Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder died in a car accident at age 23, one day before he was set to wear his new jersey number.
Coach Deion Sanders revealed Ponder had earned the No. 7 jersey after previously wearing No. 22.
The team plans to honor Ponder with a jersey patch but is deciding whether to use the number 7 or 22.

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders made his first extensive public comments about the recent death of Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder, revealing that Ponder had recently earned a new jersey number and was going to wear it for the first time on March 2, one day after he died in a car accident at age 23.

Sanders discussed Ponder’s death on his weekly talk show on Tubi which aired March 5. Ponder was a non-scholarship backup quarterback at Colorado who had spent two seasons in Boulder and had previously worn jersey No. 22, which is unusual for a quarterback.

But Sanders said he encouraged Ponder to fight for the right to wear a more coveted jersey number – No. 7. He was going to wear it when his team started spring practice March 2.

“He worked his butt off, and this season he was gonna wear No. 7,” Sanders said on the show “We Got Time Today.” “But the teammates love him so much. One of the kids came to my office today and said, `Coach, can I wear 22? You know, for my roommate?’ I said, ‘Yeah, but you know, he was getting ready to wear 7.’ Like, the next day, he would have been in 7 for his first time ever.”

Colorado still deciding which number to use on patch

The number change has presented Sanders’ team with a decision to make. The Buffaloes plan to honor Ponder’s memory with a patch on their jerseys, but is still deciding which number to use in it – the one Ponder was known for (22) or the one he worked hard to get (7).

“Everybody knows he’s 22,” Sanders said. “But I know how much 7 meant to him. So we’re going back and forth with that right now.”

What else did Deion Sanders say about Dominiq Ponder?

Sanders said Ponder was “one of my favorites” and a team leader. He also had a nickname for Ponder: “Black Flutie,” referring to white former quarterback Doug Flutie, who wore No. 22 at Boston College before switching to No. 7 in the NFL.

Sanders spoke with Ponders’ parents after his death.

“It was tough, because I’m like, you send a kid to college to become a man and to get education, and to just soar through life.,” Sanders said. “You don’t send a kid to college to lose him. And that’s the toughest thing for me to digest.”

Colorado held an emergency meeting on March 1 after learning of Ponders’ death and elected to start spring practice as scheduled March 2 instead of taking the day off.

“They said, `Dom would have wanted to practice, coach; He wasn’t missing no practice,’” Sanders said. “I said, `Wow.’ So we went out to work.”

Colorado continues spring practice through April 11 and begins the season at Georgia Tech on Sept. 3.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

The NFL is just days removed from its annual scouting combine − and is still a week away from the official start of free agency − and the landscape is already shifting significantly.

USA TODAY Sports confirmed the Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to deal All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a package of draft picks, including the 29th overall this year and a 2027 third-rounder. The deal immediately bolsters an LA secondary set to lose CBs Cobie Durant, Roger McCreary and Ahkello Witherspoon in free agency while giving K.C. valuable draft capital and cap space given McDuffie is owed $13.6 million (the fifth-year option of his rookie deal) in 2026 and will need a lucrative extension, too, if the Rams plan to keep him off the free agent market in 2027.

The trade market continued to cook Thursday, when the Chicago Bears agreed to trade WR DJ Moore and a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a second-rounder.

As for the draft? Those blockbusters will likely create a ripple effect throughout Round 1 given the Chiefs’ added firepower, Rams’ relinquishment of their own − and an apparent alteration of what seemed like an update in Buffalo.

Here’s an updated version of our post-combine mock draft:

1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

He didn’t work out in Indy. Didn’t have to. When you’re 6-foot-5, 236 pounds, paced FBS with 41 TD passes, process like a microchip and just led your school to a magical national championship? Heck, there’s virtually nothing Mendoza can do at this point to help his football résumé – though interactions with reporters and his fellow combine attendees continued to burnish his reputation as an outstanding person and teammate. (And good news − now he doesn’t have to contend with McDuffie twice a year!) The Jets are basically on the clock.

2. New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech

The Stanford grad came into his own with the Big 12 champion Red Raiders in 2025, tying for first in the FBS with 14½ sacks while leading the field with a 20.2% pressure percentage and mixing in 19½ tackles for losses. Bailey is scheme diverse, which could also be a boon for a team switching to a three-man front and one that just offloaded DE Jermaine Johnson II, who was optimal for Tennessee’s 4-3 defense.

