The Detroit Tigers were victorious in their 2026 home opener on Friday, snapping a four-game losing streak with a 4-0 win over the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. They look to secure their second series win of the season on Saturday in another early duel starting at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Next up in the rotation is Jack Flaherty, who hit a rough patch in his debut against the San Diego Padres. The right-hander started strong, seeing just seven batters through the first two innings, but became flustered in the third when the Padres plated a pair. His teammates did him no favors, failing to score in the 3-0 loss.
Starting opposite him is fellow righty Dustin May, who comes into the matchup with an ERA that is 11.10 runs higher than his FIP. More fun with early-season sample sizes!
So how do the two match up? Take a look below at a preview of what both pitchers have to offer — assuming the game is played on Saturday.
Detroit Tigers (3-4) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (4-3)
Time (ET): 1:10 p.m. ET Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan SB Nation Site:Viva El Birdos Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 7: RHP Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.15 ERA) vs. RHP Dustin May (0-1, 13.50 ERA)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 03: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against Eetu Luostarinen #27 of the Florida Panthers at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 3, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Who:Florida Panthers (37-35-3, 77 points, 7th place Atlantic Division) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (38-22-16, 92 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division)
When: 5:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: Locally broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and SCRIPPS, streaming on ESPN+
Pens’ Path Ahead: The Penguins are right back at PPG Paints Arena for a 3 p.m. ET Sunday puck drop against the Panthers, again, before hitting the road for three of the final four games of the season starting with a Thursday matchup against the New Jersey Devils.
Opponent Track: The two-time defending champions are all but out of playoff contention, but that hasn’t stopped them from playing spoiler as of late with back-to-back wins against the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.
Season Series: A third-period strike from Connor Dewar stood as the game-winner in the Penguins’ 5-3 victory over the Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena back on Oct. 23.
Hidden Stat: The Penguins have gotten 95 goals this season from players in their first year with the team, the most in the NHL by a wide margin. The Anaheim Ducks rank second with 76 goals from first-year players, per Pens PR.
Potential scratches: Aaron Ekblad, Dmitry Kulikov, Sam Reinhart, Anton Lundell, Uvis Balinskis, Cole Reinhardt
Injured Reserve: Evan Rodrigues
LTIR: Aleksander Barkov, Brad Marchand, Cole Schwindt, Jonah Godjovich, Niko Mikkola
The Panthers added to one of the longest injury lists in the NHL ahead of their Thursday night win over the Boston Bruins by announcing that Aaron Ekblad (fractured right hand) and Dmitry Kulikov (puck to the face) were out of the lineup.
Florida could get both Kulikov and center Cole Schwindt, who has been sidelined since February with a lower-body injury, back for this weekend’s series, coach Paul Maurice said earlier this week.
Even with half of their regular lineup available, the Panthers are heading into this matchup on a two-game win streak thanks in part to some strong play from their goaltenders. Both Daniil Tarasov and Sergei Bobrovsky, who have been regularly alternating starts this season, are likely to get the nod during this weekend’s back-to-back.
Putting Bobrovsky and Stuart Skinner in the same game would put these two goaltenders on track to rematch after facing off in the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup Finals, both of which the Panthers won over the Edmonton Oilers.
The Panthers are without three of their top five producers in Sam Reinhart, Anton Lundell and Brad Marchand. Since the Olympic break, they’ve ranked 25th in the NHL with 2.72 goals per game.
Losses are important right now for the Panthers, whose upcoming first-round pick is top-1o protected. Tankathon currently gives Florida five percent odds at the top pick in the draft, but they’re also just two standings points away from leapfrogging the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators and sliding out of the top 10 altogether. Adding a high pick from the draft this offseason would help the Panthers gear up for a more competitive 2026-27 campaign with a healthier roster.
And now for the Pens
Projected lines
FORWARDS
Egor Chinakhov – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust
Tommy Novak – Ben Kindel – Evgeni Malkin
Anthony Mantha – Rickard Rakell – Justin Brazeau
Elmer Soderblom – Connor Dewar – Noel Acciari
DEFENSEMEN
Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson
Sam Girard / Kris Letang
Ryan Shea / Connor Clifton
Goalies: Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs
Potential Scratches: Ilya Solovyov, Blake Lizotte (injured), Kevin Hayes, Ryan Graves, Jack St. Ivany
IR: Filip Hallander, Caleb Jones (season-ending shoulder surgery)
The Pens sent Avery Hayes back to the AHL on Friday. The team also announced that Caleb Jones, who just finished out serving a 20-game suspension for violating the NHL’s performance enhancing substances policy, has undergone season-ending right shoulder surgery.
Evgeni Malkin is heading into tonight’s game one point shy of 1,400, while Sidney Crosby is three points away from averaging a point per game for the 21st time in 21 years. Crosby also hasn’t scored a goal in seven games, a drought that dates back to his return from injury on March 18.
Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs are both likely to get playing time during this weekend’s back-to-back. There is still the possibility the Penguins could call up AHL star Sergei Murashov to see if he could be a possibility for a potential playoff run, although they’re running out of regular-season runway to do so.
