It’s coming down to it.

March is right around the corner, and the at-large resumes are coming under scrutiny.

Last week, UCLA helped itself with a critical win over Illinois while USC shot itself in the foot with two losses.

At the same time, San Diego State played its way out of the projected field with two defeats, while Utah State hurt its projected seed by dropping a game to Nevada.

Over in the ACC, California stayed in contention while essentially knocking Stanford out.

This week, there are several critical games in the WCC and MWC that will affect the Bubble conversation.

Here’s how I view the Top 10 College Basketball Teams in the West with three weeks to go until Selection Sunday.

Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.

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Team Akwa Ibom tennis player Etoro Bassey has described her victory over Lorelay Holzendorff as “thrilling” after reaching the women’s singles final at the 2nd Niger Delta Games in Benin City, Edo State.

“The feeling is thrilling. Last year (1st Edition of the Niger Delta Games) was basically the same thing as we met in the semifinals and I won and to defeat her again is a good thing for me,” Bassey said after her 2-0 (6-1, 6-1) win in the semifinal held on Monday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

The 18-year-old said she had no fear going into the match despite Lorelay’s improvement. “I didn’t feel fear at all. I was confident in my game,” she stated.

Bassey also said she is hoping for a repeat of last year’s final against fellow Team Akwa Ibom player, Favour James. “I am really looking forward to a repeat of last years final. I want to face Favour James in the final but if it happens otherwise fine.”

She praised the organisers of the Games for their support and welfare of athletes. “The competition is okay. They are treating us well, giving us good food and everything is okay.

“It has been fun in Edo State. I am getting to meet new people and our team we are supporting each other and so I am enjoying myself here.”

Bassey, who is competing in youth events, also revealed her ambition to reach the top circuit and become a professional tennis player.

The Niger Delta Games is organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited and sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Events will run until the closing ceremony on February 26

As the second edition of the Niger Delta Games enters Day-3 in Benin, Edo State, the Scouting Committee has said that it has a mission to identify the next generation of star sportsmen and women from the region.

Chairman of the committee, Godwin Enakhena and his team has been moving round the games venues from morning sessions till the close of the day, monitoring and liaising with the screening committee to ensure that the right athletes were scouted.

“We’re ready to help discover the next Blessing Oborodudu, Victor Ikpeba, Victor Osimhen, Nwankwo Kanu, Efe Ajagba, Enefiok Udo-Obong, Blessing Okagbare, Ese Brume etc for the Niger Delta region”, he asserted Sunday afternoon when he joined a group of former athletics stars at the track and field events at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Sunday.

The line up of athletics greats includes Mary Onyali, Henry Amike, Gabriel Okon, Gabriel Opuama and Enefiok Udo-Obong among others.

“We are happy with the job done by the screening committee to ensure that true U-20s are the ones participating in Benin City.

“We’re going to be meticulous in beaming the searchlight on very talented younger athletes that are being showcased at the Games”, he said amidst the din of cheers that trailed the completion of the 400m hurdles final.

Enakhena recalled that at the last edition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, 644 athletes were identified as having the potentials to thrive in the future.

He believes that there exists a possibility to exceed that number given that the states are beginning to embrace the vision of going to the grassroots to discover budding talents.

“To make this happen, we’ve put together experienced coaches and scouts. Blessing Oborududu leads wrestling scouts and Rolake Olagbegi-Kassim leads tennis. She was the first Nigerian female professional tennis player and the first to win Gold and Silver medals at the All-African Games. The longest serving NPFL player, Victor Ezeji will lead the football scouts, amongst others”, he disclosed.

The NDG has been programmed to provide a platform for states in the region to discover, test and nurture indigenous budding talents to become national and international champions.

The games is organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited led by Sir Itiako Ikpokpo and sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

The 2024 Paris Games revitalized what those five recognizable Olympic rings mean as a symbol of athletic competition, global community, ambition and achievement on the world’s stage. As soon as the most recent Summer Games concluded, the reviews were near-universal in agreement. The Olympics were officially back, with Paris’ moment widely recognized as one of the best Games in history for a bevy of irresistible reasons: the jaw-dropping backdrops and unique stages for competition; the record-setting performances; the star power drawn in by one of the most famous cities in the world; and, crucially, the return of a normal Olympics after COVID had severe impacts on the previous two.

The just-concluded Milan Cortina Games couldn’t hit the same highs or have quite the same worldwide reach of the Paris Games — the Summer Olympics will always out-rate Winter — but all medals and moments considered, what we just watched over the past 16 days immediately vaults this fortnight competition near the top of the list of the best Winter Games of all time. 

