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Top 25 roundup: JT Toppin leads No. 16 Texas Tech past No. 1 Arizona

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NCAA Basketball: Texas Tech at ArizonaFeb 14, 2026; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward JT Toppin (15) dribbles and dunks the ball during the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

JT Toppin had 31 points, eight of them in overtime, and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead No. 16 Texas Tech to a 78-75 win over No. 1 Arizona on Saturday at Tucson, Ariz.

Toppin recorded his 16th double-double of the season for the Red Raiders (19-6, 9-3 Big 12), who have won three straight. Arizona (23-2, 10-2) has lost consecutive games after starting the season unbeaten through its first 23 games.

Christian Anderson, who played all 45 minutes, finished with 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds for Texas Tech.

Arizona had five players in double figures, led by 16 points from Tobe Awaka and Brayden Burries. Ivan Kharchenkov finished with 13 points, Jaden Bradley had 11 and Motiejus Krivas scored 10 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. .

No. 2 Michigan 86, UCLA 56

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Yaxel Lendeborg had 17 points and eight rebounds as the Wolverines ran away in the second half to earn a Big Ten win over the Bruins in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Michigan (24-1, 14-1), which led 40-38 at halftime, maintained a two-and-a-half-game lead in the conference standings and is expected to be the top-ranked team in the country for the first time since 2013 when the Associated Press poll is released Monday, following No. 1 Arizona’s 0-2 week. Morez Johnson Jr. posted 15 points to lead the way for Michigan, which never trailed while winning its 10th in a row.

Trent Perry scored 14 points while Donovan Dent and Tyler Bilodeau each added 10 points for UCLA (17-8, 9-5), which had won five of its last six. Senior guard Skyy Clark, who had been out since Jan. 3 with a hamstring injury, contributed eight points in 16 minutes off the bench.

No. 3 Houston 78, Kansas State 64

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Emanuel Sharp scored 23 points and the Cougars defense did the rest to help host Houston produce a win over the reeling Wildcats in a Big 12 clash.

The Cougars (23-2, 11-1 Big 12) relied on their defense to limit Kansas State to just five field goals in the first half and scored the final 13 points on the way to a 33-19 lead at halftime. Milos Uzan and Kingston Flemings added 12 points each for Houston, whose next three games are against teams ranked in the top 10 beginning with No. 5 Iowa State on the road on Monday. The Cougars shot 53.8% in the second half.

P.J. Haggerty led the Wildcats with 23 points while Johnson had 12 and Taj Manning scored 10. Kansas State (10-15, 1-11 Big 12) dropped its sixth game in a row.

No. 4 Duke 67, No. 20 Clemson 54

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Cameron Boozer posted a game-high 18 points and eight rebounds as the Blue Devils maintained first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference by defeating the Tigers in Durham, N.C., for the 22nd straight time.

Isaiah Evans scored 17 points and Cayden Boozer added 12 for Duke (23-2, 12-1 ACC), which hit 10 3-pointers for the first time since Jan. 10 against SMU. The Blue Devils held a 31-26 edge at halftime and led by as many as 22 in the second half.

Carter Welling paced Clemson (20-6, 10-3) with 12 points and RJ Godfrey added 10. The Tigers hit just 35.1% from the field, which included a 6-for-24 showing from 3-point range. Godfrey added eight rebounds and two blocks.

No. 5 Iowa State 74, No. 9 Kansas 56

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Milan Momcilovic scored a game-high 18 points and the Cyclones limited the Jayhawks to 37.2% percent shooting during a Big 12 clash in Ames, Iowa, that snapped Kansas’ eight-game winning streak.

Joshua Jefferson, Tamin Lipsey, Jamarion Batemon and Blake Buchanan added 11 points apiece for Iowa State (22-3, 9-3 Big 12), which moved into a third-place tie with Kansas (19-6, 9-3). Jefferson and Lipsey each added four assists while Buchanan grabbed six rebounds.

Melvin Council Jr. paced Kansas with 15 points, four assists and two steals. Flory Bidunga had 11 points and 13 rebounds, but prized freshman Darryn Peterson was limited to a season-low 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting in 24 minutes.

No. 6 UConn 79, Georgetown 75

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Solo Ball scored 20 points as the Huskies stayed atop the Big East standings by holding on for a victory over the Hoyas in Storrs, Conn.

