UConn Huskies women’s basketball completed an undefeated 31-0 regular season with an emphatic 85-49 win over St. John’s at Madison Square Garden, extending their winning streak to 47 games.
This is the program’s 11th unbeaten regular season. It is also tied for the fifth-longest winning streak in Division I history. And remarkably, UConn owns five of the top six longest streaks the sport has ever seen.
“When you are fortunate enough to go through 31 games and win them all, there is something to be proud of,” head coach Geno Auriemma said.
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On the floor, the dominance was clear. UConn shot 57 percent, forced 22 turnovers and overwhelmed St. John’s from the opening quarter. Six players scored at least nine points in a performance built on balance and control.
National player of the year candidate Sarah Strong quickly shifted the focus forward.
“Coach came in and said he was proud of us. We also have a lot to work on to get ready for the Big East tournament.”
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The Huskies have not lost since February 6, 2025. Their +37.8 scoring margin ranks among the best in Division I history. They are projected as the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA tournament.
Rapper Doechii doubled down on her anti-cat comments on social media, stirring the ire of cat lovers by claiming that the felines are not friendly animals and don’t want to be domesticated. The Grammy-winning rapper’s comments came via her Threads account on March 2, where she shared her thoughts about people owning cats as pets.
She further suggested that it was very rare for cats to be “immediately lovely without years of pain and work put in,” adding:
“People act like it’s a crime to dislike cats when they genuinely aren’t friendly animals. They don’t wanna be domestic just leave em alone! Like it’s not organic I’m sorrryyy be fr it’s rare that cats are immediately lovey without years of pain and work put in. Yall be scratched and beat tf up by your own animals I can’t lmaooo.”
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Doechii‘s comments garnered immense backlash, prompting her to stand her ground as she responded to various comments under her initial post. She posted a video of Tiffany Pollard saying, “You hating a** b***h, all fraudulent,” to the audience on Flavor of Love in 2006, captioning it, “Me vs Cat owners.”
According to Complex, the rapper hit back at various criticisms under her post. When one commentator indicated that maybe cats didn’t like her, she responded, “It’s mutual.” Meanwhile, another person claimed the rapper had responded to all comments trying to educate her about cats with “passive aggressive bulls**t,” suggesting she had “pure disdain” for the creatures.
The rapper replied that the user was getting “TOO worked up” over the issue, adding, “The world will be fine if Doechii thinks cats are mean.” Another user accused her of spreading common misconceptions surrounding cats to justify her dislike for the felines, resulting in the Denial Is A River rapper replying with:
“I did! And they aren’t misconceptions these are most definitely true and happen errday you CANNOT trick me. If i tell a cat owner to lift they arm sleeve rn they’ll be tore up.”
Doechii recently won her second Grammy
Doechii picked up her second Grammy after her hit song Anxietywon Best Music Video at the prestigious music awards ceremony on February 1, 2026. This is her second Grammy win. In 2025, the rapper made history by becoming one of three women to win Best Rap Album for her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal, following Laryn Hill and Cardi B.
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“I don’t want to make this long. But this category was introduced in 1989, and two women have won. Lauryn Hill—three women have won. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii. I put my heart and my soul into this mixtape. I bared my life. I went through so much. I dedicated myself to sobriety, and God told me that I would be rewarded and that he would show me just how good it can get. I have to thank God,” Doechii said in her acceptance speech.
She further encouraged Black girls and Black women watching her that anything was possible, telling them not to bow down to stereotypes such as “you can’t be here, that you’re too dark, or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic, or you’re too loud.”
Doechii’s Anxiety was nominated in four other categories at the 2026 Grammys, including Song of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Record of the Year. Song of the Year went to Billie Eilish’s Wildflower, while Record of the Year was won by Kendrick Lamar‘s Luther, featuring SZA. Lamar also won Best Rap Song for TV Off from his 2024 album GNX.
Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff said they drew inspiration from American figure skater Alysa Liu’s dramatic return from burnout to Olympic gold, a comeback all the more remarkable considering how abruptly her career had seemed to end.
