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India women face embarrassment after receiving ill-fitting kits ahead of AFC Asian Cup campaign | Football News

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India women face embarrassment after receiving ill-fitting kits ahead of AFC Asian Cup campaign

NEW DELHI: Just days before their AFC Women’s Asian Cup opener against Vietnam in Perth, India’s women footballers found themselves dealing with an unexpected problem — ill-fitting kits and lack of proper training gear. In a rare and strongly worded letter to AIFF Deputy General Secretary M Satyanarayanan, all 26 players expressed frustration, saying the issue had hurt their morale at a crucial time.“Representing India on the international stage requires professional standards, including properly fitted and appropriate match and training apparel,” the letter said.The players revealed they had already faced problems during preparation due to inadequate clothing. “The arrival of incorrect match kits at this crucial stage has further affected morale and disrupted our focus in the final days leading up to the match.”Shockingly, the kits were reportedly too small, with sizes seemingly meant for Under-15 players and not fitting at least 80% of the squad. Even the coaching staff received incorrectly sized kits.“This tournament marks our return to a major continental competition after 23 years and is a significant moment for Indian women’s football. Unfortunately, on Matchday Minus 2… we discovered a serious issue. The kits supplied are not fit for purpose.”The letter, signed by eight senior players including captain Sweety Devi and Grace Dangmei but backed by the entire squad, demanded urgent action. “We urgently request: 1. Immediate provision of correctly sized match and training kits… 2. Confirmation that suitable replacements will be delivered before kickoff. 3. Clarification on the steps being taken to prevent such incidents in the future,” it further added.Despite the setback, the players added, “We remain fully committed to representing our country with pride and giving our best performance.”The AIFF later said new kits had been provided and cleared by AFC officials.

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Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn reveal ‘Olympic crushes’

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Olympians cannot help but marvel at one another.

“Self Magazine” asked numerous Olympic and Paralympic athletes who their “Olympic crush” is, and several stars were not afraid to give their answers.

Gold medal figure skater Alysa Liu named a summer Olympian.

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Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn

Gold medal winner Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn during the Olympic Figure Skating Exhibition Gala at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on Feb. 21, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Tim Clayton/Getty Images)

“I think my Olympic crush is probably Suni Lee. She’s so pretty and very stylized. You know what I’m saying? I like that, yeah,” Liu said of the two-time gold medalist.

Another figure skater, Amber Glenn, also went with a gymnast.

“I have many Olympic crushes. Laurie Hernandez,” Glenn said. “I love that she’s openly queer and that she is completely herself, a little bit of a nerd, just like me.”

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Hernandez was part of the 2016 team in Rio that won gold. She earned silver on the balance beam.

2016 Rio Olympics - Artistic Gymnastics - Preliminary - Women's Qualification - Subdivisions - Rio Olympic Arena - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 07/08/2016. Laurie Hernandez (USA) of USA competes on the floor during the women's qualifications. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. - RTSLNQ5

Laurie Hernandez at the 2016 Rio Olympics. (Reuters)

Speed skater Brittany Bowe was asked the same question, but it wasn’t that difficult for her — she is engaged to women’s hockey captain Hilary Knight.

“There’s no thinking outside the box on that one,” she joked.

The two became engaged the day before Knight’s team won gold over Canada. Knight shared the moment on social media, captioning a video of the two athletes in matching Team USA gear, “Olympics brought us together. This one made us forever.”

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Kendall Coyne and Hilary Knight with flag

Kendall Coyne, left, and Hilary Knight celebrate after the victory ceremony for women’s ice hockey at the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 19, 2026. (Hassan Ammar/AP Photo)

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The United States brought home 12 gold medals from Milan, setting a new personal best for the Winter Olympics. The country’s previous record was 10, which it accomplished in Salt Lake City 24 years ago.

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Wolves vs Liverpool live: Latest team news and updates from Premier League clash

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Where has this Wolves resurgence come from?

Wolves are doomed for relegation, sitting 14 points adrift from safety with 10 games to go. But if we’re being honest, they haven’t looked like a team destined for the drop as of late.

Molineux has witnessed two of the biggest upsets of the season over the past two weeks, with Rob Edwards’ men first holding leaders Arsenal to a 2-2 draw before stunning high-flying Aston Villa with a comfortable 2-0 win!

