New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair will be taking time away from the team, coach Patrick Roy said Thursday.

The announcement comes two days after Roy told reporters that Duclair was "god-awful" in the Islanders' 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Roy addressed the issue with reporters after Duclair was not present at practice Thursday morning.

"Obviously you saw that Anthony was not at practice today," Roy said. "This morning, Anthony and I had a very good conversation, a very positive one, and Anthony asked me to take some time off and reflect. So I obviously agreed to that, and we'll give him all the time that he needs."

Duclair, 29, was a minus-1 in 12:15 of ice time in Tuesday's loss on home ice. He played only four shifts in the third period.

"He was god-awful," Roy said of Duclair after the game. "He had a bad game. That's why I didn't play him a lot. He is lucky to be in the lineup. Sorry if I lose it on him right now, but that's just how I feel.

"He's not skating, he's not competing, he's not moving his feet. He's not playing up to what we expect from him. ... I think it's an effort thing."

Signed to a four-year, $14 million contract in July, Duclair has 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists) with a career-worst minus-15 rating in 44 games this season. His contract includes a full no-trade clause through 2026.

The Islanders are winless in their past six games, struggling down the stretch while chasing the final wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They trail the Montreal Canadiens by five points with eight games to play, starting with Friday's game against the Minnesota Wild.

Duclair has totaled 314 points (153 goals, 161 assists) in 607 career games with nine teams since being selected by the New York Rangers in the third round of the 2013 NHL draft.

Information from ESPN's Greg Wyshynski and Field Level Media was used in this report.

A push to expand the men's 2030 World Cup to 64 teams is "a bad idea," UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said on Thursday.

Čeferin is a FIFA vice president who was part of a March 6 online meeting of the world soccer body's ruling council when the unexpected proposal was made by a delegate from Uruguay.

"This proposal was maybe even more surprising for me than you," Čeferin said at a news conference after UEFA's annual meeting in Belgrade, Serbia. "I think it is a bad idea."

Adding 16 more teams to the 48-team lineup that will debut next year in North America appears to have support from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who typically backs competition expansion as a way to raise money and drive development of the game globally.

Critics of the 64-team proposal have argued it will weaken the quality of play -- in what would likely be a sprawling 128-game format -- and devalue the qualifying program in most continents with extra entries on offer.

"It is not a good idea for the World Cup itself and it's not a good idea for our qualifiers as well," Čeferin said.

UEFA has 16 entries in the 2026 World Cup which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico. It reset the European qualifying format with more groups, now 12, and many teams playing fewer games spread over just 10 weeks from September through November this year.

Čeferin also cast doubt on the origin of the idea from Uruguay, which is set to host one game in 2030 in what is already the most complex World Cup across three continents to celebrate the tournament's centenary.

UEFA members Spain and Portugal are co-hosting with Morocco, but agreed to let South American neighbors Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay have one game each to mark the 100-year anniversary. The 1930 edition was hosted by Uruguay.

"It is strange that we did not know anything before this proposal at the FIFA council," Čeferin said. "I don't know where it came from."

Infantino made a keynote speech earlier on Thursday to UEFA's 55 member federations though made no reference to a 64-team World Cup.

FIFA has given no details of how and when it will consider the proposal. FIFA has its annual congress of 211 member federations on May 15 in Paraguay capital Asunción.

FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys' search for a backup quarterback to Dak Prescott has landed on Joe Milton III.

The Cowboys acquired Milton and a 2025 seventh-round pick (No. 217) from the New England Patriots for a 2025 fifth-round pick (No. 171), sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Talks between the clubs started a few weeks ago and escalated this week during the NFL's annual meeting at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Cowboys' need for a backup rose after Cooper Rush signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens that guaranteed him $4.2 million. Earlier in free agency, the Cowboys targeted Jacoby Brissett, per sources, but he signed with the Arizona Cardinals. The Cowboys were also looking at Drew Lock, who spent last year with the New York Giants.

Last season, the Cowboys had conversations with Trey Lance regarding an extension after Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, but those did not go anywhere. Lance started the final game of the 2024 season and currently remains unsigned.

Milton, who was a sixth-round pick last year, played in New England's season finale, leading the Patriots to a win against the Buffalo Bills. He completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while also running for another score.

Before the trade, the Cowboys only had Will Grier behind Prescott on the roster.

Prescott, who has missed games in four of the past five seasons due to injury, is coming off surgery to repair a torn hamstring suffered midseason against the Atlanta Falcons. His rehab has gone well, but the Cowboys expect to limit him some during the offseason program.

