Kevin Byard’s time with the Philadelphia Eagles was short-lived.

The Eagles released the two-time All-Pro safety Friday, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The move will save the team an estimated $14 million in cap space next season.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman traded for Byard in October – sending Terrell Edmunds and fifth- and sixth-round picks in the 2024 draft to the Tennessee Titans – to bolster the middle of Philadelphia’s defense. But the defense was part of the team’s overall meltdown to cap the regular season with five losses in six games and a wild card round exit in the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Byard started 11 games for the Eagles and had one interception with three passes defended. He added 75 tackles (50 solo).

All things Eagles: Latest Philadelphia Eagles news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Byard played the first seven-plus seasons of his career with the Titans, with whom he was an All-Pro in 2017 and 2021.

INDIANAPOLIS – Caitlin Clark is coming to Indianapolis this summer because she’s turning pro and will be drafted No. 1 overall in April by the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, and if you have no idea what that means – if you have no idea how important this is for the city – let me tell you the last time something like this happened:

It was March 16, 2023, when the Colts signed free-agent Gardner Minshew as their backup quarterback. Remember that? Remember what I wrote? Probably not, and it’s OK, but I wrote this, and I wrote it exactly like this:

Stay calm, but signing Gardner Minshew MEANS ANTHONY RICHARDSON IS NEXT.

Nope, the caps-lock button didn’t get stuck. That was me, shouting joyously at the obvious implication of Minshew’s signing six weeks before the 2023 NFL draft: The Colts wanted the best backup QB on the market, because they were going to roll the dice with the No. 4 overall pick on the incredibly talented but incredibly raw Richardson.

I WAS RIGHT AND YOU’VE SEEN RICHARDSON SO YOU KNOW WHY I WAS SO HAPPY.

Well, I was. And you have. And you do.

Caitlin Clark leaving Iowa with one year of eligibility to enter the 2024 WNBA draft? The year the Indiana Fever has the No. 1 overall pick?

THIS IS THE BIGGEST NEWS IN INDIANA FEVER HISTORY.

Well, it is.

And yes, I’m aware the Fever won the 2012 WNBA title. Can I ask you a question? What happened … next? Now let’s talk about Caitlin Clark, playing the next decade in downtown Indianapolis. Any idea what’s going to happen next?

What Caitlin Clark means to women’s sports

Caitlin Clark changes everything.

She’s not just the best women’s basketball player in NCAA history, though she is. She’s not just the most prolific scorer in college basketball history, male or female, though she will be Sunday after she scores her 18th point to move ahead of former LSU star Pete Maravich’s record of 3,667 points.

She’s the biggest individual draw in women’s sports.

WELL SHE IS.

Now, we could quibble over gymnast Simone Biles, but that’s about it. Caitlin Clark is the Tiger Woods of women’s basketball. She’s the Serena Williams of her sport. You think these comparisons are getting messy? Watch this:

She’s the Lionel Messi of women’s basketball.

That’s a lot, I know, but are you aware of the impact this one person has had? Here’s one way to look at it: The Iowa women’s basketball team has played 28 games this season and has sold every ticket available or broken the arena’s attendance record – or both – in 26 of those games. The only two games Iowa failed to record a sellout or an arena record were at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Florida. And that was Thanksgiving weekend.

Caitlin Clark isn’t bigger than Thanksgiving. Not yet anyway.

That’s her significance to the sport. Is Breanna Stewart better? Maybe. Probably. Does Breanna Stewart sell out every arena she plays? No. And please, no offense intended for Breanna Stewart. She’s amazing and popular and significant and all of that. But it’s kind of like being Phil Mickelson or Sergio Garcia in golf a decade ago:

You’re good. No, you’re great. You’re just not Tiger.

You see why I’m so excited? WE’RE GETTING THE TIGER WOODS OF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL.

Now, let’s clean up another mess I might have made earlier. No, not the Messi comparison. That one’s clean. Caitlin Clark is that good, that popular, that charismatic. She’s a combination of Steph Curry and Maravich, someone who will go down in history as the best shooter her sport’s ever seen (trust me) and also its most prolific scorer.

