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  • Alabama QB Battle Receives Major Update Ahead of Spring Practices

    Alabama QB Battle Receives Major Update Ahead of Spring Practices

     

    Last month, Ty Simpson was predicted to be the Alabama Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback next season, and Jalen Milroe was headed into the 2025 NFL Draft. However, the fates of young athletes are hardly written in stone, as several signal-callers are fighting to start.

     

    Per reporting from On3’s Steve Wiltfong and Pete Nakos, former five-star recruit Keelon Russell is staking his claim despite only enrolling in Tuscaloosa less than a month ago.

     

    “Kee is competing hard, he’s a competitor. But as a whole, nobody is a clear-cut No. 1 because all of them are alphas,” a source said to On3.

     

    Simpson, a former five-star from the 2022 class, has seen limited playing time over the last three years — although, far from enough to justify him earning the job outright.

     

    In an article predicting Simpson to be the likely starter at Alabama, ESPN distilled its selection by stating, “Simpson is Alabama’s most experienced quarterback, and he should be given an opportunity to claim QB1 duties in the fall if the Crimson Tide don’t add through the portal before then.”

     

    It’s worth noting that head coach Kalen DeBoer didn’t recruit Simpson, but he did recruit Russell.

     

    All of the quarterbacks inherited by DeBoer before his arrival — Pitt’s Eli Holstein, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Boston College’s Dylan Lonergan — transferred out because they may have seen the writing on the wall that their time was up in Tuscaloosa.

     

    Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson

     

    Wiltfong and Nakos’ reporting also included big observations about other key Alabama freshmen. From a source:

     

    “(Safety) Ivan Taylor, (wide receiver) Derek Meadows, freaking (offensive tackle) Jackson Lloyd, (offensive lineman) Michael Carroll, (cornerback) Dijon (Lee), (wide receiver) Lotzeir (Brooks), all our freshmen — we’ve really been excited and surprised by our freshmen. All of our dudes are thriving, it’s unreal. And they’re fitting in well with the team.

     

    Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson

     

    “Ivan, he’s a pro. He handles everything. He and (EDGE) Justin Hill, those dudes are pros. They finish, they work hard, they do extra, they’re in the training room, they take care of their body. They come in from a professional mindset and a great background. This class is a home run.”

     

    The Crimson Tide had the No. 3 recruiting class in 2025. They added three five-star players total in Russell, Carroll and Lee, and seven players ranked in the top 100.

     

     

  • Costacurta surprisingly optimistic about Milan and top four: “I see improvements”

    Costacurta surprisingly optimistic about Milan and top four: “I see improvements”

     

    AC Milan failed to close in on some of their top-four rivals yesterday as Torino prevailed 2-1 at Stadio Olimpico. Despite the missed opportunity, however, the club legend Billy Costacurta is surprisingly optimistic.

     

    Costacurta is known for saying what he thinks and in most cases, that has resulted in harsh words for Milan this season. It’s not like you can blame him either, given that the Rossoneri’s season has been a proper roller coaster from start to finish.

     

    After yesterday’s game, however, the former Milan man was surprisingly optimistic when asked about Milan’s chances in the top-four race (via Radio Rossonera). Above all, this is because he believes the team has grown since Sergio Conceicao took over.

     

    “I see improvements in terms of the game, then I also see things which confirm that confusion is still there. Individual errors are becoming the norm. Then again, I believe that the team is growing, so I think that they will fight until the end to get into the top 4. I see something good,” he stated.

     

    Next week will be decisive for the Rossoneri as they will take on Bologna and Lazio, two direct clashes as far as the standings are concerned. Only time will tell if they can grab the last lifeline, because without two wins everything will be very difficult.

  • Oliver Glasner hints Adam Wharton ‘could’ start against Aston Villa

    Oliver Glasner hints Adam Wharton ‘could’ start against Aston Villa

     

     

    Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner after the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London.

    Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner explained that Adam Wharton could start against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

     

    The 21-year-old replaced Jefferson Lerma in the 81st minute of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Fulham.

     

    Since returning from his long-term groin injury earlier this month, Wharton’s sole start came against Doncaster in the FA Cup, with the Englishman waiting to get the nod in the Premier League.

     

    Alongside his brief cameo against Fulham, the midfielder managed 45 minutes against Everton last week when introduced as a half time substitution.

     

     

     

    However, a return to the eleven might arrive against Aston Villa, with Glasner divulging that Jefferson Lerma grappled with a hamstring niggle in the week leading up to the Fulham victory.

     

    “It is the first time he [Wharton] has been fit since the final of the Euros,” said Glasner. “It is important to manage the minutes in the best way.

     

     

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    “With Cheick Doucoure out for the season, it is good to have Adam here.

     

    “Jefferson Lerma had to come off because he was struggling with his hamstring during the week. It could be that he [Wharton] starts on Tuesday.”

     

    .

  • Hamilton unsure of quick Ferrari win, praises Alonso and Vettel

    Hamilton unsure of quick Ferrari win, praises Alonso and Vettel

     

     

     

    As Lewis Hamilton prepares to embark on his highly anticipated debut season with Ferrari, the seven-time world champion has expressed a newfound appreciation for the achievements of Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, who previously walked the Briton’s path at the Scuderia.

     

    While both Alonso and Vettel were victorious at the outset with Ferrari – respectively in their first and second races with the Scuderia – Hamilton is unsure he can achieve the same feat when the 2025 season kicks off in Australia next month.

     

    Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks his first team switch since leaving McLaren for Mercedes in 2013.

     

    The Inside Line | Episode 588 | SF 02The Inside Line | Episode 588 | SF 05The Inside Line | Episode 588 | SF 01

    With pre-season testing in Bahrain just days away, the Briton is still acclimating to his new environment.

     

    Reflecting on Alonso’s instant success in 2010 and Vettel’s early triumph in 2015, Hamilton acknowledged the difficulty of adapting quickly to a new team.

     

    “That I don’t know,” Hamilton replied when asked how long it would take for him to extract maximum performance from Ferrari’s promising 2025 car.

     

    “Those guys did an amazing job,” he added. “I have huge respect for those two drivers and, having joined teams before, the step it takes and the amount of work that goes on to acclimatising is extraordinary.