The Flyers claimed a 4-1 win over the Islanders on Friday night to improve the Pens’ cushion for the second spot in the Metro to three points with a game in hand. The Isles (4-6-0 in their last ten), Blue Jackets (4-5-1) and Red Wings (4-5-1) are slumping, while the rise of the Ottawa Senators (6-3-1) and Flyers (7-3-0) means there is now a four-way points tie at the back of the Wild Card race. From NHL.com:
News and discussion ahead of the FA Cup quarter-finals, with Manchester City hosting Liverpool
The Women’s FA Cup is being played, too. Suzanne Wrack runs the rule over the ties.
Arsenal v Brighton, Sunday 1pm
Charlton v Liverpool, Sunday 2.30pm
Chelsea v Tottenham, Monday 1.30pm
Birmingham v Manchester City, Monday 5pm
Peretz was inspired by the Germany goalkeeper as a boy – he had a giant photo of the 2014 World Cup-winner on his bedroom wall – but in Bavaria Neuer, who turned 40 last week, morphed into a mentor. “[It went] from admiring the players, to them becoming my friends and my teammates.
“I watched every single save [Neuer] made and then he was with me day by day and he became a friend,” Peretz says, recalling the emotions of their first encounter. “I was sweating all over, so nervous that I could not speak. I had goosebumps, everything.”
Aug 12, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Victor Mederos (58) reacts in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
On Friday afternoon, the Atlanta Braves announced that they had acquired right-hander Victor Mederos from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for international bonus pool money. He was immediately optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, and to make room on the roster, fellow righty AJ Smith-Shawver was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
The #Braves today acquired RHP Víctor Mederos from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for international bonus pool money, and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club transferred RHP AJ Smith-Shawver to the 60-day injured list.
Mederos only has 12 big league games under his belt, each with the Angels. In those 12 games, he’s given up 24 runs, issued 21 walks, and struck out 22. Though not a blockbuster move for Atlanta, Mederos can provide some depth, should the pitching staff continue to be riddled with injury.
As for Smith-Shawver, the move was expected as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in June 2025.
More Braves News: Grant Holmes turned in a spectacular start Friday night as the Braves defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0.
Spencer Strider got some action in a bullpen session on Friday, but there is still no timetable for his return.
John Gil launched a homer in his debut with the Rome Emperors on Thursday. More in the minor league recap.
The Automated Ball-Strike System truly is a game changer, and here’s why.
The Boston Red Sox placed righty John Oviedo on the 15-day injured list with an elbow strain. Tyler Urberstine has been recalled to make his major league debut.
Three North American AT-6 Texan aircraft fly over Angel Stadium during the singing of the national anthem before the Angels' home opener Friday. The Angels lost 3-1 in 10 innings to the Seattle Mariners. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
The Angels celebrated their 2026 home opener on Friday, and the fans booed the ceremonial first pitch.
Magic Johnson, the Dodgers’ co-owner and the foremost winner in Los Angeles sports history, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers’ opener. Jeff Kent, just elected to the Hall of Fame, did the honors for the San Francisco Giants.
In Anaheim, John Carpino tossed the first pitch, even with popular alumni such as Torii Hunter and Tim Salmon in the house. Carpino is the Angels’ president, retiring Monday after 16 years in that role and 23 years in all as a loyal executive under Angels owner Arte Moreno.
Moreno thought it would be lovely for Carpino to throw out the first pitch and, under different circumstances, it would have been.
So Carpino, as a proxy for Moreno, was booed loudly. Then a few modest choruses of “sell the team” broke out.
Behind the Angels' dugout, Dave and Chris Bloye of Upland wore red T-shirts. His shirt listed five priorities, in order: Affordability, good experience, safety, peanuts, fan surveys. Her shirt listed five priorities too, starting with “sell the team.” The Bloyes said they have had season tickets for more than 20 years.
“We’ve never had a survey,” Chris Bloye said.
Moreno is competitive, a hardcore fan who regularly attends even spring training games. Perhaps he did not mean his words to come out the way they did.
Moreno declined an interview request from The Times at the owners’ meetings in February. A team spokesman said last week that Moreno would pass on an opportunity to clarify his remarks about fan priorities.
But, if those were indeed the priorities, they would have been reflected by the fans that showed up more than six hours before game time for the free fan festival the Angels throw before the home opener every year.
Surely, the man in the jersey that read “FAN SINCE 81” and the Angels tattoo on his left leg would be here win or lose.
Angels fans stand in front of the stadium before the team's home opener against the Seattle Mariners on Friday night. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
Yes, Jose Bocanegra of Chino said, he would be. But for Moreno to say winning was not a top fan priority?
“That’s crazy,” Bocanegra said. “If you’re not in it to win it, then what are we doing?”
How about the fan in the Nolan Ryan jersey? He held his 7-year-old daughter atop his shoulders. She wore a Mike Trout jersey, smiled broadly, and clutched a cup of ice cream.
His name was Nate Ryan, from Hemet. He and his daughter attend Dodgers and Angels games, but they particularly like visits to Angel Stadium. His daughter loves the rally monkey and the free games in the Pac-Man arcade, and he appreciates Moreno’s focus on affordability.
“The Angels are more economical,” Ryan said. “We have a good time.”
Jarod Venegas of Corona dressed in a white wrap, wearing a red cap topped by a gold halo. He was about to spend nine innings as — you guessed it — an angel in the outfield.
“I believe we have a team that can be the best,” he said.
What exactly do you mean by best?
“I mean World Series champions,” he said.
