Posts

It has been apparent most of the college basketball season that a clear line exists between the very best teams and those at the next level. Remember when Ricky Bobby said the immortal words, “If you’re not first, you’re last”? It’s like that.SN’s MARCH MADNESS HQPrintable bracket | Predictor tool | Best bracket names | Tickets The teams on the highest seed lines this season — Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and Gonzaga — did not lose many games to those that weren’t in their weight class....

The Sweet 16 will begin with some of the most highly anticipated matchups of the bracket to date with the West’s No. 1 Gonzaga taking on No. 4 Arkansas, and No. 2 Duke facing No. 3 Texas Tech. The South region will have its Elite Eight teams picked out as No. 2 Villanova will play No. 11 Michigan before No. 1 Arizona will matchup with No. 5 Houston. MORE: Watch March Madness games live with Sling TV...

Dragon Quest 12 was first revealed in May 2021 to celebrate the long-running series’ 35th anniversary. Touted as a darker, action-oriented entry to the series, no real information has been given about the game since. Due to the Dragon Quest series’ massive popularity in Japan, and the fact this State of Play is focusing solely on Japanese publishers, Dragon Quest 12 would be the perfect announcement to crank the hype to the maximum....

Ambrose said Thursday he is trying to move on from the fight Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway, but he doesn't regret punching Mears during a postrace altercation in the garage. “I don’t apologize for my actions,” Ambrose said Thursday following an appearance to promote the upcoming races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “I was just standing up for myself and my team and my family and letting people know that you can’t get in my private space like that and expect to not have any consequences....

The 23-year-old has not played for the Old Trafford outfit since their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on October 5, and has missed their last two games owing to a groin injury. Ahead of the weekend’s English top-flight game, the former Real Madrid and Chelsea gaffer disclosed that the Cote d’Ivoire international is in line against Chris Hughton’s men. “Bailly I think has a chance for the weekend,” Mourinho told media....

The Portuguese forward was named on the bench and came on as a second-half substitute in Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool. He was once again named on the bench by Erik ten Hag against the Saints. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner came on as a substitute in the 68th minute but failed to impress. The 37-year-old seemingly lacked energy, motivation, and desire. However, the former Juventus star went on to praise his team by posting a three-worded message on Twitter after the game....

Maguire picked up the injury in Manchester United’s goalless FA Cup 3rd round match against Wolverhampton on Saturday. Despite the injury, Maguire chose to complete the match which reportedly made the injury even worse. The 26-year-old defender then failed a late fitness test for the game against Manchester City last night and now has been ruled out for an indefinite period. Per the MEN, Maguire is not expected to play for another two weeks....

In case you didn’t know… Palace rejected United’s initial offer for the England U21 defender earlier this month, reportedly worth £50 million in total. The Eagles will not be forced into selling their academy graduate and are holding out for their asking price up front. Wan-Bissaka has emerged as one of Britain’s hottest talents after an excellent season at Selhurst Park. The 21-year-old made 39 appearances for the London club and was named the Player of the Year for his impressive performances....

Brighton have won just 2 times in the 19 games against Manchester United in all competition, with the Red Devils winning 12. However, since the inception of the Premier League, the teams have played each other only twice, with both registering a win each. Brighton famously won 1-0 at the Amex Stadium the last time these two met, which was in May this year. United did win 1-0 at home and 2-0 in the FA Cup....

Roberto Mancini admitted he will be disappointed to see “one of my children” Mario Balotelli leave Manchester City for AC Milan but insists the move is in the best interests of the Italy forward. Balotelli was missing from English champions City’s goalless Premier League draw away to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Tuesday as his reported £19 million ($30 million) transfer was finalised. The striker’s spell at the Eastlands has been marked by a succession of controversies on and off the pitch but City manager Mancini insisted his side would miss the erratic player during the final weeks of the season....

