Category: Sports

I’ve said it before, but anytime you bet against the United States, it feels un-American. However, there is value in backing Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States will likely win this match because of the momentum it has and the fact that this game is being played on home soil. That said, getting a two-goal cushion with Bosnia and Herzegovina +1.5 feels fantastic. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Let’s not forget the run Bosnia and Herzegovina was on before this World Cup. Including the tournament, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been unbeaten in 10 of its last 11 matches, with the lone loss coming against a dominant Switzerland side. I like Bosnia and Herzegovina to cover the +1.5 because of how well it defends. The team utilizes physicality and strength, and the United States has yet to play a team with those attributes in the World Cup. Bosnia and Herzegovina also likes to play tight and control the pace, so the United States likely won’t be able to open this match up right away. In summary, the Americans will have to be patient and take the opportunities given to them. There’s also still a question about the defense of the United States. Yes, the Americans kept two clean sheets in the group stage, but it’s hard to ignore what happened with the reserves against Türkiye. Backing Bosnia and Herzegovina +1.5 at -140 might feel harsh to some American fans, but if you take the bias out of it, it feels like the right side.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Shrieks of laughter echoed around an empty PayPal Park. Weston McKennie playfully taunted Tyler Adams, just like he usually does. Even the normally reserved Christian Pulisic joined in on the fun. As members of the U.S. men’s national team worked through a training session at the home venue of MLS club San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday, anyone watching — if they didn’t know better — wouldn’t think that these players were barely 24 hours before what might be the biggest games of their lives. Nothing less than the legacy of what many have called a “Golden Generation” of American soccer stars led by Pulisic, McKennie and Adams is at stake on Wednesday, when the USA meets Bosnia and Herzegovina in its first do-or-die match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at nearby San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (kickoff at 5 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One). The stakes are enormous. And after winning its first two contests in a World Cup for the first time in almost a century en route to topping Group D, the expectations are just as high. For months, coach Mauricio Pochettino has talked up his squad’s potential: “Why not us?” That has been the question the former Paris Saint-Germain manager has asked his team and the USA’s rapidly growing fan base again and again. Players and supporters alike have internalized that message, to the point where many are already looking past Wednesday’s round of 32 contest and to next week’s round of 16 in Seattle against Belgium or Senegal — or even the July 10 quarterfinal versus (probably) star-studded Spain or Portugal or Croatia. Not so fast. The Bosnians won’t go quietly. And while they’re not France, the U.S. hasn’t beaten a European team in its last 12 chances dating to 2021 and has lost all six of such matches under Pochettino. If that streak doesn’t end in Northern California, at a World Cup on home soil, the public perception of the USA’s tournament — the reality — will instantly swing from wild success to catastrophic failure. There is nothing in between. The players are unfazed. “We try not to think worst-case scenario,” defender Chris Richards told me Monday before the Americans’ final practice. “For us, ultimately it’s [about] going to this game with confidence, but also understanding that no things don’t always go your way,” he said. “So let’s make sure you’re prepared for everything.” Besides, being stressed out won’t help. “Relaxation brings concentration,” Pochettino said at Monday’s pre-match press conference, attributing the quote to Jorge Valdano, a legendary player and coach with Real Madrid who won the 1986 World Cup with Argentina. No wonder the U.S. is choosing to look at Wednesday as an opportunity to keep its World Cup dreams kicking, rather than an obligation to. “We understand what it means: You win or you go home,” Pulisic said. “So yeah, there definitely needs to be a lot of focus and attention to detail this week. But I think the vibe feels good. We’ve still kept it light, and we still are going to be ready to battle once the whistle blows.” If not, anything could happen. Just days into the business end of this World Cup, European powers the Netherlands and four-time champion Germany are out before the round of 16 has even started. And that’s not even accounting for the unexpected: red cards, own goals, injuries. Keeping the emotions in check — at the line but not over it — can also go a long way toward the ability to survive and advance. “Soccer,” Pochettino allowed, “is an unpredictable thing. We try to reduce that.” Still, the odds are on the home team’s side. Another massive red, white and blue-clad crowd is expected. The U.S. comes into the match ranked 15th by FIFA while the Golden Lilles are 61st, lower than 16 nations that failed to qualify for this World Cup. Not that that matters when the game begins. “I don’t believe that we are the favored team,” Pochettino said. “Everyone said Germany was the favorite, but Paraguay beat them. “After the group stage, we are seeing how difficult it is for everyone,” he continued.  “We don’t have another opportunity if we fail. [So] it’s all-in, knowing that that game is the final of the World Cup. That, I think, needs to be — and is — our mindset.”

With spring football having come and gone, the college football calendar has shifted to the player-led portion of its offseason development curve. Across the country, youngsters and veterans alike are hitting the weight room and organizing private workouts to push themselves toward the 2026 campaign. By the time players return to organized practices later this summer, they’ll already have an idea of where things stand on the depth chart. They’ll have seen which incoming freshmen are capable of contributing right away and which star transfers should be viewed as plug-and-play starters. Plenty can change during fall camp, but there’s no question that leaders emerge over the summer. So with that in mind, here’s the second part in our series examining the most important transfer portal addition for each Big Ten team. This story explores the second half of the league in alphabetical order: Here is Part 1 of our two-part story examining the Big Ten’s most impactful portal additions. * Recruiting rankings and historical data courtesy of 247Sports Class: SeniorMeasurables: 6-foot-2, 314 poundsPast schools: Alabama (2023-25)Portal ranking: No. 25 transfer, No. 3 DL Last season: 28 tackles (6.5 for loss), 2.5 sacks, 11 pressures, 1 PD in 12 games The departure of star nose tackle Kayden McDonald, who was drafted in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, leaves a sizable hole in the center of Ohio State’s defense. McDonald played so well under new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia that he bypassed his final year of eligibility to turn pro. His list of accolades included first-team All-Big Ten recognition, the conference’s Defensive Lineman of the Year award and consensus All-American honors en route to becoming the second defensive tackle chosen in this year’s draft. As a response, the Buckeyes added two high-profile interior linemen via the transfer portal in Smith and former UCF standout John Walker, both of whom were top-100 recruits coming out of high school. They are expected to compete with returners Eddrick Houston and Will Smith Jr. for starting spots this fall. For the purposes of this list, Smith gets the edge based on pedigree and potential upside. He was a five-star prospect and the No. 27 overall recruit in the country ahead of his freshman season at Alabama and should bring plenty of tools for defensive line coach Larry Johnson to work with at Ohio State. Class: JuniorMeasurables: 6-foot-1, 200 poundsPast schools: Minnesota (2024-25)Portal ranking: No. 15 transfer, No. 1 S Last season: 82 tackles (3 for loss), 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 TD in 13 games Once again, Oregon flashed its ruthless approach to player acquisition by signing one of the best portal classes in the Big Ten. It marked the second consecutive offseason in which the Ducks snagged the highest-rated safety in the transfer portal as an immediate plug-and-play leader for a team with legitimate national championship aspirations. And it marked the second consecutive offseason in which accomplishing that feat meant prying an elite talent away from another Big Ten program. A year ago, the Ducks added former Purdue standout Dillon Thieneman and developed him into both a first-team All-American and first-round draft pick. This time around, head coach Dan Lanning succeeded in the hotly contested race to sign Perich, a second-team All-American in 2024 and a second-team All-Big Ten performer for the Gophers last fall. In addition to the pedigree that Perich brings as one of the nation’s best safeties, he’ll also provide Oregon