UConn (24-2, 14-1 Big East) won its second straight game following an 81-72 loss to then-No. 22 St. John’s on Feb. 6. Ball scored 16 in the first half after tallying 24 Wednesday at Butler. Alex Karaban added 13 of his 18 points in the second half, becoming the all-time winningest player in school history with his 116th career win.

KJ Lewis led all scorers with 24 points, including a 4-point play with 24 seconds left to get the Hoyas (13-12, 5-9) within 77-74. Vince Iwuchukwu added 16 and Kayvaun Mulready contributed 15, but Georgetown lost its 12th straight game in the series.

No. 7 Nebraska 68, Northwestern 49

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Pryce Sandfort swished six 3-pointers on the way to scoring 29 points as the Cornhuskers defeated the Wildcats in Lincoln, Neb.

Nebraska (22-3, 11-3 Big Ten) surpassed last season’s win total despite matching a season-high with 18 turnovers, two fewer than slumping Northwestern (10-16, 2-13). Sam Hoiberg recorded 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists while Cale Jacobsen added 10 points. Rienk Mast grabbed nine boards to help Nebraska to a 40-24 edge on the glass.

The Wildcats tied their season-long losing streak with a fifth straight defeat. Nick Martinelli scored 11 points to pace the Wildcats, who held a 39-38 lead with 12:32 to go before the Huskers went on an 11-2 run to take control.

No. 11 North Carolina 79, Pitt 65

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Jarin Stevenson and Seth Trimble scored 19 points apiece to help the short-handed Tar Heels hand the Panthers their fifth straight loss in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Zayden High had 15 points and seven rebounds for North Carolina (20-5, 8-4 ACC), which played without its two leading scorers in Caleb Wilson (19.8 points per game) and Henri Veesaar (16.4 ppg), who both missed the game with injuries. Luka Bogavac added 15 points for the Tar Heels, who won their sixth game in seven tries.

Cameron Corhen led Pittsburgh (9-17, 2-11) with 23 points, six rebounds and six assists. Roman Siulepa scored 14 points and Barry Dunning Jr. contributed 10.

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No. 13 Purdue 78, Iowa 57

Four players scored in double figures and the Boilermakers clamped down on the Hawkeyes in a win in Iowa City.

C.J. Cox led the balanced Boilermakers (21-4, 11-3 Big Ten) with 14 points, connecting on four of their 12 made 3-pointers. Reserve Gicarri Harris also scored 14, while Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn each added 12 points in Purdue’s fourth straight win. Braden Smith dished out 12 assists to give him 980 for his career. Smith is 97 assists away from passing Bobby Hurley for the all-time NCAA record.

Bennett Stirtz scored a game-high 19 points for the Hawkeyes (18-7, 8-6), who fell to 0-5 against ranked opponents this season. Stirtz made 7 of 12 field goals but the rest of his teammates hit just 13 of 41.

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No. 14 Florida 92, No. 25 Kentucky 83

Urban Klavzar netted 19 points off the bench and sparked a second-half run as the Gators led wire-to-wire to knock off the Wildcats in Gainesville, Fla.

Klavzar, who was 5 of 11 from distance, scored eight points in a span of 4:06 to turn an eight-point game into a 14-point lead and help the Gators win their fifth straight game and 10th in their last 11. The Gators (19-6, 10-2 SEC) led by 15 in the first half.

Kentucky’s Denzel Aberdeen notched 19 points and four assists, while Collin Chandler had 18 points, three rebounds and three steals. Otega Oweh had 13 points and five boards and Malachi Moreno totaled 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats (17-8, 8-4).

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No. 15 Virginia 70, Ohio State 66

Malik Thomas had 13 points and six rebounds as the Cavaliers extended their winning streak to six games with a nonconference victory over the Buckeyes at the inaugural Nashville (Tenn.) Hoops Showdown.

Virginia (22-3) got 12 points apiece from Chance Mallory and Sam Lewis. Ugonna Onyenso added eight points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. The Cavaliers held a 40-26 rebounding edge.

Bruce Thornton carried Ohio State (16-9) with 28 points. Amare Bynum had 15 points and six rebounds, while Christoph Tilly added 11 points. Virginia shot 23 more free throws (32-9) and outscored the Buckeyes 22-6 from the line.

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No. 17 St. John’s 79, Providence 69

In a Big East clash marred by a second-half brawl that led to six ejections, Dylan Darling scored 18 of his season-high 23 points in the second half to lead the Red Storm (20-5, 13-1) over the host Friars (11-15, 4-11).

