A Melbourne Cup exemption is already locked in for Whisky On The Hill, leading some to ponder skipping the Sydney Cup to limit exposure to the handicapper.

This was debated by trainer Glen Thompson and the owners, though the strategic move outweighed sidestepping, confirming the durable stayer’s participation in Saturday’s Group 1 3200-metre spectacle at Randwick.

“There is always the concern about another win giving him more weight in the Melbourne Cup but that race is a long way away,” Thompson said.

“While he’s racing well, and I’ve seen it too many times that if you sit around and wait, you can kick yourself later on.

“He’s fit and well and you have to have a crack. The golden ticket guarantees that you can be there but it doesn’t guarantee that you will.”

Thompson experienced profound emotion when Whisky On The Hill claimed the Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington back on March 28.

The triumph secured the gelding’s entry into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 3.

Right now, preparations centre on Randwick, with rain anticipated to adjust the track by the weekend.

“He had his main gallop on Monday morning and pulled up really well,” Thompson said.

“As long as he trots up well on Tuesday, he’ll head to Sydney on Tuesday night.”

Thompson, a veteran in the industry, recognises the variables over extended periods, and events of the Sydney Cup’s calibre are rare in Australian racing.

Damian Lane rode the six-year-old to victory in his latest major successes, such as the Roy Higgins and the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington last November.

“With 53.5-kilos, Damian Lane was keen to ride again and his feedback was a main factor,” Thompson said.

“If he was willing to get down to that weight, that is a very good push.”

For Saturday, Whisky On The Hill is quoted at $15, behind Ciaron Maher’s Mr Monaco as the $4.50 elect.

Visit betting sites to find the best racing betting markets for the Sydney Cup.

Shah Rukh Khan, Kolkata Knight Riders’ co-owner, was present at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday for his side’s match against Punjab Kings. KKR opted to bat against PBKS. The start to the innings was not good for KKR, as they lost Finn Allen (6 off 7 balls) and Cameron Green (4 off 2 balls) in the second over bowled by Xavier Bartlett. Soon after, rain stopped play. It was at this time that the camera showed Khan talking with KKR CEO Venky Mysore. “The Badshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of KKR having an intense chat with KKR CEO Venky Mysore,” said the Star Sports host on commentary, as the visuals showed Khan and Mysore.

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— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) April 6, 2026

Shah Rukh Khan having an intense chat with KKR CEO Venky Mysore. #KKR #KKRvsPBKS #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/HYghuImwzZ

— KKR Vibe (@KnightsVibe) April 6, 2026

KKR OWNER SHARUKH KHAN AT EDEN GARDEN

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Shah Rukh Khan clearly looks very unhappy with Venky Mysore and KKR Management while having a chat Mid Rain… pic.twitter.com/cQfg8yNc8R

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chalo at least some smile on SRK’s face after an intense discussion pic.twitter.com/u6saLTffW9

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Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the toss and decided to bat against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 12th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament. The high-voltage encounter is being played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday.

After winning the toss, Rahane revealed that Varun Chakravarthy suffered an injury while taking a catch during the last game.

“We are going to bat first. It looks like a good wicket, a little bit on the drier side, but it’s a very good wicket with slightly less grass covering as well. It’s all about having that belief and confidence. It’s about winning those small moments. We are confident. Two changes, forced. Varun Chakravarthy got injured while taking a catch in the last game, and Narine isn’t playing. Powell and Saini are in,” Rahane said.

Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer confirmed that they were fielding the same XI.

“Not at all. I was supposed to bowl as well, so I’m kind of happy with the decision he took. Our (Shreyas and Ponting) chemistry blossomed during our Delhi Capitals days. He gives freedom to all the youngsters, and he is an inspiration himself. Same team for us,” Iyer said.

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Kolkata Knight Riders have scored their first points in the IPL 2026 after the IPL match against Punjab Kings was abandoned after a combination of heavy rains and wet outfield made the play impossible to resume on Monday. When the initial round of rain fell on Eden Gardens, the KKR were struggling at 25 for 2 in 3.4 overs. The proceedings never restarted from the point despite the cut-off time getting moved up to 11.14pm. The PBKS too received a point and moved atop the table for the time being with five points from three games. The Kolkatans now have one point from three matches, ahead of Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings who are yet to open their account.

