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‘India need to bring back their aggressive brand’: Aakash Chopra’s blunt warning before Zimbabwe clash | Cricket News

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'India need to bring back their aggressive brand': Aakash Chopra's blunt warning before Zimbabwe clash
Indian cricket team (ANI)

With India gearing up for a must-win ICC Men’s T20 World Cup clash against Zimbabwe in Chennai, former cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has urged the team to return to their fearless, attacking approach if they are to keep their semi-final hopes alive.The MA Chidambaram Stadium is set for a high-pressure evening, with India not only needing victory but also a sizeable margin to boost their net run-rate.

India Playing XI drama: How three players are fighting for two spots | Sanju Samson IN?

Speaking on JioHotstar, Chopra analysed India’s qualification scenario and pointed out the challenges ahead.On India’s road to the semi-finals, he said, “The tricky problem for India is they need to win both of their remaining Super Eight matches, and they will also be hoping that South Africa win their games against West Indies and Zimbabwe. But if that does not happen, then the net run-rate comes into play.”Chopra emphasised that if qualification comes down to net run-rate, India must rediscover their attacking mindset. He believes captain Suryakumar Yadav has a key role to play in that shift.“That is when India will need to bring out their explosive brand of cricket. Suryakumar Yadav is the man for that role. He needs to bat at three and bat with freedom. Against South Africa, I felt he was too slow. By the time he got out, the mountain was too high for others to climb,” he said.Chopra also raised concerns about India’s current batting pattern, suggesting it lacks balance and clarity.“India have batters at the top who go hammer and tongs from ball one and lose their wicket. That puts the team in tricky situations. Then the batters who come in after are too cautious and conservative. They start eating deliveries regardless of the pitch, conditions or the bowler. They play the situation completely and fall behind in the game.”He further pointed out that this measured approach is a departure from the fearless cricket India have showcased in recent years.“This is not the brand of cricket India have played in the last two years. They took pride in saying we hammer teams and score 250, 260 or 270. But Suryakumar Yadav and his men have perhaps forgotten that formula. The template now is to score just 180-190. That is good enough on some days, but good teams chase those totals easily. India need to bring back their aggressive brand of cricket. If they don’t, their hopes of making the semi-finals could be in trouble,” he concluded.With their campaign hanging in the balance, India must deliver a commanding performance against Zimbabwe to stay in contention for a semi-final spot.Also See: IND vs ZIM Live Score

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The worrying trend that could cost Liverpool in Champions League race

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Arne Slot accepted that Liverpool have dropped too many points in the Premier League after playing in the Champions League as they suffered another blow to their hopes of finishing in the top-five with defeat at Brighton.

Danny Welbeck’s double earned Brighton a deserved victory over Slot’s side, who became the first reigning Premier League champions to lose 10 games in a season since Chelsea in 2017-18.

The Reds have lost five games of their 10 games immediately after playing in Europe this season, winning four and drawing one, as they failed to back up Wednesday’s big win over Galatasaray to reach the quarter-finals.

Already without Mohamed Salah and goalkeeper Alisson to injuries, Liverpool lost Hugo Ekitike to a dead leg following a heavy collision with James Milner in the opening five minutes and they were outworked by an energetic Brighton team who were fully deserving of their fourth win in five games.

“It is clear that we have lost a lot of points after playing in Europe,” Slot told TNT Sports. “I have tried to explain a lot of times already why this is but today we also have to give credit to Brighton. In the second half, they were the better team on the pitch.

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“What I thought [before the game], is you won’t need 24 points to qualify [from the final eight games of the season] and hopefully I am right because we aren’t able to get 24 points anymore.

“We kept trying. In the second half we were close but they were closer to score the third one than we were the second one. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough after a week like this.”

Slot said losing Ekitike so early in the game was a “big blow” and Liverpool will be desperate to get as many players as possible back fit after the international break for the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City, which will be followed by the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

But Liverpool also risk slipping from the Premier League’s top five after a run of three games without a win. While the impressive nature of Liverpool’s win over Galatasaray had lifted the mood following the defeat at bottom club Wolves and 1-1 draw with struggling Tottenham, there is pressure on Slot again ahead of a crucial stretch of the season.

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Brighton, inspired by Danny Welbeck’s double, were deserved winners
Brighton, inspired by Danny Welbeck’s double, were deserved winners (AP)

“There is always pressure at Liverpool, on me, on the players,” Slot said. “That is completely normal. We have qualified for the quarter finals of the FA Cup and the Champions League, but in the league we need to make sure that in the end we qualify for the Champions League.

“As much as I dislike us losing here today, Brighton away has always been a difficult one and will always be a difficult one as long as they keep bringing in so many good players.

“But there are other games where we should have picked up more points, like last week against Tottenham. That is far more unacceptable than this. But even away at Brighton, a club like Liverpool should be able to get a result.”

