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Team USA hockey, Mikaela Shiffrin, Alysa Liu help deliver a golden Winter Games

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The 2024 Paris Games revitalized what those five recognizable Olympic rings mean as a symbol of athletic competition, global community, ambition and achievement on the world’s stage. As soon as the most recent Summer Games concluded, the reviews were near-universal in agreement. The Olympics were officially back, with Paris’ moment widely recognized as one of the best Games in history for a bevy of irresistible reasons: the jaw-dropping backdrops and unique stages for competition; the record-setting performances; the star power drawn in by one of the most famous cities in the world; and, crucially, the return of a normal Olympics after COVID had severe impacts on the previous two.

The just-concluded Milan Cortina Games couldn’t hit the same highs or have quite the same worldwide reach of the Paris Games — the Summer Olympics will always out-rate Winter — but all medals and moments considered, what we just watched over the past 16 days immediately vaults this fortnight competition near the top of the list of the best Winter Games of all time. 

What’s more, for the first time since Vancouver in 2010, the world’s best cold-weather athletes competed in a place that was both visually stimulating for TV watchers and viewership-friendly in the United States. 

As for the U.S. delegation, this has to be regarded as the country’s greatest go on snow and ice ever. Those in red, white and blue put on an epic showing, with Americans bringing home 12 gold medals, the most in any Winter Olympics. The 33 total medals were four off their best haul during those Vancouver Games 16 years ago.

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My primary gig for CBS Sports is to write and talk about men’s college basketball, but longtime readers know all too well how much I love the Olympics. And even in the midst of what I think will wind up being an all-time season in college hoops, I had my attention split for two weeks between American hardwood and Italian ice due to the gorgeous vistas, powerful storylines, emerging star power and ever-reliable drama that came across my TV screen with 16 disciplines in eight sports taking place an ocean and a continent away.

The redemption stories and breakout stars and anguishing images of failure that developed over two-plus weeks in the mountains of Northern Italy produced enough narratives to fill a 500-page novel. I’ll go much shorter than that, but please join me on a look back at the stars and moments that made the Milan Cortina Games one of the best Winter Olympics ever.

Team USA sweeps hockey gold

We start with ice hockey. The United States men’s and women’s teams won gold in the same Olympics for the first time, which is a monumental achievement in its own right. But then consider the details: The two teams did it three days apart in games, in games that that both ended 2-1, in games that both reached overtime, in games that both downed a perfect rival, Canada.

For the women, Megan Keller became an American hero for her overtime goal that won the gold medal. And Hilary Knight, a legend in her own right, for getting the game to the bonus session and setting an Olympic scoring record in the process

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For the men, Jack Hughes is an immortal — right alongside goalie Connor Hellebuyck (who should have won MVP) — for getting the men’s team its first gold since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980, 46 years to the day, no less.

It’s only the third time men’s hockey has won the Olympic tournament; 1960 being the first. The 1980 team has been subject to documentaries. Both of these champions will be as well.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s redemption arc

Mikaela Shiffrin, 30 years old and far from finished in her one-of-a-kind career, has become one of my favorite athletes. Shiffrin got the third Olympic gold medal of her career on Feb. 18, but it was the only one of these Games. It came in her best discipline, the slalom, and in staggering fashion. Shiffrin exorcised her previous eight non-podium skis in the Olympics by winning her two slalom races by 1.50 seconds, marking the largest margin of victory in an Alpine Olympic event since 1998. The gap in her win was so large, it was actually a longer amount of time than the advantage of the six previous Olympic slalom winners — COMBINED!

She entered Milan as the only two-time slalom gold medalist in U.S. history. And now Shiffrin is the first Team USA skier to ever win three gold medals, too. She was already the youngest (18 in 2014) to win the women’s slalom event at the Olympics, and with last week’s gold she’s also now the oldest to ever do it as well. One barrier after another, broken. 

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She did it after failing to medal in giant slalom and also shockingly blowing a first-place lead in the Olympics debut of the team combined event with teammate Breezy Johnson — whose downhill gold was one of the United States’ 12. Shiffrin responded with one of the best races of her life. She earned it not because of the hard work, but because of how she so willingly put herself out there, time and again, with her struggles.

Every time I heard Shiffrin talk, or saw one of her social posts, it was nothing but positivity, affirmation of teammates and competitors and transparency over accepting the challenges of these moments, of living through them instead of going against them. When she won gold last week, cameras caught her expression, goggles still over the eyes, and the first word out of her mouth? 

Dad.

I almost cried when I watched it live.

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Shiffrin unexpectedly lost her father to an accident in 2020. She’d won races since then, and had high-profile failures too. But winning a medal on the Olympic stage hadn’t happened since he passed. Her honesty at her medal-winning press conference about processing grief is something everyone should watch.

Women provided so many inspirational performances

Johnson, not only won gold here, she did so on the course that was the stage of a pre-Olympics crash in 2022 that caused her to miss the Beijing Games. And so not only did she make a grand comeback at 30, she also got engaged after her final race.

