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Sports

Healthy Jakob Poeltl aiding Raptors in playoff push, but tough tests still loom

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DENVER — To this day, it’s a bit of a mystery to Jakob Poeltl.

“I honestly don’t know for sure myself, like, what caused it,” he said, speaking about his no-longer-troublesome back problems. “But I think it’s more accumulation of time and, like, a bunch of work and …”

And the rest is reflected in a long list of missed games over the course of the 2025-26 season — 33 out of a possible 68, the most games he’s lost to injury in any season over the course of a 10-year career.

But it seems like the worst is behind him now and, not coincidentally, the Toronto Raptors are the beneficiaries. Poeltl will never win style points or draw attention for his speed, power or any other quality that normally gets a second look in the NBA.

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But having a smart, agile and efficient seven-footer that understands how to complement his teammates on the floor is a welcome addition to any NBA team and having Poeltl back and in good health is perfectly timed as the Raptors jockey for playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Over his past 10 games, Poeltl has averaged 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and a steal while converting 71.1 per cent of his field-goal chances and — as a bonus — 81 per cent of his free throws.

On the surface it’s still a notch behind his 14.5/9.6/2.8/1.2/1.2 on 62.7 per cent line from last season which represented his high-water mark in almost every category and was part of the reason he earned a three-year, $84-million contract extension this past summer that covers him through the 2029-30 season.

But on a per-possession basis, it’s essentially right on par, which bodes well for the future, even if Poeltl is keeping his focus firmly on the present.

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For Poeltl, it’s a relief after months of uncertainty. Unlike other injuries, his back problems presented a challenge because the progress wasn’t linear.

“I think the hardest part about it was that there wasn’t a steady timeline,” he said. “With most injuries, you kind of know how long it’s gonna take, and sometimes it takes a bit longer or sometimes it takes a little less time but, generally, you know what the recovery process is.

“But what the time was exactly in this scenario was a big question mark. Like, we almost made up some timelines, kind of hoping that this would be when I would feel better again but, realistically, it wasn’t something that time was just gonna fix. So, I think that was the hardest part.”

But the hardest part seems to be behind him now.

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After putting up 36 minutes banging against Pistons all-star Jalen Duren — the chiselled, six-foot-11 22-year-old — Poeltl was arguably the best centre on the floor, at least as indicated by his 21 points, 18 rebounds and five assists (Duren came in at 20 points, 11 rebounds and no assists).

“I felt fine, honestly,” said Poeltl, who hadn’t played 36 minutes in a game since Dec. 1, 2024. “Every game’s a little bit different, like you have different energy and stuff. I felt good on Sunday. Felt fine afterwards. Obviously, after a big game, you feel your body aching a little bit, but I think that’s normal for everybody, so I wasn’t too worried.”

The Raptors win Wednesday over the Chicago Bulls didn’t provide much of a test for the team collectively — 30-point wins over tanking teams shouldn’t — but for Poeltl watchers it was another checkpoint that he passed through easily. He finished with 17 points and eight rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting in 20 minutes, but it was the ease with which he changed ends that stood out.

He got a steal in the third quarter sprinting the floor to catch up with Bulls centre Jalen Smith, getting back in plenty of time to cut off an entry pass. He then immediately took off on a rim run the other way and was rewarded when RJ Barrett hit him for an easy lay-up that he converted while being fouled. He blocked a shot sliding with Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, eventually corralling him at the rim. His final bucket of the game came when he turned the corner on the 26-year-old Smith from above the three-point line and beat him to the rim. 

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There are bigger tests coming, like on Friday when the Raptors take on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. 

The three-time MVP looms like the Rocky Mountains, although with much more rounded shoulders.

The Nuggets have won five straight against the Raptors with Jokic in the lineup and are 9-1 against the Raptors in Denver. 

Jokic is averaging 28.2 points and 12.6 rebounds along with 10.6 assists — the latter two numbers leading the NBA — on 57.3 per cent shooting so far this season. Since the former second-round pick morphed into a perennial MVP candidate in 2020-21, he’s averaged 27.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists on 60 per cent shooting against Toronto. 

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“He’s a very talented guy. Kind of like a Swiss Army knife. He does a lot of different things out there on the court,” said Poeltl. “I think it’s one of those situations where you try to do your best to take him out of his comfort zone, just try to make him work all game long. And you just kind of accept the fact that he’s gonna make some tough buckets. He’s gonna make some tough plays. And for him there is a lot of playmaking as well. But you just try to force as many tough decisions as possible on him. And try to make him make as many mistakes as possible.”

It’s as good a strategy as any given Jokic made a career-high tying 10 turnovers in the Nuggets’ loss to the tanking Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, and is averaging a career-worst 3.9 turnovers this season. 

And there are some reasons for hope, from a Raptors point of view. 

Foremost among them is that the Raptors could have multiple options to use against Jokic. There’s hope that rookie Colin Murray-Boyles could be available Friday night after missing nine games with a left thumb injury that has been bothering him since he got it caught in an opponent’s jersey on Dec. 23, though he has officially been listed as doubtful. 

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Murray-Boyles gives the Raptors an option who has the quickness and comfortability of playing with him on the perimeter matched with the strength to at least hold his ground when Jokic begins his slow-motion rumbles to the rim. History suggests that resistance might be futile, but Murray-Boyles could at least give Jokic a different look. 

“He’s definitely a different kind of player compared to Jak,” said Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic. “His ability to pressure the ball, his ability to move his feet … he allows us much more switchability and he’s just got a gritty approach to the game. It really helps us. He’s finding ways to get stops, he’s finding ways to get rebounds and he’s really improving with his offence as well.”

However, for all his strengths, Murray-Boyles stands only six-foot-seven, leaving Poeltl as the Raptors’ only player taller than six-foot-nine. Any of the teams the Raptors could realistically meet in the first round of the playoffs have quality size. Without Poeltl, the Raptors quality and size diminishes in an instant. 