"I don't know the definition of what full participation might mean. Everybody will be smart about it," owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Tuesday. "For me, he's every bit under the circumstances, on schedule to get ready in a very prudent way for us to have the year we want to have. I think he's getting ready to go. He should be there timely, be able to execute individually and in team and what is required for a lot of spring. He should be able to do things within reason as far as risk is concerned in training camp."

Milton was the Patriots' third-string quarterback last season behind starter Drake Maye, drafted in the first round last year, and Brissett. The Patriots signed a new backup in free agency last month in quarterback Joshua Dobbs.

WHEN I FIRST started in broadcasting, I was called a "color commentator." My job was to break down players and teams and tell you why they were good, and to break down game matchups and tell you what to watch for and which factors will determine the outcome. Back then, we'd create a preseason top 20, attempting to tell you which teams and players will be best. Once in a while, we would be asked for a prediction, but it wasn't the dominant theme.

At some point, I became a "basketball analyst," which sounds profoundly snobbish. Suddenly, we were asked to pick winners of each game, which was counterintuitive to my sensibilities. After all, if I knew who was going to win, why wouldn't I just go to Las Vegas and sit by the pool with a drink in my hand and rake in the winnings? Of course we don't know who was going to win. Sure, we can point to matchups and factors upon which the game will be decided, but nobody knows.

That said, fans get worked up over analysts' picks -- which is why our bosses insist we make them. I do one bracket every year, and after I make my picks on Selection Sunday -- in an article in which I pick every men's NCAA tournament game for your pleasure and my pain -- I don't think about them again. I am more interested in the play on the floor. But nobody lets us forget those picks, despite the meaninglessness of them all.

This year, I had a dilemma. When I looked at the paths of each No. 1 seed, I really liked the one each had. But what would be the chances that all four No. 1 seeds reach the Final Four? Since seeding began in 1979, all four No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four only once, in 2008 -- in San Antonio. That year, I found myself in the same predicament: I looked at the path of each No. 1 seed and liked each independently. When filling out the bracket, I had all four advancing to San Antonio. And in the end, all four did make it. This year, the feat was accomplished for only the second time. My overall record of games picked in my article is 45-15, including the correct Final Four in San Antonio. And notwithstanding my picks or yours, this Final Four is historic, but it is not unprecedented.

It might not be as splashy; I got a tremendous amount of guff for my picks in 2008 and again this year. But there's something to remember: While the NCAA tournament is a spectacle, it also is the national championship. And we're lucky enough to have the four best teams from the season fighting it out near the Alamo for the trophy and to cut the nets down.

This Final Four is absolutely incredible. These four squads are the top four teams in the KenPom efficiency ratings (the most digestible analytics for fans) and have a combined record of 135-16. All four teams are rated in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, which is amazing and unusual. Better still, these four teams are each among the top 10 most efficient in the history of KenPom ratings, available since 1997. Duke is No. 2 all time, Houston No. 6, Florida No. 8 and Auburn No. 10. That is all time.

Every season and every NCAA tournament is different, which is one of the beautiful things about the event. Two years ago, San Diego State and Florida Atlantic reached the Final Four, and the overarching narrative was that NIL and the transfer portal had flattened the Earth, that talent would be more spread out and the reign of the major conferences could be over. This year, upsets were not as prevalent, and all 16 teams in the Sweet 16 were from four major conferences (seven from the SEC, four from the Big Ten, four from the Big 12 and one from the ACC). Now, it was said, the transfer portal and NIL have killed mid-majors, who are just organ donors for the major conferences.

Of course, neither is true. One data point does not make a trend, and this is just one year. Two years ago, this year's Sweet 16 would have represented seven conferences, with Houston in the American, BYU in the West Coast Conference and Arizona in the Pac-12. Would that make everyone feel better?

As the games approach, it's time to forget the discourse -- and, yes, the picks -- and focus on the basketball that's in store. These four teams -- all-time greats -- had to earn their way here and did. The competition among them will be delicious, and I cannot wait to see it.