Liu stunned the world by retiring aged 16 after the Beijing Games in 2022 citing burnout, but returned and put on a dazzling display at the Milano Cortina Games last month to snap a 20-year Olympic medal drought for Americans in the women’s event.
“I think overall what happened in figure skating was super interesting, from a psychological point of view,” Swiatek told reporters ahead of the Indian Wells tournament on Tuesday.
“I saw Liu winning when actually she had some troubles, like before she was burned out and she had to stop, and now she seems like everything she does, she does to have fun and to really show her amazing skills in a way that makes her happy.
“I haven’t spoken to her … but it’s really inspiring. I’ll remember it for a long time.”
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Alysa Liu won gold in figure skating at the Winter Olympics after suffering burnout as a teenager (Getty Images)
Liu returned to the ice in 2024 with more creative control, taking charge of her music choices, programmes and costumes, and went on to win the world title in Boston last year.
Gauff added that although she had never experienced burnout, she could understand the pressure Liu was under having burst onto the scene herself as a 15-year-old qualifier at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships.
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Coco Gauff said she can relate to Alysa Liu’s feelings having also burst onto the scene as a teenage sports star (AP)
“I think her whole story was super inspiring and I could highly relate as someone who was very young put into a sport,” Gauff said.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve faced burnout, but there are times you’re mentally just tired of it and you feel like you’re doing stuff and you don’t know why.
“So I definitely could relate to her whole story. I was happy to see her be that voice saying the unsaid things that athletes think but are maybe scared to say.”
The Minnesota Vikings canned Kwesi Adofo-Mensah this offseason largely because of his inability to come through in the NFL Draft. He was able to identify some key contributors in free agency and uncover some undrafted gems, but picks often went to waste.
Caleb Banks Could Tempt the Vikings at Pick No. 18
Arguably, the best talent Adofo-Mensah unearthed during the April process was late-round kicker Will Reichard. With Kevin O’Connell, Rob Brzezinski, and Brian Flores now speaking most significantly into the roster, they have to get things right.
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) shakes hands with fans during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
With the 18th overall pick, the MN Vikings need to land a day-one starter, and Caleb Banks could be that. He may also wind up being someone who can’t stay on the field, and therefore a massive reach. Banks is considered “boom or bust.”
ESPN Insider Jordan Rein put together a two-round mock after the NFL Combine. A pair of popular prospects are now gone before reaching pick 18, but Banks is there. The talented Florida Gator is a menacing presence, but there are serious warts.
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Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is expected to be released and Jonathan Allen could follow, leaving the Vikings extremely thin along the interior defensive line. At 6-foot-6, 327 pounds, Banks is a towering presence who would give Minnesota a key player inside. The Vikings have gravitated toward explosive athletes like Banks, who jumped 32 inches in the vertical and ran a 5.04-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Banks has an injury history, but he also has plenty of potential and is an ideal fit in coordinator Brian Flores’ defense.
Minnesota is already done with Hargrave after just one season. They could also cut Jonathan Allen, as Reid mentions, but the cupboard would be incredibly bare.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is shown on Jan. 13, 2025, during the NFC wild card matchup with the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, taking in the atmosphere as his defense prepared for another postseason test. The moment captured Flores’ steady demeanor and leadership presence, traits that have defined his work with Minnesota’s rebuilt defense throughout the 2025 campaign. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Either way, the Vikings need to get younger on the interior defensive line. Banks is an intriguing talent because he’d be an immediate difference maker. The only question is whether he can stay on the field.
After suffering a foot injury during camp and then later breaking it, he played in just three games last season for the Gators. In 2024, however, seven of his 21 total tackles were for losses. He also had a whopping 4.5 sacks.
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That sort of production is the stuff that Flores would certainly drool over. He plays in both the run and pass game, and Banks can be a stud up the middle. Minnesota needs to make sure it is getting the guy who started 24 games in 2023 and 2024, rather than the one who missed considerable time throughout his collegiate career.
Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler
Talent was never in question, but Six Nations appearances eluded Nick Timoney until this year and while the 30-year-old is yet to start for Ireland in the competition, the back row insists he is “not worrying too much about what number I’ve got on my back”.
The Ulster back row made his debut against the USA in 2021 but by the start of 2025, had made just four further appearances with two of those against the Maori All Blacks.
However, perseverance has started to pay off as after featuring against Georgia, Japan and Australia last year, Timoney has been introduced as a replacement in each of the three games in the 2026 Six Nations, crossing for a try in the opening defeat by France.
While the Dublin native would prefer to start when Ireland host Wales on Friday [20:10 GMT], he is happy to play his part and if that is best served off the bench, then so be it.
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“Obviously I haven’t played in the Six Nations before this season and it’s something I’ve always dreamed of so obviously from that point of view just feeling very grateful to be given the opportunities,” he told reporters this week.
“Everyone wants to start and I’d love to start as well, a lot of people say to me, friends and family, have said to me, ‘you’ve been going well of the bench, when are you going to start’, obviously I’d love to start but I still feel like I’m playing a game.
“If you come on for 30 minutes at Twickenham, you could argue the game wasn’t necessarily in the balance at that stage but it’s a pretty important part of things.
“I’ve always tried to not worry too much about selection, but the fact that the coaches are backing me to be in the squad and come on, and I’m getting to do what I’ve always dreamed of doing, I’m not worrying too much about what number I’ve got on my back.”
Carrick did state the situation “was not a huge concern at the moment” and that he felt there were options available to him that allowed him variety in attack.
“We can still be dangerous,” said the 44-year-old.
“Matheus [Cunha] has played that role and caused big problems and had big moments. When he plays wide, he is tough to stop one-on-one.”
But Cunha is happiest drifting away from the touchline and likes to get on the ball in deeper or more central positions.
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In the junior ranks, Gibraltar international James Scanlon was virtually an ever-present in the Premier League 2 side for the first half of the season and is capable of playing in an attacking role on both sides of the pitch, but he has now joined League Two promotion chasers Swindon on loan.
England Under-20 international Shea Lacey made a huge impact in three substitute appearances for the senior team but he prefers to play on the right. In any event, he has only been involved once since getting sent off in the FA Cup third-round defeat by Brighton on 11 January, when he was an unused substitute against Fulham last month.
Few supporters would claim United were wrong to get rid of Sancho or Antony.
Some believe Amorim could have handled the Garnacho situation better, although the Argentina international is yet to impress on a consistent basis at Chelsea, while Rashford’s time at his boyhood club seemed to have run its course.
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Nevertheless, at a time when United are trying to control their budget and costs across the club are being cut, the wide-left situation highlights an historical weakness in their recruitment strategy.
It also raises questions about the wisdom of hiring a coach like Amorim, whose tactics differed so significantly from what fans had been used to.
United were prepared to sanction the £65m signing of Antoine Semenyo in January, but the former Bournemouth man opted to join Manchester City.
Amorim wanted to use the money elsewhere in his squad. United’s refusal suggests they are targeting specific areas, and the left side of their attack is one of them.
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They are among several high-profile Premier League clubs to be linked with RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande, who is likely to cost around £70m if he opts to move in the summer.
Newcastle‘s Anthony Gordon has also been mentioned, although it is not clear whether United have an interest in the England international.
United’s situation is complicated by the fact they are prioritising bringing in at least one, and possibly two central midfield players.
Experienced Brazil captain Casemiro is leaving at the end of the season and £50m Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte has only made three substitute appearances – totalling 27 minutes – under Carrick.
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No changes can be made until the transfer window opens anyway, so, for now, Carrick must make the best of his present options.
“We’re always thinking of that perfect scenario of mixing players together and connections and seeing how it suits on the pitch,” he said.
“There’s different ways of doing it and we have really good options across the front line.”