There are still some long-term concerns about how Poeltl’s contract will age. Presuming he hits his games-played and minutes-played incentives over the life of the deal he’ll be set to earn $27.3 million at age 34, a significant bump from the $19.5 million he’ll earn this year and next. A pricy, aging centre with a wonky back can present a roster-building challenge, which the Raptors experienced at the trade deadline this year when they were unable to find a market for Poeltl in any of the deals they explored.

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But for now, that’s a tomorrow problem. For today, Poeltl is healthy and playing well, and the Raptors will need to put considerable load on his shoulders as they pursue a playoff spot in April and anything beyond that. 

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Sports

FIFA insists World Cup will proceed as planned despite Iran uncertainty

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20 March 2026

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“FIFA is looking forward to all teams participating at the World Cup to compete in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect,” Infantino said from Zurich during an online FIFA Council meeting.

“We have a schedule. We will soon have the 48 competing teams confirmed, and we want the World Cup to go ahead as scheduled.”

Iran‘s participation has been shrouded in doubt due to the conflict in the Middle East.

They are due to play group games in the United States, against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and in Seattle against Egypt.

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However, Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj indicated that as a result of the US-Israeli attacks on his country he wanted its matches moved to one of the other host nations — Canada and Mexico will host the World Cup with the United States.

“We will be preparing for the World Cup. We will boycott the United States but not the World Cup,” Taj said in the video released on Wednesday.

Iran’s football federation says it has opened talks with FIFA about potentially relocating its matches.

Read moreIran ‘negotiating’ with FIFA over moving World Cup games from US to Mexico

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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that her country is prepared to host Iran’s first-round matches if required.

“FIFA can’t solve geopolitical conflicts, but we are committed to using the power of football and the World Cup to build bridges and promote peace as our thoughts are with those who are suffering as a consequence of the ongoing wars,” added Infantino.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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Bowling superstar EJ Tackett can probably also beat you at golf

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17 minutes ago

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20 March 2026

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This interview was first published in Golf Journal, a quarterly print publication exclusively for USGA Members. To be among the first to receive Golf Journal and to learn how you can ensure a strong future for the game, become a USGA Member today.

***

Only six men — Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy — have won golf’s career Grand Slam. EJ Tackett became just the ninth to capture the Professional Bowlers Association’s equivalent, the Triple Crown, at the 2023 U.S. Open in his home state of Indiana. Needing a strike and eight pins in the last frame to defeat his rival, friend and golf buddy Kyle Troup, Tackett “shoed up and stepped up,” as they say on the lanes, crushing the pocket twice for strikes to fulfill his childhood dream.

Well, one of his childhood dreams — it could have been a U.S. Open golf triumph, too.

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Tackett, now 33 and starring alongside Troup in HBO Max’s new documentary series, “Born to Bowl,” was an elite junior golfer as well as bowler, competing against the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas at the 2010 U.S. Junior Amateur and Junior PGA championships and later playing Division I golf before turning his attention to knocking down pins with a bowling ball instead. The four-time and reigning PBA Player of the Year has since won 27 tour titles, including seven majors, and will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Tackett’s career numbers put him at least in line with what Scheffler, Spieth and Rory McIlroy have achieved in professional golf, except for his Q rating and bank account — bowling’s popularity and prize money, while on the rise again, still lag golf’s by a country mile and a half. The highly entertaining “Born to Bowl” has the potential to change that, at least marginally. Regardless, if Tackett only recently stopped having to share hotel rooms on the road, he hasn’t just left his mark on bowling but also still finds time to maintain a better-than-scratch golf game. Which begs the question: Can JT bowl a 300? Color us doubtful.

EJ Tackett on golf course
Before winning bowling’s U.S. Open, Tackett had dreams of winning golf’s version.

courtesy EJ Tackett

How did you get started in golf?

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I was 3 or 4 years old when I started going out with my dad. He used to play a skins game on Saturday and Sunday morning, small-town stuff with maybe 30 guys. Dad would let me drive off the tee, pick up my ball, take it to his ball and let me hit from there, then chip and putt around the green. The grandson of the guy who owned the course was the same age as me — he actually owns the course now. As I got a bit older, he and I would play chipping and putting games and hit balls at the range. So, I had someone challenging me to get better.

When did you begin playing junior tournaments?

When I was about 12. In Indiana, there was a tour sponsored by Pepsi, and it was broken up into age groups named after pop brands — the Pepsi Tour, the Mountain Dew Tour. There was one summer I won every event I played in, and that was the year (2010) I qualified for the U.S. Junior Am and the Junior PGA.

What were those experiences like?

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The Junior PGA was at Sycamore Hills in Fort Wayne, 30 minutes from where I lived. The first round I was nervous and played absolutely horrendously — I think I shot 85. Justin Thomas set the course record that day with 65. The next day got rained out, and me and Dad went to the driving range and got my swing straightened out. I shot even-par 72 the second round, which wasn’t good enough to make the cut but at least I redeemed myself. At the Junior Am at Egypt Valley in Michigan, I shot, like, mid-to-upper 70s both rounds and missed making the cut for match play by a few strokes.

EJ Tackett graphic

And you’re doing this while becoming one of the nation’s best junior bowlers. In 2011, you made Junior Team USA — and as a teenager made it through qualifying at bowling’s U.S. Open, finishing 20th. When did you finally decide to pick bowling over golf?

When I decided that I wasn’t good enough to play golf. I played golf at Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne (now Purdue Fort Wayne), a D1 school. I went for three semesters. I wasn’t seeing the results that I thought I should see. I hated school and just didn’t want to do it anymore. My parents owned a bowling center my whole life, and they haven’t been well off, so I always worked a lot at the center, too. I wasn’t living on campus, I was commuting an hour back and forth to school, trying to work every day — it was maybe a little too much for me to handle. I decided to try a different path. I knew I was always really good at bowling. I got my PBA card in October of 2012, and here we are.