The intensity of Brighton’s display stood in contrast to Liverpool’s lethargic showing, with Steven Gerrard questioning why Slot did not make more changes to freshen up his side. The former captain said Liverpool’s performance felt predictable.

Liverpool have only picked up 13 points from a possible 30 after playing Champions League in midweek
Liverpool have only picked up 13 points from a possible 30 after playing Champions League in midweek (Reuters)

“The performance wasn’t good enough, but you can almost feel that this performance and this result was coming,” Gerrard told TNT Sports.

“Liverpool get a couple of injuries to key players like Salah, Allison, on the back of midweek, the manager speaking about maybe the lack of energy they might have, and then you look at Brighton’s plans to come and try and play a game with that intensity and that speed, that energy.

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“We’ve seen it quite a few times this season now, where they put in a lot of effort and they perform really well in the Champions League. “There’s all the emotion and all the energy and the intensity they have to put in to win those or get a result.

“It’s having a big effect on them at the weekend. They haven’t got the options in the squad or on the bench to make numerous changes, to bring that energy and that quality into the team to perform at the same level they do in midweek.

“Liverpool made a couple of changes that were forced on them, but the manager wanted to keep the team rather than make changes for energy, and it backfired today. Brighton deserved the win overall, and a big opportunity missed for Liverpool.”

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Why Arsenal and Man City’s Carabao Cup final is about more than just a trophy

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The Carabao Cup final has never had so much on the line, a weight that can be sensed in the very shifts in moods. Over the build-up, Pep Guardiola has been trying to figure out a few things. Does he go more attacking, as Manchester City have been doing recently, or repeat the constrained approach from drawing 1-1 with Arsenal in September? If the former, is it with this open midfield that he has been trying, or was Real Madrid too much of a lesson? What would such an approach in a marquee game even say?

Such variables give a tactical obsessive like Mikel Arteta a lot to think about, but he is at least sure of his own structure. That won’t shift. The main question will be over personnel, and how much that changes the emphasis of the team; whether it’s Riccardo Calafiori or Piero Hincapie at left-back, for example. Martin Odegaard is expected to return to the bench, and Jurrien Timber may start.

The winner of the Carabao Cup final could also land a psychological blow in the title race
The winner of the Carabao Cup final could also land a psychological blow in the title race (Action Images/Reuters)

Arsenal, in short, have a lot less to think about. That is very different to when the two sides qualified for this final, way back at the start of February. At that point, the trophy was seen as psychologically crucial to Arsenal sustaining both momentum and the idea of superiority over City, a key part of the wider pursuit for the first Premier League title in 22 years. The weight was all the greater since it had looked like this final could be the first in a grand and unprecedented English series, maybe four or five matches to decide everything.

The very week before the final has put paid to that. City have already been eliminated from the Champions League in that match against Madrid, which followed a frustrated 1-1 draw at West Ham to allow Arsenal an even greater gap in the title race.

Their hopes in the Premier League haven’t gone yet, but their aura has. The old City sense of foreboding isn’t there.

This Arsenal team may badly need to win their first trophy together, but it doesn’t quite feel as essential when this City don’t look like the trophy machine of before.

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As such, there’s been a twist before the game starts. It now feels like this Carabao Cup final is bigger for City than it is for Arsenal.

That would have sounded absurd for most of the season – and the past few years – especially with how Guardiola has repeatedly subjected his former assistant to second places, but that’s how this season is going. The fact everyone is talking about this being the City manager’s last season, which the club still describe as “speculation”, only adds to that. Guardiola certainly won’t want to leave on a barren campaign, in any case.

Winning a fourth Carabao Cup for the coach and a historic ninth for City would be valuable in and of itself, but more significant is what it might do for everything else. It would be a reminder to Arsenal of what the order has been. It would put the league leaders back in their box, after a period when City haven’t even beaten Arteta’s side in three years.

Arsenal have the psychological momentum after City were knocked out of the Champions League and dropped points in the title race
Arsenal have the psychological momentum after City were knocked out of the Champions League and dropped points in the title race (PA Wire)

Maybe most crucial of all, however, is that it would create new doubt for Arsenal just at the point when confidence is building; when Max Dowman seems to have helped banish all the angst. Talk of the quadruple is tentatively rising. This could swiftly end that, but do more. If the six-year wait for silverware were to go on that bit longer, into at least May, it creates greater space for collapse.

This is nevertheless the prospect facing City, too. To see two trophies disappear in two matches, alongside the increasing distance to top spot, could be debilitating. From that, if City were to lose on Sunday, it isn’t impossible that they could fall apart.

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Duly, City have constantly looked a team on a thin line on the actual pitch. It is like almost every game can go either way. There are spells when spectacular attacking is suggested, only for a defensive fallibility to immediately be exposed. City often sublime and ridiculous in the same five minutes of football, as was seen against Madrid.