with another option in the return game. Perich ranked among the top 25 nationally in punt return average (9.4 yards per attempt) as a freshman and finished 12th in kickoff return average (26.3 yards per attempt) during the 2025 campaign. Class: Redshirt seniorMeasurables: 6-foot-1, 208 poundsPast schools: Iowa State (2022-25)Portal ranking: No. 48 transfer, No. 7 QB Last season: 205-of-339 (60.5%) for 2,584 yards, 16 TD, 9 INT in 12 games For however long new head coach Matt Campbell remains at Penn State, which made the shocking decision to fire James Franklin last October, he’ll have to deal with intense scrutiny surrounding the quarterback position. Franklin’s inability to find or develop a legitimate difference maker across more than 11 seasons with the Nittany Lions was arguably the biggest constraint for a program always on the cusp of reaching the College Football Playoff. And even when he finally got Penn State over that hurdle during his penultimate season, it was a late-game interception from Drew Allar — the highest-rated quarterback Franklin ever signed — that ultimately sealed the team’s fate. Becht brings plenty of experience after three years as the Cyclones’ starter, but he’s also entering his final season of eligibility and doesn’t represent the program’s lasting solution at quarterback. How well Becht performs this season in one of the sport’s premier conferences could certainly influence how appealing Penn State’s new regime is to high-end recruits. It’s also worth noting that Becht had offseason surgery on his non-throwing shoulder and missed most of the spring. Class: SeniorMeasurables: 6-foot-4, 215 poundsPast schools: Penn (2022-25)Portal ranking: No. 595 transfer, No. 117 WR Last season: 66 catches for 696 yards and 5 TD in 10 games There wasn’t much that went right for head coach Barry Odom during his inaugural campaign last fall — especially on offense. The Boilermakers ranked 102nd nationally in yards per game (343.6) and finished tied for 122nd in scoring at 18.8 points per game, edging only UCLA and Wisconsin among Big Ten teams. Starting quarterback Ryan Browne, a former three-star prospect, ranked at or near the bottom of the league in seemingly every major passing category: he was 16th in completion rate (58.9%), 17th in passing touchdowns (9) and tied for 14th in interceptions (10) as Purdue failed to win a conference game for the second consecutive year. Rather than make a change at quarterback ahead of the 2026 season, Odom has vocally backed Browne at every turn, bypassing the chance to recruit over him in the transfer portal. That decision now places Purdue’s receiving corps, which lost its top three pass catchers from last year, squarely in the crosshairs entering fall camp. Owens is one of four wideouts the Boilermakers added via the transfer portal. He has excellent size for the position and could become Browne’s primary target from the outset, pending his adjustment to Big Ten competition after four years in the Ivy League. Class: SeniorMeasurables: 6-foot-4, 250 poundsPast schools: Toledo (2022-25)Portal ranking: No. 762 transfer, No. 83 edge rusher Last season: 36 tackles (9.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, 36 pressures, 1 FF in 12 games Rutgers needed an injection of talent along the defensive line after ranking second-to-last nationally and 17th in the Big Ten in sacks with 11, as well as 129th nationally and 17th in the Big Ten in tackles for loss with 47. Of the 305 players in college football who tallied more than 20 quarterback pressures, only one of them — edge rusher Eric O’Neill — played for Rutgers. Those are the type of statistics that will send a coaching staff to the transfer portal in search of talent. Predictably, head coach Greg Schiano addressed the issue by adding four defensive linemen from the portal: two along the interior; two on the edge. The pick of the litter might be Davis, who amassed 36 pressures in a leading role for Toledo last season. Davis registered standout performances against Western Michigan and Washington State by racking up eight pressures in each game. He should step into an immediate starting role for first-year defensive coordinator Travis Johansen. Class: Redshirt seniorMeasurables: 5-foot-7, 193 poundsPast schools: James Madison (2022-25)Portal ranking: No. 419 transfer, No. 38 RB Last season: 207 carries for 1,373 yards and 9 TD in 14 games On paper, the Bruins made arguably the savviest hire of the coaching cycle by plucking Bob Chesney away from James Madison, a school he had just taken to the College Football Playoff. Chesney, 48, is viewed by many as one of the sport’s rising stars thanks to a résumé that includes 15 winning seasons at JMU (2024-25), Holy Cross (2018-23), Assumption (2013-17) and Salve Regine (2010-12). He began his rebuild at UCLA by adding 41 players from the transfer portal, including 10 former Dukes who followed Chesney for an opportunity to join the Big Ten. None of the JMU additions are likely to play a larger role for the Bruins than Knight, who was a first-team All-Sun Belt performer in 2025 and also earned second-team All-America honors thanks to his wide-ranging versatility. In addition to rushing for nearly 1,400 yards and nine scores, Knight added value in the passing game (40 receptions, 397 yards, 1 TD) and on special teams (20 punt returns for 180 yards) to set a new school record for all-purpose yards with 2,039. There will be questions around whether his diminutive frame can withstand playing in the Big Ten, but it seems thoroughly unwise to doubt him. Class: Redshirt seniorMeasurables: 5-foot-10, 195 poundsPast schools: Iowa State (2022-25)Portal ranking: No. 50 transfer, No. 2 CB Last season: 15 tackles (1.5 TFL), 3 PD, 1 INT in 5 games It’s hard to make a splashier coordinator hire than what USC did in late January by convincing former TCU head coach Gary Patterson to take over the Trojans’ defense. Patterson, 66, manned the sideline for the Horned Frogs from 2000-2021 before ultimately resigning. He recorded 181 victories during that span and won at least 10 games in a season 11 times, headlined by a 13-0 finish in 2010. Since then, he’s worked as an off-field analyst for Texas in 2022 and a consultant at Baylor ahead of the 2024 campaign. His task at USC will be to raise the level of a unit that hasn’t finished among the top 40 nationally in yards per game since 2020, an ever-present thorn in the side of head coach Lincoln Riley’s national championship aspirations. Six of the Trojans’ eight position-player additions via the transfer portal were on the defensive side of the ball. Williams might be the most important addition if he can return to full health following an ACL tear last September. He was a second-team All-Big 12 selection for the Cyclones in 2024. Class: SeniorMeasurables: 5-foot-10, 205 poundsPast schools: Oregon (2023-25)Portal ranking: No. 373 transfer, No. 34 RB Last season: 46 carries for 262 yards and 3 TD in 8 games Washington’s backfield will need to be reimagined in 2026 after losing both of their lead tailbacks from last year’s nine-win team. Starter Jonah Coleman, who had followed head coach Jedd Fisch from Arizona to Washington, was a fourth-round pick by the Denver Broncos after racking up more than 1,800 yards and 25 rushing touchdowns the last two seasons. Adam Mohammed, the primary backup, transferred to Cal after rushing for 523 yards and five touchdowns a year ago. That leaves quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (611 yards, 6 TDs) as the only returner to rush for more than 235 yards last season. The question for Washington is whether Limar, who missed spring practice to recover from ankle surgery, can blossom into a leading option after transferring from Oregon. He was part of a crowded Ducks backfield in 2025 that featured six players with at least 40 rushing attempts. Limar was a highly coveted four-star prospect coming out of high school with scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Miami, Michigan, Texas A&M and USC, among others. The opportunity to take on a starring role at Washington is there for the taking. Class: Redshirt juniorMeasurables: 6-foot-2, 212 poundsPast schools: Old Dominion (2023-25)Portal ranking: No. 185 transfer, No. 21 QB Last season: 173-of-290 (59.7%) for 2,624 yards, 21 TD, 10 INT in 12 games After three consecutive subpar years, there is immense pressure on head coach Luke Fickell to demonstrate significant progress during the 2026 campaign. Not only has Wisconsin finished below .500 each of the last two seasons, including an ugly 5-13 mark in conference play, but the school is also in the process of replacing former athletic director Chris McIntosh, the man who originally hired Fickell in 2022. For Wisconsin to find success this fall, Fickell needs to finally hit on a transfer quarterback after several high-profile misses and debilitating injuries. He whiffed on former SMU standout Tanner Mordecai in 2023 and saw former Miami starter Tyler Van Dyke suffer a torn ACL in the first month of the 2024 campaign. Then, in 2025, the Badgers rotated through four signal-callers after former Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. injured his knee. Joseph could bring a new dynamic as a legitimate dual-threat option. In addition to throwing for more than 2,600 yards and 21 touchdowns last fall, he also carried the ball 158 times for 1,007 yards and 13 additional scores.

