No. 1 UCLA baseball defeated No. 12 USC 10-4 in their series finale to complete the sweep against their crosstown rival at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday.
UCLA started the game off hot with their first at bat of the day resulting in a homer to right field from Dean West. The Bruins added another hit and a hit by a pitch to get two more runners on base, but were unable to push anymore runners across. USC tied the game 1-1 in the top of the second with a home run of their own, but UCLA was able to keep the Trojans from scoring more leaving two runners on base.
Thanks for the help
In the third, the Bruins pitching tightened up and didn’t allow a hit, which gave UCLA’s batters the opportunity to take the lead. UCLA got two hits and scored their second run off of a walk. The Trojans limited the damage to the single Bruins score as the inning ended with the bases loaded and UCLA up 2-1.
Got to keep up
After each team got one hit in the fourth, UCLA handed USC two runs off of a throwing error in the top of the fifth. The Bruins responded with a home run to start the bottom of the inning and a two-run homer later off the bat of Mulivai Levu. The Trojans were able to cut the lead to one by scoring off of another throwing error in the top of the sixth, but UCLA smacked another two-run homer, this time by Will Gasparino, to increase their lead to 7-4.
Too much firepower
The Bruins hit two singles in the seventh, but couldn’t get home. UCLA had better luck in the bottom of the eighth as junior infielder, and potential No. 1 overall pick, Roch Cholowsky crushed a three-run homer to center field and put the Bruins up 10-4. The Trojans were unable to get a hit in the top of the ninth and allowed the Bruins to hand the Trojans their first series loss of the season.
UCLA will play Cal State Fullerton for the second time this season at Goodwin Field in Fullerton, Calif. on Tuesday with an anticipated start time of 6 p.m. PT.
On Monday night in Indianapolis, UConn will be looking to cement a dynasty that would stand alone in the modern era. After winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, Dan Hurley, Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed Jr. and the rest of the Huskies are one victory away from capturing the program’s third national title in four seasons.
Standing in the way of that immortality is a Michigan team that has blitzed every tournament opponent. With Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Aday Mara leading the charge, Dusty May and the Wolverines have authored a remarkable turnaround just two years removed from one of the worst seasons in program history.
Will Karaban walk off the court with his third ring? Can Michigan secure its first title since Glen Rice guided the Wolverines to the trophy in 1989?
Follow along for live updates throughout the night as UConn and Michigan battle for the 2026 national championship.
UConn vs. Michigan score
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UConn vs. Michigan live updates, highlights from 2026 national championship game
(All times Eastern)
8:56 p.m.: Elliot Cadeau gets fouled outside the arc, and he goes to the line and hits all three free throws. It gives Michigan a 7-2 lead early.
8:54 p.m.: The first points of the game go to Michigan, courtesy of Morez Johnson Jr.
The Illinois transfer uses his size over Solo Ball and lays it in. Then, UConn responds, with Tarris Reed Jr., the Michigan transfer, scoring on a hook.
8:51 p.m.: We are underway in Indianapolis.
UConn wins the tipoff, and the ball is in Silas Demary Jr.’s hands.
8:50 p.m.: Dan Hurley is looking to join John Wooden as a coach to win three titles in four seasons. Dusty May is looking to win the championship in only his second season in Ann Arbor.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2026
Tipoff is less than 30 minutes away.
8:29 p.m.: Michigan enters the game as a 7.5-point favorite, largely supported by their status as the top-ranked defense in the country according to adjusted efficiency metrics. A major factor in this matchup will be the health of the stars, as Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg is expected to play through a minor MCL sprain, while UConn’s Solo Ball is also active after recovering from a recent foot injury.
Statistically, the game will likely be decided on the glass, where Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. looks to exploit a UConn defense that has occasionally struggled to secure defensive rebounds. While Michigan is hunting for its first title since 1989, UConn is attempting to finish a historic run by winning its third national championship in just four years.
8:23 p.m.: All eyes are on the Big Ten Player of the Year, Yaxel Lendeborg, who is expected to play with an injury.
On the other side, Solo Ball is dealing with an ailment for UConn. Both will play.
The statuses of Yaxel Lendeborg and Solo Ball will be crucial to tonight’s Championship Game. @TracyWolfson with the latest, with both expected to play. pic.twitter.com/Ji6GtKOzxM
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 6, 2026
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 7, 2026
One of the most dominant teams in the KenPom era, the Wolverines are looking to capture their second title in program history. Michigan has scored 90+ points in every game this NCAA Tournament and has won every one by double digits.
8:09 p.m.: The UConn Huskies are on the court at Lucas Oil Stadium, looking to bring home their third national championship in four seasons.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 6, 2026
Either UConn will win its seventh national championship and third in the past four years, or Michigan will win its second.
8 p.m.: Tonight’s the night.
In one corner, Dan Hurley’s Huskies are 40 minutes away from etching their name alongside John Wooden’s Bruins as the only programs to capture three national titles in a four-year span.
In the other, a Michigan team that has redefined statistical dominance in the KenPom era looks to complete a meteoric rise from an eight-win team in 2023-24 to a national champion in 2025-26.