Venegas had something to say about fan priorities.
“Winning is our No. 2 priority,” he said. “No. 1 is getting a new owner.”
Johnny Estrada of Corona wore a T-shirt with eight lines on the back. All eight lines read the same: “Sell the team.”
He said he loves the team, supports the players, and does not believe Moreno chose his words poorly.
“I don’t necessarily feel it came out wrong,” Estrada said. “I feel he hasn’t cared for a while.”
Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, who remains irked by Moreno branding the team with a Los Angeles name, has been a season-ticket holder far longer than she has been mayor. She’ll give Moreno a pass on his comments.
“I think it was a misstep,” Aitken said. “I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. He knows that winning, for a true fan, is one of the most important things. Winning is a priority for our players. Winning is a priority to the loyal fan base.”
Even more so, perhaps, to the casual fans, the ones that determine whether the Angels sell three million tickets in any given year.
The Angels sold 2.6 million tickets last year, a testament to the strength of the market amid a second consecutive last-place finish.
The "Big A" sign outside Angel Stadium on Friday during the team's home opener. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
However, attendance has fallen 20% over the past 20 years, a span that includes one postseason series victory and the current streaks of 10 seasons with losing records and 11 seasons without a playoff appearance.
Friday’s home opener was sold out. However, as of Friday afternoon, resale markets listed tickets for as little as $7 for Saturday’s game and $4 for Sunday’s game.
This is a great fan base, to me much more frustrated than angry, waiting to erupt in joy. The fan festival was dominated by fans wearing “sell” jerseys but a variety of Trout jerseys — home white, road gray, alternate red, City Connect, All-Star, World Baseball Classic, even one from the Salt Lake Bees.
Trout’s loyalty has been reciprocated by the fans. Moreno could feel that love too, with a renewed commitment to the excellence the Angels he displayed in his first decade as owner.
In Anaheim, the thunder sticks were glorious. Moreno does not want to sell at the moment, so best to demonstrate a dedication to returning October to the Angels’ schedule, lest their fans take home their giveaway calendars from the home opener and start the countdown to “wait ‘til next year.”
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 03: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks goes for a dunk against Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic in the second half of an NBA game at American Airlines Center on April 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As you probably know, former Duke stars Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg have been locked into a riveting battle for NBA Rookie of the Year. One night, one has a phenomenal game; the next night, the other one does.
Earlier this week, Knueppel broke the Hornets franchise record for made threes, and this came after he shattered the rookie three-point record.
Not to be outdone, Flagg, who is just 19, went out Friday night and racked up 51 points on Paolo Banchero’s Orlando Magic (also on the Magic, of course, is another Brotherhood member, Wendell Carter). And he shot 19-30/6-9. That’s an outrageous 63% overall, and 66.6% from deep.
Out of all the teenagers who have played in the NBA, and that includes Banchero, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, among others, no one has scored 50 points in a game.
On top of that, Flagg also had 6 rebounds, 3 assists, three steals, and a block.
That’s a pretty strong closing argument for Rookie of the Year, but Knueppel can counter with this: Charlotte is 42-36 and playoff-bound, and he, arguably, is the driving force behind Charlotte’s surge.
All eyes and ears in the men’s college basketball world this weekend turn to Indianapolis, where the star-studded Final Four converge to crown the 2026 national champion.
Only one member of this year’s quartet has never claimed the ultimate prize, though a couple of the other semifinalists are attempting to end title droughts that date back several decades. Then there’s the Beast of the Big East looking to continue a mini dynasty with a third net-cutting ceremony in four years.
Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s semifinal matchups, including viewing info and keys to victory for all the participants.
No. 2 Connecticut vs. No. 3 Illinois
Time/TV: 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS
Taking the court first in Indianapolis will be the Huskies, fresh off one of the most improbable finishes in March Madness history, seeking that afore-mentioned third title in four seasons and the program’s seventh championship overall. This is the sixth semifinal appearance for the Fighting Illini, though they’ve yet to win the whole thing. They came close in their most recent trip in 2005 but fell five points short against North Carolina in the title game.
As fate would have it, UConn and Illinois actually met earlier this season, with the Huskies taking a 74-61 decision way back on Nov. 28 at Madison Square Garden. Much has changed since then for both teams, as UConn’s new March Madness hero Braylon Mullins was just working his way into the rotation, and the Illini had yet to unlock their own freshman sensation Keaton Wagler.
One aspect that hasn’t changed for the UConn teams of its recent championship vintage is its relentless perimeter defense. Mullins has become a big part of that, as is veteran wingman Alex Karaban, and their second-half comeback against Duke showed their ability to adjust on the fly. Illinois’s Andrej Stojakovic can beat pressure with his driving ability, but he’ll likely have to make some passes, a less comfortable aspect of his game, to beat UConn’s inside help. The Illini can play defense as well, of course, and Zvonimir Ivisic can be an effective last line, swatting two blocks a game despite being on the floor for just 17.5 minutes on average. He and brother Tomaslav Ivisic will be needed to keep Huskies’ big man Tarris Reed at bay. Ultimately, the contest could hinge on each team’s No. 3 scoring options. Illinois David Mirkovic is an accurate shooter but needs to be in rhythm, and UConn’s Solo Ball is a high-volume launcher who can be quite streaky.
