MORE FROM Mike DeCourcy

Support for Damar Hamlin rooted in his generosity, caring: 'He's Pittsburgh'

Everyone who watched Damar Hamlin's injury happen saw enough to be horrified. Hamlin's friends, though, knew enough about what a wonderful person he is to be devastated. Now they're hopeful he'll recover soon.

NCAA committee's idea to expand March Madness is madness

An NCAA Tournament of 90 or more teams would make March Madness -- and the sport in which it crowns the champion -- far less popular. So why bring it up?

Pele's singular stardom dwarfed soccer in the US, but his appeal ignited its rise

Even at a time when few Americans followed soccer closely, they knew and embraced Pele as its star. And that helped lead to the game's current and still growing prominence in the US.

The lowdown on the Good Rivals docu series on Amazon Prime

"Good Rivals" on Amazon Prime goes deep inside the USA vs. Mexico soccer rivalry, which Fox Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas calls "the best rivalry in international soccer."

Timing of Franco Harris' arrival in Pittsburgh was 'Immaculate,' but he's left us too soon

Even legend Mean Joe Greene says that when Franco Harris arrived in 1972 as a first-round pick, "we became the Pittsburgh Steelers" — the team that won four Super Bowls in six years

DeCourcy: Why 2022 final was the greatest game in men's World Cup history

It's the general consensus that Argentina's win over France in the 2022 final was the greatest World Cup game seen in the history of the men's tournament.

DeCourcy: Messi gets his World Cup, with a major hand from his teammates

Lionel Messi won the last trophy that had eluded him throughout his career, becoming the greatest player by helping to win the greatest game. But he needed more than a helping hand from his teammates to get it done.

DeCourcy: Is Messi the best male athlete of all time?

Where does Lionel Messi rank among the greats from other major men's sports: Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Muhammad Ali? He might have surpassed them all with the World Cup title

DeCourcy: France vs Argentina is the final we all deserve from this World Cup

Mbappe vs. Messi is only the start of the internal and individual battles that will make the 2022 World Cup final extraordinary for the teams — and everyone who cherishes this sport and its showpiece event.

Who is Bono? Morocco's goalkeeper becomes national hero and worldwide sensation by stopping Spain and Portugal

Yassine Bounou goes by the name "Bono" on the back of his jersey, which means he's only the second-most famous Bono in the world. For one day, the name was all his.

DeCourcy: Morocco's World Cup run inspires support throughout Africa, Arab world

Morocco's run to the World Cup semifinals is unprecedented among Arab nations and rare for the CAF, making their team even more popular than the "Cinderella" run would suggest

Can Morocco win the World Cup? Odds, path to final in Qatar

Morocco are making waves at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Who must they beat to secure glory in Qatar and how likely is the shock?

DeCourcy: No one will forget Messi's World Cup semifinal show

Lionel Messi had a role in all three goals as Argentina advanced to the final at Qatar 2022, putting the legend one game away from his first World Cup title.

World Cup Golden Ball: Top 5 players who can win best player award

France forward Kylian Mbappe has scored more goals than anyone at Qatar 2022, and that's just the start of what's made him great, but Lionel Messi and Luka Modric are making a strong case on the other side of the bracket.

If McKennie matter didn't convince you Gregg Berhalter is ideal USMNT coach, then Reyna row should

As coach of the United States men's national team, Gregg Berhalter has shown he won't risk collective success to accommodate a talented player's misbehavior

DeCourcy: What's missing for England to finally win a World Cup?

England fell in the knockout rounds of the latest major tournament, with penalty failure playing a significant role. Everything old is new again.

DeCourcy: Morocco's run to World Cup semis? It's no fluke

Morocco has been exceptionally well-coached and together during its astonishing run to the World Cup semifinals, the first by an African nation in the history of the competition.

Grant Wahl's death is a blow to those who knew his work — and to those who knew him

Grant Wahl was a brilliant all-around journalist who was dedicated to the coverage of soccer. Those who read and listened to his work will miss him. Those who knew him as a friend will miss him that much more.

DeCourcy: Teams are trying, but no one can stop Messi at the World Cup

The Netherlands tried everything against Lionel Messi and Argentina short of WWE tactics, but he delivered three magical moments that helped his team reach the World Cup semifinals

DeCourcy: Why are Brazil out of the World Cup? Neymar dependence

In asking Neymar to do too much — or acknowledging his demands to be more involved — Brazil squandered an opportunity to advance toward its sixth World Cup title.

DeCourcy: How Ronaldo handles World Cup demotion could mark his legacy

Nearing the close of his Portugal career, but also closing in on the World Cup final, Cristiano Ronaldo can't afford to be anything but a team leader.

Japan's departure from World Cup was brutal, but their time in Qatar was something to see

Japan made its mark at Qatar 2022, with victories over world powers Germany and Spain, but also by its clean approach to soccer and stadiums.

DeCourcy: World Cup final comes early; England vs. France is a quarterfinal

The luck (?) of the draw placed England and France into the same section of the Qatar 2022 bracket, which means fans will see a match that could easily be the World Cup final ... in the quarterfinals.

Hanging on to Jim Harbaugh was a genius move by Michigan

Only two years ago, Michigan seemed inclined to remove coach Jim Harbaugh, before the two chose instead to alter his contract and reduce his pay. He's been almost unbeatable since.

USMNT leave Qatar showing how much room there is to grow

The Netherlands proved a step too far for USA at the 2022 World Cup, but their progress on the global stage was clear for all to see.