Do you feel like there’s a lot of overlap between the sports in terms of technique?

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There are a ton of parallels. I’m not a big guy — 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, but I’m pretty powerful in each sport. My swing path goes out-to-in on the backswing in each. If you look closely at my footwork in bowling, when I get to the [foul] line, you’ll sometimes see my heel coming off the ground. That’s using the ground as leverage, just like a golfer does. They load up the left knee, and it straightens as they turn through the ball, and sometimes that left heel is coming off the ground. Then there’s the old term: “Wait on it.” If you’re trying to make things happen too early in your swing, it throws your timing off and you get herky-jerky.

How about the mental side? A lot of “perfect” shots in bowling don’t produce strikes. It seems like dealing with bad breaks, or what feel like bad breaks, is critical.

In golf, at least in stroke play, you’re really playing against the course. In bowling, you’re bowling against the lane conditions. The guys who can overcome, who don’t overthink things and play what’s in front of them, they’re the ones you see on TV week in and week out. In golf and in bowling, it’s one shot at a time. Because you can’t change what already happened, and you can only control what’s about to happen. And that’s it.

EJ Tackett at bowling alley
Tackett says in bowling he uses the ground as leverage, just as a golfer does.

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Bowling and golf are both parallel-play sports — you’re competing alongside someone but can’t influence what they do. How do you handle that? 

I’m just out there trying to do the best I can. I pay attention to what the other guys are doing in that we’re always moving lanes, changing bowling balls because of the conditions. If someone is bowling really well, I might look at what kind of ball they’re using, where they’re standing to start, the line they’re playing, trying to get a better visual that might help me. It’s not like I’m sitting in the back rooting someone else on or yelling for them to get a split. If someone makes a split, yeah, I’ll give him a high-five, or if he bowls a 300 game, it’s like, “Good job — happy for ya.” It’s probably the same way on the PGA Tour. You’re out there doing your job. If someone does something cool, you give ’em a thumbs-up. Throughout normal play, though, it’s pretty much business.

One difference, sadly, is the amount of money in pro golf vs. pro bowling. Do you ever think about that?

All the time, because I did play golf and still always watch it. I won five times (including two majors) in 2023. I bowled extremely well — and I was $40,000 from making half a million dollars. So, if you get to a high level, you can be, not rich, but definitely not poor. But would it be nice to make those million-dollar paychecks? Absolutely. If bowling was making what golf made, I would’ve earned 15 or 20 million dollars before the FedEx Cup. It’s, like, dang, if we had bowling for, you know, half a million or even a million dollars in major championships, that revolutionizes the sport and takes it to a different level. I know that the people in charge of bowling are doing their best. It’s always a work in progress.

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Not to romanticize it, but PBA pros will often caravan from event to event, share hotel rooms — it sounds like the PGA Tour back in the ’40s and ’50s. Does that create more camaraderie than today’s golfers’ private jets and five-star hotels?

I would say so. We spend more time with each other than we do with our families. I’m gone 200 days a year. There’s a bunch of my buddies that are always getting dinner when we’re done, going for lunch, having a few beers, hanging out. It is fun, like having a family away from home. I did start staying by myself in rooms a bit more recently. I’ve got to the point in my career where I don’t have to share a room with someone to save a bit of money every week.

Fair to say the average person doesn’t understand how hard both sports are at the top level — the old “they’re not real athletes” or “there’s a guy at our club who shoots par all the time….”

I don’t think people understand at all. The misperception goes with the fact that you can play both sports, and play them well, your whole life — and you can eat and drink while you do it. And in bowling, the ball comes back to you, and in golf someone’s carrying your clubs. They don’t understand the preparation that it takes — gym time, practice, eating right, and everything that goes into being successful.

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On the PBA Tour, you’re often bowling on oil patterns as difficult as U.S. Open golf conditions. As in golf, the precision needed is unreal.

On these harder patterns, we’ve got one, maybe two boards to hit — so you’re talking about 1-2 inches. Plus, you need the right speed, the right rev rate, the right rotation. Just like in golf — How much spin do I want? Draw or cut? Is this an 80 percent shot? — all these things get calculated into what you do. What makes both sports so great is that you are in control of so much but also in control of so little at the same time.  

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Weah Slams CAF Over AFCON Decision, Urges Review of Morocco Title Award

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29 minutes ago

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20 March 2026

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George Weah, widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest footballers and the only African to win the Ballon d’Or, has criticised the decision by Confederation of African Football to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco. Weah later went on to serve as Liberia’s president, cementing his influence both on and off the pitch.

CAF ruled that Senegal forfeited the final after their players left the pitch during a chaotic end to the match. The Appeal Board overturned the original 1-0 result and instead awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, officially naming them champions.

Reacting to the verdict, Weah insisted that football matches must be decided on the pitch and not in boardrooms after the game.

  • Senegal celebrate AFCON win with Trophy Parade in DakarSenegal celebrate AFCON win with Trophy Parade in Dakar

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“The subsequent decision by the CAF committee, taken after the match had already been concluded, should not override the authority exercised by the referee during the game,” he said.

“Football must be decided on the pitch, not re-decided after the final whistle.”

He also called on the Court of Arbitration for Sport and other relevant authorities to act quickly so that “this travesty does not stand.”

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Meanwhile, Senegal forward Sadio Mané has also criticised CAF’s decision to award the title to Morocco.