No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan
Time/TV: 8:49 p.m. ET, TBS
These programs have enjoyed considerable success on the hardwood over the years, but they each own just one title, and it’s been a while for each of them. The Wildcats claimed their championship in 1997 but haven’t been to the Final Four since 2001. The Wolverines’ lone title came in 1989, though they’ve been to the final several times since, most recently in 2018.
Both current versions, however, spent time at No. 1 in the polls this season and very much expected to be here on the final weekend. For what it’s worth, Arizona can lay claim to being the hottest team left standing, as they ride a 13-game winning streak into Indianapolis and most recently conquered the Purdue squad responsible for Michigan’s defeat in the Big Ten title game. The Wolverines, however, are absolutely capable of beating anyone. Both teams also play an aesthetically pleasing brand of basketball with slick passing that leads to high-percentage shots, so it shouldn’t disappoint.
The Wildcats by and large keep their starting five in the game. What bench production they do get comes from Tobe Awaka and Anthony Dell’Orso, and both will likely be needed against Michigan’s deeper lineup. Sharpshooter Brayden Burries and forward Koa Peat handle much of the scoring, but Jaden Bradley keeps the whole machine operating, and Ivan Kharchenkov is a key contributor as well putting up over 10 points and 2.3 assists per outing. The toughest assignment for Arizona might belong to center Motiejus Krivas, who must contend with Michigan’s formidable frontcourt without encountering foul trouble. The Wolverines’ strong inside game starts with Yaxel Lendeborg, who can score from all levels, and also features 62.5% finisher Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara in the middle. Losing L.J. Cason to a knee injury was a blow to the Wolverines’ back-court rotation, but Trey McKenney has provided valuable minutes off the bench of late. Elliot Cadeau is primarily the facilitator, but he’ll likely need to hit a few shots himself to counter the Wildcats’ numerous options.
One of the biggest storylines at the Final Four doesn't necessarily involve one of the four teams that secured a spot in the national semifinals in Indianapolis.
It instead involves a program roughly 600 miles southeast of the Final Four, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where UNC basketball is on Day 11 of a head coaching search following the firing of Hubert Davis.
Following Arizona's announcement of Tommy Lloyd's long-term commitment to the Wildcats on Friday, April 3, one coach was asked about their name being linked to the Tar Heels' job opening: Michigan coach Dusty May.
May, in his second season in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has quickly become one of the top coaches in the country, a trajectory that started during his time at Florida Atlantic. This season, May has led the Wolverines to the program's first Final Four since 2018 after building one of the top rosters in the country through the transfer portal with the additions of Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr. and Elliot Cadeau, the last of whom came over from the Tar Heels.
Here's what May has said of North Carolina job opening:
What Dusty May said of UNC basketball job opening
May has fielded questions about the North Carolina job, but has not named the Tar Heels directly in his responses.
May, speaking with Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 on Thursday, April 2, said he is "incredibly happy" and "honored" to be at the Final Four in Indianapolis as the head coach of the Wolverines, and that he won't "comment on any job" that’s not his.
"I decided when my alma mater opened (Indiana), no matter what you said, it could be misinterpreted, and so I'm forever going to not comment on any job that’s not mine," May said. "I’m incredibly happy, honored, and blessed to be the coach of Michigan in the Final Four, representing this incredible university and athletic department."
ICYMI: Dusty May on the North Carolina coaching rumors
“I’m not going to comment on any job that’s not mine. I’m incredibly happy, honored, and blessed to be the coach of Michigan in the Final Four.”
He doubled down on that answer during media availability on April 3 in Indianapolis.
"After last year, I decided I'll never respond to any job speculation. I had already agreed to terms with Michigan, was 100% done, and I made the comment that I was flattered about a certain job opening because of my background, and that was misconstrued, so I just decided I'm never going to comment on any job that I don't have.
"I think it's well documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. I love it at Michigan, but you'll never hear me comment on any other job unless Michigan lets me go, and then I'll comment on every job."
Dusty May on the UNC opening
"I think it's well-documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. So, yeah, I love it at Michigan, but you'll never hear me comment on any other job, unless Michigan… pic.twitter.com/TNNGjtZkdb
As noted by The Detroit News, part of the USA TODAY Network, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel wants May "to finish his career here at Michigan," and is working to make sure that happens.
"Any AD in America would want to have a coach that other people want," Manuel said on Sunday, March 30 after Michigan won the Midwest Region to advance to the Final Four. "I’ve had the opposite problem. I love this problem more than I love the opposite problem.
"We’ll deal with it. We’ll work through it. I want Dusty to finish his career here at Michigan. I’ll work to make sure that he’s happy, we have what we need, and he has what he needs to succeed. That’s it, period."
Dusty May buyout at Michigan
May has a $4 million buyout in his current contract with Michigan, which was obtained by the USA TODAY Network. It drops to $2 million on May 1.
The North Carolina basketball job opening is still open heading into the Final Four, and only one Final Four coach is still a potential target.
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, one of the coaches tied most prominently to the job, publicly announced he's returning to the Wildcats next season after signing a new contract. That leaves Michigan coach Dusty May as a potential option from a high-tier job.
Only 11 coaches in college basketball history have left their school for another job the season after reaching the Final Four. Four of those instances were for NBA teams, and two others were for North Carolina, one of the best jobs in college basketball.
