Category: Sports

Brackets set the stage for March Madness, but the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is defined by its superstars.

This year’s Sweet 16 is overflowing with star power. Three of the five AP first-team All-Americans — Duke’s Cameron Boozer, Arkansas‘ Darius Acuff Jr. and Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg — are still alive, alongside a wave of future lottery picks and breakout performers ready to make their mark. The NCAA Tournament is as much about individual brilliance as it is about matchups, and the biggest names tend to shape how it all unfolds.

We’ve seen it before. Carmelo Anthony carried Syracuse to a title in 2003. Anthony Davis powered Kentucky to a championship in 2012. When the stage gets big, superstars take over.

That’s our formula for determining the top 16 players in the Sweet 16. Talent still leads the way, but this list is about who can most influence a team’s championship path from here. Arizona and UConn each placed multiple players on the list, while the other 14 are the only representatives from their respective programs.

With that, here is our list, counting down from 16-1.

16. Alex Karaban, F, UConn

As a fifth-year senior who spent his entire career at UConn, where he’s already won two national titles and is now chasing a third, Karaban embodies everything that is still great about college basketball in an era defined by constant player movement. Karaban has developed from a scrawny, moderately recruited role player into the “brain center,” as head coach Dan Hurley likes to call him, of UConn’s incredibly complex offense. He’s averaging 24.5 points per game with eight made 3-pointers during this year’s NCAA Tournament, willing the Huskies to victories over No. 15 Furman and No. 7 UCLA. — Michael Cohen

Stat to know: Karaban is 15-1 in NCAA Tournament games and is coming off a career-high 27 points in a second-round win over UCLA. — FOX Sports Research

15. Ja’Kobi Gillespie, G, Tennessee

Gillespie is probably the least-talked-about stud in the Sweet 16. The senior guard is 9-of-16 from deep through the opening two rounds of the NCAA Tournament and has unlimited range. He can also get in the paint whenever he wants and create for his teammates.  Tennessee’s offense would really struggle without him. — Casey Jacobsen

Stat to know: Gillespie is one of two players in Division I to have 1900-plus points and 200-plus steals since 2022 (Braden Smith and Alex Karaban). — FOX Sports Research

14. Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa

Stirtz came to Iowa with head coach Ben McCollum from Drake. Some were skeptical that he could replicate that success in the Big Ten, but those questions have been answered after averaging nearly 20 points per game this season. The senior guard has struggled from downtown in the NCAA Tournament (3-of-19), but he controls the pace of the game as well as any player in the country. — Jacobsen

Stat to know: Stirtz is one of two Division I players to make 149-plus 3-pointers while averaging 19-plus points per game over the past two seasons (Jaron Pierre). — FOX Sports Research

[MEN’S TOURNEY: Ranking Sweet 16 Matchups]

13. Jaden Bradley, G, Arizona

While I don’t think he was the best player in the Big 12 this season, he is the unquestioned leader and go-to player late in games for this Arizona team. He’s also one of the best perimeter defenders in the sport and will be tasked with trying to slow down Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. That will be the best individual matchup of the Sweet 16. — Jacobsen

Stat to know: Bradley was named Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 Tournament MVP and to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. — FOX Sports Research

12. Tarris Reed Jr., C, UConn

There always have — and probably always will be — questions about Reed’s game-to-game consistency. But anyone capable of scoring 31 points and grabbing 27 rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game, which Reed did in UConn’s opening-round win over No. 15 Furman, possesses elite talent. At 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds, Reed is an ideal combination of strength and skill, anchor and agility, and his influence on everything the Huskies do stretches from one end of the floor to the other. — Cohen

Stat to know: Reed became just the second player in NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament history to have 30 points, 20 rebounds on 80% shooting from the field in a NCAA Tournament game (Bill Walton). — FOX Sports Research

11. Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

While Bradley won Big 12 Player of the Year honors, there is a belief by many that Burries is the most talented and explosive player on Arizona’s roster. It took him a few weeks early on in the season to find his rhythm, but he now leads the Wildcats in scoring at 16 points per game and has made 62 3-pointers heading into the Wildcats’ Sweet 16 matchup against Arkansas. He has been on fire throughout the first two games of the NCAA Tournament, shooting 65% from the field and 88% from 3-point range. — Jacobsen

Stat to know: Burries is one of five freshmen to play in a power-conference and average 16-plus points per game and make 60-plus 3-pointers. (Darius Acuff, Keaton Wagler, Darryn Peterson, Ebuka Okorie). — FOX Sports Research