Florida Gators

How they got here: The Gators played a solid nonconference schedule but not a powerful one. But the bottom line is that Florida has not lost a game against a team outside of the SEC this season. Todd Golden has the deepest team at the Final Four, and no team was playing better basketball as the NCAA tournament started than the Gators. Golden has a quartet of guards that is easily the equal of any in the nation, led by first-team All-American Walter Clayton Jr., as capable a bucket getter as there is in the college game. Clayton, who played for Rick Pitino at Iona and was a big-time football recruit out of high school, is the one guy who can break off a play and create his own shot, and he has done so against UConn and Texas Tech. Without Clayton, Florida would not be here right now. Florida also has outstanding big men who are skilled passers, ball handlers and offensive rebounders; they seal off help defenders as well as any bigs in the country, opening up driving lanes to the rim where a shot blocker cannot get to.

Separating factor: Offensive rebounding and turnovers. Florida is the best offensive rebounding team of this Final Four, corralling 39% of its misses for high-percentage second-chance opportunities, including kickout 3-point shots. The biggest flaw? The Gators have a tendency to turn it over a bit more than the other three No. 1 seeds, ranking fourth among these teams in turnover percentage. If Florida takes care of the ball and gets a shot down every time, the Gators' efficiency shoots way up.

One player to watch: Will Richard. The transfer guard from Belmont is an outstanding rebounder, perimeter shooter and help defender. With Clayton drawing so much attention, Richard can be a difference-maker.

Auburn Tigers

How they got here: No team played a tougher schedule than Auburn, and none won more quality games throughout the regular season. The Tigers have some similarities to Florida regarding depth of talent, and Auburn has outstanding guards. Whether it is Miles Kelly (the best shooter), Denver Jones (the best defender and clutch performer) or Tahaad Pettiford (the lefty bucket getter), Auburn's guards shoot 40% from deep and 88% from the foul line. While Auburn is not a great free throw-shooting team overall, the guards are knockdown foul shooters, which can separate the Tigers at the end of games. Of course, having Johni Broome, the lefty national player of the year contender, provides Bruce Pearl with a run stopper who can score on demand or pass out of a double-team to combat most defensive schemes.

Separating factor: Auburn is very good in most every aspect of play, but the Tigers are the best of this group at protecting the ball without turning it over (followed by Duke and Houston). When Auburn gets a shot, the Tigers have a chance to get fouled and/or grab an offensive rebound. And no team is better at defending out-of-bounds situations or scoring off of them.

One player to watch: Denver Jones. The FIU transfer is the best on-ball defender on the roster and is a very gifted offensive player. Never getting the credit he deserves, Jones could wind up as the best all-around guard on the floor in any game. Jones can shoot, drive to score or dish, and he always seems to hold a defensive assignment under his average.

Duke Blue Devils

How they got here: Duke is the most talented team, the longest and the biggest, and it is the only one to rank in KenPom's top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Despite having five freshmen in the rotation (they say you can't win with freshmen, but you can), Duke plays with the togetherness and the consistency -- at both ends -- of a much older, more seasoned team. Led by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, the best player in the country, Duke has multiple weapons to spread the floor, knock down perimeter shots, punch the lane off the dribble or the pass and put pressure on the rim with the vertical threat of Khaman Maluach. Duke is the best finishing team at the rim and the best free throw-shooting squad, and it has the best 2-point defense in the Final Four.

Separating factor: Size, length and ability to switch at all five positions. Duke has incredible length, which allows the Blue Devils to discourage and affect passes and shot attempts. In addition, being able to switch all screens and exchanges makes this a very difficult defense to go against. It is important to put Maluach into ball-screen situations and draw him away from the rim.

One player to watch: Tyrese Proctor. Flagg is the best player in college basketball, and Kon Knueppel is one of the best scorers in the tournament and is around every loose ball. But Proctor is a difference-maker with his shooting in catch-and-shoot situations, and he has been on fire in the tournament, shooting at a crazy clip and making great decisions. Proctor is also an outstanding defender.

Houston Cougars

How they got here: Houston has lost only four games this season, three of which were in overtime. The Cougars lead the nation in playing hard, and they are relentless on defense and on the glass. With traps coming off ball-screen situations and in the post, Houston makes everything difficult and is physical in layup lines. Nothing is easy against Houston, which has one of the truly admirable winning cultures in sports. To beat Houston, you must accept the physical challenge presented and play through contact. But this season, Houston is much more than an offensive rebounding and defense team. Houston is the best perimeter shooting team in the Final Four, shooting 40% from deep as a team, with L.J. Cryer, Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan all shooting better than 41% from 3, led by Uzan at 44.5%. Houston will challenge at the rim, and big men J'Wan Roberts, Joseph Tugler and Ja'Vier Francis are all long, strong, athletic defenders and rebounders.

