Apr 7, 2026
Kehebatan Michigan tidak bisa menyelamatkan March Madness dari sesuatu yang kurang dari itu

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INDIANAPOLIS — Semuanya akan sia-sia, kata mereka.

Cinderella mungkin lebih sulit ditemukan tetapi para ksatria dan naga akan bertempur hingga larut malam, kata mereka.

Lebih sedikit kekacauan di putaran awal Turnamen NCAA, di era dimana tim-tim kuat menimbun bakat, akan berarti banyak hal klasik ketika para penimbun saling berhadapan di putaran selanjutnya. Itulah yang mereka katakan. Oke, itu yang banyak dari kita katakan.

Tapi ini bukan Turnamen NCAA yang bagus. Itu gagal di garis finis. Itu tidak sesuai dengan musim sebelumnya, musim yang menghasilkan salah satu kelas mahasiswa baru terbaik sepanjang masa, bintang baru, tim pembangkit tenaga listrik baru, pertarungan non-liga yang luar biasa, pelanggaran yang produktif, dan minat penggemar yang tinggi.

Hal terbaik yang dihasilkan turnamen ini adalah juara yang spektakuler. Serigala Michigan menghasilkan kemenangan 69-63 atas Connecticut pada hari Senin di Stadion Lucas Oil — “ledakan” 6 poin pertama dalam sejarah pertandingan kejuaraan.

Serius, bahkan ketika Alex Karaban mencoba melakukan triple untuk memotongnya menjadi satu poin dengan beberapa detik tersisa… permainan tidak pernah terasa seperti seimbang. Tembakannya sepertinya tidak pernah mempunyai peluang. Sama seperti UConn yang sepertinya tidak pernah memiliki peluang untuk menyalip tim yang jauh lebih baik.

Wolverine dari Dusty May finis dengan skor 37-3 dan akan dianggap sebagai salah satu tim bola basket perguruan tinggi pria terbaik sepanjang masa. Sama seperti tim UConn Dan Hurley dua tahun lalu. Jadi saya kira kita bisa mulai dengan menyalahkan Huskies, karena dominasi mereka adalah bagian besar dari kedua Final Four yang menghasilkan skor 0-untuk-3 dalam mencari permainan yang hebat.

Tapi Michigan tidak memainkan peran dalam penanganan Huskies di Illinois pada hari Sabtu. Huskies 2024 tidak memainkan peran dalam Purdue memukul NC State. Kadang-kadang kita hanya menjadi bau busuk. Saya juga tidak akan menyebutnya sebagai tren. Para pemain kelas menengah yang daftar pemainnya digerebek dan memiliki lebih sedikit kesempatan untuk melakukan hal-hal khusus di bulan Maret, itu adalah sebuah tren.

Ini hanya hasil imbang yang buruk. Karena, sekali lagi, musim 2025-26 sangat spektakuler, sebuah kemunduran yang “sekaligus selesai” dengan pemain terbaik nasional tahun ini Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Darius Acuff dan banyak lainnya menunjukkan banyak bakat sebelum membawanya ke level berikutnya — membuatnya terasa lebih seperti tahun 2010-an. Kami diingatkan, seperti yang biasanya terjadi pada saat itu, bahwa tim-tim yang lebih tua masih memiliki keunggulan dibandingkan tim-tim yang bergantung pada pemain muda.

Kami pikir Michigan vs. Arizona akan menjadi pertandingan yang hebat pada hari Sabtu. Sebaliknya, itu adalah kejar-kejaran Michigan – tim tua yang diisi dengan senior menghancurkan tim muda, dengan dua dari tiga pemain Wildcats masih mahasiswa baru. Saat itulah kenyataan pascamusim yang mengecewakan muncul.

Mengutip teks dari an Atletis anggota keluarga editor berbagi di sini secara anonim: “Game ini kotor seperti yang lain.”

Tidak ada argumen. Tapi ingat: Setahun yang lalu, Florida dan Auburn memainkan semifinal di San Antonio yang lebih baik daripada ketiganya di Indy. Kemenangan Houston atas Duke dan kekalahan dari Florida dalam perebutan gelar sungguh mengharukan. Kami akan memilikinya lagi.

Yaxel Lendeborg melakukan layup di depan penonton.

Michigan dan UConn sama-sama melakukan tembakan di bawah 40 persen dari lapangan dalam perebutan gelar nasional. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Selain itu, Turnamen NCAA yang buruk masih lebih baik dari kebanyakan hal. Ini seperti es krim yang buruk atau film John Cusack yang buruk. Anda masih akan mengkonsumsi. Dan jujur ​​saja, Anda akan kembali lagi.

