Posts

Posted on

Lens back on top of Ligue 1 thanks to star turn from Florian Thauvin

LENS, France (AP) — Florian Thauvin scored one and made two and Odsonne Edouard grabbed a double as Lens beat Angers 5-1 to leapfrog Paris Saint-Germain and return to the top of Ligue 1 on Friday.

Lens is seeking a first French title since 1998 but its challenge has faltered in recent weeks with losses to Lorient and Monaco.

However, it made its intentions clear in a comprehensive win over a side that has lost five of its last six league matches.

Thauvin set the ball rolling in the 13th minute with his fourth goal in six games.

Then he set up Edouard to make it 2-0. Mamadou Sangare added the third just before halftime.

Edouard scored a fourth three minutes into the second half after taking a perfectly weighted pass from the outstanding Thauvin. Although Lanroy Machine pulled a goal back for Angers 14 minutes later it was no more than a consolation.

Matthieu Udol restored Lens' four-goal cushion with a spectacular fifth.

The result took Lens two points clear of PSG, which has two games in hand.

Angers, meanwhile, was in 12th place, far from the fight from European places but well above the relegation zone.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Posted on

Yankees option Jasson Dominguez to Triple-A in flurry of roster moves

The Yankees optioned outfielder Jasson Domínguez to Triple-A as the club made a flurry of roster moves ahead of Friday night's game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Domínguez faced an uphill battle to win a spot in the Yanks outfield after Cody Bellinger re-signed in free agency, and with the organization looking to get him regular at-bats to help him along in his development, starting the season in the minors seemed an inevitable conclusion for the 23-year-old.

Domínguez had 13 hits, including three home runs, in his 40 at-bats this spring, good for a .325/.378/.600 slash line. He added three steals on the basepaths.

The Yanks also optioned right-handed relievers Kervin Castro and Yerry de los Santos to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Castro, 27, was in the bullpen conversation to make the roster on Opening Day, but it sounds like his spot might go to Rule-5 Draft pick Cade Winquest.

Catchers Ali Sanchez and Payton Henry and outfielder Kenedy Corona were reassigned to minor league camp, as well.

The Yanks open up the regular season on Wednesday in San Francisco.

Posted on

2025-26 Gamethread #69: New Jersey Devils at Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 15: New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (17) scores game winning shootout goal on Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) during the NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the New Jersey Devils on November 15, 2025, at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bella Sagarese / Icon Sportswire) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Matchup: New Jersey Devils (35-31-2) at the Washington Capitals (34-27-8).

The Time: 7:00 pm EST

The Broadcast: TV — MSGSN; Radio — Devils Hockey Network

The Game Preview: Matt had it here.

The Rules: If you have been a reader here, you already know the rules. But for the rest, a reminder: please do not swear in the comment section, and keep comments relevant to the hockey game going on. Beyond that, do not attack any other commenters, and do not ask for or pass along illegal streams on this board.

LGD!

Posted on

Fernandes stars again for Man United but Bournemouth worth a point in 2-2 scrap

BOURNEMOUTH, England (AP) — Bruno Fernandes got a goal and an assist and Harry Maguire marked his return to the England squad by getting a red card as Manchester United drew 2-2 at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Friday.

After a dull first half, Fernandes, so often United’s saviour, put the visitor ahead from the penalty spot an hour in.

Ryan Christie equalized for Bournemouth with a perfectly executed low shot six minutes later.

Fernandes’ in-swinging corner was headed into his own goal by James Hill under pressure from Maguire at the far post.

Then with 12 minutes remaining Maguire — who hours earlier was named in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for pre-World Cup friendlies against Uruguay and Japan — was red-carded for bringing down Evanilson in the box.

Teenage Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi converted the penalty to make it 2-2.

The home side threw everything at its more illustrious visitor during a frantic final push but could not get a winner. Instead, it was a fifth consecutive draw for the Cherries, whose unbeaten run clicked on to 11 matches.

“I’m happy for the performance — it’s a decent point always when you face United," Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola said. "But in the big picture it’s five draws in a row. It doesn’t give you a lot in the standings. Probably, especially at the end, we were looking for a win.”

Bournemouth was 10th in the table.

United remained in third place, six points behind Manchester City, but captain Fernandes could not hide his disappointment at not taking all three points.

