Sports

No. 8 Purdue, No. 13 Michigan State meet for smaller stakes than usual

Published

3 hours ago

25 February 2026

Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr., right, guards Purdue’s Braden Smith during the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

In previous seasons, Michigan State and Purdue playing this late with both ranked among the nation’s top 15 would feel like the Big Ten’s most important game of the year.

But entering their only regular-season meeting on Thursday night in West Lafayette, Ind., this clash between No. 13 Michigan State (22-5, 12-4 Big Ten) and No. 8 Purdue (22-5, 12-4) has no banner-hanging implications.

With Michigan owning a commanding lead in the conference title race, the Spartans and Boilermakers are left to play for postseason seeds and bragging rights instead of league titles.

Considering Purdue and Michigan State have won the last three Big Ten crowns — and their coaches have combined for 16 league titles — this is not an insignificant concession.

“Not being able to win the Big Ten championship is tough,” said Purdue head coach Matt Painter, whose team comes off a 93-64 rout of Indiana on Friday. “That’s tough. But we’re the ones that lost the games. So we’ve got to try to get better, try to improve. I thought (Indiana) was a great bounceback for our guys, but it’s hard to take. It’s really hard to take when you have lofty goals and one of them is out the window.”

Purdue comes in having won five of its last six games. The only problem for the Boilermakers is that the defeat was a 91-80 home loss to Michigan, which essentially ended their hopes for a league title.

Purdue will forge on and focus on Michigan State in what will be a battle of two of the best point guards in the country.

In fact, Michigan State junior Jeremy Fears and Purdue senior Braden Smith are 1-2 in the country in assists. Fears averages 9.2 assists while Smith, who ranks fifth all-time with 994 assists, averages 8.7 per contest.

The Spartans are coming off back-to-back home wins over UCLA and Ohio State, but they have lost their last two road games and don’t have a signature road win yet.

After Purdue, Michigan State will have another tough road game at Indiana.

“We have to get better,” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said. “We talked a lot with the group about what the next couple of days are going to be like and what the next couple of weeks are going to be like. Our schedule ends about as tough as anybody’s.”

Michigan State will try to achieve that in a place that’s been a house of horrors lately.

The Spartans have lost their last five games at Mackey Arena — six if you count an NCAA Tournament loss to UCLA during the COVID-plagued 2020-21 season.

The last time Michigan State won at Mackey Arena was in 2014.

“Mackey Arena is one of the toughest we play in during the conference or nonconference,” Izzo said. “I think this is a really experienced Purdue team. They’ve got three guys in Smith, (Fletcher) Loyer and (Trey) Kaufman-Renn where it seems like they’ve been there forever.”

–Field Level Media

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Rare ruling gives major champ mulligan in TGL: ‘Netted out terrible’

Published

4 minutes ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Tuesday night featured a TGL double-header, with two-time major champion Xander Schauffele’s New York Golf Club playing both matches. But the strangest incident came from the first match, when Schauffele was officially awarded a mulligan.

In a critical moment in the match, a bizarre situation and a rare ruling led to the mulligan. The good news for Schauffele was that the mulligan gave him a chance to replay a horrible bunker shot. The bad news is that his mulligan went horribly wrong, too, and may have cost his team the match.

Here’s what you should know.

Xander Schauffele squanders rare TGL mulligan opportunity

In the first TGL match on Tuesday night, Schauffele’s New York team faced off against the Bay Golf Club. The Bay Golf Club got off to a hot start, winning the first three holes.

But New York fought back and tied up the score 3-3 at the 11th hole.

When the match reached 13, Schauffele went up against Ludvig Aberg in singles. Schauffele’s tee shot ended up in a right greenside bunker, which is where things started going sideways fast.

As Schauffele set up to hit his bunker shot, Bay Golf Club’s Wyndham Clark decided to throw down the Hammer. If New York accepted the Hammer, the hole would be worth two points. If they rejected it, they’d have to forfeit the hole and give Bay Golf one point.

