Day: April 6, 2026

A spot in the college basketball history books is on the line Monday night in Indianapolis as Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies will face the No. 1-seeded Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship. The Wolverines – chasing their first national title since 1989 – have been a dominant force throughout the Big Dance, winning five games by an average of 22 points per game. They are led by senior standout Yaxel Lendeborg, who sprained his left MCL and left ankle in the first half against Arizona on Saturday night, but is expected to play.UConn is looking to capture its third national championship in four years under Hurley. The Huskies are led by the senior duo of Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban, but are also dealing with an injury of their own to Solo Ball. The junior guard was in a walking boot after the team’s Final Four win over Illinois, but he appears good to go for Monday night’s championship game. Here are the top storylines ahead of Monday night’s title game: UConn Huskies 1. UConn’s Alex Kabaran going for third title with Huskies Alex Karaban has been with the Huskies since he stepped foot into the college basketball world. A two-time national champion, Karaban has never once thought about leaving UConn. “I’ve never considered the portal,” Karaban said. “You win and start on two national championship teams here, freshman and sophomore year, it’s going to be tough going into the office and being like, ‘Coach I want to leave.’” What Karaban has now is a chance to go for a third title to close out his time with the Huskies. Karaban has been a star for UConn for four straight seasons, something unheard of in today’s transfer portal world. 2. Mullins’ Michigan alliance shifting ahead of title game UConn freshman Braylon Mullins hit the shot heard around the world, a 30-foot 3-pointer to help the Huskies advance to the Final Four with a win over Duke. Now, the Mullins family, who were loyal to the Michigan Wolverines, have shifted their alliance to the Huskies ahead of the game. Mullins was born and raised in Greenfield, Indiana, and grew up in a Michigan athletics household. Now, the chance to go up against his childhood team has extra meaning for the true freshman. “In my household, growing up, it was Michigan football, Michigan basketball,” Mullins said Sunday. “That’s what my family and friends were watching. So having people around me who are probably going to be rooting for Michigan means a little more in this game, just to be fun. But at the end of the day, it’s just another game.” 3. Huskies going for third title in four seasons UConn’s dominance as a basketball program has led to this moment, competing for a third national championship in four seasons. The previous two titles came consecutively, in 2023 when they defeated San Diego State, and in 2024, beating Purdue. Hurley has accumulated an 18-1 record in the NCAA Tournament and is 199-74 in eight seasons. If the Huskies clinch their third title in four years, it’ll make them the first program to do so since the dominant UCLA run under John Wooden. Michigan Wolverines 1. Can Michigan stay dominant with Yaxel Lendeborg’s injury? Yaxel Lendeborg is a pivotal piece when it comes to the Wolverines’ starting lineup. The senior forward suffered a sprained MCL and rolled ankle that sidelined him for a large portion of the team’s Final Four win over Arizona. While the Wolverines still took care of the Wildcats, 91-73, to advance to their first title game since 2018, the concern now turns to Lendeborg’s health against the Huskies. Lendeborg averaged 15.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season. 2. Dusty May competing for first-ever national championship May, who led FAU to the Final Four in 2023, is set to make his first-ever appearance in a national title game. “What makes Dusty May special as a coach is obviously his eye for talent, his ability to construct a roster, the fact that he insulates himself with an excellent coaching staff, and his ability to build team and culture,” Hurley said of May. “He’s got a special eye for how to put together a great team.” The Wolverines’ season-long dominance has caught the eyes of many, notably when they knocked a powerful Arizona team out of title contention, leading by 30 points at one point in the game. Michigan’s title win would tie the B1G single-season win record. 3. Michigan’s starting lineup shows the power of the transfer portal In the midst of the transfer portal era, the Wolverines have proven that, when done right, the perfect portal class can lead to success. The Wolverines boast Lendeborg from UAB, Elliot Cadeau from North Carolina, Morez Johnson Jr. from Illinois and Aday Mara from UCLA. Collectively, this lineup has produced five consecutive 90-point games leading up to the title game, the most since by any team in a single tournament. Michigan’s strength is its interior size, as the trio of Lendeborg, Johnson and Mara have combined to average 13.5 points and seven rebounds per game this season. The Associated Press contributed to this report​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has seemed to pick up so much buzz in the weeks leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft that most mock drafts now have him going in the first round. “First Things First’s” Nick Wright believes that’ll be the case as well. However, does Wright agree with the idea that Simpson should be a first-round pick? In his first mock draft, Wright projects