“We were in front two times, we gave it away,” he said.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Posted on

Champions Bath blow away Saracens in nine-try rout to reclaim top spot

  • Bath 62-15 Saracens

  • Finn Russell kicks 17 points and Arundell scores twice

Champions Bath left no doubt about their appetite for another title as they swept Saracens aside 62-15 at the Rec to regain top spot. The Londoners started brightly and did not lack effort but Bath’s killer instinct earned them nine tries in front of another capacity crowd.

Scotland’s Finn Russell kicked 17 points from seven conversions and a penalty. Russell and the club captain, Ben Spencer, were straight back into action after ultimately frustrating Six Nations campaigns with their respective countries.

Continue reading...
Posted on

March Madness games tonight: Who is playing in NCAA Tournament Friday night?

Be sure to follow USA TODAY Sports' live updates keeping track of all of NCAA Tournament's Friday first round games.

There's nothing like spending your Friday night with some madness.

The 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament first round continues with eight more games tonight.

Will anything match the drama of Otega Oweh's banked-in buzzer-beating 3-pointer that kept Kentucky's season alive against Santa Clara?

Did Santa Clara get hosed? Officials missed Herb Sendek timeout on Otega Oweh buzzer-beater

Guess we'll find out. Tonight's remaining schedule is below.

Here's who plays in Saturday's second round.

March Madness games tonight: Men's NCAA Tournament first round schedule, TV listings

  • 6:50 p.m.: No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 9 Iowa, TNT (predictions)
  • 7:10 p.m.: No. 5 St. John's vs. No. 12 UNI, CBS (predictions)
  • 7:25 p.m.: No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 UCF, TBS (predictions)
  • 7:35 p.m.: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 15 Queens, truTV (predictions)
  • 9:25 p.m.: No. 1 Florida vs. No. 16 Prairie View A&M, TNT (predictions)
  • 9:45 p.m.: No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 California Baptist, CBS (predictions)
  • 10 p.m.: No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Furman, TBS (predictions)
  • 10:10 p.m.: No. 7 Miami (FL) vs. No. 10 Missouri, truTV (predictions)

March Madness results so far today

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness games tonight: Who is playing in NCAA Tournament Friday?

Posted on

After Santa Clara and Kentucky trade 3s in thrilling finish, 'a tough one to swallow' for Broncos

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Santa Clara thought it had knocked Kentucky out of the NCAA Tournament when freshman Allen Graves answered a tying basket by Wildcats star Otega Oweh with a 3-pointer in front of his own bench with 2.4 seconds left in regulation.

The problem for the Broncos: There were still 2.4 seconds left in regulation.

As coach Herb Sendek tried to call timeout, Kentucky quickly got the ball into the hands of Oweh, who raced across the midcourt line and heaved up a 3-pointer, which banked through the bucket to tie the game at 73-all. The buzzer sounded when the ball was in midair.

The kind of shot that puts the madness into March Madness didn’t exactly end Santa Clara’s postseason hopes — that didn’t come until Kentucky scored eight consecutive points in OT to pull away. But the sequence of shots in those wild last few seconds of regulation will be remembered much longer than the 89-84 final score Friday, which sent the No. 7 seed Wildcats into a matchup with No. 2 seed Iowa State or No. 15 seed Tennessee State in the Midwest Region.

“You know,” Sendek said afterward, “it was a really euphoric high followed by a tough one to swallow.”

The No. 10 seed Broncos certainly gave everything they had — everything built up over the 30 years since Steve Nash last led them to the NCAA Tournament — in trying to knock off one of college basketball’s bluebloods inside the packed Enterprise Center.

The game was tied 12 times. The lead changed hands 20 times. Santa Clara led by two at halftime as the West Coast Tournament runner-up went toe-to-toe with Kentucky, which was making its record-extending 63rd NCAA Tournament appearance.

Yet the first 59 minutes merely set the stage for the dramatic conclusion.

MIDWEST

NO. 2 IOWA ST. 108, NO. 15 TENNESSEE ST. 74

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson left in the first half of the Cyclones’ romp past Tennessee State with a left ankle injury Friday, leaving the All-American’s status for the remainder of the NCAA Tournament in doubt.

Jefferson landed awkwardly after a layup just 2 1/2 minutes into the first-round matchup in the Midwest Region. The 6-foot-9 senior had to be helped by trainers to the X-ray room, emerged about 10 minutes later using crutches, and watched the second half from the end of the Iowa State bench with his ankle in a bulky gray boot.

