March 2026

There were 1,682 posts published in March 2026 (this is page 51 of 169).

Houston Rockets jersey history No. 10 – Dirk Minniefield (1986-87)

The Houston Rockets have had players donning a total of 52 different jersey numbers (and have one not part of any numerical series for Houston assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson) since their founding at the start of the 1967-68 season, worn by just under 500 players in the course of Rockets history.

To honor all of the players who wore those numbers over the decades, Rockets Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who wore them since the founding of the team all those years ago right up to the present day.

With seven of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Rockets of all time to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.

And for today’s article, we will continue with the fourth of 21 who wore the No. 10, guard alum Dirk Minniefield. After ending his college career at Kentucky, Minniefield was picked up with the 33rd overall selection of the 1983 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks.

The Lexington, Kentucky native would play the first two seasons of his pro career in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA — that era’s version of the G League) instead after being traded and cut by Dallas and the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets respectively.

He would sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1985 before he was dealt to the Houston Rockets in 1986. His stay with the team lasted until he signed with the Golden State Warriors in 1987.

During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Minniefield wore only jersey No. XXX and put up 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets jersey history No. 10 – Dirk Minniefield (1986-87)

Todd Golden-Ben McCollum fight: Florida, Iowa coaches involved in heated exchange during March Madness game

Todd Golden-Ben McCollum fight: Florida, Iowa coaches involved in heated exchange during March Madness game originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Pyrotechnics took hold of Benchmark International Arena during No. 1 Florida and No. 9 Iowa’s Round of 32 tilt.

The action on the floor proved feisty, with both sides exchanging bruising blows in the first half. The Hawkeyes found the target on a number of occasions, only for the Gators to respond in kind. Iowa opened up a 10-point advantage ahead of the break, but by the time the halftime horn sounded, its advantage stood at just two.

On the sidelines, a war of words brewed between the teams’ two head coaches — Florida’s Todd Golden and Iowa’s Ben McCollum. Video of a heated confrontation between the pair danced across social media, adding a little more intensity to a matchup already teeming with it.

Here’s what you need to know.

MARCH MADNESS HQ:Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more

Todd Golden-Ben McCollum fight

Golden and McCollum confronted one another partway through the first-half of Sunday’s game.

The verbal sparring session appeared to originate from an on-court dustup between Florida’s Alex Condon and Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras. The two wrestled with one another for the ball, prompting officials to give both players a technical foul.

The assessment of the double technical appeared to spark something in Golden and McCollum, who directed venom at one another during the official timeout. McCollum had to be physically restrained from coming after Golden, who stood stoically on the other sideline.

It’s unclear quite what was said between Golden and McCollum. The decision to assess Condon a technical foul did not seem to go over well in the Golden camp, however.

Todd Golden-Ben McCollum video

Here’s a few angles at Golden and McCollum’s verbal spat:

Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Gameday Thread, #30 @ Padres

SURPRISE, AZ – OCTOBER 24: A general view of Goodyear Ballpark during the game between the Peoria Javelinas and the Surprise Saguaros at Surprise Stadium on Thursday, October 24, 2024 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Roster moves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves and have 33 players in camp.

Optioned to Triple-A Reno:

  • LHP Philip Abner

Reassigned to Minor League camp:

  • C Aramis Garcia
  • INF Jacob Amaya

The first of these is a bit of a surprise. Only yesterday, I was noting how Abner seemed to have the inside track for left-handers job, after the recent meltdowns of Brandyn Garcia. Now, it seems either it’s Garcia’s job, or the Diamondbacks will be going without a left-handed option out of the pen.

The finale of the Cactus League today, with the remaining games tomorrow and Tuesday being on the hallowed (artificial) turf of Chase Field. John Curtiss gets the start, to be followed by LHP Brandyn Garcia, RHP Juan Morillo, RHP Taylor Rashi, RHP Shawn Dubin and, uh, according to the D-backs team notes anyway, RHP John Curtiss again. I presume the Curtiss start is to avoid a divisional rival getting experience late in spring against a recognized starting pitcher. This game was originally going to be broadcast on Arizona Sports, but the team notes make no mention of this. The change in start time from an afternoon game may have screwed things up there.

How to live stream Texas Tech vs Alabama: March Madness 2026 NCAA Tournament, TV channel

After advancing through the first round, Texas Tech faces Alabama on Sunday in the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.