10. Labaron Philon Jr., G, Alabama

Philon has been at the steering wheel of the fastest offense left in the NCAA Tournament Field. When he needs to score, he can drop 29 points in a game, like he did in Alabama’s Round 1 win over Hofstra. When he needs to pass, he dish out 12 dimes in a game, like he did in the team’s Round 2 win over Texas Tech. He will need to do both in the Sweet 16 against Michigan. — Jacobsen

Stat to know: Philon is the only SEC player to average 20-plus points per game this season while shooting over 50% from the floor and over 39% from 3-point range. — FOX Sports Research

[MEN’S BRACKET: NCAA Tournament Bracket, Leaders & Stats]

9. Zuby Ejiofor, F, St. John’s

A tireless work ethic coupled with the sculpting power of head coach Rick Pitino helped transform Ejiofor, a one-time Kansas castoff, into both the Big East Player of the Year and the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. Ejiofor anchors everything St. John’s does at both ends of the court and leads the Red Storm in points (16.3 per game), rebounds (7.3 per game), assists (3.5 per game) and blocks (2.2 per game). His profound influence on games explains why Pitino has joked that he’ll have to retire from coaching once Ejiofor’s collegiate career ends. Pitino doesn’t want to move forward without him. — Cohen

Stat to know: Ejiofor is the first player in Big East history to win Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He is also the first unanimous Big East Player of the Year since former Creighton standout Doug McDermott in the 2013-14 season. — FOX Sports Research

8. Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State

An ankle injury has put the 6-foot-9 forward’s availability in doubt, but when at full strength, Jefferson is one of the top players in the country when it comes to versatility. He has improved his scoring (16.4 PPG), rebounding, (7.4 RPG) and passing (4.8 APG) numbers in all four years of his college career, which started in the WCC at Saint Mary’s. The Cyclones can run their offense through Jefferson on the perimeter and in the post, and even though he’s not super explosive, he gets wherever he wants to on the floor. — Jacobsen

Stat to know: Jefferson is the only player in the Big 12 to average 16-plus PPG, 7-plus RPG and shoot over 34% from the 3-point line. — FOX Sports Research

7. Kingston Flemings, G, Houston

This year’s Houston squad was supposed to be led by senior guards Emmanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan. While those guys have still been excellent this season, Flemings is the engine of this team and the go-to shot creator. He’s also one of the best mid-range jump shooters in the sport and has only attempted one 3-point shot in the NCAA Tournament so far. — Jacobsen

Stat to know: Flemings is the only freshman to play in a power conference and average 16-plus points, 5-plus assists and 4-plus rebounds per game this season. — FOX Sports Research

6. Braden Smith, G, Purdue

From a three-star recruit in 2022 to the all-time leader in assists for Division I. That alone should be enough to explain why Smith is such an incredible player. His vision, timing and creativity are only enhanced by the genuine joy he feels for setting up teammates. And once legendary big man Zach Edey left Purdue following the 2023-24 season, Smith stepped forward as a scorer, too. — Cohen

Stat to know: Smith passed former Duke standout Bobby Hurley as the NCAA’s all-time leader in assists with 1,091. — FOX Sports Research

5. Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois

There aren’t many 6-foot-6 point guards in college basketball. And when there are, they generally don’t glide and score as effortlessly as Wagler. An overlooked three-star recruit, Wagler has blossomed into a surefire lottery pick amid a dynamic season at Illinois. He scores at all three levels, isn’t afraid of the big moment and only recently turned 19. An incredible prospect. — Cohen

Stat to know: Wagler’s 17.8 points per game average is on pace to break the program’s all-time freshman scoring average record set during the 1993-94 season. His 46-point performance against Purdue is the Big Ten record for points in a game by a freshman. — FOX Sports Research

4. Jeremy Fears Jr., G, Michigan State

Though it’s difficult for some fans to put aside all the extracurricular activity Fears has embroiled himself in this season, the fact remains that he’s unquestionably one of the best point guards in the country. Leading the nation in assists (9.4 per game) is one thing, but it’s the manner in which Fears controls every aspect of the game for Michigan State that is most impressive. He’s the Spartans’ maestro. — Cohen

Stat to know: Fears leads the country in assists at 9.4 per game, which is the highest average of any Big Ten player since at least the 2002-03 season. — FOX Sports Research

