Alabama set the bar for a late-in-the-calendar hire with Kalen DeBoer. Michigan needs to clear that bar. Or, hire DeBoer.
Next Michigan coach will inherit premier recruits, and an ultra booster.
How will we remember the Sherrone Moore era? For a lot of tears. And a lot of punts.

Anyone checked on Lane Kiffin’s LSU buyout? The Michigan job just opened.

I’m kidding, but only just. One of college football’s best jobs needs filled.

Alert the renegades.

Unlike the last time the Wolverines made a hire, they can fill the seat this time without the inconvenience of NCAA suits lurking in the corner.

The NCAA’s sign-stealing penalty has been handed down, and Michigan skated past the scythe with probation and a big fine. Neither will deter job candidates, so bring on the A-listers.

Good riddance to Sherrone Moore. Michigan fired him for cause after it found credible evidence he engaged in “an inappropriate relationship with a staff member,” according to the university.

How will we remember the Moore era? For a lot of tears. And a lot of punts.

And for how he wound up in jail on the night of his firing.

Forget the calendar. Michigan a premier job

Moore was a seat-warmer, anyway, a glorified interim coach while Michigan rode out multiple NCAA probes after cheating its way to glory under Jim Harbaugh.

Never mind that Moore’s firing comes a tad late in the job-hopping calendar. The coaching carousel just stopped spinning, but this job could open in March, and I’d expect Michigan to pry loose a premier coach.

I’m not sure you’d need a second hand to tick off the number of jobs better than Michigan. I mean, Michigan finished 9-3 this season with Moore as its coach. Yes, indeed, this is a premier job. Premier jobs attract premier candidates, no matter the date on the calendar.

When Alabama needed to replace Nick Saban two years ago in mid-January, it secured the coach of the national runner-up.

If Alabama loses to Oklahoma in the playoff’s first round, angry Bammers might list DeBoer’s house on Zillow. There’s gorgeous real estate in Ann Arbor, and I’d much rather come in on the heels of a fired coach’s alleged moral turpitude than replace the GOAT.

Michigan’s schedules the next two seasons are rugged, but, long-term, facing Big Ten fare with ultra billionaire Larry Ellison’s checkbook at your disposal sounds better than trying to survive the SEC’s fires.

As a sidebar, Oracle’s share price is up nearly 270% the past five years. Money makes the world go round, and money makes the ‘croots flow in.

Hey, Marcus Freeman, Michigan’s never been left out of the 12-team playoff with a 10-2 record! (Because Moore couldn’t reach 10-2.) But, seriously, I wouldn’t care that Freeman played for Ohio State. Consider it intel. He knows how they operate in Cbus!

I’m skeptical Freeman would leave Notre Dame for anywhere other than perhaps Ohio State or the NFL. Worth finding out. And, don’t even start with Brian Kelly. He came no closer to the playoff at LSU than Moore did for Michigan. The Wolverines can set their sights higher than the scrap heap.

Michigan’s hire will inherit talented recruits and a big booster

Michigan signed a top-15 class this cycle, on the heels of landing No. 1-ranked quarterback prospect Bryce Underwood last year.

Now, it needs someone to coach and develop all of that talent. Moore’s Wolverines mustered 35 points against their three toughest opponents this season. Not 35 points per game. Thirty-five points total, in losses to Oklahoma, Southern California and Ohio State.

Michigan having cause to fire Moore meant this ouster comes 11 months sooner than it otherwise might have — and free of a buyout charge. The firing comes one month too late for the peak hiring cycle, and perhaps too late to chase Kiffin, but if the Michigan job is as good as I think, the timing is but a hiccup and not a doomsday scenario.

DeBoer is the bar. Clear it, or hire him.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

(This story was updated to add a video.)

The three other No. 1 seeds in the tournament — Kentucky, Texas and Pittsburgh — all advanced to the Sweet 16. The Wildcats will face a red-hot Cal Poly team that upset No. 5 BYU and No. 4 USC in consecutive five-set thrillers to advance to their seventh Sweet 16 appearance in program history.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Round of 16 at the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament:

The 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball Final Four will be held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. It’s the third time since 2010 that the venue has hosted the volleyball national championship.

