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Commanders snag one of the draft’s best defenders at No. 7 in the SB Nation community mock draft  Even with Reese, Bailey, Love, and Styles off the board, the Commanders still had several great options. Carnell Tate was considered to pair with Terry McLaurin, and give Jayden Daniels another weapon. Caleb Downs is the pick, and gives Washington the best safety they’ve had on the roster in a long time. Downs is an intelligent and versatile defender who can take over the green dot from Bobby Wagner. Downs immediately improves a secondary that has has had communication and talent issues.  #Commanders #snag #drafts #defenders #Nation #community #mock #draft

Commanders snag one of the draft’s best defenders at No. 7 in the SB Nation community mock draft

Even with Reese, Bailey, Love, and Styles off the board, the Commanders still had several great options. Carnell Tate was considered to pair with Terry McLaurin, and give Jayden Daniels another weapon. Caleb Downs is the pick, and gives Washington the best safety they’ve had on the roster in a long time. Downs is an intelligent and versatile defender who can take over the green dot from Bobby Wagner. Downs immediately improves a secondary that has has had communication and talent issues.

#Commanders #snag #drafts #defenders #Nation #community #mock #draft

Even with Reese, Bailey, Love, and Styles off the board, the Commanders still had several great options. Carnell Tate was considered to pair with Terry McLaurin, and give Jayden Daniels another weapon. Caleb Downs is the pick, and gives Washington the best safety they’ve had on the roster in a long time. Downs is an intelligent and versatile defender who can take over the green dot from Bobby Wagner. Downs immediately improves a secondary that has has had communication and talent issues.

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#Commanders #snag #drafts #defenders #Nation #community #mock #draft