The most uplifting performance of the past 16 days came via the carefree radiance of 20-year-old Alysa Liu, whose infectious personality and impressive singles free skate that delivered her a gold medal. She also reached the top of the podium as part of the team event for the United States. A few years ago, Liu retired from competitive skating. But the bug bit back and it’s become a decision that will change her life forever. Her golds have vaulted Liu to stardom. Should she keep at it, she’ll enter 2030 at just 24, and among the handful of biggest stars for those Games.

It was an amazing Olympics for women in the United States and beyond. Thirty-five-year-old Italian Federica Brignone is an immediate legend for how she recovered in less than a year to win two gold medals for the home country, boosting Italy to a record 10 golds and 30 medals (third overall in both) set a record for most by a host country.  

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The Netherlands’ speedskating duo of Femke Kok and Jutta Leerdam each won a gold and a silver and they have flipped a niche sport into must-see competition. They are bona fide uber celebrities in their home country, where speedskating is treated there like football is in the States. Italian Arianna Fontana made history by competing in her final Olympics at 35 and winning a gold and two silvers in short track speedskating, and finishing with a medal at six straight Olympics. No one else has ever done that! She’s got 14 medals to her name, second most ever to Norways Marit Bjøgen’s 15.

Speaking of peaking at the end: Elana Meyers Taylor competed in her fifth Olympics and finally, as a 41-year-old mom of two, won her first gold in the monobob. Imagine hitting the peak of your athletic life after the age of 40? Lindsey Vonn tried to do that, only to see it end in disaster. But Vonn’s tragic final Olympic race — which has required three surgeries already and will need at least one more — served as a scary reminder of the very real stakes of competition in the Winter Olympics. Nothing compares.

Men who seemed to be immortal, and a ‘God’ who proved to be human

American speedskater Jordan Stolz hoped for four medals, perhaps even four golds, but came away with two and a silver. His pair of individual first-place finishes represented the only American to pull off the feat in Italy. Stolz was a breakout star, though his failure to medal in Saturday’s mass start means he’ll likely enter 2030 as the male face of Team USA while also having all the motivational storylines to set up what could be his grand Olympic moment. 

The same can be said of the Quad God, Ilia Malinin, whose failed routine in the men’s free skate goes as the biggest stunner of them all at these Games. A shocking reminder that, although there is so much storytelling attached to the Olympics, the Games can never be scripted.

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But they sure are sculpted. Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo might be one of the 10 most fit humans on the planet. Cross-country skiing isn’t a sport so much as it is an action in pain tolerance. Klæbo has done the impossible and become a global star. His six gold medals over a two-week span are a Winter Olympics record. He skied almost 62 miles in Italy. The 29-year-old joins Michael Phelps as the only Olympians ever to have double-digit gold medals (Klæbo now has 11; Phelps is untouchable with 23). Klæbo’s six helped get Norway to the top of medal table; the country finished with 18 golds and 41 overall, both records.

Klæbo wasn’t the only cross-country skier to earn big headlines. The weirdest story of the Games goes to his countryman, Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid, who decided to cry and admit to being a cheater on television, only to see the story go global. To date, there is no indication he’s won back his ex-girlfriend. (Seriously, man. What was the plan here? Yikes!)

There was the glory of Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who won the first medal (a gold, nonetheless) for a South American country in a Winter Olympics ever, and then celebrated with an instantly iconic gesture atop the podium after winning the freestyle skiing competition.

The bravest moment of the Games didn’t happen on any course, ice, snow or field of competition. Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych was not allowed to compete in skeleton after he refused to compete in anything other than the helmet that bore the images of his fellow Ukranian athletes who were killed in the Russian invasion in recent years. By trying not to make a political statement, the IOC wound up making one anyway and Heraskevych emerged as a disappointed but principled and proud hero who was as clear-eyed in his pursuits as any of the 2,800-plus Olympians who earned invites to Italy.

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I loved American snowboarder Nick Baumgartner, a 44-year-old with the spirit of a happy kid. He’s still going for medals in snowboard cross, and he very much intends to be back in four years. If he can do it, so can Austrian Benjamin Karl, who won gold as a 40-year-old and celebrated by going topless.

Why next two Winter Games will likely top 2026

Here’s one major reason I’ve long loved the Winter Olympics: the skill it takes to be the greatest in the world in the toughest of settings. For the most part, no sports are tougher on mind and body. The big rule of these Games is that all competition must take place on the surface of snow or ice. And so there they went on those slippery surfaces every day. Downhill skiers barreling down an icy mountain piste at 80-plus miles per hour. Snowboarders and freestyle skiers scooping themselves dozens of feet in the air above a halfpipe. Balancing on the thinnest of edges while skating on ice, or uncorking acrobatics wonders before gracefully landing on a slim slab of riveted silver, those who put blades below their feet continued to push the boundaries of what is physically possible.

Luge, skeleton and bobsleigh athletes throw themselves down verglas slides on sleds at speeds going faster than the legal limit on most American highways. Others endure organ-bursting snow pursuits in cross-country skiing, or take on heart-stopping flight risks in a variety of ski and snowboard aerial competitions.

