Igor Tudor has been appointed as interim Tottenham manager until the end of the season following the sacking of Thomas Frank.

The Independent reported Tudor, the former Croatia and Juventus centre-back, had emerged as the leading candidate for the role after Spurs assessed a range of options, with the club opting for an experienced short-term solution.

Spurs have now confirmed the appointment, choosing to bring in Tudor before landing on a long-term successor for Frank after the end of the campaign. It’s understood there is no option to extend the deal past the summer.

“It is an honour to join this club at an important moment,” Tudor said, with the club currently sitting 16th in the Premier League and just five points above the relegation zone.

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“I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.

“There is strong quality in this playing squad, and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly.”

Sporting director Johan Lange added: “Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact.

“Our objective is straightforward – to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League.”

Tottenham’s next game is not until 22 February but it comes against Premier League leaders and north London rivals Arsenal. Frank was dismissed on Wednesday, following the 2-1 defeat against Newcastle.

Tudor’s last role ended in the sack when Juventus dismissed the 47-year-old in October after just seven months in charge.

Despite the sour end in Turin, Tudor succeeded in his interim spell in charge of the Italian side as he led them to Champions League qualification after replacing the sacked Thiago Motta.

He was handed a two-year deal in the summer, but results dipped after the start of the next campaign and he was sacked amid an eight-game winless run where Juventus failed to score in four games.

Prior to Juventus, Tudor’s coaching career includes spells at Lazio, Marseille, Udinese, Hellas Verona, Hadjuk Split, Galatasaray, PAOK and Turkish side Kardemir Karabukspor.

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Frank was sacked after just eight months in charge and following a run of just two wins in 17 Premier League games. Results were better in the Champions League, with Spurs qualifying for the last-16 in fourth place of the league phase.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is among the candidates for the permanent role, following the 2026 World Cup where he will take charge of the United States.

Marco Rose, the former RB Leipzig boss, and Edin Terzic, who took Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2024, are also contenders ahead of what is expected to be a competitive managerial market in the summer.

Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha during a practice session ahead of an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between India and Pakistan, at R Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (PTI)

TimesofIndia.com in Colombo: The marquee India vs Pakistan match on February 15 will take place on a used pitch in Colombo, with the surface expected to be slow and testing for batters, the TimesofIndia.com can confirm. The match will be played on the same pitch, where Zimbabwe defeated Australia by 23 runs on Friday.Interestingly, it was the fast bowlers who called the shots. Blessing Muzarabani (4/17) starred with the ball, registering the best bowling figures for Zimbabwe in a T20 World Cup match. Muzarabani and fellow pacer Brad Evans (3/17) shared seven wickets between them. The duo were superb with the new ball, slicing through Australia’s top order.

Batting first, Zimbabwe scored 169 for 2 and, in reply, the 2021 champions were bundled out for 146.At the pre-match press conference, Salman Ali Agha hinted that the spinners might play a big role on Sunday.“It’s possible that spinners dominate here,” Agha told reporters in Colombo.“I feel fast bowlers will also have a role to play. Fast bowling is such a skill that on any surface you can’t write it off. So I think they will surely have a role. We have good spinners but also quality pacers who can be called upon if needed,” he added.The big boundaries and the used surface could test India’s belligerent batting line-up. Pakistan might opt for a five-prong spin attack against India. It is likely they will field Abrar Ahmad, Usman Tariq, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan and Saim Ayub.India could also be tempted to add either Washington Sundar or Kuldeep Yadav to their playing XI.After all these years, this could be the first time the focus shifts to Pakistan’s spinners versus Indian batters. Earlier, it used to be Pakistan’s pace attack against India’s batters. Times have changed, and the used surface could make the contest more balanced.

The annual exhibition of high-flyers will be on display at the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest on Saturday night. The four-man field features two rookies in Jase Richardson and Carter Bryant, as well as two vets in Jaxson Hayes and Keshad Johnson. Mac McClung, who has won each of the last three competitions, won’t be going for an unprecedented fourth victory at the Slam Dunk Contest 2026. Each player will have two dunks in the first round, with those with the highest average score advancing to the finals, which will also consist of two dunks.

The Intuit Dome in Los Angeles will host the NBA Slam Dunk contest, the third event of NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which begins at 5 p.m. ET. The latest 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest odds via FanDuel Sportsbook have Bryant as the +180 favorite, followed by Hayes at +250. Johnson comes in at +320, while Richardson — son of two-time slam dunk champion Jason Richardson — is the biggest longshot at +350. Hayes is looking to become the first 7-footer to win the dunk contest. Before making any 2026 Slam Dunk Contest picks or predictions, you need to see the best bets from SportsLine’s NBA expert Larry Hartstein.

