Breaking
Wealth World News
Archive

2025

Browsing
Sports

NBA power rankings: Will deadline deals lift Lakers, Warriors?

Two months remain in the NBA’s regular season followed by two months of playoff basketball.

Some teams have established themselves as championship contenders: Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Boston and Denver.

Some are trying to prove they are title contenders: Memphis, Houston, New York, Indiana, Milwaukee.

And two teams – the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors – are hoping trade deadline deals with Luka Doncic joining LeBron James in L.A. and Jimmy Butler joining Steph Curry and Draymond Green in the Bay Area propel them into contention. But they don’t have a lot of time to figure it out. However, Doncic and Butler have Finals experience.

Here are USA TODAY’s post-NBA All-Star Weekend power rankings with championship odds courtesy of BetMGM:

NBA power rankings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-10)

The first-place Cavaliers are coming out of the All-Star break on a four-game winning streak and 5½ games of second-place Boston in the Eastern Conference.

Championship odds: +800

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (44-10)

The Thunder have the No. 1 defense in the league, allowing 104.5 points per 100 possessions.

Championship odds: +225

3. Boston Celtics (39-16)

The Celtics are the only team in the league who rank in the top five offensively (No. 4) and defensively (No. 5).

Championship odds: +225

4. Denver Nuggets (36-19)

The Nuggets are on an eight-game winning streak, clobbering teams with their offense and are just a ½ behind third-place Memphis in the Western Conference.

Championship odds: +1400

5. New York Knicks (36-18)

Championship odds: +1300

6. Memphis Grizzlies (38-18)

The Grizzlies are No. 5 offensively and No. 7 defensively and clinging to second place in the West.

Championship odds: +2500

7. Los Angeles Lakers (32-20)

The Lakers have the fifth-best net rating in the past 10 games, outscoring opponents by 10.5 points per 100 possessions.

Championship odds: +1400

8. Los Angeles Clippers (31-23)

The Clippers won 11 of 17 games before the All-Star break – quietly lurking in sixth place in the West.

Championship odds: +3500

9. Houston Rockets (34-21)

The Rockets have lost seven of their past nine games in a conference where a few consecutive losses can drop a team from second place to clinging to fourth place.

Championship odds: +5000

10. Minnesota Timberwolves (31-25)

Starting with a victory on Christmas and ending with victory over Oklahoma City before the All-Star break, the Timberwolves have been a top-six team.

Championship odds: +5000

11. Indiana Pacers (30-23)

Since a 10-15 start, the Pacers are 20-8, moving from 11th place to fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Championship odds: +10000

12. Dallas Mavericks (30-26)

It’s going to be a long time before the Luka Doncic trade doesn’t dominate the conversation surrounding the Mavericks.

Championship odds: +4000

13. Milwaukee Bucks (29-24)

Among Eastern Conference teams, the Bucks have the toughest remaining schedule according to tankathon.com.

Championship odds: +3000

14. Detroit Pistons (29-26)

The sixth-place Pistons are just two games behind Indiana for fourth place in the East.

Championship odds: +50000

15. Golden State Warriors (28-27)

The Warriors have made it clear that the next two-and-a-half seasons are about trying to win a title with Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.

Championship odds: +4000

16. Sacramento Kings (28-27)

Can the Kings, from ownership down, get out of their own way?

Championship odds: +30000

17. Orlando Magic (27-29)

Since returning three weeks ago from an injury, Franz Wagner has scored at least 30 points in four of 12 games, including two games of 37 points.

Championship odds: +10000

18. Phoenix Suns (26-28)

The Suns are in danger of missing the postseason with the highest roster payroll in the league.

19. Atlanta Hawks (26-29)

Is Trae Young’s future with the Hawks? Or another team?

Championship odds: +100000

20. San Antonio Spurs (23-29)                                                                 

The Spurs need to get the Victor Wembanyama-De’Aaron Fox partnership on a winning path.

Championship odds: +12500

21. Miami Heat (25-28)

With the Jimmy Butler saga behind them, the Heat can focus on basketball.

Championship odds: +20000

22. Portland Trail Blazers (23-32)

The Blazers had won 10 of 11 before losing three consecutive games headed into the All-Star break. Does a promising future include Chauncey Billups staying on as head coach?

Championship odds: +75000

23. Brooklyn Nets (20-34)

The Brooklyn Nets’ tank job hit a snag as they have won six of their past 10 games after a seven-game losing streak.

