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There’s only one appropriate response to the way the Red Sox have started the 2026 season

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) tags Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela (3) out during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

This isn’t a cop-out blog. I truly feel this way.

I could sit here and give you fancy-dancy analysis, couldn’t I? I have done that before and I will do so again. I don’t think a 2-7 Red Sox start calls for that type of article, though.

I’ve also done this crashout before. Dan Secatore, my fearless leader, has OK’d this before. I feel like I can only pull this move out every few years. Maybe to the uninitiated this type of prose is seen as juvenile, but I feel like I might be speaking for the masses here.

The only other time I’ve done so: August 2023. Not a good year for the Red Sox, perhaps, but I dunno what 2023 me was complaining about. Seems like we were on a relatively good run after the All-Star break up until one bad week. I can’t say for sure what made me snap on that day.

Maybe I was stressed leading up to my wedding day? That’s the only thing I can imagine, in hindsight, that was hindering my judgement.

Well, as a firmly married man right now, my mind is clear. I can feel comfortable with playing this card. I don’t get the chance to play it often—and the fact that I’m playing it in early April is awful for all of us—but it feels right to do so.

I’m playing the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA card.

It’s Monday Morning Brushback time, y’all.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaa.

CAN OUR NINE FIGURE PITCHER GET THROUGH FIVE INNINGS IN AN OK STATE? IS THAT ASKING TOO MUCH????? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFUCKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABASEBAALLFUCKINGSUCKSAAAAAAAAAAAAAA GOD FUCKING DAMNIT AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFUCKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa

I EVEN TRIED GETTING MY DOG TO TYPE ON THE KEYBOARD JUST NOW BUT HE WONT EVEN GIVE THIS TEAM THE TIME OF DAY. HE IS RIGHT TO DO SO. FUCK. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa.

IF A DOG DOESN’T EVEN WANNA AIR HIS FRUSTRATIONS THEN IS THIS TEAM EVEN WORTH THE TIME OF DAY JESUS CHRIST.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

REALLY ANNOYING FUCKING TEAM. FUCK. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAasdf(my beloved wife stole some blanket from me, so that typo stays in, anyways) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa

STUPID MISTAKES ON THE DIAMOND. HOW MANY OF THEM DO WE HAVE TO SIT THROUGH. AT WHAT POINT DO WE START ASKING TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO IS DRIVING THE SHIP. WE ARE CONSISTENTLY BRAIN DEAD WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDAMENTALS COMING OUT OF SPRING TRAINING. FUCK. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I AM NOT ONE TO CALL EVERYTHING A WRAP IN EARLY APRIL BUT JESUS CHRIST THIS TEAM IS GIVING ME ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NOTHING TO MAKE ME THINK OTHER WISE. THE STARTING PITCHING ISN’T STEPPING UP. THE BULLPEN IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. THE OFFENSE LOOKS, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, AIMLESS.

THE SEASON STARTED ALREADY, GUYS. I CAN TRY TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT OUR OFFENSIVE OUTPUT (I still think we can get on base a lot) AND OUR PITCHING (please just don’t hang as many cookies with two strikes!!!! I feel like half of the damage this season has come with two strikes!!!!) AND YOU WILL BE OK. GROW THE FUCK UP, THOUGH!!!!! GROW UP!!!!!! DON’T LEAVE ALL OF YOUR SCORING TO ONE FUCKING INNING. JESUS!!!!!!!!!!! GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!! BE BASEBALL PLAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!! THE SEASON STARTED!!!!!! YOU ARE A TEAM A LOT OF PEOPLE PUT STOCK IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Song of the Week: “Somebody Kill Me Please” by Adam Sandler

The Cure is great, in his defense.

One more for the road, because I might as well: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Talk to you next week. Go Sox.

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2026 Brewers Week in Review: Week 2

Apr 5, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) celebrates with team mates in the dugout after scoring against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Last Week’s Results

  • Monday: Rays 3, Brewers 2
  • Tuesday: Brewers 6, Rays 2
  • Wednesday: Brewers 8, Rays 2
  • Thursday: Off Day
  • Friday: Postponed (Rescheduled to Saturday doubleheader)
  • Saturday, Game 1: Brewers 5, Royals 2
  • Saturday, Game 2: Royals 8, Brewers 2
  • Sunday: Brewers 8, Royals 5

Division Standings

  • Brewers: 7-2
  • Pirates: 6-3
  • Reds: 6-3
  • Cardinals: 5-4
  • Cubs: 4-5

Last Week

  • Brewers: 4-2
  • Pirates: 5-1
  • Reds: 4-2
  • Cardinals: 3-3
  • Cubs: 3-3

Top Pitching Performance of the Week

Kyle Harrison got off to a great start in a Brewer uniform. Over two starts against the Rays and Royals, Harrison spanned 10 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and striking out a team-high 14 batters.

Top Hitting Performance of the Week

There was no clear hitting performance this week, as seven different players had four-plus hits this week, but none had more than six. Even so, Garrett Mitchell had a huge day on Saturday across Milwaukee’s doubleheader, but specifically in game one. In the 5-2 victory, Mitchell went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer, and all five RBIs, a career-high for him. He added another RBI in the night game for a three-hit, six-RBI day in total. He finished the week with five hits, including four extra-base hits, driving in eight.

Injury Notes & Roster Moves

  • The busy news day of the week came on Monday. First, the Brewers acquired outfielder Luis Matos from the Giants, sending cash considerations the other way after he was designated for assignment. To make space on the 40-man roster, left-hander Sammy Peralta was designated for assignment by Milwaukee, while Jeferson Quero, who made his MLB debut on Sunday, was optioned to Triple-A Nashville to make space on the active roster. Peralta was claimed by the Rockies on Saturday.
  • Later in the afternoon, Milwaukee’s No. 4 prospect, shortstop Cooper Pratt, reportedly agreed to an eight-year, $50.75 million extension with a pair of options that could keep him in the organization through 2035. After the extension was officially announced on Friday, Pratt was added to the 40-man roster. Outfielder Steward Berroa was designated for assignment as the corresponding move, while Pratt will remain in Triple-A Nashville for the time being.
  • Lastly, RHP Logan Henderson was recalled as the team’s 27th man for Saturday’s doubleheader, making the start (2 IP, 2 ER, 3 K) before being sent back to Nashville after the game.

