Two years after they played significant roles in a World Series championship, the Texas Rangers have cut ties with slugging outfielder Adolis García and catcher Jonah Heim.

The Rangers declined to tender contracts to the arbitration-eligible players, making them the highest-profile free agents on a day Major League Baseball teams faced a deadline to offer 2026 contracts to players on their 40-man rosters.

García and Heim were projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $12.1 million and $6 million, respectively, in their final seasons of arbitration before they’d become free agents after the 2026 season. But both players suffered downturns in production since playing huge roles in the Rangers’ 2023 World Series championship.

Garcia, who turns 33 in March, was the American League Championship Series MVP in 2023 after scorching the Houston Astros for five home runs and 15 RBIs in the Rangers’ seven-game conquest of the defending champions. He hit a walk-off home run off Arizona’s Miguel Castro to win Game 1 of the World Series.

But Garcia faded from a 39-homer, 107-RBI man in 2023 to 25 homers and a league-average .684 OPS in 2024. This year, he batted just .227 with 19 homers and a 93 adjusted OPS.

Heim, 30, had 14 hits and three home runs in the Rangers’ postseason run, after a year in which he batted .258 with a .755 OPS and made the All-Star team. But those numbers dwindled to .213 and .602 this season, and now the Rangers will be in the market for a primary catcher to pair with veteran Kyle Higashioka.

The Rangers also non-tendered 2023 relief hero Josh Sborz, who pitched just 16⅓ innings the past two seasons due to a shoulder injury, and reliever Jacob Webb.

MLB non-tenders: Notable names

The following teams chose not to offer contracts to arbitration-eligible players, making them free agents:

∎ Detroit Tigers: Utilityman Andy Ibanez, who batted .239 with a .653 OPS in 91 games; he played in nine playoff games the past two seasons.

∎ Los Angeles Dodgers: Reliever Evan Phillips, their former closer who is recovering from June Tommy John surgery.

∎ Pittsburgh Pirates: Outfielders Alexander Canario and Ronny Simon and right-handers Colin Holderman and Dauri Moreta.

∎ San Francisco Giants: Left-hander Joey Lucchesi, who posted a 3.76 ERA in 38⅓ innings.

∎ Cincinnati Reds: Catcher Will Banfield and right-handers Roddery Munoz and Carson Spiers.

∎ Cleveland Guardians: Outfielder Will Brennan, who underwent Tommy John surgery this year, and reliever Sam Hentges.

∎ St. Louis Cardinals: Left-hander John King, right-hander Sem Robberse and catcher Yohel Pozo.

∎ Kansas City Royals: Outfielder MJ Melendez, who had five hits in 60 at-bats this season, and reliever Taylor Clarke, who posted a 3.25 ERA in 51 appearances.

∎ Chicago White Sox: Veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman.

∎ Baltimore Orioles: Swingman Albert Suárez, who pitched in just five games before suffering a shoulder injury.

∎ Los Angeles Angels: Outfielder Gustavo Campero and catcher Sebastian Rivero.

∎ New York Yankees: Right-handed relievers Mark Leiter Jr., Jake Cousins, Scott Effross, Ian Hamilton and Michael Arias.

AI-assisted summary
• Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. killed three members of the school’s football team and wounded two other students.
• The shooting occurred on a chartered bus after a class trip to see a play in Washington, D.C.
• Defense attorneys argued for a lighter sentence, citing the physical and mental abuse Jones suffered as a child.

A former University of Virginia student who shot and killed three members of the school’s football program in 2022 was sentenced on Friday to the maximum of five life sentences, plus 23 years on gun charges.

Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., 26, apologized for his crimes Friday before the sentencing, which led some victims’ family members to walk out as he spoke.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said, as reported by Cville Right Now, a news outlet in Charlottesville. ‘I caused so much pain.’

Jones pleaded guilty last year to the murders of D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis Jr. and Devin Chandler. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and five counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Judge Cheryl Higgins handed down the punishment — a life sentence for each of the five shooting victims, two of whom survived.