3. Arizona Cardinals – OLB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Arizona is the proverbial team that could be at least a year away from being a year away − and maybe two years away from being a year away after QB Kyler Murray confirmed March 3 that the team will release him. But if there was a quarterback worthy of the No. 3 overall pick … then the Jets would have taken him at No. 2. And that means Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort, who traded out of the opportunity to take future All-Pro DE Will Anderson Jr. in 2023, probably needs to be in the business of accumulating blue-chip players – and Reese projects as one. The Micah Parsons comparisons are obviously premature, but Reese, who turns 21 in August, has plenty of time to develop into a full-time pass rusher and maybe justify the comp one day. And getting to the quarterback is especially important in the NFC West, where the Cards are looking way up at their competition right now.

4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

What’s the best way to advance the development of QB Cam Ward, last year’s No. 1 overall pick? How about giving him a player perhaps adjacent to Saquon Barkley or Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs in terms of game-breaking ability and versatility? Love is an every-down back, one who’s averaged 6.9 yards per carry and caught 55 passes over the past two seasons. The Titans could keep his usage in check as a rookie with RB Tony Pollard under contract for one more season. But pairing Love and Ward could potentially create an offense primed to surge ticket sales when the Titans move into their new stadium in 2027.

5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Arguably the star of this year’s combine given the freakish traits (4.46 40-yard dash, 43½-inch vertical leap) he put on display Thursday, the 6-foot-5, 244-pound converted safety could immediately take over the middle of a front-loaded defense – and new Giants coach John Harbaugh is certainly accustomed to having an athletic and cerebral monster orchestrating that side of the ball.

6. Cleveland Browns – OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

A three-year starter for the Hurricanes at right tackle, the 6-foot-6, 329-pound mauler could be the perfect foundation for a team that needs to rebuild its offensive line – which is the primary offseason priority, whether or not GM Andrew Berry and first-year coach Todd Monken revisit the quarterback position. Monken indicated at the combine that improved blocking was paramount in Cleveland, and the team’s pending acquisition of Tytus Howard − he’s played every O-line position but center in the NFL − doesn’t preclude taking Mauigoa.

7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Is he the best defender in this draft? Arguably. Can he play exceptionally in the slot, box or center field? Yep. And Washington could need a leader who can make plays behind the line given the potential departure of LB Bobby Wagner, who will be 36 next season, in free agency.

8. New Orleans Saints – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

The latest ready-made wideout product emerging from the Buckeyes’ pipeline, he and fellow Ohio Stater Chris Olave would give second-year QB Tyler Shough quite a tandem – and Olave needs the help given Rashid Shaheed was New Orleans’ second-most productive wideout in 2025 … despite getting traded halfway through the season.

9. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

Almost certainly the premier corner available this year, the 6-foot, 187-pound All-America approximates McDuffie’s size and has lockdown ability that should eventually allow coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to deploy him in multiple schemes and against just about any kind of receiver imaginable. McDuffie was known for his ability to man the slot, an area where Delane was rarely used at Virginia Tech and LSU − but even McDuffie mostly lined up wide the past two seasons.

10. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)

Much has been made about his short arms, but they didn’t stop him from being extremely productive – often against NFL-caliber offensive tackles – for the ‘Canes. Bain bulled his way to 9½ sacks and 15½ TFLs last season and was a menace during the College Football Playoff. Cincinnati could certainly use pass rush help, especially with DE Trey Hendrickson now officially liberated and able to depart during free agency.

11. Miami Dolphins – OT Spencer Fano, Utah

A rebuilding team could go in any number of directions, and free agency will certainly further shape rookie GM Jon-Eric Sullivan’s roster-altering strategy. But the offensive line is always a logical place to start, particularly given the issues this one has had in recent years. Fano played both tackle spots for the Utes but almost exclusively on the right side the past two years. He’d probably be a significant upgrade over Fins RT Austin Jackson, who’s only under contract for one more year anyway, though Fano is willing to play guard (or center) if needed.

12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

A torn ACL cost him the entire 2025 season, but McCoy was practicing by the end of it and will be 20 months removed from the injury by the time Week 1 rolls around. DaRon Bland is the only proven corner on what will be a reimagined Dallas D in 2026, and McCoy would be a welcome addition – especially given how the board falls in this scenario.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – WR Denzel Boston, Washington

Obviously zero need now to reach for a corner here with McDuffie inbound. LA had the league’s No. 1 passing game in 2025 – in large part due to Puka Nacua’s heroics. But Davante Adams, 33, was the only other productive wideout and battled injuries late in the season and is only under contract for one more year. Boston (6-4, 212) is the kind of supersized red-zone target (20 TD catches since 2024) and boundary receiver who could provide an easy transition from Adams while perfectly complementing Nacua.