On Deck

  • Monday: @ Red Sox (5:45 p.m.)
  • Tuesday: @ Red Sox (5:45 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: @ Red Sox (12:35 p.m.)
  • Thursday: Off Day
  • Friday: vs. Nationals (6:40 p.m.) — Wisconsin First Friday
  • Saturday: vs. Nationals (6:10 p.m.) — Miz Trading Card Bobblehead Giveaway
  • Sunday: vs. Nationals (1:10 p.m.) — Wiffle Ball Set Giveaway (Kids)
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Mets Daily Prospect Report, 4/6/26: Okay, Cluff guy

JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Jackson Cluff #85 of the New York Mets at bat during a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (5-4)

SYRACUSE 5, TOLEDO 4 (BOX)

As I was sitting down to start typing this report up yesterday afternoon, I took a quick look at Gameday and saw that the score was tied 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth. Barely a minute later, when I opened MS Word to start writing this, I looked over at my phone and the score was 4-3. Jackson Cluff walk-off! Carl Edwards Jr. didn’t pitch too bad in his five innings of work, but the Syracuse offense wasn’t able to crack Toledo starter Carlos Pena and they found themselves down all afternoon. Jonathan Pintaro allowed two more in the top of the sixth, and the way the offense was playing, it very well could’ve been a 3-0 final. Showing a little intestinal fortitude, Syracuse strung together a bunch of hits and plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth, and then in the bottom of the ninth, Ji Hwan Bae doubled and Cluff drove him in with his second homer of the season and his second in as many days.

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1-1)

POSTPONED (RAIN)

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (0-2)

POSTPONED (RAIN)

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets (2-1)

NO GAME (SCHEDULE)

Rookie: FCL Mets (0-0)

NO GAME (SCHEDULE)

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Jackson Cluff

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

Jonathan Pintaro

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Phillies news: Brandon Marsh, Gage Wood, Hunter Brown

Apr 5, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Brandon Marsh (16) breaks his bat on a swing in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

You had to think that a weekend in Colorado would help the offense a bit. Then they went and scored three runs in two games. I can’t figure this offense out just yet.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

MLB news:

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Orioles news: Swept out of Pittsburgh

Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) looks on from the dugout against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Happy Monday, Camden Chatters! It was not a happy weekend for the Orioles, who limped out of Pittsburgh after being swept. That was after losing two out of three to the Rangers, making them losers of five of their last six. It’s not really how any of us imagined the season starting.

Yesterday’s game was particularly painful. Chris Bassitt pitched his second clunker in as many tries and exited after six runs allowed in just two innings. He may have stayed in longer if he hadn’t been hit in the leg by a 112 mph line drive, certainly. The offense had eight hits, but just two runs. Poor Samuel Basallo struck out four times. You can get all of the grisly details in Paul Folkemer’s game recap.

Last night, I was reading the comments in the game recap and in the game thread, and it got me thinking about letting a sports team make you totally miserable. Because if you read the comments, it seems that people are miserable and very angry. I get it. I have watched more bad baseball in my life than I have good, and I have been a very invested and very online fan for most of it. It’s so easy to let what happens out there affect your mood.

No doubt many of you remember the 2010 season. Nobody expected the Orioles to be good that year, but also nobody expected them to start the year 2-16. Back in those olden days I was running Camden Chat before the current site manager, Mark, took over. He’s much better at it than I ever was, by the way. Sometimes my game recaps wouldn’t go up until like midnight because I got busy watching reruns of The Golden Girls or something.

I was so deep into the Orioles in 2010 that the 2-16 stretch of baseball made me entirely miserable. I turned on the game every night. I watched Ty Wigginton and César Izturis and Corey Patterson stink up the basepaths. I watched Kevin Millwood give up a billion runs and Jake Arrieta underperform. I was deep into it. I could tell you everything about those teams. And I hated it. I hated the Orioles. And they weren’t even supposed to be good!

Not long after that 2-16 stretch (maybe around 7-18 or so), I realized I needed to stop being so miserable about the Orioles. Why was I letting myself get angry? What was the point? There had to be something redeeming about being a fan of a bad baseball team. Otherwise, why do it?

I think the answer to what is redeeming is different for everyone. For me, there is community in baseball fandom. Does it suck to watch the Orioles lose and struggle? Of course it does. But we’re all doing it together. Just like we’re all doing it together when the Orioles play well and hit a bunch of dingers and have a lot of fun. Camden Chat has always been a place where the community matters and where people get together during a game to be happy or mad or whatever the situation calls for.

Also, for me, I find some meaning in the players themselves. A lot of internet commenters are quick to call players “garbage” or ascribe some motivations (or lack thereof) to players, and it makes me uncomfortable. Those people will say they are just being fans, and I guess that is true. But how can you really be a fan of a team if you hate all the players? If you think they are all lazy or arrogant or stupid? When your first instinct is to trash them?

I’m not saying I don’t have a lot of emotions about the Orioles. I have never been so high as I was after game two of the 2014 ALDS. I’m dying to feel that again. And I felt incredibly sad about leaving Camden Yards after the 2024 Wild Card series. But I don’t think you get to either of those places by spending six months being aggressive and angry. It’s deeper than that.

I just wrote a lot of words that don’t have much to do with the team the Orioles are fielding right now, so thanks for indulging me. But it does have to do with the nature of being an Orioles fan, and if they truly prompt you to be angry and mean, maybe that’s something to examine. Or if you only want to shout into the void when things are going poorly but don’t want to celebrate when they’re not, why is that?

Anyway. The Orioles start a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox tonight at Guaranteed Rate Field. The starting pitcher is TBD but it’s expected to be a bullpen game kicked off by Albert Suárez. Not exactly what we hoped for in game 10 of the season, but here we are.