Over the course of several days of testimony this week, prosecutors and witnesses described the nightmarish scene of the shooting, which came aboard a chartered bus that shuttled members of an African American Theatre class to Washington, D.C., to see a play about Emmett Till.

“My heart will never heal,” said Perry’s mother, Happy. “Until I get the closure I need, this hurt will never go away.”

Perry’s younger sister, D’Shandra, testified that his murder “shattered the whole foundation of who we are.”

The shooting began at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2022, in a parking garage on campus, taking the lives of the three football players and wounding two others: sprinter Marlee Morgan, who was shot in the leg, and football running back Mike Hollins, who was shot in the back. Morgan and Hollins both recovered. Morgan joined the Virginia track team. Hollins returned to play in the 2023 season and won the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award as the league’s most courageous football player and the FWAA Courage Award.

Hollins testified at the sentencing hearing this week.

‘I realized I was the one who was spared,” Hollins testified. “It’s three years later and I can still feel it.”

Jones joined the Virginia football program as a walk-on true freshman in 2018 but did not play in any games and then left the program, though he did remain enrolled in the university.

Defense attorneys argued for a lighter sentence, citing Jones’ “scars of childhood,” and that the physical and mental abuse he suffered in his home led Jones to become “delusional.”

A forensic psychologist who testified on behalf of the defense said Jones’ childhood caused him to have an ‘exceedingly distorted perception’ of reality.

The Ontario Hockey League came down hard on defenseman Luke Dragusica, suspending him for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs for a slash to an opponent’s head.

The junior hockey league had already suspended him indefinitely, pending a review.

The incident happened Friday, Nov. 14. Dragusica, who plays for the Brampton Steelheads, was checked by the Oshawa Generals’ Brady Blaseg. As Blaseg got up and skated away, Dragusica followed and slashed him in the side of the head. He also cross-checked Blaseg while he was on the ice.

Blaseg left the game and didn’t return. Dragusica was ejected after receiving a match penalty for slashing.

‘The deliberate use of a stick as a weapon to an opponent’s head, followed by further contact on a defenseless player, is a dangerous and unacceptable act that has no place in the OHL,’ the league said in a statement.

Dragusica will be required to complete a league-mandated education, counseling and community service program, the OHL said. He’ll have to appear before a panel to apply for reinstatement for the 2026–27 season.

Dragusica, 18, has two assists and 37 penalty minutes in 15 games this season for Brampton. He was eligible for the 2025 draft but didn’t get selected. He was invited by the Buffalo Sabres to a prospects tournament and returned to his junior team afterward.

Blaseg returned for the Generals’ next game on Sunday and was hit from behind into the boards. Erie Otters forward Brett Hammond received a game misconduct and a one-game suspension for that hit.

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Formula 1 has taken over Sin City for the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend and the grid is set.

Lando Norris edged out Max Verstappen during Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying on Friday night.

Lewis Hamilton will start Saturday’s race in 20th after an unsuccessful outing in the first qualifying session.

The action started Thursday, Nov. 20, with two practice rounds in the afternoon on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit – a 17-turn, 3.8-mile street course in the heart of the city. The action continued Friday, Nov. 21 with a third practice round, followed by qualifying in the evening.

George Russell won last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix ahead of Hamilton and Carlos Sainz Jr., who finished in second and third, respectively.

Here’s the complete qualifying results for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which will run Saturday night:

Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying results

1. Lando Norris, McLaren (1:47.934)
2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull (1:48.257)
3. Carlos Sainz, Williams (1:48.296)
4. George Russell, Mercedes (1:48.803)
5. Oscar Piastri, McLaren (1:48.961)
6. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls (1:49.062)
7. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (1:49.466)
8. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls (1:49.554)
9. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari (1:49.872)
10. Pierre Gasly, Alpine (1:51.540)
11. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber (1:52.781)
12. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (1:52.850)
13. Esteban Ocon, Haas (1:52.987)
14. Oliver Bearman, Haas (1:53.094)
15. Franco Colapinto, Alpine (1:53.683)
16. Alex Albon, Williams (1:56.220)
17. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes (1:56.314)
18. Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber (1:56.674)
19. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull (1:56.798)
20. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari (1:57.115)

What time is qualifying for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix?