When is NCAA women’s volleyball Sweet 16?

Date: Dec. 11 and 13 or Dec. 12 and 14
Time: Four matches each day, beginning at 1 p.m. ET Thursday and noon ET Friday. Match-by-match times below.

How to watch NCAA volleyball tournament

Streaming: ESPN+ ∣ Fubo (free trial)

The 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball tournament will air across the ESPN and ABC family of networks. Games can be streamed ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

NCAA volleyball Sweet 16 schedule: Times, TV

All times Eastern

Thursday, Dec. 11

No. 2 Arizona State vs. No. 3 Creighton, 1 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 1 Kentucky vs. Cal Poly, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 4 Minnesota vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 2 SMU vs. No. 3 Purdue, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Friday, Dec. 12

No. 1 Texas vs. No. 4 Indiana, 12 p.m. | ESPN
No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 2 Stanford, 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 2 Louisville, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 4 Kansas, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2

NCAA volleyball second-round results

Lexington bracket

No. 1 Kentucky 3, No. 8 UCLA 1 (30-28, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17)
No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 6 Northern Iowa 1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21)
No. 2 Arizona State 3, Utah State 1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15)
Cal Poly 3, No. 4 USC 2 (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 15-7)

Austin bracket

No. 4 Indiana 3, No. 5 Colorado 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)
No. 3 Wisconsin 3, North Carolina 0 (25-14, 25-21, 27-25)
No. 1 Texas 1, No. 8 Penn State 0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-19)
No. 2 Stanford 3, Arizona 1 (25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20)

Pittsburgh bracket

No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 6 Baylor 1 (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20)
No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, Michigan 0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-18)
No. 2 SMU 3, Florida 0 (25-11, 25-21, 26-24)
No. 4 Minnesota 3, No. 5 Iowa State 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-14)

Lincoln bracket

No. 4 Kansas 3, No. 5 Miami 1 (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25)
No. 2 Louisville 3, Marquette 2 (21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12)
No. 1 Nebraska 3, Kansas State 0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-16)
No. 3 Texas A&M 3, No. 6 TCU 1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 29-27)

NCAA volleyball first-round results

Lexington bracket

No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-12)
No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2 (24-26, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, 15-10)
Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2 (25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10)
No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0, (25-19, 25-12, 25-13)
No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2 (12-25, 25-23,25-23,17-25, 8-15)
No. 6 Northern Iowa 3, Utah 2 (15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10)
Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2 (25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 15-11)
No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-12)

Austin bracket

No. 1 Texas 3, Florida A&M 0 (25-11, 25- 8, 25-14)
No. 8 Penn State 3, South Florida 1 (25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19)
No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-16)
No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17)
No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0 (25-11, 25-6, 25-19)
North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1 (24-26, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21)
Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15)
No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-14)

Pittsburgh bracket

No. 1 Pitt 3, UMBC 0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-13)
Michigan 3, No. 8 Xavier 0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23)
No. 5 Iowa State 3, St. Thomas-Minnesota 2 (21-25, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 15-8)
No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-13)
No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-19)
No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2 (23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 15-10)
Florida 3, No. 7 Rice 0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-19)
No. 2 SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-13)

Lincoln bracket

No. 1 Nebraska 3, Long Island 0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-17)
Kansas State 3, San Diego 2 (21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12)
No. 5 Miami 3, Tulsa 1 (25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20)
No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18)
No. 3 Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0 (25-20, 25-10, 25-13)
No. 6 TCU 3, Stephen F. Austin 0 (25-8, 26-24, 25-20)
Marquette 3, Western Kentucky 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-16)
No. 2 Louisville 3, Loyola (Illinois) 0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-12)

When is the NCAA volleyball Final Four in 2025?

Dates: Thursday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 21

The two semifinal matches in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 and will be broadcast on ESPN. The national championship game is Sunday, Dec. 21 on ABC.

