Owen Caissie hit a two-run homer, and Abraham Toro knocked in two runs as Canada added to Colombia’s offensive ineptitude with an 8-2 victory in Pool A of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Caissie and Toro got Canada going in the third inning when Toro doubled with one out, and Caissie planted a hanging breaking ball from emergency starter Austin Bergner 403 feet into the right field seats at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Bergner got the nod after Julio Teherán was scratched due to shoulder discomfort during his pregame workout.

Canada sent 10 men to the plate in the eighth inning to break open the game. Toro tripled, Bo Naylor singled, Denzel Clarke’s sacrifice fly, and Tyler O’Neill’s base-loaded walk did the damage for the Canadians, who made their 2026 debut in the WBC.

Colombia used nine pitchers and couldn’t get much done on offense, leaving six men on base and going 1-7 with runners in scoring position. They went 0-10 with runners in scoring position in a 5-0 loss to Puerto Rico in their tournament debut on Friday.

Canada will next play Panama Sunday night, and Colombia will look for its first WBC win against Cuba earlier in the day.

USA TODAY Sports has highlights and analysis for Canada vs Colombia:

Final: Canada 8, Colombia 2

End 8: Canada 8, Colombia 2

Colombia cut into the lead against reliever Micah Ashman when Michael Arroyo was hit by a pitch and scored on Harold Ramirez’s double. Arroyo stumbled around third and fell before hitting home plate, but scored in plenty of time as there was no throw to the plate. Donovan Solano walked to bring the go-ahead run to the plate, but Eric Cerantola got Gio Urshela to strike out on three pitches.

Canada got that run back and more against Guillo Zuñiga. Tyler Black walked, stole second, and advanced to third on an error by catcher Daniel Vellojin.

Abraham Toro then knocked in his second run of the game with a triple to score Black, Bo Naylor’s single scored Toro, and Denzel Clarke’s sacrifice fly extended the lead to five. Tyler O’Neill’s base-loaded walk added another run.

End 7: Canada 4, Colombia 1

Josh Naylor’s RBI single extended the lead for Canada in the seventh. Yapson Gomez, Columbia’s sixth pitcher of the game, was the unfortunate recipient of bad defense.

With one out, Denzel Clarke reached on an error by right fielder Jesús Marriaga after he dropped a fly ball. Clarke hustled to second on the error and scored on Naylor’s base knock.

End 5: Canada 3, Colombia 1

The wind is starting to play a part in the game as several hard-hit balls have simply been caught for easy outs. Both teams have struggled the past few innings to generate any offense, and the game may come down to which bullpen can hold up.

End 4: Canada 3, Colombia 1

Indigo Diaz is the new pitcher for Canada, replacing starter Michael Soroka, who pitched three innings, allowing four hits and one earned run, while striking out two. Diaz retired the side in order, and Canada also failed to score in the inning.

End 3: Canada 3, Colombia 1

Colombia scored their first run of the World Baseball Classic as they cashed in after Tito Polo’s double to center when Michael Arroyo’s second single of the day scored Polo.

Rio Gomez, the son of the late ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez, replaced Austin Bergner for Colombia. Bergner threw 33 pitches and was charged with two earned runs after replacing Julio Teherán, who did not make the start due to shoulder discomfort during his pregame workout.

Gomez was replaced after 22 pitches, giving up two hits and striking out one. His replacement, Emerson Martinez, hit Otto Lopez with his first pitch in relief to load the bases, and walked Abraham Toro to plate Canada’s third run.

End 2: Canada 2, Colombia 0

Owen Caissie, who played for the Chicago Cubs last season before being traded to the Miami Marlins in January, gets Canada on the board with a 2-run blast after Abraham Toro doubled with one out.

Caissie’s 403-foot home run came on a hanging breaking ball from emergency starter Austin Bergner.

End 1: Canada 0, Colombia 0

Colombia failed to strike early, and a wasted Michael Arroyo leadoff single to right against Canada starter Michael Soroka.

Arroyo stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but Arroyo was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice. Colombia’s offensive struggles continue, as they were 0-10 with runners in scoring position in a 5-0 loss to Puerto Rico to start the World Baseball Classic.

Austin Bergner replaced the scheduled starter, Julio Teherán, for Colombia; Canada could not do anything in their half of the inning.