Incidentally, the fixture between KKR and PBKS during IPL 2025 was also called off because of rain. KKR have a third home match in a row, facing Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday but rain is predicted on that day too.

Cutting back to the day’s match, rain and winds lashed the venue from 9 pm, gradually turning into a thunderstorm.

The wind was so heavy that the unique ‘hanging’ Eden press box supported by iron beams shook under the gale force, resembling an ‘earthquake’.

The drizzle finally subsided around 10.30pm, prompting the ground staff to spring into action and remove the covers.

The pitch and outfield appeared largely intact with no significant seepage, although a few puddles had formed near the boundary lines due to water runoff from the covers after they were peeled off.

An inspection followed with on-field umpires Abhijeet Bengeri and J Madanagopal assessing conditions.

The Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly too checked the firmness of the ground and after a lengthy discussion with KKR skipper Rahane and his Punjab counterpart Shreyas Iyer the match was called off at 11pm.

On a day when KKR were without both their frontline spinners — an well Sunil Narine and an injured Varun Chakravarthy — their decision to bat first seemed to have backfired spectacularly.

Punjab Kings’ Aussie speedster Xavier Bartlett struck twice in three balls in a fiery second over, removing both their star overseas batters — Finn Allen (6) and Cameron Green (4).

Pacer Arshdeep Singh set the tone in the opening over. Allen looked tentative against the left-armer, edging and missing more than once, before Bartlett finished the job in the next over in a fine display of swing and seam.

Allen had a couple of close shaves — beaten on the edge and nearly undone by a yorker that he somehow dug out for four — but his luck ran out soon.

Attempting an inside-out drive to a length ball outside off, he could only manage a faint nick.

Promoted to No. 3 ahead of Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Green, the highest-paid overseas player at Rs 25.20 crore, continued his miserable outing having earlier managed scores of 18 (against Mumbai Indians) and 2 (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Bartlett struck again with a similar back of a length delivery in the channel, swinging away inducing another loose poke.

With Bartlett breathing fire and KKR firmly on the back foot, Rahane and Raghuvanshi began to rebuild before steady drizzle halted the proceedings at 7.45pm.

With Eden Gardens equipped with full ground covers, the ground staff swiftly covered the entire field.

There was a brief relent when the covers began to come off, but rain returned, leaving the spectators frustrated as many started leaving.

All this unfolded in front of Bollywood superstar and KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, who made his first appearance of the season at the venue, only to witness a rain-hit evening.

The match also witnessed a relatively sparse turnout, with 29,358 spectators in attendance.

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UNC is hiring former NBA champion Michael Malone as its next coach, making the move Monday ahead of college basketball’s opening of the transfer portal later this week. Malone, who didn’t coach this season after he was fired by the Denver Nuggets last April, has been close to the Tar Heels’ program all season.

Malone, whose daughter is a volleyball player at UNC, watched the Tar Heels’ first five practices last fall before he was asked by then-coach Hubert Davis to speak to the team, as a 2023 NBA champion. Players had a ton of respect for Malone, based on what he did with the Nuggets and league MVP Nikola Jović.

“When we opened up training camp (with the Nuggets), my biggest goal as a coach was finding a way every single day to get better,” Malone said on the Carolina Insider podcast in October. “If it’s in the weight room, if it’s player development or film. … whatever it may be, you have to find a way individually and collectively, find a way to get better. If you find a way to do that throughout the course of a season, you’re going to put yourself in a very good position at the end of the year.

“It’s so easy for everybody (to say), ‘We can win the ACC’ but are you doing what you’re supposed to do every day? Did you cut corners in practice or in the weight room? Now you’re just talking empty words. We don’t want to be an empty team and I know Hubert Davis and this team is not about empty words.”

Malone spoke highly of Davis and his coaching staff’s progress with the team before the 2025-26 season ultimately ended early in the NCAA Tournament against VCU without top scorer Caleb Wilson.

“As a head coach, sometimes you can’t see the forest through the trees and I said coach, it’s important for you to know, these guys are getting better,” Malone said after watching preseason practice. “I’ve watched five or six practices now and from the first practice today, I see marked improvements. When I watched them the most important thing for me as a coach that jumped out to me is they’re working hard, improving and coming together as a team, but it’s not going to happen overnight with so many (new) players.”

UNC fired Davis after five seasons on March 19. Losing a 19-point lead in March Madness was too much to stomach at a program that considers itself one of the best in college basketball.

