The Michigan Wolverines are finally national champions once more in men’s basketball, taking down the UConn Huskies, 69-63, to finish a thrilling NCAA Tournament in style at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday night.

This is the first time Michigan has won since 1989, and just the second time in program history they’ve called themselves champions.

Meanwhile, the Huskies were looking to win their third title in the last four tournaments, but their shooting failed them in the end.  

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Elliot Cadeau celebrates during the first half of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball national championship game against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

While both team’s offenses came into this game working like a machine, it was a low-scoring affair to kick off this game. Michigan only owned a 33-29 first-half lead by the buzzer, but it wasn’t Yaxel Lendeborg leading the way in the points department for the Wolverines.

The Michigan star, who is playing on a sprained left MCL and left ankle, which came during the win over Arizona in the Final Four, was just 1-of-5 shooting for four points in the first half. It was Morez Johnson Jr. (10 points) and Elliot Cadeau (seven points) finding some rhythm for the Wolverines.

UCONN’S DAN HURLEY HEARS BOOS AFTER FINAL FOUR WIN OVER ILLINOIS

But it didn’t help that Michigan was scoreless from beyond the arc and shooting just 37% from the field. Meanwhile, UConn wasn’t doing themselves any favors either.

The Huskies shot just 33% in the first half, with Alex Karaban hitting two of his five three-point attempts. Solo Ball, who was spotted in a walking boot entering the game with “some type of foot sprain,” according to head coach Dan Hurley, had eight points on 3-of-4 from the field.

While they were down, UConn was certainly playing the type of game they wanted against Michigan – a rugged battle, especially on the glass. Michigan has shown its prowess of taking momentum and sprinting with it offensively, dominating opponents all year long, including this NCAA Tournament.

Yaxel Lendeborg of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles during the first half against the UConn Huskies in the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

However, the Huskies know their scratching and clawing abilities for 40 minutes allows them to never let an opponent feel comfortable. Just ask the Duke Blue Devils what happened in the Final Four.

The Huskies had that same demeanor in the second half, though it didn’t help they took a page out of the Wolverines’ first-half playbook – they couldn’t find the stroke from range. UConn was desperate to hit a three-pointer, but despite open looks, they couldn’t get one to fall as the Michigan lead eventually got to 11 points after Cadeau finally broke the seal for his squad on the opposite end, burying a three-pointer to get to a double-digit lead.

But Hurley was firing up the crowd as the Huskies never quit, cutting the lead to five with less than nine minutes to play in the game. Lendeborg, though, after shaking his head on the bench as he wasn’t having the game he hoped in the national championship, stepped up when he checked back in.

Lendeborg saw a sweet pass from Cadeau in transition and got the lead back to 11 with a tough layup, making it 56-45 with less than six minutes to play. He would also come in clutch with another two points following a Braylon Mullins three-pointer.

Once again, the Huskies wouldn’t quit, as Mullins finally found his shot beyond the arc, knocking that Michigan lead back to single digits with a follow-up three-pointer again to Lendeborg’s layups. But, just as gritty as the Huskies played, the Wolverines seemed to always have the answer in this hard-fought contest.

Head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first half of the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

A key example of that was, after Karaban buried a three-pointer to cut the Michigan lead to six, Trey McKenney stepped back and drilled a 26-footer with 1:49 left in the game to get the lead back to nine points. The Wolverines faithful in the crowd went ballistic, knowing how much that basket meant considering what UConn has been able to do in this tournament.

With 37 seconds left in the game, Ball got some help from the backboard, making a three-pointer to cut the lead to 67-63 for the Wolverines. Roddy Gayle Jr. made things more interesting in this game, as he couldn’t knock down his two free throw attempts for Michigan. But Karaban didn’t have another clutch three-pointer in him, coming up short with 13 seconds left.

That was it for UConn’s desperation attempt, and Michigan celebrated their win.

In the box score, Cadeau led all scorers with 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Lendeborg was just 4-of-13, though he still had 13 points. Johnson had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolverines as well.

Cadeau was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

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Michigan was just 2-of-15 from the three-point line, and head coach Dusty May even noted after the game getting dominated on the glass, as they were out-rebounded by UConn, 46-39.

