By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
Sports
Dane Miller’s Week 16 Best-in-West Hoops Power Rankings
It’s coming down to it.
March is right around the corner, and the at-large resumes are coming under scrutiny.
Last week, UCLA helped itself with a critical win over Illinois while USC shot itself in the foot with two losses.
At the same time, San Diego State played its way out of the projected field with two defeats, while Utah State hurt its projected seed by dropping a game to Nevada.
Over in the ACC, California stayed in contention while essentially knocking Stanford out.
This week, there are several critical games in the WCC and MWC that will affect the Bubble conversation.
Here’s how I view the Top 10 College Basketball Teams in the West with three weeks to go until Selection Sunday.
1. Arizona (25-2, 12-2)
Without Koa Peat, the Wildcats took down BYU and Houston.
The victories underscore the depth of Arizona’s roster and the coaching staff’s ability to adjust. Sidi Gueye and Evan Nelson transitioned from bench warmers to rotational roles, contributing critical minutes in both games.
If anything, the absence of Peat and Dwayne Aristode has made Arizona stronger in the long run.
2. Gonzaga (27-2, 15-1)
The Zags crushed San Francisco and beat Pacific last week. But nobody has forgotten about that loss to Portland earlier this season.
Facing the Pilots in Spokane on Wednesday, Gonzaga has the chance for revenge. Looking further beyond to the Big Dance, it’s probably unwise to doubt Mark Few.
Yet, it’s reasonable to wonder if the Bulldogs go deeper than the Sweet 16.
3. BYU (20-7, 8-6)
Kevin Young and his players are beginning to adjust to the loss of Richie Saunders. In the win over Iowa State, Mihailo Boskovic and Kennard Davis Jr. stepped up.
Young needs his supporting players to continue increasing their production while AJ Dybantsa keeps dominating.
If the season ended today, Dybantsa would be the betting favorite to win the Big 12’s Player of the Year award.
4. Utah State (23-4, 13-3)
A shot at a 5-seed just went out of the window with the road loss to Nevada. Now, the prospect of the dreaded 8 or 9-seed is becoming more realistic.
Utah State does have the talent to get out of the First Round in that scenario, but it likely won’t beat any of the projected 1-seeds.
To make a Sweet 16 run, the Aggies might need to win their final four regular-season contests and at least make the Mountain West Tournament Championship Game.
5. UCLA (18-9, 10-6)
Mick Cronin got another signature win this season with a victory over Illinois. Combined with the previous result against Purdue, the Bruins have effectively moved off the cut line.
And with games remaining against USC, Minnesota, and Nebraska, UCLA could enter the Big Ten Tournament on a five-game winning streak.
Even so, any unexpected stumbles could put the Bruins back into the danger zone.
6. Saint Mary’s (25-4, 14-2)
The Gaels escaped with a two-point win over Seattle and then crushed Washington State.
The close margin of victory over the Redhawks is concerning at this stage of the season. But none of that matters with Santa Clara and Gonzaga coming to Moraga this week.
Beat both opponents, and Saint Mary’s becomes a lock for the NCAA Tournament. Lose both, and the Gaels might drop outside of the projected field.
7. New Mexico (21-6, 12-4)
It took a historic comeback to beat Fresno State on the road. Yet, at the end of the day, a win is a win.
There’s no time to dwell on the result with Nevada and San Diego State up next. The Lobos play the Wolf Pack on the road after Steve Alford’s team just took down Utah State.
Still on the cut line, New Mexico can’t afford to lose this week.
8. Santa Clara (23-6, 14-2)
Santa Clara’s NCAA Tournament hopes are on the line this week against Saint Mary’s. Facing the Gaels on the road, the matchup could wind up being a de facto elimination game.
The WCC probably only gets one at-large bid, which leaves three teams fighting for two spots.
Anything can happen, yet the Broncos will feel much more comfortable on Selection Sunday if they beat Saint Mary’s on Wednesday.
9. California (19-8, 7-7)
Mark Madsen has the Bears in position to make the NCAA Tournament. If the Selection Show were held today, it would be a toss-up.