What’s more, for the first time since Vancouver in 2010, the world’s best cold-weather athletes competed in a place that was both visually stimulating for TV watchers and viewership-friendly in the United States. 

As for the U.S. delegation, this has to be regarded as the country’s greatest go on snow and ice ever. Those in red, white and blue put on an epic showing, with Americans bringing home 12 gold medals, the most in any Winter Olympics. The 33 total medals were four off their best haul during those Vancouver Games 16 years ago.

My primary gig for CBS Sports is to write and talk about men’s college basketball, but longtime readers know all too well how much I love the Olympics. And even in the midst of what I think will wind up being an all-time season in college hoops, I had my attention split for two weeks between American hardwood and Italian ice due to the gorgeous vistas, powerful storylines, emerging star power and ever-reliable drama that came across my TV screen with 16 disciplines in eight sports taking place an ocean and a continent away.

The redemption stories and breakout stars and anguishing images of failure that developed over two-plus weeks in the mountains of Northern Italy produced enough narratives to fill a 500-page novel. I’ll go much shorter than that, but please join me on a look back at the stars and moments that made the Milan Cortina Games one of the best Winter Olympics ever.

Team USA sweeps hockey gold

We start with ice hockey. The United States men’s and women’s teams won gold in the same Olympics for the first time, which is a monumental achievement in its own right. But then consider the details: The two teams did it three days apart in games, in games that that both ended 2-1, in games that both reached overtime, in games that both downed a perfect rival, Canada.

For the women, Megan Keller became an American hero for her overtime goal that won the gold medal. And Hilary Knight, a legend in her own right, for getting the game to the bonus session and setting an Olympic scoring record in the process. 

For the men, Jack Hughes is an immortal — right alongside goalie Connor Hellebuyck (who should have won MVP) — for getting the men’s team its first gold since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980, 46 years to the day, no less.

It’s only the third time men’s hockey has won the Olympic tournament; 1960 being the first. The 1980 team has been subject to documentaries. Both of these champions will be as well.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s redemption arc

Mikaela Shiffrin, 30 years old and far from finished in her one-of-a-kind career, has become one of my favorite athletes. Shiffrin got the third Olympic gold medal of her career on Feb. 18, but it was the only one of these Games. It came in her best discipline, the slalom, and in staggering fashion. Shiffrin exorcised her previous eight non-podium skis in the Olympics by winning her two slalom races by 1.50 seconds, marking the largest margin of victory in an Alpine Olympic event since 1998. The gap in her win was so large, it was actually a longer amount of time than the advantage of the six previous Olympic slalom winners — COMBINED!

She entered Milan as the only two-time slalom gold medalist in U.S. history. And now Shiffrin is the first Team USA skier to ever win three gold medals, too. She was already the youngest (18 in 2014) to win the women’s slalom event at the Olympics, and with last week’s gold she’s also now the oldest to ever do it as well. One barrier after another, broken. 

She did it after failing to medal in giant slalom and also shockingly blowing a first-place lead in the Olympics debut of the team combined event with teammate Breezy Johnson — whose downhill gold was one of the United States’ 12. Shiffrin responded with one of the best races of her life. She earned it not because of the hard work, but because of how she so willingly put herself out there, time and again, with her struggles.

Every time I heard Shiffrin talk, or saw one of her social posts, it was nothing but positivity, affirmation of teammates and competitors and transparency over accepting the challenges of these moments, of living through them instead of going against them. When she won gold last week, cameras caught her expression, goggles still over the eyes, and the first word out of her mouth? 

Dad.

I almost cried when I watched it live.

Shiffrin unexpectedly lost her father to an accident in 2020. She’d won races since then, and had high-profile failures too. But winning a medal on the Olympic stage hadn’t happened since he passed. Her honesty at her medal-winning press conference about processing grief is something everyone should watch.

Women provided so many inspirational performances

Johnson, not only won gold here, she did so on the course that was the stage of a pre-Olympics crash in 2022 that caused her to miss the Beijing Games. And so not only did she make a grand comeback at 30, she also got engaged after her final race.

The most uplifting performance of the past 16 days came via the carefree radiance of 20-year-old Alysa Liu, whose infectious personality and impressive singles free skate that delivered her a gold medal. She also reached the top of the podium as part of the team event for the United States. A few years ago, Liu retired from competitive skating. But the bug bit back and it’s become a decision that will change her life forever. Her golds have vaulted Liu to stardom. Should she keep at it, she’ll enter 2030 at just 24, and among the handful of biggest stars for those Games.