With Providence clinging to a 40-39 edge with 14:25 to play, the Friars’ Duncan Powell clotheslined former Providence standout Bryce Hopkins as he went up for a breakaway layup. As Hopkins got up off the floor and stood up to Powell, players and coaches flew off both benches to try to restore order.

After a video review, Providence’s Powell and Jaylin Sellers were ejected along with Dillon Mitchell, Kelvin Odih, Ruben Prey and Lefteris Liotopoulos for St. John’s – the latter three for leaving the Red Storm’s bench.

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Zuby Ejiofor scored 14 points for St. John’s while Oziyah Sellers added 11 points and Hopkins had nine points and nine rebounds. Stefan Vaaks notched 20 points, Ryan Mela scored 14 and Jaylin Sellers added 13 for Providence, which has lost six of its last eight.

No. 19 Vanderbilt 82, Texas A&M 69

Tyler Nickel, AK Okereke and Devin McGlockton combined for 65 points to lead the Commodores over the Aggies in Nashville, Tenn.

Nickel scored 25 points, while Okereke added 23. McGlockton posted 17 points and eight rebounds. Nickel’s long-range shooting (five 3-pointers) and a season-high scoring total from Okereke allowed Vanderbilt (21-4, 8-4 Southeastern Conference) to win for the fifth time in six games.

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Texas A&M (17-8, 7-5), which lost its fourth straight game, got 20 points from Marcus Hill. No other Aggie scored in double figures. Zach Clemence finished with nine points, Ali Dibba added nine points and eight rebounds, and Rashaun Agee collected eight points and 11 rebounds.

No. 21 Arkansas 88, Auburn 75

Freshman Darius Acuff Jr. tied a career high with 31 points and made a career-best seven 3-pointers as the Razorbacks ran away from the short-handed Tigers in Fayetteville, Ark.

Billy Richmond III scored a career-high 25 points for Arkansas. He was 12-of-15 from the field with four assists, three steals and two blocked shots for the Razorbacks (19-6, 9-3 Southeastern Conference), who moved into second place behind No. 14 Florida (19-6, 10-2).

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Tahaad Pettiford had 29 points and seven assists and KeShawn Murphy scored a career-high 22 points and added 12 rebounds for the Tigers (14-11, 5-7), who have lost four in a row after a four-game winning streak. Auburn played without leading scorer Keyshawn Hall (20.7 points per game), who has been benched indefinitely for disciplinary reasons, according to coach Steven Pearl.

No. 22 BYU 90, Colorado 86 (OT)

Robert Wright III set a new career high with 39 points to lead the Cougars to an overtime win against the Buffaloes in Provo, Utah.

Wright made 12 of 16 field goal attempts and all four 3-point attempts to lead short-handed BYU (19-6, 7-5 Big 12). AJ Dybantsa had a double-double with 20 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Second-leading scorer Richie Saunders went down 45 seconds into the game, left the court with an apparent leg injury and did not return. BYU coach Kevin Young had no postgame update on Saunders.

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Isaiah Johnson led Colorado (14-12, 4-9) with 27 points. Barrington Hargress contributed 20 points and Bangot Dak added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Buffaloes, who have lost two straight games.

No. 24 Louisville 82, Baylor 71

Mikel Brown Jr. scored 29 points to lead the Cardinals past the Bears in a nonconference showdown in Fort Worth, Texas.

The freshman guard followed up his 45-point performance in Monday’s win over NC State by notching his seventh 20-point game of the season. He made 8 of 14 shots, including 4 of 5 from beyond the 3-point arc. He also dished out six assists and posted a season-high five steals as he helped the Cardinals (19-6) dig out of a first-half hole.

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Baylor (13-12) used a 16-2 run in a less than five-minute span to take a 32-25 lead with 3:37 left in the first half after a Michael Rataj jumper. However, that was the Bears’ last bucket in the first half as they missed their last six shots. That enabled a Brown trey with 16 seconds left before halftime to tie the game at 34-all.

–Field Level Media

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Boxing’s youngest male unified champion targets ‘diva’ Devin Haney

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Unified world champion Xander Zayas has responded to Devin Haney and his father, Bill, who said during an interview last week that the Puerto Rican is merely “food to us.”

