Fans packed U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Minnesota Vikings hosted the Philadelphia Eagles in a high-energy NFC matchup. The home crowd reacted to a tense first half defined by missed opportunities and questionable calls that shaped the game’s momentum. Excitement and frustration blended across the stands as fans anticipated a second-half turnaround. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Sometimes, different doctors offer different medical opinions. So, too, do national NFL analysts, but most would agree with the prescribed medicine.
Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Vikings aren’t looking too shabby. In fact, Fowler drops the 9-8 Vikings down into his “Few Moves Away” category for teams that missed the playoffs. Is that an accurate assessment of where Minnesota finds itself? Or, perhaps, is a more robust roster remodel needed?
NFL Analyst on Vikings’ Top Weakness
Currently, the Seahawks are the envy of the NFL. The reigning Super Bowl champions have the league’s best defense, a 28-year-old passer on a bargain of a deal, and more than $60 million in cap space.
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In the words of Shrek, that’ll do, donkey.
The Vikings aren’t in a world of hurt but they’re not travelling without any wounds. Coming off a 9-8 season, Minnesota fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah before then hiring Matt Thomas to help bridge the gap to a full-time GM replacement (formerly of the Seahawks). Best case involves one major free agent signing, some savvy, punch-above-their-weight-class deals for other veterans, and then a 2015-level draft haul. Maybe there will even be a slobberknocker of a trade that helps Minnesota.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Fowler sees things in a glass-half-full manner.
Consider the initial assessment: “The hope for a quick turnaround: Kevin O’Connell’s 43-27 record through four seasons suggests the Vikings will be in the thick of the NFC North race yet again. The defense is among the league’s most physical and opportunistic. The offense is still full of playmakers, and the offensive line should be healthier.”
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Some further thoughts: “Why it might take longer than hoped: The quarterback position remaining a huge question entering the fifth season of this regime is concerning. It looks like Minnesota will add a veteran to compete with J.J. McCarthy. Several benched starters have resurrected their careers recently — including Sam Darnold with this franchise — and Minnesota offers a stable environment. But this is the one area holding the team back from major progress. That and an offensive line that couldn’t stay healthy.”
Fowler, to his credit, gives voice to both sides of the argument. What stands out, though, is a belief that Minnesota’s talented roster alongside Minnesota’s coaching staff will get things figured out. The key is competent play at quarterback.
Maybe that’s true.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) slaps hands with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell after a made field goal against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.
DC Brian Flores has proven to be an exemplary strategist. Sp/T Coordinator Matt Daniels doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but he has coaxed excellence out of LS Andrew DePaola, PR/KR Myles Price, P Ryan Wright, and first-team All Pro K Will Reichard.
Coach O’Connell, meanwhile, is better than most. A good coach. Very good, even. He won’t remain in that category for much longer unless he begins winning in the playoffs. Nobody will be impressed by going 12-5 to claim the No. 5 spot in the NFC before getting eviscerated in the playoffs. The Vikings need to do far more.
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The Vikings, like every NFL team, would benefit from improved QB play. Banking on competition for J.J. McCarthy is essentially a foregone conclusion. All that remains is who will get added, why that person gets added, what it costs to add that person, and how that person will play in the Twin Cities.
Seeing the OL get (and stay) healthy will be massive, as Fowler notes. Likewise, the defensive line needs a bounce back. Last year, the Vikings had top corners Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers stay healthy all year; can that occur yet again?
Seeing the run game become respectable, Justin Jefferson return to elite, and Blake Cashman play a complete season would be similarly huge.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell showed visible emotion Sep 8, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois, during second-half action at Soldier Field against the Bears. O’Connell’s reaction on the sideline reflected the intensity of the divisional contest as Minnesota worked to maintain composure and adjust strategy on the road in the NFC North matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images.
The Vikings are sitting on more than $40 million in cap debt. A path exists to clear out a huge amount of open cap space. After the frenzy that is free agency, the Vikings will look to use their nine draft picks wisely, especially the No. 18 selection.
Jurgen Klopp’s agent has claimed Man Utd reached out about his availability before he joined the Red Bull network.
Manchester United have denied contacting Jurgen Klopp about the possibility of him managing the club after his Liverpool exit. Klopp left Anfield in the summer of 2024 and said he was “done” coaching.
