness conversation!
Drop in SB Nation’s March Madness open thread during Saturday’s games where we’ll be talking about all the wild upsets, buzzer beaters, and Cinderella runs!
SB Nation’s cast of characters will be enjoying the game together, so join Chris Dobbertean, Mike Rutherford, Ricky O’Donnell, Mark Schofield, James Dator, and others for 12 hours of basketball chaos!
For live UFC London results, including play-by-play updates, click here.
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Sylvain Guintoli hasn’t counted Francesco Bagnaia out of the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix just yet, noting that despite his lack of pace following a qualifying crash, he still provided Ducati with “valuable” data.
Bagnaia was one of several riders to crash during qualifying in Goiania on Saturday, as VR46 ace Fabio Di Giannantonio secured pole position for the Brazilian GP aboard the same Ducati GP26 as the two-time MotoGP champion. Bagnaia ultimately had to settle for just P11 in Q2.
It wasn’t until late in the session that he managed to post a lap time. He had rushed back to the garage after an early crash at Turn 9, where he lost the front while setting up for Turn 10.
Bagnaia will now line up on Sunday from the middle of row four as round two of the season gets underway. But Guintoli said his response after his qualifying incident could help him stay competitive come race day.
Why Bagnaia’s soft tyre runs could pay off for Ducati despite rough Brazil qualifying
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images
Bagnaia’s pace might not have been there in qualifying, but Sylvain Guintoli thinks the laps he put together on the soft tyres in Q2 could still prove useful for Ducati, giving them data to work with as they look to set up a stronger race.
READ MORE: All you need to know about the Brazilian Grand Prix, including Goiania stats
Guintoli said on TNT Sports 2 (21/03, 14:46): “An early mistake. I mean, he went down hard there and really fast as soon as he started trial braking into Turn 9, and all that braking zone through to Turn 10. That was a really fast crash.
The Italian rider will be disappointed with an 11th-place finish in qualifying, especially after seeing both VR46 star Di Giannantonio and teammate Marquez show strong pace with the same GP26 machinery. Bagnaia ended up 0.712s behind pole-sitter Di Giannantonio and 0.631s off Marquez in third.
Only Pramac rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu aboard the Yamaha M1 registered a slower lap time than Bagnaia for their fastest effort in Q2, with the three-time World Superbike champion’s best lap a 1:18.422 compared to the two-time MotoGP champion’s 1:18.122 personal best.
The only Ducati rider below Bagnaia on the timesheets was Franco Morbidelli on last year’s VR46 bike. Morbidelli didn’t make it out of Q1, finishing that session in fifth place and missing out on a chance to join his teammate in Q2.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz will meet for the second and final time of the season on Saturday night.
The Sixers pulled out a 106-102 victory in the first meeting earlier this month. The Sixers didn't have the services of star center Joel Embiid for that game, and unfortunately, it will be the same story this time around.
Joel Embiid ruled out vs. Jazz due to right oblique strain
Embiid has been officially ruled out of the game against Utah due to a right oblique strain. It will be the 12th consecutive game missed by Embiid. His last game action came against the Miami Heat back on Feb. 26.
On the season, Embiid has appeared in just 33 games for Philadelphia and posted averages of 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per performance.
Embiid will be just one of many absences in the game on Saturday night. The Sixers will also continue to be without Tyrese Maxey (right finger tendon sprain), Kelly Oubre Jr. (left elbow sprain) and Paul George (suspension).
Meanwhile, the Jazz have ruled out Isaiah Collier (left hamstring soreness), Keyonte George (right hamstring strain), Jaren Jackson Jr. (left knee injury recovery), Walker Kessler (left shoulder injury recovery) Lauri Markkanen (right hip impingement) and Jusuf Nurkic (nose injury recovery).
The No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines will battle the 9th-seed Saint Louis Billikens in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. This is one of the most underrated games in the next round with Michigan 11-1 in non-conference play during the regular season.
The Wolverines are led by Yaxel Lendeborg, who averages 14.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Saint Louis ranks fifth in the A-10, allowing 69.7 points per game while holding opponents to 37.7% shooting. Robbie Avila is averaging 12.9 points and 4.1 assists for the Billikens
Here is a look at the box score from Saturday's second round Midwest Region in Buffalo.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 16: Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks to the dugout during a Spring Training game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Camelback Ranch on March 16, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After six weeks in Arizona, the Dodgers return home to Southern California to finish up their exhibition season with the Freeway Series against the Angels. First up is a game in Anaheim on Sunday night at Angel Stadium.
Tyler Glasnow takes the hill in his final spring tuneup for the regular season, which for the right-hander likely begins next weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Non-roster right-hander George Klassen starts for the Halos.
There aren't many chances left to find Spring Training betting edges, with today being the final Saturday of exhibition play.
My MLB picks have scoured the board to find the best bets to make on March 21.
See why the White Sox top my trio of road team moneylines for today.
Spring Training predictions for March 21
Pick
Odds
COL moneyline
+135
SD moneyline
-110
CHW moneyline
+105
Pick #1: Rockies moneyline
This is a pitching mismatch based on Cactus League results.
Colorado Rockies SP Kyle Freeland has bounced back nicely from a dismal 2025, authoring a 1.80 ERA through five innings this spring. He was last seen blanking the Chicago Cubs over three frames.
Cole Ragans counters for the Kansas City Royals, and he enters play with a monstrous 8.44 ERA. He's surrendered 14 hits over 10 2/3 innings, and has allowed at least two ER in three straight appearances.
The Padres also have the better of the two starters going for them today in Randy Vasquez. He's pitched to a 4.15 ERA so far, fanning 11 batters over 8 2/3 innings.
Meanwhile, Robert Gasser totes a 9.95 ERA into this one. He's allowed three homers in just 5 1/3 innings of work.
Pick #3: White Sox moneyline
The Chicago White Sox are on the long end of what's arguably the biggest starting pitching mismatch of the day, yet they are underdogs. Sign me up.
Ryan Borucki rocks a 2-0 record with a spotless ERA. He's allowed only four hits and a walk while striking out five batters over four frames.
Cincinnati Reds SP Andrew Abbott looks ready for regression after an incredible 2025 campaign. He's 1-3 with a 13.85 ERA in Cactus League action, allowing 18 ER over 11 frames.
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.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 16: Will Klein #61 of the Los Angeles Dodgers participates in a fielding drill prior to a Spring Training game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Camelback Ranch on March 16, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers finish up the Arizona portion of their spring training by hosting the A’s on getaway day Saturday at Camelback Ranch.
Lineup
Alex Call LF Santiago Espinal 1B Dalton Rushing C Alex Freeland 2B Nick Senzel 3B Hyeseong Kim SS Jack Suwinski RF Jaron Elkins CF Kellon Lindsey DH
Elkins (wearing uniform number 88) and Lindsey (89) are up from minor league camp. It’s the first game this spring for Lindsey, the Dodgers’ first-round draft pick in 2024.
Emmet Sheehan starts on the mound.
Other pitchers
Will Klein is also scheduled to pitch on Saturday.
Up from minor league camp are Jerming Rosario (81), Matt Lanzendorfer (87), Christian Suárez (90), Dilan Figueredo (91), Javier Bartolozzi (92), Jacob Frost (94), and Keynan Middleton (98).
Other position players
Non-roster catchers Eliézer Alfonzo and Seby Zavala are active.
Up from minor league camp are infielders Jake Gelof (93), Joe Vetrano (95), Jose Izarra (00), Sean McLain (01), and Austin Gauthier (03), plus outfielders Kole Myers (02), Damon Keith (05), and Samuel Muñoz (06).
The Georgia Bulldogs have landed a massive three-star legacy commit. Offensive lineman Ty Johnson committed to Georgia, according to Hayes Fawcett. Johnson is going to the school his father played in over South Carolina, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Johnson has a mammoth 6-foot-5, 300-pound frame. The three-star commit from the class of 2027 is playing football for Lucy Beckham High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He is ranked as the No. 62 offensive lineman from the class of 2027.
He continues in his father's footsteps. His dad, Travis Johnson, was an offensive lineman for the Bulldogs. He was on the same team as Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. He even roomed with Smart during his college football tenure.
The Bulldogs offered Ty Johnson shortly after "Junior Day," and Johnson made a silent commitment a few weeks ago. “It is something that I have had on my mind for a pretty good bit,” he said to Jeff Sentell of Dawg Nation. “I still wanted to go visit some places, but I just feel like I have the best connection there. It is one of the best places to be and I knew I was going to be up there (today), so I thought, why not?”
Johnson looks up to Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling, who grew up 10 minutes away from Johnson's hometown in Charleston, South Carolina. With Freeling becoming a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Johnson believes he can reach that level too.
Johnson is Georgia's seventh commitment in the class of 2027. The Bulldogs have the fourth-ranked recruiting class in the nation.
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: WR Omar Cooper Jr. #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers looks up field after a catch during the Alabama Crimson Tide versus Indiana Hoosiers College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The wide receiver position has been one of controversy for the Pittsburgh Steelers for the last number of years. Since 2024, the Steelers have made a notable trade at the position every year.
In March of 2024, they traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, but never replenished the hole he left behind. They did the same in 2025 when they traded George Pickens in May after acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks.
Now, for the third straight year, the Steelers finally have a capable one-two punch at receiver after trading for Michael Pittman Jr. That said, they are certainly not done making moves at the position, considering they only have four receivers on the roster. Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports believes Pittsburgh will use its first-round pick on the position, taking Omar Cooper out of Indiana.
“Depth was a huge issue for the Steelers last year, and even with the acquisition of Michael Pittman Jr. via trade, they should still look to load up on high-end talent at the position,” Easterling writes. “Cooper’s well-rounded skill set and physical playing style would be an ideal fit, and his knack for making big plays in clutch moments would be a valuable addition, no matter who ends up under center in Pittsburgh next year or beyond.”
Cooper is coming off a tremendous year for the Sooners, hauling in 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to helping Indiana win the National Championship.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Irish boxer Michael Conlan, who famously gestured at 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games judges with his middle fingers, said he plans to retire without achieving his dream of becoming a world champion.
The 34-year-old Belfast featherweight lost a 10-round split decision to undefeated Kevin Walsh at the SSE Arena on Friday night.
Conlan, the favorite, had hoped a victory would get him a shot at WBC featherweight champion Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington.
“I want to walk away now, my health intact, my family good. I’ve done really well in boxing,” a bruised Conlan told reporters with his wife and two children seated next to him.
“I’ve achieved an awful lot. Did I reach my goal of being a world champion? No. That’s the hardest part about it all.”
One judge scored the bout 97-93 for Conlan (20-4), and the two others scored it 96-94 for Walsh (20-0), a native of Brockton — the same Massachusetts city that produced Rocky Marciano and Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
“I always said the next defeat — no matter the situation or no matter the circumstances — that would be me finished with boxing, and it has come,” Conlan said.
“I thought I won, but listen it is what it is. I don't want to do it no more. It's time to say goodbye to boxing.”
Conlan fought for the IBF world featherweight title in 2023, losing to Luis Alberto Lopez in a fifth-round stoppage.
Bronze in London, rant in Rio
Conlan won a bronze medal for Ireland at the 2012 London Olympics and became an amateur world champion three years later but made bigger headlines at the 2016 Rio Games, where he lost on a controversial split decision in a bantamweight quarterfinal to Russian Vladimir Nikitin.
Conlan went on an expletive-laden rant on live television after the loss, including raising his middle fingers as he faced the judges.
In 2021, an investigator appointed by the International Boxing Association found that medal bouts in boxing at the 2016 Games were fixed by “complicit and compliant” referees and judges. The report didn’t offer a verdict on whether the result of the Conlan-Nikitin fight was fixed.
In the pro ranks, Conlan beat Nikitin by unanimous decision in 2019.
“I’ve done really well but I’ve never achieved the goal of being a world champion,” Conlan said Saturday. “There is relief. Now I get to spend time with my family...
In a corresponding move, New York will option the versatile Oswaldo Cabrera to Triple-A.
Grichuk, 34, has gone 2-for-16 (.125) at the plate with a double and RBI over this spring over six games. The 27-year-old Cabrera hasn't looked any better offensively, going 2-for-14 (.143) with a double and RBI as well over seven spring games.
While the Yankees assigning top pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange to minor league camp is making the headlines, the club also optioned right-hander Angel Chivilli to Triple-A on Thursday.
New York acquired Chivilli in a trade with the Rockies this offseason and the right-hander was in contention for a spot in the bullpen to start the season.
In eight appearances this spring, Chivilli allowed 11 runs across 7.2 innings pitched but also struck out 10 batters and picked up a save against the Red Sox on Wednesday.
March 18, 10:28 p.m.
The New York Post's Joel Sherman reports that veteran infielder Paul DeJong does not plan to opt out of his minor league contract with the Yankees on Thursday.
According to Sherman, DeJong is willing to begin the season in Triple-A if he doesn't make the team.
The starting infield of Ben Rice, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jose Caballero and Ryan McMahon is set with Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario locks to fill out the bench. The Yankees would need a backup shortstop with Anthony Volpe injured, but it's unclear if that's the direction the Yankees will go. Oswaldo Cabrera is also an option for a bench role.
In 12 games this spring, DeJong is 6-for-31 with two home runs and two doubles. He's slashing .194/.306/.452 with a .758 OPS.
He played 57 games with the Nationals last season, slashing .228/.269/.373 with six home runs and 10 doubles.
March 6, 2:37 p.m.
The Yankees have reassigned RHP Adam Kloffenstein to minor league camp.
The 25-year-old right-hander did not appear in a Grapefruit League game this spring. Kloffenstein has three major league appearances under his belt with the Blue Jays and Cardinals. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks across 5.0 innings pitched in the bigs.
March 5, 6:30 p.m.
The Yankees announced their second wave of cuts and it includes RHP Chase Hampton.
Hampton, the team's No. 8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is coming off Tommy John surgery he had in February 2025. Hampton had not appeared in a Grapefruit League game this spring as he continues his recovery from elbow surgery.
In addition, the Yankees reassigned RHP Travis MacGregor and RHP Drake Fellows to minor league camp.
Of the two, only Fellows appeared in an actual game. He threw 27 pitches, and allowed a hit and two walks in his one inning of work this spring.
Feb. 17, 4:10 p.m.
The Yankees announced they have reassigned RHP Alexander Cornielle and catcher Abrahan Gutierrez to minor league camp. This comes a day after the Yankees outrighted OF Yanquiel Fernandez off the major league roster and onto the Triple-A roster.
LEXINGTON, Kentucky, March 21 — Kentucky is one of only two states along with Delaware that doesn't split its boys basketball playoffs up by classifications with just one bracket for 16 regions and one state champion.
The Sweet Sixteen in the Bluegrass State has been whittled down to just four teams, and the first or those two semifinals will feature the Grayson County [Leitchfield, KY] Cougars against the St. Xavier [Louisville, KY] Tigers.
Grayson County got here by beating the Taylor County [Campbellsville, KY] Cardinals (73-64) and the Great Crossing [Georgetown, KY] Warhawks (58-50). St. Xavier's path to the semifinals included wins against the Covington Catholic [Park Hills, KY] Colonels (75-61) and the North Laurel [London, KY] Jaguars (46-42).
The winner of this semifinal will advance to take on the winner of the North Oldham [Goshen, KY] Mustangs and the George Rogers Clark [Winchester, KY] Cardinals.
A dominant third-period by St. Xavier. They finish the stanza on an 18-0 run to take a commanding 51-26 lead.
__________
At the 2:54 mark, St. Xavier has built a 41-26 lead.
__________
Just under the four-minute mark, St. Xavier has stretched their lead to a dozen at 38-26.
__________
St. Xavier leading 33-26 at the five-minute mark.
__________
The third quarter is under way!
__________
END OF SECOND QUARTER — St. Xavier 27, Grayson County 21
__________
It's down to 23-19. Grayson County on a 17-4 run as St. Xavier enduring their own three-minute scoring drought now.
__________
At the 2:42 mark, it's 23-17, St. Xavier.
__________
Under the six-minute mark, Grayson County has clawed their way back to within seven at 21-14.
__________
The second quarter is under way!
__________
END OF FIRST QUARTER — St. Xavier 19, Grayson County 6
__________
At about the 1:30 mark, Grayson County finally ends a 14-0 six-minute run by St. Xavier to trim it to 14-4.
__________
At the 2:35 mark, it's 10-2 St. Xavier. After that quick opening basket, Grayson County has been admired in a five-minute scoring drought.
__________
At the 5:02 minute mark, St. Xavier takes a 3-2 lead on a free throw, and then rebounds the miss on the second free throw and scores again. 5-0 run for St. Xavier as we're off to a fairly slow pace.
__________
Grayson County with the quick basket inside to get the scoring started at 2-0.
__________
They're under way in Lexington!
__________
Coming soon! Game time is set for 11 a.m. EST local!
Newcastle United predicted XI vs Sunderland: Magpies out to bounce back from Champions League howler
St. James’ Park will host a high-stakes Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday as Newcastle United look to avenge December’s 1-0 defeat to rivals Sunderland.
While Eddie Howe’s men have secured wins over Manchester United and Chelsea in their last two Premier League outings, they are reeling from a midweek 7-2 Champions League exit to Barcelona.
With local pride on the line and a European finish still in sight, Newcastle must regroup quickly for this weekend’s assignment.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley are officially ruled out, while Sandro Tonali is a major doubt after limping off in Catalonia.
This likely forces a makeshift midfield trio of Joelinton, Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey.
Defensively, the loss of Fabian Schar necessitates a centre-back partnership of Dan Burn and Malick Thiaw, although Sven Botman is also an option.
Tino Livramento is expected to return to the starting XI in place of Kieran Trippier, with Lewis Hall retaining his place at left-back.
Aaron Ramsdale endured a torrid outing against Barcelona, but he is not in any imminent danger of losing his starting spot to Nick Pope.
In attack, Howe has recently favoured Anthony Gordon as the number nine, but Nick Woltemade could be tasked with leading the line here, flanked by Gordon and Anthony Elanga.
Elanga enters the derby on a high after scoring a brace at Camp Nou and should keep Jacob Murphy out of the XI once again.
32% to 89% – “Scary” Chelsea defender sees massive increase in importance under Liam Rosenior
Jorrel Hato has seen his importance increased under Liam Rosenior, who spoke in glowing terms about the young defender.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE
Liam Rosenior had some very nice things to say about Jorrel Hato this week in his press conference.
That prompted a piece from Dom Smith in the Evening Standard, who took a look at the stats behind the former Ajax man’s season.
The £37m summer signing featured in 32% of the games Enzo Maresca was in charge this season. But Liam Rosenior has shown more trust, and an injury to Marc Cucurella helped too – Hato has featured in 89% of Rosenior’s games.
“In my time, he’s been magnificent. I’m so impressed with him. His temperament, his physicality. Technically, he’s a joy to work with every day. And his age is scary, how good he could be,” the new manager said.
Hato prepares for more important role as season reaches climax
There are still mixed feelings about the 20 year old’s ability within the fanbase. He’s clearly got a lot of talent and potential. But there are still very obvious flaws in his game.
We still don’t think Hato will start today – Cucurella will likely be risked again given how important the game is. But we’re sure that we’ll see the Dutchman later on, and he’ll improve that 89% to over 90%.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Hansi Flick’s key selection dilemma ahead of Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano
Eric Garcia has been critical to Barcelona’s plans this season and has become a vital cog under Hansi Flick, so much so that he has accumulated 3230 minutes this season alone.
In recent games, the Spaniard has begun to feel the weight of his importance in terms of physical issues and even asked to be substituted in the 20th minute against Newcastle United.
While subsequent tests ruled out an injury, it is clear that fatigue has caught up with the defender and that he is better rested.
As relayed by AS, Flick will make the final call on who will start on Sunday with two options in front of him – Ronald Araujo and Xavi Espart. And that remains the one big doubt in the manager’s mind ahead of the game.
Araujo has been used by the coach at right-back in recent games, with the most notable example being after Garcia’s injury against Newcastle in the first leg.
Eric will not start against Rayo. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The captain provides a defensively solid profile but is limited in terms of his attacking output. Against an opposition like Rayo Vallecano, who have tricky wingers, however, that may be valuable.
On the other side, there is Espart, who is young, dynamic, and promising, but still relatively untested and new to the big stage.
He started for the team against Sevilla and delivered a promising performance, and again came on late in the game against Newcastle United to make a second Champions League appearance as well.
While he is relatively raw, he is a more natural replacement at right-back and has shown good composure, decision-making, and even attacking output in his limited minutes.
Flick’s decision will largely depend on what he sees in training, and both players have their chances to start.
Who the manager picks, needless to say, will have a massive bearing on the team’s attacking dynamics against Rayo Vallecano.
For live updates and highlights throughout Everton vs Chelsea, check out PST's live blog coverage below.
How to watch Everton vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time:1:30pm ET Saturday (March 21) Venue:Hill Dickinson Stadium — Vauxhall, Liverpool TV Channel: USA Streaming: Watch on USA Network
Everton vs Chelsea live updates, score: 1:30pm ET kickoff
Everton lineup
TBA approximately 12:15pm ET
Chelsea lineup
TBA approximately 12:15pm ET
Everton vs Chelsea preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
David Moyes’ Everton lost 2-0 at Arsenal last weekend but they were right in the game until late on and missed several glorious chances to take the lead. The Toffees are in the hunt for European qualification and are really fun to watch.
Chelsea are reeling as they lost 1-0 at home to Newcastle last weekend and were hammered 8-2 on aggregate by PSG in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after a 3-0 beating in the second leg at home in midweek. Rosenior is under pressure already and Chelsea have to improve defensively if they're going to finish in the top four this season.
Everton team news, focus
Center back duo Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski are both doubts after missing the defeat at Arsenal last weekend. That means Michael Keane and Jake O'Brien could continue there. Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are a real handful in attack and will look to hit Chelsea on the counter.
Chelsea team news, focus
Reece James and Filip Jorgensen are the latest Chelsea players to suffer injuries, with Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile also doubts. Trevoh Chalobah is out as Rosenior has a real headache in central defense. Given the huge defeat they suffered to PSG, Chelsea will be lacking in confidence and will know they are vulnerable defensively on the break.
Everton vs Chelsea prediction
This feels like a game where Everton will make the most of a fragile Chelsea side. Especially on the counter. Everton 2-1 Chelsea.
Harvey Elliott is back: Midfielder to be brought in from the cold
Liverpool made the decision to loan Harvey Elliott to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day of last summer’s window.
Without a decent permanent offer for the 22-year-old playmaker Richard Hughes had to accept what was on the table from Unai Emery’s side.
Villa committed to a one-season loan deal with an obligation attached should certain triggers be met. If the England under-21 standout played in 10 Premier League matches then the Villa Park outfit would pay £35m for a permanent transfer.
With Elliott’s contract expiring in 2027 that was a guarantee of good money for Liverpool - whose head coach Arne Slot only used him sparingly in the 2024/25 Premier League title-winning season.
But Villa’s usage of Elliott earlier this season suggested all wasn’t rosy in the garden with this deal. In fact he was frozen out by Emery for large chunks of the season with it becoming evident that they had no intention of honouring the permanent clause.
The midfielder has only played four times for Villa in the top flight - meaning they can safely use him another five times before the end of the season without consequence.
And that means the No9 is set for an increased role towards the run-in as his club chase Champions League football. Villa have got eight games left - with one of those against Liverpool and Elliott will be ineligible for that one regardless.
And so Villa can play him in FIVE of their remaining SEVEN matches safe in the knowledge that no permanent clause will be activated.
Villa need Elliott for the run-in
And boy do they need him.
Although their Europa campaign remains on track their chase for Champions League football has hit freefall. Emery could do with the attacking boost that Elliott’s creativity can give his side.
The two-time Premier League title winner earned rave reviews from Villans for his cameo performance in the Europa League against Lille in midweek and could feature once again on Sunday.
Liverpool stand to benefit too.
Elliott can return to the club with crucial first-team minutes under his belt and nudge his way back into contention for a place in Arne Slot’s squad for next season.
Or else he could prepare the ground for a big-money summer sale with a decent showing in the run-in. It’s been a long time coming but now Elliott is set for a new lease of life.
Slot says Liverpool missed forward players in defeat to Brighton – and provides injury update on duo
Liverpool boss Arne Slot says his side’s attacking absences hurt them in their 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
Slot was without Mo Salah for the game, along with long-term absentee Alexander Isak.
Hugo Ekitike, meanwhile, was forced off in the opening stages of the game with a dead leg.
And Slot says Brighton took advantage of his side’s lack of rest.
“If you face a team that has only had 62 hours of rest, the first thing you do is make it an intense game, make tough duels, nothing wrong with the duels by the way but unfortunately it was a collision that led to Hugo going out,” he said.
“We’re without one of the best strikers that the league has seen in the last three or four years, already unavailable for the the whole season, in Alexander Isak.
“One of the best goalscorers that the league has seen in the last eight years not being available in Mo Salah.
“And then missing out on Hugo Ekitike who has had a lot of impact this season.
“As so many (times) this season you have to find a way of playing players in positions they are maybe not used to and in the first half we did it quite well but as the game went on Brighton became stronger and stronger.
“A few times this season we were able to make something happen off the bench but throughout the second half I think they were closer to scoring to make it 3-1 than we were for 2-2.”
The Toronto Blue Jays, coming off a World Series appearance and a near win in Game 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, are looking to win it all in 2026.
They've spent a lot this offseason, with the bulk of their spending coming in the starting rotation. Entering the 2026 MLB season, the Blue Jays have one of the best rotations in all of Major League Baseball.
According to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet, the Blue Jays' starting rotation to begin the regular season has been announced by manager John Schneider.
Blue Jays starting rotation announced by John Schneider
"John Schneider confirming Blue Jays rotation to start the season: Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, Eric Lauer, Cody Ponce, Max Scherzer," Mae reports.
Unsurprisingly, Gausman is the Opening Day starter. But, after him comes a new-look rotation compared to last season. Dylan Cease was the big offseason addition, signing on a $210 million seven-year deal to come to Toronto.
He will be the number two starter to begin the season and will play a big role while a few key pitchers miss some time.
Eric Lauer is the third starter, with Cody Ponce, who signed for $30 million this offseason, will be the fourth starter. Max Scherzer, back for what might be the last year of his career, rounds out the initial rotation for Toronto.