[NCAA ODDS: Latest Men’s March Madness Odds, Favorites]

3. Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan

At 6-foot-9, 240 pounds and with the movement skills of a much smaller player, there isn’t much that Lendeborg can’t do on the basketball court. Make scoring look easy both inside and outside the 3-point line? Check. Defend any of the five positions? Check. Serve as an auxiliary point guard whenever head coach Dusty May wants to mix up the offensive approach? Check. The No. 1 player in last year’s transfer portal has certainly delivered. — Cohen

Stat to know: Lendeborg is the first Michigan men’s basketball player to win Big Ten Player of the Year honors since Nik Stauskas did it during the 2013-14 season. He is also shooting a career-high 36.1% from the 3-point line. — FOX Sports Research

2. Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas

Is Acuff the best freshman point guard John Calipari has ever coached? I’d say yes, as his freshman season is more dominant than Derrick Rose or John Wall. It’s pretty impressive company, but his averages of 22.3 points (on 49% shooting), 3.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists speak for themselves. Think about where Arkansas would be without Acuff. — Jacobsen

Stat to know: Acuff is the only player in the country to average 21-plus points and 6.0-plus assists per game. — FOX Sports Research

1. Cameron Boozer, F, Duke

Boozer was asked to fill Cooper Flagg’s shoes and he’s had a better statistical season than Flagg. Boozer’s stats say he’s the best player in the nation, but I believe that no other team asks more of their best player than Duke does of Boozer. — Jacobsen

Stat to know: Boozer is one of two Division I players to average 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds this season (JT Toppin). — FOX Sports Research

The NFL will open the season on a Wednesday night for the second time ever, with the defending champion Seattle Seahawks set to host the first game of the 2026 season.

The NFL announced on Wednesday that the Seahawks will play the traditional opener as Super Bowl champions on Sept. 9, a day earlier than usual with the league also having a Week 1 game in Australia between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.

The opponent for Seattle on the game that will be broadcast on NBC will be determined later.

The only other time the first game of the NFL season was played on a Wednesday came in 2012 when the Dallas Cowboys visited the New York Giants. The game was moved from its usual Thursday spot that year because President Barack Obama was set to speak that night at the Democratic National Convention.

The Rams and 49ers will play their opener on Sept. 11 in Melbourne. The game is expected to kick off at about 10:35 a.m. that Friday in Australia, which is 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday night in the United States. The broadcaster for that game has not been determined yet.

The NFL had played Week 1 games in Brazil the past two seasons on the first Friday night in September. With Labor Day being later this year, the opening Friday for the 2026 season is the second one in September, making the NFL unable to play games that night on television because of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.

While Wednesday games were played occasionally in the early years of the NFL, this will be just the fifth since 1950. There were two games on Christmas Day when it fell on a Wednesday in 2024, one in 2022 that was delayed because of COVID-19 and the 2012 opener.

Reporting by The Associated Press. 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is ingrained in NASCAR culture, wading into various waters around the sport, but is there something that he regrets not doing throughout his racing career? 

“[Not racing in an] INDYCAR [vehicle],” Earnhardt said in an interview on “SPEED with Harvick and Buxton” when asked about the biggest regret he has in his racing career regarding a missed opportunity. “I’ve had some chances to just run laps at [Indianapolis Motor Speedway] in a car, and I should’ve. And I always kind of wondered what that would feel like, and just saying that now, I’m probably going to get another couple of offers, but that ship has sailed.

“I wish I would’ve done that, really, because when I was younger, in my 30s, I had some opportunities just to go feel it. Not really go race. I don’t need to go race, but I just really would love to know what that car feels like going around such a historic racetrack.”

Earnhardt, who raced full-time at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated from 2000-07 and full-time at Hendrick Motorsports from 2008-17, won 26 career races on the NASCAR circuit. He previously won the 1998 and 1999 Xfinity Cup Series (now O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) championships.

Earnhardt is the co-owner of JR Motorsports, whom he occasionally runs races for in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Elsewhere, Earnhardt stepped in as Connor Zilisch‘s interim crew chief in the Xfinity Series for the Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono Raceway in June 2025, as crew chief Mardy Lindley served a one-race suspension; Zilisch won the race with Earnhardt on top of the box.

[NASCAR POWER RANKINGS: Many Changes But Not At The Top]

The tush push will live on for at least another season. 

