Sports
Emanuel Sharp, No. 3 Houston take aim at lowly Kansas State
Feb 10, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) passes the ball against the Utah Utes during the first half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Surging, third-ranked Houston will look to build on its 17-game home winning streak and continue its recent stretch of dominating play when it hosts reeling Kansas State on Saturday afternoon in a Big 12 Conference game.
The Cougars (22-2, 10-1 Big 12) moved up five spots in the most recent AP poll and justified that jump with a 66-52 win at Utah on Tuesday. Emanuel Sharp led the charge for Houston with 27 points and a career-high eight 3-pointers that gave him 277 and propelled him past Marcus Sasser (276) as the school’s career leader in made 3-point field goals.
“I was just shooting,” Sharp said. “It was really no complicated science behind it. I’ve been blessed with having two great point guards on this team with Kingston (Flemings) and Milos (Uzan). They are so unselfish. They always find me in great spots.”
No other Houston player scored in double figures on Tuesday, but that didn’t stop the Cougars from building a 22-point lead in the second half and waltzing to their fifth straight victory and their 16th in the past 17 outings. Houston’s defense held Utah to just 2-of-17 shooting (11.8%) from beyond the arc and its lowest point total of the season.
After the win, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson lauded Sharp and his continued contribution to the program’s success.
“Every team Emanuel has played on has won a conference championship, whether it’s the American or Big 12,” Sampson said. “He’s played in Final Fours, Elite Eights, Sweet 16s. All he’s done is win. He’s made this program better. Emanuel has been around. He’s seen a lot of winning. He’s been a huge part why this program has been successful.”
Sharp is averaging 16.3 points per game, second on the team to mercurial freshman Flemings (16.6 ppg).
It’s into this gauntlet that the struggling Wildcats step. Kansas State (10-14, 1-10) heads to the Bayou City carrying a five-game losing streak after a 91-62 defeat at home against Cincinnati on Wednesday. The Wildcats shot 40.3% from the floor and made only 6 of 25 shots (24%) from 3-point range vs. the Bearcats.
P.J. Haggerty, the nation’s second-leading scorer at 23.3 points per game, amassed 24 points for the Wildcats in the setback but got little help. Kansas State trailed by 22 points at halftime and by 32 in the second half.
Kansas State has dropped 10 of its past 11 games, and coach Jerome Tang took his team to task for a lack of effort and hustle on both ends of the floor in the latest loss.
“They got to have some pride,” Tang said. “It means something to wear a K-State uniform. It means something to put on this purple. These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few of them in it next year. I’m embarrassed for the university, I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. It is just ridiculous.”
The 1-10 record through 11 conference games equals the Wildcats’ worst start in the Big 12 era, a mark also posted by 1999-2000 and 2020-21 teams.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Atlanta United snaps losing streak with win over Toronto FC
Apr 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Atlanta United FC midfielder Luke Brennan (20) keeps th eball in play as Toronto FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes (8) defends during the first half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Alexey Miranchuk deposited a terrific free-kick goal, Tristan Muyumba powered in the eventual game-winner and visiting Atlanta United snapped a four-match losing streak with a 2-1 win over Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon.
In a game light on shots on target, goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos recorded one save for Atlanta (2-7-1, 7 points), which ended an 0-4-1 rut and won for the first time since March 14.
Emilio Aristizabal had his first MLS goal for Toronto FC (3-3-4, 13 points), but they could not equalize and lost for the first time since February 28, a seven-match span.
Atlanta’s Ajani Fortune drew a foul early in the second half to set up a close-range free kick that produced the opening goal. Miranchuk sent a left-footed shot over the Toronto wall and tucked it just under the crossbar in the top-left corner in the 48th minute.
It was the Russian’s team-high fifth goal of the season.
The Five Stripes’ second scoring sequence in the 67th minute was critical, as the two-goal cushion lasted only four minutes.
On the attack, Cooper Sanchez sent a ball ahead for former U.S. national Fafa Picault, who tapped a side-heel pass behind him for Muyumba. The defender uncorked a one-time shot past Toronto goalie Luka Gavran to make it 2-0.
Aristizabal answered by heading in a cross from Kobe Franklin to bring Toronto back within a goal.
Toronto FC fans thought the game was level when Jules-Anthony Vilsaint knocked in a loose ball in the 85th minute, but the flag went up for offsides.
The last play of the match was a Toronto corner kick, but Jonathan Osorio’s offering sailed long and out of bounds and the match reached full time. The Reds fell despite dominating possession (68.2%) and taking eight corner kicks.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Kentucky Derby favorite Renegade draws the dreaded rail
People show up for the first day of horse racing on opening day of the Spring Meet ahead of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.Apr. 25, 2026.
Early favorite Renegade was picked to start on the rail for the 152nd Kentucky Derby during the official draw on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
Renegade, the Arkansas Derby winner owned by American billionaire Mike Repole, opened at 4-1 as the 20-horse field became official for the Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 2, in Louisville, Ky.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has raced Renegade just twice as a 3-year-old, but he has come through both times. He came from well back to capture the Sam F. Davis Stakes on Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs, then he pulled away to win the Arkansas Derby by four lengths on March 28 at Oaklawn Park.
Renegade’s jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr., has not won a Derby in nine tries, but he has raced to victory in two Belmont Stakes (2016, 2022).
Renegade’s assignment to the first gate will have it fighting against history along with the other 19 horses. Ferdinand, the Derby champion in 1986, was the last horse to win from the rail. Seven other horses have won from Gate No. 1, but most were long ago when Derby fields were smaller.
Commandment, which will start from the No. 6 gate, and Further Ado, which will come from the outside at No. 18, both opened at 6-1. They are trained by Brad Cox.
Bob Baffert, the legendary trainer who returned to the Kentucky Derby last May after serving a three-year suspension, has two horses in the field: Potente and Litmus Test
Here’s the entire field with their opening odds:
1) Renegade 4-1
2) Albus 30-1
3) Intrepido 50-1
4) Litmus Test 30-1
5) Right To Party 30-1
6) Commandment 6-1
7) Danon Bourbon 20-1
8) So Happy 15-1
9) The Puma 10-1
10) Wonder Dean 30-1
11) Incredibolt 20-1
12) Chief Wallabee 8-1
13) Silent Tactic 20-1
14) Potente 20-1
15) Emerging Market 15-1
16) Pavlovian 30-1
17) Six Speed 50-1
18) Further Ado 6-1
19) Golden Tempo 30-1
20) Fulleffort 20-1
–Field Level Media
Sports
Eagles draft North Dakota State QB Cole Payton
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton (QB15) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Philadelphia Eagles selected quarterback North Dakota State Cole Payton in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Payton was selected with the 178th overall pick and was one of six quarterbacks selected in the first five rounds.
Payton established himself as a dynamic dual threat quarterback at North Dakota State. After four seasons as a seldom-used reserve, he took over as starting quarterback last season, throwing for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns.
As a backup, he was a two-time FCS champion (2021, 2024).
At the NFL combine, the 6-foot-3 left-hander ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash and posted a 40-inch vertical.
The 23-year-old will join a crowded Eagles’ quarterback room that includes Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Andy Dalton.
–Field Level Media
Atlanta United snaps losing streak with win over Toronto FC
Kentucky Derby favorite Renegade draws the dreaded rail