Nelly Korda and Denny McCarthy pictured during the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational. — ‘Unbelievable miss’: Nelly Korda criticizes TGL over separate women’s league

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Kevin Cunningham
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With Aberg sitting pretty on the green, Schauffele’s teammates declined the Hammer. But it was too late. Schauffele went ahead and hit his bunker shot, and it didn’t go well at all. His ball failed to escape the sand.

That’s when a rules official intervened to give Schauffele a redo.

After video review, the official determined that Schauffele had already addressed his ball when the Hammer was thrown. Teams are not allowed to use the Hammer once an opponent has set up to the ball.

So the official ruled that the Hammer would be wiped out (as well as New York’s decision to decline it). Instead of forfeiting the hole, Schauffele would get a mulligan on his bunker shot.

But Schauffele failed to escape the bunker again with his second attempt. The end result? New York forfeited the hole anyway.

“Yeah, it netted out terrible for us. We were going to decline it anyways, and then I hit such a bad shot, they didn’t even have an opportunity to throw a hammer, so it actually worked out worse,” Schauffele explained after the round. “Maybe if I hit it a third time, it would be better.”

In his own post-match press conference, Clark put the blame on the ref.

“So Derek [Stafford], our ref, he normally puts his hand out, like there’s a signal he does, and you can’t throw it anymore. I look at him, and he hadn’t done it, and he kind of nodded saying you could do it. Granted, Xander was standing over the ball. I could see why they called it that way, but at the same time, the ref that was there gave us the okay,” Clark argued. “It could have been really controversial.”

Stafford, the referee in question, used to officiate NBA games. Clark’s teammate Shane Lowry suggested that had he made that mistake in an NBA game, it would have worked out very differently.

“If he made that call in his NBA days, I’m not sure the players would have been as nice,” Lowry said. He continued. “If we had have tied the hole, I would have been…” before Clark cut him off to complete his thought.

“I would have been pissed,” Clark said. “Or even if we lost it. Oh, my gosh, we might have gotten thrown out for charging.”

Of course, Bay Golf Club did win the hole despite the mulligan ruling. Better yet, they went on to defeat New York 5-3.

Unfortunately for New York, the second match was not kind to them either. They took a 9-2 whooping at the hands of Keegan Bradley’s Boston Golf Club to conclude the night’s entertainment.

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Shakur Stevenson says only one active fighter is near his level: “That’s the guy”

Published

18 minutes ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Shakur Stevenson’s super-lightweight world title win has seen him rise up the pound-for-pound rankings but when asked his own opinion, Stevenson offered a surprise pick for the man who rivals him as the best fighter in the sport.

Stevenson dominated Teofimo Lopez to claim the WBO super-lightweight crown last month, becoming the third-youngest four-division champion in boxing history in a coming of age display that has forced the world of boxing to take notice of his skills.

Following the retirement of Terence Crawford, fans are beginning to deliberate as to whether Stevenson can challenge Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue for the spot as boxing’s pound-for-pound number one.

Although, without an undisputed title to his name, it will be difficult for the Newark southpaw to penetrate the top two.

Yet, when asked which fighter could be his main rival in the sport, Stevenson told ‘Inside The Ring’ that the man who can compete with him is one whom he will never fight, good friend and former WBO lightweight champion, Keyshawn Davis.

“What’s sad is the guy that you’re looking for, that you’re talking about, is somebody that I came up with. We been helping each other for years.
“Me and Keyshawn Davis are the best boxers in the sport right now, if you ask me. It’ll never happen, but honestly if you’re asking for the other guy, that’s the guy.”

Davis currently sits as the number one super-lightweight contender with the WBO, but champion Stevenson has maintained that it would take half a billion dollars for him to take on ‘The Businessman’.

The WBO are unlikely to order that contest anytime soon, given Lopez fulfilled a mandatory defence of the title when he defeated Arnold Barboza Jr. last May.

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Autumn Glow tackles Doncaster Mile weights hurdle in 2026

Published

32 minutes ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Modern narratives on Autumn Glow inevitably link back to Winx somehow.

This piece follows suit.