It’s truly some of the most thrilling athletic competition known to man. 

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And I think we just witnessed an all-timer of an Olympics.

Now scroll back up and look at the names of the athletes that medaled. So many of them will be back, as will the likes of Eileen Gu, Chloe Kim and more. The United States outperformed expectations here in 2026. In four years, Stolz, Malinin, Shiffrin, Liu and more to come onto the scene will have gold medal expectations. In ice hockey, the American rivalries with Canada are sure to hit all-time highs. 

The Winter Olympics are in the midst of a revival, and this is merely Phase 1. The next will hit big in France in 2030, and then just wait. In 2034, Salt Lake City will again play host after 32 years, and with it, the culmination of a renaissance on ice and snow both for the United States and the world.

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You can watch 2026 Masters for FREE Saturday, Sunday. Here’s how

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The 2026 Masters is heating up at Augusta National. Defending champion Rory McIlroy has a big lead heading into Saturday and Sunday’s weekend rounds. Fortunately for golf fans, you can watch Masters Rounds 3 and 4 free of charge online. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the Masters for free on Saturday and Sunday.

How to watch Masters for free this weekend

The Masters cut has been made (sorry, Bryson DeChambeau), and now the survivors will battle for the green jacket over the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.

CBS picks up the TV coverage for the third and final rounds, with their broadcasts running from 2-7 p.m. ET both days. Additionally, Paramount+ will offer early streaing coverage from 12- 2 p.m. ET on the weekend.

But you don’t need to have access to CBS or a Paramount+ account to watch the Masters this weekend. You can watch all of that coverage for free on Masters.com and the Masters App. There, you’ll find a single “Broadcast” stream running from 12-7 p.m. ET. It’s free of charge, and you can stick with that one stream all day long without changing platforms.

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Bryson DeChambeau reacts on Augusta National's 18th green at the 2026 Masters after missing the cut.

‘He was cussing himself’: Bryson DeChambeau melts down on 18 to miss Masters cut


By:


Kevin Cunningham



That’s not the only streaming coverage available on Masters.com this weekend, though. They will also provide featured group coverage, multiple featured hole streams (including at Amen Corner) and more. Those feeds can also be viewed via the ESPN App, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+ and DirecTV.

No other major championship or PGA Tour event offers such incredible free access to coverage. It’s one new way to Masters is setting itself above every other tournament.

You can check out the full 2026 Masters streaming schedule for Saturday and Sunday below.

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2026 Masters streaming schedule for Saturday, Sunday

SATURDAY, APRIL 11
On the Range: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+)
Featured Groups: 10:15 a.m.-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Featured Holes (4, 5 and 6): 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, ESPN App)
Featured Holes (Amen Corner, 11, 12 and 13): 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Featured Holes (15 and 16): 11:45 a.m.-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Round 3 Early Coverage: 12-2 p.m. (Paramount+)
Round 3 CBS Telecast: 2-7 p.m. (Paramount+)
Full Round 3 Stream: 12-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App)

SUNDAY, APRIL 12
On the Range: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+)
Featured Groups: 10:15 a.m.-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Featured Holes (4, 5 and 6): 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, ESPN App)
Featured Holes (Amen Corner, 11, 12 and 13): 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Featured Holes (15 and 16): 12:30-6:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV)
Round 4 Early Coverage: 12-2 p.m. (Paramount+)
Round 4 CBS Telecast: 2-7 p.m. (Paramount+)
Full Round 4 Stream: 12-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App)
Green Jacket Ceremony: 7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App)

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2026-27 Way-Too-Early Composite Men’s Hoops Rankings

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  By SuperWest Sports Staff


The 2026-27 men’s basketball season is right around the corner, and some prognosticators have published their way-too-early rankings.

We’ve brought them all together for you with the most recent updates.

So far, we’ve aggregated 14 media rankings (shown below) by assigning a No. 1 ranking the value of 25 points, a No. 2 ranking of 24 points, and so on.

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The rounded result is divided by 14 and subtracted from 25, yielding the SuperWest Composite Rank.

The composite ranking and the individual media rankings, updated post-NBA Draft deadline and transfer portal moves, appear below.


Way-Too-Early Composite Rankings as of April 11, 2026

Composite Ranking
7. Arizona
11. Gonzaga
21. BYU
23. UCLA
23. USC


SuperWest in 2026 Preseason Media Basketball Rankings

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ESPN CBS Sports On3 Seth Davis
5. Arizona 9. Gonzaga 8. Arizona 5. Gonzaga
17. USC 10. Arizona 13. Gonzaga 9. Arizona
21. Gonzaga 17. USC 19. UCLA 13. BYU
22. BYU 23. BYU

USA TODAY The Athletic Sports Illustrated Sporting News
5. Arizona 3. Arizona 4. Arizona 9. Gonzaga
11. Gonzaga 12. Gonzaga 12. Gonzaga 18. Arizona
15. BYU 22. UCLA
25. USC

Bleacher Report Yahoo Sports Busting Brackets Clutch Points
3. Arizona 5. Arizona 4. Arizona 10. USC
18. BYU 10. Gonzaga 10. Gonzaga 13. Gonzaga
19. Gonzaga 22. USC 20. UCLA 14. Arizona
24. USC 17. BYU
25. BYU
FOX Sports Jon Rothstein
5. Arizona 8. Arizona
8. Gonzaga 14. Gonzaga
20. BYU 18. UCLA
21. USC

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UFC 327 fight card predictions: Expert picks for Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg

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The vacant light heavyweight championship is on the line in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 327 when former champion Jiri Prochazka battles Carlos Ulberg.