     

    “So it makes those results that they had even more exceptional than even I had appreciated before.”

     

     

    Despite the limited pre-season testing opportunities, Hamilton is doing everything in his power to be competitive from the get-go.

     

    “What I know is that the testing is more limited than ever before but, fortunately, I’ve had a good bit of time in the car. I am still acclimatising,” he explained.

     

    “It took me six months, I think, in Mercedes to get my first win. Honestly, I don’t know, but I’m doing everything I can to be ready for race one.”

     

    Building Trust in a New Environment

    Ferrari has been without a world title since winning the Constructors’ Championship in 2008. Hamilton is confident in the team’s potential but acknowledges that establishing strong relationships within the organization will take time.

     

    “It’s given me even more appreciation, as I’ve mentioned, about Sebastian and Fernando joining here,” he said.

     

     

    “As we’ve watched over the years, drivers moving around, some moving around a lot more than others. And I’ve always thought to myself, for me, I know how long it takes to build trust and grow within a team and grow with people.

     

    “As I’ve experienced that with Mercedes, I’ve experienced that with McLaren. And I really cherish the longevity that I had within those places and the bonds that we created in that time. And they don’t happen overnight.”

     

    Pushing for Perfection

    Now in his 19th season in Formula 1 at the age of 40, Hamilton is determined to make his time at Ferrari count. He recognizes the immense expectations that come with driving for the sport’s most storied team and is committed to raising his performance across the board.

     

    “This step is huge. It couldn’t be any bigger,” Hamilton admitted. “The organisation is massive.

     

     

    “The passion adds to it from the fans, from the diversity, from the people within, for that desire to want to win. And you don’t want to let people down. You want to be able to deliver on your word.

     

    “And so I just try to… How I decided to come into this year, my resolution, my mentality, is I need to elevate in absolutely every area of my site.

     

    “My fitness, my time management, how I engage with my engineers, how much time I spend in the factory, all these different things.

     

    “And I’ve definitely done that and I’m doing that and I will continue to do that in this strive for perfection and to achieve the success that I’m aiming to achieve. But it’s a lot of work, I have to say.”

     

     

    Beyond the competitive aspects, Hamilton is also adapting to the cultural shift of working with Ferrari, a team deeply rooted in Italian heritage.

     

    “Also, all the new brands, the whole new culture, different language, all the new brands that I’m getting to work with, which is really, every day is brand-new.

     

    “I’m experiencing something new, which actually is really exciting, and in the short space of time, it’s really not a long time.

     

     

     

     

    “From the day you join the team to the first race, it seems like, maybe for you guys, you’ve been this drawn out, but it’s not, it’s very short and there’s no shortcuts that you can take. We’re putting the work in and we’re grafting.”

     

    As Hamilton embarks on his Ferrari journey, he remains cautiously optimistic. While Alonso and Vettel found early success, Hamilton acknowledges the challenges ahead and the time required to fully integrate into the team.

     

    With his unwavering commitment and extensive experience, the motorsport world will be watching closely to see if he can deliver on Ferrari’s long-held championship ambitions.

     

    Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook

     

     

     

     

    Williams driver Carlos Sainz has been named a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), stepping into a leadership position within the Formula 1 drivers’ body.

     

    The 30-year-old Spaniard fills the vacancy left by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who stepped down from the role after retiring from F1 at the end of 2022.

     

    Sainz, who moved from Ferrari to Williams for the 2025 season, expressed his enthusiasm for taking on the responsibility and working to shape the future of the sport alongside his fellow drivers.

     

    “I am passionate about my sport and think we drivers have a responsibility to do all we can to work with the stakeholders to forward the sport in many aspects,” Sainz stated.

     

    “So I’m very happy and proud to do my part by taking on the directors’ role in the GPDA.”

     

    With his appointment, Sainz joins an influential leadership group that includes GPDA chairman Alex Wurz, Mercedes driver George Russell, and legal advisor Anastasia Fowle.

     

     

    F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali with GPDA Chairman Alex Wurz.

     

    Wurz welcomed Sainz’s addition, emphasizing his long-standing involvement with the association.

     

    “We are delighted to welcome Carlos as a GPDA director,” Wurz said.

     

    “He has been an active and engaged member of the GPDA for several years and we sincerely appreciate his commitment in stepping up to this vital role.”

     

    Navigating a Challenging Landscape

    Sainz’s directorship comes at a time when the relationship between the drivers and the FIA is facing challenges.

     

    Recent decisions by the governing body, particularly under its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, have raised concerns among drivers and other stakeholders.

     

    One such point of contention is the FIA’s January decision to codify a process that could lead to race bans for drivers who use swear words.

     

    The lack of clarity on how these rules will be implemented has further fueled unease.

     

     

    Sainz has already publicly voiced his opinion on this matter, stating this month that it is wrong to threaten F1 drivers with bans for swearing, although he acknowledged that drivers should avoid bad language in news conferences and television interviews.

     

    Another example of the tension between the GPDA and the FIA is the open letter the drivers’ association sent to the governing body in November, in which the drivers expressed their grievances towards Ben Sulayem.

     

    The group’s statement, released after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, was unusually blunt.

     

    It urged Ben Sulayem to “consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them,” and demanded transparency about the monetary fines imposed on drivers.

     

    The backdrop to the letter was a string of controversial incidents. Max Verstappen was handed community service for swearing during the Singapore GP Thursday press conference, while Charles Leclerc received a €10,000 fine for also using the F-word in Mexico’s post-race presser.

     

    The GPDA has yet to receive a formal response from the FIA, although Ben Sulayem suggested in no uncertain terms that it was “none of their business” how the Emirati runs the FIA.

     

    Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook

     

    As Lewis Hamilton prepares to embark on his highly anticipated debut season with Ferrari, the seven-time world champion has expressed a newfound appreciation for the achievements of Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, who previously walked the Briton’s path at the Scuderia.

     

    While both Alonso and Vettel were victorious at the outset with Ferrari – respectively in their first and second races with the Scuderia – Hamilton is unsure he can achieve the same feat when the 2025 season kicks off in Australia next month.

     

    Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks his first team switch since leaving McLaren for Mercedes in 2013.

