SportsLine's model simulated Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Connecticut Huskies and revealed its NCAA Tournament 2026 Final Four picks for Saturday

Ruturaj Gaikwad blamed his spinners for Chennai Super Kings five-wicket loss to Punjab Kings in their IPL match on Friday, saying an off day from them hurt the team despite a strong total on the board.Chennai Super Kings posted 209 for 5, with Ayush Mhatre scoring 73 off 43 balls. But Punjab Kings chased down the target in 18.4 overs, led by captain Shreyas Iyer, who made 50.After the match, Gaikwad pointed to the performance of his spinners, Noor Ahmad and Rahul Chahar, as a key factor in the defeat. Chennai had seam options like Gurjapneet Singh and Jamie Overton available as impact substitutes but chose to bring in Chahar."We felt we had three seamers going in, and obviously we have two good wrist spinners (Noor Ahmad and Rahul Chahar) bowling in tandem, especially in the middle after the powerplay. We felt that, you know, it will help," said Gaikwad."But I think, you know, slight off day for both of them. So, I think, that is what cost us. Sometimes we executed really well. Sometimes we just didn't execute at the right time," he added.He said the team could not build pressure in the middle overs."There was a point when it (required run-rate) went to 11, and a couple of good overs would have taken it to 12-13. We just did not get momentum in the middle (with the ball)."Gaikwad added that the batting had positives, with contributions from Mhatre and Shivam Dube, but said the bowling needs to improve.Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer said the start given by openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh played a big role in the chase."The way we started today, that was an exceptional start for us. I feel the way they (Arya and Prabhsimran) have been batting has been phenomenal and it stabilises the rhythm for us," Iyer said."I am glad everyone is getting to bat. It gives immense confidence to the team. Whenever we are in a pressure situation, people are aware on how to handle it. We just decided in the dressing room, we will play a brand of cricket to impress each other -- that gives us a certain sort of clarity, and basically challenging each other."In the chase, Iyers 50 off 29 balls and his 59-run stand with Nehal Wadhera helped Punjab reach 210 for five. The target was 209.Punjab also got contributions from Priyansh Arya (39 off 11), Prabhsimran Singh (43 off 34) and Cooper Connolly (36 off 22).Iyer started slowly, scoring 8 off 9 balls while Connolly took charge. After Connolly fell to Anshul Kamboj, Iyer took control and targeted the spinners. He reached his fifty in 26 balls but was later dismissed by Kamboj while going after a wide delivery.Punjab completed the chase in 18.4 overs, handing Chennai their second loss in a row.

Here's what league insiders are talking about behind the scenes, including when Doncic might be to return from his latest injury.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sportsbetting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more aboutSports Betting on FOX Sports. This weekends college basketball slate is loaded with high-stakes action, and new users can jump in with the Underdog Fantasy Promo Code FOXSPORTS to play $5 and get a $50 bonus. The spotlight is on the Final Four, where two of the best teams all season meet. Arizona tips off against Michigan. Before that game, Illinois takes on UConn and the winner will punch the first ticket to the national championship game. Before all the Final Four action, the Crown Basketball Tournament features Oklahoma taking on Baylor and Creighton facing West Virginia in the semifinals, adding even more must-watch matchups to the weekend slate. Claim your $50 bonus after playing $5 with the Underdog Promo Code FOXSPORTS and get in on all of this weekends college basketball action. Underdog Claim the Underdog Bonus Code Men's Final Four Illinois Fighting Illini vs. UConn Huskies Game Details Top Performers Last 10 Games Michigan Wolverines vs. Arizona Wildcats Game Details Top Performers Last 10 Games The Crown Basketball Semifinals Oklahoma Sooners vs. Baylor Bears Game Details Top Performers Last 10 Games West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Creighton Bluejays Game Details Top Performers Last 10 Games

Bodhana Sivanandan has overtaken four-time British women's champion, Lan Yao, who is 25, at the top of the FIDE list for England.

SportsLine golf expert Brady Kannon just locked in his best bets for the 2026 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.

