Sports
No. 15 Michigan braces for close contest vs. Illinois
Michigan Wolverines guard Nimari Burnett (4) celebrates the foul leading to a three-point play during the second half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. In order to win a championship, teams often have to win close games.
But No. 15 Michigan has won nearly all of its close games in its pursuit of a Big Ten championship.
The latest hurdle to clear in that goal will come Sunday afternoon against Illinois in Ann Arbor, Mich.
If Michigan’s trend in Big Ten play continues, expect another close game against the Fighting Illini.
The Wolverines (22-6, 14-3) are 11-1 in conference games decided by four points or less, which is the main reason they are tied with Michigan State for the Big Ten lead with three games left.
The most dramatic of those close wins arguably came Thursday when Nimari Burnett sank a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Michigan an 84-82 home win over Rutgers.
“I know our guys have a very, very strong belief in each other,” Michigan coach Dusty May said. “After the season we’ve had and the experience of being in so many of these games, I think they just feel we’re going to find a way. We don’t know what it’s going to look like.”
Michigan continues to rely on arguably the country’s best frontcourt tandem in 7-footers Danny Wolf (12.6 ppg, 9.8 rpg) and Vladislav Goldin (15.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg). They have created matchup problems all season for opponents on both ends of the floor with their versatile skills.
The duo has helped Michigan overcome a group of guards that has produced good moments but also has struggled to shoot the ball and contributed to Michigan leading the league in turnovers at 14.4 a game.
Michigan’s already thin bench has been tested even further the last two games with guards Rubin Jones (illness) and Sam Walters (back) out of action. It’s uncertain if either will play against Illinois.
Illinois (18-11, 10-8) also has dealt with illnesses and injuries in recent weeks, but the Fighting Illini snapped a three-game losing streak with an 81-61 home win on Tuesday against Iowa.
Big man Tomislav Ivisic seemed healthier after missing time with an illness and played well against Iowa (22 points, five assists, four rebounds). He’ll need to be productive again to battle with Wolf and Goldin.
Illinois is led in scoring by projected NBA lottery pick Kasparas Jakucionis (15.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg), Ivisic (12.8 ppg) and Will Riley (11.8 ppg.)
Illinois coach Brad Underwood said his team implemented some defensive and lineup changes after a 43-point loss to Duke last Saturday. He said he hopes the game against Iowa restored some swagger in his team.
“I think we can whoop anybody’s (expletive),” Underwood said. “I think just making some of the subtle changes gave them a different perspective and something different to think about.”
Illinois seems to be in good shape for an NCAA Tournament berth, but incentive remains for the Fighting Illini despite being out of the conference title race.
Illinois still has an outside chance of getting a double bye in the Big Ten tournament with a top-4 league finish, and earning another Quad 1 win, over Michigan, would be a big boost for NCAA Tournament seeding.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship
Aug 21, 2025; Mississauga, Ontario, CAN; Hannah Green plays her tee shot at the third hole during first round play at the CPKC Women’s Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Australia’s Hannah Green held off Auston Kim on Sunday to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore for the second time.
Green, the 2024 champion, balanced three birdies and three bogeys on an eventful back nine to finish with a 3-under 69 and a final score of 14-under at Sentosa Golf Club. The 2019 Women’s PGA Championship winner tapped in for bogey at the 18th for her seventh LPGA Tour title.
“When I did win Singapore two years ago, I went on to win two other tournaments that season and pretty much had my best season on tour,” said Green, 29. “So having a win so early in the season gives me a bit more flexibility with the tournaments that I can play. So I’m hoping that this puts me in good stead for the rest of the year.”
Green was at 16-under after birdies at the first, 11th and 13th holes and an eagle at the par-5 eighth hole. Her birdie at the par-3 15th helped her survive a bogey-bogey finish.
“I knew that I had enough of a lead to be able to get away with making mistakes coming down the stretch. But I think 15 was the real turning point,” she said.
First- and second-round leader Kim nearly chased down her first title, matching the low round of the day with a 67 to finish one shot behind Green in the 72-hole, no-cut tournament.
Kim carded six birdies and an eagle at No. 8, but a bogey at the par-3 15th proved costly for the 25-year-old American.
“Overall, I think it was a really solid week,” Kim said. “A great way to start the year. I hit a lot of bad shots but I also hit a lot of good ones, and it was really confidence boosting. I hit all these bad shots, and I didn’t feel like I had anything chose to my A game, but I was still able it pull off a result like this and play some really solid golf.”
Australia’s Minjee Lee (72 on Sunday), Angel Yin (71) and France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (68) tied for third place at 11-under with South Korea’s Haeran Ryu (72) another shot back in solo sixth.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand finished with a 73 and tied for 31st at 2-under, one shot behind defending champion Lydia Ko (72) of New Zealand.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
