Sports
Auburn, Tulsa look to cap off postseason runs with NIT championship
Mar 12, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford (0) reacts after a made three point basketagainst the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Auburn did not let the disappointment of missing the NCAA Tournament field get in the way of playing good postseason basketball.
The Southeastern Conference school will seek its first NIT championship when it battles with Tulsa in the title game Sunday night in Indianapolis.
The Tigers (21-16) will bring an explosive offense led by top scorer Keyshawn Hall (19.5 points per game) and guard Tahaad Pettiford (15.2 points, 3.7 assists) into the game against the Golden Hurricane (30-7).
First-year Auburn coach Steven Pearl likes his squad’s approach so far, especially after starting center KeShawn Murphy opted out.
Over four NIT victories, the team has averaged 83 points per game and had spurts of fiery offense.
Overall, the Tigers have made 117 of 236 field goals (49.6%) and canned 43 of 115 (37.4%) from outside the arc in the NIT.
The team has rediscovered some happiness along the way.
“I just thought that it was an opportunity to get valuable reps for our players,” said Pearl. “I thought we’ve played with purpose. They’ve found some joy in playing the game, which has been really, really cool to see, and they’re locked in and engaged.”
The club lost nine of its final 12 SEC games including the tournament and was 7-11 in the league, but that appears to be old news to the remaining players.
“That’s all we’ve been talking about recently: Just coming in here, handling business, and finishing the season off right,” said Elyjah Freeman, who appeared to hurt his knee late in Thursday’s tilt but said he was feeling better Friday.
Owning NIT championships in 1981 and 2001, Tulsa has marched its way to the second 30-win season in program history thanks to its extended run to the championship.
Current Kansas coach Bill Self led the 1999-00 Tulsa team to a 32-5 mark and an appearance in the Elite Eight while playing in the Western Athletic Conference.
In Thursday’s 74-69 win over New Mexico, the American Conference squad turned to Tylen Riley.
The junior guard netted nine of his 10 points in the game’s final 4:16. He also produced six rebounds and five assists in a balanced approach.
Riley said his teammates’ reliability on one another is a major strength.
“These are a great group of guys,” said the Las Vegas native, who averages 14.8 points. “When one guy is down, everybody else is going. That’s what happens when you have a great team (and) two starting fives. You’ve always got somebody going even when somebody’s off.”
David Green paces the Golden Hurricane at 15.7 points, while Miles Barnstable and Ade Popoola put in 14.7 and 10.8, respectively.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Mets scratch RHP Freddy Peralta ahead of trade deadline
Jul 20, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images The New York Mets scratched veteran right-hander Freddy Peralta from his scheduled start against the visiting Miami Marlins on Friday, the New York Post reported.
Per the report, Peralta has attracted interest from other teams ahead of Monday’s trade deadline (6 p.m. ET).
The reported move also comes on the heels of the last-place Mets trading left-handed reliever A.J. Minter to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league infielders Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick.
Peralta, 30, is 5-9 with 4.99 ERA in 22 appearances (all starts) this season. He is in the final season of his contract.
The Mets’ Opening Day starter, Peralta lasted at least six innings just six times in 22 starts. His ERA is almost twice as high as last season, when he led the NL with 17 wins and posted a 2.70 ERA.
“I know so far that I’ve let them down,” Peralta said following his start on Sunday, when he didn’t factor into the decision after allowing three runs (two earned) over four innings in the Mets’ 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I haven’t done what I’m supposed to do.”
The Mets, in the cellar in the National League East, hold the second-worst record (47-63) in the NL ahead of only the Colorado Rockies (42-67).
–Field Level Media
Sports
Brewers acquire C Bo Naylor, RHP Codi Heuer from Guardians
Apr 28, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) is tagged out by Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor (23) while attempting to score from third base on a ground ball in the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images The Milwaukee Brewers acquired catcher Bo Naylor and right-hander Codi Heuer from the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday in exchange for outfielder Blake Perkins and right-hander Craig Yoho.
The move comes two days before the major-league trade deadline on Monday (6 p.m. ET).
Naylor, 26, is batting just .143 with two homers and seven RBIs in 28 games this season for the Guardians.
He is a career .199 hitter with 40 homers and 125 RBIs in 346 games since being selected by Cleveland with the 29th overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft.
Heuer, 30, is 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA in eight relief appearances this season.
He is 10-5 with three saves and a 3.76 ERA in 97 career appearances with five different teams.
Perkins, 29, is batting .157 with one homer and 11 RBIs in 55 games this season.
He is a career .223 hitter with 14 homers and 93 RBIs in 297 games with the Brewers
Yoho, 26, is 2-0 with a 3.15 ERA in 15 appearances this season.
He has the same record with a 4.40 ERA since being selected by Milwaukee in the eighth round of the 2023 MLB Draft.
–Field Level Media
Sports
DeAndre Hopkins joins Georgia Tech as assistant WRs coach
Nov 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) reacts after making a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins has been hired as an assistant wide receivers coach at Georgia Tech.
Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key made the announcement on Friday for Hopkins, who auditioned for a coaching role last week with the New England Patriots.
“DeAndre is one of the greatest receivers of all-time, but his value to our program goes far beyond that,” Key said in a statement. “He has an exceptional knowledge of what we’re doing on offense due to his long relationship with (offensive coordinator) George Godsey and strong familiarity with the ACC, but most importantly, he’s a leader of men that I’m very excited for our players to be around, on and off the field.”
Despite his foray into coaching, Hopkins took to social media to note that his playing career isn’t done.
“I Haven’t retired from the @NFL … But if you’re a WR and you want to be great, come to @GeorgiaTechFB,” Hopkins wrote on X on Saturday morning.
Hopkins, 34, recorded just 22 catches for 330 yards in 17 games (three starts) last season with the Baltimore Ravens.
He has totaled 1,006 receptions for 13,295 yards and 85 touchdown catches in 195 NFL games (172 starts).
Hopkins has seven career 1,000-yard receiving seasons and has caught over 100 passes four times. He earned first-team All-Pro honors three straight years (2017-19).
Hopkins spent his first seven seasons with the Houston Texans before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals. He spent three seasons with Arizona before being released, and he also played with the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.
–Field Level Media
Report: Mets scratch RHP Freddy Peralta ahead of trade deadline
Inside the London hacker house taking a stand against founder burnout