Separating factor: Defense and rebounding. Houston is the best defensive team in the country, and the Cougars can control tempo. There is nothing easy against Houston. Opponents will not get a normal game against the Cougars. It is not enough to be ready to play them; you have to be ready to fight.

One player to watch: Emanuel Sharp. Nicknamed "Crash," Sharp has tremendous range as a shooter and is fearless in the moment. With an unusual shooting motion in which he almost flicks the ball out of his hands, Sharp is rugged, tough and physical. He's a good playmaker who can get hot in a hurry.

A showdown of the top two teams from the best conference in men's college basketball. And a battle between the country's best defense and a historically efficient offense.

There's a reason it's all chalk on the San Antonio River Walk for the March Madness finale -- and our experts are here to break down how each team can win its Final Four matchup.

Read their analysis for Florida vs. Auburn and Duke vs. Houston, including fatal flaws and players each semifinalist will need to step up in the final stages of the 2025 NCAA tournament.

Jump to:
Auburn-Florida | Houston-Duke

(1) Florida vs.
(1) Auburn

Saturday, 6:09 p.m. ET, CBS

Florida Gators preview

How Florida reached the Final Four:

• Round of 64: def. No. 16 Norfolk State 95-69

• Round of 32: def. No. 8 UConn 77-75

• Sweet 16: def. No. 4 Maryland 87-71

• Elite Eight: def. No. 3 Texas Tech 84-79

What we've learned about Florida in March: Florida's run over the second half tells the story of this team's season. Since Feb. 1, the Gators have lost only once: 88-83 at Georgia on Feb. 25. They have encountered more trouble than anticipated in recent weeks, but we've learned you can never assume they're out of a game before it's over.

Down late against back-to-back national champion UConn? They figured it out against the Huskies. Alex Condon sustaining an ankle injury against Maryland in the Sweet 16? They held on until the 6-foot-11 standout returned to close out the double-digit victory. And we all watched the furious comeback from a 10-point deficit in the final minutes against Texas Tech in the Elite Eight. The Gators have five wins against top-20 KenPom teams by 14 or more points in March and refuse to quit against extreme adversity. What we've learned about them in March? They're incredibly difficult to beat.

The player who needs to step up: Alex Condon.

After his shaky defensive effort against Texas Tech star Darrion Williams, Condon has to be a better defensive player in space against Auburn. The Tigers are stacked with versatile talents at 6-7 or taller who are comfortable on the perimeter and in the post. Like Texas Tech, they will try to draw Condon outside then attempt to attack him off the dribble to get to the rim and score. Williams was excellent whenever Condon ended up in those scenarios, and Florida has a fleet of offensive options. The Gators don't need every player on their roster to score 15 points, but they will need 6-11 Condon to play excellent defense to advance to the title game.

Potential fatal flaw: A strength could also be Florida's potential flaw: its comfort level in adversity.

The Gators often execute when down -- they overcame a four-minute scoring drought in the second half of their second-round win over UConn and a 10-point deficit in the final six minutes against Texas Tech in the Elite Eight -- but those scenarios are dicier in the Final Four. They know they can catch any opponent, which is riskier at this stage than in December against North Carolina (allowed the Tar Heels to take the lead after being up 17 points) or in January against South Carolina (overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to win by one point).

Does Florida have an answer to Johni Broome? I don't think any team in America has an answer for Broome -- a top contender for every national player of the year award -- but Florida is equipped to be assertive against him, which is the best opponents can do against a player of his caliber. The Gators have multiple players they can send to aggressively defend the 6-10 Broome without concern that one player's foul trouble will ruin their shot at victory: Condon (6-11), Thomas Haugh (6-9), Rueben Chinyelu (6-10) and Micah Handlogten (7-1) are all options. Even if Auburn forces Florida to switch a lot of matchups and a Gator guard ends up on Broome, it won't be a terrible mismatch.

Florida will win if: The Gators play the way they have for the past month.

They have made 58% of their shots inside the arc and 38% of their 3-point attempts since March. They have also had the best offense in America over that stretch. They know how to pummel opponents and can do it from every spot on the floor. And they have a unique combination of experience and talent.