Oddsmakers at American sportsbooks expected substantial support for the USA in World Cup odds. However, wagering went well beyond substantial in the group stage, and it’s continuing in the USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina odds for Wednesday night’s Round of 32 match. “Early signs were there, before the tournament, that there was a bit of patriotic money,” Caesars Sports head of soccer trading Mark Bickerdike said. “Then given how the U.S. started, we saw quite an influx. “It’s half understandable, but equally, we were surprised to see the scale of action. It’s great to see this level of engagement, though.” Bickerdike helps dive into USA-Bosnia odds and the status of the U.S. in World Cup futures odds. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Market Settles Following the USA’s 3-2 loss to Türkiye on a goal in the waning moments of second-half injury time, Caesars Sports quickly posted USA-Bosnia and Herzegovina odds. With the tournament now at the knockout stage, there were two main markets: the three-way moneyline for 90 minutes plus injury time and To Qualify, for which team advances to the Round of 16. The three-way moneyline opened at USA -190/Bosnia and Herzegovina +525/Draw +295. But those odds proved to be too light. “The market overreacted to the Türkiye defeat,” Bickerdike said, noting the U.S. should’ve been a larger favorite. That’s now the case. As of Tuesday evening, about a day before Wednesday’s 8 p.m. ET kickoff on FOX, it’s USA -275/Bosnia and Herzegovina +750/Draw +370. “It took a little time for the market to settle,” Bickerdike said. “It’s also likely that Christian Pulisic is going to start, as well. So it’s now a fairer reflection of what the prices should be.” In the To Qualify odds, Caesars opened at USA -390/Bosnia and Herzegovina +305 and stretched as far as USA -625/Bosnia and Herzegovina +425. On Tuesday night, it’s USA -560/Bosnia and Herzegovina +360. Money From The Masses Once again, the public betting masses are firing away on the USA. “Particularly in the To Qualify market, where 91.4% of money is on the USA. It’s one-way traffic,” Bickerdike said. “On the three-way, there’s a little bit more on Bosnia, 24% of tickets and 14% of money. “That’s the highest percentage opposing the USA so far in this tournament.” Team USA is taking 68% of tickets and 82% of money in three-way action, with Draw collecting the final 8% of tickets and 4% of money. “It’s a good matchup for the U.S., in terms of playing styles. I’d be confident if I was a U.S. fan,” Bickerdike said. Caesars has the total at 2.5 goals, with the Over a plenty popular -132 favorite. In fact, bettors are also hitting the Over on alternate totals, as well. “Most of our liability is on Over 2.5. And we have quite a bit of liability on Over 4.5,” Bickerdike said. So Caesars is certainly looking for a low-scoring match. More so, though, the book wants overtime. “Absolutely, a draw in 90 minutes is preferred, regardless of the result after that,” Bickerdike said. “For continued engagement, the USA winning on penalties would be the best outcome.” Futures Forecast When this 48-team tournament began on June 11, Team USA was +5000 in Caesars’ World Cup championship futures odds. The Americans improved to +4000 after the 4-1 win over Paraguay, then to +3000 after the 2-0 win vs. Australia. With the 3-2 loss to Türkiye in the final group match, the U.S. slid out slightly to +3000. “This adjustment reflects both their loss to Türkiye and a tougher projected route to the final,” Bickerdike said. “Despite this, customer support has remained strong, and the USA continues to be one of the most popular selections in the futures market. “The USA represents our biggest liability.” Thanks to Germany and the Netherlands suffering upset losses on Monday — to Paraguay and Morocco, respectively — the Americans are now top 10 in World Cup futures. The USA and Colombia are the co-ninth choice at Caesars.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Malik Tillman likes watching penalty shootouts. But participating in them? Not so much. “I try to avoid it,” the American midfielder said before training on Tuesday. “Everyone tries to avoid it. But sometimes, it happens, and, of course, you have to be ready for it because you never know. We’ll give our best to finish the game in 90 minutes. The U.S. men’s national team faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday night. With the 2026 World Cup now in the knockout stage, any match that remains tied after regulation and extra time comes down to one thing: the dreaded, stomach-churning penalty shootout. On Monday, Germany and the Netherlands were both sent home after cruel and dramatic penalty shootout losses to Paraguay and Morocco, respectively. Across the two shootouts, players missed 10 penalty kicks, setting a World Cup record for the most misses in a single day. It was the first time in history the four-time champion Germans left the World Cup via penalties. It was a stark reminder of the stakes now facing the U.S. because, in the knockout stage, one mistake can send a team home. “We’ve seen two big boys fall,” defender Chris Richards told a group of reporters. “So it’s just a matter of us getting through this game and putting on a good performance, and, hopefully, we continue that.” The last time the USA found itself in a penalty shootout was exactly one year ago, when it beat Costa Rica in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals after a six-round thriller. The win came largely thanks to Matt Freese’s heroics in goal, as he made three saves to send the squad through. Tillman, who missed a penalty in the first half of that match, bounced back by converting in the shootout. He said that while players can practice penalties all they want, it’s “impossible” to replicate what it actually feels like in that spotlight. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino agrees and said the team uses an outside company to help with penalties in a somewhat similar fashion to how they use TrackMan technology to aid in set pieces. “I don’t want to say too much,” Pochettino said at his press conference on Tuesday. “As a coaching staff, we believe that we can provide some tools to the players to be better or to improve or to try to find the best way to face this type of situation, knowing that it’s impossible to replicate the emotional stress and the pressure and expectation, how you are going to feel. “Because it depends on your performance – if you came from the bench, if you played 120 minutes, if you are tired, if you are not tired. If you feel something in your body, that is impossible when you practice penalties to have the same feeling.” As far as the penalty kicking order goes, that is set by Pochettino and his staff, who analyze the players’ work in training before deciding who steps up. “It is going to be [the coaching staff’s] decision – the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5,” Pochettino said. “We are trying to arrive at this moment and not ask the player if they feel confident or not confident.” According to a German media report, there was controversy over who would take Germany’s sixth penalty, as some players didn’t want to. Ultimately, it was Jonathan Tah, whose miss proved decisive and allowed Paraguay to convert and advance. “I don’t know about that situation, but yeah, it’s a difficult thing,” star forward Christian Pulisic said when asked about Germany’s exit. “The guys who feel the most confident to go up and shoot will want to go shoot. I think that’s normal. There will be some players that maybe don’t practice them as much and don’t feel as good. I don’t think it’s necessarily a big problem. “Haven’t been in many shootouts with these guys, but I feel like it’s a pretty brave, courageous team. I feel like guys will give it a go.” How Do USA Players Take Penalties? Penalty kick style and technique have evolved over the years. Some players opt for stutter steps and elaborate long or short run-ups, while others simply place the ball and strike it. Tillman said he’s experimented with different approaches throughout his career and doesn’t necessarily take them the same way he once did. Still, he added, “I’m confident in the way I take them.” Richards, who scored a penalty for Premier League club Crystal Palace last season, doesn’t overthink it. “I don’t want to give away too much,” Richards said with a big smile. “Some guys change it up. Me personally, I’m a defender for a reason, so I’m gonna put it down and place it where I think it needs to go.” Pulisic doesn’t read too much into everyone else’s process. “Everyone has their own style,” said Pulisic, who also noted that he’s feeling good after dealing with a calf injury that has limited his time on the field. “I don’t think you watch [the Germany and Netherlands shootouts] and can take so much away and try to change your style in one day. I mean, it’s just part of the game. “It’s an extremely hard thing to do for sure. It takes a lot of courage and it’s not easy. Goalkeepers are getting better and better every single year. Everyone has their individual style, and you just go with what you feel most confident with.” All this is to say, the U.S. hopes any penalty shootout talk is moot during their run in this World Cup. “Ultimately, you don’t want to get there,” Richards said. “But honestly, we’ve done a lot of training with penalty shootouts, so if it comes down to it, I think every guy on this team is going to step up and take it.”

The knockout stage never disappoints, and it doesn’t appear like it will at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After its dominating 3-0 win over Sweden on Tuesday, France has extended its gap as the favorite to win the World Cup. Les Bleus has climbed from +250 to +195 after its Round of 32 win, the best odds any team has been since title odds were released. While France remains the heavy favorite, Norway surged up the oddsboard after its 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast on Tuesday. Norway’s odds jumped from +4000 to +2500 as it sets its eyes on a star-studded Round of 16 matchup against Brazil. On Monday night, Morocco upset the Netherlands in a thrilling top-10 FIFA world rankings showdown. After going down 1-0 late in the second half, it looked like Morocco’s tournament was minutes from being over. However, Issa Diop’s stoppage-time header found the back of the net for a dramatic equalizer that sent the match to extra time. The Atlas Lions went on to win via penalties, and, as a result, their odds to win the World Cup have surged from +4000 to +2200. Morocco will now face Canada in the Round of 16. Let’s dive into the full odds via FanDuel Sportsbook as of June 30. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. 2026 World Cup Winner Odds France: +195 (bet $10 to win $29.50 total)Argentina: +430 (bet $10 to win $53 total)Spain: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)England: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)Brazil: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)Portugal: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)Morocco: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total) Norway: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)Colombia: +3300 (bet $10 to win $340 total)United States: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)Mexico: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total) Belgium: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total) Switzerland: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)Senegal: +12500 (bet $10 to win $1,260 total)Ecuador: +12500 (bet $10 to win $1,260 total)Croatia: +12500 (bet $10 to win $1,260 total)Canada:+15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total) Here’s what to know about this oddsboard: The Favorite: France is now the solo favorite atop the oddsboard. It opened its pursuit for a third World Cup title with a 3-1 win against Senegal and a dominant 3-0 win over Iraq. Les Bleus followed that up with a 4-1 win over Norway on Friday to clinch Group I. Now, after another commanding win in which it scored three goals yet again against Sweden, France will play Paraguay in a Round of 16 showdown on July 4th. Upset City: Prior to Monday’s Germany-Paraguay matchup, the Germans were a -700 favorite to advance to the Round of 16, after having won Group E. Meanwhile, Paraguay finished third in Group D and lost 4-1 to the United States to open the tournament. But none of that mattered on Monday, after Paraguay took a 1-0 lead, then held on to force the game to penalty kicks, where it defeated Germany 4-3. Wow. Germany had previously never lost a penalty shootout in World Cup history (4-0). It was one of the largest upsets in World Cup history based on ranking, with Germany ranked 10th in the world and Paraguay ranked 41st.