     

    The Inside Line | Episode 588 | SF 02The Inside Line | Episode 588 | SF 05The Inside Line | Episode 588 | SF 01

    With pre-season testing in Bahrain just days away, the Briton is still acclimating to his new environment.

     

    Reflecting on Alonso’s instant success in 2010 and Vettel’s early triumph in 2015, Hamilton acknowledged the difficulty of adapting quickly to a new team.

     

    “That I don’t know,” Hamilton replied when asked how long it would take for him to extract maximum performance from Ferrari’s promising 2025 car.

     

    “Those guys did an amazing job,” he added. “I have huge respect for those two drivers and, having joined teams before, the step it takes and the amount of work that goes on to acclimatising is extraordinary.

     

    “So it makes those results that they had even more exceptional than even I had appreciated before.”

     

     

    Despite the limited pre-season testing opportunities, Hamilton is doing everything in his power to be competitive from the get-go.

     

    “What I know is that the testing is more limited than ever before but, fortunately, I’ve had a good bit of time in the car. I am still acclimatising,” he explained.

     

    “It took me six months, I think, in Mercedes to get my first win. Honestly, I don’t know, but I’m doing everything I can to be ready for race one.”

     

    Building Trust in a New Environment

    Ferrari has been without a world title since winning the Constructors’ Championship in 2008. Hamilton is confident in the team’s potential but acknowledges that establishing strong relationships within the organization will take time.

     

    “It’s given me even more appreciation, as I’ve mentioned, about Sebastian and Fernando joining here,” he said.

     

     

    “As we’ve watched over the years, drivers moving around, some moving around a lot more than others. And I’ve always thought to myself, for me, I know how long it takes to build trust and grow within a team and grow with people.

     

    “As I’ve experienced that with Mercedes, I’ve experienced that with McLaren. And I really cherish the longevity that I had within those places and the bonds that we created in that time. And they don’t happen overnight.”

     

    Pushing for Perfection

    Now in his 19th season in Formula 1 at the age of 40, Hamilton is determined to make his time at Ferrari count. He recognizes the immense expectations that come with driving for the sport’s most storied team and is committed to raising his performance across the board.

     

    “This step is huge. It couldn’t be any bigger,” Hamilton admitted. “The organisation is massive.

     

     

    “The passion adds to it from the fans, from the diversity, from the people within, for that desire to want to win. And you don’t want to let people down. You want to be able to deliver on your word.

     

    “And so I just try to… How I decided to come into this year, my resolution, my mentality, is I need to elevate in absolutely every area of my site.

     

    “My fitness, my time management, how I engage with my engineers, how much time I spend in the factory, all these different things.

     

    “And I’ve definitely done that and I’m doing that and I will continue to do that in this strive for perfection and to achieve the success that I’m aiming to achieve. But it’s a lot of work, I have to say.”

     

    A Cultural Shift

    Beyond the competitive aspects, Hamilton is also adapting to the cultural shift of working with Ferrari, a team deeply rooted in Italian heritage.

     

    “Also, all the new brands, the whole new culture, different language, all the new brands that I’m getting to work with, which is really, every day is brand-new.

     

    “I’m experiencing something new, which actually is really exciting, and in the short space of time, it’s really not a long time.

     

     

    “From the day you join the team to the first race, it seems like, maybe for you guys, you’ve been this drawn out, but it’s not, it’s very short and there’s no shortcuts that you can take. We’re putting the work in and we’re grafting.”

     

    As Hamilton embarks on his Ferrari journey, he remains cautiously optimistic. While Alonso and Vettel found early success, Hamilton acknowledges the challenges ahead and the time required to fully integrate into the team.

     

    With his unwavering commitment and extensive experience, the motorsport world will be watching closely to see if he can deliver on Ferrari’s long-held championship ambitions.

     

    Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook

     

    Williams driver Carlos Sainz has been named a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), stepping into a leadership position within the Formula 1 drivers’ body.

     

    The 30-year-old Spaniard fills the vacancy left by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who stepped down from the role after retiring from F1 at the end of 2022.

     

    Sainz, who moved from Ferrari to Williams for the 2025 season, expressed his enthusiasm for taking on the responsibility and working to shape the future of the sport alongside his fellow drivers.

     

    “I am passionate about my sport and think we drivers have a responsibility to do all we can to work with the stakeholders to forward the sport in many aspects,” Sainz stated.

     

    “So I’m very happy and proud to do my part by taking on the directors’ role in the GPDA.”

     

    With his appointment, Sainz joins an influential leadership group that includes GPDA chairman Alex Wurz, Mercedes driver George Russell, and legal advisor Anastasia Fowle.

     

     

    F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali with GPDA Chairman Alex Wurz.

     

    Wurz welcomed Sainz’s addition, emphasizing his long-standing involvement with the association.

     

    “We are delighted to welcome Carlos as a GPDA director,” Wurz said.

     

    “He has been an active and engaged member of the GPDA for several years and we sincerely appreciate his commitment in stepping up to this vital role.”

     

    Navigating a Challenging Landscape

    Sainz’s directorship comes at a time when the relationship between the drivers and the FIA is facing challenges.

     

    Recent decisions by the governing body, particularly under its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, have raised concerns among drivers and other stakeholders.

     

    One such point of contention is the FIA’s January decision to codify a process that could lead to race bans for drivers who use swear words.

     

    The lack of clarity on how these rules will be implemented has further fueled unease.

     

     

    Sainz has already publicly voiced his opinion on this matter, stating this month that it is wrong to threaten F1 drivers with bans for swearing, although he acknowledged that drivers should avoid bad language in news conferences and television interviews.

     

    Another example of the tension between the GPDA and the FIA is the open letter the drivers’ association sent to the governing body in November, in which the drivers expressed their grievances towards Ben Sulayem.

     

    The group’s statement, released after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, was unusually blunt.

     

    It urged Ben Sulayem to “consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them,” and demanded transparency about the monetary fines imposed on drivers.

     

    The backdrop to the letter was a string of controversial incidents. Max Verstappen was handed community service for swearing during the Singapore GP Thursday press conference, while Charles Leclerc received a €10,000 fine for also using the F-word in Mexico’s post-race presser.