This starting rotation will look a bit different as the season goes along. Due to injuries to Jose Berrios, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Bowden Francis, the Blue Jays' rotation could look very different at times this season.
That's not all the Blue Jays will have at their disposal this season either. Rickey Tiedemann, Adam Macko, Spencer Miles, Lazaro Estrada, and Jake Bloss could also be factors in the MLB rotation at some point this season.
But, to begin the year, Gausman, Cease, Lauer, Ponce, and Scherzer make up the Blue Jays starting rotation. It's a great group, and one that should help get the Blue Jays off to a strong start despite missing a few key starters.
Seattle Seahawks fans are lowkey sweating their running back situation right now. But general manager John Schneider? Not blinking.
With Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III off to Kansas City and Zach Charbonnet not expected to be ready for Week 1, the backfield looks thin on paper. But when asked about the plan, Schneider reveals Seattle isn’t panicking… yet.
With that said, let’s look at five running backs the Seahawks should absolutely have on their radar to fill the Walker III void in 2026.
Nicholas Singleton
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Nick Singleton is sitting right in that Day 2–Day 3 NFL Draft sweet spot. Exactly where Seattle loves to hunt for value. And stylistically? He’s a good fit.
The Penn State back is a classic one-cut-and-go back—built for outside-zone. Press the edge, plant the foot, and he’s gone. Seattle’s run game has been missing that true home-run hitter, the guy who can flip field position in a single snap. Singleton brings that juice.
He thrives in wide-zone looks and doesn’t need a bunch of window dressing—just give him a crease and let him cook. Natural downhill burst, decisive vision, and once he hits top gear, DBs are taking bad angles. What makes him even more intriguing? He’s got size and speed. Not just a straight-line guy—he adds a legit vertical stress element to the offense.
Antonio Gibson
Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Antonio Gibson just came off a Super Bowl run with New England, and if Seattle brings him in, you’re instantly adding legit dual-threat juice to the backfield.
Gibson is basically a RB/WR hybrid—can line up in the slot, motion out wide, and be a weapon in the screen game. He’s produced over 1,400 rushing yards in his career, but his real value is in the versatility he brings to the offense.
Plus, he’s a free agent, which makes the money side of things way cleaner. You’re getting a scheme-flex weapon with upside without blowing up your cap.
Najee Harris
Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Najee Harris is one of the last true three-down backs in the league. He runs between the tackles, catches out of the backfield, and stands tall in pass pro. That kind of versatility hits different, especially after losing Kenneth Walker III.
Durability? Elite. High snap counts, a heavy workload, and still shows up every Sunday. That’s something you can’t say about a lot of backs on the market. Where Harris really separates himself—third downs. Blitz pickup, checkdowns, keeping the QB clean… he’s as reliable as it gets. At his size, he’s also built for the dirty work—short yardage, goal-line, clock-killing drives.
Jadarian Price
Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jadarian Price is also projected right in that Round 2–3 window. And from a scheme standpoint? This is a clean fit. Price wins with vision and processing, not just raw juice. He’s constantly reading leverage, setting up blocks, and slicing through cutback lanes like a pro. In a Kubiak-style outside zone system, that’s pure gold.
He’s the kind of back who keeps you on schedule—rarely takes negative plays, stacks efficient gains, and lets the offense stay ahead of the chains. Super patient runner, lets the play develop, then hits it with timing. And he’s not just an early-down grinder. Price brings a complete skill set—can contribute in the pass game, hold up in pass pro, and stay on the field for all three downs.
Austin Ekeler
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Austin Ekeler is basically a slot receiver disguised as a running back. Elite hands, crisp routes, and a natural feel in space—plug him into the Seahawks offense and the passing game levels up instantly.
Even in “down” years, he’s been that safety valve every QB loves—checkdowns, screens, red-zone touches… he just produces. If Seattle leans into spread looks and quick-game concepts, Ekeler isn’t just a back—he’s a legit scheme weapon.
Ekeler is a high-IQ player, too. He knows when to leak out, reads coverages, thrives in hurry-up. He’s always where the QB needs him.
Mick Cronin raised a plastic cup to another NCAA Tournament victory for UCLA with an energy drink he brought with him to the podium.
“I’m not Coach Pitino,” he said.
The Bruins coach laughed in a nod to Rick Pitino of St. John’s and the postgame beer he sipped in celebration of winning a conference tournament.
Cronin, though, will gladly enjoy another round.
Eric Dailey Jr. scored 20 points, Xaiver Booker had 15 points and eight rebounds to make up for the absence of leading scorer Tyler Biloudeau and seventh-seeded UCLA withstood every serious challenge to beat 10th-seeded UCF 75-71 on Friday night.
“During the year, we have been in games where we have been down and come back,” Dailey said. “All that was practice for this moment.”
Jordan Burks scored 22 points and hit six 3-pointers — including one that made it 72-69 with 10 seconds left — to almost single-handedly carry UCF (21-12) into the second round.
Under the comical and combustible Cronin, the Bruins are back in the second round for the second straight tournament after missing out in 2024.
Cronin preached for his team to hit the reset button after losing in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals and skipping the NCAA selection show. With every alley-oop dunk the Bruins looked rested and sent the UCLA fans into a frenzy.
For every run the Knights went on — most notably in the second half when Burks hit consecutive 3s that pulled them within three points and sent “UCF!” chants rolling through the arena — the Bruins brought them back to reality.
Trent Perry hit back-to-back layups that sparked a 12-1 run for the Bruins and seemingly put some distance between them and the Knights.
But, Burks hit another 3 that cut the deficit to nine points with 2:01 left in the game and he made a layup to make it 68-62.
The Bruins converted their free throws and ran out the clock to win for the seventh time in nine games.
UCLA plays without Tyler Bilodeau because of a sprained knee
Bilodeau seemed on track to play but remained sidelined because of a sprained knee suffered last week against Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament.
He averaged 17.6 points and was an All-Big Ten third-team selection.
Cronin said Bilodeau had a good practice a day earlier but woke up stiff. Cronin said he made the decision to give Bilodeau the game off. Cronin said the next status update would come ahead of Sunday’s game.
Donovan Dent played through a calf injury suffered in the conference tournament and had 10 points.
Whoops. UCF’s Bol scores a basket for UCLA
UCF 7-foot-2 center John Bol accidentally scored a basket for UCLA when the ball popped straight out of his hands when he jumped on a defensive rebound attempt.
The blooper bucket gave UCLA a 35-31 lead.
Clark is going to need a dentist
Clark lost a tooth late in the game when he dove for a loose ball and appeared to get elbowed in the face by a UCF defender. The tooth went flying and members of the UCLA staff scurried around to try and find it.
UCLA walk-on Jack Seidler found the loose tooth.
Clark — who flashed a toothless grin in the locker room and said he was at about a nine on a 1-10 pain scale — hit the final throw to secure the win.
“I had my adrenaline going so I really didn’t feel it,” he said.
Welcome back, Johnny Dawkins
UCF coach Johnny Dawkins never played a game inside the 76ers’ current arena — built after he retired in 1995 — but has plenty of fond memories of his time with the team. He played five seasons for the Sixers from 1989 to ’94.
“When I come to Philly, it’s always fondness for me. I love the city and what it represents,” Dawkins said. “You come in here and have a chance to compete again, although not playing anymore, but with my team, it was special. I don’t know how many times you have a moment like that where you get a chance to come back to a city you’ve enjoyed for so long and have a chance, to come in and compete in NCAA Tournament.”
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The Big Ten took care of business in the first round matchups on Friday in March Madness. Three more Big Ten basketball teams are moving on to the next round of the NCAA Tournament, which shows how good this conference is. Purdue looks extremely dominant, and Iowa played strong defense against Clemson.
Here are the scores and the rest of my analysis from the Big Ten games in the NCAA Tournament from first-round Friday:
No. 9 Iowa 67-61 vs No. 8 Clemson
Hawks get a tough tournament win that is their first one since 2021. This was a defensive battle as both teams struggled mightily offensively to get anything going. Big man Carter Welling not being available in this game boded very well for the Hawkeyes, as, instead of continuing to chuck 3s, they were able to be more successful in the paint in the second half. Not an elite game by Bennett Stirtz, who had just 16 points and was 4-17 from the field. Kael Combs took the pressure off him with 15 points and only missed 2 shots. Alvaro Folgueiras 14 points off the bench were very vital. The Hawkeyes offense did not play as expected, but they made the adjustments necessary in the second half and executed enough to steal this game from Clemson.
No. 7 UCLA 75-71 over No. 10 UCF
Heading into this game, UCLA had everything stacked against them, most importantly being without their star Tyler Bilodeau. Through tough, gritty play, the Bruins were able to pull this one out. This is an offensive team that can get hot and one that has many scorers, but it was their defense that stole this one. UCF had a whopping 16 turnovers in this game. The Bruins dominated that end by forcing 13 steals and having 9 blocks. Donovan Dent is most known for his big offensive performances. In this game, he only had 10 points but a very impressive 6 steals. The Bruins will need a defensive performance like this to carry into their matchup vs UConn.
No. 2 Purdue 104-71 vs No. 15 Queens University
Purdue cruises to another dominant win as Braden Smith breaks Bobby Hurley's all-time assist record. Braden Smith was not just dishing out passes, setting up his teammates; he also scored 26 points in the game. Trey Kaufman-Renn also came up big for the Purdue Boilermakers as he had 25 points and 9 rebounds. Purdue's offense was clicking on all cylinders, and the best reflection of that was them shooting a whooping 58.3% from 3 and them dominating their opponent on the glass 37-17. There are very few teams that can beat this version of Purdue.
Top performers
Braden Smith was an elite facilitator for the Purdue Boilermakers, and all season long, he has been the engine of this offense. This offense is even more egregious when he is knocking down shots. Vs Queens University, Smith could not miss. Smith was 10-15 and 4-6 from 3. That type of production really can take Purdue all the way in this tournament.
Eric Dailey Jr. for the UCLA Bruins was very necessary to them not getting sent home in the first round. Without their star, and their second guy not having a great shooting night, Dailey Jr. stepped up big time. Dailey Jr. had 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. He was very impactful in many ways for the Bruins, and he helped them see another day in March Madness. Hopefully, the Bruins can get another good game from him and the return of their #1 scorer.
Overview
It was another great day for the Big Ten, as the Big Ten went 3-0 in their matchups in the tournament yesterday. Iowa had the toughest matchup, and they battled it out, still remaining victorious with the shots not falling. Same with UCLA, which had the odds stacked up against them, still knocking off VCU. Right now, not only does Purdue look like the best version of themselves, but they also look like one of the best teams left in the tournament.
Wimbledon will introduce video review technology this year that will allow players to challenge judgement calls made by the chair umpire, the Grand Slam's organizers said on Saturday.
Players will not be able to challenge the decisions of the electronic line calling (ELC) system that was introduced at Wimbledon last year, but video reviews will be available to check other scenarios, like whether a ball has bounced twice or touched a player's racket or body.
"Players will be allowed to review specific judgement calls made by the chair umpire (such as, for example, ‘not-up’, ‘foul shot’, ‘touch’) either on a point-ending call, when a player immediately stops play, or immediately after the completion of a point (in the case of hindrance)," the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) said in a statement.
"Players will not be limited in the number of reviews they can request."
The video reviews will be introduced on six show courts, including the Centre Court and Court One.
"The technology will be available on Centre Court and Court One throughout the championships and on the other show courts until the conclusion of all singles matches on those courts," the AELTC added.
Visual indicators for the ELC will also be introduced, with scoreboards on all courts displaying "out" and "fault" calls.
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 14: Luca Reggiani of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg at Signal Iduna Park on March 14, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Fabio Deinert/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Exercise common sense. We allow profanity, adult humor, and other forms of crudeness within reason, but of course there are lines. Hateful language will not be tolerated. Exceptionally violent language (especially directed at specific people) will not be tolerated. Before you type, ask yourself, “Would I have a reasonable expectation of being thrown out of a bar in an average city if I said something like this?”
Be respectful. There will definitely be times when everyone is upset and disagreements get heated, and that’s fine, but remember that we’re all rooting for the same team. Keep arguments based on substance and not personal insults.
No sharing illegal streams. NONE. Zero tolerance.
No spam. I have no interest in whatever crypto scheme you’re shilling. You will be banned.
In the end, the bench mattered most, and Dean Young knew it.
The long-time prosecutor finally yielded to fate, giving up his largely successful run as ‘Iolani girls basketball coach. The choice was difficult, he said.
It won’t be easy for a school where “One Team” is everything. Young’s father was a longtime boys basketball coach, founder of the ‘Iolani Prep Classic. Losing Dean Young, a five-time state champion, is a major loss.
“I told Eddie on Thursday,” Young said of co-athletic director Eddie Maruyama. “It’s sad. Every year, me and (assistant coach) Cy (Ohta), we take it year by year. It’s a grind. It’s a sacrifice. I’m a part-time judge and the job is requiring more time. It’s been suggested that I maybe not coach. It’s time and commitment. If I want to pursue that further and apply for a full-time position at different levels of state court, I can’t be coaching.”
In his 13 years as a head coach — 12 seasons because one was lost to COVID-19 — ‘Iolani won five state championships. All came in the last eight seasons. At its peak, the Raiders’ attack was so fluid and organized, with such high basketball IQ that it was the definition of perpetual motion.
It was beautiful basketball. Ohta was a major part of the continuity, as he and Young orchestrated the team. Ohta would appear to be a logical choice as Young’s successor.
“Cy doesn’t want to coach without me, and I wouldn’t want to coach without him. We’ve already talked about it. A large part of what we do is our friendship and how much fun we have,” Young said. “It wouldn’t be the same. It wouldn’t be as fun. Him, me and Jade (Botelho) are constantly cracking jokes at practice and games.”
The 2013-14 season was the first for Young as head coach at ‘Iolani. It was also senior year for Botelho, a standout forward who joined his staff for his last few seasons. With Ohta having no interest in the vacant position, Botelho would appear to be a logical replacement. However, she recently gave birth and will stop coaching for the time being.
“It’s a good spot to be in. The program is super healthy,” Young said. “There are talented girls coming up. I’m really doing it for my family, whether it’s earning more money or getting promoted at work. It’s for them. I’m going to sacrifice coaching, but I’m doing it for them. That’s really the bottom line.”
Iowa State will open NCAA tournament play against the Syracuse Orange at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN2. This will represent the 24th appearance in the tournament for the Cyclones, including each of the last seven and 17 of the last 19. This will also mark the 14th appearance for Syracuse. The Orange have only reached the second weekend once, but were able to stretch their 2016 run to the national championship game where they ultimately lost to UConn.
Even with Crooks, the Cyclones live and die by the three
Unfortunately, Iowa State experienced the dark side of high volume three point shooting during the Big 12 tournament against Arizona State. Audi Crooks had just four points in the first half, all by free throws. That was due to Arizona State negating any potential entry passes to the second team All-American and forcing Iowa State to attempt a sky high 36 three pointers. This is a very risky gamble for the defensive team as Iowa State currently ranks 12th in the country in three-point percentage. Unfortunately, 7-36 from the field was too rough of a performance for the Cyclones to overcome as they fell to the Sun Devils 77-68.
It was a tough game to watch, but I don’t think there was anything inherently wrong with how Iowa State was preparing themselves. Many of those attempts were open, and if they shot their normal percentage of 36%, they suddenly shot 13-36 and they won by nine. The officials called 51 total fouls which seemed to kill any flow in the game which I believe Iowa State needs to be comfortable. With those two factors, I don’t believe there needs to be serious changes in X’s and O’s. It was just a bad shooting day, and they just need to move forward.
The offensive philosophies are twins
The focal point of both offenses are their 6’ 3” centers, with Syracuse boasting freshman star Uche Izoje. She has led the team with 15.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest on 55.6% shooting. The Orange also start two additional players averaging over ten points per game with guards Laila Phelia and Sophie Burrows. One major hit for Syracuse is the loss of Dominique Darius. The senior point guard led the team with 3.5 assists per game and also contributed 12.6 points per game. She had been one of the breakout contributors for the Orange after spending three seasons at UCLA and one season at USC.
Defensively, Syracuse applies constant pressure and looks to constantly force turnovers. Their 19 turnovers forced per game finished second in the ACC and 59th nationally. If their defense fails to force a turnover, their opponents shoot 40% from the field. Iowa State ranks tenth nationally with 47.88% shooting from the field, so ball security should be a main priority for the offense.
It’s win or go home, and while Iowa State is currently opening as a 7.5 point favorite, that does lead to a realistic path for Syracuse to improve to 3-0 all time in the series. How does Iowa State avenge their 2017 tournament defeat that also happened to be in Storrs?
Protect the ball. Iowa State is normally a very efficient team that can shoot from anywhere. If they can get good looks consistently, it will be very difficult for Syracuse to keep pace. The one thing that completely negates this is turnovers.
Win the one-on-one defensive matchups. Syracuse only averages 14.65 assists per game, which is perfectly average. They do run more one on one battles, so everyone will need to step up
Establish a strong threat outside of the lane. Audi Crooks will naturally be option number one, but she does need space to receive the ball and get to work. If Syracuse has to stretch their defense across to the full perimeter, that only gives Audi more time to work her magic.
Anybody who follows Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx’s career knows he’s a huge Dallas Cowboys fan.
Foxx has made appearances at Cowboys training camp before. So, when he was asked to host a roast for Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, naturally, he said yes.
A roast, as most know, is supposed to be a fun event when attendees take jabs at the person they are honoring.
But according to comedian and actor Joe Torry, Foxx went a little bit too far with former Cowboys fullback Daryl “Moose” Johnston.
“Jamie just went in on him,” Torry said, explaining how the jokes shifted from playful to personal.
Johnston and his wife confronted Foxx backstage, and according to Torry, they almost came to blows.
“They were backstage about to whoop his a**… ‘How dare you?’” Torry recalled, describing the intensity of the moment.
Torry also recalled that when Moose got up to give his speech, he was kind of tight, which was one of the reasons Foxx picked on him that night.
At the time, Johnston was trying to get a broadcasting gig, which he later landed with Fox Sports.
Johnston’s part was never shown on “Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Roast of Emmitt Smith” because he was afraid it would hurt his career. Obviously, it didn’t hurt Foxx. He later won an Oscar for “Ray.”
Hawaii men’s volleyball coach Charlie Wade doesn’t have many firsts left to add to the resume.
He got a big one Friday, though, earning his first Big West regular-season victory over Long Beach State at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid with a dramatic 26-24, 23-25, 25-19, 20-25, 15-12 win to open Big West play.
Hawaii sophomore opposite Kristian Titriyski, who started for the first time in more than two months, put down the game-clinching kill for his team-leading 13th of the match, helping No. 3 Hawaii (18-3, 1-0) defeat the second-ranked Beach (14-3, 0-1) on the road for the first time since 2015, when both teams played in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
“Coming and getting a win against a Top 5 team on the road, and more significantly, a league win, the first match of league play, that one is probably a win against the field,” Wade said.
Hawaii had to persevere through the match after losing Louis Sakanoko to cramps midway through the third set.
Setter Tread Rosenthal, who battled cramps for the final two sets and was effectively playing on one leg in the fifth, refused to come off the court.
Rosenthal finished with 35 assists, seven kills and five blocks and set a perfect ball to the left side on UH’s second match point that Titriyski sent bouncing hard off the floor to end UH’s first five-set match of the season.
“Gutty performance with Sakanoko going down and Finn (Kearney) stepping up and Tread was hobbled almost the whole time, it was a good team win,” Wade said. “I was never seriously considering (taking) Tread out. He would have to be a hard no-go. Him on one leg is better than most.”
Titriyski ended the night with 13 kills but had nine of UH’s 17 hitting errors.
Sakanoko, who received a red card in the third set for complaining to an official, had eight kills and was hitting .500 when he was forced to leave the match.
Kearney had five kills after taking his place at outside hitter.
“Finn was huge. He was a target early,” Wade said. “Once he stepped on the floor they went at him and he gave up a couple (serves) early, but he settled down and did a really nice job.”
Wojciech Gajek, who was also battling cramps for Long Beach State, hit .381 with a match-high 22 kills for the Beach.
Skyler Varga added 15 kills for Long Beach State, which had 64 kills to only 47 for UH. The Beach committed 28 hitting errors and 26 service errors and UH gave up only six aces to a team leading the country in aces at 2.8 per set coming in.
“We talked going in, don’t give up the straight ace,” Wade said. “They got a few but certainly less than their averages are — we got their top guys off the line pretty quick. It as a challenge that we know would be there and the guys met it.”
Hawaii hit .455 with only two hitter errors in the opening set and had four key blocks. Long Beach State only had one block.
The Beach came back in the second set to win it on Titriyski’s sixth hitting error of the match.
The rest of the team only had two hitting errors through two sets as Hawaii was able to hit .370 in the match despite Titriyski’s struggles.
The Beach hit .033 in the third set with nine hitting errors and five service errors, allowing Hawaii to go back in front.
UH held Hawaii to eight kills and a .095 hitting percentage to fourth a fifth set.
All of UH’s injury issues in the match were cramps. The team was hoping to get IV treatment at the hotel after the match.
CISPE claims Broadcom's actions have excluded most European cloud infrastructure partners, sharply reduced competition, and forced smaller firms out of the VMware ecosystem altogether.
Researchers are still studying samples of Ryugu collected by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency from its Hayabusa2 mission. After the first papers focused on the composition of the recovered material, a Japanese team has now found a "complete" set of genetic bases belonging to both DNA and RNA.
Nintendo is reportedly set to launch a revised Switch 2 with a removable battery in Europe, in line with regulations requiring easier battery replacement by February 2027.
Story Generator is a structured AI writing tool that helps you create stories step by step, turning your ideas into full story outlines and detailed chapters. Simply enter your concept, choose the genre, and set up your characters, including name, personality, appearance, and occupation. The system then generates a complete, coherent multi-chapter outline tailored to your setup.
The tool supports all major genres, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, mystery, thriller, adventure, slice-of-life, children's stories, and more. Each generation produces three unique versions, providing you with multiple creative directions to choose from instantly.
MailerBit is an email automation platform for sending thousands of individually personalized messages. It connects to your contact data and inserts unlimited custom fields—text, numbers, dates, and currencies—into dynamic templates with merge tags and built-in math. You can run recurring campaigns on fixed or custom schedules, attach files up to 25 MB, and compute values at send time. MailerBit solves the problem of sending similar emails manually to many customers.
Kansas Is America’s New Travel Darling With Bold Campaigns That Bring Attention to the State’s Natural Wonders and Vibrant Culture Sparking Unseen Tourism GrowthRead full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/kansas-becomes-americas-unrivaled-travel-haven-capturing-the-hearts-of-visitors-with-bold-marketing-campaigns-and-authentic-memorable-experiences/United States, Kansas, known for its vast landscapes, rolling plains, and rich cultural heritage,... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Unprecedented Heatwave Grips the Western US: Record-Breaking Temperatures and Wildfires Ignite Wildlife Tourism FearsUnprecedented heatwave hits Western US in 2026, smashing temperature records and fueling wildfires. Experts warn this one-in-500-year event is a wake-up call for climate change. The post... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Canada Face Travel Chaos As 211 Flights Were Delayed And 32 Flights Were Cancelled Including WestJet, SkyWest And Others Affecting Routes To Toronto, Montreal And MoreCanada travel chaos: 211 flights delayed & 32 cancelled on Mar 21. WestJet & SkyWest... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Grenada’s Beach House Elevates Luxury Tourism on Portici Beach ParadiseGrenada unveils Beach House by Silversands, luxury resort on Portici Beach, boosting high-end tourism with canopy rooms and Grand Anse access. The post Grenada’s Beach House Elevates Luxury Tourism on Portici... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Punta Cana and San José Gain Tampa Direct Flights Boosting Caribbean TourismPunta Cana and San José, Costa Rica launch Breeze nonstop flights from Tampa summer 2026, driving tourism growth with low fares to beach and eco-destinations. The post Punta Cana... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Hilton Grand Vacations Redefines Japan Travel with Kyoto Entry Offering Authentic Residential Style Experiences Rooted in Timeless Cultural TraditionsHilton Grand Vacations Inc. is charting a new course in Japan’s evolving hospitality landscape with the launch of a distinctive property in... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Air Astana Unlocks New Travel Possibilities with Expanded Frequencies and Larger Aircraft as Nauryz Sparks International JourneysAir Astana is recalibrating its international flight network from Almaty with a focused capacity surge timed to the Nauryz holiday season, highlighting how airlines... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Destination Capitol Hill Shaping U.S. Tourism Policy for FIFA World Cup and America250 Celebrations: All You Need To KnowDestination Capitol Hill 2026 is a pivotal event to prepare the U.S. tourism sector for major international events like the FIFA World... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Greece’s Paleokastritsa Beach Earns Global Recognition as One of the Top 15 Beaches in the WorldPaleokastritsa Beach in Corfu has earned a spot in the world’s Top 15, highlighting Greece's stunning beaches and extending its coastal appeal beyond Crete. The... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Gran Canaria Ushers Cruise Tourism Era with Europe’s Largest Terminal OpeningGran Canaria opens largest cruise terminal Europe at Muelle Santa Catalina, boosting tourism capacity for ships, 14,000m² facility in Las Palmas port. The post Gran Canaria Ushers Cruise Tourism Era... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Google has announced a new feature for its Google Messages app. The feature is named the Trash folder, and it will help users manage deleted messages more easily.
Before this update, when you deleted a message, it was gone forever right away. But now, things are changing. With the new Trash folder, deleted messages will not disappear instantly. Instead, they will go into a special folder called Trash.
These messages will stay in the Trash for up to 30 days on most phones. This means if you delete something by mistake, you still have time to get it back.On Android Go phones, which are simpler devices, messages will stay in Trash for only seven days.
Image – SammyFans
You can open the Trash folder anytime to check your deleted messages. From there, you can choose to restore a message, which will bring it back to your inbox. If you are sure you don’t need a message, you can delete it permanently. There are also options to delete all messages or restore all messages in just one tap.
To access trash, you just need to tap your profile picture in the top-right corner of the app, and you will see the option there. Google has not said the exact date when this feature will be available to everyone. Stay tuned for more information.
The OnePlus 15T is only a few days from launch, and a new leak highlighting its key specifications have surfaced. While it is an upgrade in most areas compared to its predecessor, it opts for a cheaper display.
