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Deadspin | Top 25 roundup: No. 8 Houston muddles past Middle Tennessee

Deadspin | Top 25 roundup: No. 8 Houston muddles past Middle Tennessee

Dec 29, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) drives with the ball as Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders guard Kamari Lands (22) defends during the second half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Kingston Flemings recorded 15 points and five assists to help No. 8 Houston hold off visiting Middle Tennessee 69-60 in nonconference play on Monday night.

JoJo Tugler added 13 points and six rebounds as the Cougars (12-1) won their sixth straight game. Emanuel Sharpe had 10 points and three steals.

The Cougars had a 30-3 edge in points off turnovers. Middle Tennessee committed 19 turnovers to Houston’s six.

Kamari Lands made four treys while scoring 18 points for the Blue Raiders (7-6), who had a two-game winning streak snapped. Alec Oglesby tallied 12 points on four 3-pointers.

No. 1 Arizona 99, South Dakota State 71

Koa Peat, Motiejus Krivas and Jaden Bradley each posted a double-double as the Wildcats registered a nonconference victory over the Jackrabbits in Tucson, Ariz.

Arizona (13-0) completed its nonconference slate unbeaten ahead of Saturday’s Big 12 opener at Utah with its best start since the 2013-14 team began 21-0. Peat finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds, Krivas had 13 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots, and Bradley produced 13 points and 10 assists.

South Dakota State (7-8) has a three-game losing streak heading into its Summit League opener on Thursday at home against Omaha. Kalen Garry had 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Jaden Jackson finished with 18 points.

No. 2 Michigan 112, McNeese 71

Morez Johnson Jr. matched his career high with 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Wolverines cruised to a win over the Cowboys in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Yaxel Lendeborg added 16 points and eight rebounds for Michigan (12-0). Aday Mara finished with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Trey McKenney also logged 13 points.

Garwey Dual scored 15 points on 5-for-13 shooting to lead McNeese (10-3). Larry Johnson finished with 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

No. 3 Iowa State 89, Houston Christian 61

Joshua Jefferson totaled 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists and Blake Buchanan added 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Cyclones pulled away for a victory over the Huskies in Ames, Iowa.

Milan Momcilovic finished with 13 points and Killyan Toure had 11 points for the Cyclones, who were coming off an eight-day break. Iowa State improved to 13-0 for the second time in program history, joining the 2013-14 team.

Houston Christian (5-8) has lost four straight. Demari Williams had 19 points, and Bartley and D’Aundre Samuels both finished with 14.

No. 5 Purdue 101, Kent State 60

Jack Benter came off the bench to score 20 points and help lead the Boilermakers to a win over the Golden Flashes in West Lafayette, Ind.

Benter shot 6 of 6 from 3-point range and made all seven of his field-goal attempts. Fletcher Loyer scored 19 points while Trey Kaufman-Renn had 15 points and 12 rebounds for Purdue (12-1), which won its fourth straight game.

Morgan Safford and Jahari Williamson each scored 10 points for Kent State (10-3), which was playing its first opponent from a Power 4 conference this season.

No. 9 Michigan State 114, Cornell 97

Jeremy Fears Jr. scored a career-high 21 points and added 11 assists and the Spartans recovered from an 11-point first-half deficit to post a victory over the Big Red in nonconference play at East Lansing, Mich.

Coen Carr added 19 points and six rebounds, Trey Fort scored 14 points and Divine Ugochukwu had 12 as the Spartans (12-1) dominated the second half while winning their fourth straight game. Jaxon Kohler added 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Cooper Noard scored 19 points for Cornell, which shot 15 of 44 from 3-point range. Jake Fiegen and Adam Hinton added 15 points apiece for the Big Red (6-6).

No. 11 Vanderbilt 96, New Haven 53

Tyler Tanner scored 23 points and Jalen Washington added a career-high 21 for the Commodores, who finished their nonconference slate undefeated by overpowering the Chargers in Nashville.