How to watch Canada vs. Colombia WBC game

Time: 11 a.m. ET
TV channel: Fox Sports 2
Live stream: Fubo

Watch WBC live on Fubo

Canada starting lineup

Starter: RHP Mike Soroka

Edouard Julien, 2B
Josh Naylor, 1B
Tyler O’Neill, RF
Tyler Black, DH
Otto Lopez, SS
Abraham Toro, 3B
Bo Naylor, C
Owen Caissie, LF
Denzel Clarke, CF

Colombia lineup vs Canada

Starter: RHP Julio Teheran

Michael Arroyo, DH
Harold Ramírez, LF
Reynaldo Rodriguez, 1B
Donovan Solano, 2B
Gio Urshela, 3B
Jesus Marriaga, RF
Daniel Vellojin, C
Tito Polo, CF
Dayan Frias, SS

Colombia vs Canada prediction, odds

(Odds via BetMGM)

Colombia: +220
Canada: -275

Canada World Baseball Classic roster

Pitchers: Logan Allen, Micah Ashman, Phillippe Aumont, Jordan Balazovic, Eric Cerantola, Indigo Diaz, Antoine Jean, Carter Loewen, Adam Macko, James Paxton, Cal Quantrill, Noah Skirrow, Michael Soroka, Jameson Taillon, Matt Wilkinson, Rob Zastryzny

Catchers: Liam Hicks, Bo Naylor

Infielders: Tyler Black, Matt Davidson, Adam Hall, Edouard Julien, Otto Lopez, Josh Naylor, Abraham Toro

Outfielders: Owen Caissie, Denzel Clarke, Tyler O’Neill, Jacob Robson, Jared Young

Colombia WBC roster 2026

Pitchers: Elkin Alcala, Adrian Almeida, Austin Bergner, Danis Correa, Nabil Crismatt, Pedro Garcia, Rio Gomez, Yapson Gomez, Tayron Guerrero, David Lorduy, Emerson Martinez, Luis Patiño, Jose Quintana, Jhon Romero, Reiver Sanmartín, Julio Teheran, Guillo Zuñiga

Catchers: Jorge Alfaro, Elias Diaz, Carlos Martinez

Infielders: Michael Arroyo, Jordan Diaz, Dayan Frias, Reynaldo Rodriguez, Donovan Solano, Gio Urshela

Outfielders: Brayan Buelvas, Gustavo Campero, Harold Ramirez, Jesus Marriaga

WBC standings: Pool A

Entering Saturday’s games

Puerto Rico: 1-0
Cuba: 1-0
Canada: 0-0
Colombia: 0-1
Panama: 0-1

WBC schedule for Pool A

March 7: Colombia vs. Canada
March 7: Panama vs. Puerto Rico
March 8: Colombia vs. Cuba
March 9: Colombia vs. Panama
March 9: Cuba vs. Puerto Rico
March 10: Canada vs. Puerto Rico
March 11: Canada vs. Cuba

The new NFL league year – and start of free agency in 2026 – doesn’t begin until next week. But player migration is already well underway – DJ Moore, Trent McDuffie and Tytus Howard among the players set to move, all of them involved in trades this week that will become official on March 11. Several other notable names have already been released or will be after 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

But then the big one hit, the Raiders agreeing to send DE Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens on Friday night in exchange for two first-round selections. Talk about maxing out.

So who else is really going to be shuffling the deck in notable ways this offseason? The NFL draft, which kicks off on April 23, is the next significant player acquisition opportunity once the free agent market is fully picked over and is also a defining aspect of roster construction every spring. Here are seven teams to watch in the coming weeks given their potential to make massive splashes over the next two months (salary cap projections courtesy of Over The Cap):

Las Vegas Raiders

Perhaps you’d heard they secured the No. 1 pick of the 2026 draft – a selection that’s expected to finally reboot this franchise with the anticipated arrival of Heisman Trophy-winning QB Fernando Mendoza. Maybe you just heard they’re offloading Crosby, though the payout should go a long way toward alleviating the burden on Vegas’ new QB1.

Beyond that – just in case you’re not impressed by the star of the national champion Indiana Hoosiers? The Silver and Black will also be picking near the top of nearly every round of the draft − and twice in the first − and currently have a total of 11 selections. Also, a team that just hired coach Klint Kubiak from the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks’ staff, is projected to have more than $120 million in salary cap space – a figure further boosted with Crosby’s salary off the books. Now, it’s worth wondering if Kubiak will be targeting some of those Seahawks, pending free agents like WR/KR Rashid Shaheed and LB Boye Mafe among the possibilities.

Tennessee Titans

With the No. 4 pick of the draft, could they target Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, arguably the best college player available? Stay tuned, but the former Irish star and second-year QB Cam Ward could form quite the backfield. Yet well before the draft arrives, Tennessee should enjoy a major influx of talent given GM Mike Borgonzi has nearly $93 million worth of free agency funds at his disposal, currently the third most in the league – and the Titans certainly have numerous holes to fill.

