LA Lakers legend Byron Scott clapped back at LeBron James for his comments on playing in different NBA generations. In January, the Lakers’ superstar had claimed that performing in the league now is harder compared to doing it in the 80’s and the 90’s.
Scott was asked for his opinion on James’ comments on Friday’s episode of Power 106 FM’s “Brown Bag Mornings.”
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“I don’t think he’s the greatest to ever play, but I’m a big LeBron fan. That was laughable to me,” Scott said. “So you’re saying it’s easier to play in the 80s vs today? The game was so much more physical. You can say the score wasn’t as high, but we had 12-15 teams averaging over 100 PPG.”
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“The pace was just as fast as it is today. We played 94 feet. They play 60 feet today because everything is predicated on shooting 3s. You’re not going up and down like we did. As far as physicality, it’s not even close, so I just thought it was laughable coming from one of the greatest to ever play the game.”
James had expressed his opinions on the subject on the Jan. 27 episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast. The Lakers star had placed emphasis on increased injury risks in players because of the way the game is played in the modern era.
“The way we play, the level of pace, the level of the speed that we’re playing at, it’s a different game now. It’s a totally different game,” James said. “There’s a lot of soft tissue injuries that’s happened now because of it. I hope we can get a handle on that as well, because that’s big in our game.”
LeBron James has been in the NBA for more than two decades now. He has played through different times and has seen the league evolve firsthand. The Lakers superstar has grown his game to adjust to the modern trends in the league. He is averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game in his 23rd season.
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Byron Scott believes LeBron James should move on from the Lakers
Later in the podcast, Byron Scott was asked if LeBron James should leave LA. The Lakers icon agreed to the notion but clarified that he wanted James to stay in the league.
“I am a fan but I don’t mince words either. I think this should be his last year here,” he said.
According to Spotrac, LeBron James is in his contract’s last year. He will be an unrestricted free agent come the offseason.
Akor Adams was left out of the starting line-up as Sevilla lost 2-0 to Valencia, with coach Matías Almeyda explaining his decision after the match.
Adams, who is Sevilla’s top scorer this season with seven goals and four assists in 23 games, had been expected to start the match. The Nigerian striker has been one of the team’s key players since returning from international duty.
However, Almeyda chose to start Neal Maupay instead. The decision did not go well for Sevilla, as they went two goals down before half-time through strikes from Hugo Duro and Largie Ramazani.
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Adams was introduced at the start of the second half and made an immediate impact, adding energy and attacking threat to the team. Sevilla improved after the break and controlled much of the game, but they were unable to score.
The defeat leaves Sevilla in 15th place with 31 points from 29 matches, just three points above the relegation zone. Valencia, meanwhile, moved up to 11th place and are now comfortably clear of danger.
After the game, Almeyda said he dropped Adams because he was not satisfied with his performance in their previous match against Barcelona. He also explained that he wanted to rotate his strikers and give others a chance.
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“We have three strikers and I am trying different options to see who can score,” Almeyda said. “I was not happy with Akor’s last game, so I decided to make a change.”
Sevilla now face a difficult run of matches as they try to move away from the relegation zone, and Adams is expected to return to the starting line-up in their next game.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Olivia Olson had all 27 of her points in the second half and Canada’s Syla Swords bounced back from a slow start to score 26 and help second-seeded Michigan rout short-handed N.C. State 92-63 on Sunday and earn a spot in the women’s Sweet 16.
The Wolverines (27-6) will play the winner of third-seeded Louisville vs. sixth-seeded Alabama in the NCAA Tournament Fort Worth Regional semifinals.
The seventh-seeded Wolfpack (21-11) were without All-ACC guard Zoe Brooks, who had a protective boot on her right foot after being injured in Friday night’s win against 10th-seeded Tennessee.
That hurt against Michigan’s swarming and trapping defence that forced 22 turnovers, including 10 in the third quarter that helped the Wolverines take a 16-point lead into the fourth after a closely contested first half.
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Zamareya Jones, who had a career-high 30 points against the Lady Vols, scored 16 and Khamil Pierre had 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Wolfpack led 13-12 after the first 10 minutes as Olson was held scoreless and Swords to two points.
Swords, of Sudbury, Ont., responded by scoring seven in the opening two minutes of the second quarter as part of a 14-0 run that included forcing six turnovers to put the Wolverines ahead 26-13. The Wolfpack clawed back to trail by just three at halftime.