14. Baltimore Ravens – DL Caleb Banks, Florida

Injuries decimated this team’s line in 2025, and the future of Pro Bowler Nnamdi Madubuike very much remains in doubt after he suffered a neck injury early last season. Banks (6-6, 327), who missed much of last fall with a broken foot, is monstrously huge and talented with freaky movement skills but also a bit raw. But he is the kind of player who could help new head coach Jesse Minter re-establish Baltimore’s historical defensive dominance.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

The first tight end in combine history to record a sub-4.4 40, Sadiq, who also had a 43½-inch vert, certainly made some money over the past few days. He’d not only give QB Baker Mayfield another downfield weapon, this offense might need a partial reload with WR Mike Evans and TE Cade Otton currently unsigned for 2026.

16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – WR Makai Lemon, USC

With the pick obtained in last year’s trade of CB Sauce Gardner, New York must continue to build out an infrastructure and talent base with which to surround its next potential franchise quarterback – who probably won’t arrive before 2027. The Jets got very little production from the wideout position in 2025 for a variety of reasons, including Garrett Wilson missing 10 games. Lemon, a run-after-catch dynamo who typically works out of the slot, has been widely compared to fellow Trojan Amon-Ra St. Brown, whom the Jets’ Aaron Glenn coached alongside in Detroit.

17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

LT Taylor Decker plans to return for his 11th season in Motown, but it’s time to lay the groundwork for a succession plan. Freeling, who’s 21, may be the best pure left tackle prospect in this draft, and his potential was evident in Sunday’s drills. But with only 16 college starts, replacing retired Dan Skipper as the swing tackle while apprenticing behind Decker would make sense. And, don’t forget, the Lions plucked starting RG Tate Ratledge out of Athens a year ago.

18. Minnesota Vikings – S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Similar situation in the Twin Cities, where mainstay S Harrison Smith, 37, may or may not return for a 15th NFL campaign. But even if Smith comes back, pairing him with Thieneman in the short term would make sense before ultimately turning control of the defense over to the Ducks All-American. One of the combine’s standouts, Thieneman is a rangy player who can be weaponized all over the field.

19. Carolina Panthers – DT Peter Woods, Clemson

A gifted lineman who has yet to approach his maximum potential, something of a microcosm of the NFC South champions. Woods would certainly upgrade a D-line anchored by Derrick Brown, whose own ability and leadership could also help to fully unlock the All-ACC performer.

20. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – OLB/DE T.J. Parker, Clemson

Dallas is transitioning to a 3-4 front this year under new coordinator Christian Parker but only has two notable edge rushers, 2025 second-rounder Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Houston, under contract going into next season – and no second-round pick in this year’s draft. T.J. Parker’s production dipped from 2024 to ’25, but he’s got more heft than Ezeiruaku and could be a nice complement with plenty of runway to become a really good one.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Could the draft’s host team take a young quarterback to build around in the future? Sure. Is it the best move in a seemingly weaker QB class – especially if the Steelers want to give Aaron Rodgers, assuming he returns, the best chance to take this organization further in 2026? Of course not. The lack of receiving depth behind DK Metcalf was apparent last season but especially so during his late-season suspension. Tyson, a two-time All-Big 12 choice, is a complete package – and one who was coached at ASU by Steelers legend Hines Ward.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Arguably the best blocker in this draft, why wouldn’t the 6-foot-4, 320-pound road grader – one with high RPMs who lined up at tight end in some packages – be coveted by a team that so values its offensive line? And that could be particularly true at a time when the Bolts might need three new starters between the tackles.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)

They didn’t generate nearly the same level of pressure in 2025 as they did during their Super Bowl run the year before. Jalyx Hunt was the only consistent edge rusher last year, which is why GM Howie Roseman rolled the dice on a midseason trade for pending free agent Jaelan Phillips. Mesidor will be 25 by draft night but could provide instant production – for a team that should be an instant contender – after leading the ACC with 12½ sacks in 2025, including 5½ in the CFP.

24. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

Monken’s offense needs more than an overhauled O-line. If QB Shedeur Sanders is to have any shot at developing into a long-term starter here, he not only needs better protection but also more weaponry in the passing game. Cooper was Mendoza’s leading receiver for the Hoosiers last year, and his ability to give Sanders a reliable target out of the slot would be potentially be quite beneficial to Cleveland.

25. Chicago Bears – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

Need a Monster of the Midway? How about a 6-foot-4, 200-pound DB with a penchant for big hits and finding the ball? And it certainly seems like the Bears might be in dire need of safety help with All-Pro Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker headed for the open market.