Championship odds: +100000

24. Chicago Bulls (22-33)

The Bulls are one of five teams in the East that have lost at least four consecutive games before the All-Star break.

Championship odds: +100000

25. Philadelphia 76ers (20-34)

The 76ers lost five straight headed into the All-Star break, and the lost season continues.

26. Toronto Raptors (17-38)

Despite the record, there is optimism the Raptors are headed in the right direction with Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Jacob Poeltl and Gradey Dick.

Championship odds: +100000

27. Utah Jazz (13-41)

So, who wants Cooper Flagg?

Championship odds: +100000

28. Charlotte Hornets (13-39)

The Hornets want Cooper Flagg.

Championship odds: +100000

29. New Orleans Pelicans (13-42)

So do the Pelicans.

Championship odds: +100000

30. Washington Wizards (9-45)

And so do the Wizards.

Championship odds: +100000

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Sports

NFL free agent RBs: Best fits for Aaron Jones, Nick Chubb, others

NFL running backs proved in 2024 that the position shouldn’t be devalued. Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs made massive impacts after signing with new teams during the 2024 free-agency period.

Will a free-agent running back make a similar impact in 2025? NFL free agency begins in March.

Running backs Aaron Jones, Nick Chubb, J.K. Dobbins and Najee Harris are some of the top free-agent running backs available. The legal tampering period starts March 10 and the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 12. 

Where will the top free-agent ball carriers end up this offseason? USA TODAY Sports analyzes the best fits for the best free-agent running backs this offseason.

NFL free agent RB best fits

Aaron Jones (2024 team: Minnesota Vikings)

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

Jones amassed a career-high 1,138 rushing yards in his first season in Minnesota. He also caught 51 balls for 408 yards. He totaled seven touchdowns from scrimmage. Despite being on the other side of 30, Jones remains a starting-caliber running back. He proved to be a valuable piece for the Vikings during their 14-3 regular season.

Whether the Vikings hand the quarterback keys to J.J. McCarthy or decide to bring back Sam Darnold for another go-round, the team should retain Jones. Jones is the type of running back who can expedite McCarthy’s learning curve, and he has already shown that he fits in with Kevin O’Connell’s offense.

Nick Chubb (2024 team: Browns)

Chubb played in eight games after returning from a serious 2023 season-ending knee injury. The one-cut downhill running back didn’t quite have the same burst post-knee injury. However, most skill-positioned players take around two years to fully recover from a serious injury.

It’s hard to fathom Chubb wearing a different uniform; however, the Browns appear headed toward a rebuild following Myles Garrett’s trade request. The 29-year-old would be a good fit in a backfield-by-committee system at this juncture of his career.

Pittsburgh running back Jaylen Warren is a restricted free agent. Najee Harris is an unrestricted free agent. The Steelers seem poised to keep Warren. He and Chubb would be a nice change-of-pace duo in the backfield for Pittsburgh.

J.K. Dobbins (2024 team: Chargers)

Dobbins rushed for a career-high 905 yards and equaled a career-best nine touchdowns despite missing four games due to a knee injury. He was an NFL Comeback Player of the Year nominee for his performance.

Injuries have plagued Dobbins’ entire career, but he’s a productive running back when on the field. He has a career average of 5.2 yards per carry and was the Chargers’ best offensive weapon when healthy this season.

The Chargers offense is void of playmakers and the franchise shouldn’t allow one of their only weapons to walk out the door.

Najee Harris (2024 team: Steelers)

Best fit: Las Vegas Raiders

Harris is the first running back in Steelers franchise history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons in the NFL. He doesn’t have big-play ability and has a lot of miles on his body. However, he’s a capable running back who is still a quality starter.

The Steelers could decide to give Harris a contract extension or let Jaylen Warren take over the reins.

The Las Vegas Raiders played last year without a starting-caliber quarterback or running back. New Raiders head coach Pete Carroll likes to establish the run. Pop on the film from Carroll’s days in Seattle with Marshawn Lynch. Harris can run in a similar zone-run schemed offense.

Javonte Williams (2024 team: Broncos)

The young running back totaled over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in two of his four seasons in Denver. However, he’s averaged under four yards per carry since a 2022 knee injury.