“The best coaches are teachers, and you teach the why,” Malone added. “One thing I learned along the way in the NBA is players don’t really care how much you know, until they know how much you care. From Hubert all the way down, those coaches care about those guys not just as players, but they’re investing themselves into them as people. When players feel that kind of love and care, they’re willing to go that extra mile and do so much more.”

At the end of the podcast, Malone said he was looking forward to getting back to coaching and leaving his basketball analyst role during the 2026-27 season.

“I’m a coach, I’m a teacher … I’d love to get back to coaching again as long as it’s the right opportunity with the right people,” Malone said.

Manchester City are firmly in the Premier League title race and have a game in hand over Arsenal, who currently sit nine points clear at the top of the table

Gary Lineker has shared his verdict on the Premier League title race, backing Arsenal as they sit nine points clear of Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side do have a game in hand against Crystal Palace and will still welcome the Gunners to the Etihad Stadium.

After their emphatic 4-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool on Saturday, City are not in action again until Sunday, April 12, when they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea (4:30pm). Arsenal, meanwhile, are on Champions League duty this week against Sporting Clube de Portugal in Lisbon, following their surprising 2–1 FA Cup defeat to struggling Southampton on Saturday.

Still competing in Europe, the Gunners have shown real resilience this season, going unbeaten in the group stage, while City were knocked out of the competition by Real Madrid in the round of 16 last month.

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Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker discussed Arsenal’s title chances and stressed the importance of restoring momentum after the disappointment on the south coast.

“The next game or two for Arsenal are hugely important. They need to steady the ship,” the England icon said. “There’s no doubt, they’ve got a huge lead in the Premier League – it’s a nine-point lead.

“Obviously, City have got a game in hand and they play Arsenal at the Etihad, so it could go down to three and it has to go down to three really for them to have any chance, City I think. But it’s squeaky bum time.”

Lineker added: “I think they’ll be fine. I think they’ll win the league which will be the main thing for them. Champions League would be an enormous bonus because obviously it’s a competition that they’ve never won.

“So I think, I’m pretty confident they’ll win the league but they do need to steady that ship.”

Alan Shearer echoed Lineker’s sentiments, saying: “They’re under huge pressure, there’s no doubt. Even Mikel’s interview after the game tells you that but as I said earlier, you’ve always got the right to respond.

“And three days after the game, they’ve got that. Football is crazy, you go into that game and if you win it, your confidence is back up again and everything’s nice and rosy.

“So that’s what they have to do because the noise will just get louder if they don’t.”

After their Champions League tie with Sporting, Arsenal will host Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday at 12:30pm, as the title race continues to heat up in the final weeks of the season.

Monday’s bombshell news that North Carolina is hiring former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone as its next men’s basketball coach sent shockwaves throughout basketball. Malone, who was fired in Denver after the 2024-25 season, will be returning to college basketball for the first time since he was an assistant for Manhattan from 1999 to 2001.

While he hasn’t been part of the college game in the past quarter-century, Malone does have something that no other candidate for the UNC job can claim. He’s got an NBA championship ring as a head coach. Malone — with the help of MVP Nikola Jokic — guided the Nuggets to the 2023 NBA title.

At just 54, he’s still in the prime of his coaching years, and he’s got a personal connection to UNC. His daughter is a member of the volleyball team. He clearly wasn’t North Carolina’s first choice. But after missing on the likes of Tommy Lloyd and Dusty May, North Carolina didn’t want to drag its search out any longer.

The Heels went unconventional, landing someone who has been to the pinnacle of basketball as an NBA champion but who has never worked as a college head coach. Here are the early reactions from our experts on the move.

North Carolina to hire Michael Malone as next basketball coach: Led Nuggets to NBA title in 2022-23

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Gary Parrish, CBS Sports Senior Writer

I’ve noticed the initial reaction to the hire is mixed — but, all things considered, I don’t mind this move. Or, at least, I understand it. I mean, what were UNC’s other realistic options? The school had already missed on Arizona‘s Tommy Lloyd, was never going to get Michigan‘s Dusty May, and the buyouts for most of the other notable candidates currently working in college were all going to cost multiple millions of dollars. So what hiring Michael Malone now does is close the process before the transfer portal opens and save lots of money that can now be spent on staff and players.

Will it work? As always, we’ll see.