The Commodores (13-0) were without their full arsenal. Frankie Collins was already out after undergoing knee surgery, and Duke Miles, the team’s leading scorer, was a late scratch due to an illness. For the game, Tanner shot 9 of 16, and he finished with seven assists, five rebounds and three steals.

Jabri Fitzpatrick’s 12 points led the Chargers, who shot 39.7% from the field (23 of 58) and made a season-low two of their 15 3-point shots (13.3%, also a season low).

No. 14 Alabama 102, Yale 78

Aden Holloway scored 26 points and made five of the hosts’ season-high 22 3-pointers as the Crimson Tide smashed the Bulldogs in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Alabama (11-3) finished 22-for-54 (40.7%) from the 3-point arc en route to its seventh win in eight games. Eight players made at least one long-range shot for the Crimson Tide, led by Holloway (5-for-10) and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (5-for-15 for 15 points).

Nick Townsend scored 18 points to pace Yale (11-2), while Isaac Celiscar contributed 17 points.

No. 18 Arkansas 103, James Madison 74

Meleek Thomas set career highs with 28 points and six 3-pointers, Darius Acuff Jr. had 17 points and six assists, and the Razorbacks beat the Dukes in their final nonconference game in Fayetteville, Ark.

D.J. Wagner had 14 points and four threes and Malique Ewin had 11 points and nine rebounds for the Razorbacks (10-3), who wound up 8-0 at home in nonconference play.

Bradley Douglas had 19 points and Justin McBride had 13 points for the Dukes (7-7), who have lost three in a row.

No. 20 Illinois 90, Southern 55

Jake Davis scored 15 points and Keaton Wagler posted 11 points and 10 assists as the Fighting Illini routed the Jaguars in Champaign, Ill.

Zvonimir Ivisic (13 points), Tomislav Ivisic (11) and David Mirkovic (11) also scored in double figures for Illinois (10-3), which led by as many as 36 points.

Southern (4-9) lost its fifth straight game. Michael Jacobs paced the Jaguars with 11 points, while Malek Abdelgowad followed with 10 points.

No. 22 Florida 94, Dartmouth 72

Alex Condon scored 17 points to lead five players in double figures as the Gators closed out their nonconference schedule with their fourth straight win, a domination of the Big Green in Gainesville, Fla.

Condon shot 4 of 9 from the field and 9 of 12 at the free-throw line. He added nine rebounds for the Gators (9-4), who got 13 points and 12 rebounds from Rueben Chinyelu.

Cameron McNamee paced Dartmouth with 16 points. Kareem Thomas and Jackson Munro had 15 points each for the Big Green (5-7).

No. 23 Georgia 89, Long Island 74

Marcus “Smurf” Millender came off the bench to lead a balanced attack with 14 points and help the Bulldogs beat the Sharks in Athens, Ga., to extend their winning streak to six.

The Bulldogs entered the game averaging 99.8 points, No. 1 in the nation, but trailed by 11 in the first half before outscoring Long Island 48-30 in the second half. Millender shot 4-for-9 from the field — including three 3-pointers — and had six assists for Georgia (12-1). Justin Bailey scored 13 and Blue Cain added 12.

Long Island (6-7) was led by Greg Gordon with 20 points and six rebounds, Jamal Fuller with 18 points and Malachi Davis with 15 points.

No. 25 Iowa 90, UMass Lowell 62

Bennett Stirtz scored a team-high 22 points and added eight assists as the Hawkeyes finished up their nonconference schedule with a rout of the River Hawks in Iowa City.

Cam Manyawu and Alvaro Folgueiras each added 14 points, while Tavion Banks made all five shots he attempted in finishing with 12 for Iowa (11-2). The Hawkeyes shot 58.2% from the field and turned 16 UMass Lowell turnovers into 22 points.

