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Kentucky among Dickie V’s Dazzling Dozen — the best 12 teams in college basketball

Kentucky forward Trent Noah and guard Collin Chandler – Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

We know Kentucky is going to be good in Mark Pope‘s second season as head coach, but how good? Good enough to be included in Dickie V’s Dazzling Dozen — Dick Vitale’s ranking of the best 12 teams in college basketball going into 2025-26.

The hoops legend wanted to celebrate 150 days from the start of the season by dropping his summer rankings, breaking down the teams “that look ready to rock the hardwood,” as he puts it. The Wildcats belong in that bunch, thanks to the returns of Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison, among others.

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“Mark Pope reloads again, folks,” Vitale said of Kentucky. “Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison will be looking to lead an incredible group of transfers including Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe and Mouhamed Dioubate. The Wildcats are roaring loud in Lexington.”

Just how loud are they roaring? Not the loudest in the country — or even the SEC, for that matter — but still pretty darn loud. Kentucky sits at No. 11 in Dickie V’s rankings, good for No. 3 in the conference behind only Florida (No. 3) and Arkansas (No. 8).

Take a look at the complete top 12:

Purdue Boilermakers

Houston Cougars

Florida Gators

UConn Huskies

St. John’s Red Storm

Texas Tech Red Raiders

BYU Cougars

Arkansas Razorbacks

Duke Blue Devils

UCLA Bruins

Kentucky Wildcats

Michigan Wolverines

Not as high as we’d like, Dick, but we’ll take it at this stage.

“Mark Pope has his sights set on more after taking the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 in his first year on the job in Lexington, Ky,” Kevin Sweeney added. “The Wildcats spent big on their roster this spring, adding 10 new players, including high-profile transfers Jaland Lowe and Jayden Quaintance while bringing back star wing Otega Oweh.”

June 5, 2025

Ipswich Town: How ready are the Tractor Boys for a promotion push?

Ipswich Town players and head coach Kieran McKenna applaud their fans after losing at St James’ Park

Image caption, Ipswich’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed by defeat at Newcastle on 26 April

It was always going to be the toughest of challenges for Ipswich Town to compete in the Premier League despite the impetus gained from back-to-back promotions.

But with a highly rated young head coach in Kieran McKenna, some promising signings and an enthusiastic fanbase eager to see their team mix it in the top flight after 22 seasons away, it was felt they had a chance.

What followed was a ruthless crushing of optimism as they failed to win any of their first 10 games, and just one of the final 19 since the start of this year.

Only four victories in the entire season and 22 points from 38 games resulted in two unwanted club records for McKenna’s men as they returned to the Championship 12 months on from a magnificent second place with 96 points.

After relegation was confirmed, BBC Radio Suffolk commentator Brenner Woolley told listeners: “The hope is that their next spell in the Championship is as short as their last one and they bounce back at the earliest opportunity.

“They have just not been good enough this season, but don’t be sad that it’s over, just be happy that it happened. Ipswich Town will be back.”

So, how ready will the Tractor Boys be for another tilt at promotion?

Having been linked with clubs including Brighton, Chelsea and Manchester United a year ago, 39-year-old McKenna has said he is happy to remain with Ipswich in the second tier.

There seems to be no imminent threat to his position from their American owners, but that support could evaporate if they do not make a good start to the new campaign.

Of course, nothing can be taken for granted in the Championship as Luton Town found to their cost following relegation from the top flight – the Hatters will start 2025-26 back in League One.

Mick Mills, who captained Ipswich to FA Cup and Uefa Cup triumphs during 16 years at Portman Road in the 1970s and 80s, told BBC Radio Suffolk: “As these guys work their way through management, their CVs fluctuate.

“Sometimes they read beautifully and they are much in demand and then all of a sudden, they just get a little bit tarnished, and they’re not in demand.

“At the moment, Kieran has got a little black mark on his. You’ll have one or two [interested clubs] that were stepping forward last year, just retreating a little bit. If he gets us back up, they’ll come forward again.”

