Four NFL teams currently hold multiple first-round picks for the 2026 draft.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is projected to be the first signal-caller selected.
The New York Jets, holding five first-round picks over the next two years, are projected to select a quarterback with their first 2026 selection.

The rising importance of the 2026 NFL Draft for several teams came into focus after last week’s trade deadline.

With the New York Jets having dealt cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, there are now four NFL teams that have multiple first-round picks in April. And with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants having already fired their head coaches, several fan bases are probably ready to close the book on this season and enter offseason mode. But with the first-round order still shifting significantly week to week, there’s still ample time for team’s draft fortunes to rise or fall.

With that said, here’s USA TODAY Sports’ latest first-round projection and 2026 NFL mock draft:

2026 NFL mock draft

1. Tennessee Titans – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

There’s a strong possibility for Tennessee to possess the No. 1 pick in consecutive years after the Saints’ and Browns’ victories left the Titans as the only one-win team remaining. And that creates a bit of a mystery atop the order. An organization that’s yet again rebooting would clearly stand to benefit from trading back and stockpiling more early selections to support Cam Ward. Yet this quarterback class doesn’t seem particularly conducive to drumming up a bidding war for this choice. If Tennessee does end up in the slot and stands pat, it could supercharge its defense with Reese. Though he operates as a linebacker for the Buckeyes, the 6-foot-4, 243-pounder has Micah Parsons-like movement abilities that could be best put to use in a full-time edge rushing role. The Titans could pair him with Jeffery Simmons to create one of the league’s most formidable inside-outside tandems and then use the rest of the draft – and free agency – to focus on helping Ward.

2. New Orleans Saints – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

A franchise with a decades-long habit of being trigger-shy when it comes to selecting quarterbacks might be hard-pressed to go this route, especially if Tyler Shough continues to exhibit the promise he displayed in his second start. But unless the second-round rookie firmly establishes himself as New Orleans’ answer at the position in the back half of the season, Mendoza might be massively alluring. The Heisman Trophy front-runner now also figures to be the favorite to be the first quarterback taken, with his game-winning drive against Penn State highlighting resiliency and a knack for operating out of structure that otherwise hadn’t been seen often this season. The 6-5, 225-pounder is the kind of precise thrower who could allow Kellen Moore to launch a new era for the organization in earnest.

3. New York Giants – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The reset is officially on, with Big Blue pulling the plug on the Brian Daboll era on Monday. Still, the mission for New York remains the same: elevate Jaxson Dart’s supporting cast as quickly as possible. A well-rounded receiver who can win in a variety of ways, Tyson would complement Malik Nabers well in the top target’s return to action and allow Dart to be less reliant on leveraging his running skills to fuel the offense.

4. Cleveland Browns – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

The experience question might be the only thing holding back Simpson’s draft stock, but the Crimson Tide passer’s relatively abridged body of work hasn’t impeded him on the field this season. The 6-2, 208-pound signal-caller continues to look fully ready for the pros thanks to his rare composure and fast processing. That’s the kind of package that the Browns would pounce on after watching the offense spin its wheels behind Dillon Gabriel.

5. New York Jets – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

With five first-round picks over the next two years after its pair of trade deadline blockbusters, New York has unparalleled flexibility to shape its future at the most important position in football. Gang Green therefore might not force the issue right away with the third passer off the board. But Moore is plenty talented and would allow Aaron Glenn and first-year offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand to actually attack via the air after the offense has remained grounded with Justin Fields at the helm. Still only a redshirt sophomore, Moore might end up returning to school and vying to be the No. 1 pick in 2027. But he’s shown plenty to like, including impressive poise and a comfort attacking every level of the field as he continues to gain experience.

6. Las Vegas Raiders – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

This was supposed to be a season of great change for the Silver and Black, but the view from the back of the AFC West looks awfully familiar. The Raiders should know by now that there’s no cure-all for the team’s abundant ills, so they should instead simply gravitate toward the best players available. Bain has a strong case to be the top prospect in the class, as he’s been the most dominant defender in college football. If he lasts to this point, it should be a no-brainer for Las Vegas to put him opposite Maxx Crosby, who has been doing well more than his fair share to prop up this team.