DeCourcy: U.S. men actually believe they can win this World Cup

A young U.S. men's team is only growing in confidence as they advance through the 2022 FIFA World Cup, showing they belong at the highest level. A victory against the Netherlands will only strengthen the belief and "swagger" they have that they can win this World Cup.

DeCourcy: How far can the USA go in the World Cup?

The USMNT's draw isn't great, but being a part of the knockout rounds at the 2022 FIFA World Cup is exactly where this young side hoped to be.

Cristiano Ronaldo's path to winning World Cup 2022 with Portugal

Portugal have already qualified to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup and have a strong chance to clinch top spot in Group H and avoid an early clash with Brazil. Here's the path for Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. in the knockout rounds in his quest to win his first world title.

DeCourcy: Mexico's World Cup elimination is going to hurt for a while

Mexico has a habit of losing in the FIFA World Cup round of 16. That won't be happening in 2022, as El Tri missed out on qualification to Poland by a single goal.

DeCourcy: Ranking USA's Top 5 men's World Cup goals — where Pulisic fits

Christian Pulisic's game-winner against Iran advanced the USMNT to the 2022 World Cup round of 16 — and instantly became one of the defining goals in American soccer history.

DeCourcy: Pulisic pays the price for giving up his body for USA's winning goal

Christian Pulisic scored the only USMNT goal to get them to the World Cup Round of 16, but it's what he did after that that was most impressive.

DeCourcy: USA vs Iran at World Cup is about more than just soccer

The lead-up to the decisive 2022 World Cup Group B match between the USA and Iran has not been like any other game in Qatar with geopolitics, protests, women's rights, and controversial statements often superseding the soccer.

DeCourcy: Brazil can win the World Cup without Neymar

When Brazil fans saw Neymar limping about on a swollen ankle, there was a moment when they thought their 2022 World Cup dreams were over. That moment lasted until the 1-0 win over Switzerland.

DeCourcy: World Cup is a reminder to enjoy Messi while you still can

With Argentina's back to the wall in the World Cup, 35-year-old Lionel Messi delivered the latest in a long string of magic moments to keep Argentina alive in the hunt for the one trophy that's proven ever so elusive.

DeCourcy: Mexico's World Cup campaign unravels after one Messi moment

Mexico played for a draw against world power Argentina in its second World Cup game, but getting there demanded perfection against the great Lionel Messi. That didn't happen.

DeCourcy: A thrilling 0-0 soccer draw? USA vs England showed it's possible

One of the largest TV audiences to watch a soccer match in the USA witnessed a scoreless 0-0 World Cup draw between the USA and England, While some complained about the lack of scoring, those who care about the U.S. team knew how exciting the game was.

DeCourcy: USA sends loud statement to skeptics that it's ready to compete

Some former England star players were suggesting their team would have an easy time with the United States men's national team. They didn't have any time at all.

DeCourcy: Best U.S. World Cup team ever? Depends on how you look at it

With all the young U.S. players on top clubs spread across Europe's big leagues there's some who think that this might be the best USA World Cup soccer team we've seen. The Sporting News takes a deeper dive.

Why USA vs England World Cup match is a big deal

It wouldn't be accurate to call USA and England rivals in international soccer, but the ubiquity of English soccer on American television has made stars of the Three Lions players and a clear target for USMNT fans

Canada player ratings after World Cup loss to Belgium: More good than bad

Even in defeat, Canada certainly did not earn a failing grade for its opening Group F game at FIFA World Cup 2022, though they could've used a big play out of a couple of players.

'Better than us' – Proud Canada lose to Belgium but win admirers

Canada's return to the World Cup after a four-decade absence began with an opening defeat, but with an attacking panache that left coaches, players and fans filled with pride

DeCourcy: Are England way ahead of the USA? Friday could change perceptions

When the 2022 World Cup draw was conducted in April, English newspapers reacted as though the Three Lions were being automatically advanced to the Round of 16. It's up to the USMNT to make them work for it on Friday.

DeCourcy: The one issue that could keep Mexico from dream World Cup run

Mexico has reached the knockout rounds of the past seven World Cups, but they didn't advance any closer to an eighth with a scoreless draw against Poland that highlighted the same old scoring issues.

DeCourcy: Can France repeat at World Cup? Jury's still out despite 4-1 win

Olivier Giroud became one of France's career goals leaders with two in a 4-1 win over Australia, but there's plenty more unanswered even after such a dominant performance.

Mexico player ratings vs. Poland: El Tri shines, shuts down Lewandowski

Mexico needed to control the great Robert Lewandowski to avoid defeat in the first game at Qatar 2022. The defense took care of that. The attack is another story as goal-scoring remains an issue.

DeCourcy: Here's how Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia

If you want to understand how World Cup favorites Argentina wound up a 2-1 loser to underdog Saudi Arabia, start with the difference between how the winners applied their defense and how the losers failed to adapt.

DeCourcy: USA draw vs Wales leaves it in limbo with England looming

The United States feared Wales star Gareth Bale's ability to change the game in a single instant. Too much, it turned out, because a desperate foul by defender Walker Zimmerman led to a game-tying penalty kick.

DeCourcy: Qatar makes the wrong kind of history in World Cup opener

Qatar went all-in on chemistry, connection and teamwork in their first-ever World Cup match — and none of that was apparent in a disastrous 2-0 loss to Ecuador dominated by striker Enner Valencia

Is soccer America's fifth major sport? The answer is pretty clear

The FIFA men's World Cup will be one of the most-watched sporting events in the USA and from TV viewership and rights fees to infrastructure and investment, there's plenty of evidence that the sport of the future has arrived as of the five major sports in America.