New users can target the DraftKings promo code, which offers $300 in bonus bets if your first $5+ bet wins:

Hartstein is SportsLine’s senior analyst and a founding member of the Early Edge podcast. He’s excelled in multiple sports, and enters the All-Star break having nailed eight of his past 13 NBA prop picks. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns.

Now, Hartstein has analyzed the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest from all angles and is delivering his picks for SportsLine. You can head to SportsLine now to see Hartstein’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest best bets.

Top 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest picks, predictions

One shocker: Hartstein is fading Bryant, despite being the +180 favorite. The Spurs rookie clearly has lots of promise as an overall player, as just three days before the dunk contest, San Antonio cut former top-10 pick Jeremy Sochan to get Bryant on the court more. But with Bryant’s youthful exuberance also comes a bit of risk, as he’s gone on record in saying one of his planned dunks will “test my limits,” which sounds like a great idea on paper. However, adding complexity to a dunk raises the probability of then missing that dunk, which would hurt his score from the judges.

Missed dunks have been an issue for the rookie in games, as he’s only connected on nine dunks across 14 dunk attempts (64.3%). Granted those came against defenses, but for comparison, those five missed dunks are more than Johnson and Richardson combined this season, while Hayes has connected on 90.4% of his dunks. 

Additionally, nearly all of Bryant’s dunks have come in garbage time, so the unknown of how he’ll perform when the spotlight is on him is yet another reason to fade the favorite. You can see who to back here.

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How to make NBA Slam Dunk contest 2026 picks

Hartstein’s Slam Dunk contest winner is a longshot he says “explodes to the rim.” You can find out who it is, and see the rest of Hartstein’s NBA Slam Dunk contest best bets at SportsLine.

So who wins the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest? Visit SportsLine now to see Hartstein’s picks for the Slam Dunk Contest 2026, all from the NBA expert who is on an 8-5 roll on NBA prop picks, and find out.

NBA 2026 Slam Dunk contest odds, field

See picks at SportsLine.

(FanDuel odds)
Carter Bryant +180
Jaxson Hayes +250
Keshad Johnson +320
Jase Richardson +350

Few things could have prepared Macclesfield players for the spotlight that came with their shock FA Cup win over Crystal Palace last month, but defender Luke Matheson has done this sort of thing before.

As they prepare for Monday night’s fourth-round tie at home to Brentford, the 23-year-old Matheson is calling on memories he made after breaking through at Rochdale while still in school.

He was just 16 when he grabbed the headlines with a stunning strike in Dale’s Carabao Cup third-round tie away to Manchester United, making it 1-1 to force a shootout in which United prevailed 5-3 at Old Trafford.

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“I was on the bus to school the next morning with my mates, refreshing Instagram, it was 1,000 (likes) here, another 1,000 there,” Matheson said. “It was one of the most surreal things I’ve ever been through.

“I think it was only about a month before that I’d actually made my full league debut. Even being on that pitch, even to travel to that game, was enough for me. Then to score took it to another level.

“I’ve seen the ball hit the roof of their net and I remember hearing the roar and just running to that. It’s a day I’ll never forget and definitely one of the best days of my life.”

A few months later, Matheson played an hour of Rochdale’s FA Cup third-round tie at home to Newcastle, with Aaron Wilbraham’s late goal earning a 1-1 draw and a replay at St James’ Park, where Matheson started in a 4-1 defeat for the League One side.

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Matheson was getting call-ups for the England Under-18s while trying to study for his A levels.

“My mum and dad were both teachers so they kept me grounded,” he said. “Going away for England in school, I wasn’t allowed to go if I hadn’t done my homework. Having that kind of upbringing prepared me for life as well as being a footballer.”

Barely two weeks after the replay against Newcastle Matheson signed for Wolves, initially returning to Rochdale on loan.

Looking back now, Matheson admits the Wolves move did not work out.

“I did it backwards,” he said. “I came through into a first team, then went to Wolves and came through at Under-23s. For me and my career, it almost felt like I’d taken a step backwards, because a lot of boys at that under-23s level are trying to get into a first team.”

After loans with Ipswich, Hamilton and Scunthorpe, Matheson left Wolves having not played for the first team.

He joined Bolton but could not crack their first team, heading out to Bohemians and Alfreton before being released last summer and signing for a Macclesfield side looking to reach the National League.

“I was a kid (at Rochdale), but I’ve now got a little bit more experience,” he said. “I’ve been around different clubs, different experiences, different managers.

“I think we’re lucky in our changing room that individuals bring experience from all over the country. This group here is probably the closest team of players I’ve ever been involved with.

“As cliched as it sounds, it’s like a family. You see the stadium packed out and as a player it’s what you dream of.

“We can’t wait to get back out there.”

After producing arguably the greatest shock in FA Cup history to dump out holders Palace, the Silkmen play host to another Premier League side in Brentford on Monday as they dream of another magic night.