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Hope, hunger and hard work — Vidarbha pacer Hinge looks to continue rise after realising IPL dream <div id="content-body-70552028" itemprop="articleBody"><p>During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, Praful Hinge was nowhere to be found at his residence in Nagpur. Instead, he was at a nearby temple, watching the bidding process unfold.</p><p>“Last season, my name was on the auction list, but it didn’t come up. I told my father not to worry, next season, it will,” Hinge had assured him earlier, and it did.</p><p>Before he could even watch his bid close, Hinge knew he had been picked. “The stream was delayed, and I started getting calls before I could even finish watching,” he recalled.</p><p>Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bought the Vidarbha fast bowler at his base price of Rs. 30 lakh. It was an emotional moment for the family, Hinge said, especially for his father, who had made him take up fast bowling.</p><p>“On the first day when I joined the academy, I picked up the bat because I thought, who wants to do fast bowling after coming this far? But my father was adamant. I started bowling. I used to chuck earlier, but gradually I trained and learned,” Hinge told Sportstar.</p><p>The 24-year-old was confident that 2026 might be the year he finally got his IPL breakthrough, knowing that his trials with SRH, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans had gone well.</p><p>He made his debut against Rajasthan Royals and became the first bowler ever to pick three wickets in the first over of an IPL game, removing Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. In the next over, he got rid of RR captain Riyan Parag, finishing with four for 34.</p><p>Getting into the Hyderabad-based side has also fulfilled his wish to meet and learn from Australia and SRH skipper Pat Cummins. “I’ve watched him from the start–the way he bowls, the way he captains. I’m really blessed to be in his team. He’s someone who has silenced Indians in India,” Hinge said.</p><p>Hinge has also been training with the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai since 2022 and went to Brisbane for a 15-day camp in 2024, his first international trip. “More to come hopefully, when I play for India,” he added with a smile. That experience of bowling alongside Josh Hazlewood and Jhye Richardson helped him a lot when he made his First-Class debut against Pondicherry later that year.</p><p><b>ALSO READ: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/domestic/aman-mokhade-vidarbha-opener-hero-of-vidarbha-in-1st-vijay-hazare-trophy-2025-26-title-win/article70549189.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Built on belief — How Aman Mokhade’s resilience inspired Vidarbha to glory in Vijay Hazare Trophy</a></b></p><p>“When I was younger, Vidarbha won the Ranji Trophy for the first time in the 2017–18 season. Since then, I wanted to be part of the Ranji Trophy squad. Everyone who plays age-group cricket there wants to play in the Ranji Trophy,” Hinge said.</p><p>In nine First Class games in so far, the right-arm quick has picked up 26 wickets at an average of 24.84. “Everyone is passionate and performing, but this team is packed, so it’s very difficult to break in. That’s why we have great bench strength; whoever gets a chance will do well,” he said.</p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/5xwtot/article70552081.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/9869_4_11_2025_14_53_41_1__DSC2766.JPG" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/5xwtot/article70552081.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/9869_4_11_2025_14_53_41_1__DSC2766.JPG" alt="Hinge (centre) believes more in hard work than luck and feels that will yield results in the long run." title="Hinge (centre) believes more in hard work than luck and feels that will yield results in the long run." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> Hinge (centre) believes more in hard work than luck and feels that will yield results in the long run. | Photo Credit: M. Periasamy </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> Hinge (centre) believes more in hard work than luck and feels that will yield results in the long run. | Photo Credit: M. Periasamy </p></div><p>Hinge was also part of Vidarbha’s maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title-winning squad–a campaign driven by collective belief, where he played his part, picking five wickets in as many games.</p><p>In the league game against Baroda in Rajkot, where India all-rounder Hardik Pandya scored 133 off 92 balls to take his side to 293 for nine, Hinge conceded just 47 and picked a wicket. “After the game, Hardik bhai came and told me that I bowled well. When someone like him says that, it gives you confidence that I am on the right path.”</p><p>After the final against Saurashtra in Bengaluru, Vidarbha didn’t have much time to celebrate as the focus immediately shifted back to the Ranji Trophy, with the match against Andhra in Anantapur looming within three days.</p><p><b>ALSO READ: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/vidarbha-title-india-odi-depth-world-cup-vijay-hazare-trophy-review/article70541175.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vidarbha’s breakthrough and what Vijay Hazare Trophy revealed about India’s road to 2027 ODI World Cup</a></b></p><p>“The game ended late at night, and we travelled the next morning. But everyone was really happy. If we had a three-to four-day break and gone home, that would’ve been special. Now we’ll go home 10 days after winning the title,” Hinge said.</p><p>Hinge wasn’t part of Vidarbha’s playing XI here at the Anantapur Cricket Ground, but he made sure to stay mentally involved in the game.</p><p>“I keep thinking about what’s going on in the middle and what I could’ve done had I been bowling. Whenever I watch games, even on TV, I observe what deliveries bowlers are using, how they approach tough batters, and what I could do in those situations.”</p><p>For now, he plans to keep polishing his skillset, develop new deliveries like the wobble, and continue working hard.</p><p>“I believe more in hard work than luck. I’ve done the hard work, and I’ve got the results. If I continue doing that, things will work just fine,” he concluded.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Jan 26, 2026</p></div> #Hope #hunger #hard #work #Vidarbha #pacer #Hinge #continue #rise #realising #IPL #dream

