Sports
Is This Finally the Year the Big Ten Ends Its College Basketball Title Drought?
It’s been more than a quarter-century since it happened. President George W. Bush was not yet in office the last time a Big Ten Conference team won the men’s basketball national title.
So is it actually a fool’s errand to bet on the conference to quash that drought this spring? Or maybe… they’re just due?
Famously, the Big Ten’s last champion in men’s hoops was the 1999–2000 Michigan State Spartans, with Mateen Cleaves at the controls and Tom Izzo the ripe old age of 45. The Big Ten has had moments since then where it’s looked like the best league in the sport, but it’s failed to deliver another champ partly due to the unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament.
If there were ever a year to bet on that drought going by the wayside, it’s this one.
The Big Ten has five legitimate national title contenders in Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Illinois and Purdue. It may not be the best conference altogether — Penn State, Northwestern, Maryland and Oregon really drag down the bottom — but there’s no debating which league is strongest at the top.
To wit: The quintet mentioned above are ranked Nos. 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 in this week’s AP poll. The highest-ranked SEC team, Arkansas, is No. 15. In KenPom’s net efficiency ratings, Big Ten teams check in at Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 before you hit your first SEC team.
Other than Purdue, which has stumbled into a three-game losing streak, the other four Big Ten teams we’re discussing have a 9–1 or 8–1 league record — a true tussle at the top. The SEC contenders, none of whom besides Vanderbilt (!) looked especially great during nonconference play, have taken one another down a peg lately. At 6–1 in the league, the SEC leader — any guesses? — is Texas A&M, NET ranking 40.
It’s a refreshing change of pace after the SEC put 14 of its 16 teams in the 2025 tournament field. I remember writing last year that the SEC warranted at least 12, controversial at the time if you don’t live in the South (and I don’t — for example, I know how to handle a snowstorm). But four of their schools made the Elite Eight and Florida won the title, so the SEC hype was partially warranted.
No longer. When Texas A&M and Vandy and John Calipari’s Razorbacks are your best hopes, you’ve lost your throne. I’d listen to arguments that the Big 12 is up there with the Big Ten, with its crew of Arizona, Houston, Iowa State and Texas Tech, and I’d rather bet on the ACC to produce the national champ than the SEC just for Duke alone.
But my mind returns to the Big Ten.
We got to see one of the best games of the year Tuesday when Michigan trailed most of the way before pulling out the last six points to finish a 75–72 comeback and hand a short-handed Nebraska its first loss. Both teams deserved to win that game; they both shot a touch lower than 50% and each excelled in their own areas of strength. To overuse a cliché, it was a heavyweight fight.
Guess what? It’s a full card of heavyweight fights in the next week and a half.
- Friday: No. 3 Michigan at No. 7 Michigan State
- Sunday: No. 9 Illinois at No. 5 Nebraska
- Saturday, Feb. 7: No. 9 Illinois at No. 7 Michigan State
Each team has its own identity, from the Cornhuskers’ collection of underrecruited, less athletic dudes — six of whom are from Nebraska, as well as guys from the Netherlands and Turkey — to Michigan’s high-powered machine led by a coach who took FAU to a Final Four, to Illinois’ merry band of Balkan brothers.
If you’re into this stuff, it’s a thrill to watch. And I’m confident that one of them will be cutting down the nets in April.
Sports
Red Bulls' struggling defense clashes with woeful D.C. offense
Apr 4, 2026; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; Red Bull New York forward Emil Forsberg (10) tries to gain control of the ball against FC Cincinnati during the second half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls are struggling at the opposite ends of the pitch.
Over their last four MLS matches, D.C. United have failed to score. Meanwhile, over the Red Bulls’ last four league games, they have surrendered 14 goals.
When the teams meet Wednesday night in Harrison, N.J., they will be seeking answers for their recent woes.
The lack of scoring punch is nothing new for D.C. United (2-4-2, 8 points). Last year, the club scored 30 goals, the fewest in MLS. D.C. also failed to score in four straight league matches from May 10-24, 2025.
It’s been a challenge for the Black and Red to remain positive. In addition to going 0-2-2 during their scoreless MLS run, they fell last week on penalty kicks to One Knoxville SC in a U.S. Open Cup match in which they put up three goals.