France is currently the best show in international football. Not a debate; not a hot take; a 3-0 verdict at MetLife Stadium delivered with the kind of casual, suffocating excellence that makes you wonder how any team is supposed to stop them. Sweden had Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak, two of the most feared strikers in European club football, and they managed only four shots all game; France had 25. That’s not a contest; that’s an exhibition. Here are my four takeaways from France’s 3-0 win over Sweden: 1. Kylian Mbappé Is One Goal Away From History Stop what you are doing. Watch this man. Kylian Mbappé has now scored 18 goals in 18 World Cup appearances. Lionel Messi holds the all-time record at 19. Only one goal separates the greatest of all time from the next in line, and Mbappé is only 27. Let that settle for a second. He opened the scoring just before halftime, latching onto an Ousmane Dembélé cutback from a corner and slotting past Jacob Zetterström with the kind of composure that makes goalkeepers feel irrelevant. His second goal, the third for France, was even better: a curling finish into the far corner that sent the entire French bench sprinting toward Didier Deschamps. There was something undeniably emotional about that one. He had a goal disallowed for offside. He hit the post. He could have had four. Sweden had no answer, no plan, and ultimately no chance. Mbappé is not just France’s best player; he is the best player in this tournament alongside Messi. 2. The Harlem Globetrotters Are In Town. And This Is Their Court. At some point, you stop analyzing France and just start applauding. Over 60% possession. Twelve shots on target. Nine corners. Goals from open play, set pieces, through balls, cutbacks. France has a different weapon for every situation, and Didier Deschamps is deploying them all with the calm of a man who has done this before. Michael Olise was, at times, from another planet. He carved through Sweden’s shape repeatedly, pulling strings, finding pockets, and laying off with both feet. His bicycle kick attempt may have just kissed the woodwork and stayed out, but if that ball had gone in, we’d be talking about it for decades. Potentially one of the great World Cup goals never scored. Bradley Barcola’s second goal was a textbook France move: Olise slipping it through Víctor Lindelöf’s legs, Barcola doing the rest. Effortless. Lethal. The only thing that kept this from becoming an absolute hammering was Swedish goalkeeper Zetterström, who made nine saves and single-handedly prevented a tennis score. Sweden could have conceded six or seven on another day. 3. Farewell, Sweden. You Came. You Fought. You Ran Into a Buzzsaw. Graham Potter’s side deserves credit for showing up at all. Sweden came into this World Cup having missed the 2022 tournament entirely, back after a painful absence and carrying enormous expectations on the shoulders of Gyökeres and Isak, two strikers with wildly expensive price tags and tons of expectation. In their opening group game, they delivered: a 5-1 demolition of Tunisia that was genuinely thrilling. Sweden looked like a side that could cause problems. Then came the Netherlands. A 5-1 loss that quickly recalibrated expectations. Sweden steadied somewhat, drawing 1-1 with Japan to scrape through as a third-place team. They arrived here knowing the draw had not been kind, facing the tournament’s overwhelming favorites. Sometimes the bracket plays cruel tricks. Against France, Gyökeres and Isak barely touched the ball in meaningful areas. Anthony Elanga worked hard and went largely unrewarded. This Swedish generation — gifted, genuinely exciting to watch — simply ran into the wrong team at the wrong time. No shame in that. They belong at this level. They’ll be back. 4. Yes, He Gets Two Takeaways. He Earned It. Last week, I gave Lionel Messi two takeaways after his masterclass against Austria. Messi wasn’t thrilled when I told him. (He doesn’t read my column. This is fine.) But standards are standards, and Mbappé’s performance today demands a second look from a completely different angle. Because here’s what struck me beyond the numbers: Kylian Mbappé looks genuinely, visibly happy. This matters more than it sounds. The past year at Real Madrid was, by most accounts, a slow-motion rollercoaster. Three managers in one season. A dressing room with more fault lines than a geology textbook. A “Mbappé Out” petition from disgruntled Madridistas. Being booed at the Bernabéu. Reportedly not wanting to play at the Bernabéu again. A season that ended without a single trophy and with his relationship with the club’s fanbase in ruins. None of that Mbappé showed up today. This version was laughing on the pitch, celebrating with teammates, sprinting to hug Deschamps after his second goal in a moment that felt like a release. And the dynamic with Olise is something to behold. The two of them are playing with a freedom and instinctiveness that you rarely see at the international level. They find each other without looking. They trust each other completely. The France national team has become, by all appearances, the place where Kylian Mbappé actually wants to be. And when he is happy, he is absolutely terrifying to play against. Messi’s record is one goal away. Heaven help whoever is next.

France face a massive World Cup blow as Arsenal defender William Saliba is highly doubtful after aggravating a back injury in the Champions League final.

The 2025-26 college basketball season has ended, and the transfer portal officially opened on April 7. It will remain open for two weeks, in which key players will make decisions that will impact seasons to come. Let’s take a look at some of the top players who have hit the portal, and the new destinations they have selected. Iowa State Star Transfers To Kentucky After keeping fans waiting for over a month, Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic has chosen Kentucky. As a junior, Momcilovic averaged 16.9 points per game and led the nation, shooting 48.7% from 3-point range, making him one of the most coveted pieces in the portal. After the 2025-26 college basketball season ended, Momcilovic declared for the NBA Draft, and dove into the process, which prolonged his future decision. Four days after withdrawing from the Draft, he’s landed at Kentucky. Baylor Star Transfers To St. John’s After one season with the Baylor Bears, Tounde Yessoufou is transferring to play for the St. John’s Red Storm, per ESPN. Yessoufou, a former five-star recruit, averaged 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and two steals per game, while shooting 46.5/29.3/74.6 in his 2025-26 freshman campaign with the Bears. The 6-foot-5 guard joins a Red Storm team coming off a season that saw them earn a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999 before losing to the No. 1-seeded Duke Blue Devils. LSU and coach Will Wade went on a spree of adding international talent to the Tigers’ roster over the last few days. Some of those players still have to file for eligibility, others will certainly suit up for LSU in the 2026-27 season. That latter group includes Michael Ruzic, a 19-year-old Croatian prospect who committed to the Tigers on Wednesday, per Jon Rothstein. Ruzic, a 6-foot-11 forward, averaged 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game for Spanish side Joventut, where he’s played since 2023. Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris committed to Tennessee on Monday. Harris was a very coveted transfer portal prospect after a breakout sophomore season with the Deamon Deacons as he averaged 21.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. When he first entered the portal, he was linked with Michigan, even traveling to Ann Arbor to experience the Wolverines’ championship parade. North Carolina also recruited Harris, but he put his decision on pause to test the NBA Draft waters. A few weeks later, he decided to remain in college, choosing Tennessee. The Volunteers have had one of the most successful transfer portals of any teams. Along with Harris, they’ve added VCU transfer Terrence Hill Jr., Belmont transfer Tyler Lundblade, Cal transfer Dai Dai Ames, Notre Dame transfer Jalen Haralson and Loyola Chicago transfer Miles Rubin. Arizona transfer Dwayne Aristode has committed to Oregon, per Jon Rothstein. Aristode averaged just 3.8 points in 13.3 minutes per game during his freshman season with the Wildcats. But he has potential for a huge leap in his sophomore season. Coming over from Netherlands in 2023, he was a top recruit, who already had experience, playing for the senior-level of his national team. But Aristode missed the entirety of his senior year of high school with a lower leg injury, that shortened his training camp with Arizona as well. He also dealt with minor injuries and an illness during the season, missing a total of four games. With the Wildcats’ deep backcourt, Aristode never broke through, but a new landing spot in Oregon, could offer a platform for a successful sophomore season. Former Florida walk-on Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center from Canada, announced Thursday he has signed with UC Irvine. The school in Southern California announced his arrival hours earlier. “Olivier is a high-character young man whose presence will elevate our team, our university, and our community,’ UC Irvine coach Russell Turner said in a statement. ‘He embodies the values that have defined our success at UC Irvine. ‘We’ve built a strong relationship with Olivier and his family over the years, dating back to his high school recruitment, and that familiarity gives us tremendous belief in who he is both on and off the court. Olivier’s unique skill set and physical presence align perfectly with the tradition of dominant front court players in our program. We believe he will have an immediate impact and continue to grow within our system, and we are thrilled to have him join the Anteater family.” Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team’s national championship season and then getting on the court in mop-up duty this past season. He played 15 total minutes, finishing with seven points, six rebounds and an assist. He set a Guinness World Record as the world’s tallest teen before he stepped foot on campus. Now 20, he’s looking for a chance to play more as a third-year sophomore. Rioux became the tallest person to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 victory over North Florida last November. He scored three games later, making a free throw after getting fouled. He also recorded his first rebound. Now he will try to get on the court more often in Southern California. Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop committed to Gonzaga on Tuesday, per Jon Rothstein. Diop averaged 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game during his first season of college basketball with the Sun Devils. The 21-year-old from Senegal played professionally in Spain before coming to the U.S. for college. He’ll now take his talents to play for Mark Few in Spokane, Washington. Diop’s fit at Gonzaga is perfect, as he’ll succeed All-NCAA center Graham Ike, and play alongside Braden Huff. Saint Mary’s transfer Mikey Lewis has committed to Texas, per Jon Rothstein. Lewis played two seasons with the Gaels, transferring to the Longhorns after coach Randy Bennett left Saint Mary’s for Arizona State. Lewis averaged 13.9 points per game during his sophomore season with the Gaels, and will now round out a talented backcourt alongside Colorado transfer Isaiah Johnson. Iowa transfer Alvaro Folgueiras has committed to Louisville, per Joe Tipton. Folgueiras averaged 8.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 33.3% from 3-point range, helping the Hawkeyes make the Elite Eight. He becomes the fourth player to choose Louisville in the transfer portal, joining Jackson Shelstad, Flory Bidunga and Karter Knox. Saint Mary’s transfer Paulius Murauskas has committed to Arizona State, per Jon Rothstein. Murauskas becomes the first former Gaels player to follow coach Randy Bennett to ASU. He averaged 18.6 points and 7.6 rebounds during his junior season at Saint Mary’s, and now will continue his development under Bennett. Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell has committed to Duke, per Jon Rothstein. Blackwell was one of the most coveted players in the portal after averaging 19.1 points per game during his junior season at Wisconsin. He had a swell of suitors and was patient in selecting the right one. Ultimately, he chose Duke, becoming arguably the highest-profile transfer in the Jon Scheyer era. After entering the week with uncertainties on their roster, the Blue Devils now sport one of the most talented teams. Center Patrick Ngongba decided to return, Belmont transfer Drew Scharnowski committed, and now Blackwell has joined Duke. Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman has committed to St. John’s, per Joe Tipton. Freeman was rumored to be leaning toward joining Kentucky, but the Red Storm made a push in recent days, and won the sweepstakes. Freeman averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds during his sophomore season for the Orange. He was a key contributor in both years in Syracuse, but was mired by injuries. If he can stay healthy, he could be one of the best transfer portal additions of the 2026 offseason. With Freeman’s decision, he’ll opt to stay in the Big East rather than head to the SEC and play for the Wildcats. Kentucky transfer Mouhamed Dioubate has committed to LSU, per Joe Tipton. Dioubate will play for his third SEC school in three seasons after starting his college career at Alabama. He averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 21 minutes per game during his sophomore season for the Wildcats. Now he’ll join the Tigers during coach Will Wade’s first season back at the helm. Former Iowa State center Audi Crooks, the second-leading scorer last season in women’s basketball, has committed to Oklahoma State. Crooks made the announcement Sunday in a video on social media. The 6-foot-3 star has a season of eligibility left after three years with the Cyclones. Crooks was one of nine Iowa State players who officially entered the NCAA transfer portal in the first 12 hours it was open, along with fellow top starters forward Addy Brown and guard Jada Williams. She averaged 25.8 points last season while leading the Big 12 in shooting percentage for the second year in a row (64.9%). Crooks was named a Second Team All-American by the Associated Press and USBWA, as well as a Wooden All-American. The Oklahoma State Cowgirls finished 24-10 in 2025-2026, fourth in the Big 12, and were eliminated from March Madness by eventual champion and No. 1 seed UCLA in the second round of the tournament. The Cowgirls’ leading scorer last season was senior guard Micah Gray, at 13.6 points per game; bringing Crooks aboard gives OSU a star shooter to center the offense around. Transfer forward Valdez is headed to Georgia Tech, per On3. The 6-foot-7 junior played three seasons with Troy and averaged 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game last season. Valdez was one of the most talented small forwards in the portal and will be a solid addition for coach Scott Cross. The former Arkansas guard has committed to play for Maryland, per On3. Wagner dealt with a lingering ankle injury last season, but he still averaged 7.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Wagner now takes his talents to the Big Ten with one year of eligibility remaining. Duke transfer Khamenia will join UConn, per On3. The five-star freshman averaged 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 44% in the paint in one season at Duke. His shooting talent will be a big advantage for coach Dan Hurley. After one season with the Pirates, Clark announced on Instagram that he’s transferring to play for the Rebels. Last season, Clark averaged 12.7 points, 4.9 assists and two steals per game for Seton Hall, while shooting 43.7/22.0/74.6 in what was his junior campaign. He previously played two seasons for Merrimack, with whom he earned All-NEC honors in his freshman season and led the conference in steals per game in both seasons. Clark joins an Ole Miss team that went 15-20 last season and missed the NCAA Tournament. Chatman will be playing his junior season with Utah, per On3. The 6-foot-4 sophomore averaged 4.3 points a game in 12.9 minutes each time he stepped on the floor. In an unfortunate loss against Wisconsin, he put up 14 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the arc. The Longhorns recently signed Tennessee transfer guard Evans, per On3. Evans had his first college season with the Volunteers, averaging 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.4 minutes each game. With Tramon Mark’s eligibility expiring, Evans will be put to the test and see if he can fill that gap. Oboye will be playing for the Tigers in the upcoming season, per On3. The 7-foot-1 sophomore came off the bench for the Broncos, averaging 1.2 blocks each game. Oboye was a key player for Santa Clara’s NCAA Tournament berth. Former Nebraska guard Büyüktuncel committed to Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-10 guard averaged 6.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 46.8% shooting in the paint last season. He joins a talented Vandy program led by coach Mark Byington. Autry will be joining the Badgers in this upcoming season. Autry had a junior season with the Revolutionaries, putting up 11.0 points and 3.5 rebounds a game as a starter. Wisconsin hopes to look towards success as it adds a solid backcourt addition to their lineup. Davis will be joining the Red Raiders. He averaged 20.1 points, 4.7 assists on 44% from the field, playing 37.9 minutes per game. Davis helped lead Hofstra to its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance, where it lost to Alabama. Williams committed to Boston College.  The 6-foot-4 junior is a two-time All-Big Sky player, most recently averaging 20.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 31.2 minutes per game. Dilione has committed to Georgia. Dilione had a solid season with Penn State, playing 27.5 minutes a game and putting up 14.0 points each game. The junior will be the first addition to Georgia’s squad during this transfer term. Mikey Williams enters transfer portal Williams has decided to enter the transfer portal, per Pete Nakos. Mikey was widely recognized as a five-star recruit in high school. During his time at Sacramento State, he averaged 17.1 points per game during his 35 minutes each game. Jackson has joined the Hoyas, per Joe Tipton. The 6-foot-3 guard played 17.8 minutes per game, contributing 4.8 points and 1.8 rebounds. This will be Kansas’ fourth player to transfer this year. The Jayhawks forward has transferred to play for the Tigers, he told The Field of 68. In his 2025-26 freshman campaign at Kansas, Tiller, a former five-star recruit, averaged 7.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 44.9% from the field. He joins a Missouri team that earned a No. 10 seed in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament before being eliminated in the first round. After two seasons with the Runnin’ Utes, Dawes is transferring to Kansas to play for the Jayhawks, according to The Field of 68. Last season, Dawes averaged 12.