It was an amazing Olympics for women in the United States and beyond. Thirty-five-year-old Italian Federica Brignone is an immediate legend for how she recovered in less than a year to win two gold medals for the home country, boosting Italy to a record 10 golds and 30 medals (third overall in both) set a record for most by a host country.  

The Netherlands’ speedskating duo of Femke Kok and Jutta Leerdam each won a gold and a silver and they have flipped a niche sport into must-see competition. They are bona fide uber celebrities in their home country, where speedskating is treated there like football is in the States. Italian Arianna Fontana made history by competing in her final Olympics at 35 and winning a gold and two silvers in short track speedskating, and finishing with a medal at six straight Olympics. No one else has ever done that! She’s got 14 medals to her name, second most ever to Norways Marit Bjøgen’s 15.

Speaking of peaking at the end: Elana Meyers Taylor competed in her fifth Olympics and finally, as a 41-year-old mom of two, won her first gold in the monobob. Imagine hitting the peak of your athletic life after the age of 40? Lindsey Vonn tried to do that, only to see it end in disaster. But Vonn’s tragic final Olympic race — which has required three surgeries already and will need at least one more — served as a scary reminder of the very real stakes of competition in the Winter Olympics. Nothing compares.

Men who seemed to be immortal, and a ‘God’ who proved to be human

American speedskater Jordan Stolz hoped for four medals, perhaps even four golds, but came away with two and a silver. His pair of individual first-place finishes represented the only American to pull off the feat in Italy. Stolz was a breakout star, though his failure to medal in Saturday’s mass start means he’ll likely enter 2030 as the male face of Team USA while also having all the motivational storylines to set up what could be his grand Olympic moment. 

The same can be said of the Quad God, Ilia Malinin, whose failed routine in the men’s free skate goes as the biggest stunner of them all at these Games. A shocking reminder that, although there is so much storytelling attached to the Olympics, the Games can never be scripted.

But they sure are sculpted. Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo might be one of the 10 most fit humans on the planet. Cross-country skiing isn’t a sport so much as it is an action in pain tolerance. Klæbo has done the impossible and become a global star. His six gold medals over a two-week span are a Winter Olympics record. He skied almost 62 miles in Italy. The 29-year-old joins Michael Phelps as the only Olympians ever to have double-digit gold medals (Klæbo now has 11; Phelps is untouchable with 23). Klæbo’s six helped get Norway to the top of medal table; the country finished with 18 golds and 41 overall, both records.

Klæbo wasn’t the only cross-country skier to earn big headlines. The weirdest story of the Games goes to his countryman, Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid, who decided to cry and admit to being a cheater on television, only to see the story go global. To date, there is no indication he’s won back his ex-girlfriend. (Seriously, man. What was the plan here? Yikes!)

There was the glory of Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who won the first medal (a gold, nonetheless) for a South American country in a Winter Olympics ever, and then celebrated with an instantly iconic gesture atop the podium after winning the freestyle skiing competition.

The bravest moment of the Games didn’t happen on any course, ice, snow or field of competition. Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych was not allowed to compete in skeleton after he refused to compete in anything other than the helmet that bore the images of his fellow Ukranian athletes who were killed in the Russian invasion in recent years. By trying not to make a political statement, the IOC wound up making one anyway and Heraskevych emerged as a disappointed but principled and proud hero who was as clear-eyed in his pursuits as any of the 2,800-plus Olympians who earned invites to Italy.

I loved American snowboarder Nick Baumgartner, a 44-year-old with the spirit of a happy kid. He’s still going for medals in snowboard cross, and he very much intends to be back in four years. If he can do it, so can Austrian Benjamin Karl, who won gold as a 40-year-old and celebrated by going topless.

Why next two Winter Games will likely top 2026

Here’s one major reason I’ve long loved the Winter Olympics: the skill it takes to be the greatest in the world in the toughest of settings. For the most part, no sports are tougher on mind and body. The big rule of these Games is that all competition must take place on the surface of snow or ice. And so there they went on those slippery surfaces every day. Downhill skiers barreling down an icy mountain piste at 80-plus miles per hour. Snowboarders and freestyle skiers scooping themselves dozens of feet in the air above a halfpipe. Balancing on the thinnest of edges while skating on ice, or uncorking acrobatics wonders before gracefully landing on a slim slab of riveted silver, those who put blades below their feet continued to push the boundaries of what is physically possible.