Links

O’s turn focus to fundamentals & execution amid tough start to ’26 – MLB.com
Quick question: why weren’t they already focusing on that?

Bassitt exits early, Albernaz ejected, Orioles swept in Pittsburgh with 8-2 loss – MASN Sports
Roch Kubatko has the story rundown along with quotes from players and Craig Albernaz.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz is ejected for first time in career – The Baltimore Banner
Home plate umpire James Jean refused to grant multiple Orioles hitters a timeout when requested against a very quick-working Braxton Ashcroft. Albernaz spoke up, and Jean was quick with the hook.

Birthdays and History

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have just one Orioles birthday buddy. Danny Clyburn was born on this day in 1974. Clyburn was an outfielder who appeared in two games with the Orioles in 1997 and 11 games in 1998. His only other MLB experience came with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999. Clyburn was tragically shot and killed in an argument with a neighbor in 2012.

On this day in 1973, the Orioles defeated the Brewers on Opening Day by a score of 10-0. Brooks Robinson hit two home runs. Don Baylor had a home run and three doubles. And Dave McNally allowed just three hits.

In 1992, the Orioles played their first game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and defeated Cleveland, 2-0. Rick Sutcliffe pitched a complete game, five-hitter. Chris Hoiles and Billy Ripken had RBIs for the Orioles.

In 1997, the Orioles lost their first game of the season after starting 4-0. Mike Mussina allowed seven runs in just four innings, his worst start of the year.

In 2009, the Orioles celebrated Opening Day with a 10-5 victory over the Yankees. Jeremy Guthrie earned the win with the classic QS (6 IP, 3 ER). Brian Roberts and Adam Jones each had three hits as the 1-2 batters in the lineup. Roberts hit the first of his 56 doubles of the season and Jones hit the first of 19 home runs.

And one year ago today, the Orioles lost to the Royals, 4-1. Cade Povich allowed all four runs, but just one was earned thanks to an error by centerfielder Jorge Mateo. The Orioles scored their only run when Ryan Mountcastle reached on an E9 and came in to score on a passed ball.

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Chicago Cubs history unpacked, April 6

Phil Regan as Cubs pitching coach in 1997 | | Getty Images

Free of charge for the discerning reader. This one has a work stoppage,and other stories.Kerry Wood and his coach The Vulture, a birthday boy.

Today in baseball history:

  • 1972 – For the first time in history, the major league season fails to open due to a general player strike. The strike, announced April 1, will erase 86 games from the major league schedule.
  • 1973 – The Pittsburgh Pirates retire Roberto Clemente’s uniform number 21 in a moving pre-game ceremony before 51,695 fans at Three Rivers Stadium. The 38-year-old Clemente died in a plane crash the previous New Year’s Eve, attempting to bring relief aid to earthquake-stricken Managua, Nicaragua. The Pirates then beat St. Louis‚ 7-5‚ with a 9th-inning rally.
  • 1973 – Yankee Ron Blomberg, facing Boston’s Luis Tiant, becomes the first official designated hitter in the major leagues. Blomberg walks with the bases loaded his first time up and winds up 1-for-3 in a 15-5 loss to the Red Sox.
  • 1993 – In his National League debut‚ Cubs P Jose Guzman takes a perfect game into the eighth inning against Atlanta‚ finally settling for a one-hit‚ 1-0 victory. Otis Nixon’s single with two out in the ninth is the Braves’ only hit. 
  • 2013 – The Upton brothers, playing together for the Braves, stun the Cubs. With Atlanta trailing 5 – 4, B.J. Upton leads off the bottom of the ninth with a homer off Carlos Marmol, and two batters later, Justin Upton hits a walk-off blast to give the Braves a 6-5 win, his second long ball of the game. They are the first pair of brothers to homer in the same inning since Billy and Cal Ripken did so for Baltimore in 1996. 
  • 2014 – Texas P Yu Darvish becomes the fastest starting pitcher to reach 500 strikeouts when he fans David DeJesus and Wil Myers in the first inning of a 1-0 win against the Rays in his first start of the season. It took Yu only 401.2 innings to reach the total, beating Kerry Wood, who had needed 404.2 innings. 
  • 2017 – Cardinals C Yadier Molina loses a ball when it bounces in the dirt and then gets stuck to his chest protector, allowing Cubs PH Matt Szczur to reach base on a dropped third strike in the seventh inning while Molina is frantically looking around to find the disappeared spheroid. The bizarre play turns out to be instrumental, as Brett Cecil walks the next batter, Jon Jay, and Kyle Schwarber follows with a three-run homer and Chicago wins, 6-4.
  • 2020 – Hall of Famer Al Kaline, who was signed by the Detroit Tigers out of high school, went straight to the majors, and collected 3000 hits during his lifelong association with the team, passes away at age 85. His death will start an unprecedented parade of passings by members of the Hall of the Fame over the rest of the year.

Cubs birthdays: Rudy Schwenck, Don Elston, Phil Regan*, Thomas Diamond. Also notable: Mickey Cochrane HOF, Ernie Lombardi HOF, Bert Blyleven HOF.

Today in History:

  • 774 – Charles the Great (Charlemagne) confirmed the gift to the Pope of the territories belonging to Ravenna made by his father Pepin the Short at Quiercy-sur-Loire in 753.
  • 1652 – Cape Colony, the 1st European settlement in South Africa, established by Dutch East India Company under Jan van Riebeeck.
  • 1772 – Catherine the Great Empress of Russia, ends tax on men with beards, enacted by Tsar Peter the Great in 1698. (There is probably no truth to the rumor that this was then handed down to the New York Yankees.)
  • 1889 – George Eastman begins selling his Kodak flexible rolled film for the first time.
  • 1896 – First modern Summer Olympic Games open in Athens, Greece; American athlete James Connolly becomes first modern Olympic champion when he wins triple jump (then two hops and a jump); later third in long jump, second in high jump.
  • 1909 – North Pole reached by Americans Robert Peary & Matthew Henson.
  • 1930 – Hostess Twinkies invented by bakery executive James Dewar.
  • 1938 – Teflon invented by Roy J. Plunkett.
  • 1974 – 200,000 attend rock concert “California Jam” at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California; line-up includes Earth, Wind & Fire; Black Sabbath; Deep Purple; and Emerson, Lake & Palmer (this was simulcast on WDAI 94.7 FM. I know because I was listening and watching.)
  • 1987 – Los Angeles Dodgers GM Al Campanis appears on TV program ABC News: Nightline saying Blacks may not be equipped to be in baseball management, sparking a racial controversy.