Geno Auriemma even called out Dawn Staley during his interview before the fourth quarter on Friday night. (Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)Ben Solomon via Getty ImagesGeno Auriemma was heated after the third quarter on Friday night in Phoenix, and he went after both the officials working their Final Four game and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley in his ESPN interview. Auriemma, with the Huskies down by five points entering the final period of their Final Four matchup with the Gamecocks in Phoenix, absolutely laid into the officiating and Staley in a rare outburst while speaking with ESPNs Holly Rowe.That came after South Carolina drew six fouls in the third period while the Huskies didnt earn any. UConn star Sarah Strong had to replace her jersey after it was ripped in the quarter, too.pic.twitter.com/DZukc4VM8c sports (@ilikesportsvids) April 4, 2026There were six fouls called that quarter, all of them against us. And theyve been beating the s**t out of our guys down there the entire game, Auriemma said. Im not making excuses, because we havent been able to make a shot. But this is ridiculous.Their coach rants and raves on the sideline and calls the referees some names that you dont want to hear. And now we got 6-0, and Ive got a kid with a ripped jersey, and they go, I didnt see it. Come on man, this is for the national championship!Strong was seen ripping her jersey on the baseline, but its unclear if it was torn a bit before that. She made a bigger tear, however, and switched jerseys to wear No. 55 the rest of the way.Sarah Strong had to switch to #55 after tearing her jersey pic.twitter.com/Hkh0ZVHEDc SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 4, 2026UConn entered Friday nights contest, which is a rematch of last seasons national championship game, with a perfect 38-0 record.Staley, who is wrapping up her 18th season with the Gamecocks, was spotted badgering the officials repeatedly without any repercussions early in the contest. Its unclear what Auriemma is referring to specifically with the names that he said Staley called the officials. This post will be updated with more information shortly.

NCAA president Charlie Baker, responding to UConn coach Geno Auriemma's criticism of the two-site regional format, said it's "pretty hard to argue" against it considering the rise in attendance, viewership and ticket sales.

Konnor Griffin debuted in style. The 19-year-old Pirates shortstop delivered an RBI double in his first big league at-bat as Pittsburgh held off the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 on Friday. Griffin, called up on Thursday and the consensus top prospect in baseball, looked every bit the part during an electric afternoon at PNC Park. He laced a double to center field off Kyle Bradish (0-2) in the bottom of the second, then showcased his speed while racing home on a single to shallow right field by Jared Triolo. The teenager, the youngest player to make his major league debut at shortstop since Alex Rodriguez did it at 18 for Seattle in 1994, also drew a walk and handled all of his defensive chances without an issue as the Pirates won their third straight. Griffin became the first Pirate under 20 to reach base twice in his debut since Bobby Del Greco in 1952. The sellout crowd at PNC Park, which opened 25 years ago, or a full half-decade before Griffin was born on April 24, 2006, roared when Griffin was introduced during the pre-game ceremony. The roars drew even louder when he took an 85 mph curveball from Bradish and sent it rocketing to the fence in center field. Triolo, who moved from short to third after Griffin's promotion, had a pair of hits and his first RBI of the season. Ryan O'Hearn, Henry Davis and Oneil Cruz also drove in runs for the Pirates. Mitch Keller (1-0) allowed two runs and six hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Gregory Soto gave up a solo home run to Gunnar Henderson with two outs in the ninth, but rebounded by striking out former New York Mets teammate Pete Alonso to pick up his first save with Pittsburgh. Henderson finished with three hits for Baltimore. Dylan Beavers and Blaze Alexander had two hits apiece for the Orioles. Bradish was touched for four runs and six hits with three walks and six strikeouts in four innings. Up next The series continues Saturday when Baltimore's Shane Baz (0-0, 6.75 ERA) faces Pittsburgh's Carmen Mlodzinski (0-0). Reporting by The Associated Press.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels Ajinkya Rahane's decision hurt Varun Chakravarthy's self-belief in the KKR vs SRH match.