The new Lenovo Thinkpad T1g Gen 9 is an update of one of the most expensive ThinkPad series: It is a premium 16-inch laptop for the multimedia segment with Nvidia GeForce GPUs. The newest model has Intel Panther Lake CPUs, and the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 with 12 GB VRAM.
New HD renders of the Casio GMC-B2100ADS-1ADR give us our clearest look yet at its dial textures, subdial layout, and full stainless steel construction. The watch builds on earlier leaks, with an April launch and pricing around $700 expected.
The OnePlus 15T is set to launch very soon in China as a compact flagship phone with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. While it's small, the brand touts high-performance connectivity hardware, ensuring stable online gaming even in weak signal areas.
Perplexity announced Perplexity Health, a feature that's specifically designed to answer medical questions in the most medically accurate and evidence-based way possible. The feature aggregates health data from different apps, devices and platforms. The AI assistant then tracks metrics and trends over time. With all that information, Perplexity Health is supposed to provide reliable personalized health information to the user.
One of the health services that Perplexity uses is Apple's Health platform. The so-called Perplexity Computer, which is the company's AI agent tool, can build...
Carlo Ancelotti won't have Alisson in the team for Brazil's matches.
Carlo Ancelotticontinues his preparation for a new challenge. As Brazil’s manager, the only expectation is for the country to win the World Cup soon. With friendly matches ahead, he will not have his starting goalkeeper available because Alisson got injured.
The Brazilian Confederation confirmed the news, stating that his absence forced the player to withdraw from participation. This comes at an unideal time, as Brazil has the final window of matches next week.
Alisson being out of the list opened the door for a new call-up. The decision made by the Italian manager was to give his place to Hugo Souza. With Liverpool’s player injury still unknown, the Corinthians goalkeeper joins the team. The spot in the lineup could go to Bento (Al-Nassr) or Ederson (Fenerbahçe).
Brazil’s friendlies
Teams are ahead of a great opportunity to see players that may be on the biggest stage in a few months. There should be some more friendliesapproaching the World Cup, but those may already have the squads set.
Ancelotti replaced Alisson in Brazil with Souza (Wagner Meier/Getty Images)
The next step for the Brazilians should be very important as they are seeing another huge team like France in a match coming next Thursday, March 26, in Boston, where Gillette Stadium is located.
Days later Brazil should have one more test against Croatia on Tuesday, March 31, in Orlando, with Camping World Stadium as the place where fans can enjoy some of the best players in the world.
Liverpool’s side of the injury
While Brazil may be affected by Alisson’s injury, the most interested one can be Liverpool. The English club looks at this situation with some worries as the goalkeeper just returned from an injury that kept him out of the first leg against Galatasaray in the Champions League.
There isn’t any clarity as to when Alisson can be available again for manager Arne Slot, as he missed the trip to Brighton. The important thing comes right after the international break for some teams. Liverpool has Manchester City in the FA Cup as their next challenge before seeing PSG.
Alisson won't play this weekend with his club for an injury
Toney’s rise in the Saudi Pro League has been nothing short of remarkable, placing him firmly among the most prolific strikers in world soccer. Yet, despite his extraordinary numbers, uncertainty continues to surround his international future with the England national team.
The race for goals continues to intensify as Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney dominate headlines, not only for their scoring exploits but also for what lies ahead on the international stage. With both forwards thriving at the club level, attention has now shifted toward how their form translates into opportunities with the national team, especially as the road to the 2026 World Cup begins to narrow.
Toney’s rise in the Saudi Pro League has been nothing short of remarkable, placing him firmly among the most prolific strikers in world soccer. Yet, despite his extraordinary numbers, uncertainty continues to surround his international future with the England national team.
Playing for Al-Ahli, Toney is enjoying the most productive campaign of his career. The English striker has amassed 34 goals and eight assists in 38 matches in all competitions, an astonishing return that underlines his consistency and sharpness in front of goal. This output surpasses his previous best season at Brentford, where he scored 33 goals in 52 appearances.
Now, in the Middle East, he has elevated his game even further, averaging more than a goal contribution per match. His performances have also been decisive in key moments. In the Saudi King’s Cup, Toney delivered a dramatic late equalizer against Al-Hilal to force extra time.
Although his team was eventually eliminated on penalties, he still finished as the competition’s top scorer with six goals in just four matches. In the league, the Englishman continues to lead the scoring charts, with 25 goals at a rate of nearly one per game, putting him in direct competition with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr for the Golden Boot.
England’s decision revealed
However, despite his impressive club form, Ivan Toney has been left out of England’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. This decision represents a significant setback in his pursuit of a World Cup place, especially given the timing.
With limited international windows remaining before the tournament, every opportunity to impress becomes crucial. The omission highlights the intense competition within the squad and suggests that Thomas Tuchel is still exploring alternative options in attack. Despite the 29-year-old’s goal-scoring exploits, he has yet to secure a consistent role under the current manager.
Ivan Toney of England
How it could impact Toney’s World Cup ambitions
As the World Cup approaches, Toney finds himself at a critical juncture. His outstanding form in Saudi Arabia has placed him among the elite forwards of the season, yet international recognition has not fully followed.
Toney’s ultimate ambition remains clear: securing a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. The striker has already earned seven caps for his country and was part of the squad during their run to the Euro 2024 final.
However, competition for places is fierce, particularly with Harry Kane firmly established as the first-choice striker. The battle for the backup role has become one of the most intriguing selection dilemmas for England manager Thomas Tuchel.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is due to return to the ring in September after losing to Terence Crawford late last year. The unanimous decision defeat saw Canelo surrender his four super-middleweight world titles. Crawford announced his retirement from the sport as an undefeated, five-weight world champion months later. He had been stripped of the WBC belt […]
Trendyol 1. Lig'de haftanın en sarsıcı sonucu Ankara'dan geldi! Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü, konuk ettiği Adana Demirspor karşısında tarihi bir galibiyete imza atarak sahadan 7-0'lık skorla ayrıldı.
Trendyol 1. Lig'in 32. haftasında Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü, konuk ettiği Adana Demirspor'u 7-0 yendi.
Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü: Emre Satılmış, Hüseyin Bulut, Wellington, Abdullah Çelik, Süleyman Luş, İshak Karaoğul, İbrahim Akdağ (Dk. 46 Erkam Develi), Roshi (Dk. 67 Enes Yılmaz), Halil Can Ayan (Dk. 67 Fernandes), Diaby (Dk. 78 Mehmet Efe Çakmak), Diouf (Dk. 46 Ali Akman)
Adana Demirspor: Murat Uğur Eser, Enes Demirtaş (Dk. 78 Halil Eray Aktaş), Yusuf Buğra Demirkıran (Dk. 59 Eymen Namlı), Ali Fidan, Yücel Gürol (Dk. 46 Ahmet Yılmaz), Mert Menemencioğlu, Kayra Saygan (Dk. 59 Çağlar Çelenk), Toprak Bayar (Dk. 46 Aykut Sarıkaya), Kürşat Türkeş Küçük, Osman Kaynak, Gökdeniz Tunç
Goller: Dk. 15 ve 23 Diouf, Dk. 34 Hüseyin Bulut, Dk. 52 İshak Karaoğul, Dk. 76 Diaby, Dk. 88 Ali Akman, Dk. 90+6 Mehmet Efe Çakmak (Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü)
Sarı kartlar: Dk. 41 Abdullah Çelik, Dk. 90+3 Hüseyin Bulut (Emre Gökdemir İnşaat Ankara Keçiörengücü)
Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi'nin 23. haftasında Galatasaray MCT Technic ile Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol karşılaştı. Galatasaray MCT Technic, konuk ettiği Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol'u 98-94 yendi.
Sarı-kırmızılılar, ligde bu sezonki 13. galibiyetini aldı. Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol ise sezon başından beri 20. mağlubiyetini yaşadı.
Karşılaşmaya etkili başlayan konuk ekip, 4. dakikada Lecque'in smacıyla 9-0'lık seri yakaladı (3-12). Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol, sarı-kırmızılıların savunmada zorlandığı sırada 9. dakikada da Pipes'ın dış atıştan isabetiyle farkı 19'a kadar çıkardı: 12-31. Sarı-kırmızılı ekip, Meeks ve Palmer ile bulduğu sayılarla farkı azaltırken, Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol ile çeyreği 20-33 önde bitirdi.
İkinci çeyrekte rakibinin boş hücumlarını ve top kayıplarını iyi değerlendiren Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol, 15. dakikada Johnson'ın turnikeden bulduğu basketle farkı 22 sayıya kadar çıkardı: 28-50. Aldığı molayla savunmada toparlanan Galatasaray, orta mesafeden bulduğu basketlerle farkı azalttı ve konuk ekip soyunma odasına 58-47 önde gitti.
İkinci yarıda boyalı alanda rakibine kurduğu üstünlükle üst üste sayılar bulan Galatasaray MCT Technic, McCollum'ın 25. dakikadaki turnikesiyle karşılaşmada ilk kez öne geçti: 66-65. Sonrasında sert savunmasıyla rakibine fazla basket şansı vermeyen sarı-kırmızılılar, McCollum'ın çeyreğin bitmesine 6 saniye kala serbest atıştan bulduğu basketle farkı 13'e çıkardı ve son çeyreğe 82-69 önde girdi.
Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol, son çeyreğin başında arka arkaya bulduğu üçlüklerle durumu 82-75'e getirdi. Sarı-kırmızılılar ise bu çeyreğin ilk 5 dakikasında skor üretmekte zorlandı. Son 5 dakikada Palmer ve McCollum ile sayılar bulan Galatasaray MCT Technic, karşılaşmayı 98-94 kazandı.
Salon: Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi
Hakemler: Ali Şakacı, Ahmet Tatlıcı, Halil Erkoç
Galatasaray MCT Technic: Can Korkmaz 3, Palmer 23, Petrucelli 5, Gillespie 5, White 13, McCollum 20, Ellis 4, Tibet Görener, Meeks 12, Buğrahan Tuncer 12, Muhsin Yaşar 1
Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol: Van Der Vuurst 13, Muhaymin Mustafa 4, Can Kaan Turgut 5, Bruinsma 7, Gavrilovic 12, Lecque 21, Yiğit Özkan 3, Metin Türen 1, Pipes 12, Bandaogo 6, Doğan Şenli 6, Johnson 4
Fenerbahçe Beko, ABD'li guard Wade Baldwin ile sözleşme uzatma konusunda mutlu sona ulaştı.
Geçtiğimiz sezon Maccabi Tel Aviv’den Fenerbahçe Beko'ya transfer olan Wade Baldwin'in geleceği belli oldu. İki sezondur gösterdiği performansla dikkat çeken Baldwin ile sarı-lacivertliler sözleşme uzatmak istiyordu. Bir süredir oyuncu ile görüşmelerde bulunan Fenerbahçe Beko mutlu sona ulaştı.
Fenerbahçe Beko'nun Wade Baldwin'in sözleşmesini uzattığı öğrenildi.
Baldwin, bu sezon Fenerbahçe ile EuroLeague’de 14,4 sayı, 3,3 ribaund ve 5,7 asistle mücadele ediyor. Fenerbahçe’nin geçtiğimiz sezon başta Avrupa şampiyonluğu olmak üzere kazandığı 4 şampiyonluğun mimarlarının başında Wade Baldwin yer alıyordu.
Borussia Dortmund, Emre Can'ın sözleşmesini 2027 yılında kadar uzattığını duyurdu.
2019-2020 sezonunun ara transfer döneminden bu yana Borussia Dortmund forması giyen Emre Can, Alman ekibiyle 2027 yazına kadar geçerli yeni kontrat yaptı.
“EMRE CAN BİZİN KAPTANIMIZ VE BİR ROL MODEL”
İmzaların atılmasının ardından konuşan Borussia Dortmund Sportif Direktörü Lars Ricken, "Emre bizim kaptanımız ve gerçek bir rol model. Örnek teşkil eden ve her zaman takımı ön planda tutan bir lider. Ciddi sakatlığının hemen ardından, Borussia Dortmund için kilit bir oyuncu olduğu için onu desteklemeye devam etmek istediğimizi açıkça belirttik. Şimdi Emre'nin tamamen iyileşmesine odaklanması önemli ve onu tekrar sahada görmeyi dört gözle bekliyoruz." ifadelerini kullandı.
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 25-ci turunun “Turan Tovuz” – “Qəbələ” matçı meydan sahiblərinin 3:2 hesablı qələbəsi ilə başa çatdı.
Arena.az Sumqayıtda baş tutmuş bu matçın yekun protokolunu və icmalını təqdim edir.
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqası 25-ci tur 21 mart
“Turan Tovuz” – “Qəbələ” 3:2 Qollar: Hayderson Hurtado, 3; 49. Joarlem Santos, 59 – Eşqin Əhmədov, 27. Roderik Miller, 90+6-öz qapısına. Sarı vərəqələr: Ayxan Hüseynov, 22 (qeyri-idman hərəkəti). Roderik Miller, 90+6 (qeyriidman hərəkəti). Rəsmi şəxsə göstərilən sarı vərəqə: Georgi Çixradze (“Qəbələ”), 83 (hakimin qərarına etiraz). Artırılan vaxt: Birinci hissədə 2 dəqiqə, ikinci hissədə 7 dəqiqə. Saat 16:00. Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionu, 250 tamaşaçı.
Baş hakim: Kamal Umudlu. Baş hakimin köməkçiləri: Vüsal Məmmədov, Akif Əmirəli. Dördüncü hakim: Elçin Məsiyev. VAR: Əliyar Ağayev. AVAR: Nicat İsmayıllı. Hakim-inspektor: Ceyhun Haşımov. AFFA nümayəndəsi: Elçin Məmmədov.
Turan Tovuz: 41. Sergey Samok, 29. Filip Ozobiç (19. Roberto Olabe, 68), 17. Rəhim Sadıxov (6. Fərid Yusifli, 79), 11. Ayxan Hüseynov (99. İbrahima Vadji, 79), 5. Roderik Miller, 3. Enrike Silva, 23. Alexandro Serrano, 90. Joarlem Santos, 32. Hayderson Hurtado (k) (15. Emmanuel Hakman, 79), 7. Xorxe Silva (88. Faiq Hacıyev, 86), 2. Mark Rene Mampassi. Ehtiyat oyunçular: 1. Oleq Baklov, 13. Mehman Hacıyev, 4. Şəhriyar Əliyev, 10. Xəyal Nəcəfov, 9. Coş Cinnelli, 8. David Tavares. Baş məşqçi: Kurban Berdıyev.
Bu gün futbol üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatında (Premyer Liqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 25-ci turuna yekun vurulub.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sonuncu oyun günündə bir qarşılaşma baş tutub.
Turun qapanış matçında “Turan Tovuz” “Qəbələ”ni qəbul edib. Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionunda keçirilmiş görüşün baş hakimi Kamal Umudlu olub. Beş qolluq oyunda meydan sahibləri qələbə qazanıblar.
Premyer Liqa 25-ci tur 21 mart
“Turan Tovuz” – “Qəbələ” 3:2 Qollar: Hayderson Hurtado, 3; 49. Joarlem Santos, 59 – Eşqin Əhmədov, 27. Roderik Miller, 90+7. Hakimlər: Kamal Umudlu, Vüsal Məmmədov, Akif Əmirəli, Elçin Məsiyev. VAR: Əliyar Ağayev. AVAR: Nicat İsmayıllı. Hakim-inspektor: Ceyhun Haşımov. AFFA nümayəndəsi: Elçin Məmmədov. Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionu, 16:00.
Turan Tovuz: 41. Sergey Samok, 29. Filip Ozobiç, 17. Rəhim Sadıxov, 11. Ayxan Hüseynov, 5. Roderik Miller, 3. Enrike Silva, 23. Alexandro Serrano, 90. Joarlem Santos, 32. Hayderson Hurtado (k), 7. Xorxe Silva, 2. Mark Rene Mampassi. Ehtiyat oyunçular: 1. Oleq Baklov, 13. Mehman Hacıyev, 4. Şəhriyar Əliyev, 10. Xəyal Nəcəfov, 88. Faiq Hacıyev, 6. Fərid Yusifli, 99. İbrahima Vadji, 15. Emmanuel Hakman, 19. Roberto Olabe, 9. Coş Cinnelli, 8. David Tavares. Baş məşqçi: Kurban Berdıyev.
Qəbələ: 1. Səlahət Ağayev, 28. Murad Musayev (k), 66. Nuğay Rəşidov, 10. Şahin Şahniyarov, 27. Eşqin Əhmədov, 24. İsmael Akinade, 33. Seydina Keyta, 6. Xayme Syerra, 16. İsaak Amoa, 14. Domi Massumu, 30. Prins Ovusu. Ehtiyat oyunçular: 93. Rza Cəfərov, 94. Həbib Hüşənov, 11. Asif Məmmədov, 7. Turan Manafov, 22. Fərid İsgəndərov, 13. Nicat Əliyev, 74. Süleyman Damadayev, 21. Ziya Şəkərxanov, 12. İbrahim Sanqare, 50. Adriel Ba Lua, 3. Eduardo Kunde, 8. Sambu Sissoko. Baş məşqçi: Kaxaber Sxadadze.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan millisinin mərkəz müdafiəçisi Cəlal Hüseynov Bolqarıstanın “Arda” komandasının heyətində növbəti matçına çıxıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Cəlalın komandası Bolqarıstan çempionatının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 27-ci turu çərçivəsində “Septemvri” (Sofiya) ilə qarşılaşıb.
“Arda” səfərdə baş tutmuş bu oyundan inamlı qələbə ilə ayrılıb – 4:1. Hüseynov start heyətdə meydana çıxıb və sonadək mübarizə aparıb.
“Arda” 27 turdan sonra 38 xalla 16 iştirakçı arasında 6-cı pillədə qərarlaşıb. Komanda cari mövsümdə 10 qələbə qazanıb, 8 heç-heçə edib, 9 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.
Xatırladaq ki, “Zirə”nin yetirməsi olan Cəlal Hüseynov Bolqarıstan təmsilçisi ilə 2023-cü ilin iyun ayında 3 illik müqavilə imzalayıb. Azərbaycanlı futbolçu bu komandada 75 rəsmi oyuna çıxıb, 2 qol vurub. Cəlal 2024/2025-ci illər mövsümünü icarə əsasında “Şamaxı”da keçirsə də, ötən ilin yayında yenidən Bolqarıstan klubuna qayıdıb.
Hüseynov 2021-ci ilin noyabrında debüt etdiyi Azərbaycan milli komandasının heyətində 8 oyuna çıxsa da, məhsuldar fəaliyyəti ilə yadda qalmayıb.
Almaniyanın “Borussiya” komandasının kapitanı, dayaq yarımmüdafiəçisi Emre Can Dortmund klubu ilə yeni müqaviləyə imza atıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
32 yaşlı türkəsilli almaniyalı futbolçu ilə yeni sözləşmə 2027-ci ilin yayına qədər qüvvədə olacaq. Tərəflər arasındakı əvvəlki müqavilənin müddəti bu ilin yayında bitəcəkdi.
Dayaq yarımmüdafiəçisi olan Emre futbola “Blau Qelb” klubunda qədəm qoyub. Buradan Frankfurt “Ayntraxt”ı və ardınca Almaniya nəhəngi “Bayern”ə yol tapmış Can 2011-ci ildə böyük futbolda debüt edib.
Emre Can karyerası ərzində “Bayer”, “Liverpul” və “Yuventus”da çıxış edib. Dortmund “Borussiya”sı Emre Canı 2020-ci in iyulunda 25 milyon avro məbləğ müqabilində “Yuventus”dan tamhüquqlu əsasda öz düşərgəsinə qatıb. Buna qədər Can Dortmund klubunda icarə əsasında oynayıb.
Cari mövsümdə Emre “Borussiya”nın heyətində bütün yarışlarda 16 oyuna 3 qol vurub. Canın Dortmund komandasının heyətində çıxışının ümumi mənzərəsi 220 oyun, 23 qol və 12 məhsuldar ötürmədən ibarətdir.
Emre 2015-ci ilin sentyabrında debüt etdiyi Almaniya yığmasının heyətində 48 oyun keçirib, 2 qol və 2 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə fərqlənib.
Emre Canın qənimətlər muzeyində “Bayern”lə qazandığı Almaniya Bundesliqası Çempionluğu, Almaniya Kuboku, Almaniya Super Kuboku və Çempionlar Liqası, “Yuventus”la qazandığı İtaliya A Seriyası çempionluğu (2 dəfə) və İtaliya Super Kuboku var. “Borussiya” ilə isə Emre Can Almaniya Kubokunun qalibi olub. Həmçinin Can “bundestim”lə 2017-ci il Konfederasiyalar Kubokunun qalibi olub.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 32 yaşlı yarımmüdafiəçinin transfer dəyərini 4 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
Gheorghe Hagi, Türkiye ile Romanya arasında oynanacak 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri play-off maçıyla ilgili Rumen basınına açıklamalarda bulundu. İşte o sözler...Devamı için tıklayınız
Güneysu Tenzile Erdoğan Devlet Hastanesi'nde tedavi gören Doruk, Başkan Recep Tayyip Erdoğan'dan Arda Güler forması istedi. Erdoğan ise "Arda geçen ne yaptı ya? 68 metreden taktı." cevabını verdi. İşte...Devamı için tıklayınız
İngiltere Premier Lig 31. haftasında Brighton ile Liverpool karşı karşıya geldi. Milli yıldızımız Ferdi Kadıoğlu'nun ilk 11 başladığı maçta Brighton Hove Albion, Arne Slot'un Liverpool'unu 2-1 devirdi....Devamı için tıklayınız
Federico Chiesa was called up for Italy’s World Cup play-offs, but Liverpool fans were left bemused and angry by Arne Slot’s decision to snub him against Brighton.
The attacking winger had not been in the Azzurri for several months, as he asked Gennaro Gattuso to leave him out until he managed to regain full fitness with regular playing time at Anfield.
Chiesa not getting a chance at Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool is challenged by Pascal Struijk of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leeds United at Anfield on January 01, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
That doesn’t seem to be happening, and he received another sign that it won’t change when he was forced to watch from the bench as Hugo Ekitike went off injured in the opening minutes against Brighton, only for midfielder Curtis Jones to be introduced instead.
It didn’t pay off for Slot, as Liverpool lost 2-1 and the fans raged online against his decision to ignore Chiesa yet again until the final 13 minutes of the match.
Chiesa watching a striker come off for a midfielder while he sits on the bench… pic.twitter.com/sfV6eKlyks
The Viola are already planning for the future, as current coach Paolo Vanoli will not remain after this term, regardless of whether they secure Serie A status.
Tedesco latest target for Fiorentina
FREIBERG AM NECKAR, GERMANY – JUNE 13: Domenico Tedesco, Head of Belgium reacts during a public training session at Wasen-SportCentrum on June 13, 2024 in Freiberg am Neckar, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
New director Paratici has been tasked with finding the right man, and the latest candidate to be mentioned is Tedesco.
Although the 40-year-old is Italian, he moved to Germany at a young age and made his career there with Schalke 04, RB Leipzig, then had two years as coach of the Belgium national team from 2023 to 2025.
Fenerbahce appointed Tedesco on September 9, having sacked Jose Mourinho, and he has so far overseen 24 wins, 11 draws and five defeats for the club.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 8: Fabio Paratici of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Parma Calcio 1913 at Artemio Franchi on March 8, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Inter coach Cristian Chivu insists that ‘anything is still possible’ in the race for the title in Serie A: ‘We must not think about others’ mistakes, because they are beyond our control.’
Inter will visit Fiorentina at the Stadio Franchi tomorrow.
They’ll travel to Tuscany without the injured Alessandro Bastoni, who is also in doubt for Italy’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland.
Fiorentina vs. Inter – Chivu’s pre-match press conference
Neither Chivu nor any Inter player spoke to the media last week after a controversial 1-1 draw against Atalanta.
“It was a decision we made together after what happened on the field. I prefer to always talk about football and not focus on things that could create excuses,” Chivu said via FCInter1908.
“We made some mistakes in that match from a technical and tactical standpoint. We’ve asked ourselves what could have been done better. We must not think about others’ mistakes, because they are beyond our control.
“We come from a week of work, we are ready to face tomorrow’s match.”
Napoli beat Cagliari on Friday, moving six points below Inter. The Nerazzurri have a game in hand, but do they feel the pressure from their rivals?
“Football is about pressure. The season is still long, and anything is possible,” Chivu, who will serve a one-game ban tomorrow, replied.
“We are aware of our journey, what we have achieved, and the ambitions of the other teams, who rightly believe they can compete until the end.
“There are 27 points at stake; in a three-point era, anything is possible. We focus on being competitive and on performing as well as we have so far. We must continue to focus on ourselves and give even greater consistency to our ambitions and our journey in the championship.”
Lautaro Martinez will miss tomorrow’s match due to an injury, while Ange-Yoan Bony is dealing with dental issues, and Marcus Thuram has gone over one month without scoring in Serie A.
“He [Thuram] and everyone else can do better, and they are aware of it,” Chivu said.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 14: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Inter Milano, looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“They are working every day to reach the team’s level in every way. I have no more advice to give at a time when every match becomes a final; everyone needs to take responsibility to be the best version of themselves.
“A thousand things are happening these days; you can’t mention them all. These are things that happen, and we are here to find solutions. He [Bonny] had a dental problem before the Atalanta match, and also this week. He will definitely fix them next week during the break.
“There’s a bit of everything; during a season, it’s normal to have moments that are less brilliant than usual. You have to look at what has been achieved as well. We see our improvement, and what we need to regain in terms of energy and ambition, without losing sight of the journey and the path. Nobody gives you anything; you have to go out and take everything for yourself.”
Lazio forward Daniel Maldini is tipped to potentially receive an Italy call-up for the World Cup play-offs after Gianluca Scamacca’s injury, but it is not yet clear whether there will be a replacement.
Inter are also keeping the Azzurri on edge after announcing Alessandro Bastoni won’t be in their group to face Fiorentina this weekend, and will require tests with the Nazionale staff to see if he could recover for the play-offs.
Maldini top option for Italy attack
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Daniel Maldini of Italy shows his dejection during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Daniel Maldini is the most likely candidate to step in, should Gattuso choose to call in an extra player to replace Scamacca.
That is by no means certain right now, as Gattuso still has 27 players to draw from.
Maldini is more of a support striker than a centre-forward, but has been used in that role by Maurizio Sarri since the move to Lazio in January.
