Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik hailed Virat Kohli after the batter scored a 19-ball 45 in the team’s second intra-squad practice game ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Speaking after RCB’s second practice game on Wednesday, Dinesh Karthik praised Virat Kohli for his strong performance in the warm-up match, highlighting his consistency, evolving game plan, and relentless drive to improve. He also emphasised Kohli’s energy and influence both on the field and within the team environment.
“Good game today. The class of Virat came through quite nicely up front, played some lovely shots. The greatness about Virat is every year he comes up with a certain plan, a certain intent. You saw how he’s really upped what he wants to do. I feel this year he’ll try and get even better. That tells a lot about the person that he is. He’s always trying to push his boundaries. And also what he brings in terms of energy to the crowd, to the meetings – those are all big things, and that’s a big part of Virat’s personality as well,” Karthik said in a video posted by RCB on social media.
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 25, 2026
RCB held their first intra-squad warm-up match on Monday. In that match, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma scored a 37-ball 81, skipper Rajat Patidar smashed a blazing 25-ball 74, while Kohli played a quick 12-ball 29-run cameo.
Batting first, the team led by Venkatesh Iyer posted 234/7, with Jitesh (81 in 37 balls), Tim David (36 in 14 balls), Iyer (30 in 16 balls) and Virat (29 in 12 balls) dominating the scorecard. In their 20 overs, the other team, led by Krunal, fired 247 runs, with Rajat (74 in 25 balls), Padikkal (63 in 33 balls) and Krunal (58 in 33 balls) delivering standout performances.
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RCB will kickstart their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home in Bengaluru on March 28.
Manchester United fan Pernille Harder scored twice against her childhood club at Old Trafford as Bayern Munich gained a precious first-leg advantage in their Champions League quarter-final tie.
Joe Flacco may be 41 years old, but he still thinks he has plenty left in the tank.
The Super Bowl XLVII champion signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals to be Joe Burrow’s backup, but he wants much more than that.
“Not being one of those guys to go sign somewhere, yeah, it pisses me off a little bit,” Flacco said.
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Joe Flacco of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of the game at Paycor Stadium on Oct. 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.(Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
He then added a parting shot at just about every team in the league.
“And believe me, I wish I was the guy somewhere, and I think teams are dumb for not having me be that guy,” he said.
Flacco started last season for the Cleveland Browns and was their Week 1 quarterback, but with two rookies in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the wings, the writing was on the wall.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Dec. 7, 2025.(Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)
Cleveland traded him to Cincinnati after Burrow suffered a serious turf-toe injury, and he found some success. Flacco played well despite going 1-5 as a starter with the Bengals. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals’ offense averaged more than 27 points per game.
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But with his success, despite his wishes to be a starter, it’s a good consolation prize.
“I feel like I have unfinished business. That’s part of why I’m here and still playing and doing all those things…” he said. “I had a lot of fun with Joe, and Joe’s the guy.”
Flacco, who was Super Bowl MVP with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 season, has played for the Broncos, Jets, Eagles, Jets again, Browns, Colts, Browns again and the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 2 2025.(Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)
He has thrown for 48,176 yards, 272 touchdowns and 172 interceptions in 19 seasons. He is 10-6 in the playoffs with 3,530 yards passing, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Liverpool fans are bracing themselves for the end of an era as Mohamed Salah prepares to leave Anfield after nine sensational years. The Egyptian forward, who has lit up the Premier League with his pace, skill, and finishing ability, leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable moments.
From crucial goals to historic performances, here are five of Salah’s most memorable contributions in a Liverpool shirt.
1. Champions League Redemption: Penalty vs Tottenham, Madrid, June 1, 2019
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After the heartbreak of the 2018 Kiev final, where Salah was injured following a clash with Sergio Ramos, the 2019 Champions League final offered a chance for redemption. Salah approached his penalty with steely determination, recalling the previous year’s setback to fuel his resolve. His composed finish past Hugo Lloris not only gave Liverpool an early advantage but also served as poetic justice after the prior year’s disappointment. It was a defining moment of resilience and maturity for the superstar.
