Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Robert Gasser (54) stretches in the outfield during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Just four more days of spring training!
The Brewers will play their second-to-last game in Arizona this afternoon (not including an extra Spring Breakout game in there tomorrow), when they play host to the San Diego Padres at American Family Fields of Phoenix. For Milwaukee, Robert Gasser gets a last chance at making an impression on the Brewers’ decision makers. For San Diego, Randy Vásquez will take the mound.
Gasser remains very much in contention for an early season rotation spot, but it’s not really because of his spring performance. In 6 1/3 innings across three appearances, Gasser has allowed seven runs, all earned, on nine hits and three walks. It would be nice to see Gasser lower that 9.95 ERA today, given that he’s got a real chance at getting some time in the Brewers’ rotation to start the season; with Quinn Priester injured and Brandon Woodruff taking it slow, the opportunity is there. It’ll be a cavalcade of lefties today, as Aaron Ashby and DL Hall are also both scheduled to pitch, as is Easton McGee.
Milwaukee features an interesting outfield alignment today, with Brandon Lockridge, Garrett Mitchell, and Jackson Chourio going left to right. Jake Bauers is at first base today, with Andrew Vaughn handling DH duties and Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz, and David Hamilton rounding out the infield. William Contreras is catching and batting third.
One roster note today that doesn’t come as too much of a surprise: Reese McGuire has exercised his opt-out clause and is a free agent. There was a week where it looked like McGuire had a good shot at making the Brewers as the backup catcher, but when they brought Gary Sánchez in on a major-league deal, it closed off any route for McGuire that did not involve an injury to either Sánchez or Contreras. He also had a rough spring and hit just .103. All the best to McGuire.
Today’s game can be seen on Brewers.TV and is the MLB.TV free game of the day. First pitch at 3:10 p.m. central time.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 15: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks in action during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on March 15, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
By the end of this year, the NBA’s long and draining Giannis Antetokounmpo saga should finally be over. At least, it will be if you believe Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Wes Edens in a conversation with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. With Antetokounmpo able to opt out of his contract after the 2026-27 season, the coming months should pressure the Bucks into action around their clearly frustrated superstar. Antetokounmpo will be eligible for a contract extension on October 1st. If he tells the Bucks he will not sign the $275 million extension, Milwaukee is put in a position where they have to trade him or risk losing him for nothing in free agency the following year.
“Giannis is going into the last year [of his contract],” Edens told Shelburne.”So one of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he’ll be traded. The likelihood you’ll let him just kind of play out the last year, we can’t afford that. It’s not consistent with what’s good for the organization. That’s not a Giannis issue. That’s any player that’s in their last year.”
Shelburne’s reporting around the conversation, however, undermines Edens’ simplistic statement. The fact is Antetokounmpo’s saga in Milwaukee has seemed heading toward him forcing his way out for years. The Golden State Warriors, of course, made an aggressive push to acquire him at this year’s deadline. However, Milwaukee chose to hold onto him for a little bit longer and the Dubs opted to swap Jonathan Kuminga for Kristaps Porzingis.
While the Warriors were one of the few teams interested and able to acquire Antetokounmpo during the current season, it seems far more difficult to envision them getting a deal done this offseason. The fact is, every team has more financial flexibility during the offseason, and several teams with proven young players are more likely to enter the trade market after some squads inevitably under perform during the postseason. Nevertheless, Joe Lacob will surely be trying to wishcast a Warriors deal for Giannis into existence anyway.
The third iteration of the now annual Spring Breakout prospect showcase is set to continue on Saturday, and the Atlanta Braves prospects will be taking on the New York Yankees in a game that brings renewed enthusiasm for Braves prospects. After revitalizing the hitting talent with a focus on position player talent in the early rounds of the 2025 MLB draft the Braves will be running out the strongest lineup of the three games, including last season’s first round pick Tate Southisene.
Time: 6:35 PM ET
Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL
How to Watch: YES | MLB Network | MLB.tv | MLB.com
Braves prospects to watch
The Braves are not often keen on running their top pitchers out for Spring Breakout, and this year is no exception with only a handful of the best prospects available for the game. Most notably, 2022 first round pick Owen Murphy is kicking off his full season return from his 2024 Tommy John surgery with a spot on this roster. The 22-year old Murphy has been a monster with a 1.39 ERA and 35.5% strikeout rate in 14 games between 2024 and 2025, and though questions still linger around his fastball velocity his elite command has provided promising results when paired with the elite spin and vertical movement on the pitch. For more info on Murphy and many of the prospects in this game, please check out our top 30 Braves prospects for the 2026 season.