Walter Clayton Jr. is an AP first team All-American. Alijah Martin is participating in his second Final Four in three years. Will Richard is one of six upperclassmen on the team. Plus, they have length that few teams can match and are 10th in adjusted defensive efficiency. -- Myron Medcalf

Auburn Tigers preview

How Auburn reached the Final Four:

• Round of 64: def. No. 16 Alabama State 83-63

• Round of 32: def. No. 9 Creighton 82-70

• Sweet 16: def. No. 5 Michigan 78-65

• Elite Eight: def. No. 2 Michigan State 70-64

What we've learned about Auburn in March: A 1-3 stretch entering the NCAA tournament called Auburn's ceiling into question, but those three losses came against Tennessee, Alabama and Texas A&M -- and we have since learned that this is still the same team that lost one game between Dec. 4 and March 4 behind the leadership of Johni Broome.

Yes, Alabama State had a brief lead over the Tigers in the first round, but the Tigers ultimately won by 20. They went on to beat a good Creighton team by 12 in the second round and hold Michigan standout Danny Wolf scoreless for the final 13 minutes of their Sweet 16 win. Then they overcame Broome's midgame injury to hand Michigan State its first NCAA tournament loss to an SEC team under Tom Izzo.

The player who needs to step up: Chad Baker-Mazara.

The 6-7 standout has battled through hip and shoulder injuries in recent weeks, but the Tigers will need the best version of the all-SEC third team selection to produce in the final stage of the season. He's an essential player on both sides of the floor for the Tigers, who have won with star power (see: Broome) and depth. Baker-Mazara has registered double figures just once since March 4 and doesn't look like he's 100%, but Auburn will need everything he can give to avenge the February loss to one of the hottest teams in the country.

Potential fatal flaw: Shots from 3 have not been falling.

The Tigers have one of America's best players in Broome to go with standouts like Baker-Mazara, Tahaad Pettiford, Miles Kelly and Denver Jones. They are talented at every position on the floor, which has been sufficient all season, but they have gone cold from beyond the arc. They have made just 31% of their 3-point attempts in four NCAA tournament games, which hasn't cost them thus far, but now they will face a Florida team that went 13-for-33 (39.4%) from 3 against them in February, when the Tigers were just 7-for-22 (31.8%). Another cold night could lead to Auburn's elimination.

How can Auburn limit Florida from going on runs? Florida's first-round game against Norfolk State showcased the extremes of its offense, America's best since March 1, which scored 53 points in the final 16:45 of regulation. (Had that been a 48-minute NBA game, Florida would have been on pace to score 151 points.) Auburn witnessed that burst potential firsthand in its 90-81 loss to Florida in February -- the Tigers had a nine-point lead in the first half before the Gators ended it on a 37-18 run in the final 12 minutes to carry a 10-point lead into the locker room. Auburn must first focus on Walter Clayton Jr., often the catalyst of those runs, and not allow him to hit the big shots that shift the momentum. The Tigers also can't be afraid to slow the game down or call an early timeout to limit the Gators' opportunities to get their offense rolling.

Auburn will win if: The Tigers limit Clayton's impact on the outcome.

Auburn has multiple defenders it can use to corral the Florida star -- and will need all of them Saturday. The NCAA tournament has been a showcase for the All-American guard, but the Gators are a significantly different team when he has a tough night. If the Tigers can make it difficult for him, they will have a chance against a team that scored 90 points against them in February.

Coach Bruce Pearl needs a game plan that doesn't allow Clayton to do whatever he wants on the court. -- Myron Medcalf

Florida vs. Auburn predictions

Jeff Borzello: Florida wins, 82-79
Myron Medcalf: Florida wins, 88-84
Joe Lunardi: Florida wins, 85-80
Neil Paine: Auburn wins, 80-78

(1) Duke vs.
(1) Houston

Saturday, 8:49 p.m. ET, CBS

Duke Blue Devils preview

How Duke reached the Final Four:

• Round of 64: Def. No. 16 Mount St. Mary's 93-49

• Round of 32: def. No. 9 Baylor 89-66

• Sweet 16: def. No. 4 Arizona 100-93

• Elite Eight: def. No. 2 Alabama 85-65

What we've learned about Duke in March: There wasn't much we didn't know about Duke going into the NCAA tournament, but the Blue Devils have lived up to every expectation we had of them on Selection Sunday.

If you were concerned they inflated their numbers due to mediocre ACC competition, they have answered every question. They put forth staggeringly efficient offensive performances in the second round against Baylor and in the Sweet 16 against Arizona, then held Alabama -- the nation's No. 1 scoring offense -- to 65 points and below 0.90 points per possession in the Elite Eight. That was only the second time in two seasons the Crimson Tide failed to reach that per-possession threshold.