Nothing drastic, Ipswich squad in strong position – McKenna

McKenna’s contract runs until the summer of 2028 and speaking following their final-day defeat by West Ham, the Northern Irishman insisted they had the basis of a really good squad in place for next season.

Top scorer Liam Delap, though, has left after a single season during which he attracted plenty of positive headlines, with Chelsea having signed the 22-year-old.

Massimo Luongo has been released but several players remain from the Championship squad of 2024, some of them perhaps not having enjoyed the amount of Premier League game time they wanted.

So, would McKenna be right to build a team around them again?

Conor Chaplin scored 13 league goals two seasons ago, but only one in the top flight, and the same downward trend affected forwards Nathan Broadhead and Omari Hutchinson.

Wing-back Leif Davis’ goal assists total, meanwhile, fell from 18 to two.

“A lot of players that we’ve questioned in the Premier League will go back to the Championship and straight away will look pretty good – and pretty good might be an understatement,” Mills added.

“They’ll be comfortable at that level and all of a sudden, individually we’ll be at the right level, and that will mean collectively we’ll be right as well.”

On the signings strategy, he added: “What we have to do now is buy the player that is good enough to get us out of the Championship and then is good enough to keep us in the Premier League.

“But there’s not too many players out there that are of Premier League standard that will come and help you get out of the Championship. That scenario is difficult.”

Despite that, Mills believes Town have a “great chance” to follow the example of Burnley, rather than Luton, and gain promotion at the first attempt after relegation.

And it would appear many Ipswich followers share his confidence if extra firepower can be added, despite being wary of other players including Davis and Hutchinson leaving.

“As much as I really love George Hirst, I think a full Championship season is quite unlikely for him with his injury record – we’ve got Ali [Al Hamadi] coming back from his loan but I think definitely another striker [is needed],” supporter Lukas told BBC Radio Suffolk’s The Blue Hour.

“I’d like to see a Championship-proven striker and I think there’s players out there who might not set the Premier League alight the year after if we go up, but will do the job in the Championship.”

Another fan James added: “It was Kieran who said not that long ago that you learn more from the defeats than you do from the victories, he’s certainly had plenty of opportunities for learning this season and you have a lot of confidence, a lot of faith in him to take those learnings on board and to really apply them going forward into the Championship.”

Although they believe it will be “tricky” with clubs including Birmingham City and Wrexham coming up and looking to gain promotion at the first attempt, another supporter, Kallum, said: “We have every right to be confident.

“There’s going to be an increased expectation, we’re going into it as one of the favourites, if not the favourites.

“But I’d like to think there’s good reason for that in terms of the manager looks like he’s going to be staying. There’s that consistency you’re not going to have with the other two sides coming down. Southampton have a new manager in charge and Leicester, Ruud van Nistelrooy is almost certainly not going to be staying, but it’s not a weak division.

“Two very ambitious clubs are coming up from League One, but there’s no Leeds, no Burnley, no Sunderland, there’ll be a few teams up there but I’m confident we’ll be one of them.”

June 5, 2025

N.J. track star ties Sydney McLaughlin’s Meet of Champions record after 2 more titles

Pennsauken’s Sianni Wynn won her 11th individual Meet of Champions title and tied an all-time great New Jersey runner in the process.

The junior dominated in the 200-meter dash (23.20) and tied Union Catholic alum and Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin for the most individual titles in MOC history. Wynn‘s time in 200 was .91 faster than second place. She also won the 100-meter dash.

“It shows the remarkable consistency she has. She doesn’t panic,” said Pennsauken head coach Phil Zimmerman. “She has all these goals and knows exactly what she’s trying to do. She also knows her history and what’s going on in the state. She understands who she’s chasing.

“She also knows what level she wants to be on, but, at the same, she doesn’t clout chase. She’s quietly confident and she’s ambitious.”

Wynn won the 400-meter championship as a sophomore and took home both the 100-meter and 200-meter titles last year at home at Pennsauken. She repeated as champion in both events this year to catch McLaughlin.

The star junior also has been unstoppable in winter track as well. Wynn has won three indoor MOC titles in both the 55-meter and 200-meter events. She owns indoor state records 55, 60 and 200.