While Murphy is the clear number one in the pitching room, there is still a decent group of talent behind him with four other top 30 prospects on the staff. Garrett Baumann is looking for redemption after a poor showing in the 2025 game, in which he walked five batters and allowed four runs in an inning of work, though he also showed off improved velocity. The improvements in his velocity and his slider turned into a solid showing in 2025, when he struck out more batters than in 2024 and had a 3.31 xFIP as a 20 year old in High-A. Baumann is still looking for command consistency and further improvement to that slider, but his mid-90’s velocity, strong changeup, and good control make him an intriguing starting pitching prospect. Herick Hernandez, Jhancarlos Lara, and Hayden Harris are the best of the rest and all have legitimate potential to make impacts in the Braves bullpen in the near future. Lara is the most exciting of the trio with a fastball that regularly clears triple digits and the best slider in the system, though his command has made him a volatile piece in the minor leagues. Lara is on the 40 man roster and has the opportunity to get to Atlanta this season, though he will need to throw more strikes to reach his immense ceiling. Hayden Harris dominated in Triple-A last seasons after improvements to his slider unlocked a new level to this game, and is hoping to lock down a permanent role in the big leagues after making his debut last season. Herick Hernandez is currently starting at the minor league level and had a solid season in 2025 with a 28.7% strikeout rate. Hernandez has a low-90’s fastball with elite carry and an above average slider, though his lack of a clear third pitch and his poor command has cast doubts on his potential as a starter. He could fit well in the bullpen if the Braves make a quick switch, though for now they have remained committed to the strategy of trying him as a starter and getting him more innings and reps.
The offense is where the Braves have a surprising chance to shine, with a position player cast loaded with top 30 talent. On the infield alone there are four 2025 draftees, with five total, and all of the Braves top position players are represented in the field. John Gil turned a 1-3 performance in last year’s game into a breakout 2025 with the 19 year old showing elite hitting talent and improved power and defense in Augusta last season. The Braves top two picks in the draft are also part of a stacked infield. First round pick Tate Southisene will look to take on Single-A ball this season in his first full season at the professional level, and with his all-around offensive game and solid defensive characteristics he is the top infield prospect in the system. Alex Lodise isn’t far behind, however, and he has the potential to move more quickly through the system and be the first of the Braves shortstops to the big leagues. Lodise has solid power potential and is seen as a lock to stick at the shortstop position, and was a great pickup for the Braves in the back end of last draft’s second round. The rest of the infield is rounded out with later draftees Cody Miller and Dixon Williams, as well as 2024’s top international prospect Jose Perdomo. Injuries and regression (somewhat related to injury) have dulled the shine of what was once considered an organization-defining prospect, and Perdomo is looking for a bounceback 2026 to reclaim his place as one of the system’s best prospects. ba
For as strong as the infield cast is the Braves outfield prospects may be even scarier, with the presence of Diego Tornes headlining the prospects in the game. After playing last season in the Dominican Summer League Tornes has yet to get the film and attention of some of the prospects in full season ball, yet the 17-year-old still carries lofty expectations and has a case to be the top position player prospect in the system. While there have a been a few notable international prospects to flame out in recent seasons Tornes seems cut above the rest with elite bat speed and plus hitting traits and the potential for middle-of-the-order power. This game is Tornes’s chance to stamp his name in the consciousness of avid Braves fans and he has the highest ceiling of any Braves prospect.
The youth in the outfield continues to flow, however, with the heart of the 2025 Augusta GreenJackets lineup all making their way to Tampa for this game. Isaiah Drake shook off a dreadful and injury-laden 2024 campaign to make marvelous improvement in 2025, improving his swing, cutting a huge chunk out of the swing-and-miss, and improving his power output at the plate. Drake has elite athletic traits and is a plus defender in center field, and though his power remains a question mark, another strong season would put him in the top half of the system’s top 30 list. Owen Carey didn’t turn 19 until mid-July, yet even still was the GreenJackets’s most consistent offensive threat in 2025. His numbers did dip a touch at the end of the season, but throughout the year he showed above average barrel feel and was able to keep his strikeout rate at an impressive 15.6%. He needs to improve his approach and drive the ball more on the pull side to reach his starter potential, but he has room to grow into more strength and has the foot speed and instincts to fit as an average defender in center field. An elite runner with the ability to play both center field and second base, Eric Hartman had an impressive showing as well in 2025. While his swing-and-miss was a bigger problem than it was for Drake or Carey, Hartman showed the potential to get to average power in the near future with his propensity to pull the ball in the air, and he showed the patience to draw walks and work deep counts. The next in the wave of GreenJackets prospects comes up in this outfield as well with 2025 fifth-round pick Conor Essenburg rounding out the top outfield prospects. Essenburg, despite his fifth-round selection, was still a notable pick receiving a $1.2 million signing bonus, and he has the physical presence scouts look for when projecting middle-of-the-order bats. Essenburg has good enough footspeed to potentially project to center field as well, though right now there are plenty of questions about his ability to make contact. He has the bat speed to catch up to elite fastballs, but didn’t show much consistency at the plate against good secondaries in high school and he has yet to make his professional debut.