But it’s not like Malone has never been employed on a college campus or recruited college prospects and, either way, “previous college head-coaching experience” has never been less important than it is in this pay-for-play era where recruiting is largely transactional. UNC will have a general manager in place. As long as the school gives that person the resources to roster-build at the top of the sport, and as long as that person does the job well, there’s no reason we shouldn’t look up in November and see one of the biggest brands in college basketball, with an expensive roster, being run by an undeniably competent basketball coach.

Matt Norlander, CBS Sports Senior Writer

This is not a surprise candidate. His name had been referenced to me in the days after Hubert Davis was fired, but as a more distant candidate not among the four or five most desired names on the list. Quite clearly, North Carolina either privately coveted him more than anyone ever truly let leak, or they weren’t sure they were going to be satisfied with their pool of college candidates. As I understand it, Billy Donovan would have been very willing to at least engage in a conversation. He was not a guarantee to say yes — far from it — but he was not going to have any real movement until he was done coaching the Bulls, which isn’t for another six days.

This quite clearly picked up a lot of speed in the past 18 hours or so. Keep in mind, the portal officially opens tomorrow. Whether or not that should have any impact on North Carolina getting a coach in place is certainly up for debate.

Malone might prove to be an incredible college coach in the years to come, but it’s going to take a big lift and a change in pace from what he’s been used to as an NBA coach. The biggest question is can he adapt to the college landscape, navigate what it means to be working in the portal, NIL and all the stuff that comes with that.

David Cobb, CBS Sports Writer

Some say this is like the North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick on the basketball side, but that’s misguided. This is closer to USC hiring Pete Carroll in December of 2000 than it is to North Carolina hiring Belichick.

It’s the pairing of a historically elite but struggling college brand with a recently successful (but fired) professional coach who is still in the prime of his coaching years. Like Malone, Carroll hadn’t worked in the college game for a generation when he showed up at USC, and Carroll needed a season to get his feet beneath him. But once he figured it out, some of the greatest years in program history ensued.

At 54, Malone has accomplished more at the professional level in his coaching career than Carroll had when he took over at USC. He’s got an NBA championship ring and 12 years worth of experience scheming at the highest levels of the sport. Obviously, there will be an adjustment, particularly when it comes to personnel. The most critical question from here is who does North Carolina empower to assemble next season’s roster. It shouldn’t be Malone. While he can be involved, it needs to be someone who is currently involved in the nuances of the unique college basketball landscape.

Isaac Trotter, CBS Sports Writer

This feels all about timing and money. Not having to pay an exorbitant buyout is helpful. Not getting behind in the portal is good, too. Michigan’s Dusty May and Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd choosing to stay makes sense, but when the head coach at Iowa and Iowa State also say ‘thanks, but no thanks’ to North Carolina, it makes me question the true cache of this job. Michael Malone may crush it. We’ll all find out together. But UNC’s inability to poach who it wants signals just how much things have changed in this new era of college basketball.

Cameron Salerno, CBS Sports Writer

Malone was one of the best coaches in the NBA during his time with the Denver Nuggets and the Sacramento Kings. Malone was fired (wrongfully) by the Kings in 2014 after just 104 games, which some may hold against him. However, during his short tenure in Sacramento, he started to build a culture within a losing organization that seemed to resonate. Malone caught on with Denver and helped the Nuggets win a title in 2023. I understand how North Carolina couldn’t afford to wait for the portal opening on Tuesday, but waiting the six extra days to hire Billy Donovan would’ve been the right move. 

If UNC didn’t want to wait, ponying up the money to land someone like Vanderbilt‘s Mark Byington would’ve been a much better move. Malone is an excellent basketball coach, but it just doesn’t make a ton of sense on paper. After striking out on Tommy Lloyd and Dusty May, UNC went with the financially safe hire who (obviously) had zero buyout attached. With that said, I don’t love this hire by UNC, but I also don’t hate it.

Eric Bossi, 247Sports Director of Basketball   

North Carolina’s hiring of Malone certainly seems to have come out of left field. The North Carolina brand is always going to get a coach in the door, but the hiring of a coach who hasn’t been involved in college basketball in 25 years brings up some pretty big questions on the recruiting front. Yes, Malone’s NBA experience and championship ring are going to be selling points in his favor, but he’s going to have to do some serious learning on the fly about recruiting in the portal and recruiting elite high school players. Given that the portal officially opens tomorrow, Malone is going to have to put together a staff that has some familiarity with the process and he’s going to have to do it fast. Clearly, Malone can coach at an elite level so there’s no questioning him from an X’s and O’s standpoint, but it is going to be interesting to see how quickly he can adapt to the recruiting landscape in 2026.