7. Miami Dolphins – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

With a new general manager set to come aboard and Mike McDaniel’s future yet to be decided, Miami could go in a number of different directions this offseason. Whatever vision the Dolphins end up embracing for their future, though, Downs should fit it. A versatile playmaker and heady leader, the safety is capable of transforming a secondary in dire straits while also making a distinct mark for a run defense in need of serious help.

8. Washington Commanders – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

Less than a year after the team reached the NFC title game, a calamitous campaign has forced Washington to face some harsh realities about the state of its roster. The Commanders’ defensive line looks overdue for a serious investment, and the 6-6, 285-pound Faulk can step in as a high-floor run stuffer with a good amount of room to grow as a pass rusher.

9. Cincinnati Bengals – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Outside of standout cornerback DJ Turner, Cincinnati has come up empty on its various defensive draft investments in recent years. While there might be a gaping hole on the edge once Trey Hendrickson departs as expected, the Bengals also have a glaring deficiency on the interior to address. Woods has fallen short of becoming the consistently disruptive force some envisioned him as after his first two seasons of flashes, but he’s still in a class of his own among the forthcoming defensive tackle prospects, especially when it comes to shedding blocks.

10. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Sure looks like the Falcons could be paying a hefty bill for April’s move to secure James Pearce Jr. in the back of the first round, as Atlanta is trending toward having to hand over a pick somewhere in the top 8-12 slots. The Rams’ foresight pays off massively here in the form of Fano, a talented and athletic blocker who could take over for longtime starter Rob Havenstein at right tackle.

11. Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

Arizona probably doesn’t need the 6-6, 315-pounder to haul in trick-play touchdowns like he did Saturday for the Hurricanes. Mauigoa’s brand of bully ball should make him sufficiently attractive for the Cardinals, with his stout protection also coming in handy to counter the NFC West’s many imposing pass rushers.

12. Dallas Cowboys – David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech

Jerry Jones might never admit defeat in the Micah Parsons trade, and he might be reticent to push his draft chips in on another undersized edge rusher after taking Donovan Ezeiruaku in the second round in the spring. But getting quick pressure is the name of the game right now for NFL defenses, and no one in this class does it better than Bailey, who has terrorized opposing passers to the tune of 11 ½ sacks – best in the Football Bowl Subdivision – this season for the Red Raiders.

13. Baltimore Ravens – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

Landing impending free agent Dre’Mont Jones at the trade deadline patched up a problem that figures to persist into 2026 for Baltimore. Parker hasn’t broken through to top-tier edge rusher territory, but he can still be a disruptive and productive staple of the Ravens’ rotation.

14. Minnesota Vikings – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

It’s still unclear exactly what Minnesota has in J.J. McCarthy, but the young quarterback’s trajectory should leave Kevin O’Connell with a good bit of unease. It’s too early to reverse course, so bringing on the dynamic and elastic Love could help settle things down by reshaping the offense.

15. Houston Texans – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

While everything around him has collapsed at Penn State, Ioane continues to get the job done at an All-American level, letting almost nothing past him in pass protection. That’s the kind of presence Houston has long needed on its offensive front, and it shouldn’t blink at taking an interior blocker this high given how detrimental the problems along the line have been.

16. Carolina Panthers – Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson

A passing attack that looks allergic to trying anything downfield is highly problematic for the Panthers, but Carolina needs to look from within for solutions rather than burn a third consecutive first-round pick on a receiver in hopes of resolving the issue. Terrell gets to join his brother, the Falcons’ A.J. Terrell, in the NFC South while lining up across from Jaycee Horn to accelerate the defense’s growth.

17. Kansas City Chiefs – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Maybe it’s time to stop trying to reconfigure the Chiefs’ receiving corps given how far down the group now finds itself on the list of Kansas City’s most pressing concerns. Sadiq, however, would be a worthy successor to Travis Kelce thanks to his dynamic pass-catching skills, and he would also elevate the floundering run game with his highlight-reel blocks.

18. San Francisco 49ers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

The 6-7, 366-pound Proctor figures to be a polarizing evaluation in the draft due to some uneven play and a unique body type. But San Francisco needs a vision for the future at left tackle, and Proctor is sure to be a force with his powerful play.

19. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Cleveland should rejoice if it’s able to keep Tate in Ohio following his breakout season. It’s not often that teams can find 6-3, 195-pound receivers who exhibit advanced polish for their position while also averaging 18.2 yards per catch, much less in the back half of the first round.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Right now, there’s no telling where Pittsburgh will turn at quarterback in 2026 as it sees how far 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers can take the offense. While someone like South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers could be a consideration if he declares – and is available at this point – the Steelers probably need to find clarity behind center before they come on the clock with this selection. Delane’s steadiness would make him a welcome addition to a defense that’s too often been burned when it hasn’t been able to generate pressure or spark big plays, and veteran starter Darius Slay Jr. isn’t signed beyond this season.

21. Dallas Cowboys – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

It’s unclear when, if ever, the star cornerback will make his 2025 debut for the Volunteers as he continues to rehab a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in January. His talent alone, however, might be enough to entice Jerry Jones, who took a risk on another talented coverage asset coming off a major injury in Shavon Revel Jr., the third-round rookie cornerback from East Carolina.

22. Chicago Bears – Cashius Howell, DE/OLB, Texas A&M

Chicago’s defense has been overly reliant on generating a league-leading 20 takeaways to mask the other major shortcomings of this unit. If the Bears are willing to get creative to jolt a pass rush that ranks 26th with a 30.9% pressure rate, according to Next Gen Stats, Howell could be an intriguing option. The Bowling Green transfer has put aside questions about his build by tapping into his quickness and bend, which has allowed him to record a Southeastern Conference-leading 10 ½ sacks.

23. Buffalo Bills – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Brandon Beane went fishing for Jaylen Waddle prior to the trade deadline, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, but ended up with the boot that is Buffalo’s current receiving corps. If Beane is prepared to admit some level of fault on this front after repeatedly pushing back on questions of the group’s composition, he could be drawn to Lemon. The 5-11, 195-pound target doesn’t have the physical make-up of the go-to option the Bills currently lack, but the Power Four leader in receiving yards (937) serves his quarterback by freeing himself up underneath and racking up yards after the catch.

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The second level continues to be a stubborn issue for Tampa Bay’s defense, which can’t keep counting on 35-year-old Lavonte David to hold things together. The undersized yet aggressive Allen would be a fitting long-term answer, and he’d immediately smooth out some of the coverage issues that keep popping up.

25. Detroit Lions – Matayo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon

The link between player and team has persisted for some time, and it likely will for a good while. Uiagalelei is exactly what Dan Campbell covets in a potential running mate for Aidan Hutchinson: persistent, powerful and savvy.

26. Los Angeles Chargers – A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

For all of the problems that the Bolts are facing with their inability to safeguard Justin Herbert amid season-ending injuries to Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, their top pick might be better spent fortifying the front on the other side of the ball. Washington offers athleticism seldom seen in a 6-3, 330-pound nose tackle, and his knack for commanding double teams and blowing up plays would change the outlook of a run defense yielding 4.9 yards per carry.

27. Rams – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The Rams are getting by with cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon still on injured reserve with a broken clavicle suffered in Week 2. To truly thrive, though, the Rams should bring aboard a top cover man like Hood, who can help Los Angeles better match up with bulky wideouts.

28. New England Patriots – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Drake Maye is hardly hurting in the deep passing game, with his 141.4 passer rating on throws of more than 20 yards ranking second only to Sam Darnold, according to Next Gen Stats. Yet the appeal of pairing the breakout quarterback with a 6-4, 210-pound downfield dynamo in Boston might be too immense for New England to ignore.

29. Seattle Seahawks – Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

Someone check on John Schneider if he uses consecutive first-round draft picks on offensive guards after taking Grey Zabel this year. Still, this is one of the few problem areas for Seattle’s roster, and Pregnon’s forcefulness would come in handy for an offense still hoping to establish some roots in the ground game.

30. Denver Broncos – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

While it’s still unclear exactly what Denver can expect from Dre Greenlaw, elevating the outlook at linebacker might be one of the few tasks left for a defense adept at smothering all comers. The 6-4, 243-pound Styles stands alone when it comes to athleticism and range among prospects at his position, making him a fun chess piece for whichever defensive coordinator lands him.