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March Madness scores, winners, losers: North Carolina, Wisconsin collapse

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20 March 2026

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There are losses, and then there are meltdowns, and then there is this. North Carolina blew a 19-point lead in the second half and collapsed to No. 11 seed VCU, 82-78, in overtime. It’s the sixth-worst collapse in Round of 64 history and a cursed last month for UNC has somehow descended into a finish from the depths of hell.

There is no coming back from this moment. North Carolina used its powerful transition attack to dominate for the first 30 minutes. Henri Veesaar’s 3-pointer extended the lead to 15 with less than 10 minutes left.

And then defense became utterly optional, and somehow, the plan and execution on offense were even worse.

VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr. scored 14 of his game-high 34 points in the final nine minutes of regulation to force overtime, and North Carolina’s offense also had 11 empty possessions in 13 opportunities to end regulation. 

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Two missed front ends, including one by senior Seth Trimble with 29 seconds to go, were brutal. The last play of regulation was doomed from the start, and UNC fumbled it out of bounds. It didn’t score a single bucket in overtime, and yet had a chance to force double-overtime when Veesaar toed the line for a pair of free throws down 80-78.

Brick, unintentionally.

Brick, intentionally.

Ballgame.

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Caleb Wilson could only bury his face in his hands. The same hands that betrayed him and kept him sidelined with a broken thumb on an innocuous dunk in practice on the eve of the regular-season finale against Duke.

It’s a fitting bow on a disastrous season for North Carolina that started with loads of promise as Wilson exceeded all expectations on his way to All-American honors, but also included Trimble breaking his arm in a wild weight-room accident and Wilson somehow breaking both his left hand and his right thumb in stunning ways. Now it has to swallow one of the worst postseason losses in North Carolina history and kickstart a load of questions surrounding Hubert Davis’ future after he couldn’t steer the Tar Heels away from disaster. A 26-42 record in Quad 1 games isn’t acceptable. Blowing a 19-point lead to VCU ain’t it, either.

Let’s dive into the winners and losers from Thursday’s electric opening slate of March Madness. No one had it worse than North Carolina, although Wisconsin fans might argue otherwise.

Loser: Wisconsin lets go of the rope at the worst time

Wisconsin’s ridiculously fun season is over far too early and in the most stunning fashion. High Point rocked the Badgers, 83-82, with a stunning rally in the nick of time. Nick Boyd looked … mortal if only for a moment. The all-everything point guard delivered 27 points, six assists and five boards in this one, but the audacious lefty didn’t have one more bucket in his bag down the stretch. Boyd’s final stat line is glitzy, but the senior will rue the missed layups in crunch time.

All season long, Wisconsin has walked teams down in the second half. This time, the script was flipped on the Badgers as High Point erased an eight-point deficit in closing time.

Wisconsin got 49 points combined from John Blackwell and Boyd. It shot 39% from 3-point. The team with the best collection of high-end wins will not advance to the Round of 32.

The opposite side of the coin in March Madness is BRUTAL. — Isaac Trotter

Winner: Siena’s special stuff

Yeah, Siena ended up losing to top-seeded Duke, 71-65. Sure, this injured team with no depth ran out of gas down the stretch. A couple of missed dunks and a 3-pointer that did everything but drop may stick in Gerry McNamara’s head forever.

But the feeling they brought back to this wonderful tournament is going to stick for a while. Cinderella was in our presence for all of 38 minutes. The Saints gave Duke the business deep into the second half. They led 43-32 at the break. They led 61-56 with 7:34 to go. McNamara’s boys were right there, frustrating eventual National Player of the Year, Cameron Boozer, along the way. — Trotter

Winner: High Point strikes late to stun Wisconsin

26-year-old, sixth-year senior Chase Johnston notched his One Shining Moment to help High Point rally from an eight-point deficit with four-and-change to go and stun Wisconsin, 83-82. Johnston drilled three triples from the parking lot and deposited the game-winning layup — the 3-point specialist’s first two-point bucket of the season — to send High Point into the second round. 

Big, bad Darius Acuff and Arkansas awaits. — Isaac Trotter

Winner: Nebraska gets its first-ever tournament victory

Nebraska was the only program within the high-major structure (ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten and SEC) without an NCAA Tournament victory entering the day. That is no longer the case. At long last, the No. 4 seed Cornhuskers have won a game in the Big Dance after dispatching No. 13 seed Troy 76-47. No team has ever notched its first-ever NCAA Tournament win by a wider margin.

This was the first time since 2011 that two teams with a combined zero NCAA Tournament wins have met. But after a hot start from the Trojans, their upset bid fizzled in a barrage of Nebraska 3-pointers and second-chance points. Pryce Sandfort led the charge with 23 points and seven makes from beyond the arc for Nebraska, which will advance to face No. 5 seed Vanderbilt in the second round. Seventh-year coach Fred Hoiberg won just seven games in each of his first two seasons, but his slow build began to take hold over the past three seasons. Now, it has led to a historic breakthrough for one of the sport’s long-suffering programs. – Cobb

Loser: South Florida goes cold in upset bid

No. 11 seed South Florida staged an admirable late rally to turn a Louisville blowout into a tight game, but the Bulls couldn’t overcome a woeful shooting performance as their upset bid fell short in an 83-79 loss to the No. 6 seed Cardinals. South Florida’s 5 of 33 effort from beyond the arc (15.2%) marked its second-worst of the season by percentage. The five makes also tied for the second-fewest of the season from a USF team that became a trendy upset pick following the revelation that the Cardinals would be without star freshman Mikel Brown Jr. 

Even without Brown, who has been dealing with a nagging back injury, Louisville’s offense hummed as it opened up a 23-point lead in the second half. Isaac McKneely led the way with 23 points on 7 of 10 shooting from 3-point range as the Cardinals drilled 13 of 25 triples while advancing to face No. 3 seed Michigan State on Saturday. – David Cobb

Winner: TCU gets a crack at Duke

No. 9 seed TCU beat high-end opponents like Florida, Wisconsin and Texas Tech away from home this season and also toppled Iowa State at home. The Horned Frogs are proven giant slayers, and they’ll get a crack at Duke on Saturday after surviving to beat Ohio State 66-64 in the opening game of the first round.

TCU held on for dear life after leading by as much as 15 late in the first half. Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton missed a would-be game-winner from half court as time expired to send the Horned Frogs dancing into the second round for the third time in the past five years. Given how shaky Duke looked against Siena — and who TCU has already beaten this season — the Horned Frogs look more than capable of making a Sweet 16 push. — Cobb

Loser: Duke gets a reality check 

Duke forward Maliq Brown said the quiet part out loud after his team’s 71-65 win over No. 16 seed Siena. Brown admitted the Blue Devils expected a “cakewalk.” The game proved anything but. Duke trailed by as many as 13 before using a strong second half to avoid what would have been one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history.

The narrow escape should serve as a wake-up call heading into a matchup with No. 9 seed TCU on Saturday. If the Blue Devils deliver a similar performance, an early exit could be looming. — Salerno 

Winner: Mid-major schedulers

High Point did not play a single high-major team until today against Wisconsin. That’s no coincidence. The Panthers are one of the best-resourced mid-major teams in the country, and this deep, talented roster is proof of that.

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There’s a reason no high-major willingly signed up to play High Point or Miami (Ohio), Saint Louis, Belmont, Bradley or Northern Iowa. Akron had to go to Purdue to get a game. Add UNC-Wilmington, the CAA regular-season champs, to the list of teams that couldn’t get a spot on a schedule.

Perhaps the emergence of Wins Above Bubble can help change the script. Stanford earned +0.52 WAB for beating Saint Louis on a neutral floor in the Acrisure Invitational. It ended up as the third-best win of the season for the Cardinal.

The idea that there isn’t any upside to playing good mid-major teams rings hollow. In fact, it looks more and more like fear. — Trotter

Winner: Cayden Boozer shows his moxie

Duke was dead to rights and Cayden Boozer just refused to let the Blue Devils go down. The freshman guard delivered 19 points, five assists and zero turnovers. It’s the second-straight game where Cayden, not Cameron, has been Duke’s best player. 

The poise and toughness is obvious, but the basketball IQ was on full display. Siena’s half-court defense was swarming a Duke team that is short-handed and doesn’t have enough shooting right now. What did Cayden Boozer do? Pedal to the floor in transition whenever an opportunity presented itself.

Duke doesn’t win this game without the lesser-hyped Boozer brother. — Trotter

Winner: Arkansas’ hyped freshmen make history

Hawaii‘s no-help defense looked like a bad idea on paper against these vroom-vroom Arkansas guards, and sure enough, Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas passed the initial NCAA Tournament test with flying colors.

Acuff totaled 24 points and seven assists. Thomas was right on his heels with 21 points and five assists. It’s the first freshman duo in men’s NCAA Tournament history to notch at least 20 points and five assists in the same game.

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Special showing from a special duo. — Trotter

Loser: Saint Mary’s goes out with a whimper 

Saint Mary’s‘ bout with sickness came at the wrong time, as the No. 7 seed Gaels fell 63-50 to No. 10 seed Texas A&M while leading scorer Paulius Murauskas came off the bench due to illness. The Gaels wilted against A&M’s up-tempo style while committing an uncharacteristic 18 turnovers. Rashaun Agee led the way for Texas A&M with 22 points on 7 of 11 shooting. This marks nine NCAA Tournament appearances in a row in which Saint Mary’s has failed to advance beyond the first weekend. First-year Texas A&M coach Bucky McMillan has his first win in the Big Dance after leading Samford agonizingly close to a win over Kansas two years ago. — Cobb

Loser: Dybantsa shines, but can’t get help in BYU’s loss

Despite recording 35 points and 10 rebounds, BYU star AJ Dybantsa’s career is likely over after his team suffered an 79-71 loss to No. 11 seed Texas.

The Cougars had been without star guard Richie Saunders for the past month due to a season-ending ACL tear, and the loss underscored how far their ceiling dropped without him. Dybantsa and Robert Wright III combined to score 49 of BYU’s 71 points. Simply put, BYU did not have enough firepower beyond Dybantsa.

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After reaching the Sweet 16 in Year 1 under Kevin Young, BYU’s season ended before the close of the first day of the first round. – Salerno

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FIFA Introduces New Rules to Boost Female Coaches in Women’s Football

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FIFA has announced new rules requiring all teams in its women’s tournaments to have a female head coach or assistant coach. The decision was made at a council meeting on Thursday and is being described as a major step for women in football.

The rules will apply to all youth and senior tournaments, national team competitions, and club competitions. They will take effect at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland this September. The regulations will also be used at the second women’s Champions Cup, the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, and the first women’s Club World Cup in 2028.

FIFA said the initiative is part of its wider plan “to ensure that the rapid growth of the women’s game is matched by an increased representation of women in technical and leadership roles.”

  • West Ham frustrate United to dent Title hopesWest Ham frustrate United to dent Title hopes

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Despite the growth of women’s football, coaching roles are still mostly held by men. At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, only 12 of the 32 head coaches were women.

“There are simply not enough women in coaching today,” said Jill Ellis, FIFA’s chief football officer and former head coach of the United States women’s national team. “We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing the visibility of women on our sidelines. The new FIFA regulations, combined with development programmes, are an important investment in both the current and future generation of female coaches.”

Under the new rules, teams must have at least two female staff on the bench, which can include the mandatory coach. Teams will also be required to have at least one woman on their medical staff.

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John McGinn hails ‘mad man’ Emiliano Martinez after Villa keeper’s starring role

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Aston Villa captain John McGinn described Emiliano Martinez as a “mad man” after the goalkeeper helped Aston Villa into the Europa League quarter-finals.