We hope you will follow along with us at Battery Power for this exciting event, and for all of our minor league content yet to come this season.
It's no secret at this point that sniping forward Egor Chinakhov has found a home with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
And he just hit one of the first major points milestones of what is, hopefully, a long NHL career.
During Saturday's matinee matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, Chinakhov registered his 14th goal of the season and 11th with the Penguins just a minute and six seconds into the game. The goal marked his 100th career NHL point, which comes in his 235th NHL game.
The goal also marked his 11th tally in 31 games played with the Penguins, and he has 22 points in that same time span.
Chinakhov, 24, was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 29 for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 thirrd-round pick. He had requested a trade from the Jackets over the summer, and prior to the trade, he had just three goals and six points in 29 games and was a healthy scratch on a few occasions.
He is second only to Anthony Mantha (12) in team goals since making his debut with the Penguins on Jan. 1 against the Detroit Red Wings.
The Kings are coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Kings earned 1 point in that game, which moved them into the final Western wildcard spot, and today's matchup won't be easy: the Kings host the Buffalo Sabres, who have been one of the NHL's best teams this season. The Sabres are coming off a 5-0 win over the San Jose Sharks and have not lost since March 12, when they faced the Washington Capitals.
Projected Kings Lines
Here are the projected lines for the Kings tonight:
Artemi Panarin - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere
Alex Turcotte - Scott Laughton - Joel Armia
Jeff Malott - Samuel Helenius - Taylor Ward
Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke
Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci
Darcy Kuemper
Anton Forsberg
Projected Sabres Lines
Here are the projected lines for the Sabres tonight:
Zach Benson - Tage Thompson - Alex Tuch
Jason Zucker - Ryan McLeod - Jack Quinn
Noah Ostlund - Josh Norris - Josh Doan
Peyton Krebs - Sam Carrick - Beck Malenstyn
Rasmus Dahlin - Mattias Samuelsson
Bowen Byram - Owen Power
Logan Stanley - Zach Metsa
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Alex Lyon
Line Changes and Injuries
The Kings get Joel Armia back after he missed the last 10 games, and they will also have Adrian Kempe in the lineup. The Kings have scratched Mathieu Joseph, Jacob Moverare, and Jared Wright in tonight's matchup. The Sabres have scratched Luke Schenn, Michael Kesselring, and Josh Dunne.
Key Factors
The Kings are facing a very strong team in the Buffalo Sabres, so the big names of Kempe and Panarin will be looked to for a spark tonight. Panarin continues his impressive play with the Kings this season, as in his last 3 games, he has 6 points. For the Sabres, they have talent everywhere, but Rasmus Dahlin is the one to watch for the Kings because he is not only a very strong defenseman, but has 5 points in his last 5 games.
The Kings are likely to start Darcy Kuemper in tonight's matchup, and it looks like he will be going up against Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who last played against the Vegas Golden Knights, where he recorded a shutout.
Overall, this is a very tough matchup for the Kings, but if they stick to their game and stay strong defensively, they can battle for a win. My prediction in tonight's matchup is a 3-2 Kings win.
JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets looks on prior to 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
The Mets have officially revealed the order of their starting rotation to begin the 2026 regular season. While it has long been known that Freddy Peralta would get the ball when the Mets take the field on March 26 against the Pirates, the club revealed today that David Peterson would get the ball in Game 2, with Nolan McLean starting the series closer against the Pirates. Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga would round out the first two games of the team’s road series against the Cardinals.
The Mets have long been rumored to be embracing a six-man rotation in 2026, and while that plan is likely still in tact, one new bit of information came out today regarding Sean Manaea. The left-hander, who endured an injury-plagued and ineffective 2025 campaign after re-signing with New York on a three-year deal, will piggy back off one of the team’s five starters to begin the regular season. Carlos Mendoza did not specify which starter he would piggy back with, and it’s possible that he has not yet come to that decision.