Jordan Smith, the No. 2 overall player in the Class of 2026, committed to Arkansas at his ‘Senior Night’ at Fairfax (Virginia) Paul VI Catholic High School on Friday. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound combo guard picked the Razorbacks over finalists that included Duke, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgetown and Syracuse.

Smith is the third commitment for Arkansas for the 2026 recruited class. He joins No. 12-ranked JJ Andrews, a five-star wing and No. 26-ranked Abdou Toure, a four-star wing.

Arkansas’ 2026 class is now No. 5 in the country, behind Duke, Michigan State, Kansas and Michigan according to 247Sports.

Smith picked Arkansas because of his relationship with Razorbacks coach John Calipari and the opportunity to immediately contribute in a big way.

“I have just all the trust in coach (John) Calipari,” Smith told 247Sports. “His resume speaks for itself. And just what he has done with other guards in my situation who play like me and impact winning. I feel like he has done a really good job. I also feel like he is a genuine person. Character speaks a lot in today’s world and he has the best character. I relate to him a lot.”

Smith has similarities to current Arkansas guard Acuff 

Calipari has a long-standing history of developing elite guards and getting them ready for the NBA Draft. Current freshman Arkansas point guard and former five-star prospect Darius Acuff is having one of the best seasons in all of college basketball.

Smith certainly recognized how Calipari handles top guards and has a proven track record of success at the next level. Acuff’s success this season in Fayetteville was a very easy comparison for Smith.

“Me and Acuff are the same size and the same height, so just to see how Acuff is playing and how Calipari has put him in different positions to help him succeed and to get to the next level – I really see inspiration in that,” Smith said. “I feel I can come in and make an impact right away, so with Calipari’s help, I feel like I can do anything.” 

When Smith took his visit to Arkansas in the fall, Calipari’s message, history and the opportunity he presented to Smith made a lasting impression that changed the course of his recruitment.

“It felt like home when I got there, it just felt like home,” Smith said. “Of course, I had to take other visits just to see if it would feel the same and honestly, the other ones didn’t feel the same as (Arkansas). The first feel I got from there – it was a real high intensity practice. It looked fun there… There are really no distractions there either, so I feel like I can really do what I need to do to get to the next level.”

Where Smith will have biggest impact  

There may not be a player in high school basketball who impacts winning in more ways or with the same consistency as Jordan Smith. The Paul VI and Team Takeover guard has terrific physical tools and even better competitive intangibles that allow him to change the game on both ends of the floor. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals per game during the recent EYBL season.

Physically, Smith is long and powerful with a 6-foot-8.5-inch wingspan and chiseled physique. He’s also a good athlete who excels defensively, has switchability on that end of the floor because of his physical strength and toughness, and is also an elite perimeter rebounder.

Offensively, Smith gets downhill like few other guards in the class and has consistently developed his ball skills over the years so that he now has legitimate on/off-ball versatility. He can initiate offense and make decisions (3.4 assists vs. 1.5 turnovers), put pressure on the rim with his force and physicality when he turns the corner, or take smaller guards into the post. He’s an improved shooter, with a notably high release, but still more consistent with his mid-range pull-up than his 3-point shooting with some occasional sidespin (25% on 3-pointers and 68% on free throws.

Smith’s transition to subsequent levels will also be lightened by the fact that he doesn’t need to be an offensive focal point to impact the game. He can do it with his defense, rebounding, energy, competitiveness or unselfishness. His intangibles are truly elite, so while he may not have totally ideal size or ball skills, he’s extremely hard to bet against.

How Smith will fit at Arkansas

Acuff is on a one-and-done track. He was the top-ranked point guard in high school basketball a year ago, looks like he could be the SEC Player of the Year this season and challenge for a spot in the lottery of June’s NBA Draft. 

There was only one player in high school basketball who had a chance to replace him, and that’s Smith.

Now, that doesn’t mean that Smith is exactly the same type of player as Acuff and that’s why the roster construction around him will be important.

Acuff is a true lead guard who operates with the ball in his hand and is the first domino in the vast majority of the offensive possessions he’s on the court floor. Smith is capable of playing that role, but he can also slide off the ball. In fact, one thing that distinguishes Smith is the multitude of ways he can impact the game without having to have the ball in his hands. Even defensively, he should be one of the most college-ready freshmen in the country next season.

With a wide open 2027 NBA Draft in mind, Smith and his representation are undoubtedly looking for plenty of on-ball volume. Simultaneously, though, Smith would be ideally suited next to other guards that can share those ball-handling responsibilities and provide some additional shot-making. 

If DJ Wagner and Meleek Thomas were to return for the 2026-27 season, that would check both of those boxes. Wagner doesn’t have much NBA buzz at this point, so a senior season should be probable. Thomas is likely to test the waters, but could find a return to college as a fringe first-rounder with a chance to help his stock as more of a focal point next season. If either of those depart, then Arkansas will need another impact guard out of the portal.

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