NCAA volleyball tournament champions

Penn State is the reigning NCAA volleyball champion, having defeated Louisville in four sets last year in the national title game. It was the Nittany Lions’ eighth volleyball championship since 1999.

Here’s a look at the past 10 NCAA volleyball champions:

2024: Penn State
2023: Texas
2022: Texas
2021: Wisconsin
2020: Kentucky
2019: Stanford
2018: Stanford
2017: Nebraska
2016: Stanford
2015: Nebraska

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ORLANDO, FL — Tigers Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal stayed in Detroit.

Slugger Kyle Schwarber returned to Philadelphia.

The Los Angeles Dodgers got better.

The New York Mets got worse.

And the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox did nothing.

The Baseball Winter Meetings came and went this week at the Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort with three major free-agent signings (Schwarber, Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz), no major trades, and one big surprise (the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds bidding for Schwarber).

Yet, general managers, teams and agents insist important groundwork was laid, and anticipate that by the time they gather around the Christmas tree, there will be plenty of new toys for everyone.

The 10 biggest questions remaining before the holidays:

What are the New York Mets going to do after Pete Alonso signed with the Baltimore Orioles on a five-year, $155 million contract and closer Edwin Diaz fled for the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million deal?

Will they steal Cody Bellinger from the Yankees? Do they throw money at Kyle Tucker? Will they actually give a free-agent starter more than a three-year deal?

Prediction: The Mets take a run at Bellinger, but wind up trading for Astros first baseman Christian Walker or signing free agent Kazuma Okamoto, while also signing starter Michael King and reliever Robert Suarez.

Are the Arizona Diamondbacks really going to trade All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte, or realize no one will give them the pitching package they desire?

The Diamondbacks came to the winter meetings believing Marte would stay with them.

They left town believing he will be traded.

Prediction: Marte is traded to the Boston Red Sox, but the Detroit Tigers and, yes, the Cincinnati Reds are possibilities.

Will the Detroit Tigers really trade Tarik Skubal?

They surprised teams by engaging in serious talks, and were intrigued by the Dodgers’ potential package of prospects, triggering trade rumors.

Prediction: Skubal will stay put. There’s simply no team that will strip their farm system for one year of Skubal knowing that he could be parting after one year for the riches of free agency, where he’s expected to receive at least $400 million.

Were the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds actually serious in their bids for Kyle Schwarber?

Absolutely.

The Pirates offered a four-year, $120 million package and the Reds told Schwarber they’d up the ante to at least five years, $150 million like the Baltimore Orioles, but Schwarber simply wanted to return to Philly.

“There were a lot of things that stuck with us through our last four years in Philadelphia,’’ Schwarber said, “and knowing that there were so many great things in the future to come in Philadelphia.”

Prediction: Neither team plans to spend anywhere near the money they offered Schwarber, believing he was an exception, but the two teams are expected to be more active on the trade front.

Are the Dodgers done with their free-agent spending, or are they greedy for more?

The Dodgers certainly don’t need any more help after landing Edwin Diaz, but hey, they’re the Dodgers, so why not? They do have an opening in the outfield, particularly if they trade Teoscar Hernandez, and there’s no one on the market better than Kyle Tucker.

Prediction: The Dodgers will make a bid for Tucker, and are willing to pay in excess of $30 million a year, but only on a short-term contract. They have no interest in giving him the nine- or 10-year deal he’s seeking. And Tucker has no interest in signing a deal that won’t carry him through the rest of his career.

Where will free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman go?

A year ago, the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs were in hot pursuit of Bregman. He signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox, but opted out after the first season, leaving $80 million on the table.

Now, one year later, the Red Sox and Tigers are still interested, with the Cubs saying they’re perfectly comfortable with rookie third baseman Matt Shaw.

Prediction: Bregman returns to Boston, but won’t get anywhere near the $40 million annual salary he left behind.

Now that the Orioles signed Pete Alonso, what’s their next move?

The Orioles need pitching. Desperately. And now they have some bats they can unload in either Ryan Mountcastle or Coby Mayo for a pitcher, and still hit the free-agent market.