Much will depend on the mood going into this game, which is said to be one of focus and trying to remind everyone of the force that this team has been. Down at Arsenal’s Colney base, a mere 13 miles from Wembley, a first final since the 2020 FA Cup win is being downplayed. There is a calmness, which many say has been welcome. This season has been characterised by ramping up most of the matches, after all. Perhaps a softening mood is also natural, given this is a break from all the noise around the title.

Arsenal have a tried and tested blueprint, whereas Guardiola may tinker with his formation yet again
Arsenal have a tried and tested blueprint, whereas Guardiola may tinker with his formation yet again (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The greater gap in the league, of course, helps that, especially as Arsenal now know they will be nine points ahead of City until 12 April at the earliest. It was why last weekend was so crucial. Of course, this weekend might end up being seen as even more crucial, depending on how it goes.

Arsenal right now feel good about the title race, but that can dramatically change if their main chasers beat them, to once more shift that momentum. Out of that, this is yet another Carabao Cup final that is cast as being about more than the Carabao Cup, as so many are. It is about what it can mean for the future.

That’s partly why Newcastle United’s win last year was so distinctive, since it was about the trophy alone. You arguably have to go back to Swansea City in 2013 for similar.

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Consequently, as regards Arsenal, you don’t really need to read the same old lines about how Chelsea’s 2005 victory invigorated the Jose Mourinho era, or Brian Clough’s quote about how the Anglo-Scottish Cup gave his great Nottingham Forest team “a shot of something positive that only a trophy, whatever it is, can bring”. The times are different. The situation is different.

Pep Guardiola will have the opportunity to become the most successful manager in League Cup history when Man City face Arsenal at Wembley
Pep Guardiola will have the opportunity to become the most successful manager in League Cup history when Man City face Arsenal at Wembley (Getty Images)

This is nevertheless the first League Cup final involving both of the top two since 1978, and a meeting between Liverpool and that Forest team. Clough’s side won to eventually complete a League Cup and title double.

That season was the first time the feat was managed, and both City and Arsenal are hoping to make this the 12th. City have already managed it four times, with Guardiola responsible for three of those.

As befits the occasion in the modern era, however, both sides are also going for more. City are aiming for a domestic treble. Arsenal are going for the quadruple. The League Cup has never had so much on the line, which marks quite a shift. The final itself may well mark another.

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The Vikings’ Draft Frontrunners after Free Agency

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Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman in 2024
Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) takes a drink Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, during Purdue football practice at Bimel Outdoor Practice Complex in West Lafayette, Ind. © Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK.

In 33 days, you will learn the identity of the Minnesota Vikings’ 1st-Round draft pick, assuming interim general manager Rob Brzezinski doesn’t trade out of the pick. And after free agency, in addition to the NFL Combine, the purple team has a few clear draft frontrunners.

Minnesota’s pick at No. 18 still points heavily toward defense in late April.

Minnesota will pick 18th on draft night — April 23rd — and all signs point to a defensive player that evening out of the gate.

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Four Names Rising to the Top of Minnesota’s Draft Board

Ranked in ascending order, these men are most likely to end up with the Vikings in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft (No. 1 = current draft frontrunner).

Peter Woods lines up on the defensive line during a Clemson game at Memorial Stadium. Vikings draft frontrunners
Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) lines up during second-quarter action at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, Sep. 6, 2025. The standout defender worked the interior with strength and quickness, disrupting the opposing offense while anchoring Clemson’s defensive front in an early-season home contest. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images.

4. Peter Woods (DT) | Clemson

Woods ranks 21st on the current Consensus Big Board. He’s the top defensive tackle, according to the draft community, and within the last two weeks, the Vikings have said sayonara to Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, their two starting DTs from last season.

The clues hint toward an interior defensive lineman somewhat early in the draft. If that assumption is correct, the clearest path to minimize risk — the other highly-touted DT prospect is Florida’s Caleb Banks, who’s injured and carries a “boom or bust” draft reputation — is Woods.

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Think of it this way: if the Vikings stick-and-pick at No. 18 and they want a defensive tackle, Woods will probably become a Viking on April 23rd.

3. Emmanuel McNeill-Warren (S) | Toledo

This would likely be the “trade down” method. Some say the 2026 draft’s sweet spot is the 2nd and 3rd Rounds. There’s a world where Minnesota agrees to trade the 18th overall pick to a team like the Kansas City Chiefs or the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a couple of 3rd-Rounders.

Then, Brzezinski could pick McNeill-Warren from Toledo, nominate him as the long-term Harrison Smith replacement plan, and feast on two extra 3rd-Rounders.

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It’s worth noting that some fans will wince over a trade-back-then-draft-a-safety arrangement. That plan flopped in 2022 when former boss Kwesi Adofo-Mensah swung and missed on Lewis Cine.