New York Jets

Perhaps no team has more collective ability to influence free agency and the draft, during which the NYJ are scheduled to have four of the top 44 selections (two apiece in the first and second rounds) thanks to last year’s trade deadline deals of Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys and Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts. (Those transactions will also afford the Jets three first-round picks in 2027, which will also likely have a great deal of determination for how they operate this year.) Beyond that? Gang Green is also projected to have nearly $74 million in cap space, currently fifth most in the league. Little doubt the team’s roster should be significantly re-shaped in the coming months. The bigger question might be the Jets’ holistic approach given their reconstruction is clearly a multi-year process and likely won’t include the arrival of their next presumed franchise quarterback for another year.

Kansas City Chiefs

Their decision to send McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams caused the biggest pre-Crosby splash of this week, K.C. getting a first-round selection in return as part of the compensation. McDuffie’s departure amplifies a need at cornerback for the Chiefs, who could also lose Jaylen Watson in free agency. But having three of the top 40 picks also provides a fresh runway to reimagine this roster as needed – bolstered protection for QB Patrick Mahomes, who’s coming off December’s torn ACL, surely part of the calculus. GM Brett Veach has a middling $25 million or so in cap space, though a chunk of that would presumably go to TE Travis Kelce … if he agrees to return for a 14th season.

Los Angeles Chargers

Fairly rare to see a team coming off consecutive playoff appearances have nearly $100 million in available cap space – yet the Bolts did, GM Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh are flush with cash spilling out of their free agency war chest − even following Friday’s signing of C Tyler Biadasz. Expect the purse strings to be further loosened given this team is currently in need of two starting guards and faces the prospect of losing OLBs Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh.

Philadelphia Eagles

When isn’t EVP/GM Howie Roseman embedded in the roster-churning trenches? He currently has four picks among the draft’s top 100, including No. 23 overall and a pair in Round 3. But his haul would likely look significantly different if Philly trades WR A.J. Brown, Roseman reportedly seeking a first- and second-round pick in a compensation package. Unloading Brown’s contract, as it’s currently structured – his final guarantees due this year – would further hinder Philly’s ability to spend in free agency from a cap perspective, the Eagles only with about $12 million at present. But Roseman historically tends to prefer importing youngsters out of college rather than investing heavily in outside free agents, aside from some targeted exceptions.

New England Patriots

Last year’s offseason champs rode that mythical title all the way to Super Bowl 60. Expect the AFC champs to be active again as they try to further upgrade the supporting cast around league MVP runner-up Drake Maye – and, after all, that newly created void caused by WR Stefon Diggs’ release isn’t going to fill itself … and why the Pats have been heavily linked to Brown, given their need and coach Mike Vrabel’s pre-existing relationship with him from Tennessee. New England doesn’t have the same draft or financial capital that it did a year ago but is still in the top 10 in terms of cap space (nearly $44 million following the trade of C Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears) along with, at present, 11 draft picks, though only two are among the top 90.

Three down. One to go.

Fantasy baseball season is off and running with the last of four Leagues of Alternative Baseball Reality (LABR) on the way this weekend.

Twelve fantasy experts will gather in a virtual draft room on Saturday, March 7, for the LABR Mixed auction. The proceedings will be part of Baseball HQ’s annual First Pitch Online forum, which runs from Friday to Sunday (and includes panel discussions on the just-completed LABR AL and LABR NL auctions).

First Pitch attendees can even watch a livestream of the LABR Mixed auction.

In addition to seeing how some of the sharpest minds in the industry build their teams, fantasy managers will also get an idea of the relative player values to take to their own mixed-league drafts.

What is LABR?

The League of Alternative Baseball Reality is the original fantasy baseball experts league. LABR began in 1994, when Sports Weekly (then Baseball Weekly) fantasy editor John Hunt recruited 12 industry titans to draft and play in AL- and NL-only auction leagues.

LABR has since expanded to a Mixed league draft (in 2012) and a Mixed auction league (in 2020).

The Mixed league auction is comprised of 12 teams with 23-player active rosters (14 hitters, 9 pitchers) and six reserves. The leagues use 5×5 Rotisserie scoring (BA, R, HR, RBI, SB for hitters; W, ERA, WHIP, K, SV for pitchers).

Who is in the 2026 LABR Mixed auction?

The 2026 LABR Mixed auction, hosted by RTSports.com, will be held on Saturday, March 7, starting at 7:45 p.m. ET.