The 24-year-old scored just one goal all season with three assists in 19 competitive games.
Inter coach Cristian Chivu confirms Alessandro Bastoni will miss tomorrow’s Serie A match against Fiorentina, but the defender ‘will be assessed’ by Italy doctors ahead of next week’s World Cup play-off semi-final.
Inter star Bastoni won’t be available for Sunday’s Serie A match against Fiorentina at the Stadio Franchi.
Chivu provides Bastoni injury update
Bastoni already missed last week’s home game against Atalanta, due to a fibula injury he had sustained two weeks ago against Milan.
Chivu confirmed Bastoni’s omission during a pre-match press conference on Saturday, but said the Italian star would still join the Italy national team.
“The boys now represent Inter, and I hope they’ll have two important matches for Italy. Right now, our players are focused on Inter and on contributing to the journey in the league,” Chivu said via FcInter1908.
“Those who go to the national team will have the chance to prepare for the match in the best way, aware that Italy is a strong team that can and must win the first game. Bastoni is not called up for tomorrow; he will be assessed in the national team because he will report there and they’ll make a decision depending on how he feels on those days.”
BARI, ITALY – AUGUST 16: Alessandro Bastoni of Inter during Pre-Season Friendly match between FC Internazionale and Olympiacos FC at Stadio San Nicola on August 16, 2025 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Inter stars Nicolò Barella, Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, and Francesco Pio Esposito have also been included in the Azzurri squad.
Italy will start preparations for the World Cup play-off in Coverciano on Monday.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy warms up 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 semi-final against Northern Ireland will be played in Bergamo on March 26 and if the Azzurri progress to the final, they’ll visit Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Hong Kong police say a 66-year-old retiree was duped three times in six months by self-styled “crypto investment experts,” as scammers promised easy gains and help to recover losses.
Bitcoin’s mining difficulty just logged its second sizeable cut of 2026, easing conditions for remaining miners as competition from artificial intelligence data centers rises.
NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant, principal owner and chairman of the franchise Sanjiv Goenka, and several other members of the squad offered prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The 19th edition of the tournament is set to begin on March 28.
The franchise posted a picture of the group’s visit to the holy shrine on X and wrote, “Dr. Sanjiv Goenka visits Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya along with captain Rishabh Pant and other members of the squad to receive blessings.”
LSG have experienced mixed results since their debut. Under KL Rahul, they reached the IPL 2022 playoffs but were eliminated in the eliminator. In IPL 2023, LSG advanced to the second round but lost in the Eliminator again. Krunal Pandya led the team during the second half of that season.
— LucknowIPL (@LucknowIPL)
The Rahul-led LSG did not advance past the league stage in IPL 2024. The management released Rahul ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction. The Lucknow-based franchise committed a record bid of Rs 27 crore for Rishabh Pant, making him the most expensive player in league history as he was eventually appointed captain.
Pant-led LSG had a subpar IPL season, exiting after only six wins in 14 matches. Their performance dipped in the latter half, with four consecutive losses damaging their chances. They ended their second season with a defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Pant struggled with the bat, scoring 269 runs in 13 innings. He recorded one century and one half-century during the season.
Lucknow will now aim to reach their first IPL final in 2026. They will start their season against the Delhi Capitals on April 1, followed by a match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 5. Their next two games, as per the first phase of the schedule announced by the BCCI, are against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 9 and the Gujarat Titans on April 12.
Fabio di Giannantonio came through Q1 to deliver pole position for VR46 in the MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix, despite suffering a late crash himself in qualifying.
Although the track remained dry throughout Saturday after heavy showers earlier in the weekend, the Goiania circuit caught out several riders in qualifying.
Francesco Bagnaia was the first rider to go down in Q2, losing his factory Ducati at Turn 10 just three minutes into the session.
Championship leader Pedro Acosta was the next rider to suffer a fall, becoming the latest victim of the notorious Turn 4, with Marc Marquez crashing at the same corner soon after.
While all three were able to return to the garage to mount their second bikes, the early drama allowed di Giannantonio to grab provisional pole on the VR46 Ducati, with Marquez holding on to second place.
Jorge Martin held third place at the end of the first runs, with his Aprilia team-mate Marco Bezzecchi grabbing fifth at the halfway mark.
When the second runs began, di Giannantonio fractionally improved his time to 1m17.410s, but this still left him vulnerable to his rivals in the dying minutes of qualifying.
Martin was on course to go quicker than the Italian, but went down at Turn 6 with just three minutes left on the clock, leading to yellow flags being waved.
Di Giannantonio himself suffered a late crash at Turn 4 shortly after, plunging qualifying into chaos.
However, no one rider was ultimately able to outpace the 27-year-old, who held on to clinch just the second pole position of his MotoGP career.
Thailand Grand Prix winner Bezzecchi climbed to second towards the end of the session, but was unable to replicate his Q1 lap, which would have secured him pole position by 0.002s.
Third place on the grid went to the factory Ducati of Marquez, while Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo put together an incredible lap in the final moments to grab fourth.
Martin remained fifth despite his late crash, beating the Trackhouse Aprilia of Ai Ogura.
Gresini duo Fermin Aldeguer and Alex Marquez wound up seventh and eighth respectively, while Acosta could manage no better than ninth on the factory KTM following his early tumble.
Johann Zarco (LCR), Bagnaia and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pramac) made up the fourth row of the grid in 10th, 11th and 12th respectively.
Diogo Moreira, Team LCR Honda
Diogo Moreira, Team LCR Honda
Factory Honda rider Joan Mir ended up 13th on the grid, after being pipped to the final Q2 spot by VR46 rival di Giannantonio. He was closely followed by home favourite Diogo Moreira on the LCR-mounted Honda.
The Brazilian held a provisional Q2 spot at the end of the opening run, but a mistake on his next flying lap prevented him from improving his earlier time of 1m17.812s.
Franco Morbidelli (VR46), Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse) and Alex Rins (Yamaha) were next up in 15th, 16th and 17th respectively. Both Jack Miller (Pramac) and Luca Marini (Honda) suffered their second crashes of the weekend in Q1, consigning them to 18th and 19th on the grid.
Iowa basketball will continue to dance in this year's NCAA Tournament.
The Hawkeyes picked up a 67-61 win over Clemson on Friday night, the first NCAA Tournament victory for the program in five years. Now the challenge gets even harder, as the top-seeded Florida Gators await the Hawkeyes in the Round of 32.
The Gators easily handled business in their first-round matchup against Prairie View A&M, winning 114-55. The defending National Champions won the SEC in the regular season and feature one of the best front courts in the country. It's a tough matchup, but anything can happen in March. Where and when can you watch this matchup? The tip-off time and TV network have been revealed.
Here's a look at TV and tipoff time for Iowa-Florida:
Iowa fans can stream the Hawkeyes against the Florida Gators via Sling, which offers day passes.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
Sep 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first round draft pick JoJo Parker takes batting practice before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
I have a busy Saturday, in front of leaving for Japan on Sunday, so getting this together Friday night.
The Jays are in Bradenton, Florida, which is a very pretty town. But the game isn’t going to be on TV.
Also the Jays Prospect are playing the Phillies prospects in Clearwater. And this game is on Sportsnet. MLB is running these games to let us see some of the top prospect on our favorite teams. I like the idea. Apparently, the teams are using their MLB Pipeline top 30, plus others picked by their teams.
The Jays team will be players from this list:
Pitchers
Austin Cates, RHP Javen Coleman, LHP Daniel Guerra, RHP Adam Macko, LHP Landen Maroudis, RHP Carson Messina, RHP Nolan Perry, RHP Grant Rogers, RHP Gage Stanifer, RHP
Catchers
Edward Duran, C Aaron Parker, C Brandon Valenzuela, C
Infielders
Cutter Coffey, 3B Josh Kasevich, SS Sean Keys, 3B/1B Charles McAdoo, 3B/1B Arjun Nimmala, SS JoJo Parker, SS Tim Piasentin, 3B Josh Rivera, SS Juan Sanchez, 3B
We have seen many of these guys in spring games this year, but I’d love to see JoJo Parker play.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Milos Kerkez of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at Amex Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
BRIGHTON 2 VS 1 LIVERPOOL
Brighton – Welbeck 14’, 56’ Liverpool – Kerkez 30’
Pre-Match
Mohamed Salah is out of the team today after picking up at muscle issue against Galatasaray midweek. Don’t love that. Alisson continues being out. The kick-off is delayed by 15 minutes. I’m assuming it’s due to everyone watching BTS’ comeback on Netflix. No? Just me? Either way, the 15 minutes proved extremely useful in this household, allowing me to refill my coffee cup and get comfy.
First Half
Et tu, James Milner?? In the first few minutes, Milner, playing for Brighton, nicks Hugo Ekitike, who looks to be in some considerable pain. That is not good for Liverpool — not just this game, but the rest of the season. Ekitike is currently Liverpool’s leading goal scorer, and you can tell by his face that he won’t be nabbing anymore for a while.
To rub salt in the wound, a few minutes after Curtis Jones subs in for Ekitike, Brighton scores the first goal of the game. It starts from a bad pass from Mamardashvili that leads to a throw-in. The throw gets headed back towards the goal where Danny Welbeck tucks it away. That was sad.
Frimpong goes down, and I’m getting nervous that it might be one of those games for Liverpool this morning.
Alexis Mac Allister tries a good header in the center of the box, but it’s saved to the bottom right by the goalkeeper.
But then! Liverpool get their turn to capitalize on a defensive mistake from Brighton. A poor headed back pass lands in Milos Kerkez’s path. He has his eyes open to it and gets there first, putting it over the goalkeeper.
Ibrahima Konaté is booked towards the end of the first half for a foul on Welbeck.
Milner nearly gets another goal for his team in added time following a corner. Thankfully, his shot is wide.
The half ends 1-1.
Second Half
The game resumes with the same team. Unfortunately, this leads to the same result. It’s Welbeck again who gets on the end of a dangerous cross and scores Brighton’s second. There was a brief thought that it might be offside, but after a check, the goal stands.
Frimpong is booked and then immediately comes off for Rio Ngumoha in the first change of the game for Liverpool.
After that second goal, Liverpool seem to be awake and putting in the effort. Florian Wirtz sends it to Jones, whose shot is saved by the goalkeeper. Moments later, it’s Mac Allister with a free header that goes wide following a corner.
On the other end, Mamardashvili keeps the game alive with a big save of his own, denying Minteh.
Brighton has a second penalty shout waved off by the referee.
Despite being down, and after a brief push, Liverpool look lost and uninterested in fighting back. Brighton very nearly make it three, but the Reds get let off.
Brighton forward Danny Welbeck scored twice against Liverpool (Glyn KIRK)
Danny Welbeck scored twice as Brighton beat Liverpool 2-1 on Saturday to deal a major blow to the Reds' push for a Champions League spot next season.
Arne Slot's men came into the match on the sunny south coast in buoyant mood after hammering Galatasaray 4-0 in midweek to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
But a goal in each half from the evergreen Welbeck gave the home team a fourth win in five Premier League matches, keeping alive their own hopes of European football next season.
Liverpool were missing both goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Mohamed Salah at the Amex Stadium.
And they suffered a further injury blow early in the game when topscorer Hugo Ekitike hobbled off with an apparent dead leg after a firm challenge from former Liverpool stalwart James Milner.
The champions found themselves behind when Welbeck scored his 11th Premier League goal of the season in the 14th minute, nodding home from close range after Diego Gomez headed a cross-field pass back across goal.
That made the 35-year-old former Manchester United and Arsenal forward the top English goalscorer in the league this season.
Liverpool found some rhythm after falling behind and Alexis Mac Allister went close to an equaliser in the 22nd minute but Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen got down smartly low to his left to claw the ball away.
However, the visitors were level in the 30th minute after some clever opportunism from left-back Milos Kerkez, capitalising on an error from Brighton captain Lewis Dunk, who paid the price for heading a high ball back to his goalkeeper without looking behind him.
Hungary defender Kerkez nipped in and produced a composed finish, flicking the ball over the stranded Verbruggen.
Brighton started the second half brightly and were back in front in the 56th minute, with Welbeck again on the scoresheet.
Yankuba Minteh's pinpoint cross was played into Welbeck's path by Jack Hinshelwood and he finished confidently, with the goal confirmed following a VAR check.
Welbeck, who made his Premier League debut for United in 2008, is enjoying his highest-scoring season in the league.
Slot threw on teenager Rio Ngumoha, Andy Robertson and Federico Chiesa in a desperate search for an equaliser but it was Brighton who remained the more threatening team.
Defeat leaves Liverpool fifth in the Premier League, two points behind Aston Villa and one ahead of Chelsea, with the top five almost certain to qualify for the Champions League next season.
The club's Premier League title defence collapsed earlier in the season but they remain alive in the Champions League and face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals early next month.
Liverpool's Brazilian international goalkeeper Alisson posted on social media that he would be "out of action for a while".
The back-to-back SEC champion #2 LSU gymnastics team has made it to the postseason with their eyes on a second threepeat. The Tigers are looking for a strong score in the greatest quad meet in NCAA history against #1 Oklahoma, #3 Florida and #4 Alabama in the night session of the SEC Championship in Tulsa. LSU is in search of their seventh ever title and wouldn’t mind seeing a few gymnasts earn SEC titles of their own. The meet begins at 7:00 on SECN with John Roethlisberger, Aly Raisman and Sam Peszek on the call and Taylor Davis performing floorside duties. Live stats can be found here.
Evening session teams’ history at SECs since 2019
Oklahoma is making their second appearance at the SEC Championship after finishing as runners-up in 2025. LSU’s last six finishes were, in order from 2019-25, #1, #2, #5, #3, #1, and #1. Florida’s last six finishes were #2, #3, #1, #1, #4, and #3. Alabama’s last six finishes were #3, #1, #2, #2, #2, and #5.
A brief look at the afternoon session
At 2:00, the five lowest ranked teams in the SEC will face off in the afternoon session. The SEC decided that every team should get in after one year of leaving out the worst team, but this means that the session will force one team to sit out during each rotation. The bye will come between vault and bars. Live scores for the afternoon session can be found here.
#8 Arkansas will start their meet on bars. The Hogs haven’t been as consistent as they’ve wanted to be this season, but they’re eight spots up from 2025, the year they missed this championship entirely. Their goal is to find the gear they need for a push back to nationals, and maybe they can rack up an SEC title from Joscelyn Roberson for the first time.
#6 Georgia will start on the bye. As if last year wasn’t good enough, this year has been even better for the GymDogs. There has been one unfortunate development: Lily Smith broke her foot before the Kentucky meet and will miss the rest of the season. Despite that, Georgia got their first win in Tuscaloosa since 2006 without her, and they had their first regular season 198 in 19 years the week before that. They are looking to keep their momentum going and return to nationals for the first time since 2019.
#9 Missouri will start on bars. Mizzou’s NQS is just 0.001 lower than Arkansas’, but the Tigers have been the more consistent team overall as noted by their higher average. That consistency is what’s kept this team in the top 10. In my five years of watching this sport closely, I’ve always seen this team as the tortoise to bigger teams’ hares. They won’t always put up a massive score, but they’ll put up a competitive score that can sneak ahead of better teams who have more mistakes. That’s certainly possible today.
#16 Auburn will start on beam. Auburn finished the SEC regular season 0-8. They are still having their issues on bars, and floor hasn’t been as good as they’ve needed it to be. They tend to score in the upper 196 range as a result with a high in the low 197s. There are a lot of questions about what happened to the team this year, but those can be quieted with a solid performance tonight that locks them into the seeded spots.
#19 Kentucky will start on floor. The Wildcats had a very rough start to the season with two 194s and a 195, but they haven’t dipped below 196.675 in their last six meets. The beam issues from the early part of the season went away as the Cats haven’t done worse than 49.200 on the event in the last six meets. They’re a solid team with a high chance of pulling a regional semifinal upset. Unrelated to all of that, I find it hilarious that they’re going to make regionals despite finishing the regular season 1-10-1
Let’s jump into the teams sharing the floor with LSU. All event rankings are relative to the rest of the SEC.
#4 Alabama (starts on floor)
Alabama is ranked #5 on vault [49.273], #2 on bars [49.498], #7 on beam [49.225] and #2 on floor [49.515].
I have no idea what this team is going to do. Alabama was a very solid and stable team for the majority of this season with the issue being that they couldn’t find that next level to hit high 197s and 198s. After the Podium Challenge, Alabama set two season lows in three days with a 197.200 and a 197.125, and they finished the regular season with a 197.425 in a home loss to Georgia. The Tide are famous for outdoing expectations at SECs, though. They finished third after starting in the afternoon session in 2019, they won the 2021 title out of nowhere, they finished second in 2024 despite being basically out of title contention in the final rotation, and they finished fifth in 2025 after entering as the #8 seed. This needs to be a solid meet for Alabama, because what awaits at regionals is a massive test.
#3 Florida (starts on beam)
Florida is ranked #6 on vault [49.234], #1 on bars [49.569], #1 on beam [49.538] and #5 on floor [49.438].
Well then, I guess someone decided to wake up. The Gators have been on a tear the past two weeks with back-to-back national season-high scores of 198.450 and 198.575, though that second score was a bit higher than it should’ve been. Whether that translates to this meet is impossible to know until it happens. In the last two years, Florida’s had a rough time at SECs. Last year, they finished third despite outdoing Oklahoma and getting multiple 10s. In 2024, they finished fourth after a bad start on beam. If they go 198.600, I won’t be incredibly surprised because they’re capable of being the best team in the country. All of that talent is too good to be getting mid-197s throughout the year.
Also, just a point because I see it every year and it irks me: Florida is very good in the postseason, and postseason scoring isn’t going to stop that. In 2022, Florida set the NCAA record for highest score in tournament history with a 198.775 at the Auburn Regional Final with an insane meet. Coming into 2026, I thought Florida had the highest ceiling in the country, and recent meets have shown off what that looks like. What kills the Gators is their mindset. If they’re even slightly off, it can snowball.
#1 Oklahoma (starts on vault)
Oklahoma is ranked #1 on vault [49.563], #4 on bars [49.428], #2 on beam [49.513] and #4 on floor [49.478].
Breaking news, the Sooners still kick your ass. Once again, the best team in the country is the Oklahoma Sooners, a team that’s built on great execution and technique. One look at their rankings tells an interesting story, though. This team is consistent, but they aren’t as automatic as in years past. The 2023 and 2024 teams are the best teams I’ve ever seen since I started following this sport in 2022, and those teams were far more consistent with their landings than this one. Oklahoma’s bars team has been especially inconsistent with their landings compared to years past, and in a meet like this, it could be a problem.
Oklahoma has the third highest ceiling of any team in the country behind Florida and LSU. Their floor is extremely high, though, and that’s why they do so well. An okay meet for Oklahoma is going to look like a 197.700-197.900. They operate on such a high level, and that’s what makes them almost unbeatable. Almost unbeatable is not entirely unbeatable, though, and if they’re only doing okay, they won’t get their first SEC tournament title.
#2 LSU (starts on bars)
Kailin Chio is the final SEC Specialist of the Week of 2026. Her perfect 30 marked the first of its kind in NCAA history, and with the SEC defining a specialist as anyone who doesn’t do the all-around, she was a lock for this award. This is Kailin’s first ever Specialist of the Week award, and she’s now won all three kinds of SEC weekly awards in her career.
LSU is ranked #2 on vault [49.439], #3 on bars [49.442], #3 on beam [49.486] and #1 on floor [49.544].
“To be perfectly honest, no amount of analysis is going to matter when it comes to this championship because the top three teams are about as equally likely as each other to take home the title. It’s a waiting game to see who hits up to their potential, and that’s what makes this so fun. This is an SEC title with the top three teams in the nation facing off. There is no conference outside the MAC, a chaotic masterpiece of a championship, with this many teams with a legitimate chance at a title. The best way for me to push against some of my anxiety is to enjoy what should be one of the greatest SEC championships in any sport ever and let what happens happen.” That’s what I said in last year’s preview, and now it’s the top four teams in the nation facing off.
For LSU, their normal is enough to succeed. This team is unstoppable when it catches fire, but that’s been a challenge in 2026. Several of LSU’s high scores came when incredible rotations buoyed mediocre rotations. There’s a chance the top three teams in this meet finish above 198, so normal may not be enough to win. What matters most is putting together a solid meet one more time before regionals. Don’t worry about the final result if LSU manages to do that because they have no control over the other three juggernauts on the floor.
For final rankings heading into regionals, there’s a slight chance LSU and Oklahoma swap spots. If Oklahoma scores a 197.900 or lower, LSU would pass them with any score that’s at least 0.425 higher. A 197.925+ makes it impossible for LSU to move their NQS higher than Oklahoma’s. LSU cannot drop below their current ranking. Florida is locked into the #3 overall seed regardless of score tonight. Alabama is not locked into their final seed, but it won’t matter too much. #5 UCLA has full control of whether Bama is the #4 overall seed or the #5 overall seed. If UCLA can’t get a 197.375, they’re stuck at their current spot, and if they get a 198.125+, they move up to the #4 spot no matter what.
This should be a fantastic meet, maybe the best quad meet in history. Thankfully, LSU isn’t playing in any major sports during this meet, so y’all have no excuse to be watching anything else. It’s this kind of pressure that makes people want to come to LSU.
On Thursday, Northern Michigan sophomore Cal Klesmit entered the D2 Transfer Portal. Not only did that raise eyebrows because he is former Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit’s brother, but also because of the season he had shooting the basketball.
Klesmit earned first-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) honors this season. He is a 6-foot-2 guard out of Neenah, Wisconsin. He started all 35 games this season, and averaged 12.2 points and 3.1 assists while shooting 41.8 percent from three on 6.4 attempts per game.
Since going into the Transfer Portal, Klesmit has had several schools reach out. Programs like Washington State, Green Bay, East Tennessee State, Cal State Fullerton, Albany, and Youngstown State all eached out within the first 24 to 36 hours.
Klesmit has had an interesting journey. He committed to Green Bay out of high school, but Will Ryan was let go. He then had a knee scope as a true freshman and a broken wrist as a redshirt freshman. Last year, his redshirt sophomore season, was his first full season playing basketball in a couple of years.
Green Bay is talking about getting him on a visit soon, and other programs continue to jump into the mix each day. Klesmit says that his Transfer Portal recruitment right now is wide open.
Refereeing standards are "the worst we have seen for a long time" and "only getting worse" because of the use of the video assistant referee (VAR), says former Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer.
The debate around the use of VAR continues to rage, with weekends often dominated by controversy around perceived incorrect officiating decisions in the Premier League.
"They [referees] are too reliant on it and it's affecting the standard of refereeing now, and it's not a good look," Shearer said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Shearer's comments come after VAR was again the story in Friday's 2-2 draw between Bournemouth and Manchester United.
United have made a formal complaint to referees' body Professional Game Match Officials Limited over what they feel was clear inconsistency in the decisions during the match at Vitality Stadium.
Harry Maguire was sent off for pulling back Evanilson inside the box as United led 2-1 with 10 minutes to go.
But that came just 10 minutes after Amad Diallo was denied a penalty for a similar incident at the other end, while United had also earlier been awarded a penalty for what United boss Michael Carrick deemed to be a comparable foul on Matheus Cunha.
Carrick said it was the inconsistency that he found "baffling" and did not understand how the referee "can give one and not the other".
Shearer agreed and said: "You should have given a penalty when you gave two like that. How on earth do you not give another one."
VAR has been in operation in the Premier League since the beginning of the 2019-20 campaign but, after another season of controversy, delayed decisions and confusion, its use has once again been called into question.
Former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock said it is the "worst thing that has been introduced to the game".
"I think it has ruined it. It's ruined the enjoyment in stadiums. I think it's ruined it for referees to officiate. I think that it's a little bit of a safety blanket every time they referee," he told Radio 5 Live.
"VAR isn't perfect, it isn't great, it makes mistakes and it's still subjective, which is a huge problem, and I just think it's a poor addition to the game."
The summit of referee chiefs from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 will discuss how to reset VAR to its intended interpretation of only intervening for the clearest of errors and not "microscopic interventions".
In 2024 Wolves submitted a resolution to the Premier League which triggered a vote on the continued use of VAR.
'Clubs have selective memory when decisions go against them' - analysis
At the end of every season the Premier League's stakeholders - that's coaches, captains and fans, among others - are asked for their opinion on how the game is refereed.
Last summer the high threshold for VAR intervention was supported by 80%.
Clubs may feel they have been wronged, as Manchester United were at Bournemouth.
But they don't mention the times they benefited from this high threshold.
Like the push by Leny Yoro before United scored at Fulham, or the penalty for Jaydee Canvot's hold on Cunha (which also led to a VAR red card), or Diogo Dalot's potential red-card challenge on Jeremy Doku.
Clubs have selective memory when decisions go against them.
There have been fewer VAR interventions this season, but the accuracy has remained the same at 94%.
PGMOL would probably say that shows more decisions are being made on the field rather than being left to VAR.
The independent Key Match Incidents Panel results say that on-field accuracy has remained stable, at 86%, since 2023-24.
Take that on face value and on-field standards have neither improved nor regressed.
English football's biggest problem is that it doesn't know what it wants.
It doesn't like VAR getting involved in games.
The Premier League has the lowest intervention rate in Europe, but then you get clubs saying it must intervene more when a decision doesn't go their way.
Clubs are always unhappy when a decision goes against them.
But they are strangely silent when they are the beneficiaries.
Jon Jones remains confident in his abilities. |
Getty/UFC
Jon
Jones is not to be counted out because of his
arthritis.
Jones recently reminded fans that while arthritis is painful, it
hasn’t robbed him of his skills. Widely considered the greatest of
all time, Jones believes he still runs through most fighters.
“Random thought: Arthritis hurts, it doesn’t make you cripple,”
Jones wrote on X. “I’m still smashing 99.47% of you out there.”
Random thought: Arthritis hurts,
it doesn’t make you cripple. I’m still smashing 99.47% of you out
there.— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones)
March 20, 2026
Shattered Dreams
Jones stalled the heavyweight division for over a year before
retiring last year. However, “Bones” returned to the drug testing
pool within weeks of his retirement after
UFC White House plans were revealed. But Jones failed to land a
spot on the card despite his best efforts.
While there were talks of potential fight with Alex
Pereira, they fizzled out after Jones’ arthritis was revealed.