But we need to discuss the Fever, and what this day means for them.

What Caitlin Clark means to the Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever won the 2012 WNBA title. That was huge news, the biggest day in franchise history, an honor it has held until … checks wristwatch … Feb. 29, 2024.

And how appropriate, how utterly cool, that we learned Caitlin Clark was headed this way on Leap Day, a day that happens once every four years. Because this is that kind of special, the kind of good news a sports franchise doesn’t get every year. Some franchises don’t get a day like this, ever.

Here’s another comparison: Today is as big for the Indiana Fever as May 16, 2023, was for the San Antonio Spurs. What happened May 16, 2023? The Spurs won the 2024 NBA draft lottery, and the right to draft Victor Wembanyama. He’s a generational talent and the biggest draw in the sport.

Caitlin checks those boxes. Now listen, we all know the WNBA isn’t as big as the NBA. Am I saying the Fever will become as popular here as the Spurs in San Antonio? No, for a few reasons. One, the Spurs were the NBA’s dominant franchise for more than a decade not long ago. The Spurs are a legacy franchise, and anyway, you don’t have to be a social scientist – or a sexist pig – to acknowledge the gap in popularity of the NBA and the WNBA.

But Caitlin Clark is going to help the Fever, and the WNBA, bridge that gap. She’s doing it right now in college basketball, with the women’s game on national television more and women’s games making it into the highlights every day on ESPN. Clark didn’t do that on her own, no. The Tennessee women got this ball rolling decades ago, and then UConn took the baton and took off, and now LSU and South Carolina are national names.

Put it this way: I know who coaches the LSU and South Carolina women: Kim Mulkey and Dawn Staley. Hand to Bible, I’m not sure who coaches the LSU or South Carolina men. I think Mike Boynton coaches the Gamecocks, but if I’m wrong, I’m asking my boss to leave this sentence as-is, to prove my point:

Certain women’s basketball programs are more important, or at least more notable, than their male counterparts.

And while Clark had nothing to do with the success at Tennessee or UConn, or at LSU or South Carolina, she has stood on the shoulders of that greatness and taken the women’s game to new heights.

Now she’s coming to Indianapolis, where the Fever’s regular-season schedule runs from May 14-Sept. 19. Those are some lean months for downtown, most of that time after the Pacers are done but before the Colts get started. The Triple-A baseball team is in town, and that’s awesome, but those fans tend to stay on the western side of downtown, near Victory Field.

Gainbridge Fieldhouse is smack-dab in the middle of downtown, and the place will fill up throughout the summer. Iowa fans will make it happen until the locals figure out what’s happening and start gobbling up tickets.

Again, the Fever won the 2012 title and the Caitlin Clark news doesn’t match that, on the court. I mean, obviously. She hasn’t even played a game. But off the court, where the money is made, this is no comparison. Put it like this: Average attendance for Fever games in 2012, when they were the best team in the WNBA, was about 7,500. By 2018 it was down to 6,000.

When Caitlin Clark and Iowa played DePaul on Oct. 15 at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa’s football stadium, a crowd of 55,646 attended. No typos in that last sentence.

The Fever are about to get back to the business of winning games and competing for WNBA titles. Ready for takeoff, Fever? Good, because downtown Indianapolis is coming with you.

Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar or at www.facebook.com/greggdoyelstar.

Another record could fall Sunday when Caitlin Clark and Iowa Hawkeyes take on the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Senior Day. Clark and four other seniors (Molly Davis, Sharon Goodman, Gabbie Marshall, and Kate Martin) will be honored following the game.

Clark has 3,650 career points and is only 18 points from passing LSU’s Pete Maravich on the all-time scoring list after the reigning player of the year posted her sixth triple-double of the season and 17th of her career with 33 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in a 108-60 rout over Minnesota.