Archie Manning stepped down as one of the 13 committee members, citing health concerns following knee replacement surgery, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen first reported. Bill Hancock, the executive director of the CFB plans for Manning to return to the committee for 2015. Mortensen reported that complications in the procedure will lead to additional surgery, but it’s not life-threatening. So what does that mean for the committee, tasked with determining the first four-team playoff in FBS history?...

That said, Buck and Aikman’s broadcast won’t be the only way for fans to catch the game on Monday. ESPN is bringing back “Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli” for the 2022 NFL season. The Manning brothers will reunite for their “Manningcast,” which will provide a different look at each contest, including Week 1’s Broncos vs. Seahawks game. The Manningcast is much less formal than the traditional broadcast. It focuses on the banter among Peyton, Eli and the guests that appear to discuss the games....

MORE: AL’s best players under 25 | Machado elects to have surgery | The injury [GIF] The surgery was performed in Los Angeles by Dodgers team physician Dr. Neil ElAttrache -- the same surgeon who repaired Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay's torn rotator cuff in March. A tendon from Machado's hamstring was grafted to the knee to replace the ruptured ligament. Machado's estimated recovery time is six months, meaning the Orioles will more than likely open their season without him at the hot corner....

On November 24th last year, Manny Pacquiao had celebrated his laudable victory against the U.S. fighter Brandon Rios at the World Boxing Organization (WBO) International in a 12-round welterweight boxing title fight, which was held in Venetian Macao hotel, Macau. Pacquiao from Philippines had fought against most of the great fighters of the time throughout his Hall of Fame career. He; however, cannot believe about Tim Bradley’s pre-match ritual of not taking shower a week prior to a fight....

Pacquiao, a legendary Filipino champion, will end his boxing career and pursue his political career in his home country, according to his promoter, Bob Arum. MORE: Iconic photos of Manny Pacquiao | Golovkin is the next big thing | 30 days of Ronda Rousey There is no opponent yet for Pacquaio’s final fight, but junior welterweight titlist Terence Crawford is high on the list of possibilities. Crawford is 29-0 after his Saturday victory over Dierry Jean in a bout Arum promoted....

With the Qataris and the Arabs influxes, romance in football is coming to an end. Every investor wants results. Every businessman wants a profit. The big question which arises is: Should the teams break the bank for big signings or put their trust in their home grown stars? The answer however is a little complex. As a football fan, it would be a little bit of the first and more of the latter....

“When you have preparation time and you win everything and your first match you lose, it cannot be worse,” said van Gaal. “It is not good because we have built up a lot of confidence and then it shall be smashed down because of this result.” For all the talk of a new start following the departure of David Moyes, it remains a worryingly familiar tale. Possession not penetration and opponents no longer overawed by the occasion or simply making up the numbers....

The Murray State point guard was at the top of his game Thursday in a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup with Marquette, recording a triple-double with 17 points, 16 assists and 11 rebounds. Considered among the most skilled players in the nation by college basketball junkies, he’s now introducing himself to a wider audience. His second-half dunk on top of Marquette’s Joey Hauser was vicious. SN’s MARCH MADNESS HQLive NCAA bracket | Live scoreboard | Full TV schedule...

The MCC renamed itself the Horizon League, but Xavier hasn’t been a member for two decades. Larkin now analyzes XU games on the school’s radio network. And those games are contested primarily in the Big East Conference and televised nationally either on Fox Sports or CBS Sports Network. The Musketeers have made 25 NCAA appearances since, but only on the rarest of occasions have they entered as a double-digit seed....

If you finish dead last in the Team Fagan challenge, you have to wear the pink bunny suit — you know, Ralphie’s nightmare from the classic movie ‘A Christmas Story’ — for the following year’s St. Patrick’s Day five-mile run. And no excuses are allowed. SN’s MARCH MADNESS HQPrintable bracket | Predictor tool | Best bracket names | Tickets My brother Seth scheduled his honeymoon during that weekend (saving thousands of dollars to avoid spring break travel fare hikes) but we punished him by making him wear the bunny suit two years in a row....