Chris Waller’s most recent beaten mare could emulate the great Winx exclusively by reaching 10 successive wins in the 2026 Doncaster Mile at Randwick.

Tuesday’s weights for the $4 million Group 1 assigned The Autumn Sun’s daughter 56.5kg.

Higher marks went only to Ceolwulf (59kg), Gringotts (58.5kg), Sir Delius (58kg), Antino (57.5kg), Buckaroo (57kg) and Pericles (57kg) ahead of the 1600m handicap on April 4.

Thirty-one of 139 Doncaster hopefuls scored the 49kg minimum, including Group 1 champions Apocalyptic, Ole Dancer, Vinrock and Nepotism, alongside standout Victorian filly Sheza Alibi and key Australian Guineas prospect Sixties.

Such weight mirrors Winx’s from a decade ago when she won, the enduring high for four-year-old mares.

Merely four mares won Doncasters carrying more – Cuddle’s 59kg equivalent in 1936 stands out – yet every one was five-plus years old.

Sunline joined that list with a 58kg success in 2002, though beaten at four carrying 57.5kg in 2000, outpaced late by Over, a three-year-old on 51.5kg.

Just three four-year-old mares have entered a Doncaster since 2000 with 56.5kg minimum, all outside top 10 placings.

More Joyous managed 11th in 2011 under 57kg, Typhoon Tracy 14th and Alizee 17th both at 56.5kg.

Autumn Glow’s 2kg increase from last year’s Epsom Handicap win sets her up potentially as the 10th horse to snag both races same season.

The lone mare before? You guessed it, Winx.

Check online bookmakers for Doncaster Mile betting markets.

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The 6 fairway woods, mini drivers our staff loved during testing

Published

42 minutes ago

25 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Welcome to Fully Fit 2026, GOLF’s new platform for providing you with real-golfer insights into what 2026 gear might be best suited for your game. To this end, we assembled six GOLF content creators of varying abilities and ran them through the gauntlet of six full-bag fittings (driver to putter!) at six major club manufacturers in Phoenix and Carlsbad, Calif. Our hope: that you might see shades of your own game in one of our panelists’ and take some learnings and inspiration from their fitting experiences. In this installment (below), check out the drivers that each of our Fully Fit 2026 panelists chose for their golf bags. You may browse each of our panelists’ full 2026 dream bags here:

If there’s one club that’s tough to fit, it’s the fairway wood.

When fitters see certain fairway woods in a player’s bag, they know they might have a hard time beating them, regardless of how good the player is. That’s a good reason, even after six full bag fittings at each of the major OEMs, half of our Fully Fit panelists left with the same mini driver or 3-wood they already had in the bag.

Speaking of mini drivers, they throw a wrench in the whole process as they serve as specialty clubs at the top of the bag. While two of our panelists have a mini driver in the bag all the time, two others rotate one in depending on the course.

After fittings with six manufacturers, here are the fairway woods and mini drivers our six panelists chose for their bags in 2026.

Jack Hirsh’s Mini Driver

Jack Hirsh's TaylorMade R7 Mini. — Jack Hirsh/GOLF

Head: TaylorMade r7 Quad Mini
Shaft: Fujikura OG Ventus TR Blue 7-X
Loft: 13.5˚ @ 12.75˚
FCT setting: 1 Click Lower (2.0˚ sleeve)
Front weights: 7 g toe, 4 g heel
Back weights: 15 g toe, 10 g heel
Length: 43.75″ EOG
Tipping: 0″
Swingweight: D5

TaylorMade R7 Quad Custom Mini Driver

PERFORMANCE FOR THE MODERN PLAYER
Inspired by one of the most iconic models in TaylorMade history, the R7 Quad Mini Driver pays homage to what’s come before, while creating its own modern identity in the same breath. It’s that very modern design that incorporates proven TaylorMade technologies to give golfers versatility and playability.
R7 QUAD WEIGHTING SYSTEM
The new quad weighting system features four movable weights (13g x2, 4g x2) that provide the ultimate in spin management and shot shape control. Forward CG creates a penetrating flight best suited for maximizing distance whereas rear CG helps prioritize control and ease of use from the deck. Shot shape can also be fine-tuned helping create the most optimal flight. Additional weights can be purchased for a wider range of adjustability.
INFINITY CARBON CROWN
A new satin Infinity Carbon Crown has been added to the R7 Quad Mini Driver chassis creating a stunning look while saving weight for better mass optimization. The cosmetic package is clean, elegant, and confidence-inspiring.