Following another year of debate over the legality of the tush push, a proposal on whether to ban the play will not be voted on at the NFL’s league meetings in Arizona next week. However, the competition committee will push forward five other proposed rule changes for the 2026 NFL season next Tuesday. 

“There is less talk about it in the football community,” said Rich McKay, the chair of the competition committee.

A proposal to ban the tush push was voted on last May, with the NFL owners voting 22-10 in favor of banning the play. But all proposed rule changes need at least 24 votes in order to be approved. 

The tush push faced scrutiny during the Philadelphia Eagles’ run to a Super Bowl title in 2024, with the play being one of the most successful plays in the NFL that season. Philadelphia continued to use the tush push in 2025, and there was speculation that the play would be removed from the game this offseason. In the Eagles’ Week 2 win over the Kansas City Chiefs this past year, there were multiple instances where it appeared players on Philadelphia’s offensive line were offside. FOX Sports NFL rules analyst Dean Blandino questioned the legality of the play during that game, but later said he thought it was “50-50” that the play would get banned. 

As for the other proposed rule changes, the NFL is preparing for the possibility of replacement officials in the 2026 season, proposing a rule change for one season that would allow the replay center in New York to correct any “clear and obvious” mistakes by on-field officials in case of a work stoppage. There are also a few proposed changes that would slightly tweak the kick-off rule and allow the replay center to eject players for flagrant acts on plays that were not penalized on the field.

Here’s more about a few of the proposed rule changes being put forth by the competition committee at next week’s league meetings. 

Replacement ref contingencies 

The biggest proposal regards the contingency if there is a work stoppage with the officials and the league once again uses replacement officials as it did to start the 2012 season. The current collective bargaining agreement with the NFL and the NFL Referees Association expires on May 31.

The NFL used replacement officials for the first three weeks of the 2012 season with several mistakes and bad calls being made. The tipping point came at the end of a Monday night game in Week 3 between Green Bay and Seattle when the Seahawks won the game on a disputed TD catch known as the “Fail Mary.” The league later said the touchdown should have been negated for offensive pass interference.

The outrage reached the White House with President Barack Obama calling for the lockout to end, which it did a few days later, prompting an apology to fans from Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Under the proposal from the competition committee, the replay center in New York would be able to advise the on-field officials on any missed roughing the passer or intentional grounding penalty, as well as any act that would have led to an ejection had a penalty been called.

The replay center can also intervene to overturn calls that were made on several penalties, including illegal contact, face masks, roughing the passer, horse-collar tackles and intentional grounding. The replay center could also assist to overturn pass interference calls when there is clear evidence that there was “advertent tangling of feet when both players were playing the ball or neither player was playing the ball.”

In the final two minutes of either half or for all of overtime, the replay center would be allowed to overturn or throw a flag on any unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing a punch, forearm or kick; as well as leaping or leverage penalties on kicks.

The replay center can also correct wrong calls based on running into or roughing the kicker.

The committee also proposed allowing the officiating center in New York to eject players for committing a flagrant or non-football act on the field, even if it wasn’t called for a penalty. Under the old rules, the replay center could only intervene in those cases when the on-field officials had called a penalty.

This proposal comes after Pittsburgh receiver DK Metcalf wasn’t ejected from a game at Detroit last season when he got into an altercation with a heckling fan. Because the on-field officials didn’t see the play when Metcalf swiped at the fan and throw a flag, the replay center was unable to eject Metcalf. The league did suspend him for two games, but he was able to remain in the game at the time.

Kickoff changes

The committee also proposed several minor tweaks to the new kickoff rule that is entering its third season, including allowing teams to declare an onside kick at any point in the game. The original rule in 2024 limited onside kicks to the fourth quarter when a team is trailing. The change last year allowed a trailing team to declare an onside kick at any point and now a team can declare an onside kick no matter the score.

The committee also proposed a small change to how the receiving team lines up to receive kickoffs and made changes to the touchback on kicks that start from the 50 instead of the 35 following a personal foul penalty.

Under the rule last year, the kicking team was incentivized to kick out of bounds from the 50 to give the receiving team the ball on the 25 instead of the 35 for a touchback. Under the new proposal, touchbacks on kicks from the 50 will be spotted at the 20.

Off-field changes

There were also a few proposals to change bylaws for off-field rules.

The committee also proposed giving the league the latitude to alter the date of the roster cutdown day, which is currently the Tuesday following the final exhibition games, to accommodate an international game in Week 1. The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are set to open the regular season in Australia and this gives the league the option to alter those dates based on when the teams travel to Australia.