Both results could well prove pivotal to both sides in achieving their respective ambitions – whether that be title or Champions League-based – and with Liverpool also in the hunt for top five, can Wolves hurt another of the division’s top teams?

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(PA Wire)

Will Castle3 March 2026 17:45

James Milner: Jurgen Klopp told me to have a break when I retire – but then I’m running marathons

Here’s our interview with legendary former Liverpool midfielder James Milner, who broke the record for most Premier League appearances last weekend…

Walking into Brighton’s Elite Football Performance Centre, I was swiftly approached by a member of the club’s communications team. “Have you got the frames?” he asked this bemused writer, who only had his phone, laptop and notepad with him. It turns out he was after a different Will; not from The Independent, but from Guinness World Records. We were both here for James Milner.

For Milner, his record-breaking 654th Premier League appearance was just another game. “Massive victory on the road, delighted for the boys and travelling fans, thanks for the support,” read his very ordinary Instagram post, with the comments limited, after Brighton’s hard-fought win at Brentford. No self-congratulations, no fuss. It was very run-of-the-Milner.

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The 40-year-old had his priorities straight. “I’ve always just tried to get on with my job and keep my head down really,” Milner said, ironically surrounded by journalists – and the aforementioned GWR dignitary, adorned in the trademark blue blazer and tie – who had all congregated on the south coast to discuss his remarkable milestone. “I know obviously there’s been a lot of talk around this sort of thing, but for me, I just want to do my job and [was] especially pleased to get the win, that was so important for us at the weekend. So to contribute to that, that’s always number one.”

Will Castle3 March 2026 17:30

Arne Slot admits he gets no ‘joy’ from Premier League set-piece dominance

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has expressed a distinct lack of enjoyment for the current style of football prevalent in the Premier League, though he concedes it represents “the new reality” of the game.

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“First of all you have to accept it. I think it is mainly here in the Premier League; if I watch other leagues I don’t think there is so much emphasis on set-pieces,” he stated, drawing a stark contrast with the Eredivisie, where he observes goals disallowed and fouls on goalkeepers called more frequently.

“Here you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face the referee will say just go on. Do I like it? My football heart doesn’t like it. Now most of the games I see in the Premier League are not, for me, a joy to watch.

“But it is always interesting because it is so competitive and that’s what makes this league great because there is so much competitiveness – everyone can win against everyone.”

Will Castle3 March 2026 17:15

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The first time was so nice…

It’s not often that two teams play each other in an identical fixture twice in the space of three days.

But that’s the scenario that Wolves and Liverpool find themselves in, playing tonight in the Premier League before squaring up in the FA Cup on Friday.

One less team to study match footage of, I guess.

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(Getty Images)

Will Castle3 March 2026 17:10

Predicted line-ups

Wolves XI: Sa; Mosquera, S Bueno, T Gomes; Tchatchoua, A Gomes, J Gomes, H Bueno; Arokodare, Mane; Armstrong.

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Will Castle3 March 2026 17:08

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Liverpool team news

Florian Wirtz remains unavailable for Liverpool after suffering a back injury in the warm-up ahead of their match at Nottingham Forest.

Jeremie Frimpong, meanwhile, made his comeback from a hamstring problem against West Ham, easing pressure on Liverpool’s problem position of right-back.

Florian Wirtz picked up the knock during Liverpool's warm-up ahead of the Forest clash
Florian Wirtz picked up the knock during Liverpool’s warm-up ahead of the Forest clash (Getty Images)

Will Castle3 March 2026 17:06

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Wolves team news

Wolves will likely bring in Angel Gomes to join his namesake Joao Gomes in a double pivot after Andre sustained an injury last time out.

Teenage starlet Mateus Mane, who is rumoured to have admirers at Anfield, is near-certain to start.

Mateus Mane has starred for Wolves as of late
Mateus Mane has starred for Wolves as of late (Nigel French/PA Wire)

Will Castle3 March 2026 17:04

When is Wolves vs Liverpool?

Wolves’ meeting with Liverpool kicks off at 8:15pm GMT on Tuesday 3 March at Molineux.

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How can I watch it?

Viewers in the UK can watch the game on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT. Subscribers can also stream the match on discovery+.