Prochazka won the title from Glover Teixeira in 2022 but was forced to vacate the belt after suffering an injury. Prochazka twice failed to regain the belt in losses to Alex Pereira, the only man to have defeated Prochazka in the UFC. Now that Pereira has vacated the belt to challenge for the interim heavyweight championship at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, Prochazka has a clear path back to the title.

Saturday represents Ulberg’s first chance at UFC gold. After suffering a knockout loss to Kennedy Nzechukwu in his UFC debut, it appeared Ulberg may have a lower ceiling than the hype that was behind him entering that night. Since that loss, Ulberg has rattled off nine wins, six by stoppage, and now finds himself on the verge of being UFC champion.

Sign up for Paramount+ and watch UFC 327 live on Saturday night for no additional fee — every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with the price of your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year!

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In the co-main event, Paulo Costa returns to action in a light heavyweight fight against Azamat Murzakanov. Costa has struggled late in his career, posting a 2-4 record in his last six appearances. Costa, 34, is coming off an impressive win over Roman Kopylov last July. Murzakanov, meanwhile, is 16-0 so far in his career with 12 knockouts to his name. In fact, the Russian has scored three straight knockouts against an increasingly difficult set of opponents in Alonzo Menifield, Brendson Ribeiro and Aleksandr Rakic. 

With so much happening on Saturday night, let’s look closer at the full fight card with the latest odds before we get to our staff predictions and picks for the PPV portion of the festivities that you can consider before hitting the sportsbooks.

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UFC 327 fight card, odds

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook (Odds as of April 10)

  • Jiri Prochazka -118 vs. Carlos Ulberg -102, vacant light heavyweight title
  • Azamat Murzakanov -205 vs. Paulo Costa +170, light heavyweights
  • Curtis Blaydes -122 vs. Josh Hokit +102, heavyweights
  • Dominick Reyes -148 vs. Johnny Walker +124, light heavyweights
  • Nate Landwehr -112 vs. Cub Swanson -108, featherweights
  • Aaron Pico -285 vs. Patricio Pitbull +230, featherweights
  • Kevin Holland -112 vs. Randy Brown -108, welterweights
  • Mateusz Gamrot -205 vs. Esteban Ribovics +170, lightweights
  • Tatiana Suarez -148 vs. Loopy Godinez +124, women’s strawweights
  • Chris Padilla -162 vs. Marquel Mederos +136, lightweights
  • Kelvin Gastelum -278 vs. Vicente Luque +225, middleweights
  • Charles Radtke -180 vs. Francisco Prado +150, welterweights

UFC 327 predictions, picks

With such a massive main event on tap, the crew at CBS Sports went ahead with predictions and picks for the main card from Brian Campbell, Brent Brookhouse, Shakiel Mahjouri, Michael Mormile and Brandon Wise.

Prochazka vs. Ulberg Prochazka TKO3 Prochazka KO2 Prochazka KO3 Ulberg KO2 Prochazka SUB4
Murzakanov vs. Costa Murzakanov UD Murzakanov TKO3 Murzakanov UD Murzakanov KO3 Murzakanov UD
Blaydes vs. Hokit Blaydes UD Blaydes TKO3 Blaydes KO2 Blaydes KO2 Blaydes TKO3
Reyes vs. Walker Walker KO1 Reyes KO1 Reyes KO1 Reyes KO2 Reyes KO1
Swanson vs. Landwehr Swanson SUB3 Swanson TKO2 Swanson KO3 Swanson UD Landwehr UD
Records to date 9-6 11-4 10-5 9-6 9-6

Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg predictions

Campbell: Let’s face it, Prochazka was built for danger. Words like patience and gameplans only water down what this exciting slugger brings to the table. And with nemesis Alex Pereira having moved up to heavyweight, the time is now for Prochazka to regain his 205-pound title. For as quick and powerful as Ulberg can be, the awkwardness of Prochazka should be enough to give him pause and freeze him. That’s the only opening Prochazka needs to land the big one and finish him off. As evidenced by his rally to finish Khalil Rountree Jr. in the final round last October after being picked apart for most of the fight, Prochazka’s ability to carry his cardio through chaos while dragging foes into the deep end of the pool is unique unto itself and the only man to beat him in the Octagon is no longer in this division. 

Brookhouse: Prochazka is a throwback fighter in the sense that his style is unrefined and nearly as strange as his personality. He’s the kind of guy who used to litter MMA cards before everyone trained and refined their game to where a generally homogeneous way of fighting dominates fight cards, with small edges in techniques deciding most fights. For that reason, and the excitement his fights produce as a result, I never want to pick against Prochazka unless it’s against another throwback type of fighter — like Alex Pereira.

