Saying the words “Brandon Aiyuk” comes with a bad connotation in March 2026, but it doesn’t have to be that way forever. Before too long, the San Francisco 49ers will release or trade Aiyuk, and it’s not the worst idea for the Minnesota Vikings to investigate his asking price.

Aiyuk may be difficult to land, but Minnesota has a real reason to keep watching.

Aiyuk royally flamed out of San Francisco — well, he’s in the final stages of flaming out — and will look for a new opportunity in the near future.

Minnesota Has a Clear Incentive to Track Aiyuk’s Market

Yes, the Vikings should do the diligence on Aiyuk.

Aiyuk Likely to Be Cut

Aiyuk is on the brink of a divorce with the San Francisco 49ers, bogged down in a he-said-he-said situation about what transpired after his injury in 2024.

Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox wrote about his inevitable roster cut fate on Sunday, “Most expected the 49ers to release Aiyuk at the start of the new league year on March 11. However, San Francisco may be trying to get something in return via a trade before releasing him outright — though the return would be minimal. If the 49ers haven’t found a trade partner by the end of draft weekend, Aiyuk will probably be a post-June 1 cut.”

“Releasing him before then would cost San Francisco $19.9 million in cap space, while releasing him after June 1 would save $1.3 million in 2026 cap room. What could AIyuk provide another receiver-needy team? That depends on how close he is to being 100 percent healthy. The 28-year-old racked up 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 75 receptions in his last full season.”

With his next team, Aiyuk will be a prime candidate for a redemption arc.

Vikings Need Another WR

The Vikings have three wide receivers who could be involved in the offense this September — and that’s not enough. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Tai Felton are at the top of the ticket, and with Felton, no one really knows if he’ll blossom in 2026 because the Vikings refuse to use him on offense as a rookie.

Realistically, if one invokes doomsday planning, it’s just Jefferson and Addison.

The Las Vegas Raiders stole Jalen Nailor away in free agency two weeks ago, handing the speedster a deal worth $35 million over three years that the Vikings evidently could not afford. Therefore, without Nailor, Minnesota needs a replacement from free agency like Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, Deebo Samuel, or DeAndre Hopkins — or it must draft a wide receiver or two that it plans to use right away in 2026. Otherwise, all signs point to grand elevation for Felton.

Or — the Vikings could sniff around Aiyuk.

SI.com‘s Jose Sanchez on the 49ers’ handling of Aiyuk: “At this point, all the 49ers are doing is looking petty by retaining Aiyuk. That likely is the case since they weren’t pleased he abandoned the team last season when they desperately needed him. Having Aiyuk would’ve elevated the offense so much.”

“Just imagine how impactful he would’ve been in the last two decimating defeats against the Seattle Seahawks. Being without a dominant wide receiver hurt the 49ers the most against the Seahawks. It’s why they went out and signed Mike Evans from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”

The Plan for Life With or Without Jordan Addison?

That’s all assuming that Addison is in the house for the long haul, which some might consider a stretch. Minnesota has until May 1st, 2026, to exercise Addison’s fifth-year rookie option, and because Nailor left and the WR depth is so skimpy, most expect the Vikings to lock that in.

Still, Addison is responsible for an array of bizarre transgressions since entering the NFL three years ago, arrested three times for various behaviors, including a “wet reckless” drunk-driving-adjacent charge in Los Angeles two summers ago. The NFL suspended him for three games for the crime.

Addison is not a beacon of dependability. Theoretically, if Minnesota knows that Addison won’t stick around beyond his rookie contract, forming a contingency plan involving Aiyuk, for example, isn’t the worst idea.

Probably an Affordable Deal

Aiyuk didn’t play in 2025 because of his torn ACL, and general mystery shrouded the 49ers’ handling of the injury and Aiyuk’s commitment to the recovery. But before the injury, Aiyuk logged 1,342 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns in 2023, along with 1,015 yards and 8 scores in 2022. He just turned 28 last week and has the volume gene when healthy and targeted in offense.

Yet, because his career is at a low point, his next team won’t break the bank to give him a shot at redemption. He’ll likely sign somewhere for cheap.

At that price, why not the Vikings, the club with Kyler Murray, Jefferson, Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and head coach Kevin O’Connell scheming playmakers open on Sundays?

It could work.

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has undergone the first of two planned shoulder surgeries as the veteran looks to salvage his playing career.

The 39-year-old Denmark number one revealed the extent of his injuries live on radio last week.