A few months later, the Red Bull network announced they had signed Klopp as their head of global football. Klopp now oversees the international network of Red Bull-owned clubs, including German side RB Leipzig, Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg, and the NY Red Bulls, who are United States-based.
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Klopp’s agent, Marc Kosicke, has claimed in an interview with Transfermarkt that Klopp had the opportunity to join United and Chelsea before he was appointed by the Red Bull network.
United considered Erik ten Hag’s future at the end of the 2023/2024 season. The Dutchman won the FA Cup with a stunning victory against Manchester City and his contract was extended, despite overwhelming evidence from the Premier League campaign that he should have been sacked.
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Ineos contacted other managers as they considered sacking Ten Hag, including Thomas Tuchel, but United sources have denied the claim that Klopp was among the coaches approached.
Klopp’s agent said: “Maybe at some point he’ll say he needs to smell the locker room again. But at the moment, he’s very, very happy in his role. Before joining Red Bull, Jürgen could have coached the United States or England. Probably also Germany, if Julian Nagelsmann hadn’t already been there.”
He added: “Even Chelsea and Manchester United inquired, although Jürgen had clearly stated that he would not coach any other club in England. These inquiries keep coming.
“He’s extremely happy with what he’s achieved. And it’s still wonderful to go down in history as one of the few coaches who only managed three clubs and were never fired.”
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Klopp oversaw Liverpool’s most successful era since the late 1970s and 1980s, but his record against United was mixed, having won just seven from 21 games during his tenure.
The German won the Premier League title, Champions League, two League Cups and the FA Cup during his nine years at Liverpool.
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Manchester City saw a number of loan transfers fail to pay off in the first half of the season but the changes may be working
Manchester City have had a number of unsuccessful loan moves this season. Sverre Nypan, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Claudio Echeverri all needed something new in the January transfer window because of a lack of game time they were getting at the clubs they have moved to in summer.
Nypan is back at the Etihad training with Pep Guardiola and the first team, although he did not make the matchday squad for the FA Cup game against Salford. Simpson-Pusey has already played more matches for FC Koln in the Bundesliga than he managed for Celtic, including a home debut against Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich.
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Then there is Echeverri, who made his City debut as a substitute in the FA Cup Final last season and started in the Club World Cup for City before suffering an injury that ruled him out of the rest of the tournament. There were high hopes for and lots of interest in a young midfielder who wanted to earn a spot in Argentina’s squad for the World Cup this summer, but while City thought Girona was his best option he moved to Leverkusen on the recommendation of his team.
It looked too good to be true when he was unveiled as their No.9 and seen as a potential replacement for Florian Wirtz, and so it proved. He barely got a kick under not one but two different managers and the loan was terminated before the winter window had even opened.
It took some haggling to get Echeverri to Girona, with the City Football Group club having to move on another of their non-EU players to be able to register the 20-year-old. However, they had badly wanted him at the start of the season so were willing to rip up their plans for him.
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Echeverri is yet to start for his new side but has played in the last four games off the bench – a longer consecutive run than he managed in Germany. He came on to face Barcelona on Monday evening with the score at 1-1 and played an important role in the winning goal that sunk the title challengers and local rivals.
“It was a difficult few months in Germany, I had a really tough time,” Echeverri told DAZN after the win. “Now I’m here, happy, trying to get back to the form I was sold to Manchester City for. I’m very happy.”
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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.
After a ropey start to their season, Girona have stabilised – in no small part due to young City defender Vitor Reis on loan – and the three points pulls them five points clear of the relegation zone and into 12th in the table. There is still work to do but the signs are that Girona can secure another season of top-flight football in Spain.
The indicators are looking positive for Echeverri again, who is starting to show what he can do when he gets a stretch of games and will look to earn starts to make even more progress. The Leverkusen move quickly became a mistake but it looks to have started being corrected.
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T.J. Hockenson meets Jalen Nailor in the end zone on November 12, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium after a second-quarter touchdown against the Saints, the pair celebrating as the Vikings’ offense found rhythm and grabbed control during an energized home performance in Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
NFL free agency begins in three weeks on the nose, with “legal tampering” kicking off on March 9th. Internally, the Minnesota Vikings don’t have oodles of must-haves to re-sign, mainly because former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s draft classes largely stunk. Still, the club has one central internal mystery regarding free agents: Will wide receiver Jalen Nailor re-up with the franchise that drafted him or score a fatter paycheck on the open market?