LIVE DRAFT GRID: https://www.rtsports.com/labr-mixed-auction

The list of LABR Mixed participants, in order of 2025 finish:

Ray Murphy, Baseball HQ (2023, 2025 champion)
Doug Anderson, Fantrax
Matt Martingale, Elias Sports
Shelly Verougstraete, Fantasy Feud podcast
Ariel Cohen, Beat the Shift podcast/ATC projections
Grey Albright, Razzball (2024 champion)
Carlos Marcano, Baseball Prospectus
Jeff Zimmerman, Fangraphs (2020, 2022 champion)
Eric Cross, Rotoballer/FTN
Ryan Hallam, Fantasy Alarm
Justin Mason, Friends With Fantasy Benefits
*Howard Bender, Fantasy Alarm/SiriusXM

* -Moving to LABR Mixed Auction from LABR NL

LABR 2026 draft schedule

LABR traditionally holds its drafts in early spring as a way to ‘set the bar’ for fantasy managers in their home leagues. The different formats offer insights on draft strategy, roster construction and player pool depth that are comparable to the most popular fantasy league options.

Here is the 2026 LABR lineup:

LABR Mixed draft: Monday, Feb. 23
LABR AL auction: Saturday, Feb. 28
LABR NL auction: Sunday, March 1
LABR Mixed auction: Saturday, March 7

Though the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is designed to produce a national champion, it’s just as effective at creating stars.

The stakes and pressure of a single-elimination tournament can turn once-anonymous figures who spent much of their careers toiling in obscurity into celebrities in an instant, with the fame from their one shining moment staying with them long after they’ve finished playing.

It’s not always players who are immortalized, either. There are coaches, of course, but also unsuspecting fans, student managers and even team chaplains.

The 2026 NCAA Tournament will tip off in just over a week, with 68 teams from across the country vying for a national championship — or, if not that, the chance to be remembered forever in the sport. Over three weeks of games, buzzers will be beaten, Goliaths will be toppled and cult heroes will be born.

As we prepare for the madness of this March, here’s a look back at some of the biggest NCAA Tournament legends over the past 30 years and what they’re up to now:

Biggest March Madness icons

Ali Farokhmanesh

Back then: Drained one of the biggest “no, no, yes!” shots in NCAA Tournament history, sinking a 3-pointer early in the shot clock rather than bleeding out the clock with a one-point lead and 35 seconds remaining in Northern Iowa’s 69-67 second-round win against No. 1 overall seed Kansas in 2010.

Now: After spending 11 seasons as an assistant at Nebraska, Drake and Colorado State, the 37-year-old Farokhmanesh is in his first season as Colorado State’s head coach. The Rams are 20-10 heading into their regular-season finale on Saturday, March 7.

Kris Jenkins

Back then: Jenkins delivered the exclamation point for maybe the most thrilling end to a national championship game in NCAA Tournament history, burying a 3-pointer as time expired to deliver Villanova a 77-74 victory over North Carolina in 2016. It was the Wildcats’ first national title since 1985.

Now: After a brief professional career overseas and in the G League, Jenkins returned to Villanova in February 2020 in a student-athlete development role. 

Bryce Drew

Back then: Drew hit one of the most famous buzzer-beaters ever in the NCAA Tournament, sinking a 3 following a great play off a full-court heave to lift No. 13 seed Valparaiso to a 70-69 upset over No. 4 seed Mississippi in 1998. He added 22 points in a second-round overtime win against Florida State, sending Valpo to its first and only Sweet 16 in program history.

Now: After playing six seasons in the NBA, he returned to Valparaiso, where he coached under his father, Homer, before succeeding him as head coach in 2011. He spent five seasons at Valpo before moving to Vanderbilt, where he was fired after three seasons. He’s currently in his sixth season as head coach at Grand Canyon, where he has gone 139-51.

Kevin Pittsnogle

Back then: The 6-foot-11, tattooed West Virginia native won the hearts of millions during the 2005 NCAA Tournament, when he led his home state university all the way to the Elite Eight behind his rare blend of size and outside shooting touch, as well as his unforgettable last name that became a verb for fans across the country. He returned to the Mountaineers the following year, averaging nearly 20 points per game and earning All-American honors.

Now: Pittsnogle bounced between jobs after a brief professional basketball career before earning his master’s degree in special education. He’s currently the principal at North Middle School in his hometown of Martinsburg, West Virginia.

D.J. Burns

Back then: No player embodied NC State’s stunning run to the 2024 Final Four as a No. 11 seed more than Burns, the 6-foot-9, 275-pound forward with a portly frame but immaculate footwork and touch around the basket. His March magic was highlighted by a 29-point performance against Duke in the Elite Eight, which sent the Wolfpack to their first Final Four since 1983.

Now: Despite his March Madness heroics, Burns went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. He played last season with the Goyang Sono Skygunners in South Korea and is now in his first season with Bnei Herzliya in Israel.