Manaea is coming off a spring training outing in which he threw four perfect innings, but his velocity has remained down this spring. Mendoza offered his explanation for the decision to piggy back Manaea to start, citing six guys throwing the ball well and the early season schedule. Because of the off days on March 27 and April 6, the Mets can go five a five-man rotation while also getting everyone an extra day of rest. The first day they would theoretically need a sixth starter is Sunday, April 12 against the Athletics at Citi Field, if all else stays the same.
The Mets’ starting pitching went from looking like a weakness to a strength when the club acquired Peralta in a trade with the Brewers at the tail end of the offseason. That, combined with McLean starting for a full year, should help solidify a rotation that was ninth in the NL with a 4.13 ERA but 13th in the league with a 5.27 ERA after June 13. The Mets’ rotation was especially ineffective going deep into games, combining for 428 2/3 innings from June 13 onward (dead last in baseball).
TEMPE, ARIZONA - MARCH 13: Travis Bazzana #72 of the Cleveland Guardians catches a throw to turn a double play during the sixth inning of the Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 13, 2026 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images
PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 14: Nick Pivetta #27 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch during a Spring Training game against the Cleveland Guardians at Peoria Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The San Diego Padres provided some clarity with their starting pitching situation with the announcement from Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune on Friday that Walker Buehler has made the roster, and he and German Marquez are expected to occupy the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation.
The San Diego rotation to start the season will look something like this:
Nick Pivetta
Michael King
Randy Vasquez
Walker Buehler
German Marquez
Joe Musgrove will start the season on the IL and is expected to return sooner than later but has not pitched in a game since March 4 against Great Britain. Griffin Canning is on the mend and is expected to return to MLB action sometime in May, but there is no exact date for his return. Matt Waldron returned to game action last week after being shut down due to hemorrhoid surgery. Waldron is out of options and is likely to start the season on the IL, but if not, he will have to be released and pass through waivers for the Padres to retain him.
Of the healthy pitching options remaining, there is Marco Gonzales who had a decent showing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, but has struggled throughout Spring Training, JP Sears, who has shown he is susceptible to the home run and Triston McKenzie who has struggled with command.
None of the healthy names remaining will have the Frair Faithful standing on their heads, but Sears has received praise about his work ethic and desire to get better from Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla and McKenzie, who worked with Niebla in Cleveland, has increased his velocity and is actively working to have better command of his pitches. If they can improve upon their spring performances, Sears and McKenzie could still have significant roles this season despite not breaking camp on the Opening Day roster.
When considering all the above factors, it is no wonder the respondents from this week’s Padres Reacts Survey on Gaslamp Ball have a high level of concern about the San Diego rotation.
Many Padres fans looked forward to the return of Musgrove after he missed all of the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery, but San Diego manager Craig Stammen said the organization will take its time bringing the right-hander from San Diego back to the MLB mound. Musgrove himself stated he understood he would have some restrictions this season and might have to take some time off. His absence definitively changes the look and depth of the Padres’ rotation.
Opening Day is less than a week away. There is some clarity about the Padres rotation to start the season, but the questions about how long it will remain that way or how it will perform is anyone’s guess.
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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 28: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with teammates in the dugout during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Zach Gardner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Cactus League ends today. The Royals will finish with more than twice as many losses as wins, thanks to losing the core of their team to the WBC for two weeks. But the boys are back in town. Until tomorrow, when they head to Texas for two more exhibition games before finally, blessedly, beginning the regular season in six days from now, when Cole Ragans takes on Chris Sale in a game that will make lefties everywhere cringe in support.
Today’s lineup:
Things start pretty normally with Maikel Garcia leading off and Bobby Witt Jr. batting second but quickly get very weird. Three guys who are in this lineup still probably won’t be on the team next week, and two of them may not even be in the organization. Cole Ragans gets his final tune-up before the regular season starts. Scheduled to pitch behind him are:
Nick Mears
Lucas Erceg
John Schreiber
No more minor league cannon fodder for the Rockies. The Royals are just about ready to get serious, here.
Knock on wood, but if the Royals make it through today’s game safely, they will have accomplished what is always the most important goal of Spring Training: they will have gotten through it mostly healthy. Stephen Kolek is already throwing again, and other players who missed time have been back in the lineup and on the field. Our long winter is just about over, and the summer gets started next week. Go Royals!