     

    The GPDA has yet to receive a formal response from the FIA, although Ben Sulayem suggested in no uncertain terms that it was “none of their business” how the Emirati runs the FIA.

     

    Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook

     

    Haas is brimming with optimism ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, believing its latest challenger, the VF-25, will provide a “massive boost” if its real-world performance aligns with encouraging simulation data.

     

    The American outfit has worked extensively on overcoming the weaknesses of its predecessor, the VF-24, with a particular emphasis on rear-end aerodynamics.

     

    Haas head of aero Davide Paganelli shared his insights into the development process and the team’s high expectations.

     

    “With the help of the performance team, we tried to work on the whole car as a package to be able to solve the issue,” explained Paganelli.

     

    “An indication of this is that we worked a lot on the rear of the car, and particularly the rear wing. I think that we’ve done a really good job on this for 2025.

     

    “We believe the package we’ve designed is a really good one in terms of development. Obviously, we must check if the delivery is what we expect.

     

    If we’re able to see on track what we think we’re discovering in the wind tunnel, I think that we can have a massive boost from the very first race.”

     

    Addressing Inconsistencies

    While Haas enjoyed a solid campaign in 2024, recording its best position in F1’s Constructors’ standings since 2018, its car experienced fluctuating performance, with results varying significantly from track to track.

     

    Paganelli believes the VF-25 should provide a more consistent level of competitiveness across different circuits.

     

     

     

    “We’ve tried to design a car that can adapt to different races as one of the weaknesses we had last year was not being able to be able to perform at the same level at circuits with different characteristics,” the Italian said.

     

    “I think that we did a good job in trying to close this kind of gap as well as providing a configuration that is better in hotter races.

     

    “We know at the beginning of the season we have some hot races, so we should be able to compete.”

     

    A Positive Atmosphere Within Haas

    Under the leadership of team principal Ayao Komatsu, Haas has seen significant internal growth, boosting both morale and operational efficiency.

     

    “Last year we grew a lot in terms of design resource and we also gained a lot of confidence that we can definitely do better,” said Paganelli.

     

    “The mood in the design office today is absolutely positive, we can feel the energy here. Last season we were able to demonstrate to ourselves and the rest of the grid that we can do a very good job.

     

     

    “We consider 2024 a success because we came into this season being last in the championship.

     

    “It was really difficult to be able to deliver something positive with the same resource, but by changing the organisational structure we unlocked the potential of team members, and that was really satisfying.”

     

     

    Haas officially ran its VF-25 for the first time last weekend at Silverstone, with new signing Esteban Ocon behind the wheel.

     

    Meanwhile, rookie teammate Oliver Bearman is set to drive the car for the first time on Monday at the Bahrain International Circuit ahead of the crucial pre-season test next week.

     

    With early signs pointing to a strong package, Haas is eager to see how the VF-25 stacks up on track as it aims for further progress in the 2025 campaign.

     

    Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook

     

     

     

     

    Haas is brimming with optimism ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, believing its latest challenger, the VF-25, will provide a “massive boost” if its real-world performance aligns with encouraging simulation data.

     

     

  • NASCAR gets another photo finish at Atlanta. Could championship race return to track?

    NASCAR gets another photo finish at Atlanta. Could championship race return to track?

     

    Hampton, Georgia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Michael McDowell (34) battles with NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) during the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

    Feb 25, 2024; Hampton, Georgia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Michael McDowell (34) battles with NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) during the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. David Yeazell USA TODAY Sports

    .

    Atlanta Motor Speedway continues to be among the most action-packed tracks in NASCAR.

     

    The 1.54-mile track reconfigured to run a superspeedway package produced another photo finish this weekend, roughly a year after the main event culminated with the top drivers racing three-wide for the win.

     

    Kyle Busch, the 39-year-old Cup veteran, nipped Stewart Friesen by 0.017 seconds to win his second straight truck race at Atlanta. Both the lower-series races saw their share of wrecks and lead changes, building up to the anticipated Ambetter Health 400 at 3 p.m. Sunday.

     

    Whether it ends in a typical crash-filled superspeedway finish, or viewers get to see another late green-flag run to the checkered flag, Atlanta continues proving itself as one of the most competitive tracks on the sport’s calendar.

     

    “Speedway racing on the Cup side is the way it is: Three-wide, fuel saving until it’s time to go try to push, and when it’s time to push, it becomes too wide,” Busch said. “A lot of times the outside row can’t keep up, but it’s just bumper cars. It’s 200 mile-an-hour bumper cars. And the guy fourth in line doesn’t want to be fourth in line, he wants to be in the front.

     

    “Championships come in certain different ways. It’s not always the same script each and every time. There’s not a perfect way to be able to write the book, but you just have to go out there and let the book be written.”

     

    NASCAR wants championship rotation, and Atlanta sees yearly improvement

    Atlanta was repaved four years ago, and the racing keeps improving.

     

    Joey Logano earned his second victory as many seasons at Atlanta to open last year’s Cup playoffs, which sparked his championship run.

     

    NASCAR chief operating officer Steve O’Donnell recently indicated that it’s essentially certain that the location of the end-of-season championship race will inevitably rotate. He ruled out superspeedways and road courses — but leaves the door open for intermediate tracks.

     

    “It’s more complicated than just waving a checkered flag and say, ‘Let’s move the championship,’ but I do think a rotation is going to be really important for us,” O’Donnell said on the Hauler Talk podcast. “If (a driver has) won 45 Phoenix races in a row and the championship is there, it’s probably not a good look for the sport, right? And we’ve had a good mixture (of champions at Phoenix). But I think a rotation is what the fans would like.

     

    “College football and the NFL (have) that rotation (of championship games) and anticipation of a new venue. I think you’ll see that with NASCAR as well.”

     

    ‘That’s going to make it for even better racing’

    Both lower-series races Saturday saw the drivers who led the most reach Victory Lane.

     

    Busch led 80 of the trucks’ 135 laps and held off Friesen, the 41-year-old veteran driver, in what is the series’ closest finish in nearly 20 years — since Ron Hornaday Jr. beat Bobby Labonte by 0.006 seconds in 2005.