Scouting the top freshmen (and future draft picks) from Champion's Classic

There were six projected first-round picks in the Champions Classic doubleheader in Indianapolis, and they gave the 75 NBA scouts among the audience plenty to ponder between now and June.

Michigan State passes latest test on brutal schedule with OT win

Michigan State's Tom Izzo has outdone himself in constructing a challenging schedule for his Spartans, but they made their coach proud with a double-OT victory over No. 4 Kentucky

Duke's Jon Scheyer embraces challenge of replacing Coach K

Jon Scheyer figured he'd be just retiring from professional basketball at 35, but a devastating injury meant having to find a new dream in life. Now he's following the greatest college basketball coach of all time.

Wooden's shoes: In college basketball, following a legend is not all it's cracked up to be

There aren't many happy endings for college coaches who accept the rare and daunting challenge of succeeding one of the game's legendary figures.

DJ Wagner is a win for Kentucky, and oddly, a win for Louisville

If it seems weird to hear Louisville basketball is better off for not signing the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, well, consider what became of other developing programs that went the one-and-done route before being ready.

Why Sounders duo made it on USA World Cup roster

Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan are not coming off their best seasons with the Seattle Sounders, but there's a reason they both made the U.S. national team's roster for the upcoming 2022 World Cup.

Bold predictions for 2022-23 college hoops season

North Carolina returns four starters from the team that lost the NCAA Championship game to Kansas last April. Is that enough to hold off the rapidly advancing Kentucky Wildcats, who are eager to erase everything that happened last March?

Armando Bacot is an NIL darling, but basketball still comes first

It is likely there is no one better situated to take advantage of the NIL era than Armando Bacot, who has been preparing for this intersection of basketball and business since he was a kid.

Sporting News preseason college basketball All-America team

The experience and excellence of these All-Americans should lend an extra sense of excitement to the impending college season.

Six college hoops coaches in need of a turnaround

A few rough seasons doesn't mean programs can't find their stride and challenge for NCAA bids. But these programs all are at the point where their fans would like to see more success.

Kentucky, North Carolina lead SN's preseason college hoops Top 25

An experienced Kentucky team has the inside track to John Calipari's second national title.

Expanding March Madness field would be college sports biggest mistake yet

If you look at the teams that barely missed the 2022 NCAA Tournament field, you see how little need there is for an expanded field. There's no there, there.

The Pirates have never recovered from their 1992 NLCS loss to the Braves

Pittsburgh now is exactly 30 years removed from the worst sports defeat in its history, a 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves, which kept the Pirates out of the World Series then, and perhaps forever.

Meet the HS phenom rushing for 350 yards a game with no recruiting profile

He is the nation’s leading high school rusher, with 2,507 yards and 29 TDs through seven games, an average of 358 yards per game with five 400-yard games to his credit.

DeCourcy: NCAA should go easy on TCU's Damion Baugh for using non-certified agent

TCU has chosen not to make anything about Baugh's suspension public, but the fact there’s an appeal is an indication this is not a gentle punishment.

Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren: Expansion 'is not something we’re aggressively doing right now'

In an extensive interview with The Sporting News, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren expains the league's stance on further expansion, adding UCLA and USC, the pending growth the College Football Playoff field -- and more.

Trayce Jackson-Davis has one final chapter to add to his Indiana legacy

Trayce Jackson-Davis has reached one NCAA Tournament in three college seasons. This year, he doesn't just want to reach March Madness; he wants to stay as long as possible

DeCourcy: USWNT loss to Spain raises questions leading all the way to the top

After the USWNT was shut out yet again, it seems fair to wonder if the national team has more work to get ready for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup than it can accomplish in nine months.

DeCourcy: England vs USA was not just a soccer game; it was a statement

The women's national teams representing the United States and England had scheduled an exhibition to help prepare for the World Cup and promote the growth of their game. It became something more.

USWNT player grades vs. England: Smith stars, but defenders struggled

The U.S. women's national team lost at sold-out Wembley Stadium after a beautiful tying goal was ruled out on video review, but they were able to leave Wembley feeling fine about how their overall performance.

DeCourcy: USA soccer's unique chance to deal English football a dual blow

The USWNT and USMNT both have significant upcoming games against their rivals from England. The women will play a friendly against the reigning European champions. The American men face the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup. Two wins would represent a massive blow delivered by the USA.

USWNT players react to NWSL abuse investigation: "Trust has been broken"

Members of the U.S. women's national team have a big game against England on Friday at Wembley Stadium, but the focus remains on the fallout from the independent investigation conducted by former U.S. deputy attorney general Sally Yates on player abuse in the NWSL.

Inside Dane Fife's departure from Indiana, and what's next

Dane FIfe thought he was closing in on his dream job when he left a coveted assistant coaching position at Michigan State for a lateral move to his alma mater, Indiana. Now he's trying to find his way back into the business.

USMNT fans raining pressure on youngest USA squad ever aren't helping World Cup preparations

So you're angry or anxious because the USMNT played poorly in their final two pre-World Cup friendlies? Tough. What this young team has navigated to reach this point warrants more appreciation than it's getting.

USMNT player grades vs. Saudi Arabia

The saying for some college kids is "C's get degrees", but do C's get a national soccer team out of its World Cup group? The USMNT better do better when they play real games again.

DeCourcy: Pepi might be USA's best chance to resolve forward conundrum

The USMNT have gotten more goals from defenders this year than they have from their strikers. Young Ricardo Pepi remains the player best positioned to create the necessary threat from that spot.