The Huskies, though, couldn’t find it offensively. Karaban finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds, but shot just 4-of-14 and 3-of-10 from three-point territory. Tarris Reed Jr. had a double-double as well with 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Mullins, the hero against Duke with his half court shot, was only 4-of-17 for 11 points.

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Even the best golfers have days when their driver feels off. The key is knowing how to continue leveraging this advantage off the tee without letting it destroy your round.

That’s where the fairway-finder drive comes in handy.

Unlike the long bombs that everyone dreams of, this shot is all about control, consistency and keeping the ball in the short grass. As David Armitage, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher, explains, the fairway-finder drive isn’t just something to rely on when your swing is off — it’s a versatile tool that can help you navigate any course, in any condition.

To add this shot to your game, all you need to remember are Armitage’s five keys and this simple phrase: keep it small for more control.  

Tee it down

Instead of teeing it super high, Armitage says that you actually want to tee the ball down. 

“It’s almost like the top of the ball is level with the top of the face of the driver,” he says, “So it’s still teed up relatively high but not as high as the long bomb.”

This adjustment helps promote a lower, more penetrating ball flight that’s easier to control and keep on line.

Ball back in your stance

While your normal ball position with the driver is somewhere around the inside of your lead heel, Armitage explains that in order to generate a lower ball flight that rolls out, you need to play the ball further back in your stance.

“It’s just like 3-wood or 5-wood sort of ball position,” he says. 

Grip down 

Modern drivers can push well past 45 inches and that extra length isn’t always your friend if accuracy is the priority. Armitage says that choking down on the club can give you a bit more control without changing your motion.

“We really don’t need all that length [in the club],” he says, “We’re trying to find the fairway here.”

“When you are lower down on the club, you’ve got more control because you’re closer to the club head,” Armitage continues.

Focus on tempo 

If you want to find more fairways, Armitage says the priority is tempo. 

“All I want you to do is feel like you’re swinging a little more within yourself,” he explains. 

That doesn’t mean slowing down — it means finding a rhythm you can repeat under pressure. A smooth, balanced swing is very different from a tentative one. The goal isn’t to guide the ball, but rather, to make a controlled, committed motion that isn’t overly aggressive.

“Think smooth, you know, in rhythm — not something that’s going to be aggressive,” he says, “We’re trying to keep this in the fairway.” 

Trust your equipment 

Today’s equipment has also made this shot easier to trust than it used to be. Now, drivers are designed to perform more consistently across the face.

Take Callaway’s latest Quantum models, for example. They combine ultra-thin titanium, carbon fiber and an internal Poly Mesh structure to help stabilize the face at impact, leading to more consistent ball speed and direction — even on slight misses.

That forgiveness is further enhanced by a lighter chassis that allows weight to be positioned more precisely, tightening dispersion and improving overall stability. Paired with AI-driven face design, the result is more reliable performance across a wider area of the face, helping preserve speed, launch, and accuracy — exactly what you want from a fairway-finder.

Remember, the fairway-finder drive isn’t about distance. It’s about control and consistency. Whether your swing feels off or the hole demands precision, having this shot in your bag gives you a reliable option you can trust — which is key when trying to keep it in the first cut.

Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond Max Custom Driver

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The Masters 2026 is here as Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are among those in contention for the title in Augusta, with the world’s best golfers set to battle it out

The Masters 2026 tees off this week as the sport’s biggest stars battle it out in the first major championship of the year. Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are among the frontrunners to claim victory at Augusta National in Georgia.

Over four days, the two rivals will compete against a field of 92 players, including Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose — the latter of whom endured a heartbreaking play-off defeat to McIlroy in 2025. A number of LIV Golf League players are also set to feature, among them Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.

The tournament will see McIlroy defend his title for the first time following his triumph in last year’s edition. The Northern Irishman and world number two completed his first career Grand Slam at the 2025 Masters and could become the first golfer since Tiger Woods to win back-to-back titles should he triumph once more.

To achieve that feat, he must again outshine world number one Scheffler. The American will be eager to claim the coveted Green Jacket for a remarkable third time in five years, having finished fourth in 2025.