     

    Austin Hill maintained his dominance at Atlanta, winning his third in a row and fifth in his past six starts there. He led the most laps as well and drove off from the pack as a wreck ensued after he’d taken the white flag, which did not yield a caution and Hill raced to the checkered flag.

     

    Compared to the pileups that often bookend races on 2.5-mile superspeedways, these races produced highlights throughout — and winners who were reflective of the race they ran.

     

    “You have to handle a little bit better here than at Talladega or Daytona,” Ryan Blaney said. “I feel like we have a fairly decent idea of the balance — how much more handling we have to do without giving up speed — and that is just a product of working really hard with all the crew chiefs and engineers on the direction we’re going.

     

    “Each year, this place gets a little bit worse as far as grip, which is good. That’s going to make it for even better racing.”

     

     

  • Hamilton explains the planning behind his ‘magical’ record-breaking first Ferrari photo

    Hamilton explains the planning behind his ‘magical’ record-breaking first Ferrari photo

    Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari was met with a sense of anticipation among fans as he attempts to win an eighth world title with one of the most successful teams of all-time.

    The Briton had his first test of their 2025 challenger, the SF-25, at Fiorano just under 24 hours after the team unveiled the livery for the car at the F1 75 launch event in London.

    Thousands of fans turned up to see the car in action just as they did when he had his first test, with Hamilton ending the day slower than Charles Leclerc, although running was not representative of actual conditions.

    Hamilton has been working hard behind the scenes to get ready for his first season with Ferrari, but he also put a lot of meticulous work into their first official appearance.

    Discussing the new iconic social media photo that Hamilton posted which broke records as one of the most ‘liked’ F1 photos on Instagram, he details to Channel 4 how the whole shoot came about.

    Lewis Hamilton explains planning behind godfather Ferrari photo

    Hamilton’s first official appearance with Ferrari saw him pose in front of Enzo Ferrari’s old house in Maranello next to a Ferrari F40.

    Some have speculated over whether there was some symbolism in the image, as it depicted seven windows with a door to an eighth, representing his quest to win an eighth world title.

    The Briton explains how the whole iconic shoot happened, and the amount of time that was put into making sure it was the right ‘initiation’ into one of F1’s most iconic teams.

    “It was a long build-up to having that day, I had a long time to think about what that first day would look like, what I would be wearing, what car I wanted to have, where I wanted to take the picture, and that’s exactly what I was able to direct,” said Hamilton.

    “I hadn’t done any social media beforehand and then I dropped that, it was kind of an initiation into the legacy of this incredible brand. That was magical.”

    Ferrari 2025 car design aligned with Red Bull and McLaren in key area

    When the SF-25 took to the track at Fiorano for the first time, it was apparent that Ferrari had chosen to change a key area of design with the car.

    The front suspension was usually a pushrod layout, but now they have turned to a pullrod front suspension for the 2025 season.

    This not only puts them in line with rivals Red Bull and McLaren, but it will also give Ferrari greater setup options and better ride stability that they couldn’t get in previous years.

    Hamilton will be happy that the change was made for this season, considering it was an area the team would consistently struggle with in previous seasons.

  • Luka Doncic looks like himself again in Lakers’ 123-100 win over Nuggets

    Luka Doncic looks like himself again in Lakers’ 123-100 win over Nuggets

     

    Luka Doncic reminded NBA fans that he’s the same superstar who tormented Western Conference opponents en route to the NBA Finals last year. The Los Angeles Lakers’ newly acquired superstar had his best night in the purple and gold on Saturday. He scored 32 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and added seven assists and four steals.

     

    Doncic had averaged 28.1 points per game, shooting 46.4% from the field across 22 games for the Dallas Mavericks, earlier this season. Since being sent to the Lakers in a mind-blowing blockbuster deal at the NBA trade deadline, he had averaged just 14.7 points per game while shooting 35.6% from the field across his first three games for the Lakers, who dropped two of those games to NBA bottom-feeders Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets.

     

    Doncic then sat out the Lakers game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. His struggles ignited questions regarding Doncic’s overall fit with the Lakers, and more specifically, alongside fellow ball-dominant star LeBron James.

     

    Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Greg Jennings discuss the Los Angeles Lakers losing to the Charlotte Hornets, and LeBron James talking the final shot instead of Luka Doncic. He says that Doncic was impacted by the trade from the Dallas Mavericks, and that his ability has been impacted.

     

    Los Angeles’ 123-100 win over the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena should help answer some of those concerns. James complemented Doncic’s performance, adding 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists. In 33 minutes, Doncic had a team-high plus-minus of 20.

     

    Midway through the first quarter, Doncic had a stellar sequence. He pulled up for a 3-pointer five feet beyond the line, then blocked Nuggets guard Jamal Murray on a drive to the basket, spurring a fast break that ended in a Dorian Finney-Smith triple.

     

    In the third quarter, Doncic hit a pair of step-back 3-pointers over the outstretched arm of Nuggets guard Christian Braun before jawing at the Denver crowd.

     

    In a marquee matchup against the three-seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers showed the NBA their potential when both mega-stars are clicking.

     

    Guard Austin Reaves scored 23 and forward Rui Hachimura had 21 when he left holding his left side with 10 minutes remaining — the Lakers didn’t miss him, going on a 12-2 run to stretch their lead to 19.

     

    Aaron Gordon scored 24 points and Murray 19 for Denver, which lost for the first time this month. Nikola Jokic posted his 26th triple-double of the season, but he was just 2-of-7 from the floor with six turnovers.

     

    The Lakers never trailed in winning in Denver for the first time since April 10, 2022. They had lost 13 of their previous 14 against the Nuggets.

     

    The Lakers are 2-2 in games in which Doncic has played. They will host his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, on Tuesday night in Crypto.com Arena for the first time since the trade. That kicks off a season-high six-game homestand that includes matchups against other playoff hopefuls such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks.

     

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

     

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  • Lakers player grades: L.A. earns surprising blowout win in Denver

    Lakers player grades: L.A. earns surprising blowout win in Denver

    Most people expected the Los Angeles Lakers to suffer yet another loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, and some expected the game to be lopsided in Denver’s favor. After all, the Lakers came into Saturday having lost 13 of their previous 14 contests to Denver.

