Sports
Ice dancers help US hold lead in team skating event
Feb 6, 2026; Milan, Italy; Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States compete in ice dance rhythm dance during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images MILAN — Ilia Malinin made his anticipated Olympic debut at the Milan Cortina Games on Saturday and despite being upstaged by Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, the U.S. extended their lead in the team event thanks to the ice dancing of Madison Chock and Evan Bates.
Going on to the ice last in the men’s short program, Malinin executed two soaring quadruple jumps and a crowd-pleasing backflip but his performance was far from flawless.
The American, who is expected to become the first competitor ever to land a quadruple Axel at the Olympics when the men’s individual competition begins on Tuesday, opted to play it safe by executing a triple Axel – but even that did not go to plan as he failed to land it cleanly.
The 21-year-old looked stunned when his score of 98.00 points flashed up on the big screen, leaving him well behind his closest rival Kagiyama, who delivered an exhilarating performance for 108.67 points.
But a sensational skate by ice dance veterans and team leaders Chock and Bates lifted the U.S. as they notched a season-best score of 133.23, prompting a beaming Malinin to wrap his arms around the couple in the Kiss and Cry area.
The U.S. lead the standings with a total of 44 points, followed by Japan (39), Italy (37), Canada (35), and Georgia (32). Medals will be decided after the final three events on Sunday.
France, South Korea, China, Britain and Poland were eliminated from the competition earlier in the day.
PACING HIMSELF
Malinin sought to downplay the upset, saying he was building up to the individual competition, where the two-time world champion is the runaway gold-medal favorite.
“I presumed to come into this team competition with only 50% of my full potential,” he told reporters.
“So that’s what I felt like here today. That’s the way I paced myself leading up to the individual.”
Asked about some of his landings being shaky, he said: “It’s Olympic ice. I’m sure a lot of people would feel that.”
Kagiyama could not contain his excitement, leaping to his feet when his score was posted and enthusiastically embracing his teammates.
“I did a perfect performance,” the 2022 Beijing Games silver medalist said.
“I did well today, so I’m satisfied, but for the individual competition, I have to make it even better.”
Thanks to his quad-heavy programs and explosive style, Malinin is one of the Games’ top draws.
But the Vienna, Va., native also comes into his first Olympics shouldering a heavy weight of expectation after winning 14 competitions in a row and going undefeated since Nov. 2023.
CHOCK AND BATES SHINE
Chock and Bates, who won a gold in the team event in Beijing four years ago, sent a message that they are coming for gold in their individual event with an aggressive dance to an instrumental version of the Rolling Stones’ classic “Paint it Black.”
“I believe in momentum. I think it’s proven to work in sports, and it feels like there’s something special out there in that atmosphere, on Olympic ice,” Bates said.
“We’re really happy with how we skated so far at this event, and especially happy to contribute meaningfully to the team.”
Sunday’s team finale will feature pairs, women’s and men’s free skates.
Malinin did not know whether he would perform on Sunday.
“I haven’t decided yet,” he said.
“I’ll go back and talk with a lot of people and really just make a decision whether it’s going to be worth it for me.”
Chock, who is competing in her fourth and possibly final Games with husband Bates, said she was confident in the team regardless of who takes the ice on Sunday.
“I think our team is incredibly strong, arguably as strong as it’s ever been,” she told reporters.
“I have the utmost faith in them, and I’ll be proud of them no matter what the outcome is.”
–Reuters, special to Field Level Media
Sports
Kelly Morrone named women's basketball coach at Albany
Dec 10, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Merrimack Warriors head coach Kelly Morrone at the end of the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images Albany announced the hiring of Kelly Morrone as the next women’s basketball head coach.
Morrone spent the past six seasons as the head coach at Merrimack, a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. She was named 2026 MAAC Coach of the Year after the Warriors finished 19-13 (15-5 MAAC) and was selected to the women’s NIT. Merrimack lost to NJIT in the first round.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to accept the position of head women’s basketball coach at the University at Albany,” she said Saturday in a statement. “I’ve long admired the tradition and pride of the Great Danes, and I am deeply grateful to be entrusted with this important opportunity. It is a privilege to lead a program with such strong institutional support and a clear commitment to excellence.”
Her record at Merrimack was 74-92. During her tenure, Merrimack made the transition from Division II to Division I.
She also won 117 games at John Carroll, a Division III program in University Heights, Ohio.
Morrone played at South Carolina and was a three-year captain, her career ending with a second-round loss in the Women’s NCAA Tournament in 2003. She began her coaching career as an assistant coach at Buffalo (2005-08), followed by stops at Davidson (2008-10), Rhode Island (2010-12) and William & Mary (2012-13) before John Carroll.
At Albany, she replaces Colleen Mullen, who recently accepted the same job at Rhode Island. Mullen led the Great Danes to one NCAA Tournament berth in eight seasons, but before her arrival, Albany was a consistent winner in the America East.
The Great Danes appeared in the NCAA Tournament six consecutive seasons between 2012-17.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cubs place RHP Cade Horton (forearm) on 15-day IL
Mar 28, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton (22) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images The Chicago Cubs placed right-handed starter Cade Horton on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right forearm strain.
The move is retroactive to Saturday for Horton, who exited Friday’s start against the host Cleveland Guardians after one-plus inning and 17 pitches.
Horton retired the side in order in the first inning before walking Kyle Manzardo on five pitches to open the second. He left the game with the Cubs’ head trainer. The Guardians went on to win 4-1.
“I had some tightness in my wrist and as the game went on, it went into my forearm,” Horton said on Friday. “I wanted to err on the cautious side and not hurt anything else. I just wanted to be smart about it and make a smart decision.”
Horton lowered his ERA to 2.45 on Friday after he yielded two runs in 6 1/3 innings in the Cubs’ 10-2 win over the Washington Nationals on March 28. It is the 24-year-old’s second season in the major leagues.
He was 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA in his rookie season.
Also on Sunday, the Cubs recalled left-hander Riley Martin from Triple-A Iowa and tabbed right-hander Ethan Roberts as the 27th man for Sunday’s doubleheader against the Guardians.
Martin, 28, has yet to pitch in a major league game. He is 24-13 with a 3.76 ERA in 174 career appearances (three starts) in the minors.
–Field Level Media
Sports
UConn G Solo Ball nursing foot injury, uncertain for title game
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) dunks against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of a semifinal of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images UConn guard Solo Ball’s availability for Monday’s national championship game against Michigan is in question as he deals with “some type of a foot sprain,” per head coach Dan Hurley.
Hurley told reporters that Ball was in a walking boot and will not practice Sunday, one day after the Huskies’ 71-62 victory over Illinois in the Final Four.
“It’s going to be tough to get an MRI on Easter, on a Sunday,” Hurley said.
Ball contributed 13 points and two assists in 28 minutes during the win over the Fighting Illini. The 6-foot-4 guard is averaging 12.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 38 games (all starts) this season for UConn, which will vie for its third national title in four years Monday.
If Ball is unable to play, it likely would put more of the onus on freshman guard Braylon Mullins. Malachi Smith and Jayden Ross likely will see additional playing time as well.
–Field Level Media
Kelly Morrone named women's basketball coach at Albany
Cubs place RHP Cade Horton (forearm) on 15-day IL