Now, writing on Instagram, Schmeichel announced: “First shoulder operation done, everything went well.

“Now full focus on recovery and preparing for the next one. Thanks for all the messages over the past few weeks, it means a lot.”

Schmeichel, who joined Celtic after leaving Anderlecht in 2024 but is out of contract this summer, faces up to a year in recovery.

Having received some criticism for his final performances for Celtic – he has not played since 22 February – the Dane revealed that he had been playing through the pain barrier for several months.

Interim manager Martin O’Neill admitted he was “surprised at the severity” of Schmeichel’s shoulder injury.

A couple of years ago, ex-Minnesota Vikings passer Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons, but in 2026, and at a much smaller price tag, another former Vikings quarterback has followed suit: Trevor Siemian.

The Falcons added Siemian, bringing a familiar former Vikings passer into their evolving QB setup.

Siemian actually backed up Cousins in Minnesota eight years ago in Minnesota; now he’s in the mix behind Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa down in Atlanta.

Atlanta Adds Another Layer to Its QB Depth Chart

Do you remember Siemian?

Siemian to Falcons

Siemian’s long NFL career continues. SBNation‘s David Choate wrote Tuesday, “Per NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Trevor Siemian will be joining the Falcons as their new third quarterback. If Michael Penix Jr. isn’t healthy to begin the season, he’ll back up Tua Tagovailoa directly; either way, this is about getting experience insurance for the quarterback room.”

“You’re getting a player who you’re hoping can be a good teammate holding a clipboard and that you’d only have to install for a start or two in dire straits, instead of someone who will be counted on to start for half a season. In light of that, Siemian is a perfectly solid choice for QB3 who has the experience and track record to give the Falcons some confidence in an emergency.”

Siemian spent the last two seasons in Tennessee as a backup to Cam Ward (2025) and Will Levis (2024).

The Outlook as QB3

Like Carson Wentz in Minnesota — he re-upped with the Vikings last week — Siemian is firmly in the Falcons’ QB room as a QB3. There’s just no way he’ll dethrone Penix Jr. or Tagovailoa for the QB2 job, let alone QB1, and he may have to battle an eventual fourth quarterback to avoid the practice squad or an outright August release.

In other news, the Penix Jr. vs. Tagovailoa battle will steal all NFL headlines, assuming Penix Jr.’s knee is good to go by training camp or the preseason. The Falcons picked Penix Jr. in Round 1 two years ago and still have high hopes for his development, even if he regressed and got hurt as a sophomore in 2025.

Tagovailoa is no slouch, either. He led the NFL in passing yards as recently as two seasons ago. He could upset Penix Jr., and no one would bat an eye.

Tagovailoa said about the upcoming competition a couple of weeks ago, “If there’s no competition, I don’t think anyone’s getting better, in aspect of the field of work you’re in. I am excited to be able to compete against Penix, to compete with him, to be able to get to know my teammates on a personal level, knowing them from the outside in.”

“We have a lot of good football players on this team, so I’m excited to get to play with these guys and get the chance to throw the ball around, conversate with them. I think it’s going to be great.”

Siemian’s History

In 2018, Siemian served as the backup to the aforementioned Cousins and secured the QB2 role for the Vikings. Despite successfully holding off Kyle Sloter for the position during the preseason, Cousins’ consistent availability limited Siemian’s regular-season playing time. He didn’t see the field at all that year.

Siemian’s NFL career includes stints with the following teams:

• Denver Broncos (2015–2017)
• Minnesota Vikings (2018)
• New York Jets (2019)
• Tennessee Titans (2020)
• New Orleans Saints (2020–2021)
• Chicago Bears (2022)
• Cincinnati Bengals (2023)
• New York Jets (2023)
• Tennessee Titans (2024–2025)
• Atlanta Falcons (2026)

Siemian remains a recognizable name, primarily because of his tenure as the Broncos‘ starting quarterback following Peyton Manning’s retirement. Ten teams in 12 seasons indicate staying power, if only in hopscotch format.