Williams’ modest 513 rushing yards led the Broncos. His opportunities decreased in the latter portion of the season in what ended up being a backfield-by-committee approach in Denver. A change of scenery appears to be what’s best for him. Williams will be 25 years old at the start of next season so he’s among the youngest free-agent backs.

Cowboys starting running back Rico Dowdle is a free agent. The Cowboys might select a running back in the 2025 NFL draft as they attempt to upgrade the position, but Williams would give Dallas some reliable insurance in the backfield.

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

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Politics

FLASHBACK: Trump seeks to expand fertility coverage, after Tim Walz once accused him of being ‘anti-IVF’

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday requesting the Domestic Policy Council examine ways to make in vitro fertilization, known as IVF, more affordable and accessible for Americans – despite the fact Democrats cautioned that Trump would seek to ban the procedure. 

‘Americans need reliable access to IVF and more affordable treatment options, as the cost per cycle can range from $12,000 to $25,000,’ the executive order said. ‘Providing support, awareness, and access to affordable fertility treatments can help these families navigate their path to parenthood with hope and confidence.’

Specifically, the order requires the assistant to the president for domestic policy to provide a list of policy recommendations aimed at ‘protecting IVF access and aggressively reducing out-of-pocket and health plan costs for IVF treatment’ within 90 days, according to the order. 

The directive comes months after former Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 election against Trump, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, accused the Trump administration of being ‘anti-IVF.’ 

Specifically, Walz singled out Trump’s running mate, then-Sen. JD Vance, a practicing Catholic who voted in June against the Right to IVF Act. The Catholic Church opposes IVF, saying unused embryos pose a moral dilemma. 

But Vance said in August 2024 he doesn’t believe all his religious views should translate to public policy since the U.S. is a ‘democratic society,’ he told the New York Post. 

‘Catholic social teaching is obviously very robust,’ he told the Post. ‘I think that no person who, or at least no one I know who’s Catholic, doesn’t accept that just because the Catholic Church teaches something, doesn’t mean you necessarily as a legislator need to affect that to public policy.’ 

The Right to IVF measure would establish a nationwide right to IVF and other assisted reproductive technology, but it failed to pass in the Senate. 

‘JD Vance opposing the miracle of IVF is a direct attack on my family and so many others,’ Walz said in a social media post on X in July 2024. 

Walz previously claimed that he and his wife, Gwen, struggled to conceive and shared details during the 2024 campaign about the couple’s experience using IVF to become pregnant with their two children. 

But Gwen Walz later clarified in August 2024 in an interview with Glamour magazinethat the couple actually used intrauterine insemination, known as IUI, to conceive. The process involves using a catheter to place the sperm directly into the uterus to increase odds of conception. 

In contrast, IVF requires the removal of a woman’s eggs and injecting them with sperm to create embryos, which then are placed back into the woman’s uterus. 

More than 85,000 babies born in 2021 were from IVF, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Costly IVF treatments are rarely fully covered by health insurance, and only 25% of employers report providing coverage to their employees, according to the White House.

Trump unveiled plans in August 2024 that he’d seek to require insurance companies to cover the cost of IVF, stating he was pushing the policy ‘because we want more babies, to put it nicely.’

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
Keep Reading
By
Politics

Trump’s nominee for Labor secretary walks back support for PRO Act, embraces Republican Right-to-Work laws

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the pro-union Republican tapped by President Donald Trump for Labor secretary, testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) on Wednesday, fielding questions from senators about her support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. 

Chavez-DeRemer supported the PRO Act as a representative for Oregon’s 5th congressional district. She told senators on Wednesday she no longer supports the aspect of the PRO Act that would have overturned Republican-backed Right-to-Work laws, which could earn her the favor of some Republican senators who were reluctant to confirm her nomination. 

The PRO Act would effectively kill state-level laws that prevent employers and unions from requiring workers to pay union dues as a condition of their employment. Republicans, including Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., opposed the PRO Act for overturning Right-to-Work laws. Paul said he would not support her if she continued to support the PRO Act. 

‘If she wanted to make a public statement saying that her support for the PRO Act was incorrect and she no longer does, then I’d think about her nomination,’ Paul told Fox News Digital in a statement ahead of Chavez-DeRemer’s hearing. 

As a member of the HELP committee, Paul had the opportunity to question Chavez-DeRemer about the PRO Act on Wednesday. 

‘So you no longer support the aspect of the PRO Act that would have overturned state Right-to-Work laws?’ Paul asked during the hearing. 