Nate Heise had eight of his season-high 23 points during a 23-0 run for the Cyclones (28-7), which began shortly after Jefferson was hurt and sent them breezing past the Tigers (23-10) and into a second-round matchup with seventh-seeded Kentucky on Sunday.

The Wildcats beat No. 10 seed Santa Clara 89-84 in an overtime thriller to begin the session at the Enterprise Center.

The Cyclones already were dealing with a groin injury that limited point guard Tamin Lipsey in the Big 12 Tournament. Now, their depth will be tested even more without Jefferson, who was second on the team in scoring and their leading rebounder.

NO. 3 VIRGINIA 82, NO. 14 WRIGHT ST. 73

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jacari White hit six 3-pointers and scored 26 points, and Virginia avoided yet another early NCAA Tournament exit, beating a resolute Wright State in the first round.

The Cavaliers (30-5) will face sixth-seeded Tennessee or No. 11 seed Miami (Ohio) in the second round in the Midwest Region on Sunday.

Virginia won its first NCAA Tournament game since it won the 2019 national title.

The Cavaliers lost in the first round or the First Four in 2021, 2023 and 2024, and title-winning coach Tony Bennett abruptly retired before last season. Ryan Odom took over this season and quickly turned the program around.

Odom knows all about Virginia upsets in the tournament. He coached UMBC in 2018 when it was the first No. 16 seed to knock off a No. 1 — yes, Virginia.

Wright State (24-11), a No. 14 seed, was an 18 1/2-point underdog according to BetMGM Sportsbook but never looked out of step as it tried to pull off the shocker.

Michael Imariagbe scored 19 points and kept hope alive for that rare 14 seed win — there have been none in the tournament since 2024 — with a late 3 that pulled the Raiders within 78-73. White responded with a bucket that finally put to rest any thought of an early ride back home for the Cavaliers.

NO. 4 ALABAMA 90, NO. 13 HOFSTRA 70

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Labaron Philon Jr. scored 29 points and Alabama rallied from an early double-digit deficit to beat Hofstra in a first-round game in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament.

The Crimson Tide (24-9) advanced to a second-round matchup against fifth-seeded Texas Tech (23-10), a 20-point winner over 12th-seeded Akron in the earlier first-round game at Benchmark International Arena.

Alabama ended the opening half on a 19-7 run to wipe out a 10-point deficit, then built its own lead to 13 before Hofstra (24-11) mounted one last push for a possible upset.

Freshman Preston Edmead had 24 points for the Pride, and his basket pulled the Pride within 67-62 with just over seven minutes remaining. Victory Onuetu’s dunk trimmed Alabama’s lead to 69-64 and ignited much of a crowd of 17,769 that threw its support behind the underdogs.

Philon was simply too much down the stretch, though, delivering a layup and a long 3-pointer during a surge that enabled Alabama to rebuild the lead to double digits. Taylor Bol Bowen put an exclamation point on the Crimson Tide response with two dunks and a 3-pointer as the lead ballooned to 20.

NO. 5 TEXAS TECH 91, NO. 12 AKRON 71

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jaylen Petty scored 24 points, Christian Anderson added 18 and Texas Tech beat Akron in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Red Raiders (23-10) will face fourth-seeded Alabama in the second round in the Midwest Region on Sunday.

Playing without All-America guard JT Toppin, who tore the ACL in his right knee last month, Texas Tech got double-figure scoring from five players.

Josiah Moseley had 16 points, Donovan Atwell scored 15 and LeJuan Watts added 14.

Amani Lyles led Akron with 26 points and Shammah Scott had 20.

Akron (29-6) became first team to win the Mid-American Conference Tournament three straight years. But the Zips again failed to reach the second round in their eighth March Madness appearance.

Petty and Atwell opened the second half with consecutive 3-pointers to give Texas Tech an 11-point lead.

Akron got within 64-60 midway through second after Eric Mahaffey scored on a layup and made a free throw to complete a 3-point play. But the Zips couldn’t get any closer.

NO. 6 TENNESSEE 78, NO.11 MIAMI (OHIO) 56

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ja’Kobi Gillespie hit six 3-pointers and scored 29 points as Tennessee ended a fabulous season for Miami (Ohio) with a win.

The Vols (23-11) shook off a rough end to the season — losing four of six games — and advanced to play third-seeded Virginia on Sunday in the Midwest Region.