One thing we did learn was that the moment hasn't been too big for Kon Knueppel, who averaged 20.5 points and 4.0 assists with terrific performances in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.

The player who needs to step up: Tyrese Proctor.

It needs to be a big night for Proctor. One would surmise Houston's defense will focus on limiting Cooper Flagg and Knueppel, which could give Proctor some shotmaking opportunities. He has been in terrific form over the past few weeks, making 20 3s in a three-game stretch against Louisville, Mount St. Mary's and Baylor. Then after an off-night against Arizona, he went for 17 points on 10 shots against Alabama. He shoots better than 41% from 3-point range and has been playing with confidence. His perimeter shooting could be needed to loosen up the Houston defense.

Potential fatal flaw: Relative youth.

From a personnel perspective, there's not much. Duke has size, shooting, ball handlers, shot creators and shotmakers. From a balance perspective, there's still not much. The Blue Devils are elite at both ends of the floor, possessing the most efficient offense in the history of the KenPom database and a top-five defense to go with it.

If there's anything, it would be whether a team that starts three freshmen can win a national championship in such a transfer-heavy landscape, where teams are routinely averaging starting lineups with players who are 22 or 23 years old. The Blue Devils have seemed unfazed by anything thrown at them so far this season, though. Flagg and Knueppel play with such poise and confidence, and as one ACC coach pointed out to me before the tournament, Khaman Maluach doesn't do much more than dunk, rebound and block shots (all at an elite level, of course) -- can a moment really be too big for him?

What will be key for Duke's offense if Houston can limit the Blue Devils' dribble penetration? Houston has the nation's best defense, and the Cougars excel at preventing opponents from attacking the rim off the bounce. Duke, meanwhile, has four players on the floor at all times who can put pressure on the defense, forcing them into rotations and to collapse in the paint -- before either finishing at the rim, kicking it out to a shooter or throwing a lob to Maluach.

Can the Blue Devils continue to do that against Houston's defense? It's a valid question.

One area where Houston's defense is potentially vulnerable, however, is behind the arc: The Cougars allow teams to shoot 3s, ranking 12th in the Big 12 in 3-point attempt rate defensively. And the Blue Devils are capable of taking advantage of that. They took nearly 45% of their field goal attempts from 3-point range in ACC play and made nearly 40% of those attempts.

Duke will win if: The Blue Devils stay the course.

If they play their best game (or even 90%), there's not a team in the country that can beat them. Of course, they need to continue to do what got them to this point. It will be hard to beat Houston consistently with dribble penetration, but they have to make shots from the perimeter. Maluach is such a presence inside, but their rim protection takes a hit when he's on the bench, so they will need to stay out of foul trouble. And against Houston's elite offensive rebounding, they also need to crash the defensive glass, especially after showing some potential vulnerabilities against Baylor and Arizona.

Duke, with its combination of size, shooting and Flagg, should have all the answers, though. -- Jeff Borzello

Houston Cougars preview

How Houston reached the Final Four:

• Round of 64: Def. No. 16 SIU Edwardsville 78-40

• Round of 32: def. No. 8 Gonzaga 81-76

• Sweet 16: def. No. 4 Purdue 62-60

• Elite Eight: def. No. 2 Tennessee 69-50

What we've learned about Houston in March: The offensive improvement is real.

In the last few NCAA tournaments, Houston's offense has fallen flat in big moments. In 2022, it came against Villanova in the Elite Eight, when the Cougars scored just 44 points. In 2023, they struggled in two of three games. And last season, they scored only 51 points in a Sweet 16 loss to Duke. That didn't happen this year. Houston scored at least 1.17 points per possession in three of four games, still scoring 1.08 in its worst offensive performance of the dance while making an average of nine 3s per game.

We've been saying all season that this is the best offensive team Kelvin Sampson has had in Houston, and the Cougars are proving us right so far.

The player who needs to step up: J'Wan Roberts.

Roberts was playing like a legitimate All-American at the midway point of the season. Over an eight-game stretch between mid-January and early February, Roberts averaged 16.9 points and 6.5 rebounds while playing more than 35 minutes per game. He hasn't been the same since, averaging 8.8 points and 5.8 rebounds over the past 13 games. (He missed two games in the Big 12 tournament with an ankle injury.) He needs to be at his best at both ends of the floor Saturday.

Roberts has also picked up four fouls in two of his last three games, playing just 16 minutes against Tennessee due to foul trouble. He has to stay on the floor. It would be a huge lift for Houston if he can cause Khaman Maluach some issues early.