Angel Montas Jr. made 10 of 12 field goals and scored a game-high 23 points for the River Hawks (5-10). Darrel Yepdo and Xavier Spencer each put up 10.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Top #roundup #Houston #muddles #Middle #Tennessee

Deadspin | Astros ace Hunter Brown (shoulder) placed on 15-day IL  Mar 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images   The Houston Astros placed ace right-hander Hunter Brown on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain.  The move was retroactive to Thursday.  Brown finished third in American League Cy Young Award balloting last season. He is 1-0 with an 0.84 ERA in two starts this season, striking out 17 in just 10 1/3 innings.  Brown, 27, last pitched Tuesday when he defeated the Boston Red Sox. He gave up one run and one hit and struck out eight against two walks in six innings.  There was no immediate word on how long Brown might be sidelined. Houston announced the move before manager Joe Espada met with reporters prior to the club’s Sunday afternoon road game against the Athletics.   Brown made the AL All-Star team for the first time last season when he went 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA in 31 starts. He struck out a career-high 206 and posted a stellar 1.03 WHIP.  He is 37-31 with a 3.44 ERA in 102 appearances (94 starts) since reaching the majors in 2022.  The Astros promoted right-hander Christian Roa from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. He had a 6.75 ERA in two relief appearances for Houston earlier this season.  The 27-year-old pitched one scoreless inning of relief in his lone outing for Sugar Land this season.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Astros #ace #Hunter #Brown #shoulder #15dayMar 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Houston Astros placed ace right-hander Hunter Brown on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain.

The move was retroactive to Thursday.

Brown finished third in American League Cy Young Award balloting last season. He is 1-0 with an 0.84 ERA in two starts this season, striking out 17 in just 10 1/3 innings.

Brown, 27, last pitched Tuesday when he defeated the Boston Red Sox. He gave up one run and one hit and struck out eight against two walks in six innings.


There was no immediate word on how long Brown might be sidelined. Houston announced the move before manager Joe Espada met with reporters prior to the club’s Sunday afternoon road game against the Athletics.

Brown made the AL All-Star team for the first time last season when he went 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA in 31 starts. He struck out a career-high 206 and posted a stellar 1.03 WHIP.

He is 37-31 with a 3.44 ERA in 102 appearances (94 starts) since reaching the majors in 2022.

The Astros promoted right-hander Christian Roa from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. He had a 6.75 ERA in two relief appearances for Houston earlier this season.

The 27-year-old pitched one scoreless inning of relief in his lone outing for Sugar Land this season.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Astros #ace #Hunter #Brown #shoulder #15day">Deadspin | Astros ace Hunter Brown (shoulder) placed on 15-day IL  Mar 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images   The Houston Astros placed ace right-hander Hunter Brown on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain.  The move was retroactive to Thursday.  Brown finished third in American League Cy Young Award balloting last season. He is 1-0 with an 0.84 ERA in two starts this season, striking out 17 in just 10 1/3 innings.  Brown, 27, last pitched Tuesday when he defeated the Boston Red Sox. He gave up one run and one hit and struck out eight against two walks in six innings.  There was no immediate word on how long Brown might be sidelined. Houston announced the move before manager Joe Espada met with reporters prior to the club’s Sunday afternoon road game against the Athletics.   Brown made the AL All-Star team for the first time last season when he went 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA in 31 starts. He struck out a career-high 206 and posted a stellar 1.03 WHIP.  He is 37-31 with a 3.44 ERA in 102 appearances (94 starts) since reaching the majors in 2022.  The Astros promoted right-hander Christian Roa from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. He had a 6.75 ERA in two relief appearances for Houston earlier this season.  The 27-year-old pitched one scoreless inning of relief in his lone outing for Sugar Land this season.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Astros #ace #Hunter #Brown #shoulder #15day

Robbing a home run is a special feeling for an outfielder.

Imagine doing it three times in one game, to help your team preserve a 1-0 win?

That is exactly what Los Angeles Angeles outfielder Jo Adell did on Saturday night, pulling back three would-be home runs to help the Angels secure a 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners.

His thievery began in the top of the first, when he climbed the wall in right field to deny Cal Raleigh of a potential solo shot:

The outfielder was just getting warmed up.