Mahjouri: Prochazka is never a safe bet, but that’s why we love him. He will probably get rocked, and we’ll watch with bated breath. But Prochazka has the sheer audacity to eat Ulberg’s punches, march forward and drag the technical striker into an inescapable hellstorm. Prochazka has only lost to Alex Pereira in the UFC — losses that age better with every accolade “Poatan” achieves. Until someone other than Pereira crushes my dreams, I’ll ride with Prochazka.

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Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa predictions

Campbell: This is the type of big-name opponent the unbeaten Murzakanov needs to truly crack the title picture. Expect Costa, who has lost four of his last six bouts and is making his return to light heavyweight, to play his part as the perfect foil. Costa will be dangerous at times and his reputation for a sturdy chin should be enough to help him go the distance. But he’s simply outgunned in this matchup should he decide to go blow for blow with the powerful Murzakanov. Costa has historically only lost to the best of his division and Murzakanov is starting to look as if he fits that mold.

Brookhouse: One of Costa’s best qualities is his toughness. I don’t know if that toughness will hold up in moving to light heavyweight against a guy who has been ripping through established light heavyweights the way Murzakanov has. While Costa is good at making a fight ugly and willing to make his opponent wallow in the muck with him, he’s not the guy used to fighting at light heavyweight or the one who has actual career momentum, having gone 2-4 since 2020.

Mahjouri: Costa is nearly impossible to finish. That’s a valuable asset against a known knockout artist like Murzakanov. Costa is coming off an impressive win over Roman Kopylmov, where he fought with veteran composure. I don’t have enough information to support Costa as a light heavyweight. Murzakanov’s decision win over Dustin Jacoby wasn’t pretty, but at least I know he can win a 15-minute fight.

Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit predictions

Campbell: Is the colorful Hokit, an athletic heavyweight with power and a solid wrestling background, the type of newcomer that the division badly needs? Eventually, that could very well be true. But this feels like too much, too soon for the former NFL player in just his seventh pro fight and third walk to the Octagon since debuting in the UFC last November. The fact that the 35-year-old Blaydes has only lost to sluggers with fast hands makes this an interesting matchup given Hokit’s aggressive style and confidence in his technique. But those same heavyweights were named Francis Ngannou (twice), Derrick Lewis, Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall. Hokit has yet to go the distance as a pro and has seen six of his eight fights end in the first round. Expect Blaydes to test Hokit’s gas tank over the full 15 minutes and rely on his wrestling and experience to humble the brash upstart. 

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Brookhouse: I could pick against Hokit on the fact that I don’t want to see his post-fight promo alone. Beyond personal taste, this feels as though it could be a case of too much, too soon for Hokit. Heavyweight isn’t currently a deep division, but Blaydes is one of the few men who has shown himself to be a reliable performer in the division, and his performances have been good enough that he holds the No. 5 spot in the heavyweight rankings. Hokit has skills, but he has only shown those skills in eight career fights, two in the UFC. And Blaydes is worlds better and more dangerous than Max Gimenis and Denzel Freeman, Hokit’s two UFC opponents. I side with the man who has proven himself dangerous against many of the best in the division over the man hoping to establish himself as on that level.

Who wins Prochazka vs. Ulberg, and how exactly does the fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks and analysis from the incomparable expert who is up over $21,000 on his UFC picks since May 19, 2018, and find out.

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Hakimi Admits Shame Over AFCON Towel Incident Involving Nwabali

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Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has admitted he is not proud of the towel incident that overshadowed key moments at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The incident first came into focus during Nigeria’s semi-final clash against Morocco, where Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali had his towel repeatedly taken away by pitch-side staff.

The situation drew attention again in the final between Morocco and Senegal, with similar actions involving players and goalkeepers, including Senegal’s Edouard Mendy.

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Hakimi has now spoken openly about the controversy, admitting that the scenes did not reflect well on the team.

“They were difficult moments, full of tension inside the stadium,” Hakimi said. “I don’t feel proud of the image we showed because of the towel incident.”

Despite the controversy, the Paris Saint-Germain full-back insisted that Morocco remained competitive and respectful throughout the tournament.

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“Still, the team presented a good competitive showing. We respected the opponent and the tournament,” he added.

The issue came amid wider drama at the competition, after Senegal walked out during the final at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, leading to Morocco being declared champions by the Confederation of African Football.

Hakimi also addressed the ongoing dispute over the title, as Senegal have taken their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“What should happen is currently being assessed, and we hope a decision is taken that serves the interests of African football,” Hakimi said.

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“We hope to get the title because we deserve it, and because you can’t leave the pitch that way.”

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Former Jets QB Browning Nagle dies at 57 after colon cancer battle

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Former NFL quarterback Browning Nagle, a Louisville standout in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl, has died, his alma mater announced Friday. He was 57.

Nagle was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this year.

He made his pro football debut in 1991 after the New York Jets selected the strong-armed quarterback in the second round. Nagle saw limited action in his rookie season, attempting just one pass, but he moved into the starting role in 1992.