Will Castle3 March 2026 17:02

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Wolves vs Liverpool live

Despite being 14 points off safety, Wolves have not looked like a side doomed for relegation of late, with Rob Edwards’ side boasting results against teams in the top four in their last two home outings. They notched a late draw against leaders Arsenal two weeks ago before dispatching high-flying Aston Villa in a Midlands derby on Friday night.

Liverpool will be seeing a lot of Wolverhampton this week, with tonight’s clash coming just three days before they return to the Black Country to face this opposition in the FA Cup fifth round.

(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Will Castle3 March 2026 17:00

Good afternoon!

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Liverpool’s trip to Wolves in the Premier League.

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We’ll bring you all the build-up, team news and match action, right here!

Will Castle3 March 2026 15:37

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Terence Crawford’s trainer knows the next man to beat Canelo: “We got the blueprint”

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Terence Crawford retired off the back of a victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Coach Brian McIntyre was instrumental in the gameplan to make that happen.

‘Bud’ Crawford moved up two divisions from his previous outing to challenge for Canelo’s undisputed super-middleweight world title, fighting his way to a unanimous decision victory to become champion in a fifth weight class.

The 38-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska announced his retirement not long after, calling time on an undefeated campaign that was helmed by trainer ‘BoMac’ from start to finish after they had worked together in the amateur ranks.

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With Canelo set to return in September in pursuit of more world titles, BoMac believes he has the man to stop that happening: Lester Martinez.

Speaking to Pro Box TV, the acclaimed trainer talked up his charge’s chances, and said Crawford had to raise his game when sparring Martinez prior to the Alvarez fight.

“People are starting to talk about Lester Martinez. It’s great, man. He fits right in there. I personally feel he could beat Canelo. You know we got the blueprint, right?

“He damn sure [helped Crawford]. It was great work. That is where you saw Bud’s greatness come in, by switching up his styles, what he to do to get the work in with Lester. Lester, one of his weaknesses [could] sometimes play against him, but [he] got past that and to push Terence to a level where he needed to go and to get out there and do what he wanted to do in the [Canelo] fight. It was phenomenal.”

Martinez fought Christian Mbilli for the WBC interim title on the undercard of Canelo–Crawford, with the bout ending in a split draw. Mbilli, after retaining the interim belt, has now been upgraded to full champion in the wake of Crawford’s retirement.

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A rematch was ordered in the wake of the fight and may still take place, with Mbilli currently weighing up his options for his first defence, another of which being Canelo himself.

Guatemala’s Martinez has time on his side at 30 years old and just 20 fights into his campaign, and many feel a world title is within his reach, particularly with the brain of BoMac in the corner. Should the opportunity to face the Mexican icon present itself, the coach believes he can solve that puzzle once more. First up is Immanuwel Aleem on March 21, again for the interim WBC strap.

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Galatasaray Deny Owing Osimhen Amid Salary Rumours

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Galatasaray have dismissed reports claiming that Victor Osimhen and some of his teammates are owed unpaid salaries.

In recent days, several Turkish media outlets reported that the Nigeria striker had not been paid for two or three months. The rumours gained more attention after Osimhen did not celebrate some of his recent goals.

One moment that raised questions was his calm reaction after scoring against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage. Some fans suggested his muted celebration was linked to the alleged salary issues.

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Osimhen later explained that he chose not to celebrate out of respect for Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti, his former coach at Napoli. However, the speculation continued despite his clarification.

Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek has now responded firmly to the claims. The 76-year-old businessman insisted that the club has paid all players in full and on time.

He said reports of unpaid wages were false and disrespectful to the professionalism of the players. According to him, Galatasaray have not defaulted on any salary payments and do not owe any player outstanding wages. He added that bonuses and incentives are also paid as agreed.

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While the debate continues off the pitch, Galatasaray are enjoying an impressive season.

Under coach Okan Buruk, they currently lead the Turkish Süper Lig by four points ahead of rivals Fenerbahçe. In Europe, they have reached the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 12 years, where they will face Liverpool.

Domestically, they are also preparing for a Turkish Cup fixture against Alanyaspor.

Osimhen has played a major role in the club’s success this season. The Super Eagles forward has scored seven goals in the Champions League and 10 in the league.