As for Moore’s departure, it probably shouldn’t come as a huge surprise − even though he caught two epic touchdown passes to beat the Packers at Soldier Field twice last season. But, overall, Moore wasn’t necessarily a hand-in-glove fit in Ben Johnson’s offense. And given the presence of 2024 first-round WR Rome Odunze plus Luther Burden’s encouraging rookie year last season, Chicago doesn’t need to reach or prioritize backfilling Moore with a premium pick in a deep receiver draft − especially given the holes developing elsewhere on the roster (including center).

26. Buffalo Bills – DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

The arrival of Moore means GM Brandon Beane doesn’t have to overdraft a wideout here − which is probably what he would have had to do, in a stick-and-pick situation, given none of the best ones were likely to fall this far (despite his Carnell Tate musings at the combine). But the intriguing Faulk, a gem in need of some polish, can fill another area of concern. He should be a three-down player who can kick inside on passing downs. He has a reputation as being an excellent locker-room presence, always a huge plus, and would soften the blow given the likelihood DE Joey Bosa won’t be back in 2026.

27. San Francisco 49ers – OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

GM John Lynch admitted last week that he and Trent Williams, 37, are trying to find a financial compromise that keeps the legendary left tackle on the roster in 2026. But even if Williams plays another season, the Niners might be wise to get a replacement in house and – in Lomu’s case – a year to strengthen his 6-foot-6, 313-pound frame might be helpful.

28. Houston Texans – OT Blake Miller, Clemson

The All-ACC right tackle could solidify the protection in front of QB C.J. Stroud by becoming a long-term answer on an O-line that’s been in a state of flux for some time − and is now exporting Howard and Juice Scruggs. Durable, Miller averaged better than 900 snaps during three seasons for the Tigers and can play on the left side in a pinch.

29. Chiefs (from Rams) – OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

This had seemed like a perfect landing spot for Alabama QB Ty Simpson, who might have apprenticed for a year or two – or three – under league MVP Matthew Stafford before potentially taking the reins. Now, maybe Simpson could fill in early for Patrick Mahomes … nope. Nope. Maybe Simpson lands elsewhere in the first round, but it certainly won’t be in K.C.

Yet Mahomes has suffered the highest sack percentage of his nine-year career over the past two seasons and went down a career-worst six times in K.C.’s Super Bowl 59 loss. As he tries to return in time for this year’s regular-season opener, despite rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered last December, upgrading his protection seems imperative – especially given the pending release of RT Jawaan Taylor for performance and compensation reasons, plus the fact that Jaylon Moore didn’t wrest a starting OT job in 2025. Iheanachor isn’t a finished product but is a gifted athlete − one who might only need a bit of time (and ace tutelage from Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck) to displace Moore for the primary right tackle job opposite 2025 first-rounder Josh Simmons while vastly improving the odds Mahomes won’t continue running for his life in 2026.

30. Denver Broncos – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

He has average size (6-0, 196) but elite short-area burst and quickness that could make him an ideal complement to Courtland Sutton in Denver’s passing game.

31. New England Patriots – OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

The Pats have several needs and options − and don’t be surprised if they’re on the move, up or down − though it sure seems likely they fill their newly formed Stefon Diggs void somehow during free agency. But the obvious issue for the AFC champs during the playoffs was protecting QB Drake Maye, who was sacked 21 times in four postseason games, including six times by the Seahawks in Super Bowl 60. RT Morgan Moses is under contract for two more years but also just turned 35. Proctor can block out the sun yet is an impressively nimble athlete at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds. He might remind Patriots fans of former Tom Brady bouncer Trent Brown and could also help launch an already strong ground game to a stratospheric level.

32. Seattle Seahawks – RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

While they’d certainly like to keep Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, it also didn’t sound at the combine like the reigning champs were going to pull out all the financial stops in order to keep him at the expense of other priorities − and Walker wasn’t tagged by the Seahawks on Tuesday. But Seattle doesn’t have the luxury of standing pat in the run game, either, given RB2 Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in January. Price is a slasher who starred in a timeshare with Love at Notre Dame and could nicely fill Walker’s role – maybe Shaheed’s, too, if the Seahawks’ can’t re-sign their pivotal return ace, either.

An ESPN investigation published Thursday morning details a scandal that has enveloped the men’s basketball program at California State University-Bakersfield. Kevin Mays, a former temporary assistant coach under former head coach Rod Barnes, is alleged to have operated as a pimp across California, Nevada, Washington and Oregon.

Barnes reportedly opened an anonymous email on Aug. 29 from a tipster — believed to be a sex worker — titled ‘IMPORTANT MESSAGE 911 911.’