Jones’ arthritis was first revealed on a video recorded with Meta
glasses, allegedly without his knowledge. After missing out on the
White House card, Jones has asked for his release from the
UFC.
Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Aiden Sherrell (22) shoots against Hofstra Pride forward Victory Onuetu (6) in the second half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Nate Oats crew had to overcome the loss of guard Aden Holloway and sloppy early play from the Tide — as well as ridiculous officiating from the referees — in the first round of the NCAAM Tournament to top 13-seed Hofstra on Friday afternoon. Despite the issues for Alabama, the 4th seeded Crimson Tide led the entire game and finally took charge with just under 5 minutes to play when they outscored the Pride 19-5 down the stretch to turn a tight game into a 20 point win. Up next for Alabama is a tougher foe in 5th seeded Texas Tech and Bama cannot afford to wait until the last minutes to turn up the heat.
According to the FanDuel sportsbook, the Tide opens up as a -1.5 point favorite over the Red Raiders — a razor-thin margin that could waver between now and Sunday’s game at 8:45pm CT. The over/under is set at 164.5 as of post.
TEXAS TECH (23-10)
Texas Tech had a similar opening game in the Big Dance as they led the 12-seed Akron by five at the half and by a similar margin with 6:25 remaining before outscoring the Zips 22-7 down the stretch to win by 20.
Tech is also missing a key player. However unlike Holloway, their loss is a consensus second-team All-American in forward JT Toppin who suffered a season-ending injury after tearing his ACL in his right knee in a February game at Arizona State. At the time of his injury, Toppin led his team with 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.
Texas Tech would lose that game to the Sun Devils, who did not make the post-season. They would rebound for a blowout win over a bad Kansas State and also-ran Cincinnati, followed by a huge upset of Iowa State — now a 2-seed — on the road. But the good times did not last as the Red Raiders lost their final three games prior to the NCAA Tournament. Those opponents — TCU, BYU, and Iowa State — are all NCAA Tournament participants.
In the three game win streak, the oddsmakers likely had their doubts about Texas Tech without their star player. In the three game setback that followed, the opposite was likely true. The spread and over/under against Akron were shockingly low (unless you are impressed by a team that dominated the MAC, a conference that put only two teams in the Big Dance).
Donovan Atwell and Christian Anderson have stepped up their games in Toppin’s absence, and LeJuan Watts has emerged as a key contributor. But is it enough? Which Texas Tech team will we see on Sunday?
ALABAMA (24-9)
After a show-stopping double overtime win over Arkansas, Alabama defeated poor LSU and MSU teams and then got revenge over Tennessee. Then came a disappointing loss to UGA and a hammering of Auburn. The Tide made an early exit from the SEC Tournament before entering the NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide loses some scoring contributions from Holloway, but have other guards capable of stepping up. But will they?
The Tide is still the nation’s top scoring team at 91.7 points per game. The Red Raiders average 80.7 which is 70th highest. Tech allows 72.6 ppg and Bama is at 70.1.
The real determinant seems to be if the Tide can be motivated to play hard and play defense. Sometimes, you never know what you are going to get out of this squad. The hope is that Oats has saved up a good motivation speech for the crimson and white.
The odds could fluctuate between now and Sunday’s tipoff. Check in with FanDuel for updates.
This second round game is set for 8:45pm/9:45pm on Sunday, March 22, and will be broadcast on TBS.
The reaction was clear at the full time whistle from Arne Slot, as he was not a happy man as his Liverpool side lost at Brighton on Saturday to put a big dent in their top four hopes.
Add in losing Hugo Ekitike to injury early in the game to add another star to Liverpool's growing injury list and it was not a nice outing to the seaside for Slot.
Reigning champions Liverpool have now lost 10 Premier League games this season.
Below is the latest Arne Slot reaction from the Amex Stadium after Liverpool's defeat at Brighton.
Aden Holloway’s phone allegedly contained “drug transactions” prior to his Monday arrest on a felony drug charge, according to ESPN, but attorneys for the Alabama guard say the 21-year-old’s constitutional rights were violated when police searched his home.
Holloway, a junior, was removed from campus and was not with his Crimson Tide teammates in Tampa, Fla. for their 90-70 first-round win over Hofstra in the NCAA tournament on Friday.
According to charging documents, the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force found the “drug transactions” on Holloway’s phone after seizing $400 located in a jacket. Holloway said he got the marijuana out of state for personal use.
"The money is being seized due to seeing drug transactions on Holloway's phone, with people texting that they were going to get up with him after the season," said a complaint filed by prosecutors on Friday. "Holloway had smaller denominations in his possession which is indicative of narcotic sales. The marijuana was in separate packing, from plastic bags to prepackaged marijuana to vacuum sealed bags."
A “trash pull” conducted by police at Holloway’s apartment found marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia inside containers with the Alabama star’s name on them in garbage bags. According to police, the garbage was pulled following unspecified “complaints.”
The pulling of trash violated Holloway’s constitutional rights, according to his attorney, Jason Neff, who added he will seek to have what police found in Holloway’s apartment disallowed as the legal process moves forward.
"In review of the probable cause [search warrant], once this case moves forward, we would challenge the basis of the search with a motion to suppress evidence for the violation of his Fourth Amendment [rights]," Neff told ESPN.
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens against “unreasonable searches and seizures.”
Neff also said that he is looking to meet with Alabama school officials next week in hopes of overturning the ban on Holloway attending classes, which could potentially allow him to suit up again for the Crimson Tide should they reach next weekend's Sweet 16.
Alabama coach Nate Oats said before the Hofstra game that he still supports Holloway.
"I've got three daughters; they've made mistakes," Oats said. "You don't disappear on them when they need your help. I won't be disappearing on him. I talked to him yesterday morning on the phone and the night before that. I've talked to him every day. I'm going to continue to talk to him, love him, help him through this, and we'll see where it all takes him."
First-degree possession of marijuana in Alabama is a Class C felony in the state. If Holloway is convicted, he could face up to 10 years in a state penitentiary and up to a $15,000 fine. He could also receive a six-month driver’s license suspension and have to take mandatory drug-awareness classes, per Polson law firm.
Holloway was bonded out of Tuscaloosa County jail early Monday morning. His bond was set at $5,000.
Tom Brady is hosting the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic today in Los Angeles and there are several players with ties to the Los Angeles Rams. Davante Adams is one of them, showcasing his receiving skills in a new setting with flags instead of pads.
Odell Beckham Jr. and Jalen Ramsey are also playing in today’s game, each winning Super Bowl LVI with the Rams four years ago. Coincidentally, all three of them were drafted to Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels’ team, one of three squads taking the field.
The game was relocated from Riyadh to Los Angeles and will be played at BMO Stadium, a star-studded event that features three teams – two comprised of NFL players and one of Team USA Flag Football.
What time is the Fanatics Flag Football Classic?
Start time: 4 p.m. ET
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic starts at 4 p.m. ET from BMO Stadium in L.A.
How to watch the Fanatics Flag Football Classic
TV channel: FOX
Flag Football Classic rosters
Below are the rosters for the Flag Football Classic after they held their draft.
The results of the @Fanatics Flag Football Classic Draft presented by @DICKS are IN! 🔥
Striker Sam Kerr is expected to depart Chelsea when her contract expires at the end of the season, while captain Millie Bright also wants to leave.
Both are out of contract at the end of this season. Chelsea offered Bright a new deal but the 32-year-old, who is the club’s longest continuously-serving player, prefers an exit, according to multiple sources briefed on the matter — who, like all referenced in this article, spoke anonymously to protect relationships. Bright’s one-year extension, signed in March 2025, does contain the option of an extra 12 months.
Kerr, 32, is also expected to depart at the end of her contract, with strong interest in the Australian from multiple clubs in the NWSL. She scored four goals for Australia, who she is captain of, en route to the Asia Cup final, which they lost 1-0 against Japn on Saturday. She is currently Chelsea’s top goalscorer in all competitions, with 10 goals.
The pair have been key figures in Chelsea’s domestic dominance. Bright has made more than 300 appearances for the club since joining in 2014, and Kerr more than 150 since arriving midway through the 2019-20 season.
Bright’s time at Chelsea includes a run of six consecutive Women’s Super League titles between 2019 and 2025, as well as 10 domestic cup trophies, while Kerr’s tenure includes six of those cups and five league titles (not counting honours in the 2024-25 campaign, which she missed through injury).
Chelsea have a number of players reaching the end of their deals in the summer, including goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, forward Aggie Beever-Jones, backup goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer and defender Lucy Bronze. There is an expectation that Hampton will sign a new contract in the near future.
Forwards Catarina Macario and Guro Reiten were also out of contract at the same time and have completed moves to NWSL sides San Diego Wave and Gotham, respectively, in the last few weeks.
The 2026 summer window was always going to be a busy one for Chelsea, given those expiring contracts. It is also their first since the departure of head of women’s football Paul Green, whose shock exit in February after 13 years at the club has been significant. Green was a key figure in the side’s growth into a dynasty, gaining a reputation for shrewd succession planning and squad evolution. His departure has influenced some players’ thinking about their futures at the club, sources added.
As The Athletic reported in February, Green had less autonomy over recruitment and squad planning since Emma Hayes’ departure as manager in June 2024, with individuals who had typically focused on the men’s side becoming more involved, including sporting director Paul Winstanley. Chelsea believed the leadership structure on the women’s side needed to be adapted to reflect the differing models under Hayes, who had a wider leadership remit, and Bompastor, who focuses on the technical and performance side.
Chelsea were considering options for a sporting director on the women’s side as early as last autumn. In February, the club announced the appointment of Phil Radley for that role, with a brief of “a central role in shaping the long-term direction of the women’s team”. The accompanying statement added that Radley’s role will include overseeing recruitment and handling contracts and negotiations with players’ agents and representatives.
Bright’s experience and leadership are valuable for a dressing room that has experienced circumstances they are unused to on and off the pitch this season. But the former England international, who is currently unavailable for Chelsea due to an ankle knock suffered in the 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in February, does have significant competition for a starting spot in the team.
Chelsea’s other centre-backs include former world record signing Naomi Girma, as well as recently fit-again Kadeisha Buchanan. Nathalie Bjorn is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering another injury in last weekend’s League Cup final, but is a regular starter when fit. Veerle Buurman, 19, who deputised for the injured Bright in the League Cup final, has impressed in her first season at the club after joining from PSV.
While Chelsea understood Kerr’s exit was an eventuality, it would not seem ideal for her departure to coincide with that of Macario and a summer that also sees academy graduate Beever-Jones out of contract. Were Kerr to leave, Chelsea’s senior striker ranks would include just Beever-Jones, dependent on her contract renewal or activation of the one-year option in her existing terms, and Mayra Ramirez, who has not featured for Chelsea since a hamstring injury sustained during pre-season. The 26-year-old has suffered repeated setbacks during her rehabilitation, and Bompastor said last week that she may miss the remainder of the season.
These concerns around the front line means Chelsea could look uncharacteristically toothless in the No 9 position come next season if reinforcements are not recruited.
The uncertainty around contracts is just one facet of the uncertainty that still envelopes Chelsea. As The Athletic detailed last month, Winstanley has expressed a desire to increase the number of player sales from the women’s team, something the club has not historically been known for.
On the pitch, while Chelsea retained their League Cup title with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on March 15, the once reliably indomitable winners are also set to fail to win the WSL title for the first time in seven years, sitting nine points behind Manchester City with four games remaining after their draw with London City Lionesses on Saturday.
This season, Chelsea lost consecutive WSL matches for the first time since July 2015, following a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal with a 5-1 loss against Manchester City. It marked the first time in Sonia Bompastor’s 181-game managerial career that she lost consecutive matches.
However, they have won four and drawn one of their six matches since that defeat to City — including the League Cup final and FA Cup fifth-round double-header against Manchester United. They are now third, with fourth-placed Arsenal two points behind with two games in hand.
Chelsea face domestic rivals Arsenal over a two-legged Champions League quarter-final on March 24 and April 1, before playing Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on April 6.
A high-stakes end to the season lies ahead — but Chelsea have just as much to do off the pitch over the summer.
We're just two days removed from the end of UNC's once-promising basketball season. After leading VCU by 19 points in the second half of each team's NCAA Tournament opener on Thursday, North Carolina lost 82-78 in overtime.
"Take the rare step and pay Golden like a football coach – or better yet, more than a football coach," Hayes said. "Offer $13-14 million a year over 10 years, and commit to $20 million annually in NIL funds (including private deals). It’s time to see just how serious North Carolina is about basketball.
"Golden can be in Carolina Blue for three decades if he wins and wants to hang around," Hayes continued. "He can win big and recreate the pecking order of legendary UNC coaches. The only option is Golden, whose choice will be building a legacy at Florida, or embracing the rebuild at arguably the most iconic brand in the sport. He’s young, knows how to reach players in the NIL-driven world and has proven he can build and develop rosters and win a national title."
Golden led Florida to its third National Championship in 2025 – and a 1-seed in this year's NCAA Tournament. The Gators will play Iowa on Sunday, facing off in a Second Round clash at 7:10 p.m.
Brighton & Hove Albion x Liverpool - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
10':
Missed opportunity. Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area.
10':
Missed opportunity. Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards after a quick counterattack.
10':
Missed opportunity! Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool took a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it sailed over the bar. The assist came from Jeremie Frimpong.
10':
Missed opportunity! Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool took a right-footed shot from over 35 yards during a quick counterattack, but it went wide.
Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead, 1-0 against Liverpool. Danny Welbeck scores with a header from close range, directing the ball into the top left corner. The assist comes from Diego Gómez, who also delivered a header.Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead, 1-0 against Liverpool. Danny Welbeck scores with a header from close range, directing the ball into the top left corner. The assist comes from Diego Gómez, who also delivered a header.
Danny Welbeck scores goal number 11 in the competition (30 matches)
21':
Opportunity wasted. Diego Gómez from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a header from the middle of the penalty area.
21':
Missed opportunity! Diego Gómez from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a header from the center of the box, but it sailed high and to the right. The cross was delivered by Yankuba Minteh.
24':
Missed opportunity. Dominik Szoboszlai from Liverpool took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a free kick.
24':
Opportunity wasted. Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a free kick, but it narrowly misses the target.
It's now Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Liverpool 1. Milos Kerkez has scored for Liverpool, firing a left-footed shot from the heart of the box straight into the center of the net.It's Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Liverpool 1. Milos Kerkez scores for Liverpool with a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area, placing it right into the center of the net.
30':
GOAL Liverpool: Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) scores!
Milos Kerkez scores goal number 2 in the competition (28 matches)
32':
Opportunity wasted. Jack Hinshelwood of Brighton and Hove Albion took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, narrowly missing the target. The assist came from Danny Welbeck.
37':
Missed opportunity. Mats Wieffer from Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
37':
Missed opportunity. Mats Wieffer from Brighton and Hove Albion took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over the goal and to the right.
45 +2':
Missed opportunity. James Milner from Brighton and Hove Albion took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a corner kick.
Brighton and Hove Albion takes the lead with a score of 2-1 against Liverpool. Danny Welbeck finds the back of the net with a left-footed shot from close range, placing it right in the center of the goal. The assist comes from Jack Hinshelwood.
Danny Welbeck scores goal number 12 in the competition (30 matches)
65':
Opportunity wasted. Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but failed to convert. The chance was set up by Dominik Szoboszlai, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.
71':
Missed opportunity. James Milner of Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area but sent it wide to the left following a corner kick.
Report Tedesco wanted for Fiorentina job after Fenerbahce spell
Fiorentina continue their search for a new coach next season, and Turkish reports claim Fabio Paratici has contacted Fenerbahce boss Domenico Tedesco.
The Viola are already planning for the future, as current coach Paolo Vanoli will not remain after this term, regardless of whether they secure Serie A status.
Tedesco latest target for Fiorentina
FREIBERG AM NECKAR, GERMANY – JUNE 13: Domenico Tedesco, Head of Belgium reacts during a public training session at Wasen-SportCentrum on June 13, 2024 in Freiberg am Neckar, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
New director Paratici has been tasked with finding the right man, and the latest candidate to be mentioned is Tedesco.
Although the 40-year-old is Italian, he moved to Germany at a young age and made his career there with Schalke 04, RB Leipzig, then had two years as coach of the Belgium national team from 2023 to 2025.
Fenerbahce appointed Tedesco on September 9, having sacked Jose Mourinho, and he has so far overseen 24 wins, 11 draws and five defeats for the club.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 8: Fabio Paratici of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Parma Calcio 1913 at Artemio Franchi on March 8, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Real Madrid defender brings forward injury return date
Real Madrid have dealt with many injury problems this season, and among the most difficult has been Eder Militao’s. The Brazilian defender has been out since December with a serious hamstring issue, and while his absence has been significantly felt over the last four months, he is now closing in on a return to action.
Last week, Militao resumed training, and he has been involved with his teammates in recent days. As per Diario AS, he is determined to make his return after the international break when Real Madrid travel to Son Moix to face Mallorca.
Militao has been pencilled in to return from injury in April, and as things stand, this will be spot on. But rather than later in the month, he hopes to be involved in the early stages of the season run-in, which kicks off at Son Moix.
Real Madrid will ease Militao back in
Militao may be desperate to return to the starting line-up as soon as possible, especially as he will want to prove his fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but Real Madrid and Alvaro Arbeloa are clear that he will not been rushed back. He is unlikely to be able to start either leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich, but if Los Blancos progress, he would be fine to face Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool in the last four.
Despite the fact that Real Madrid will not rush Militao back, they do need him as soon as possible. They have regularly been unable to rotate in central defence due to various injury problems that Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio and David Alaba have had at different times. All four are available right now, although the performance levels will go up a notch when the returning Brazilian is back in the team.
Forget Kerkez: Liverpool monster kept Reds in the game vs Brighton – but no one will talk about it
Giorgi Mamardashvili was one of Liverpool’s more impressive players as Arne Slot’s men took on Brighton on the south coast.
The Georgian international earned some criticism for his performance in the first half of action, but showcased his impressive shot-stopping abilities in the second.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Merseysiders signed the former Valencia man in the summer of 2024, with his transfer delayed to the following summer transfer window.
Giorgi Mamardashvili kept Liverpool in the tie against Brighton
We refuse to blame Mamardashvili for Danny Welbeck’s second-half goal.
A look back at the replay clearly shows that Virgil van Dijk failed to get ahead of his runner in Jack Hinshelwood. Ryan Gravenberch then didn’t help matters himself by dropping behind the Brighton striker who was unmarked for his tap-in at close range.
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
* Giorgi Mamardashvili’s stats in the Premier League game (Fotmob)
It seems Fotmob have been quite harsh with their rating of 6.4/10 – no doubt influenced in large part by the fact our ‘keeper conceded twice at the Amex.
Don’t get us wrong. his passing quality has to be addressed moving forward, particularly if Liverpool remain confident that the Georgia star is the right successor for Alisson Becker.
It was Giorgi Mamardashvili’s poor pass, as noted by Paul Gorst on X (formerly Twitter), that saw Liverpool immediately threatened thereafter.
However, it’s hard to be overly critical of our stand-in No.1 (amid Alisson Becker’s injury) given how little support he received from his backline.
Ibrahima Konate was overpowered at the far post, leaving Danny Welbeck free to power a header into the back of the net.
There’s an argument to be made that the contact prevented the Frenchman from contesting the aerial duel, but it’s not really good enough from the centre-back, and it left his ‘keeper utterly exposed.
The WIAA state boys basketball tournament reaches its pinnacle Saturday, March 21 at the Kohl Center in Madison with the championship games in each of five divisions.
In the Division 1 final, it's No. 1 Wisconsin Lutheran (29-0) vs. No. 3 Madison Memorial (27-2).
In Division 2, it's No. 1 Slinger (25-4) vs, No. 3 Whitefish Bay (23-6).
In Division 3, it's No. 1 Seymour (28-1) vs. No. 3 Racine St. Catherine's (23-4).
In Division 4, it's No. 4 Cambridge (20-9) vs. No. 2 Milwaukee Juneau (27-1).
And in Division 5, it's No. 1 Reedsville (27-3) vs. No. 3 Southwestern (24-6).
Here's what you need to know about today's action at the WIAA state boys basketball tournament:
Where to watch the WIAA state boys basketball tournament; TV, live stream
TV: The state tournament will be televised live on WVTV (Milwaukee), WKOW (Madison), WAOW (Wausau), WXOW (La Crosse), WQOW (Eau Claire) and WCWF (Green Bay/Fox Valley).
Streaming: You can stream all of the games on the WIAA Sports Live app. The state finals will be streamed on the TV station's websites and fox11online.com.
WIAA state boys basketball tournament ticket information
Tickets are $12.55 per session or $82.85 for a full weekend pass through WIAA ticketing partner GoFan.
WIAA state boys basketball tournament results
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
Division 3 semifinals
No. 1 Seymour 67, No. 4 Saint Croix Central 49
No. 3 Racine St. Catherine’s 72, No. 2 Lake Mills 66
Division 4 semifinals
No. 4 Cambridge 71, No. 1 Bonduel 49
No. 2 Milwaukee Juneau 72, No. 3 Regis 54
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
Division 5 semifinals
No. 1 Reedsville 75, No. 4 Sheboygan Lutheran 72
No. 3 Southwestern 69, No. 2 Prentice 65
Division 2 semifinals
No. 1 Slinger 83, No. 4 McFarland 56
No. 3 Whitefish Bay 64, No. 2 West Salem 58
Division 1 semifinals
No. 1 Wisconsin Lutheran 68, No. 4 Appleton North 61
"This was determined after he displayed a varied and effective pitch mix while allowing two runs on eight hits over 8⅔ innings in his past two Cactus League starts," the Padres beat writer said. "Buehler and Germán Márquez are expected to man the final two spots in the rotation to begin the season -- after incumbent starters Nick Pivetta, Michael King and Randy Vásquez."
The two-time All-Star signed with the Red Sox in December 2024 after spending the first eight years of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Buehler earned both of his All-Star honors and won two World Series titles during his stay in Los Angeles but went just 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA in Beantown before being released in August.
He joined the Philadelphia Phillies and went 3-0 with a 0.66 ERA across 13 2/3 innings pitched covering three games (two starts) with the NL East club.
The 31-year-old Buehler is 2-0 with a 3.09 ERA and 13 strikeouts across 11 2/3 innings pitched this spring with the Padres.
The Steelers are still waiting for word on quarterback Aaron Rodgers's plans for the 2026 season, but they have reportedly moved to add another of head coach Mike McCarthy's former charges to the roster.
Longtime Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly reports that they have agreed to sign offensive lineman Brock Hoffman.
Hoffman was not tendered by the Cowboys as a restricted free agent earlier this year. He joined the Cowboys in 2022 and played under McCarthy until the coach parted ways with the team after the 2024 season.
Hoffman played 54 games over four seasons in Dallas, including every game over the last three seasons. He started 16 of those contests.
🤯 Craziest Rhine derby ever: Köln and Gladbach both completely bonkers
It took less than 60 seconds before the previously so lively RheinEnergieStadion was suddenly silenced.
Already in the 1st minute of the Rhine derby between Cologne and Gladbach, Jens Castrop put the Foals ahead 1-0. Of all people, it was Castrop—who once played seven years in Effzeh’s youth academy—who scored.
But Cologne played the Uno reverse card: with Said El Mala, a player who was once let go by Gladbach, providing the quick equalizer. At this point, only four minutes had been played.
And the madness continued. Less than three minutes later, Ragnar Ache turned the game around in favor of the Müngersdorf side, making for probably the craziest start in the long history of the Rhine derby.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 20: Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies celebrates with Jayden Ross #23, Malachi Smith #0, Braylon Mullins #24, and Alex Karaban #11 against the Furman Paladins in the second half during the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 20, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
UConn men’s basketball survived their opening round matchup against 15-seed Furman Friday night, using a historic performance from Tarris Reed Jr. to win 82-71. Despite missing Jaylin Stewart and starter Silas Demary Jr. and one of the team’s worst shooting nights of the season, the Huskies were able to advance to the Second Round for the fourth-straight season.
As a result, UConn will take on 7-seed UCLA, who defeated 10-seed UCF 75-71. The Bruins rank No. 27 in KenPom and nearly squandered a 14-point lead over the Knights with seven minutes to play, but held on for the win thanks to 20 points from Eric Dailey. UCLA has generally underperformed this year compared to preseason expectations, where the Bruins were ranked No. 10 in KenPom, but picked up impressive wins over Michigan State, Illinois and Purdue in the final two months of the season.
UConn and UCLA will face off in Philadelphia on Sunday night at 8:45 p.m. ET, with TNT set to broadcast the game. Per FanDuel, the Huskies opened as 4.5-point favorites over Mick Cronin’s Bruins, with moneyline odds set at -194. The game’s over/under is set at 137.5.
While it’s not a surprise that the 2-seed Huskies have the edge over UCLA, it’s unclear if the line factors in whether Demary Jr., and Stewart are able to play or not. Demary Jr.‘s absence in particular was felt sorely on Friday night. While a banged up Malachi Smith filled in admirably with seven assists and one turnover in his first start of the season, UConn struggled when they had to rely on normally-third-string guard Alec Millender to relieve Smith. Demary Jr.’s defensive intensity, rebounding skills and offensive ability will be sorely needed for what figures to be a very physical matchup against the Bruins.
The Huskies’ opening round win didn’t alter their odds of playing deep into March Madness. Per FanDuel, their odds to win the national championship remain at +4000, while the odds of making the Final Four are set at +600. Given the pending information on the status of two key players in both Demary Jr. and Stewart, the team’s sixth man, it’s possible these odds shift somewhat substantially prior to tip off on Sunday as the injury report is released.
The NFL offseason remains in its early stages following the opening wave of free agency, with plenty of time left before the draft and offseason workouts begin.
Even so, analysts have already started grading the moves teams have made—and one franchise drawing particular scrutiny is the Baltimore Ravens.
Much of the attention centers on the strange circumstances surrounding the canceled Maxx Crosby trade. However, Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame believes the concerns run deeper than a single incident—possibly deep enough to raise real alarm for the organization and its fan base.
“The Ravens have real problems,” Verderame writes. While he acknowledges the addition of Trey Hendrickson, he suggests the move failed to address the team’s biggest issues.
Jan 29, 2026; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Sashi Brown, Jesse Minter, and Eric DeCosta on the podium at the press conference introducing Jesse Minter at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Lexi Thompson-Imagn Images
“This is a very top-heavy group that’s aging. Outside of Zay Flowers and Kyle Hamilton, there isn’t much to be excited about.”