31. Philadelphia Eagles – Quincy Rhodes Jr., DE, Arkansas

If Philadelphia holds onto Jaelan Phillips by extending or re-signing the talented trade deadline acquisition, edge rusher plummets down the list of offseason priorities for the defending champs. But if the Eagles are again forced to reload, they’d be wise to take a long look at Rhodes, a tantalizing talent at 6-6 and 275 pounds who has become a mainstay in opponents’ backfields this season.

32. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

No matter who is under center for Gang Green in 2026, the passing attack can’t solely be the Garrett Wilson show. After transferring from North Carolina State, Concepcion has demonstrated he can boost any offense with his craftiness in getting open and picking up yards after the catch.

The 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics are still more than two and a half years away, but organizers made a significant statement in the sports world’s continual journey toward equality for women by announcing that the women’s 100-meter track final, not the men’s, will open the first night of medal competition at the Games. The men’s 100 final, which traditionally goes first, will be held the next evening.

‘It’s really important that we’re able not only to talk about equality, but to actually demonstrate it in a really powerful way, and there’s no bigger platform than the first day of an Olympic Games featuring the women’s 100-meter final,” Olympic gold medalist and World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said Tuesday during an exclusive interview with USA TODAY Sports, which is first to report the news of the 2028 Olympic competition schedule. Registration for tickets will begin in January 2026 at LA28.org.

Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans, LA28 chief athlete officer, said it was ‘incredible” for the women’s 100 meters ‘to be the preeminent event at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 on the first night of competition in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.”

And U.S. Olympic gold and silver medalist Sha’Carri Richardson said the road to LA28 is ‘about to be something special.’

”Especially for the women’s sprints,” Richardson said in a text message sent by a World Athletics spokesperson. ‘The talent, energy, and competition … it’s all going to shine. Just look at Day One of the LA Games. I’m locked in on accomplishing some personal goals and doing my part to help the sport keep growing and inspiring the next generation at home in the USA and across the globe.”

The L.A. Olympics begin July 14, 2028 with the opening ceremony, followed the next day by the first medal event, women’s triathlon, taking place in the Games’ Venice Beach zone. Later that night, the women’s 100 final will be run inside the venerable Coliseum, also site of the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics. 

To stick to that schedule, all three rounds of the women’s 100 meters will need to be run the same day, July 15, which is a first at the Olympic Games. The men will run their first round on July 15 and the semifinals and final on July 16. 

Both Coe and Evans said athletes and coaches were consulted before that decision was made. 

‘It was one of the things we talked about, running three 100 meters in one day,’ Evans said. ‘How would that feel as an athlete, mentally and physically? What does that mean? And we took that question very seriously as we spoke to athletes commissions of LA28 as well as athletes commissions from World Athletics. … And so I think when we presented it to the athletes that way, there was excitement. And for the few naysayers, the majority of the athletes said to me, just let me know, right? Like, let me know if this is what’s going to happen, let me know early, and I will start training to run three 100 meters in one day, because it can be done, but I just need to schedule my training.”

Swimming is usually held the first week of the Summer Games and track and field the second, but the two Olympic behemoths are swapping in 2028 for no reason other than logistics. The opening ceremony is going to take place in SoFi Stadium, which is also where the swimming competition will be held. The makeover of the venue will require a few days, necessitating pushing swimming into the Games’ second week for the first time since the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

The L.A. Olympics will feature a record number of female athletes, with 50.5% of the total athlete quota allocated to women in the Games’ 51 sports, according to LA28. This is a continuation of the Olympic Games’ push for equal participation and billing for women athletes, which goes all the way to the top of the International Olympic Committee with its first female president, Olympic gold medalist Kirsty Coventry. 

2028 LA Olympics full schedule

The Dallas Mavericks decided to part ways with general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

The decision came after the team produced a 3-8 start to the NBA season.

A portion of the Mavericks’ fan base has spoken out against Harrison and the front office since the team decided to send superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a surprising trade that rattled the basketball world in February.

