Florida (32-4), one of the favorites for this year’s title, survived a strong challenge from coach Dan Hurley’s Huskies (24-11), who came in with modest expectations as a No. 8 seed but led for most of the second half.
Gleb Veremyev & Jesse Pulkkinen Are Headed To Bridgeport
The New York Islanders have assigned two prospects to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders.
The first move was signing undrafted college forward Gleb Veremyev to an AHL contract for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Veremyev, 21, was recently signed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders, beginning in the 2025-26 season.
Islanders Have Signed Top Undrafted Free Agent to ELCThe New York Islanders have signed Colorado College junior and top college free agent, Gleb Veremyev, to a two-year, entry-level contract beginning in the 2025-26 season.
He is a left-handed forward who scored 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) in 37 games with the Tigers in 2024-25.
The second move the Islanders made was assigning Jesse Pulkkinen to Bridgeport.
Pulkkinen, 20, was a 2024 second-round pick (No. 54) of the Islanders and was on loan with JYP in Liiga.
He is a left-handed defenseman with eight points (three goals, five assists) in 38 games this season.
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March Madness 2025: Walter Clayton Jr. stars as No. 1 Florida breaks No. 8 UConn’s NCAA tournament win streak
UConn's historic win streak ends at 13.
Kings share encouraging Sabonis injury update before game vs. Celtics
Kings share encouraging Sabonis injury update before game vs. Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Good news, Kings fans.
Domantas Sabonis has made significant progress in the return-to-play process after missing Sacramento’s last three games with a moderate right ankle sprain, the Kings announced in a statement on Sunday. Sabonis will be questionable for Sacramento’s matchup with the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics on Monday night at Golden 1 Center.
The star center injured his ankle during the second quarter of the Kings’ 132-122 win over the Memphis Grizzlies last Monday.
Sacramento managed to grit out two tough wins over playoff-caliber opponents without Sabonis, earning impressive victories against the Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers before falling to the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks in back-to-back games.
While center Jonas Valančiūnas has filled in admirably during Sabonis’ absence, the All-NBA big man’s return to the court will be a massive boost to the Kings’ pursuit of a postseason spot in an airtight Western Conference playoff picture.
Sabonis is averaging 19.2 points, 13.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists during the 2024-25 NBA season, and will seek to make an immediate impact upon his return to action.
Kings share encouraging Sabonis injury update before game vs. Celtics
Kings share encouraging Sabonis injury update before game vs. Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Good news Kings fans.
Domantas Sabonis has made significant progress in the return to play process after missing Sacramento’s last three games with a moderate right ankle sprain, the Kings announced in a statement on Sunday. Sabonis will be questionable for Sacramento’s matchup with the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics on Monday night at Golden 1 Center.
The star center injured his ankle during the second quarter of the Kings’ 132-122 win over the Memphis Grizzlies last Monday.
Sacramento managed to grit out two tough wins over playoff-caliber opponents without Sabonis, earning impressive victories against the Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers before falling to the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks in back-to-back games.
While center Jonas Valančiūnas has filled in admirably during Sabonis’ absence, the All-NBA big man’s return to the court will be a massive boost to the Kings’ pursuit of a postseason spot in an air-tight Western Conference playoff picture.
Sabonis is averaging 19.2 points, 13.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists during the 2024-25 NBA season, and will seek to make an immediate impact upon his return to action.
March Madness 2025: Duke rides hot 2nd half shooting to 59-53 win over Oregon, advances to Sweet 16
Oregon initially appeared on its way to its second upset of the NCAA tournament, but Duke took control on its home court in the second half.
Texas fires men’s basketball coach Rodney Terry after exit in NCAA First Four
Texas has fired men's basketball coach Rodney Terry after two-plus seasons. The Longhorns lost to Xavier in the First Four on Wednesday.
Duke vs Baylor prediction, picks for 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament
March Madness Round 2 includes No. 1 Duke vs. No. 9 Baylor. Here are expert picks, predictions and how to watch Duke vs Baylor.
Texas reportedly hiring Xavier’s Sean Miller after firing Rodney Terry
The Longhorns lost to Xavier on Wednesday after sneaking into the NCAA tournament.
Opening-day starter Tanner Bibee signs five-year, $48 million contract with Cleveland Guardians
CLEVELAND — Right-hander Tanner Bibee has signed a five-year, $48 million contract with the Cleveland Guardians, a deal that includes a team option for 2030 and could be worth $68 million over six seasons.
Bibee will get his first opening-day assignment on Thursday at Kansas City. He went 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA last season, finishing with 12 quality starts in 31 outings and 187 strikeouts in 173 2/3 innings.
The 26-year-old California native was 0-1 with a 3.45 ERA in four postseason starts last year.
Cleveland also traded infielder/outfielder Tyler Freeman to Colorado for outfielder Nolan Jones on Saturday.
Bibee gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $3 million in 2025, $4 million in 2026, $7 million in 2027, $10 million in 2028 and $21 million in 2029. Cleveland’s 2030 option is for $21 million with a $1 million buyout.
His 2029 salary and the option can escalate by up to $4 million based on Cy Young Award voting from 2025-28. The buyout can increase by an additional $2 million based on Cy Young voting.
Bibee’s deal supersedes a one-year contract agreed to March 8 that called for an $812,000 salary in the major leagues and $372,900 in the minors. He would have been eligible for arbitration after each of the next three seasons and for free agency following the 2028 World Series.
Bibee had 10 wins during his rookie season in 2023 and was second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He is the third Cleveland pitcher since 2000 with at least 10 wins in each of his first two seasons in the big leagues. Hall of Famer CC Sabathia (2001-02) and Shane Bieber (2018-19) are the others.
Cleveland selected Bibee in the fifth round of the 2021 amateur draft. He will anchor a young rotation this season that will be missing Bieber for at least the first half as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
Diamondbacks reward closer candidate Justin Martinez with five-year, $18 million contract
PHOENIX — Arizona hard-throwing right-hander Justin Martinez has agreed to a five-year, $18 million contract even as he continues to compete for the role of Diamondbacks closer.
The contract announced on Saturday by Arizona supersedes the one-year contract agreed to on March 11 that called for a $772,200 salary in the major leagues and $335,700 in the minors.
The deal includes a $2 million signing bonus and $1.5 million salary in 2025. He will earn $2 million in 2026, $3 million in 2027, $4 million in 2028, $5.5 million in 2029, with club options for $7 million in 2030 and $9 million in 2031.
Manager Torey Lovullo has said he is still considering Martinez, left-hander A.J. Puk and right-hander Kevin Ginkel for the closer role. Martinez had eight saves and a 2.48 ERA despite 36 walks in 72 2/3 innings in 2024.
Finn Russell returns to lead Bath past Gloucester to consolidate lead at top
- Bath 42-26 Gloucester
- Leaders score six tries against West Country rivals
Bath cemented their position as the team to catch in the Premiership race this season with an entertaining victory against their West Country rivals Gloucester. Assisted by the return of their chief playmaker, Finn Russell, after the Six Nations, the hosts scored six tries and, in a neat example of symmetry, are six points clear of the field with six regular-season fixtures to play.
It has already been a good month for Bath, who won the Premiership Cup last weekend to secure their first trophy for 17 years, and here was further evidence of the significant squad depth at their disposal.
Continue reading...Astros release outfielder Ben Gamel, left-hander Jalen Beeks prior to regular season
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Houston Astros released outfielder Ben Gamel and left-hander Jalen Beeks on Saturday.
The move with Gamel comes less than two months after he agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million contract. The deal included a $200,000 signing bonus and a $1 million salary, which was not guaranteed.
The Astros will owe Gamel 45 days termination pay, which comes to $241,036, instead of his salary.
The 32-year-old Gamel hit .167 in 24 at-bats in spring training. He hit .259 with one homer in 20 games with the Astros last season.
The 31-year-old Beeks allowed one run in four innings this spring. He was a combined 7-4 with a 4.50 ERA for Colorado and Pittsburgh in 2024. He had 10 saves, including nine with the Rockies. He got a $100,000 signing bonus as part of his deal with the Astros.
Also, right-hander Miguel Castro and infielder Luis Guillorme were informed they would not make the Astros’ opening day roster. Each will remain with the team through spring training.
Royals acquire outfielder Mark Canha from Brewers for player to be named later or cash
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals confirmed Saturday they have acquired outfielder Mark Canha from the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Royals will send a player to be named later or cash to the Brewers for Canha, 36.
Canha, who can also play first base, was with the Brewers on a minor league deal and had the right to opt out of his contract on Saturday. He was 2-for-23 with one homer this spring.
Canha made his major league debut with Oakland in 2015, his first of seven seasons with the A’s. He has also played for the New York Mets, Detroit and San Francisco. He has a .249 career batting average with 120 homers, including a career-high 26 with Oakland in 2019.
Canha played a combined 125 games with Detroit and San Francisco in 2024 and hit .242 with seven homers.
Ferrari admit ‘genuine error’ after Hamilton and Leclerc disqualified
- Team say they will learn from mistakes at Chinese GP
- Hamilton’s sixth place undone in second race for Ferrari
Ferrari have admitted they were at fault for the mistakes that led to the disqualification of both their drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, from the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, in what was a disastrous close to the weekend for the Scuderia and a hugely disappointing outcome for Hamilton in only his second race for the team.
Leclerc and Hamilton had finished fifth and sixth respectively in the race, which was won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. However three hours after the flag, and in the wake of the usual post‑race inspection of the cars to ensure they are in compliance with regulations, Ferrari were found wanting over two clearly defined rules.
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