2. Avieon Terrell (CB) | Clemson

In the last 10 years, the Vikings have drafted these cornerbacks:

  • Mackensie Alexander
  • Mekhi Blackmon
  • Andrew Booth
  • Kris Boyd
  • Cameron Dantzler
  • Akayleb Evans
  • Jeff Gladney
  • Harrison Hand
  • Mike Hughes
  • Khyree Jackson

Two passed away. Others were not cut out for long-term sustainability in the NFL. And none secured a second contract with the Vikings, aside from Alexander, who returned for a one-year stint after venturing elsewhere.

Write this down: Minnesota is unusually overdue to connect on a cornerback draft pick — of any kind.

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Avieon Terrell celebrates a play during a Clemson game against South Carolina. Vikings draft frontrunners
Clemson Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) celebrates after a defensive play during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks, Nov. 29, 2025, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. The defensive back showed energy and confidence early as Clemson battled its in-state rival in a heated matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images.

Terrell ranks 22nd on the Consensus Big Board. LSU’s Mansoor Delane will probably be the first corner drafted, but after him, Terrell to Minnesota checks some boxes if the franchise is ready to dream big at cornerback after all the tragedies and failures.

Pro Football Focus‘s Max Chadwick mocked Terrell to Minnesota earlier this month and noted, “The Vikings have finished outside the top 15 of team PFF coverage grade in each of the past six seasons and need plenty of help in their secondary. Terrell’s 90.6 PFF overall grade over the past two seasons ranked fifth among Power Four cornerbacks.”

1. Dillon Thieneman (S) | Oregon

If you’re a human, and you’re publishing an NFL mock draft right now, a mysterious force overtakes your hand, guiding the mouse to Thieneman’s name at the Vikings’ No. 18 spot. Those are the rules; the galaxy demands it.

That’s how frequent and fervent the Thieneman buzz is for the Vikings right now — every mainstream mock draft connects him to the purple team.

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Thieneman fired up an NFL Combine for the ages, and he’s become a rapid riser, once on deck for Round 2 placement but now shoved into Round 1, usually at the Vikings’ spot. He ran a 4.35 forty in Indianapolis and nailed all the drills.

Dillon Thieneman helps Bryce Boettcher warm up during Oregon Pro Day. Vikings draft frontrunners
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman assists linebacker Bryce Boettcher during warmups at Oregon Pro Day, Mar. 17, 2026, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon. The defensive prospect moved through drills and preparation work as scouts observed closely ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft process. Mandatory Credit: Ben Lonergan-Imagn Images.

The Draft Network‘s Keith Sanchez on Thieneman to Minnesota: “This pick just seems to align perfectly. The Minnesota Vikings just saw safety Harrison Smith retire from the NFL, and now they have a hole at the position. Dillon Thieneman is coming off of one of the best NFL Combine performances in recent memory, which elevated his draft stock. Thieneman can come right in and fill a need defensively.”

No matter what Harrison Smith decides about retirement or a return, Minnesota could draft Thieneman in Round 1 and call it good.

It would be preposterous as of March 21st to suggest Thieneman is not the Vikings’ mock-draft darling. He’s everywhere.


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Duke vs. TCU prediction, odds, spread, time: 2026 NCAA Tournament picks from proven model

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The ninth-seeded Texas Christian Horned Frogs meet the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament East Region on Saturday. TCU advanced with a 66-64 win over eighth-seeded Ohio State on Thursday, while Duke survived with a 71-65 victory over 16th-seeded Siena. The Horned Frogs (23-11), who finished sixth in the Big 12 at 11-7, have won seven of their past eight games. The Blue Devils (33-2), who won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season (17-1) and tournament titles, have won 12 games in a row. Duke is without Caleb Foster (foot), while center Patrick Ngongba (foot) is questionable. 

Tipoff from Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., is set for 5:15 p.m. ET. Duke is a 12.5-point favorite in the latest TCU vs. Duke odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 140.5. Before making any TCU vs. Duke picks, check out the TCU vs. Duke predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every college basketball game 10,000 times. It entered the 2026 NCAA Tournament on a sizzling 11-1 run on its top-rated over/under college basketball picks dating back to last season, and is on a 28-22 run on top-rated CBB side picks. 

Now, the model has simulated TCU vs. Duke 10,000 times and just revealed its college basketball picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several college basketball odds and college basketball lines for Duke vs. TCU:

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TCU vs. Duke spread:    

Duke -12.5

TCU vs. Duke over/under:    

140.5 points

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TCU vs. Duke money line:    

Duke -877, TCU +579

TCU vs. Duke picks:    

See picks at SportsLine

TCU vs. Duke TV:

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Top TCU vs. Duke predictions

After 10,000 simulations of TCU vs. Duke, SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (140.5 points). The Over has hit in two of the last three TCU games, and in six of the last 10 Duke games. TCU is 8-2 against the spread in its last 10 games. Duke, meanwhile, is 6-4 ATS in its last 10.