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Nagle finished his time as the Jets’ starter with a 3-10 record and seven touchdown passes.

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Browning Nagle warms up before a game at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami

Quarterback Browning Nagle of the Atlanta Falcons warms up before the Falcons’ 21-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Fla., Dec. 3, 1995. (Scott Halleran/Allsport)

Boomer Esiason, the 1988 NFL MVP, was traded from the Cincinnati Bengals to the Jets in 1993, relegating Nagle to a reserve role. Nagle joined the Indianapolis Colts in 1994 before ending his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons.

Nagle was long linked to Brett Favre, whom the Jets had targeted in the 1991 NFL Draft. After failing to trade up, New York selected Nagle after Atlanta took Favre one pick earlier at No. 33 overall.

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Browning Nagle stands on the sideline during a preseason game.

Quarterback Browning Nagle of the New York Jets stands on the sideline during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh Aug. 7, 1993. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Months before entering the NFL, Nagle etched his name into college football lore, throwing for 451 yards and three touchdowns in Louisville’s upset win over Alabama in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl.

FORMER RAIDERS ALL-PRO CENTER BARRET ROBBINS DEAD AT 52: ‘DEEPLY SADDENED’

“We are saddened by the passing of Browning Nagle, former Fiesta Bowl MVP quarterback and Louisville great,” the Louisville football program said in a statement. 

“His leadership on the field and passion for the game left a lasting mark on our program.

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Browning Nagle throwing a pass during a game in the Georgia Dome

New York Jets quarterback Browning Nagle throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 6, 1992. (Gin Ellis/Getty Images)

“Our thoughts are with his loved ones and teammates during this difficult time.”

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Nagle had a stint in the Arena League after stepping away from the NFL. After he hung up his cleats, Nagle pursued a career in medical sales.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Football: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang puts Marseille back on track in Ligue 1 – Sports

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Marseille have climbed back into the top three of Ligue 1, pending the outcome of LOSC’s match, thanks to goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Igor Paixao and Hamed Traoré. Marseille have also opened up a three-point lead over Monaco following the latter’s heavy defeat to PFC.

In Spain, Real Madrid have handed Barcelona a clear run at the Spanish title. Meanwhile, in England, reigning champions Liverpool will attempt to turn their fortunes around today as they navigate a prolonged spell of turbulence.

In other news, the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-finals begins with a match between Moroccan clubs AS FAR and Renaissance de Berkane. AS FAR manager Alexandre Santos has described this two-legged tie as “decisive” for the future of his club.

Finally, in tennis, Monégasque player Valentin Vacherot, last year’s revelation, is continuing his fine form. After defeating Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the Monte Carlo tournament quarter-finals, the 27-year-old will face Carlos Alcaraz today for a place in the final.

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The P/PTSD Perspective: AVG Clone for MIN, Darrisaw Update, and WR Meeting

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Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Andrew van Ginkel (43) during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

PurplePTSD works in partnership with Vikings Territory, similarly doing their utmost to offer top-notch coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, we’re promoting five of their top articles of the past month in “The P/PTSD Perspective.” Take a peek at some of their best stuff.

The P/PTSD Perspective: April 11th, 2026

1) Vikings Bring an Andrew Van Ginkel Clone into the Lab: Worth it to take another shot, right? Mason Reiger has several parallels to Minnesota’s best defender. Maybe sinking a Day 3 selection into the pass rusher makes sense.

Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew van Ginkel (43) and Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) celebrate after a play against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

2) The Christian Darrisaw Update: A totally healthy Christian Darrisaw would make a massive difference. He is a left tackle who is on the cusp of elite. Getting (and staying) healthy is what’s needed for the player who is firmly in his prime.

3) Vikings Host “Sleeper Receiver:” Some in Minnesota are nervous about the receiver depth, or lack thereof. To my mind, there’s not much reason for concern. The WR1 and WR2 are excellent. Next up is Tai Felton, who did tremendously on specials as a rookie. Minnesota is fine, but they could opt for a WR in the 3rd or later.

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Tai Felton catches a pass while defended by Deonte Banks at MetLife Stadium.
Vikings wide receiver Tai Felton secures a catch while Giants cornerback Deonte Banks closes in during game action at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, in East Rutherford. The contested reception highlighted Felton’s route timing and hands as Minnesota evaluated young receivers in live reps against starting-caliber defensive backs. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

4) Vikings Could Land Elite Weapon: In theory, there’s some possibility, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Best guess is that the current runner pair gets supported by a speedy young lad from the 2026 NFL Draft (and possibly an add or two from the UDFA portion of things).

5) ESPN Proposes No-No Vikings Trade: So far, Rob Brzezinski hasn’t pulled off a trade. His most recent companions in the front office have been Rick Spielman and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, neither of whom demonstrated much skittishness about constructing a trade. The trade idea has some merit.

Feb 25, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Enjoy the extra reading, Vikings fans.