Olson, a third-team Associated Press All-America player, started 0 of 6 and was held scoreless until making two free throws with 5:59 left in the third quarter. She scored on a three-point play about a minute later and followed up with a pair of mid-range jumpers to suddenly give Michigan a 49-35 lead.
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Canadian Mila Holloway finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Wolverines.
Brooks was replaced in the starting lineup by freshman Destiny Lunan, who had two fouls in the opening five minutes and didn’t play the rest of the half. Lunan fouled out midway through the fourth quarter with six points, limited to 15 minutes due to foul trouble.
Michigan is in the Sweet 16 for the third time in school history. The round begins on Friday.
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up on Rajasthan Royals (RR) playing their IPL 2026 home matches at multiple venues, claiming that the 2008 champions’ title bid could be affected by this factor. The Riyan Parag-led side will play their first three home matches in Guwahati, while the remaining four will be held at a different venue. Ashwin, who played for RR for three seasons, suggested that while the overall team combination looks better than it was last season, playing home matches at different venues might be detrimental for them.
“I thought their team got a slight upgrade when they got both Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. But they have a lot of things going for them, as well as not going for them. They haven’t been playing at one venue and that is just not fair. I know Riyan Parag is the captain and he will get Support in Assam. I understand all that, but if you want to play, play the entire season there only,” said Ashwin.
Ashwin also recalled his time as captain of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) when his side had to play some of its home matches in Indore.
“I was the Kings XI Punjab (now renamed as Punjab Kings) captain when we had to play a few matches in Indore and that is a huge factor. I know there is gate collection and fan support,” he added.
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PBKS have maintained their tradition of splitting their home matches across multiple venues, with a portion of their matches at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
The venue hosted two games last season; however, their match against the Delhi Capitals was abandoned midway due to security concerns following a red alert in Jammu and cross-border tensions.
RR’s campaign will get underway against the Chennai Super Kings on March 30 in Guwahati.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer and kicker Will Reichard share a quick exchange after the final whistle on Dec 25, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reflecting on late-game execution following a tightly contested holiday matchup as players regroup on the field postgame. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Most of the splashy happenings from Minnesota Vikings’ 2026 free agency — there weren’t many, other than Kyler Murray’s arrival — are over. The club can still sign depth free-agent pieces, but the firestorm of free-agent movement is done. So, let’s look at the “losers” from the process.
Minnesota’s roster shuffle came with collateral damage.
The criteria? Players most affected — not in a good way — by new arrivals and the front office’s decision-making. The players on this list are in ascending order (No. 1 = biggest “loser”).
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Some Vikings Now Face Steeper Climbing This Summer
Who do you consider the biggest loser?
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Dwight McGlothern (29) aligns across from receivers and scans the formation against the Los Angeles Rams, Jan 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in an NFC Wild Card matchup, bringing physical coverage and awareness as Minnesota’s secondary handled a high-pressure postseason test under bright lights. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
4. Dwight McGlothern (CB)
McGlothern may not have been the smoking-gun candidate to earn Minnesota’s CB3 job in 2026, and the signing of veteran defensive back James Pierre made sure of that.
Minnesota found McGlothern via undrafted free agency in 2024, and since then, many fans have held high hopes for a breakout performance because of his tremendous size and production at LSU and Arkansas. So far, it’s just not meant to be, as he’s banked just 50 defensive snaps in two seasons.
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McGlothern still profiles as a practice squad candidate in 2026 and could even make the active roster, but with the Vikings likely to draft a cornerback or two in April, his outlook is shaky. He probably needed to contribute more in 2024 and 2025 to have a puncher’s chance at the CB3 or CB4 post this autumn.
3. Will Reichard (K)
Reichard’s fine; no need to worry. He is not a real “loser.” Still, he lost his holder at the start of free agency when the New Orleans Saints stole punter Ryan Wright, handing the specialist a contract worth $14 million over the next four years.
In return, the Vikings signed six-time All-Pro punter Johnny Hekker this week, whom Minnesota hopes will turn back the clock to his glory days of a decade ago. Hekker was an average punter last season.
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The 36-year-old also holds extra points and field goals. Reichard will need a competent holder to continue his All-Pro career. If it’s not Hekker, look for Minnesota to find a rookie punter late in the draft or from undrafted free agency.