The model projects the Horned Frogs to have two players score 11 or more points, including David Punch, who is projected to score 11.9 points. The Blue Devils are projected to have three players score 11.4 points or more, led by Cameron Boozer, who is projected to score 25 points. The model is projecting 148 combined points. You can get the spread pick at SportsLine.

How to make Duke vs. TCU picks

Now, the model simulated every possession of Duke vs. TCU 10,000 times and says one side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time. You can only see that pick at SportsLine.

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So who wins Duke vs. TCU, and which side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time. Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the TCU vs. Duke spread to back, all from the advanced model that just simulated this game 10,000 times, and find out.

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NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder skip White House visit over timing

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The reigning 2025 NBA champions won’t be making the traditional visit to the White House due to a timing issue. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are due to play the Washington Wizards on Saturday evening, but a team spokesperson said that despite talks with the White House, the team will not be celebrating with the president. 

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) drives to the basket

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 13, 2025. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)

“We have been in touch with the White House, and we are appreciative and grateful for the communication we have had, but the timing just didn’t work out,” the team said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. 

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It was not immediately clear whether a formal invitation had been extended to the team. Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for confirmation.

The White House has a long-standing tradition of welcoming championship teams to celebrate their achievements. On Friday, President Donald Trump invited the Navy Midshipmen following a historic season that culminated in winning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.

Trump holds up a helmet as he speaks during the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy presentation

President Donald Trump holds up a helmet as he speaks during the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy presentation with the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, on March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

TRUMP SAYS US WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM WILL ‘SOON’ VISIT WHITE HOUSE AFTER DECLINING SOTU INVITATION

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Teams have declined a White House visit in the past. The most notable instance was in 2017 when the Golden State Warriors had their invitation withdrawn by Trump after Stephen Curry and other players indicated they were not interested in visiting.

Trump recently invited the U.S. men’s ice hockey team to the White House and the State of the Union after their gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. The women’s team was also invited amid controversy regarding a quip the president made during a call with the men’s team. 

The women’s team declined Trump’s invitation to the State of the Union, citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”

Jalen Williams holds the trophy

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) holds the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy as he celebrates with his team after they won the NBA basketball championship with a Game 7 victory against the Indiana Pacers Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City.  (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” USA Hockey said in a statement. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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5 Lingering Free Agents for the Vikings to Consider

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Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins in 2021 celebrating a sack
Dec 19, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Christian Wilkins (94) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets by doing the worm dance move in the endzone during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings were not overly busy in free agency — aside from signing quarterback Kyler Murray — compared to recent offseasons, but they still have a bit of cash flow to use on available players in a pinch. Consider these five free agents to explore in the pinch.

Minnesota can still find help on defense and the offensive line before draft week.

The NFL Draft is less than five weeks away, but here’s a look at free agents for Minnesota if they want to shore up the roster depth.

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Five Available FAs Who Still Make Sense for Minnesota

The roster is in decent shape; these men are about upgrades, and they’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = best available free agent for Minnesota).

Dante Trader Jr. and Ifeatu Melifonwu run onto the field before a Dolphins game in Madrid. Vikings free agents
Miami Dolphins safeties Dante Trader Jr. (11) and Ifeatu Melifonwu (9) run onto the field before kickoff of the NFL Madrid Game against the Washington Commanders, Nov. 16, 2025, at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. The defensive backs entered through pregame smoke as the Dolphins prepared for an international showcase matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

5. Ifeatu Melifonwu (S)

Pretend for a moment that the Vikings welcome Harrison Smith back for Year No. 15, prefer a defensive tackle, for example, in Round 1 of the draft, and are not overly enthused about Theo Jackson having a middling 2025 campaign. In those realistic scenarios, the club might need safety depth.

Melifonwu has the juice for it. The 26-year-old banked a 62.9 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025, playing 549 defensive snaps in Miami. Not long ago in 2023 with the Detroit Lions, he punched his card for an 82.1 PFF mark. He’s proven that he can thrive in the right system.

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The former 3rd-Rounder from the 2021 NFL Draft would look good in purple if the Round 1 or 2 draft pick is not a safety.

4. Tyreek Hill (WR)

Hill’s 2025 season was cut short after only four games because of a nasty left knee injury — multiple torn ligaments and a torn ACL. Before the injury, Hill was still getting it done, averaging 66.3 yards per game. That’s over 1,100 yards when scaled to a full season. His top speed isn’t quite what it used to be, but there’s still burst and playmaking ability on tape.

The man obviously has an electric track record: 11,363 yards, 83 touchdowns, and everyone knows he’s one of the scariest deep threats ever. He can still change a game in a heartbeat.

