Sports
Vanderbilt pursues first tourney win since 2012 in matchup with McNeese State
Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner (3) battles for the ball during the first half of the SEC tournament championship game against Arkansas at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 15, 2026. Vanderbilt, the No. 5 seed in the South Region, aims for its first NCAA Tournament win since 2012 when it faces 12th-seeded McNeese State in Oklahoma City on Thursday afternoon.
The Commodores (26-8) nearly replicated the path of the 2012 team, which stunned powerhouse Kentucky to clinch the school’s last Southeastern Conference tournament title. Arkansas pulled away in the final minutes of the title game to win 86-75.
Vanderbilt’s best two players, guards Tyler Tanner (19.1 points, 5.1 assists, 2.4 steals per game) and Duke Miles (16.5 points, 4.5 assists, 2.7 steals), were brilliant in the three-game tournament run as the Commodores knocked off ranked Tennessee and Florida squads.
The Commodores felt they’d earned better than what they received from the NCAA Tournament selection committee. But coach Mark Byington downplayed the angle as Vanderbilt kept its focus on what’s ahead.
“One of the things I told the guys earlier, I was like, ‘whatever number they put beside us, ignore it,'” Byington said. “It does not make a difference. We are playing a good team.”
The Cowboys (28-5) were the 12-team Southland Conference’s second-place finisher in the regular season. McNeese got the league’s automatic bid by defeating UT Rio Grande Valley 84-80 in triple overtime, then winning 76-59 over regular-season champion Stephen F. Austin.
Bill Armstrong became the first coach in Southland history to take his team to the NCAA Tournament in his first Division I season. He took over for Will Wade, who led McNeese to consecutive berths before leaving for NC State.
“We haven’t lost a game that wasn’t on someone else’s home court this year,” Armstrong said. “We’re 19-0 now when we’re not on someone else’s home court. This group’s been able to find a way to win games in different ways all year long.”
The Cowboys are paced by a formidable backcourt trio — Southland Freshman of the Year Larry Johnson (17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals per game), fellow first-team all-league pick Tyshawn Archie (14.3 points, 2.9 assists, 1.7 steals) and last year’s Southland Player of the Year Javohn Garcia (12.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals).
McNeese ranks first in the country in forcing turnovers (24.1% of possessions, per KenPom), points off turnovers (27.7%) and fourth in block rate (15.8%).
Getting the ball away from Vanderbilt hasn’t been easy this season. They are 11th nationally with a 13.3% turnover rate and top 20 in avoiding blocked shots (7.1%, 18th).
Vanderbilt also ranks fourth nationally in free-throw percentage (79.3%) while opponents scored 23.9% of their points at the line, 24th nationally per KenPom.
Vandy’s Tyler Nickel (13.5 points per game) snapped a long shooting slump by hitting 5 of 7 from distance against Arkansas.
Other key Commodores include bigs Devin McGlockton (9.6 points, 6.7 rebounds per game) and Jalen Washington (9.1, 5.7), both of whom struggled with foul trouble.
The Cowboys aren’t particularly big, and they shoot only 31.6 percent from 3-point range. But they’re athletic — seven players had at least 25 steals and six blocked at least 10 shots — and love to press. Their best interior player is 6-foot-10 Jerrell Colbert (5.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks per game), who previously played at LSU, Kansas State and SMU.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Max Holloway would 'love' Conor McGregor rematch; no contract offer yet
Aug 17, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Max Holloway (left) throws a punch at Conor McGregor (right) during a UFC featherweight match at the TD Garden. McGregor won after three rounds by judges decision. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images Max Holloway is working out in preparation for a fight that might never occur, but as he sees it, there’s really no other choice.
“I mean, it’s just, it sucks,” Hollway said in an interview with Paramount+. “I would just like to get one back.”
The former UFC featherweight champion is in training camp for a potential rematch with double title winner Conor McGregor in Las Vegas this July at UFC 329, but without a signed contract in hand.
The uncertainty is due in part to questions over when or if McGregor wants to step back into the Octagon, especially considering the Irishman hasn’t fought since July 2021. McGregor was rumored to be on the card scheduled for the White House this summer, but his purported opponent, Michael Chandler, instead will oppose Mauricio Ruffy.
Still, Holloway is expressing unfailing interest in trying to secure a deal to face off against McGregor again. The two squared off in 2013 and McGregor won by unanimous decision, though McGregor left the match with a torn ACL.
“My head space is good, it’s straight,” Holloway said. “I kinda know when I fight. We kinda know where we want to fight, why we want to fight, so just getting in the gym, getting there, getting it done.
“It’s a huge fight. Anything with Conor McGregor is huge, but having history with the dude, being able to get one back would be cool.”