Chavez-DeRemer agreed she no longer supports the aspect of the PRO Act that would have overturned the state’s Right-to-Work laws, replying, ‘Yes, sir.’

‘Like President Trump, I believe our labor laws need to be updated and modernized to reflect today’s workforce and the business environment,’ Chavez-DeRemer said on Wednesday. ‘As a member of Congress, the PRO Act was the bill to have those conversations that mattered deeply to the people of Oregon’s 5th congressional district. I recognize that that bill was imperfect, and I also recognize that I am no longer representing Oregon as a lawmaker.’

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., also queried Chavez-DeRemer about the PRO Act, questioning if she would change Alabama’s Right-to-Work laws. 

‘My constituents at home want to know that. Are you going to try to change our status as Right-to-Work?’ Tuberville asked during the hearing. 

‘I respect the fact that you are from a Right-to-Work state, and I respect the fact that you can continue to be a Right-to-Work state,’ Chavez-DeRemer said. 

Chavez-DeRemer highlighted the distinction between representing Oregon as a congresswoman and representing Trump’s agenda as Labor secretary. 

‘I signed on to the PRO Act because I was representing Oregon’s 5th district, but I also signed on to the PRO Act because I wanted to be at that table and have those conversations. I fully, fairly support states who want to protect their Right-to-Work,’ Chavez-DeRemer said.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-V.T.) began the hearing by questioning if Chavez-DeRemer would stand by her pro-union values or bend the knee to Trump’s ‘authoritarian’ rule. 

‘You will have to make a choice. Will you be a rubber stamp for the anti-worker agenda of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and other multi-billionaires who are blatantly anti-union?’ Sanders asked. 

‘Or will you stand with working families all over the country? So that is really the main issue. It’s not just your record. This is a very unusual administration. In my view, we are moving toward an authoritarian society where one person has enormous power,’ Sanders added. 

Chavez-DeRemer was joined by her husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, father Richard Chavez, mother Patricia Chavez, daughter Annie DeRemer and other extended family members.

In her opening statement, Chavez-DeRemer thanked Trump and credited him with the ‘single greatest political achievement of our time’ – a new coalition of working-class Americans. 

‘President Trump has united a new coalition of working-class Americans like never before. With 59.6% of Teamsters backing him, historic support from African American and Latino voters, and record-breaking turnout in once-solid blue cities and states—Americans are speaking loud and clear. They are calling for action, progress, and leadership that puts the American worker first,’ Chavez-DeRemer said. 

Chavez-DeRemer advocated for trade school investments to expand ‘educational pathways beyond the traditional four-year degree’ programs that will strengthen the American workforce. She committed to leveling the playing field for American businesses, workers and unions. 

‘My record of collaboration demonstrates a shared belief that, under President Trump’s leadership, we can deliver real solutions. Putting American Workers First is not just a vision but a promise to fight for every working mom, single dad, small business owner, and every American striving for their fair shot at the American Dream,’ Chavez-DeRemer said. 

Less than three weeks after he was elected president, Trump nominated Chavez-DeRemer for U.S. secretary of Labor. 

‘Lori has worked tirelessly with both Business and Labor to build America’s workforce, and support the hardworking men and women of America,’ Trump said. ‘I look forward to working with her to create tremendous opportunity for American Workers, to expand training and apprenticeships, to grow wages and improve working conditions, to bring back our manufacturing jobs. Together, we will achieve historic cooperation between Business and Labor that will restore the American Dream for Working Families.’

Fox News’ Julia Johnson contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
Keep Reading
By
Politics

SEAN DUFFY: America’s air traffic systems need an urgent upgrade

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

On my first day as secretary of Transportation, we witnessed the midair collision in Washington, D.C., that took 67 lives. 

While the investigation is ongoing, the tragedy highlighted the urgent need to modernize our air traffic systems — and to move past the broken promises and political inertia of the past. 

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) unsustainable software systems that we’ve inherited are symptomatic of the endemic problems that plagued the Biden administration: a bloated bureaucracy that pushed overregulation instead of innovation, and radical DEI instead of merit. As a result, innovation stagnated and safety was sacrificed. 

Unlike my predecessors, I won’t run from difficult problems; I will fix them. 