‘HE IS TRAFFICKING A GIRL BY THE NAME OF [redacted],’ the email in all caps read, according to police records. ‘HE HAS BEEN TRAFFICKING THIS GIRL SINCE MAY.’ The sender also reportedly added ‘FIX IT OR THE WHOLE STAFF WILL FALL,’ before saying the email served as a ‘first warning and a final warning.’

Barnes reportedly forwarded the email to the university’s human resources department, which then sent it up the ladder to university police, which began an investigation that led to charges against Mays.

The Bakersfield Police Department confirmed their contributions to ESPN’s initial reporting to USA TODAY Sports on Thursday through public affairs and communications manager Sally Selby. USA TODAY Sports has also reached out to Barnes and the Cal State Bakersfield athletic department for additional comment.

According to the case file, Mays has been incarcerated since Sept. 12 and is facing a laundry list of felony sex offense charges, including sending and selling obscene matter depicting minors.

Mays played for the Roadrunners under Barnes from 2014-16 and according to ESPN, joined the athletic department in 2019 as a player development coordinator.

‘These types of crimes often hide in plain sight,’ Selby told USA TODAY Sports. ‘We will continue to work with our partners to identify traffickers, support survivors, and hold offenders accountable.’

In the aftermath of the scandal, the school announced the departure of athletic director Kyle Conder on Sept. 8. Barnes — who had been the head coach at Cal State Bakersfield for 14 years dating back to 2011 — stepped down from his role weeks later on Sept. 24.

Winning the national championship in women’s college basketball is no easy task. A team needs talented players, a smart coach and, often, a bit of luck.

But measuring talent, evaluating coaches and predicting when that luck might come through can be difficult. It’s a lot easier to lean on the data.

So, to predict what team might win the national title this season, let’s dive into the numbers.

Every champion since 2010 has ranked no worse than fourth in Her Hoop Stats Rating, which is what a team’s expected scoring margin per 100 possessions would be against an average team. For example, Vanderbilt is seventh in HHS Rating with a mark of 40.7 this season.

Additionally, among those 15 champions, all but four have ranked in the top 30 in rebounds per game in the year they won the title. And all but two ranked in the top 20 of opponent effective field goal percentage ― a sign they were really good at defending.

Gary Blair’s 2011 Texas A&M team was the only real outlier when considering these three stats, ranking 104th nationally in rebounding and 93rd in EFG defense. Muffet McGraw’s 2018 Notre Dame had poor EFG defense too, ranking 163rd. South Carolina’s 2017 squad and UConn’s champions in 2016 and 2025 weren’t all that great rebounding.

But often, the numbers don’t lie. Efficiency, rebounding and defense typically wins championships in women’s college basketball.

With those metrics in mind, let’s rank the teams who have the potential to win it all in 2026. And a special thanks to Her Hoop Stats for the data.

Michigan, Vanderbilt, Iowa, Texas and Duke

While the eye test tells us these five teams are contenders, the numbers do not.

Again, let’s remember what we’re looking for when trying to identify the champion: Top four in HHS Rating, top 30 in rebounding and top 20 in EFG defense.

Michigan is sixth in HHS Rating, 42nd in rebounding and 209th in EFG defense. Iowa is 10th in HHS Rating, 90th in rebounding and 244th in EFG defense. And Vanderbilt, despite having a Player of the Year candidate in Mikayla Blakes and a Coach of the Year candidate in Shea Ralph, are seventh in HHS Rating, 212th in rebounding and 273rd in EFG defense.

With apologies to the Wolverines, Hawkeyes and Commodores, the rebounding and defense aren’t good enough this season.

The same is almost true for the Texas Longhorns. While they do meet the mark of being in the top four of HHS Rating, they’re 91st in rebounding and 57th in EFG defense.

And while Duke has one of the best defenses in the country — with an EFG defense that ranks 17th nationally — they’re 43rd in rebounding and ninth in HHS Rating.

Oklahoma, TCU and LSU

These three teams are outside of the top four in HHS Rating — LSU is fifth, TCU eighth and Oklahoma 13th — but they meet the marks in the other two areas.

LSU is the most impressive, as Kim Mulkey’s squad is second nationally in rebounding with 48.9 boards per game and sixth in EFG defense, allowing their opponents to shoot just a 39.8% clip in that area.

TCU ranks first nationally in EFG defense with a 37.8% mark and is 27th in rebounding at 41.3 boards per game. Oklahoma is third in rebounding with 48.7 rebounds per game and also owns the eighth-best EFG defense at 40.1%.

UConn and UCLA

All season long, these teams have been the best teams in the country. And indeed, the Huskies and Bruins are first and second in HHS Rating.

However, just like last season, UConn’s rebounding numbers aren’t all that great. The Huskies are 183rd nationally in rebounds per game with 36.7.