“Fire Nico” chants have been pretty common among fans at American Airlines Center during home games since the deal.

Did ‘Fire Nico’ chants impact Mavericks?

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd was asked about the impact of the chants heard during games and whether there is any sort of pressure alleviated by (presumably) no longer having to listen to them.

“We can only hope that we don’t have to go through that again because it was a little disrespectful, because the guys are playing hard,” Kidd told reporters during a pregame press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 12. “With that chant during when we’re shooting free throws, it’s very disrespectful. But understanding they got their point across, but we have to move forward.”

Kidd also did not shy away from the team’s rough start to the season.

“We have a lot of guys that are in street clothes,” Kidd said. “We got over, I think, 100 million dollars sitting on the sideline. … I would hope that we start to get a little credit for that, because these guys, they can hear those things and they feel really disrespected. 

“It’s hard to keep guys here in this league when they start to think that the home team is not home and becomes a visiting place, and so, hopefully, that changes tonight.”

Forward Anthony Davis has been ruled out for the Mavericks game on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns due to a calf injury.

Guard Kyrie Irving has not played this season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL in his left knee that he suffered in March. He is expected to return to action at some point during the season.

Jake Paul has found a new opponent for his next boxing match, and the scale remains a relevant object.

Paul is finalizing a fight with Anthony Joshua, the British heavyweight who has fought at 250 pounds or more during his past five bouts.

Gervonta Davis, who was scheduled to fight Paul on Nov. 14 before the exhibition was canceled, weighed 135 pounds for previous bouts.

The quick math: that’s more than a 100-pound difference from the old opponent (Davis) to the new one (Joshua) for a bout that will be livestreamed by Netflix.

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua size: Height, weight for boxers

Paul typically fights as a cruiserweight, which carries a maximum weight limit of 200 pounds. He has fought as a heavyweight just once, against Mike Tyson last year. He weighed in at 227  pounds and won by unanimous decision over Tyson, who weighed in 228 ½ pounds.

More size issues: Joshua is 6-6, Paul is 6-1.

Height and weight won’t be the only differentiators. Joshua is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having unified the title between 2017 and 2019 and 2019 and 2021. He also figures to be Paul’s toughest opponent yet.

But Joshua, 36, has faltered in recent years. He’s coming off a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois during which Joshua got knocked down four times during the bout Sept. 21, 2024. Joshua is 28-4 with 25 knockouts.

Paul, 28, is coming off a victory over Julio Cesar Chavez on June 28. He has won his past six fights, dating back to his only loss – against Tommy Fury by unanimous decision in 2023. He is 12-1 with seven knockouts.

Unlike Paul, Joshua has faced some of the world’s top heavyweights. He lost to Oleksandr Usyk, the current undisputed heavyweight champion, by unanimous decision in 2021 and lost to Usyk again in 2022 by split decision.

Joshua then won four straight fights, including a brutal knockout of Francis Ngannou in 2024. But that preceded his humbling loss to Dubois.

Competing in the Super-Heavyweight division, Joshua won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics. He turned pro in 2013 and went 22-0 before a shocking TKO loss to Andy Ruiz in 2019.

Paul turned pro in 2020 and has knocked down every opponent except Tyson. But only five of Paul’s 12 opponents were boxers.

The NCAA hit Michigan State football with sanctions for violations during Mel Tucker’s time as the Spartans’ head coach on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Michigan State has been placed on three years of probation by the NCAA and will be forced to vacate 14 wins, which include five under current head coach Jonathan Smith.

According to the NCAA release, it was determined that Tucker violated head coach responsibility rules and failed to monitor his program. He was ruled to have committed Level-1 standard violations, but was not determined to be involved in the recruiting violations. He was, however, hit with a failure to monitor the program.

As a result of the NCAA violations, Michigan State will vacate a total of 14 wins between 2022 and 2024 due to the participation of three ineligible players.

Michigan State went 5-7 under Tucker in 2022, followed by a 4-8 record under Tucker and interim coach Harlon Barnett. The Spartans then went 5-7 in Jonathan Smith’s first season in 2024. 