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His contract could work out nicely, too. He might get a “prove-it” deal, which would be tempting for teams trying to win it all. Picture Hill playing alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in Minnesota. Scary.

And — Hill’s been a Vikings fan forever, always talking about how he grew up rooting for them. Plus, Frank Smith, who used to coach Hill in Miami, is now on Minnesota’s coaching staff as the assistant head coach. It won’t be hard for Smith to lure Hill.

3. L’Jarius Sneed (CB)

This is Sneed’s PFF work through six seasons:

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  • 2020: 68.4
  • 2021: 63.6
  • 2022: 77.7
  • 2023: 72.5
  • 2024: 36.3
  • 2025: 50.4

Then, the passer rating allowed:

  • 2025: 120.0
  • 2020: 54.2
  • 2021: 91.9
  • 2022: 85.0
  • 2023: 56.2
  • 2024: 91.8

The last two seasons obviously aren’t ideal, but there’s a chance that he could cook and regain 2023 form with Brian Flores’s magic touch. The Titans recently dropped Sneed. He’s there for the taking and won’t cost much.

2. Ethan Pocic (C)

At 30, Pocic is expected to snag an $8–12 million yearly salary, putting him in the middle of the pack for veteran centers. That price might even be smaller through two weeks of free agency with no nibbles.

Ethan Pocic walks off the field after a Browns game against the San Francisco 49ers. Vikings free agents
Cleveland Browns center Ethan Pocic (55) walks off the field following a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Nov. 30, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The veteran lineman exited with teammates after a tough result, reflecting on the outcome as the Browns wrapped up the late-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images.

In 2025, PFF gave him a 62.2 for pass-blocking and a 63.2 for run-blocking, landing him an overall grade of 63.8. He’s reliable, but not a superstar. Drafted in the 2nd Round in 2017, he played under his rookie deal with Seattle before heading to Cleveland in 2022, where he became a starter.

The only knock on Pocic is durability. He generally misses at least 3-4 games annually due to injury. Minnesota’s in a good spot to handle this, though, with Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens ready to step in if he gets hurt.

1. Christian Wilkins (DT)

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Wilkins is a consistently dependable run stopper, making him a good fit for Minnesota, especially with their run defense looking vulnerable early in 2025.

Market conditions are also favorable, as he hopes to repair his reputation following bizarre locker-room allegations. An unsigned Wikins through 20 days of March suggests affordability, and a short, inexpensive contract — perhaps even near the veteran minimum — seems realistic for a 29-year-old seeking a new team. The rumor mill suggested that up to 26 teams have inquired about Wilkin’s availability.

Christian Wilkins runs onto the field before a Dolphins game against the Dallas Cowboys. Vikings free agents
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) runs onto the field during pregame warmups ahead of a matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, Dec. 24, 2023, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The standout defender energized the sideline as Miami prepared for a high-profile late-season showdown at home. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports.

Wilkins has consistently demonstrated top-tier production, so much so that the Las Vegas Raiders handed him a $110 million contract over four years in the offseason of 2024. Furthermore, Wilkins and Vikings defensive coordinator Flores have a prior connection: Flores drafted and developed Wilkins in Miami in 2019, a significant relationship.

Finally, Wilkins and current Vikings OLB Andrew Van Ginkel were also teammates in Miami. With Flores already intimately familiar with Wilkins’s capabilities, Minnesota has a real connection to Wilkins. There are existing ties.


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Brighton vs Liverpool LIVE: Hugo Ekitike injury latest after Reds stumble to another Premier League defeat

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Steven Gerrard: ‘Lack of changes from Arne Slot backfired today’

Steven Gerrard, on TNT Sports, questions the lack of changes from Arne Slot after Brighton outworked and outran Liverpool following their big win over Galatasaray in midweek .

“We’ve seen it quite a few times this season now where they put in a lot of effort and they perform really well in the Champions League,” Gerrard says. “There’s all the emotion and all the energy and the intensity they have to put in to win those or get a result.

“It’s having a big effect on them at the weekend. They haven’t got the options in the squad or on the bench to make numerous changes, to bring that energy and that quality into the team to perform at the same level they do in midweek.

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“Liverpool made a couple of changes that were forced on them, but the manager wanted to keep the team rather than make changes for energy, and it backfired today.”

(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Jamie Braidwood21 March 2026 15:34

‘It’s a big blow for us’: Arne Slot issues Hugo Ekitike injury update

Arne Slot, speaking to TNT Sports, says that losing Hugo Ekitike after just seven minutes was a “big blow” – but it does not sound as if it’s anything more serious than a dead leg.

”I think the players, the fans, we all know that there’s only eight games to go to qualify for Champions League and then every game that you have to miss is something you’re upset about

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“I think him having to go off after one or two minutes, not being able to help the team anymore with something that is just a bit of bad luck.