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 54.6/31.7/72.4. The 6-foot-9 forward joins a Kansas team that was a No. 4 seed in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament before being eliminated in the second round. Prior to his stint at Utah, Dawes played his freshman season with Rice (2023-24). Lindsay has transferred to the Hoosiers, per Joe Tipton. This will be Indiana’s sixth transfer addition in the last two days. The 6-foot-3 sophomore averaged 12.3 points in 28.6 minutes a game with Villanova. He’ll now be adjusting to the Big Ten after playing with Texas A&M, James Madison University, and most recently, Villanova. Hines will be joining Dan Hurley and the Huskies in this upcoming season, per his Instagram. During his freshman season at Seton Hall, the 6-foot-10 freshman averaged 6.5 points, shooting 60.2% from the field and grabbing 5.5 boards each game. He’ll now move to another Big East foe in the Huskies. East has committed to Houston, per TheFieldof68. The 6-foot-9 sophomore averaged 12.8 points and 9.1 rebounds during his 30-game season. East’s commitment marks the fourth portal player for Houston. Diallo has transferred to Kentucky, per On3. Diallo averaged 15.7 points and 4.5 assists per game during his sophomore season at Washington. The Wildcats had failed to land a new point guard through the first week of the transfer portal, so the addition of Diallo is important for coach Mark Pope and his staff. Coming into the 2026-27 season, Jalen Haralson will be joining an SEC contender. Haralson announced he’ll transfer to Tennessee, per his personal social media. During his time with the Fighting Irish, the freshman put up solid numbers, pouring in 16.2 points and four rebounds per game during his 26.6 minutes on the court. Indiana transfer Tayton Conerway enters portal Conerway decided to enter the transfer portal after one season with Indiana, per Matt Zenitz. During the 2025-26 season, the 6-foot-3 guard had a solid year with the Hoosiers, putting up 9.5 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 rebounds on 21.3 minutes each game. Fru transferred to Marquette, per Jeff Goodman. The German forward averaged nine points and 6.1 rebounds per game during his first season of college hoops with the Cardinals. He becomes the first significant transfer portal addition that Marquette coach Shaka Smart has snagged. Lewis chose to play his sophomore season with the Hurricanes, per Joe Tipton. He averaged 12.2 points, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game as a freshman at Villanova. While he had some NBA appeal, Lewis ultimately opted to remain at the college ranks and play for coach Jai Lucas at Miami. Sherrell will transfer to Indiana, per Jon Rothstein. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 11.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game during his sophomore season with t he Crimson Tide. A Detroit, Mich. native, there were some thoughts that he’d transfer to Michigan State, but instead he decided on the rival Hoosiers, giving Indiana its second addition inside FOX Sports’ top 20 players in the transfer portal, along with Notre Dame transfer Markus Burton. The sophomore and former five-star recruit is off to Louisville after two seasons playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, per On3. Last season, Knox averaged 8.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.0/37.7/72.7. He was limited to 22 games due to a meniscus tear. Knox joins a Louisville team that went 24-11 and earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament before losing to the Michigan State Spartans in the second round. St. John’s guard Joson Sanon enters portal Sanon is leaving the Red Storm after one season, according to multiple reports. Last season, Sanon, a former five-star recruit, averaged 7.9 points in 20.9 minutes per game, while shooting 33.8/33.6/76.8. Sanon spent his freshman season with the Arizona State Sun Devils (2024-25) before transferring to St. John’s for his sophomore season. UAB transfer guard Chance Westry has committed to Xavier, per Joe Tipton. The former four-star prospect is coming off a productive year with UAB, where he averaged 15.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game this season. Wright III returns to BYU Standout BYU guard Robert Wright III has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal and will return to the Cougars, per John Tipton. Wright III was on a visit to Kentucky earlier this week, but ultimately decided he will play another season in Provo. Wright III had a breakout year as a sophomore, where he averaged 18.1 points and 4.6 assists. Georgia guard Jeremiah Wilkinson is headed to Arkansas, per Jeff Borzello. The 6-foot-1 sophomore had a stellar season offensively, delivering 17.4 points, starting 21 of his 31 games played. He played one season with the Bulldogs after spending his freshman year at Cal. He also had a solid offensive season there, averaging 15 points per game for the Bears. Mississippi State transfer guard Jamarion Davis-Fleming has transferred to Alabama, per Joe Tipton. The former four-star prospect averaged just 3.7 points and 4.8 rebounds this season, but expect him to fit in well in Tuscaloosa with coach Nate Oats. SMU transfer Samet Yigitoglu has transferred to Indiana, per Jonathon Givony. Yigitoglu averaged 10.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, helping the Mustangs make an NCAA Tournament appearance during his sophomore season. The 7-foot-2 center from Turkey has two years of eligibility remaining. Washington State transfer Rihards Vavers has selected Memphis as his next school, per Jon Rothstein. Vavers averaged 11.4 points during his junior season at Washington State. The Latvian guard has one season of eligibility remaining. Devin Royal has transferred to Villanova, per Joe Tipton. Royal averaged 13.7 points and 5.7 rebounds during his junior season at Ohio State. He played three seasons with the Buckeyes, earning his first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2026, alongside Bruce Thornton. Royal will join a frontcourt that also added Oregon transfer Kwame Evans Jr. Georgetown’s KJ Lewis has committed to USC, per Joe Tipton. For a second straight season, Lewis will enter the transfer portal. He played two seasons at Arizona before coming to Georgetown, and will now finish out his collegiate career at a third stop. Derek Dixon has transferred to Arizona, per DraftExpress. During his freshman year at UNC, Dixon averaged 6.5 points per game on 22.3 minutes per game. He also shot an impressive 39.7% from 3-point range. Dixon was the second portal addition Arizona made to its backcourt on Monday after landing Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit. Notre Dame’s Markus Burton committed to Indiana, per JoeTipton. Burton averaged 18.5 points through the first 10 games before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury during his junior year with the Irish. He is expected to receive a medical redshirt, giving him two more years of eligibility with the Hoosiers. Neoklis Avdalas is officially leaving Virginia Tech behind, as the 6-foot-9 forward from Greece has committed to UNC, per Joe Tipton. The freshman averaged 12.1 points and 4.6 assists each game this season as a freshman playing 31.7 minutes per game. He will be Michael Malone’s first new addition to a Tar Heels squad that lost a significant number of players to the portal. Avdalas previously played internationally, for Greece’s HEBA A1 League. Twice in the 2025-2026 season he scored 30 points, and he was named ACC Rookie of the Week on two occasions, as well. Petty reportedly committed to UCLA on Sunday, per Bruin Report Online. He averaged 9.9 points per game during his freshman season at Texas Tech. The 6-foot-1 guard brings a scoring punch and tough playstyle to the Bruins, with three years of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-7 Punch will be joining Texas after two years at TCU, per Joe Tipton. He averaged 14.1 points, nearly seven boards, and 1.9 blocks per game during his sophomore season, earning himself an All-Big 12 honorable mention. Isiah Harwell will be joining Gonzaga in the upcoming season, per PeteThamel. The former five-star recruit was a projected NBA Draft pick entering the season, but struggled in his freshman season, averaging only 3.6 points on 27.9% from the field. After a rocky season, a fresh start in Spokane could potentially boost his confidence. Georgia big man Somto Cyril will be joining Miami, per On3. The 6-foot-11 center averaged 9.3 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, and had the most blocks in the SEC this past season. Before college, Cyril, who has been nicknamed “Baby Shaq,” was the 2023 Overtime Elite (OTE) Defensive Player of the Year, a sign of his ever-present defensive game. Thomas is leaving the Tigers for the Cougars, per On3. Thomas, who spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career playing for the UNLV Rebels, averaged 15.3 points and 6.5 assists per game at LSU last season, while shooting 45.9/30.2/83.3. That said, his season ended after 16 games due to a foot injury. Thomas joins a Houston team that was eliminated in the Sweet 16 in this year’s NCAA Men’s Tournament. Sam Orme, one of the most prolific shooters in the Missouri Valley Conference, made his commitment to Nebraska, per Pete Thamel. Coming off of an extremely efficient season, in 25.7 minutes per game, he poured in 12.7 points on 55.9% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range. He also earned All-MVC freshman team honors during his first year and second-team All-MVC most recently. J.P. Estrella reportedly transferred to Michigan after three years at Tennessee. Estrella averaged 10 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in his junior season with the Volunteers. At 6-foot-11, 241-pounds, he’ll help the Wolverines replace the potential departures of forwards Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. Miles Byrd will reportedly play his final season of college basketball at Providence. He averaged 10.4 points and 1.9 steals per game in his fourth season at San Diego State, earning the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award. He entered the portal after his fourth year with the Aztecs, and becomes the first non-South Florida transfer to join coach Bryan Hodgson and the Friars. Naomi White transferred