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Frozen Four Breakdown: How Denver Took Home the Title | Deadspin.com <div id="section-1"> <p>Four teams hit the rink this past weekend at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, to see who would be crowned the 2026 NCAA D1 Frozen Four Champions. </p><p>Two games were played on Thursday, with the championship game on Saturday. In the end, only one team would lift the trophy high and get their picture taken as their snapshot would be frozen in time forever.</p><p><strong>Badge of Honor</strong><br/>The first matchup on Thursday was between the North Dakota Fighting Hawks and the Wisconsin Badgers. Badger fans marked their territory in section 7, while the North Dakota faithful sat in section 16. In the first ten minutes of the game, both teams had shots on goal, and there were plenty of scuffles as the temperature rose. It was not until a tick under seven minutes that the first goal of the tournament occurred. </p><p>Wisconsin’s Simon Tassey gave his team the lead against the Fighting Hawks. In the span of twenty seconds, Wisconsin had another shot on goal before Ryan Borrtelli received a pass from the crease to the middle, and his shot slid past the goaltender to put the Badgers up 2-0. As the first period ended, fans booed when two players got tangled up with the puck and the action ended. Wisconsin outshot North Dakota 18-4 in the first period and remained dominant until the third period.</p><p>North Dakota had plenty of opportunities to get the puck in the net, but the players were not in sync for most of the game. It seemed like the Fighting Hawks forgot the fundamentals of hockey. Penalties were galore in the second period. The green and black almost scored near the tail end of their 5-4 advantage, but could not get the puck past the goaltender Daniel Hauser. </p><p>They even had a 5-3 power play with six minutes left to go in the second period, but missed an opportunity with a minute to go. Just when it looked like the Badgers were going to get a shutout, forward Simon Tassy scored with 52 seconds to go in the game in one last gasp for a comeback. The Badgers could not score an empty-netter, but advanced to the national championship. Hauser recorded 21 saves, and the Badgers had 15 more shots on goal despite the Fighting Hawks winning five more faceoffs.</p><p><strong>The Wolverines can’t claw their Way to a Win.</strong><br/>With the Badgers headed to the championship, it was time for fans in attendance to find out who their opponent was. The Denver Pioneers battled the Michigan Wolverines for 82 minutes on the ice. It took two overtimes<a href="https://deadspin.com/denver-rallies-against-wisconsin-to-claim-11th-national-title/" target="_blank"> for a winner to be crowned</a> in the second game of the Frozen Four tournament. </p><p>The Pioneers had the first shot of the game, but it was the Wolverines who were more aggressive throughout the first period. In the 13th minute, Michigan missed a golden opportunity as the puck slid wide right of the net past the goalie. Denver University found the net first, halfway through the first period, where Kyle Chyzowski scored his 12th of the season.<br/>Michigan responded with a goal of its own after winning a faceoff in its zone. TJ Hughes scored his 10th goal of the season to tie it up.<br/>Both teams lit up the scoreboard for a 3-3 hockey game that needed two OTs for a winner to be declared. With a little over seven minutes to go in 2OT, Kent Anderson found a way past the goalkeeper to advance the Pioneers to the championship game.</p><p><strong>Pioneering their Way to Victory</strong><br/>After battling Michigan in a double OT thriller, the Denver Pioneers looked to <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/48461899/denver-pioneers-win-3rd-ncaa-men-hockey-title-5-years" target="_blank">secure their 11th title in school history</a>. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Badgers were seeking their 10th Frozen Four victory. Only one of these teams was going to get to hold the trophy up high, while the other left Vegas in despair.<br/>Wisconsin was hot right out of the gate, with the first shot off the right post followed by two more shots that bounced off the goalie. It took half of the period for Denver to get their first shot from the middle of the crease that bounced off the goalie’s pads. The Badgers ended the period with a flurry of shots, but none found the back of the net, despite having five times more shots than their opponent, ten. In the second twenty-minute block, both teams had their opportunities, but neither could capitalize.</p><p>Denver tied up the game with a rebound shot by Rieger Lorenz off a slapshot. With the game tied at 1-1, fans wondered if they were going to see déjà vu. Instead, Hauser lost his stick on a save, leaving him with only his hands. That proved to be the deciding factor, as the Pioneers scored the game-winner. </p><p>The Badgers fans headed for the exits, but the Pioneer fans celebrated with their team. Singing along to “Country Road” and “We are the Champions”, the team took turns hoisting the trophy and cutting the nets. The refs in this game let the players skate as only three penalties were called. The Pioneers’ goaltender, Johnny Hicks, had 26 saves and was named the most outstanding player of the tournament.</p><p>Outside of the four teams that participated in the tournament, there were jerseys from the following states and countries: USA, Japan, Canada, Minnesota, Alaska, Maine, Missouri, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and the host state of Nevada to name a few. It is recorded that over 53,000 fans attended or were a part of the Frozen Four in Las Vegas. Next year, the tournament will be held in Washington, D.C. for the second time and for the first time in almost 20 years.<br/>Denver University has won three of the past five tournaments, and only seven times since 1948 has a team hoisted the trophy back-to-back years. Denver has done it before, and Minnesota-Duluth is the last team to do so in 2018-2019. Who will be the last team standing in Washington, D.C.? It is an unpredictable tournament with a hardcore following, and it was an unbelievable experience to witness in person.</p> </div> #Frozen #Breakdown #Denver #Home #Title #Deadspin.com