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Carrick has been a breath of fresh air since taking over as caretaker manager at Manchester United, but one former team-mate had his reservations
Jermain Defoe is stunned at how impressive Michael Carrick has been at Manchester United due to his former team-mate’s unassuming demeanour.
Carrick has been an instant hit at United, winning six out of seven games and going undefeated throughout. This run of form earned him the Premier League manager of the month award in January, and fans have been calling for his permanent appointment come the summer.
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However, his former Tottenham and England colleague Defoe didn’t expect this sudden impact at United. The 43-year-old, who will be starring at Soccer Aid 2026 at the London Stadium, was left surprised at just how well the team are performing under the man he perceived to be a quiet and reserved character.
Speaking exclusively to the Manchester Evening News, Defoe said: “He’s just a family man. He’s just quiet and loved his football.
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“I have to be honest, obviously knowing Michael and how quiet he was, I wouldn’t have looked at him and been like, you know what, you’d be like… I wouldn’t say he wouldn’t have been a manager, but you can’t imagine him being a coach and really giving it to players.”
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Despite this uncertainty, there is one thing Defoe is adamant Carrick possesses that boosts his credentials at United. He added: “But I think what he has got is he’s got a winning mentality, of course, because he’s only ever been in elite environments.
“And obviously he got to move to Man United and done what he’d done there. And now that transition to then become a coach or a manager, it’s never easy.
“But to see him go in and do what he’s done for such a massive football club, and I know he’s played there before and he’s been involved, he’s been assistant manager and all that sort of stuff, but still to go in and do what he’s done, it’s been amazing.
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“And for me, it’s just so nice to see it, because I know Michael, it’s so nice to see it.”
This winning mindset has clearly dripped down to the current United squad. Many players have commented on the positive impact Carrick has had, with club captain Bruno Fernandes one of those to have publicly backed the boss.
He said: “I think Michael came in with the right ideas of giving the players the responsibility. He’s very good with the words. I think he still remembers what I told him the last time he was our manager for our last game. I was sure that Michael could be a great manager, and he’s just showing it.”
Harry Maguire recently praised Carrick’s continued knack for football in training. During an episode of Inside Carrington, the defender said: “He still does demos in passing drills and he still bangs it through the lines like he’s still got it.
“He was doing the demos the other day, and I think he did two passes. Everyone did about 300. I think his two were the best I’ve seen out of them all. But no, he’s still got it. And he’s really hands-on in training.”
Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday 31st May at the London Stadium. Adult tickets start from £20 and juniors from £10: socceraid.org.uk/tickets
The Vikings Problem: The roster is old and top-heavy and the team needs to trim some fat. The Purple came into the offseason with the second most money over the cap (north of 40 million). And, to paraphrase Dean Wormer from the “Animal House” movie: Old, fat and expensive is no way to go through life in the NFL. So, what is the Purple personnel department to do? Rob Brzezinski is now the acting GM and remains the working cap guy, and he hired Matt Thomas to help out, but the decisions ahead are difficult ones to avoid “getting expelled and flushing seven years (or more) down the drain” (another Animal House reference).
Reports from ESPN surfaced this week that the first two cuts/trades are imminent: defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and running back Aaron Jones. Both are old (33 and 31, respectively and expensive ($21,453,382 and $14,550,000 in cap hits, respectively). That is a start, but there is plenty more to do. While the Vikings are known to be over the cap, potential trade partners, if they exist at all, will be more likely to wait until March 11, when teams have to be under the cap, and see which players are cut and become more affordable.
There could be trades, but more likely cuts and/or renegotiated contracts. Who those candidates for new deals are remains to be seen—but players such as T.J. Hockenson or even Justin Jefferson could be in the personnel office hammering out deals right now. That is all speculation, of course, but that’s what we do on the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast. The fellas, Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com) are here to speculate on it all. Tune in and check it out. Skol!
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Listing to Vikings Territory Breakdown here or on your favorite podcast network.