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The NCAA Tournament continues on Sunday, as teams look to advance to the Sweet 16, setting the stage for another day of dramatic finishes. With eyes set on a national title, the tournament always promises the chaos and excitement that make March Madness one of the best events to follow in sports.

– Watch every NCAA Tournament matchup on DIRECTV –

In this Midwest Region second‑round clash, No. 4 Alabama travels on the momentum of a decisive 90–70 first‑round victory over Hofstra, where senior leadership and depth shone through once the Tide took control, while No. 5 Texas Tech enters after a 91–71 rout of Akron that highlighted its efficiency and cohesion on both ends.

Alabama’s athleticism and ability to score in transition will face a structured Texas Tech attack that prides itself on shot selection and rebounding balance, setting up a battle of contrasting styles as both teams vie for a Sweet 16 berth.

Live stream Texas Tech vs Alabama with DIRECTV: Start your free trial now!

Watch every matchup during the 2026 NCAA Tournament on DIRECTV.

Games throughout the tournament are broadcast on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, with DIRECTV packages providing access to all four networks, so viewers can stream every round live.

Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

MARCH MADNESS: Predicting March Madness upsets in the 2026 NCAA Tournament

NFL DRAFT: New Mel Kiper NFL mock draft shows major impact of free agency

MLB: Dodgers announce Shohei Ohtani’s spring training pitching debut

NHL: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl out for regular season with lower-body injury

ENTERTAINMENT: Is ‘Bachelorette’ still airing amid Taylor Frankie Paul domestic dispute allegations?

VIRAL: Livvy Dunne shares ‘Baywatch’ training with BTS swimsuit, set photos

Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Gameday Thread, #30 @ Padres

SURPRISE, AZ – OCTOBER 24: A general view of Goodyear Ballpark during the game between the Peoria Javelinas and the Surprise Saguaros at Surprise Stadium on Thursday, October 24, 2024 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Roster moves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves and have 33 players in camp.

Optioned to Triple-A Reno:

  • LHP Philip Abner

Reassigned to Minor League camp:

  • C Aramis Garcia
  • INF Jacob Amaya

The first of these is a bit of a surprise. Only yesterday, I was noting how Abner seemed to have the inside track for left-handers job, after the recent meltdowns of Brandyn Garcia. Now, it seems either it’s Garcia’s job, or the Diamondbacks will be going without a left-handed option out of the pen.

The finale of the Cactus League today, with the remaining games tomorrow and Tuesday being on the hallowed (artificial) turf of Chase Field. John Curtiss gets the start, to be followed by LHP Brandyn Garcia, RHP Juan Morillo, RHP Taylor Rashi, RHP Shawn Dubin and, uh, according to the D-backs team notes anyway, RHP John Curtiss again. I presume the Curtiss start is to avoid a divisional rival getting experience late in spring against a recognized starting pitcher. This game was originally going to be broadcast on Arizona Sports, but the team notes make no mention of this. The change in start time from an afternoon game may have screwed things up there.

Dodgers vs. Angels game chat

Feb 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Tyler Glasnow makes his final start before the regular season as the Dodgers visit the Angels.

  • Teams: Dodgers @ Angels
  • Stadium: Angel Stadium, Anaheim
  • Time: 6:07 p.m. PT
  • TV: MLB Network
  • Radio: Dodgers Radio AM 570 & KLAA

Phillies agree to 6-year contract with opening day starter Cristopher Sánchez

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a new six-year contract with opening day starter Cristopher Sánchez.

The deal announced Sunday for last season’s NL Cy Young Award runner-up begins in 2027 and will run through 2032 with a club option for 2033.

Terms were not immediately available.

Sánchez had been pitching under a $22.5 million, four-year contract that was through 2028.

He went 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA in 32 starts last season and struck out a career-high 212 batters. He’s 30-21 overall in four full big league seasons.

Originally signed by the Tampa Bay Rays as an amateur free agent in 2013, Sánchez was acquired in a trade by the Phillies on Nov. 20, 2019, for infielder Curtis Mead.

Mead played in just 41 games for the Chicago White Sox last season while Sánchez has blossomed into one of the best pitchers in baseball and helped key the Phillies’ run to consecutive NL East titles in 2024 and 2025.