All the Falcons’ FA Moves

The Falcons have fired up about 15 external and internal signings since the start of free agency two weeks ago:

• Jake Bailey (P) DET → ATL
• Cam Thomas (ED) CLE → ATL
• Channing Tindall (LB) ARI → ATL
• Samson Ebukam (ED) IND → ATL
• Nick Folk (K) NYJ → ATL
• Christian Harris (LB) HOU → ATL
• Da’Shawn Hand (DL) LAC → ATL
• Darnay Holmes (CB) LV → ATL
• Austin Hooper (TE) NE → ATL
• Corey Levin (C) TEN → ATL
• LaCale London (DL) ATL → ATL
• Azeez Ojulari (ED) PHI → ATL
• Trevor Siemian (QB) TEN → ATL
• Tua Tagovailoa (QB) LAC → ATL
• Chris Williams (DL) CIN → ATL
• Olamide Zaccheaus (WR) CHI → ATL

Here’s who left for other teams:

• Tyler Allgeier (RB) ATL → ARI
• Dee Alford (CB) ATL → BUF
• Arnold Ebiketie (ED) ATL → PHI
• Kaden Elliss (LB) ATL → NO
• Felipe Franks (TE) ATL → CAR
• Zane Gonzalez (K) ATL → MIA
• Jovaughn Gwyn (C) ATL → BAL
• Bradley Pinion (P) ATL → MIA
• Darnell Mooney (WR) ATL → NYG
• David Onyemata (DL) ATL → NYJ
• Sam Roberts (DL) ATL → NYG
• Kentavius Street (DL) ATL → CHI
• Teagan Quitoriano (TE) ATL → ARI
• Elijah Wilkinson (G) ATL → ARI

Cousins, a free agent, should sign somewhere before too long, and the rumor mill suggests the Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers are viable landing spots.

Siemian will turn 35 in December. Sportsbooks expect the Falcons to win seven or eight games in 2026.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson, who mostly worked out as a rookie. At the time, many considered him a slight “reach” on the draftboard, and here’s a look at who’s in play if the Vikings follow the same pattern.

Last year’s Jackson template may offer a clue about Minnesota’s next first-round swing.

The Vikings have nine picks in the bucket this year, compared to last year’s five at this time.

A Familiar Draft Reach Could Be in Play for Minnesota

What’s your preference for the Vikings’ draft pick?

Jackson at No. 39 on the CBB Last Year

Minnesota held the 24th pick heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, and they picked a man ranked at No. 39 on the Consensus Big Board. After-the-fact reporting claimed the Houston Texans would’ve chosen Jackson at No. 25 — he’s from Houston, so there was a hometown angle — and the Texans needed interior offensive line help.

The Vikings basically proved that they’re comfortable whisking public-facing draftboards to the side in the interest of getting their man. For example, per the draft community, Minnesota might’ve been able to trade down and still get Jackson, though the public didn’t know about the Texans-Jackson stipulation.

This was the Consensus Big Board last year, men ranked from 24 to 40:

• Kenneth Grant (DL, Michigan)
• Grey Zabel (iOL, North Dakota State)
• Josh Simmons (OT, Ohio State)
• Derrick Harmon (DL, Oregon)
• Tyler Booker (iOL, Alabama)
• Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE, Boston College)
• Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
• Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
• James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee)
• Jaxson Dart (QB, Mississippi)
• Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
• Josh Conerly Jr. (OT, Oregon)
• Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
• TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
• Trey Amos (CB, Mississippi)
• Donovan Jackson (iOL, Ohio State)
• Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama)

Jackson climbed 15 spots when it was all said and done.

The Same Territory … This Year

Now, pretend the same situation arises — the Vikings swipe a player somewhat far removed from their organic draft pick.

That list would look like this in 2026 speak:

• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
• Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
• C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
• T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
• Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
• Kevin Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
• Caleb Banks (DL, Florida)
• Kayden McDonald (DL, Ohio State)
• Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
• Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
• Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
• Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
• Lee Hunter (DL, Texas Tech)
• Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
• Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)

The translation? These are rookies who seem like a reach right now. Or might fit this lingo: “I like him, but the Vikings can trade down and still get him.” That was Jackson at this time last year, and he ultimately became a Viking at pick No. 25.

Who Makes the Most Sense?

Minnesota has more than one long-term roster need right now because of former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s nauserating drafting habits. But from the list above, the players who might propel the Vikings to “reach” can be reasonably narrowed to this:

• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
• Caleb Banks (DL, Florida)
• Kayden McDonald (DL, Ohio State)
• Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
• Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
• Lee Hunter (DL, Texas Tech)

Interim boss general manager Rob Brzezinski would basically see one of those names and fear that another team would swipe him, and with Minnesota’s draft board not necessarily aligning with the CBB, he could pounce.

