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Deadspin | Top 25 roundup: No. 18 Saint Louis bounces back with win over VCU

Deadspin | Top 25 roundup: No. 18 Saint Louis bounces back with win over VCU

Feb 13, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Saint Louis Billikens head coach Josh Schertz reacts during the first half at Joseph J. Gentile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Kellen Thames scored 16 points and made five steals as No. 18 Saint Louis rallied past visiting VCU 88-75 on Friday night to remain atop the Atlantic 10 standings.

The Billikens (25-1, 13-1 A-10) trailed by 14 in the first half before outscoring the Rams (21-7, 12-3) by a 55-33 margin in the second half, snapping VCU’s 10-game winning streak. A 21-2 spurt started by seven straight points from Thames turned an eight-point deficit into an 11-point lead.

Amari McCottry, Ishan Sharma and Robbie Avila each scored 13 points and Quintin Jones added 11 for the Billikens, who rebounded from their first conference loss on Tuesday at Rhode Island.

Lazar Djokovic scored 19 points and Brandon Jennings chipped in 18 for the Rams.

No. 7 Purdue 93, Indiana 64

Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 20 points and Fletcher Loyer and Omer Mayer each added 18 as the Boilermakers routed the Hoosiers in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue led by as many as 34, shooting 64.7% from the field and doubling up Indiana on the glass (30-15). Braden Smith had 15 points and eight assists, while Kaufman-Renn added six boards and five assists as Purdue leveled the in-state rivalry series this season.

Lamar Wilkerson led the Hoosiers with 20 points while Tayton Conerway (12), Tucker DeVries (11) and Reed Bailey (10) followed in double figures.

No. 22 Miami (Ohio) 91, Bowling Green 77

Luke Skaljac racked up 24 points and Eian Elmer supplied 21 as the RedHawks kept the only perfect record in Division I men’s basketball intact with a win over the Falcons in Oxford, Ohio.

Skaljac shot 5 of 10 from 3-point range and Elmer went 5 of 8 to account for most of Miami’s 13 triples in 30 attempts. Peter Suder had 10 points and five rebounds while battling foul trouble, and Antwone Woolfolk added 10 points and eight boards to help make Miami (Ohio) four games away from a perfect regular season.

Javontae Campbell carried the Falcons (16-12, 7-8) with 24 points, six rebounds and six assists before fouling out. Mayar Wol had 15 points and Josiah Shackelford added 12, each with three 3-pointers.

–Field Level Media

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Minnesota United denied reports that James Rodriguez was suffering from a potentially fatal health condition on Monday as the Colombian star returned to training after being sidelined for several days due to severe dehyration.

Rodriguez, 34, was hospitalised for three days with dehydration last week after being taken ill during Colombia’s 3-1 loss to France on March 29 in Landover outside Washington.

Some US media initially reported that the Colombia captain was suffering from rhabdomyolysis — a severe breakdown of muscle tissue that, in extreme cases, can be fatal.

“Minnesota United FC takes the health and privacy of its players seriously,” the Major League Soccer side said in a statement.

“The club and our medical professionals can unequivocally state there has been no clinical or laboratory evidence of rhabdomyolysis.”

Minnesota said Rodriguez had been recovering at home after being discharged last week before returning to training on Monday, where he participated in “a supervised return-to-activity” session.

“His reintegration into full team training will follow the protocols established by the club’s medical department and will be guided entirely by his clinical progress,” Minnesota said.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

#James #Rodriguez #injury #update #Colombia #star #returns #club #training #FIFA #World #Cup">James Rodriguez injury update — Colombia star returns to club for training before FIFA World Cup 2026  Minnesota United denied reports that James Rodriguez was suffering from a potentially fatal health condition on Monday as the Colombian star returned to training after being sidelined for several days due to severe dehyration.Rodriguez, 34, was hospitalised for three days with dehydration last week after being taken ill during Colombia’s 3-1 loss to France on March 29 in Landover outside Washington.Some US media initially reported that the Colombia captain was suffering from rhabdomyolysis — a severe breakdown of muscle tissue that, in extreme cases, can be fatal.“Minnesota United FC takes the health and privacy of its players seriously,” the Major League Soccer side said in a statement.“The club and our medical professionals can unequivocally state there has been no clinical or laboratory evidence of rhabdomyolysis.”Minnesota said Rodriguez had been recovering at home after being discharged last week before returning to training on Monday, where he participated in “a supervised return-to-activity” session.“His reintegration into full team training will follow the protocols established by the club’s medical department and will be guided entirely by his clinical progress,” Minnesota said.Published on Apr 07, 2026  #James #Rodriguez #injury #update #Colombia #star #returns #club #training #FIFA #World #Cup