The Ravens also saw several key contributors depart in free agency, including Isaiah Likely, Tyler Linderbaum, and Alohi Gilman. Beyond the young standouts Verderame mentioned, the roster now leans older at several critical positions.
Concerns about the roster’s direction are understandable after that level of talent loss. Still, the Ravens will have an opportunity to reload through the NFL Draft and inject much-needed youth into the lineup.
They also roster one of the league’s premier playmakers at the most important position. Lamar Jackson missed time last season due to injury, and his absence played a major role in the team narrowly missing the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looks on during warmups before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
So, is it time to panic? Not yet. But general manager Eric DeCosta must deliver a strong draft class to keep the team on track.
In the end, winning tends to quiet both fans and critics alike.
Alex Marquez has come to KTM’s defence as he gets ready to swap Gresini for the Austrian team, a move expected to be made official once the new commercial agreements are in place.
The Spaniard finished second in the 2025 championship while riding for the satellite Ducati team, picking up his first three career wins along the way. While he built a good relationship with Gresini, the chance to join a factory outfit was always going to be hard to turn down.
This week also brought news that Marquez will be earning €1 million at KTM – around £870,000. That’s more than double what he was reportedly making at Gresini, which was about €400k (just under £350k).
Alex Marquez defends KTM’s reputation amid financial recovery
Photo by Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images
“In the end, everyone lost faith in KTM or disrespected them a lot last year when they had their financial problems, but in 2023 all the riders were at the front and it was the second-best bike by far, after the Ducati,” Marquez told AS.
KTM remained competitive on track despite their off-track issues. Pedro Acosta finished fourth in the standings, matching KTM’s best result in MotoGP. And this season Acosta leads the championship after winning the Thailand Sprint and finishing second in the Grand Prix.
Marquez added: “I think last year’s setback has really hurt their image and people have undervalued them a lot, but I think they have great potential.”
Fermin Aldeguer set for Gresini exit as he heads to VR46
Gresini now face the challenge of replacing both riders for 2027, with Fermin Aldeguer set to join VR46 in what amounts to a step up within the Ducati ranks.
The team is currently priced out of renewing its deal with Ducati but remains hopeful of reaching an agreement once finances are settled.
Aldeguer is expected to receive upgrade parity with factory riders next year, something he hasn’t had during his time at Gresini.
On a positive note, Nadia Padovani’s side will be back to full strength in Brazil, as Aldeguer returns from a broken femur. Michele Pirro had filled in during the Thailand round.
NFL star Jameis Winston is making a surprising leap into an MLB Opening Day role as Netflix prepares to debut its baseball coverage.
Winston’s NFL career is still ongoing as he mentors second-year star Jaxson Dart with the New York Giants. However, when the veteran signal caller decides to retire from football he certainly has a job waiting for him in sports media.
Netflix has revealed that Winston is being included on its MLB Opening Day coverage as the streaming platform dives into baseball for the first time. The shocking thing about the decision is that Winston has never played professional baseball.
Jameis Winston will appear on Netflix's MLB opening night MLB coverage, for some reason. https://t.co/B9zQMmHFEl
However, it’s clear that Winston is made for television given his fun personality and ability to create viral moments. This has been on display at the Super Bowl and other NFL events throughout his career.
MLB and Netflix are now hoping to get similar results out of the Giants quarterback as he prepares for his second act whenever football ends.
Netflix is going all in on its new baseball coverage after announcing the addition of MLB legend Barry Bonds recently. Both Bonds and Winston will join a talented cast for the New York Yankees taking on the San Francisco Giants on March 25.
NFL head coach John Harbaugh shakes hands with New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston.
Overall, Netflix’s push into sports seems to be widely successful so far, including its boxing and MMA relationship with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. Meanwhile, the streaming platform also has plans to expand beyond WWE Monday Night Raw and NFL games on Christmas Day.
Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Aiden Sherrell (22) shoots against Hofstra Pride forward Victory Onuetu (6) in the second half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Nate Oats crew had to overcome the loss of guard Aden Holloway and sloppy early play from the Tide — as well as ridiculous officiating from the referees — in the first round of the NCAAM Tournament to top 13-seed Hofstra on Friday afternoon. Despite the issues for Alabama, the 4th seeded Crimson Tide led the entire game and finally took charge with just under 5 minutes to play when they outscored the Pride 19-5 down the stretch to turn a tight game into a 20 point win. Up next for Alabama is a tougher foe in 5th seeded Texas Tech and Bama cannot afford to wait until the last minutes to turn up the heat.
According to the FanDuel sportsbook, the Tide opens up as a -1.5 point favorite over the Red Raiders — a razor-thin margin that could waver between now and Sunday’s game at 8:45pm CT. The over/under is set at 164.5 as of post.
TEXAS TECH (23-10)
Texas Tech had a similar opening game in the Big Dance as they led the 12-seed Akron by five at the half and by a similar margin with 6:25 remaining before outscoring the Zips 22-7 down the stretch to win by 20.
Tech is also missing a key player. However unlike Holloway, their loss is a consensus second-team All-American in forward JT Toppin who suffered a season-ending injury after tearing his ACL in his right knee in a February game at Arizona State. At the time of his injury, Toppin led his team with 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.
Texas Tech would lose that game to the Sun Devils, who did not make the post-season. They would rebound for a blowout win over a bad Kansas State and also-ran Cincinnati, followed by a huge upset of Iowa State — now a 2-seed — on the road. But the good times did not last as the Red Raiders lost their final three games prior to the NCAA Tournament. Those opponents — TCU, BYU, and Iowa State — are all NCAA Tournament participants.
In the three game win streak, the oddsmakers likely had their doubts about Texas Tech without their star player. In the three game setback that followed, the opposite was likely true. The spread and over/under against Akron were shockingly low (unless you are impressed by a team that dominated the MAC, a conference that put only two teams in the Big Dance).
Donovan Atwell and Christian Anderson have stepped up their games in Toppin’s absence, and LeJuan Watts has emerged as a key contributor. But is it enough? Which Texas Tech team will we see on Sunday?
ALABAMA (24-9)
After a show-stopping double overtime win over Arkansas, Alabama defeated poor LSU and MSU teams and then got revenge over Tennessee. Then came a disappointing loss to UGA and a hammering of Auburn. The Tide made an early exit from the SEC Tournament before entering the NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide loses some scoring contributions from Holloway, but have other guards capable of stepping up. But will they?
The Tide is still the nation’s top scoring team at 91.7 points per game. The Red Raiders average 80.7 which is 70th highest. Tech allows 72.6 ppg and Bama is at 70.1.
The real determinant seems to be if the Tide can be motivated to play hard and play defense. Sometimes, you never know what you are going to get out of this squad. The hope is that Oats has saved up a good motivation speech for the crimson and white.
The odds could fluctuate between now and Sunday’s tipoff. Check in with FanDuel for updates.
This second round game is set for 8:45pm/9:45pm on Sunday, March 22, and will be broadcast on TBS.
Arsenal vs Manchester City: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction
Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal defeated Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-final, booking their place in the competition’s final for the first time since the 2017/18 season.
Meanwhile, City thrashed Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate, securing their spot in the final for the 10th time.
Match preview
Arsenal are aiming to win the Carabao Cup for the third time and continue their bid to win the quadruple this season.
The Gunners rank fifth for goals scored (nine), second for both big chances created (16) and big chances missed (11), and are joint-top for most clean sheets (three).
Arsenal are the in-form side, making them favourites. They are unbeaten in their last 14 matches across all competitions.
However, Arsenal lost 3-0 to Man City the last time they met in the competition’s final.
City’s season has gone pear-shaped. They have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League and are unlikely to win the Premier League.
While they remain in the FA Cup, winning Sunday’s showdown would guarantee they do not finish the season trophyless.
City rank first for goals scored (12), accurate passes per game (604), and are joint-top for most clean sheets (three) in the Carabao Cup this season.
Victory would make Pep Guardiola the most successful manager in the competition’s history with five titles.
Team news
Arsenal are assessing Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard’s fitnesses. Eberechi Eze has been declared fit, while Mikel Merino is ruled out.
Arteta will decide whether to start David Raya or Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal.
Josko Gvardiol is City’s only injury concern, but Marc Guehi is cup-tied. Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will start over Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapie, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, Viktor Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka.
Man City (4-2-3-1): James Trafford, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, Antoine Semenyo, Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, Erling Braut Haaland.
Sky reporter accuses Liverpool player of ‘sleeping’ in crucial moment against Brighton
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was accused of ‘sleeping’ in the passage of play which led to Danny Welbeck’s second goal at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Brighton striker had opened the scoring on 14 minutes before Milos Kerkez equalised in audacious fashion on the half-hour mark to leave the teams level at 1-1 at the interval.
The veteran centre-forward restored the Seagulls’ lead 10 minutes after half-time as he got on the end of a pass from Jack Hinshelwood, who had ghosted in behind the Reds captain, and a VAR review showed that the scorer wasn’t ahead of the ball as it was played into his path.
Van Dijk ‘sleeping’ for Welbeck’s second goal
In providing updates for Sky Sports‘ live web commentary, David Richardson pointed an accusatory finger at the Liverpool skipper over his involvement in Welbeck’s goal.
The reporter wrote: ‘Brilliant cross from Minteh on the left but was Van Dijk sleeping to let Hinshelwood steal in behind him? The centre-back was moving slowly.’
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as apreferred source on Googleto your favourites list for news you can trust
Second Welbeck goal was a collective failure from Liverpool
Van Dijk was indeed too casual in allowing the young Brighton midfielder to nip in behind him and get to Yankuba Minteh’s cross, the sort of lapse we’d never have seen from the Liverpool captain when playing at his prime.
He wasn’t the only one who could’ve done better for the goal, though – Ryan Gravenberch allowed Welbeck to run ahead of him and get into a position for a simple tap-in, while Ibrahima Konate was inexplicably on the edge of the penalty area picking up nobody in particular.
Culpability was collective in that passage of play, and the Reds’ response to falling behind a second time wasn’t exactly that of a team going all-out to try and salvage Champions League qualification, with an all too familiar passitivity taking hold.
If anything, it was Brighton who played with the intensity of a team with everything to play for, and they duly punished the latest exhibition of devil-may-care Liverpool defending in this ongoing catastrophe of a season.
You can view Welbeck’s second goal below, via @footballontnt on X:
Players move past center court during a first-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska and Troy at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, March 19, 2026. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Today is a no stress day if you’re ready to watch some basketball. Purdue handled their business easily yesterday and was able to sit back and watch Miami and Missouri battle it out later into the night. Purdue now knows that they will face Miami tomorrow at 12:10 ET.
Meanwhile, we are looping back around for the teams that played on Thursday. Trips to the second weekend and the Sweet 16 are on the line starting this afternoon. There will be 4 Big Ten teams in action today.
#9 St. Louis vs. #1 Michigan 12:10 CBS
#Louisville vs. #3 Michigan State 2:45 CBS
#9 TCU vs. #1 Duke 5:15 CBS
#10 Texas A&M vs. #2 Houston 6:10 TNT
#11 Texas vs. #3 Gonzaga 7:10 truTV/TBS
#11 VCU vs. #3 Illinois 7:50 CBS
#5 Vanderbilt vs. #4 Nebraska 8:45 TNT
#12 High Point vs. #4 Arkansas 9:45 truTV/TBS
So there you have it. That’s the slate. Relax and enjoy because tomorrow the Madness returns for the Boilermakers.
Mia Brookes claimed the first three World Cup victories of her career in the 2024-25 season [Getty Images]
Great Britain's Mia Brookes won the fifth World Cup round of her freestyle snowboarding career with slopestyle victory in Flachnau on Saturday.
The 19-year-old put down a score of 73.25 in her first run in the Austrian resort and that proved enough to top the podium.
Home hope Anna Gasser pushed Brookes close with a second run of 72.43 to take silver, while United States's Lily Dhawornvej was third with 66.61.
It was Brookes' second win of the season - following a Big Air victory in Beijing in December - and her first competitive action since missing out on medals at the Winter Olympics last month.
The result meant Muir finished third in the Big Air season standings. She leads the slopestyle and overall park and pipe standings with one event remaining, in Switzerland, next weekend.
Meanwhile, Italian Dominik Paris won the final men's downhill race of the season in Lillehammer on Saturday in the first of five days of competition in the World Cup Finals.
Swiss star Marco Odermatt could only finish seventh, but he had already done enough to wrap up a third consecutive World Cup title in the men's downhill.
The 28-year-old has also claimed a fifth consecutive Crystal Globe as overall champion, as well as the super-G crown, and is in contention to win the giant slalom title on Wednesday.
Before the final three races of the women's downhill season, Italian Laura Pirovano had never stepped foot on a World Cup podium, yet the 28-year-old completed a remarkable third consecutive victory in Lillehammer to also take the overall title.
Pirovano beat Olympic champion Breezy Johnson by 0.15 seconds to seal her first ever Crystal Globe.
Paul Skenes looks like he'll be the best pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. Konnor Griffin might turn out to be the best pick of the 2024 MLB Draft. And now Seth Hernandez?
Many Pirates fans will already know Hernandez's name, but if they don't, they will soon.
He's set to be one of the fastest-rising pitching prospects in the minor leagues if he keeps throwing like this.
On Friday, Hernandez pitched in the Pirates' Spring Breakout game, and his first pitch was a 102.4 mile per hour fastball.
The 19-year old threw five of his first six pitches of his outing at 100 MPH or faster.
Hernandez was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 draft, and he's ranked as the third-best prospect in the Pittsburgh system.
“I knew he was gonna be fired up," Tigers prospect Max Clark said after that first at bat, via MLB.com. "And that first pitch at 102 did look a little bit like a beam of light, I'll tell you that.”
Hernandez threw 11 of his 21 pitches in the triple digits, and three more at 99 MPH.
“It's overpowering, and it's electric,” said High-A Greensboro bench coach Phillip Wellman, who managed the Pirates' team in this game. “... He's big, he's strong and the first time he cuts loose a fastball, everybody's gonna go, 'Whoa.'"
Hernandez walked the first two hitters he faced, then got a strikeout on a curveball and induced a double play grounder to third base.
This is just the beginning, but don't be mistaken. Hernandez is coming.
"I think I dreamed it, but I definitely didn't believe it because I had things like this written down from a very young age," Hall told NBC Sports' Trey Hardee. "I had world champion. I had Olympic champion. I had goals that I'm still chasing written down."
Hall must wait until 2028 to grab that Olympic gold medal — after placing fifth in Paris coming off injury.
But on Sunday, she can claim another global title in her World Indoor Track and Field Championships debut in the pentathlon.
She can also become the second American to claim that crown after DeDee Nathan in 1999.
The five-event competition made its indoor worlds debut in 1993 in the latter part of the career of Joyner-Kersee, who never contested it.
Amid worlds prep, Hall also planned for her April wedding with New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton.
"It's been a nice break from track to focus on that and just always have something good going in my life," she said.
While she's having a life-changing year, Hall often scrolls back to her first full pro year in 2023. Specifically, when she broke 6,900 points for the first time at the annual multi-event festival in Götzis, Austria.
"Even until this past year, I viewed that as my best meet, just because I didn't believe I was ready for a score that I produced," she said. "I scored about the same thing at the (2025) World Championships, but I knew I was ready for that. So in my brain, it's like a lesser performance (to win 2025 Worlds), if that makes sense, because it's like, if we're going out of 100% all out, I was like, OK, I got a 90 (in 2025) versus back when I did it the first time, that was a 110% (in 2023)."
When Hall won Götzis in 2023, she looked primed to contend for gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Perhaps become the second American to claim an Olympic heptathlon title after Joyner-Kersee in 1988 and '92.
Then Hall was slowed by knee problems at the 2023 Worlds (silver to Brit Katarina Johnson-Thompson in the closest one-two in history) and in 2024 (surgery that January).
"The confidence that I've gained from having to pull myself back from injuries and surgeries and really rebuild my confidence from ground zero and surprise myself sometimes, or let myself down sometimes and then keep going, is really the biggest thing," she said. "Last year, heading into some of my best performances, I was like, I'm not sure if I'm ready. All this self doubt that I was battling, and then being able to pull out really great performances and get the win (at worlds) in Tokyo has really instilled in me where I'm like, we need to train that (mindset) out of myself. You're not starting from ground zero every time. You know what you're doing."
Juve keeper, Inter chase Santos, Ferrara 🤬, Tedesco to Serie A? 🔥
A Saturday full of football has begun: three Serie A matches and many European events are scheduled, before the break that will be decisive for Italy's fate in the next World Cup.
In this article, we look at today's most important news.
Juventus, hunt for a new goalkeeper
Juventus is preparing a revolution in goal for the 2026/27 season, with Di Gregorio and Perin not set to be the starters. The Bianconeri management is evaluating three high-level profiles: Alisson, Carnesecchi, and Diogo Costa, in a market that promises to be complex and decisive. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, each choice involves different evaluations between costs, experience, and prospects.
The dream remains Alisson, but salary and uncertainties related to Liverpool weigh in, while the alternatives lead to significant investments. Diogo Costa is valued at about 50 million by Porto, the same amount requested by Atalanta for Carnesecchi, an Italian and promising profile. The strategy will depend on the final budget, but the goal is clear: to build a Champions League-worthy goal.
Milan, four at risk for Napoli
Milan is preparing for the match against Torino with the aim of winning and staying in the wake of Inter, also responding to Napoli's success. However, the Rossoneri know that the calendar presents a key junction upon returning from the break, precisely against the Partenopei at the Maradona, in a game that could be worth second place.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, attention to the situation of those on warning: Modric, Saelemaekers, Fofana, and Athekame risk suspension if booked against Torino. A non-trivial detail for Conceição, who is called to manage men and nerves in an already heavy match.
Inter, return to Andrey Santos
Inter is once again paying close attention to Andrey Santos, a midfielder born in 2004 owned by Chelsea, previously followed by Napoli and Juventus as well. The Brazilian has once again caught the Nerazzurri's eye ahead of next summer, with the management ready to consider a possible move to strengthen the squad.
According to Sportitalia, Ausilio has resumed contacts with agent Bertolucci to probe the feasibility of the operation. Santos is tied to Chelsea until 2030, following the transfer from Vasco da Gama in 2023 for 12.5 million: a targeted strategy will therefore be needed to convince the Blues.
Napoli, Ferrara against the mural
The mural signed by Jorit, dedicated to the eleven symbolic players in Napoli's history and created outside the Maradona, has sparked controversy. Among the notable exclusions is Ciro Ferrara, who, as reported by TMW, expressed his disappointment for a choice that did not involve him, despite his deep connection with the city and the club.
The former defender emphasized how the artist, too young to have lived through that era, relied on indirect accounts. Ferrara admits the bitterness of the exclusion, but reiterates that Napoli fans know his story well and do not doubt his connection with Napoli.
Roma, regret over Rowe: deal fell through
Roma's elimination against Bologna in the Europa League leaves repercussions on the market as well. The protagonist of the match was Jonathan Rowe, who scored a goal and provided two assists between the first and second legs, numbers that make the verdict even more bitter for the Giallorossi.
According to Nicolò Schira on X, intermediary Vincenzo Morabito revealed a significant backstory: Massara had practically closed the deal for the English forward's purchase before his arrival at Bologna, but the operation did not materialize.
Lazio, Maldini's doubt: redemption in the balance
Daniel Maldini immediately made an impact with Lazio, scoring a goal just 1’23’’ into the match against Sassuolo, but has yet to provide consistency. The Biancoceleste club is closely observing his growth, while Sarri works to transform him into a true striker.
According to il Corriere dello Sport, the club is considering the possible redemption set at 14 million, a figure that would become mandatory in case of European qualification. Maldini seeks a new opportunity, perhaps already against Bologna, to definitively convince and change evaluations of his future.
Fiorentina, Tedesco idea for the bench
Fiorentina is already looking to the future and evaluating possible alternatives for the bench ahead of the next season, especially in case of separation from Vanoli. Among the names that have emerged in recent hours - reports Fanatik - is Domenico Tedesco, the current coach of Fenerbahce, who has caught the attention of sporting director Paratici.
According to the Turkish press, the Viola have already initiated contacts with the former Belgium coach, considered one of the main candidates. Tedesco, tied to the Turkish club until 2027, represents an international and ambitious profile for Fiorentina's new course.
The 2026 edition of the men’s NCAA Tournament, AKA March Madness, is now into the Round of 32. On Saturday, the biggest and best tournament in American sports resumes, but who are the best of the best among the teams left, and are there any potential Cinderellas that could make it to the Sweet 16?
We look to answer those questions with our ranking of the 32 teams still standing in the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Mark Pope has been able to maintain the high standard set by John Calipari and has Kentucky back in the NCAA Tournament for a fifth straight year. This year’s group is far from a vintage Wildcats group, but they do have some solid talent in 2026, including senior guard Otega Oweh.
But they may not stick around long and needed some serious heroics to avoid an opening round loss to Santa Clara.
31. UCLA
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
UCLA has had a rock-solid season in a tough Big Ten. Posting 23 wins in 2025-26, including victories over four ranked teams. Senior Tyler Bilodeau leads a team that has more than enough talent to win a game or two in March Madness and did that this week by getting a hard-fought W over UCF.
30. Utah State
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Jerrod Calhoun has continued Utah State’s competitive play over the last few years by guiding the Aggies to a fourth straight trip to the big dance in 2026. Utah State has been a top team in the Mountain West all season and put a period on that fact with a conference tournament win last week.
They have a rock-solid offense and defense and are led by the backcourt duo of MJ Collins Jr. and Mason Falslev. Both starred in their Round 1 win over Villanova.
29. Iowa
Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
While they have been lost in the shadow of Iowa State this year, Iowa has had a rock-solid showing in 2025-26 and is back in the Big Dance for the first time in three years. The main reason why is a defense is giving up just 66.0 points to opponents. It, unsurprisingly, played a role in their 67-61 opening round win over Clemson.
28. Texas A&M
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Texas A&M is back in March Madness for a fourth straight season because of an offense that is scoring 87.7 points a game — ninth-best in the country during the regular season. The group has six different players scoring 10 or more points a night and is led by USC transfer Rashaun Agee. Their upset win over a top-25 school, Saint Mary’s, turned some heads.
27. VCU
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
There were concerns that when Ryan Odom left to be the head coach at Virginia, VCU would fall off in 2025-26. However, his replacement, Phil Martelli, maintained the standard and actually improved their scoring.
It is a major reason why they stormed to the A-10 title last week and earned a third trip to the dance over the last four years. Their win over 6-seed North Carolina put their round of 32 opponent, Illinois, on notice.
26. Texas
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
At the midway point of February, Texas seemed like a shoo-in to reach the tournament as they owned an 18-9 record. However, losing five of their last six is why they needed to play their way into March Madness.
Nonetheless, the team scoring 83.8 points a night earned its spot with a First Four win over NC State. Then further proved their NCAA Tournament worthiness with a win over POTY candidate AJ Dybantsa and BYU.
25. High Point
Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
Alan Huss turned High Point into a Big South powerhouse the last two seasons. Yet, despite his exit, his replacement, Flynn Claymann, has maintained that high standard in 2025-26.
The Panthers have had their best season in school history (31-4), and a major reason why the conference champs have Cinderella potential is an offense that is scoring the third most points in the nation. It was on display in a huge Round 1 win over Wisconsin.
24. TCU
William Purnell-Imagn Images
After a down season in 2024-25, Jamie Dixon has TCU back in the Big Dance for the fourth time in the last five years. A key reason is a rock-solid defense that is holding teams to 72.1 points a night and some great recent play from their top scorer, David Punch. All of it showed in a decisive opening round victory over Ohio State.
23. Miami
Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Jai Lucas was handed a difficult situation in having to turn Miami basketball around after a disastrous 7-24 season from his predecessor in 2024-25. However, in his first season as a head coach, he has the 26-8 Hurricanes in the Round of 32.
Their big bounce-back season is due to some strong years from transfers Tre Donaldson and Malik Reneau. The duo combined for over 35 points and 9 rebounds a night during the regular season.
22. Texas Tech
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Texas Tech has progressed a lot during Grant McCasland’s first two seasons overseeing the program. However, the news that top star JT Toppin — one of the best scorers in the nation (21.8 PPG) — was out for the season put a dark cloud over their campaign. They head into the Round of 32 after ending a three-game losing skid.
21. St. Louis
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Saint Louis had one of the program’s best seasons in 2025-26. Posting a 28-5 record as they won the regular season title in the A-10. While the Billikens didn’t win the conference tourney, star big man Robbie Avila leads the ninth-best offense in the nation (87.2) this weekend. Their opening round destruction of Georgia proved they are a potential Cinderella team to watch this weekend.
20. Tennessee
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Tennessee freshman Nate Ament is proving why he is a notable prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft. He is second on the team in points and leads in rebounds. The combo of him and senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie is why the Vols are an SEC team that can never be underestimated.
For much of the season, Tennessee has been an inconsistent group and already has more losses than it did last year, but it won’t be an easy out in the Round of 32.
19. Louisville
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Louisville owns a solid 24-10 record due to the strong play of its trio of talented guards. Mikel Brown Jr. could be a top 15 pick in June, senior Ryan Conwell has been just as good, and Cardinals veteran Isaac McKneely is as reliable as ever.
The trio is not easy to defend — when they are all available — and it has shown in wins over Kentucky and Indiana earlier this season. However, they have had an inconsistent last few weeks, going 5-4 in their last nine.
18. Alabama
Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Alabama can be a problem for any team in the nation on any night. The Crimson Tide has the best scoring offense in college basketball (91.7 PPG during the season), and it is led by future NBA draft pick Labaron Philon Jr — his 21.7 PPG is 12th-best in the nation.
Yet, despite their offensive firepower, they had a tough go of it in January. Going 4-3 in the month. However, since Feb. 4, they have been much better and posted Ws in 10 of their last 12.
17. Kansas
William Purnell-Imagn Images
Kansas was a frustratingly inconsistent group for much of this season. You just never truly knew what you would get from week to week. However, the Jayhawks and top star Darryn Peterson (19.8 PPG when he is on the court) got hot at the midway point of the season and reeled off eight straight Ws, half against ranked teams.
However, they were back to their inconsistent ways over the last few weeks. Going 5-5 in their last nine, including a Big 12 tourney blowout loss to Houston.
