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Germany upbeat as final World Cup preparations begin

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“We have excellent conditions here, both on the pitch and off it,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsman told reporters a few hours after the team’s arrival at Wake Forest University campus in Winston-Salem, USA.

“If you feel comfortable and can prepare well, the likelihood of playing good matches increases. And if you deliver good performances, the chances of success rise, too,” added the 38-year-old, who is about to take part in his first World Cup.

The location was selected a something of a retreat, as the distances to be covered in the first World Cup jointly staged by three countries, the USA, Canada and Mexico, make this tournament a Herculean task.

“We have been preparing for nearly two years. Our travel experts have visited the site frequently to ensure that the team’s quarters and all organizational matters cannot serve as excuse for any lack of sporting success,” the German FA’s (DFB) managing director, Andreas Rettig, told DW.

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Julian Nagelsmann clapping on the touch line
This will be Julian Nagelsmann’s first World CupImage: Federico Gambarini/dpa/picture alliance

Rumor has it that the team hotel, the Graylyn Estate, is haunted by Nathalie Gray, the wife of the man who built the castle-like structure in the 1920s.

After two disastrous World Cup campaigns, in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, where Germany failed to reach the knockout phase — the national team is under increased pressure to deliver.

Saturday’s 2–1 victory over the United States in a friendly in Chicago helped create a positive atmosphere among the team and staff.

“It was an important win. Nine consecutive victories are good for confidence,” Nagelsmann said. “Overall, I am very satisfied.”

Neuer’s calf

Still, the head coach knows his team still has room for improvement; the strain of travel, high temperatures, and a different type of pitch than they are used to all provided new challenges.

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Not just that, but the first-choice goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, back from international retirement, was forced to sit out due to a lingering calf injury.

However, there is no cause for alarm, assured Sporting Director Rudi Völler.

“We are talking about Manuel Neuer here. He is a world-class goalkeeper who has seen it all in his career and has plenty of experience,” Völler said. “None of us need to worry about Manuel. Especially since we also have Oliver Baumann.”

In what had long seemed like Germany’s worst-kept secret, late last month Nagelsmann brought Neuer back when he named his squad, thereby relegating Oliver Baumann to understudy.

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“It was tough at first, of course. It didn’t feel great, to be honest,” Baumann told German broadcaster RTL.

“But it was immediately clear to me that I would be there for the team. I didn’t even consider not coming. I want to help the squad and make my contribution.”

New look in defensive midfield

Overall, Germany seems to be on the right track. The defense — led by Jonathan Tah and long considered the team’s weak spot — looked largely solid during the match against the Americans.

“The foundation is there, and it’s a good one,” said Baumann, who was between the sticks for the friendly. Nevertheless, there is still room for some fine-tuning.

In defensive midfield, Nagelsmann appears to have settled on Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha.

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“Felix (Nmecha) is ​​a top player who has everything it takes to become one of the best in the world in this position one day,” Nagelsmann said.

‘Jamal needs more time’

However, the greatest hopes of German fans rest on the creative heart of the German squad: Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Neither of the two attacking players has yet hit top form.

Musiala has not fully regained fitness following the fibula fracture he sustained in the summer of 2025.

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Jamal Musiala battles for the ball against a US player
Jamal Musiala is still not quite at his best, according to coach NagelsmannImage: Scott Coleman/Eibner-Pressefoto/picture alliance

“Jamal is finding his rhythm more and more, but he still needs a little time,” Nagelsmann said. “He has another week, and then he’ll be at 100%. I’m not too worried about it.”

Wirtz, coming off a mixed season at Liverpool, aims to step up as a leader during his first World Cup.

“I do think my role has changed. The team has become a bit younger; a few older players are no longer around,” he said.

“That creates a need for new players willing to lead the way and take responsibility. I believe I’m capable of doing that to help the team achieve the greatest possible success.”

Hoping for a “wonderful summer”

While results have been good in the last year, the pressure is mounting on a side that hasn’t truly impressed at a major tournament since winning the World Cup in 2014 and reaching the semi-finals of the 2016 Euros.

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Florian Wirtz dribbling the ball
Florian Wirtz feels ready to take on more responsibility with the national teamImage: Marvin Ibo Güngör/GES/picture alliance

“We believe in taking risks, trying new things, and capitalizing on the opponent’s mistakes. We want to take the initiative and approach the task with the necessary courage and self-confidence,” Nagelsmann said.