Qualifying for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix begins at 10:55 ET (7:55 p.m. local) and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The third practice round began at 7:25 p.m. ET on ESPNEWS with streaming on ESPN+.

Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying: Time, TV, streaming

• Date: Friday, Nov. 21
• Time: 10:55 p.m. ET (7:55 p.m. PT)
• TV: ESPN2
• Live stream: Fubo and ESPN+
• Location: Las Vegas Strip Circuit

Watch Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying on Fubo

Upcoming F1 races this season

• Nov. 30: Qatar Grand Prix
• Dec. 7: Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) Grand Prix

After a brief break due to FIFA’s November international window, the Major League Soccer playoffs resume with the conference semifinals.

The road to MLS Cup 2025 is down to eight teams, with all but one of the Round 1 matchups won by the higher-seeded team (and the one upset as a No. 5 seed defeating a 4-seed). A playoff devoid of upsets sets up an intriguing round of matchups featuring the league’s best teams.

For Inter Miami, it’s a ‘Last Dance’-type scenario for Lionel Messi and his former FC Barcelona teammates, with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets set to retire at season’s end. Miami visits FC Cincinnati as it attempts to get Messi yet another trophy. Supporters’ Shield winners Philadelphia Union host the only lower seed to prevail in Round 1, New York City FC.

Out West, the Vancouver Whitecaps host Los Angeles FC, which has knocked Vancouver out of the playoffs the previous two seasons. San Diego FC’s quest to complete the greatest expansion season in league history continues when it hosts Minnesota United.

Here’s how USA TODAY Network soccer experts see how conference semifinals of the MLS playoffs will play out, including bonus picks for MLS Cup:

MLS playoff predictions, picks for conference semifinals

FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami

• Safid Deen: Inter Miami
• Jim Reineking: Inter Miami
• Jacob Shames: Inter Miami
• Seth Vertelney: FC Cincinnati
• James Weber: Inter Miami

Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC

• Safid Deen: Philadelphia Union
• Jim Reineking: Philadelphia Union
• Jacob Shames: Philadelphia Union
• Seth Vertelney: New York City FC
• James Weber: Philadelphia Union

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles FC

• Safid Deen: Los Angeles FC
• Jim Reineking: Vancouver Whitecaps
• Jacob Shames: Vancouver Whitecaps
• Seth Vertelney: Los Angeles FC
• James Weber: Vancouver Whitecaps

San Diego FC vs. Minnesota United

• Safid Deen: San Diego FC
• Jim Reineking: Minnesota United
• Jacob Shames: Minnesota United
• Seth Vertelney: San Diego FC
• James Weber: San Diego FC

MLS Cup 2025

• Safid Deen: Inter Miami over Los Angeles FC
• Jim Reineking: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps
• Jacob Shames: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps
• Seth Vertelney: Los Angeles FC over FC Cincinnati
• James Weber: Inter Miami over Vancouver Whitecaps

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

The Denver Nuggets managed to overcome the loss of Aaron Gordon in the first half and beat the Houston Rockets on the road at the Toyota Center on Friday in an NBA Cup game. 

Nuggets star Nikola Jokić nearly produced a triple-double with 34 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Jamal Murray contributed to the victory with 26 points and 10 assists for Denver.

The Rockets held a three-point lead at halftime after a strong scoring performance from Reed Sheppard in the first half. The 2024 first-round pick scored 20 points. Sheppard was limited in the second half to just seven points, though.

Amen Thompson had 22 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

The two Western Conference teams have been tabbed by NBA experts as the teams most likely to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Western Conference crown this season.

Here’s how Friday’s NBA Cup game between the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets played out:

Nuggets-Rockets highlights

Final: Nuggets 112, Rockets 109

Jabari Smith Jr. scored a 3-pointer with 5.5 seconds left on the clock to cut into the Nuggets’ lead and make it a 1-point game at 110-109.

Smith fouled out of the game moments later on the Nuggets’ next possession. Jokić was sent to the foul line, where he managed to put the game away for the Nuggets.