Zayas unified the super-welterweight division last month, claiming a split decision victory against Abass Baraou to come away with the WBO and WBA titles.

Immediately after his career-best victory, the 23-year-old called out Josh Kelly who, earlier that evening, had dethroned Bakhram Murtazaliev to become the IBF world champion at 154lbs.

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Since then, both fighters have expressed an interest in their potential unification match, though Kelly has not entirely welcomed Zayas’ offer of a clash in Puerto Rico or New York.

Instead, ‘Pretty Boy’ is eager to headline a card at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light this summer, but would likely agree to fight overseas if the money makes sense.

As for Zayas, who is fiercely pursuing a showdown with Kelly, a possible opportunity to defend his titles against Haney has suddenly presented him with an alternative option.

The 27-year-old comes off a dominant points victory over Brian Norman Jr in November, when he claimed his WBO welterweight title, but is now flirting with the idea of becoming a four-division world champion.

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And after Bill Haney labelled Zayas as “food” in an interview with thaboxingvoice, the unified super-welterweight champion simply had no choice but to respond. Haney caught win of a video with the translation, which refers to Haney’s lawsuit against Ryan Garcia in 2024, ‘The Dream’ threw down his gauntlet on X.

Zayas, meanwhile, was quick to fire back.

“Relax ‘Diva’ my focus is getting the third belt from Kelly but we already told your DADDY if that doesn’t happen we will be happy to put the 1 [loss] back on your record.”

Haney’s majority decision defeat, which Zayas refers to, came against Garcia in 2024, but was later overturned to a no-contest after ‘King Ry’ tested positive for ostarine.

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‘This is for India’: Suryakumar Yadav’s fiery words after smashing Pakistan | Cricket News

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'This is for India': Suryakumar Yadav's fiery words after smashing Pakistan
Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha (ICC Photo)

NEW DELHI: Defending champions India sent a strong message to the cricketing world with a 61-run demolition of Pakistan in their high-stakes Group A clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, securing their spot in the Super Eights. “I think this is for India,” said captain Suryakumar Yadav after India’s big win.

Inside India vs Pakistan Drama: Who Blinked First? | T20 World Cup 2026 Explainer

“We played the same brand of cricket we wanted to play. Batting first was the better option on this wicket. Ishan thought something out of the box. After 0/1, someone had to take responsibility and the way he took it was amazing.”The defining moment came at the top as Ishan Kishan unleashed a breathtaking 77 off 40 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes, to put India firmly in control. Tilak Varma (25) and Suryakumar Yadav (32) added crucial support, ensuring India reached 175/7 despite a challenging surface. Shivam Dube’s quickfire 27 in the death overs pushed the total to a competitive 176.Pakistan’s reply never gained momentum. Hardik Pandya struck in the first over, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan for a four-ball duck. Jasprit Bumrah then tore through the top order, sending Saim Ayub and captain Salman Agha back to the pavilion inside two overs. Usman Khan offered resistance with a fluent 44, stitching minor partnerships with Babar Azam and Shadab Khan, but his stumping to Axar Patel ended any faint hopes of a comeback.The Indian bowlers were ruthless in unison. Kuldeep Yadav trapped Mohammad Nawaz, Tilak Varma removed Shadab Khan, and Varun Chakaravarthy added two late wickets. Pandya, after seeing a couple of catches go down off his bowling, ensured the finale by knocking back Usman Tariq’s middle stump. Pakistan’s innings folded for 114 in just 18 overs, their third-lowest T20 World Cup total.“It was great to see everyone contributing with the ball,” Surya said. “We’ll go back, have a good time together as a team and then think about the other games when we take the flight to Ahmedabad,” he said.

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Karolina Muchova beats Sakkari to reach Doha Final

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Karolina Muchova came from a set down to defeat Maria Sakkari 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 and book her place in the final of the Qatar Open.

The win sends Muchova into her first Doha final, her third WTA 1000 final, and her first tour level final since 2024. It is also the seventh final of her career.

After losing the opening set, Muchova took control of the match. She raised her level in the second set before dominating the decider, dropping just one game to close out the contest.

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Muchova will now face Victoria Mboko in the final. This will be the first time meeting between the two.

When asked about the final, Muchova said her priority was recovery.

“I mean… I just finished this match,” she said. “I didn’t think about it yet. Obviously she’s having an incredible week. She’s playing amazing. Everyone is playing great at this stage of the tournament. It’s gonna be a tough battle. It’s pretty late again. I’ll try to get to bed as soon as possible and get all the strength I’ll have in me and bring good tennis tomorrow.”