Clark also passed Lynette Woodard of Kansas to become the all-time leading scorer in major women’s college basketball and set the NCAA single-season mark for 3-pointers made. Clark is 35 three-pointers away from breaking the career record set by Oklahoma’s Taylor Robertson last season.

The Hawkeyes (25-4, 14-2 Big Ten), at this point, are playing for NCAA tournament seeding as Ohio State (25-3, 16-1 Big Ten) clinched the outright Big Ten regular-season title with a 67-51 win over Michigan on Thursday.

Despite 45 points from Clark, Ohio State beat Iowa 100-92 on Jan. 21 in Columbus in front of a school-record crowd. Ohio State has won 15 games in a row.

Here’s how to watch and stream Sunday’s game between No. 6 Iowa and No. 2 Ohio State.

When is Iowa women’s basketball playing Ohio State?

Tip-off for the Hawkeyes-Buckeyes matchup is set for Sunday, March 3, at 1 p.m. ET from Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

How to watch Iowa women’s basketball vs. Ohio State

Ohio State at Iowa can be seen nationally on FOX and can be streamed using the FOX Sports App. The game can also be found on Fubo. For FOX, Gus Johnson will be on the play-by-play and with analyst Sarah Kustok. Allison Williams will handle sideline duties.

How many points does Caitlin Clark need to pass Pete Maravich?

Clark enters the regular-season finale with 3,650 career points, just 18 from passing Pete Maravich on the all-time scoring list. She is averaging 32.2 points per game this season. Iowa’s next game will come in the Big Ten conference tournament.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones, edge rusher Josh Allen, wide receiver Mike Evans and running back Saquon Barkley are some of the top players scheduled to enter free agency this year.

Will your favorite team land one of the best free agents available? USA TODAY Sports ranks the top 50 NFL free agents:

1. Chiefs DT Chris Jones

Jones has been Kansas City’s top defensive player during their three Super Bowl championship seasons. A five-time Pro Bowler and twice first-team All-Pro, Jones and Aaron Donald are the two best interior defensive linemen in the NFL.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

2. Jaguars DE/OLB Josh Allen

Allen had a franchise single-season record 17.5 sacks in 2023. The Jaguars likely won’t let their best pass rusher wear a different uniform next season. The two-time Pro Bowler has 45 career sacks.

3. Panthers DE/OLB Brian Burns

Burns has never had a season with under 7.5 sacks. He’s one of the few foundational pieces on the Panthers. Are they bold enough to let him walk? Probably not. 

4. Bucs WR Mike Evans

Evans is the first player in NFL history to begin his career with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He’ll be 31 years old next season, and he’s still a No. 1 wide receiver.

5. Giants RB Saquon Barkley

Barkley topped over 1,200 yards from scrimmage in four out of six seasons. The running back position has been devalued in recent years, but Barkley can be a game-changer in the backfield.

6. Bengals WR Tee Higgins

The Bengals officially placed the franchise tag on Higgins. He’s likely staying in Cincinnati for one more season. Higgins would be a No. 1 wideout on many NFL teams.

7. Ravens DT Justin Madubuike

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said the team will place Madubuike under the franchise tag if they don’t reach agreement on a long-term contract by the March 5 deadline. Madubuike posted a career-high 13 sacks, the most among interior lineman, in 2023.

8. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins

The soon-to-be-36-year-old quarterback is coming off a torn Achilles, but Cousins exited last season with a 103.8 passer rating. Vikings will try to keep Cousins and star WR Justin Jefferson together.  

9. Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins

Wilkins has been Miami’s best defensive player upfront for multiple seasons. He registered a career-high nine sacks and had 61 pressures in 2023.

10. Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed

The Chiefs granted Sneed permission to seek a trade. The Chiefs plan to franchise tag the cornerback if he isn’t traded, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Sneed had a team-high 14 passes defended and two interceptions in 2023.