3Q: Nuggets 80, Rockets 78

The Nuggets managed to keep pace with the Rockets, outscoring them 34-29 in the third quarter. Nikola Jokić has 28 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 27 minutes of action through three quarters of play. Jamal Murray has 12 points and eight assists.

Reed Sheppard scored just four points in the third quarter after 20 in the first half. Jabari Smith Jr. has 12 points and seven rebounds for the Rockets.

Aaron Gordon out for game

The Nuggets announced that Aaron Gordon suffered a right hamstring strain in the first half and he has been ruled out for the second half.

Halftime: Rockets 49, Nuggets 46

The Rockets outscored the Nuggets 37-21 in the second quarter to take the lead at halftime.

Reed Sheppard scored 20 points in the first half for Houston. Nikola Jokić was held to just three points in the second quarter for the Nuggets.

1Q: Nuggets 25, Rockets 12

Nikola Jokić had seven points and seven rebounds for the Nuggets in the opening quarter. Peyton Watson and Jamal Murray each scored five points. Kevin Durant had six of the Rockets’ 12 points.

Nuggets lead Rockets early

The Nuggets built up a 16-8 lead with 3:50 left in the first quarter. Jamal Murray has five points for Denver.

Rockets starting lineup vs. Nuggets

Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant made up the starting lineup for the Rockets.

Nuggets starting lineup vs. Rockets

Jamal Murray, Cam Johnson, Peyton Watson, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokić started for the Nuggets.

What time is Nuggets vs. Rockets NBA Cup game today?

The Houston Rockers will host the Denver Nuggets in NBA Cup action at the Toyota Center at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 21.

How to watch Nuggets vs. Rockets in NBA Cup: TV, live streaming

The Friday, Nov. 21 NBA Cup game between the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets will be live streamed nationally on Amazon Prime Video.

• Date: Nov. 21, 2025
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local)
• Location: Toyota Center (Houston)
• TV: None
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Nikola Jokic’s hot start

The Denver Nuggets star is on an early pace to set new career highs and perhaps win his third NBA Most Valuable Player award:

• Jokić last nine games stats: 34.0 PPG | 12.6 RPG | 11.3 APG | .724 2PT% | .476 3PT%
• Jokić 2025-26 season stats: 29.1 PPG | 13.2 RPG | 11.1 APG — leads NBA in rebounds & assists

Alperen Sengun fueling Rockets

While Kevin Durant (25.5) tends to draw the most attention from opposing players and fans, teammate Alperen Şengün has been stuffing the stat sheets so far this season:

• Şengün 2025-26 season stats: 23.4 PPG | 10.4 RPG | 8.7 APG | 45.3% FG% | .409 3PT%
• Elite company: Şengün is the only player besides Jokić averaging 23+ PTS, 10+ REB, 7+ AST

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The top-10 women’s basketball matchup between No. 1 UConn and No. 9 Michigan, the first meeting between the two programs, lived up to the billing on Friday. 

The Huskies defeated the Wolverines 72-69 at the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, cutting Michigan’s gutsy comeback just short. 

UConn completely dominated the first half of the contest and built up a 20 point lead by the third quarter. Just when it looked like UConn was going to cruise to its fifth win of the season, Michigan upped the pressure and completely changed the momentum of the game with an 18-2 run to close the third quarter down by four points.

The Huskies showed their experience and quickly stretched their lead back to 13 points with 3:37 remaining, but the Wolverines never faltered and continued coming at the Huskies. Michigan sophomore guard Syla Swords knocked down three of her eight 3-pointers in the final minute of the contest, including a deep 3 with 13 seconds remaining to come within one point, 70-69.

What ensued next was utter chaos. Michigan fouled UConn’s Azzi Fudd with eight seconds remaining and Fudd made both her free throws to go up 72-69. Michigan’s Olivia Olson inbounded the ball to Swords, who was stripped in the backcourt by UConn’s KK Arnold. Ashlynn Shade then turned the ball over to Michigan’s McKenzie Mathurin, but the Wolverines weren’t able to get a final shot off.