For the Bruins, their rebounding numbers are great, ranking eighth with 43 boards per game. But UCLA’s EFG defense isn’t quite where they would want it to be to line up historically with past champions, as it ranks 26th with a mark of 41.2%.

South Carolina

Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks are the only team this season that meet all three of the criteria. They are third in HHS Rating, 12th in rebounding with 42.6 boards per game, and third in EFG defense at 38.6%.

South Carolina has the offense, defense, rebounding and efficiency to be national champions, which would be the fourth title for Staley.

But can the Gamecocks beat a UConn team armed with Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd? Can they get past a UCLA team that features 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts and a host of talented guards and 3-point shooters?

Well, that’s why they play the games. We might find out at the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic kicks into full fear on Friday, March 6 with eight games beginning at 5 a.m. ET and going all the way through the night for fans in the United States.

Japan begins its championship defense at the Tokyo Dome in the first game, with most of the field also playing its first games of the tournament. Team USA starts its campaign facing Brazil in Houston at 8 p.m. ET, hoping for another deep run after finishing runner-up in 2023.

USA TODAY Sports is on the ground covering the 2026 World Baseball Classic, bringing you behind the scenes with Team USA, Shohei Ohtani and baseball’s biggest global stars.

Keep up with the latest scores and news all the way through the grand finale in Miami to decide the WBC championship. Sign up for our daily sports newsletter to get the biggest storylines straight to your inbox.

Stay tuned for live updates and highlights:

Buy 2026 WBC tickets

World Baseball Classic scores on March 6

Stream the World Baseball Classic on Fubo

5 a.m. – Japan vs. Chinese Taipei, Tokyo (Tokyo Dome) on FS1
11 a.m. – Cuba vs. Panama, San Juan (Hiram Bithorn Stadium) on FS2
12 p.m. – Netherlands vs. Venezuela, Miami (LoanDepot Park) on Tubi
1 p.m. – Mexico vs. Great Britain, Houston (Daikin Park) on FS1
6 p.m. – Puerto Rico vs. Colombia, San Juan (Hiram Bithorn Stadium) on FS1
7 p.m. – Nicaragua vs. Dominican Republic, Miami (LoanDepot Park) on FS2
8 p.m. – USA vs. Brazil, Houston (Daikin Park) on Fox
10 p.m. – Chinese Taipei vs. Czechia, Tokyo (Tokyo Dome) on FS2

How the World Baseball Classic works

The 20 teams are divided into four groups. They are:

Pool A (San Juan): Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba, Canada, Colombia
Pool B (Houston): United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil
Pool C (Tokyo): Japan, South Korea, Australia, Czechia, Chinese Taipei
Pool D (Miami): Venezuela, Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua

Teams play one game each against the other four teams in their pool. The top two teams from each pool advance to the knockout rounds in Houston and Miami. Teams are re-seeded after the quarterfinals.

Teams that remain tied in the standings following round robin play will be seeded based on the following criteria:

Head-to-head performance between the teams who are tied
Fewest runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games between the tied teams
Fewest earned runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games between the tied teams
Highest batting average in games between the tied teams.
Drawing of lots conducted by WBCI

Pool play games will occur from March 4 to March 11. Quarterfinals begin on March 13. The semifinals begin March 15.

The championship game is set for March 17 in Miami.

This isn’t about Miami (Ohio) and its 30-0 record against a soft schedule.

This is about Auburn basketball’s collapse, and instead of owning up to his part in it, Bruce Pearl made the RedHawks out to be the scapegoat.

All Miami has done is beat 30 consecutive opponents. What’s Auburn (16-14) done? Well, it lost seven of its last nine, as Aubie fights to keep his head above .500.

Somehow, Auburn’s position on the NCAA men’s tournament bubble is all Miami’s fault, that mid-major that just keeps beating everybody on its schedule.

“Here’s the deal. Are we going to select the 68 most deserving teams? Or are we going to select the 68 best teams?’ Pearl said this week from his spot in the TNT studio.

Pearl’s stance: If Miami loses even one single game and fails to win its conference tournament, it shouldn’t receive an at-large bid to the tournament.

He subsequently stumped for Auburn’s credentials.

What’s this all about?

Nepotism, of course. A tale as old as time.

Pearl’s son, Steven, coaches Auburn — in part, because Pearl helped him get the job, a fact he admits.

Pearl kept Auburn in limbo leading up to this season: Would he coach? Would he run for political office? Would he retire?

He chose retirement, but not until six weeks before the season tipped off. His timing helped ensure Auburn would promote his son from associate coach to the head chair, while the elder Pearl shifted into an ambassador role and a special assistant to athletic director John Cohen.