That makes this week’s game against SMU critical. In some ways, it’s Cal biggest game of the year. Beat the Mustangs, and the Bears will probably move into the projected field.
A loss wouldn’t eliminate California, but it would be a substantial missed opportunity.
10. San Diego State (18-8, 12-4)
The Aztecs are on the wrong side of the conversation. The prospects of an at-large bid were already in question, even prior to the losses to GCU and Colorado State last week.
Fortunately, there are opportunities remaining. San Diego State faces Utah State, New Mexico, Boise State, and UNLV to close the year.
Go 4-0 over that stretch, and a bid seems much more likely.
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.
Latest posts by Dane Miller (see all)
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Dane Miller’s Week 16 Best-in-West Hoops Power Rankings
> How the region’s best teams stack up across the Big 12, Big Ten, ACC, MW, Pac-12, and WCC
– February 23, 2026 -
Dane Miller’s Week 15 Best-in-West Hoops Power Rankings
> How the region’s best teams stack up across the Big 12, Big Ten, ACC, MW, Pac-12, and WCC
– February 16, 2026 -
Dane Miller’s Week 14 Best-in-West Hoops Power Rankings
> How the region’s best teams stack up across the Big 12, Big Ten, ACC, MW, Pac-12, and WCC
– February 9, 2026
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Jan 19, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images It’s irresponsible to speak in broad generalities when discussing a team’s performance, but it’s happened too many times for it to be a fluke. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a culture of playing soft in big games.
Leading the way in the NBA Sunday slate, the Cavs were looking to build off their seven-game win streak by beating up on an injured Thunder team in Oklahoma City. This wasn’t just some role players out for the Thunder, either; they were missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, arguably the two best players on the Thunder.
For the third time in a row, the Thunder absolutely dominated the Cavs. Culturally, something is off with Cleveland when they face OKC. They play such a scared style of basketball, and put themselves behind the eight ball time and time again. They fell behind 28-5 in this one and showed some grit to take the lead at times in the second half, but lost it with a terrible 4th-quarter performance.
It wasn’t all on the Cavs; the refs missed some crucial calls that flipped momentum in this one, the most egregious being a goaltend by Chet Holmgren that turned into a three on the other end for the Thunder.
However, it would be beyond stupid to blame this loss on the refs. Donovan Mitchell had a solid game, but has continued to find his jumper in big games for Cleveland, finishing 0/6 from three. He and James Harden both finished with 20 points apiece, but they combined for 8 turnovers, allowing the Thunder’s defense to control the pace from start to finish.
Once again, the biggest issues for Cleveland came from the front court. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen were thoroughly outphysicalled by Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Those two were a +17 and +23, respectively, and that’s exactly what you saw while watching the game.
They provided way more defensive rim protection for the Thunder and took over the game late in the 4th quarter when it was needed. Both Holmgren and Hartenstein took turns picking on Jarrett Allen, and he looked like he didn’t belong on the court because of it. Cleveland continues to struggle with physical centers, and it showed up as a massive issue in the 4th quarter of a very winnable game.
Another flaw that has plagued the Cavs all season is their three-point defense. They are 27th in the NBA in opponent three-point percent, and the Thunder took advantage of that weakness, knocking down twenty-one from beyond the arc.
Cleveland had been one of the hottest teams in the league going into this one, but they went away from everything that made them the hottest team in the league. They settled for way too many threes; the guards did not apply enough consistent rim pressure; and the bigs were forgotten about once OKC started knocking down some shots.
I’ll never understand how a team can look so impressive some nights, then immediately regress to the same flawed version of themselves that we see every time an opponent is chippy with them. I’m not sure if there is a fix for that type of mental issue without having to reconstruct the roster in the offseason.
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA said on Monday it has provisionally suspended Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni for one match following accusations he racially abused Vinícius Júnior.
The decision means that Prestianni will miss Wednesday’s second leg of the Champions League playoff between Real Madrid and Benfica. Madrid won the first match in Lisbon last Tuesday with Vinícius scoring a second-half winner for a 1-0 victory.