UConn improves to 46-1 all-time at Mohegan Sun Arena. UConn is 136-56 all-time in games where both teams are ranked in the top 10. This was the first meeting between UConn and Michigan.

Azzi Fudd finished with a game-high 31 points, two steals and two blocks, while Sarah Strong added 16 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, four blocks and three steals. 

Swords had 29 points and nine rebounds in the losing effort, while Olson added 18 points and 10 rebounds.  

UConn vs. Michigan highlights

End of Q3: UConn 49, Michigan 45 

We have a ball game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. 

Michigan trailed by as many as 20 points in the third quarter, but the Wolverines went on an 18-2 run to cut their deficit to four points. UConn had six turnovers in the third quarter, which fueled Michigan’s comeback and the Wolverines outscored the Huskies 18-4 in the frame.

Syla Swords scored nine points in the third quarter and has a team-high 17 points, while Olivia Olson is up to 12 points. 

The Huskies shot 2-of-15 from the field in the third quarter. UConn has not scored since the 6:19 mark.

Halftime: UConn 45, Michigan 27

UConn guard Azzi Fudd ended the second quarter with an exclamation point after knocking down a buzzer-beating jumper to push the Huskies’ lead over Michigan to 18 points at halftime. 

The Huskies have been utterly dominant. UConn is shooting 46% from the field and 6-of-17 from the 3-point line, while holding the Wolverines to 28% from the field and 5-of-17 from 3. That’s a major feat considering the Wolverines are averaging 99.2 points per game this season, the fourth highest-scoring offense in the nation. 

Fudd has a team-high 18 points and two steals for the Huskies, while sophomore forward Sarah Strong already has a double-double with 10 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and three steals in 20 minutes of play. 

Michigan appeared to settle in during the second quarter, scoring 22 points in the frame compared to only five points in the first quarter, but the Wolverines are still struggling to take care of the ball with 10 total turnovers in the half. 

Michigan sophomore guard Olivia Olson leads the Wolverines with nine points (4-of-10 FG, 1-of-5 3PT), while sophomore guard Syla Swords added eight points (2-of-12 FG, 2-of-6 3PT).

UConn first meeting vs. Michigan

End of Q1: UConn 22, Michigan 5

UConn showed why it’s the top-ranked team in the nation following a dominant first-quarter performance. The Huskies came out with their foot on the gas on Friday and built a 17-point lead, while holding the Wolverines to five points through the first 10 minutes.

Michigan shot a dismal 2-of-20 from the field and 1-of-7 from the 3-point line due to the constant pressure applied by the Huskies. UConn forced Michigan into five turnovers, which the Huskies converted to five points.

Sarah Strong and Ashlynn Shade each scored six points for UConn in the first quarter. Strong is already up to nine rebounds, rounding out her stat line with three blocks, one assist and one steal in 10 minutes of play. Azzi Fudd added five points and two steals. 

Michigan’s Syla Swords has three points, while Olivia Olson added two points. 

UConn jumps to 10-3 lead vs. Michigan

The top-10 showdown between UConn and Michigan is underway at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, home of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, which is less than 30 miles from Storrs, Connecticut.

Both teams came out with early jitters and missed some shots early on, but Huskies forward Sarah Strong opened up the scoring with a layup nearly two minutes into the game. Strong has done a little bit of everything so far. She’s up to four points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block as the Huskies lead 10-3 with 4:41 remaining in the first quarter.

Michigan sophomore guard Syla Swords got the Wolverines on the board with a 3-pointer, Michigan’s only field goal so far. Michigan is 1-of-7 from the field.

What time is Michigan vs. UConn women’s basketball?

Top-ranked UConn (4-0) faces No. 6 Michigan (4-0) in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 21, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Michigan vs. UConn: TV, streaming

• Date: Friday, Nov. 21
• Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
• Location: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

UConn Huskies starting lineup

• (2) KK Arnold
• (12) Ashlynn Shade
• (21) Sarah Strong
• (22) Serah Williams
• (35) Azzi Fudd

UConn women’s basketball roster

Michigan Wolverines starting lineup

Head coach: Kim Barnes Arico

• (1) Olivia Olson
• (3) Mila Holloway
• (5) Brooke Quarles Daniels
• (12) Syla Swords
• (15) Ashley Sofilkanich

Michigan women’s basketball roster

Check out UConn’s championship rings

The ‘Power of Friendship’ lifted the UConn women’s basketball team to the program’s 12th national championship in April and the phrase has been commemorated forever in the team’s new bling.