The Vikings can’t ignore Nailor’s free agency, because his speed and role could swing the receiver room quickly. But is his price tag worth the squeeze?
Other question marks about linebackers Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace Jr. are intriguing, but Nailor’s free agency takes the cake this cycle.
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Nailor’s Next Contract Is the Big Vikings FA Matter
The speedster nears a second contract and might be the fastest player in Minnesota’s offense.
Jalen Nailor lines up during the NFC Wild Card matchup on January 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, taking snaps against the Rams as the Vikings’ receiver works to find space downfield in a high-stakes postseason environment under the desert lights. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
ESPN Outlines the WR Situation
Regarding the Vikings’ WR section of the offseason, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote last week, “The Vikings are paying Justin Jefferson an average of $35 million per year and must also budget a future contract extension for Jordan Addison, a 2023 first-round draft pick who is now eligible for a new deal.”
“That makes it unlikely they could allocate cash and cap space for No. 3 receiver Jalen Nailor, who is a pending free agent (and one of the few productive members of Adofo-Mensah’s draft classes). But no objective observer would feel confident that the Vikings have a younger and cheaper player ready to step into Nailor’s role.”
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Spotrac lists Nailor’s 2026 market value at $4.7 million per season.
Seifert added, “They demonstrated their own uncertainty at the beginning of the 2025 season, when Nailor’s hand injury and Addison’s NFL suspension forced them to use the equivalent of a fourth-round pick to trade for veteran Adam Thielen, who was ultimately waived and is now retired. Has anything changed since then?”
So, yes, Nailor’s free agency is a “Will he or won’t he?” re-sign situation.
Nailor’s Production with J.J. McCarthy
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Nailor’s stat line 2025 defines him and his impending free agency: 29 receptions, 444 yards, and four touchdowns. The previous year, with the more accurate Sam Darnold at quarterback, he recorded 414 yards and six touchdowns. Statistically, he profiles as a WR4.
However, Nailor displays undeniable flashes of brilliance.
Against the Cowboys in December, he single-handedly changed the game with three catches for 47 yards and two touchdowns, appearing, for one night, like a receiver poised for a breakout contract. When Nailor is on, he’s electric; the problem is his subsequent inconsistency. In the following two weeks against the Giants and Lions, he had zero catches, the surge completely vanishing. It’s volatile. Periods of drifting followed by sudden explosions.
Now consider J.J. McCarthy. Nailor is one of the few receivers with whom McCarthy has consistently connected. Through ten career starts, that same timing hasn’t consistently emerged with Justin Jefferson. Some of McCarthy’s best plays have come when targeting Nailor.
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This connection complicates the decision. McCarthy’s 2025 season was turbulent, and stability is crucial for a young quarterback.
Therefore, the question becomes more significant than it initially seems: how comfortable are the Vikings letting the one receiver McCarthy consistently synced with … walk away?
Another Team May Hand Him the Bag
Why must Vikings sweat the mystery? Well, there’s a chance that Nailor appeals to a suitor free-agent team that values his speed. The squad basically thinks it can empower him more than the Vikings through four seasons.
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If so, these teams, based on Nailor’s past ties to coaches, could make a run at him:
Las Vegas Raiders
Los Angeles Rams
Kansas City Chiefs
Pittsburgh Steelers
Seattle Seahawks
Las Vegas Raiders helmets rest along the sideline on October 30, 2022, inside Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, arranged neatly during first-half action as the team squares off with the Saints in a midseason AFC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports.
The Raiders could be a frontrunner because Nailor is from Las Vegas, and that franchise desperately needs wideouts.
Vikings Option if No Nailor
Of course, Minnesota would still need a WR3 if Nailor walked. Seifert opined, “One possibility is Tai Felton, a fourth-round pick in 2025 who played 46 snaps and had three targets as a rookie. But that would require a significant projection, given his lack of playing time.”
“A draft that is believed to be heavy on receiver talent might provide more options. Addison has had three brushes with law enforcement in his time with the Vikings. He pleaded to lesser charges on two of them and charges were ultimately dropped on the third. If the Vikings were to change course and commit to Nailor while moving on from Addison, the same depth challenge would exist.”