God Shammgod

Back then: With one of the most unforgettable names in college basketball history, Shammgod piloted a Providence team that made the Elite Eight as a No. 10 seed in 1997. He’s perhaps most known today for “the Shammgod,” a dribbling maneuver that bears his name.

Now: Shammgod played professional basketball for 12 years, primarily overseas, and is in his first season as an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic. He was previously an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks from 2019-25.

Jack Gohlke

Back then: Only a year removed from playing Division III ball, Gohlke led No. 14 seed Oakland to a shocking 80-76 win over No. 3 seed Kentucky in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, scoring a season-high 32 points while making 10 of his 20 3s.

Now: Gohlke has been playing professionally since leaving Oakland and is currently in his first season with the Texas Legends, the G League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks.

Tyus Edney

Back then: Edney was the catalyst of UCLA’s national championship run in 1995, driving the length of the court in 4.8 seconds for a game-winning layup as time expired in a 75-74 victory against Missouri in the second round of the tournament. The 5-foot-10 point guard later averaged 21.5 points per game in the Elite Eight and Final Four.

Now: Following a 15-year professional career, Edney got into coaching, serving as an assistant at UCLA and San Diego. He’s in his second season as an assistant at Pepperdine.

Spike Albrecht and Luke Hancock

Back then: Albrecht and Hancock traded baskets in a frenetic first half between Michigan and Louisville in the 2013 national championship game, combining for 33 points in the first half of the Cardinals’ 82-76 victory. Hancock, who finished with 22 points for Louisville, was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

Now: Albrecht played three more seasons for Michigan before transferring to Purdue for his final college season. He later served as a graduate assistant at Purdue and, interestingly enough, Louisville. He’s now the director of franchise development with the REP’M Group. Though his Louisville team had its title vacated by the NCAA, Hancock and four of his teammates successfully had all of their records, including Hancock’s Final Four MOP, restored in 2019 in a lawsuit settlement. He currently works as an analyst for the ACC Network.

Doug Edert

Back then: Edert averaged only 9.5 points per game for a Saint Peter’s team that made the 2022 NCAA Tournament, but he quickly became one of the sport’s biggest stars that March, when the 6-foot-2 guard with the wispy mustache came off the bench to score 20 points in the No. 15 seed Peacocks’ first-round upset over No. 2 seed Kentucky. He later helped Saint Peter’s become the first No. 15 seed to make the Elite Eight, where it fell to North Carolina.

Now: Edert transferred after the 2021-22 season and played his final two years of college ball at Bryant. He’s currently working as a basketball coach and trainer.

Steph Curry

Back then: Over a thrilling couple of weeks in March 2008, Curry went from being Dell Curry’s rail-thin son to one of the biggest, most recognizable stars in college basketball. The once-overlooked sharpshooter scored a combined 103 points while leading No. 10 seed Davidson to upset wins over Gonzaga, Georgetown and Wisconsin on its way to the Elite Eight, where it narrowly lost to eventual national champion Kansas in a matchup in which Curry had a game-high 25 points.

Now: Honestly not sure. Hopefully he still gets the chance to lace his sneakers up every now and then.

DULUTH, GA — No. 1 seed Duke held off No. 5 Notre Dame, 65-63, in the ACC semifinals on Saturday.

‘Let’s go!’ Blue Devils guard Taina Mair said with a flex as the Blue Devils walked off the court following a down-to-the-wire win over the Fighting Irish.

Duke advances to the ACC Tournament championship for the second season in a row after stopping Notre Dame three times on the final possession of the game. The Blue Devils will play the winner of the second semifinal, No. 3 UNC vs. No. 2 Louisville, at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The Blue Devils defense saved them when it counted most. Duke crashed the glass with 47 rebounds, forced 14 turnovers and had nine steals, making life tough for Notre Dame. Duke finished with three scorers in double-figures and shot 40% from the field. Taina Mair had 16 points and eight rebounds and Toby Fournier 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.

Hannah Hidalgo had a game-high 24 points to lead all scorers. Unfortunately, her Herculean effort, even hitting a massive pull-up transition 3-pointer with seconds left, wasn’t enough.

Notre Dame struggled to move the ball against Duke and couldn’t string enough possessions to pull off the upset. The Fighting Irish finished shooting just 38% from the floor.

Duke making a fourth-quarter push vs. Notre Dame

With just four minutes remaining in regulation, No. 1 seed Duke has scraped and clawed its way back to take the lead 59-56 with a chance to advance to the ACCA Tournament championship on the line. Still, Notre Dame isn’t going away. It’s gotten late contributions from Vanessa De Jesus and Cassandre Prosper to keep the Fighting Irish within an arm’s reach.