2. Historic Hat-Trick: Manchester United, Premier League, October 24, 2021
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Salah silenced doubters and made history at Old Trafford with a stunning hat-trick. He first assisted Naby Keita’s opener before scoring twice before halftime and completing his treble in the second half with a Jordan Henderson setup. This performance marked the first hat-trick by an opposition player at Old Trafford in the Premier League era, cementing Salah’s reputation as a big-game performer and a nightmare for Liverpool’s fiercest rivals.
3. Masterclass vs Manchester City: Premier League, Anfield, October 3, 2021
During one of the most thrilling Liverpool-City encounters under Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, Salah’s goal stood out for its brilliance. Evading three defenders with exquisite close control and finishing with a right-footed strike past Ederson, Salah displayed skill reminiscent of Lionel Messi. This goal exemplified his peak form and ability to deliver in high-stakes Premier League clashes.
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4. Champions League Quarter-Final Brilliance: Manchester City, April 10, 2018
In the 2018 quarter-final, Liverpool had won the first leg 3-0, but the second leg posed a significant challenge as City pushed hard for a comeback. Salah’s calm, precise finish over Ederson showcased his ability to maintain composure under pressure. Celebrating with arms outstretched, he embodied confidence and dominance, giving Liverpool fans one of the season’s iconic European moments.
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5. First Premier League Goal at Anfield: Arsenal, August 27, 2017
Salah’s first league goal at Anfield was a glimpse of his extraordinary talent. Collecting the ball from his own half, he surged past multiple Arsenal defenders with breathtaking speed and control before finishing clinically. This goal not only announced Salah as a player of special quality but also signaled the start of a decade of thrilling performances for Liverpool supporters.
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Mohamed Salah at Liverpool: By the Numbers
4 Golden Boots: Salah secured the Premier League’s top scorer award four times during his Liverpool career (2017-18, 2018-19, 2021-22, 2024-25), equalling Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s record.
8 Major Trophies: The Egyptian superstar helped Liverpool lift two Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, two League Cups, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
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$50 Million Transfer: Liverpool paid $50 million to sign Salah from Roma in 2017.
255 Goals: Salah scored 255 goals for Liverpool, placing him third on the club’s all-time scoring list behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285).
435 Appearances: Across all competitions, Salah made 435 appearances, leaving an indelible mark on the club’s history.
The Kansas City Chiefs had an underwhelming 2025 season as they missed the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. Their season got worse after quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ ACL injury.
Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the Week 15 clash against the nfl/los-angeles-chargers” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-is-sponsored=”false”>Los Angeles Chargers. The Pro Bowl quarterback, who is eyeing a Week 1 return for the 2026 season, shared a clip of himself throwing the ball in rehab on his Instagram story.
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“Day by day! Felt great being able to throw the ball around today,” Mahomes wrote.
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NFL fans reacted to Mahomes starting to throw after just 100 days of recovery.
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“Going to be a great backup to Fields.”
Going to be a great backup to Fields
“Good. We want him nice and healthy for bills chiefs week 1, it wouldn’t feel right to beat the chiefs without him there.”
Good. We want him nice and healthy for bills chiefs week 1, it wouldn’t feel right to beat the chiefs without him there.
“Great for him. Let me know when 350lb linemen are chasing and tackling him.”
Great for him. Let me know when 350lb linemen are chasing and tackling him.
“Literally 0 drive off the left leg. Absolutely pointless even practicing like this, all you’re going to do is ingrain bad habits. It’s good for an instagram video though I guess.”
Literally 0 drive off the left leg. Absolutely pointless even practicing like this, all you’re going to do is ingrain bad habits. It’s good for an instagram video though I guess.
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“He does NOT want Fields to start next season 😂”
@MySportsUpdate He does NOT want Fields to start next season 😂
While Mahomes continues on his road to recovery, the Chiefs traded for ex-New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields last week. The five-year veteran is the Chiefs’ insurance if Mahomes fails to recover in time for the 2026 season.
Texas Tech dominated the Big 12 last year and didn’t lose a game when Behron Morton started in conference play.
Can the Red Raiders play at that level again in 2026?
On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, I discuss a recent Executive Order to try to assure the long-term stability of the Army-Navy Football Game.