The United States Men’s National Team got off to a rousing start at the 2026 World Cup, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USMNT was dynamic, creative, and showed to the entire soccer world that they could be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.

Now, on the verge of their second match of group play, they have a chance to accomplish another item on this year’s to-do list.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group D ahead of the final matches in group play.

What are the Group D standings?

Here are the current Group D standings, ahead of the final two matches set for June 25.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

United States20061+56
Australia1012203
Paraguay10124-23
Türkiye00203-30

What are the next Group D matches?

There are four matches left in Group D, starting with two on Friday, June 19.

United States 2, Australia 0
Paraguay 1, Türkiye 0

Türkiye vs. United States
Paraguay vs. Australia

What are the scenarios for Group D?

Here are the scenarios ahead of the final day of matches, set for June 25. These scenarios involve automatic qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. Teams can still advance as a third-place team, and for more on those standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.

The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.

Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay

Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.

Türkiye has already been eliminated.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

#World #Cup #advanced #Group">World Cup 2026: How the US advanced out of Group D  The United States Men’s National Team got off to a rousing start at the 2026 World Cup, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USMNT was dynamic, creative, and showed to the entire soccer world that they could be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.Now, on the verge of their second match of group play, they have a chance to accomplish another item on this year’s to-do list.Here are the clinching scenarios for Group D ahead of the final matches in group play.What are the Group D standings?Here are the current Group D standings, ahead of the final two matches set for June 25.TeamWDLGFGAGDPointsUnited States20061+56Australia1012203Paraguay10124-23Türkiye00203-30What are the next Group D matches?There are four matches left in Group D, starting with two on Friday, June 19.United States 2, Australia 0Paraguay 1, Türkiye 0Türkiye vs. United StatesParaguay vs. AustraliaWhat are the scenarios for Group D?Here are the scenarios ahead of the final day of matches, set for June 25. These scenarios involve automatic qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. Teams can still advance as a third-place team, and for more on those standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against ParaguayParaguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.Türkiye has already been eliminated.Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.  #World #Cup #advanced #Group

standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.

The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.

Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay

Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.

Türkiye has already been eliminated.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

#World #Cup #advanced #Group">World Cup 2026: How the US advanced out of Group D

The United States Men’s National Team got off to a rousing start at the 2026 World Cup, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USMNT was dynamic, creative, and showed to the entire soccer world that they could be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.

Now, on the verge of their second match of group play, they have a chance to accomplish another item on this year’s to-do list.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group D ahead of the final matches in group play.

What are the Group D standings?

Here are the current Group D standings, ahead of the final two matches set for June 25.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

United States20061+56
Australia1012203
Paraguay10124-23
Türkiye00203-30

What are the next Group D matches?

There are four matches left in Group D, starting with two on Friday, June 19.

United States 2, Australia 0
Paraguay 1, Türkiye 0

Türkiye vs. United States
Paraguay vs. Australia

What are the scenarios for Group D?

Here are the scenarios ahead of the final day of matches, set for June 25. These scenarios involve automatic qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. Teams can still advance as a third-place team, and for more on those standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.

The United States has already clinched the top spot in Group D, and will play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J. For more on who the United States will play, we are tracking that here.

Australia will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as the second-place team in Group D with a win or draw against Paraguay

Paraguay will advance as the second-place team in Group D with a win against Australia.

Türkiye has already been eliminated.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.

If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

#World #Cup #advanced #Group

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