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Jalen Nailor secures a touchdown reception on September 28, 2025, at Croke Park in Dublin, hauling in a fourth-quarter pass from Carson Wentz as the Vikings strike against the Steelers during an NFL International Series showcase overseas. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
From free agency, a list of WR3 might look like this to replace Nailor:
Dyami Brown
Jahan Dotson
Tyreek Hill
Jauan Jennings
Wan’Dale Robinson
Deebo Samuel
Rashid Shaheed
If Nailor leaves, fans will know about it in three weeks. Free agency is oh-so very close.
Man Utd have got recruitment wrong too often in recent years, but things are looking up after one deal in particular in the summer.
Robin van Persie’s heroics for Manchester United in his first season at Old Trafford won the club its last Premier League title. Bryan Mbeumo’s efforts might only be good enough for a return to the Champions League, but that doesn’t make his start to life at the club any less impactful.
A major reason United have gone 13 years without a Premier League title is their recruitment. It has been consistently underwhelming and has often lacked a clear, long-term strategy. One minute, there is a focus on superstars; the next, the plan is to target young domestic players.
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Really, United should be just focusing on signing the best players available to strengthen their squad. Adding youth and bringing in players with their best years ahead of them is always ideal, with Senne Lammens a good example, but there also needs to be arrivals who can hit the ground running.
That is exactly what Mbeumo has done. The £65million summer signing from Brentford is in the running for the club’s player of the year award, and is only likely to be denied that honour due to the brilliance of Bruno Fernandes.
Mbeumo is certainly United’s best signing since Fernandes, who joined from Sporting for an initial £47million in January 2020. Between them, they are leading the charge to get the club back in the Champions League.
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The Cameroon international’s return of 10 goals in 22 games is impressive and even more eye-catching is who he has scored against. He has scored home and away against Tottenham and netted against Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal. More than half of his Premier League goals for United have been against their ‘big six’ rivals.
In the process, he became the first United player to score against City, Liverpool and Arsenal in his first season at the club since 2012/13. He is the first player to do it at any point in their United career since Marcus Rashford three seasons ago.
It’s difficult to understate Mbeumo’s impact. He is a versatile forward who has played as a No. 9 under Michael Carrick, as a No. 10 under Ruben Amorim, and on either wing, as he may do if Benjamin Sesko returns to the side. Whatever position he plays, he is delivering.
This should now be the template for United transfers. Ineos put a rather ambitious target of winning the league by 2028, and it’s pretty clear United look short of that at the moment.
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The good news is that there is suddenly no outstanding club to catch. The days of Manchester City and Liverpool racking up points totals in the high 90s are over and don’t look like returning any time soon.
City are in transition, and Pep Guardiola could depart this summer, which would only add to the unpredictability at the Etihad. Liverpool are in a similar situation under Arne Slot. Arsenal could end their long title drought this season, but under Mikel Arteta, they aren’t in the same league as City and Liverpool were at their peak.
United still have significant improvements to make, however. But in Mbeumo, they have an idea of what their new signings should be able to achieve.
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The 26-year-old has helped to transform the attack this season. This summer, the focus will turn to midfield. In trying to replace Casemiro and bring in two new midfielders, United need players who can make the same kind of immediate impact.
That is the only way they are going to achieve that ambition of winning the league, whether it takes two years or a little longer. Recruitment is the most important aspect of achieving success in football, and while United have got it wrong for years, there is an obvious example now of how they can get it right.
Unit Five wrote himself into the history books with a victory in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic during his second race, and Ciaron Maher holds strong belief that the unbeaten colt can forge ahead further this weekend at Caulfield.
The Supido offspring leads Maher’s three-pronged bid for the $2 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, with Ghana’s Akan and Milsons Point also in the mix.
Post the January 17 Gold Coast success, Maher passed on an extra race for Unit Five, as no horse has transitioned directly from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic to win the Diamond, though Maher anticipates success for his runner following a third-place finish in last Monday’s Cranbourne trial dominated by Milsons Point.
“He trialled well and he seems very similar,” Maher said.
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“He’s a very similar weight, travelled down well and seems in similar order. I can’t fault him, really, he’s a very straightforward horse.
“I think he’ll run to that (Gold Coast run) and possibly better given it’s only his third run.
“I like the fact that his runs have been spaced and he’s fresh. It worked going into that (Gold Coast) race and I think it’ll work going into this race.”