UConn vs. Michigan will air live on TBS and truTV. Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery and Grant Hill will be on the call, and Tracy Wolfson will serve as the sideline reporter.
Fans looking to stream UConn vs. Michigan can watch live on DIRECTV.
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UConn vs. Michigan start time
Date: Monday, April 6
Time: 8:50 p.m. ET
UConn vs. Michigan is scheduled to tip off at 8:50 p.m. ET on Monday, April 6. The game will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who led the major leagues with 60 home runs last year, hit his first of the 2026 season Monday night following a 10-game drought.
Raleigh’s homer was pulled deep to right field against two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom of the Texas Rangers to end a 12-pitch at-bat in the first inning. Raleigh fouled off six pitches with two strikes and connected on a 99 mph fastball.
His longest home run drought last season was eight games.
Raleigh entered hitting .132 this year with only one run scored. He nearly homered on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning, but the ball was caught above the wall by Jo Adell, the first of three potential homers the right fielder prevented in that game.
The NFL offseason has featured a number of major transactions since the new league year began. Teams are focusing on the NFL Draft, but that doesn’t mean rosters are fully set.
A few free-agent signings are still taking place. Teams are also working on trades as the key June 1 salary cap date approaches.
The biggest story of the trade cycle? Disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. Brown reportedly requested multiple trades last season.
Sep 21, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ. Brown (11) and running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
He grew frustrated with his role in the offense and his relationships with teammates and coaches. Multiple teams have been linked to him, but one has stood out the most.
The plan all along?
The Athletic reported that an NFL executive has hinted at where Brown will be traded. That destination? The New England Patriots.
This outcome has been the expectation throughout the offseason. Now, an NFL executive has confirmed that many around the league expect it to happen after June 1.
“Expect the Patriots to acquire receiver A.J. Brown from Philadelphia in June, once the salary-cap implications become more tenable for the Eagles.” Mike Sando wrote.
Eagle receiver A.J. Brown gestures during the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl celebration in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. | William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
According to multiple reports, the Eagles originally wanted to move Brown before March 13. A contract clause guaranteeing his 2026 salary took effect on that date.
After that deadline passed, trading Brown before June 1 became nearly impossible. Now, the NFL navigates the murky trade waters with a clearer plan.
A trade sending Brown to the Patriots would not only reunite him with head coach Mike Vrabel, but also give New England a true No. 1 receiver. While Stefon Diggs played well last year, many believe his best days are behind him.
Adding Brown, who still has plenty of football left, would make the Patriots a true force to be reckoned with on offense. Now the question becomes: what will the defending AFC champions give up to acquire his services?
EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 14: Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) reacts after scoring a touchdown during a college football game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Oregon Ducks on November 14, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 2026 NFL Draft is almost upon us, and I haven’t spent nearly as much time speculating on which players I would like to see our Minnesota Vikings go after as I would like. Hopefully, I can spend a good chunk of the next couple of weeks attempting to remedy that, starting with a look at a few guys I wouldn’t mind seeing the purple grab with their first selection.
I’m going to attempt to limit myself to guys who, based on what I’m seeing from mocks and big boards around the internet, have a realistic chance of being available with the 18th overall pick. I’m also going to take guys who are not named Dillon Thieneman. It’s nothing personal against the Oregon safety, who would probably be a really solid pick for the Vikings, but honestly. . .it seems like every damn mock draft on the internet has the Vikings taking Thieneman at #18, so I’m going to try to look at some different players instead.
These five players are in no particular order, and this is just one man’s opinion. Your mileage, as always, may vary.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
I understand that tight end might not be the biggest immediate need for the Vikings. . .at least, not at the moment. But the Vikings re-did T.J. Hockenson’s contract so that he becomes a free agent after this season, and he hasn’t come back from his knee injury quite the way that we may have hoped. The Vikings are going to have to start looking towards the future at the position, and Sadiq is the sort of player who could present real matchup problems for opposing defenses in the future. He had a freakish Combine workout, including the fastest 40-yard dash time ever for a tight end, and has shown himself to be a capable blocker as well as a receiving threat. If the Vikings want to add a different dimension to their offense, Sadiq could be a sneaky pick at #18.
Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
Back when we were still doing the Vikings Report show on YouTube, we always used to say that the Vikings’ defense has never really had the big, butt-kicking type in the middle of the defense who could really open things up for everyone else on that side. There are a lot of those types of players in this year’s class, but McDonald is certainly at the top of the list. His pass-rushing upside may be a bit limited, but if the Vikings are looking for someone in the middle of the defense who can help them consistently get to third-and-long situations, McDonald is someone they should definitely consider.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
It seems like the Vikings are in the market for cornerbacks in the early rounds every year, even though Brian Flores has done some really good work with some corners who are. . .let’s just say “less than premium.” McCoy is one of the more highly-regarded corners in this year’s class, which is pretty incredible when you consider that he missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL that he suffered during offseason training in January of 2025. He hasn’t played a meaningful football game since Tennessee’s loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoffs in December of 2024, but he did put together a pretty sensational Pro Day workout a week ago. If the Vikings feel that’s enough, he could be an enticing talent to grab at their spot in the first round.
Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
An edge guy? Well. . .there are still a lot of rumors surrounding the status of Jonathan Greenard, and we’re to the point where any trade for him likely isn’t going to happen until Draft Day or after, so this might end up being a bit of a delayed need for the Vikings that we’re not considering at the moment. Faulk only registered two sacks in his final season with the Tigers, but that shouldn’t scare Vikings fans off too much. They once drafted a freakishly athletic guy from LSU who only had 1.5 sacks in his final college season, and he turned out okay. I’m not saying he’s going to be Danielle Hunter-esque right away, but guys who are 6’6” and 285 pounds with Faulk’s athleticism aren’t just roaming around out there.
Any Wide Receiver
A wide receiver? Really? I know, it sounds absurd. . .and yet, seemingly, not completely out of the realm of possibility. We know that Justin Jefferson is making a ton of money, and Jordan Addison is, seemingly, about to be in line for a huge extension as well (not Jefferson-level huge, but still significant). After that, after Jalen Nailor’s departure, there isn’t a whole lot on the depth chart. We don’t really know how the team feels about last year’s third-round pick, Tai Felton, and after him, the cupboard is pretty much bare. Would the Vikings really add a third first-round pick to their wide receiver room? I mean, they did add Randy Moss to Cris Carter and Jake Reed once upon a time, but that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, right?
Who are some of the possibilities that you’re potentially thinking of for the Vikings at #18 in this year’s NFL Draft, folks? Share some of them in the comments and let us know what you think of the ones that we’ve put in this post!
Hurley rocking the same suit through the entire Men’s NCAA Tournament isn’t something new for the two-time national championship coach. He’s been rather open about his superstitions over the years in March Madness. Remember the good luck dragon boxers? He’s also thrown holy water along baselines for a sign of good luck.
Another superstition of Hurley’s is wearing a holy beads bracelet that he has been wearing for every game that he has coached in, going back even as far as his days as a high school basketball coach in North Jersey. He almost didn’t have the beads with him for the Illinois game, as his wife, Andrea Hurley, had to rush back to the team hotel to grab them.
“He got this bracelet years and years ago in church. They’re holy beads from Jerusalem, so they said,” Andrea Hurley told CBS Sports on Sunday during an interview. “I had to leave the arena last night, run in the rain, grab the beads … and then I got a police escort.”
Here’s a look at Hurley coming off the court on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium, where he’s talking about his jacket with UConn Sports Information Director Bobby Mullen, and even told Mullen to look at his jacket:
NBA general managers and scouts are heading home from the 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament with plenty to think about after three weeks of incredible action on the court. Now they have to figure out which March Madness performances are indicators of future greatness and which are more of a mirage.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft , Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the Forward’s draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 26 overall, Los Angeles Lakers
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season, leading his team to an appearance in the NCAA mens basketball national championship game, and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.
NBA general managers and scouts are heading home from the 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament with plenty to think about after three weeks of incredible action on the court. Now they have to figure out which March Madness performances are indicators of future greatness and which are more of a mirage.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft , Kansas’s Darryn Peterson is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the Guard’s draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
While he is no longer perceived as the near-certain No. 1 overall pick that he once was due to relative inconsistency and injury issues, many scouts and evaluators feel that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in this class. The Nets have the worst offense in the NBA and could change the course of the franchise by selecting Peterson. It is incredibly rare to find a prospect who is able to score as efficiently as Peterson did while holding a usage rate as high as his was this season.
NBA general managers and scouts are heading home from the 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament with plenty to think about after three weeks of incredible action on the court. Now they have to figure out which March Madness performances are indicators of future greatness and which are more of a mirage.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the Forward’s draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
The Grizzlies could add to their rebuilding core after trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. by selecting Yaxel Lendeborg, who has shown on his way to the mens collegiate national championship game that he is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. The Big Ten Player of the Year offers a bit of everything on both sides of the ball and has silenced skeptics who were unsure how his game would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. The Grizzlies have drafted players with similar trajectories like Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward.
Cade Cunningham was upgraded from “out” to “doubtful” before Detroit’s Monday night game in Orlando, but he did not take the court. What that showed, however, is that he is close to a return from a collapsed lung, and the Pistons’ All-Star could play before the end of the season.
Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said pregame he hopes that Cunningham, as well as injured big man Isaiah Stewart — also upgraded to doubtful but not playing in the game due to a calf strain — can play in at least one more game before the season ends, via Omari Sankofa, Detroit Free Press.
“There’s no way to replicate what a game is other than playing the game… especially ramping up to the intensity of playoff basketball, it would be beneficial for the guys, and the group.”
Cunningham has been out since March 17, when he collided with Wizards’ rookie Tre Johnson diving for a loose ball. That led to Cunningham’s collapsed lung, which was expected to keep him out through the end of the season. Detroit has gone an impressive 8-2 without Cunningham and, as a result, has locked up the No. 1 seed in the East.
Cunningham, however, will fall short of the 65 games needed to qualify for postseason awards. He very likely would have been in the top five in MVP voting and made First Team All-NBA. Cunningham has averaged 24.5 points, 9.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds a game this season.