Deadspin | Celtics looking to integrate Nikola Vucevic against surging Hornets  Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA;  Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) shoots a jump shot against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images   Although this is the final week of the NBA regular season, the Boston Celtics still have at least one significant thing to iron out entering Tuesday’s game against the visiting Charlotte Hornets: making sure Nikola Vucevic fits comfortably into the rotation before the playoffs begin.  Vucevic returned to the court for Sunday’s 115-101 victory over Toronto after missing four weeks with a broken finger. The injury occurred in a March 6 game against Dallas, the same night Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles injury.  Vucevic collected four points and four rebounds in 13 minutes against Toronto, but he also picked up four fouls.  “He was good,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I mean, it was only 13 minutes. I thought offensively he made the right reads, missed a couple. Second half, we kind of went to — it was almost, we were looking at some different matchup stuff, so we didn’t get him in as much as we wanted to in the second half. But he was fine, I thought. He’s just going to continue to get acclimated.”  Vucevic said regaining chemistry is the hardest part about returning after missing significant time with an injury.  “That just has to come from us playing and practicing together, which is good I get at least these five games in before the playoffs then we’ll have that week between that will help,” he said. “But I think as far as plays, coverages, kind of knowing what to do out there in different situations, that was pretty good for me. I did a lot of it throughout my rehab. A lot of my workouts were fully left-handed, but I was still learning plays like that.  “Just continue to play alongside all of the guys,” he continued. “Obviously me and JT didn’t get a lot of time together, but I think we’re both high-level players, both smart players, and I think we’ll be able to figure it out pretty quick. Just even being around the guys, the time I did play, I think it’s helped a lot. Obviously, it would have been great to have that full month that I missed, but it is what it is. We know we’ll try to make the best out of it in the next couple games. And then also I think that week leading up to the playoffs is going to help. We’ll probably have a couple practices which will help as well.”   The Celtics (53-25) will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games.  Charlotte (43-36) has won four in a row since it dropped a 114-99 decision to Boston at home on March 29. The Hornets are 9-2 in their last 11 games, and are trying to avoid the play-in tournament by finishing sixth or higher in the Eastern Conference.  Charlotte will participate in the postseason for the first time since 2015-16, when the Hornets lost to Miami in the first round.  The Hornets beat the Celtics 118-89 when the teams met in Boston on March 4. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges said dealing with Boston’s physicality will be paramount Tuesday night.  “We came into their place and beat them,” he said. “Then they came into our place and beat us, so we want to return the favor and start getting ready for the playoffs.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Celtics #integrate #Nikola #Vucevic #surging #HornetsApr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) shoots a jump shot against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Although this is the final week of the NBA regular season, the Boston Celtics still have at least one significant thing to iron out entering Tuesday’s game against the visiting Charlotte Hornets: making sure Nikola Vucevic fits comfortably into the rotation before the playoffs begin.

Vucevic returned to the court for Sunday’s 115-101 victory over Toronto after missing four weeks with a broken finger. The injury occurred in a March 6 game against Dallas, the same night Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles injury.

Vucevic collected four points and four rebounds in 13 minutes against Toronto, but he also picked up four fouls.

“He was good,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I mean, it was only 13 minutes. I thought offensively he made the right reads, missed a couple. Second half, we kind of went to — it was almost, we were looking at some different matchup stuff, so we didn’t get him in as much as we wanted to in the second half. But he was fine, I thought. He’s just going to continue to get acclimated.”

Vucevic said regaining chemistry is the hardest part about returning after missing significant time with an injury.