Terence Crawford has instructed Canelo Alvarez to take on one man in particular if he manages to claim world honours once again.

Neither Crawford or Canelo have fought since their clash back in September, which saw ‘Bud’ earn a unanimous decision victory to become undisputed super-middleweight world champion.

Crawford went on to announce his retirement from the sport, while Alvarez has been recovering from elbow surgery, and is expected to return to action in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia later this year.

It seems that the frontrunner to be Canelo’s next opponent is Christian Mbilli, who now holds the WBC super-middleweight title after he was elevated from interim status due to Crawford’s retirement.

Mbilli’s trainer Marc Ramsay revealed last week that they were awaiting a decision on if Mbilli make need to face new WBC interim champion Lester Martinez, but after the WBC’s latest divisional updates, it has seemingly paved the way for a clash against Canelo.

Crawford believes that Martinez deserves his shot though, after posting on social media to say Alvarez needs to fight the Guatemalan if he overcomes Mbilli.

“Yes that needs to be next.”

Martinez was a stablemate of Crawford’s, and over the years ‘Bud’ has tipped the 30-year-old to achieve big things within the sport.

After a draw against Mbilli himself on the Crawford vs Canelo card, Martinez returned in March with a unanimous decision win against Immanuwel Aleem to win the WBC interim title.

Martinez has since had two mandatory defences put upon him, first against Luka Plantic, before then against the winner of a bout between Jacob Bank and Paulinus Ndjolomino. With victories there, a future clash against Canelo could present itself.

A former world heavyweight champion has welcomed a potential battle against Moses Itauma.

Highly-rated Itauma has been viewed as one of the brightest prospects in the entire sport over the past few years, but he has now arguably surpassed that status and has already earned his placement as one of the best heavyweights in the division.

Last time out, Itauma did something that Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte were unable to do by defeating Jermaine Franklin inside the distance, earning a fifth round knockout win thanks to a devastating uppercut that left the American face first on the canvas.

When it comes to picking the next opponent for the 21-year-old, WBA Regular heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev and top contender Filip Hrgovic have been named as possible options, but now a former long-term titleholder has thrown his hat into the ring.

That man is Deontay Wilder, as speaking in the post-fight press conference following his win over Derek Chisora on Saturday, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ said he would welcome a clash against Itauma.

“Why not? I’m not dodging anyone. I’m a veteran in the game. I’m looking forward to fighting any and all. If the fans want to see it then why not?

“I didn’t know who Moses was, I saw his last fight against Franklin, what a hell of a KO. He seems like a potential champion. Why not test him out?”

Wilder held the WBC heavyweight title for five years but has suffered a number of defeats in recent years. He is hoping to have turned over a new leaf following his win against Chisora, with a clash against Itauma seemingly one option for the hard-hitting American.

Ex-Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan hit it off the ex-Boxer on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here… South Africa in 2022

Helen Flanagan, the actress and former partner of David Haye, was previously brought to tears while speaking about their relationship. The 45-year-old ex-boxer is returning to the jungle for the latest series of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here… South Africa, which begins on Monday evening.

The former Coronation Street star, 35, became visibly upset as she discussed her connection with Haye and speculation that she was involved in a ‘throuple’ with him.

The former heavyweight champion has frequently attracted attention in recent years for practising polyamory, which involves having multiple romantic and sexual relationships, with the agreement of a partner or spouse.

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Haye and Flanagan first met on I’m a Celebrity in 2012 but didn’t begin a romance until they both featured on the 2022 series of the reality programme. Yet, it was during a conversation with relationship experts on Celebs Go Dating in September 2024 that Flanagan discussed Haye and the complications that accompany dating the gold medal-winning former fighter.

Helen broke down in tears as she disclosed they had previously been together, but found it difficult to accept not being the sole woman in his life. “I’d known him for 10 years,” Helen said on the show.

“We did a reality show together. I remember the first time seeing him in the jungle, I was like ‘wow.’ It was quite something – it’s really hard for me to talk about.