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However, he is expected to miss the cup game against Alanyaspor as the club manages his fitness ahead of the important league derby against Beşiktaş this weekend.

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KSI buys minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge

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YouTuber KSI buys a minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge and says he wants to take the sixth-tier club to the Premier League.

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How to watch Team USA in the World Baseball Classic

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The World Baseball Classic is right around the corner, and Team USA is looking to avenge their loss to Team Japan in the finals.

Team Japan beat Team USA 3-2 in thrilling fashion to win in 2023, when Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout in an electric battle to end the game. Ohtani and Trout were teammates on the Los Angeles Angels at the time of the game.

The tournament begins on Wednesday, March 4, but Team USA does not play until Friday night. New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is Team USA’s captain. 

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Aaron Judge looks on

Aaron Judge (99) of Team USA looks on during a workout at Papago Park Sports Complex in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 2, 2026. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

There are five teams in each pool, and each team will play four games over six days during pool play. The United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil are in Pool B. They will play their pool games at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.

Eight of the 20 teams will advance to the quarterfinals, which are single elimination. The semifinals begin a day after the quarterfinals end, and the final will be played Tuesday, March 17.

Before Team USA officially begins the tournament, they will play the San Francisco Giants in an exhibition game on Tuesday. Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will start in that game. Team USA will play the Colorado Rockies in an exhibition game on Wednesday.

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Team USA outfielders

(L-R) Byron Buxton (25), Kyle Schwarber (12), Roman Anthony (3) and Aaron Judge (99) of Team USA walk from the field during a workout at Papago Park Sports Complex in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 2, 2026. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Below is a list of Team USA’s schedule during pool play and who will start for them.

Friday, March 6 – USA and Brazil – 8 p.m. ET – FOX/FOX Deportes – Giants ace Logan Webb will start

Saturday, March 7 – Great Britain and USA – 8 p.m. ET – FOX – Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will start

Sunday, March 8 – Mexico and USA – 8 p.m. ET – FOX/FOXD – Skenes will start

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Paul Skenes pitches for Team USA

Pitcher Paul Skenes (30) of Team USA throws during a workout at Papago Park Sports Complex in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 2, 2026. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Tuesday, March 10 – Italy and USA – 9 p.m. ET – FS1/FOXD – New York Mets rookie Nolan McLean is scheduled to start

If the United States advances out of pool play, the quarterfinals begin on Friday, March 13.

The FOX Sports family of networks (FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes), the FOX Sports App and Tubi will combine to air all 47 games of the World Baseball Classic.

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EFL clubs to vote on Championship play-offs expansion this week

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English Football League clubs are set to cast a crucial vote on Thursday concerning a significant expansion of the Championship play-offs for the upcoming season.

The proposal aims to increase the number of participating teams from four to six, mirroring the National League’s model.

Should the motion pass, the top two teams in England’s second tier would still secure automatic promotion, but the play-off spots would extend to those finishing between third and eighth.

This would be a departure from the current system, which involves only teams placed third to sixth.

The vote, scheduled for late Thursday morning, requires a majority from all EFL clubs, alongside a separate majority among Championship clubs, to be carried.

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Oldham got promoted via the National League play-offs last year (Adam Davy/PA)

Oldham got promoted via the National League play-offs last year (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)

Thursday’s decision, it is understood, will focus solely on the principle of expanding the play-offs, with the precise format to be determined at a later stage, potentially during the league’s annual general meeting this summer.

The National League’s six-team format sees clubs finishing fourth and seventh, and fifth and sixth, face off in single-leg eliminators.

The winners then progress to join the second and third-placed teams in the semi-finals.

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Last season, Oldham Athletic notably triumphed in the National League play-offs despite finishing 23 points adrift of second-placed York, a result that intensified discussions around the limited two promotion spots from the fifth tier to League Two.

While a debate concerning a potential increase of National League promotions to three teams is anticipated, no vote on this matter will take place this week.

Such a decision would necessitate the prior distribution of full briefing papers and voting slips.

The two-day all-club meeting, which commenced on Wednesday, also includes addresses from David Kogan and Richard Monks, the chair and chief executive of the Independent Football Regulator.

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Kogan recently called for a new financial settlement to be agreed between the Premier League and EFL amid fears that relegation is a “near death sentence” for some clubs.