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, TaylorMade

Why it’s in my bag: This was my gamer coming in, and it was going to be tough to leave the bag. I can draw it, I can fade it, I can hit it off the deck or from the tee. I have a couple of 3-woods I could use if I ever played a course where I felt I might need one, but I rarely find myself needing one anymore. I keep the weight back in my R7, which gives me that off-the-deck performance.

1 key data point: 3288 RPM spin rate (Off tee and deck). I actually spin this a good bit more than my previous 3-wood (~2600), which actually makes it fly shorter, but that works out better for my gapping as the 3-wood was going too far and forcing me to either back off or take less club.

See Jack’s full bag here

Jake Morrow’s 3-Wood

Jake Morrow's Qi4D 3 Wood - Fully Fit 2026 — Jake Morrow/GOLF

Head: TaylorMade Qi4D
Shaft: Tensei 1k Black 75 TX
Loft: 15º
FCT Setting: Lower
Front weights: 8 g
Length: 42.5″
Tipping: 1″
Swingweight: D2

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TaylorMade Qi4D Custom Fairway Wood

PROVEN RECIPE
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TaylorMade Fairways have dominated on Tour for over a decade because of their unique performance recipe, which enables maximum distance and versatility.
The Qi4D fairway is designed for golfers who want the most advanced technology while still prioritizing versatility and control with amazing distance.
ADJUSTABLE PERFORMANCE
Utilizing a single Trajectory Adjustment System weight (8g x1) provides the golfer a more mass efficient way to adjust flight, spin and swing weight.
4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight and is available in all lofts.
REFINED ATTRIBUTES, BIG CHANGES
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Engineers conducted an objective analysis of all the performance attributes and discovered new methods to enhance performance and confidence.
Sit points, lie angles, address views, and center of gravity locations were all updated based on Tour feedback and the expertise of leading fitters worldwide, ensuring the optimal fairway across skill levels.
TOUR-PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES
New and improved cut-through Speed Pocket™ protects ball speed and reduces spin on low-face strikes.
Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation for TaylorMade fairway performance.
Twist Face™ features corrective face curvature designed to provide straighter shots on mishits.
Multi-Material Construction allows engineers to maximize performance by increasing discretionary weight.
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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, TaylorMade
Why it’s in my bag: It’s honestly just because I can hit it. I did find a couple of others during testing that could have worked, but none of them gave me the big off-the-deck performance that the TaylorMade Qi4D did. And it doesn’t hurt that I played the Qi35 5-wood for most of last year. That was an easy switch (that we’ll talk about next), and it’s nice to have the same visual in both fairway woods in the bag.
1 key data point: This is a pretty easy one. I actually hit the center of the face, and the ball goes up in the air.
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See Jake’s full bag here
Johnny Wunder’s 3-wood

Head: TaylorMade Qi35
Shaft: Fujikra Ventus Black Velo+ 7X
Loft: 14.5˚
Setting: Bonded bent 1˚ flat
Length: 43″ EOG
Tipping: 1″
Swingweight: D3

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TaylorMade Qi35 Custom Fairway Wood

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, TaylorMade
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Why it’s in my bag: Pretty simple, TaylorMade core fairway woods are the fastest, most forgiving in golf. If Ping is the most forgiving and Callaway has the fastest, TaylorMade is both but in one club. No more to it than that.
1 key data point: 152-155 mph, 3200-3600 RPMs, 245-255 yard carry.
See Johnny’s full bag here
Maddi MacClurg’s 3-wood*