Is the solution simpler than we think?
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UCLA fired DeShaun Foster last year and has brought in former JMU Head Coach Bob Chesney to move the program forward.
His 2026 schedule might allow for just that.
05:25 Red Raiders’ Tough Road Games 08:26 Texas Tech Challenge Expectations 14:34 Army-Navy Game Timing Debate 18:48 Rivalry Weekend Debate 26:44 Chesney’s Challenging Start 27:28 UCLA’s Season Outlook Analyzed
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) speaks during a postgame interview on the field, addressing the media following a matchup against Detroit on Dec. 25, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis after another late-season NFC North contest. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Harrison Smith is technically a free agent, and according to a Chicago Bears-themed website, he might be interested in Ben Johnson’s team for his final season.
Chicago can dream, but Smith’s real choice still looks much narrower.
There’s no earthly reason for Smith to sign with the Bears, but Ernesto Cova at Da Windy City claims the idea is on the table.
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Smith to CHI Just Isn’t Realistic
This theory could’ve been left in Drafts.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) walks onto the field before kickoff, taking in the moment ahead of a road matchup against New York on Dec. 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford as the veteran prepared for another late-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans/USA TODAY NETWORK-Imagn Images.
DaWindyCity.com: Why Not Harrison Smith to CHI?
As the saying goes, “There’s a take for everything,” and that was in play Tuesday when Cova suggested Smith to Chicago.
He explained, “The Bears should make a run at Harrison Smith. Smith is still a free agent, and the Bears could certainly use some help at strong safety. Given Smith’s age, he’s obviously not going to be a long-term solution at the position. That said, the Bears’ Super Bowl window is wide open right now, and he’s the type of proven veteran who can help this young team push through in the second year of the Ben Johnson era.”
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“The Chicago Bears already lured a former divisional rival to the Windy City. And even though the addition of WR Kalif Raymond may not be as impactful, bolstering the team while hurting an NFC North rival is a double win. Now, GM Ryan Poles might repeat that approach, this time to bolster the defense with a Minnesota Vikings star.”
The sixth-time Pro Bowler has never even remotely hinted that he’d place elsewhere, making the Bears’ theory all the more ludicrous.
Smith’s Choice Is Binary: Return to Vikings or Retirement from NFL
The issue at hand for Smith is not to re-sign with the Vikings or to explore another team. If he wanted that outcome, he could’ve explored that scenario five or six years ago.
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In the 2026 offseason, Smith’s self-admitted decision is between retiring and coming back for Year No. 15 in Minnesota. Hell, just in case, the Vikings and the team’s fans held a faux retirement ceremony for him at U.S. Bank Stadium in January when Minnesota chipped off the Detroit Lions to end the season.
Since then, longtime Vikings like Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham have called it quits. He has not. Smith will choose between Year No. 15 and retirement in the very near future.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) goes through pregame warmups, getting loose ahead of the season opener against Tampa Bay on Sep. 10, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as Minnesota prepared to begin its regular-season schedule. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
Zone Coverage‘s Chris Schad noted on Smith this week, “Getting Harrison Smith back to the Vikings defense would be a boost in an offseason that has been about improving the team without the splashy, ill-fated signings that headlined free agency a year ago. Still, even if Smith returns, he won’t be the ultimate solution for a safety room that needs help.”
The Bears’ Defensive Overhaul
Why would the Bears want Smith? Well, they’ve been busy overhauling their defense. In free agency, Chicago has lost these players:
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Andrew Billings (DL) CHI → ARI
Jaquan Brisker (S) CHI → PIT
Kevin Byard (S) CHI → NE
Tremaine Edmunds (LB) CHI → NYG
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (S) CHI → BUF
Jonathan Owens (S) CHI → IND
Dominique Robinson (ED) CHI → HOU
Nahshon Wright (CB) CHI → NYJ
And the newcomers + re-signings:
Coby Bryant (S) SEA → CHI
Neville Gallimore (DL) IND → CHI
Elijah Hicks (CB) CHI → CHI
Jaylon Jones (S) CHI → CHI
James Lynch (DL) TEN → CHI
Cam Lewis (CB) BUF → CHI
Jack Sanborn (LB) DAL → CHI
Kentavius Street (DL) ATL → CHI
Smith would evidently play situational between Bryant and Jones — or so goes the theory.