Mets right field candidate Mike Tauchman exited the team's spring training game against the Astros with left knee soreness, according to Carlos Mendoza.
Tauchman took one at-bat in the third inning of Saturday's game and grounded out to second base, but it was noticeable that he grimaced getting down the first base line. Tauchman took the field in the fourth and tried to make a play on the ball, but as it went over his head, he hunched over after throwing the ball back into the infield.
Tauchman tried to take the field in the fifth, running out to right field, but hobbled back to the dugout. He was replaced in the field with AJ Salgado.
Following the game, Mendoza didn't have much of an update on Tauchman's condition but confirmed the outfielder will receive an MRI. He's unsure where or when the injury occurred, but they hope to know more soon.
"Every time you’re sending someone for an MRI, there’s a little concern there," Mendoza said. "Like I said, a lot can happen before we make the final decisions [on the roster] and here we are dealing with an injury."
The 35-year-old Tauchman was vying for a roster spot in right field. While many believed prospect Carson Benge had the inside track, Tauchman was challenging for the starting role, or at least a spot on the bench. Entering Saturday, Tauchman was 7-for-29 (.241) with a home run, three doubles and six RBI while playing very good defense.
Tauchman is entering his ninth season in the league after stints with the Rockies, Yankees, Cubs and White Sox. Last season, he played 93 games on the south side of Chicago, slashing .263/.36/.400 with an OPS of .756 to go along with nine home runs and 40 RBI.
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - MARCH 16: Johnny Davis #2 of the Wisconsin Herd during the game against the Windy City Bulls on March 16, 2026 at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Herd is going through the motions of functioning as a G League team, waiting to finish out the remainder of a fruitless season. The stakes are getting lower, and the Herd is looking inside to see which players might remain on their roster or, better yet, join an NBA team.
Wisconsin Herd 113, Osceola Magic 126
Alex Antetokounmpo: DNP
Kira Lewis Jr.: 36 minutes, 28 points, 3 rebounds, 10/16 FG, 2/6 3FG, -14
The Herd’s away match at Osceola wasn’t very close despite the high-scoring efforts of Lewis, Thompson, Mark Sears (21 points, seven assists), and some others. Although they kept the first quarter close, closing it down by six, a significant 14-2 run helped Osceola stretch their lead to 18 points by the half. After that, the Herd struggled to stop the Magic’s bruising offensive style of play and strolled to a 14-point win.
With all of the Herd’s two-way players unavailable, the scoring responsibilities rested on guys like Lewis, who contributed 28 points off the bench on 63% true shooting. Lewis, a former lottery pick who struggled to get game time in New Orleans and Utah, has shown genuine scoring and playmaking potential, matching an NBA rotation guard. Lewis’s speed accentuates his tight handle and ability to convert tough layups in the air. His shooting has long been a concern, but he’s become efficient inside (59.6% on two-pointers), and he’s showing signs of improving from range (career-high 33.7% three-point average)
Monday’s game against the Windy City Bulls seemed to go as expected: the Herd’s opposition jumping out to an early lead, and despite hot three-point shooting, they controlled the game. However, the Herd fought back in the second half against the Bulls and kept an otherwise out-of-control game very close.
After getting Ryan back from Bucks duty, they gained a new level of lethality from range. However, the turning point for the Bulls, who needed to win to stay alive in the G League’s playoff race, came with Kevin Knox II’s third-quarter outburst. Knox was unstoppable from deep, helping the Bulls pull away early in the fourth quarter. Although Ryan and the Herd rallied to keep it close at the end, the Herd had to play the foul game at the end, dropping them to 9-22, the worst in the East.
With his 29 points against the Bulls, Ryan is now up to an average of 22.1 points per game on .491/.439/.870 shooting splits. His game shows a player whose main strengths lie in his consistent, dead-eye shooting, but he also offers a versatile skillset, including rebounding, playmaking, and active defense. Ryan made his Bucks debut against the Jazz on Thursday, scoring five points on four shots. Although his first minutes in a Milwaukee uniform started slowly, Ryan may be a name to watch in the Bucks’ long-term plans.
In an unremarkable Friday night game, the Herd fell early against the Motor City Cruise and never found their footing. The Herd didn’t lead at all during the game, and the closest they got to challenging the Cruise was with Mark Sears’ early pair of three-pointers. Without Ryan and Nance, the Herd shot around 36% from three and 43% from the line, but the biggest problem was defense: they couldn’t stop the hot perimeter shooting from guys like John Ukomadu and Bobi Klintman.