The game was halted for nearly 10 minutes after the Brazil forward scored and celebrated by the Benfica corner flag, upsetting local fans and players. After being confronted by Prestianni, Vinícius accused the Argentine player of calling him “monkey.” Prestianni has denied racially insulting Vinícius.
The anti-racism protocol was activated but no further action was taken during the match as there was no evidence against Prestianni, who covered his mouth with his shirt while talking to Vinícius. The Madrid forward was shown a yellow card after his celebration.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss formed an unlikely alliance last year, and it has been fruitful for them. Not many expected The Queen to work side by side with another star, but she has surprised many by forming a successful team with Bliss.
However, all good things must eventually come to an end, as cracks have started to form in the friendship between Flair and Bliss. Given The Queen’s history, it’s more than likely that she would be the one to turn on Little Miss Bliss.
Thanks for the submission!
With Elimination Chamber coming up, now would be the perfect time for Flair to betray her partner. Let’s look at three reasons for it.
WWE Just Spoiled Masked Man’s Identity? Check Here!
#3. The “Royal” mishap
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair had an unfortunate accident at the Royal Rumble. During the titular women’s match, Flair eliminated Bliss. While it looked unintentional, one can never be sure when it comes to The Queen.
The mishap in Saudi Arabia has caused friction between the two. While they are still together, it might not last long. With growing tensions, now would be the perfect time for the Triple H-led creative team to have Charlotte betray Alexa.
#2. Alexa Bliss has qualified for the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match; Charlotte Flair has not
After failing to win the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair attempted to punch their WrestleMania 42 ticket by potentially winning the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match.
However, while Bliss successfully qualified for the gimmick match, Flair didn’t. This could escalate the tensions between them, especially if Little Miss Bliss rubs it in The Queen’s face. The natural progression of this storyline would be to have Charlotte turn on Alexa.
#1. The Queen could take her partner’s place in the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match
Charlotte Flair has a special relationship with gold, which likely trumps any other relationship she has, including the one with Alexa Bliss. With the Five Feet of Fury competing in the Women’s Elimination Chamber Match, The Queen isn’t someone who would sit on the sidelines and watch.
Flair could find a way in the match at any cost. If she has to take out her partner to make it inside the steel structure on February 28, then that’s what she will do. Jealousy would be the driving factor behind the 14-time Women’s Champion’s actions.
Read all the hottest WWE news from Sportskeeda by choosing us as your preferred source. Click HERE.
Edited by Parth Pujara
Sports
Record shattered! Shimron Hetmyer breaks Chris Gayle’s long-standing 17-year-old T20 World Cup milestone | Cricket News
Shimron Hetmyer (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai witnessed a power-hitting masterclass as Shimron Hetmyer tore into the opposition attack with breathtaking ease. The left-hander unleashed a barrage of towering sixes, racing to a blistering half-century off just 19 balls and leaving the crowd stunned by his audacity and timing.With that knock, Hetmyer etched his name into West Indies cricket history.
His 19-ball fifty is now the fastest by a West Indian in T20 World Cup history, surpassing the previous record held by the legendary Chris Gayle. Gayle had smashed a 23-ball half-century against Australia during the 2009 T20 World Cup at The Oval. On that occasion, Gayle hammered 88 off 50 balls, guiding West Indies to a seven-wicket win and earning the Player of the Match award for his brutal, match-winning effort.Hetmyer’s latest assault not only broke Gayle’s long-standing record but also bettered his own mark earlier in the tournament. The southpaw had previously struck a 22-ball fifty against Scotland at Eden Gardens, but his Wankhede blitz raised the bar even higher. Nineteen balls — that is all he needed to bring up a landmark half-century, underlining the fearless brand of cricket the Caribbean side is known for.While Hetmyer now holds the West Indies record, the overall fastest fifty in T20 World Cup history still belongs to India’s Yuvraj Singh. The swashbuckling left-hander famously blasted a 12-ball half-century against England in the inaugural 2007 edition, a knock highlighted by six consecutive sixes off Stuart Broad in a single over.