The dream of a successful World Cup is very much alive, and if all the players regain their fitness in time, a strong showing by the German team is certainly possible—especially given the promise shown by the younger generation:

“As a young boy, my biggest dream was always to play for the national team and eventually compete in a World Cup,” Wirtz said. “Now I’m just trying to enjoy it and hopefully give people in Germany a wonderful summer, too.”

The “dream” becomes reality on Sunday, when Germany face minnows Curacao in their opening Group E match in Houston.

This article was adapted from the German.

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Junior Kroupi out for months in injury blow for Bournemouth and potential suitors

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Bournemouth’s plans for the new season have been dealt a blow after forward Junior Kroupi was ruled out for around three months with a foot injury.

Kroupi, who has been chased by a number of clubs this summer, sustained the problem during the Cherries’ ongoing pre-season tour of Austria and underwent successful surgery on Wednesday after he returned to England.

The highly-rated French prospect is expected to be sidelined for three to four months, which will rule him out of the start of the club’s maiden Europa League campaign.

Bournemouth finished sixth last season to secure continental football for the first time after Kroupi struck 13 goals during an outstanding individual campaign.

A host of clubs around the world, including the Cherries’ Premier League rivals Tottenham and Arsenal, had placed the 20-year-old attacker high on their wish list, The Independent understands.

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However, Bournemouth’s stance had always been that Kroupi was not for sale this summer along with midfielder Alex Scott and Brazilian winger Rayan.

Even with this unexpected injury problem, the south-coast club remain determined to keep hold of Kroupi to boost new boss Marco Rose in his first campaign at Vitality Stadium.

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David Benavidez set to face fellow world champion in November

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David Benavidez put in one of the performances of the year when he dethroned unified cruiserweight world champion Gilberto Ramirez in May, and now ‘The Mexican Monster’ is set to face another world champion, with a November fight date being targeted.

Benavidez halted Ramirez in a dominant display upon his cruiserweight debut just two months ago, but despite prior intentions to return to light heavyweight during the aftermath, it has since become clear that Benavidez’s future is at 200lbs.

Still, an in-demand fight with Dmitry Bivol continues to be mentioned, but so does a potential cruiserweight match-up against Jai Opetaia, who has recently filed a lawsuit against the IBF after believing that the sanctioning body’s decision to strip him as champion was unfair. 

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Avoiding those complications, Benavidez is instead targeting an alternate world title, with a November showdown against WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian now nearing a deal, as per BoxingScene.

The report states that the 29-year-old’s promoter says the fight is a done deal on their end, and they know away Mikaelian’s signature. It will likely end up in Las Vegas, though other locations have not been ruled out.

Mikaelian is a two-time WBC champion, first winning the belt with a third round stoppage win over Ilunga Makabu in November 2023. He controversially lost his title to Badou Jack in May 2025, before regaining it in their rematch seven months later.

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Terence Crawford sends knockout warning to world champion who called him out: “You better be training”

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Pound-for-pound superstar Terence Crawford retired from the sport last December, but that has not stopped ‘Bud’ from getting involved in back-and-forth’s with active fighters.

Now, the Omaha-born sensation has warned one of his newfound rivals that he may be on the verge of being knocked out.

Crawford announced his decision to hang up the gloves last year, but the 38-year-old has continued to be linked to a number of lucrative opportunities, including a rematch with Canelo Alvarez and a showdown with newly-crowned two-division unified world champion, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. 

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However, whilst Crawford seems set to avoid the temptation of a return, the veteran appears to have birthed a new rivalry with Ryan Garcia, who has declared his intentions of facing Crawford, providing he can first successfully defend his WBC welterweight world title against Conor Benn in six weeks’ time. 

On Monday, in a left-field promotion of that fight, Garcia appeared on WWE’s Monday Night Raw and aligned himself with ‘Judgement Day’.

In response, Crawford took to social media to remind Garcia that he should keep his mind on the fight, advising him to stick to training or risked getting knocked out by the British challenger. 

“Ryan Garcia, you might get knocked out – you better be training and taking this fight serious.”

Garcia-Benn takes place on Saturday, September 12, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. As for Crawford, there’s been no indication he’ll come out of retirement anytime soon.

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Lions to start Salter at QB, James Butler ruled out vs. Blue Bombers

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The B.C. Lions are making another quarterback change.

Rookie Kaidon Salter will make his first career start with the Lions in need of a win in Week 9 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the team confirmed Wednesday.

Salter took the majority of first-team reps at practice this week ahead of Thursday’s game in Winnipeg.