2. Max Brosmer (QB)
Minnesota rarely carries four quarterbacks on its regular-season roster, sometimes keeping only two, suggesting a roster reduction is coming. Brosmer was already likely headed for the practice squad or outright release, but Carson Wentz’s re-arrival earlier in the week brought a significantly narrower path for Brosmer to potentially secure the QB3 role.
Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer (QB01) goes through drills and throws during on-field workouts at the NFL Combine, Mar 1, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium, showcasing mechanics and arm talent as evaluators monitored prospects ahead of the draft in a structured, high-visibility environment. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Brosmer’s prospects have now shifted dramatically. Once an intriguing undrafted free agent—with some even drawing loose comparisons to Brock Purdy — he is now likely destined for the practice squad or outright release. The momentum simply isn’t there.
With the recent additions and re-signings, the quarterback depth chart now includes Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Wentz, and Brosmer, leaving little room for surprises when final cuts are made. It was a tough week for Brosmer.
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Our Janik Eckardt on Brosmer’s hellish week: “Sure, he hasn’t particularly earned more reps or trust, but it’s important to note that he didn’t enter the league with high expectations. A developmental undrafted quarterback needs time to grow as a player to become a reliable backup down the line.”
“Completely writing him off after 71 passes is not entirely fair, given his draft status. However, the NFL isn’t fair and if a player can’t get it done, he’ll be replaced, regardless of whether he was supposed to be ready or not. The good news is that Brosmer’s career isn’t over with a stint on the practice squad.”
1. J.J. McCarthy (QB)
McCarthy has encountered an extremely wicked, shockingly evil, and vile offseason. There’s no way around it.
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The Vikings don’t have to trade McCarthy — at 23, he has time to develop — but recent developments cast doubt on the team’s long-term commitment to him. If the Vikings were fully behind McCarthy, their quarterback situation would likely look different, especially with Murray now expected to be QB1.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) breaks the pocket and scrambles upfield during second-quarter action, Aug 10, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium, displaying mobility and decision-making in a preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders as he extended the play under pressure. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Some speculate that McCarthy was general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s preferred pick, while head coach Kevin O’Connell favored alternatives like Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers, or Drake Maye. If that’s the case, Minnesota might move on from McCarthy sooner than anticipated, potentially trading him to a team such as the Arizona Cardinals or Pittsburgh Steelers for a mid-round pick.
This offseason, Minnesota replaced the executive who drafted McCarthy, acquired Murray, and re-signed Wentz, presumably as a QB2 contender. None of these moves suggests a promising future for McCarthy with the team.
The last couple of months have been a nightmare for McCarthy’s long-term outlook.
Arsenal and Manchester City will face off at Wembley on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final, in what promises to be a defining moment in their battle this season.
This is not just another final. Both teams are chasing success on multiple fronts, and the result at Wembley could shape how the rest of the campaign unfolds.
Arsenal arrive in strong form under Mikel Arteta. They currently sit nine points clear at the top of the Premier League and have also reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Confidence is high, and the Gunners will see this as a big chance to win their first trophy in several years.
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For Manchester City, the situation is different. Pep Guardiola and his team are looking to respond after their recent exit from Europe. Winning this final would offer them a chance to bounce back and regain momentum as the season enters a crucial stage.
Both sides are still involved in the FA Cup, and they are also set to meet again in the league next month. There is even a chance they could face each other once more before the season ends. That makes this final even more important, as it could give the winner a psychological advantage going into those matches.
For Arsenal, the game is also about ending a long wait for silverware. Since lifting the FA Cup in 2020, they have come close on several occasions but failed to go all the way. Reaching the final is a step forward, but they will be determined to finish the job this time.
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Manchester City, on the other hand, have enjoyed great success in recent years, winning several major trophies under Guardiola. However, they will be eager to add another title and avoid ending the season without silverware.
Kick-off is set for 5pm, and with both teams having plenty to play for, a tense and exciting contest is expected at Wembley.
The SWAG Golf Vandal isn’t just another oversized mallet trying to buy its way into the high-MOI conversation. It’s a statement from the Chicago-based outfit that they’re done being pigeonholed as the “cool headcover brand.”
With the Vandal and its beefier sibling, the Vandal X, SWAG is proving that precision milling and “save-your-round” forgiveness can actually live in the same zip code.
The new SWAG Vandal and Vandal X are milled in the Chicagoland area.