“He had a girlfriend and an open relationship. I didn’t mean to fall in love with him, but I did. We did have this amazing connection together – we were like fire. It was weird – I think he does love his girlfriend and he loves me as well. It just brings me to a part in my life that was quite dark.”

When pressed on suggestions she had been involved in a throuple, she responded: “No [it wasn’t]. I was in love with him. I wouldn’t have enjoyed watching the man I was in love with have sex with another woman, that’s not for me.

“I had communication with his girlfriend, but I felt very guilty. I didn’t feel nice about it all. It really upsets me because I don’t mean to hurt other people but I was just really lonely. I found it really difficult because it just happened. It’s not nice on another girl and I should’ve known better.”

The pair brought their brief romance to a close in December 2023. Speaking ahead of Monday’s launch of the new series of I’m a Celebrity, the former boxer reflected: “The first time I did it, it felt very easy for me.

“The trials weren’t that hard at all. And I think I was quite vocal about that going into it [this time], like [I was] wanting a bit of a challenge. And they turned they turned up the heat. They really did.”

He quipped that “some of the stuff they were getting us to do I wouldn’t have thought it was legal to do.” In contrast to the regular series, this year’s instalment of the programme has been pre-recorded.

Tipped to be the most gruelling instalment to date, the last spin-off aired in 2023 and saw Loose Women star Myleene Klass crowned as the inaugural winner. I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here… South Africa kicks off on Monday, April 6, at 9pm on ITV1 and is also available to stream on ITVX.

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The UNC Tar Heels are dipping into the NBA pool for its next men’s basketball coach.

After Hubert Davis was fired following a shocking loss to VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament earlier this month, the Tar Heels are set to hire Michael Malone, according to ESPN.

North Carolina was previously linked to top college coaches, including Michigan’s Dusty May, who will be competing for an NCAA title on Monday night against UConn. But May took his name out of any running across college, while Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd and Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger were also rumored to be in the Tar Heels’ favor.

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Head Coach Michael Malone claps on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on April 6, 2025. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

But Malone, who spent the past 10 seasons leading the Denver Nuggets, is the man they’re settling on to lead the Tar Heels back to greatness.

Malone is the winningest coach in Nuggets history, tallying 471 career wins across his career there, while also winning an NBA title in 2023.

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However, Malone, despite what he means to the franchise record books, was fired by the Nuggets in April 2025. He quickly entered the sports media space, joining ESPN in May 2025, but he’s back in the saddle now in a whole new collegiate world compared to the pros.

Perhaps North Carolina wouldn’t have been searching for another head coach if Davis and the Tar Heels didn’t collapse against No. 10 VCU in the first round, as the Rams mounted the biggest first-round comeback in tournament history to ultimately defeat No. 6 UNC in overtime, 82-78.

“We appreciate all that Hubert has done for Carolina as a player, assistant coach, head coach and community leader – he has helped make special memories we will never forget,” athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a statement. “This was not an easy decision because of Hubert’s tremendous character and all he has given to the program, but we must move forward in a way that allows our team to compete more consistently at an elite level.”

Davis, who made four NCAA Tournaments, including the last three seasons, over his five campaigns with the Tar Heels, released his own statement on the matter. 

Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets watches the game against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on April 4, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

“Tonight, I was let go by the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill,” he wrote. “My desire was to continue to coach here. This opportunity has truly been such a blessing. I thank Jesus literally every day for giving me the opportunity, relationships and experiences with the kids and my staff. I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish together.”

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Davis added that he hopes to be coaching “in the very near future.”

Davis, who played for UNC from 1988-92 before being a first-round pick by the New York Knicks in 1992, left the program with about $5.3 million still guaranteed from his contract, per ESPN.

Davis went 125-54 during his 179-game tenure with his alma mater, which included a first-year Final Four appearance during the 2021-22 campaign. The Tar Heels reached the national championship game, falling to the Kansas Jayhawks, who also overcame a double-digit deficit to be crowned champions.

Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on April 4, 2025. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

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 After missing March Madness in 2023, the Tar Heels earned themselves a No. 1 seed in 2024, but they were taken down by No. 4 Alabama in the Sweet 16, cutting their national title hopes short. Still, Davis earned himself the ACC Coach of the Year Award that year. 

The Tar Heels want to get back to the Roy Williams days, as the legendary UNC head coach led his squad to six NCAA titles during his tenure, the most recent coming in 2017.