Zach Neto blasted a 443-foot home run in the bottom of the first to stake Los Angeles to an early 1-0 lead, which the Angels held deep into the contest. But that lead was threatened in the top of the eighth inning, when Seattle’s Josh Naylor lofted a drive deep to right field.

Adell was clearly fired up after this catch, clapping and then slapping his chest in celebration.

The celebrations would be even bigger in the top of the ninth.

J.P. Crawford led off the final inning with a blast towards the right-field corner. Adell raced over from his spot in right field and launched himself skyward to track down the fly ball, crashing into the first row of the bleachers.

He then held up his glove — with the ball inside — while still standing among the fans to show his third robbery of the night:

Here is another angle of Adell’s third dramatic catch of the night:

Adell’s defensive performance earned praise from none other than former outfielder Torii Hunter, who works in the Angels’ front office. The former outfielder called Adell’s night “probably the greatest defensive game I’ve seen.

“I’ve never seen three home run robberies in one game, and I’ve never seen a guy on the third one fall into the stands, catch the ball and keep his feet in like he’s a wide receiver,” Hunter added. “I was jumping up and down. I almost passed out.”

Adell, who was a Gold Glove finalist in 2024, talked about the three plays after the game, crediting “grit” for the third.

“After the first one, I was pretty fired up,” Adell said. “When I got to the second one, which looked identical to the first, I thought, ‘Wow, my routes are on point tonight.’ The third one was just grit. Top of the ninth, you have to get it done. It was crazy.

“You just get there, then it’s decision-making. The ball was hit high enough to where I could get there. I watched it (into my glove), fell over and ended up in somebody’s lap. I don’t know who it was, but it was a softer landing than I expected. The fans were as fired up as me.”

According to Sports Info Solutions, a sports data service, Adell is the first player with three home run robberies in a single game since they began tracking that statistic in 2004:

So yes, you can make the case this was the best defensive performance ever.

#Adell #turned #defensive #game #MLB #history">Jo Adell turned in the best defensive game in MLB history  Robbing a home run is a special feeling for an outfielder.Imagine doing it three times in one game, to help your team preserve a 1-0 win?That is exactly what Los Angeles Angeles outfielder Jo Adell did on Saturday night, pulling back three would-be home runs to help the Angels secure a 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners.His thievery began in the top of the first, when he climbed the wall in right field to deny Cal Raleigh of a potential solo shot:The outfielder was just getting warmed up.Zach Neto blasted a 443-foot home run in the bottom of the first to stake Los Angeles to an early 1-0 lead, which the Angels held deep into the contest. But that lead was threatened in the top of the eighth inning, when Seattle’s Josh Naylor lofted a drive deep to right field.Adell was clearly fired up after this catch, clapping and then slapping his chest in celebration.The celebrations would be even bigger in the top of the ninth.J.P. Crawford led off the final inning with a blast towards the right-field corner. Adell raced over from his spot in right field and launched himself skyward to track down the fly ball, crashing into the first row of the bleachers.He then held up his glove — with the ball inside — while still standing among the fans to show his third robbery of the night:Here is another angle of Adell’s third dramatic catch of the night:Adell’s defensive performance earned praise from none other than former outfielder Torii Hunter, who works in the Angels’ front office. The former outfielder called Adell’s night “probably the greatest defensive game I’ve seen.“I’ve never seen three home run robberies in one game, and I’ve never seen a guy on the third one fall into the stands, catch the ball and keep his feet in like he’s a wide receiver,” Hunter added. “I was jumping up and down. I almost passed out.”Adell, who was a Gold Glove finalist in 2024, talked about the three plays after the game, crediting “grit” for the third.“After the first one, I was pretty fired up,” Adell said. “When I got to the second one, which looked identical to the first, I thought, ‘Wow, my routes are on point tonight.’ The third one was just grit. Top of the ninth, you have to get it done. It was crazy.“You just get there, then it’s decision-making. The ball was hit high enough to where I could get there. I watched it (into my glove), fell over and ended up in somebody’s lap. I don’t know who it was, but it was a softer landing than I expected. The fans were as fired up as me.”According to Sports Info Solutions, a sports data service, Adell is the first player with three home run robberies in a single game since they began tracking that statistic in 2004:So yes, you can make the case this was the best defensive performance ever.  #Adell #turned #defensive #game #MLB #history

defensive performance earned praise from none other than former outfielder Torii Hunter, who works in the Angels’ front office. The former outfielder called Adell’s night “probably the greatest defensive game I’ve seen.