Nearly seven months after the Huskies defeated South Carolina 82-59 in the 2025 NCAA championship game to win the university’s first title since 2016, Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers returned to Storrs, Connecticut, to receive the first national championship ring of her career alongside former teammates.

‘The power of friendship … is the reason that we did win it,’ said Bueckers, who helped design the ring alongside Azzi Fudd and Caroline Ducharme. ‘We just went off of straight vibes and we stuck together through it all.’

From facing UConn to fueling them: Kayleigh Heckel’s seamless transition

STORRS, Conn. — If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.

That may not be exactly how sophomore Kayleigh Heckel ended up playing for No. 1-ranked UConn, but it is true that she finished her freshman season at USC with a loss to the team she ended up joining after entering the transfer portal.

‘My last game at USC was against UConn,’ Heckel said in a video posted by UConn prior to the season. ‘The stakes were high, was the Elite Eight game, so excited to be on this side now.’ Read full story here.

UConn freshman Blanca Quiñonez latest target of Auriemma’s tough love

UConn freshman Blanca Quiñonez, who Auriemma jokes ‘leads the free world in turnovers,’ is the most recent recipient of Auriemma’s affection. The Ecuador native played in her second collegiate game Nov. 16, scoring 18 points but also turning the ball over five times.

UConn remains No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball poll

The defending champion Connecticut Huskies remain in the No. 1 spot in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, released on Tuesday, Nov. 18. UConn looks to become the first repeat champion since winning four straight from 2013-16.

USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

1. UConn (4-0)
2. South Carolina (4-0)
3. UCLA (5-0)
4. Texas (4-0)
5. LSU (5-0)
6. Maryland (5-0)
7. Oklahoma (4-1)
8. TCU (4-0)
9. Michigan (3-0)
10. Baylor (4-0)
11. USC (2-1)
12. North Carolina (3-1)
13. Tennessee (3-1)
14. Ole Miss (3-0)
15. Iowa State (5-0)
16. North Carolina State (2-2)
17. Vanderbilt (3-0)
18. Kentucky (5-0)
19. Louisville (3-1)
20. Iowa (4-0)
21. Oklahoma State (5-0)
22. West Virginia (4-0)
23. Notre Dame (3-1)
24. Duke (3-2)
25. Michigan State (4-0)

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Jordan Stolz made it official: He’s going to the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

The American phenom locked a spot on the U.S. speed skating team with his first-place finish in the 1,000 meters on Friday, Nov. 21 at the World Cup event in Calgary, Alberta. His time of 1:06.0 was 0.63 off his own world record.

Because Stolz was a medalist at the world championships in March, winning silvers in the 500 and 1,500 meters and a bronze in the 1,000, he was eligible to secure his place on the team ahead of the Olympic trials by finishing in the top five in the same distance at two of the first four World Cups.

Stolz won the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters at the first World Cup speed skating event in Salt Lake City last weekend. That meant his next top five in any of those distances would guarantee him a trip to the Olympics.

Stolz does still need to qualify to race the 500 and 1,500 meters. He’ll race both distances Saturday, Nov. 22 and will have another 500 meters Sunday, Nov. 23.

‘It’s not something I think that hard about,’ Stolz said after winning the 1,000 meters in Salt Lake. ‘I just try and focus on (how I’m) feeling physically. Each race, trying to make it feel a little bit better, get a little more comfortable.’

It was pretty much a given that Stolz would make the Olympic team. He swept the sprint distances at the world championships in 2023 and 2024, and was the overall champion in each of the three races last season.

But there is something to be said for having qualification out of the way already rather than having to wait until the Olympic trials, which are Jan. 2-5 in Milwaukee, and hope nothing goes wrong.