Pulisic's USMNT absence underlines his importance for 2022 World Cup

Christian Pulisic's injury wouldn't have been serious enough to keep him out of a game that mattered, but the USMNT floundered without him in 2-0 friendly loss to Japan.

Matt Turner lone standout performer amongst collective USMNT failure vs. Japan

If the objective for the penultimate World Cup preparation game for the United States men’s national team was to help Matt Turner secure the starting goalkeeper job, then it was a smashing success. In all other aspects, it was an abject disaster.

Should teams start a rookie first-round QB? Results are mixed

The majority of first-round quarterbacks who become rookie starters don't succeed like Ben Roethlisberger did two decades ago. Too many of them don't even last in the league.

DECOURCY: CFP almost gets new format right, but bowls get in way again

The decision to employ historic bowl sites for the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds when the College Football Playoff is expanded to 12 entrants is another goof for a sport that can't get the postseason right.

DeCourcy: Are Broncos making costly mistake with Russell Wilson extension?

Russell Wilson was contracted to play for the Broncos for the next two seasons, but without seeing a snap they've extended him five more years. Is that good business?

Serena conquered her opponents, and the unrelenting demands of a brutal sport

Serena Williams is preparing to end her championship career after more than two decades, but she stayed on top of the game longer than her peers could imagine.

Harsher suspension is the only aspect of Deshaun Watson case that doesn't feel sickening

The negotiated settlement between NFL and the NFL Players Association gives Watson a serious competitive penalty and also takes a chunk out of the Browns, who chose to give him nearly $250 million despite behavior later termed to be "egregious".

DeCourcy: Why a Pulisic loan to Man United could prove the ideal scenario

USMNT star Christian Pulisic has had a tough time getting regular playing time at Chelsea, and the acquisition of Raheem Sterling has only made it tougher. A loan move to Manchester United might resolve that issue.

Give SEC commissioner Greg Sankey an E6 with suggestion to expand NCAA Tournament

What happens in college baseball should not be used as a justification for expanding the NCAA Tournament from its current 68-team field, no matter what SEC commissioner Greg Sankey says.

Barcelona in crisis: Issues explained by author who went inside the club

Renowned soccer author Simon Kuper went behind the scenes for the definitive book on the club "The Barcelona Complex", and his insights help explain the current crisis facing FC Barcelona and why it's still struggling to balance the books.

The March Madness auto-bids debate: Killing Cinderella would be a losing strategy all around

The president of FGCU -- which gave us "Dunk City" a decade ago -- speculated the NCAA Tournament eventually will drop automatic bids for conference champions and kill Cinderella. That would be bad business.

Arch Manning bought Steve Sarkisian some time to turn things around at Texas — for now

Steve Sarkisian's 5-7 debut at Texas was underwhelming, but the commitment of Arch Manning gave the program a big shot in the arm this offseason.

Sue L. Robinson fumbles Deshaun Watson ruling with meager six-game suspension

The NFL may appeal the Deshaun Watson decision, but the question is, why was Robinson's initial ruling so light?

Pac-12 commissioner packs a wallop with comments about Big 12 rivals at football media day

After hearing what Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff had to say about the Big 12, it's easy to see why the two could not find the common ground for a merger agreement.

DeCourcy: Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is back after Wolverines' rout of Buckeyes in '21

Is it really a rivalry if one team wins 85 percent of the time? That's where Ohio State vs. Michigan stood in the 21st century, but now UM has won 100 percent of the meetings in the past year.

Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren is open to expansion, but it's got to be a value add

If you think you know where college athletics is headed now that the Big Ten has expanded to include UCLA and USC, you're one of the few.

DeCourcy: USWNT show they're not ready to be brushed aside

The USWNT only beat Canada 1-0 to claim the CONCACAF W Championship and a spot in the 2024 Olympics, but they controlled the game without a half-dozen potential starters available and showed their young talent is extremely promising.

DeCourcy: Stakes are high for new-look USWNT in final vs. Canada

The United States women's national team has waited nearly a year for revenge following the Olympics semifinal loss to Canada. It comes Monday in the CONCACAF W Championship.

DeCourcy: USWNT player grades as Americans reach W Championship final

The USWNT has a perfect record so far in the CONCACAF W Championship without allowing a single goal as it marched into the tournament final following a 3-0 win over Costa Rica. But it seems there's still another level to reach for the Americans.

Sean Miller has a new job and a new outlook with his old team (Xavier) in his old league (the Big East)

Still not clear of an NCAA investigation that unofficially commenced nearly five years ago, Sean Miller revels in the chance to return to coaching a program where he feels at home.

Let's hope Western Athletic Conference's wacky approach to college hoop seeding doesn't catch on

The WAC will seed its 2023 men's and women's basketball tournament by advanced metrics rather than league standings. It's an idea whose time definitely has not come.

Sophia Smith shows star potential in USWNT win over Jamaica

21-year-old Sophia Smith starred in a two-goal performance against Jamaica, proving that she could be one of the players who carries on the four-star tradition of USWNT excellence.

USWNT earn high grades across board in 5-0 win over Jamaica

The grades for the USWNT were much higher following the 5-0 victory over Jamaica than they had been for a disconcerting opener in the the Concacaf W Championship.

DeCourcy: USWNT player ratings vs. Haiti

Alex Morgan came close to a perfect grade with her performance in the USWNT's opening win at the CONCACAF W Championship vs. Haiti. But few of her teammates scored nearly so high.

DeCourcy: Three red flags in USWNT's opening qualifying win

A 3-0 victory over world No. 60 Haiti was not the resounding result the USWNT might have wanted in its first competitive game with a revamped, younger lineup. But coach Vlatko Andonovski remained positive.