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The Doha final will pit experience against youth, with Muchova aiming to add another WTA 1000 title to her resume.

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The Best TE Options for Vikings if T.J. Hockenson Leaves

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Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq in 2025
Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) looks on before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

T.J. Hockenson might be a cut candidate for the Minnesota Vikings if they don’t prefer to restructure his contract this offseason. He’s the NFL’s fourth-highest-paid tight end, and Minnesota barely used him as a pass-catcher in 2025. Suppose the Vikings pull the plug on Hockenson. Well, they’ll need a new tight end. Consider these options the most likely.

The Vikings could face a tight end pivot if Hockenson’s situation changes, and the shortlist of realistic replacements is forming quickly.

Of course, this will all be moot if Hockenson sticks around, but here’s a glance at contingency plans.

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Top Tight End Alternatives for Minnesota if Hockenson Moves On

Ranked from good to great, these are the post-Hockenson TE options if applicable.

Oscar Delp runs the ball against Texas at Sanford Stadium. Vikings tight end options.
Georgia Bulldogs tight end Oscar Delp (4) takes a handoff and accelerates into the open field on Nov 15, 2025, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, during first-half action against the Texas Longhorns. Delp cuts upfield with defenders converging as the Bulldogs look to generate momentum in the SEC showdown. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images.

5. Oscar Delp + a Vet

Most of the rookie tight ends near the top of the 2026 draftboard don’t block very well. And one of Kevin O’Connell’s prerequisites for a TE1 seems to be decent-to-good pass-blocking.

Delp, a Georgia Bulldog, is a compromise. He blocks well compared to his draft classmates, but probably won’t be drafted until Round 4 or later. In this scenario, the Vikings might have to sign a veteran tight end like Cade Otton as insurance, while hoping Delp matures faster than most to flirt with a TE1 role.

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Of course, Minnesota doesn’t have a 2026 4th-Rounder right now. That belongs to the Carolina Panthers. O’Connell would have to reach for Delp in Round 3, trade back into Round 4, or hope he slides to Round 5.

Bleacher Report‘s Daniel Harms on Delp: “Oscar Delp is a vertical, seam busting tight end with explosive speed and three down upside for an NFL offense. He’s become a versatile blocker for the Bulldogs offense, and springs multiple runs a game for their offense.”

“Underutilized as a pass catcher, the 6’5″ 245-pound prospect showcases his burst after the catch by reducing pursuit angles by linebackers and defensive backs, regularly.”

4. A Trade for Michael Mayer

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The Las Vegas Raiders employ two TE1s: Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. That doesn’t make sense. The Raiders should trade Mayer for a 5th-Round pick or so, enabling him to reach his fullest potential and getting a draft pick back for their troubles.

Mayer isn’t the best blocking tight end imaginable, but he’s also not abysmal. Between Mayer, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew, and Ben Yurosek, the Vikings’ TE room would be in good hands.

3. Isaiah Likely

Likely, on the other hand, does not run- or pass-block, which may present a problem in Vikings free-agent scouting circles.

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Still, the man is sitting on a breakout season for his next team — probably not the Baltimore Ravens, his current employer, that just extended Mark Andrews’s contract.

Likely also splashes big in the clutch, and if Minnesota veers away from its blocking criteria, Likely would be a fantastic passing game target for J.J. McCarthy or the unnamed Vikings QB1 in 2026.

His next contract will likely pay him around $9 million or $10 million per season.

2. Kyle Pitts

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Want to know why Pitts was drafted so damn high in 2021? He literally does it all. He’s a freak athlete who catches passes like a top-tier wide receiver and blocks as effectively as George Kittle.

Pitts is the dream for any offense; it’s just that he never took off in Atlanta as a certified killer. Until that night he ruined your night when you played in the fantasy football playoffs in December.

Kyle Pitts on the field before a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) stands near midfield during pregame warmups on Jan 8, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, before a divisional clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pitts surveys the field and chats with teammates as both clubs prepare for kickoff under the stadium lights. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.

A geographical cure could fix him, however, and teams will line up to pay Pitts next month. The Vikings may not have the money to spend on another Top 10 tight end, but if they do, Pitts is by far the best free-agent option.

His next deal will pay him about $12 million annually.