Hey, at least Stephen Thompson’s alright! The Oregon State alum is averaging career highs in points (17.9 per game), shooting (.480/.442/.739), rebounding, and assists. Thompson has bounced around from overseas league to overseas league, but his standout season with the Herd could earn him a callback overseas next season, or better yet, a place on an NBA roster.
Three Notes
Butler finds his footing
One important narrative worth following through the last two weeks of the season is John Butler’s efforts to bulk up and add some mass to his spindly seven-foot frame. Butler started the season at 190 pounds, but is now reported at 225 pounds. He’s reached career highs in rebounds (5.7) and steals per game (1.7), and although his rim protection has sagged, Butler is becoming more physical around the rim. Should he stay in the Milwaukee organization through the summer, Butler’s physical development could be something to track; his shooting and finesse could earn him a spot on a roster soon.
Does Davis deserve an NBA spot?
Could Johnny Davis ever live up to the NBA hype that his Badger career promised? At this rate, no. Davis’s move to Oshkosh was supposed to be a second wind, but the red flags surrounding his range as a shooter and shot selection have persisted. Davis’ efficiency has stagnated with the Herd, if not worsened. His reliance on an old-school bully-ball and midrange-focused shot diet didn’t hold up in the modernized NBA. Davis needs to develop his three-point shot if he wants to have any chance at the league.
HERd Night
The Herd held a HER night game on Friday against the Motor City Cruise, wearing specialty jerseys featuring purple, the color symbolizing gender equality, and the lotus flower. The jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit We EmpowHER, a local non-profit providing support and mentorship for women of all ages.
BUFFALO, NY — No. 1 Michigan’s defense stepped up and delivered a 95-72 win against No. 9 Saint Louis to send the Wolverines back into the Sweet 16.
The Wolverines have now reached the second weekend in each of the program’s past seven tournament appearances dating to 2017. Saint Louis was looking for its first trip to the Sweet 16 since 1957.
All-America forward Yaxel Lendeborg led Michigan with 25 points on 9 of 13 shooting. Center Aday Mara had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a team-leading 4 blocks.
Saint Louis was led by guard Dion Brown's 13 points. Playing in his final college game, center Robbie Avila had 9 points on just 3 of 13 shooting, including 3 of 10 from 3-point range.
The Billikens came into Saturday ranked eighth nationally with 87.7 points per game after beating No. 9 Georgia 102-77 in the opening round.
This matchup of two high-powered offenses lived up to expectations in the early going, with a back-and-forth pace leaving Saint Louis ahead 27-25 at the midpoint of the opening half.
But the U-M defense began to assert itself as the Wolverines’ size up front impacted the Billikens’ ability to get to the basket. After scoring 66 points in the paint in the opener against No. 8 Georgia, SLU had 16 such points at the break while UM had six blocks, four by Mara.
Overall, SLU shot 45.5% from the field and made 5 of 17 from 3-point range in the first half, which ended with Michigan leading 48-39 after a pair of Lendeborg free throws with 5.6 seconds left. The first 20 minutes featured seven ties and three lead changes.
The pace picked up again coming out of the break. The two teams combined for 29 points in the first five-plus minutes of the second half, including four 3-pointers by SLU, to leave Michigan ahead 61-55 with 14:17 left.
UM pushed its lead to 66-57 with 11:44 left on an emphatic slam in transition by Lendeborg, who elevated from well outside the circle and dunked over SLU guard Quentin Jones. The lead would grow to 15 points at 73-58 just over a minute later and then to 81-63 on a Morez Johnson Jr. layup with 7:30 to play.
Needing to spark a comeback, the Billikens turned to the long-range game but couldn’t connect: SLU finished shooting 12 of 27 from 3, including 5 of 15 in the second half after making four of its first six coming out of the break.
Lendeborg would give U-M its biggest lead, at 25 points, with a 3-pointer from the top of the key to make it 89-64 with just over five minutes left.
Michigan will next face the winner of No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Texas Tech in the Midwest Region. The program’s stretch of seven Sweet 16 berths in as many tournament appearances spans three coaches — John Beilein, Juwan Howard and Dusty May — and gives May two trips to the Sweet 16 in as many years since being hired from Florida Atlantic.
By the end of the second round of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 22, that's how many teams will be left to challenge for the national championship in March Madness.