“I love Sydney McLaughlin, so to have the same amount of Meet of Champs wins as her feels great,” said Wynn. “Honestly, I always have been pretty fast. I just didn’t know how fast I’d be now or how far I would go.

“All of this, honestly, just lets me know that whatever I’m doing is working. It’s as simple as that.”

June 5, 2025

Grateful and proud’ – Azamati reacts after securing 100m spot for 2025 World Championships

Benjamin Azamati is a sprinter for Ghana

Ghanaian sprint star Benjamin Azamati has expressed pride and relief after officially qualifying for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The 26-year-old hit the qualifying standard at the McNabb Sprint Series, clocking 9.98 seconds in the men’s 100m with a legal wind reading of +1.2 m/s, his season’s best performance so far.

The time places him joint 17th on the global qualification list and reaffirms his position as one of Ghana’s most consistent performers in recent sprinting history.

Reacting to the achievement in an interview with Sporty FM, Azamati shared a mix of gratitude and emotional release after what has been a testing journey.

“I feel grateful and proud. It’s been a long journey with ups and downs, so finally making the qualification mark takes some pressure off,” he said.

Azamati added that the result now allows him to focus more calmly on what lies ahead.

“Now I can focus on the rest of the season and prepare to be in my best shape in September,” he added.

The Olympic semi-finalist and national relay record holder opted out of the 2025 World Relays in Guangzhou to concentrate on qualifying individually in the 100m, a strategic decision that has clearly paid off.

This latest performance also marks the fourth time Azamati has broken the 10-second barrier under legal wind conditions, more than any Ghanaian athlete in history.

Beyond his brilliance, he remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s 4x100m relay team and famously ran the back straight in the squad that set the national record (38.07s) at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene.

Watch as Techiman Eleven Wonders crowned 2025 Division One League Champions

Meanwhile, watch as Eleven Wonders beat RTU 2-1 in the Division One League play-off final

June 4, 2025

Lions have 3rd-most cap space in NFL, but may hold on spending

The Detroit Lions still have some room in the salary cap to work with in 2025. But that doesn’t mean they will.

After the June 1 designations, which allow NFL teams to cut up to two players and spread out the hit to their salary caps over the next two years instead of one, the Lions have $40.1 million of cap space left for the upcoming season.

That’s the third-highest amount among all NFL teams according to Over The Cap, behind the New England Patriots ($60.4 million) and the San Francisco 49ers ($46.5 million).

The Lions chose not to use any of their June 1 designations this season, which means they didn’t add to their dead money total for 2025 or 2026. Their dead money total for 2025 stands at $21.8 million, ranking 20th in the league.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Lions have free reign to spend this season.

Starting in 2026, the Lions salary cap situation may turn from one of the best in the league to one of the worst. That’s because the Lions are currently projected to be $54.4 million over the cap in 2026, in part due to rising salaries for stars Jared Goff, Aidan Hutchinson, Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Goff’s impact is especially big, since his cap hit will rise from $32.6 million in 2025 to $69.6 million in 2026. Hutchinson’s will rise from $11.3 million this season to $19.8 million the next, St. Brown’s from $13.9 million to $33.1 million and Sewell’s from $9.5 million to $28 million.

That’s a rise of $83.2 million in cap space from just those four players.

The Lions also made safety Kerby Joseph the highest-paid safety in NFL history on a contract that begins in 2026.

The cap situation could mean the Lions look for creative ways to get ahead of a potential salary cap nightmare. That includes restructuring current deals, and handing out big bonuses for new contracts signed in 2025 in lieu of bigger salary commitments for later years.

Another option the Lions have is to hold firm with the roster they have already. NFL rules allow teams to roll over cap space into the following season, which means the Lions could knock off $40 million from their cap hit in 2026 should they make no changes to their salary obligations in 2025.

Complicating things is a Hutchinson extension on the horizon. The Lions already picked up his fifth-year rookie option for 2026, but the team wants to lock up Hutchinson to a long-term deal at some point.

Lions president Ron Wood has already said Hutchinson will be in Detroit “for the long haul,” though it’s unclear where the parties stand with negotiating a contract extension.