This will be the third different quarterback the Lions will start this season after Nathan Rourke, the 2025 CFL MOP, was placed on the six-game injured list last week with a shoulder injury to his non-throwing arm. 

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Chase Brice started last week against the Argos, but was ineffective and replaced by Salter late in a 26-12 loss. Salter, who played his final college season for Colorado last season, completed nine of 15 passes for 121 yards against the Argos.

Starting running back James Butler was also ruled out with a foot injury that limited him in practice this week. On defence, Colby Taylor and Josh Hagerty draw into the starting lineup.

Emani Bailey will replace Butler at running back while Anu Una and Tyran Walker-Hunt will start on the offensive line.

The Lions (1-5) are in desperate need of a win to stay afloat in the West Division.

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Giants training camp live updates from Day 1 in West Virginia

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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – The New York Giants have taken their training camp on the road for the first time since they were defending Super Bowl champions back in the summer of 2012.

We are with them at the Greenbrier Resort Sports Performance Center to cover it all for NorthJersey.com and The Record.

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Here’s what we’re seeing and hearing on Day 1 of training camp as the John Harbaugh Era begins:

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Giants receiver Malik Nabers has been running, cutting, running routes and taking part in individual drills, Giants GM Joe Schoen said.

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Meet Arvell Reese, NY Giants’ newest draft pick in photos

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) tackles Michigan Wolverines running back Bryson Kuzdzal (24) during the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.

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(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch, Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Giants training camp live updates from Day 1 in West Virginia

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World Cup 2026: Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings against Argentina

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Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over their behaviour after their World Cup final loss to Spain and throughout the tournament.

Last week, the world governing body appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened after the final whistle at the New York New Jersey Stadium, with multiple Argentina players and backroom staff involved in altercations with Spain players following their 1-0 loss in July.

On the recommendation of the prosecutor, Fifa will investigate Argentina players Nahuel Molina (two counts) and Leandro Paredes (three counts), and Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala (one count) for alleged assault under article 14 of Fifa’s disciplinary code.

Molina may also face disciplinary action for one count of alleged unsporting behaviour under article 14.

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Team-mate Thiago Almada and Spain midfielder Gavi are also accused of the same breach.

Under Fifa’s disciplinary code, players and officials face at least a one-match suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct and at least three matches for assault.

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Tote Galway Plate Day at Ballybrit

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Wednesday is Tote Galway Plate Day with a seven-race card getting underway at 5.05pm.

The evening’s featured race, the Tote Galway Plate, worth €270,000, goes to post at 6.40pm.

Gilligan going for third Plate win

Gordon Elliott has won the race twice in the last three years – with Ash Tree Meadow in 2023 and Western Fold in 2025 – with both winners ridden by local jockey Danny Gilligan.

This afternoon the Cullentra House handler will saddle four runners – Three Card Brag (Kevin Healy), Nowhatdoyouthink (Jack Kennedy), Maxxum (Danny Gilligan) and King Of Kingsfield (Josh Halford).

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Four runners for Mullins

Champion trainer Willie Mullins, who last won the Tote Galway Plate with Royal Rendezvous, is responsible for four horses in the Grade 3 contest, namely Funiculi Funicula, the choice of Paul Townend, King Alexander (Daniel King), Spread Boss Ted (Brian Hayes) and Ballygunner Castle (Danny Mullins).

County Waterford handler Henry de Bromhead has three runners in the race – Downmexicoway, who will be ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe, the French-bred Nouvotic (Mike O’Connor), and Gorgeous Tom, from whose weight Patrick O’Brien will take five pounds.

2025 runner-up Jesse Evans contests Galway Plate

Noel Meade, who won the main prize with Pinkerton in 2024, returns to Ballybrit with last season’s runner-up Jesse Evans, the mount of Sam Ewing.

J.P. McManus, often mob handed in the race, relies on the Gavin Cromwell-trained Perceval Legallois, who will be the mount of McManus’ retained rider, Harry Cobden.

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Course winners Rocky’s Diamond, from the Declan Queally yard, and Ol Man Dingle, from Eoin Griffin’s Kilkenny barn, are other interesting runners in the 2 mile 6 furlongs and 111 yards highlight.


LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

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UConn basketball roster breakdown: Starting lineup prediction, bench rotation for Huskies in 2026-27

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Life is going to look a little different in Storrs this season. UConn, fresh off its third Final Four appearance in the last four years, is facing the reality that it must replace three starters, three more role players and two coaches from one of the smartest game-planning staffs in America. Long-time UConn assistant Tom Moore retired, and sharp offensive mastermind Luke Murray took the Boston College gig. 