With the opening tee shot at The Masters 2026 now just hours away, here is everything you need to know to follow the action.

When does The Masters 2026 start

Fans can enjoy three days of pre-Masters coverage from Monday, April 6, including three practice days plus the Masters Par-3 contest on Wednesday, April 8. The Masters 2026 then officially kicks off on Thursday, with coverage of the opening round starting at 2pm BST.

Coverage is scheduled for a later 4.30pm start for the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.

Watch The Masters with Sky’s Ultimate TV bundle

Coverage of The Masters gets underway on April 6 and golf fans can watch it live with Sky’s Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle. This includes 135 channels, nine from Sky Sports, plus HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu.

How to watch The Masters 2026

The Masters is being broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports Golf in the UK, and there are several ways fans can tune in. For those without an existing Sky subscription, the provider is offering discounted sports packages, including the £44 Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle, which now incorporates HBO Max, Disney+ and Netflix.

For £44 per month, subscribers also get 135 channels including Sky Atlantic, along with discovery+ and Hayu subscriptions. There is also the more budget-friendly £35 Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, which comes with Netflix and approximately 100 channels.

Existing Sky customers can add Sky Sports to their package for an introductory price of £20. All of the above options provide full Sky Sports coverage across nine channels, including Premier League, Golf, F1 and Main Event.

Elsewhere, Virgin Media carries Sky Sports channels through its rival Sport bundle. At £52.99 per month this is considerably pricier than Sky’s offering, though it also includes considerably more, with 200 channels, nine from Sky Sports, plus Netflix and 516Mbps fibre broadband.

The higher-end Max Volt bundle is priced at £76.99 and offers more than 230 channels, including both Sky Sports and Sky Cinema, along with Netflix and ultra-fast 1,130Mbps fibre broadband. It also includes an O2 SIM card with unlimited data, minutes and texts.

One important consideration with both deals is that Sky and Virgin will introduce price hikes during the 24-month contracts. Sky merely states that prices ‘may change’ throughout the minimum term, while Virgin has confirmed a £4 rise from April 2027.

The Minnesota Vikings released two of their starting defensive tackles last month and may need a replacement or two in the NFL Draft, and it just so happens that Dexter Lawrence, who plays the same position, requested a trade from the New York Giants on Monday.

The cost would be steep, though a player of Lawrence’s caliber rarely becomes available in the first place.

Acquiring Lawrence won’t be cheap, but his next team won’t regret it.

Lawrence Would Change the Entire Equation Up Front

The Lawrence trade rumor mill is officially open for business.

Lawrence Requests Trade

The Lawrence era in New York is probably over. ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote Monday, “New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II has requested a trade, and he will not be participating in the team’s offseason workout program that begins Tuesday, league sources told ESPN. Lawrence and the Giants have been through two offseasons attempting to negotiate a contract reflecting his value to the team over the past three years, but there has not been any progress, per sources.”

“Lawrence has two years remaining on his deal and is scheduled to make $20 million this upcoming season. Initially there had been optimism that, with changes in the organization, discussions could move forward. But now that they haven’t, new Giants head coach John Harbaugh will open his team’s offseason program this week without one of his best players.”

It’s not outlandish to proclaim that Lawrence will have 31 NFL suitors, at least exploratorily.

New Giants head coach John Harbaugh said about Lawrence in February, “How important is he? Really important. He’s super, super important. He’s a cornerstone football player — not really a cornerstone, more like the middle stone. He’s right in the middle. He’s a very big stone, and he’s a very active, athletic one.”

“Yeah, again, we have a lot of those conversations as we continue to build or, to your point, open up money Like, where can we do it? Could we do an extension with other players? What does that look like? So we’re always having those conversations, not only with Dexter but on other players. And that’s part of our mapping out the offseason and planning.”

It seems Lawrence will not be around to see the Harbaugh era get off the ground in New York.

SI.com on the Vikings Would-Be Proposal

Then came the theoretical trade packages. SI.com‘s Will Ragatz scribed, “Vikings get: DT Dexter Lawrence. Giants get: 2026 second-round pick (No. 49), 2027 fifth-round pick. The biggest barrier for the Vikings is the financial side. They’d have to do some serious cap maneuvering to add Lawrence’s contract and give him a raise to top-of-the-market DT money.”