“Because it’s not like he’s out for three months, at least that’s not what I assume, but it’s bad enough not to be able to continue. That’s a big blow for him. It was in the end also a blow for us.”

(Action Images via Reuters)

Jamie Braidwood21 March 2026 15:24

Steven Gerrard: ‘You could feel that this performance was coming’

Steven Gerrard, on TNT Sports, addresses Liverpool’s inconsistency this season and struggles to back up their Champions League form in the Premier League.

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“The performance wasn’t good enough, but you can almost feel that this performance and this result was coming, even before the ball was kicked,” Gerrard says.

“Liverpool get a couple of injuries to key players like Salah, Allison, on the back of midweek, the manager speaking about maybe the lack of energy they might have, and then you look at Brighton’s plans to come and try and play a game with that intensity and that speed, that energy.

“Brighton deserved the win overall, and a big opportunity missed for Liverpool.”

Jamie Braidwood21 March 2026 15:07

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‘Brighton put Liverpool under massive pressure’

Steven Gerrard, on TNT Sports, praises Brighton’s performance and says the Seagulls were fully deserving of their victory.

“I thought they were excellent. In the second half they came out firing with energy and intensity. They had Liverpool under massive pressure and they thoroughly deserved the three points today.

“Pre-game it’s a massive blow to lose Salah, he gets his goal in midweek and he would have had confidence. Then the injury to Ekitike early on is a massive blow. Liverpool lost a lot of pace and they lacked a cutting edge.”

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(Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

Jamie Braidwood21 March 2026 14:54

Liverpool hit double figures for Premier League defeats

Liverpool, last season’s champions, have now lost 10 Premier League games this campaign.

It’s the most defeats they’ve had in a campaign since 2015/16, and there are still seven games to go.

(REUTERS)

Jamie Braidwood21 March 2026 14:51

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FULL TIME! Brighton 2-1 Liverpool

Danny Welbeck gets hugs and claps on the back from his team-mates. What an afternoon for the striker.

For Brighton, too: they are up to 8th in the Premier League, just two points behind Brentford. A late charge for Europe is on?

Curtis Jones appears to wave an apology to the Liverpool. This was another false dawn for Arne Slot’s side.

Jamie Braidwood21 March 2026 14:46

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FULL TIME! Brighton 2-1 Liverpool

An excellent win for Brighton! Their fourth in five in the Premier League, inspired by Danny Welbeck’s double! Fabian Hurzeler’s side will celebrate this into the night.

But where to begin with Liverpool… that was woeful. It started badly with Hugo Ekitike’s injury, and got much, much worse.

They could be leapfrogged by Chelsea into fifth if the Blues get something at Everton later. Awful performance from Slot’s side.

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Jamie Braidwood21 March 2026 14:44

Brighton 2-1 Liverpool

90+4 mins: Suddenly Brighton are short and Ngumoha leads the break! Wieffer takes the yellow card with a cynical foul. Free-kick out on the left for Liverpool to salvage something.

Oh dear, oh dear. Szoboszlai hits a tame effort straight at Verbruggen. That was neither a shot or a cross. Sums up their afternoon!

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Jamie Braidwood21 March 2026 14:41

Brighton 2-1 Liverpool

90+2 mins: Brighton have control of the game and are happy to wind down time in Liverpool’s half.

Jamie Braidwood21 March 2026 14:39

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Brighton 2-1 Liverpool

90 mins: Brighton continue to push for the third. The defending from Liverpool is desperate.

But there will be six more minutes to play.

Jamie Braidwood21 March 2026 14:37

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Tom Brady’s Flag Football Showcase Is Already Outshining NFL Pro Bowl

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Dec 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Fox broadcaster Tom Brady is seen prior to the game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesDec 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Fox broadcaster Tom Brady is seen prior to the game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

For months, legendary NFL quarterback and current FOX Sports broadcaster Tom Brady has been teasing a flag football game.

On Saturday, NFL legends and current players will clash at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles for a televised flag football game on FOX.

The game features Brady as a co-captain with Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl winning quarterback Jalen Hurts against Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow and some members of the U.S. National flag football team.

Jayden Daniels, Rob Gronkowski, DeVonta Smith, Alvin Kamara, Stefon Diggs, and others will compete. Already, social media videos of Burrow getting intercepted by WWE superstar Logan Paul have taken the internet by storm.

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It certainly feels like Brady’s big event has more juice than the NFL Pro Bowl, which could be a bad thing for the NFL.

The Pro Bowl has suffered for nearly a decade. Most recently, the NFL has converted it into a flag football game that was played in a convention center on Tuesday before the Super Bowl in front of hardly any fans.

The NFL struggled to get real superstars to compete in the Pro Bowl, leading the AFC to be represented by Burrow, Shedeur Sanders and Joe Flacco – three players who probably didn’t deserve the nod after their respective seasons last year.

