×
Deadspin | Former Iowa State star Audi Crooks transferring to Oklahoma State  Feb 25, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks (55) grabs a rebound during their game with the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images   Former Iowa State star Audi Crooks, the nation’s second-leading scorer in 2025-26, is transferring to Oklahoma State, she announced late Sunday on social media.  The 6-foot-3 center, who has one year of eligibility remaining, was a second-team All-American in 2025-26, when she averaged 25.8 points on 64.9% shooting from the field along with 7.7 rebounds in 31 starts at Iowa State.   The Cyclones (22-10) lost to Syracuse in the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament despite 37 points from Crooks.  Crooks was a three-time All-Big 12 first-team selection at Iowa State, where she averaged 22.8 points and 7.7 boards and shot 61.1% from the field in 99 games (95 starts).  The Iowa native made the announcement Sunday on her X account, with a video featuring her wearing an Oklahoma State uniform and dancing. Her new head coach, Jacie Hoyt, also appears in the video.   Crooks went to the top of the transfer rankings when she announced she was entering the portal on April 2. The two-week window closes on Monday.  Nine players entered the transfer portal from Oklahoma State, which went 24-10 last season, losing to eventual national champion UCLA in the tournament’s second round.  Crooks is coming to Stillwater along with Florida transfer Liv McGill, a guard who was 11th in the country at 22.5 points per game. They will join transfers Ellie Brueggemann (14.0 ppg), a guard from Lindenwood, and forward Nene Ndiaye (14.8) from Rutgers.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Iowa #State #star #Audi #Crooks #transferring #Oklahoma #State

Deadspin | Former Iowa State star Audi Crooks transferring to Oklahoma State
Deadspin | Former Iowa State star Audi Crooks transferring to Oklahoma State  Feb 25, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks (55) grabs a rebound during their game with the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images   Former Iowa State star Audi Crooks, the nation’s second-leading scorer in 2025-26, is transferring to Oklahoma State, she announced late Sunday on social media.  The 6-foot-3 center, who has one year of eligibility remaining, was a second-team All-American in 2025-26, when she averaged 25.8 points on 64.9% shooting from the field along with 7.7 rebounds in 31 starts at Iowa State.   The Cyclones (22-10) lost to Syracuse in the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament despite 37 points from Crooks.  Crooks was a three-time All-Big 12 first-team selection at Iowa State, where she averaged 22.8 points and 7.7 boards and shot 61.1% from the field in 99 games (95 starts).  The Iowa native made the announcement Sunday on her X account, with a video featuring her wearing an Oklahoma State uniform and dancing. Her new head coach, Jacie Hoyt, also appears in the video.   Crooks went to the top of the transfer rankings when she announced she was entering the portal on April 2. The two-week window closes on Monday.  Nine players entered the transfer portal from Oklahoma State, which went 24-10 last season, losing to eventual national champion UCLA in the tournament’s second round.  Crooks is coming to Stillwater along with Florida transfer Liv McGill, a guard who was 11th in the country at 22.5 points per game. They will join transfers Ellie Brueggemann (14.0 ppg), a guard from Lindenwood, and forward Nene Ndiaye (14.8) from Rutgers.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Iowa #State #star #Audi #Crooks #transferring #Oklahoma #StateFeb 25, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks (55) grabs a rebound during their game with the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Former Iowa State star Audi Crooks, the nation’s second-leading scorer in 2025-26, is transferring to Oklahoma State, she announced late Sunday on social media.

The 6-foot-3 center, who has one year of eligibility remaining, was a second-team All-American in 2025-26, when she averaged 25.8 points on 64.9% shooting from the field along with 7.7 rebounds in 31 starts at Iowa State.

The Cyclones (22-10) lost to Syracuse in the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament despite 37 points from Crooks.

Crooks was a three-time All-Big 12 first-team selection at Iowa State, where she averaged 22.8 points and 7.7 boards and shot 61.1% from the field in 99 games (95 starts).


The Iowa native made the announcement Sunday on her X account, with a video featuring her wearing an Oklahoma State uniform and dancing. Her new head coach, Jacie Hoyt, also appears in the video.