Bruce Pearl admits to nepotism, helping Steven Pearl

Pearl, though, insists he’s not acting from a place of bias when he polishes Auburn.

“That’s objectively how I feel,” he told OutKick.

Pearl, an experienced liar, might think that’s the case, but the truth is, we cannot possibly know how he’d objectively feel about this situation. Let us reiterate: Pearl coached Auburn for many years. He remains on Auburn’s payroll. His son coaches Auburn.

Does this sound like someone who could be objective?

“Am I rooting for son to make the NCAA Tournament? Of course I am!” Pearl said to OutKick. “Did I help my son get the job? Nepotism? Of course I did!”

Well, you said it.

No shame in rooting for your son, and Pearl is hardly the first coach to grease the wheels of nepotism. But, please, spare us from pretending you’re unbiased in this debate.

Miami (Ohio) athletic director calls Bruce Pearl’s remarks ‘disgusting’

Auburn is currently listed as the last team in the field in USA TODAY’s latestbracket projection, while Miami (Ohio) is projected into the field as a No. 11 seed.

Indefatigable, Pearl kept his barrage of barbs coming at Miami (Ohio). He told Barstool he thought it possible the RedHawks would be in last place if they played in the Big East, which is experiencing the worst season of any of the major conferences.

David Sayler, the athletic director at Miami (Ohio), fired back that Pearl’s denigration of the RedHawks was “disgusting.”

At the very least, it’s blatantly biased, but none of it changes that the RedHawks are flourishing, and Auburn is suffering after Pearl’s ill-timed retirement and the Tigers’ subsequent nepo-hire.

Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

Teams on the NCAA men’s tournament bubble face a crucial final weekend of the regular season.
Key matchups include VCU at Dayton, Indiana at Ohio State, and Auburn at Alabama.
While this is the last regular season chance, conference tournaments offer another opportunity to impress the selection committee.

Teams still out to prove they belong in the NCAA men’s tournament have one final shot to impress in the last weekend of the regular season, and there are plenty of opportunities up for grabs.

Every team on the bubble in the latest USA TODAY Sports Bracketology plays one more scheduled contest, and most of them aren’t just playing a game, but going against opponents that can significantly alter their resume. Ranked foes, conference leads and fellow bubble members can very well change the tournament picture a week before the bracket is revealed.

This won’t be the last chance to impress the March Madness selection committee with conference tournaments on the horizon, but every result is magnified, and momentum could be just the secret sauce needed to go on one last run that leaves no doubt about making it on Selection Sunday.

Virginia Commonwealth at Dayton

Time/TV: Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Currently among the first four out, VCU gets a rare conference Quad 1 game at Dayton, giving the Rams an opportunity to improve their 1-5 mark in the category. A win could push VCU into the last four in range, and they can get a share of the Atlantic 10 championship with a victory and a Saint Louis loss to George Mason. However, the Flyers are hot, winners of six in a row, which includes a defeat of Saint Louis. Lose and the Rams likely need to win the conference tournament to make the NCAA field.

No. 20 Miami (Ohio) at Ohio

Time/TV: Friday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2

One of the most-discussed teams in the country, Miami (Ohio) is one win away from a perfect regular season, yet there’s still debate if it deserves to be in the tournament without an automatic bid. The RedHawks defeating the Bobcats would likely lock up a spot by pushing their record to 31-0. Since March Madness expanded in 1985, no team has ever had a perfect regular season and didn’t make the bracket. The critics could be silenced and the rest of the bubble teams will be rooting for Miami to get the auto spot so it doesn’t have to worry about another MAC team stealing a bid..

New Mexico at Utah State

Time/TV: Saturday, 4 p.m., Mountain West Network

The Lobos are holding onto a projected spot by a thread after a Senior Day loss to Colorado State was the second Quad 3 defeat of the season – a major no-no at this point of the calendar. The defeat can be rectified, but it comes in the biggest game of the year at Mountain West-leading Utah State. The Aggies are tough at home with a 13-1 record in Logan, and New Mexico was badly beaten by them on Feb. 4. A win will keep the Lobos afloat, but another loss surely makes way for someone to take their place.

Indiana at Ohio State

Time/TV: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET, Fox

A major Big Ten bubble battle. The Hoosiers are the first team on the wrong side of the cutline, coming off a dominant win at Minnesota to snap a four game skid. It’s a Quad 1 chance at Ohio State – a type of win Indiana needs since it has a disastrous 2-10 record in the category. An impressive road victory could get it on the right side of the tournament outlook, but another lose could really make it bleak. The Buckeyes pretty much wrapped up a tournament spot last week after beating Purdue, but doesn’t want to test its fate.