Yahoo Sports‘ Nate Tice mock-drafted McDonald to Minnesota at No. 18 this week and explained, “There are a couple of interesting safety options, they could look to find the T.J. Hockenson replacement in Kenyon Sadiq, or they could add some tangible beef to their defensive line. Brian Flores is going to scheme pressures and big plays for his defense, but the Vikings could use someone to eat up blocks to let teammates fly to the football.”

“McDonald isn’t the sexiest prospect, but his ability to hold up against the run is his calling card, while also having light enough feet to be used on the twists and stunts that Flores loves so much. McDonald is basically the defensive version of the line of thinking that led to the Donovan Jackson selection last year at offensive guard: a tangible trench talent who can let the creative coaches be creative.”

The Favorites Otherwise

Back to reality, if the Vikings do not follow last year’s pattern, these are arguably the frontrunners to join the club with the 18th overall pick:

• Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
• Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
• Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
• Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
• Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)

In the last two weeks, since the NFL Combine, Thieneman has morphed into the Vikings’ almighty mock-draft darling.

The NFL draft is 30 days away.

Chris Waller, the trainer, and John Messara, the owner, made public on Tuesday their plan for Autumn Glow to challenge herself at a mid-distance journey for the first instance in her unblemished 11-start sequence, for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes scheduled April 11 on The Championships’ Day Two.

Consequently, the mare Autumn Glow will forego entry in the Group 1 $4m Doncaster Mile (1600m) at that venue a week before.

Monday saw Waller, Messara and star jockey James McDonald confer on potential races, ultimately converging on the Queen Elizabeth Stakes target for her.

In the George Ryder Stakes last Saturday, Autumn Glow unleashed her strongest performance to date, taking the prize by almost three lengths with plenty in reserve.

A Timeform score of 128 came her way, level with The Everest conqueror Ka Ying Rising as Australia’s highest racetrack rating this season, solidifying beliefs among her team that 2000m in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes is feasible.

“We’ve been very pleased with how she’s come through her impressive George Ryder Stakes victory,” Waller said.

“James McDonald and I have been particularly taken with her ability to relax in her races, along with her outstanding recovery post run.”

Messara explained Autumn Glow’s stellar showing in the Ryder sealed his view to pursue the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“I felt her win last Saturday was so dominant, she deserves the opportunity to go to 2000m – she wasn’t even blowing after the race and has pulled up so well,” Messara said.

“We looked at the Doncaster Mile carefully, it is a great race but it comes with the usual risks and a very big field.

“Plus it will be worthwhile finding out of Autumn Glow gets a strong 2000m as we have a race in the spring called the Cox Plate we want to consider.”

The announcement prompted TAB Fixed Odds to compress Autumn Glow’s price from $1.60 to $1.50 for Sydney’s autumn weight-for-age highlight.

Doncaster Mile odds shifted correspondingly, installing exciting three-year-old filly Sheza Alibi as the $2.10 frontrunner.

“With confirmation Autumn Glow will go to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, she is into $1.50 now,” TAB’s Tim Ryan said.

“Pending further news on who else is going to the Queen Elizabeth, Autumn Glow will probably start even shorter.

“We had Autumn Glow at $3.50 for the Doncaster but now we know she isn’t going to run, Sheza Alibi has firmed from $2.30 to $2.10 favourite. The money for Sheza Alibi has been relentless.”

A Queen Elizabeth Stakes success would crown Autumn Glow, dubbed racing’s “Miss Invincible”, as Horse of the Year.

Her current campaign features a perfect seven-for-seven record, highlighted by Group 1 coups in the Epsom Handicap, Verry Elleegant Stakes and George Ryder Stakes, alongside the Golden Eagle apt for Group 1 honours.

Importantly, the mare has prevailed in Group 1 events through spring and autumn, in handicap and wfa scenarios.

Discover competitive betting sites offering the keenest racing odds for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

First Published: Mar 20 2026 | 11:00 AM IST

Tiger Woods insists he wants to play in next month’s Masters despite getting his “arse kicked” on his return to action in the TGL Finals.

The 15-time major champion had back surgery last October, having been sidelined since The Open in the summer of 2024, but made his return as his Jupiter Links team were beaten in the final of the golf league co-founded by Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Woods replaced Kevin Kisner in the Jupiter Links side for the second finals contest against Los Angeles Golf Club, with LA having won the opener on Monday.

The 50-year-old looked in good shape physically as he hit a couple of drives over 300 yards, but was unable to prevent a 9-2 defeat as Los Angeles, featuring English pair Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose, secured the best-of-three series with a game to spare.

“It was fine physically,” Woods said afterwards in a press conference broadcast by Sky Sports.