Jake Morrow / GOLF
If you’ve followed SWAG Putters, you know they don’t do subtle, but the Vandal is a different kind of loud — it’s engineered volume. Here is why this mallet is currently one of the most interesting sticks in the boutique golf market.
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The Heavy Lifting: Multi-Material Perimeter Weighting
High MOI (Momentum of Inertia) is a math problem, and SWAG solved it with a dual-material build. The main chassis is carved from lightweight 6061 Aluminum, which acts as the skeleton. The “meat” of the putter — the face and the internal weights — is precision-milled from 303 Stainless Steel. By marrying these two, they’ve managed to shove the mass exactly where you need it without making the head feel like a literal brick on a stick.
The high M.O.I. footprint of the SWAG Golf Vandal X.
Jake Morrow / GOLF
That aluminum-to-steel ratio allows for some aggressive weight redistribution. In the standard Vandal, roughly two-thirds of the head’s mass sits within a half-inch of the perimeter. This results in a head that stays remarkably square even when you start catching it off the toe.The X pushes it even further.
Vandal vs. Vandal X: Picking Your Mallet
The choice here comes down to your visual preference and how much “help” you want. The Vandal is the sleeker of the two, offering a more compact look at address.
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The Vandal is a great shape and feel for players who may be in something like the SWAG Boss, and are looking to go to a fuller, larger mallet. There’s nothing really offensive about the shape and its clean, sleek lines help frame the ball well to make a confident stroke. The Vandal X goes much deeper.
SWAG Golf’s new Vandal mallet putter.
Jake Morrow / GOLF
SWAG Golf’s new Vandal X mallet putter.
Jake Morrow / GOLF
The Vandal X model goes deep. This is the one you want if you’re fully ready to commit to a large-and-in-charge profile. Its profile is pushed further back to move the Center of Gravity (CG) seemingly into the next time zone, encouraging the ball to get into a true forward roll much faster.
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Just a heads up here, I noticed a decent amount of ball speed gain with the X over the standard Vandal shape. Enough to notice!
Signature Drip Face Milling
It wouldn’t be a SWAG Putter without the signature Drip Face milling. Beyond the “if you know, you know” aesthetic, the milling pattern serves a functional purpose. It’s designed to provide soft, crisp feedback at impact while neutralizing the side spin that usually plagues off-center strikes. I quite like the feel off the face of these putters. There’s enough audio and feedback coming into the hands without sounding tinny or thuddy. It’s a nice satisfying click off the face that makes you feel like you made a good stroke at it.
SWAG’s Drip Face face milling helps to reduce sidespin for better distance control and more on-line putts.
Jake Morrow / GOLF
Alignment that tracks
The top line features a clever bit of kit: a rear alignment ridge that is exactly the width of a golf ball. It creates a natural visual “track” that frames the ball, making it nearly impossible to set up closed or open without noticing it.
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To keep all that stability in check, the Vandal comes stock with a black chrome double-bend KBS Tour shaft. This setup produces a near-face-balanced hang, making it the weapon of choice for players who prefer a straight-back, straight-through stroke.
SWAG Golf’s Vandal mallet putter topline view.
Jake Morrow / GOLF
The “Swag” Tax: Made in Chicago, at a price
While many OEMs are outsourcing their mallet heads to massive casting houses, SWAG is keeping it local. Every Vandal is designed, milled, and hand-finished right in the Chicago area. You’re paying for 100 percent CNC-milled quality, and you can see it in every tight tolerance and sharp edges where the materials meet. It’s also nice for me that SWAG is a hometown company about 45 minutes away from me!
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SWAG Golf Vandal X Putter
The Vandal X is another take on a high MOI mallet putter, precision-milled in the Chicago area from 303 stainless steel and 6061 aluminum.
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SWAG Golf Vandal Putter
At address, the Vandal inspires confidence with a ball-width rear alignment ridge that mirrors the diameter of a golf ball for intuitive, precise setup. The shape provides a larger footprint for added stability, while maintaining a clean, uncluttered look highlighted by a single visible fastener.
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Quality like this doesn’t come cheap. Expect to shell out $777.77 for a Vandal or Vandal X. The good news is that unlike SWAG’s traditional “drop” model, the Vandal series is a regularly stocked item, so anybody can get their hands on SWAG’s tech-filled Vandal series of putters.