Tucker was fired in the middle of the 2023 season for sexual harassment allegations unrelated to the NCAA. The Spartans are 3-6 this season and have lost six games in a row.

The football program also received restrictions on official visits, unofficial visits, recruiting communication, recruiting-person days and off-campus recruiting contacts and evaluations over a three-year probationary period.

Staff members Saeed Khalif and Brandon Jordan, along with other members of the football staff, were identified by the NCAA for offering or providing approximately $10,764 in impermissible recruiting inducements to six prospects who took unofficial visits to Michigan State.

According to the report, after separating from MSU, both Khalif and Jordan failed to cooperate with the NCAA enforcement staff. Jordan received a five-year show-cause order effective Sept. 25, 2025, that runs through 2030 for Level 1 NCAA violations. Khalif received a six-year show-cause order that runs through 2031. Both will also be suspended for 100% of the football regular season (12 contests) during the first season of employment within the show-cause order.

Tucker contested his head coach’s responsibility violation, with his case being processed through a written record hearing, according to the NCAA’s report. He receives a three-year show cause, during which time any employing member school must restrict him from all athletically related activity.

In addition to that, Tucker also faces a suspension from 30% of the football season during a potential first season of employment within the show-cause order. During that suspension, Tucker cannot participate in any coaching activities.

The former NFL wide receiver pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge.
He was released on a $25,000 bail and must wear a GPS ankle monitor.
The charge stems from an alleged shooting outside a celebrity boxing match on May 16.
His attorney claims the shots were fired in self-defense and not aimed at anyone.

Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown must wear a GPS ankle monitor and await trial at home after posting a $25,000 bail, the Associated Press reported Nov. 12.

The arrest warrant – authorities finally extradited Brown back to the United States after he spent months in Dubai, United Arab Emirates – said Brown grabbed a security officer’s gun at the scene and fired shots. One person told authorities a bullet grazed his neck.

Brown’s defense attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, argued that it was Brown’s own weapon used in self-defense and that the shots were not aimed at anybody.

Brown appeared virtually at Wednesday’s hearing and could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years if convicted. Prosecutors, according to the Associated Press, argued for Brown to remain in pre-trial detention since he posed a flight risk. Eiglarsh said Brown had various business interests in Dubai.

“He no longer has a passport. He’ll be living at his home. I look forward to working with him zealously on this case,” Eiglarsh told Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer at the bond hearing, per the AP.

Grace College’s women’s basketball team set a new all-time scoring record with a 172-91 victory over Ohio Christian.
The Lancers employ a fast-paced, high-pressure system with frequent substitutions to maintain intensity.
Grace scored 100 points in the paint and forced 42 turnovers, which led to 73 points.

Grace College women’s basketball coach Dan Davis got a message after the third quarter of his team’s game on Tuesday night.

‘We start the fourth quarter and our (sports information director Josh Neuhart) is waving me over to the scorer’s table,’ said Davis, who is in his eighth season at the Indiana school. ‘He had a little piece of notebook paper and it said, ‘A high scoring record 159.”

Neuhart was alluding to the all-time mark for points scored in a women’s college basketball game. Grambling (2024) and Oklahoma Baptist (1995) shared the record with 159 points.

Grace, which scored 93 in the first half against Ohio Christian, had backed off a bit in the third quarter. After the message was delivered, the Lancers went on a run to cement their place in history with a 172-91 victory over Ohio Christian.

‘The style we play, it is super fast paced, pressing, shooting a certain amount of 3s,’ said Davis, who shared that the Tennessee women’s team runs a similar system.

‘We played shifts, so girls are subbing in pretty much every minute … to keep just that pace that we want to play and that pressure on both sides of the ball. And so we just told the girls, ‘Look, get back to being aggressive on the defensive end with our press and trapping and running, go, go, go. We have a chance to maybe get the record.”

Grace scored 49 points in the final quarter to set the record for points in a game for the NCAA and NAIA. For some context, the Lancers had 100 points in the paint and 93 fast-break points. Ohio Christian committed 42 turnovers, which led to 73 points.

Maddy Poynter, who led Grace with 34 points, said she was skeptical when Davis told the team last summer he wanted to change things up and run a platoon system. She said now, the team is all in.