“I had a couple of drives I had to hit and a couple of putts… it was a lot of fun to be a part of it.

“We got our arse kicked at the end. Three eagles in a row, we didn’t respond. I missed a short one to kind of get it started and give them momentum and we never got it back.

“I’m frustrated that we didn’t get it done, we had opportunities like last night – we should have won that match – and they steam-rolled us at the end.”

On his chances of playing the Masters at Augusta National, which starts on April 9, Woods, who has been plagued by back issues in recent years, while he also ruptured his Achilles tendon last spring, added: “I’ve been trying, this body doesn’t recover like it did when I was 24, 25.

“It doesn’t mean I’m not trying; I’ve been trying for a while.

“I’ve had a couple of bad injuries last year that I’ve had to fight through and has taken some time. I keep trying – I want to play.

“I’ve loved the tournament, I’ve loved being there since I was 19 years old so it’s meant a lot to me and my family over the years and I’m going to be there either way.

“We’ll see how it goes. I’ll be practising, playing, and keep trying to make progress.

“It feels good to be back but I would have liked it to be better circumstances. That’s the way sport is – you put yourself out there and sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and you deal with it.”

Jupiter Links had gone 2-0 up in the second game of the finals but Woods missed a three-foot putt on the seventh and Los Angeles seized the momentum with three eagles in a row from the eighth.

That run culminated in Rose, who lost a play-off to Rory McIlroy at Augusta last year, hitting a five-wood to four feet on the par-five 10th, prompting Jupiter to concede the hole and tournament.

Rose said: “They got off to a good start, fair play, but we were doing nothing tragic to second guess ourselves.

“You’re not always going to go three eagles on the bounce, that’s an insane way to finish and we’ve even taken ourselves by surprise there. It finished in a hurry which was good for us and a shame for everyone else here today.”

So much for this being a quiet college basketball coaching carousel.

One of the sport’s most coveted jobs opened Tuesday night when North Carolina fired Hubert Davis less than a week after the Tar Heels blew a 19-point second-half lead in a first-round NCAA tournament loss to VCU.

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Between North Carolina’s tradition-rich history, iconic brand and ample resources, the Tar Heels should have a conga line of proven coaches eager to take the job. And yet the vast majority of elite programs that have had recent coaching vacancies have struggled to land the type of prominent names that will undoubtedly be atop North Carolina’s wish list.

Can North Carolina still land a big fish even in an era when an elite coach doesn’t necessarily need to be working at a blue blood to compete for a national title? This job search will be a litmus test. Here are a half-dozen heavy hitters that North Carolina could consider and some pros and cons to each of them.

Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls head coach

Age: 60

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Why he makes sense: There are few coaches North Carolina could target with a better resume than that of Donovan. The three-time SEC coach of the year guided Florida to six regular-season conference titles, four Final Fours and a pair of national championships over the course of a brilliant 18-year run as head coach of the Gators.

Donovan has spent the past 11 seasons coaching the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls. He has passed when other top-tier college jobs have opened, but might he be in need of a fresh start with the Bulls in 12th place in the East and facing a long rebuild.

Why he doesn’t: Donovan might still be happy in the NBA and decide he prefers to stick it out with the Bulls rather than return to the college level. Then there’s also the fact that the timing isn’t ideal with the Bulls not playing their final regular-season game until April 12.

But the biggest concern might be how drastically the college game has changed since Donovan left it more than a decade ago. Donovan is an excellent tactician and a skilled communicator, but would he be able to seamlessly adjust to the world of NIL payouts, unlimited transfers without restrictions and annual roster churn?

Todd Golden, Florida coach

Age: 40

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Why he makes sense: If North Carolina can’t get Donovan, why not try for the coach who returned Florida to the mountaintop? Golden became the youngest coach since Jim Valvano to win a national championship last season. He followed that up this season by leading the Gators to a second straight No. 1 seed and an outright SEC title.

Analytically, he is cutting edge. He has also displayed a sharp eye for talent and a knack for player development, plucking the likes of Walter Clayton and Will Richard from the mid-major ranks and transforming Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon from three-star recruits into NBA prospects. Golden appears to be one of the next generation of coaching stars.

Why he doesn’t: The first stumbling block is whether Golden would be interested. Why does Golden need to go to North Carolina when he has already shown that he can win national titles and annually compete at the highest level where he is now?