to Tennessee on Thursday. White led the Big Sky conference, averaging 20.8 points per game and shooting 46.5% from 3-point range, on her way to earning Player of the Year as a freshman. She’s the first transfer to choose the Lady Vols, who lost a slew of key players after the 2025-26 season. Top scorer Haggerty to enter transfer portal You know it’s transfer portal season, as PJ Haggerty is entering it once more, per College Basketball Content and the Topeka Capital-Journal. If Haggerty transfers, the guard will be playing for his fifth school in five seasons: most recently, Haggerty was with Kansas State, and before that TCU, Tulsa and Memphis. Haggerty led the American Athletic Conference in scoring in 2024-2025, then finished with a career-high 23.4 points per game in 2025-2026 with the Wildcats, good for fourth in the nation and second in the Big 12 behind BYU’s AJ Dybantsa. He also averaged 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals, finishing as one of just two players on K-State with over 1,000 minutes played this season, and wrapped with a Player Efficiency Rating of exactly 20.0. Virginia star Kymora Johnson to enter portal Junior guard Kymora Johnson, who helped lead Virginia to the Sweet 16 in 2026 as the first-ever First Four team to do so, is preparing to enter the transfer portal, per On3. Johnson has spent all three years of her college career with Virginia, but after the Lady Hoos fired coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton in a surprise move over the weekend, Johnson is moving on. She led the ACC in minutes per game this past season, for the second year in a row, punctuated by a 50-minute double-overtime performance against Iowa in the round of 32. Johnson was also first in the ACC in assists, averaging 5.9, and scored 19.5 points per game, good for second in the conference behind Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo. Johnson immediately becomes one of the top talents in the women’s portal, joining the likes of Iowa State’s Audi Crooks and Tennessee’s Talaysia Cooper. Kansas Jayhawks star Flory Bidunga departing Lawrence The Jayhawks’ sophomore forward is declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft but is maintaining his college eligibility by entering the portal, per ESPN. Bidunga, a five-star recruit, averaged 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and a Big 12-high 2.6 blocks per game, while shooting a Big 12-high 64.0% from the field. Kansas went 24-11 overall and 12-6 in Big 12 play, good for fourth in the conference and enough to earn a No. 4 seed in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament. That said, Bidunga and the Jayhawks were eliminated by St. John’s in the second round of the tournament. Former Belmont forward Tyler Lundblade reportedly transferred to Tennessee, announcing his commitment on Wednesday. Lundblade was able to forgo college basketball’s new April 7 portal opening date because he is a grad transfer. He is an elite perimeter shooter, who led the nation in 3-point percentage (48.1) during his junior season at Belmont in 2024-25, and averaged 15.6 points per game last season. Lundblade began his college career at TCU, before transferring to Belmont, and now is onto his third school. Mouhamed Sylla plans to enter the transfer portal Georgia Tech’s 6-foot-10 freshman center plans on entering the transfer portal, per Joe Tipton. He had a solid freshman season. He averaged 9.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks each game. South Florida’s Wes Enis seeks the transfer portal upon opening Wes Enis will be entering the transfer portal with a ‘Do Not Contact’ tag, per On3. During the American Conerence tournament, he was averaging 21.5 points and 2.5 steals, also collecting a spot in the All-AAC First Team. Overall, he averaged 16.4 points, 2.4 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game, showing increased aggression on the boards. South Florida’s former coach Bryan Hodgson went to Providence, so Enis’ DNC could indicate he is following him there. Kansas State’s David Castillo enters transfer portal Castillo is headed to the transfer portal after two seasons with Kansas State. The 6-foot-1 guard was one of the Wildcat’s bright spots last season as he averaged 10.1 points per game. Castillo enters the portal with two more years of eligibility remaining. Akai Fleming plans to enter portal Fleming, a 6-foot-4 guard, played in 30 games and started 22 with the Yellow Jackets and averaged 10.4 points per game and finished as Georgia Tech’s leading freshman scorer. Star Oakland Guard departs for transfer portal Senior Brody Robinson has announced his plans to transfer from Oakland University for his final year of Eligibility. The 5-11 guard led the Golden Grizzlies in scoring, averaging 17.6 points and 6.7 assists per game. Robinson also started in all 32 games as well as six full 40-minute games. Alex Wilkins intends to enter transfer portal After one season with the Paladins, Wilkins plans to enter the transfer portal. The 6-foot-5 freshman guard, and one of the Paladin’s most dynamic players, contributed 21 points against UConn in the NCAA Tournament. Mason Porter-Brown leaves LIU for portal Porter-Brown has announced his plans to enter the transfer portal. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds with the Sharks. Porter-Brown appeared in 27 games with 22 starts and was named All-Citrus Conference honorable mention. Georgetown guard intends to enter transfer portal Malik Mack plans to enter the transfer portal after his second season with Georgetown. He had a solid season with 13.6 points and 4.1 assists. He also played for Harvard during his freshman year, averaging 17.2 points, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals. Georgia’s star rim-protector plans to enter transfer portal Somtochukwu Cyril has plans to enter the transfer portal after leading the SEC in blocks per game with 2.3. This defensive-heavy season also included 9.3 points on the other end and 5.4 boards per game. Brant Byers plans on entering the transfer portal After stepping into a larger role this season with Miami (OH), he decided it was time to part ways. Byers will be entering the NCAA transfer portal. He averaged 14.2 points on an impressive 47.8% field goal percentage and 4.1 rebounds. He was also named ALl-MAC after his breakout season. Austin Nunez intends to enter transfer portal UTSA guard Austin Nunez has entered the transfer with one year of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 12.4 points, three assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game with the Roadrunners. Thomas Dowd plans to leave Troy The 6-foot-8 junior is reportedly planning on entering the transfer portal. He had a great season, averaging 14.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks each game, making the first team All-Sun Belt. Buffalo’s Star intends to hit the transfer portal Daniel Freitag plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal. This past season, he averaged 19.8 points per game, dishing out 3.8 dimes a game and grabbing 4.3 boards each game. Though his first season with Wisconsin didn’t go to plan due to an ankle injury, he came back and had a stellar season with the Bulls. Georgia Tech’s Baye Ndongo intends to enter transfer portal The 6-foot-9 forward plans to enter the transfer portal, per Draft Express. He spent the last three seasons with the Yellow Jackets, averaging 12.6 points, 8.5 boards, and 1.1 blocks. This season, he was the second-leading scorer on the team behind senior forward Kowacie Reeves. Isiah Harwell plans to leave Houston The No. 14 recruit coming out of high school spent a season with Houston and decided it was time to leave. He plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal after a lackluster season. In 2024, he tore his ACL, greatly affecting his ability to play at the highest level, as this season he averaged only 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds. He did show flashes of success, having a 20-point performance against Jackson State. Anthony Robinson plans to leave Missouri The 6-foot-3 junior plans to enter the transfer portal. Starting over half of his 33 games played, he contributed a solid 8.9 points, 3 assists and 1.6 steals per game. His steal numbers earned him a spot in the SEC All-Defensive team last year. Andrew McKeever intends to enter transfer portal The 7-3 sophomore plans to enter the transfer portal after averaging 8.2 points and an impressive 9.2 rebounds coming off the bench. McKeever becomes the latest Saint Mary’s player to leave the school after head coach Randy Bennett took the job at Arizona State. Devin Royal plans to leave Ohio State The 6-foot-6 junior forward will be entering the transfer portal. Devin Royal spent three seasons with the Buckeyes, averaging 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds across his time with Ohio State. Kentucky’s Jaland Lowe plans to enter transfer portal Lowe will be entering the transfer portal when it opens. The 6-1 junior played only one season with the Wildcats, and only played nine games until he suffered a season-ending injury to his left shoulder. Though a limited sample size, he had eight points and 2.4 assists coming off the bench for the majority of his games because of lingering injuries. Fifth-year senior Frankie Collins intends to enter transfer portal Entering his last potential season of eligibility, Frankie Collins will need a medical hardship waiver to be available as a playe. He would be going into his sixth season as a college basketball player, previously playing with Michigan, ASU, TCU, and most recently, Vanderbilt. He averaged 7.