Thanks for reading. À bientôt.

* pictured

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NL West report: Offense hard to come by for Dodgers pursuers

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Rafael Devers #16 of the San Francisco Giants slams his helmet to the ground after striking out against the New York Mets in the bottom of the first inning at Oracle Park on April 05, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While the Dodgers have won seven of their first nine games to sit atop the National League West, the rest of the division is off to a tough start to 2026, with none of the other four teams having a winning record.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in second place after the first three series of the year at a break-even 5-5, which is more impressive considering they’ve won five out of seven since getting swept by the Dodgers in the opening weekend at Dodger Stadium.

Los Angeles has outscored its opponents by 20 runs through nine games this season, while every other team in the division has a negative run differential. The San Francisco Giants have the worst run differential in the majors, having been outscored by 25 runs through 10 games and scoring a league-worst 2.6 runs per contest. Arizona, even at .500, has been outscored by 17 runs, third-worst differential in MLB thus far.

The lack of success by the rest of the west has been bad largely due to bad offense, with teams ranked 24th, 25th, 27th, and 30th in the majors in runs scored per game through Sunday.

Division news & notes

NL West standings

Dodgers 7-2, – –
D-backs 5-5, 2.5 GB
Padres 4-5, 3 GB
Rockies 3-6, 4 GB
Giants 3-7, 4.5 GB

The week ahead

  • Dodgers: at Blue Jays, vs. Rangers
  • D-backs: at Mets, at Phillies
  • Padres: at Pirates, vs. Rockies (4 games)
  • Rockies: vs. Astros, at Padres (4 games)
  • Giants: vs. Phillies, at Orioles
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MLB power rankings: Pirates soar after raucous debut, stirring sweep

The loudest roar of the weekend probably came when Konnor Griffin cracked an RBI double in his first major league at-bat. Yet for the Pittsburgh Pirates, silence has been golden.

Arguably the game's most downtrodden franchise the past three decades, the Pirates have roared from the gates in 2026, winning six of their first nine games and soaring 12 spots in USA TODAY Sports' MLB power rankings.

And in sweeping the Baltimore Orioles in their home-opening series, the Pirates got deftly-pitched games from Mitch Keller and Braxton Ashcraft, 4 ⅓ scoreless relief innings in a 10-inning walk-off and a three-run homer from free agent slugger Ryan O'Hearn, his third of the year.

Imagine that: A sweep of a good team, and Paul Skenes had nothing to do with it.

A look at our updated rankings:

Konnor Griffin entered 2026 as MLB's consensus No. 1 prospect.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

  • Mookie Betts' oblique strain means lots of run for Miguel Rojas on his farewell tour.

2. New York Yankees (+3)

  • This guy is trouble: Cam Schlittler hasn't allowed a run in his first 11 ⅔ innings.

3. Milwaukee Brewers (+7)

  • Third team's the charm? Kyle Harrison with 14 punchouts in his first two starts.

4. New York Mets (+3)

  • Lindor's not hitting, Soto's ailing, Bichette's adjusting - and they're 6-4.

5. Philadelphia Phillies (-3)

  • As Zack Wheeler builds up in the minor leagues, Taijuan Walker's giving up rockets in games that count.

6. Houston Astros (+6)

  • A great start spurred by red-hot Yordan Alvarez, but ace Hunter Brown's shoulder ailment very concerning.

7. Seattle Mariners (-4)

  • Cal Raleigh is 5-for-38 with a 52.6% strikeout rate.

8. Toronto Blue Jays (-4)

  • Just a bummer that Cody Ponce's return from Korea derailed by ACL tear after seven outs

9. Chicago Cubs (-3)

  • OK so maybe Milwaukee will be a problem again.

10. Detroit Tigers (-2)

  • Justin Verlander battling a bum hip and the age (43) on his driver's license.

11. Cincinnati Reds (+5)

  • Chase Burns: One earned run in 12 innings pitched.

12. Pittsburgh Pirates (+12)

  • The starting rotation has yet to give up a home run.

13. Cleveland Guardians (+6)

  • Sure, Chase DeLauter is nice but of course the pitching (3.48 ERA, fourth in AL) has been absurd.

14. Atlanta Braves (+7)

  • Drake Baldwin tied for NL lead with four home runs.

15. Miami Marlins (+7)

  • Get used to these fellows as they won't be going away soon.

16. Boston Red Sox (-7)

  • 2-7 and Roman Anthony's defense wedges him at DH. Not a great start.

17. San Diego Padres (-6)

  • Jackson Merrill looking more like his rookie self.

18. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)

  • Zac Gallen outdueled Tarik Skubal and that's probably a good sign for the rest of the year.

19. Kansas City Royals (-2)

  • "I'm going to set a million alarms to make sure I'm up," says rookie Carter Jensen after oversleeping leads to benching.

20. Texas Rangers (-6)

  • Jake Burger hopes seeing red leads to better results.

21. Baltimore Orioles (-6)

  • Chris Bassitt rocked for 10 earned runs in first two starts.

22. Tampa Bay Rays (-2)

  • The Trop is open for business once again.

23. Los Angeles Angels (+3)

24. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)

  • Other than Dustin May's struggles, a fine start so far.

25. San Francisco Giants (-12)

26. Athletics (-1)

  • Nick Kurtz (4-for-27, no homers) not quite picking up where he left off in Yolo County.

27. Minnesota Twins (-)

  • Byron Buxton hits 10 years of major league service.

28. Chicago White Sox (-)

  • Just swept the Blue Jays! Convincing? Not quite.

29. Colorado Rockies (+1)

  • Mickey Moniak lights up the Phillies for two home runs.