Prediction: The Orioles trade for Miami Marlins starter Edward Cabrera, who is under team control for three seasons. He’d be the ideal compliment to Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish.

Will the San Diego Padres trade a prized reliever like Mason Miller to get starting pitching help?

The Padres are desperate for starting pitchers, and even listened intently to offers for Miller to get the help they need.

A.J. Preller, president of baseball operations, confirmed that they had trade talks involving Miller, but also Adrian Morejón, Jeremiah Estrada and David Morgan. They have two gaping holes in their rotation that they need to fill, with little money to spend.

Prediction: The Padres will surprise everyone by trading ace Nick Pivetta, who’s scheduled to earn $20.5 million, for starters now and in the future.

Will the Yankees spend the necessary money to bring back Cody Bellinger?

The Yankees are making no secret how bad they want Bellinger, but money talks, and so far they haven’t given him a lucrative long-term contract.

“We’re an aggressive franchise, but we already have some very large commitments,’’ Yankees GM Brian Cashman told reporters. “The more of those you have, the more it affects you in other areas. Everything’s tied together.

“Our ownership has obviously demonstrated, year in and year out, how massively committed they are. At the same time, that’s not an open blank checkbook, either.’

Prediction: Hal Steinbrenner opens his checkbook and signs Bellinger, but nothing close to the pricetag Tucker is seeking.

Are the Toronto Blue Jays done spending?

Nope, they’ve got the itch now, and believe they can get back to the World Series with a loaded and deep starting rotation.

Prediction: The Blue Jays sign free agent right fielder Kyle Tucker and closer Robert Suarez, too, while letting shortstop Bo Bichette walk.

Follow Nightengale on X: @BNightengale

Michigan football fired coach Sherrone Moore for cause on Wednesday, Dec. 10, the school announced.

‘Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member,’ Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel wrote in a statement. ‘This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.’

Moore just finished his second season after taking over for Jim Harbaugh, who left the Wolverines for the Los Angeles Chargers after winning the national championship. Moore went 18-8 as head coach and led Michigan to a 9-3 finish in 2025, ending the regular season with a No. 18 ranking in the College Football Playoff poll.

It’s unfortunate timing for Michigan with the coaching carousel coming to an end. The Wolverines could potentially have limited options, with each Power Four job currently filled and multiple big-name coaches having signed extensions at their current schools.

Moore was accused of deleting text messages with former Michigan analyst Connor Stalions, who choreographed the program’s sign-stealing scandal. It resulted in Moore being suspended for three games – two in 2025 and another to be served in 2026. Moore previously served a self-imposed one-game suspension in 2023 for his involvement in recruiting violations unrelated to the sign-stealing saga.

The 39-year-old coach started his Michigan tenure as tight ends coach in 2018 before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator, a role he served from 2021-22. He was then promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023, when he called plays for the Wolverines’ undefeated national championship squad.

Moore started his career as an assistant at Louisville after his playing career ended at Oklahoma, where he was a backup offensive lineman. He also coached at Central Michigan before being hired at Michigan.

Michigan will face Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Following Michigan’s dismissal of Moore, reports surfaced that he had been detained by police. According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, it is uncertain why he was detained.

(This story was updated to add a video.)

The 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament rolls on as the Sweet 16 begins with four matches in the Lexington and Pittsburgh regionals on Thursday.

Will the undefeated No. 1 overall seed Nebraska Cornhuskers move on to compete for their first championship since 2017? Will the Cal Poly Mustangs continue their magical Cinderella run? Or will another team rewrite history? These questions, and so many more, will be answered when the first game of the Round of 16 kicks off between Creighton and Arizona State.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year with the best volleyball of the season. Here’s a preview of the matchups including players to watch.