11. Titans RB Derrick Henry

Henry’s compiled 1,000 rushing yards in five of the past six seasons, including 1,167 yards in 2023. Henry is 30 years old and has a lot of mileage, but he proved last year that he’s still one of the best running backs in the NFL — and has gas still in the tank.

12. Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr.

Winfield was named to the All-Pro first team after leading Tampa Bay in passes defended (12), interceptions (3) and forced fumbles (6). Plus he produced 122 tackles.

13. Raiders RB Josh Jacobs

Jacobs is one year removed from being the NFL’s rushing king and leading the league in yards from scrimmage. At 26 years old, he’s the youngest among the top free-agent running backs on this list.

14. Colts WR Michael Pittman

Pittman is the fourth player in Colts’ history to have at least 100 catches and over 1,000 yards in a season. The 6-foot-4 receiver has a big catch radius and was the clear-cut No. 1 wideout in Indy in 2023. Shane Steichen and Anthony Richardson surely want to keep Pittman around.

15. Cowboys OT Tyron Smith

Smith’s been one of the NFL’s best left tackles over the last decade. Father Time is starting to take its toll on Smith, but he gave up just three sacks and 21 pressures in 13 games last season, per Pro Football Focus.

16. 49ers DE/OLB Chase Young

Young hasn’t taken the next step since his defensive rookie of the year campaign in 2020. The talent is there but consistency is an issue. Young had eight tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss in three playoff games for the 49ers this past season.

17. Bears CB Jaylon Johnson

Johnson had Pro Football Focus’ highest coverage grade (91) for a cornerback who at least logged 500 snaps. His four interceptions were tied for a team-high.

18. Vikings DE/OLB Danielle Hunter

Hunter’s 87.5 sacks rank No. 3 in Minnesota franchise history. The 6-foot-5 edge rusher led the NFC last year with 16.5 sacks.

19. Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley

Coming off a year-long suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, Ridley led the Jaguars with 1,016 receiving yards. The 29-year-old is one of the top route runners in the NFL.

20. Ravens LB Patrick Queen

One half of Baltimore’s dynamic linebacker duo. Queen produced at least 106 tackles in three of the last four seasons. But the Ravens signed Roquan Smith to a five-year, $100 million contract in 2023. They are unlikely to dole out another lucrative contract at linebacker.

21. Seahawks LB Jordyn Brooks

A tackling machine. Brooks has compiled over 110 tackles in each of the past three seasons. The inside linebacker is always near the center of the action.

22. Texans DE/OLB Jonathan Greenard

Greenard had a team-high 12.5 sacks last season when defensive rookie of the year Will Anderson Jr. saw most of the double teams and chip blocks. Greenard had 10.5 total sacks in his first three seasons. Can he continue to trend upward? A team will bank on it (literally).

23. Seahawks DE Leonard Williams

Williams can still be a force up front. He had 41 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four sacks in 10 games with the Seahawks.

24. Patriots OL Mike Onwenu

Onwenu allowed three sacks and 23 pressures for New England last season. The versatile offensive lineman can play guard or tackle.

25. Lions S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson

Gardner-Johnson suffered a torn pec in Week 2 of last season. His six interceptions in 2022 were tied for top in the league. Will he be able to return to form in 2024?

26. Patriots S Kyle Dugger

Dugger is a prototypical jack-of-all trades Patriots safety. He has 343 tackles, nine interceptions, 20 passes defended, two touchdowns and two forced fumbles in four seasons in New England.

27. Cardinals WR Marquise Brown

Brown and Kyler Murray are good friends, which could factor into a free agency decision. But Brown is probably best suited as a team’s No. 2 wideout. Could Arizona draft Marvin Harrison Jr. No. 4 overall to play alongside of Brown?

28. Commanders CB Kendall Fuller

Fuller allowed a 120.4 passer rating and nine touchdowns when targeted. But his 2023 performance could’ve been a byproduct of Washington’s league-worst defense.  

29. Cowboys CB Stephon Gilmore

The 2019 defensive player of the year stepped up last season, especially when Trevon Diggs (knee) went down for the year. Gilmore will turn 34 years old during the regular season, but showed last year that he can still play at a high level.