Holloway is eager to erase the poor impression left by a one-sided loss to Charles Oliveira last time out, a March 7 unanimous-decision defeat that cost him the symbolic BMF title that rests with the UFC’s “baddest” competitor.
“You’re only as good as your last fight, they say, and we’re going to get everybody forgetting about that last fight as soon as possible,” Holloway said.
For McGregor, the biggest draw in the sport and the first athlete in the sport to hold two weight class titles simultaneously (featherweight and lightweight), it would mark a return from a devastating broken tibia and ensuing drug suspension that have sidelined “Notorious” for the better part of five years.
Holloway, a 34-year-old Honolulu native, projects as a heavy favorite over McGregor, 37, due to the latter’s long layoff.
–Field Level Media
Sports
CJ Abrams (5 RBIs), Nationals slam Twins
May 6, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) hits an RBI double against the Minnesota Twins during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images CJ Abrams had three hits including a grand slam, Miles Mikolas pitched into the sixth inning and the host Washington Nationals routed the Minnesota Twins 15-2 on Wednesday night.
Brady House, Drew Millas and Jose Tena each had two hits including a home run for the Nationals, who collected 14 hits. Abrams also had two doubles and five RBIs, and James Wood and Jacob Young each had two hits.
Mikolas (1-3), signed as a free agent in the offseason, began the game with an 8.23 ERA. The right-hander pitched a season-high 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits. Mikolas retired 16 of the 19 batters he faced to earn his first Washington win.
Three Washington pitchers held Minnesota to three hits. Matt Wallner had two hits including a home run for Minnesota, which had won two straight.
Twins starter Bailey Ober (3-2) went five-plus innings, allowing five runs on six hits.
Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in the third when Luke Keaschall doubled and scored on a Wallner single.
Washington did not get a baserunner against Ober until Wood singled leading off the fourth. Wood stole second with one out and Curtis Mead walked. Abrams followed with a double to score Wood.
Wallner homered off Mikolas in the fifth to put Twins up 2-1.
Young singled leading off the bottom half and Millas homered to center to give Washington a 3-2 lead.
In the sixth, back-to-back doubles by Abrams and House ended Ober’s night. Tena greeted reliever Andrew Morris with Washington’s third straight double to make it 5-2. With two outs, Nasim Nunez tripled to right and the lead was 6-2.
Daylen Lile walked leading off the bottom of the seventh and, with two outs, House homered to center to make it 8-2.
Young singled, Millas doubled and Wood singled them both home in the eighth. Washington loaded the bases and Abrams smacked a grand slam to right-center, the second of his career. Tena followed with a homer to make it 15-2.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Phillies' 4-run eighth fuels rally past Athletics
May 6, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis García (53) celebrates his home run with second baseman Edmundo Sosa (33) against the Athletics during the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Edmundo Sosa delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth inning as the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to notch a 6-3 victory over the visiting Athletics on Wednesday.
Brandon Marsh had three hits and an RBI for Philadelphia, which improved to 8-1 under interim manager Don Mattingly. Adolis Garcia homered for the Phillies while J.T. Realmuto, Garcia and Sosa each had two hits.
A’s left-hander Jeffrey Springs, who exited his last outing with hip soreness, gave up two runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and no walks in a crisp 75-pitch performance. Nick Kurtz finished with two hits and an RBI as he reached base for the 30th straight game.
In his third start since returning from a blood clot in his shoulder, Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings.
The Phillies trailed 3-2 in the eighth inning when Kyle Schwarber drew a leadoff walk against Jack Perkins (2-1). Bryce Harper reached on an error by second baseman Jeff McNeil that spoiled a potential double play, then Garcia singled to load the bases.
Sosa grounded his two-run single up the middle to give Philadelphia the lead. The Athletics brought in Hogan Harris for the platoon advantage against Brandon Marsh, but Marsh stroked an RBI single before Justin Crawford’s RBI groundout made it 6-3 as the Phillies’ four-run frame featured two unearned runs.
The A’s loaded the bases against Brad Keller with two outs in the ninth, but the veteran right-hander got Jacob Wilson on a grounder back to the mound to end it. Orion Kerkering (1-0) recorded the final out of the eighth.
Kurtz’s RBI single in the fifth made it 2-0, but Philadelphia got a run back in the bottom half as Marsh tripled and scored on a grounder by Felix Reyes. Tyler Soderstrom led off the sixth with a homer against Wheeler to make it 3-1.
The Phillies answered again, this time with Garcia’s solo homer in their half of the sixth.
Perkins pitched the seventh for the A’s, striking out a pair, before the right-hander ran into trouble in the eighth.