    But instead of continuing their ineptitude versus Nikola Jokić and crew, the Lakers finally whacked the team that eliminated them from the playoffs in both of the previous two seasons.

    They went on a spurt late in the first quarter to take a 38-31 lead at the end of the period, and they never looked back. While Denver turned a comfortable 63-54 Lakers lead at halftime into a tenuous 63-62 edge with 10:59 left in the third quarter, the Purple and Gold answered with a 14-3 run, and they controlled the rest of the game en route to a stunning 123-100 win at Ball Arena.

    Los Angeles got the job done on the defensive end. It held the Nuggets to 40% shooting and forced 22 turnovers, and it successfully harassed Jokic. The three-time MVP shot an embarrassing 2-of-7 from the field and committed six turnovers, and the team focused its defense on him. The Lakers fronted him at times, and when he got the ball, they made him play against multiple defenders who came at him from multiple angles.

    That outstanding defense allowed the Lakers to outscore Denver, the NBA’s leader in fast-break points per game coming into Saturday, 33-9 on the break. For the first time this season, they had four players score at least 20 points, and overall, they shot 50% from the field and 39% from 3-point range while committing just nine turnovers.

    They now hold a 34-21 record and are half a game behind the Houston Rockets, who are in fourth place in the Western Conference.

    Rui Hachimura: B-plus/A-minus

    Since coming to the Lakers two years ago, Hachimura has been invisible for extended stretches on offense. But lately, he has been more involved on a consistent basis, and over the last few weeks, he has been playing his best basketball as a member of the Lakers.

    On Saturday, he scored 21 points on 7-of-12 field-goal shooting and 4-of-9 from 3-point range, including a dozen points in the third quarter. Five of his points came during that third-period run that essentially decided the outcome of the game. He didn’t grab a single rebound, but he did have four assists, and his help in guarding Jokic was a key to the Lakers’ success on that end of the floor.

    Jaxson Hayes: C-plus

    Hayes didn’t play a big role in this game, but he did score four points on 2-of-3 shooting and added four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 25 minutes.

    Austin Reaves: A

    Reaves once again put his foot down and refused to let a game slip away from the Lakers. He scored 23 points while going 7-of-13 from the field, 4-of-7 from downtown and 5-of-6 from the free throw line while also adding seven assists. Ten of his points came during that key third quarter when the Lakers made a permanent imprint on the game.

    Luka Doncic: A

    Doncic looked a bit out of sorts in his first three games with the Lakers. But on Saturday, he looked like his usual self. He burned the Nuggets with 32 points, and the 3-point shot was falling for him, as he made four of his nine attempts from that distance. He had a team-high 10 rebounds and was tied with Reaves for the team lead with seven dimes.

    The Slovenian, who has often been criticized for his lack of prowess on the defensive end, did play some defense on Saturday. He came up with four steals and even blocked one shot. In addition, he committed only one turnover.

    LeBron James: A

    Coming off an age-defying 40-point performance on Thursday versus the Portland Trail Blazers, James had his usual excellent performance versus Denver. He put up 25 efficient points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished off five assists in 33 minutes.

    Perhaps having Doncic by his side has freed him up to play a little more defense than he has played in recent years. He blocked three shots on Saturday and came up with one steal. James has done a good job of maintaining his energy and avoiding noticeable fatigue lately, and that could translate into him playing, at the very least, adequate defense, which he hasn’t done in quite some time.

    Dorian Finney-Smith: C

    Finney-Smith shot just 1-of-5 from the field and made only one of his four 3-point attempts. But he helped out on the defensive end, where he had two steals, and he added four rebounds in 27 minutes.

    Jarred Vanderbilt: D

    Vanderbilt played just six minutes due to foul trouble. He ended up committing five fouls, and he finished his stint in this game with one point, one rebound, two assists and two steals.

    But he did have a positive moment in the first quarter when he drew a flagrant foul on Nuggets guard Julian Strawther. He remains a player who can get under the skin of opponents due to his energy, intensity and physicality.

    Gabe Vincent: C

    In 19 minutes, Vincent shot 1-of-4 from the field and had three points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal.

    Jordan Goodwin: B

    Goodwin played 11 minutes and brought some energy and intensity to the Lakers. Late in the first quarter, he hustled to force a turnover on a pass that was intended for Christian Braun, which led to a fast-break layup by Doncic. In the fourth quarter, he scored on a runner off the glass in the fourth quarter, and moments later, he knocked down a 3-pointer off an assist from James.

    He finished with five points, two steals, one rebound and one block.

    Dalton Knecht: C

    Knecht shot 1-of-3 from the field and missed both of his 3-point attempts. Early in the second quarter, he attempted to throw down a dunk on a fast break, and after he was fouled, he converted two free throws. In nine minutes, he scored four points and had one rebound and one steal, and he even blocked a short shot attempt by Jokic from behind.

    Alex Len, Trey Jemison III, Shake Milton: Incomplete

    All three played three minutes apiece at the end of the game. Len, who didn’t play on Thursday in Portland, had one rebound and went scoreless. Jemison had one rebound and one block, and he scored his only points on a semi-hook to beat the shot clock. Milton went scoreless and had one rebound.

  • Azu and Williams storm to scintillating 60m titles – AW

    Azu and Williams storm to scintillating 60m titles – AW

     

    The sprints pair clinch their spots at the European Indoor Championships, while Amber Anning and Georgia Hunter Bell impress in Birmingham

    Jeremiah Azu and Bianca Williams clinched their spots at the European Indoor Championships after producing dominant displays in the 60m in Birmingham.

     

    The pair looked imperious in their respective finals at the Microplus UK Athletics Indoor Championships, clocking 6.56 and 7.19 respectively.

     

    Azu’s time of 6.56 matched his personal best over the distance from the 2022 edition of the event and victory never looked in doubt for the Welshman.

     

    The European 100m bronze medallist worked his way through the rounds with consummate ease, recording times of 6.64 and 6.62, meaning that he was on trajectory to go sub-6.6 in the final.

     

     

    Azu’s performance not only proved to everyone that he’s a force to be reckoned with on the international stage – he is now joint-second on the European 60m list for 2025 – but it was also vindication of his move back to Cardiff.