This was the 32-year-old Hunter Bell’s fifth major international medal – and fourth on the global stage – as she continues to establish herself at the top of the sport which she did not return to until 2022 after a five-year break.
It was the fourth-placed finish at the 2024 world indoors in Glasgow which provided Hunter Bell with the necessary evidence that she could compete with the world’s best – and should take a summer sabbatical from her full-time job to achieve her Olympic dream.
The British team captain in Torun, Hunter Bell had won both of her 1500m races this season in preparation for chasing her first global crown.
She remained patient as Haylom opened up a significant lead in the early stages, gradually reducing the gap before launching her devastating attack for gold at the bell.
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Caudery has endured two heartbreaking experiences at the past two global outdoor championships, failing to qualify for the 2024 Olympic final before sustaining an ankle injury while warming-up at the World Championships in September.
But the 26-year-old wore a beaming smile after securing her return to a global podium in style to further boost GB’s medal haul, minutes before world record holder Keely Hodgkinson’s won 800m gold.
ST. LOUIS — Fletcher Loyer scored 24 points, Trey Kaufman-Renn had 19 points and nine rebounds, and No. 2 seed Purdue beat Miami 79-69 on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the third straight time and seventh in the last nine years.
In his first game since breaking Bobby Hurley’s NCAA career record for assists, Braden Smith had 12 points and eight assists but was also harassed by Miami’s athletic guards into eight turnovers, matching his career high.
Smith hit four free throws in the final minute after seventh-seeded Miami (26-9) had cut an 11-point deficit to 73-69, helping to secure Matt Painter’s 500th victory in his 21st season as Purdue’s coach. He is just 12 short of Gene Keady’s school record.
Purdue (29-8) advances to face 11th-seeded Texas in the West Region semifinals Thursday in San Jose, Calif. It’ll be the teams’ first meeting since Purdue eliminated Texas in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
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Shelton Henderson led the Hurricanes with 18 points and eight rebounds while also frequently guarding Smith, and Malik Reneau had 16 points with seven turnovers. Miami matched the recognized NCAA record by increasing its win total by 19 from last season, when it went 7-24. Iowa State improved by 20 wins after the pandemic-impacted 2020-21 season, when it only played five non-conference games.
Kaufman-Renn followed Loyer’s driving layup with a three-point play as Purdue created a little breathing room with an 11-3 run in the second half. Loyer’s steal set up a fast-break layup by Smith that pushed the Boilermakers’ advantage to 68-57 with 5:32 to play.
Smith had more turnovers (four) than assists (two) in an uncharacteristic first half while making just one of his six shots. He ended up 3 for 12 from the field, but he and Loyer were a combined 14 for 14 from the foul line. Loyer, the school’s record holder for 3-pointers, also made all four of his 3s as Purdue was 57 per cent from behind the arc.
After Miami’s strong start that included an alley-oop dunk by Ernest Udeh Jr. just after the opening tip, Loyer powered Purdue into the lead with 10 points during a 13-2 surge. His second 3-pointer in that run put Purdue up 19-12 with 12:19 left in the first half.
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The Hurricanes whittled away at the deficit, limiting Smith’s efficacy, and reclaimed the lead on Richardson’s two-handed jam that made it 31-29 with 4:01 to go before halftime. Miami led 40-38 at the break after Tre Donaldson’s transition layup in the closing seconds.
Syracuse is finalizing a deal to bring back one of its own to lead the men’s basketball program. Siena’s Gerry McNamara is expected to be the Orange’s next coach, sources confirmed to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander. A deal is not done yet, but every indication is that SU will bring back one of the most beloved players in program history to lead the program in the wake of Adrian Autry’s firing earlier this month.
McNamara winning out comes after weeks of debate amongst big money players at Syracuse, per Norlander’s sources, who said there was a faction of boosters that were adamant about hiring outside the Syracuse/Jim Boeheim tree.
With a variety of potential candidates not showing serious interest due to uncertain NIL capabilities, McNamara quickly became a sentimental and practical lead candidate as the search progressed over the weekend.
While starring as a four-year standout for the Orange, McNamara hit six 3-pointers during a first-half barrage in the 2003 national title game against Kansas. McNamara scored 2,099 career points at Syracuse.
After studying the game under longtime Syracuse coach and Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim, McNamara took his first head coaching position with Siena prior to the 2024-25 season. He went 14-18 in his first campaign before leading the program to a 23-12 record this season.