‘I love running, I love playing fast. It’s fast paced, it’s go, go, go, 24-7,’ Poynter said. ‘We are literally just running up and down the court. We’re full-court pressing. We get a lot of traps and it’s just fun.’

The Lancers passed their previous record for points in a game (118) before the end of the third quarter. They made 58.1% of their shots from the field. Becca Gerdt added 28 points and Emma Sperry and Abbie Ritzema had 21 each.

‘Honestly, just went out there and played, just had a lot of fun with each other,’ said Morganne Houk, who had 20 points, eight assists and five rebounds. ‘It wasn’t really attempting to break any kind of record. We were just going out there and doing what we do, like we do every day at practice and did it with each other, which is the best part about the game.’

Grace (4-1) scored 83, 98, 109 and 112 earlier this season. They are leading the NAIA in scoring. Davis said the theme for the rest of the season is pretty simple.

‘We just want to play with that joy and compete,’ Davis said. ‘And we tell them, ‘No matter what the score is, don’t worry about it, we’re just gonna play that hard as we can for 40 minutes, and you know what, what happens, happens. Tomorrow’s a new day, the sun comes up, and we’ll get a little bit better.’ So that focus is really, you know, embracing the now.’

Just a little over a week after the exhibition boxing match between Jake Paul and WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis was canceled, the boxing world is abuzz with rumors. According to Ring Magazine, Paul is in the final stages of securing a fight against the former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. This potential clash is expected to take place in December in Miami.

The upcoming bout, which would air on Netflix, will be the promised fight scheduled for 2025 by the streaming giant. Most Valuable Promotions quickly sought replacements for Davis to ensure the Nov. 14 event would proceed. Despite their efforts, they were unable to secure an opponent.

After reaching out to potential opponents, including Ryan Garcia, it will most likely be Joshua who will step in to face Paul. Joshua last fought Daniel Dubois in September 2024, where he suffered a shocking fifth-round knockout, denying him the opportunity to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.

This event comes after the cancellation of the Paul-Davis match, which was called off due to a civil lawsuit filed against Davis. The lawsuit was initiated by a woman who accused him of several charges, including aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

STORRS, Conn. — So far, so good for the NCAA women’s basketball championship defense for UConn.

The No. 1 Huskies (2-0) have dominated ACC foes Louisville and Florida State in their first two games of the season. UConn is on its way to running its winning streak to three straight games against Loyola Chicago Wednesday at Gampel Pavilion.

Stream UConn women’s basketball vs. Loyola Chicago live on Sling TV

Here’s how to watch and live highlights for Storrs:

Halftime: UConn 41, Loyola 14

UConn held Loyola to five points in the second quarter with smothering defense. The Ramblers have 19 turnovers including 14 steals by the Huskies. UConn is outrebounding Loyola, 21-13.

Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong have nine points each to lead the Huskies. Alex-Anne Bessette has five points for Loyola.

First quarter: UConn 22, Loyola 9

UConn continues to make defense its calling card, scoring 13 points off 11 turnovers including eight steals. The Huskies are outrebounding Loyola, 13-7. UConn is also shooting 50% from the field compared to 27.3% shooting for the Ramblers.

Azzi Fudd has six points and Sarah Strong and Serah Williams four points each to lead the Huskies.

We are underway at Gampel Pavilion

Serah Williams, a transfer from Wisconsin, scored the first four points for the Huskies. They hold a 7-3 lead in the early going.

UConn wearing olive green to honor the military

A day after Veteran’s Day, the Huskies are honoring those who served. They played a message on the video board thanking veterans.

What TV channel is UConn vs. Loyola Chicago

TV: truTV
Streaming: Sling TV

UConn vs. Loyola Chicago airs nationally on truTV on Wednesday, Nov. 12. JB Long (play-by-play) will be joined by Christy Winters-Scott (analyst) and Autumn Johnson (reporter) on the call for the game.

Streaming options include Sling TV.

UConn women’s basketball vs Loyola Chicago time today?

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 12
Time: 7:30 p.m.

The nonconference matchup between UConn women’s basketball and Loyola Chicago is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut.

UConn starting lineup

Loyola ready to roll