“I’ve never seen three home run robberies in one game, and I’ve never seen a guy on the third one fall into the stands, catch the ball and keep his feet in like he’s a wide receiver,” Hunter added. “I was jumping up and down. I almost passed out.”

Adell, who was a Gold Glove finalist in 2024, talked about the three plays after the game, crediting “grit” for the third.

“After the first one, I was pretty fired up,” Adell said. “When I got to the second one, which looked identical to the first, I thought, ‘Wow, my routes are on point tonight.’ The third one was just grit. Top of the ninth, you have to get it done. It was crazy.

“You just get there, then it’s decision-making. The ball was hit high enough to where I could get there. I watched it (into my glove), fell over and ended up in somebody’s lap. I don’t know who it was, but it was a softer landing than I expected. The fans were as fired up as me.”

According to Sports Info Solutions, a sports data service, Adell is the first player with three home run robberies in a single game since they began tracking that statistic in 2004:

So yes, you can make the case this was the best defensive performance ever.

#Adell #turned #defensive #game #MLB #history">Jo Adell turned in the best defensive game in MLB history

Robbing a home run is a special feeling for an outfielder.

Imagine doing it three times in one game, to help your team preserve a 1-0 win?

That is exactly what Los Angeles Angeles outfielder Jo Adell did on Saturday night, pulling back three would-be home runs to help the Angels secure a 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners.

His thievery began in the top of the first, when he climbed the wall in right field to deny Cal Raleigh of a potential solo shot:

The outfielder was just getting warmed up.

Zach Neto blasted a 443-foot home run in the bottom of the first to stake Los Angeles to an early 1-0 lead, which the Angels held deep into the contest. But that lead was threatened in the top of the eighth inning, when Seattle’s Josh Naylor lofted a drive deep to right field.

Adell was clearly fired up after this catch, clapping and then slapping his chest in celebration.

The celebrations would be even bigger in the top of the ninth.

J.P. Crawford led off the final inning with a blast towards the right-field corner. Adell raced over from his spot in right field and launched himself skyward to track down the fly ball, crashing into the first row of the bleachers.

He then held up his glove — with the ball inside — while still standing among the fans to show his third robbery of the night:

Here is another angle of Adell’s third dramatic catch of the night:

Adell’s defensive performance earned praise from none other than former outfielder Torii Hunter, who works in the Angels’ front office. The former outfielder called Adell’s night “probably the greatest defensive game I’ve seen.

“I’ve never seen three home run robberies in one game, and I’ve never seen a guy on the third one fall into the stands, catch the ball and keep his feet in like he’s a wide receiver,” Hunter added. “I was jumping up and down. I almost passed out.”

Adell, who was a Gold Glove finalist in 2024, talked about the three plays after the game, crediting “grit” for the third.

“After the first one, I was pretty fired up,” Adell said. “When I got to the second one, which looked identical to the first, I thought, ‘Wow, my routes are on point tonight.’ The third one was just grit. Top of the ninth, you have to get it done. It was crazy.

“You just get there, then it’s decision-making. The ball was hit high enough to where I could get there. I watched it (into my glove), fell over and ended up in somebody’s lap. I don’t know who it was, but it was a softer landing than I expected. The fans were as fired up as me.”

According to Sports Info Solutions, a sports data service, Adell is the first player with three home run robberies in a single game since they began tracking that statistic in 2004:

So yes, you can make the case this was the best defensive performance ever.

#Adell #turned #defensive #game #MLB #history

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