that the team that will select Simpson will massively overdraft him. But there’s also a pick in the top 10 that Wright projects will happen that he said would be a move he couldn’t support. Let’s take a closer look at Wright’s first mock 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. All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Wright’s thoughts: “No shocker at all. We all know where [Mendoza] is going.” Odds to be selected No. 1: -20000 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State Wright’s thoughts: “You’ll see a lot of Ohio State kids in the top 10. [Reese] is maybe the best defensive player in this draft. I feel Aaron Glenn looks at him and says, ‘Is there a little Micah Parsons there?’” Odds to be No. 2 overall pick: -270 3. Arizona Cardinals: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Wright’s thoughts: “You guys like spider graphs and athleticism? His is 99 percentile everywhere. Maybe the sickest athlete in the draft.” Odds to be No. 3 overall pick: +700 4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Wright’s thoughts: “The pick that everyone now seems to think is happening. … Is it smart to draft a running back that high before your offensive line has been fully built? Maybe ask the Raiders that.” Odds to be No. 4 overall pick: +160 5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Wright’s thoughts: “Malik Nabers is coming off the [ACL] injury. Even with Nabers, [the Giants] don’t have a surefire No. 2 [wide receiver].” Odds to be No. 5 overall pick: +1200 6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.) Wright’s thoughts: “A team that, on offense, needs. a bit of everything. Maybe they go get the No. 1 tackle in the draft?” Odds to be No. 6 overall pick: +500 7. Washington Commanders: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Wright’s thoughts: “He was, according to a lot of people, the best player in college football going into the year. The only reason he would be available at No. 7, and might be available outside of the top 10, is the positional [value].” Odds to be No. 7 overall pick: +750 8. New Orleans Saints: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech Wright’s thoughts: “I think the best pure pass rusher in the draft is David Bailey. I don’t know if he’s a three-down player or if he’ll be great against the run, but he’s a monster against the pass.” Odds to be No. 8 overall pick: +550 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami (Fla.) Wright’s thoughts: “If it were to fall like this, I think the Chiefs would run to the podium to draft Rueben Bain. They have not had a blue-chip edge rusher, you could argue, in [Patrick] Mahomes’ whole career.” Odds that Chiefs use first pick on edge rusher or defensive lineman: +275 10. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Wright’s thoughts: “A move that I would not support, which is why I think the Bengals might do it. Most of the things they do, I don’t support. You know what would be fun? More offense. The no. 1 tight end and a guy who has, in a good way, gotten some Kyle Pitts comps.” Odds that Sadiq is drafted by the Bengals: +2500 11. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah Wright’s thoughts: “The Dolphins are in a full-on teardown. However, you did sign Malik Willis. You traded away his weapons. You at least want to give him a little bit of protection.” Odds that Fano is a top-10 pick: +160 12. Dallas Cowboys: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU Wright’s thoughts: “Cowboys, I think, would run to the board to hand this pick in. The top corner, whom I think a lot of people incorrectly believe the Chiefs will take at No. 9. Delane is everyone’s top corner in this draft. The Cowboys need help in every aspect in the secondary.” Odds that Delane is the first cornerback drafted: -320 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC Wright’s thoughts: “I like this fit a lot, not just because he would be able to stay home. … Lemon can play the slot or the outside [and] Davante Adams is, obviously, getting older and all of a sudden, Puka Nacua’s availability is a question mark. They’re an ultimate win-now team that might have short and longterm questions at wide receiver.” Odds that Rams use first pick on a wide receiver: +120 14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State Wright’s thoughts: “I got the Ravens going with the best available interior offensive lineman. He hasn’t played much center at all, I think 20 snaps total, but he’s played both guard spots. They need help on the interior of the offensive line.” Odds that Ravens use first pick on an offensive lineman: +140 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keldric Faulk, edge rusher, Auburn Wright’s thoughts: “The Bucs have been trying to address edge rusher in the draft for years. They have hit in some capacity, but no real stars.” Odds that Buccaneers use first pick on an edge rusher or a defensive lineman: +125 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama Wright’s thoughts: “What I think would be a massive overdraft, but the Jets are kind of known to massively overdraft [players]. The Jets are one of the top picks for, ‘Team Most Likely To Have Their Owner Completely Reshuffle Their Board The Day Before The Draft.’” Odds that Simpson is drafted by the Jets: +145 17. Detroit Lions: Akheem Mesidor, edge rusher, Miami (Fla.) Wright’s thoughts: “The Lions still need an edge rusher opposite of Aidan Hutchinson.” Odds that Lions use first pick on an edge rusher or defensive lineman: +200 18. Minnesota Vikings: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State Wright’s thoughts: “I feel like Jordan Addison’s star has dimmed over the last couple of years for lack of on-field production and off-field [stuff]. It feels like the defense has people everywhere already.” Odds that Vikings use first pick on a wide receiver: +1800 19. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia Wright’s thoughts: “Get Bryce Young some offensive line help.” Odds that Panthers use first pick on an offensive lineman: +400 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia Wright’s thoughts: “The Cowboys, remember, they thought Logan Wilson was going to transform the defense. That didn’t work out.” Odds that Allen is a first-round pick: +110 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State Wright’s thoughts: “Cameron Hayward’s the oldest every-down defensive player in the league and T.J. Watt’s getting older. So I think Kayden McDonald is to try to add right now depth and then eventually heir apparent makes sense there.” Odds that Steelers use first pick on an edge rusher or a defensive lineman: +600 22. Los Angeles Chargers: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon Wright’s thoughts: “Yeah, they got the tackles back, but the interior of that offensive line, no one could win with that. Those excuses, I already see them being brewed up in Danny’s [Parkins] workshop. So they take one of the top interior offensive linemen.” Odds that Chargers use first pick on an offensive lineman: +155 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana Wright’s thoughts: “The Eagles, I believe, anticipating an AJ Brown trade, end up drafting Omar Cooper.” Odds that Eagles use first pick on a wide receiver: +400 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee Wright’s thoughts: “McCoy probably would have been a top 12 pick, but he totally blew out his knee prior to last year. Didn’t play last year. Now, he might not be a first-round pick. Those are the types of guys, if you’re Cleveland with your second first round pick, I think you should look at like the super high upside, even if he takes a minute to get acclimated.” Over/under on number of cornerbacks drafted in first round: 4.5 25. Chicago Bears: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama Wright’s thoughts: “He’s the tackle from Alabama that we saw, catching the passes and rumbling and running down like the most athletic 380-pounder I’ve ever seen in my life. I feel like the Bears all of a sudden have to address left tackle because of that, and so we have him going there.” Odds that Bears use first pick on an offensive lineman: +700 26. Buffalo Bills: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson Wright’s thoughts: “The Bills have been trying to get corner correct in the draft for a couple of years. I know they just drafted Maxwell Hairston. They take another shot at it with Terrell out of Clemson.” Odds that Bills use first pick on a cornerback: +275 27. San Francisco 49ers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson Wright’s thoughts: “I think the Niners need to start looking at a post-Trent Williams world, especially at his age.” Odds that 49ers use first pick on an offensive lineman: +115 28. Houston Texans: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State Wright’s thoughts: “The Texans always need to address the offensive line.” Odds that Texans use first pick on an offensive lineman: -140 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Wright’s thoughts: “The Chiefs go with secondary help after losing Jaylen Watson, Trent McDuffie, and Bryan Cook this offseason with Thieneman out of Oregon.” Odds that Thieneman is a first-round pick: -4000 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo Wright’s thoughts: “Dolphins also take a safety, McNeil-Warren, out of Toledo.” Odds that McNeil-Warren is a first-round pick: -260 31. New England Patriots: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington Wright’s thoughts: “Then the Patriots lost Stefon Diggs, having not necessarily traded for A.J. Brown. They take Denzel Boston out of Washington.” Odds that Patriots use first pick on a wide receiver: +370 32. Seattle Seahawks: Cashius Howell, edge rusher, Texas A&M Wright’s thoughts: “The Seahawks, after losing a few of the defenders in free agency, add to their defensive depth with Cassius Howell, the edge rusher out of Texas A&M.” Odds that Seahawks use first pick on an edge rusher: +400​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Now that’s more like it! DC Defenders head coach Shannon Harris sought some redemption in Week 2 after mustering just 10 points in a season-opening road loss, and the defending UFL champions received it in the form of an easy 44-26 victory over the Columbus Aviators at Historic Crew Stadium in Ohio on Friday. The Defenders leaned on the ground game, totaling 229 rushing yards. Standout running back Deon Jackson led the effort with 97 rushing yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was efficient through the air, going 8-for-11 for 99 yards, a touchdown pass and an interception. The Defenders (1-1) scored on eight of their 11 possessions and forced four Aviators (0-2) turnovers. “We had to reestablish our D.C. brand of football,” Harris told reporters after the game. “We did a good job up front blocking. We challenged our O-line up front in running the football, and those guys did a good job in rising up to the challenge.” Elsewhere, the Orlando Storm