16. Nebraska
Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Fred Hoiberg’s 2026 team looks to be his best yet at Nebraska. The school heads into Selection Sunday with a 26-6 record and is fronted by former Bradley recruit Rienk Mast. The Dutch senior is second on his team in points and first in rebounds. He is part of a formidable combo with junior Pryce Sandfort, who led in scoring with 17.8 PPG.
Nebraska emerged as a serious problem in the Big Ten after starting the year 20-0, including victories over Illinois and Michigan State. However, they have been up-and-down since the end of January, losing six of their last 13, including surprising setbacks to Iowa and UCLA.
15. Gonzaga
Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Mark Few’s Gonzaga squad owns an impressive 31-3 record because of what their veteran front court of Braden Huff and WCC POTY Graham Ike gives them each night. The duo averaged nearly 40 points and 15 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs this season.
While they’ve suffered a pair of surprise setbacks to Portland and Saint Mary’s in recent weeks, the WCC Champs are still playing well right now.
14. Michigan State
Dale Young-Imagn Images
Legendary coach Tom Izzo has another good Michigan State team on his hands in 2026. This year’s group has four players averaging 10 or more points and is led by star guard Jeremy Fears Jr. There is no better proof of their top 25 worthiness than owning wins over five ranked teams this season.
If they are focused and playing up to potential, Michigan State can make noise in March Madness, and did so in their first game.
13. Vanderbilt
Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Vanderbilt’s backcourt duo of Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles leads a Commodores offense that was scoring 86.7 PPG — 13th best in the nation — during the season. It’s why they own a 27-7 record.
After starting the year 16-0, Vanderbilt has been up and down. Going 8-7 ahead of the SEC conference tourney. However, they showed they can make serious noise in the tournament by making an impressive run to the SEC conference final last week and winning in Round 1.
12. Illinois
Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Brad Underwood has turned Illinois into a force in the Big Ten and a consistent tournament participant. A key reason why they are in our updated college basketball rankings is freshman guard Keaton Wagler. The breakout star leads the Fighting Illini in scoring and assists.
Illinois’ rise into a top team in the conference came after a 12-game win streak that included Ws over three ranked rivals. Unfortunately, they cooled off in recent weeks. They can still end up being a tough out in the tourney.
11. Virginia
Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images
Head coach Ryan Odom had a rough go of it in his first year overseeing Virginia. However, year two has been far better due to the strong play of Belgian big man Thijs de Ridder. The freshman forward leads in points and rebounds for the 30-5 team.
The only thing that stopped the Cavaliers from getting in the top 10 during the regular season was limited wins against ranked schools. Nevertheless, they have won 14 of their last 16 and looked good in their Round 1 win.
10. UConn
David Butler II-Imagn Images
It’s another season in college basketball, and UConn is again among the top 10 programs in the country. Although they took a step back last season, they retooled in the summer by adding stud recruit Braylon Mullins and are back to being a title contender in 2026.
Senior big man Tarris Reed Jr. and junior guard Solo Ball lead the way for a team that is not just a group to respect on offense, but is a handful on defense (65.1 opponents PPG). However, they stumbled their way into the tournament and were blown out by St. John’s in the Big East final.
9. Arkansas
Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Arkansas has an impressive all-freshman backcourt in Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff Jr. However, Acuff — the SEC POTY — has emerged as the best of the pair, and the Razorbacks’ star continues to generate serious NBA Draft buzz by leading the team in scoring and assists.
In year two with legendary head coach John Calipari, Arkansas has gotten hot at the right time. Scoring big wins over four ranked teams during the season and storming their way to an SEC conference title this month.
8. Iowa State
William Purnell-Imagn Images
In his final season at Iowa State, Joshua Jefferson is creating serious NBA Draft buzz by being among the team leaders in points, rebounds, and assists. But the Cyclones have also gotten strong seasons from guard Tamin Lipsey and top scorer Milan Momcilovic.
They enter the Round of 32 due to those three and a formidable defense that gave up 65.1 points a night during the regular season. However, they have been up and down over the last two weeks and were eliminated in the semi of the Big 12 tourney by Arizona.
7. Purdue
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Purdue has something most elite schools lack: Top players with a boatload of experience. Seniors Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith lead the way for the Boilermakers in 2026 and are combining for close to 30 points a night. Smith is also adding just under nine assists a game.
Purdue began the season with an impressive 17-1 record. However, since Jan. 20, they have been an inconsistent group. The school that was near the top of the college basketball rankings has split its 14 games before the conference tourney. However, a fantastic run to the Big Ten conference title and a dominant Round 1 make Purdue a potential title contender.
6. St. John’s
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
There were huge expectations for St. John’s this season after a breakthrough year in 2024-25. However, over the first two months of the season, they were inconsistent and struggled against ranked schools.
But since the calendar hit 2026, the team led by Big East POTY Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins has been on a tear. Since Jan. 6, they are 20-1 and have two wins over UConn, including smashing the Huskies in the Big East conference final.
5. Florida
Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
The first couple of months of the season for defending champs Florida were rough as they lost four of their first nine games. However, after back-to-back defeats to Duke and UConn, the Gators have played like a team ready for another deep run in March. Since Dec. 13, they are 22-3 and have Ws over six ranked schools.
Juniors Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh led the way during their resurgence. However, Rueben Chinyelu has been the X-factor because the center is having a breakout season. Posting 11.2 points and 11.5 rebounds a night during the regular season. While they came up short of reaching the SEC finals, they are worthy of their No. 1 seed in the tournament.
4. Houston
Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Kelvin Sampson’s Houston squad is again among the top teams in the nation. Senior Emanuel Sharp has been as important as ever, but if they win the program’s first national championship this month, it will be because of freshman Kingston Flemings, who is emerging as a potential top-five pick in June.
Beyond Sharp and Flemings, the Cougars own a 29-6 record due to an elite defense that limited opponents to just 62.9 points a night — second-best in the nation. After a three-game losing skid at the end of February, they got hot late in the season and into the tourney.
3. Michigan
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Michigan has shown that head coach Dusty May has a team that can win the program’s first championship in close to 40 years this month. Big Ten POTY Yaxel Lendeborg leads a dominant front court that has the Wolverines among the 10 best scoring teams in the country.
Their rise to elite status in 2026 featured wins over eight ranked teams. After a surprising loss to Purdue in the Big Ten finals, they bounced back with a dominant win to open the NCAA Tournament.
2. Arizona
Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Arizona has been impressive throughout the 2025-26 regular season. Led by fantastic play from freshman Brayden Burries and Big 12 player of the year Jaden Bradley, the Wildcats posted wins over 12 top-25 teams during the season.
Their performance has been led by an offense that averaged 86.1 PPG (14th-best in the nation). After a pair of tough losses to Kansas and Texas Tech in February, Arizona has caught fire and roared into the NCAA Tournament as the Big 12 champs.
1. Duke
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Duke had a vintage Blue Devils regular season because of the outstanding performance of ACC POTY Cameron Boozer. The freshman, who stepped in to replace Cooper Flagg, led the team in points (22.5) — also ninth best in the nation — rebounds (10.2), and assists (4.2) during the regular season.
Beyond the superb play of Boozer, Duke has also gotten big minutes from sophomores Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba II. The trio (when healthy) and the team’s elite defense are why the 33-2 team won another ACC title and their first game in the tourney.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone during a press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday March 17, 2026. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone spoke to the media ahead of the Madrid derby on Sunday night but gave little away in his pre-match press conference.
When asked whether Atlético would rotate, Simeone responded bluntly by saying, “to be honest, I don’t know yet.
“Honestly, we’re thinking about where to position ourselves, in what situation, as you rightly say, continuing with the rotations we’ve implemented when we’ve had to play in the Champions League or the Copa del Rey and then in La Liga,” Simeone said.
The coach added that “the truth is that (all the players) are really keen to play and they’re making it difficult for me because there’s a huge desire among everyone to take part in tomorrow’s match, and I hope to be as sharp as possible so I can make the right choice.”
Simeone on Juan Musso
“Juan Musso has been doing a great job since he arrived, not just in that last match he played at Tottenham, but he’s been performing very well. Not only on the pitch but also in the dressing room as a man and a teammate in the role he’s been given. We’re very happy with him.”
🧤Musso llega al Bernabéu sin haber encajado un solo gol en Liga.
“It’s always an important match, of course, given the rivalry that exists in the city where both teams are based, and knowing that our fans always get really excited about these matches.”
Simeone on whether he’s feeling pressure or excitement
“I think it’s always a match played on an emotional level, with a lot of enthusiasm and trying to do our best to take the game to where we believe we can hurt the opposition.”
Simeone on the tough schedule
“It’s on our minds, but it doesn’t worry us. It’s on our minds and, obviously, we’ll try to manage everything ahead of us as best we can, always looking out for the best for the team and the club.”
Simeone on Álvaro Arbeloa
“He’s doing a great job, the results speak for themselves. There’s a real bond between him and the players, and you can feel it. Beyond the technical ability that we coaches may have, there’s an added bonus that’s evident – and this is clearly evident – that there’s a mindset similar to what the coach wants, asks for and needs.”
Simeone on Real Madrid
“They’re working very well as a team, collectively, as was particularly evident in the Champions League match against Benfica and Manchester City. I think that’s the pattern they’ll follow in their quest, as Madrid always does, to win everything.”
Simeone on Julián Alvarez’s form
“Julián Alvarez is a person and, as a person, obviously we all have better moments and moments that, perhaps, aren’t so good. But what we’ve seen in our recent matches is something we’ve seen many times before. That’s why, when his form perhaps dipped, we were calling for him to return to his best. I have no doubt that he identifies more with everything that’s happening to him now than with what happened to him before. But we also know that, on the path we have ahead of us, it’s never a straight road. There are always bends, and you know what I think when the bends come.”
Simeone on Obed Vargas’ progress
“That’s a lot of questions for the short time I’ve spent with him. What I do see is a very polite, very respectful, very hard-working, very humble lad, very committed to wanting to improve. And all those qualities are important if you want to develop. The other day (against Getafe) he had a good game, in my opinion, in a match where he started. And hopefully he’ll keep developing in training, developing in the matches he plays in, so that, obviously, every day he can adapt more to the huge difference between where he came from and where he is today.”
Simeone on which team loses more without Oblak and Courtois
“The fans, because two very good goalkeepers are missing.”
ESPN recently brought together some of its NFL analysts to discuss the best and worst moves of NFL free agency this offseason, and one popular outcome was Kyler Murray to the Minnesota Vikings. Murray signed a one-year deal to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting spot this fall, with many believing he will ultimately win the job.
One of the trio of analysts who spoke up in favor of the signing was Aaron Schatz. He wrote, "Quarterback Kyler Murray signing with the Vikings. Only two years ago, Murray played a full season with a 63.4 QBR, ninth in the NFL. But more importantly, the language in Murray's contract with Arizona means that the Vikings signed Murray for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million. That's a ridiculous bargain for a struggling starting quarterback, let alone a QB who could be above average."
Other analysts like former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum also spoke highly of the move. It is a simple one, but one that seems to be playing big time into the Vikings' favor as they look to capitalize on a roster that is close to competing.
It all depends on one thing, though. That one x-factor is what version of Kyler Murray are they going to get with him? If they get even half of the version that earned the massive extension in Arizona, they could be cooking with gas finally.
We have 10 games scheduled across the Association this evening. My NBA player props for all the action will include Luka Doncic, Evan Mobley, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The reigning MVP is doing his thing again this season for the defending NBA champions, averaging 31.5 PPG. That ranks second in the Association behind only Doncic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has cashed the Over in points in three of his last five.
SGA dropped 40 on Tuesday against Orlando, and he’s up against the lowly Wizards tonight, one of the worst teams around. He’s hit the Over in two of his last three road contests, and Gilgeous-Alexander averages 31.6 PPG on the road.
After scoring only 20 points on Wednesday, expect the well-rested SGA to come in and show out here.
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FDSN OK, MNMT
Prop #2: Evan Mobley Over 19.5 points
-125 at bet365
Evan Mobley is having a nice campaign for the title-chasing Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 18.3 points per night. The big man is killing the competition lately, hitting the Over in three of his last four. Mobley just scored 26 against the Bulls, and 27 against the Bucks.
Both of those games were on the road, and the Cavs are in the Big Easy tonight to take on the Pelicans. The Pels are one of the worst teams in the league, and they’re allowing 22.6 PPG to centers.
Mobley will keep it rolling at Smoothie King Center.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FDSN OH, GCSEN
Prop #3: Luka Doncic Over 33.5 points
-105 at bet365
Luka Doncic has been the talk of the NBA this season, and he looks set to potentially win MVP. The Lakers superstar leads the league in scoring with 33.4 PPG, and he’s been on a different level lately.
The Slovenian just scored 100 points across his last two games. Dropping 40 against the Rockets before pouring in 60 against the Heat. He also scored 36 against Houston last weekend.
Doncic is averaging 37.2 points per contest in March, and he’s cashed the Over in three straight road outings. The Lakers visit the Magic tonight.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!
Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
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.
High Point University, a private Methodist school located in North Carolina, was the highest seed to win a game in the first round of March Madness. The Panthers’ 83-82 win over Wisconsin was also the biggest financial upset of the men’s tournament so far.
A No. 12 seed, High Point reported spending $4.13 million on its men’s basketball team in 2023-24, according to the most recent data available via the Department of Education. Wisconsin, a No. 5 seed, spent nearly three times that number—$11.93 million. That’s a difference of $7.8 million.
It was one of just seven of the 32 first round games in which the lower-budget team emerged victorious. Other notable financial upsets include TCU’s win over Ohio State (a budget gap of $6.91 million), and Utah State’s win over Villanova (a budget gap of $6.78 million).
Upsets are a hot topic of debate among college basketball fans and media members in recent years. Cinderella runs have been a staple of the tournament’s appeal over the last few decades, but they’ve become far less common in recent years, a shift that has coincided with rapid changes in the business of college sports. Those include the growth of marketing opportunities for athletes, new revenue-sharing payments, and increased freedom of movement via the transfer portal.
Of the 67 games in last year’s tournament, only 13 were won by the betting underdog, the lowest total since the tournament moved to 64 teams in 1985. On Friday, all 16 games were won by the favorite. It’s been three years since multiple double-digit seeds made the Sweet Sixteen, the longest drought in modern tournament history.
This weekend, a quartet of teams have an opportunity to break that trend. They are High Point, VCU (No. 11), Texas (No. 11) and Texas A&M (No. 10). Those last two schools, however, are hardly financial underdogs. Texas and Texas A&M are both routinely among the richest athletic departments in the country.
The biggest financial mismatch of the first round nearly produced another upset. Kentucky, which reported a budget $25.37 million more than Santa Clara—$30.93 million vs. $5.55 million—needed a buzzer-beating three pointer to force overtime against the Broncos. The Wildcats went on to win 89-84.
Academy Match Report: Manchester United U18s 3-0 Blackburn Rovers U18s
Manchester United Under-18s hosted Blackburn Rovers Under-18s on Saturday morning at Carrington.
As has become expected, Michael Carrick was in attendance to watch United, including his son, Jacey Carrick, who featured for the Under-16s on the adjacent pitch.
First half
United were on top from the start but struggled to find an end product, with early chances for JJ Gabriel and Jim Thwaites missing the target.
Louie Bradbury came closest to opening the scoring in the 24th minute when he struck the ball against the left post after Noah Ajayi stole the ball from Blackburn high up the pitch.
A heavy touch from Thwaites in midfield gave Blackburn a rare opening, but Fred Heath and Albert Mills combined quickly to snuff out the chance.
There was a scramble in the Blackburn area towards the end of the half that saw Gabriel, Godwill Kukonki, and Bradbury all have efforts blocked off the goal line, somehow keeping the match scoreless at the break.
Second half
Some sloppy play at the back from United caused a nervy start to the second half for Darren Fletcher’s side, but it was United who made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute.
A quick break down the right wing with Junior Brown and Yuel Helafu ended with the ball centred to Gabriel, who spun his marker and was taken down for a penalty.
Gabriel stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for his 23rd goal of the season.
Kai Rooney was introduced after the hour mark, having started the Under-16s match on the opposite pitch where he scored two goals and assisted twice.
Brown initiated the move down the right wing before squaring to Rooney, who took the ball on the turn and fired low under the keeper from 20 yards out.
Thwaites put the match to bed in the 71st minute with yet another free-kick goal. Situated to the left of the box, Thwaites snuck the ball inside the near post from a wide angle to make it 3-0.
There could have been more goals for United as Rooney and Jariyah Shah rattled the woodwork, but the 3-0 scoreline was enough to earn the three points for United.
Elsewhere in the league, Manchester City were held to a draw by Burnley, which allows United to go level with their city rivals at the top of the table.
Match facts
United: Heath; Helafu, Mills, Kukonki (c), J. Watson (McEvoy 63); McCormack; Brown, Thwaites, Gabriel (Shah 70), Ajayi (D. Nkoto 70); Bradbury (Rooney 63).
Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes.
Goals: Gabriel 54 pen, Rooney 65, Thwaites 71.
Booked: McEvoy, Rooney
Featured image James Fearn via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 08: Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. looks on during the MLB and the Dominican Baseball Federation announcement at the 2025 Winter Meetings at The Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek on Monday, December 8, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mary Holt/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
In 2022, the “It’s not my Moneyball” series was created in response to the lockout imposed by the owners that disrupted Spring Training and arguably cost Clayton Kershaw a perfect game in Minneapolis (I had fun). As the season starts, the World Baseball Classic concludes, we must revive this series as trouble looms in the distance, hanging in the air, exactly in the way a brick does not.
The current consensus among MLB pundits is that the sport will slam to a grinding halt in December 2026; to which I respond: Where were you lot literally three years ago, when I pointed out the clear writing on the wall?
The owners are going to lock out the players (again) in December 2026 when the current collective bargaining agreement expires.
[emphasis as in original.]
The following point needs to be repeated loudly because most owners are counting on everyone in the media and the fans to ignore the following immutable truth: there is absolutely no reason for a lockout to occur; if the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) were to expire, the players and owners could proceed under the current system until a deal for a new CBA is struck. The only reason owners impose a lockout is to pressure the Players’ Union into accepting a salary cap, which the Union is hellbent on rejecting.
Back in 2023, the baseball world quivered in fear of Steve Cohen bullying the league with his seemingly limitless financial resources for the Mets, and looked at the efforts of Peter Seidler doing his best Mike Ilitch (Mr. I) of the Detroit Tigers impersonation as Exhibit B of why the sport would grind to a screeching halt in December 2026.
The fears were misguided as the Mets continued to find entertaining ways to set money on fire, and like Mr. I, Peter Seidler passed away all too soon, leaving a wake of family trauma, which rippled outwards to the organization and is only now reaching a conclusion.
A juggernaut did arise on the horizon, but it was not the (LOL)Mets, but our very own Los Angeles Dodgers.
If anything, if you want a starting point to the villain arc (apart from the league’s failure to punish the 2017 Houston Astros for cheating — just a piece of metal, huh? — and the 2023 Arizona Diamondbacks whipping the mostly-busted 2023 Dodgers out of the playoffs), one need only look at the Dodgers after one particular signing: Shohei Ohtani in the 2023 offseason.
Lest anyone forget, Ohtani devised the structure of his massively deferred deal and presented it to the Dodgers (who clearly accepted), the San Francisco Giants (who probably should have offered more money), the Toronto Blue Jays (it is a sore subject still), and the Anaheim Angels (who declined).
Far too many people forget that Ohtani proposed the structure, likely in part because on a team with eventual-first ballot Hall of Famer Mike Trout, the closest the Angels could get to the playoffs was buying a ticket to see it with the rest of the hoi polloi.
The Dodgers largely operated with a standard deviation in spending during the first part of the current CBA until Ohtani. However, when presented with the opportunity to win with a unicorn like Ohtani, one would be an absolute fool not to try to leverage both the maximum results on the balance sheet and in the trophy room.
Unlike the Angels, the Dodgers read the room, read their hand, and shoved their chips into the middle.
2022 – $293,330,382, including $32.4 million luxury tax bill
2023 – $268,198,867, including $19.4 million luxury tax bill
2024 – $353,015,360, including $103 million luxury tax bill
2025 – $417,341,608, including $169.4 million luxury tax bill
2026 – $538.7 million, including ~$142.6 million luxury tax bill (projected)
Half a billion dollars on a team’s payroll is the fever dream of those playing MLB: The Show. In essence, the argument about the Dodgers is really three parts of the same conversation, which will be separated below:
The Dodgers have more revenue than anyone in baseball; therefore, the season is over before the first pitch is thrown! And thus baseball needs to have a lockout in 2027 to stop the madness!
Half of the above statement is true and an ironclad fact, which we shall break down and examine over the next two essays.
No one can credibly argue that the Dodgers do not lead baseball in raking in the money. One need only look at “probable Law and Order”-extra Kyle Tucker and the literal king’s ransom he will be paid over at least the next two seasons. So goes the cry before the impending lockout: the Dodgers broke baseball through wanton spending, and no other team has a chance to compete. In fact, reporters like Jeff Passan are starting to carry water for this position.
Fans are angry. At growing payroll disparity. At a Dodgers team that cracked the system. At others unwilling to do the same. And particularly at the threat of no baseball in 2027. Free at ESPN: Where the game stands — and how there's still time to fix it. https://t.co/uZrXarDx7C
Yes, the Dodgers have arguably perfected an imperfect system, much to the annoyance of the 29 other fanbases. Yes, the Dodgers are the first repeat champions in 25 years. But it’s not as if the team has slapped the league with impunity over the past 24 months.
The San Diego Padres led the best-of-five 2024 National League Division Series, two games to one (which some goober predicted that the Padres would win), before literally getting shut out for the rest of the year.
The 2024 Dodgers’ playoff rotation included “rookie” Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty (who literally alternated from good and bad between starts), Walker Buehler (who was awful in 2024), and Landon Knack (bar trivia personified)
Tommy Edman (’24 NLCS) and Freddie Freeman (‘24 WS) had the literal series of their lives to drag themselves to glory.
The ‘24 New York Yankees managed to outmanage themselves (Game 1) and blow their legs off in historic fashion (Game 5) to ensure the Dodgers’ first full-season title since 1988.
Orion Kerkering. That’s the bullet point. (Seriously, though, the Philadelphia Phillies were pretty good in 2025.)
If any one of these bullet points zigs instead of zags, the Dodgers are not the kings of the league. Dave Roberts would not be a surefire lock for induction in Cooperstown, etc., etc. Lex Pryor of The Ringerpublished an essay that largely covers these financial points from the position of a scold, rather than my position as a Dodgers fan and writer.
The Dodgers are not interested in winning 120 games in the regular season, only to lay an egg in the Division Series. They took that terrible route in 2022, which was arguably the last time that the Padres were relevant. Even in situations where things are relatively equal (say, the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes), the Dodgers still prevailed over the league. The Dodgers won 93 games in 2025, good enough for the three-seed, and, as a bonus, just about everyone was in peak form.
Did those facts stop the offense from being largely absent after the Wild Card round? Not really, but from the way people carry on, one would have thought the Dodgers went 13-0 rather than being pushed to the brink against the Blue Jays. If the Dodgers romp to 120 victories (they won’t) and sweep the postseason (inshallah), I will revisit whether the payroll disparity is truly bad for baseball.
What baseball does have in spades right now is a perception problem, one that threatens to engulf the sport in quick order.
Are the Dodgers bad for baseball? Maybe. More accurately, though, they’re becoming a bad look for baseball. And they don’t seem to care what they look like, as long as they win.
The sport is having a renaissance with steady upticks in attendance and ratings. Game 7 of the 2025 World Series was the most-watched baseball game in over 30 years, drawing in about 24.3 million viewers in the United States and Canada. When Japan is included, that figure rises to 51 million viewers.
In contrast, the 2026 World Baseball Classic Final drew 10.784 million viewers, a record for the tournament but still barely a fifth of what Game 7 pulled in. Baseball should be basking in this era of success, but, like an illness that has been ignored for too long, things are less than 260 days away from slamming to a dead halt.
Like a dog that catches a chased car, nothing good will come from the perception that the Dodgers somehow broke baseball. It takes eight owners to scuttle a deal, and I see at least a dozen owners would rather burn the sport to the ground in the name of short-term thinking rather than refine the system that currently exists.
Accordingly, ownership is on the precipice of unleashing a Pandora’s Box of self-inflicted harm and stupidity by catering to the perception of inequality rather than the roots of inequality. I would encourage everyone to savor every last drop of the 2026 season, because while colleagues like Eric Stephen believe that no games will be lost in 2027, I do not share their optimism.
The stupidity and greed run thick, and I would genuinely be shocked if we get even half of a season next year. I have not lost a single case or a single night’s sleep by underestimating people’s greed and stupidity. Next essay, we introduce the twelve franchises that will likely run the sport aground in nine months’ time. I would dearly love to be wrong, but after all, it’s not my money(ball).
Ranked nationally throughout the year and the top team in Tennessee all season, the Panthers now shift their focus to one final game against a team many may not have projected them to play entering the tournament.
Here's what to know about the program.
Where is Bartlett High School located?
The school is located in Bartlett, Tennessee, about 14 miles from downtown Memphis and the FedExForum, home of the Memphis Grizzlies.
What is Bartlett's record?
Entering the Class 4A championship game the Panthers are 34-4.
Where is Bartlett ranked in USA TODAY Sports Super 25?
Who are some standouts on the Bartlett basketball roster?
The Panthers are led by junior Dylan Jones and 2025-26 Class 4A Mr. Basketball winner DJ Okoth. Jones ranks as a top-50 player in the 2027 class while Okoth ranks as the No. 15 player in the 2028 class.
Bartlett High School basketball talent in NBA
Bartlett has not produced any players yet that have made it to the NBA.
Who is Bartlett's head coach?
Bartlett's head coach is Dion Real who is in his 11th season running the program.
Has Bartlett won a state championship before?
This is Bartlett's second ever finals appearance as they won their only other appearance back in 2001. That season they beat Gallatin 45-41.
Who is Bartlett playing for the TSSAA Class 4A state title?
Bartlett will square off with Walker Valley out of Chattanooga Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. CT. The Mustangs are making their first state finals appearance after holding off Whitehaven 52-50.