The committee also proposed making the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend as business days, allowing for the 24-hour waiver period for players to go into effect on those days instead of waiting until Monday.

The committee also proposed allowing players who began training camp on the physically unable to perform list and were kept on the PUP list after roster cutdown day to be allowed to open their 21-day practice window after Week 2 of the regular season. The players still can’t be put on the active roster until after missing four games but they now are able to practice sooner.

The owners also could vote on two proposals made last week by teams, including one by Cleveland to allow draft picks to be traded five years into the future instead of three and one by Pittsburgh to allow teams to have up to five video or phone calls with potential free agents during the negotiating window before the start of the league year. That was allowed on a trial basis this year and the Steelers are proposing that the rule to be permanent.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Based on the odds, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is a shoo-in to be the first name called in April’s NFL Draft.

The Hoosiers quarterback had a dynamic season, to say the absolute least. He passed for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns and secured the Heisman back in December. Then in January, Mendoza led his team to a 27-21 win over Miami to capture the College Football Playoff championship.

It’s easy to understand why Fernando is the heavy favorite to be drafted No. 1. But what about No. 2?

Let’s take a look at the lines at DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 25 for which player could be selected second in the 2026 NFL Draft.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

NFL Draft 2026 Second Pick Betting Odds

Arvell Reese (Ohio State): -250 (bet $10 to win $14 total)
David Bailey (Texas Tech): +290 (bet $10 to win $39 total)
Sonny Styles (Ohio State): +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Rueben Bain, Jr (Miami): +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame): +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Caleb Downs (Ohio State): +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Ty Simpson (Alabama): +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Fernando Mendoza (Indiana): +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State): +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Carnell Tate (Ohio State): +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Francis Mauigoa (Miami): +12000 (bet $10 to win $1,210 total)

Here’s what to know about the oddsboard: 

The Buckeye, The Raider: Cleveland native Arvell Reese could be trading his Buckeye Scarlet for Gang Green if the New York Jets draft him with the second pick. Over the last month, his odds in this spot have shortened to -250 from +120. At the beginning of last season, Gus Johnson acknowledged the linebacker as the first player to his “Got It” team for being a devastating talent on the field. In 2024 and 2025 combined, he had 52 solo tackles and assisted on 60. The 6-foot-4 Reese had seven total tackles in the Buckeyes’ semifinal loss to Miami, including three solo. Behind him on the board is Texas Tech’s David Bailey. The 6-foot-3 linebacker spent his first three seasons at Stanford before transferring to Tech in 2025. As a Red Raider, he racked up 32 solo tackles, assisted on 20 and had three defended passes.

Case for a QB: Ty Simpson’s odds to go second are on the longer side, but the Jets are in need of a quarterback. So could he be in play here? Well, according to FOX Sports Lead College Football Analyst Joel Klatt, NYJ could take Simpson but might wait until their 16th pick instead of grabbing him at two. “The Jets got Geno Smith in a trade with the Raiders,” Klatt wrote. “Let’s be real, though, New York shouldn’t be saying, ‘We’re all set’ at quarterback after that move. I can’t get Simpson out of my head, either … with Smith in tow, Simpson doesn’t need to start right away.”

Home runs have made a comeback. 

Consider this: We’ve had two 60-home-run seasons in the last four years, after not having any between 2001 and 2021 — a 20-year drought. 

Let’s check out the odds for who will lead MLB in home runs this season at DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 25.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Most regular-season home runs

Aaron Judge: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Shohei Ohtani: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)
Kyle Schwarber: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Cal Raleigh: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Nick Kurtz: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Pete Alonso: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total)
Juan Soto: +1700 (bet $10 to win $180 total)
Junior Caminero: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)

Here’s what to know about the oddsboard:

The Favorite: Any surprise here? New York’s Aaron Judge has led MLB in home runs three times in his career, including twice in the last four years. He hit an AL record 62 in 2022, then was hurt in 2023 (he hit 37 home runs in 106 games), and then hit a sport-leading 58 in 2024. Last season, he finished with 53, which was fourth-most in the majors. 

In the Running: The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is second on the board, even though, somewhat surprisingly, he’s never led baseball in home runs. He led the American League in 2023 with 44, and then led the National League with 54 in 2024. Third on the board is Philly’s Kyle Schwarber, who led the NL in homers in 2022 (46) and 2025 (56). That brings us to last year’s home run king, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh, who mashed 60 dingers essentially out of nowhere. Prior to last year, Raleigh’s career high in home runs was just 34.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah announced Tuesday he will leave the English club at the end of the season, marking an earlier-than-planned departure for one of the club’s greatest-ever scorers and soccer’s biggest names.