Head: Callaway Quantum Max
Shaft: Denali Frost Silver 60G 6.0
Loft: 15º
OptiFit4 Setting: NS
Length: 43″
Swingweight: D2
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Callaway Quantum Max Custom Fairway Wood

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, Callaway
Why it’s in my bag: This club really surprised me. I don’t normally carry a 3‑wood. In fact, I tried one in my “old” bag and rarely used it because I just wasn’t in love with it. But during my fitting at the Ely Callaway Performance Center, I was blown away by what this one could do. I usually hit a low ball flight with 3‑woods off the deck, but this club launched nicely without feeling too “lofty.” Off-center hits still carried well, and even the occasional thin strike was totally playable. There’s a real balance here between distance and playability.
1 key data point: I was impressed by how easily this club launched the ball. The trajectory was high and penetrating without feeling like it ballooned, which instills confidence — especially if I need to carry a hazard or want to go for a green.
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*I choose between Mini Driver and 3-wood depending on course/conditions
See Maddi’s full bag here
Sean Zak’s Fairway Wood

Head: Titleist GT2
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS 6.5, 80g
Loft: 13.5°
SureFit Hosel Setting: A1
Length: 43″
Tipping: 0″

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Titleist GT2 Custom Fairway Wood

Experience high-launching distance from the tee and off the deck. GT2 Fairways leverage a proprietary crown and new forged face to produce consistently impressive speed and trajectory on every swing. Built for added confidence, these fairways are designed to boost performance — no matter where you hit it.
For players looking for extra confidence in their fairway, GT2 delivers consistently impressive speed and launch—no matter where you hit it.
Deeper, More Forward CG
Launch it from any lie. GT2 Fairways push performance higher and farther by shifting CG even lower and closer to the face – generating maximum distance through higher launch and lower spin.
Forged L-Cup Face
GT Fairways introduce a forged face into the club construction to bolster performance on low-center impacts. The new insert wraps around the bottom of the club to preserve ball speed, maintain launch conditions, and enhance sound and feel — even when you’re trying to pick it clean from a tight lie.
Redesigned Internal Hosel
To extract every ounce of performance in GT2 Fairways, Titleist engineers pursued every gram of weight savings. The redesigned internal hosel achieves subtle mass improvements that unlock real benefits on every swing.
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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, Titleist
Why it’s in my bag: Ball go far. Seriously! I’ve always been very good at sweeping fairway woods off the deck, off tees, and elevating them from hairier lies, too. So much so that I played with a 3-wood as the longest club in my bag for multiple years. The biggest challenge of my fittings was showing up at Titleist with a GT2 3-wood that I already hit really well and saying, “Try and beat it.” We went through those motions at every fitting — me really liking that club and the striking trajectory it takes — and while plenty of the other 3-woods work fine, none could outright beat the one I was already playing.
1 key data point: 13.5 degrees. I used to play a 16-degree 3-wood and was helplessly in love with it, but have been rocking the 13.5-degree for a couple of years now. That move made room for the 5-wood gapping to follow, simply getting another club into my bag, which is the whole point of getting fully fit.
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See Sean’s full bag here
Wadeh Maroun’s Mini Driver

Wadeh Maroun

Head: Cobra King Tec Mini
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6-X
Loft: 13.5˚
Future Fit 33 Setting: G4
Front weight: 12g
Back weight: 2g
Length: 43.75”
Tipping: .5”
Swingweight: D0

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Cobra KING TEC Custom Mini Driver

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT: PGA Tour Superstore, Cobra
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Why it’s in my bag: I have been using a mini driver instead of a 3-wood for two years. Both of those years, I used the TaylorMade Burner Mini exclusively. You could not pay to get it out of my bag. The Cobra is the first to rival it and, honestly, compete in both numbers and performance. Looks-wise, they are very similar, and they use the same weighting system, front and back. The extra pop and ball speed are why I am moving into the Cobra.
1 key data point: Ball speed was up consistently with the Cobra King Tec.
See Wadeh’s full bag here
Watch Fully Fit 2026 below!
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Ready to overhaul your bag in 2026 like our Fully Fit panelists? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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Virginia QB Morris files lawsuit against NCAA seeking 7th year of eligibility

Published
56 minutes ago
on
25 February 2026

By
NewsAdmin

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris continued his fight for a seventh season of eligibility by filing a lawsuit against the NCAA, his agent, Simon Pflum, confirmed Tuesday.

