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
French superstar Antoine Griezmann joins Orlando City
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 15, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann (7) reacts during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Cole-Reuters via Imagn Images Orlando City SC completed the long-anticipated signing of Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old French attacker is signed from July 2026 through the 2027-28 season with an option for 2028-29. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Bringing Antoine to Orlando is a landmark moment not only for our club, but for our city, our supporters and for Major League Soccer,” team owner and chairman Mark Wilf said. “He is one of the most gifted, accomplished and influential players of his generation, and his decision to choose Orlando City reflects the mission and culture of our club. Our focus is on consistently building a championship-caliber roster every year, and adding a world-class player like Antoine reinforces that commitment and our belief in what the Club can achieve.”
Griezmann will join the Lions as a designated player when the MLS secondary transfer window opens in July, pending medical clearance and receipt of his international paperwork.
“I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my career with Orlando City,” Griezmann said. “From my first conversations with the Club, I could feel a strong ambition and a clear vision for the future, and that really spoke to me. I look forward to making Orlando my new home, meeting the supporters, feeling the energy at Inter&Co Stadium, and giving everything I have to help the team achieve great things.”
Griezmann has recorded 13 goals and four assists across all competitions with the La Liga side this season.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner spent 10 seasons at Atletico Madrid, where he is the club’s all-time leader with 211 goals across all competitions from 2014-19 and 2021-26. He was the La Liga Player of the Year in 2015-16 and placed third in the Ballon d’Or voting in 2016 and 2018.
“Antoine is a complete footballer–creative, intelligent, clinical–and he is a proven winner on the biggest stages of the game,” Orlando City general manager Ricardo Moreira said. “Beyond his talent, he brings leadership, a relentless drive and a championship mentality that will elevate everyone around him. This is a statement signing for our club and ownership group, and we are thrilled to welcome Antoine and his family to Orlando.”
Griezmann has tallied 298 goals and 132 assists across 792 professional appearances in Spain. He had 44 goals in 137 caps for France before retiring from international competition in 2024.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Kylian Mbappe: Knee is 100%, 'false things were said'
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid’s game against Sevilla in Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, on Dec. 20, 2025 .
French striker Kylian Mbappe disputed reports about the severity of the left knee sprain that has limited his availability of late for Real Madrid.
“My knee is fine. It’s getting better,” he said at a promotional event in France on Monday. “It’s going quite well, and I know there’s been a lot of speculation about it and some false things have been said.
“It’s the life of a top athlete, and we’re used to people saying things without verifying them or having any basis in fact.”
Mbappe, 27, came off the bench in Real Madrid’s two most recent matches: Sunday’s 3-2 La Liga defeat of Atletico Madrid and a 2-1 win at Manchester City on March 17 in the second leg of a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match.
His last appearance before that, and his most recent start, was on Feb. 21. In 24 La Liga matches this season, Mbappe has 23 goals and four assists.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner is on the roster for France’s upcoming friendlies in the United States against Brazil (March 26) and Colombia (March 29).
–Field Level Media
Sports
Falcons add veteran Trevor Siemian to QB room
Jan 7, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian (14) throws the ball against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images The Atlanta Falcons are signing veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian, his agent confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.
Siemian, 34, adds depth behind newcomer Tua Tagovailoa and 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr.
Terms weren’t disclosed for Siemian, who last appeared in an NFL regular-season game in 2023 with the New York Jets. He spent most of the 2024 and 2025 campaigns on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad.
Siemian is 15-18 as a starter, completing 58.5% of his passes for 7,751 yards, 44 touchdowns and 32 interceptions in 40 games with the Denver Broncos (2015-17), Jets (2019, 2023), New Orleans Saints (2021) and Chicago Bears (2022). He has rushed for 251 yards and two scores.
The Broncos drafted Siemian in the seventh round in 2015.
–Field Level Media
French superstar Antoine Griezmann joins Orlando City
Kylian Mbappe: Knee is 100%, 'false things were said'