The Argentina keeper, whose long-term future at Villa remains in doubt, played a big part in McGinn’s second-half opener against Lille, which came 15 seconds after he had made an important save, by sending Jadon Sancho clear with a pinpoint kick.

Leon Bailey’s late second goal completed a 2-0 win on the night, 3-0 on aggregate, to set up a quarter-final meeting with Bologna.

But Martinez was the centre of attention after the goal and he provocatively gestured to the Lille fans, who were not shy in showing their dislike for the Argentinian.

He is less than popular in France following his exploits in the 2022 World Cup final and angered Lille’s supporters further during their 2024 Conference League meeting, which Villa won on penalties, thanks in part to some trademark gamesmanship.

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McGinn said of the shot-stopper: “He’s a mad man. I know he’s a family man, but he is a big kid inside, a lively character and a top goalkeeper, but even at 2-0 he made a great save.”

The Scot added on TNT Sports: “It was brilliant from Emi, but it highlights Jadon’s performance, his best in a Villa shirt.

“He was man of the match tonight by a mile. The manager was giving me grief before the game to make sure I get in the box and he gave it to me.”

Progress keeps Villa’s dreams of a trophy alive and, after falling short in the Conference League and Champions League in the last two seasons, Europa League specialist Unai Emery must be eyeing a fifth title in Istanbul in May.

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Their journey under the Spaniard has been full of highlights and three successive European quarter-finals are proof of that.

Emery is also the fastest Villa manager to 100 wins and his achievement was recognised before kick-off with home fans holding up a Tifo display.

This match was nowhere near the top of the list of memorable displays under Emery, although the hosts did dominate.

Emery said: “I am happy with how we performed over two matches, how we tried to play seriously, being organised, respecting the opponent.

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“(We played) not so brilliant, but being consistent and defending well. When we had our moments to be ruthless we needed it. We needed those two matches to show this competitive way.

“We are focusing all the season through the Premier League, that is the priority. The Europa League is a competition that is very difficult to win, but we have to enjoy the process, enjoying the way, competing, using different players and trying to compete, it can help us find a structure in our squad.”

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Houston vs. Idaho odds, time, March Madness predictions: 2026 NCAA Tournament picks from proven model

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SportsLine’s model simulated Idaho Vandals vs. Houston Cougars and revealed its college basketball picks for this NCAA Tournament 2026 first-round matchup on Thursday

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Women’s March Madness: Ranking the best first-round NCAA Tournament games

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The bracket is set. The First Four is underway. And on Friday, the first round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament officially tips off.

With 16 games on Friday and another 16 on Saturday, it can be hard to figure out where to put your attention. Here are eight best first-round games you don’t want to miss.

8. No. 5 Kentucky vs. No. 12 James Madison 

Saturday, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU

This match-up is notable mainly for narrative reasons. Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks played for James Madison and then coached there from 1998 to 2016, first as a men’s assistant, but most notably as the head coach of the women’s team starting in 2003. Brooks led the Dukes to four CAA regular-season championships, five conference tournament championships and five NCAA Tournament appearances and is in the James Madison Athletics Hall of Fame.

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This is the Dukes’ best season since Brooks left for Virginia Tech in 2016, but Kentucky is a tough draw for sure. Pay attention to the battle in the post — JMU ranks in the top 15 nationally in both rebounds and rebounding margin, thanks in big part to Ashanti Barnes. But the Wildcats have 6-foot-5 center Clara Strack, who averages 17.1 points and 10 rebounds a game.

7. No. 8 Oklahoma State vs. No. 9 Princeton 

Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

You never know quite what to expect from this Oklahoma State team. Case in point: In late February, the Cowgirls fell 72-40 to West Virginia and then beat Iowa State 88-77. The Cowgirls impressively finished fourth in the competitive Big 12 and are searching for their first NCAA Tournament win in the Jacie Hoyt era.

Princeton went 26-3 this season and won the Ivy League championship to make its fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Tigers haven’t won a game in the Big Dance since upsetting NC State in 2023, but this year’s squad is ranked No. 23 in the nation and looks primed to get a win for the mid-majors.

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Women’s March Madness bracket predictions 2026: NCAA Tournament expert picks

Lindsay Gibbs

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Women's March Madness bracket predictions 2026: NCAA Tournament expert picks

6. No. 6 Notre Dame vs. No. 11 Fairfield 

Saturday, 2 p.m., ESPN

I’ll be honest: this game could easily be a blowout. Notre Dame finished the season strong and has one of the most electric players in the country, Hannah Hidalgo. But I’m including it because the Irish have also been inconsistent during this rebuilding year and Fairfield coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis has turned the Stags into a MAAC powerhouse in her four seasons at the helm.

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The Stags are on an 11-game winning streak heading into their third straight NCAA Tournament, and a No. 11 seed is their highest since 1988. Plus, Fairfield leads the nation in 3-pointers made with 11.4 per game. It’s doubtful the Stags will be able to stop Hidalgo, but if they get hot from beyond the arc, they just might be able to keep up with her.

5. No. 6 Baylor vs. No. 11 Nebraska 

Friday, 2 p.m., ESPN

Speaking of being due, in 2025, No. 11 seeds went 0-4 in the first round for the first time since 2017. I wouldn’t expect that to happen again this year. One No. 11 seed to watch out for is Nebraska, which won its First Four game 75-56 against Richmond on Wednesday night. The Huskers shook off their nerves early and came out after halftime on fire, going on a 17-0 run and winning the third quarter 27-6. Britt Prince was particularly impressive, with 22 points, five assists and three boards.