This week, I’ve invited software engineers from SpaceX to visit the FAA as part of a fact-finding mission to better understand the issues afflicting our air traffic systems. SpaceX is America’s leading space launch company tracking thousands of satellites, and we thank these patriotic engineers for volunteering their time and expertise. 

This is just the start. Over the coming weeks and months, I will arrange similar meetings with America’s leading high-tech companies to identify our most urgent needs in air safety. Put simply, if you can help, my door is open.  

These candid conversations with the private sector are crucial because the old methods have failed. In 2012, President Barack Obama signed the ‘FAA Modernization and Reform Act’ into law, which provided $63.4 billion in FAA funding over four years, $11 billion of which was directed toward air traffic management. 

Flash forward to December 2024, when an alarming report from the Government Accountability Office stated that among the FAA’s 138 systems, 51 are unsustainable and the agency doesn’t plan to complete modernization projects for some of these systems for at least 10 years. Additionally, the FAA doesn’t yet have plans to modernize other systems in need — three of which are at least 30 years old. 

This status quo is unacceptable. It’s dangerous. And it must change immediately. 

The Biden administration was asleep at the switch and handed us a mess. An investigation by the New York Times in August 2023 revealed a pattern of near-collisions between commercial airlines — with near-misses happening multiple times a week, and occurring at all major airports in the U.S. This included 503 air traffic control lapses that the F.A.A. preliminarily categorized as ‘significant’ — 65% more than in the prior year. 

The FAA is also facing critical disruptions with its Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system, which is vital for sharing safety-critical flight information between air traffic controllers and pilots. In 2023, a complete failure of the NOTAM system caused a nationwide ground stop, causing significant flight delays. 

The systemic problems are not limited to software. Aging networks at thousands of FAA sites must be upgraded in order to avoid severe service disruptions. In the meantime, the FAA is spending millions of taxpayer dollars per month just to maintain the legacy copper wire and connections. 

That level of dysfunction might be expected in a developing nation, but in the United States, it’s intolerable. President Donald Trump has already started implementing his bold vision to rebuild our nation, and modernizing our air traffic systems will be a crucial part of that legacy.  

Despite the obvious need for reform, partisans are certain to criticize this upcoming SpaceX visit, manufacturing illusory controversy rather than welcoming progress. That cynical approach exemplifies why the situation has deteriorated year after year; assigning blame is easy, but solutions take hard work. Americans will understand the facts: upgrading our nation’s air traffic systems will mean safer skies, fewer delays and less wasted time sitting in airports or stuck on tarmacs.  

We also won’t be derailed by misleading media coverage. As part of a larger government-wide restructuring that affected every federal agency, 0.8% of the FAA’s 45,000 employees were recently laid off — and we worked to ensure that all air traffic controllers and those in the most safety-critical positions were retained. 

Nevertheless, CNN blared its clickbait headline: ‘Hundreds of FAA probationary workers fired by Trump administration, union says.’ Only in paragraph 8 did CNN admit the truth: ‘The firings did not include air traffic controllers.’ 

In fact, we’ve begun boosting our recruitment of air traffic controllers. And thanks to Trump’s strong leadership, we are hiring on the basis of competence instead of ideology. As a result, we will see an immediate increase in talent, morale and retention, which will enable the most important result: safety. 

When I took the oath of office, I swore a commitment to defend our nation, and that means ensuring that our country’s skies are the safest in the world. Since the tragic events of January 30, I’ve met with grieving families and sincerely believe the best way to honor their loved ones is to urgently overhaul and upgrade our air traffic systems immediately. 

We can no longer rely on outdated code that hasn’t changed since the Clinton Administration. We must move past the bureaucratic delays and stale excuses that defined the last administration. Thankfully, Americans elected the world’s greatest problem solver, President Trump. 

This visit with SpaceX marks the beginning of a new era. Our nation needs an urgent upgrade to first-class. And it’s coming. 

Sean Duffy is the 20th U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
Keep Reading
By
Sports

Watch: Tiger Woods has ’embarrassing’ club mishap in TGL match

Tiger Woods heard his longtime friend and business partner Rob McNamara say ’99 yards,’ and so the 15-time major winner immediately and instinctively pulled out a pitching wedge Tuesday night during TGL action. Woods even confirmed the number a second time with McNamara before setting up for his swing. He probably should have asked again.

Soon enough, his Jupiter Links Golf Club teammates wondered aloud from the sideline ‒ but too late and not loud enough for Woods to hear ‒ why one of the greatest golfers of all-time was using a club that wouldn’t get Woods near the 199 yards he needed to reach the hole.