Luge, skeleton and bobsleigh athletes throw themselves down verglas slides on sleds at speeds going faster than the legal limit on most American highways. Others endure organ-bursting snow pursuits in cross-country skiing, or take on heart-stopping flight risks in a variety of ski and snowboard aerial competitions.

It’s truly some of the most thrilling athletic competition known to man. 

And I think we just witnessed an all-timer of an Olympics.

Now scroll back up and look at the names of the athletes that medaled. So many of them will be back, as will the likes of Eileen Gu, Chloe Kim and more. The United States outperformed expectations here in 2026. In four years, Stolz, Malinin, Shiffrin, Liu and more to come onto the scene will have gold medal expectations. In ice hockey, the American rivalries with Canada are sure to hit all-time highs. 

The Winter Olympics are in the midst of a revival, and this is merely Phase 1. The next will hit big in France in 2030, and then just wait. In 2034, Salt Lake City will again play host after 32 years, and with it, the culmination of a renaissance on ice and snow both for the United States and the world.

Former NFL defensive back Ronyell Whitaker, who played for the Minnesota Vikings for two seasons, has died, his family said on Sunday. He was 46.

Whitaker’s family released a statement through the Vikings. His cause of death was not announced.

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Ronyell Whitaker #27 of the Minnesota Vikings smiles before a football game against the Washington Redskins on Sept. 11, 2006 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

“Born on March 19, 1979, Ronyell lived a life marked by passion, perseverance and purpose,” the statement read. “A gifted athlete, he proudly played high school football for Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, Virginia, and college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies, where his talent, determination and leadership on the field made a lasting impact.”

Whitaker was a standout player at Virginia Tech before he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003 as an undrafted free agent. He played four games for the Buccaneers and bounced from the main roster and the practice squad until 2005 when he was waived.

He signed with the Vikings in 2006. He played 27 games for Minnesota and had 31 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass break-up.

Ronyell Whitaker of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in Tampa, Florida.  (Getty Images)

Whitaker tried to continue his career with the Detroit Lions but never saw the field for them. He also played in NFL Europe and was on the roster of the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

EX-NFL PRO BOWL LINEMAN TRE’ JOHNSON DEAD AT 54

“His journey didn’t end there,” Whitaker’s family said. “He was a defensive backs coach at Chanhassen High School from 2014-18 and was the CEO/Owner of privately-owned Whitaker Group, LLC, specializing in relocation transactions and short sales since 2011.

“While many knew him for his athletic accomplishments, those closest to him knew him best for his generous heart, unwavering loyalty and deep love for his family. He was a protector, a mentor and a source of strength and laughter to all who had the blessing of knowing him.”

Whitaker’s family asked for privacy in the wake of his death.

Ronyell Whitaker #27 of the Minnesota Vikings tries to get by Fred Smoot #27 of the Washington Redskins during an NFL game at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Dec. 23, 2007 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Tom Dahlin/Getty Images)

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“During this incredibly difficult time, we ask for prayers, love and privacy as our family grieves this tremendous loss and celebrates the life of a man who meant so much to so many.”

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Matchday 27 of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League saw key results as teams battled for points at both ends of the table.

Abia Warriors 1-0 Kwara United

Casmir Azubuike’s 29th-minute speculative cross secured all three points for Abia Warriors, ending their five-game winless run. Kwara United dominated possession in the second half, but Abia Warriors’ defence, led by stand-in captain Emmanuel Ogbuagu, held firm. The Warriors will face El-Kanemi Warriors next Sunday.

Wikki Tourists 2-1 Remo Stars

Wikki Tourists claimed a narrow victory over Remo Stars to strengthen their league position.

Warri Wolves 0-0 Barau FC

Both sides shared the points after a goalless draw.

Kun Khalifat FC 2-0 Niger Tornadoes

Kun Khalifat secured a 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes.

Katsina United 0-0 Rangers International

Rangers International and Katsina United played out a 0-0 draw.

Plateau United 4-1 Shooting Stars

Plateau United recorded the biggest win of the round, defeating Shooting Stars 4-1.

Nasarawa United 1-0 Bendel Insurance

Nasarawa United edged Bendel Insurance 1-0 to pick up three points.

Kano Pillars 3-0 El-Kanemi Warriors

Kano Pillars impressed with a 3-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors.