“The only way it really works is if they end up trading Greenard in a separate deal, which would free up some cap space and also presumably get them a new second-round pick. Lawrence may be a better fit within the Vikings’ current roster construction, but the easier move would be to simply pay Greenard instead of executing two different major trades.”

VikingsTerritory proposed this on Twitter (X), which was immediately mocked and rebuked by Giants fans:

Regardless, the idea is out there.

Lawrence’s Career Output

Lawrence is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro. He’s widely accepted as the best nose tackle in the NFL and might even be the best overall defensive tackle. When he requested the trade Monday, it was a big damn deal, as his placement with a new team has the capability of shifting the balance of power leaguewide.

The 28-year-old has banked 30.5 sacks in 109 career games, with 103 quarterback hits, 40 tackles for loss, and 15 forced fumbles.

Here’s his Pro Football Focus resume since 2019:

• 2025: 75.6
• 2024: 89.9
• 2023: 92.9
• 2022: 91.6
• 2021: 68.6
• 2020: 79.7
• 2019: 76.2

MIN Finances

As mentioned by Ragatz, money is the tricky part: the Vikings just used the last month to spend frugally in free agency, combating a cap-space crunch. Usually, teams that operate that way don’t turn around and trade for Dexter Lawrences.

Still, there’s a chance that Minnesota planned for this — keeping the budget nimble so that, if a player became available in the spring or summer, it could pounce.

Lawrence’s contract extension, after the eventual trade, will likely pay him around $30 million per season. In theory, Minnesota could accommodate that by firing up a three-year deal worth $90 million, making the cap hits sunset heavily in 2028 and 2029, and possibly trading outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard to a new team for a 2nd-Round pick.

The 2026 DL would look like this:

• Dallas Turner
• Dexter Lawrence
• Jalen Redmond
• Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
• Andrew Van Ginkel

Not bad.

Rory McIlroy to acknowledge Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson’s absence from the Champions Dinner. The Northern Irish golfer will host his first Champions Dinner for the past winners of the Masters on Tuesday. The traditional dinner is only attended by past winners. However, this year, Woods and Mickelson are set to miss it.

At Monday’s Drive, Chip, and Putting event, McIlroy opened up about his Champions Dinner and talked about the absence of Woods and Mickelson. He said that he wants to make sure to “acknowledge” the absence of the legendary golfers.

“Unfortunately, there will be a couple of guys that won’t be in that room, which is a shame, but I want to make sure that they’re acknowledged as well. They’ve been two of the greatest champions that the Masters has ever seen.”

Phil Mickelson withdrew from the Masters last week to focus on his family’s health. He has been away from the field for a while and has only played in one LIV Golf event this season.

Meanwhile, joining the list of absentees at the Masters is Tiger Woods. The American golfer had an accident last month, following which he released a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account that he would be stepping away from the game for a “period of time.” He is looking forward to treatment and will not be playing at the Masters.

Rory McIlroy “ready” to defend his Masters title

Rory McIlroy is looking forward to defending his title at the Masters and opened up ahead of the event on Monday. He talked about his Champions Dinner and the tournament.

“It’s going to be a really cool night. I can’t wait,” McIlroy said. “I hope everyone enjoys the dinner and enjoys everything that I’ve selected. Hopefully we won’t stay too long, and I’ll be ready to go. I may be not as fresh on Wednesday morning, but Thursday, I’ll be ready to go.”

This season has been decent so far for Rory McIlroy. He started the campaign with a T14 finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he carded rounds of 68, 67, 72, and 64. He was then runner-up at the Genesis Invitational, where he played rounds of 66, 65, 69, and 67.

However, McIlroy had a tough time playing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he struggled with an injury and withdrew from the game after playing two rounds of 72 and 68. He then finished T46 at The Players Championship.

Rory McIlroy has not played since The Players, and it would be interesting to see how things will unfold for him at the Masters. The first major of the year is scheduled to take place from April 9 to 12.