(Number before team name represent its tournament seed)

No. 3 Creighton (27-5) vs. No. 2 Arizona State (28-3)

Thursday, Dec. 11: 1 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Creighton starting lineup

Head coach: Brian Rosen

2 Abbey Hayes | OH 6-foot-1 – Freshman
5 Kiara Reinhardt | MB 6-3 – Senior
6 Jaya Johnson | RS/MB 6-2 – Sophomore
8 Ava Martin | OH 6-1 – Senior
10 Eloise Brandewie | MB 6-3 – Junior
17 Annalea Maeder | S 6-1 – Senior
24 Sydney Breissinger | DS 5-7 – Junior

Arizona State starting lineup

Head coach: J.J. Van Niel

3 Tatum Parrott | OH 6-0 – Senior
4 Ella Lewis | OH/L 5-11 – Freshman
5 Sydney Henry | S 5-11 – Senior
10 Noemie Glover | OPP 6-2 – Junior
11 Colby Neal | MB 6-4 – Graduate Student
15 Faith Frame | L 5-7 – Sophomore
22 Bailey Miller | OH 6-3 – Senior

Player to watch: Ava Martin, Creighton

The 2025 Big East Player of the Year finished top 10 in the conference in points per set (5.16), kills per set (4.52) and aces per set. Martin also ranks top 25 or better in the country in points per set, total points and total kills. She had a solid hitting percentage (.376) during her senior season, which helped her earn Big East Tournament MVP and be selected No. 2 overall by the Atlanta Vibe in the 2025 Major League Volleyball Draft.

Cal Poly (27-7) vs. No. 1 Kentucky (27-2)

Thursday, Dec. 11: 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Cal Poly starting lineup

Head coach: Caroline Walters

1 Emma Frederick | OH 5-10 – Junior
2 Chloe Leluge | MB 6-3 – Sophomore
6 Maren O’Farrell | L 5-8 – Freshman
13 Kendall Beshear | OH 5-10 – Sophomore
14 Emme Bullis | S 5-11 – Redshirt Senior
15 Charlotte Kelly |MB 6-3 – Freshman
20 Annabelle Thalken | OH 6-3 – Redshirt Senior
21 Elif Hurriyet | L/DS 5-6 – Sophomore

Kentucky starting lineup

Head coach: Craig Skinner

6 Kassie O’Brien | S 6-1 – Freshman
7 Eva Hudson | OH 6-1 – Senior
10 Kennedy Washington | MB 6-0 – Sophomore
11 Molly Berezowitz | DS 5-5 – Junior
12 Molly Tuozzo | L 5-7 – Junior
15 Lizzie Carr | MB 6-6 – Redshirt Junior
17 Brooklyn DeLeye | OH 6-2 – Junior

Player to watch: Eva Hudson/Brooklyn DeLeye, Kentucky

Hudson and DeLeye are one of the most dynamic duos in the country, if not the most dangerous in college volleyball. Hudson brings the explosiveness and DeLeye brings scoring and domination. Hudson, who transferred from Purdue, won the 2025 SEC Player of the Year, averaging 4.6 kills per set and tallying 482 total kills. Not to be left out, DeLeye had 495 kills while averaging 4.7 kills a set.

No. 4 Minnesota (24-9) vs. No. 1 Pitt (28-4)

Thursday, Dec. 11: 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Minnesota starting lineup

Head Coach: Keegan Cook

1 Stella Swenson | S 6-1 – Redshirt Freshman
5 McKenna Garr | L/DS 5-7 – Freshman
7 Carly Gilk | OPP 6-2 – Freshman
15 Jordan Taylor | MB 6-5 – Freshman
20 Lourdes Myers | MB 6-3 – Graduate Student
22 Julia Hanson | OH 6-1 – Senior
33 Kelly Kinney | OH 6-2 – Freshman

Pitt Panthers starting lineup

Head coach: Dan Fisher

3 Emery Dupes | L/DS 5-6 – Redshirt Senior
5 Olivia Babcock | RS 6-4 – Junior
8 Blaire Bayless | OH 6-2 – Junior
10 Marina Pezelj | OH 6-1 – Freshman
13 Mallorie Meyer | L/DS 5-7 – Sophomore
17 Brook Mosher | S 6-0 – Redshirt Senior
20 Abbey Emch | MB 6-4 – Freshman
21 Bre Kelley | MB 6-4 – Redshirt Senior

Player to watch: Olivia Babcock, Pitt

Perhaps no one can quickly (and rather casually) rack up a 30-kill game faster than Babcock, the ACC Player of the Year. She’s a rare combination of speed, power and skill that for which few opponents have an answer. The 2024 AVCA Player of the Year had a whopping 545 kills on a .323 hitting percentage, along with 235 digs and 110 total blocks during Pittsburgh’s 2025 season, as the team pushes for a fifth straight appearance in the NCAA tournament semifinals.