None of the Huskers played more than 30 minutes on Wednesday, so they should be plenty fresh when facing Baylor on Friday. The Bears lost four of their last seven games, and even though all of those losses came to NCAA Tournament teams, it’s concerning how much they have struggled offensively down the stretch, scoring just 53 points in their two most recent games.

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On paper, the sensational Taliah Scott should be able to lead the Bears to the second round. But Nebraska has already proved that it came to Durham to give its all. 

4. No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 12 Gonzaga 

Saturday, 3:30 pm ET, ESPN2

This is a pretty lopsided game seed-wise, but that’s because Gonzaga has one of the main X-factors that helps teams get upsets in March: 3-point shooting. Gonzaga has the second-best 3-point percentage in the nation behind UConn, led by Allie Turner, who shoots 46.7% from outside. 

Ole Miss can beat the best teams in the game — it upset No. 2 seed Vanderbilt twice this season and only lost to No. 1 seed Texas by three points. But the Rebels are inconsistent — they lost to three teams that didn’t make the NCAA Tournament in Kansas State, Florida and Texas A&M.

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Women’s March Madness: Top 26 players to watch in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, from Maggie Doogan to Sarah Strong

Isabel Gonzalez

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Women's March Madness: Top 26 players to watch in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, from Maggie Doogan to Sarah Strong

Last year, No. 12 seeds went 0-4 for the second straight season after going 2-2 in 2022 and 2023, so one might say the No. 12s are due for a win. If nothing else, it’s worth it to tune in and watch Ole Miss’s Cotie McMahon compete on the biggest stage.

3. No. 8 Iowa State vs. No. 9 Syracuse 

Saturday, 5:30 p.m., ESPN2

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These teams have had very different journeys this season. Iowa State opened the season ranked No. 14 and spent the first 10 weeks ranked in the AP top 25 before going on a five-game losing streak while grappling with an injury to forward Addy Brown. Syracuse, meanwhile, bounced back from a 12-18 season last year to return to the Big Dance thanks in large part to ACC Freshman of the Year Uche Izoje, a 21-year-old center from Nigeria.

Izoje will have her hands full on Saturday with Audi Crooks, the junior center who is second in the nation in scoring at 25.5 points per game. Crooks scored 40 points in the NCAA Tournament as a freshman, and with another big game could join Caitlin Clark and Candace Wiggins as the only players with multiple 40-point games in the NCAA Tournament.

2. No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 9 USC 

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2

This has been an expected down year for USC with superstar JuJu Watkins sidelined with an ACL tear, but the Trojans are still a tournament team thanks to freshman phenom Jazzy Davidson, who is leading the team in points (17.6), rebounds (5.7), assists (4.2), steals (2.0) and blocks (2.0) per game.

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Clemson, meanwhile, is one of the best stories in college basketball this year. With a top 10 recruiting class joining the program this summer, coach Shawn Poppie has the Tigers back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2019 and the second time since 2002. Clemson notched impressive wins over four of the other eight ACC teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament, including conference champions Duke.

While the future is bright for both programs, both want to prove that they belong now. 

1. No. 7 NC State vs. No. 10 Tennessee

Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

When the Wolfpack and Lady Vols faced off in the very first game of the season at the Ro Greensboro Invitational, both teams were ranked in the top 10 and had dreams of conference championships and deep NCAA Tournament runs. Now, one of them will be going home winless in March.

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NC State won that November game 80-77, but that would be its only win over a ranked team all season. Despite standout seasons from Zoe Brooks and Khamil Pierre, both All-ACC first team selections, this young Wolfpack squad spent the season marred by a lack of chemistry and leadership. 

Tennessee (16-13) is the only team to appear in every NCAA Tournament, but it enters this edition on a seven-game losing streak, the longest by the Lady Vols in the NCAA Tournament era. With just 16 wins, they tie the fewest wins by any at-large team in the past 40 years, excluding the shortened 2020-21 season. And as bad as all of that sounds, Tennessee’s last month has felt even worse, leaving many wondering about the future of coach Kim Caldwell.

I know, I know, I’m doing a really good job selling this one! But still, this one tops the must-watch list because that Nov. 4 game was a thriller, and I expect this one to be, too. Brooks vs. Tennessee’s press is worth the price of admission alone, and because of Tennessee’s recent troubles and storied legacy in the spot, the stakes feel incredibly high. And Tennessee still has tons of talent — Talaysia Cooper and Janiah Barker can go toe-to-toe with the best in the nation.

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Tension rises for Mick Price with Hot Digity Boom in 2026 Adelaide races

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Mick Price, the Cranbourne-based handler, reveals he’ll sense more strain tracking Hot Digity Boom in Adelaide than with his Group 1 charges in Sydney or Melbourne.

Ownership in Hot Digity Boom is shared by Price’s partner Shona and daughters Kelly and Stephanie, as the filly prepares for the Charlie Hoile Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville Parks this Saturday.

Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s yard encounters a full slate, with Guest House entered in the Golden Slipper, Reserve Bank in The Galaxy in Sydney, and Charm Stone in Caulfield’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes.

The stable sends three to Adelaide: Hot Digity Boom, alongside first-starter The Speed Machine in the Sportsbet Fast Form Handicap (1000m), and Bring Forth in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (2294m).

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Last appearance saw Hot Digity Boom fifth behind Astral Flame in Flemington’s Benchmark 84 fillies and mares race on February 28; the 1400m return suits after her Cranbourne win at the distance.

“Hot Digity Boom, we’ll be doing our best for the girls, and family harmony,” Price said.

“She’s consistent but doesn’t win too often, so hopefully she can win again on Saturday.”

Bring Forth, another horse in which Price invests, is primed for the extra ground third-up this preparation.

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He ran second most recently over 1800m at Sandown.

“Bring Forth is now third-up and is looking for the trip,” Price said.

“His two runs back have been good, and it was a good solid effort last time.