If the Big Ten wants to get B1GGER, who are the most attractive candidates for expansion?

There is a belief the Big Ten Conference is not finished expanding with USC and UCLA likely to join. But there are obstacles and issues with most of the attractive candidates

UConn's Rip Hamilton, Michigan's John Beilein lead 2022 class for College Basketball's Hall of Fame

Rip Hamilton was quite possibly the most underrated player in UConn basketball history. John Beilein and Lon Kruger were not the most demonstrative coaches on the sidelines. The 2022 class for the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame is one of quiet greatness.

North Carolina star Larry Miller at last will get his due in College Basketball hall of fame

Selected today to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, Larry Miller is not one of North Carolina basketball's biggest names, but he might have been the pivotal figure in making the Tar Heels one of the college game's greatest powers.

Magnitude of Browns' brainless deal for Deshaun Watson coming into focus as hearing approaches

If Deshaun Watson is given a lengthy suspension by the NFL as expected, the Browns' enormous investment in him will look even riskier.

DeCourcy: Who should be in the USWNT starting XI during qualifying?

USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski said it should not be a hard guess even for those outside of the coaches' offices to know who'll start for the USWNT in the CONCACAF W Championship in July. But he has decisions to make at striker and goalkeeper.

Kentucky's first-round NBA Draft dominance is being challenged by Duke

In the two-round NBA Draft era, Kentucky's lead over Duke in first-round selections is down to one after the Blue Devils' had four players picked on Thursday to UK's two.

PGA Tour needs to fight back as Brooks Koepka and others race to LIV series and leave loyalty behind

Players such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus built the PGA Tour into the money machine it's become for pro golfers, and those abandoning it for the Saudi-backed LIV series risk a serious crash for their sport.

Finding the next Draymond: How NBA scouts search for sleepers

Teams that have picked college stars over one-and-done potential in the second half of the first round have seen some positive results recently. This season's NBA conference finals provide several examples.

How Jaden Ivey compares to Ja Morant and Derrick Rose

Purdue guard Jaden Ivey fits a mold of dynamic athlete that basically hasn't failed in the past two decades of NBA competition.

DeCourcy: Stock up, stock down for USMNT vs. Uruguay

Timothy Weah and Yunus Musah continued to show they rank among the most consistent USMNT performers in the USA's latest World Cup prep match against Uruguay.

DeCourcy: USMNT stock up/stock down after win vs. Morocco

Christian Pulisic and Brenden Aaronson combined on the game-winning goal in a pre-World Cup friendly against Morocco, but their damage was not limited to that dazzling play. Three other players didn't do any favors for themselves.

DeCourcy: Could Malik Tillman make USA World Cup squad?

Young Malik Tillman just joined up with the USMNT a few days ago, but if he shines in training and competition in the coming weeks, he could be a member of the squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Kentucky, Duke have shown 'one-and-done' is the way to go for teams looking for March Madness success

The common belief in college basketball has become that teams need to be "old" to be successful in the NCAA Tournament. But veteran teams do not fare as well in March Madness as the "one-and-dones" from Duke and Kentucky.

DeCourcy: What Liverpool are missing to win more trophies

Liverpool competed in three major finals in 2022 without scoring a single goal, even though the Reds had an extra 30 minutes in two of them. There need to be improvements in the their attack to get them over the biggest hurdles.

DeCourcy: How Fenway Sports Group transformed Liverpool into UCL force

Since taking over a failing Liverpool FC, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has restored the club's success and prestige through shrewd execution — and being smart enough to hire and keep manager Jurgen Klopp.

Duke's Trevor Keels shows how to 'test the waters' at NBA Draft Combine, but getting picked is the tricky part

Successful college underclassmen like Jaylin Williams of Arkansas and Keion Brooks of Kentucky must convince NBA teams they're good enough for the NBA -- and they're serious about moving on now.

Jay Bilas, Jim Phillips and more weigh in on next NCAA president and what it is facing

A conference commissioner, ADs, college sports analysts and an athlete advocate discuss where the NCAA should turn to find its next president, and what the role of that president should be.

Next NCAA president: Sorry I can't accept the nomination, but I do have some ideas

The next president of the NCAA -- sorry, it won't be me -- must have a vision focused more on where college athletics is going than where it has been

Arrival of NIL deals may be vexing for coaches and fans, but let's not get hysterical

Since Nigel Pack signed an $800,000 NIL deal with a Miami basketball booster and Pitt's Jordan Addison reportedly began considering a transfer for a million-dollar deal, there have been many predictions of college sports' demise. But the sky is not falling.

Sounders make history with first CCL title, but it's only the start for MLS

Winning CONCACAF Champions League after a 15-year run of failure is huge for Major League Soccer, but progessing toward elite status will require a number of these big advances.

Why Steelers should not be married to taking a quarterback with first 2022 NFL Draft pick

The Steelers definitely need a quarterback to chase future Super Bowl glory, but the odds of finding that player with the 20th overall pick are poor — and it's even less likely they'll find him in this draft class

NBA Draft prospect Shaedon Sharpe could have helped Kentucky -- and himself -- by playing for the Wildcats

While Kentucky's starting wing players struggled in the season's final weeks, gifted recruit Shaedon Sharpe watched and never played. Now he's gone to the NBA Draft, and the reason he didn't play will anger UK fans.

