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San Francisco psyched for rematch vs. No. 11 Gonzaga at Warriors’ arena

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NCAA Basketball: San Francisco at GonzagaJan 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.

–Field Level Media

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‘Difficult to say’ – Michael Carrick responds to question on possible Casemiro U-turn by Man United

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Man Utd fans made their feelings over Casemiro clear as they chanted for the Brazilian to stay for another season during the 3-1 win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick still expects Casemiro to leave Manchester United this summer, despite leaving open the possibility that an effort could be made to try and tempt the Brazilian to stay.

Both parties have come to the decision that the 34-year-old will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of this season, but his recent form has been exceptional and he was involved in all three goals as United beat Aston Villa 3-1.

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Casemiro headed in the opener and then played key passes in the build-up to goals for Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko that strengthened United’s grip on a Champions League place.

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The former Real Madrid midfielder has started all nine games under Carrick so far and is playing some of the best football of his four-year stay at Old Trafford, but he is on £350,000-a-week and a departure this summer will help reduce the wage bill.

But the Stretford End chanted ‘one more year, one more year Casemiro’ throughout Sunday’s win and Carrick was asked whether it was possible that a U-turn would be made before the end of the season.

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“I think in some ways it’s difficult to say, I think it’s when something’s decided and in some ways the fact that it was decided makes things a little bit easier and everyone understands the situation really,” he said.

“I think the impact he’s had has been terrific, certainly since I’ve been here and working with him and his influence within the team and big moments and goals.

“It was a nice moment at the end there with the supporters and having that connection, and the respect. That was a nice moment. I think you’ll enjoy that one.”

United might save more than £18million a year in wages when Casemiro departs, but replacing him will be a mammoth task. He has seven goals in the Premier League this season and has recovered his form to be one of the division’s standout holding midfielders.

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As a five-time Champions League winner for Real Madrid, he also brings bags of experience to the club, but Carrick played down the idea that replacing him would be an almost impossible task.

“I think this is totally no disrespect to Case, he’s been fantastic, he has been a big player for us and has been important in the dressing room and one that I have spoken to and connected with really well,” he said.

“But I think as a club and as a team, your players come and go, some may be bigger, some may be more important than others at different times.

“I don’t think it’s ever really about replacing them like for like, I think you can go with different directions, you understand what the balance of the squad will need, whether that’s on the pitch, off the pitch leadership, positionally, there’s all sorts of different things going into it.

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“Case’s done some really, really good things and certainly since I’ve been here he’s been an absolute pleasure to work with.”

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3 Offseason Decisions the Vikings Absolutely Got Right

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Kyler Murray speaks to reporters in Eagan after signing with the Minnesota Vikings during 2026 free agency.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray speaks with reporters after signing with the franchise during 2026 NFL free agency, addressing the media in Eagan on March 12, 2026 as the team introduced its new starting signal-caller. Murray discussed the transition, expectations, and his first impressions of Minnesota’s roster. Mandatory Credit: YouTube

The first mighty domino has fallen in the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason, as the main part of free agency is over. Of course, Minnesota didn’t do much in the first couple of days, until it netted its big-fish quarterback from the Arizona Cardinals.

Minnesota has made a few sharp moves already, with April still on deck.

The offseason still has a long way to go, but here are the best decisions to date, and they’re not too controversial.

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Three Early Calls Already Strengthened Minnesota’s Outlook

Next stop? The draft in less than six weeks.

Brian Flores watches from the sideline during a Vikings game against the Rams. Vikings offseason decisions 2026
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches the action from the sideline during first-half play against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on October 24, 2024, as Minnesota’s defense works through adjustments during the interconference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

1. Retaining Brian Flores

Had Flores walked — the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers interviewed for then-vacant head coaching jobs — the Vikings would’ve started from scratch on defense during the Kyler Murray seasons. Keeping him paved the way for Minnesota to contend for the Super Bowl in 2026.

Flores’s defense became the driving force behind Minnesota’s 2025 campaign, propelling them to nine wins after a rocky 4–8 start. This resurgence was largely due to Flores’s scheme, which consistently manufactured pressure, created confusion, and generated favorable field position.

The overall statistics underscore Flores’s impact. Over the past two seasons, Minnesota led the NFL in EPA per play allowed. In 2025 alone, Flores’ unit ranked third in EPA/Play, trailing only the Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans.

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Flores’ coaching performance in Minnesota is impressive, as evidenced by the following rankings:

  • 1st in Pass Rush Win Rate
  • 2nd in Yards Allowed
  • 3rd in Defense DVOA
  • 3rd in EPA/Play
  • 4th in Defensive 3rd-Down Conversion Percentage
  • 7th in Points Allowed

The results speak volumes, and Minnesota rewarded Flores for the turnaround with a $6 million-per-year extension, signaling the team’s belief that his defense is crucial to their future success.

The newfound Murray-infused momentum would be tainted without Flores back in the saddle.

2. Firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

In four drafts, the Vikings only truly hit on about 5-6 rookies: Jordan Addison, Will Reichard, Dallas Turner, Jalen Nailor, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and perhaps Donovan Jackson.

The verdict is still out on these men (or the verdict is just plain bad):

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  • Brian Asamoah
  • Gavin Bartholomew
  • Mekhi Blackmon
  • Andrew Booth
  • Ty Chandler
  • Lewis Cine
  • Akayleb Evans
  • Tai Felton
  • Jaren Hall
  • Ed Ingram
  • Kobe King
  • Vederian Lowe
  • DeWayne McBride
  • J.J. McCarthy
  • Nick Muse
  • Esezi Otomewo
  • Jaquelin Roy

That’s about roughly a 20% success rate if the person counting is in a generous mood, calling Jackson and Drake Rodriguez hits.

The success rate was not conducive to Super Bowl team-building. And when Adofo-Mensah swung and missed on expensive free agents like Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen last offseason, well, the roster aged rather quickly and became less formidable.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches warmups from the sideline at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings offseason decisions 2026
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on from the sideline during pregame warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 14, 2025, as Minnesota prepares for kickoff during an early-season matchup on its home field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

What’s more, that’s all on top of letting Sam Darnold leave in free agency for a Lombardi trophy in Seattle. Adofo-Mensah had too many curiously bad decisions, on top of a dreadful draft record, to keep his job.

Minnesota needed a change, if only to give someone more competent a chance to draft players. The draft is the only place in sports for teams to get players for free.

3. Signing Kyler Murray for $1.3 Million

Across a 17-game sample, Murray averages about 4,000 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, and 30 total touchdowns, along with the fifth-most accurate completion percentage in NFL history.

Yeah, the Vikings got that guy for cheaper than a long snapper’s contract.

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Murray grew up as a Vikings fan, so it wasn’t difficult to woo him. Ultimately, though, Minnesota landed the perfect guy to partner with J.J. McCarthy this season, and a two-time Pro Bowler at that. The NFL considered Murray the single-hottest quarterback prospect in the world seven years ago; now that guy plays for the Vikings.

Kyler Murray scrambles with the ball during a Cardinals game against the Rams. Vikings offseason decisions 2026
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray escapes pressure and accelerates into open space during second-half action against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on December 28, 2024, extending the play with his trademark mobility as Arizona’s offense searches for a spark late in the divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.

ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss on Murray to Minnesota: “Murray has a ton to prove. His time in Arizona was unfulfilled from both production and win standpoints. He has heard all the criticism over the years that he’s too small or runs too much or doesn’t run enough or can’t win the big games ÿ and he’s ready to show the rest of the NFL that he can, indeed, be a productive quarterback.”

“Losing as much as he has — 38-48-1 in seven NFL seasons — hasn’t been easy on Murray. Although he has become accustomed to the fact that losing is part of the NFL, he never got used to the act of losing. Murray wants to play for a team where he can win quickly and believe he has the infrastructure — on the field and organizationally — to do that, according to a source.”

Minnesota pulled off an offseason masterclass by getting Murray for the league’s version of free. It’s actually unbelievable that cosmos allowed Murray to shimmy to Kevin O’Connell’s team.


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Angel fires back at disrespectful fan asking why he re-signed with WWE

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WWE Superstar Angel recently interacted with several fans on social media. In one of those interactions, the Los Garza member responded to a fan asking why he re-signed with the Stamford-based wrestling promotion.

Following his recent in-ring appearance on the latest edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Angel took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a picture of himself and Garza inside the squared circle. The former NXT Cruiserweight Champion noted that Los Garza keep on fighting for their legacy.

Several users responded to the tweet, leading to back-and-forth between Angel and the fans. As the SmackDown star noted that Los Garza needed more TV time to establish a connection with the fans, a fan asked why they re-signed with the company instead of returning to a Mexican promotion.

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Angel noted that had they done so, he would have been earning one-tenth of the money he was making in World Wrestling Entertainment. The former WWE 24/7 Champion noted that life was not just about pro wrestling and he had to take care of his family.

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“But making 1/10 of the money… because life isn’t just about wrestling. I’m a man, a father, and I’ll fight for my family’s future no matter what. 👊,” Angel wrote.

You can check out his tweet below:

Angel and Berto have yet to win a WWE match in 2026

Los Garza wrestled their first match of the year on Friday Night SmackDown on the March 6 episode of the show. The two contested in a Tag Team Turmoil Match to determine the number one contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship. They eliminated Fraxiom and The Wyatt Sicks’ Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis but were ousted by the eventual winners, Damian Priest and R-Truth.

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In their second match of the year, Angel and Berto locked horns against Damian Priest and R-Truth in a traditional tag team match the following week. The two put forth an impressive performance but once again fell short against the newly formed tag team.

Los Garza returned to WWE programming after an absence of 5 months. It will be interesting to see what plans the company has for the duo heading into WrestleMania 42.