It's also fitting the last coach to fit that mold was Roy Williams, who left Kansas for — you guessed it — North Carolina after the Jayhawks fell to Syracuse in the 2003 national championship game.
Here's the full list of coaches that have left for another coaching job after taking a school to the Final Four:
Coaches to leave school for another job after Final Four appearance
Note: John Calipari and UMass' Final Four appearance in 1996 was vacated by the NCAA
Williams in 2003 is the only coach since 1980 to leave for another college coaching job after taking his previous school to the Final Four. The two most recent coaches, other than Williams, are two more legends: Larry Brown and John Calipari, who left Kansas and UMass for NBA jobs with the San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets, respectively.
There's no surprise that six of the 11 coaches on the list left for either the NBA or North Carolina. The rest of the list will also likely include names most fans have never heard of and came during a time when college sports weren't nearly the spectacle it is today.
Here's a look at the full list:
1942-43: Elmer Ripley (Georgetown to Columbia)
1945-46: Ben Carnevale (North Carolina to Navy)
1945-46: Harold Olsen (Ohio State to Chicago Stags)
1951-52: Frank McGuire (St. John’s to North Carolina)
1954-55: Ken Loeffler (La Salle to Texas A&M)
1957-58: John Castellani (Seattle to Minneapolis Lakers)
1969-70: Joe Williams (Jacksonville to Furman)
1979-80: Lee Rose (Purdue to South Florida)
1987-88: Larry Brown (Kansas to San Antonio Spurs)
1995-96: John Calipari (UMass to New Jersey Nets)
2002-03: Roy Williams (Kansas to North Carolina)
What Dusty May said of North Carolina opening
May declined to comment on the North Carolina job when he was asked on Friday, April 3, in a Final Four news conference prior to Michigan's game against Arizona.
"After last year I decided I'll never respond to any job speculation," he said. "I had already agreed to terms with Michigan, was 100 percent done, and I made the comment that I was flattered about a certain job opening because of my background, and that was misconstrued, so I just decided I'm never going to comment on any job that I don't have. I think it's well documented how happy I am at Michigan.
"Obviously my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important. Yeah, I love it at Michigan, but you'll never hear me comment on any other job unless Michigan lets me go and then I'll comment on every job."
As anyone around the sport will be quick to point out, roster-building in men’s college basketball has changed dramatically over the past several years.
With athletes now able to earn money off their name, image and likeness, deep-seated connections from a player’s grassroots days matter much less than the kind of financial package a school is able to offer them. While still important, as this season’s stellar class of first-year players showed, superstar freshmen don’t necessarily carry the county’s top teams in the same way they did a decade ago.
Increasingly, college programs look overseas for potential roster additions, including from players competing in professional leagues. Then, of course, there’s the transfer portal.
Athletes who once had to sit out a year if they moved from one school to another are now immediately eligible, something that has fundamentally altered the sport and the way coaches go about constructing their teams. It’s exceedingly rare now for a player to end their career with the program where they began four years earlier and many of those players who have been on the move have become All-Americans, top NBA draft picks and centerpieces of Final Four — and even national championship — squads.
At this 2026 Final Four, that phenomenon will be on full display, with Michigan, Arizona, Illinois and UConn all relying heavily on at least one transfer.
How do those players stack up?
Ranking transfer players in the Final Four
1. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
The list begins with the only consensus All-American taking the court at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Lendeborg was one of the highest-rated players in the transfer portal last season after averaging a double-double in each of the previous two seasons at Alabama-Birmingham.
He has more than lived up to the hype at Michigan, averaging 15.2 points, seven rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 52%, including 37.2% from 3-point range. He has stepped up his game even more since the first round of the NCAA tournament, averaging 25 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 61.4% overall, including 52.6% from 3.
2. Jaden Bradley, Arizona
When Bradley transferred to Arizona from Alabama in 2023, there was plenty of promise as a former top-30 recruit who averaged 6.4 points per game and started the majority of the season for a Crimson Tide team that was the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. He has become something much more for the Wildcats over the past three seasons, becoming the steady maestro of one of the country’s most well-rounded teams this year.
The 6-foot-3 senior is averaging 13.3 points and 4.4 assists per game, shooting nearly 40% from 3, and is one of the most reliable defensive players in the country. While he’s only the No. 3 scorer on his own team, he’s Arizona’s most important player, as evidenced by him winning Big 12 Player of the Year.
After a productive regular season in which he earned first-team All-Big East recognition, Reed has taken his game up to another level while helping lead UConn to its third Final Four in the past four seasons. The 6-foot-11 big man has been arguably the best player in the tournament thus far, averaging 21.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 60% from the field.
Like several other players on this list, Reed could get the opportunity to go up against his old program in the national championship. He started his career at Michigan, where he played his first two seasons before transferring after Juwan Howard was fired as the Wolverines’ coach in 2024.
4. Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
After a productive freshman season at Illinois, Johnson hit the portal last year and stayed in the Big Ten when he chose Dusty May and Michigan. The former top-40 recruit has made a sizable leap as a sophomore with the Wolverines, averaging 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 62.5% from the field. For his output, he made the All-Big Ten third team and all-defensive team.
This time a year ago, Mara was a relatively little-used big man off the UCLA bench, averaging 6.4 points in 13 minutes per game as a sophomore. His move to Michigan last offseason has paid off extremely well for both parties.