Ikorodu City FC 1-1 Bayelsa United

Ikorodu City and Bayelsa United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Rivers United 1-1 Enyimba FC

Enyimba FC, under new Head Coach Emmanuel Gustave Deutsch, drew 1-1 with Rivers United. Abiodun Joseph scored for Enyimba before Rivers United equalised.

With the season entering its decisive phase, Matchday 27 results have intensified the race at both the top and bottom of the NPFL table.

As expected, Team Canada was not happy standing on the ice receiving their silver medals in Milan after Jack Hughes’ overtime game-winner to give Team USA gold. 

Canadian star Nathan MacKinnon made an interesting comment after the game that sparked debate on social media. 

“You be the judge of who was the better team today,” the Team Canada assistant captain and Colorado Avalanche star said, via the Canadian Press.

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Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada look dejected following the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

MacKinnon seemingly implied that Canada was the better team despite the result. Sure, they outshot the U.S., 42-28, and they were certainly in control of the puck more throughout the three periods in Milan. 

It even took some heroics from Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to keep the game tied at one goal apiece, including a miraculous stick save on Devon Toews point-blank chance in the second period. 

TEAM USA MEN’S HOCKEY WINS GOLD MEDAL IN OVERTIME AGAINST CANADA AT WINTER OLYMPICS

But there were also a few miscues from Canada, and MacKinnon had a major one with 10:50 left in the third period. Hellebuyck was completely beat when the puck was swung over to MacKinnon, who had a wide-open net to work with. All he had to do was put it between the pipes and Canada would’ve taken a 2-1 lead. 

Instead, his shot hit the short side of the net, and Team USA caught a break as one of the best goalscorers in the world was denied by his own error. It’s one of those moments where MacKinnon may be thinking, “What if?” considering how the game ended. 

Nathan MacKinnon, Connor Hellebuyck during Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Figure Ice Hockey final match Canada vs United States at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan on Feb. 22, 2026. (Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto)

With both sides stuck in a draw after three periods, the Olympic overtime rules are that of the NHL regular season – 3-on-3 sudden death hockey. For Team USA, this format benefitted them considering what was happening in the second and third periods, with Canada handling them on both ends of the ice. 

But MacKinnon once again made a grave mistake in overtime, as it didn’t seem he was anticipating defenseman Zach Weresnki flying into him in the offensive zone after Hughes pushed the puck up into Canada’s zone. 

MacKinnon could’ve charged harder on the puck, but Werenski came away with it instead and slung it over for Hughes, who buried it past Jordan Binnington for the golden goal. 

Silver medalist Nathan MacKinnon of Team Canada shows dejection during the medal ceremony following the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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So, while stats and other metrics may say Team Canada was the better team on the ice, it only matters in key moments. And, of course, the scoreboard at the final whistle. 

As Team USA celebrates their first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 miracle-on-ice in Lake Placid, Team Canada can only head back to their respective cities thinking about what went wrong in the end. 

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A video has emerged of a wrestler attacking a female fan in the middle of the match, with former WWE star Andrade involved in the chaos.

On February 20, House of Glory Wrestling held the No Turning Back event at a sold-out NYC Arena. The match card saw Andrade take on HOG Heavyweight Champion Charles Mason.

After leaving WWE and returning to All Elite Wrestling, the former NXT champion has undergone a character change. He’s been depicted as something of a Casanova, someone who casually steps away mid-match to snap photos with women sitting ringside.

Thus, he decided to do the same thing during his title match against Charles Mason. As the 36-year-old star was done clicking a selfie with a female fan, the HOG Champion took exception to his antics.

Charles Mason charged in and hit the woman with a big boot right in the face, leaving fans shocked.

You can check the moment from 10 seconds onwards in the clip below:

This triggered the former WWE United States champion, and he retaliated with a big boot of his own to Mason. He then sent his opponent back into the ring before checking on the female fan.

It is likely that the fan was a plant, placed exactly for the spot from Mason. The contest ended in a count out win for Andrade, meaning Mason retained his Heavyweight Championship.

Andrade referenced The Usos after helping real-life Bloodline member

House of Glory Wrestling’s No Turning Back also saw other AEW talent in action, with MJF defending his AEW World Title against real-life Anoa’i Bloodline member Zilla Fatu.

After MJF retained the Championship, Andrade showed up and helped Zilla take him out. Following this, he took to X to greet Zilla and referenced The Usos.

He said he did it for Jimmy and YEET (Jey Uso), before reiterating that his eyes are set on MJF’s AEW World Championship.