The Phillies want to keep their postseason run going — four straight appearances headed into 2026 — and have locked up all veteran members of their staff to long-term deals.

Jesús Luzardo earlier this month finalized a $135 million, five-year contract that starts in 2027. Zack Wheeler has a $126 million deal through the 2027 and Aaron Nola a $172 million, seven-year agreement through 2030. Rookie Andrew Painter is under team control through 2031 and earned the fifth starter spot in the rotation.

Tennessee gets benefit of controversial call in final minute. Did refs get it right?

No. 6 seed Tennessee is head back to the Sweet 16 for the fourth year in a row following a 79-72 win over No. 3 Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

But do the Cavaliers have a legitimate gripe about a late call that didn’t go their way?

March Madness scores: A buzzer-beater, highlights, more Round 2 updates

With 27 seconds left, and the Volunteers leading 73-71, Virginia missed a short shot, and in the scrum for the rebound the ball was spiked by Tennessee’s Nate Ament and bounced off some bodies before going out of bounds.

The officials gave the ball to Tennessee, which drew a coach’s challenge from UVA coach Ryan Odom after replays seemed to suggest the ball was spiked off Vols guard Bishop Boswell’s head and then out of bounds without a Virginia player touching it. UVA’s Dallin Hall was close to the ball, but pulled his hands away and didn’t seem to make contact with the ball, as it didn’t change directions.

However, the refs stuck with the original call and gave Tennessee the ball. UT’s Ja’Kobi Gillespie would add free throws, and down two possessions, the arithmetic changed and the game was ultimately affected.

Did the refs make right call in Tennessee-Virginia game? Take a look and decide for yourself:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Controversial late call in Tennessee-Virginia game helps Vols reach Sweet 16

Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras, Florida’s Alex Condon get in tussle in March Madness game

In one of the final games of the first week of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, some sparks flew — and, by the looks of it, a balled-up fist.

With about nine minutes remaining in the first half of No. 9 seed Iowa’s game against No. 1 seed and reigning national champion Florida, Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras collected a rebound off an Alex Condon miss, but Condon reached in, leading to a tie-up.

Shortly after a referee blew the whistle, signaling a held ball and the end of the play, Condon continued to pull at the ball and dragged Folgueiras to the court.

REQUIRED READING: March Madness? More like March Blandness in as NCAA Tournament has too much chalk

After the play, Iowa and Florida players rushed to the scene, with the two sides eventually separated. A replay on the TBS broadcast showed Folgueiras balling up his fist and throwing it in Condon’s direction, though it appeared that it was Folgueiras’ forearm, not his fist, that made contact with Condon’s chest, with the motion of his arm going in the direction of the tie ball.

The TBS announcers working the game initially speculated that Folgueiras, a Robert Morris transfer in his first season at Iowa, might receive a flagrant-2 foul and an automatic ejection, but upon video review, referees determined that it was a double technical foul.

Florida coach Todd Golden was incensed at the call, arguing with the officials after it was made. Following the altercation between Folgueiras and Condon, Golden was also seen shouting in the direction of the Iowa bench and first-year Hawkeyes coach Ben McCollum.

“I don’t know, they were just going for the ball, and then everybody got all sensitive,” McCollum said to TBS in a sideline interview at the next timeout. “Their people got sensitive. It’s like, you’re trying to play ball. It’s whatever. We’ll compete. We’ll fight. We’ll see what happens.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras, Florida’s Alex Condon get in tussle in March Madness game

Mariners Spring Training Game #29: Open Game Thread

PEORIA, ARIZONA – MARCH 11: Bryan Woo #22 of the Seattle Mariners looks on in the dugout during a Spring Training game against the Colorado Rockies at Peoria Stadium on March 11, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s the penultimate night in Peoria, er, Glendale.

Bryan Woo will get the ball in the Mariners’ next to last game of Spring Training. The next time we see him, it’ll count for real. Catching Woo today is newly appointed backup catcher Mitch Garver. The rest of the Mariners lineup is not quite what they’ll send out on Opening Day lineup, but still a group of players who will feature throughout the season.

Also expected to pitch today: Andrés Muñoz, Jhonathan Díaz, Jose Ferrer, Casey Legumina, and Cooper Criswell.

First Pitch: 6:05 pm PDT

TV: None

Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, MLB.com