The 33-year-old Egypt forward, who has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances for Liverpool, “reached an agreement” to quit the team a year before his contract was due to expire, the Premier League champions said.

Salah’s form has dipped in his ninth year at Anfield, to such an extent that he was dropped for a stretch of games late last year — leading to the winger telling reporters in an impromptu interview that the club “has thrown me under the bus.”

“Unfortunately the day has come,” Salah said in a post on Instagram that was released around the same time as Liverpool published a six-paragraph statement announcing the imminent departure of a club great.

“I wanted to start by saying I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life. Liverpool is not just a football club. It’s a passion, it’s a history, it’s a spirit. I can’t explain in words to anyone not part of this club.”

One of Liverpool’s ‘Greatest Players’ 

It’s a slightly acrimonious exit for Salah, who has been the superstar name in Liverpool’s greatest team in a generation. He has won two Premier Leagues and a Champions League in a total of eight titles since joining from Roma in 2017, initially forming a devastating front three with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino under manager Jurgen Klopp.

Salah is third in Liverpool’s all-time scorers’ list, behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt, and has won the Golden Boot — as the Premier League’s top scorer — four times.

Liverpool described Salah as “one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history” and said his time at Anfield had been “remarkable.”

“Salah expressed his wish to make this announcement to the supporters at the earliest possible opportunity,” Liverpool said, “to provide transparency about his future due to his respect and gratitude for them.”

There was no immediate word from Salah on his next club. Leaving as a free agent would mean Liverpool wouldn’t collect a transfer fee. Salah was previously the subject of a bid from a Saudi team, reportedly Al-Ittihad, that was turned down in 2023.

Drama with Slot

Salah signed a two-year extension to his contract at Liverpool at the end of last season, tying him to the club until 2027, after being the star player in the team’s march to a record-tying 20th English league title.

However, his public clash with the club and manager Arne Slot this season might have tarnished his legacy in the eyes of some fans.

“I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame,” he said during an explosive interview after he was an unused substitute against Leeds in December.

Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah returned to favor with Slot but has struggled to recapture his best form.

“With plenty still left to play for this season, Salah is firmly focused on trying to achieve the best possible finish to the campaign for Liverpool,” the club said, “and, therefore, the time to fully celebrate his legacy and achievements will follow later in the year when he bids farewell to Anfield.”

Salah is currently out with a muscle injury sustained against Galatasaray in the Champions League last week.

Liverpool’s final Premier League game of the season is against Brentford at Anfield on May 24. The Champions League final is the following weekend, but Liverpool is the underdog heading into a quarterfinals matchup with Paris Saint-Germain.

Reporting by The Associated Press. 

Jerrod Calhoun is returning to the University of Cincinnati after being named the men’s basketball coach on Tuesday.

Calhoun, who will be formally introduced on Wednesday, has agreed to a six-year contract, pending board of trustees approval. He will earn $3.7 million in the first year followed by annual raises of $100,000.

“It is a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to lead the Bearcats’ program — one that I know intimately as an alum and hold in the highest regard,” Calhoun said. “I am deeply grateful to John Cunningham and President Neville Pinto for their trust and confidence in me to elevate this program and guide our student-athletes as we pursue championships. Our goal is to build a program that consistently makes Bearcats fans proud, both on and off the court. Sarah, our children and I are excited to get to work at a place that means so much to our family.”

Calhoun — who led Utah State to the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament — graduated from Cincinnati in 2004 and was a student assistant under Bob Huggins during the 2003-04 season. He also spent five seasons on Huggins’ staff at West Virginia from 2007-12, including when the Mountaineers went to the Final Four in 2010.

“He’s earned everything he’s gotten. Jerrod works, he connects with people and he knows how to build a program. I’ve enjoyed watching his growth over the years and I’m proud of what he’s accomplished. Cincinnati is getting a great coach,” Huggins said in a statement.

Calhoun has been a head coach for 14 seasons and has a 297-159 record. He was at Division II Fairmont State in West Virginia for five seasons before getting his first Division I job at Youngstown State. He directed the Penguins for seven years, including five straight winning seasons, the first time they had done that at the Division I level.