Crooks went to the top of the transfer rankings when she announced she was entering the portal on April 2. The two-week window closes on Monday.

Nine players entered the transfer portal from Oklahoma State, which went 24-10 last season, losing to eventual national champion UCLA in the tournament’s second round.

Crooks is coming to Stillwater along with Florida transfer Liv McGill, a guard who was 11th in the country at 22.5 points per game. They will join transfers Ellie Brueggemann (14.0 ppg), a guard from Lindenwood, and forward Nene Ndiaye (14.8) from Rutgers.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Iowa #State #star #Audi #Crooks #transferring #Oklahoma #State

Feb 25, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks (55) grabs a rebound during their game with the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Former Iowa State star Audi Crooks, the nation’s second-leading scorer in 2025-26, is transferring to Oklahoma State, she announced late Sunday on social media.

The 6-foot-3 center, who has one year of eligibility remaining, was a second-team All-American in 2025-26, when she averaged 25.8 points on 64.9% shooting from the field along with 7.7 rebounds in 31 starts at Iowa State.

The Cyclones (22-10) lost to Syracuse in the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament despite 37 points from Crooks.

Crooks was a three-time All-Big 12 first-team selection at Iowa State, where she averaged 22.8 points and 7.7 boards and shot 61.1% from the field in 99 games (95 starts).

The Iowa native made the announcement Sunday on her X account, with a video featuring her wearing an Oklahoma State uniform and dancing. Her new head coach, Jacie Hoyt, also appears in the video.

Crooks went to the top of the transfer rankings when she announced she was entering the portal on April 2. The two-week window closes on Monday.

Nine players entered the transfer portal from Oklahoma State, which went 24-10 last season, losing to eventual national champion UCLA in the tournament’s second round.

Crooks is coming to Stillwater along with Florida transfer Liv McGill, a guard who was 11th in the country at 22.5 points per game. They will join transfers Ellie Brueggemann (14.0 ppg), a guard from Lindenwood, and forward Nene Ndiaye (14.8) from Rutgers.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Iowa #State #star #Audi #Crooks #transferring #Oklahoma #State

Chennai Super Kings has endured a poor start to IPL 2026, winning just two of its first six matches to sit seventh on the points table.

Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has come under scrutiny for the team’s struggles, with his own batting form also a concern. In six innings, he has managed only 82 runs.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, however, believes the CSK management must also shoulder the blame.

“This blame, I’m going to put at the doorstep of the owners and people who make the big decisions. Because Gaikwad, before he was captain, was phenomenal at the top of the order,” said Manjrekar on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.

Manjrekar added that the overwhelming fandom surrounding CSK legend M.S. Dhoni has not helped Gaikwad’s situation.

“And then that thing with M.S Dhoni, whether he’s going to be playing, whether he’s going to be captain, they handled that very badly. And this is where you see the sycophancy of Indian culture that has seeped into cricket as well. I mean, there isn’t just a fan following of Dhoni, there is sycophancy around it,” he added.

He also recalled an incident that highlighted the intensity of Dhoni’s fandom.

“There was [this] one instance of Dhoni trying to put his bat into the crease, and it was a very close call. And I said, well, he is clearly short of the crease, and it should be run out. They [fans] got angry with me for saying that because it was anti-Dhoni. So somewhere they lost sight of the whole picture.”

Dhoni has not featured for CSK in IPL 2026 after suffering a calf strain in the lead-up to the season.

When asked if Dhoni’s return could ease Gaikwad’s burden, Manjrekar expressed doubts about how CSK would accommodate him in the XI.

“Maybe, but then you have to play Dhoni on the field. And how do you do that? I mean, increasingly, he’s finding it tough to deliver. So it was a bit of a joke when he used to come down the order and just play three or four balls. The coverage would hype that up as well – ‘What an innings.’ And it lasted four balls.

“So that’s not feasible anymore, and it was never going to be a long-term thing. So I can’t pretend to know how Ruturaj felt when M.S. was on the field, but not captaining, as opposed to M.S. not being there and he being solely in charge,” said Manjrekar.

Manjrekar also drew parallels between CSK and Mumbai Indians, pointing to an overreliance on big-name players.