T20 World Cup – Fastest fifties
| Player | Balls | Match | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuvraj Singh | 12 | India v England | 19/09/2007 |
| Stephanus Myburgh | 17 | Netherlands v Ireland | 21/03/2014 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 17 | Australia v Sri Lanka | 25/10/2022 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 18 | Australia v Pakistan | 23/03/2014 |
| KL Rahul | 18 | India v Scotland | 05/11/2021 |
| Shoaib Malik | 18 | Pakistan v Scotland | 07/11/2021 |
| Rohit Sharma | 19 | India v Australia | 24/06/2024 |
| Dasun Shanaka | 19 | Sri Lanka v Oman | 12/02/2026 |
| Aiden Markram | 19 | South Africa v New Zealand | 14/02/2026 |
| Mohammad Ashraful | 20 | Bangladesh v West Indies | 13/09/2007 |
| Yuvraj Singh | 20 | India v Australia | 22/09/2007 |
| Shadab Khan | 20 | Pakistan v South Africa | 03/11/2022 |
| Ishan Kishan | 20 | India v Namibia | 12/02/2026 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 21 | Sri Lanka v Kenya | 14/09/2007 |
| Elton Chigumbura | 21 | Zimbabwe v UAE | 21/03/2014 |
| Quinton de Kock | 21 | South Africa v England | 18/03/2016 |
| Litton Das | 21 | Bangladesh v India | 02/11/2022 |
| William Jacks | 21 | England v Italy | 16/02/2026 |
| Michael Hussey | 22 | Australia v Pakistan | 14/05/2010 |
| Aaron Jones | 22 | USA v Canada | 01/06/2024 |
| Quinton de Kock | 22 | South Africa v England | 21/06/2024 |
| Glenn Phillips | 22 | New Zealand v Canada | 17/02/2026 |
| Benjamin Manenti | 22 | Italy v England | 16/02/2026 |
| Chris Gayle | 23 | West Indies v Australia | 06/06/2009 |
WWE has decided to add a massive swerve to their Elimination Chamber plans by introducing a massive crate that can’t be opened until the show.
So far, both Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis have been confronted with the crate and have opted to send it to the opposite brand, but this weekend it will finally be opened.
Thanks for the submission!
While there are lots of theories about it being a person or debut, it is somewhat unlikely since the person would have been in the box for two weeks by Elimination Chamber, and mailing humans is illegal.
That being said, there are several options.
WWE Just Spoiled Masked Man’s Identity? Check Here!
4. Becky Lynch’s Massive Bexxie
Becky Lynch already had the Bexxie awards ahead of Elimination Chamber, but she could have decided to immortalise the moment by awarding herself the biggest one when she defeats AJ Lee.
AJ Lee has been a thorn in her side over the past few months, and she has stated that she will retire the former champion in Chicago in front of her own fans this weekend. If Lynch is successful, then it’s easy to see her presenting herself with a massive trophy from inside the crate.
3. Hulk Hogan/Immortal Moment Hall of Fame addition
Hulk Hogan’s passing last year was a massive loss to the WWE Universe, and it’s hard to imagine that the company would not want to honor him in some way heading into the WWE Hall of Fame.
It could be that Elimination Chamber will mark the beginning of the announcements for the Hall of Fame, and the Immortal Moment could be Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan from WrestleMania III, with a statue to symbolise it. The Immortal Moments made its debut at the WWE Hall of Fame last year, with Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin from WrestleMania 13 being seen as the inaugural addition.
2. CM Punk Chicago Unveil of 2K26 Cover
Elimination Chamber is in Chicago this year, and it’s the first time that Punk has walked into the Allstate Arena as World Champion in his career. This is a massive deal for the hometown star, and WWE could be backing this up with an unveiling for the Champion.
It could be announced that there is a special edition Chicago cover for the game with CM Punk on i,t and the cover could be unveiled at Elimination Chamber before the game is released on March 13.