–Field Level Media
Max Holloway would 'love' Conor McGregor rematch; no contract offer yet
CJ Abrams (5 RBIs), Nationals slam Twins
Phillies' 4-run eighth fuels rally past Athletics
Sports
Vanderbilt pursues first tourney win since 2012 in matchup with McNeese State
Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner (3) battles for the ball during the first half of the SEC tournament championship game against Arkansas at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 15, 2026. Vanderbilt, the No. 5 seed in the South Region, aims for its first NCAA Tournament win since 2012 when it faces 12th-seeded McNeese State in Oklahoma City on Thursday afternoon.
The Commodores (26-8) nearly replicated the path of the 2012 team, which stunned powerhouse Kentucky to clinch the school’s last Southeastern Conference tournament title. Arkansas pulled away in the final minutes of the title game to win 86-75.
Vanderbilt’s best two players, guards Tyler Tanner (19.1 points, 5.1 assists, 2.4 steals per game) and Duke Miles (16.5 points, 4.5 assists, 2.7 steals), were brilliant in the three-game tournament run as the Commodores knocked off ranked Tennessee and Florida squads.
The Commodores felt they’d earned better than what they received from the NCAA Tournament selection committee. But coach Mark Byington downplayed the angle as Vanderbilt kept its focus on what’s ahead.
“One of the things I told the guys earlier, I was like, ‘whatever number they put beside us, ignore it,'” Byington said. “It does not make a difference. We are playing a good team.”
The Cowboys (28-5) were the 12-team Southland Conference’s second-place finisher in the regular season. McNeese got the league’s automatic bid by defeating UT Rio Grande Valley 84-80 in triple overtime, then winning 76-59 over regular-season champion Stephen F. Austin.
Bill Armstrong became the first coach in Southland history to take his team to the NCAA Tournament in his first Division I season. He took over for Will Wade, who led McNeese to consecutive berths before leaving for NC State.
“We haven’t lost a game that wasn’t on someone else’s home court this year,” Armstrong said. “We’re 19-0 now when we’re not on someone else’s home court. This group’s been able to find a way to win games in different ways all year long.”
The Cowboys are paced by a formidable backcourt trio — Southland Freshman of the Year Larry Johnson (17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals per game), fellow first-team all-league pick Tyshawn Archie (14.3 points, 2.9 assists, 1.7 steals) and last year’s Southland Player of the Year Javohn Garcia (12.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals).
McNeese ranks first in the country in forcing turnovers (24.1% of possessions, per KenPom), points off turnovers (27.7%) and fourth in block rate (15.8%).
Getting the ball away from Vanderbilt hasn’t been easy this season. They are 11th nationally with a 13.3% turnover rate and top 20 in avoiding blocked shots (7.1%, 18th).
Vanderbilt also ranks fourth nationally in free-throw percentage (79.3%) while opponents scored 23.9% of their points at the line, 24th nationally per KenPom.
Vandy’s Tyler Nickel (13.5 points per game) snapped a long shooting slump by hitting 5 of 7 from distance against Arkansas.
Other key Commodores include bigs Devin McGlockton (9.6 points, 6.7 rebounds per game) and Jalen Washington (9.1, 5.7), both of whom struggled with foul trouble.
The Cowboys aren’t particularly big, and they shoot only 31.6 percent from 3-point range. But they’re athletic — seven players had at least 25 steals and six blocked at least 10 shots — and love to press. Their best interior player is 6-foot-10 Jerrell Colbert (5.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks per game), who previously played at LSU, Kansas State and SMU.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Max Holloway would 'love' Conor McGregor rematch; no contract offer yet
Aug 17, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Max Holloway (left) throws a punch at Conor McGregor (right) during a UFC featherweight match at the TD Garden. McGregor won after three rounds by judges decision. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images Max Holloway is working out in preparation for a fight that might never occur, but as he sees it, there’s really no other choice.
“I mean, it’s just, it sucks,” Hollway said in an interview with Paramount+. “I would just like to get one back.”
The former UFC featherweight champion is in training camp for a potential rematch with double title winner Conor McGregor in Las Vegas this July at UFC 329, but without a signed contract in hand.
The uncertainty is due in part to questions over when or if McGregor wants to step back into the Octagon, especially considering the Irishman hasn’t fought since July 2021. McGregor was rumored to be on the card scheduled for the White House this summer, but his purported opponent, Michael Chandler, instead will oppose Mauricio Ruffy.
Still, Holloway is expressing unfailing interest in trying to secure a deal to face off against McGregor again. The two squared off in 2013 and McGregor won by unanimous decision, though McGregor left the match with a torn ACL.
“My head space is good, it’s straight,” Holloway said. “I kinda know when I fight. We kinda know where we want to fight, why we want to fight, so just getting in the gym, getting there, getting it done.