30. Washington Nationals (-1)

  • Hard to do: Miles Mikolas gives up Nationals-record 11 earned runs in one start.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Pirates sweep top prospect Konnor Griffin's debut

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Who is No. 15 for Michigan? Meet Aday Mara, Wolverines' 7-3 center

Seven-foot big men do not grow on trees. Luckily for Dusty May and Michigan basketball, they do sometimes enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Such was the case with Aday Mara, who became the 2026 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in one year with the Wolverines after playing sparingly with UCLA in his first two collegiate seasons.

REQUIRED READING: Even with squeaky Yaxel, Michigan blasts Arizona in Final Four thanks to supporting cast

With star Yaxel Lendeborg dealing with an injury in the Final Four against No. 1 Arizona, it was Mara who stepped up with a career-best performance to help the Wolverines reach the national championship game.

Mara will likely be a key piece for Michigan as the Wolverines aim to win their first national championship since 1989. Heading into the national championship in March Madness, here's what you need to know about the Michigan big man:

Aday Mara 2026 NCAA Tournament stats

After a strong regular season where he posted career highs across the board, Mara has come alive for Michigan in the Men's NCAA Tournament, including a career-high 26 points in a dominant win over No. 1 Arizona in the Final Four.

Here's a look at Reed's stats during March Madness:

  • vs. No. 16 Howard: 19 points (8-of-10 shooting), seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks in 21 minutes
  • vs. No. 9 Saint Louis: 16 points (7-of-12 shooting), five rebounds, four blocks, five assists and a steal in 26 minutes
  • vs. No. 4 Alabama: 8 points (4-of-8 shooting), five rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 27 minutes
  • vs. No. 6 Tennessee: 11 points (4-of-6 shooting), four rebounds, two blocks and a steal in 18 minutes
  • vs. No. 1 Arizona: 26 points (11-of-16 shooting), nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 30 minutes
  • NCAA Tournament averages: 16.0 points (65.4% shooting), 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.6 blocks and 0.4 steals per game in 24.4 minutes

Aday Mara stats

Here’s a look at Mara's stats from his college career with UCLA and Michigan:

  • 2025-26 (Michigan): 12.2 points per game, 2.5 assists per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 2.6 blocks per game, 62.1% on field goals, 30% on 3-pointers, 59.6% on free throws (39 games, 38 starts)
  • 2024-25 (UCLA): 6.4 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game, 1.6 blocks per game, 59% on field goals, 57.7% on free throws (33 games, 1 start)
  • 2023-24 (UCLA): 3.5 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game, 0.5 steals per game, 0.7 blocks per game, 44.2% on field goals, 70% on free throws (28 games, 8 starts)

How tall is Aday Mara?

Mara is listed at 7-foot-3, 255 pounds on Michigan's website.

Aday Mara NBA draft stock, mock draft predictions

Mara is a potential option to go in Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Draft following a breakout season with Michigan during the 2025-26 college basketball season.

How old is Aday Mara?

Mara is 20 years old. He'll turn 21 on April 7, the day after the national championship game.

Aday Mara recruit ranking

  • Stars: 5
  • National rating: No. 15
  • Position ranking: No. 3 C
  • State ranking: No. 1 player from Spain

Mara was a five-star recruit who was rated as the No. 3 center and the No. 15 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports' rankings Mara was unranked by the 247Composite rankings.

Why did Aday Mara transfer from UCLA to Michigan?

Following two seasons at UCLA, Mara opted to transfer to Michigan from UCLA for a chance to play in a better environment. The discussion about more playing time or starting did not occur for Mara with May before he committed to the Wolverines.

"I went from a bad environment [at UCLA], where almost nobody wanted to practice, because as I said, it was a bad environment, to a great one. It was the opposite," Mara told USA TODAY Sports before the Elite Eight in Chicago.

Where is Aday Mara's hometown?

Mara is from Zaragoza, Spain. He played basketball professionally for Casademont Zaragoza in Spain before joining UConn in 2023.

Mara's father, Javier Mara, played basketball professionally in Spain, while his mother, Gely Gomez, was on Spain's women's national volleyball team.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Aday Mara? What to know about Michigan basketball star

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Why did Tarris Reed transfer from Michigan to UConn? What to know of Huskies star

UConn star Tarris Reed Jr. will end his college career on Monday, April 6, against the team with whom it first began.

The senior center started his career at Michigan, where he played two seasons before transferring to Connecticut in 2024. His breakout this season as a full-time starter has been well-documented and is a huge reason for the Huskies' NCAA Tournament run.

REQUIRED READING: Dan Hurley called his shot: Tarris Reed Jr. would be X-factor for UConn Final Four run

The 6-foot-11, 265-pound interior presence is averaging 14.8 points with 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game this season on 61.7% shooting, although his game has stepped up a notch in March Madness. Reed is averaging 20.8 points with 13 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament and has a strong case for being the best overall player in the 68-team field so far.

Despite Reed leaving the program, Michigan still boasts one of the best frontcourts in college basketball, led by a trio of first-year transfers in Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr.

Why did Reed leave Michigan? Here's what to know of his transfer after the 2023-24 season:

Why did Tarris Reed transfer from Michigan to UConn?

Reed entered the transfer portal shortly after the 2023-24 season, which was the last campaign under former coach Juwan Howard at Michigan.

It wasn't a surprise to see Reed's name in the transfer portal, especially after Michigan went 8-24 in his first full season as a collegiate starter and considering the coach who recruited him to Ann Arbor, Michigan, was fired.

"I saw Coach Juwan got fired. Definitely, I feel like it was like a no-brainer in terms of the portal," Reed said April 5 before the national championship. "I hung around Michigan for a couple of weeks, and then they announced (Dusty May) was supposed to be the coach. I talked to him multiple times. I like Coach May, and he was just being super up front with who he was bringing in, who's looking at recruiting-wise.

"So, feel like just him being honest with me, and I'm being honest with him, it was the right way. So, it was no bad blood."