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In Thursday’s first-round NCAA Tournament game, the Blue Devils — as a 27.5-point favorite — trailed by as many as 13 points during the opening minutes of the second half before storming back to survive what would’ve been one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history.
“I’ve been doing this a long time. I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of any group of kids I’ve been around,” McNamara said after Thursday’s loss. “I think the world and college basketball saw what I’ve been so grateful and thankful to be around all season, a group of kids that love each other, that compete at the highest level and play for each other.”
Duke’s Jon Scheyer said after the game that he was out-coached by McNamara.
“I appreciate the compliment, but it’s those kids. It’s the kids that just walked away,” McNamara said. “It’s my staff. I’ve got an incredible group in that locker room. Like I said, a lot of people have game plans. Duke’s been able to pretty much wash that out in pretty much any team they’ve played.”
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McNamara’s parting words to Siena
While he wasn’t asked directly about other jobs following the loss to Duke, McNamara did address a question centered around what it has meant to him leading the Siena program. McNamara has long been rumored to be Syracuse’s top choice for its vacancy since the Orange fired Autry earlier this month after a third straight NCAA Tournament-less season.
“I’m just really proud,” McNamara said. “I said before, I thought last year we put together a group that was ready to compete right away, and we lost a lot of close games. This offseason was focused on the frontcourt, which you watched Riley Mulvey play today, Francis Folefac, Tas has been hurt, and Antonio didn’t play, we’ve got the best frontcourt, one of the best frontcourts in our league.
“Listen, your kids in a lot of ways are a reflection of you as a coach, and I couldn’t be prouder in terms of how hard they play. That gives us a chance. So when I took the job at Siena, you’ve got to understand that when I played in college, my understanding, Fran was right behind me. This program was in this tournament. The support from the alumni, from the students, from the fans, it’s real. We’ve got a real thing going in Albany.
“I wanted it to feel and look a certain way, feel a certain way in that locker room, a brotherhood, a family. I wanted it to look a certain way on the court in terms of the fight and the grit, and these kids have done all of it. They’ve done all of it.”
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If McNamara is indeed the choice for the Orange, he’ll be tasked with getting Syracuse back to the Final Four for the first time since the 2015-16 season under Boeheim. Since that campaign, Syracuse has only four total NCAA Tournament wins.
Arsenal fans on X are fuming at Mikel Arteta after he included Kepa Arrizabalaga in the starting XI over David Raya to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. The two sides are set to lock horns at Wembley Stadium later today (Sunday, March 22).
Kepa Arrizabalaga starts in goal for the Gunners, while Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Piero Hincapie make up the defense. The midfield comprises of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Kai Havertz. Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Viktor Gyokeres start up front to complete the starting XI.
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Raya has been outstanding for Arsenal this season, keeping 21 clean sheets in 40 appearances across all competitions. However, Kepa has been the go-to star in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season and has kept four clean sheets in nine appearances in all competitions.
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However, fans are unhappy with Arteta handing Kepa his sixth Carabao Cup start of the season due to the magnitude of the game, with one posting:
“Why will you start Kepa in a game of this magnitude? Such a shame”
Another fan tweeted:
“The biggest mistake here is not starting Raya. I hope the defense protects him all through.”
Other fans reacted below:
“I think it’ll be a really, really tight game” – Alan Shearer predicts winner of Arsenal vs Manchester City ahead of Carabao Cup final
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has backed Arsenal to narrowly defeat Manchester City in the upcoming Carabao Cup final, claiming he wouldn’t be surprised if the game went to penalties.
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The Gunners have a great chance of winning the quadruple this season and will be aiming to secure their first trophy of the 2025-26 campaign. While they narrowly defeated Crystal Palace 9-8 on penalties in the quarter-finals, Mikel Arteta and Co. beat Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals to progress to the final. On the other hand, Manchester City defeated Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
Days after witnessing Real Madrid eliminate the Cityzens in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Shearer told Betfair (via METRO):
“I think it’ll be a great game. I think there’ll be loads of talking points. It wouldn’t even surprise me if it went to penalties. But I think Arsenal might just nick it. I think it’ll be a really, really tight game, but I’m going to go for an Arsenal win.”
The Gunners last faced City in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium, salvaging a 1-1 draw following Gabriel Martinelli’s last-minute equalizer on September 21, 2025.
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