Third quarter: Notre Dame 49, Duke 46

Notre Dame held Duke to just eight points in the third quarter despite seven different players scoring throughout the matchup. The Blue Devils are shooting 37% after shooting 25% in the period. Duke also had six turnovers, giving Notre Dame 12 points from those turnovers.

Notre Dame hits back-to-back 3-pointers to take lead vs. Duke

Notre Dame’s Vanessa De Jesus and KK Bransford hit huge 3-pointers in the opening minutes of the third quarter to take a one-point lead over Duke, 41-40, at the 6:20 mark. It was just the Fighting Irish’s second and third made 3-pointers of the game.

Halftime: Duke 38, Notre Dame 31

Duke hasn’t been afraid to shoot the ball as it rides a seven-point lead into halftime. The Blue Devils are shooting 40% on 42 shots. Most of that work has been done in the paint (28 points). Duke has only made two of its 10 shots from deep. What’s keeping Duke ahead is the team’s defense, with 10 fastbreak points and seven steals.

Notre Dame has tried to keep pace with Duke by also shooting 40% from the field, but has found itself in foul trouble. The Fighting Irish can’t seem to get away from giving Duke and-1 opportunities. What’s more, starter Malaya Cowles has three fouls already and has only played 12 minutes. She did not score in her time on the court. Something else to keep an eye on: Notre Dame only has 1 assist to Duke’s 12 through the first half.

Hannah Hidalgo leads all scorers with 13 points, four rebounds and two steals.

Duke turning transition defense into offense

The Blue Devils’ defense is causing several issues for Notre Dame. Midway through the second quarter, Notre Dame has nine turnovers. Duke has scored eight points from the giveaways. The Blue Devils also have six steals.

First quarter: Duke 17, Notre Dame 11

Duke got out to a fast start, forcing Notre Dame to scramble defensively. However, the Fighting Irish eventually settled in to cut the Blue Devils’ once 10-point lead down to as little as two. Duke finished the quarter by adding to its lead, behind six points from Toby Fournier.

The Blue Devils are shooting 42% from the field with five turnovers. Notre Dame is led by Iyana Moore, who has nine points. The Fighting Irish are shooting 25% from the field with six turnovers.

Notre Dame responds to Duke’s run with quick points

Notre Dame finally got on the board with some quick scoring from Iyana Moore (7 points) and Hannah Hidalgo (4 points). The Fighting Irish cut into Duke’s lead, closing the score gap, 15-11.

Duke adds to scoring with 10-0 vs. Notre Dame

Duke opened the contest with a 10-0 run, forcing four Notre Dame turnovers.

Duke opens with a 6-0 run against Notre Dame

Less than two minutes into the contest, Duke scored six points. Taina Mair scored the game’s opening points with a putback basket, and Toby Fournier scored back-to-back layups, forcing a Notre Dame timeout with 8:21 remaining in the first.

Duke and Notre Dame get loose

The Blue Devils and Fighting Irish are preparing for today’s semifinal matchup. Both teams are getting up shots and getting loose as the game draws near.

Duke vs. Notre Dame starting lineups

These are the starting lineups for Duke and Notre Dame women’s basketball.

Duke Blue Devils starting lineup

Head coach: Kara Lawson

4 Riley Nelson | G 6-2 – Sophomore
3 Ashlon Jackson | G 6-0 – Senior
12 Delaney Thomas | F 6-3 – Junior
22 Taina Mair | G 5-9- Senior
35 Toby Fournier | F 6-2 – Sophomore

Notre Dame Fighting Irish starting lineup

Head coach: Niele Ivey

3 Hannah Hidalgo | G 5-6 – Junior
2 Vanessa De Jesus | G 5-8 – Senior
23 Iyana Moore | G 5-8 – Senior
8 Cassandre Prosper | G 6-3 – Senior
5 Malaya Cowles | F 6-3- Senior

Duke vs. Notre Dame Rosters

Here are the complete rosters for Duke women’s basketball and Notre Dame.