1. The Demon Returns at WWE Elimination Chamber
Finn Balor needs to make a change, and that could be the return of his alter ego. He needs to make this World Championship match count, and if he wheels the crate onto the stage at Elimination Chamber ahead of his match, it would be interesting to see if it doesn’t include the red light and the costume to allow him to transform.
The Demon hasn’t been seen for several years, but this could be the time and Balor really needs to make this match count if he wants to be able to walk into WrestleMania as World Champion.
Read all the hottest WWE news from Sportskeeda by choosing us as your preferred source. Click HERE.
Edited by Phillipa Marie
Sports
Campaigners demand action after four Premier League players racially abused on ‘appalling weekend’
Anti-discrimination campaigners bemoaned an “appalling weekend” in the Premier League after four players were targeted with racial abuse on their social media accounts following games.
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri shared images of racist messages they were sent privately over Instagram following their teams’ match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday that finished 1-1.
Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare showed racially aggravated messages he received on Instagram after a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace on Sunday, during which he had a penalty saved.
Sunderland said its winger, Romaine Mundle, was also subjected to “vile online racist abuse” after his substitute appearance in a 3-1 home loss to Fulham.
Kick It Out, a British-based anti-discrimination charity, repeated its calls for platforms to do more to address the problem.
“This has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media. But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly,” the organization said.
“The message from them is loud and clear: action must follow. Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behaviour, and nor should anyone else.”
The UK Football Policing Unit said Monday it received four separate reports of abuse toward top-flight players over the last three days.
“There is absolutely no place for racial abuse, either online or in person, and anyone who believes they can hide behind their keyboards should think again,” said chief constable Mark Roberts, who heads the unit.
“The UKFPU condemns this abhorrent behavior and we will ensure that, through our dedicated team of officers, we do everything possible to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”
The Premier League also condemned the abuse of the players.
“There are serious consequences for anybody found guilty of discrimination and we will offer our full support with their investigations,” the competition said. “Football is for everyone — there is no room for racism.”
The 22-year-old Mundle has since deleted his Instagram account, the Sunderland Echo newspaper reported.
The incidents came days after UEFA began an investigation into claims by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior that he was racially abused on the field by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League game in Lisbon.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has stunningly decided to compete at the World Seniors Snooker Championship later this year in an attempt to do a double at the Crucible Theatre.
The seniors event runs the week after the main World Snooker Championship, from 6-10 May, at the same iconic Sheffield venue and O’Sullivan – widely considered the greatest snooker player of all time – will try to become the first man to win both events in the same year.
Changes to the eligibility rules at the seniors event means that players currently in the world’s top 64 are now eligible to take part and ‘The Rocket’ will be joined by the likes of fellow all-time great Mark Williams, 2015 world champion Stuart Bingham, former masters and UK champion Matthew Stevens and two-time ranking event winner Robert Milkins, all of whom fall into that category, in the draw.
O’Sullivan has won a record-equalling seven world titles at the Crucible despite regularly expressing his distaste for the venue and, despite falling to No 11 in the world due to opting for a much-reduced tournament schedule on the main tour and enduring a ranking title drought that now stretches for more than two years, is still a live contender to claim a history-making eighth world crown come early May.
The 50-year-old’s presence will only enhance the strongest field ever assembled for the seniors event and the press release announcing his decision to play was at great pains to point out the commercial value that O’Sullivan will bring to the tournament.
World Seniors Snooker Tour chairman Jason Francis said: “The most commercially valuable player the sport has ever seen will make his seniors debut at the Crucible in May in an attempt to add another world title to his CV – wow!
“We’ve already sold more tickets than we did for the entire event last year, and Ronnie’s participation is set to drive even greater demand.”
O’Sullivan will try to take the World Seniors title from last year’s winner Alfie Burden, who subsequently went on to win his first-ever ranking event on the main tour at the Snooker Shoot Out in December, while the most successful seniors player of all time – Jimmy White, who is a four-time champion – will also take part in Sheffield.
Twelve-time women’s world champion Reanne Evans, 1997 world champion Ken Doherty, current Seniors British Open champion Joe Perry and Maltese tornado Tony Drago are among the other big names in the line-up for the tournament, which will be broadcast live on Channel 5.