The 7-foot-3 Spaniard is among the more skilled centers in the country, averaging 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while displaying strong court vision and a deft passing touch. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is an eraser at the rim, too, averaging 2.6 blocks per game — tied for the third-most among Division I players.
6. Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois
While the career 30.2% 3-point shooter doesn’t quite have the silky outside shooting touch of his father, former NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic, Stojakovic has been a wildly productive player from virtually the moment he stepped on a college court.
The former McDonald’s All-American transferred between Bay Area rivals in 2024, going from Stanford to California, where he averaged 17.9 points per game last season. This year, his scoring has understandably dipped a bit to 13.6 points per game, but he has developed a more well-rounded game, scaling back on 3s and shooting 59% from inside the arc.
Demary’s a bit lower on this list than he might have been otherwise due to a high ankle sprain he suffered in the Big East Tournament.
After missing a first-round victory against Furman, the Georgia transfer was limited to two points in victories against UCLA and Michigan State in the second round and Sweet 16, respectively, before giving his team a much-needed boost in the Elite Eight with 11 points in a come-from-behind win against Duke, including 3s on back-to-back possessions with about seven minutes remaining. During the regular season, he was a Big East first-team all-conference and all-defensive team honoree.
8. Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
A five-star recruit coming out of high school in New Jersey, Cadeau never quite lived up to his immense hype in two seasons at North Carolina. Since transferring to Michigan, though, he has blossomed, averaging a team-high 5.8 assists per game while being the team’s No. 4 scorer at 10.2 points per game.
He has been even better in the NCAA Tournament, with 33 assists the Wolverines’ four NCAA tournament wins: the second-highest total of any player in the event.
Like Reed and Johnson, Boswell could end up facing his former school in the national championship game (if Illinois and Arizona both win in the semifinals). A five-star recruit in the 2022 class, Boswell started all but one game for the Wildcats in the 2023-24 season, but the Champaign, Illinois native opted after that season to transfer home, where he has been an integral piece for the Fighting Illini the past two years.
He’s Illinois’ No. 4 scorer this season at 12.5 points per game and has been arguably its best perimeter defender, having been named to the Big Ten all-defensive team.
10. Tobe Awaka, Arizona
After playing sparingly in two seasons at Tennessee, Awaka transferred after the 2023-24 season to Arizona, where he’s now one of Tommy Lloyd’s most valuable pieces off the bench. The 6-foot-8 senior is a rebounding machine, ranking first among all Division I players in offensive rebounding percentage (getting the ball on 20.1% of missed shots while he’s on the court) and 19th in defensive rebounding percentage.
Dusty May got his coaching start as a student manager under legendary former Indiana coach Bob Knight. Now, as Michigan's head coach, his son is following in his footsteps.
Dusty May's son, Eli May, is the Wolverines' student manager in 2025-26. Another of his sons, Charlie May, is a walk-on guard on the roster. And while May's oldest son, Jack May, isn't on the Michigan roster, he was a former walk-on at Florida.
Dusty May spent one semester at Division II Oakland City University as a player before hanging up his shoes and transferring to Indiana, his hometown school. The second-year Michigan coach is only in his eighth season as a head coach, but already has a pair of Final Four appearances, including one at Florida Atlantic.
Dusty May's Michigan squad, a No. 1 seed this season in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, was one of the best teams in the country all year and has backed it up in March Madness. The Mays and Wolverines take on fellow No. 1 Arizona in the Final Four for a spot in the national championship.
And to think he started his coaching career as a student manager. Here's what to know of May's two sons who are also on Michigan's roster for the Final Four:
Who are Dusty May's sons?
Who is Eli May?
Eli May told USA TODAY Sports he never suspected his college career would take him to being a student manager for his father. He thought he would walk-on at South Florida, following the footsteps of brothers Charlie May (Central Florida) and Jack May (Florida) both of whom did the same while May coached at FAU.
“It’s obviously tough to give up playing the game and being on a team wearing a jersey,” Dusty May told USA TODAY Sports. “But I just thought as far as his long-term development, all the things our managers learn, problem-solving, they learn people skills. They learn to function. We try to give them a lot of responsibility because we know if they’re ever going to make it in coaching … they have to have the experience of doing meaningful work. Our managers have helped him become much more responsible.”
There isn't any special treatment for Eli May, either. Other Michigan student managers said he handles "grunt work" like the rest of them.
“I’m technically in charge of him and he never complains,” student manager Sam Saraceno said. “Eli is doing grunt work a lot of people wouldn’t do. That’s how you could tell it was different.”
Eli May wants to become a coach one day, just like his dad did. While he'll likely have an easier path than his dad, their coaching backgrounds will be rooted in the same fundamentals they learned as student managers.
"I’d seen the managers from the outside, but I’d never been inside a program and seen it. What they've learned, how they go about their business, it made me want to be a manager more than anything," Eli May said. "I feel like it’s a much better path to becoming a coach eventually.
Who is Charlie May?
Dusty's May eldest son in Michigan's program, Charlie May, is a 6-foot-5 guard who has even scored in March Madness this year.
May started his career at UCF but transferred to Michigan before last season to join his father. He only has seven career points, all of which have come this season. Three of those points came in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, when he swished a corner 3-pointer late against Tennessee in the Elite Eight on March 29.