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists, until the 9th game of the season where he suffered a torn meniscus. Isaiah Johnson plans to enter transfer portal The 18-year-old breakout star has announced his desire to enter the transfer portal. Receiving an All-Big 12 Honorable mention, and leading all the Power-4 freshman guards in scoring efficiency, he’ll be a coveted target for teams looking for a new point guard. He averaged 16.9 points, one steal, and three assists a game, all while starting only 15 of his 32 games played. He also broke Colorado’s all-time freshman scoring record with a staggering total of 540 points. Karson Templin plans to leave Utah State The Mountain West Conference’s sixth man of the year, Karson Templin, has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. The 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward added much-needed intensity off the bench and played a crucial role in their conference championship, as well as NCAA tournament qualification. He poured in 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds, shooting 50.2% from the field. Utah State coach Jarrod Calhoun left for Cincinnati, which certainly impacted Templin’s decision, but it’s possible he returns to Logan. Williams leaving Iowa State for portal In addition to the other Iowa State players already sent to enter the transfer portal, junior guard Jada Williams is also planning to leave the team for a new one next season. Per USA Today, Williams, who averaged 15.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, a steal and a Big 12-leading 7.7 assists per game joins junior forward Addy Brown, sophomore guard Reagan Wilson, freshman guard Reese Beaty, sophomore guard Aili Tanke and junior center Lilly Taulelei, as was already known, along with another newly announced Cyclones player in junior forward Alisa Williams and freshman guard Freya Jensen. Tennessee loses three players to transfer portal The Tennessee Volunteers are down two key players after announcing plans to enter the transfer portal, which includes junior Talaysia Cooper, former five-star Mya Paludo and Mia Paludo. Cooper enters the portal with one year of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot guard averaged 16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.7 steals per game this season with the Volunteers. Mya and her sister Mia Paludo also announced their plans to enter the portal after one season with Tennessee. Mia, a 5-6 freshman guard, averaged 10.4 points and 2.4 and her sister, Mya, averaged just 1.8 points per game. The Volunteers lose two pivotal playmakers in Mia and Cooper, and will turn to replace a sharpshooter in Mia. Five Iowa State players set to enter portal Five Iowa State women’s players, including one of its stars, Addy Brown, are planning to enter the transfer portal on April 7 per the Des Moines Register. Brown played in just 21 game this season thanks to an unnamed lower-body injury, but at the initial time of her absence she was second on the Cyclones in points, rebounds and assists per game – the versatile star was missed in-season, and the forward’s absence for her senior season will leave a hole that Iowa State must fill, as well. Brown averaged 31.5 minutes, 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and just 1.8 fouls per game over her three years for Iowa State. Brown isn’t the only Cyclones player to announce her intentions to play elsewhere in 2026-2027, however. Sophomore guard Reagan Wilson, freshman guard Reese Beaty, sophomore guard Aili Tanke and junior center Lilly Taulelei will also enter the portal. All of those besides Beaty averaged 9 minutes per game or fewer in 2025-2026, but those are still openings that have to be filled by a team that will now be without the player whose absence helped to crater what had been a promising campaign. San Diego State guard BJ Davis plans to enter transfer portal After starting 31 games in his sophomore season, Davis took a step back, coming off the bench as a junior at San Diego State. With starting point guard Elzie Harrington continuing to progress, Davis plans to go elsewhere for his final season of eligibility. North Dakota guard Greyson Uelmen plans to enter transfer portal After a valiant effort fell short in the Summit League Tournament title game, North Dakota guard Greyson Uelmen will enter the transfer portal. Uelmen has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Oregon stars plan to enter the transfer portal After a 12-20 season, Oregon has lost two of its top players. Forward Kwame Evans Jr. and point guard Jackson Shelstad plan to enter the transfer portal. Evans will have one year of eligibility remaining, while Shelstad will have two because he played only 12 games due to an injury to his right hand. North Dakota State guard Damari Wheeler-Thomas plans to enter the portal After three seasons at North Dakota State, Wheeler-Thomas plans to enter the transfer portal. He averaged 14.5 points in his junior season, and helped the Bison earn an NCAA Tournament automatic bid as a 14-seed. South Carolina guard Eli Ellis plans to enter portal Ellis, 6-foot, averaged 8.6 points per game, coming off the bench for the Gamecocks in his freshman season. He has three years of eligibility remaining. Robert Morris forward DeSean Goode plans to enter portal Goode averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds during his sophomore season at Robert Morris, and won Player of the Year in the Horizon Conference. He has two years of eligibility remaining. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The 2026 Major League Baseball season is nearing the halfway point, with several teams emerging as surprising overachievers. But as the season heats up, there are plenty of bold predictions for the month ahead. With the season beginning to take shape across the league, analysts are starting to separate the contenders from the pretenders. During MLB on FOX, Eric Karros and Dontrelle Willis revealed their biggest surprises from May and their bold predictions for June. Biggest Surprises In May Chicago White Sox have been Karros’ biggest surprise over the past month. The White Sox entered June red-hot, sitting just one game behind the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central with a 32-27 record after going 18-10 in May. “I’m going to the South Side of Chicago in the White Sox,” Karros said. “If the season ended right now, they would be a playoff team. I don’t think anybody thought that was going to happen. How are they doing it? The power has been crazy.” Chicago’s offense has been one of the biggest reasons behind its turnaround, consistently producing timely hits and home run power throughout May. Several young players have also stepped into bigger roles, helping the White Sox produce one of the more balanced lineups in baseball. Before his recent injury, Japanese sensation Munetaka Murakami has put together an impressive rookie season, batting .240 with 20 home runs, tied for the American League lead and second-most in all of Major League Baseball. “Obviously, you knew [Munetaka] Murakami was going to be absolutely outstanding once he got going with the home runs,” Karros said. “But [Miguel] Vargas has been unbelievable after being traded from the Dodgers a few years ago.” That young core has quickly become one of the driving forces behind Chicago’s surprising rise in the American League standings. “The energy you’re talking about with Chase Meidroth at second, [Colson] Montgomery at short with the youth of these guys,” Karros said. “The thing about it is, they’re confident. They’re starting to believe and they got a little bit of arrogance too and that could be dangerous.” When it comes to Willis’ biggest surprise, he pointed to the San Diego Padres’ more unconventional case. Despite underwhelming offensive numbers on the stat sheet, the Padres entered June with a 32-26 record. They sit just 5.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West while currently holding the top Wild Card spot. “For me, it’s the San Diego Padres,” Willis said. “Fernando Tatis hit his first home run a few days ago and Manny Machado is hitting .170. You would think if that happened, they’d be 10 games out of it right now. If the season ended, they’re in the postseason.” The strength of their supporting cast has allowed San Diego to stay afloat even while key stars have yet to fully find their rhythm at the plate. “The supporting cast has been absolutely phenomenal and that’s what’s scary about the San Diego Padres,” Willis said. “If they get two of those horses [Tatis and Machado] going in the right direction, it’s going to be scary hours in the West.” Bold Predictions For June After opening the season as one of baseball’s hottest teams, the Chicago Cubs hit a rough patch in May, finishing 13-16. They also dropped the Crosstown Classic to the Chicago White Sox during the month. Still, Willis remains confident in the Cubs, believing another winning streak could be on the horizon given their favorable upcoming schedule. “The Chicago Cubs are going to go on another win streak,” Willis said. “They have something favorable in their schedule. They have to play the A’s, Giants and the Rockies. They’re going to win a lot of ball games.” One of the biggest disappointments in baseball this season has been the Texas Rangers, who sit in third place in the American League West with a 28-32 record. Injuries have played a major role in their struggles, as they’ve had difficulty keeping their key players on the field. Even with those issues, Karros still views them as a team to watch once they get healthy and regain full strength. “I’m going to go to the Texas Rangers,” Karros said. “They’re going to get [Corey] Seager and [Wyatt] Langford back. Then you’ve got that pitching staff with [Jacob] deGrom and [Nathan] Eovaldi. I think Texas is going to be a problem for a lot of teams.” If the Rangers can piece things together down the stretch, Karros believes their talent still makes them a dangerous postseason match-up in any series. “If they get into the postseason, you don’t want to face those guys,” Karros said. “They’re going to get healthy. I like the Rangers.”