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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Where to watch UFC 327: Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg start time, live stream

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Jiri Prochazka seeks to become UFC light heavyweight champion for a second time in his career when he faces Carlos Ulberg for the vacant title in the main event of UFC 327 on Saturday. The event takes place from Kaseya Center in Miami.

Prochazka is looking to regain the title he won in 2022 and was forced to vacate due to injury. Prochazka twice lost title fights to Alex Pereira, the only man to defeat Prochazka in the UFC, and now that Pereira has vacated the title to move to heavyweight, the door is open for Prochazka to once again become the light heavyweight king.

Sign up for Paramount+ and WATCH UFC 327 LIVE for no additional fee — every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription. Plans start at $8.99/month or $89.99/year!

For Ulberg, Saturday represents his first opportunity at UFC gold. After losing his UFC debut by knockout, Ulberg won nine consecutive fights to earn a shot at the title.

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In the co-main event, former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa moves to light heavyweight, where he’ll face red hot Azamat Murzakanov, who is 6-0 in the UFC with five stoppage victories.

How to watch UFC 327 on Paramount+

All times Eastern

Date: Saturday, April 11 | Location: Kaseya Center — Miami
Start times: Early prelims at 5:30 p.m. | Prelims at 7 p.m. | Main card at 9 p.m.

Watch live starting at 5:30 p.m. on Paramount+ (subscribe now for as low as $8.99 per month)

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TV: 8-10 p.m. on CBS | The final hour of the prelims and first hour of the main card will be broadcast for free.

Subscribe to watch UFC on Paramount+

Paramount+ is the home of UFC. All 13 UFC numbered events and 30 UFC Fight Nights stream exclusively on the service for seven years through 2033. It is a monumental move that makes UFC more accessible than ever.

All Paramount+ subscribers — Premium and Essential — can also stream an extensive archive of UFC content, including a deep library of past UFC fights on demand, iconic fights and features on champions and UFC legends, series like UFC Embedded and UFC Countdown, exclusive interviews with athletes, previews of every numbered event with CBS Sports experts and much more.

How much does Paramount+ cost?

There are two available plans featuring subscriptions that can be purchased monthly or annually for additional savings. UFC numbered events, UFC Fight Nights and UFC archival content are available on both plans, as is the NFL on CBS, UCL games, March Madness, the Big Ten and hundreds of other sporting events per year.

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Most important: There is no additional fee to watch UFC on Paramount+ events live and/or on demand. Everything is included with the price of your subscription. Say goodbye to pay-per-view! Plus, Paramount+ subscribers in the U.S. can stream events in English, Spanish or Portuguese

What else is included on Paramount+?

Both plans allow subscribers to watch more than 40,000 episodes and movies and stream content on three devices at once, including Paramount+ originals like Landman and 1923, new release films like Top Gun: Maverick and The Naked Gun, popular and classic films like Gladiator and The Wolf of Wall Street, and the catalogs of Comedy Central (featuring South Park), Nickelodeon, MTV, BET and beyond.

What devices support Paramount+?

Stream Paramount+ on any device listed here! For more information, including supported models or operating systems, visit the Paramount+ FAQ: Computer, Apple TV, iPhone and iPad, Apple Vision Pro, Android TV, Android phone and tablet, Chromecast, Cox Contour bo, DISH Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus, DIRECTV Gemini, Fire TV/Tablet, GoogleTV, Portal TV, PlayStation 4 and 5, Roku, Samsung TV, Vizio TV, LG TV, VIDAA TV, Xbox, Xfinity and Xumo.

UFC 327 fight card, odds

Odds via DraftKings

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  • Jiri Prochazka -110 vs. Carlos Ulberg -110, vacant light heavyweight title
  • Azamat Murzakanov -205 vs. Paulo Costa +170, light heavyweights
  • Curtis Blaydes -122 vs. Josh Hokit +102, heavyweights
  • Dominick Reyes -148 vs. Johnny Walker +124, light heavyweights
  • Nate Landwehr -115 vs. Cub Swanson -105, featherweights
  • Aaron Pico -305 vs. Patricio Pitbull +245, featherweights
  • Randy Brown -110 vs. Kevin Holland -110, welterweights
  • Mateusz Gamrot -192 vs. Esteban Ribovics +160, lightweights
  • Tatiana Suarez -155 vs. Loopy Godinez +130, women’s strawweights
  • Chris Padilla -155 vs. Marquel Mederos +130, lightweights
  • Kelvin Gastelum -278 vs. Vicente Luque +225, middleweights
  • Charles Radtke -175 vs. Francisco Prado +145, welterweights

What is the UFC event schedule in 2026?

UFC 328, UFC Freedom 250 and more UFC Fight Nights have already been announced through May 2026. Additional events will be announced as the year progresses, with the UFC schedule updating regularly. Every event will be available along with your Paramount+ subscription.

Will any UFC events air on CBS?

Yes, select UFC numbered events will also air live on CBS in 2026, including UFC 328. You will be able to watch the final hour of the prelims and first hour of the main card on your TV through your local CBS station using cable, satellite or a digital antenna.