The action got underway with eight games on Saturday, March 21, starting first with No. 1 Michigan's 95-72 win vs. No. 9 Saint Louis and ending with No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 12 High Point. While chalk largely held steady through the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, there were enough upsets and close calls to warrant caution from all the higher-ranked seeds heading into the second round of the tournament and beyond.
So, who's making the Sweet 16? Here's a look at which teams will advance following the second round, including updated brackets, matchups and schedules:
Who's in men's Sweet 16?
No. 1 Michigan (Midwest Region)
Sweet 16 schedule, how to watch
This section will be updated. All times Eastern.
Thursday, March 26
At Toyota Center in Houston and SAP Center in San Jose, California
Friday, March 27
At United Center in Chicago and Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Men's March Madness bracket update
This section will be updated
East Region
First Round
No. 1 Duke 71, No. 16 Siena 65
No. 2 UConn 82, No. 15 Furman 71
No. 3 Michigan State 92, No. 14 North Dakota State 67
The Vegas Golden Knights continued their recent slide Saturday, falling 4–1 to the Nashville Predators in a game that unraveled early and never fully stabilized.
Vegas has now dropped three straight and six of its last eight, struggling to generate timely offense while repeatedly putting itself behind the eight ball. Shea Theodore provided the lone goal for the Golden Knights, while Akira Schmid made 16 saves in the loss.
Shea Theodore scored the lone goal for Vegas.
Steven Stamkos led the way for Nashville with two goals and an assist, striking just 40 seconds into the game to immediately tilt momentum. He added a power-play goal early in the second period as the Predators surged ahead. Tyson Jost and Ryan O’Reilly also scored for Nashville, which has now won three straight and four of its last six. Justus Annunen turned aside 39 shots to earn the win.
With his second goal, Stamkos moved past Brendan Shanahan into sole possession of seventh place in NHL history with 238 career power-play goals. Phil Esposito sits sixth with 246. Stamkos now has 33 goals and 55 points on the season.
First Period
Vegas couldn’t have asked for a worse start.
Just 40 seconds in, O’Reilly won an offensive-zone draw cleanly back to Stamkos, who wired a one-timer past Schmid to give Nashville an immediate 1–0 lead. It was a familiar script for the Predators, who improved their already strong record when scoring first.
To their credit, the Golden Knights responded with sustained pressure. By the midway point of the period, they had built a commanding edge in shots and puck possession, eventually finishing the frame with a 21–4 advantage. Despite that territorial dominance, they had nothing to show for it.
A late power-play opportunity—drawn when Stamkos was called for hooking Jack Eichel—offered a chance to reset the game, but Vegas’ recent struggles with the man advantage continued. Mitch Marner generated a quality look that Annunen snared cleanly, and another chance rang iron, but the Golden Knights came up empty yet again.
After 20 minutes, Vegas found itself trailing 1–0 despite thoroughly outplaying Nashville on the stat sheet.
Second Period
The game swung decisively early in the second—and it started with a costly penalty.
Less than a minute in, Theodore was assessed a double minor for high-sticking O’Reilly, drawing blood. Nashville wasted little time capitalizing, with Stamkos burying his second of the night on the extended power play to double the lead.
Moments later, Brayden McNabb took a puck up high and briefly exited down the tunnel, creating a tense moment before returning to the bench to a collective sigh of relief.
Vegas had its chances to respond. A power play at 4:31, following an interference call on Erik Haula, yielded some pressure but no finish. Pavel Dorofeyev came closest, battling for a loose puck at the top of the crease, but was tied up before he could get a clean shot off.
Another opportunity came midway through the period when O’Reilly was sent off for high-sticking McNabb. Instead of closing the gap, however, Vegas suffered a critical breakdown. A miscue at the blue line sprung Nashville on a 3-on-1 rush, and Jost buried the shorthanded chance to make it 3–0.
The Golden Knights finally broke through with 6:50 remaining. With O’Reilly back in the box—this time for slashing—Theodore stepped into a long-range wrister that beat Annunen cleanly to get Vegas on the board.
Any momentum was short-lived.
Moments after the goal, Nic Dowd was whistled for a blatant slashing penalty after snapping Fedor Svechkov’s stick in half. Nashville capitalized once again, as O’Reilly, still showing signs of the earlier high-stick, redirected a sharp pass at the top of the crease past Schmid to restore the three-goal cushion at 4–1.
Third Period
The Golden Knights had one final window to mount a push early in the third when Matthew Wood was called for slashing, but the power play once again failed to deliver. Vegas finished the night 1-for-4 with the man advantage—while also surrendering a backbreaking shorthanded goal.