With Jay Wright retired, the Big East might need a new source of power to keep the bright lights on

Over the nine seasons since the current Big East members split from their football-centric partners, Villanova carried the conference flag highest. Jay Wright's retirement might mean the league needs a new standard-bearer.

Villanova's Jay Wright has enough and has done enough as he gracefully retires from college hoops stage

Villanova's Hall of Fame coach brings down the curtain on an amazing career.

North Carolina center Armando Bacot's return to Tar Heels is a big win for all of college basketball

Armando Bacot wasn't likely to be a first-round pick, so he might make more money in his fourth North Carolina season. And he'll enter the year as a preseason first-team All-American.

Grading the college basketball coaching hires, from Shaheen Holloway to Sean Miller

College basketball rankings: Kentucky, UCLA lead way-too-early top 25 for 2022-23 season

With uncertainly surrounding players declaring for the NBA Draft and hitting the transfer portal, projecting the 2022-23 college basketball season may be a fool's errand. But it's still fun to look ahead.

David McCormack delivers on immense promise on biggest stage and brings Kansas another title

It has not been an easy four years at Kansas for David McCormack, but the big man had a most outstanding Final Four and played the most valuable role in the Jayhawks' championship run.

Final Four 2022: Big-time North Carolina-Kansas matchup may be decided by big-time bigs

North Carolina's Armando Bacot and Kansas' David McCormack are part of a horde of college big men that are still having a big influence on the game.

From the cheap seats to press row: SN writer shares his Final Four Superdome memories

Mike DeCourcy watched his first Final Four from the upper reaches of the Superdome, and he saw Keith Smart make history. Saturday, he was down on press row for all the madness, but he took a stroll back to his old seats to get all the feels 35 years later.

Coach K's ride off into the retirement sunset comes with agonizing loss to North Carolina in Final Four

Mike Krzyzewski is leaving the arena one last time as Duke's head man after his Blue Devils came up short in a thriller against his arch rival.

Caleb Love's shot puts a classic finish on the all-time Duke-North Carolina Final Four classic

Caleb Love's three-pointer with 25 seconds to play was the deciding play in a game that will go down in Final Four lore between the sport's best rivals.

Ochai Agbaji steps up, leads Kansas past Villanova at Final Four

Ochai Agbaji drained six three-pointers and Kansas held Villanova off in the second half to earn a spot in the national championship game.

Duke-North Carolina III: Scouting reports from three ACC coaches on Final Four matchup

Three ACC coaches spoke with Sporting News and were granted anonymity to break down the Final Four matchup between Duke and North Carolina.

UNC's Hubert Davis 'very confident' dome won't factor into Tar Heels' shooting vs. Duke in Final Four

The persistent myth since the Final Four began to be played exclusively in stadiums is that the vacant background is not conducive to jump-shooting accuracy. UNC coach Hubert Davis thinks that's bunk. And he should know.

Remy Martin is Kansas' not-so-secret weapon in this royal Final Four

Remy Martin's season has not gone as planned, but the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year could be the guy who lifts the Jayhawks to a second national title.

Duke-North Carolina in the Final Four? Perfect rivalry, perfect occasion, but don’t expect a perfect game

Let's not expect this to be the greatest Final Four game of them all, but perfect rivals Duke and North Carolina squaring off is still plenty to get excited about.

TSN Archives: Remembering Carmelo Anthony's domination of Kansas that capped freshman season with title (2003)

Despite his accomplishments in the 2002-03 regular season, Syracuse freshman Carmelo Anthony was named a first-team All-American by only one media organization, The Sporting News. He proved TSN right with his play in the 2003 Final Four.

Final Four 2022: Ranking the 4 remaining teams in the NCAA Tournament from Duke to Villanova

New Orleans will host four programs with plenty of history and tradition at the Final Four. Here's how they stack up based on their chances of winning it all.

DeCourcy: Berhalter bests critics as MLS-heavy lineup delivers

USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter dared the critics of his MLS-based players to be furious by starting Paul Arriola and Jesus Ferreira. They were, but maybe not after each scored in a 5-1 U.S. romp.

'Joy to my heart': Hubert Davis leads North Carolina to Final Four in up-and-down debut season

North Carolina throttled Saint Peter's in the East Regional final, bringing first-year coach Hubert Davis to tears as UNC regained some luster as a program. His team experienced some lows, and now it will experience the high of the Final Four.

David McCormack, Kansas get shot at national title after losing one during 2020 pandemic

Kansas routed No. 10 seed Miami 76-50 with an amazing second-half blitz. The Jayhawks enter the Final Four with legitimate championship hopes.

Does Duke want to play Carolina? Coach K swatted away my question like he was Mark Williams

Duke is awaiting an opponent in the Final Four, and it could be hated rival North Carolina. Are the Blue Devils rooting for the Tar Heels to beat Saint Peter's? We'll never know.

Duke, Coach K cross bridge to Final Four again with demanding win over Arkansas

Mike Krzyzewski passed John Wooden with his 13th Final Four berth, and he did it with a talented team that he said is playing 'beautiful basketball.'

ACC teams in Elite EIght didn't get jobbed by NCAA Tournament seeding -- they got better

Although four of the ACC's five NCAA Tournament entrants earned seeds of No. 8 or below, three teams from the league are among the Elite Eight. How does that happen?

Saint Peter's enjoys a moment that has never happened in Sweet 16 upset of Purdue

It's National Peacock Day, Night and Year as tiny Saint Peter's astonished the nation with its third NCAA upset and historic berth in the Elite Eight. For Purdue, it was a crushing defeat that extended its Final Four drought.