Before heading to the Gold Coast, Unit Five dominated the $250,000 Magic Millions Victorian 2YO Classic at Caulfield back on December 20.
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He’s quoted at $7 for the Blue Diamond, following the pair Big Sky and Guest House prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, and the fresh Blue Diamond Prelude conqueror Closer To Free.
Milsons Point, who was second last out in the Blue Diamond Preview, trades at $34, yet Maher approved of the Blue Point son’s trial display and foresees improvement over 1200m for his debut beyond 1000m.
“I think the 1200 will really suit him, he was looking for the 12 the other day, he was there to win the race but just didn’t have that turn of foot over 1000,” Maher said.
“I think the 1200 it will be a different story.”
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Echoing Unit Five’s path, Ghana’s Akan returns from an interstate slot in a premium sales-restricted contest, second in the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) on February 7 after three runs in five weeks, with Maher satisfied by the Street Boss filly’s condition.
“She has been busy, but she’s also fit and well and sound,” he said.
“She doesn’t need to do any work. She’s been busy, she’s been travelling, so you’re just backing off and you don’t mind doing that with two-year-olds.”
Ethan Brown partners Ghana’s Akan initially on Saturday, Ben Allen stays on Milsons Point, and Tom Stockdale maintains his link with Unit Five. Fans should visit the leading online bookmakers for the Blue Diamond Stakes.
With Tyson Fury now in hot pursuit of a third clash with Oleksandr Usyk, ‘The Gypsy King’ has admitted that there is one active heavyweight who deserves his own shot at the unified world champion.
Fury hung up the gloves after consecutive defeats to Usyk in 2024, walking away from the sport as a two-time conqueror of the heavyweight division and as a legend of British boxing.
Although, whilst he is eyeing up a trilogy bout with Usyk himself, Fury told iFL TV that Agit Kabayel’s form warrants a title shot, but that he does not envisage that Usyk will give him one due to a lack of interest and financial incentive.
“Do you know what? Here is the fun facts of boxing, you are here today and you are gone tomorrow. Today’s news is tomorrow’s chip paper. No one really gives a s**t, do they?
“If Usyk fights Kabayel, who cares? I don’t care. No one cares. It doesn’t sell, no one is interested, it is what it is.
Kabayel deserves his shot at Usyk but I don’t think Usyk is going to give it him because it doesn’t sell, there is no real money there.
“If you have been with a straight 10/10 [girl] for the past three years of your life and then all of a sudden this 10/10 gets rid of you and you’ve got an old 2/10 coming to you, you are not going to be turned on, are you? In Layman’s terms.”
After exciting preliminary contests, it’s onto the playoff round for men’s ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The playoff stage begins early Tuesday with four qualification matchups before the quarterfinals take place on Wednesday. The semifinals will then be held on Thursday before the gold medal match for 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey takes place on Sunday. Canada enters the Olympics men’s hockey playoff as the top seed and -140 favorite to win gold, followed by the United States at +180.
For Tuesday’s contests, the latest hockey odds are: Italy (+980) vs. Switzerland (-2100), France (+550) vs. Germany (-820), Denmark (+320) vs. Czechia (-420) and Latvia (+660) vs. Sweden (-1050). The four winners advance to the Olympic hockey quarterfinals on Wednesday, while the four losers are knocked out of competition. The first faceoffs come at 6:10 a.m. ET. Before making any 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey picks or playoff predictions, you need to see what Matthew Severance has to say.
Severance is coming off an outstanding NHL season in which he went 235-155-21 (plus $2,022). He entered the Olympic break on a 26-12 roll on NHL money-line picks this season, returning $1,326 for $100 players. Anyone following his hockey picks at their favorite sportsbooks could have seen huge returns.
For the 2026 Winter Olympics hockey playoff round, Severance is backing Under 6.5 total goals in Latvia vs. Sweden at 3:10 p.m. ET. These nations have squared off five times since the 2022 Olympic Games, including in each of the last four World Championships. Four of those five matchups saw under 6.5 goals, with them averaging five combined goals per contest.
With the winner just needing a victory and not needing to worry about goal differential to advance, Severance doesn’t anticipate either squad going all out to find the back of the net late in the game. “There is no need to be pushing hard up three goals or the like in the third period. Save as much energy as possible. Thus, I’d probably lean Under (but no lower than 6.5).” See his other picks at SportsLine.