The NCAA denied Morris’ medical redshirt waiver and appeal last month, and he is seeking a preliminary injunction in Charlottesville Circuit Court.

Morris could be making an argument similar to Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who received a preliminary injunction from a Mississippi judge on Feb. 12. Chambliss’ case was based on injuries severely limiting his playing time and not allowing him to make the most of his athletic eligibility.

The 25-year-old Morris applied for a medical red-shirt for the 2022 season at TCU after suffering a knee injury. The NCAA denied that request after Morris made limited appearances in three games later that season.
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“As additional lawsuits challenging common-sense, academically tied eligibility rules are filed, the NCAA will continue to defend against attempts to rob high school students across the nation of the opportunity to compete in college and experience the life-changing opportunities only college sports can create,” the NCAA said in a statement.

“The NCAA and its member schools are making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, but the patchwork of state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions make partnering with Congress essential to provide stability for all college athletes.”

Virginia won 11 games last season with Morris as its starter and reached the Atlantic Coast Conference title game. The Cavaliers ranked No. 16 in the final Associated Press poll after defeating Missouri 13-7 in the Gator Bowl, the program’s first bowl victory since 2018.

Morris finished the season with 3,245 total yards and 21 touchdowns.
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His father is Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris.

Virginia went to the transfer portal and brought in quarterback Beau Pribula of Missouri as a potential 2026 starter.

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ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: New Zealand’s Matt Henry bowls Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck

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1 hour ago
on
25 February 2026

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NewsAdmin

Matt Henry gets New Zealand off to a blistering start as Pathum Nissanka is dismissed with the first delivery of Sri Lanka’s innings in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 8s match.
FOLLOW LIVE: Super 8s – New Zealand v Sri Lanka
Available to UK users only.

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What the Vikings Revealed at the Start of the NFL Combine

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1 hour ago
on
25 February 2026

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A Minnesota Vikings helmet rests along the sideline during third-quarter action in a divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The equipment sat near the bench area as Minnesota battled on the road in NFC North play. Nov 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA: A helmet remained positioned near the Vikings sideline during game action. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings are off and running at the NFL Combine, speaking to media on Tuesday and not holding back as they reveal their offseason plans. The club has an interim general manager after firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah four weeks ago, at least nine draft picks to spend, and all-in stakes to win in 2026. Thanks to head coach Kevin O’Connell and interim GM Rob Brzezinski, a few items became clear this week.
O’Connell spoke, Brzezinski clarified authority, and Minnesota’s next roster moves began to come into focus.
The developments were especially helpful as free agency gets off the ground in 12 days.
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The Vikings-Themed Items to Know at the Start of the Combine

O’Connell attends his fifth NFL Combine. Here’s what we learned so far.

Feb. 17, 2022 — Minnesota Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski speaks with Vikings.com’s Gabe Henderson during a recorded interview about roster construction, contract strategy, and the organization’s leadership framework. Brzezinski outlined the club’s long-range football operations approach and discussed the arrival of head coach Kevin O’Connell as part of Minnesota’s evolving front-office structure. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