“CSK and Mumbai Indians are slightly guilty of being emotionally connected and invested in the big-name, big-brand players a bit too much. CSK even more so with Dhoni. This means that you’re not getting people who are in their prime. It’s like living in the past a little bit. It’s just about getting guys who are in their prime in T20 cricket. It’s such a modern-day format, so it’s best to be current with everything that you do with your team,” he added.

Published on Apr 20, 2026

#Sanjay #Manjrekar #slams #Dhoni #fandom #CSK #approach #Sycophancy #seeped #cricket">Sanjay Manjrekar slams Dhoni fandom, CSK approach: “Sycophancy has seeped into cricket”  Chennai Super Kings has endured a poor start to IPL 2026, winning just two of its first six matches to sit seventh on the points table.Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has come under scrutiny for the team’s struggles, with his own batting form also a concern. In six innings, he has managed only 82 runs.Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, however, believes the CSK management must also shoulder the blame.“This blame, I’m going to put at the doorstep of the owners and people who make the big decisions. Because Gaikwad, before he was captain, was phenomenal at the top of the order,” said Manjrekar on        Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.Manjrekar added that the overwhelming fandom surrounding CSK legend M.S. Dhoni has not helped Gaikwad’s situation.“And then that thing with M.S Dhoni, whether he’s going to be playing, whether he’s going to be captain, they handled that very badly. And this is where you see the sycophancy of Indian culture that has seeped into cricket as well. I mean, there isn’t just a fan following of Dhoni, there is sycophancy around it,” he added.He also recalled an incident that highlighted the intensity of Dhoni’s fandom.“There was [this] one instance of Dhoni trying to put his bat into the crease, and it was a very close call. And I said, well, he is clearly short of the crease, and it should be run out. They [fans] got angry with me for saying that because it was anti-Dhoni. So somewhere they lost sight of the whole picture.”Dhoni has not featured for CSK in IPL 2026 after suffering a calf strain in the lead-up to the season.When asked if Dhoni’s return could ease Gaikwad’s burden, Manjrekar expressed doubts about how CSK would accommodate him in the XI.“Maybe, but then you have to play Dhoni on the field. And how do you do that? I mean, increasingly, he’s finding it tough to deliver. So it was a bit of a joke when he used to come down the order and just play three or four balls. The coverage would hype that up as well – ‘What an innings.’ And it lasted four balls.“So that’s not feasible anymore, and it was never going to be a long-term thing. So I can’t pretend to know how Ruturaj felt when M.S. was on the field, but not captaining, as opposed to M.S. not being there and he being solely in charge,” said Manjrekar.Manjrekar also drew parallels between CSK and Mumbai Indians, pointing to an overreliance on big-name players.“CSK and Mumbai Indians are slightly guilty of being emotionally connected and invested in the big-name, big-brand players a bit too much. CSK even more so with Dhoni. This means that you’re not getting people who are in their prime. It’s like living in the past a little bit. It’s just about getting guys who are in their prime in T20 cricket. It’s such a modern-day format, so it’s best to be current with everything that you do with your team,” he added.Published on Apr 20, 2026  #Sanjay #Manjrekar #slams #Dhoni #fandom #CSK #approach #Sycophancy #seeped #cricket