And yet, the Huskies enter 2026-27 with legitimate National Championship aspirations. Such is life for a big-boy program. Change is inevitable. Sky-high expectations are unavoidable.

Let’s dive into the weeds of Dan Hurley’s new roster. 

Projected starting lineup

1. PG Silas Demary Jr. | 6-5 | 191 | Sr.

Demary will be the standard-bearer for this group now that program pillar Alex Karaban is off to the NBA. Demary has all the tools (on the court and between the ears) to be the best point guard in college basketball next season. The jumbo lead guard is a vicious point-of-attack defender who will take tough assignments every night, and he plays such a physical brand of basketball on both ends. Over 40% of Demary’s shots came at the rim last year, and he notched the fourth-best free throw rate in Big East play. Oh, and he led the league in assists (5.9 per game). 

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Getting fully healthy was a big priority this offseason because of how much it impacted his offensive aggression. UConn needs more from Demary offensively this year without Karaban, Tarris Reed and the injured Solo Ball. Demary was a bit too deferential for stretches, and his nasty ankle injury in March sapped a ton of his explosiveness. More drives. More 3s, especially to restock the nearly 12 attempts per game that the Karaban-Ball, 1-2 punch provided last season.

With a huge workload on tap, Demary has every opportunity to be a 15-5-5 guy in 2026-27. No high-major player hit that threshold last year, but it’s in play for Demary. That’s an All-American, just like Tristen Newton evolved into in his second year under Hurley on the way to the 2024 National Championship.

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2. G Braylon Mullins | 6-6 | 198 | So.

Mullins is not a true breakout candidate (he averaged 12.1 points last year and started 29 games for a team that went to the natty), but he will be one of the faces of college basketball next season. 

The Shot. The Return. The Sequel. 

It’s all there.

But even the most historic shots don’t carry over to the next season. Mullins passed on the NBA to return to UConn for his sophomore year to do some special things. Remember, he suffered a preseason ankle injury that knocked his freshman season off-kilter for over two months. A full, healthy offseason should work wonders for his development. Getting stronger is a huge priority, and Mullins has already packed on over 10 pounds. 

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The situation has changed drastically, too. UConn’s layered, complex offense created the second-most 3s off screens in the country last season. Karaban (141 possessions) and Ball (134 possessions) sopped up a ton of that usage with Mullins (91 possessions) mixing in behind ’em. Mullins goes from No. 3 on the pecking order to No. 1 for those movement treys. He will have every chance to lead the Big East in triples next season. 

But Mullins’ secret sauce may be that he doesn’t tie his value to the jumpers going in or not. Mullins knows how to use leverage to his advantage, slipping off curls to get to his pull-up jumper or saucy floater. I think UConn will give him a chance to play with the ball in his hands a bit more and show his full arsenal. Pressuring the rim even more should be a priority with a stronger frame. He’s also a willing offensive rebounder and a competitor defensively.

Mullins is in for a gigantic year. The All-American prophecies will age wisely.

3. G/F Jayden Ross | 6-7 | 210 | Sr.

If Ross pans out, UConn may have the best backcourt in America. The role allocation may be a bit easier with Ross on the floor while Ball is on the mend. Ross is not the shooter of Ball’s ilk, but he brings more defense, athleticism and rebounding. UConn rated in the 98th percentile nationally with a +23 net rating with Ross, Demary and Mullins on the floor together. I think that’s real because you have no duplicative skill sets in that backcourt.

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Demary is the point guard who makes others better. Mullins is the elite shot-maker. Ross brings a sky-scraping athlete on the wing. It’s a sharp mix, and it’s one that UConn is betting big on.

Demary is an elite guard defender, and Ross can be an elite wing defender. That gives UConn two big, strong perimeter stoppers who can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Decision-making will be everything for Ross. Tightening up his handle and playing cleaner will be essential. He’s made strides as a shooter (39% on 64 attempts last year), but if he can be trusted to attack long closeouts and make the right read at the right time, Ross is going to help this club a ton. 

