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Deadspin | No. 2 Michigan, on a ‘heater’, poses tall order for Penn State

Deadspin | No. 2 Michigan, on a ‘heater’, poses tall order for Penn State

Jan 2, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Elliot Cadeau (3) passes to forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) in the first half against the Southern California Trojans at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Michigan has been streaking with an epic roll that contains 10 victories by 25 or more points already this season.

The No. 2 Wolverines look to add Penn State to the list of blowout victims when they face the Nittany Lions on Tuesday night in Big Ten play at University Park, Pa.

Michigan (13-0, 3-0 Big Ten) is one of six undefeated teams nationally and has topped 100 points seven times, including in six of their past eight games.

Friday’s 96-66 home victory over No. 24 Southern California marked the ninth time in the past 10 games that the Wolverines won by at least 25. Five of the wins during the stretch are by 40 or more, including a 52-point rout of La Salle on Dec. 21.

Overall, the Wolverines have six wins by 40 or more points.

“This is a heater,” Michigan coach Dusty May said of his team’s torrid play.

And May has no interest in taking his foot off the pedal.

“We’ve got to be excited for the preparation that’s going to go into giving us an opportunity to win that game,” May said of facing Penn State. “But as far as looking in the rear view, no. If we’re not learning from something specific or a past lesson, we’re not (doing that).”

Morez Johnson Jr. scored a career-best 29 points on 10-of-12 shooting against USC. It was his second straight game 20-point effort as he tallied 24 in a 112-71 rout of McNeese on Dec. 29 in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Johnson didn’t want to get caught up in his individual numbers.

“We’ve got to stay locked in and get better every day because we know we have an end goal at the end of the year,” Johnson said.

Johnson ranks second on the Wolverines in scoring (14.8), just behind Yaxel Lendeborg (15.1). Trey McKenney (10.8), Roddy Gayle Jr. (10.5) and Aday Mara (10.5) also average in double digits. Mara has a team-best 8.1 rebounding average.

Penn State (9-5, 0-3) has dropped four of its last five games and it follows the Michigan contest with a road game at No. 5 Purdue on Saturday.

The Nittany Lions never led in last Saturday’s 73-65 loss to Illinois in a contest played in Philadelphia at The Palestra.

Penn State trailed 13-3 right off the bat and was down by as many as 15 during a tough night.

“I wish we would have played better to start the game — that got us in a hole,” Nittany Lions coach Mike Rhoades said. “Illinois is a very good team. I thought our guys battled … We battled, but still not good enough; we’ve got work to do.”

Penn State struggled from 3-point range by going 8-for-38 and made 14 fewer free throws (23 to nine) than the Illini.

Kayden Mingo recorded 16 points, five assists and four steals and Eli Rice added 11 points for the Nittany Lions.

Rice, a redshirt sophomore guard, has scored in double digits in consecutive games and five times overall this season.

“I’m just trying to get better every game,” Rice said. “I think coaches are doing a good job helping me find shots and stuff. So really, just trying to get on that.”

Mingo, a freshman guard, leads Penn State with a 14.9 scoring average. Freddie Dilione V chips in 14.1 per game and Melih Tunca is third at 10.6.

Not a single Nittany Lion is averaging 4.0 rebounds per game.

Michigan registered a 76-72 home win over Penn State in last season’s lone meeting to snap a three-game skid in the series.

–Field Level Media

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Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham said a debt of gratitude towards his home city of Birmingham was behind his decision to buy a minority stake in cricket franchise Birmingham Phoenix.

The England midfielder has taken a 1.2 per cent holding in the Edgbaston-based Hundred team at a reported cost of over £800,000 ($1 million).

The Phoenix franchise was valued at around £82million when Knighthead Capital acquired a 49 per cent stake last year during a sales process initiated by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Bellingham, who was brought up in nearby Stourbridge and began his career at Birmingham City, is a big cricket fan and played for Hagley in Worcestershire as a junior.

“I love Birmingham. I’m very grateful for what the whole city of Birmingham has done for me,” said the 22-year-old.