No. 3 Purdue vs. No. 2 SMU

Friday, Dec. 11: 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Purdue starting lineup

Head coach: Dave Shondell

3 Ryan McAleer | L 5-6 – Sophomore
4 Kenna Wollard | OH 6-1 – Junior
5 Taylor Anderson | S 6-1 – Junior
9 Dior Charles | MB 6-1 – Junior
12 Lindsey Miller | MB 6-4 – Graduate Student
13 Akasha Anderson | OH 6-3 – Senior
14 Grace Heaney | OPP/RS 6-2 – Redshirt Sophomore

SMU starting lineup

Head coach: Sam Erger

1 Malaya Jones | OPP 6-0 – Graduate Student
5 Casey Batenhorst | S 6-1 – Senior
9 Averi Carlson | S 5-11 – Senior
14 Jordyn Schilling | L 5-11 – Senior
20 Maggie Croft | MB 5-10 – Freshman
21 Favor Anyanwu | MB 6-2 – Sophomore
42 Jadyn Livings | OH 6-1 – Sophomore

Player to watch: Averi Carlson, SMU

Carlson is the 2025 ACC Volleyball Setter of the Year and for good reason. She’s elite in every sense of the word. Her 1,268 total assists ranked third in the country, and her average of 11.22 assists per set ranks second nationally. Carlson, the No. 7 pick in the 2025 MLV Draft, also tallied 243 digs, 47 kills and 26 service aces this season.

No. 4 Indiana (25-7) vs. No. 1 Texas (25-3)

Friday, Dec. 12: 12 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Indiana starting lineup

Head coach: Steve Aird

1 Madi Sell | MB 6-3 – Senior
3 Candela Alonso-Corcelles | OH 6-2 – Freshman
5 Audrey Jackson | OH/DS 5-11 – Freshman
7 Hannah Lefridge | DS 5-10 – Freshman
10 Teodora Krickovic | S 6-2 – Freshman
13 Avry Tatum | OPP 6-2 – Senior
23 Victoria Gray | MB 6-2 – Freshman
24 Jaidyn Jager | OH 6-1 – Freshman

Texas starting lineup

Head coach: Jerritt Elliott

1 Ella Swindle | S 6-3 – Junior
2 Emma Halter | L 5-5 – Senior
4 Torrey Stafford | OH 6-2 – Junior
5 Ayden Ames | MB 6-4 – Sophomore
23 Cari Spears | OH 6-3 – Freshman
32 Ramsey Gary | DS 5-7 – Junior
55 Nya Bunton | MB 6-3 – Redshirt Sophomore

Player to watch: Torrey Stafford, Texas

Don’t blink. Stafford is sneaky good and unsuspecting. She currently leads the Longhorns with 488 total kills, including 4.74 kills per set and is hitting .359 on the season. Stafford also leads Texas with 32 aces.

No. 3 Wisconsin (26-4) vs. No. 2 Stanford (29-4)

Friday, Dec. 12: 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Wisconsin starting lineup

Head coach: Kelly Sheffield

1 Una Vajagic | OH 6-0 – Redshirt Sophomore
7 Kristen Simon | L 5-8 – Freshman
15 Mimi Colyer | OH 6-3 – Senior
17 Alicia Andrew | MB 6-3 – Redshirt Senior
24 Charlie Fuerbringer | S 5-11 – Sophomore
32 Grace Egan | RS 6-1 – Redshirt Sophomore
52 Carter Booth | MB 6-7 – Senior