Potential fatal flaw: It's not as easy to pinpoint as it was the past few years.

Houston is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country, making nearly 40% of its 3-point attempts, after not ranking in the top 110 nationally in that category since 2018. And as we mentioned earlier, it's the Cougars' best offense (by far) since Sampson took over in 2014.

If they do lose Saturday, though, there are a couple of things to watch. First is the foul disparity: Houston ranks No. 322 nationally in free throw attempts per game while ranking in the 200s in defensive free throw rate. Both Purdue and Tennessee shot more free throws than Houston. The second is Houston's propensity to allow 3-point attempts: The Cougars contest 3s, but they allow teams to shoot them. All four opponents in the NCAA tournament have attempted at least 20 3s. If Duke, one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country, attempts 25 3s, look out.

How can the country's best defense slow the most efficient offense in the KenPom era (since 1996-97)? Houston is going to have to use its physicality and ball pressure to take Duke out of its rhythm.

When the Blue Devils are swinging the ball around and attacking the rim off the bounce, kicking it out to their quartet of perimeter shooters, they are impossible to stop. But the Cougars are elite at keeping teams away from the rim, allowing just 21.8 points in the paint per game while also ranking in the top five nationally in block percentage. Duke also hasn't faced a team in the NCAA tournament that can turn teams over like Houston is capable of doing. The Blue Devils had some issues with transition defense against Arizona and Alabama -- although that hasn't been a seasonlong problem -- and the Cougars could find success going that route.

Houston makes offenses uncomfortable like no other team in the country can. Things won't be easy for Duke.

Houston will win if: The Cougars' physicality and experience win out.

They will look to throw Duke off its game from the opening tip. They are physical defensively, they are physical offensively, they pressure the ball and they attack the offensive glass. Everything is designed to make opponents uncomfortable. Duke hasn't seen anything like it in the NCAA tournament -- or all season. The Blue Devils have been able to play with so much freedom on the offensive end in their last few games; can Houston rattle them early?

There's also the experience factor: Houston is one of the oldest teams in the country, filled with players who have played a lot of NCAA tournament games. L.J. Cryer won a national championship while Roberts has been to a Final Four. And Sampson has coached in the semifinals before. Could that make a difference at some point Saturday? -- Jeff Borzello

Duke vs. Houston predictions

Jeff Borzello: Duke wins, 70-68
Myron Medcalf: Duke wins, 74-70
Joe Lunardi: Houston wins, 75-70
Neil Paine: Duke wins, 65-64

Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey is expected to be ruled out for the rest of the season with a finger tendon injury, sources told ESPN.

Maxey has been out since March 3 and has attempted to rehab the finger, but still is dealing with discomfort and needs treatment, according to sources.

Maxey, 24, has averaged a career-high 26.3 points to go with 6.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 52 games this season. He made his first All-Star team and was the NBA's Most Improved Player in 2023-24, but is shooting a career-low 43.7% from the floor this season.

Maxey becomes the latest high-profile player to suffer a season-ending injury for the last-place Sixers (23-53), who have also lost Joel Embiid, Paul George, veteran Eric Gordon and rookie Jared McCain.

Philadelphia's last remaining hope for the season will be to retain its first-round draft pick, which is top-six-protected. If the pick remains in the top six, the Sixers keep it. If it is Nos. 7 to 30, the pick will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the Al Horford-Danny Green swap five years ago.

Entering Thursday's home game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia has lost nine games in a row, 15 of its past 17 and 26 of its past 30 -- putting the 76ers in fifth place in the lottery standings, two games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets in sixth.

ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Field Level Media contributed to this report.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield were both issued warnings for mimicking shooting a gun during Tuesday's game, sources told ESPN on Thursday.

Sources said the NBA ruled that the celebrations were not intended to be violent in nature but were inappropriate. Both teams were also issued warnings.

As timeout was called with 20.1 seconds remaining in Golden State's 134-125 road win, Morant formed imaginary guns with the fingers on both hands, pointing them toward the Warriors bench with his left arm fully extended as he walked toward the Grizzlies bench on the other side of the court. Hield made a similar gesture from the Warriors bench just before the timeout.

The referees issued double technical fouls to Morant and Hield.

Morant, 25, a two-time All-Star, has twice been suspended by the NBA for brandishing a firearm on social media.