1. The Power Structure Is Collaborative
Remember the Vikings’ “triangle of authority” from the Brad Childress days? That’s back.
Asked about the front office structure, Brzezinski replied, “We have to have protocol in place, and so the owners have asked me to handle that responsibility if that would occur. But our intent is to have complete and total collaboration, and I think the decisions are going to be pretty easy to make.”
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Brzezinski also said, “It’s an awesome responsibility. I’ve been here a long time. I know what this franchise means to our fans, and I just want to be a small part of one day delivering that championship.”
It sounds like O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores will be very much in charge of personnel, with Brzezinski possibly playing a tiebreaker role if necessary.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s ownership group stated last month that it would hire a full-time general manager after the draft in April. Perhaps Brzezinski will impress enough to keep the job.
2. Josh McCown Has Been Promoted
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The Vikings announced a new coaching organizational chart, complete with new names, after losing seven coaches in the last two months. Among them, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown earned a new title: offensive passing game coordinator.
Some fans criticized McCown for not empowering J.J. McCarthy to the fullest in the last two seasons, but O’Connell clearly doesn’t agree.
McCown is now in charge of the passing offense, working with offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, who is also often an object of fans’ scorn.
3. Insider Says DT Javon Hargrave Is on the Trade Block
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Since the start of the offseason, Vikings loyalists have speculated about players who might be traded, including big names like McCarthy and wide receiver Jordan Addison.
But as of Tuesday, there’s officially a tangible trade rumor — involving defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz tweeted Tuesday, “Sources: The Vikings have had trade talks with teams regarding 2x Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave. Hargrave started 15 games last year and had 3.5 sacks in his first season with Minnesota.”
Minnesota is likely shopping Hargrave for a late-round draft pick, a last recourse before his release.
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4. The Vikings’ Timeline for J.J. McCarthy Has Changed
Media members asked O’Connell if he still considers McCarthy as a franchise quarterback, a slogan he’s never been afraid to attach to McCarthy.

Aug. 10, 2024 — Minneapolis, Minnesota — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) participates in pregame stretching and warmup throws ahead of a preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. The rookie passer worked on timing and mechanics as coaches evaluated offensive cohesion and depth entering exhibition play under the stadium lights. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

O’Connell said yes but added a caveat, “It’s just the timeline is in a different place for all of us than it was in the summer of 2024. And I have a responsibility — we have a responsibility collectively as we put together this team — to make sure that we use the data that we have at this time and the experiences we have.”
This basically means that O’Connell classified McCarthy as his franchise quarterback in the summer of 2024 when he first answered the question; now, the timeline has changed. The Vikings need a McCarthy alternative in case injuries arise in 2026, a familiar theme for McCarthy.
5. All QB Options Will Be Examined
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At the start of the offseason, O’Connell and former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah proclaimed a deep quarterback room as the foremost priority.
That mindset remains, even after Adofo-Mensah left the Vikings.
Brzezinski said, “We’re exploring every option that can be out there. What we do know is we need a level of baseline quarterback play for us to be effective.”
“A lot of this has been J.J. in unfortunate situations with some of the injuries and things that he’s dealt with, but we’re going to explore every opportunity, and I don’t think there’s anything specifically we’re looking for. We can’t manufacture anything that’s not there. So, No. 1, what are the options? Is it reciprocal? Is it financially doable? All those things. There’s just a lot of factors that go into it.”
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Need a level of baseline quarterback play is the smoking gun that suggests a quarterback signing or trade is imminent.
6. Nothing But Love for Kwesi
Some claimed that an O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah rift may have caused Adofo-Mensah’s termination at the end of January. That is categorically false.

Oct. 7, 2023 — Minneapolis, Minnesota — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches from the sideline during the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ game against the Michigan Wolverines at Huntington Bank Stadium. The Vikings executive attended the in-state contest as part of ongoing scouting work while continuing to shape the team’s roster planning and long-term draft outlook. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

O’Connell on Adofo-Mensah: “From the standpoint of my relationship, personally and professionally, with Kwesi was and will always continue to be strong. Any thoughts or noise to the contrary of that is not accurate in any way, shape or form. Speaking to the timing of it, I just know that our ownership is, I think they’re the best owners in sports.”
“I think they’re very thorough in their postseason evaluation. They made a decision, an ownership decision at that level. We will press onward, but obviously really, really thankful for my time to work with Kwes’ and what we were able to build together here and some of the success that we’ve had together and obviously the learning moments. I know he’s going to continue to go on to great things in his career.”
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5 lower order batters who have scored more runs than Abhishek Sharma in T20 World Cup 2026 so far