Like what happened four years ago, when Erin Jackson came into trials as the world’s best in the 500 meters, only to slip during her race and finish third.

Jackson made the team when Brittany Bowe, who’d won the race, declined her spot for Jackson. Jackson would go on to win gold in the 500 meters at the Beijing Olympics.

U.S. Speed Skating changed its Olympic qualifying procedures as a result. In addition to world medalists being able to secure their spots with two top-five finishes, a skater who is on the podium in the same distance at two World Cups qualifies for the team.

‘If you’re able to hit those benchmarks, then you deserve to have a spot on the team,’ Bowe said in Salt Lake. ‘I think it’s a great addition to have some sense of security going into the Olympic trials if you’re podiuming consistently or you’re on the world championships podium last year. So I do love the addition.’

AI-assisted summary
• Heavyweight boxer Cassius Chaney was scheduled to fight Anthony Joshua but the bout was canceled.
• Chaney is now serving as a sparring partner for Jake Paul ahead of Paul’s fight against Joshua.
• Chaney, who is the same height as Joshua, is helping Paul prepare at his training facility in Puerto Rico.

As Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua prepare for their fight Dec. 19 in Miami, Cassius Chaney is the central figure in an unlikely twist.

Chaney, a heavyweight boxer from Baltimore, was set to fight Joshua Nov. 22 in Saudi Arabia. Now he’s in Puerto Rico, helping prepare Paul to fight Joshua.

“Things sometimes just work out in weird ways,’’ Chaney told USA TODAY Sports.

During a press conference Nov. 21, Joshua mentioned that Chaney was in Paul’s camp.

Paul chimed in, saying,“Already whooped that (butt). Sorry, Cassius.’’

But Chaney sounded only grateful this week during an interview with USA TODAY Sports. The story started less than a month ago when, according to Chaney, he was contacted by Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, and offered a chance to fight the former two-time heavyweight champion from Great Britain.

But last week, Chaney said, his fight with Joshua was canceled when Paul and Anthony agreed to their fight.

 “I was disappointed and I was upset,’’’ Chaney said.

Then came the twist.

In attempt to confirm Paul and Joshua had officially agreed to fight, Chaney said he called Danny Davis, who is Paul’s cutman and someone Chaney said he knows well.

“He actually worked on my hands a lot when I was in Philadelphia training,’’ Chaney said.

According to Chaney, Davis said he talked to Paul, confirmed the fight with Joshua was official and then invited Chaney to Puerto Rico to serve as a sparring partner for Paul.

Working with Jake Paul: ‘He’s open to information’

Chaney is 6-foot-6, the same height as Joshua. He is 38, two years older than Joshua. He is 24-3 and, like Joshua, has power – 17 of his 24 victories have come by knockout.

But while Joshua won an Olympic gold medal in 2012 before he turned pro and became a two-time heavyweight champion, Chaney has fought mostly in obscurity. Now he’s joined Paul’s high-end camp. During an interview with USA TODAY Sports this week, Chaney said he’s staying in a villa on Paul’s compound.

“Every room has a bathroom, like a mini mansion or something,’’ he said. “I’m actually the only person in this house. …

“The gym is awesome. It is like state-of-the-art. They have two (boxing) rings, a recovery room upstairs, everything – weights, red-light sauna, salt bath, cold tub, massage therapist, everything.’’

Chaney said he’s also been struck by something else – Paul.

“I know I’m stronger than him, but he’s doing pull-ups easier than me,’’ Chaney said. “I know I’m stronger than him, but he’s doing the bench press a little easier than me. He works hard.

“And he’s cool, too. You can go tell him, ‘Hey, man, try this out or try that out and maybe you should try this.’ And he’s open to information. The first day the coaches told me, ‘Hey, you go tell him what you think he needs to do and that type of stuff.’ So it’s very professional and open.”

Chaney said he’s already offered advice to Paul.

‘I told him that when he’s trying to throw his overhand right, he has to keep his eyes up,” Chaney told USA TODAY Sports. ‘Instead of dropping his head down, he’s looking for the overhand, but sometimes he drops his head down and he doesn’t see where the punch is going.