Gillespie hit five 3s in the first half to help the Vols push ahead by 20 and squash any chance the 11th-seeded RedHawks (31-2) could carry over the confidence gained from their First Four win and pull off a signature victory.

The Vols did just about everything right and showed again why — no matter the seed — they are a perennial threat to go deep in March. Led by Gillespie, the Vols made 12 of 19 shots to start the game, including long 3s and 20 quick points in the paint.

Just to add one more gut punch to Miami, Ethan Burg hit a 3 at the first-half buzzer for a 51-32 lead.

Gillespie passed up a chance to score 30 points — only two other Vols have ever reached that mark in the NCAA Tournament — when he drove the lane with 1:13 left but skipped the open look and threw a lob to Felix Okpara for the bucket.

J.P. Estrella had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Vols.

Peter Suder was the lone Miami player in double digits with 27 points.

WEST REGION

No. 1 ARIZONA 92, NO. 16 LIU POST 58

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Brayden Burries hit four 3-pointers while scoring 18 points, Koa Peat added 15 points and top-seeded Arizona opened its NCAA Tournament run with a over Long Island on Friday.

Ivan Kharchenkov had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Big 12 regular-season and tournament champion Wildcats (33-2), who quickly showed why they’re the tournament’s second overall seed behind Duke.

Pushing the pace on offense and stifling the Sharks with defense, Arizona went up by double digits in the opening minutes and led the Sharks by 27 in the first half while delighting the thousands of fans who filled Viejas Arena with red.

Arizona will return Sunday to face the winner of Villanova’s meeting with Utah State in the West Region bracket.

NO. 9 UTAH STATE 86, NO.8 VILLANOVA 76

SAN DIEGO (AP) — MJ Collins’ steal and emphatic one-handed slam dunk with 1:13 left gave him 20 points and Utah State opened its fourth straight NCAA Tournament by beating Villanova.

Mason Falslev, the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, scored 22 and helped bring the Aggies back from a 10-point deficit early in the second half.

Utah State (29-6), the No. 9 seed in the West Region, will play No. 1 seed Arizona in the second round on Sunday. The Wildcats beat No. 16 Long Island 92-58 on Friday.

Collins converted a three-point play with 2:53 left to give the Aggies a 78-73 lead. After No. 8 seed Villanova (24-9) committed a five-second inbound violation, Falslev fed Collins for a layup and an 80-73 lead. Collins intercepted a pass by Bryce Lindsay and went in for his slam for an 84-74 lead.

Lindsay made six 3-pointers and scored 25 points for Villanova. Duke Brennan and Tyler Perkins added 15 points apiece.

_____

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Posted on

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles: Luis Gil vs. Zach Eflin

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees smiles before a spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 26, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Captain is back! Aaron Judge has returned to Yankees camp after taking Team USA agonizingly close to winning the WBC, ultimately falling to Venezuela in the final. He rejoins in time for one of their final five spring tune-ups, the Yankees rolling out something close to their Opening Day lineup tonight against the Orioles.

Luis Gil makes his sixth start of what has been an up-and-down spring for the 27-year-old rotation hopeful. He looked decent enough in his first four outings, allowing four runs (three earned) in 11.1 innings (2.38 ERA), albeit while still not looking like his 2024 self in terms of stuff. He then got shelled for seven runs on three home runs in three innings last time out against the Tigers. He and Ryan Weathers have looked the shakiest of the Yankees’ starters this spring, though the team recently locked Weathers into the rotation to start the year. In 11 starts after returning from a lat injury last year, Gil went 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA (123 ERA+), 4.63 FIP, and 41 strikeouts in 57 innings.

Zach Eflin re-signed with the Orioles in December after missing the final two months of last season due to lower back surgery. He had a 5.93 ERA prior to the procedure and looked a shadow of the Rays righty who quickly excelled for the Orioles post-deadline in 2024. Things were going well for him last Sunday against the Yankees, with a pair of strikeouts in each of the first two scoreless frames, but rain brought a premature end to that game shortly thereafter.

I suspect we’ll be seeing a lot of today’s Yankees lineup to start the regular season with most if not all of their starters in. Giancarlo Stanton has been tearing the cover off the baseball this spring and can hopefully carry that momentum into the start of the season. Ryan McMahon continues to get reps at short meaning Oswaldo Cabrera starts at third, while the only change from the projected Opening Day lineup (aside from José Caballero at the six with McMahon at third) sees J.C. Escarra replace Austin Wells behind the plate this evening.