Calhoun then went to Utah State and went 55-15 in two seasons. The Aggies went 29-7 this season and won the Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships.

He will try to turn around a Bearcats’ program that is on its third coach since Mick Cronin left in 2019 for UCLA. Cincinnati has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2019, its longest drought since going 14 seasons from 1977-92.

Calhoun replaces Wes Miller, who went 100-74 in five seasons, including 18-15 this year. Miller was named the coach at Charlotte on Monday.

Calhoun is a Cleveland native and played two seasons at Cleveland State for Rollie Massimino.

Reporting by The Associated Press

Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas.

Fans can secure seats exclusively through Vivid Seats for the five-day, single-elimination tournament, which runs from April 1-5 at MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena.

[COLLEGE BASKETBALL CROWN: Purchase Tickets Here]

The College Basketball Crown features an eight-team field from some of the nation’s top conferences, including Baylor, Colorado, Creighton, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Stanford and West Virginia. With a $500,000 NIL prize pool, every game carries added stakes as teams compete for the title.

The event builds on the momentum of last year’s inaugural tournament, where Nebraska claimed the first-ever championship with a run that set the tone for the Crown’s high-level postseason matchups.

The 2026 College Basketball Crown will air across FOX and FS1. Quarterfinal games are scheduled for FS1, with the semifinals and championship game set to be broadcast on FOX.

Below is the full College Basketball Crown schedule:

Crown Quarterfinals

Wednesday, April 1
Oklahoma vs. Colorado (8 p.m. ET on FS1)
Baylor vs. Minnesota (10:30 p.m. ET on FS1)

Thursday, April 2
Stanford vs. West Virginia (8 p.m. ET on FS1)
Rutgers vs. Creighton (10:30 p.m. ET FS1)

Crown Semifinals

Saturday, April 4
1:30 p.m. ET: TBD vs. TBD (FOX)
4 p.m. ET: TBD vs. TBD (FOX)

Crown Finals

Sunday, April 5
5:30 p.m. ET: TBD vs. TBD (FOX)

The college basketball season is winding down, but for many teams the offseason has already started. The coaching carousel has changed the landscape, and while the transfer portal doesn’t officially open until April 7, many players have expressed their intentions. 

Let’s take a look at some of the top players who are set to hit the transfer portal.

San Diego State guard BJ Davis plans to enter transfer portal

After starting 31 games in his sophomore season, Davis took a step back, coming off the bench as a junior at San Diego State. With starting point guard Elzie Harrington continuing to progress, Davis plans to go elsewhere for his final season of eligibility. 

Saint Mary’s forward Paulius Murauskas plans to enter transfer portal

After head coach Randy Bennett left Saint Mary’s for Arizona State, Murauskas was the first domino to fall. He played one season at Arizona and two at Saint Mary’s, where he led the team in scoring with 18.4 points per game this season. The Gaels made the NCAA Tournament in each of Murauskas’ two seasons. He has one year of eligibility remaining. 

Georgetown guard KJ Lewis plans to enter transfer portal

For a second straight season, Lewis will enter the transfer portal. He played two seasons at Arizona before coming to Georgetown, and will now finish out his collegiate career at a third stop. 

North Dakota guard Greyson Uelmen plans to enter transfer portal 

After a valiant effort fell short in the Summit League Tournament title game, North Dakota guard Greyson Uelmen will enter the transfer portal. Uelmen has two seasons of eligibility remaining. 

Oregon stars plan to enter the transfer portal

After a 12-20 season, Oregon has lost two of its top players. Forward Kwame Evans Jr. and point guard Jackson Shelstad plan to enter the transfer portal. Evans will have one year of eligibility remaining, while Shelstad will have two because he played only 12 games due to an injury to his right hand. 

North Dakota State guard Damari Wheeler-Thomas plans to enter the portal

After three seasons at North Dakota State, Wheeler-Thomas plans to enter the transfer portal. He averaged 14.5 points in his junior season, and helped the Bison earn an NCAA Tournament automatic bid as a 14-seed.

South Carolina guard Eli Ellis plans to enter portal

Ellis, 6-foot, averaged 8.6 points per game, coming off the bench for the Gamecocks in his freshman season. He has three years of eligibility remaining. 

Robert Morris forward DeSean Goode plans to enter portal 

Goode averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds during his sophomore season at Robert Morris, and won Player of the Year in the Horizon Conference. He has two years of eligibility remaining.