Stanford starting lineup

Head coach: Kevin Hambly

5 Jordyn Harvey | OPP 6-1 – Junior
6 Koko Kirsch | DS 5-9 – Redshirt Sophomore
7 Julia Blyashov | OH 6-3 – Redshirt Sophomore
9 Spencer Etzler | L 5-7 – Freshman
13 Elia Rubin | OH 6-1 – Senior
22 Erika Sayer | MB 6-2 – Freshman
30 Taylor Yu | S 6-0 – Sophomore

Player to watch: Mimi Colyer, Wisconsin

Colyer is highly explosive and a power hitter. She’s also precise in her decision-making, and that makes her a walking nightmare on a court. The Oregon transfer averages 5.32 kills per set, which is good for third in the nation.

No. 3 Texas A&M (25-4) vs. No. 2 Louisville (26-6)

Friday, Dec. 12: 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Texas A&M Aggies starting lineup

Head coach: Jamie Morrison

1 Ifenna Cos-Okpalla | MB 6-2 – Senior
2 Addi Applegate | L/DS 5-5 – Freshman
9 Logan Lednicky | OPP 6-3 – Senior
12 Ava Underwood | L/DS 5-7 – Senior
16 Maddie Waak | S 5-10 – Senior
37 Kyndal Stowers | OH 5-11 – Sophomore

Louisville starting lineup

Head coach: Dan Meske

3 Kamden Schrand | L 5-7 – Junior
7 Chloe Chicoine | OH 5-10 – Junior
8 Nayelis Cabello | S 6-0 – Sophomore
11 Hannah Sherman | MB 6-3 – Redshirt Junior
13 Cara Cresse | MB 6-6 – Redshirt Senior
21 Payton Petersen | OH 6-0 – Sophomore
24 Kalyssa Blackshear | OPP 6-5 – Freshman

Player to watch: Chloe Chicoine, Louisville

At 5-foot-10, Chicoine is undersized for an outside hitter, but for what she lacks in size, she makes up for it with some insanely good verticality and hitting power. Chicoine’s touch, quickness and speed are assets on the court. The junior is second on the team in digs and leads the Cardinals with 387 total kills.

No. 4 Kansas (24-10) vs. No. 1 Nebraska (32-0)

Friday, Dec. 12: 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Kansas starting lineup

Head coach: Matt Ulmer

4 Rhian Swanson | PIN 6-2 – Senior
5 Selena Leban | PIN 6-0 – Freshman
7 Katie Dalton | S/PIN 6-1 – Senior
9 Jovana Zelenovic | PIN 6-7 – Freshman
10 Reese Ptacek | MB 6-3 – Sophomore
22 Ryan White | L/DS 5-9 – Senior
24 Aisha Aiono | MB 6-3 – Junior

Nebraska starting lineup

Head coach: Dani Busboom Kelly

2 Bergen Reilly | S 6-1 – Junior
5 Rebekah Allick | MB 6-4 – Senior
6 Laney Choboy | L 5-3 – Junior
9 Virginia Adriano | OPP 6-5 – Freshman
11 Teraya Sigler | OH 6-3 – Freshman
15 Andi Jackson | MB 6-3 – Junior
27 Harper Murray | OH 6-2 – Junior

Player to watch: Andi Jackson, Nebraska

Jackson is one of the most electric players in college volleyball. She can seemingly do it all. Pick a spot on the court, Jackson can hit forwards, backwards, or any way that she decides. The 6-foot-3 currently leads the country in hitting percentage with an astounding .483.

One of the reasons the Boston Bruins are third in the Atlantic Division is that most of their offseason additions have paid off in one way or another.

While a breakout season from Morgan Geekie, consistently elite play from David Pastrnak and improved goaltending from Jeremy Swayman have played huge roles in the Bruins performing surprisingly well, GM Don Sweeney’s additions have been solid.

For starters, left wing Viktor Arvidsson – acquired this past summer from the Edmonton Oilers for a fifth-round draft pick – has seven goals and 13 points in 24 games. Three of those goals are game-winners. At a $4 million cap hit, the 32-year-old isn’t exactly cheap, but he’s making the most of averaging 14:32 of ice time, and he’s giving great value for the trade price Sweeney paid for him.