Duke Blue Devils Roster

2 Jadyn Donovan | G 6-0 – Junior
3 Ashlon Jackson | G 6-0 – Senior
4 Riley Nelson | G 6-2 – Sophomore
Emilee Skinner | G 6-0 – Freshman
12 Delaney Thomas | F 6-3 – Junior
13 Jordan Wood | F 6-4 – Junior
15 Emma Koabel G 5-11 – Senior
21 Arianna Roberson | C 6-4 – Red Shirt Freshman
22 Taina Mair | G 5-9- Senior
25 Anna Wikstrom | G 6-0 – Freshman
35 Toby Fournier | F 6-2 – Sophomore
42 Hailey Johnson | G 5-11 – Senior
53 Olivia Martin | G 5-6 – Senior

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Roster

1 Kelly Ratigan | G 5-8 – Junior
2 Vanessa De Jesus | G 5-8 – Senior
3 Hannah Hidalgo | G 5-6 – Junior
5 Malaya Cowles | F 6-3- Senior
8 Cassandre Prosper | G 6-3 – Senior
10 Bella Tehrani | F 6-3 – Senior
11 Jordyn Smith | G 5-6 – Senior
14 KK Bransford | G 5-11 – Senior
15 Luci Jensen | G 5-10 Sophomore
23 Iyana Moore | G 5-8 – Senior
30 Gisela Sanchez | F 6-4 – Senior
44 Leah Macy | F 6-2 Freshman

What time is Notre Dame vs. Duke?

Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: Noon ET
Location: Gas South Arena (Duluth, Georgia)

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish play the Duke Blue Devils in the first ACC semifinal game at noon ET Saturday, March 7 at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia.

Notre Dame vs. Duke: TV, streaming

TV: ESPN2
Stream: Sling TV

Baltimore traded two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders for edge rusher Maxx Crosby while looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season.
Recent seasons have ended in disappointment for the Ravens, including missing the playoffs in 2025.
The team’s defense, particularly its pass rush, has been a significant weakness despite talent elsewhere.

Welcome to Baltimore, Jesse Minter. The expectation is Super Bowl or bust.

That’s precisely the message the Baltimore Ravens sent when they agreed to send 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for standout edge rusher Maxx Crosby.

Minter, the first-year, defensive-minded head coach, is now tasked with elevating the Ravens to a place the franchise hasn’t been since February 3, 2013 – a Super Bowl.

Minter’s predecessor, John Harbaugh, won Super Bowl 47 as the Ravens head coach. But Harbaugh was fired this year because the Ravens had underachieved and flatlined in recent seasons. A three-year span included a home AFC championship game defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, a divisional round playoff road loss to the Buffalo Bills and the 2025 culmination of the Ravens missing the playoffs entirely.

Minter must coach the Ravens into winners, and fast.

However, the onus really falls on a talent-laden Ravens roster (and that’s even before any free agent acquisitions, contract extensions and draft picks).

Lamar Jackson and Ravens star players have underachieved at the most inopportune times.

A Zay Flowers fumble near the end zone in the AFC championship game. A Mark Andrews drop on a two-point conversion in addition to two turnovers by Jackson in the 2024 divisional round loss. There’s also Tyler Loop’s missed 44-yard field goal that sailed wide right in a win-or-go-home Week 18 contest against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

Loop’s errant field goal was a crushing blow to the Ravens’ 2025 season, but it was emblematic of the franchise’s recent failures in the biggest moments.

Ravens have upgraded their personnel. Can they upgrade their results?

Can Minter and his staff help Ravens players be at their best when their best is required?

The Ravens potentially have the most talented roster in the NFL.

Jackson, a two-time MVP, is still the most electric player in the league. Derrick Henry has rushed for 3,516 and 32 touchdowns in two seasons with the Ravens and still has plenty left in the tank. Flowers and Andrews are multi-time Pro Bowlers. The Ravens’ O-line ranked in the top 10 in pass block win rate last year.

Defense, as strange as it sounds to anyone who’s followed this team over the years, has been Baltimore’s Achilles heel. The Ravens finished tied with the Indianapolis Colts as the worst pass defense in the AFC last year and ranked 31st in pass defense in 2024 despite rostering Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton and Nate Wiggins. Baltimore’s inability to affect the quarterback was the main reason why the Ravens struggled on defense. The unit ranked 28th in pass rush win rate in 2025, per ESPN.

Yet, Crosby’s arrival significantly upgrades the Ravens at their most vulnerable area. Crosby has registered double-digit sacks in four of his seven seasons. The Ravens didn’t have an edge rusher produce more than 4.5 sacks in 2025, and the entire team only had 30 sacks, the fewest in more than a decade.

With Crosby, the Ravens successfully addressed their most glaring personnel need. Minter is under immense pressure to win immediately.

The Ravens already possess a Super Bowl-caliber roster. Now the responsibility is really on Jackson and the players to perform at their highest level when it matters the most.  

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

DULUTH, GA — The ACC Tournament action heats up in the semifinals on Saturday at Gas South Arena.

No. 5 Notre Dame steamrolled No. 4 NC State for the tournament’s first upset of the week on Friday. The Fighting Irish had 22 points in the third quarter to take a commanding lead and never looked back.

Now, Notre Dame and Hannah Hidalgo face No. 1 seed Duke and Toby Fournier for a chance to move on to the ACC Tournament championship on Sunday.