Another factor: Frank Ragnow had two years left on his contract before announcing his retirement Monday, June 2, which would save the Lions money.

He was scheduled to make $9.15 million in base salary in 2025 with a $14.05 million cap hit, according to Over The Cap. When the retirement becomes official, the Lions are only on the hook for $8.4 million in guarantees until 2026, instead of the $30.4 million cap hit through 2026. The Lions can spread the savings across both years if they choose.

However the Lions approach their salary cap situation, general manager Brad Holmes is sure to have many tough decisions to make over the next couple of years.

June 4, 2025

Detroit Lions signing Trystan Colon as insurance with Frank Ragnow retiring: Report

It didn’t take long for the Detroit Lions to find a backup plan at center.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Lions have signed offensive lineman Trystan Colon to a one-year deal. Colon, 27, has played in 51 NFL games for two teams over five seasons, most recently for the Arizona Cardinals in 2024. He was undrafted out of Missouri in 2020.

Colon, formerly known as Colon-Castillo, played in all 17 games for the Cardinals in 2024, making a career-high seven starts. He has made four career starts at center, all with the Baltimore Ravens from 2020-22, and 11 starts at right guard from 2023-24 with the Cardinals.

The signing follows the retirement of longtime Lions center Frank Ragnow, who announced his retirement via Instagram on Monday. Ragnow, a first-round pick in 2018, was the Lions’ starting center from 2018-24, making 96 starts.

Among the options the Lions are considering to replace Ragnow is 2025 second-round draft pick Tate Ratledge, who has been taking snaps at center during organized team activities. Ratledge primarily served as a right guard in college for the Georgia Bulldogs, but has been praised by members of the Lions staff for his versatility.

The Lions could also turn to veteran Graham Glasgow at center. He started at left guard last season.

June 4, 2025

Lewis Hamilton: Nico Rosberg offers assessment on ex-team-mate’s ‘difficult’ start at Ferrari

He was asked by Ferrari to let team-mate Charles Leclerc through in the first stint, was undercut by Russell at the second round of stops, and then was overtaken by Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg after a late Safety Car had closed the pack up.

And Sky Sports F1 pundit Rosberg said after seeing Hamilton’s post-race interview: “It’s hard to watch.

“Sunday was a horrible day for him because he was just slow out there, which is very unusual,

“Yes, sometimes he’s been a little bit off in qualifying but in races he’s usually really awesome and the race was shockingly bad.

Lewis Hamilton shared some short answers after a 'really bad day' at the Spanish Grand Prix, which saw the Ferrari driver finish sixth.

Hamilton shared some short answers after a ‘really bad day’ at the Spanish Grand Prix

“He doesn’t have answers either. Was there damage on the floor? These floors are so sensitive and there can always be a bit there and you lose a lot of time. Or what was going on?

“When you don’t have any answers, it’s really tough as a driver and then you see your team-mate race their way to third place on the podium. In light of the whole season he’s had so far, it’s a very dark situation.”

Although Hamilton suggested his race-day struggles in Spain were “probably just me”, Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur did reveal afterwards that “we had an issue on the car the last stint, before the Safety Car”. The Frenchman did not elaborate on what the issue on the SF-25 was, adding that “we’ll look into it”.

Hamilton had said to engineer Riccardo Adami over team radio at the end of the race: “There’s something wrong with this car, mate. It’s the worst it’s ever been.”

‘There’s something missing’ – Rosberg’s verdict on Hamilton’s start at Ferrari

With Ferrari’s hopes of mounting a challenge for both world championships quickly not materialising this season amid their 17-year title drought, Hamilton is sixth in the Drivers’ Championship after nine races – 23 behind fifth-placed team-mate Leclerc, who claimed his second successive podium in Spain.

Highlights of the Spanish Grand Prix from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

Last Saturday was just the second time in nine attempts that Hamilton had outqualified Leclerc for a Grand Prix, while he has still only beaten the Monegasque once in a full race.