The New England Patriots could go in multiple different directions with the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
New England has been linked to selecting an edge rusher, but could also address the offensive line, as the Patriots have said they will take the best player available. Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, NFL analyst Chad Reuter of NFL.com predicted New England would select offensive tackle Max Iheanachor out of Arizona State.
“New England's pass-protection issues were on full display in the Super Bowl,” Reuter wrote in an article published on Friday. “The team hopes Will Campbell gets stronger at left tackle, but Iheanachor has no such issues stopping edge rushers from reaching the quarterback.”
Iheanachor is a senior tackle who spent the last three seasons at Arizona State and was second-team All-Big 12 last season. However, he has been considered a bit of a work in progress, and may not be a Day 1 starter as he could sit for a year and be a swing tackle.
Yet, Iheanachor does have some solid traits to build around, as his size and quickness have been called elite by draft analysts.
However, whether or not Iheanachor will be available at the 31st overall pick is to be seen, as he’s expected to be picked late in the first round.
The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 19: Stefon Diggs #8 of the New England Patriots celebrates after defeating the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Getty Images
While most of the top options in NFL free agency have been signed to new teams, there are still impact players available. Here are five intriguing options who are still on the market.
5 Remaining NFL Free Agents Who Can Help Super Bowl Contenders
WR Stefon Diggs
Diggs is now 32 years old, but he showed he can still be an integral piece of an offense with the New England Patriots. Per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Diggs finished seventh in yards per route run among receivers with at least 50 targets. In all, Diggs had 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns.
Diggs will likely have to settle for a short-term deal and he’ll also likely want to join a playoff contender as he’s been part of eight postseason teams in his career. Diggs can still stretch the field, get open and remains a route tactician. While his NFL career may not last much longer, he still has at least a couple productive years left in him.
DE Cameron Jordan
Jordan, 37, has spent his entire 15-year career with the New Orleans Saints, but where he plays next season is very much up in the air. Jordan had 10.5 sacks last season and recently said he’s prioritizing landing somewhere that he can reach or exceed that total in 2026. Jordan believes he can get upwards of 13 sacks next season.
“Value means position, rotation, monetary, sure, but more along the lines of if I want to get 10, 12, 13 sacks this next season, then I need to be in the best position to do so,” Jordan said, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com.
DE Jadeveon Clowney
Clowney, 33, was very effective in 2025 with the Dallas Cowboys, totaling 8.5 sacks. Clowney ranked No. 4 in pressure rate at 19.1% among players with at least 200 snaps.
Even if Clowney joins a new team in a rotational role, his recent success shows he still has some gas left in the tank. The former No. 1 overall pick ideally could serve at a No. 2 or No. 3 pass rusher for a contending team.
TE David Njoku
Njoku, 30, has been one of the most dynamic tight ends in the NFL the better part of a decade but doesn’t have much to show for it in nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns that has featured poor quarterback play.
While Njoku isn’t a premier blocking tight end, he has the speed and athleticism to thrive as part of a potent offense. Njoku played in just 12 games last season with 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns. His low totals will lead to him being a bargain for a team.
LB Bobby Wagner
It’s hard to believe that Wagner, 35, is still available after a strong 2025 season with the Washington Commanders. Wagner ranked No. 5 in the league with 162 tackles and No. 6 in tackles for loss with 9.5. Sure, Wagner’s pass coverage isn’t what it once was, but his football intelligence, play recognition and brute force tackling are all still top tier.
Even if Wagner’s snap count is reduced in 2026, he can be counted on in early down situations or when opposing offenses are in run-heavy formations.
TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees manager Aaron Boone was so deep in thought during his post-game interview Friday night that he ignored a fire alarm sounding and a red flashing light directly in his sightline.
Sitting at a podium in the team meeting room at Steinbrenner Field after a 3-1 victory over the Orioles, Boone also talked over a computer-generated message blaring from a speaker:
Can I have your attention please. There has been a fire emergency reported in the building. Please evacuate to the nearest exit.
With about a dozen reporters facing Boone in the first two rows of seats, he went on for another 40 seconds answering a question about outfielder Jasson Dominguez’s Friday demotion to Triple-A before stopping.
The computer message started up again:
Can I have your attention please …
“Is there a fire?” I asked.
No, we found out a few minutes later, but no one knew what was going on at the time.
The interview abruptly ended.
Then while Boone, reporters and media relations staffers were exiting the clubhouse-level room, a stadium security official appeared and issued a three-word order:
“Evacuate the building.”
Not smelling any smoke, I asked if we could head up to the third floor so we could get our laptops. Most of us still had some writing to do.
“No, leave the building now and we’ll tell you when you can go back in,” we were told.
This was around 9:05 p.m., about 15 minutes after Yankees reliever Paul Blackburn struck out Anderson De Los Santos to end a game that was highlighted by starting pitcher Luis Gil’s five shutout innings of one-hit ball with seven strikeouts.
Hundreds from a crowd of 9,989 still were making its way out of the ballpark when the evacuation was ordered.
Standing inside the front doors of the executive office entrance, I noticed a group of fans exiting a nearby elevator.
We figured they were coming from the suites on the third floor. Nobody was panicking, so I asked a stadium worker standing nearby if we could head back up to the press box and quickly pack our stuff.
“If you want,” he said.
I took that as a green light.
Waiting for the elevator, I was wondering if I made a bad decision … one similar to what I almost did when I was just out of college and working part-time sports writer at the Greensburg (Pa.) Tribune-Review in the summer of 1986.
A month or two after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, I was back on campus for a Sunday night of partying with a college buddy who was taking summer classes. As I was about to fall asleep on the sofa of his second-floor apartment around 3 in the morning, I heard a commotion outside the front door. When it kept up for a few minutes, I opened the door and saw flames.
I ran into the two bedrooms to wake everyone up, then quickly packed my small travel bag and ran down a flight of stairs to safety.
Standing outside with a couple dozen college students, I couldn’t find my contacts. The guy standing next to me was a stranger in his underwear who fled from a third-floor apartment. He told me that he was going back in to get a pair of pants. I said I wanted to go back in and look for my contacts.
I went back in, then turned around halfway up the stairs with a wall of flames in my path. That decision probably saved my life because my contacts were in my travel bag.
The other guy went around the flames and back up to his apartment ... and never came back out.
I’ll never forget seeing the young man being carried out in a body bag around dusk.
I thought of that scary night after Friday’s Yankees game while waiting for an elevator.
We returned to the third floor, entered the press box and noticed a couple reporters typing with headphones on. They were oblivious to what was going on.
We grabbed our laptops, packed up and hustled out of the press box.
“You can’t take the elevators,” a security official yelled. “Go through the suites and take the stairs down. There’s stairs in both directions.”
I headed to the right and walked through a door into the suites. There, I was met by the stadium maintenance manager, who was walking my way.
I asked if there’s a fire.
“There’s no fire,” he said. “Come with me. You can use the elevator. No one will say anything to you because you’re with me.”
I headed to the elevator, then road down with other reporters and headed outside.
Walking to the parking lot, I heard the siren from a fire truck in the area, but it never went to the ballpark.
Turns out someone drove into a power pole a few blocks from Steinbrenner Field, knocking out power momentarily at the ballpark ... and setting off the alarm.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Kristian Robinson #62 of the Arizona Diamondbacks runs to first base during a Spring Training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 12, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Diamondbacks News
Soroka Sharp Against Sox Michael Soroka looked to be in mid-season form in his final spring outing. The bounce back candidate had a strong outing against the lowly White Sox as he made his case for a place in the rotation.
Diamondbacks Game Pushed Back At this point, it is mostly a reminder that all mid-day Cactus League games have been rescheduled due to the continuing heat wave hammering the Valley.
Gallen Discusses Final Start of Spring Zac Gallen’s Friday start was the last outing he will have before the games start to count. The next time he takes the bump will be against Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers in the season opener.
As Opening Day Looms Bullpen, Closer Questions Remain It is hard not to believe that this winter’s drastic jump in the cost of pitching did not play a major factor in the roster that Mike Hazen wound up with. Paul Sewald continues to make fans nervous.
Eduardo Rodriguez Returns Eduardo Rodriguez has returned from the Diamondbacks after leading his home nation of Venezuela to the WBC crown.
Other Baseball News
Padres Select Walker Buehler The former Dodgers ace has managed to earn himself another chance to see if there is anything left in the tank after multiple Tommy John surgeries.
Marcelo Mayer Named Red Sox Starting Second Baseman In what has been pretty much a foregone conclusion for a few weeks now, Marcelo Mayer has been named by the Red Sox as their Opening Day starter at second base.
Andrew Painter Makes Phillies’ Rotation The 6’7” right-handed Painter will break camp as a member of the Philadelphia rotation. The young man turns 24 on 10 April.
April 2026 will bring some HUGE changes to Windows 11, and more are coming 2026 is the year of Windows 11 improvements. Windows 12 isn’t coming anytime soon, and Microsoft’s focus is on making its Windows 11 faster and more reliable. With Windows 11’s April 2026 Insider updates, Microsoft has started down its path towards […]
As part of Microsoft's big plan to address quality issues on Windows 11, the company has confirmed that it's working on fixing performance of menus, folders, and search in File Explorer.
PC building is in a bad place right now with extortionate price increases and all-around shortages, so when a deal like this pops up on an RTX 5060 Ti it is not to be missed.
Threat actors affiliated with Russian Intelligence Services are conducting phishing campaigns to compromise commercial messaging applications (CMAs) like WhatsApp and Signal to seize control of accounts belonging to individuals with high intelligence value, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Friday.
"The campaign
In an interview with Club386, Hallock gave a short but telling answer when asked whether he envisioned Intel sockets supporting more CPU generations. "I do," he said. "That's it – I do." Although he offered no technical details, the simplicity of that response hints at a deliberate and possibly overdue...
The Logitech G325 Lightspeed Wireless pairs exceptional comfort with impressive sound quality for a mid-tier price. The microphone leaves something to be desired, but overall, it’s a solid all-day wear, even when you’re not gaming.
Remember the launch of the very first take on DLSS? Remember when frame generation initially arrived? They weren't at all well-received, but Nvidia turned that around.
Fusion power promises to generate large amounts of clean electricity from nearly limitless fuel. This article explains the main approaches and the companies that use them.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) has announced three finalists of its “Keep Bears Wild” art contest. In a statement, the company said the initiative’s goal is to raise awareness about responsible coexistence with bears in Alaska, noting that artists can help promote this through creative expression. Part of NCLH’s Sail & Sustain program, the...
Spain Easter 2026, Ground Handling Strikes to Cause Major Flight Chaos at Airports During Semana SantaPrepare for major travel disruptions in Spain this Easter! Strikes by ground handling staff at key airports could affect baggage handling, boarding, and delays The... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
UNESCO and UN Tourism Redefine Global Heritage Protection Through Sustainable TravelUNESCO and UN Tourism have signed a landmark agreement to promote sustainable travel and protect cultural heritage through global strategic cooperation. The post UNESCO and UN Tourism Redefine Global Heritage... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
The Radiant Rise of Morocco’s Capital: Why Rabat is the Definitive Destination for 2026Discover how Rabat is becoming a global destination, blending UNESCO heritage, luxury hospitality, and major 2030 World Cup events in Morocco. The post The Radiant Rise of... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Travel Chaos Erupts at Cairo, Hurghada, and Abu Dhabi Airports as Egypt Air Faces Massive Delays, Stranding Passengers Across Egypt, UAE, and Beyond Amid Ongoing Conflict: All You Need To KnowEgypt Air grapples with flight cancellations and delays affecting key... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
From Travel Agency to Ship’s Hull: TUI Appoints Employee Godparents for Rhine DebutTUI River Cruises names travel veterans Paula Burgess and Mark Sage as godparents for the new TUI Aria, launching a new era of luxury travel on the Rhine... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Villa La Angostura, Argentina: A Sustainable Revolution on the Emerald Waters of Lake Nahuel HuapiDiscover how Villa La Angostura, Argentina, leads eco-tourism with the first 100% electric boat on Lake Nahuel Huapi for silent, sustainable travel. The post Villa La... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Spain, Morocco, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia Ready for the 2027 Total Solar Eclipse, The Ultimate Travel Experience Awaits!Plan your trip for the 2027 total solar eclipse in Spain, Morocco, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Witness one of the longest and most... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
France Leads the Way in High-Speed Rail Innovation with €80 Million Investment in New Maintenance HubRead full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/france-leads-the-way-in-high-speed-rail-innovation-with-e80-million-investment-in-new-maintenance-hub/France, specifically the vibrant Île-de-France region, is set to take another significant leap in its high-speed rail ambitions with the development of... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Global Tourism Under Risk: Iran Names International Leisure Sites as Potential Military Targets Amid Escalating Regional ConflictIran issues a global threat against international tourism and recreational sites amid escalating conflict with the US and Israel, raising safety concerns. The post... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Tuscany’s Chapter Chianti Set to Revolutionize Luxury Hospitality in 2026 with Bold Modern Design and Tuscan CharmRead full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/tuscanys-chapter-chianti-set-to-revolutionize-luxury-hospitality-in-2026-with-bold-modern-design-and-tuscan-charm/Italy, Nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany, Chapter Chianti is set to redefine luxury and contemporary design in one of... Read More
Original Source: Travel And Tour World
Unauthorized copying or republishing is prohibited.
Netflix has finally revealed the setting of its upcoming Assassin’s Creed series: instead of directly adapting one of the games, the show will tell a completely new story set in ancient Rome in 64 AD, offering plenty of room for political intrigue. Fans, however, are still reacting cautiously in light of the poorly received 2016 film.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is now playable on PS5 and Steam through Early Play, while the full iOS, Android, and Google Play Games release is set for March 23.
Crimson Desert’s shining launch is getting overshadowed by player complaints about its controls. Reports show that players are plagued by confusing inputs, limited remapping, and a whole lot of input lag. While Pearl Abyss may address it later, for now, frustration is dominating early impressions for the most part.
XPPen has introduced a new drawing display for creative professionals, boasting a massive 27-inch 4K screen. The display promises excellent color reproduction, and the included stylus boasts a whopping 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity.
Deal | The Acemagic F5A mini PC is now available with a sizable $390 discount. The barebones mini PC is powered by a 12-core AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 "Strix Point" APU with the potent Radeon 890M iGPU, and packs a plethora of ports for easy connectivity and expansion.
OnePlus has officially confirmed camera specifications for the upcoming OnePlus 15T compact flagship smartphone. The company has also shared a bunch of sample photos taken by the smartphone, which sure do appear quite interesting.
Xiaomi 13T Pro and Poco F5 owners across the globe are reporting that a HyperOS 3 update is now being pushed. Interestingly, this isn't the first HyperOS 3 update for the Xiaomi 13T Pro. The device received it more than a month ago, but the software was quickly rolled back due to random bootloops and reboots.
Hopefully, the issue has been resolved by now, and the new HyperOS 3 update based on Android 16 is stable enough for users to install it. If you still haven't received a notification about the update, you can check manually via the Settings menu. Of course, the 13T Pro receives...
The future of Inigo Martinez at Al-Nassr has captured the attention of fans and teammates alike, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who could feel the impact of the defender’s decisions on the club’s dynamics.
The future of Inigo Martinez at Al-Nassr has captured the attention of fans and teammates alike, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who could feel the impact of the defender’s decisions on the club’s dynamics. Martinez’s contract situation carries significant financial and sporting implications, and the suspense surrounding his next move has added intrigue to the closing stages of the Saudi Pro League season.
Martinez has enjoyed a pivotal role in Al-Nassr’s campaign, contributing to a defence that has kept the team competitive across domestic competitions. His consistency and leadership at the back make his contractual decisions a key talking point for the club’s ambitions and for star teammates like Ronaldo.
According to reports from Arriyadiyah, Martinez is now just three league matches away from triggering a contract extension clause. His current deal expires on June 30, but the contract includes a provision allowing a one-year automatic extension if he participates in 80% of Saudi Pro League matches, alongside his own approval.
So far this season, the Spanish veteran has appeared in 25 league matches, and with eight rounds remaining, he is on the cusp of meeting the required participation threshold. Should he complete the necessary games, the clause will give him the right to decide whether to activate the new contract, which would see him earn $15 million per season.
Inigo Martinez of Al-Nassr controls the ball
This mechanism puts the player in the driver’s seat. Not only does he need to reach the participation requirement, but he must also notify Al-Nassr’s management of his intention to stay, effectively giving him the final say in his future.
What’s the twist in Martinez’s situation?
Here’s where the situation becomes particularly interesting: the extension is not automatic upon reaching 80% of matches. It only activates if two conditions are met simultaneously: the participation threshold and Martinez’s explicit agreement to remain at the club, Arriyadiyahsuggests.
In practical terms, the 34-year-old could meet the 80% target yet still choose not to extend, leaving Al-Nassr, and potentially Ronaldo and the squad, uncertain about next season’s defensive backbone. This dual condition has added a layer of strategic planning, as Martinez evaluates his options amid interest from other clubs and the team’s objectives in both domestic and continental competitions.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Inigo Martinez
How Martinez’s decision could impact Al-Nassr and Ronaldo
For Cristiano Ronaldo, Martinez’s decision could impact squad stability and defensive coordination. Al-Nassr relies on the partnership between its marquee attacking players and a solid backline to compete for the Saudi Pro League title. Knowing whether the former La Liga stalwart will remain could influence tactical setups, transfer plans, and the broader approach to maintaining the club’s competitive edge.
Beyond the financial reward, the clause also underscores Martinez’s value to Al-Nassr. His $15 million-per-season deal reflects the club’s recognition of his importance and offers him leverage in shaping his professional future.
Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Inigo Martinez (right)
has voiced his frustration at a lack of willing opponents in the past, but Tim Bradley believes that there is an obvious fight in front of him – that being against the only man Stevenson appears unwilling to face. Stevenson became boxing’s third-youngest four-division world champion when he claimed Teofimo Lopez’s WBO super-lightweight world title […]
Rumen futbolunun ve Galatasaray'ın efsane isimlerinden Gheorghe Hagi, Romanya ile Türkiye arasında oynanacak olan 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri play-off maçına dair açıklama yaptı.
2026 Dünya Kupası Avrupa Elemeleri play-off yarı finalinde Türkiye ile Romanya karşı karşıya gelecek. Rumen futbolunun önemli ismi Gheorghe Hagi, Rumen basınından Pro Sport'a röportaj verdi.
Gheorghe Hagi, Romanya'nın Türkiye ile oynayacağı maçın aday kadrosuna oğlu Ianis Hagi de çağrılmıştı.
Gheorghe Hagi'nin konuya dair açıklamaları şöyle:
-Odaklanmış durumdalar. Hepsi! Herkesin bu maça çok bağlı olduğunu anlıyorum ve umarım çok iyi bir formda gelirler. Ve tırnak içinde, sürprizi yaratmak için!
-Avrupa Şampiyonası'ndan sonra şimdi de Dünya Şampiyonası'nda olmak özgüven kazandıracak ve aynı zamanda çok fazla deneyim. Zaten deneyimleri var, takımın büyük çoğunluğu uluslararası deneyime sahip. Olgunlar, genç oyuncuları da hesaba katarsak, şimdi onlar takımın temelini oluşturuyor, yükü onlar taşıyor. Tecrübeli oyuncular ve bence yaratıcı yetenekleri var.
"TÜRKİYE'NİN SADECE EV SAHİBİ AVANTAJ VAR! SADECE BU!"
-Sadece ev sahibi avantajından dolayı favoriler! Gördüğüm tek avantaj bu, kendi sahalarında oynuyorlar, biz deplasmanda oynuyoruz! Sadece bu! Geri kalanına gelince, bence Avrupa Şampiyonası'na katılmış tecrübeye sahip bir Romanya milli takımından bahsediyoruz, ayrıca U21, U19 Avrupa Şampiyonalarında oynamış bir jenerasyon da var. Yani uluslararası tecrübeleri var, bu maçların ne anlama geldiğini biliyorlar. Önemli olan maça çok iyi bir formda çıkmak, birçok oyuncu formda ve iyi görünüyor. Avrupa Şampiyonası'na katıldılar, biz de katıldık. Avrupa Şampiyonası'nı kazanmadılar ama tıpkı bizim gibiydiler. Temelde, hem onlar hem de bizim için tecrübe önemli.
-Türkiye'nin bence belki de herkesten daha tecrübeli bir oyuncusu var: Çalhanoğlu Şu an oynadığı takımı da düşünürsek, en iyi takımlarda oynamış, ayrıca tecrübeli, çok önemli bir oyuncu.
"ARDA GÜLER ÇOK YETENEKLİ VE ÇOK ZEKİ"
Geçtiğimiz günlerde sizin başarılarınızı hatırlatan bir gol atan Arda Güler hakkında ne düşünüyorsunuz?
-Bu vesileyle kendisini bu golünden dolayı tebrik etmek istiyorum. Çok büyük bir kulüpte ve bunu başardığı için çok mutluyum. Yetenekli, genç bir oyuncu… Çok genç ve çok, çok yetenekli! Ayrıca çok zeki. Oyununda gördüğüm kadarıyla zekâ seviyesi yüksek. Olgun görünüyor, yaşından çok daha olgun, muhtemelen bu yüzden Real Madrid'de. İlk 11'de oynamak, orada olmak için çok erken geldi. İyi bir performans sergiliyor, maçtan maça gelişiyor. Ve yaşlandıkça tecrübesi de artıyor. Bence o ve Kenan Yıldız çok yüksek bir potansiyele, çok yüksek bir geleceğe sahip oyuncular, çünkü ikisi de inanılmaz derecede genç ve çok iyi.
-Stadyum önemli değil, onlar millet için oynuyorlar, her şeylerini verecekler! Şansımız olması için çok zeki olmamız gereken bir mücadele olacak. Duyguları nasıl yöneteceğimizi bilmeliyiz ve bence takım bunu yapacak deneyime sahip. Futbolun doğası gereği, tek bir maç oynanması bir avantaj ve burada her şey olabilir.
-Şu anda tüm Rumen antrenörler arasında en deneyimli olanına sahibiz, o kadar çok mücadeleden geçmiş bir antrenör! Bence Mircea herkese güven verecek. Cesaret ve özgüven! Oyuncuların ihtiyaç duyduğu şeyler bunlar. Ondan sonra, elbette, sahada oyuncuların fark yaratması gerekiyor.
''Romanya Milli Takımı yakın gelecekte Hagi için ne ifade ediyor?"
-Benim için her şey demek! Sonuçta, futbol oynamaya başladığımdan beri, sadece benim değil, tüm oyuncuların hedefi Romanya milli takımına girmek. Oraya ulaştığınızda, performans sergilemek. En yüksek seviyeye ulaşmak, sizden önce gelenleri geçmek. Bence başka bir hedef, başka bir amaç yok hiçbir oyuncu için. Ulaşılabilecek en üst nokta bu! Çünkü milli takıma gelip yüreğinizle oynuyorsunuz, ne için oynadığınızı bilmiyorum... Yüreğiniz için oynuyorsunuz! Romanya için oynuyorsunuz ve Romanya'yı temsil etmek en büyük onur.
"Romanya Milli Takımı'nın başına geçmeye hazır mısınız?"
Galatasaray'da Victor Osimhen'in sakatlanmasının ardından gözler Mauro Icardi'ye çevrildi. Arjantinli golcünün düşük performansı son haftalarda sık sık eleştirilirken taraftar Osimhen'in yokluğunda Icardi'nin kendisini kanıtlamasını bekliyor.
Galatasaray'da Victor Osimhen krizi yaşanıyor...UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde Liverpool ile oynana play off rövanş maçında sakatlık yaşayan Nijeryalı yıldızın kolunda kırık tespit edilmişti. Osimhen, 5-6 hafta sahalardan uzak kalacağını açıkladı.
GÖZLER ICARDI'DE
Galatasaray'da Osimhen'in yokluğunda gözler Mauro Icardi'ye çevrildi. Sakatlığının ardından sahalara dönse de istenilen performansı bir türlü gösteremeyen Arjantinli yıldızın Osimhen'in yokluğunda formasına kavuşması bekleniyor.
Galatasaray’ın üç şampiyonluğunun ikisinde direkt katkısı olan Icardi'nin taraftar ile olan bağını yeniden güçlendirmek için Osimhen'in yokluğunda iyi bir performans gerçekleştirmesi bekleniyor. 8 lig ve kupa maçında Icardi'nin performansı merakla bekleniyor.
SÖZLEŞMESİ BİTİYOR
Öte yandan sezon sonunda Galatasaray ile sözleşmesi sezon sonunda bitecek olan golcü için her geçen gün yeni bir transfer iddiası gündeme geliyor. Icardi'nin takımdan ayrılma ihtimalinin ise yüksek olduğu tahmin ediliyor.
Beşiktaş'ın sezon başı satın alma opsiyonu ile Hellas Verrona'ya kiraladığı Al-Musrati, sezon sonunda İtalyan ekibin opsiyonu kullanmamasıyla geri dönecek.
A Milli Erkek Hentbol Takımı'nın, 2027 IHF Dünya Şampiyonası Avrupa Elemeleri 2. tur rövanş maçında deplasmanda Romanya ile mücadele edecek. İlk maç 37-32 mağlubiyetle sonuçlanmıştı.
Trabzonspor'da milli ara öncesi 9 futbolcu ülkelerinin takımlarına davet edildi. Bordo-mavililerde farklı yaş kategorileriyle birlikte birçok oyuncu uluslararası arenada görev yapacak.
Düşme hattından kurtulma savaşı veren Karşıyaka ile alt sıralarla bağını koparmaya çalışan Glint Manisa Basket pazar günü kritik Ege derbisinde rakip olacak.
Samsunspor'un, 19 Mart 2026 tarihinde UEFA Konferans Ligi Son 16 Turu'nda deplasmanda İspanya temsilcisi Rayo Vallecano ile oynadığı karşılaşmada sakatlanan Slovak oyuncu Lubomir Satka'nın sol elinde kırık tespit edildi.
Fenerbahçe, Bayern Münih'in ikinci takımında forma giyen Deniz Emre Ofli'yi transfer etmek istedi; ancak oyuncunun ailesi "Trabzonluyuz" diyerek teklifi reddetti.
Galatasaray'ın ara transferde kadrosuna kattığı Yaser Asprilla beklentilerin uzağında kalırken, genç oyuncunun geleceği belirsizliğini koruyor. Sarı-kırmızılıların sezon sonunda opsiyon konusunda kararını...Devamı için tıklayınız
Login