1. Kenyon Sadiq

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Sadiq is trending as the only tight end to fly off the board in Round 1 this April. A product of Oregon, he’s an outstanding pass-catching threat and should see his future NFL team’s lineup in Week 1 of 2026.

At 6’3″ and 245 pounds, Sadiq has a significant advantage in that he is young; he won’t turn 21 until after the season begins. In 42 games at Oregon, he tallied 80 receptions for 892 yards and 11 touchdowns. Further showcasing his athleticism, he also returned kicks for the Ducks in 2023 and 2024.

Kenyon Sadiq warms up before a game at Autzen Stadium.
Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) moves through warmup drills on Dec 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, ahead of a matchup with the James Madison Dukes. Sadiq stretches and runs routes in the pregame routine as Oregon finalizes preparations before taking the field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images.

His complete skill set fuels all buzz surrounding him as a potential 1st-Round pick. Sadiq is a reliable pass-catcher and an effective blocker for both runners and quarterbacks — a rare combination for a young tight end.

While Minnesota has plenty of draft needs, particularly on defense, fans would not be too mad if they took the plunge with Sadiq at No. 18. Or, at the very least, it wouldn’t take very long to warm up to the pick.


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Two Man City stars missed their chance vs Salford City and could regret it

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Manchester City advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon but the performance against League Two Salford City was below par

Manchester City had a week to remember leading up to their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Salford City this weekend. It started at Anfield, a bogey ground for so long and with 15 minutes of normal time remaining, it looked like it would remain that way too.

But City dug deep and found a way to win as Bernardo Silva’s instinctive finish and an Erling Haaland penalty saw the Blues beat Liverpool on Merseyside, with fans, for the first time under Pep Guardiola. City then took that momentum and carried it into Wednesday night when Fulham were brushed aside before half-time.

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The mood only got lighter on Thursday when Arsenal dropped points at Brentford to ensure the gap was cut to four with the two teams still set to meet each other in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium in April. When Guardiola sat down for his pre-match press conference, he was understandably happy but he explained his team was mentally and physically tired.

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However, he also insisted the standards which they demand every day should not alter, regardless of the opposition. “I try to knuckle it in the minds of the players that nothing is taken for granted and everything is difficult,” Guardiola said.

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After the full-time whistle, Guardiola was insistent on one thing. Those standards had not been reached. “The only good news [is] that we go through. That’s all,” the City boss insisted. “It would be nice for me to say mentally we’re exhausted, we’re tired. It has been a tough two or three weeks for many reasons but it’s our job.

“We have to do what we have to do. The calendar says to play every few days. We just didn’t read where the spaces were and that’s why everything was flat and slow and not good.”

Arguably it was only James Trafford who managed to come away with any form of credit having made a couple of good stops to avoid a potentially nervier afternoon. But while none of the outfield players came away with much credit, two have potentially missed a big chance to give Guardiola a headache as we head towards what will be a busy March.

The first was Tijjani Reijnders. In December and over the Christmas period, the Dutchman showed the sort of goalscoring form City were hoping he would bring when he arrived from AC Milan.

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But, with a host of players who can play in the 4-1-4-1 formation behind the centre-forward, you need to stand out when you get your chance. Unfortunately for Reijnders, he was too casual with the ball and he often saw the game breakdown when he chose the wrong option.

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Where Reijnders can be forgiven is that he is still settling into English football, in his first season at a new club. Inconsistent performances can be expected.

More concerning, though, was Phil Foden’s display. City’s academy graduate was burnt out last season after a summer international tournament and there was signs earlier in the season, the midfielder could be returning to the lofty standards he sets himself.

However, the 25-year-old has not scored since December and his displays are more reminiscent of the Foden of 2024/25 rather than 2023/24. On Foden, Guardiola said after Salford: “I said many times, I have zero, zero, zero doubts, zero about Phil.

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“He has to recover himself good and just focus on playing football and going to fish. He loves fishing and that’s it.

“When he is that, Phil is back and will be back. It’s not 20 centuries ago when he was the best player in the Premier League. It was around the corner. It was not many seasons ago.”

But while Guardiola does not doubt Foden, it is hard to see a scenario where he starts against Newcastle United next weekend. Bernardo, Rayan Cherki and perhaps even Nico O’Reilly are ahead of both him and Reijnders at the moment.