Duke's Paolo Banchero beefs up NBA Draft resume in Elite Eight as other celebrated freshmen head home

The top candidates for the NBA Draft overall No. 1 pick are freshmen Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith, but only Duke's Paulo Banchero still has a shot at an NCAA championship ring.

Coach K calls on rare zone defense as Duke finally topples Texas Tech to reach Elite Eight

Duke's offense was brilliant down the stretch, but Mike Krzyzewski's unusual use of a zone defense in the second half also helped the second-seeded Blue Devils slip past a ferocious Texas Tech squad.

Attacking Arkansas proves too much for No. 1 seed Gonzaga in Sweet 16

Gonzaga's quest for its first national title will continue beyond 2022 as the top-ranked Bulldogs were taken out by an aggressive Arkansas squad that kept the Zags at arms-length all night.

There's a thin line separating Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren from greatness, but he's almost there

There never has been a college basketball player quite like Chet Holmgren, so everyone at Gonzaga had some learning to do. He and the Zags are getting high grades now.

Coach K says Duke freshman AJ Griffin 'ready to go' vs. Texas Tech after ankle sprain

Freshman guard AJ Griffin missed Duke's final eight minutes against Michigan State with an ankle sprain, but he will be ready to go in the Sweet 16 against Texas Tech.

Remembering Arizona's maddest of March runs en route to the 1997 national championship

The Wildcats knocked off three of the bluest bluebloods of the sport in No. 1 seeds North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky. But they also survived scares against South Alabama, College of Charleston and Providence (in overtime) to win the 1997 national title.

March Madness 2022: Ranking the 16 best remaining teams in the NCAA tournament

Fifty-four teams have been eliminated from the NCAA tournament. Which survivor has the best chance to cut down the nets in New Orleans? We rank the Sweet 16.

It might mean more in the SEC, but more has been less in this NCAA Tournament

The SEC had six teams seeded No. 6 or higher in the NCAA tournament. Five of them lost to double-digit seeds on opening weekend.

Duke's Jeremy Roach, not his more well-known teammates, extends Coach K's farewell tour as Blue Devils survive Michigan State

Jeremy Roach's clutch three-pointer with a minute to go pushed Duke's lead to four and effectively ended Michigan State's upset bid. Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Duke will play on, with a matchup against Texas Tech in San Francisco on tap.

Tom Izzo ended Zion Williamson's college career. Can he do the same to Mike Krzyzewski?

Mike Krzyzewski has dominated his matchups with Tom Izzo over his career, but the Michigan State head man has won the last two matchups, including the Elite Eight classic in 2019. The two titans meet in the second round on Sunday.

Baylor shows champion's heart as record comeback vs. North Carolina falls just short

Baylor lost four starters from its national championship team, then suffered two season-ending injuries in February. Still, the Bears earned a No. 1 seed, and almost pulled off a historic comeback against North Carolina on Saturday.

Duke doesn't slip up in NCAA tournament debut as Coach K will coach another day

Duke sprinted out to a 17-4 lead and was never truly threatened against Cal State Fullerton on Friday night. Mike Krzyzewski says his final Blue Devils squad played better than it has recently.

Caleb Daniels embodies the culture and standards in place for No. 2 seed Villanova

The New Orleans native, who started his career in his backyard at Tulane, is hoping to make it back to his hometown for the Final Four.

The Madness of March finally strikes John Calipari as his Kentucky squad falls to No. 15-seed Saint Peter's

In John Calipari's Hall of Fame career, he'd never suffered a shocking upset in the NCAA tournament. Until Thursday. He and his Wildcats had no answers for Saint Peter's, and now UK is going home early.

An Emoni Bates sighting - Memphis's heralded freshman shows up at NCAAs

Emoni Bates knocked down a first-half three for Memphis in his first action since late January. The NBA prospect was an unexpected participant in the Tigers' first-round win over Boise State.

March Madness 2022: Ranking the 68 best teams in the NCAA tournament, from Arizona to TAMU-CC

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March Madness predictions 2022: Mike DeCourcy's expert NCAA Tournament bracket picks

Three weeks from now in New Orleans, we will see the student taking on the master in an all West Coast final.

March Madness bracket 2022: Upset predictions, sleepers, Final Four pick for West Region

Can Coach K find his way to a record-breaking 13th Final Four?

March Madness bracket 2022: Upset predictions, sleepers, Final Four pick for South Region

Every one of the top four teams in the South Region is capable of reaching the Final Four. The problem for the other three, though, is they are grouped with Arizona.

March Madness bracket 2022: Upset predictions, sleepers, Final Four pick in Midwest Region

March Madness bracket 2022: Upset predictions, sleepers, Final Four pick in East Region

Can Baylor repeat as national champion with almost an entirely different team?

Will Wade's checks will finally stop coming as LSU fires him after notice of allegations

LSU fired Will Wade on Saturday less than a week after the NCAA issued a notice of allegations that reportedly included five Level 1 violations.

Big Ten conference headed again for nine NCAA Tournament bids, which won't thrill everyone

The Big Ten might not be the best conference in college basketball this season, but it still is trending toward another busy March.

Trayce Jackson-Davis carries Indiana from the brink of an empty March Madness to possibility of NCAA bid

An epic comeback by the Indiana Hoosiers might be enough to get them into the March Madness Field of 68 after missing four tournaments in a row.

Kentucky's Oscar Tshiebwe is Sporting News' College Basketball Player of the Year

When a basketball comes off the rim, Kentucky center Oscar Tshiebwe insists it belongs to him. That conviction carried him to the second-ever TSN Player of the Year award for a Wildcats player.