Joe Oberle is a veteran sportswriter/editor/reporter and has covered the Vikings since 2008. The author of three books, he … More about Joe Oberle
Will Smith, Michael Misa, Collin Graf, Alexander Wennberg and Adam Gaudette also scored for the Sharks, who won their third straight since a four-game skid.
Alex Newhook had two power-play goals for the Canadiens. Oliver Kapanen, Phillip Danault and Ivan Demidov also scored for Montreal, and Mike Matheson added three assists.
The Canadiens lost in regulation for the first time since Jan. 24 at Boston.
Playing in his fourth game since helping Canada to the silver medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics, the 19-year-old Celebrini scored his 30th goal of the season as part of a flurry in the second period when the Sharks scored three times in a span of 8:20 to take a 5-2 lead.
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Canadiens rallied with three goals in the third. Newhook’s second goal made it 5-5 midway through the third.
Sherwood got deep into Montreal’s zone and missed from close range, and Philipp Kurashev controlled the rebound and passed it back to Sherwood for the go-ahead goal.
Yaroslav Askarov had 30 saves for the Sharks. Jakub Dobes stopped 21 of 27 shots for the Canadiens.
Misa, whose overtime goal capped San Jose’s comeback win over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, scored midway through the second period to make it 2-2. Late in the second, Celebrini and Wennberg found the net 25 seconds apart.
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has suffered a hamstring tendon injury, his Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr FC confirmed on Tuesday. Despite the setback, his participation in the 2026 World Cup appears safe.The 41-year-old Portugal captain is expected to be out for two to four weeks, which should allow him to recover fully before the tournament begins on June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Jay Shah: Kapil Dev deserves more credit for 1983 World Cup triumph
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was injured during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Al-Fayha.The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player “has started a rehabilitation programme and his condition will be assessed day by day,” Al-Nassr said.Ronaldo, who is in line to play in a record sixth World Cup, was injured during a match at Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro League.The setback comes at a pivotal moment as Al-Nassr look to protect their small lead atop the Saudi Pro League points table.The league’s top scorer for Al-Nassr with 21 goals to his name this season, Ronaldo now faces uncertainty over upcoming matches.Al-Nassr are set to play Neom SC and Al-Khaleej in March, while Ronaldo’s participation in Portugal’s international friendlies against Mexico and the USMNT later this month is also in doubt.Both Al-Nassr and the Portugal national football team will hope that their captain’s recent injury is only a brief setback and not a serious long-term issue. (ANI)
Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced a commanding display to defeat the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 3-1 in an international friendly played at the Military Stadium in Yaounde on Tuesday evening.
The match was the second of a two-game tour and served as part of preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The victory ensured the nine-time African champions ended the tour on a high note after narrowly losing the first encounter by a lone goal three days earlier.
Head Coach Justin Madugu made seven changes to the side that featured in Saturday’s defeat, signalling his intent to test depth and tactical flexibility ahead of the continental tournament.
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However, it was the hosts who struck first once again. Cameroon found the breakthrough in the seventh minute, momentarily raising fears of a repeat of the previous result.
Nigeria gradually grew into the game and were rewarded in the 32nd minute. Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo rose highest to meet a well-delivered cross from Rinsola Babajide, powering a header past the Cameroonian goalkeeper to restore parity.
The Falcons completed the turnaround just before the interval. Following a scramble inside the penalty area, Babajide reacted quickest to fire home in the 43rd minute, giving Nigeria a deserved 2-1 lead at half time.
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Madugu’s tactical reshuffle, particularly in midfield, proved effective as Nigeria pressed higher up the pitch, closed down spaces quickly and restricted Cameroon to long and hopeful deliveries.
The third goal arrived in the 64th minute. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, impressive throughout on the right flank, delivered an inviting cross into the box. Michelle Alozie met it with determination, launching herself into a flying header that extended Nigeria’s advantage to 3-1.
Both teams made changes as the match progressed, using the fixture to fine-tune strategies and assess combinations ahead of the 14th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
For the Super Falcons, the emphatic victory was a strong statement of intent as they continue preparations to reclaim continental glory.