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Lennox Lewis makes final KO prediction for Tyson Fury vs Makhmudov: “He’s dangerous”

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Tonight in London, Tyson Fury marks his return with a fight against Russian powerhouse Arslanbek Makhmudov. Heavyweight great Lennox Lewis, who is working on the broadcast, has weighed in on the match-up.

Makhmudov fights in the UK for the second time, having beaten Dave Allen last year, hoping to upset the odds by capitalising on any ring rust Fury may show.

How the Brit performs will shape the remainder of his career – an impressive win making the long-awaited Anthony Joshua showdown much more likely.

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Speaking to Sky Sports, former undisputed champion said that the danger presented by the Russian is exactly what Fury needs to perform well.

“Every time you come back, it’s always risky. I think this opponent for him is a risky opponent but I think it’s a great opponent for him because he’ll realise this guy’s got two dangerous shots to worry about. Other fighters that he’s been up against had a lot more than Makhmudov. So this is a good fight for him.

We’re in the backend [of Fury’s career]. Muhammad Ali retired at 38. That’s the same time I retired, at 38. So he’s still got a couple of years left.”

In a further prediction given to the BBC, Lewis backed Fury by stoppage.

“He’s elusive, moves well, he can throw great combinations plus he’s quick. I think he does it in round seven or eight.”

Makhmudov presents a threat with his size and power, but has fallen short at the top level in the past. For that reason he is a sizeable underdog, however, Fury has admitted even he does not know how the year out of the ring will affect him.

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The fight tops the bill at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight, and will be streamed live on Netflix.

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2026 Masters tee times: Round 3 pairings and groups for field on Saturday

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AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy is making history at Augusta National Golf Club, pulling away from the rest of the field after 36 holes at the 2026 Masters. Still, he will begin Moving Day paired with the same man with whom he was tied after 18 holes, Sam Burns.

The duo will conclude Saturday’s third-round tee times at 2:50 p.m. ET as McIlroy aims to become the fourth man to win the Masters in consecutive years, joining Tiger Woods (2001-02), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Jack Nicklaus (1965-66). To do so, he will need to hold on to a six-shot lead, the largest ever at Augusta National entering the weekend.

The chase pack is highlighted by some of McIlroy’s contemporaries, including friends and foes. Justin Rose, a three-time runner-up with whom Rory battled in a one-hole playoff to win his green jacket in 2025, will play alongside 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed in the penultimate tee time at 2:39 p.m. Best friend Shane Lowry, plus Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton, are in the next two pairings with Wyndham Clark, who had one of the best rounds of Friday’s morning wave.

Though some significant names like Bryson DeChambeau have missed the cut, the Masters leaderboard is nevertheless phenomenal entering the weekend. Check out the full list of third-round tee times and pairings for the 90th Masters below, and don’t forget to dive into the 2026 Masters TV schedule and coverage guide so you know exactly when and how to watch throughout the week.

Watch the 2026 Masters with expanded coverage from CBS Sports all weekend. Masters Live follows in the world on Featured GroupsAmen Corner and holes 15 & 16. Watch those streams live across Paramount+CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App with extended broadcast coverage Saturday and Sunday from 12-2 p.m. on Paramount+ and 2-7 p.m. on CBS.

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All times Eastern

2026 Masters tee times, Saturday pairings

  • 9:31 a.m. — Kurt Kitayama, Alex Noren
  • 9:42 a.m. — Charl Schwartzel, Rasmus Hojgaard
  • 9:53 a.m. — Jon Rahm, Si Woo Kim
  • 10:04 a.m. — Brian Harman, Corey Conners
  • 10:15 a.m. — Sergio Garcia, Maverick McNealy
  • 10:26 a.m. — Keegan Bradley, Viktor Hovland
  • 10:37 a.m. — Justin Thomas, Gary Woodland
  • 10:48 a.m. — Samuel Stevens, Adam Scott
  • 11:10 a.m. — Marco Penge, Matt McCarty
  • 11:21 a.m. — Jordan Spieth, Sepp Straka
  • 11:32 a.m. — Aaron Rai, Jacob Bridgeman
  • 11:43 a.m. — Patrick Cantlay, Sungjae Im
  • 11:54 a.m. — Dustin Johnson, Russell Henley
  • 12:05 p.m. — Harris English, Ryan Gerard
  • 12:16 p.m. — Ludvig Åberg, Scottie Scheffler
  • 12:38 p.m. — Collin Morikawa, Brian Campbell
  • 12:49 p.m. — Nick Taylor, Matt Fitzpatrick
  • 1 p.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Michael Brennan
  • 1:11 p.m. — Jake Knapp, Xander Schauffele
  • 1:22 p.m. — Ben Griffin, Max Homa
  • 1:33 p.m. — Chris Gotterup, Brooks Koepka
  • 1:55 p.m. — Jason Day, Cameron Young
  • 2:06 p.m. — Haotong Li, Kristoffer Reitan
  • 2:17 p.m. — Wyndham Clark, Tyrrell Hatton
  • 2:28 p.m. — Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood
  • 2:39 p.m. — Patrick Reed, Justin Rose
  • 2:50 p.m. — Rory McIlroy, Sam Burns

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