30. Jets LB Bryce Huff

Huff led a talented Jets defense with 10 sacks last season. He’s a pass-rush specialist, but never has had a season with over 29 tackles.

31. Bills WR Gabe Davis

Davis is a steady receiver who’s never had a season below 35 receptions and 500 receiving yards. He’s best suited as a team’s second or third wide receiver option.

32. Browns DE/OLB Za’Darius Smith

Smith and defensive player of the year Myles Garrett formed a formidable tandem in Cleveland last season. Smith had 5.5 sacks, 61 pressures and three pass deflections for the Browns in 2023.

33. Giants S Xavier McKinney

McKinney’s three interceptions led New York. He also has logged 116 tackles. The Alabama product is a productive player in the defensive backfield.

34. Dolphins OG Robert Hunt

Hunt has started 55 games since 2020. He’s had 45 starts at right guard and 11 starts at right tackle. He’s more comfortable playing at guard.  

35. Panthers LB Frankie Luvu

Guess who led the Panthers in tackles last season? Luvu tallied over 110 tackles in each of the last two seasons. He started all 17 games for the Panthers in 2023.

36. Texans TE Dalton Schultz

Schultz was C.J. Stroud’s security blanket last season following five productive years in Dallas. He has 270 catches and 22 touchdowns in 90 career games.

37. Bucs LB Lavonte David

The 34-year-old inside linebacker is long in the tooth, but he’s recordued over 100 tackles in six out of the past seven seasons. David seemingly has a couple good years left.

38. Ravens DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney had a resurgent year in Baltimore last season. Clowney’s 9.5 sacks tied a career single-season high and his 43 tackles were his most since 2018.

39. Bengals DT D.J. Reader

Reader suffered a devastating quad injury last season. The defensive tackle would be ranked higher if it weren’t for the injury. He’s been a key part of Cincy’s defense since joining the team in 2020.

40. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield

Mayfield revitalized his career with the Bucs last year. His 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdown passes were both career highs. His 2023 performance will likely land him another contract in Tampa Bay.

41. Patriots TE Hunter Henry

The Patriots had the 28th ranked pass offense in the NFL last season, but Henry caught six touchdowns for New England.

42. Eagles DT Fletcher Cox

A linchpin along Philadelphia’s defensive line since 2012. It’s hard to imagine Cox putting on a different uniform if he doesn’t decide to hang up his cleats.

43. Broncos C Lloyd Cushenberry

Cushenberry has started 57 games over the course of four seasons in Denver. He’s a reliable center who can be plugged in right away.

44. Cowboys RB Tony Pollard

Pollard compiled over 1,000 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards in two straight seasons. The Cowboys won’t place the franchise tag on him this year.

45. Patriots LB Josh Uche

Uche is a reserve linebacker who jumped on the scene in 2022 with 11.5 sacks. He didn’t make a big impact last season.

46. Commanders QB Jacoby Brissett

Brissett threw for 224 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in three games for the Commanders in 2023. He was the best quarterback in the nation’s capital last season, but the previous regime figured that out too late.  

47. Bengals CB Chidobe Awuzie

Awuzie’s been Cincinnati’s top cornerback the past three seasons, although he’s battled some injuries.

48. Dolphins DE/OLB Andrew Van Ginkel

Van Ginkel plays with a high motor. He saw career-highs in both sacks (6) and pass deflections (8) last season.

49. Commanders S Kamren Curl

A primary starter at safety for Washington the past four seasons. Curl produced a career-best 115 tackles in 2023. His five passes defended tied a career high.

50. Ravens G John Simpson

The Ravens led the NFL in rushing last season, and Simpson was right in the middle of the action at guard. He started all 17 regular-season games for Baltimore in 2023.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

Inter Miami leads Major League Soccer with four of six possible points after two matches, but here is where the challenge lies with Lionel Messi’s availability during the month of March.