     

    The 23-year-old swapped his base with Marco Airale in Italy to be reunited with long-term coach Helen James, who encouraged him to take up athletics in a teenager.

     

     

    “Helen encouraged me to go all the way to the top,” Azu told AW, after his 60m victory. “She first spotted me in 2015 in a schools competition. The year after was when I started. She knows the right ways to make me tick and she’s given me a career that I’ve never dreamed of. I can’t be more grateful.

     

    “Being at home and happy has made the difference. I’ve seen my mum and dad everyday and I’m so content with my life right now. I want to build from the UK and I want to show the next generation that you don’t need to go half-way across Europe. Of course it works but the grass is greener when you’re at home.”

     

     

    Bianca Williams, Imani Lansiquot, Amy Hunt, Desiree Henry

     

    Williams meanwhile won the first senior title of her career, with her 7.19 being a personal best for the 60m.

     

    The 31-year-old, who was part of Great Britain’s Olympic women’s 4x100m squad that secured silver last summer in Paris, was over the moon to win the 60m title in such a quick time.

     

    “It means so much as I have never been a British champion after all these years,” she said. “Training is going well, I am feeling great, I am balancing motherhood and everything is aligning.

     

    “My family is all here. They have supported me for the last five years since I had my son so they gave me the confidence to be here. I am so excited for this new chapter as the last time I represented Great Britain indoors was 2018 before I had my son!

     

    “I am enjoying every little bit of success, both the small and big wins. This 60m win will also help my start outdoors for when it comes to qualifying for the Tokyo World Championships in the 200m.”

     

    Earlier on, Amy Hunt had set a personal best of 7.18 – under the European indoor qualification standard of 7.20 – but seemed to slip at the start of the final and could only recover to fourth.

     

    In the 60m hurdles, Daniel Goriola and Abigail Pawlett – both BUCS indoor champions last week in Sheffield – secured impressive victories.

     

    Goriola, who is still 19 and has now added an indoor title to his outdoor crown in Manchester last summer, clocked a season’s best of 7.76 and took the win comfortably.

     

    Pawlett – an England pentathlon champion – recorded a personal best of 8.09 in her victory.

     

    In just her second event this season, Katarina Johnson-Thompson clocked 8.41 in her 60m hurdles heat and just missed out on the final.

     

    The Olympic heptathlon silver medallist and double world champion is also down for the shot put on Sunday.

     

     

    Georgia Hunter Bell, who just missed out on Laura Muir’s British indoor 1500m record at the Keely Klassic last weekend, rounded off the day with an extremely easy 4:16.01 in her 1500m heat.

     

    The Olympic 1500m bronze medallist will be hoping to retain her national indoor crown over the distance tomorrow. Revee Walcott-Nolan was the fastest qualifier overall with 4:15.96.

     

    Another Olympian who impressed was Amber Anning and she will be the favourite in what will be a stacked 400m final.

     

    The British 400m record-holder qualified fastest from the semi-finals in 52.03, followed by Lina Nielsen who clocked 52.19.

     

     

     

     

    Owen Heard continued his fine start to the campaign and retained his national indoor pole vault title in Birmingham.

     

    The Brit, who finished fifth at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has had a stellar season so far, increasing his personal best in the pole vault to 5.65m.

     

    Although he was nowhere near those kind of heights and slipped at 5.41m, a clearance of 5.26m was enough for Heard to win-back-to-back indoor titles.

     

    Efe Uwaifo, the British outdoor triple jump champion from two years ago, secured the men’s indoor title with a best mark of 15.64m.

     

    Joe Wigfield was the fastest qualifier for the men’s 800m final with 1:47.01, seeing off Henry Fisher who clocked 1:47.15 himself. Such was the quality of the race, both athletes advanced from the heat.

     

    Evan Grime, who has set British under-17 and 1500m and 3000m records over the past couple of months, was the 17th fastest overall but did run 1:52.13.

     

     

    Isabelle Boffey – winner of the 800m at last weekend’s Keely Klassic – qualified quickest for the women’s 800m final with 2:05.60.

     

    Shaikira King, who is only second to Phoebe Gill on the UK under-20 800m all-time list, placed behind Boffey in the heat and recorded a time of 2:05.86.

     

    In the women’s para 60m final, Sophie Hahn stormed to victory with a season’s best of 8.12, while Zac Shaw beat Thomas Young by just nine hundredths of a second in the men’s race – the pair clocking 7.07 and 7.16 respectively.

     

    One of the performances of the day came in the women’s long jump, with Alice Hopkins taking the win with a best of 6.59m, close to her personal best of 6.72m (2.3) from Greece last year.

     

    » Subscribe to AW magazine here, check out our new podcast here or sign up to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here

     

     

  • Alabama basketball breaks streak of bad luck vs Kentucky: Score updates, game highlights

    Alabama basketball breaks streak of bad luck vs Kentucky: Score updates, game highlights

     

     

    The streak of bad luck that struck Alabama basketball has been broken.

     

    The No. 4 Crimson Tide experienced a series of unfortunate events leading up to Kentucky, which might be why Vegas saw Alabama (22-5, 11-3 SEC) as an overwhelming favorite to get back on track this weekend against the No. 21 Wildcats.

     

    The prediction was warranted as UK fell, 96-83, to let UA complete the sweep of the blueblood.

     

    Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky forward Andrew Carr (7) lands atop Alabama forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10), fouling him, at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

    Muscle Shoals, Ala., native Mark Sears led the Crimson Tide with 30 points, supported by a 19-point performance by Auburn transfer Aden Holloway.

     

    Kentucky (18-9, 7-7) matched Alabama’s four double-digit scorers with four of its own but found itself denied by points off of turnovers for Alabama and rebounds.

     

    Big man Cliff Omoruyi owned the glass for the Crimson Tide with 15 of Alabama’s 39 total rebounds.

     

    Score updates, game highlights for Alabama basketball vs Kentucky

    Late threes for Alabama basketball seal Kentucky sweep

    A couple of late threes for USF transfer Chris Youngblood with a third and final 3-pointer from Mark Sears extended the Crimson Tide’s lead to 94-79.