“That just has to come from us playing and practicing together, which is good I get at least these five games in before the playoffs then we’ll have that week between that will help,” he said. “But I think as far as plays, coverages, kind of knowing what to do out there in different situations, that was pretty good for me. I did a lot of it throughout my rehab. A lot of my workouts were fully left-handed, but I was still learning plays like that.


“Just continue to play alongside all of the guys,” he continued. “Obviously me and JT didn’t get a lot of time together, but I think we’re both high-level players, both smart players, and I think we’ll be able to figure it out pretty quick. Just even being around the guys, the time I did play, I think it’s helped a lot. Obviously, it would have been great to have that full month that I missed, but it is what it is. We know we’ll try to make the best out of it in the next couple games. And then also I think that week leading up to the playoffs is going to help. We’ll probably have a couple practices which will help as well.”

The Celtics (53-25) will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games.

Charlotte (43-36) has won four in a row since it dropped a 114-99 decision to Boston at home on March 29. The Hornets are 9-2 in their last 11 games, and are trying to avoid the play-in tournament by finishing sixth or higher in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte will participate in the postseason for the first time since 2015-16, when the Hornets lost to Miami in the first round.

The Hornets beat the Celtics 118-89 when the teams met in Boston on March 4. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges said dealing with Boston’s physicality will be paramount Tuesday night.

“We came into their place and beat them,” he said. “Then they came into our place and beat us, so we want to return the favor and start getting ready for the playoffs.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Celtics #integrate #Nikola #Vucevic #surging #Hornets">Deadspin | Celtics looking to integrate Nikola Vucevic against surging Hornets  Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA;  Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) shoots a jump shot against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images   Although this is the final week of the NBA regular season, the Boston Celtics still have at least one significant thing to iron out entering Tuesday’s game against the visiting Charlotte Hornets: making sure Nikola Vucevic fits comfortably into the rotation before the playoffs begin.  Vucevic returned to the court for Sunday’s 115-101 victory over Toronto after missing four weeks with a broken finger. The injury occurred in a March 6 game against Dallas, the same night Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles injury.  Vucevic collected four points and four rebounds in 13 minutes against Toronto, but he also picked up four fouls.  “He was good,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I mean, it was only 13 minutes. I thought offensively he made the right reads, missed a couple. Second half, we kind of went to — it was almost, we were looking at some different matchup stuff, so we didn’t get him in as much as we wanted to in the second half. But he was fine, I thought. He’s just going to continue to get acclimated.”  Vucevic said regaining chemistry is the hardest part about returning after missing significant time with an injury.  “That just has to come from us playing and practicing together, which is good I get at least these five games in before the playoffs then we’ll have that week between that will help,” he said. “But I think as far as plays, coverages, kind of knowing what to do out there in different situations, that was pretty good for me. I did a lot of it throughout my rehab. A lot of my workouts were fully left-handed, but I was still learning plays like that.  “Just continue to play alongside all of the guys,” he continued. “Obviously me and JT didn’t get a lot of time together, but I think we’re both high-level players, both smart players, and I think we’ll be able to figure it out pretty quick. Just even being around the guys, the time I did play, I think it’s helped a lot. Obviously, it would have been great to have that full month that I missed, but it is what it is. We know we’ll try to make the best out of it in the next couple games. And then also I think that week leading up to the playoffs is going to help. We’ll probably have a couple practices which will help as well.”   The Celtics (53-25) will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games.  Charlotte (43-36) has won four in a row since it dropped a 114-99 decision to Boston at home on March 29. The Hornets are 9-2 in their last 11 games, and are trying to avoid the play-in tournament by finishing sixth or higher in the Eastern Conference.  Charlotte will participate in the postseason for the first time since 2015-16, when the Hornets lost to Miami in the first round.  The Hornets beat the Celtics 118-89 when the teams met in Boston on March 4. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges said dealing with Boston’s physicality will be paramount Tuesday night.  “We came into their place and beat them,” he said. “Then they came into our place and beat us, so we want to return the favor and start getting ready for the playoffs.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Celtics #integrate #Nikola #Vucevic #surging #Hornets

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