And Rosberg, a childhood friend of Hamilton’s in karting turned Mercedes team-mate and ultimately fierce title rival, said: “It’s been a difficult start so far, a continuation of the form he had last year which was the first time in his career he had a dip in form for the whole season.

“George Russell beat him last year and Leclerc has taken over from Russell, always a bit ahead of Lewis, who hasn’t found his way yet.

“There’s something missing. He’s not connecting with the car yet and still a bit on the backfoot but the car is a handful.

With McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris looking set to contest the drivers' world championship, Nico Rosberg looks back on some of the most fascinating inter-team rivalries in Formula One history.

Nico Rosberg looks back on some of the most fascinating in-team rivalries in Formula 1 history

“Lewis’ strengths in this stage of his career is his race pace, which we saw in Imola when he started 12th and finished fourth with blistering pace. It was amazing to watch.

“But, he’s 40 and at some point, it’s all about the speed of processing in our brains, the reaction time in qualifying.

“At some point you will get ever so slightly slower and it will happen to Lewis sooner rather than later.”

The 2025 Formula 1 season pauses for breath after the European triple-header before resuming live on Sky Sports F1 with the Canadian Grand Prix from June 13-15. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.

June 4, 2025

Georgia and Kirby Smart just landed the nation’s No. 3 CB over 42 other programs

Talk about a huge, monster get for the Dawgs.

2024 SEC Championship – Georgia v Texas

One of the nation’s top cornerbacks is officially off the board and this is no doubt incredible news for Kirby Smart and the Georgia football team. That’s right, moments ago, 4-star CB Justice Fitzpatrick revealed that he doesn’t need any more time to think about where he’ll call home in 2026.

Fitzpatrick, wanted by loads of powerhouses, announced his commitment to the Bulldogs via On3’s Hayes Fawcett and this indeed is a huge get for the Bulldogs. Fitzpatrick just took his official visit to Athens last weekend, with his time on campus clearly sending things over the top for him with this latest decision.

4-star CB Justice Fitzpatrick has officially committed to the Georgia Bulldogs

This is monster news for several different reasons. To start, Fitzpatrick is the younger brother of All-Pro Steelers defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was an All-American at Alabama. Plenty of people thought Kalen DeBoer and Bama would have an advantage because of this.

Instead, the younger Fitzpatrick has decided to pave his own path and he’ll be suiting up for a different SEC side. Another reason to get excited about the 6-0, 185-pounder announcing that his future will be with Georgia?

Not only is he ranked four stars, but he’s also the No.3 cornerback in the country, No. 5 player from Florida and the No. 47 prospect overall for the 2026 class according to the 247Sports Composite. Yeah, this kid is a total baller.

Throughout his recruitment, the newest UGA pledge has picked up 43 offers. In addition to his official visit with Georgia, he was all set to visit Texas to meet with Steve Sarkisian and Co. on June 13, but it now looks like that trip will be canceled. In the end, Fitzpatrick was down to UGA, Ohio State, Texas, Florida and Miami.

His OV was one to remember and it made the difference in Smart posting yet another recruiting win. The veteran coach has struck again.

June 4, 2025

Cole Cubelic has Alabama’s D-Line ranked as the 5th best in the SEC going into 2025.

SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic has ranked Alabama’s defensive line as the fifth best in the Southeastern Conference heading into the 2025 season. This assessment reflects both the potential and the challenges facing the Crimson Tide’s defensive front as they adapt to new leadership and schemes.

Under new head coach Kalen DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, Alabama is transitioning to a 4-2-5 “Swarm” defense, moving away from the traditional 3-4 base utilized during the Nick Saban era.

This shift introduces the “Bandit” position—a hybrid role requiring players to excel both as edge rushers and in coverage. The success of this scheme heavily relies on the defensive line’s ability to generate pressure and adapt to versatile roles.

Key returning players like Tim Keenan III and Tim Smith bring experience and leadership to the interior line. Keenan, who started at nose tackle in 2023, recorded 38 tackles and his first career sack, showcasing his development and commitment to the program.

Smith, entering his graduate year, has consistently contributed over his four seasons, providing stability and depth. Additionally, Texas A&M transfer LT Overton is expected to make a significant impact. In the previous season, Overton led the team with 38 pressures, demonstrating his disruptive capabilities on the edge .