Messi’s workload will be considerably high with five Inter Miami matches and two matches with the Argentine national team in the next three weeks.

Saturday’s Inter Miami home game against Orlando City begins a five-game stretch in two weeks. The second and fourth games of the stretch will be against Nashville SC in the round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

It’s not a matter of if Messi will get some rest, more so when he will rest.

He is available to play for the Orlando City game, but Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said Friday he saw Messi expend too much energy during the club’s first two games of the MLS season.

“Of course, I’ve been discussing some things with him. What worries me the most is the day-to-day and how he is recovering game by game,” Martino said of Messi. “I feel that in these first two matches, we have relied on him excessively in each encounter, which has caused him significant fatigue in both games.”

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Orlando City live stream?

The Inter Miami vs. Orlando City match will broadcast nationally on FOX and be available to live stream free via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Will Messi play against Orlando City?

Martino would prefer Messi finish scoring opportunities, while his teammates can move the ball more effectively for him.

Messi scored the game-tying goal against L.A. Galaxy, resulting in a 1-1 draw last Sunday. He also orchestrated Inter Miami’s goals in their 2-0 season opener against Real Salt Lake on Feb. 21.

Martino said he hopes Inter Miami can rekindle the played it executed last years against its in-state rival. Messi scored in the 7th and 72nd minutes of Inter Miami’s 3-1 win against Orlando City during the Leagues Cup tournament on Aug. 2, 2023.

“In the Leagues Cup, it was a game where he often found the ball in the last quarter of the field and when it came time to finish the play, he scored inside the goal area,’ Martino said of Messi. ‘That’s what we need to recover, for the team to create plays and sometimes find him for the finishing touches.

“I feel that in these two matches, he has had a lot of wear and tear, and that is also my responsibility to give functionality to the team so that we can us him in various ways.”

Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC, what to know about Champions Cup matchup

Inter Miami and Nashville will clash again, in the round of 16 of the Champions Cup tournament. Nashville hosts the first leg March 7, while Inter Miami hosts the second leg March 13.

The teams previously met during the Leagues Cup final, which Inter Miami won on the road after outlasting Nashville 10-9 in penalty kicks. Messi scored in the 23rd minute of the match Aug. 19, 2023. They also played to a scoreless draw on Aug. 30, 2023.

With two more matches on deck, Nashville would be Inter Miami’s most frequent opponent since Messi’s arrival in MLS.

What to know about upcoming Argentina matches in the United States?

Argentina is playing four warmup games for this summer’s Copa América 2024, meaning four more chances for people to see Inter Miami star Lionel Messi in action.

∎Argentina vs. El Salvador at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, March 22.

∎Argentina vs. Costa Rica at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, March 26.

∎Argentina vs. Ecuador at Soldier Field in Chicago, June 9.

∎Argentina vs. Guatemala at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, June 14.

What is Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?

Here are Inter Miami’s games in March. All games available to stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.) 

March 2, vs. Orlando City, 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX) 
March 7, at Nashville SC, 9 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions League) 
March 10, vs. CF Montréal, 5 p.m. ET 
March 13, vs. Nashville SC, 8:15 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions League) 
March 16, at D.C. United, 2 p.m. ET 
March 23, at New York Red Bulls, 2 p.m. ET 
March 30, vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET 

The SEC has seven teams in our updated 68-team men’s tournament field, tied with the Big Ten for the second-most of any conference behind the nine from the Big 12.

But it’s where those teams fall in our seeding that’s impressive. Of those seven teams, six are ranked no lower than a No. 6, led by No. 1 Tennessee. The Volunteers stay on the No. 1 line after rallying late to get past Auburn for a fifth win in a row.

Behind Tennessee is No. 3 Alabama, the No. 5 Tigers, No. 5 Kentucky, No. 6 Florida, No. 6 South Carolina and No. 8 Mississippi State.

With nine wins in its last 11 games, Florida is one of the hottest teams in the Power Six. This stretch includes wins against Mississippi State, Kentucky and Auburn.