The Orioles lineup meanwhile is missing several of its regulars, Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg out with injury and Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman on the bench. Offseason acquisitions Taylor Ward and Pete Alonso bat leadoff and third, respectively. Top prospects Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo have been raking this spring and look to have forced their way into the Opening Day lineup conversation.

How to watch

Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field — Tampa, FL

First pitch: 6:35 pm ET

TV broadcast: Gotham Sports App

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660 AM, WBAL 1090 AM

Online stream: Gotham Sports App

For updates, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Posted on

Is LeBron James likely to play for Cavs next season?

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 28: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers posts up against Nae'qwan Tomlin #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Arena on January 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 129-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

With LeBron James set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, he’ll have all of the options on the table regarding what his future in basketball will be.

He can negotiate a new deal with the Lakers, take his talents elsewhere, or call it a career after 23 seasons in the NBA.

LeBron has made it clear he isn’t sure what the future will be, leaving everyone wondering how much of his career is left and where that ending will take place.

For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked, what does the future hold for LeBron James?

The results are in, and 40% of fans believe he will be joining the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Now, 40% is a big number, but it makes sense given LeBron’s history. After all, he’s the kid from Akron and what better way to end his career than where it all started?

While the Cavs option did win the poll, the Lakers were a very close second at 38%. Since LeBron joined the Lakers, there has been speculation about his exit. However, he’s been here for eight years, his longest stint in one place in his career. So, how appropriate would it be if he closed things out here while everyone speculates about a change?

LA looks like a good team with LeBron, and if they can figure out a contract that allows the Lakers to pursue other players, James’ return might be best for all involved.

It would allow them to keep an All-Star player, improve as a team and celebrate LeBron as he calls it a career.

The front office has consistently stated that they would love for James to return next year.

Tied for last are the options of LeBron retiring or joining another team. It’s surprising that retiring is so low given his age and the years on his body, but then again, until he leaves, it’s probably always going to feel like he’ll play.

Only 11% voting for a different team makes sense. This late into his career, playing somewhere else might seem like a lot of change just to wrap it up in a season or two.

Another question in our SB Nation Reacts survey asked who should win the MVP this season.

It’s important to note that this was asked last week before Luka Dončić went off and scored 60 against the Heat.

In our poll, Victor Wembanyama was the winner with 39% of the vote.

Wemby has had a great year, averaging 24.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and three blocks per game. Considering he’s leading the Spurs to their best season in years, he has a valid argument for MVP.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting 34% of the vote also isn’t a shock. He won the MVP last year and his team is destined to be the No. 1 seed in the West, yet again.

Nikola Jokić got 15% of the vote and Cade Cunnigham came in last at 12%.

With Luka Dončić leading the league in scoring and the Lakers currently sitting at No. 3 in the West, he’s also putting himself in the MVP race.

On FanDuel, Luka’s MVP odds are at +1500, so it seems that the betting markets agree that he is a top candidate.

There’s still a month of basketball to go, so we’ll see if Luka improves his odds and makes this a compelling MVP race. And as far as LeBron’s future, it looks like that’s going to be more of a wait-and-see game.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Posted on

'It was not easy.' Sure looked like it for March Madness favorite Arizona

SAN DIEGO – Inside the Arizona Wildcats’ locker room after their 92-58 victory against Long Island University, players leaned back in their chairs, stretched their long legs and scrolled through their phones.

Yawn.

They had just dominated their opponent in a first round Men’s NCAA Tournament game with so much firepower that it almost looked easy. They seemed relaxed.

“No, it was not easy,” Arizona freshman forward Ivan Kharchenkov told USA TODAY Sports afterward on Saturday, March 20.

Say what?

No. 1-seed Arizona jumped out to a 27-point lead in the first half and got at least 14 points from three freshman starters, including Kharchenkov, who scored 14 with 10 rebounds.

“The game starts 0-0,” Kharchenkov explained. “We don’t start with a 20-point lead or anything.”

Yet they still pretty much did. They led 38-18 with 7:21 left in the first half and looked every bit the part of a potential Final Four team while advancing to the second round Sunday against No. 9 seed Utah State, who beat Villanova, 86-76.

Pizza night in San Diego for Arizona

Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd still pushed the same message in his postgame news conference before he was even asked a question.