Deadspin | Red Sox hope offense wakes up early on Patriots’ Day vs. Tigers  Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Willson Contreras (40) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images   The Boston Red Sox have endured a subpar start to the 2026 season, but a joyous Monday is on tap in the city as they close a four-game home series against the Detroit Tigers in the annual 11:10 a.m. game in celebration of Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts.  Manager Alex Cora’s club lost 6-2 on Sunday and will look to avoid finishing the wraparound weekend set with three losses. While ace lefty Garrett Crochet was charged with five runs in five innings in his second straight setback, Boston scored two or fewer runs in a third straight game and for the ninth time out of 21 this season.  “Some positive strides, but in that (four-run fifth) inning, it just didn’t work out,” Cora said of Crochet’s Sunday outing. “(Detroit starter Framber Valdez) had seven strikeouts. So, we didn’t do much (offensively).”  The Red Sox are set to start right-hander Sonny Gray (2-1, 4.43 ERA), who had a season-worst start last Tuesday at the Minnesota Twins. He allowed five runs on nine hits in four innings as Boston lost its second straight game to begin that series.  The 36-year-old had worked at least six innings in his two prior starts, including 6 1/3 scoreless against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 8.  Boston is 0-13 when its starters pitch less than six innings and 8-0 when they eclipse that mark.  “I just don’t feel like we’ve had a chance in the games,” Gray said in Minnesota.  Gray is 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 11 career outings (10 starts) against the Tigers. He faced them as a St. Louis Cardinal on May 19, 2025, striking out 10 across six shutout, three-hit innings.  The Tigers lost their ninth straight road game in Friday’s series-opening, 1-0 contest in 10 innings, but have responded with back-to-back wins to give them eight in their last nine games overall.   “I think we’re going to be fine on the road, and this proves it,” said outfielder Kerry Carpenter, who homered on Saturday and had a pinch hit on Sunday. “We’ve got a good team and are confident in any ballpark we’re in.”  Jahmai Jones (solo) and Dillon Dingler (three-run) both hit fifth-inning home runs against Crochet to lift the Tigers to Sunday’s win. Five of Detroit’s six RBIs came with two outs, and it was 4-for-7 as a team with runners in scoring position.  Dingler had a career day, going 4-for-5 while driving in four. His 18 RBIs are tied for second in the American League this season.  One Tiger who has yet to heat up is first baseman Spencer Torkelson, who went deep 31 times last season but finished 0-for-3 on Sunday, dropping his average to .182.  “For ‘Tork,’ connecting with one might be enough for him,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “It could click him right into being on time and hitting all pitches.”  Perhaps the same could happen with Jones, who hit his first homer of the season on Sunday and is now on a 4-for-10 streak.  Detroit hopes that the early-bird first pitch can change the recent luck of scheduled Monday starter Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.05). He remains winless on the season despite allowing only a single run in each of his last two starts, striking out a combined 13 in 11 2/3 innings.  Flaherty, who is 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against Boston, fanned a season-high seven Kansas City Royals during a six-inning start last Wednesday.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Red #Sox #hope #offense #wakes #early #Patriots #Day #TigersApr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Willson Contreras (40) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox have endured a subpar start to the 2026 season, but a joyous Monday is on tap in the city as they close a four-game home series against the Detroit Tigers in the annual 11:10 a.m. game in celebration of Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts.

Manager Alex Cora’s club lost 6-2 on Sunday and will look to avoid finishing the wraparound weekend set with three losses. While ace lefty Garrett Crochet was charged with five runs in five innings in his second straight setback, Boston scored two or fewer runs in a third straight game and for the ninth time out of 21 this season.

“Some positive strides, but in that (four-run fifth) inning, it just didn’t work out,” Cora said of Crochet’s Sunday outing. “(Detroit starter Framber Valdez) had seven strikeouts. So, we didn’t do much (offensively).”

The Red Sox are set to start right-hander Sonny Gray (2-1, 4.43 ERA), who had a season-worst start last Tuesday at the Minnesota Twins. He allowed five runs on nine hits in four innings as Boston lost its second straight game to begin that series.

The 36-year-old had worked at least six innings in his two prior starts, including 6 1/3 scoreless against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 8.

Boston is 0-13 when its starters pitch less than six innings and 8-0 when they eclipse that mark.

“I just don’t feel like we’ve had a chance in the games,” Gray said in Minnesota.

Gray is 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 11 career outings (10 starts) against the Tigers. He faced them as a St. Louis Cardinal on May 19, 2025, striking out 10 across six shutout, three-hit innings.


The Tigers lost their ninth straight road game in Friday’s series-opening, 1-0 contest in 10 innings, but have responded with back-to-back wins to give them eight in their last nine games overall.

“I think we’re going to be fine on the road, and this proves it,” said outfielder Kerry Carpenter, who homered on Saturday and had a pinch hit on Sunday. “We’ve got a good team and are confident in any ballpark we’re in.”

Jahmai Jones (solo) and Dillon Dingler (three-run) both hit fifth-inning home runs against Crochet to lift the Tigers to Sunday’s win. Five of Detroit’s six RBIs came with two outs, and it was 4-for-7 as a team with runners in scoring position.