The first incident occurred in March 2023 during an Instagram live stream while Morant was partying at a suburban Denver nightclub after a loss to the Nuggets. The NBA issued an indefinite suspension that ended up spanning eight games.

Morant was suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season for conduct detrimental to the league after he brandished a firearm during an Instagram live stream on his friend's account in May 2023.

Information from ESPN's Tim MacMahon was used in this report.

BALTIMORE -- Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson is expected to return to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday at Kansas City after missing the start of the season with a right intercostal strain.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Henderson is "probable" for the series opener against the Royals. He was not activated for Thursday's home game against Boston.

Henderson hit .281 with 37 home runs, 92 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 2024, finishing fourth in the American League MVP race.

Baltimore's offense has remained explosive without him, scoring at least eight runs in four of the team's first six games, although the Orioles were shut out by Boston on Wednesday night.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The once and possibly future home of the Tampa Bay Rays will get a new roof to replace the one shredded by Hurricane Milton with the goal of having the ballpark ready for the 2026 season, city officials decided in a vote Thursday.

The St. Petersburg City Council voted 7-1 to approve $22.5 million to begin the repairs at Tropicana Field, which will start with a membrane roof that must be in place before other work can continue. Although the Rays pulled out of a planned $1.3 billion new stadium deal, the city is still contractually obligated to fix the Trop.

"We are legally bound by an agreement. The agreement requires us to fix the stadium," said council member Lissett Hanewicz, who is an attorney. "We need to go forward with the roof repair so we can do the other repairs."

The hurricane damage forced the Rays to play home games this season at Steinbrenner Field across the bay in Tampa, the spring training home of the New York Yankees. The Rays went 4-2 on their first homestand ever at an open-air ballpark, which seats around 11,000 fans.

Under the current agreement with the city, the Rays owe three more seasons at the Trop once it's ready again for baseball, through 2028. It's unclear if the Rays will maintain a long-term commitment to the city or look to Tampa or someplace else for a new stadium. Major League Baseball has said keeping the team in the Tampa Bay region is a priority. The Rays have played at the Trop since their inception in 1998.

The team said it would have a statement on the vote later Thursday.

The overall cost of Tropicana Field repairs is estimated at $56 million, said city architect Raul Quintana. After the roof, the work includes fixing the playing surface, ensuring audio and visual electronics are working, installing flooring and drywall, getting concession stands running and other issues.

"This is a very complex project. We feel like we're in a good place," Quintana said at the council meeting Thursday.

Under the proposed timeline, the roof installation will take about 10 months. The unique membrane system is fabricated in Germany and assembled in China, Quintana said, adding that officials are examining how President Donald Trump's new tariffs might affect the cost.

The new roof, he added, will be able to withstand hurricane winds as high as 165 mph. Hurricane Milton, one of the strongest hurricanes ever in the Atlantic basin at one point, blasted ashore Oct. 9 south of Tampa Bay with Category 3 winds of about 125 mph.

Citing mounting costs, the Rays last month pulled out of a deal with the city and Pinellas County for a new $1.3 billion ballpark to be built near the Trop site. That was part of a broader $6.5 billion project known as the Historic Gas Plant district to bring housing, retail and restaurants, arts and a Black history museum to a once-thriving Black neighborhood razed for the original stadium.

The city council plans to vote on additional Trop repair costs over the next few months.

"This is our contractual obligation. I don't like it more than anybody else. I'd much rather be spending that money on hurricane recovery and helping residents in the most affected neighborhoods," council member Brandi Gabbard said. "These are the cards that we're dealt."

Prize money at last year's Wimbledon was 50m, exactly double the amount offered in 2014. In that 10-year period, prize money for first-round losers increased from 27,000 to 60,000.

But players have frequently pointed to the vast revenues generated by the Grand Slams, and feel they deserve a significantly larger return.

In the year up to July 2023, the All England Club (AELTC) had a turnover of 380m. But once the costs of running the Championships were deducted, the operating profit was just under 54m.

Nearly 49m of that went to the LTA, as the AELTC has agreed to pay the governing body 90% of its annual surplus until 2053.

Costs include prize money, employing more than 8,000 seasonal staff, preparing and developing the site and supporting other grass court events.

Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen said increased prize money would be particularly welcomed by lower-ranked players, who can struggle to make ends meet at other times of the year.

"I think that's going to benefit all the players, not only the top players, especially those that work hard during the year and need to get paid from the Grand Slams and have to survive," added the Chinese world number eight.

"We try to do what we can, and then let's see what the gods bring to us. But at least we're trying."