The rail is out nine metres, and it is on the Parks track, but I reckon we’ll ride Bring Forth with a bit of a smother.”

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Kicking off in Adelaide is The Speed Machine, a two-year-old out of Blue Diamond Stakes second-place finisher Hanseatic.

“The Speed Machine has had two trials for two wins.

He’s a sharp little horse and I think he will be competitive in the first.”

Check racing betting markets on the best sites for the Charlie Hoile Handicap.

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Former Vikings LB Tweets the Boldest QB Take Imaginable

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Ex-Vikings LB Ben Leber in London in 2025
Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings former linebacker Ben Leber watches during an NFL International Series game against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings re-upped with quarterback Carson Wentz on Thursday, and according to one of the team’s former linebackers, Ben Leber, a beloved member of the Vikings community, Wentz is in line to start as the QB1 in 2026 — not Kyler Murray.

Leber’s depth-chart idea turns a quiet signing into a real debate.

Most onlookers expect Wentz to end up with the QB3 job, not the QB1 title.

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Leber’s QB Take Puts Carson Wentz Front and Center

Leber brings the heat on VikingsTwitter.

Ben Leber celebrating during a Vikings game against the Cowboys at the Metrodome. Ben Leber Vikings
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ben Leber (51) celebrates with intensity during the fourth quarter on Oct 17, 2010, at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reacting to a key moment as the Vikings close out a narrow 24-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in front of a charged home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.

Leber: Wentz is the Vikings’ QB1

Minnesota added Wentz, and most fans didn’t bat an eye, as the veteran did a serviceable job holding down the fort during J.J. McCarthy’s absence (high ankle sprain) last September and October. And Wentz played so well — evidently — that Leber envisions a starter’s job in 2026.

He tweeted after the Wentz addition, “I believe there will be a true QB competition. So as of right now I would guess the depth chart would be: Wentz, Murray, McCarthy. May the best man win.”

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Here’s the full tweet:

A Record-Scratch Moment

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Most Twitter (X) users read Leber’s comments a few times to confirm Leber’s account was real and not a parody. That happens.

But it was not parody, and Leber meant what he tweeted. Wentz met with the New York Jets one week ago to explore a relationship with Aaron Glenn’s team, where he could possibly start or serve as the QB2 behind the newly acquired Geno Smith. In the end, Wentz and the Jets did not reach an agreement, and Wentz came back to Minnesota.

Wentz must believe he can win the QB2 job over McCarthy. Or — if Leber is correct, against all odds, fans might be watching a Murray v. Wentz battle at training camp in Eagan.

SI.com‘s Jonathan Harrison on Leber’s bold take: “That would be shocking for numerous reasons. First off, with other options still available to him, Murray decided to sign with the Vikings after his release from Arizona. Presumably, that would mean he was told by the Vikings’ coaching staff he would be the starter or have a good shot at winning the ‘competition.’ There is no definitive answer, and there likely won’t be one until we see the snap distributions at training camp.”

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“When pressed at a press conference following the Murray signing, O’Connell said he doesn’t have to name a starter now. Minnesota is a team that views itself as a contender. If it’s true that Wentz would have kept the job had he stayed healthy, his return likely signals that McCarthy really isn’t in the competition at all.”

The Wentz Numbers a Season Ago

With Wentz, Murray, and McCarthy perhaps duking it out via Battle Royale — per Leber — for the starting quarterback spot this summer, let’s take another look at how Wentz played in 2025.

The offense hummed more steadily with Wentz calling the shots. Minnesota scored over 20 points in four of the five games he started, even crushing the Cincinnati Bengals by 38 points. McCarthy, on the other hand, only hit that 20-point mark four times in ten starts, and his performance was all over the place week to week.

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Out of 40 quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks, Wentz was 25th in EPA per play, while McCarthy was way down at 37th — usually where you find rookies or guys who are still figuring things out. This difference was super clear on those long drives where you need to be patient.

Carson Wentz speaking at a press conference in Dublin before an international game. Ben Leber Vikings
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) addresses media members during a press conference on Sep 26, 2025, at Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin, Ireland, speaking ahead of an international matchup as the team prepares for its overseas appearance and engages with local and traveling reporters. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Why the difference? It mostly comes down to style. Wentz liked to make quick decisions and throw short passes, which kept the offense moving and reduced mistakes, even though the offensive line wasn’t always reliable. Plus, the run game didn’t help much, since Aaron Jones only played in one of those five games. McCarthy, though, preferred to throw the ball deep and take some risks, which led to some big plays but wasn’t as consistent.

Wentz completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, with six touchdowns and five interceptions. McCarthy had more of those exciting, long plays, but his execution wasn’t as steady from drive to drive. Generally speaking, Wentz ran a smoother offensive operation, even if his performance was mediocre.

McCarthy on Notice?

Let’s be frank: McCarthy has experienced an absolutely dreadful offseason. The offseason from hell, in fact.

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  1. The guy who drafted him, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, got fired on January 30th. If the Vikings owners ever needed something to scapegoat the McCarthy draft pick, well, they already have it by canning the man who nominated McCarthy as the franchise quarterback.
  2. The Vikings signed Murray, who has a better resume than McCarthy per efficiency by leaps and bounds. When Minnesota signed Murray one week ago, McCarthy was demoted with the snap of two fingers. Not good news for the guy lined up as the franchise quarterback in 2024.
  3. One week later, Minnesota signed competition in Wentz for McCarthy’s QB2 job. It’s like a nightmare for a young passer in the middle of his development.
Carson Wentz warming up before a Vikings game against the Eagles. Ben Leber Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz goes through pregame warmups on Oct 19, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, preparing for a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles while working through throws and timing drills as part of his routine before kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

McCarthy strutted into the summer of 2025 with the QB1 logo on his chest. Now, he must fight to avoid a QB3 fate.

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