“These games are never easy,” said Lloyd, whose team improved to 33-2 this season. “You never take them for granted.”

It’s the kind of mindset the Wildcats are trying to keep as they stay on upset alert as a fashionable pick to win this tournament. They’ve been to the NCAA Tournament 19 times since 2001 but never reached the Final Four since then, when the late Lute Olson was still coaching the team.

This time the team carried the hopes of the thousands of red-and-blue-clad fans who packed Viejas Arena here on the campus of San Diego State. Many of them drove 400 miles west from Tucson. Some even joined Lloyd for pizza Wednesday night at local restaurant owned by former Arizona guard Matt Othick.

“He told anybody that had any affiliation with the Arizona Wildcats to show up…,  Lloyd said. “I was expecting a small little get-together of a few players. But man, the place was hopping.”

'I don't look at them as freshmen,' Arizona coach says

It was hopping at Viejas too, especially with 15 seconds left. The crowd loudly chanted “U of A! U of A!” after Arizona’s freshmen led the way once again. Five freshmen for Arizona combined for 55 points, led by guard Brayden Burries, who scored 18, including four 3-pointers in the first half.

Burries himself was playing in front of family who made the trip roughly 100 miles south of his hometown of San Bernardino.

“Especially being back in Cali – I hadn’t been back in a minute,” Burries told USA TODAY Sports. “Being back here, the weather’s great. Got to see my people. So it was great.”

They all had the pleasure of seeing what the Wildcats are capable of in a key sequence in the first half. After Burries drained a 3-pointer, senior guard Jaden Bradley got the rebound on the other end and skipped a one-bounce pass to Kharchenkov, who rolled to basket for a left-handed layup. The bucket put Arizona up 47-20 with 3:46 left before halftime — a feat that is definitely not easy to do for just any group of freshmen. These rookies are different, though.

“I don't look at them as freshmen, you know what I mean?” Lloyd said. “I just look at them as really good basketball players. These guys, they have high IQs. They have great character and obviously they're talented basketball players. And they put the work in.”

The win overshadowed the remarkable turnout of 16th-seed LIU under coach Rod Strickland, the former NBA player. Three years ago, the Sharks were the nation’s worst team and won just three games. They finished at 24-11 with the loss.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Strickland said. “That team (Arizona) is predicted to win the tournament.”

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Arizona's first round NCAA win wasn't as 'easy' as it looked

Posted on

Friday Spring Breakout and Orioles spring training game thread

Nov 9, 2025; Mesa, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Baltimore Orioles outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. (24) during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Orioles fans, you’re getting a double dose of O’s baseball tonight. And it’s not a doubleheader or a split-squad game with a break in between; these two games will be happening simultaneously. You can watch one on MASN while listening to the other on the radio, if you think you can handle such Orioles overstimulation.

The 6:05 game, airing on MASN, is the annual Spring Breakout that pits a team of Orioles prospects against those of another club, in this case the Red Sox. And it’s a pretty exciting lineup if you’re an O’s prospect follower:

CF Enrique Bradfield Jr.
LF Nate George
1B Ike Irish
DH Wehiwa Aloy
RF Reed Trimble
2B Aron Estrada
C Creed Willems
3B Colin Yeaman
SS Griff O’Ferrall

RHP Trey Gibson

That’s a lineup that includes six of the Orioles’ top 10 MLB Pipeline prospects (George, Gibson, Irish, Aloy, Estrada, Bradfield). And 10 other prospects in the Orioles’ top 30 are also on the roster and could appear later in the game.

And don’t forget the Orioles’ top two prospects, Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers, who will be playing in the Birds’ Grapefruit League game tonight. That one starts at 6:35 and will be on WBAL Radio (and a Yankees TV broadcast on YES, if you have access). A few of the Orioles’ regulars have the night off, including Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman, but guys like Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, and Coby Mayo are in the lineup.

Zach Eflin makes the start after his Sunday outing ended after two innings due to rain. He’s facing more or less the primary Yankees starting lineup — including Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton — so this’ll be his toughest test of spring training. It remains to be seen whether the O’s will include Eflin on the Opening Day roster or put him on the injured list to continue building up.