improved to 2-0 with a 19-9 home victory over the winless Louisville Kings (0-2). The Houston Gamblers (1-1) earned their first victory of the season on a last-second, 50-yard field goal to seal a comeback win and defeat the Birmingham Stallions (1-1) by two, 22-20. There’s one game remaining in Week 2, as the Dallas Renegades (1-0) host the St. Louis Battlehawks (1-1) on Tuesday night (8 p.m. ET on FS1). [2026 UFL Results: Gamblers, Storm, Defenders Victorious In Week 2] Here are my takeaways from Week 2 of the UFL: 1. Gamblers earn first victory, run over Stallions Houston, who finished with just 42 rushing yards in Week 1, rumbled for 174 yards on the ground this weekend. Still, they struggled to get into the end zone, going 1-for-6 in the red zone. However, trailing 19-14 with 7:25 left in the game, the Gamblers got a break. On a 24-yard field goal attempt by John Hoyland, Birmingham was called for an illegal formation for having too many men on one side of the line on a replay review, giving Houston a first down. The Gamblers scored their only touchdown two plays later on a 2-yard run by Jalen White, who finished with a game-high 82 yards. The Stallions answered with a score of their own, retaking the lead on an Anthony McFarland Jr. 1-yard run. Benched a week earlier, Houston quarterback Nolan Henderson marched his offense into field-goal position with 1:56 left, and Hoyland drilled the game-winning field goal from 50 yards out — one of his five field goals on the day. Henderson went 15-for-23 for 186 yards in relief of Hunter Dekkers, who had to leave the game because of a shoulder injury. Houston finished with 407 total yards of offense and held the Stallions to zero sacks. Birmingham quarterback Matt Corral went 21-for-27 for 226 yards and two scores, but he also had two costly interceptions. 2. Defenders get their groove back One of the most aggressive, blitz-heavy defenses in the league last season, the Defenders got back to their identity in a road win against the Aviators. DC held Columbus to 4.2 yards per play, forced four turnovers and recorded four sacks. Defensive back Sam Kidd led the Defenders with seven combined tackles, an interception and two pass breakups. The Defenders finished with 16 takeaways last season, tied for the third-most in the UFL. DC’s ability to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball helped propel them to a league title last season. The Defenders are tied for the league lead with seven sacks. Jackson leads the league in rushing yards (154) and rushing touchdowns (four). 3. QB Jack Plummer leads Storm to 2-0 start Head coach Anthony Becht is in a different location, but the results have been the same for the former New York Jets tight end. Becht has led Orland to a 2-0 record to start the year, with his team taking care of the Kings by double digits in a Week 2 road victory. One of the main reasons for Orlando’s success has been the play of the team’s starting quarterback in Plummer. The Louisville product went 18-for-23 for 182 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown pass to KJ Hamler and a 39-yard score by Elijhah Badger. Plummer’s lone blemish was an interception by Kings cornerback Deantre Prince in the fourth quarter. For the season, Plummer is tops in the league in completion percentage (77.8), second in passing yards (422) and second in passer rating (118.7). 4. Can Dorian Thompson-Robinson get some run? Speaking of Orlando quarterbacks, it’s surprising that a former starting back in the pros in Thompson-Robinson can’t find his way onto the field in the eight-team UFL. I understand that Plumber apparently beat out the UCLA product as the starter in Orlando, and the 26-year-old Thompson-Robinson must wait his turn. However, if he’s not going to see the field regularly, the Storm should trade him to another team for the good of the league. The UFL is starved for competent quarterback play, so it makes little sense for someone like Thompson-Robinson — who was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns and appeared in 15 games for the franchise — to hold a clipboard in a developmental league struggling to put points on the board. Thompson-Robinson went 2-for-3 for 19 yards in relief of Plummer, who had to leave the game briefly after getting the wind knocked out of him. 4 ½: What’s Next One game will be played on Friday (Storm at Kings), one on Saturday (Gamblers at Defenders) and two on Sunday (Aviators at Renegades and Stallions at Battlehawks).​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

United States men’s national team striker Patrick Agyemang’s World Cup hopes are in doubt after he was carried off on a stretcher while playing for Derby in the second-tier English Championship on Monday. Agyemang landed awkwardly while bringing the ball down on his chest and collapsed to the grass. He was visibly emotional as he was taken off, his right leg strapped. “He’s gone for a scan so we’ll just have to wait and see,” Derby manager John Eustace said. “It’s not good when a player comes off on a stretcher.” In his absence, Derby beat Stoke City 2-0. Agyemang has helped Derby rise into contention for promotion from the Championship thanks to a team-leading 10 goals since arriving last summer from Charlotte in Major League Soccer. During the recent international break, he came off the bench for the United States and scored in a loss against Belgium and got minutes against Portugal. Reporting by The Associated Press.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports