Sports
No. 3 Duke set to test mettle vs. top-ranked Michigan
Feb 14, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer (right) directs his team during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images A neutral-court, non-conference game between Duke and Michigan sounded like a big deal when it was announced during the offseason.
Now it might be even bigger than anticipated.
The third-ranked Blue Devils and No. 1 Wolverines will jockey for position atop the AP Top 25 poll when they clash Saturday evening in the Capital Showcase in Washington, D.C.
“It was very clear that they were going to be one of the best teams in the country when we scheduled this game,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “But again, you don’t know they are going to be No. 1, and you hope you’re going to be really good. You never know before the season starts.”
Michigan (25-1) already passed a significant test this week with Tuesday’s 91-80 road victory against No. 7 Purdue. Less than a month ago, the Wolverines had another week with two matchups against Top 10 opponents — defeating Nebraska and Michigan State.
“No. 1 ranking for the first time (this season), we felt like we had something to prove,” Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau said of his team, which has won 11 straight games.
Duke (24-2), meanwhile, has only a pair of one-possession losses on its strong resume.
Michigan coach Dusty May said it should be a valuable experience heading toward the end of the regular season.
“We don’t know them well, so we have to execute a game plan with short prep,” May said. “If we do, it’ll be an awesome win. If not, it’ll be a great learning experience moving forward.”
That sounded much like Scheyer.
“We will be ready,” he said. “We’ll grow and learn, and then we will get back to ACC play.”
In Scheyer’s view, this is an ideal situation for the Blue Devils as they step outside of Atlantic Coast Conference competition. They’re the leaders of the ACC.
“I love the fact where we are with our team, and I love the fact where (the Wolverines) are,” Scheyer said. “That is what this game should be all about. I think it is going to bring out the best in both teams. To get a chance to have this game, in February, at a neutral site where all the postseason games we play is in this type of environment, is such an incredible opportunity for our group.”
With perhaps an uncertain atmosphere for Saturday’s game, the Wolverines feel they should be able to adjust as needed.
“This team is super tough,” Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg said. “We have a lot of ways we can set the tone.”
Cadeau had a team-high 17 points in the Purdue game, with six Michigan players in double figures in scoring.
“That’s how we’re built — a team where many guys are capable of stepping up and making contributions,” May said.
Cadeau has had past matchups with Duke, when he played for North Carolina.
The Blue Devils are coming off Monday night’s 101-64 demolition of visiting Syracuse. That game included Duke smoothing out some wrinkles it recently endured on offense.
Star freshman forward Cameron Boozer, who had 22 points and 12 rebounds, called that a “nice little statement.” He continues to supply big-time production, as he has 14 double-doubles this season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Bucks waive Cam Thomas to convert Pete Nance's contract
Suns guard Jalen Green (4) drives against Bucks forward Pete Nance (35) during a game at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on March 21, 2026. The Milwaukee Bucks converted forward Pete Nance’s two-way contract to a fully guaranteed deal.
The Bucks waived guard Cam Thomas in a corresponding move prior to their game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. Thomas, 24, signed with the team as a free agent on Feb. 8 and averaged 10.7 points in 18 games off the bench with Milwaukee.
As for Nance, he was elated with the notion of receiving a new deal. The contract made him available to play in the team’s final 11 games this season and runs through the 2026-27 campaign.
“To be able to be in this spot is just awesome,” Nance said after the Bucks’ shootaround, per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “Obviously I’m super thankful for the Bucks for giving me the opportunity. I think it’s just a testament to growth and the work that I’ve done and the experience that I’ve had over the years.”
Nance, 26, is averaging 4.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 12.1 minutes in 37 games off the bench this season.
Thomas was benched after playing just three minutes against the Atlanta Hawks on March 14. He was held out of consecutive games on March 15 and 17 due to what was listed as a coach’s decision before returning to the court against the Utah Jazz last Thursday.
“There are things we don’t need to talk about,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said, per the newspaper. “That’s not anybody’s business. Like I said before, that’s where as a coach you have to make decisions on what’s best for the team at that time. People don’t understand that. They start talking about other stuff. And, that’s not for anyone to know.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Buccaneers, LB Lavonte David schedule news conference
Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) warms up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Veteran Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David is scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday afternoon at the team facility.
The Buccaneers did not divulge an official reason for the conference, however speculation is strong that David will announce his retirement from the NFL.
David, 36, is a free agent after spending his entire 14-year career with Tampa Bay.
He recorded 114 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while starting all 17 games last season. It was his 12th season with triple-digit tackles.
An All-Pro selection in 2013 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2015, David has 1,716 tackles, 42.5 sacks, 14 interceptions, 33 forced fumbles and 21 fumble recoveries in 215 games (all starts).
David was selected by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Nebraska.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mikaela Shiffrin on cusp of season World Cup title
Feb 18, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States celebrates during the medal ceremony for the women’s slalom during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images Mikaela Shiffrin will ski Wednesday for the season World Cup overall title.
Heading into the giant slalom, the final race of the season, Shiffrin has an 85-point lead over Emma Aicher of Germany.
Shiffrin won her ninth slalom in 10 World Cup starts this season on Tuesday, earning 100 points. She increased her overall lead on Aicher, who finished third to grab 60 points.
To take the title, Aicher must win the race — a discipline in which she never has finished higher than fourth — and hope that Shiffrin finishes worse than 15th.
Shiffrin, 31, is striving to win her sixth overall World Cup title, which would tie her with Annemarie Moser-Proll. The Austrian won five season titles from 1971-75 and the final one in 1979.
The 2026 Olympic champion in the slalom, Shiffrin won the World Cup title in consecutive years from 2017-19 and again in 2022 and 2023.
With her slalom win on Tuesday, Shiffrin earned her 110th career victory on the World Cup circuit, extending her lead over Ingemar Stenmark of Sweden, who won 86 before his retirement in 1989.
–Field Level Media
Hurdle hints and answers for March 25, 2026
Bucks waive Cam Thomas to convert Pete Nance's contract