Published
2 hours ago
on
25 February 2026

By
NewsAdmin

Team India opener Abhishek Sharma was expected to the Men in Blue’s X-factor in the T20 World Cup 2026. He had been in terrific form with the willow in the build-up to the ICC event. Expectations were so high from the southpaw that a number of critics had backed him to finish as the leading run-getter into the tournament. However, the script that has played out has been a completely opposite one.
After four innings in the T20 World Cup 2026, Abhishek has scored 15 runs at a paltry average of 3.75 and a strike rate of 75. He has struck two fours and a six in the ICC event so far. The left-handed batter began the T20 World Cup with three successive ducks. In India’s first Super 8 match against South Africa, he got off the mark, but ended up being dismissed for 15 off 12 balls.
Abhishek will be desperate to find form in India’s second Super 8 match against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, February 26. Ahead of the game, we look at five lower order batters who have scored more runs than the Indian opener in the T20 World Cup 2026 so far.

#1 Brad Evans (Zimbabwe) – 43 runs

Zimbabwe fast bowler and lower order batter got a chance to bat in the T20 World Cup 2026 for the first time in the Group 1 Super 8 match against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Even as Zimbabwe crumbled in a chase of 255, Evans gave a good account of himself, smashing 43 off just 21 balls. Coming into bat at No. 8, Evans slammed two fours and five sixes.
The Zimbabwe batter was looking good for a half-century when he was caught at short third man off Matthew Forde’s bowling. Evans was the last man out as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 147 in 17.4 overs. In his T20I career, the 28-year-old has played 29 matches and has scored 131 runs at a strike rate of 119.09.

#2 Sompal Kami (Nepal) – 26 runs

Nepal’s right-arm pacer Sompal Kami scored an unbeaten 26 runs off 15 balls in the T20 World Cup 2026 Group C match against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sent into bat, Nepal were held to 133-8. Coming into bat at No. 8, he struck four fours in a handy cameo.
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Kami (30) has the experience of 88 T20I matches. In 52 innings, he has scored 391 runs at an average of 11.50 and a strike rate of 114.32, with a best of 40.

#3 Noah Croes (Netherlands) – 25 runs

Netherlands’ Noah Croes featured in the T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This was the same match in which Abhishek was cleaned up for a three-ball duck by off-spinner Aryan Dutt. India recovered to post 193-6 in their 20 overs.
In the chase, Netherlands responded with a commendable 176-7. There were handy contributions all round. Coming in at No. 8, Croes hammered an unbeaten 25 off 12 balls. His knock featured five fours. Croes has played 21 T20Is in which he has scored 228 runs at an average of 22.80 and a strike rate of 131.79.

#4 Nadeem Khan (Oman) – 22 runs

Oman left-arm spinner Nadeem Khan played three matches in the T20 World Cup 2026, scoring 22 runs at an average of 7.33 and a strike rate of 95.65. Nadeem’s best of 20 came off 18 balls against Zimbabwe in Colombo (SSC) in a Group B match. Batting at No. 9, he struck one four and one six.
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Nadeem was dismissed for two against Sri Lanka in Pallekele and registered a duck in the game against Ireland in Colombo (SSC). In 11 T20Is matches (eight innings), the 24-year-old has scored 84 runs at a an average of 16.80 and a strike rate of 123.52, with a best of 30*.

# 5 Oliver Davidson (Scotland) – 21 runs

Scotland’s bowling all-rounder Oliver Davidson played four matches in the T20 World Cup 2026, making his T20I debut during the tournament. In four matches (three innings), the left-arm spinner scored 21 runs at a strike rate of 123.52. Davidson’s best of 20* came off 15 balls against England in Kolkata. Batting at No. 9, he struck two fours and a six in his cameo.

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5 lower order batters who have scored more runs than Abhishek Sharma in T20 World Cup 2026 so far

#1 Brad Evans (Zimbabwe) – 43 runs

#2 Sompal Kami (Nepal) – 26 runs

#3 Noah Croes (Netherlands) – 25 runs

#4 Nadeem Khan (Oman) – 22 runs

# 5 Oliver Davidson (Scotland) – 21 runs

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