Sports
Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni handed provisional ban over Vinicius Jr racism incident in Champions League
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has been suspended for one game while Uefa investigates allegations that the 20-year-old racially abused Real Madrid’s Vincius Jr in their Champions League play-off first leg.
Prestianni was seen holding his shirt over his mouth during a heated exchange with Madrid players following Vinicius’s second-half goal. The Brazilian winger rushed to the referee to report what he claimed was racist abuse, which teammate Kylian Mbappe later said he also heard.
The French official, Francois Letexier, paused the match for 11 minutes after activating Fifa’s anti-racism protocols, but the action later continued with Prestianni on the field. Fans inside the Estadio Da Luz loudly booed and jeered Vinicius throughout the remainder of the game, as Real Madrid saw out a 1-0 victory.
Prestianni’s manager, Jose Mourinho, blamed Vinicius for “inciting” Benfica’s players with his exuberant goal celebration, while Prestianni denied he had used racist language, claiming he had been misheard while using a homophobic slur.
Mbappe said Prestianni did not deserve to play in the Santiago Bernabeu, where Madrid will host Benfica for the second leg on Wednesday evening. And now the Argentine will not be involved after being handed a provisional one-match ban.
Uefa said in a statement: “Following the appointment of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector (EDI) to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 Knock-out Play-off match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF on 17 February 2026, and upon request of the EDI with an interim report, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) today decided to provisionally suspend Mr. Gianluca Prestianni for the next (1) UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible for the prima facie violation of Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) related to a discriminatory behaviour.
“This is without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its respective submission to the UEFA disciplinary bodies.
“Further information about this matter will be made available in due course.”
more to follow…
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Team USA men’s hockey stars Matthew and Brady Tkachuk kept America’s heroes in mind as they celebrated their gold medal triumph over Canada at the Winter Olympics on Sunday.
The two players spoke to KSDK-TV with an American flag draped over each of their shoulders.
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United States’ Matthew Tkachuk, left, and Brady Tkachuk pose for the team picture after receiving their gold medals following an overtime win against Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
“I feel on top of the world. Just to do it while my brother’s here. There’s so many people that we can thank. Matthew said everybody in St. Louis, all the family and friends, even every first responder, everyone that protects and serves our country. This is for them. This is for every American,” Brady Tkachuk told the St. Louis station.
Matthew Tkachuk interjected, “All the military that put their life on the line for us.”
He also reflected on the win over Canada and said the brothers couldn’t have done it without a ton of support.
United States’ Brady Tkachuk (7) and Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrate after the United States’ win over Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
“Hockey’s our game. It’s the United States of America’s game. It’s the greatest country in the world,” he said. “We have the best support ever – hundreds of millions of people back home, so many people in St. Louis, everyone in St. Louis.
“We could feel the support whether they’re hockey fans or not. Everyone’s watching. Everyone better be partying right now. Everyone better be wearing the red, white and blue for as long as they can. It should be a month mandate to wear the red, white and blue of the United States and celebrate us and the other Olympian gold medalists.”
It was Jack Hughes who gave Team USA the win in overtime against Canada.
The New Jersey Devils star was able to put the puck past Jordan Binnington for the win.
United States’ Jack Hughes (86) celebrates with United States’ Brady Tkachuk (7) after scoring the game-winning goal against Canada in sudden death overtime during the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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“This is all about our country right now. I love the USA,” he said. “I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The U.S. are a hockey brotherhood. It’s so strong and we had so much support from ex-players. I’m so proud to be American today.”
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2026 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Sleepers, breakouts, busts by model that nailed Cal Raleigh’s huge season
MLB Spring Training 2026 is rolling with most days seeing more than a dozen games, which means 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts are going on the clock now. The early 2026 Fantasy baseball ADP shows two-way player Shohei Ohtani as the clear-cut top pick in most drafts, with Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt, Juan Soto, Jose Ramirez and Elly De La Cruz also going in the first round of many drafts. Those are relatively obvious picks for the top of drafts, but finding value in the mid-to-late rounds is the key to building a deep, championship-level roster.