Auburn at No. 16 Alabama

Time/TV: Saturday, 8:30 p.m., ESPN

Another hot topic team, Auburn is the last team in the field and it will have to really earn that spot playing against rival Alabama. Even though the Tigers have an ugly 16-14 record, their four Quad 1 wins can’t be dismissed and getting a fifth one − on the road against a ranked foe − would be noteworthy. However, Alabama has been really clicking recently and beat their in-state enemy already this season. Should Auburn lose for the eighth time in 10 contests, it’ll be hard to justify they belong, even if Bruce Pearl continues to shout from mountain tops.

Other bubble games to watch

All times Eastern

Friday

Central Florida at West Virginia (8 p.m., CBS Sports Network): A pair of bad losses have UCF reeling and in need of a win to avoid being a double-digit seed.

Saturday

No. 19 Arkansas at Missouri (12 p.m., ESPN): With a rough NET ranking of 60, Missouri could use a ranked victory to stay away from being in the last four in range.
Cincinnati at TCU (2 p.m., TNT/truTV): Back from the dead, Cincinnati can continue its climb toward the conversation with another road victory against a tournament team.
SMU at Florida State (2 p.m., ACC Network): The Mustangs have lost three in a row and cannot afford falling to upstart Florida State if they wish to stay away from the First Four.
California at Wake Forest (4 p.m., ACC Network): Plenty of work still needed from the Golden Bears, and improving a 4-5 Quad 1 record is a necessary step.
Texas A&M at LSU (6 p.m., SEC Network): After a much-needed win over Kentucky, the Aggies can’t fall against a SEC cellar-dweller if it wants to find a much more secure spot.
UCLA at Southern California (9 p.m., FS1): Another top-10 win has UCLA back on solid ground, and it needs to take advantage of its reeling rival.

The NCAA is appealing a court ruling that granted Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss eligibility for the 2026 season.
If the NCAA wins its appeal, Ole Miss’s chances of reaching the College Football Playoff could be significantly diminished.
Without Chambliss, the Rebels would rely on a less experienced quarterback room, potentially impacting their season’s outcome.

The NCAA has a bone in its mouth, everyone. And it’s not letting go. 

Not for Tom Mars or any other attorney brazenly judge shopping to rig the system. And certainly not for Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, no matter how inspiring his story. 

But here’s the problem with the NCAA digging in on player eligibility limits and Mars’ history of paddling the NCAA in court: those two familiar combatants won’t feel the fallout. 

Because no matter what happens in court, Chambliss will be paid to play football in 2026 — be it with Ole Miss, or as a potential first-round pick in the NFL Draft next month.

But if the NCAA wins its appeal with the Mississippi Supreme Court and Chambliss is ruled ineligible, Ole Miss goes from a favorite to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff, to a team that may not win seven games.

With Chambliss, Ole Miss is a dangerous offense that’s a problem for every team on the schedule. Without him, it gets interesting. 

Deuce Knight transferred from Auburn prior to Chambliss being ruled eligible by a county judge — in between the judge’s blubbering from the bench while reading his ruling — and then removed any mention of Ole Miss from his social media accounts (though he kept a picture of himself in Ole Miss gear).

So if the Mississippi Supreme Court overrules the local county judge and sides with the NCAA, then what?

The Rebels are left with a quarterback room of sophomore AJ Maddox, sophomore transfer Maealiuaki Smith (Oklahoma State) and senior walk-on transfer George Hamsley (Tennessee State). And as far as we know, Knight.  

Smith played briefly at Oklahoma State in 2024, and had two touchdowns and four interceptions in 74 attempts. Maddox and Hamsely haven’t thrown a college pass.

I don’t think I’m overselling it when I say Ole Miss better hope the Supremes in Mississippi are just as wildly provincial as the judge who originally wept when ruling. 

It’s not like Knight — a former five-star recruit — was a difference-maker at Auburn. He showed flashes, but nothing that would make anyone think Ole Miss could win more than six or seven games unless things drastically change. 

To be fair, Knight was dealing with former Auburn coach Huge Freeze, who was at best disinterested in his time on The Plains — and at worst lallygagging through professional malpractice.

So maybe Knight is the answer, and all he needs is a new team and a new focus and to wait and see how it all shakes out with Chambliss. 

All he needs is a first-year coach who hitched himself to the momentum of hot quarterback and hot team full of motivation, and nearly got a trip to the national championship game out of it. A new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and a new system, too.

What could go wrong? 

Ole Miss better hope nothing does go awry in the Mississippi Supreme Court. 

Or we’ll find out just how ugly it can get.