All Signs Point to a Return to MIN for Smith
Smith’s indecision likely speaks volumes if you think about it for a moment. Players nearing retirement usually sound ready to hang up their cleats, and back in January, Smith sounded like he was on the verge of retiring, saying he was “leaning one way” without elaborating. Vikings fans even treated Week 18 as a potential farewell.
Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) reacts after making an interception, celebrating the defensive play during second-half action against Washington on Dec. 7, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as the Vikings built momentum late in the game. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Now in March, he hasn’t closed the door on returning. A source told VikingsTerritory in February that Smith is “50/50” on returning, adding that he “has a hard time walking away.”
That tracks with Smith’s strong finish to the 2025 season. After battling an early-season ailment, he rebounded and recorded a couple of interceptions. Timing may also be a factor. The Vikings are suddenly looking like contenders again. With Kyler Murray now in the building, Super Bowl aspirations are resurfacing. For a player like Smith, retiring right before Minnesota makes a serious title run would be painstaking.
The prospect of the Vikings winning a championship the season after he retires would be criminal. One thing’s for sure: Smith won’t be joining the Bears. A delusional take.
MLB Opening Day 2026 has arrived for two teams as the San Francisco Giants host the New York Yankees in a standalone matchup on Wednesday evening. New York is coming off a 94-68 campaign in 2025. The Yankees lost in the divisional round to the Blue Jays. The Giants, meanwhile, went 81-81 and missed the MLB playoffs last year. San Francisco hired Tony Vitello from the University of Tennessee to be its new manager in 2026. Max Fried will be the Opening Day starter for the Yankees, while Logan Webb will be on the hill for the Giants.
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Top Yankees vs. Giants predictions
After 10,000 simulations of Giants vs. Yankees, the model is going Over 7 combined runs. New York had the best offense in baseball last year, averaging 5.19 runs per game. Most of the top producers are back, including Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham. The Giants, meanwhile, ranked 17th in runs scored last year. They hope the addition of contact specialist Luis Arraez into the leadoff spot helps balance a lineup with some power bats such as Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Matt Chapman.
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SportsLine’s model projects more than 1.5 total bases for Judge, Chisholm and Ben Rice for the Yankees. The Giants, meanwhile, are projected to get around 1.5 total bases from Adames and Heliot Ramos. The model projects 9.1 combined runs as the Over hits in 63% of simulations. Get the Giants vs. Yankees money-line pick at SportsLine.
How to make Giants vs. Yankees picks
After simulating every pitch of Yankees vs. Giants 10,000 times, the model also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can get that pick at SportsLine.
Though Abhishek Sharma slammed a fiery 21-ball 52 in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026, former India player Yograj Singh is not happy with the opener. Yograj’s son Yuvraj is a mentor to Abhishek as well as Shubman Gill. However, Yograj said that Abhishek’s focus was not entirely on cricket and added that he had to play defensively too sometimes. “It would take him another age to go closer to Yuvraj Singh. The whole universe works on discipline. That’s how cricketers should work. Where are cricketers going wrong? Parties, girls, money, shooting all the time,” Yograj said in an interview to InsideSport.
Yograj went on to say that he was “disgusted” with Abhishek Sharma. Yograj claimed he had even messaged Abhishek. World No. 1 T20I batter Abhishek scored 141 in eight matches at the T20 World Cup. He scored two half-centuries but was also out for 0 thrice.
“I’m very disgusted with him (Sharma). There are times when I drop him messages – don’t take this game for granted. He will always say ‘yes sir’. There is something called a single, a double and a boundary. Every time you cannot hit the ball in the air. You cannot keep hitting sixes and entertaining the crowd. You will fail,” Yograj said.
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He even took the name of Shubman Gill.
“You fail because your mind is somewhere else. What is happening to Shubman Gill, Abhishek? The failure comes only when your mind is diverted somewhere else. That is what is happening with Abhishek. The guy walks around doing reels, that isn’t his job. He should bloody well go to bed at 9 PM and wake up at 5 AM and play a thousand balls,” Yograj added.