UConn was also coming off back-to-back national championships, and needed a center to replace Donovan Clingan, who went No. 7 overall to Portland in the 2024 NBA Draft. Reed was an obvious fit for UConn, as he was rated a top-100 transfer portal recruit and was a former top-35 ranked prospect out of high school.

“I chose UConn for its winning culture, commitment to player development and coaching style,” Reed told On3 upon committing in 2024. “Coach Hurley’s tough coaching style is known for pushing players into uncomfortable situations, making the uncomfortable seem comfortable. UConn provides the ideal setting and coaching for me to maximize my potential both on and off the court.”

Reed had a small role as a true freshman at Michigan in 2022-23 playing behind Hunter Dickinson. He averaged 3.4 points with 3.9 rebounds per game before becoming the full-time starter as a sophomore, raising his per-game totals to nine points with 7.2 rebounds a game.

Reed started one game last season at UConn, although he averaged 19.9 points per game. His game rose to a new level in 2025-26, which Michigan State coach Tom Izzo noticed while preparing for MSU's loss to UConn in the Sweet 16.

“His game has taken a monstrous jump,” Izzo said of the former Michigan State rival. “And with that size, that’s gonna be something. … Reed has gotten better and better and better. And he’s been a monster.”

Tarris Reed on playing Michigan, his former school

Reed expects the national championship game against Michigan, his former team, to be heated, as any national title match would be.

"I know a couple guys on the team," Reed said, "but I feel like at the end of the day it's the game for the national championship game, so I feel like they're going to be coming at my neck, we're going to be coming at their neck, so it's going to be a great, fun bloodbath and just a competitive game."

Only three players remain at Michigan from Reed's time there — Nimari Burnett, Will Tschetter and walk-on Harrison Hochberg. Burnett and Reed became close friends as Wolverines teammates and said they caught up at a Final Four fan event.

"Seeing that big smile on his face that he always carries, and having a chance to play against him knowing the story that we had two years ago is amazing," Burnett told reporters on April 5.

Tarris Reed stats

Here are Reed's year-by-year, per-game averages in college basketball:

  • 2022-23 (Michigan): 3.4 points with 3.9 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game on 51.7% shooting
  • 2023-24 (Michigan): 9.0 points with 7.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game on 51.9% shooting
  • 2024-25 (UConn): 9.6 points with 7.3 rebounds with 1.0 assists per game on 67% shooting
  • 2025-26 (UConn): 14.8 points with 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on 61.7% shooting

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why did Tarris Reed transfer from Michigan to UConn? What to know

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March Madness games today: Michigan-Connecticut schedule, breakdown for title game

The men’s college basketball season comes to a close Monday night with two accomplished programs set to square off for the 2026 NCAA national championship at the Final Four in Indianapolis.

In this corner, we have a potent Michigan squad that dominated the loaded Big Ten during the regular season and has seemingly flipped the switch to activate juggernaut mode in the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines hope to hoist a second championship banner and overcome a history of championship game disappointments.

Then there’s UConn, the most successful March Madness operation of the 2020’s thus far. The Huskies have already called upon some tourney magic to reach this point and are now seeking a third title in four years and seventh overall.

PREDICTIONS: Our picks for Michigan-Connecticut title game

PORTAL KING: How Dusty May built Michigan basketball into this behemoth

Here’s all you need to know about how, when, and whom to watch.

No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 2 Connecticut

Time/TV: 8:49 p.m. ET, TNT

If you’re a casual observer hoping to see a competitive event, there’s a strong possibility you’ll be disappointed given what we’ve witnessed over the last couple of weeks from the Wolverines. Their well-oiled offensive machine has made them the first team in tournament history to crack 90 points in their first five games. Michigan’s biggest concern is the health of standout forward Yaxel Lendeborg, but even if his minutes are limited by his bad left knee he will make the most of his time on the court. Meanwhile, Elliot Cadeau has been able to control the action on the floor even with a majority of his own shots not falling, and Aday Mara has dominated the paint on both ends. Those performances in turn have allowed Morez Johnson Jr. to orchestrate some spectacular finishes at the rim and helped emerging star Trey McKenney find open looks from the arc.

The Wolverines can be beaten – they’re not undefeated after all –, and UConn is capable of it if a lot of things go right. First and foremost, the Huskies have to hit three-pointers. Braylon Mullins seems to have worked through his mini slump, but now Solo Ball and Alex Karaban must do the same. Another thing the Huskies must do is win the turnover battle. Their relentless ball pressure is effective against many opponents, but Michigan’s experienced handlers will be ready for it. Finally, Tarris Reed and Co. will at least have to hold their own for the Huskies on the glass and not allow Michigan to generate second-chance points.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness games today: Michigan, Connecticut clash leads schedule

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How many NCAA Tournament national championships does UConn basketball have?

When Connecticut basketball announced its return to the Big East ahead of the 2019-2020 season, it was a moment that signified the return of one of the original members and powerhouses of the conference.

It came at a time when relative newcomer Dan Hurley was working on bringing the winning culture and toughness of the Jim Calhoun era back, and was trying to find the right players to execute his vision and playbook.

Since then, in spite of his lone losing record at UConn in his first season, Hurley has not just restored those two things. He's returned the program to its national prominence. ... And has done it at an exceptional level.

REQUIRED READING: Is UConn a blue blood? Huskies may be the bluest. Ranking college basketball's top programs

Hurley has the Huskies sitting in the Men's NCAA Tournament title game for the third time in the last four seasons on April 6 vs. No. 1 Michigan. It's a level of work by Hurley that had former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl saying he's doing "stuff that John Wooden did" on TNT after UConn's Final Four win over No. 3 Illinois on April 4.

Should the Huskies be able to stop the Wolverines, the No. 1 team in KenPom, inside Lucas Oil Stadium, it'd be a remarkable and historic feat for the program, since not many Division I men's college basketball programs have done what they'll look to do in a four year span.

Here's what to know on UConn's national championship titles:

How many national championships does UConn men's basketball have?

UConn has won six national championships in men's basketball, with three of them coming under Calhoun, who is responsible for the Huskies' initial rise to a powerhouse program inside the Big East and the country.