But in the drop of a hat, Brady was able to get some top names in the NFL and pop culture to compete in what feels like a showcase for the 2028 Olympics. Multiple NFL players have expressed interest in competing in flag football during their inaugural season in the Olympic games in Los Angeles in 2028. Of course, the nation’s top flag football players have put up a bit of resistance – stating that it’s a different experience and skills compared to playing in the NFL.

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Regardless of the semantics, football is America’s new pastime. Certainly, Team USA needs to be a heavy favorite in the 2028 Olympics. The team is likely to feature a few NFL stars mashed up with some experienced flag footballers.

But Brady is giving the universe a glimpse into what this could look like. He still carries that level of respect in the sport.

On top of all of this, Brady himself is never saying never to the opportunity of being involved with the Olympic team in 2028. Could you imagine TB12 quarterbacking Team USA at 50 years old?

He won his final Super Bowl at 43. While Olympic involvement would likely be an advisory role, it’ll be fun to see what product Brady has assembled on Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.

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March Madness: Florida’s Olivier Rioux towers over opponent in viral moment

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Not often does a 6-foot-8 basketball player look small on the court, but that’s what the tallest college basketball player ever did on Friday night.

Florida’s Olivier Rioux entered the game late in the team’s dominant 114-55 win over No. 16 Prairie View A&M at Benchmark International Arena, and at 7-foot-9, he floored his opponents with his height.

Prairie View A&M forward Hassane Diallo, who stands at 6-foot-8, a full foot shorter than Rioux, went viral for sizing up the towering 20-year-old as he entered the game. Rioux was the world’s tallest teenager before his birthday last month.

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Olivier Rioux and Hassane Diallo

Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) and Prairie View A&M Panthers forward Hassane Diallo (11) look on during a first-round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Mar. 20, 2026. (Matt Pendleton/Imagn Images)

Rioux has been little used throughout the year as he continues to develop, but has become a fan favorite in short order. Whenever the Gators are up big late in games, the Florida crowd chants Rioux’s name at head coach Todd Golden, wanting to see the tall center in action.

Rioux sent the crowd into a frenzy when he checked into the game with about two minutes left. He sent them into even further hysteria when he slammed home a put-back dunk for his first career NCAA tournament points, as fans rained down “Oli! Oli!” chants.

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Olivier Rioux dunks

Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) dunks the ball in the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first-round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Mar. 20, 2026. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)

Florida’s victory was historic, as the 59-point margin of victory was the second-largest in NCAA tournament history.

Prairie View A&M was down 30 points when head coach Byron Smith was asked by the TNT broadcast during a midgame interview what it would take to slow down Florida.

“We need some help from the Lord,” Smith replied.

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Olivier Rioux looks on

Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) looks on in the second half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during a first-round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Mar. 20, 2026. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)

Prairie View A&M did not end up getting any help from above, as the defending champions steamrolled their way into the second round.

No. 1 Florida will play No. 9 Iowa on Sunday at 7:10 p.m. ET, when Gator fans hope for another chance to see Rioux in action.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Bayern Munich 2-0 Union Berlin: Halftime Observations

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Halftime Observations

  • Bayern were patient enough to find gaps in this stubborn Union Berlin side, and were rewarded with two goals.

  • Serge Gnabry appears to be more comfortable in the middle rather than out wide.

  • The long pass game by Bayern has been causing all sorts of problems for Union.

  • Michael Olise continues to be the danger man for Bayern. Biggest coup of the century, full stop.

45+2′ Halftime!

45+1′ – TOR! Gnabry pounces on a loose ball in the box and makes it 2-0 Bayern!

45′ – One minute of stoppage time is added on.

43′ – TOR! Michael Olise finally breaks the deadlock!

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42′ – Stanisic does well but the shot was lacking; in essence, a missed sitter.

40′ – Olise and Kane both miss great chances to score.

38′ – Kane’s freekick goes too high on his freekick.

37′ – Danilho Doekhi clips Gnabry outside the box, concedes a freekick, and receives a yellow card.

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35′ – Kim Min-jae lobs the ball for Olise, who couldn’t control it and goes out of play.

33′ – Jannik Haberer this time fouls Gnabry outside the box, but isn’t booked.

30′ – Leopold Querfeld fouls Olise just outside the box and gets booked.

29′ – Josip Stanisic plays a square ball to Karl but his shot hits the post and back into play. There seems to be a hint of offside too.

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23′ – Bayern deflect an Union freekick behind for a corner. The ensuing corner leads to nothing.

21′ – Serge Gnabry’s shot goes well wide.

16′ – Joshua Kimmich and Lennart Karl combine on the right, but Karl’s shot is saved by Frederik Ronnow.

9′ – Michael Olise plays a ball over the top for Harry Kane, but the latter couldn’t direct the ball into the goal.

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3′ – Dayot Upamecano gets an early yellow card.

Kickoff! – We are off!

Lineups are out!

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