What followed was a shot that traveled 100 yards, falling well short of the green as part of the match between Jupiter Links match and the New York Golf Club. Woods had been told ’99’ because it was perceived to be obvious the caddie was dropping a number and meant ‘199’ yards. Obvious to everyone but Woods, who wound up losing the 13th hole to Cameron Young.

‘I heard 99 yards. I didn’t know it was 199,’ he explained and then called it ‘one of the most embarrassing moments in my golfing career.’

Kim and fellow Jupiter Links teammate Kevin Kisner each got a good laugh at Woods’ expense as everybody involved realized the miscommunication that had occurred. Woods was playing for the first time since the death of his mother, Kultida Woods. The New York Golf Club team of Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Young wound up winning the match over Jupiter Links, 10-3, on Tuesday.

Asked what they learned from the match during a news conference afterwards, Kim and Kisner deferred to Woods and the mishap that overshadowed the result.

‘I had 99 yards. I hit a 100-yard wedge shot,’ Woods said with a sheepish smile and a chuckle. ‘That was one of the most embarrassing things … I can’t believe that just happened.’

It’s still unclear when Woods will make his 2025 PGA Tour debut after he withdrew from last week’s Genesis Invitational following his mother’s death. He is scheduled to play for Jupiter Links again on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Sports

Commanders hire John Madden’s grandson as quality control coach

John Madden was one of the most successful coaches in NFL history before he transitioned to a career in the broadcast booth.

The Washington Commanders are hoping the elder Madden’s skillset will shine through in his progeny.

The Commanders hired Madden’s grandson, Jesse Madden, as an offensive quality control coach for the 2025 NFL season. The job will be the younger Madden’s first at the NFL level following his graduation from Michigan.

Madden, 21, attended Michigan and joined the football team as a walk-on in 2021. He began his career at quarterback before switching to defensive back and was a part of the Wolverines’ national championship team in 2024.

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

Madden played sparingly for the Wolverines – he was credited with appearing in just one game for them, which came during the 2021 season – but he learned under both Jim Harbaugh and Mike Macdonald while with the team.

Harbaugh returned to the NFL in 2024, this time as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, while Macdonald took the reins of the Seattle Seahawks, his maiden voyage as head coach of an NFL franchise.

The elder Madden, a 2006 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, died in December 2021.

The younger Madden will hope to follow in their footsteps and those of his Super Bowl 11-winning grandfather as his coaching career begins.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Sports

Bubble watch: Analyzing the teams fighting to make the men’s tournament

It’s the most miserable time of the year for those on the bubble.

When the College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams, rankings were released weekly, giving potential teams an idea of where their chances stood in qualifying. Now that it’s hoops season, it’s back to having no idea whether a team is in or out at any given point. It’s a fight for your team’s season each time you step on the court.

While there’s no official locks for the tournament until conference tournament season, the top 16 reveal over the weekend assured the virtual locks for the big dance. There are other teams that seem highly likely to make the NCAA men’s tournament along with the auto-bids from conference tournament champions, and then there’s a crop of squads that are teetering making the field of 68.

With Selection Sunday now less than a month away, it’s time to take a look at the teams on the bubble of qualifying for this year’s March Madness, along with their resume and where they stand in the latest USA TODAY Sports Bracketology.

Brigham Young

Record: 18-8 (9-6). NET Ranking: 31. Quad 1 record: 4-7. Projected seed: No. 11.

Quality wins: vs. Baylor, at West Virginia, vs. Kansas

Bad losses: at Providence

The Cougars won three consecutive games and seven of nine, including the Tuesday thumping they handed to Kansas. BYU has avoided bad losses in league play and its NET ranking is solid, Up next is a trip to Arizona that will provide an opportunity to garner another significant win to boost its profile.

Wake Forest

Record: 19-7 (11-4). NET Ranking: 58. Quad 1 record: 2-6. Projected seed: No. 11 (First Four).

Quality wins: Michigan (neutral), North Carolina, at SMU

Bad losses: vs. Florida State

Wake Forest got an important Quad 1 victory on Saturday at fellow bubble member SMU that boosted the resume of a team with a low NET ranking and suffered a home loss to Florida State three days before. The Demon Deacons must take advantage of an upcoming three-game slate against the bottom half of the ACC before a second meeting with Duke.