4. F Nik Khamenia | 6-8 | 225 | So.

Processing and passing are two vital qualities for a UConn offense that moves the basketball more than so many others. Those are two of Khamenia’s superpowers. He made plenty of enemies jumping sides in the burgeoning Duke-UConn rivalry, but the former five-star recruit should succeed in Storrs. The 6-foot-8 stretch 4 is not a movement shooter like Karaban, but he offers a bit more mismatch hunting. UConn could use Khamenia in backdowns to create advantages in late-clock situations. He’ll help this offense with his spot-up shooting, cutting and offensive rebounding.

Plus, he’s got some nastiness that should jive well with Hurley’s personality. Khamenia isn’t afraid to stick his nose in the fan. It could be a little clunky at first — the adjustment process for transfers in this scheme is real — but Khamenia should develop into an excellent role player with room to grow into so much more down the road.

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5. C Na’jai Hines | 6-11 | 278 | So.

Bart Torvik’s database goes back to 2008. There are dozens of stats for thousands of players.

Hines legitimately broke the spreadsheets with his freshman season at Seton Hall.

Hines notched 2.2 blocks and 2.4 offensive rebounds per game for the Pirates in 18 minutes. That percolates out to a 15.3 offensive rebound rate and a 16.4 block percentage. Hines is the only player in the last 19 seasons of college basketball who has notched a season with an offensive rebound rate and block rate north of 15.0.

That’s the type of monster that UConn landed in the portal.

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The 6-foot-10, 278-pound big fella may be the skeleton key to the Huskies making it back to the Final Four, yet again.

If Hines can clean up his body to be a guy who can consistently play 25 minutes, there’s a lot to like about this portal marriage. Hines rated in the 94th percentile in post-up efficiency last season. That’s ideal for a UConn offense that uses a bunch of flowery off-ball actions to open up deep duck-ins. Hines’ screening, offensive rebounding and rim protection will all be major assets for this UConn club, too. 

Hurley’s track record with bigs is flawless. Hines is up next to ride the jetpack joy ride.

Off the bench

F Colben Landrew 6-6 | 235 | Fr.

The fact that a prized top-30 recruit like Landrew could come off the bench is a promising sign of where this UConn roster is at. Landrew is an outstanding prospect with one-and-done potential thanks to his blend of positional size, bucket-getting abilities and versatility. But my favorite part of his game is his physicality. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound wing is always trying to go through defenders, especially in the open floor. The jumper looks a lot smoother and less hitchy than it did earlier in his high school career, and he’ll impact the game on the glass, defensively and as a secondary creator.

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Landrew should fill a bunch of gaps for this UConn rotation because he is such a positionless player. If Khamenia is struggling, Landrew is burly enough to guard 4s. If it isn’t Ross’ night, Landrew can slot right into the mix at the 3. He’s got a path to play starter minutes. I’m curious how long it takes for Landrew to force his way into the starting 5. It might be sooner rather than later.

C Oskar Giltay 6-11 | 240 | So.

You ready for some good screens? Giltay brings blockade screens to the table to go along with rim protection and plenty of rebounding. UConn quietly needed to replace both Tarris Reed and top backup center Eric Reibe (who transferred to USC). Giltay may not have the ceiling of Reibe, but the Stanford transfer will be a serviceable backup 5-man. With Hines and Giltay, UConn will have an elite rim protector on the floor for all 40 minutes.

G Junior County 6-5 | 205 | Fr.

County is one of my favorite role player bets from the incoming freshman class. County is just good at basketball. The 6-foot-5 guard has terrific positional size, and he is a high-feel player. He can cut. He can slash. He can make 3s. He can play on or off the ball. He’s one of the best guard rebounders in the entire 2026 recruiting class. County has a real shot to help this team because he does a little bit of everything well.

F Egor Amosov 6-8 | 235 | Fr.

Size, shooting and playmaking? Sounds like a UConn forward. The 6-foot-8 Russian product should push Khamenia for minutes at the 4. Amosov’s quick-trigger jumper sets up his entire game, but the rest of his toolkit is promising. Patience may be required early, but Amosov’s got a chance to crack this rotation. He had 16 points and nine rebounds for Real Madrid in a late-May, head-to-head showdown with UCLA’s Nikola Kusturica, Duke’s Joaquim Boumtje-Boumjte and Mohamed Dabone, one of the top prospects in the world. Amosov can hoop.

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PG Jaye Nash 6-2 | 193 | Jr.

Nash, a Jacksonville State transfer, brings a bit of speed that this roster was missing. Scoring is not his forte, but his knack for creating advantages gives him a chance to earn minutes as a backup point guard. He better be ready to pressure the basketball if he wants to earn more time, though.

G Nils Machowski 6-4 | 190 | Sr.