Then there’s the matter of how much it would cost even before North Carolina ponied up to pay Golden and a new staff. If Golden leaves for another college job before April 15, 2026, his new school would owe Florida $16 million. This figure drops to $11 million on April 16, 2026.

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North Carolina would also have to do its due diligence on off-court concerns about Golden. He was the subject of a four-month Title IX investigation last season regarding allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and stalking. Florida closed that investigation in January 2025 with no findings of policy violations.

Tommy Lloyd, Arizona coach

Age: 51

Why he makes sense: For years, Lloyd was Mark Few’s most trusted lieutenant at Gonzaga. It wasn’t just that Lloyd was college basketball’s finest international recruiter, bringing the likes of Domantas Sabonis, Rui Hachimura, Kelly Olynyk and Kevin Pangos to Spokane, Washington. Lloyd was also a well-rounded coach who constructed Gonzaga’s offense and was instrumental in game planning and player development.

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Since becoming the head coach at Arizona four years ago, Lloyd has excelled. He has earned top-two NCAA tournament seeds in four of his first five seasons in Tucson and has the Wildcats poised to challenge for a national title this year. He has shown the ability to build elite offensive and defensive teams, to recruit elite American prospects and top-tier international talent.

Why he doesn’t: The one element missing from Lloyd’s resume is a deep NCAA tournament run. While he might take care of that in the next week, Lloyd’s previous Arizona teams have failed to advance beyond the Sweet 16.

Would North Carolina pay an $11 million buyout to secure a coach who has never advanced beyond the Sweet 16? And would Lloyd pack his bags and leave the West’s top program — apologies to Gonzaga and UCLA — to head to the Triangle?

Dusty May, Michigan coach

Age: 49

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Why he makes sense: After taking Florida Atlantic to back-to-back NCAA tournaments and a Final Four, May has crushed it at his first big-boy job. He has shown a keen eye for talent in the transfer portal and a knack for building rosters that fit in two seasons at Michigan.

In a 12-day shopping spree last spring, May assembled a title contender via the transfer portal, adding skilled 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara, rim runner Morez Johnson, do-it-all forward Yaxel Lendeborg and pass-first playmaker Elliot Cadeau. That quartet has carried the Wolverines to 33 wins, including routs of Howard and Saint Louis to open NCAA tournament play.

Why he doesn’t: Michigan has given May all the resources he needs to assemble top-tier rosters and compete for national championships. He has said repeatedly that he is very happy in Ann Arbor.

Does he have any reason to mess with happy? Especially when one of the reasons he chose Michigan over Louisville was to avoid the media scrutiny and job pressure that comes with coaching at a traditional basketball power?

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Nate Oats, Alabama coach

Age: 51

Why he makes sense: Start with Oats’ on-court accomplishments. The offensive mastermind has won big at both Buffalo and Alabama, piling up 59 wins in his final two seasons as coach of the Bulls before leading the Crimson Tide to unprecedented heights. Alabama has advanced to the Sweet 16 or beyond in five of the past six seasons. The Tide have been no worse than fourth nationally in offensive efficiency each of the past three seasons.

Basketball at North Carolina is more important than it will ever be at football-first Alabama. Might that appeal to Oats to go somewhere that he’ll never play second fiddle?

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Why he doesn’t: The buyout is among the highest in college basketball. The school that hires Oats away from Alabama would have to pay $18 million until April 1 or $10 million after that date.

Then there’s the controversy that has followed Oats in recent years with several high-profile player arrests and poor crisis management. Is that something that North Carolina would be eager to deal with?

TJ Otzelberger, Iowa State coach

Age: 48

Why he makes sense: It’s easy to forget that Iowa State was 2-22 the year before Otzelberger arrived. The Cyclones have made the NCAA tournament in each of Otzelberger’s five seasons in Ames, earning top-three seeds each of the past three years.

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Otzelberger’s success is driven by shrewd player evaluation, a culture of grit and accountability and a defensive system that relies on using aggressive traps and ball pressure to force turnovers. Iowa State has boasted a top-13 defense nationally every season under Otzelberger and was No. 1 in the country two years ago.

Why he doesn’t: Otzelberger has deep ties to Ames spanning multiple stints as an Iowa State assistant coach before taking over as head coach in 2021. His roots might be too deep for him to pick up and leave, though North Carolina is the sort of job that could make anyone have a wandering eye.

Then there’s the issue of whether his blue-collar approach would translate well at a blue blood. Could he lead a team of millionaires? And would his lack of a NCAA tournament run beyond the Sweet 16 prevent North Carolina from targeting him?