Against Salford, those who do not play often had the chance to make a point to Guardiola. Especially the likes of Reijnders and Foden who provide an option in an area where the Blues are so well stocked.

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Now they must wait for their next chance having missed a golden opportunity to give Guardiola something to think about.

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What’s in his LIV Golf Adelaide-winning bag

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Consistency Key as Akwa United Aim to Stay Top – Paul Offor

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Akwa United head coach Paul Offor has said his team must stay consistent to keep their place at the top of Conference B in the Nigeria National League.

Offor said the club’s main target in the second half of the season is to build on their strong first-round performance and push for promotion.

Akwa United will face Rovers FC at the Uyo Township Stadium on Sunday. The Promise Keepers will be hoping to beat their neighbours again after winning 2–0 in the first leg before the mid-season break.

  • Jose Mourinho and Bright Osayi-SamuelJose Mourinho and Bright Osayi-Samuel

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The coach also confirmed that the club signed six new players during the transfer window. They are forwards Fredrick Obi and Dada Oladimeji, midfielders Nsikak Raphael, Kingsley Uduak and Aniebiet Sunday, and defender Melvin Ebitimi. He believes the new signings will improve the squad as they chase the only promotion ticket in Conference B.

“We are fully ready for the second round because the boys are in high spirit. We have made the necessary changes and recruitments to ensure we finish strong,” Offor said.

He added that the team must start well against Rovers and keep their focus throughout the season. “Team building and bonding are also important. We want to maintain the consistency we had in the first round while improving where necessary,” he said.

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Offor thanked the club’s management for their support and urged fans to continue backing the team, promising a strong finish to the 2025–26 season.

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A comprehensive list of all songs and music featured in the film 

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Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in lead roles, Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights is releasing in theaters on February 13, 2026. Based on Emily Brontë’s sole novel of the same title, the film is about the tragic and troubled love story of Catherine Earnshaw (played by Robbie) and Heathcliff (Elordi).

Growing up on the wild Yorkshire moors, their love becomes twisted by pride, jealousy, and social class. When Catherine chooses to marry the wealthy Edgar Linton, Heathcliff is driven by heartbreak and revenge. His bitterness starts to affect everyone around him, including the next generation of both families.

Wuthering Heights musical score is being composed by Anthony Willis. Meanwhile, the film includes original songs by the British singer Charlotte Emma Aitchison, better known as Charli XCX. There are a total of twelve tracks in the film, which include House ft. John Cale, Chains of Love and Altars.


List of Charli XCX’s songs featured in Wuthering Heights

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Here is a list of all Charli’s songs featured in the film:

  • House (feat. John Cale)
  • Wall of Sound
  • Dying for You
  • Always Everywhere
  • Chains of Love
  • Out of Myself
  • Open Up
  • Seeing Things
  • Altars
  • Eyes of the World (feat. Sky Ferreira)
  • My Reminder
  • Funny Mouth

For Charli XCX, the decision to create the music for Wuthering Heights was less about a career move and more about a “creative reset.” Following the success of her 2024 album Brat, the British singer found herself exhausted by the neon-lit, party-centric persona she had built.

When she received a text from Fennell on Christmas 2024, just as the “Brat Summer” hysteria was finally cooling, it offered a way out. Fennell, a longtime fan who had previously used Charli’s Boys in Promising Young Woman, reached out with the script for Wuthering Heights to see if Charli had a response to it.

Fennell’s pitch was simple: she wasn’t looking for period-accurate folk music, but rather something that captured the “primal, sexual, and brutal” energy of Catherine and Heathcliff’s toxic bond. Charli read the script and was inspired by the lack of modern trappings: no cell phones, no sunglasses, just raw Yorkshire moors and human obsession.

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The entire soundtrack album for the film was released the same day as the film on February 13, 2026. The lead single House featuring John Cale was released on November 10, 2025.


Who are in the cast of Wuthering Heights?

A still from the film's trailer (Image via YouTube/Warner Bros.)A still from the film's trailer (Image via YouTube/Warner Bros.)
A still from the film’s trailer (Image via YouTube/Warner Bros.)

The film features Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in lead roles of Catherine and Heathcliff. Given below is a list of other cast in the film:

  • Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton
  • Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton
  • Hong Chau as Nelly Dean
  • Ewan Mitchell as Joseph
  • Martin Clunes as Mr. Earnshaw

Charlotte Mellington and Owen Cooper played the younger versions of the lead characters in the film.