Virginia Commonwealth

Record: 20-5 (10-2). NET Ranking: 35. Quad 1 record: 1-1. Projected seed: No. 11 (First Four).

Quality wins: at Dayton, at Saint Joseph’s.

Bad losses: vs. Seton Hall (neutral), at Saint Louis.

With the best NET ranking among the bubble teams, the Rams have a case to make the tournament without winning the Atlantic 10 tournament. They’re currently one game behind conference George Mason and face the Patriots at home Saturday. A loss to Seton Hall looms large with the limited Quad 1 chances, so VCU needs to take control of what is a relative easy rest of the schedule − four of the remaining six games are against Quad 3 or 4 opponents.

Arkansas

Record: 15-10 (4-8). NET Ranking: 43. Quad 1 record: 3-8. Projected seed: No. 11 (First Four).

Quality wins: vs. Michigan (neutral), at Kentucky

Bad losses: at LSU

Give John Calipari credit; Arkansas has shown some fight recently with two Quad 1 wins in the last five games and narrow losses to top teams. However, another tough week awaits the Razorbacks with a trip to Auburn and then a home game against Missouri, which soundly won the first matchup between the teams last month.

San Diego State

Record: 18-6 (11-4). NET Ranking: 50. Quad 1 record: 4-4. Projected seed: No. 11 (First Four).

Quality wins: vs. Creighton (neutral), vs. Houston (neutral)

Bad losses: vs. UNLV

The Mountain West has taken a step back this season, meaning the league record isn’t as impressive for San Diego State. However, the Aztecs have won seven of their last eight following a bad loss to UNLV. Saturday’s road game against Utah State is a big opportunity to impress the committee as its currently the last Quad 1 chance of the regular season.

Oklahoma

Record: 16-10 (3-10). NET Ranking: 52. Quad 1 record: 4-8. Projected seed: First four out

Quality wins: vs. Arizona (neutral), vs. Michigan (neutral), vs. Louisville (neutral).

Bad losses: vs. LSU.

The Sooners earned three Quad 1 wins in the middle of December and were unbeaten before SEC play. But they’ve struggled in the first season of their new conference. A five-game losing streak, including a late meltdown at home to LSU, has pushed Oklahoma from comfortably in to out. There are plenty of Quad 1 wins available on the rest of the schedule. Somehow, the Sooners have to find them.

North Carolina

Record: 15-11 (8-6). NET Ranking: 47. Quad 1 record: 1-10. Projected seed: First four out

Quality wins: vs. UCLA (neutral), SMU.

Bad losses: vs. Stanford,

Only one Quad 1 win among 11 opportunities is weighing down the Tar Heels. A bad home loss to Stanford doesn’t help either. There are winnable games out there before their regular-season finale against Duke. Unfortunately, they don’t add much to the ledger and a loss only worsens the resume.

Xavier

Record: 17-10 (9-7). NET Ranking: 54. Quad 1 record: 1-8. Projected seed: First four out.

Quality wins: at Marquette, vs. Connecticut.

Bad losses: at TCU, at Georgetown.

After a slow start to conference play, Xavier is starting to get rolling with an 8-3 record in its last 11 games. However, there aren’t any Quad 1 chances left for the Musketeers, meaning it can’t afford losses and needs a solid showing in the Big East tournament to impress. The NET ranking is also not helping.

Georgia

Record: 16-10 (4-9). NET Ranking: 39. Quad 1 record: 2-10. Projected seed: First four out.

Quality wins: vs. St. John’s (neutral), vs. Kentucky.

Bad losses: None.

Hampered by multiple losing streaks, Georgia has fallen out of the bracket. There’s no bad losses on the resume, but failing to convert only two of its dozen Quad 1 matchups makes things challenging. A daunting run of Auburn and Florida awaits the Bulldogs next. They’ve got to find a win probably 2-3 wins before the league tournament to stay in the discussion.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Sports

Bryce Harper stands out in first base fantasy baseball rankings

2024 was a down year overall at first base, with several stalwarts taking a step backwards. One who did stand out though is Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and sets the pace in the American League. But will failed contract extension talks with the Blue Jays this offseason carry over onto the field?