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Bracketology: Iowa State falls to No. 4 seed, Texas Tech rises in NCAA Tournament projection

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Iowa State dropped to a No. 4 seed in CBS Sports Bracketology following its 73-57 loss at No. 2 Arizona on Monday night. It marked the Cyclones’ third loss in their last four games and underscored just how tightly packed teams in the Nos. 2-4 seed range are with less than two weeks until Selection Sunday.

Less than two weeks ago, Iowa State landed as the fourth No. 1 seed in the March Madness bracket preview. But with little separating teams 6-14 in the overall seeding hierarchy, recent struggles have come with a cost for the Cyclones, who are still a solid 14-6 across Quad 1 and Quad 2 games.

Texas Tech rose from a No. 4 seed to a No. 3 seed to replace Iowa State as it continues thriving without star forward JT Toppin. The Red Raiders have won three straight since losing their leading scorer and leading rebounder for the season due to a knee injury. In that time, they have hit 45.1% of their 3-pointers. Among their victories is a Saturday road win over Iowa State that could be especially impactful if the selection committee compares the teams side-by-side.

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Bracketology Bubble Watch: UCLA, TCU among NCAA Tournament at-large hopefuls with massive Tuesday games

David Cobb

Bracketology Bubble Watch: UCLA, TCU among NCAA Tournament at-large hopefuls with massive Tuesday games
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Here is a glimpse at how the CBS Sports Bracketology model sees the top of the bracket entering a busy Tuesday of action.

Bracketology top seeds

Check out the full field of 68 at the CBS Sports Bracketology hub.

Movement since the preview

Another faller since the Feb. 21 bracket preview is Purdue. The Boilermakers landed on the No. 2 line when the selection committee offered its annual glimpse at the top 16 overall seeds. Now the Boilermakers are a No. 3 seed following consecutive losses to Michigan State and Ohio State.

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Among those on the rise since the bracket preview is Michigan State. The Spartans are on a four-game winning streak and now reside on the No. 2 seed line in CBS Sports Bracketology after landing as a No. 4 seed in the committee’s preview. Florida and UConn have also risen in our model. The Huskies landed as the top No. 2 seed in the bracket preview but are the fourth No. 1 seed in CBS Sports Bracketology following recent losses from former No. 1 seed contenders like Iowa State, Houston and Purdue.

After landing as a No. 3 seed in the bracket preview, Florida is now nipping at UConn’s heels for the final No. 1 seed. The Gators can wrap up an outright SEC title with a win over Mississippi State on Tuesday. Alabama has also quietly risen from a No. 5 seed in CBS Sports Bracketology to a No. 3 seed while piecing together an eight-game winning streak highlighted by this past Saturday’s road win over Tennessee.

Rematch rules

Amid conference consolidation and the proliferation of nonconference matchups between high-major schools, the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee faces challenges in attempting to avoid regular-season rematches. The 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket featured three potential second-round games between conference teams, although none came to fruition. 

The committee will still seek to minimize conference meetings and nonconference rematches, and our model is coded to do the same. However, NCAA bracketing principles permit games between conference teams in the second round, so long as the teams played each other just once before the NCAA Tournament. For conference teams that met twice prior to the NCAA Tournament, principles state they should not meet prior to the Sweet 16. If the teams played three times, NCAA bracketing principles state they should not play before the Elite Eight.

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Concerning rematches of nonconference games, NCAA bracketing principles state that they should be avoided “in the First Four and first round.” The committee will also “attempt to avoid” nonconference rematches in the second round. But the committee has historically prioritized keeping teams on their natural seed line over changing their seed line for the sake of avoiding a rematch. 

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Report: Braves’ Profar facing 162-game suspension for second PED violation

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The Atlanta Braves‘ designated hitter is reportedly facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Tuesday.

Profar, 33, would be the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty to a full season in 2014 for two-time offenders.

The one-time all-star was previously suspended for 80 games last season after testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone that can encourage testosterone production.

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Maple Leafs trade deadline preview: No choice but to sell

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TORONTO — This was not the plan, but it is imperative that this becomes the plan.

Hang around the cellars and you have no choice but to become a seller.