Also, Ravichandran Ashwin‘s statement that Arjun Tendulkar would not get a chance in Lucknow Super Giants’ playing XI was not taken well by Yograj. He had briefly coached Arjun in the past.
“He is talking bullshit. This guy Ashwin, whoever he is. He should know what to talk about somebody. Somebody’s sitting on the television and talking, ‘Oh, he can’t do this, he can’t do that.’ Arey tum kya ho bhai (Who are you? What are you)?” Yograj said on InsideSport.
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“When cricketers talk like this… He is Sachin Tendulkar‘s son, that is a different story. When he was here, I told Yuvi that all of you are concentrating on the wrong thing regarding Arjun Tendulkar. He is not a bowler; he had a spine problem, and his hands come down from 45 degrees. When he was here, I was talking to him. I told his coach as well when he was with the Goa team. When he (Arjun) was batting, this guy was hitting sixes and boundaries. I told the coach, ‘What the hell are you people doing? If you can’t do it, send him to me’,” he added.
The Sweet 16 matchup between Arizona and Arkansas is one of the most highly anticipated games of the round.
John Calipari is a legendary coach, and the Razorbacks are on a roll after winning the SEC Tournament.
The spread (Arizona -8.5) is questionable after the Wildcats struggled down the stretch against Utah State. The game could potentially come down to the final few possessions.
Here’s my preview for the matchup.
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No. 4 Arkansas vs No. 1 Arizona
Thursday, March 26 6:45 pm PT, CBS San Jose, CA
This game is the ultimate test for Tommy Lloyd.
Is he the coach that he thinks he is? Or is he a perennial March Madness bust that’s never able to get past the Sweet 16?
What happens in this game is massive for Lloyd’s reputation and for Arizona basketball as a whole.
Arkansas has one of the top offenses in the country.
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John Calipari’s team is No. 2 nationally in points per game, No. 2 in fast break points, No. 11 in three-point percentage, and No. 10 in field goal percentage.
The Razorbacks run a faster pace than the Wildcats and turn the ball over less.
Read that again: a high-scoring, fast-paced offense that doesn’t turn the ball over. That’s a scary combination.
Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. vs. High Point | CBS Sports
Arizona can’t commit turnovers against an elite offense like that. Nor can the Cats allow Arkansas to have second-chance opportunities.
If they do, the season could end in the Sweet 16.
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So, how do the Wildcats win?
Defense and rebounding.
Lloyd’s team is No. 6 nationally in field goal percentage defense and No. 3 overall in rebound margin. The Cats must dominate the glass and contest every shot.
Any defensive breakdowns along the perimeter will be converted into scores.
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Lloyd’s players must be on point with their switching when Calipari inevitably runs the high pick-and-roll action that the Wildcats have struggled to defend at times.
Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas take the lion’s share of the shots for the Hogs. The duo leads the scoring for Arkansas, checking in at 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-5, respectively.
Arizona guard Brayden Burries vs. Utah State | The Daily Wildcat
It sounds like a defensive job that’s right up the alley of Ivan Kharchenkov, Brayden Burries, and Jaden Bradley. Staying out of foul trouble could be critical.
But the X-Factor might be the battle between Trevon Brazile and Koa Peat.
The players are mirror images of each other, except Brazile is a senior and slightly taller. Whichever plays better is likely to lead his team to a win.
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Yet, putting aside the individual matchups, Arizona must be efficient when it has the ball.
Fortunately, Arkansas is not a good defensive team.
The Razorbacks allow 80.3 points per game, which would put them 14th in the Big 12. That’s below the likes of Utah and Colorado.
They also don’t rebound the ball very well, either. The Hogs snag 36.3 per game, which would put them 10th in the Big 12.
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If the Wildcats limit turnovers, rebound effectively, and defend the three, a trip to the Elite 8 could become a reality.
Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.
UCLA fired DeShaun Foster last year and has brought in former JMU Head Coach Bob Chesney to move the program forward. 
No. 4 Arkansas vs No. 1 Arizona
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