From there, the game settled into a controlled defensive effort by Nashville. Despite continuing to generate shots, Vegas struggled to create second chances or sustained chaos around the net.
Schmid was pulled for the extra attacker with under five minutes remaining, but the Golden Knights couldn’t find a late spark. They did manage to keep Nashville off the empty net, but any hopes of a comeback had long since faded.
In the end, Vegas doubled Nashville in shots, 40–20, but the early deficit, special teams struggles, and costly mistakes proved too much to overcome as the Golden Knights dropped their third straight.
On an episode of Yahoo Sports’ “Football 301” podcast, host Nate Tice and NBC’s Connor Rogers examined the most intriguing and debated positions in the 2026 NFL Draft: tight end.
They dove deep into their rankings, discussed key traits that separate top prospects from the rest, and highlighted some of their favorite names that might surprise NFL teams and fans alike.
Below, we recap some of the most notable tight ends — both consensus favorites and potential hidden gems — from their discussion.
The tight end class is deeper than it may appear at first glance. While Sadiq stands alone atop most boards, teams looking for role players, big-bodied blockers, or developmental freaks have options deep into Day 3.
Tice and Rogers emphasized the importance of two traits: versatility (run, catch, block) and willingness to contribute on special teams. In today’s NFL, one-trick tight ends struggle to earn roster spots. Those who can check multiple boxes, or who showcase grit, athletic potential, and a unique body type, will always have a suitor.
When draft day comes, don’t be surprised if a few of these names outside the consensus rankings end up carving out meaningful roles in the league.
No. 1 TE: Kenyon Sadiq
Tice and Rogers are in agreement: Kenyon Sadiq stands as the consensus No. 1 tight end in this draft class. While not a “perfect” prospect, Sadiq’s athletic upside and unique skills put him in his own tier. According to Tice, Sadiq’s explosiveness, willingness as a blocker, and ability to stretch the field make him a dynamic piece for a creative NFL offense— “somewhere in that archetype between Tommy Tremble and Vernon Davis.”
Rogers ranked Sadiq 14th overall on his big board. He pointed out that while Sadiq isn’t a typical 260-pound inline monster, his toughness and versatility — lining up in the backfield, blocking on the perimeter and making plays as a receiver — make him “a very, very unique player.”
Both analysts agree that Sadiq's landing spot will be huge for his development and usage.
Sam Roush could fit in nicely in the NFL with an offense that runs the a heavy 12 personnel scheme. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sam Roush: The pro-ready all-rounder
Stanford’s Sam Roush is the name to circle for any team that plays a lot of 12 personnel and values versatility.
Rogers raved about Roush’s “big body” (6-foot-6, 267 pounds) and readiness for the pro game, noting he’s played over 1,000 inline snaps the past two years. Roush’s blend of contact courage as a blocker and surprising yards-after-catch ability shows up on tape. While his arm length is on the shorter side, both analysts agree he’s a tough and savvy player who can contribute immediately as a role player in the NFL.
Rising stock: Eli Raridan
One of the most intriguing stories comes from Eli Raridan, who has overcome two ACL tears and is still climbing up draft boards. Rogers loves how Raridan “just climbs over linebackers,” plays with impressive receiving efficiency, and has handled heavy blocking assignments at Notre Dame. The size, the hands and the flashes are there; if Raridan can stay healthy, he's a high-upside pick with real “every-down” potential.
Max Klare and the receiving-only type
Max Klare drew “summer darling” status for both hosts — especially after flashing at Purdue. They noted his fluidity and hands as a receiver, but admitted he struggled to develop further after transferring to Ohio State. Still, as a receiving-only type, Klare could contribute as a Day 3 or fringe Day 2 selection if an NFL team uncovers untapped playmaking.
Day 3 options with upside on their development
Dae’Quan Wright (Ole Miss): Tice and Rogers called Wright a “moose in the open field” with real pop as a blocker and after the catch. He’s imperfect, but could carve out an NFL role if asked to do what he does best: stretch the field and provide a physical presence.
Justin Joly (NC State): Excellent hands and contested-catch ability, though both had questions about his speed and separation against higher-level competition.
Michael Trigg (Baylor): Rogers described him as a high-variance, highlight-friendly prospect with incredible length (“inspector gadget arms”) but an inconsistent game and blocking effort.
Carsen Ryan (BYU): A former 4-star recruit, Ryan didn’t get a scouting combine invite but put up big numbers and played with a high-effort, aggressive style. Both analysts expressed surprise at his lack of buzz.