Dingler had a career day, going 4-for-5 while driving in four. His 18 RBIs are tied for second in the American League this season.

One Tiger who has yet to heat up is first baseman Spencer Torkelson, who went deep 31 times last season but finished 0-for-3 on Sunday, dropping his average to .182.

“For ‘Tork,’ connecting with one might be enough for him,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “It could click him right into being on time and hitting all pitches.”

Perhaps the same could happen with Jones, who hit his first homer of the season on Sunday and is now on a 4-for-10 streak.

Detroit hopes that the early-bird first pitch can change the recent luck of scheduled Monday starter Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.05). He remains winless on the season despite allowing only a single run in each of his last two starts, striking out a combined 13 in 11 2/3 innings.

Flaherty, who is 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against Boston, fanned a season-high seven Kansas City Royals during a six-inning start last Wednesday.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Red #Sox #hope #offense #wakes #early #Patriots #Day #Tigers">Deadspin | Red Sox hope offense wakes up early on Patriots’ Day vs. Tigers  Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Willson Contreras (40) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images   The Boston Red Sox have endured a subpar start to the 2026 season, but a joyous Monday is on tap in the city as they close a four-game home series against the Detroit Tigers in the annual 11:10 a.m. game in celebration of Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts.  Manager Alex Cora’s club lost 6-2 on Sunday and will look to avoid finishing the wraparound weekend set with three losses. While ace lefty Garrett Crochet was charged with five runs in five innings in his second straight setback, Boston scored two or fewer runs in a third straight game and for the ninth time out of 21 this season.  “Some positive strides, but in that (four-run fifth) inning, it just didn’t work out,” Cora said of Crochet’s Sunday outing. “(Detroit starter Framber Valdez) had seven strikeouts. So, we didn’t do much (offensively).”  The Red Sox are set to start right-hander Sonny Gray (2-1, 4.43 ERA), who had a season-worst start last Tuesday at the Minnesota Twins. He allowed five runs on nine hits in four innings as Boston lost its second straight game to begin that series.  The 36-year-old had worked at least six innings in his two prior starts, including 6 1/3 scoreless against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 8.  Boston is 0-13 when its starters pitch less than six innings and 8-0 when they eclipse that mark.  “I just don’t feel like we’ve had a chance in the games,” Gray said in Minnesota.  Gray is 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 11 career outings (10 starts) against the Tigers. He faced them as a St. Louis Cardinal on May 19, 2025, striking out 10 across six shutout, three-hit innings.  The Tigers lost their ninth straight road game in Friday’s series-opening, 1-0 contest in 10 innings, but have responded with back-to-back wins to give them eight in their last nine games overall.   “I think we’re going to be fine on the road, and this proves it,” said outfielder Kerry Carpenter, who homered on Saturday and had a pinch hit on Sunday. “We’ve got a good team and are confident in any ballpark we’re in.”  Jahmai Jones (solo) and Dillon Dingler (three-run) both hit fifth-inning home runs against Crochet to lift the Tigers to Sunday’s win. Five of Detroit’s six RBIs came with two outs, and it was 4-for-7 as a team with runners in scoring position.  Dingler had a career day, going 4-for-5 while driving in four. His 18 RBIs are tied for second in the American League this season.  One Tiger who has yet to heat up is first baseman Spencer Torkelson, who went deep 31 times last season but finished 0-for-3 on Sunday, dropping his average to .182.  “For ‘Tork,’ connecting with one might be enough for him,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “It could click him right into being on time and hitting all pitches.”  Perhaps the same could happen with Jones, who hit his first homer of the season on Sunday and is now on a 4-for-10 streak.  Detroit hopes that the early-bird first pitch can change the recent luck of scheduled Monday starter Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.05). He remains winless on the season despite allowing only a single run in each of his last two starts, striking out a combined 13 in 11 2/3 innings.  Flaherty, who is 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against Boston, fanned a season-high seven Kansas City Royals during a six-inning start last Wednesday.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Red #Sox #hope #offense #wakes #early #Patriots #Day #Tigers

Post Comment