The Huskies' first men's national championship came in 1999, when Calhoun's squad defeated Duke 77-74 inside Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Richard Hamilton finished with 27 points against the Blue Devils, which featured NBA talent in Trajan Langdon and Elton Brand. To get to the finals, the Huskies defeated Ohio State in the national semifinals, the first Final Four in program history.

Calhoun would lead the program to two more national titles in 2004 and 2011, with the latter coming during the Kemba Walker postseason run that featured a famous step-back jumper in the Big East Tournament championship vs. No. 3 Pitt.

UConn's last two national championships under Hurley in 2023 and 2024 have made the Big East responsible for four of the last nine Men's March Madness titles heading into Monday's game.

Here's a breakdown of when the Huskies have won the Men's NCAA Tournament:

  • 1999: beat Duke, 77-74
  • 2004: beat Georgia Tech, 82-73
  • 2011: beat Butler, 53-41
  • 2014: beat Kentucky, 60-54
  • 2023: beat San Diego State, 76-59
  • 2024: beat Purdue, 75-60

UConn basketball record in Men's NCAA Tournament national championship game

UConn is an impressive 6-0 in the Men's NCAA Tournament national championship game. The Huskies are 2-0 in the title game under Dan Hurley.

Which team has most NCAA Tournament national championships?

UConn is tied for the third-most Men's NCAA Tournament titles with North Carolina at six. Only UCLA and Kentucky have more national titles than the Huskies.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UConn men's basketball national championships: Huskies looking to add

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6 most important UConn, Michigan players in national championship game

Both Michigan and UConn are banged up entering the national championship game on Monday, April 6.

Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg, a first-team All-American this season, was limited to 14 minutes in Michigan's Final Four win over Arizona after suffering a knee injury in the first half. He also re-aggravated his ankle, stemming from earlier in the season in the Big Ten Conference Tournament.

Meanwhile, multi-year starting UConn guard Solo Ball's status is also unknown. Ball was seen with a boot on his foot during April 5's walkthrough, and coach Dan Hurley said he was unavailable for practice.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

Both teams could look a bit different when they square off at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, or at least less than 100% healthy for the final game of the season.

Here's a look at our six most important players for the national championship between No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 2 UConn:

Most important players of Michigan vs UConn national championship game

Yaxel Lendeborg

In one way or another, Lendeborg's presence will be felt — or it won't.

The 6-foot-9 forward was one of the best players in college basketball this season, averaging 15.1 points with 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game after transferring from UAB. While Michigan still defeated Arizona 91-73 in the Final Four without Lendeborg only playing 14 minutes, the Wolverines are still — obviously — a much better team with Lendeborg in the fold.

Lendeborg was playing his best basketball heading into the Final Four, with consecutive performances of 25, 23 and 27 points against Saint Louis, Alabama and Tennessee respectively. He might not be as mobile against UConn as in prior NCAA Tournament games but can potentially still impact the game old-head style.

"He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA, and a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA," Michigan coach Dusty May said April 5. "Whatever version of Yaxel we get it's going to be somebody that helps us play better basketball."

Tarris Reed Jr.

UConn's offense runs through Tarris Reed Jr., a who has an argument as the most impactful player in the NCAA Tournament this season. The 6-foot-11 center is also facing his former team, adding potential fuel to the fire.

The first-year Huskies starter is averaging 14.8 points with 8.8 rebounds per game, although those totals have jumped to 20.8 points with 13 rebounds per contest in March Madness. He outdueled likely national player of the year Cameron Boozer and top-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight, finishing with a ridiculous stat line of 26 points with nine rebounds, three assists, four blocks and two steals on 10-of-16 shooting.

It's hard to imagine UConn having a path to winning without Reed.

Aday Mara

Aday Mara saved his career-best performance for a perfect time against Arizona in the Final Four, scoring a career-high 26 points with nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks on 11-of-16 shooting.

The 7-foot-3 first-year transfer from UCLA will be tasked with stopping Reed, who has been a force to be reckoned with during the NCAA Tournament. Mara vs. Reed will be a strength-vs.-strength matchup for Michigan and UConn.

Solo Ball

Ball has been one of UConn's most-reliable 3-pointer shooters for three seasons, but the veteran starter could potentially miss the national championship due to injury.

The 6-foot-4 junior is a vital part of the Huskies' offense and is attempting 9.4 3-pointers per game in March Madness. Losing Ball would be a huge blow and would put added pressure on true freshman Braylon Mullins and fourth-year starter Alex Karaban, UConn's other top 3-point shooters.

"I'm just listening to the medical staff," Ball said when asked if he'll play Monday night against Michigan. "I've been preparing and doing rehab already. So definitely just preparing the same way as (if) I'm playing."

Alex Karaban

Alex Karaban is the "best babysitter," according to coach Dan Hurley. The fourth-year starter has been with the program for five years after redshirting as a true freshman, and is looking for third national championship as a player.

The NCAA Tournament's all-time wins leader among players is 3-of-18 shooting in UConn's last two wins over Duke and Illinois, and the Huskies will need its leader for their best shot at Michigan.

The 6-foot-8 wing stepped up and made a huge shot in UConn's upset win over Duke in the Elite Eight, although the 3-pointer to pull within two points with under a minute left was overshadowed by Braylon Mullins' heroic game-winning 3-pointer. Mr. UConn will be relied on in his final collegiate game.

Elliot Cadeau

A former five-star recruit, Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau didn't live up to his potential in two seasons at North Carolina. The junior has been outstanding for the Wolverines in March Madness, though.

The 6-foot-1 guard is averaging an NCAA Tournament-leading 8.6 assists per game, serving as an offensive hub for Michigan's potent attack. He's also averaging 11 points per game and shooting 40.7% from 3-point range, and could be asked for more responsibility if Lendeborg is limited due to injury.

Regardless, the ball will be in his hands a lot in the national championship game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan vs UConn national championship game most important players

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How many coaches have won three NCAA championships? Dan Hurley looks to join elite company

Dan Hurley is on the doorstep of history.