Another Bruins offseason addition – former Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Kuraly, who signed at the relative bargain of $1.85 million per year on a two-year contract – is a crucial part of Boston’s penalty kill.

The Bruins’ penalty-kill rate is the ninth best in the league thus far at 82.5 percent, and Kuraly is averaging 3:09 of penalty-kill time. Only veteran defenseman Nikita Zadorov (3:16) is averaging more PK time than Kuraly.

Finally, forward Alex Steeves – a fringe NHLer with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the past four years – was signed to a one-year contract at $850,000 this past summer. While Steeves came into the season with only 14 career NHL games to his credit, he has eight points in 15 games since being called up in early November, including three multi-point games. The 26-year-old is making the most of the opportunity and carving out a role for himself at the NHL level.

Now, not every addition Sweeney made has exactly thrived.

Left wing Tanner Jeannot was signed to a five-year contract at a salary-cap hit of $3.4 million, but he’s generated only three goals and 12 points in 31 games this season. But given that Sweeney has more hits than misses when it comes to offseason changes, Bruins fans have to be happy with where this Boston team is right now. 

The newcomers to the Bruins have taken some pressure off the other veterans, such as Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm, and it shows. Boston is a better-balanced group than the underperforming team we saw last season.

If they can continue getting contributions from up and down the lineup, earning a playoff berth won’t be too tall a task.   

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I wasn’t a John Cena fan. Not back then. Not even a little bit.

As a kid, I was in the minority. I recognize that. Watch back any Cena entrance from 2007-15 and you’ll find the same crowd reaction: every adult in attendance booing mercilessly while every child simultaneously screams in glee. 

This was the John Cena experience. No matter how you felt about him, you gave him a reaction. And as any pro wrestler will tell you, that’s the job, brother.

Love him or hate him, Cena represented everything great about this weird, niche genre of entertainment. He embraced its quirks with determination, its grueling schedule with endless effort and its spoils with grace.

You didn’t have to be a fan of Cena to recognize his mastery.

Lifelong wrestling fans born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s have been on a roller coaster ride with John Cena. Most of them went from idolizing Cena as kids to resenting his gimmick as young adults. 

Or maybe you’re like me, a kid who grew up in the Ruthless Aggression era but didn’t care much for Cena’s schtick. Then you stopped watching WWE for a while. You saw Cena pop up on your screen in a movie or TV show. You thought, ‘Hey, I remember that guy.’ Eventually, you heard about Cena’s retirement. You were curious and tuned in. 

And if your experience was anything like mine, you remembered why you fell in love with this whole pro wrestling thing in the first place.

Cena’s farewell tour held up a mirror to all of us, whether we’re hardcore WWE fans or casual enjoyers. To Cena, whether we booed or cheered − and most of us have done both − 2025 showed us we aren’t ready to sever an emotional tie with a character that’s provided us with laughs, cheers and utter frustration for nearly 25 years.

But while our feelings toward the character have changed over the years, the one constant has been Cena. He’s one of only a few who got a visceral crowd reaction with every entrance, every move, every word. Cena always got a reaction. That’s everything.

Sure, not every reaction was a positive one. Cena embraced that. His commitment was undeniable. As a kid, I wondered why he didn’t switch up his character or leave wrestling altogether.

Nope, not Cena. He rode the wave. Took what WWE gave him, took what the fans gave him ― good or bad. And Cena always came out smelling like roses.

Cena’s farewell tour is a perfect microcosm. It was questionably booked, muddled with a shocking heel turn that never got paid off. It felt poorly planned with strange segments and uninspiring opponents.

In spite of it, Cena elevated his work and made 2025 one of the best years of his career. He gave us an entertaining heel persona and, after WWE decided to abruptly pull that plug, had multiple match-of-the-year contenders, as well as helping to springboard young talent. 

So thank you, Cena. You helped me rediscover my love for pro wrestling. I would apologize for booing you in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 2008, but something tells me you preferred it that way.