Who are the top 2026 Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts and busts, and which 2026 Fantasy baseball picks can give your roster an edge this season? MLB Opening Day is on Wednesday, March 25 with the Yankees vs. Giants, with a full slate of games then taking place the following day, leaving about a month to make Fantasy baseball picks. Before going on the clock in any 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts, be sure to see the 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Last season, SportsLine’s Projection Model identified several top Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts, and busts, including nailing Cal Raleigh’s huge season. The team at SportsLine was all over Raleigh as a Fantasy breakout from the start. They had him as a top-five catcher in their optimal rankings, ahead of catchers such as Adley Rutschman and William Contreras. The result: Raleigh blasted 60 home runs and gave unprecedented value at a position where it can be tough to find offense from.
The SportsLine model is powered by the same people who powered projections for three major Fantasy sites. And that same group is sharing its 202 Fantasy baseball rankings and cheat sheets over at SportsLine, helping you find Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts and busts long before your competition. Their cheat sheets, available for leagues on many major sites, are updated multiple times every day.
Any time more MLB news comes out about trades, signings or Fantasy baseball injuries, the team at SportsLine updates its projections. Go to SportsLine now to see these proven Fantasy baseball cheat sheets.
Top 2026 Fantasy baseball sleepers
One of the 2026 Fantasy baseball sleepers the model is all over: Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe. The longtime Rays infielder was traded to Pittsburgh over the offseason, and he projects to be a centerpiece for the Pirates who will hit near the top of the order. Lowe had a power surge in 2025, with his 31 home runs and 83 RBI marking his best numbers in those categories since 2021.
The latest Fantasy baseball ADP shows Lowe going off the board at pick No. 132. SportsLine’s model, however, projects him as the No. 6 second baseman, ahead of players such as Nico Hoerner, Marcus Semien and Ozzie Albies, all top-100 picks on average. See more Fantasy baseball sleepers at SportsLine.
Top 2026 Fantasy baseball breakouts
One of the 2026 Fantasy baseball breakouts the model is jumping on: Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman. Goodman hit below .200 as he got a taste of the Majors in both 2023 and 2024. As the primary catcher for the rebuilding Rockies in 2025, however, Goodman took a giant leap — hitting .278 with an .843 OPS and 31 home runs and 91 RBI as only Raleigh had more homers amongst catchers.
Despite that success and the advantage of hitting in the thin air at Coors Field, Fantasy players are still waiting until late in the top-100 picks to take the 26-year-old catcher this year. SportsLine’s model is projecting him as the No. 2 catcher in 2026, and advises Fantasy players to take him ahead of top-100 picks like Will Smith and Shea Langeliers. See more Fantasy baseball breakouts at SportsLine.
Top 2026 Fantasy baseball busts
As for players to avoid, the model has pinpointed Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts as one of its top Fantasy baseball busts. While the Dodgers have continued to stockpile high-priced talent at almost every position, Betts is a player who has seen his numbers decline recently as he had career-lows in average (.258) and OPS (.732) last year. He especially struggled in the 2025 postseason with a .648 OPS, continuing the season-long trend of struggling at the plate as compared to his lofty career norms.
Entering his age-33 season, the model believes that Betts, who is going off the board pick No. 47, is again overvalued from a Fantasy standpoint this season. The model projects that players such as Jeremy Pena, Corey Seager and Willy Adames, all of whom are going off the board several rounds later, will provide more production. See more Fantasy baseball busts at SportsLine.
How to find proven 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings
SportsLine’s model has some shocking rankings at starting pitcher, projecting that one player who is barely going off the board in the top 200 will outperform huge names such as Max Fried, Chris Sale and Logan Webb. This pick could be the difference between winning your league or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.
So which 2026 Fantasy baseball busts, breakouts and sleepers should you target or fade in your drafts? Visit SportsLine now to get 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings for every single position, all from the model that called Cal Raleigh’s monster season, and find out.
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