Providence's Ed Cooley is Sporting News' college basketball Coach of the Year

Ed Cooley believes in luck, but far more went into a remarkable Providence Friars season that produced a a Big East championship and Coach of the Year Honors for the man in charge.

Sporting News 2021-22 college basketball All-America team

Kentucky center Oscar Tshiebwe and Wisconsin wing Johnny Davis were the dominant candidates in the voting for The Sporting News All-America squad for the 2021-22 season.

NCAA Hoops Power Rankings: Revamped Baylor making moves in flawed field of top teams

All of the most prominent teams this season have significant flaws, which could lead to one of our Maddest Marches.

Coaching against Coach K: Roy Williams, other Hall of Famers share stories about facing Mike Krzyzewski

So many Hall of Famers have been on the bench opposite Mike Krzyzewski, who coaches his final home game Saturday. They tell us they needed to be at the top of their games to have a chance to succeed.

North Carolina legend Roy Williams on retirement: It's been good, and it has to be, because I miss coaching

North Carolina's Roy Williams has done his best to keep a low profile since retiring from North Carolina, but he's at every home game and feels just as strongly about the program.

NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: With Chet Holmgren excelling, it's hard for anyone to reach Gonzaga

The best college basketball teams generally have the best players and the coaches doing the best jobs. So who stands out as the best of the best?

Calls for Michigan coach Juwan Howard to be fired over Wisconsin incident are way over the line

Michigan's Juwan Howard received a harsh but appropriate punishment after inciting a brawl with an open-hand slap of a Wisconsin assistant coach. He definitely did not deserve to be fired.

Juwan Howard was unwilling to walk away, and now Michigan's season is in peril

The Wolverines coach should have taken a personal timeout instead of engaging in an altercation with the Wisconsin coaching staff.

NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Auburn, Kentucky have SEC challenges ahead

What is the most difficult regular season hurdle for the top 16? Glad you asked.

NCAA's 'Bracket Reveal' will tell us more about Selection Sunday than you might imagine

Selection Sunday is just over three weeks away, and we are going to get a good idea of what the top of the bracket is going to look like on Saturday.

The Jimmy Black Exception: This year's NCAA basketball championship point guard might not be a superstar

A dearth of five-star prospects and future first-round picks at college basketball's most important position will make this a wide-open NCAA Tournament.

Bengals did what they could to break Cincinnati curse, but fans' hearts still in need of repair

Clemson's David Collins gets off easy with one-game suspension for flagrant foul on Duke's Wendell Moore

David Collins gets a one-game suspension for his dangerous foul on Duke's Wendell Moore, a penalty that does not seem stiff enough.

NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Kentucky is rapidly making its move to the top of the charts

The Kentucky Wildcats still are chasing more quality wins, but their recent displays of dominance are undeniable.

Do you know the name Harry Statham? If you are a college basketball fan, you should know the McKendree legend

Harry Statham resides the top of the list for all-time wins among college basketball coaches. His national recognition, along with a spot in the Naismith Hall of Fame, is overdue.

Gonzaga, Auburn Purdue set pace of latest Power Rankings

As Coach K gets set to visit UNC for the final time, the Devils find themselves in the thick of the latest Power Rankings.

Greater than the GOAT? The six moments that could've meant Tom Brady winning more (or fewer) Super Bowls

Tom Brady has seven Super Bowl championships. But he could've had more — and fewer.

DeCourcy: Getting to Super Bowl not enough for all-in Rams

LA surrounded Aaron Donald with a veteran cast of stars, trading away a lot of its future in the process. Now it needs to win the big game for the plan to be considered a success.

DeCourcy: What ails Pulisic with USMNT

Breaking down the reasons for the U.S. captain's lackluster performance against El Salvador and what could change against Canada.

Louisville could save pain by offering Kenny Payne

The idea that the best programs hire “big names” from major programs is mostly a media and message board concoction. It doesn’t happen in real life.

NCAA basketball power rankings: UCLA, Providence make significant advances with impressive wins

March is glorious, but it will arrive when it is scheduled to arrive. If one spends too much time obsessing about the impending NCAA Tournament, it’s too easy to miss the wonders of the regular season.

DeCourcy: Big Ben walks away a true Steeler

Big Ben's defining moment as a Steeler came on defense, which might seem odd given all of the quarterback's accomplishments as a passer but meshes well with the franchise's mindset.

DeCourcy: Leaving Auburn would be madness for Pearl

Louisville will likely be looking to tempt Bruce Pearl to be its next head coach, but Auburn's head man would be crazy to leave the Tigers.

How Coach K recruited me to Duke

What is it like to be recruited by Mike Krzyzewski? Six Duke stars tell Sporting News in their own words.

DeCourcy: Fortune flips in Mahomes' favor

Three years ago, Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs ended up on the wrong side of a coin flip and lost a playoff thriller. On Sunday, they were on the right side and made it count in another classic.

DeCourcy: Penny turns on media that hailed his hiring

Penny Hardaway cursed out a Memphis media member after the Tigers fell to 9-8 on Thursday and seem destined to miss the NCAA tournament once again under their former star.

DeCourcy: Putting the 'Power' in my Power Rankings

Throw out resumes, advanced metrics and polls. Mike DeCourcy sees these 16 'power' teams as ready to make the most noise in the biggest games to come.

Sporting News Midseason All-America Team

The Big Ten has plenty of representation at the season's midseason checkpoint.

Hall a tough act to follow at Kentucky

As is so often the case with college coaches, fans did not truly appreciate Joe B. Hall's tenure at Kentucky until after his retirement.