The Blue Devils advanced with three players in double figures. Fournier had a 17-point and 10-rebound double-double along with three blocks. Fournier’s last block tied her for 10th all-time in single-season blocks in Duke history.

The Blue Devils have nine ACC Tournament championships and are the defending champions. The Irish have won six tournament titles, with the last coming in 2024.

Duke turning transition defense into offense

The Blue Devils’ defense is causing several issues for Notre Dame. Midway through the second quarter, Notre Dame has nine turnovers. Duke has scored eight points from the giveaways. The Blue Devils also have six steals.

First quarter: Duke 17, Notre Dame 11

Duke got out to a fast start, forcing Notre Dame to scramble defensively. However, the Fighting Irish eventually settled in to cut the Blue Devils’ once 10-point lead down to as little as two. Duke finished the quarter by adding to its lead, behind six points from Toby Fournier.

The Blue Devils are shooting 42% from the field with five turnovers. Notre Dame is led by Iyana Moore, who has nine points. The Fighting Irish are shooting 25% from the field with six turnovers.

Notre Dame responds to Duke’s run with quick points

Notre Dame finally got on the board with some quick scoring from Iyana Moore (7 points) and Hannah Hidalgo (4 points). The Fighting Irish cut into Duke’s lead, closing the score gap, 15-11.

Duke adds to scoring with 10-0 vs. Notre Dame

Duke opened the contest with a 10-0 run, forcing four Notre Dame turnovers.

Duke opens with a 6-0 run against Notre Dame

Less than two minutes into the contest, Duke scored six points. Taina Mair scored the game’s opening points with a putback basket, and Toby Fournier scored back-to-back layups, forcing a Notre Dame timeout with 8:21 remaining in the first.

Duke and Notre Dame get loose

The Blue Devils and Fighting Irish are preparing for today’s semifinal matchup. Both teams are getting up shots and getting loose as the game draws near.

Duke vs. Notre Dame starting lineups

These are the starting lineups for Duke and Notre Dame women’s basketball.

Duke Blue Devils starting lineup

Head coach: Kara Lawson

4 Riley Nelson | G 6-2 – Sophomore
3 Ashlon Jackson | G 6-0 – Senior
12 Delaney Thomas | F 6-3 – Junior
22 Taina Mair | G 5-9- Senior
35 Toby Fournier | F 6-2 – Sophomore

Notre Dame Fighting Irish starting lineup

Head coach: Niele Ivey

3 Hannah Hidalgo | G 5-6 – Junior
2 Vanessa De Jesus | G 5-8 – Senior
23 Iyana Moore | G 5-8 – Senior
8 Cassandre Prosper | G 6-3 – Senior
5 Malaya Cowles | F 6-3- Senior

Duke vs. Notre Dame Rosters

Here are the complete rosters for Duke women’s basketball and Notre Dame.

Duke Blue Devils Roster

2 Jadyn Donovan | G 6-0 – Junior
3 Ashlon Jackson | G 6-0 – Senior
4 Riley Nelson | G 6-2 – Sophomore
Emilee Skinner | G 6-0 – Freshman
12 Delaney Thomas | F 6-3 – Junior
13 Jordan Wood | F 6-4 – Junior
15 Emma Koabel G 5-11 – Senior
21 Arianna Roberson | C 6-4 – Red Shirt Freshman
22 Taina Mair | G 5-9- Senior
25 Anna Wikstrom | G 6-0 – Freshman
35 Toby Fournier | F 6-2 – Sophomore
42 Hailey Johnson | G 5-11 – Senior
53 Olivia Martin | G 5-6 – Senior

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Roster

1 Kelly Ratigan | G 5-8 – Junior
2 Vanessa De Jesus | G 5-8 – Senior
3 Hannah Hidalgo | G 5-6 – Junior
5 Malaya Cowles | F 6-3- Senior
8 Cassandre Prosper | G 6-3 – Senior
10 Bella Tehrani | F 6-3 – Senior
11 Jordyn Smith | G 5-6 – Senior
14 KK Bransford | G 5-11 – Senior
15 Luci Jensen | G 5-10 Sophomore
23 Iyana Moore | G 5-8 – Senior
30 Gisela Sanchez | F 6-4 – Senior
44 Leah Macy | F 6-2 Freshman

What time is Notre Dame vs. Duke?

Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: Noon ET
Location: Gas South Arena (Duluth, Georgia)

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish play the Duke Blue Devils in the first ACC semifinal game at noon ET Saturday, March 7 at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia.

Notre Dame vs. Duke: TV, streaming

TV: ESPN2
Stream: Sling TV