     

    Despite a hot start beyond the arc from Kentucky, Alabama ended up narrowly outshooting the ‘Cats from the perimeter, making 35% (11-for-31) of shots to about 34% for UK, who went 9-for-26.

     

    Wildcats getting taken down by turnovers late

    A Youngblood 3-pointer gave Alabama a 75-66 lead with 7:32 to play.

     

    Like points in the paint, the Crimson Tide is dominating Kentucky in points off of turnovers with 19. Alabama has 13 turnovers to 11 for UK, but the ‘Cats have only scored nine points off of UA’s miscues.

     

    Kentucky catching up to Crimson Tide with 10 minutes to go

    What was an 11-point lead for Alabama has dwindled down to just one possession with a little over 10 minutes on the clock. Successful attempts from downtown for Sears and Aden Holloway would’ve been helpful, but both shots were denied by the rim and couldn’t answer UK forward Andrew Carr’s trey that saw the ‘Cats trail, 63-60.

     

    Alabama starts second half with double-digit advantage

    Finding nifty ways to draw fouls as usual, Sears put up five of Alabama’s six second-half points from the free throw line, continuing his perfect performance to give the Crimson Tide a 53-42 lead with 17 minutes to go.

     

    Crimson Tide recovers for halftime lead over Kentucky

    After splashing his fourth 3-pointer of the evening, a fired up Aden Holloway let out a scream and rushed into the arms of teammate Houston Mallette to celebrate. Despite shooting just about 26% beyond the arc in the first period, Alabama had just notched a 47-38 lead with 32.5 seconds to halftime.

     

    To start the game, the Crimson Tide couldn’t buy a board if it wanted to. Heading into the locker room, Alabama is out-rebounding Kentucky 23-17 with seven on offense.

     

    Jarin Stevenson reclaims lead for Alabama in first half

    Fans in Coleman Coliseum held their breath after Jarin Stevenson got a defensive board and made his way for the basket. The pregnant pause exploded into a roaring cheer after the sophomore’s layup gave Alabama a 31-32 lead with 5:18 to halftime.

     

    Making all four of its last field goal attempts, including shots for Mo Dioubate and Aden Holloway, Alabama has gone on a 20-4 run in the last five minutes.

     

    Crimson Tide within three points of tying scoreboard vs Kentucky

    To put Alabama just three points away from tying the scoreboard at 30, freshman Labaron Philon showed off his quick hands with a pass in the paint to Dioubate for a dunk. The Crimson Tide has 16 points in the paint with 7:18 to halftime. Meanwhile, Kentucky has 12 while shooting 50% from deep.

     

    Aden Holloway not letting Wildcats run away with quick start

    Holloway’s effort didn’t stop after another missed 3-pointer with about 12 minutes to go in the first period.

     

    The Auburn transfer sprinted down the court for a board to regain possession for the Crimson Tide, which trails, 20-16, after another dunk from big man Clifford Omoruyi on the play with the assist from Philon.

     

    Alabama getting killed by Kentucky rebounds early

    The sophomore Holloway’s 3-point shot bounced off the rim and into the hands of Kentucky’s Otega Oweh, who found Brandon Garrison for a dunk on the fast-break with under 15 minutes to halftime.

     

    The basket moved the lead to 20-9 for Kentucky, killing the Crimson Tide off the glass with seven rebounds to two for Alabama early.

     

    Kentucky establishes first-half lead in Coleman Coliseum

    Four 3-pointers for UK see the Cats with an early 14-6 lead in Coleman Coliseum. Andrew Carr wanted a chance to show fans what he looks like healthy against Alabama, and so far he’s shown out for a couple treys.

     

    Mark Sears assist puts Alabama on the board

    Kentucky won tip, but the Crimson Tide held the Cats scoreless until senior Mark Sears found Omoruyi, who dunked in Alabama’s first points of the game 29 seconds in.

     

    The 2-0 lead marked Alabama’s first since Feb. 11 against the Longhorns.

     

    Starting lineups announced for Crimson Tide vs Wildcats

    Alabama returns its revised starting lineup of Labaron Philon, Mark Sears, Chris Youngblood, Grant Nelson and Cliff Omoruyi.

     

    Kentucky starts Otega Oweh, Koby Brea, Travis Perry, Andrew Carr and Amari Williams.

     

    What time does Alabama basketball vs Kentucky start today?

     

     

    Location: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

     

    What channel is Alabama basketball vs Kentucky today?

     

    Alabama basketball versus Kentucky (18-8, 7-6 SEC) will be shown on ESPN. Dick Vitale and company will be on the call in Coleman Coliseum.

     

    The Alabama-Kentucky broadcast can be streamed through ESPN+ and Fubo starting at 5 p.m. CT.

     

    Alabama vs Kentucky betting odds

    Here are the game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:

     

     

    Injury updates for Alabama vs Kentucky

    Freshman forward Derrion Reid (hamstring) is out. Houston Mallette (knees) and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (Achilles tendon) also remain on the bench. They could’ve been joined by Mark Sears, who was listed on Friday evening’s SEC availability report as probable, but came off the list prior to gametime.

     

    Against Alabama, Kentucky starting guards Lamont Butler (shoulder) and Jaxson Robinson (wrist) will be unavailable for the third straight game. UK’s bench still holds Kerr Kriisa, who’s been out with a broken foot since December.

     

    Next four games for Alabama basketball

    Feb. 25: Mississippi State, 8 p.m. CT

    Mar. 1: at Tennessee, 3 p.m. CT

    Mar. 5: Florida, 6 p.m. CT

    Mar. 8: at Auburn, 1 p.m. CT

    Next four games for Kentucky basketball

    Feb. 26: at Oklahoma, 8 p.m. CT

    Mar. 1: Auburn, 12 p.m. CT

    Mar. 4: LSU, 6 p.m. CT

    Mar. 8: at Missouri, 11 a.m.

    Alabama basketball in the headlines

    Alabama expected to bounce back at Mizzou Arena, but Nate Oats said Crimson Tide players are “down on themselves” even more than they were with just the crushing loss to Auburn. Here are the latest headlines surrounding Alabama as it looks to get back in the win column:

     

    We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

     

    Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at

     

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