Despite these strengths, the defensive line faces challenges that justify Cubelic’s ranking. The departure of standout players like Justin Eboigbe, who had a seven-sack, All-SEC season in 2023, leaves a void in pass-rushing prowess. Moreover, the adaptation to a new defensive

scheme requires time and cohesion, factors that can affect early-season performance. The depth chart also includes players like James Smith, Jordan Renaud, Keon Keeley, Edric Hill, and Jeremiah Beaman, who, while talented, have limited in-game experience and will need to step up to maintain the unit’s effectiveness .

Cubelic’s ranking also reflects the broader competitive landscape of the SEC. Teams like Georgia and LSU have consistently fielded dominant defensive lines, setting a high benchmark for others in the conference. Alabama’s position at fifth suggests that while the Crimson Tide possess the talent and potential to excel, they must prove their capabilities on the field, especially against top-tier opponents.

In conclusion, Alabama’s defensive line enters the 2025 season with a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, all under a new defensive philosophy.

While challenges exist, particularly in adapting to the “Swarm” defense and filling the gaps left by departing players, the unit has the potential to rise in the rankings. Their performance will be crucial in determining Alabama’s defensive success and overall competitiveness in the SEC this season.

June 4, 2025

CAM’RON GOES OFF ON OLYMPIAN NOAH LYLES! | BEST OF S6 EP96

In one of the most talked-about moments from Season 6, Episode 96 of It Is What It Is, Cam’ron didn’t hold back when addressing comments made by Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles—and fans are still buzzing.

For context, Lyles made waves during a press conference where he expressed frustration with NBA players referring to themselves as “world champions” after winning the Finals.

His argument was rooted in the idea that NBA teams don’t compete against global squads—they play within an American league with mostly U.S.-based teams. His exact quote, “You’re not world champions. You’re NBA champions,” rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, especially those within the sports and entertainment world who see the NBA as the pinnacle of basketball talent worldwide.

Enter Cam’ron, who took serious issue with Lyles’ remarks and made his position crystal clear. In typical Cam fashion, he pulled no punches. The episode kicked off with Cam’ron shaking his head in disbelief and going off: “Who the hell is this guy?” he asked, pointing out that most people wouldn’t recognize Lyles outside of Olympic circles.

He questioned the timing and purpose of Lyles’ comments, implying that they felt more like a clout-chasing move than a genuine critique of global sports hierarchy.

Cam’ron’s co-host, Ma$e, tried to offer a more measured response, suggesting that while Lyles’ tone was off, his broader point about international competition wasn’t entirely invalid. But Cam wasn’t having it. He pushed back hard, listing off the international stars who dominate the NBA—like Luka Dončić, Giannis

Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić—to argue that the league is global in talent, even if it’s based in the U.S. “The best from every country come here to compete,” Cam emphasized, “so when you win here, you’re beating the best in the world.”

The debate quickly turned into a larger conversation about respect, platform, and legacy. Cam’ron made a fiery comparison between Lyles and other Olympians who let their performance do the talking, suggesting that Lyles should “win more, talk less.” It was a classic Cam moment—raw, animated, and soaked in streetwise confidence.

What made this episode stand out wasn’t just the headline moment, but how it highlighted the different generational and cultural perspectives on sports. Cam’ron represented the unapologetic voice of the streets and die-hard fans who see the NBA as untouchable. Meanwhile, Ma$e brought a slightly more nuanced angle, reminding viewers that not every take—even if unpopular—is made in bad faith.

Fans of It Is What It Is are used to these passionate clashes, but Episode 96 was peak entertainment. It offered more than a viral moment; it opened a dialogue about international validation, sports supremacy, and who gets to define greatness in modern athletics.

At the end of the day, whether you agree with Cam’ron or Noah Lyles, the moment underscores how powerful—and polarizing—words can be when spoken on a public platform. And if there’s one thing we learned from this episode, it’s this: never underestimate Cam when it comes to defending the NBA.

June 4, 2025

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