How to make 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey predictions
Severance also has puck line and O/U picks for all four Tuesday games, including backing a team to cover the puck line that finished last in its preliminary group. You can only see his playoff picks here.
6:10 a.m. ET: Italy (+980) vs. Switzerland (-2100) 6:10 a.m. ET France (+550) vs. Germany (-820) 10:40 a.m. ET: Denmark (+320) vs. Czechia (-420) 3:10 p.m. ET: Latvia (+660) vs. Sweden (-1050)
Jan 24, 2026; Spokane, Washington, USA; San Francisco Dons guard Ryan Beasley (0) runs the lane against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Tyon Grant-Foster (7) in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga Bulldogs won 68-66. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
Graham Ike is one of the top players in the West but Gonzaga coach Mark Few feels the big man isn’t receiving the proper level of respect.
Ike will look to post a 20-point outing for the eighth consecutive appearance when the No. 11 Bulldogs visit San Francisco on Wednesday night in West Coast Conference play. The contest will be held at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors.
Gonzaga will be looking to defeat the Dons for the 35th consecutive time after surviving a close call last month.
Ike registered 21 points and a season-best 15 rebounds as Gonzaga (25-2, 13-1 WCC) recorded a 94-86 road win over Santa Clara on Saturday night to overtake the Broncos for first place in the conference race.
Ike has scored 30 or more points in three of his last seven appearances, including matching his career best of 35 points in an 81-61 road win over Oregon State on Feb. 7. The fifth-year senior has made 31 of 43 shots (72.1%) over the past three games.
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“I think none of us can take 21 and 15 for granted or the 30-(point games),” Few said. “I think it’s time he starts seeing his name pop up on first-team All-American or second-team All-American (forecasts).
“I know we’re all obsessed with these (standout) freshmen, but he’s literally been delivering night-in, night-out at the highest level. I think he needs to start garnering some attention, at least nationally.”
Ike is averaging 19.8 points and 8.7 rebounds. He missed the Bulldogs’ 68-66 home win over the Dons on Jan. 24, the final contest of a three-game absence caused by an ankle injury.
Adam Miller stood out against Santa Clara by scoring a season-high 21 points. Miller is averaging a career-low 7.7 points in the fifth season of a four-stop college career.
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“We talked about how unselfish our team is,” Miller said. “Any day can be a dog’s day. Coach reminds us of that all the time, but every day you’ve got to show up and do your role, however that looks, and I just tried to do my job and my teammates definitely did their jobs.”
The Bulldogs have been without Braden Huff (left knee) for a month, and Few’s update on Monday revealed that Huff (17.8 ppg) won’t return prior to the NCAA Tournament.
“We said four to eight weeks, it’ll be at least eight,” Few said on his weekly show. “He’s still on crutches. … He’s a long ways away from getting back.”
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San Francisco (15-13, 7-8) figures to gain some support by playing in the larger Chase Center as opposed to its cozy on-campus gymnasium.
Despite never leading, the Dons gave Gonzaga a battle last month in Spokane, Wash.
The Dons were down by eight before Vukasin Masic made consecutive 3-pointers in the final 1:20. However, a go-ahead 3-point attempt by Junjie Wang caromed off the backboard and rim with less than two seconds left.
USF’s Legend Smiley matched his season high of 18 points in that contest.
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“We have an unbelievable opportunity on Wednesday night at the Chase Center against a team that obviously is a juggernaut,” Dons coach Chris Gerlufsen said of the rematch. “We felt we played pretty well against them the first time.
“We’re going to roll our sleeves up and get to work Wednesday night and take advantage of the opportunity at hand.”
The setback vs. Gonzaga was the beginning of a stretch in which the Don lost five of six games. They halted that funk with a 92-79 road win at San Diego on Sunday.
Masic scored a season-best 22 points against the Toreros while David Fuchs contributed 21 points and a season-best-tying 13 rebounds.
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San Francisco’s most recent win over Gonzaga came in 2012, a 66-65 home decision.
Blizzard conditions during the alpine skiing men’s slalom competition at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games led to chaos for the participants, and a medal favorite lost his cool at the end of Monday’s runs.
Out of the 96 competitors in the field, 52 of them were unable to complete their first runs on the mountain due to the snowy conditions. Skiers were having trouble keeping their balance, let alone hitting each gate.
Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath, competing in his second Olympic Games, was leading the field after the disastrous first run for many of his opponents.
Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath arrives at the finish area of an alpine ski, men’s slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
McGrath held a whopping 59-second lead heading into the second run, which is great for any slalom skier hoping to take home gold.
But, after straddling a gate on his second run, McGrath ruined his chances at taking home any medal, let alone gold.
McGrath knew that and reacted as such, launching his ski poles out of frustration. Then, after he was making his way off the course, he laid in the snow with his hands on his head, wondering what went wrong.
In turn, Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard won the gold medal, followed by Fabio Gstrein taking home silver and McGrath’s Norwegian teammate Henrik Kristoffersen winning bronze.
“It’s amazing,” Meillard said after winning gold, per the New York Post. “It’s been long days, a lot of expectations and about what you want to achieve, a lot of pressure on yourself.”
Gstrein added, “The feeling is great, really nice and cool,” after winning his silver medal.
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Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath speeds down the course, during an alpine ski, men’s slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)
McGrath’s wipeout despite being the gold-medal favorite heading into the second run is just another example of how these Winter Games have not been going according to plan for many of the top athletes competing.
On the United States’ side, snowboarder Chloe Kim and figure skater Ilia Malinin are just two examples of expected gold-medal finishers who had wipeout moments in their decisive events.
Read More About The 2026 Winter Olympics
Kim needed higher than a 90 on his third attempt at the women’s halfpipe to make Olympic history with three straight gold medals after 17-year-old Gaon Choi of South Korea had a clean final run to overtake first place.
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Kim fell after attempting a trick, thus leaving her with the silver medal.
Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath arrives at the finish area of an alpine ski, men’s slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
As for Malinin, he wasn’t on the podium like Kim, falling twice during the men’s free skate. The 21-year-old, nicknamed “Quad God,” finished eighth in the event, shocking everyone in Milan.
But that’s the nature of the high-pressure moments the Olympics can bring out in these athletes. Execution is key, and when things don’t go the way they are hoped to, frustration can leak out.
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In McGrath’s case, that frustration involved some pole throwing.
And after the press conference for the Netflix fight, a host for DAZN put it to Fury that he “might be adding” to his team.
Fury, 37, responded with a reference to Mr T’s character in Rocky III, saying: “Yeah, I’m like Clubber Lang, I’m gonna train alone. I’m gonna train alone.”
Heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis, who was offering punditry for DAZN, chimed in, “Well, he’s been through it so many times, he knows what to do,” before Fury explained his thinking.
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“I know how to do it, I know how to go 12 rounds, I know how to push myself when I need to, and I know how to take a rest when I need to.”
When Fury returned to boxing in 2018, following a two-year hiatus, he did so with Ben Davison in his corner. Davison coached the “Gypsy King” to wins over Sefer Seferi, Francesco Pianeta, Tom Schwarz and Otto Wallin, and a draw against Deontay Wilder.
Tyson Fury (left) will take on Arslanbek Makhmudov in April (PA Wire)
Fury then switched trainers for his second bout with Wilder, and Sugarhill Steward guided the Briton to a stoppage win and the WBC heavyweight title in 2020. With Sugarhill in his corner, Fury stopped Wilder again in 2021, and a knockout of Dillian Whyte followed.
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That gave way to a close shave against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, whom Fury narrowly outpointed, before he suffered two decision losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024.
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Fury’s latest retirement ensued, and now fans wait to see if he will really fight Makhmudov, 36, without a coach, or whether he was simply having fun.
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The Briton has been training in Thailand as he prepares to put his 34-2-1 (24 KOs) record on the line against Makhmudov, who is 21-2 (19 KOs).
Fury’s father John (right) with the boxer’s most-recent coach, Sugarhill Steward (Getty Images)
“I thought he’s a good opponent, he’s a dangerous opponent,” Fury told The Independent and other publications on Monday. “If they’d have said I was going to fight some random person no one’s heard of, then that wouldn’t have turned me on, so I wouldn’t have even been interested.
“But considering I’ve got a No 5-ranked WBA heavyweight, who’s known to the British public because he just had a good fight with Dave Allen… and he wrestles bears for fun, and he’s as big as me, and as ugly as me, [it] makes him a very worthy adversary.”