‘It’s better to see where the punch is going when he’s throwing it, so he knows if it lands or not. And he can tell if I’m throwing a punch back.”

Assessing Jake Paul’s skills: ‘He knows what he’s doing’

Although Paul is a significant underdog for his fight with Joshua, Chaney expressed hope for his new boss.

He complimented Paul for his boxing IQ and his athleticism.

“Jake, he knows what he’s doing,’’ Chaney said. “He’s definitely strong, but he has to be crafty and stay elusive.’’

While working with Paul, Chaney said, he realized he wasn’t truly prepared for the fight with Joshua that fell through. He said he thinks he had the power to drop Joshua but that watching Paul train has revealed more Chaney could have done during his own training regimen.

“For the resources we had, we were making it work,’’ Chaney said of his abbreviated training camp. “But you come down here and I get into the strength and conditioning with (Paul) and I’m like, ‘Yo, hold on.’

“This is what I need to be doing.’’

So what’s next for Chaney?

“I haven’t heard I’m going to be a millionaire so much in my life since the last three weeks,’’ he said. “So I’m like, maybe somebody knows something I don’t know, or people know something I don’t know.

“But one of the main things I’ve heard when I came down here straight up, you got to give yourself the best chance you can give yourself. And I’m happy I came down here getting to see the stuff that I need. You know what I mean?’’

Anthony Joshua towered over Jake Paul. The moment underscored the massive size difference between the two men.

It was their first face off, and it had all the looks of a monumental mismatch waiting to happen, with the 6-foot-6 Joshua and the 6-1 Paul set to fight in an eight-round heavyweight bout Dec. 19 in Miami.

But during a press conference held at the same place they’ll fight – the Kaseya Center in Miami – Paul on Nov. 21 cited “delusional optimism’’ as he prepares for an eight-round heavyweight bout against the former two-time heavyweight champion from Great Britain.

“All of these things I’ve gotten to where I’m at today (are) because of delusional optimism,’’ Paul said. “And so it’s delusion until it’s not, because look at where we’re sitting today.

“No one ever thought that this would be possible, that we would be here when I first started boxing, and no one thinks I’m going to win. So join the list and be ready to be shocked.’’

Joshua expressed respect for Paul, who made his pro debut in January 2020 and is now 12-1 with seven knockouts. But Joshua, who is 28-4 with 25 knockouts, surely knows he will be the biggest challenge yet in Paul’s boxing career.

“If I’m going to be honest, I’m going to break his face, I’m going to break his body up, I’m going to stomp all over him,’’ Joshua said.

Paul indicated he would welcome punishment from Joshua.

“I want him to cut me up,’’ Paul said. “I want him to break my face, but guess what? He’s going to have to kill me to stop me and I’m ready to die. Seriously. Ready to die in the ring to win this fight.’’

The weight issue

Joshua must weigh no more than 245 pounds at weigh-in, according to the fight rules as announced by Most Valuable Promotions, which is partnering with Netflix.

That’s about 100 pounds more than Gervonta Davis was expected to weigh in for his fight against Paul. The fight was canceled amid legal issues stemming from a lawsuit filed against Davis.

Joshua, asked how much he expected to weigh by the time of the fight without a rehydration clause in place, said he’s focused on 245 pounds.

 “Anything else is a bonus after that,’’ said Joshua, who has weighed in at 250 pounds or more for his last five fights.

Paul, who was required to weigh in at no more than 195 pounds for his fight against Davis, said he expects to weigh between 215 and 225 pounds for the fight against Joshua.

“Man, I was cutting down for Gervonta, so it’s been a little tough getting back up and some strength for this,’’ Paul said.

But Paul also rejected the notion that his being smaller than Joshua will put him at a disadvantage.

“Look, he’s one of the best heavyweights ever,’’ Paul said of Joshua. “But I believe that fighting a smaller man is oftentimes harder as a heavyweight because of the speed difference and because of the foot speed, because of the angles, because the head being off of the center.

“And so all of that power is great and he’s knocked people out. I just have to avoid that one shot for eight rounds and I believe that I can do that.”