Orioles lineup:

LF Taylor Ward
C Samuel Basallo
1B Pete Alonso
3B Coby Mayo
CF Dylan Beavers
RF Leody Taveras
DH Bryan Ramos
2B Luis Vázquez
SS José Barrero

RHP Zach Eflin

Posted on

Spring Training Game Thread #26: Milwaukee Brewers (11-14) vs Arizona Diamondbacks (12-13)

Milwaukee Brewers
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 03: Jacob Misiorowski #32 os the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the game between the Team Great Britain and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sydni Griffin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Milwaukee Brewers continue to push through the final few days of Cactus League play as they take on the Diamondbacks. This game was originally scheduled for the afternoon, but given the sweltering 100+ degree heat in Arizona right now, both teams agreed to move first pitch to 8:10 PM CT when the temperature should be a little cooler.

The Brewers will have Jacob Misiorowski on the mound making his final start of Cactus League play. Misiorowski has just been named the Opening Day starter for the Crew as Brandon Woodruff won’t quite be ready for the first game of the season. Following Misiorowski will be Logan Henderson, who was optioned to Triple-A yesterday. On the mound for Arizona will be Zac Gallen.

In the lineup for the Brewers will be most of the regular starters. They’ve made most of their position player cuts and the top minor leaguers are all in the Spring Breakout game today. Jackson Chourio and William Contreras are back in the lineup after returning victorious from the WBC. Christian Yelich, Jake Bauers, and Sal Frelick follow them.

One last tune-up for Jacob Misiorowski. The game can be heard as a webcast on Brewers.com

Posted on

MLB Places Guardians' Clase, Ortiz on Unpaid Leave

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

Major League Baseball has announced that Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, the two Cleveland Guardians pitchers at the center of a pitch-fixing scandal, have been placed on unpaid leave.

The players have been on paid leave since July.

Key Takeaways

  • MLB has placed Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz on unpaid leave.

  • Both players were previously on paid leave and face federal charges tied to alleged pitch fixing.

  • Prosecutors allege the pitchers accepted bribes to influence bets, with the trial set to begin at some point later this year.

“As the legal proceedings involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz continue to move forward, MLB and the MLBPA have agreed that both players will remain on non-disciplinary leave from the Club without pay until further notice,” MLB said in a statement released Friday. 

Clase, 28, and Ortiz, 27, did not pitch the second half of last season and were indicted on federal charges in early November. Trial is set for May 5, but is anticipated to be delayed until the fall. 

“This agreement is not an admission of any wrongdoing by Clase or Ortiz,” read the statement. “MLB has been closely monitoring the matter since alerting federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and will have no further comment until its investigation has been completed.”

The accusations

The pitchers were charged with manipulating performances in multiple games, with Clase accused of fixing at least 48 MLB games over two seasons, which included postseason games, a February ESPN report unveiled.

Both are accused of having received thousands of dollars in bribes to help a pair of anonymous gamblers in the Dominican Republic win nearly $500,000 in bets, with the bets centering around microbetting lines on factors such as pitch velocity or whether they would be a strike. 

Ortiz, through his attorney, claims to have played a much smaller part in comparison to Clase, with the hopes that his case would be viewed separately given the “markedly different levels of culpability.”

“With 26 months of alleged criminal conduct by Mr. Clase – including suspect pitches during 48 games, dozens of communications with (a bettor), cash transfers and coordination of illegal wagers, (Ortiz could receive an unfair trial).”

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Posted on

Spring Training game thread March 20: Braves vs. Pirates

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Ronald Acuña Jr. #21 of Team Venezuela celebrates with a gold medal following the 3-2 victory against Team United States at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We got a night game again and seven days from now, we’ll be gearing up to see the Atlanta Braves playing in a game that actually counts. As far as tonight goes, there’s still a few more tune-ups to go before we can get rocking and rolling again.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is officially back in the lineup after his title-winning excursion into the World Baseball Classic. Naturally he’ll be hitting leadoff and the lineup following him resembles something extremely close to what we’ll likely see on Opening Day at Truist Park.

Here is that lineup for the Braves, by the way. Bryce Elder was initially scheduled to start this one but now José Suarez is listed as the starter. I’m sure we’ll learn more later about whether or not Elder will be coming in later of if he got his work done on the back fields:

Here’s how the Pirates are lining up for this one:

First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET and you’ll be able to catch it on Braves Vision, so this might be a good time to go sign up for Braves.TV if you haven’t already. Even if you haven’t, the game will also be on Gray TV so check your local listings. If all else fails (or you just want the old-school option) then tune in to 103.7 FM in the Atlanta area for the radio feed.