In the case of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team coming to bitter grips with demise of the NHL’s longest active playoff streak, they will be posting a FOR SALE sign at the trade deadline for the first time in the Auston Matthews–William Nylander era.

That means a handful of skaters on expiring contracts should be up for rent to the highest bidder, of course. But it should also mean that Toronto’s veterans with term and reasonable cap hits are in play.

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Even still, all signs point to a modest reset and reload as the club tries to regain its relevance in 2026-27.

The knife might not cut as deep this week as fans wish.

What management cannot afford, though, is to whiff on easy sells. The cupboards are too barren. Use cap space to retain salary and sweeten the returns.

It’s asset-recouping time in Toronto.

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Projected deadline day cap space: $5.03 million

Our understanding of the Leafs’ scrambling plan is that they are treating 2025-26 as an off year, a bum-luck blip. They are the 2024-25 Bruins or the 2021-22 Golden Knights or 2016-17 Lightning — all of whom missed the post-season before returning to relevance.

We’re not convinced that’s true. But if this roster is to successfully reset, it needs youth and speed and a more mobile defence corps.

Because the trade deadline is mostly a rental market, GM Brad Treliving will have difficulty adding young players with term — but that shouldn’t prevent him from trying to swing a hockey deal that injects energetic legs and offensive upside into his blue line or two-way skill into his forward group.

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The easier and more realistic path is to add to a draft pick and prospect pool that has been stripped bare after years of going for it.

Whether newly accrued picks and prospects are kept for a rebuild or flipped for NHL-ready talent in 2026-27 is a decision for another day. Either way, Toronto — without a first-rounder or second-rounder in 2026 or a first-rounder in 2027 — is desperate for those assets.

But if McMann, a pending UFA, wants anything near $5 million per season, it’s time to move on. Twenty-goal scorers are too hard to come by on the rental market, and the Leafs need to recoup a nice return here. A first? Fantastic. Two seconds? Let’s go.

Scott LaughtonLike McMann, Laughton has expressed his desire to remain a Leaf. And like McMann, Laughton can’t block a trade and should fetch great interest from contenders. The centre-slash-winger can win a faceoff, kill a penalty and inject leadership. Every room or bench improves with Laughton on it. (Murmurs are also kicking up about third-line centre Nicolas Roy, who has an extra year of term on his contract. The Oilers are one team said to be interested.)

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Troy StecherA wonderful waiver find, the competitive Stecher has done yeoman’s work in Toronto, logging more than 20 minutes a night and filling in the role of right-shot minutes muncher admirably. But he’s on an expiring deal. If Stecher doesn’t wish to re-sign for a reasonable rate and short term, it’s time to ship him off for a pick.

Oliver Ekman-LarssonOK, now we’re into the deeper cuts. Ekman-Larsson has term, carries a friendly cap hit ($3.5 million), and is amid one of his best showings yet — at age 34, no less. His trade value will never be higher. Yes, the Oilers may have found their guy in Connor Murphy, but that shouldn’t deter Treliving from exploring other landing spots.

Brandon CarloUnfairly to the player — a meat-and-potatoes shot blocker and cycle stuffer — the right-shot Carlo carries the ill feelings around Treliving’s worst move, last year’s shedding of Fraser Minten, a 2026 first-round pick (top-five protected) and a fourth-rounder to rival Boston. But that doesn’t mean Carlo wouldn’t be a boost to playoff-bound blue line. And in a market thin on defence rentals, Treliving stress the value of Carlo’s term and low cap hit.

Picks and prospects: Let’s not get picky here. High time to stock the cupboards, and it falls on management to secure the highest draft picks and most talented young players available this week. Sell high.

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Robert ThomasAging pivots like Nazem Kadri and Ryan O’Reilly are non-starters. But if the available Thomas, 26, can be nabbed from St. Louis, we’re here for the retool-on-the-fly conversation. Unfortunately, with Treliving’s minimal asset pool, securing for a high-end target like Thomas will be a reach. A significant asset (Matthew Knies? Easton Cowan?) would have to go.

Braden SchneiderThe Rangers are open for business, and this six-foot-four, 24-year-old, right-shot defenceman is fast approaching restricted free agency. If the Leafs are to come back younger, they must hit on some new acquisitions who won’t be overpriced. Schneider’s best hockey should still lie ahead. 

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