Machowski shot over 38% from downtown on 7.2 attempts for Wofford last season. He’s a veteran who won’t rock the boat if he doesn’t earn major minutes in the rotation. Machowski, County and Nash are in a three-headed camp battle for backup guard minutes. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes will have the edge.

Filling out the roster

Two-year starting shooting guard Solo Ball is currently expected to miss the entire season after wrist surgery. However, it remains unclear how the new 5-in-5 eligibility model from the NCAA could influence Ball’s decision-making. The current expectation is that injury redshirts will not exist under the new model. Ball only has two years of eligibility remaining. Even if he doesn’t play a second in 2026-27, he’d only have one more year of eligibility left. Texas Tech star JT Toppin is in a similar boat after suffering a knee injury last February. Instead of sitting out the entire year, Toppin is planning to return around conference play. Could Ball change his mind and follow suit? That’s a midseason variable that could shake up UConn’s outlook (and rotation).

Market watch

Odds to win 2026 NCAA Tournament (via Fanduel): +1200, third-best odds

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Your bigs control your floor, and your guards control your ceiling. That means UConn could be a bit more mercurial in 2026-27. On the nights when UConn’s new-look frontcourt isn’t up to snuff, it will be vulnerable. On the nights when the frontcourt is playing well, UConn’s tremendous backcourt can elevate it to a special level. 

I’m bullish on Demary and Mullins playing like two of the best guards in America, but defense has to be the backbone of this group. Demary, Ross and Hines give Hurley three excellent defenders at all three levels: the point of attack, the wing and the paint. Can UConn be a top-10 defense again? The personnel is there, even though the Huskies will miss Karaban’s ability to be in the right place at the right time defensively and will ask a ton of young guys to play real minutes. There’s a chance seven of the top nine players in the rotation are underclassmen. But freshmen like Landrew and County are the right freshmen, and sophomores like Hines and Khamenia are the right sophomores.

That’s why it’s hard to see this group falling flat. If you were looking for transfers in the portal to replace Karaban and Reed, they’d probably look a lot like Khamenia and Hines. Could this offense be better? I think that’s firmly in play after rating 29th in offensive efficiency last year. UConn averaged just over 8.0 transition points last year. Accessing easier shots in transition should be in play with Hines’ ability to rebound and the willingness from guys like Khamenia, Mullins, Landrew and Ross to run the floor. This is a more athletic team than a year ago, and UConn has loads of shooting, rim pressure, post-up presence and offensive rebounding, to boot. 

If Hines is an All-Big East center and Khamenia is the answer at the 4, UConn can win the National Championship. Check ball.

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Panthers rookie WR Chris Brazzell carted off with injury

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Jun 9, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Rookie Carolina Panthers wide receiver Chris Brazzell III (19) during the first day of mini camp at Bank of America Stadium practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesJun 9, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Rookie Carolina Panthers wide receiver Chris Brazzell III (19) during the first day of mini camp at Bank of America Stadium practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was carted off the practice field Wednesday with an apparent knee injury.

The third-round draft pick was seen holding his left knee after going down during seven-on-seven drills, according to multiple reports from the scene.

He was transported inside the practice facility on a cart after appearing to have difficulty standing, per reports.

Brazzell, 22, had returned to practice Wednesday morning after missing the previous few training camp sessions with a knee injury.

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The 6-foot-4, 198-pound wideout caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards and an SEC-leading nine touchdowns last season at Tennessee.

–Field Level Media

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McLaughlin: Stanford CFB Unionization Debate Heating Up

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ACC Conference logoA group of Stanford Cardinal Football players is reportedly making a push towards forming a group that could lead to collective bargaining.

The move comes as the ‘Protect College Sports Act’ has renewed optimism of passing Congress.

On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, I discuss the latest story coming out of Bill Belichick’s North Carolina Football program.

Will the Tarheels be able to put this matter with their GM behind them with a strong season?

espn%2Boregon%2Bstate.pngOregon State is looking to recapture the program momentum it had just a few years ago, with JaMarcus Shephard at the helm.

Will the Beavers make a bowl game for the first time since 2023? 

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00:00 Stanford’s push for collective bargaining
04:52 College football transfer rules
07:04 Discussing player representation in college sports
12:49 Last year’s North Carolina hype
16:30 Discussing North Carolina’s upcoming season
22:05 Texas Tech football analysis
25:24 Fresno State’s quarterback concerns
27:43 Predicting team win outcome

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

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