“I love cricket as well so when I got the opportunity to get involved I didn’t really think twice about it, so I’m so happy to be on board.

“I got the best upbringing into football, into life through Birmingham City. I feel like I owe the city something.”

Legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady is also part of the Knighthead group that owns Birmingham City.

Stakes in the eight city-based franchises — which all have men’s and women’s teams — were sold last year to private investors, raising huge sums for cricket in England and Wales.

The 2026 edition of the Hundred starts on July 21 and runs for four weeks.

Published on Apr 22, 2026

#Jude #Bellingham #stake #owe #Birmingham">Jude Bellingham on the Hundred stake: I owe Birmingham  Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham said a debt of gratitude towards his home city of Birmingham was behind his decision to buy a minority stake in cricket franchise Birmingham Phoenix.The England midfielder has taken a 1.2 per cent holding in the Edgbaston-based Hundred team at a reported cost of over £800,000 ( million).The Phoenix franchise was valued at around £82million when Knighthead Capital acquired a 49 per cent stake last year during a sales process initiated by the England and Wales Cricket Board.Bellingham, who was brought up in nearby Stourbridge and began his career at Birmingham City, is a big cricket fan and played for Hagley in Worcestershire as a junior.“I love Birmingham. I’m very grateful for what the whole city of Birmingham has done for me,” said the 22-year-old.“I love cricket as well so when I got the opportunity to get involved I didn’t really think twice about it, so I’m so happy to be on board.“I got the best upbringing into football, into life through Birmingham City. I feel like I owe the city something.”Legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady is also part of the Knighthead group that owns Birmingham City.Stakes in the eight city-based franchises — which all have men’s and women’s teams — were sold last year to private investors, raising huge sums for cricket in England and Wales.The 2026 edition of the Hundred starts on July 21 and runs for four weeks.Published on Apr 22, 2026  #Jude #Bellingham #stake #owe #Birmingham

Deadspin | Caps D Rasmus Sandin recovering from ACL surgery  Apr 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin (38) warms up before the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images   Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin is recovering from surgery to repair his torn right ACL.  The 26-year-old Swede sustained the knee injury in a 6-3 win at Pittsburgh on April 11.  The typical timeline for a recovery from ACL surgery is an estimated six to nine months.   Sandin finished the season with 29 points (five goals, 24 assists) and a plus-4 rating in 73 games. He was third on the team with 127 blocks.  A first-round pick by Toronto in 2018, Sandin has 145 points (25 goals, 120 assists) through 382 career games with the Maple Leafs and Capitals.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Caps #Rasmus #Sandin #recovering #ACL #surgeryApr 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin (38) warms up before the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin is recovering from surgery to repair his torn right ACL.

The 26-year-old Swede sustained the knee injury in a 6-3 win at Pittsburgh on April 11.


The typical timeline for a recovery from ACL surgery is an estimated six to nine months.

Sandin finished the season with 29 points (five goals, 24 assists) and a plus-4 rating in 73 games. He was third on the team with 127 blocks.

A first-round pick by Toronto in 2018, Sandin has 145 points (25 goals, 120 assists) through 382 career games with the Maple Leafs and Capitals.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Caps #Rasmus #Sandin #recovering #ACL #surgery">Deadspin | Caps D Rasmus Sandin recovering from ACL surgery  Apr 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin (38) warms up before the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images   Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin is recovering from surgery to repair his torn right ACL.  The 26-year-old Swede sustained the knee injury in a 6-3 win at Pittsburgh on April 11.  The typical timeline for a recovery from ACL surgery is an estimated six to nine months.   Sandin finished the season with 29 points (five goals, 24 assists) and a plus-4 rating in 73 games. He was third on the team with 127 blocks.  A first-round pick by Toronto in 2018, Sandin has 145 points (25 goals, 120 assists) through 382 career games with the Maple Leafs and Capitals.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Caps #Rasmus #Sandin #recovering #ACL #surgery

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