The Connecticut men's basketball coach could make history with another win on Monday, April 6, against No. 1 Michigan in the national championship game of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament.

REQUIRED READING: NCAA championship game predictions: AI picks winner of UConn vs Michigan

Hurley led the Huskies to back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024, pushing UConn to six titles in program history (all of which occurred from 1999-onward). If he wins another, he would join a short list of elite men's college basketball coaches to win at least three NCAA championships.

Here's what you need to know about coaches who have won at least three national titles in NCAA history:

How many coaches have won three NCAA championships?

Sixteen NCAA coaches have at least two NCAA titles during their coaching careers, which includes Hurley. However, only six coaches have ever won more than three national championships during their careers.

The list that Hurley is looking to join includes UCLA's John Wooden; Duke's Mike Krzyzewski; Kentucky's Adolph Rupp; North Carolina's Roy Williams; UConn's Jim Calhoun; and Indiana's Bob Knight. Rupp was the first to achieve the feat in 1951, with Williams the most recent three-time national champion following the Tar Heels' 2017 championship.

With a win on Monday, Hurley would tie Calhoun with three titles, the most in Huskies' program history.

Men's college basketball coaches with most national championships

Here's a look at the list of NCAA men's college basketball coaches with the most national championships. Of note, current St. John's coach Rick Pitino is not on the list after having his second title, with Louisville, in 2013 vacated by the NCAA.

  • 1. John Wooden, 10 (UCLA)
  • 2. Mike Krzyzewski, 5 (Duke)
  • 3. Adolph Rupp, 4 (Kentucky)
  • T-4. Bob Knight, 3 (Indiana)
  • T-4. Roy Williams, 3 (North Carolina)
  • T-4. Jim Calhoun, 3 (UConn)
  • T-7. Dan Hurley, 2 (UConn)
  • T-7. Billy Donvoan, 2 (Florida)
  • T-7. Denny Crum, 2 (Louisville)
  • T-7. Henry Iba, 2 (Oklahoma State)
  • T-7. Ed Jucker, 2 (Cincinnati)
  • T-7. Branch McCracken, 2 (Indiana)
  • T-7. Dean Smith 2, (North Carolina)
  • T-7. Phil Wollpert, 2 (San Francisco)
  • T-7. Jay Wright, 2 (Villanova)
  • T-7. Bill Self, 2 (Kansas)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How many coaches have won three or more national championships?

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Most March Madness titles: Who has most championships ahead of 2026 title game?

The national championship game of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament between No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Connecticut will have a lot on the line.

Obviously, the biggest thing on the line will be who wins the national title for the 2025-26 men's college basketball season. But, while a title would be significant for both programs, not all national championships are created equal: A win would mean something different for the Huskies as opposed to the Wolverines.

REQUIRED READING: Yaxel Lendeborg is best player in Final Four. Toughest, too. | Opinion

A win for the Huskies would cement them as a modern-day dynasty and move them further up the list of all-time national championship winners, while the Wolverines would break a historic title drought for the Big Ten Conference while becoming one of only a few programs to win multiple championships.

Ahead of their national championship meeting, here's a look at which programs have the most national titles in NCAA Tournament history:

Who has the most March Madness national titles?

UCLA leads all Division I men's basketball programs, with 11 championships. The Bruins' last championship came in 1995, when they defeated Arkansas 89-78.

The vast majority of UCLA's championships came under John Wooden between 1964 and 1975, when the program held a chokehold on the sport by winning 10 national titles in 12 seasons. That included a window of seven straight championships between 1967 and 1973.

Teams with most NCAA championships

While UCLA has the most national championships, Kentucky is a close second, with eight national titles. UConn enters its championship game appearance vs. Michigan with six championships, putting it in a tie for third with North Carolina.

Here's a look at the men's programs with the most NCAA Tournament national championships:

  • 1. UCLA, 11 (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1995)
  • 2. Kentucky, 8 (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, 2012)
  • T-3. UConn, 6 (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024)
  • T-3. UNC, 6 (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017)
  • T-5. Duke, 5 (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015)
  • T-5. Indiana, 5 (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987)
  • 7. Kansas, 4 (1952, 1988, 2008, 2022)
  • T-8. Villanova, 3 (1985, 2016, 2018)
  • T-8. Florida, 3 (2006, 2007, 2025)
  • T-10. Louisville 2* (1980, 1986)
  • T-10. Michigan State (1979, 2000)
  • T-10. Cincinnati (1961, 1962)
  • T-10. North Carolina State (1974, 1983)
  • T-10. Oklahoma State (1945, 1946)
  • T-10. San Francisco (1955, 1956)

* Does not include Louisville's 2013 national championship, which was vacated by the NCAA

NCAA Tournament champions by year

Here's a look at the year-by-year NCAA Tournament national champions in men's basketball, since 2006. The full list can be found here:

  • 2025: Florida defeats Houston, 65-63
  • 2024: UConn defeats Purdue, 75-60
  • 2023: UConn defeats San Diego State, 76-59
  • 2022: Kansas defeats North Carolina, 72-69
  • 2021: Baylor defeats Gonzaga, 86-70
  • 2020: Canceled due to COVID-19
  • 2019: Virginia defeats Texas Tech, 85-77, OT
  • 2018: Villanova defeats Michigan, 79-62
  • 2017: North Carolina defeats Gonzaga, 71-65
  • 2016: Villanova defeats North Carolina, 77-74
  • 2015: Duke defeats Wisconsin, 6-63
  • 2014: UConn defeats Kentucky, 60-54
  • 2013: Louisville defeats Michigan, 82-76 *
  • 2012: Kentucky defeats Kansas, 67-59
  • 2011: UConn defeats Butler, 53-41
  • 2010: Duke defeats Butler, 61-59
  • 2009: North Carolina defeats Michigan State, 89-72
  • 2008: Kansas defeats Memphis, 75-68, OT
  • 2007: Florida defeats Ohio State, 84-75
  • 2006: Florida defeats UCLA, 73-57

* vacated by NCAA

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which team has most NCAA championships? Ranking March Madness title winners