The total number of SEC teams has dropped by two with the disintegrating tournament odds for Mississippi and Texas A&M. The Rebels and Aggies have dropped three and five games in a row, respectively.

Last four in

Nebraska, Providence, Wake Forest, Seton Hall.

First four out

Colorado, Villanova, Oregon, Pittsburgh.

Next four out

Butler, Utah, Texas A&M, St. John’s.

A lawyer for Miami Dolphins All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill said the allegations that his client broke a woman’s leg last year while doing football drills are not true and ‘baseless.’

Hill is accused by Sophie Hall of battery, assault, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to a civil lawsuit filed on Feb. 23.

According to a statement released to ESPN, Hill’s attorney, Julius B. Collins, said Hall’s lawsuit was filed only to ‘generate bad publicity for Mr. Hill in an attempt to ‘scare tactic’ him into personally covering the cost of Ms. Hall’s medical bills.’

The lawsuit says on June 28 while at Hill’s residence, she caused Hill to fall backward, evoking laughter from witnesses. Hill then charged into Hall “violently and with great force resulting in significant and serious injuries.’ She claims that Hill did not seek medical attention for her and that she had surgery for the broken leg when she went home.

Hill is seeking compensation for damages between $50,001 and $75,000 and a trial by jury.

All things Dolphins: Latest Miami Dolphins news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said this week the team is aware of the lawsuit.

‘We were in communication with NFL security, so I really can’t comment on anything of that until we get all our information and find out what happened,’ Grier said. ‘For us, Tyreek has been a good addition for us, but in terms of all the off-field stuff, we’ll have to get all the information before we can really comment on it.’

Every time she drives down Jenkins Avenue on the south end of the University of Oklahoma campus, Marita Hynes can’t help but think about how far the Sooners’ softball program has come.

It’s still hard for Hynes, the former Oklahoma softball coach and senior women’s administrator, to fathom the growth in the program from its days of playing on a municipal field that needed to be cleared of beer bottles and more before each practice or game to Friday’s opening of Love’s Field.

“I can remember being able to count the people in the stands,” Hynes said. “I’d look back and count 40-50 people most of the time in the stands and it was mainly parents and friends of the players. I’m telling you, it’s quite the change.”

The Sooners open their new $48 million home Friday with a doubleheader against Miami (Ohio) and Liberty. This time it might take Hynes a little longer to count the crowd.

Capacity of the stadium is expected to be about 4,200 fans. Marita Hynes Field, where the Sooners played from 1998 through last season, has a capacity of 1,378, though temporary seating and standing room areas made attendance of more than 2,000 possible.

“It’s still a dream, and until the first pitch is thrown, that’s when I will really pinch myself,” Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso. “I go by it every day. I try to look over and see anything new.”

Gasso did recently “sneak” into the stadium to get a view of the field.

“I wasn’t supposed to, but I couldn’t help it,” Gasso said. “And it is an absolute ‘wow factor’ empty. I can’t even imagine when you get excited Sooners fans in there what this is going to be like. I think we all feel a little anxious about it because we just don’t know what it’s going to play like, what it’s going to feel like. We may not know that until the first pitch.”

Like Hynes, Gasso coached the Sooners at Reaves Park, across Jenkins from both Marita Hynes Field and Love’s Field.

Gasso remembers some of her players having to sit in the front row of the bleachers, next to the few fans gathered.

“You can’t even fit a full team in the dugout,” Gasso said.

The teams changed into and out of their uniforms in the restrooms there.

“But no one ever complained,” Gasso said. “They just wanted to play. They don’t care where they changed. They’d go, ‘Let’s go over there and pick up trash before we practice.’ ‘OK, let’s go, grab your trash bags.’

“No one griped about it. It was the way of the world. You know why? Because we loved to play softball.”

Hynes remembers getting ready to host the Sooners Invitational Tournament at Reaves Park, when snow threatened to throw the schedule off.