“Honestly, I blacked out,” Charlie May told the Detroit News. “I don't even know what it looked like. But, man, it was a great feeling. I've been watching the NCAA Tournament since I can remember. To be able to score in a game like that is an amazing experience. I'm even happier we won the game and we're going to the Final Four.”
Charlie May's shot meant a lot to Michigan's coach, especially in the moment.
“It’s really cool for our families," Dusty May said. "That's the most rewarding part of all this, to see everyone who has poured into us and our players in one spot, just feeling a part of it. Charlie, Howard, our walk-ons, they sacrifice a lot as well. They go through strongman, they lift every day and they rarely get to be a part of the actual game.
“To come in and have those moments and get a great assist from Will Tschetter, I thought it was just a cool moment. But I’m more proud about the long rebound he came up with than the shot.”
The 41-year-old assistant coach signed his contract with the Eagles on his iPad at Connecticut's hotel in Washington, D.C., coached in the Sweet 16 against Michigan State, was in charge of piecing together the successful scout for Duke in the Elite Eight, then held his introductory news conference at Boston College before a flight to Indianapolis for the Final Four.
And with Luke Murray still coaching the Huskies before starting the next chapter of his career, that means his dad, actor and comedian Bill Murray, will be in the stands cheering his son and one of the Big East's powerhouses on during their chase for a third national title in the last four seasons.
Here's what to know:
Is Luke Murray related to Bill Murray?
Yes, Luke Murray is the son of famed comedian and actor Bill Muray, of "Saturday Night Live" and "Ghostbusters" fame.
Luke Murray is considered one of the top assistant coaches in the country and is in his fifth season on the UConn bench. Before taking the Huskies' assistant job in 2021, he was an assistant coach at Xavier and Louisville. The 2025-26 men's basketball season is Luke Murray's ninth with Hurley, across three stops, with others at Wagner and Rhode Island.
He was recently named the new men's basketball coach at Boston College, his first head coaching job.
Is Bill Murray a UConn basketball fan?
The legendary comedian has become a fixture at UConn games over the years, especially during the postseason, when most of his appearances occur. He was at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia for the first weekend of the Men's NCAA Tournament, and then was in Washington, D.C. for the second weekend.
Following UConn's Elite Eight win over Duke, Bill Murray was seen celebrating with the Huskies' student band behind the basket as the team punched their ticket back to the Final Four for the third time in the last four years on the court.
He may no longer be a fan of the Illini, given his son is a member of UConn's coaching staff, but he grew up as one. The "Caddyshack" actor grew up in Evanston, Illinois and is known for his Chicago sports fandom, which includes the Chicago Cubs.
With two more wins in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, the No. 2-seeded Huskies would win their third national championship in four years and seventh since 1999. UConn needed a prayer on a last-second 3-pointer from Braylon Mullins against No. 1 overall seed Duke to advance through the Elite Eight.
However, Dan Hurley's team now enters a round where it dominates: the Final Four. The Huskies have only lost one game in program history in the Final Four, and are actually undefeated in the national championship game.
No. 3 seed Illinois — which has won every game this March Madness by double figures — stands in the way of another trip to the national championship for UConn. The Huskies take on the Illini at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 4 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
With its history, UConn fans should feel confident about another successful run. Here's what to know about how the Huskies have performed in the Final Four, including how many times they have been here:
UConn basketball Final Four history
This is UConn's seventh trip to the Final Four and the sixth since 1999. The Huskies are 16-1 all-time in Final Four games.
1999: won semifinal vs. Ohio State, 64-58; won final vs. Duke, 77-74
2004: won semifinal vs. Duke, 79-78; won final vs. Georgia Tech, 82-73
2009: lost semifinal vs. Michigan State, 82-73
2011: won semifinal vs. Kentucky, 56-55; won final vs. Butler, 53-41
2014: won semifinal vs. Florida, 63-53; won final vs. Kentucky, 60-54
2023: won semifinal vs. Miami, 72-59; won final vs. San Diego State, 76-59
2024: won semifinal vs. Alabama, 86-72; won final vs. Purdue, 75-60
UConn Final Four record
UConn is 12-1 all-time in Final Four games. The lone loss was during the 2008-09 season, when Hasheem Thabeet led Michigan State to an 82-73 upset win over the Huskies.
Outside of this, UConn has gone a perfect 12-0 in the other 12 Final Four games to bring home six national championships. The Huskies are 6-0 in the national title game, meaning if they can get past the Fighting Illini, history says they have a good chance to bring home a seventh title.
Has UConn men's basketball won a national title in basketball?
Yes, UConn men's basketball has won six national championships in program history. The Huskies have won all six of them since 1999, under three different head coaches.
Jim Calhoun led the program to its first title in 1999 and then followed it up with two more in 2004 and 2011. Kevin Ollie helped UConn win its fourth title in 2014, while Dan Hurley won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.
Which team has most NCAA Tournament national championships?
UConn is tied for third with North Carolina for the most championships in men's college basketball with six. Only UCLA and Kentucky have more national titles than the Huskies.
Since its first national title in 1999, UConn is just one of six programs with multiple national titles. Florida is the only other school with at least three in that span.
Here's a look at the programs with the most national championships in NCAA history:
Reed helped No. 2 UConn survive an upset bid from No. 15 Furman in the opening round with a monster 31-point, 27-rebound performance. That set the tone for the tournament, as he has scored at least 20 points in three games and recorded double-doubles in two.