New arrival Christian Walker will take aim at the Crawford Boxes in Houston, as will Cody Bellinger with the short porch in Yankee Stadium. Bellinger and another former NL MVP, Paul Goldschmidt, joined the defending AL champs this offseason to help fill the void left by Juan Soto’s departure. The AL East also boasts potential value picks Triston Casas and Ryan Mountcastle.

In the National League, Bryce Harper gets the nod as the top overall first baseman. He’s just ahead of Freddie Freeman, who’s coming off ankle surgery, and Matt Olson, who regressed considerably from his stellar 2023 numbers.

Returning to the Mets was the best thing that could happen to Pete Alonso’s fantasy value, especially with Soto now hitting in front of him. Recently traded Josh Naylor joins last season’s most prolific offense in Arizona and is a good bet for a second consecutive 100-RBI season. However, depth in the NL falls off sharply after those first five.

2025 fantasy baseball first base rankings

Eligibility based on a minimum of 20 games played at the position in 2024. Other eligible positions also noted.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

For more in-depth fantasy baseball stats and analysis, subscribe to BaseballHQ.com.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
Keep Reading
By
Politics

EU warns Trump against letting Putin divide the US and Europe: ‘Let’s not do him the favor’

A top European Union official is warning President Donald Trump against letting Russian President Vladimir Putin succeed in dividing a decades-old alliance between the U.S. and Europe as Trump seeks to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. 

‘It is clear that any deal on Ukraine that doesn’t involve Europe will fail,’ EU policy chief Kaja Kallas told Fox News Digital from South Africa. ‘Europe and the U.S. are stronger together, this is exactly why Putin is trying to divide us. 

‘Let’s not do him the favor,’ she added. 

Kallas’ comments came after she held a call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of France, the U.K., Italy and Germany on Tuesday night to discuss the U.S. talks with Russian in Saudi Arabia, in which Washington agreed to re-establish diplomatic ties with Moscow through reopening embassies and re-engaging geopolitically and economically.  

Concern in Europe has been mounting over the Trump administration’s push to find a solution to end the war in Ukraine, as neither Kyiv nor any European official has yet been present for the discussions. 

‘When they say ‘these are our plans for the end of the war,’ it raises questions for us,’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters from Turkey on Wednesday following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Erdoğan. ‘Where are we at this negotiating table? This war is taking place inside Ukraine. Putin is killing Ukrainians, not Americans.’

‘We want a just peace, a lasting peace, a sustainable peace,’ he added.

While Rubio looked to set the record straight following the talks on Tuesday by agreeing that Ukraine, Europe and Russia will need to be involved in any ceasefire terms, some comments by Trump have prompted frustration in Kyiv and concern across Europe.

‘We need American strength not concessions to end this war on Ukraine’s terms,’ Kallas told Fox News Digital. ‘Handing Ukrainian territory to Putin on a plate is a losing strategy.’

Kallas, along with other European leaders, took issue this week when Trump said Ukraine needs to hold presidential elections – something that Ukraine constitutionally cannot do during a state of war.

‘Elections in Ukraine are impossible amid Russia’s daily attacks, which have displaced millions of Ukrainians,’ Kallas said. ‘Let’s not forget Russia hasn’t held a free election in 25 years.’

Kallas, who told Fox News Digital that she has submitted a proposal that would see EU nations ramp up military aid to Ukraine this year, argued, ‘Kyiv must be able to negotiate from a place of strength.’

Reports indicated that European leaders were set to hold a second emergency summit on Ukraine in Paris on Wednesday after a smaller group of leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Denmark and the U.K. reportedly convened on Monday following the Munich Security Conference.

Despite concerns that Putin could be dividing the West, one former DIA intelligence officer and author of ‘Putin’s Playbook,’ Rebekah Koffler, argued the Trump administration’s strategy on ending the war is not an indication the U.S. is abandoning its allies.

‘The U.S. is not turning against Europe,’ she said. ‘NATO had 10 years, a decade to prepare for and deter this war.’

‘In the course of several years, my colleagues and I briefed senior military and intelligence officials of top European nations on the Russian threat. In vain,’ Koffler said, noting that she and her American intelligence colleagues warned European nations in 2013 ahead of Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014. ‘NATO ignored the threat for a decade and did not bother to develop a counter-strategy to Putin’s Playbook.

‘Trump is handing over the responsibility for Europe’s protection to the Europeans,’ she added, noting the West was already divided given some NATO nations’ failures to meet defense spending agreements. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
Keep Reading
By