Instead of groundskeepers, it was Hynes driving a tractor to try to dry the field. It was the players who rolled snow to the fence so that it could be lifted by forklift over the wall so the field would be playable.

Hynes sometimes kicks herself for not thinking bigger when developing the plan for the stadium that was named after her in 2004.

“I guess I didn’t have enough of a vision,” Hynes said. “Some old lady built what we thought was a state-of-the-art facility back in 1998. I just didn’t have that vision that we would need a bigger and nicer facility. It’s wonderful.

“It’s bittersweet because we spent 26 years I guess over at my field. I wish I had the vision when we built the first field, but I’m just totally excited about them having a great facility.”

Gasso couldn’t help but think of Hynes and others this week when she reflected on how far the program has come.

“I think of the 2000 team,” Gasso said. “I think of the team that was over at Reaves and never got a locker room. … I think about those athletes that are alums but never got to experience this. So what we’re really trying to do is embrace all of our alumni and say, ‘You’ve all built this.’

“I want to honor those that came way even before me because they played over at Reaves and they got this thing started.”

Plenty of those alumni will be in attendance for Friday’s dedication ceremony outside the stadium, and the opening doubleheader.

Hynes will be there, as well.

While Oklahoma will begin play at the stadium Friday, much work remains to be done. From cosmetic work in the public-facing parts of the stadium to work in team areas, construction will continue.

Hynes never imagined softball would take off the way it has, for Oklahoma and for the state.

But she started seeing a push forward after the Women’s College World Series first came to Oklahoma City in 1990.

That momentum continued to build with Gasso’s Sooners winning their first WCWS title in 2000, then a few years later continued a steady push forward that’s helped lead to regular sellouts, back-to-back-to-back national championships, and now the opening of Love’s Field.

“I could see the growth because of the growth of the World Series and the interest in softball,” Hynes said. 

Friday’s opening is not only a big moment for OU and for softball, but for women’s sports.

“It makes a statement without any of us having to say anything,” OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said. “It’s our action. It’s the way we lead, the example we set. That’s what makes the difference.

“We’re not talking about what might be. We’re talking about what is.”

Hynes revels in the success of not only the softball program, but women’s athletics as a whole.

“That pleases me as much as anything,” Hynes said. “I certainly was there the days that it was not very good for women’s athletics.

Hynes does have one regret about the new stadium.

“I wish we had another 2,000 seats,” she said.

Earth to Tyler Owens.

The Texas Tech defensive back dropped a meteor at the NFL combine this week and he hasn’t even run the 40-yard dash yet.

Owens told media members on Thursday that he doesn’t believe in space. No, not that he isn’t a fan of the Taylor Swift song. But that he actually doesn’t think planets and stars and galaxies exist.

‘I don’t believe in space,’ Owens said in a video posted on X by Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski. ‘I’m real religious, so I think we’re alone right now. I don’t think there’s other planets and other stuff like that.’

The NFL hopeful said going down the black hole of theories from the likes of NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving and multiplatinum rapper B.o.B that the earth is flat had him rethink what he’d been taught. The celebrities deny the theory that the earth revolves around the sun, which was proposed by ancient Greek astronomers and further established by Renaissance scientist Nicolaus Copernicus. Italian philosopher Galileo Galilei essentially confirmed the theory with his use of telescopes and stood trial before the Roman Catholic Church for his beliefs, which are now considered scientific fact.

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‘I thought I used to believe in the heliocentric thing where we used to revolve around the sun and stuff,’ Owens continued with a smile on his face. ‘But then I started seeing flat earth stuff and I was like, this is kind of interesting. They started bringing up valid points, so I mean I don’t know, could be real, couldn’t be.’

After three seasons at Texas, Owens felt the gravitational pull to Texas Tech, where he played two seasons. He was considered a super senior last year for utilizing an extra season due to the 2020 pandemic. Last year, he had 37 tackles, including 10 against Houston.

In making their decision to draft him, NFL teams will have to let his talent eclipse his unconventional beliefs.