“I think we’ve shown we can create. I think it’s just about being very precise in some moments on both sides of the ball,” said D.C. goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who had four saves in a scoreless draw Saturday at the Philadelphia Union.
The offensive struggles of D.C. were evident as it took just six shots against Philadelphia, none of which were on frame. Coach Rene Weiler said he expects a similar challenge against New York (3-3-2, 11 points).
“You have to find ways to score goals,” Weiler said. “First of all, you have to accept the fight and the physical game because most of the teams on our side of the league are very physical.”
The Red Bulls look to rebound from a dispiriting 4-1 loss Saturday at CF Montreal in which their lone tally was an own goal.
Lowly CF Montreal has just two wins this season, both against the Red Bulls, who they have outscored 7-1.
Julian Hall (five goals, two assists) and Emil Forsberg (one goal, two assists) provide firepower for New York, which hopes to rediscover its defense against its longtime MLS rival.
“Games against D.C. United always carry extra weight,” Red Bulls manager Michael Bradley said. “We’re gonna step on the field at home on Wednesday night ready to give everything we have to respond in a really strong way.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
Apr 15, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Truist Park. All players are wearing number 42 today in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with discomfort in his right (throwing) shoulder.
Iglesias has said he’s felt the discomfort since sleeping on his shoulder wrong Friday night. But the Braves conducted an MRI that found no structural damage.
“There’s some inflammation there,” Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters. “We feel like we’re getting out in front of this thing a little bit.”
Iglesias, 36, has amassed a 42-55 record, 258 saves and a 2.86 ERA in his 12 major league seasons, including four-plus years in Atlanta. He was off to a perfect start to the season, with five saves and no runs allowed over eight games (8 2/3 innings). He’s tossed 11 strikeouts to only one walk.
While Iglesias is sidelined, Robert Suarez will take over closing duties. Suarez led the National League with 40 saves while serving as the San Diego Padres’ closer last season; then he signed a three-year, $45 million deal to join the Braves and their bullpen.
The right-handed Suarez has gone 2-0 with one save and an 0.93 ERA for Atlanta in 10 appearances, used mostly as a setup man. He was an All-Star in 2024 and 2025 for the Padres.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orlando City want attack to catch up to defense vs. Charlotte
Mar 14, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda (10) shoots on goal during the second half against the CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images Orlando City will be hoping for a much-needed attacking breakthrough on Wednesday night when they host a Charlotte FC side in search of a second consecutive away victory.
Orlando (1-6-1, 4 points) has been one of Major League Soccer’s most disappointing teams this season, costing former manager Oscar Pareja his job last month.
But there is some evidence that maybe the Lions have at least righted the ship defensively. After conceding 23 times in their first six games, interim manager Martin Perelman’s group has allowed only two goals in the last three fixtures across all competitions.
“I think we organize the team. It never is enough, always (important) to improve things,” Perelman said. “We are in that part. Last details. But yes, the structure is there. In the offensive side as well, we are working. Hopefully we can get the shape we want, that we are used to. Because in this club we have been scoring a lot for the last two years.”
So far, though, the attacking end remains pretty dire. After Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic combined for 28 MLS goals a season ago, they only have two apiece for a team with six goals total.
Pasalic also missed last week’s 1-0 home loss to Houston on Saturday night with a leg injury.
Charlotte (4-2-2, 14 points) makes the journey south following a 2-1 victory at New York City FC on Saturday, one that came despite holding a season-low 36% possession.
Defender Tim Ream exited that match at halftime and will miss roughly a week with an adductor strain, Charlotte manager Dean Smith said.
Idan Toklomati scored early in the second half and Kerwin Vargas added a goal late before NYCFC pulled one back in second-half stoppage time. And Charlotte created a similar number of chances to NYCFC despite having less of the ball.
Smith hopes the performance sets the tone for upcoming travels, with Charlotte to play its next three league games away after five of its first eight came at home.
“There’s not plenty of away games we’ve played so far, such is the fixture list,” Smith said. “We didn’t start on the road well, but we showed loads of characteristics that I liked on Saturday. And we need to continue to do that in the next three away games as well.”
–Field Level Media
Red Bulls' struggling defense clashes with woeful D.C. offense
Braves put closer Raisel Iglesias on IL, Robert Suarez to close