If UConn is going to win a national championship for a third time in four years, you would expect Reed to play a major role, especially with the remaining big men left in the Final Four.
Heading into the Final Four of March Madness, here's what you need to know about the UConn Huskies veteran big man:
Tarris Reed stats
Here’s a look at Reed's stats from his college career with Michigan and UConn:
2025-26 (UConn): 14.7 points per game, 2.4 assists per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 0.9 steals per game, 2.1 blocks per game, 62.1% on field goals, 59.6% on free throws (33 games, 33 starts)
2024-25 (UConn): 9.6 points per game, 1.0 assists per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 0.7 steals per game, 1.6 blocks per game, 67% on field goals, 64.4% on free throws (35 games, 1 start)
2023-24 (Michigan): 9.0 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 0.5 steals per game, 1.4 blocks per game, 51.9% on field goals, 58.6% on free throws (32 games, 31 starts)
2022-23 (Michigan): 3.4 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 0.5 steals per game, 0.9 blocks per game, 51.7% on field goals, 40% free throws (34 games, 0 starts)
Tarris Reed 2026 NCAA Tournament stats
After a strong regular season where he posted career highs across the board, Reed has come alive for UConn in the NCAA Tournament, including a monster 31-point, 27-rebound performance in the opening round vs. Furman.
Here's a look at Reed's stats during the NCAA Tournament:
March 20 vs. No. 15 Furman: 31 points (12-of-15 shooting), 27 rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes
March 22 vs. No. 7 UCLA: 10 points (3-of-8 shooting), 10 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and a steal in 29 minutes
March 27 vs. No. 3 Michigan State: 20 points (8-of-16 shooting), five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal in 33 minutes
March 29 vs. No. 1 Duke: 26 points (10-of-16 shooting), nine rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals in 32 minutes
NCAA Tournament averages: 21.8 points (60% shooting), 13.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in 32.3 minutes
Tarris Reed NBA draft stock, mock draft predictions
Before the NCAA Tournament, a lot of mocks viewed Reed as a second-round pick, likely going near the end of the draft. However, his play in March Madness could catapult him into the first round, as more mocks come out over the next several weeks.
Why did Tarris Reed transfer from Michigan to UConn?
Following two seasons at Michigan, Reed entered the transfer portal on March 19, 2024, four days before the Wolverines hired Dusty May as their new head coach. He committed to the Huskies on April 17, 2024.
"I chose UConn for its winning culture, commitment to player development and coaching style," Reed told On3's Joe Tipton. "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."
Where is Tarris Reed's hometown?
Reed is from St. Louis. He played at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis for the first three years of high school before finishing at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri.
The Wildcats, looking for their first March Madness title since 1997, have shown themselves to be a favorite in the Men's NCAA Tournament with a dominating presence inside the paint that makes it hard for opponents to score. They also have a three-headed scoring trio of Brayden Burries, Koa Peat and Jaden Bradley.
To end the national championship drought, Arizona must first get past No. 1 seed Michigan in the Final Four on Saturday, April 4, inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. If the Wildcats can get past the Wolverines, they will face the winner of No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Illinois in the title game on Monday, April 6.
Here's what to know on Arizona's history in the Final Four:
When was last time Arizona went to Final Four?
It has been 25 years since the Wildcats last reached the Final Four, in 2001.
As noted by USA TODAY's Jordan Mendoza, Arizona entered its Elite Eight game vs. Purdue with the fourth-most wins in the country since 2010, but was the only program in the top five that had not made a Final Four. Arizona had lost five consecutive Elite Eight appearances, with two of them coming as a No. 1 seed.
"You hear rumblings of it all the time," Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka told USA TODAY Sports before Arizona punched its ticket to the Final Four.
Arizona is making its fifth trip to the Final Four and the first since 2001. Here's a breakdown of how Arizona has fared in the Final Four:
1988: lost semifinal to Oklahoma, 86-78
1994: lost semifinal to Arkansas, 91-82
1997: won semifinal vs. North Carolina, 66-58; won final vs. Kentucky, 84-79
2001: won semifinal vs. Michigan State, 80-61; lost final to Duke, 82-71
Arizona basketball Final Four record
Arizona brings a 3-3 record in Final Four games into Saturday's national semifinal vs. Michigan. The Wildcats lost both of their trips to the Final Four in 1988 and 1994 before picking up their first win, which came during the 1996-97 season, when they won the entire tournament.
It would take another four years for Arizona to return to the Final Four after the 1997 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats went 1-1 at the Final Four in 2001, picking up a semifinal win over then-defending national champion Michigan State before losing to Duke by nine points in the national championship game.
Has Arizona won a Men's NCAA Tournament national championship?
Yes, Arizona men's basketball has won the national championship once in program history, coming in the 1997 NCAA Tournament. To win the national championship that season, the Wildcats — the No. 4 seed in the Southeast Regional — defeated defending national champion Kentucky in the national title game, 84-79 in overtime.
En route to their title, the Wildcats defeated No. 13 seed South Alabama in the first round, No. 12 seed College of Charleston in the second round, No. 1 seed Kansas in the Sweet 16, No. 10 seed Providence in the Elite Eight and No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Final Four.