“It’s a huge fight. Anything with Conor McGregor is huge, but having history with the dude, being able to get one back would be cool.”
Holloway is eager to erase the poor impression left by a one-sided loss to Charles Oliveira last time out, a March 7 unanimous-decision defeat that cost him the symbolic BMF title that rests with the UFC’s “baddest” competitor.
“You’re only as good as your last fight, they say, and we’re going to get everybody forgetting about that last fight as soon as possible,” Holloway said.
For McGregor, the biggest draw in the sport and the first athlete in the sport to hold two weight class titles simultaneously (featherweight and lightweight), it would mark a return from a devastating broken tibia and ensuing drug suspension that have sidelined “Notorious” for the better part of five years.
Holloway, a 34-year-old Honolulu native, projects as a heavy favorite over McGregor, 37, due to the latter’s long layoff.
–Field Level Media
Sports
CJ Abrams (5 RBIs), Nationals slam Twins
May 6, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) hits an RBI double against the Minnesota Twins during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images CJ Abrams had three hits including a grand slam, Miles Mikolas pitched into the sixth inning and the host Washington Nationals routed the Minnesota Twins 15-2 on Wednesday night.
Brady House, Drew Millas and Jose Tena each had two hits including a home run for the Nationals, who collected 14 hits. Abrams also had two doubles and five RBIs, and James Wood and Jacob Young each had two hits.
Mikolas (1-3), signed as a free agent in the offseason, began the game with an 8.23 ERA. The right-hander pitched a season-high 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits. Mikolas retired 16 of the 19 batters he faced to earn his first Washington win.
Three Washington pitchers held Minnesota to three hits. Matt Wallner had two hits including a home run for Minnesota, which had won two straight.
Twins starter Bailey Ober (3-2) went five-plus innings, allowing five runs on six hits.
Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in the third when Luke Keaschall doubled and scored on a Wallner single.
Washington did not get a baserunner against Ober until Wood singled leading off the fourth. Wood stole second with one out and Curtis Mead walked. Abrams followed with a double to score Wood.
Wallner homered off Mikolas in the fifth to put Twins up 2-1.
Young singled leading off the bottom half and Millas homered to center to give Washington a 3-2 lead.
In the sixth, back-to-back doubles by Abrams and House ended Ober’s night. Tena greeted reliever Andrew Morris with Washington’s third straight double to make it 5-2. With two outs, Nasim Nunez tripled to right and the lead was 6-2.
Daylen Lile walked leading off the bottom of the seventh and, with two outs, House homered to center to make it 8-2.
Young singled, Millas doubled and Wood singled them both home in the eighth. Washington loaded the bases and Abrams smacked a grand slam to right-center, the second of his career. Tena followed with a homer to make it 15-2.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Phillies' 4-run eighth fuels rally past Athletics
May 6, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis García (53) celebrates his home run with second baseman Edmundo Sosa (33) against the Athletics during the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Edmundo Sosa delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth inning as the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to notch a 6-3 victory over the visiting Athletics on Wednesday.
Brandon Marsh had three hits and an RBI for Philadelphia, which improved to 8-1 under interim manager Don Mattingly. Adolis Garcia homered for the Phillies while J.T. Realmuto, Garcia and Sosa each had two hits.
A’s left-hander Jeffrey Springs, who exited his last outing with hip soreness, gave up two runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and no walks in a crisp 75-pitch performance. Nick Kurtz finished with two hits and an RBI as he reached base for the 30th straight game.
In his third start since returning from a blood clot in his shoulder, Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings.
The Phillies trailed 3-2 in the eighth inning when Kyle Schwarber drew a leadoff walk against Jack Perkins (2-1). Bryce Harper reached on an error by second baseman Jeff McNeil that spoiled a potential double play, then Garcia singled to load the bases.
Sosa grounded his two-run single up the middle to give Philadelphia the lead. The Athletics brought in Hogan Harris for the platoon advantage against Brandon Marsh, but Marsh stroked an RBI single before Justin Crawford’s RBI groundout made it 6-3 as the Phillies’ four-run frame featured two unearned runs.
The A’s loaded the bases against Brad Keller with two outs in the ninth, but the veteran right-hander got Jacob Wilson on a grounder back to the mound to end it. Orion Kerkering (1-0) recorded the final out of the eighth.
Kurtz’s RBI single in the fifth made it 2-0, but Philadelphia got a run back in the bottom half as Marsh tripled and scored on a grounder by Felix Reyes. Tyler Soderstrom led off the sixth with a homer against Wheeler to make it 3-1.
The Phillies answered again, this time with Garcia’s solo homer in their half of the sixth.
Perkins pitched the seventh for the A’s, striking out a pair, before the right-hander ran into trouble in the eighth.
–Field Level Media
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