Sports
Pitt prepares to showcase backcourt in opener vs. Radford
Mar 14, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Ishmael Leggett (5) reacts against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Despite losing its top two scorers from last season, Pittsburgh is far from entering a rebuilding phase.
Pittsburgh, projected to finish seventh in the ACC, will rev up its 2024-25 campaign Monday when it hosts Radford of the Big South Conference.
Blake Hinson (18.5 points per game) and Carlton Carrington (13.8 ppg) have both taken off for professional careers, but the Panthers return a pair of key backcourt playmakers in addition to two transfers who will look to contribute right away.
The Panthers will rely heavily on fifth-year guard Ishmael Leggett and sophomore Jaland Lowe. In his second season with the Panthers after three at Rhode Island, Leggett hopes to build on a year that saw him average 12.3 points per game in 32 contests. Leggett came on strong in Pittsburgh’s ACC tournament quarterfinal victory over Wake Forest, pouring in a season-high 30 points.
Leggett and Lowe — who averaged 9.6 points per game as a freshman last season — have a chance to contend as one of the conference’s steadiest backcourts.
“I think we were mindful about the guys we were able to bring back, and we certainly don’t take that for granted anymore,” Pittsburgh coach Jeff Capel said. “We were able to keep Ish, keep Jaland. … Guys that are able to understand what we need and what we want. I think if you have good guards, that’s how you win. Ish and Jaland are two really good guards.”
Capel, 97-92 in six years at Pittsburgh, added two transfers in Cameron Corhen (9.4 ppg at Florida State last season) and Damian Dunn (6.4 ppg at Houston), who are both slated to play big minutes.
Radford, 16-17 (5-11 Big South) last season, vies to rebound from its worst conference record since finishing 2-16 in 2011-12. The Highlanders will throw out an almost completely unrecognizable roster compared to last year, as they lost their five leading scorers, including Kenyon Giles, who took his 14.3 average to UNC Greensboro.
Head coach Darris Nichols has brought in David Early, who averaged 14.3 points per game at Tennessee Tech last season, and Tony Felder, who put up 12 points per contest at Stonehill. The newcomers are among nine fresh faces.
“We’re a lot bigger, and a lot more physical,” Nichols said. “I think we have a level of toughness that I like better this year. … We have a lot of different guys that can really impact each game.”
–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
Sports
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Lions running back David Montgomery “wants out” of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: “Damn, Dmo told you that?”
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes’ remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said of Montgomery in January. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is “fluid.” He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
“Yeah, I have been in touch with David’s agent, and his representation,” Holmes revealed. “Obviously, we love David, he’s a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
–Field Level Media
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