Omong-omong, turnamen ini menghasilkan salah satu pukulan hebat yang pernah dilihat oleh penjaga mahasiswa baru UConn Cantiknya Braylon Mullins mengalahkan Duke.

Pertandingan Vanderbilt-Nebraska adalah sebuah thriller dan hampir berakhir dengan momen klasik abadi lainnya. Kentucky memiliki salah satu dari mereka untuk membawa Santa Clara ke perpanjangan waktu. Iowa mengecewakan Florida dalam kejutan turnamen tersebut. St John's punya Kansas di bel. High Point mengalahkan Wisconsin dalam film thriller, dan radio pelajar mereka bahkan lebih baik daripada bola basket Panthers.

Sayang sekali harus berakhir seperti ini. Di era efisiensi dan keterampilan ofensif yang melonjak ini, Huskies dan Wolverine digabungkan untuk menembakkan 11 untuk 48 (22,9 persen) dari jarak 3 poin. Itu sedikit lebih baik daripada gabungan 3 poin terburuk dalam pertandingan kejuaraan, 22,7 persen antara UConn dan Butler pada tahun 2011.

The Huskies memenangkan pertandingan itu 53-41 dan banyak orang yang menonton hampir kehilangan kendali permanen atas wajah mereka karena mereka merasa ngeri selama lebih dari dua jam berturut-turut. Hal ini terjadi pada masa-masa awal munculnya lapangan tinggi di stadion sepak bola yang penuh, dan meskipun data selama bertahun-tahun mengenai keberhasilan pengambilan gambar di lokasi tersebut berbeda-beda, sulit untuk menonton Senin malam dan tidak menganggap persepsi kedalaman yang asing berperan.

Antara hal tersebut dan fakta bahwa sekitar 80 persen dari 70.720 penggemar yang hadir memiliki pandangan buruk terhadap pertandingan tersebut, tentu akan menyenangkan untuk melihat Final Four dimainkan lagi di venue bola basket yang sebenarnya. Atau setidaknya di stadion yang dibatasi oleh tribun portabel, sehingga menyediakan persentase kursi berkualitas yang jauh lebih tinggi.

Pendapatan yang dipertaruhkan menjamin hal itu tidak akan terjadi. Tapi setidaknya bola basket yang kita lihat sepanjang musim menunjukkan Final Four yang lebih baik di masa depan.

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Kehebatan Michigan tidak bisa menyelamatkan March Madness dari sesuatu yang kurang dari itu

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Apr 7, 2026
MLB Power Rankings: Who’s your team’s early difference-maker?

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Every week,​ we​ ask a selected group of our baseball​ writers​ — local and national — to rank the teams from first to worst. Here are the collective results.

The early days of the 2026 MLB season have produced memorable debuts, unforgettable images and regrettable decisions. The implementation of ABS has captivated fans, and the baseball itself has done the rest. For this week’s edition of the Power Rankings, we highlighted one member of each team who has been an early difference-maker.

All stats are through Monday afternoon.


Record: 8-2
Last Power Ranking: 1

Early difference-maker: Andy Pages

Pages went so cold last October — his only notable “hit” occurred when he steamrolled Kiké Hernández on an outfield catch to keep Game 7 of the World Series alive — that it obscured an otherwise excellent 2025 campaign. Pages has gotten off to a torrid start at the plate this season, powering the Dodgers’ offense as it woke up this weekend in sweeping the lowly Washington Nationals. Pages smacked a crucial double that keyed Sunday’s eighth-inning comeback. He collected 16 hits in his first nine games, including three home runs. He offers some right-handed-hitting balance for a lineup that relies upon the left-handed-hitting thump of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker and Max Muncy. With Mookie Betts now on the injured list, Pages’ bat will be even more important for the Dodgers. — Andy McCullough

Record: 7-2
Last Power Ranking: 2

Early difference-maker: Ben Rice

The Yankees’ offense has almost no one hitting in the .200s right now; it’s all guys hitting below the Mendoza Line or batting up in the high .300s, like Rice, whose late-blooming breakout — he’s 27 now — came last year, even if some tough luck hid just how big that breakout was. There’s no hiding it now, as he’s pummeling the ball night after night and adding depth to a middle of the order that already contained multitudes. Even though he went to Dartmouth, Rice’s Baseball Savant page is big red, with his quality of contact metrics all among the very best in the game. — Tim Britton

Record: 8-2
Last Power Ranking: 6

Early difference-maker: Brice Turang

While much of the rest of Team USA has been stuck in a post-World Baseball Classic malaise, Turang has hit the ground running, helping power the Brewers’ offense to its first-place standing in the NL Central. New to 2026: power. It’s early, but through Sunday, Turang’s Average Exit Velocity (95.8 mph) is in the 96th percentile, and his Squared-Up percentage (33.3) is in the 89th. Last year, those marks were in the 76th and 71st percentiles, respectively. It’s not showing up in his homer count (one) but Turang already has four doubles and one triple. A season ago, Turang didn’t get his fourth double until his 45th game. He’s played just nine games so far. — Johnny Flores Jr. 

Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 5

Early difference-maker: Mark Vientos

One of the breakout stars for the Mets in 2024, Vientos had a rough 2025, a rougher spring where he looked lost at the plate, and an inactive first few days of the season. But since starting his first game of the season last Tuesday, he’s started six straight and is off to a 10-for-21 start with a slugging percentage north of .700. It’s a reminder to never trust your eyes during spring training and to give your bench a shot in the first fortnight of the year. Over a weekend without Juan Soto, it was Vientos who made sure the Mets’ offense still picked up steam. — Britton

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 10

Early difference-maker: Bryce Elder

Elder here is a stand-in for a pitching staff that, on the whole, has stepped up more than expected. This day last year, Atlanta was 1-8 and had been shut out three times. Now it owns three shutouts itself despite losing 60 percent of its starting rotation in spring training. Elder has spun two very good starts, allowing only two unearned runs while striking out 13 in 13 innings. Elder was a 24-year-old All-Star in 2023, when he made 31 starts with an ERA better than the league average. That might be what Atlanta needs from him again in the difficult NL East. — Britton

Record: 4-7
Last Power Ranking: 3

Early difference-maker: Emerson Hancock

When the Mariners chose Hancock at No. 6 in the 2020 draft, the team hoped he could headline the starting rotation alongside fellow first-round picks like George Kirby and Logan Gilbert. His route into that role has been slowed by shoulder injuries and general ineffectiveness. But he’s off to a good start in 2026; Hancock has lowered his arm slot, which has generated additional movement on his four-seam fastball and two-seam sinker. He permitted only one run in 12 2/3 innings in his first two starts. With Bryce Miller coming off a rough 2025 and nursing an oblique injury, there is an opportunity for Hancock to grab a regular role among the Mariners’ starters. — McCullough

Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 9

Early difference-maker: Cristopher Sánchez

Hey, sometimes your early difference-maker is just your ace. Sánchez has struck out 17 over 11 1/3 innings in his first two starts, both of them ultimately Philadelphia wins. Aaron Nola took a step back last year, and the Phillies are still waiting for Zack Wheeler’s velo to pop as he returns from thoracic outlet syndrome. It sure is nice they have last year’s Cy Young runner-up to hold down the fort in the meantime. — Britton

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 4

Early difference-maker: Kevin Gausman

It might be time to start contemplating where Gausman’s five-year contract with the Blue Jays fits in among the best free-agent signings of a starting pitcher in baseball history. (The Mount Rushmore, off the top of our head, is Greg Maddux in Atlanta, Randy Johnson in Arizona, Max Scherzer in Washington and Zack Wheeler in Philadelphia.) Gausman pitched better than the game results last October for Toronto, and he’s off to an excellent start this year, with 21 punchouts through two outings. So yeah, let’s focus on that and not on losing five of six to the Rockies and White Sox. — Britton

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 8

Early difference-maker: Edward Cabrera

Longtime admirers of the right-hander, Jed Hoyer’s front office finally executed an offseason trade to bring him to the North Side, believing his 2025 campaign was merely scratching the surface of his potential. So far, consider that calculus correct. Over 11 2/3 innings, Cabrera maintains a pristine 0.00 ERA, having allowed just two hits. The strikeouts (nine) and walks (six) are as expected, but pairing Cabrera with an elite infield defense has mitigated some of that risk. With Cade Horton (right forearm) on the 15-day IL and Justin Steele still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Cabrera’s ability to slot in at the top of a rotation is massive. — Flores

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 15

Early difference-maker: Yordan Alvarez

It is no coincidence that Houston’s streak of postseason appearances ended last year during a campaign in which Alvarez played only 48 games. From 2022 to 2024, only Aaron Judge produced a better wRC+ than Alvarez at 174. Alvarez is a multi-faceted monster at the plate, one capable of spoiling good pitches, working long counts and punishing mistakes. He slugged .900 with a .578 OBP in his 10 games this year. It is also no coincidence that Houston, with Alvarez back at the top of its lineup, had scored more runs than any other club heading into Monday’s games. — McCullough

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 11

Early difference-maker: Colt Keith

Though he’s yet to hit a home run on the year, Keith has more than made up for it with a .407 average and 1.004 OPS on the back of 11 hits, including four doubles to start his season. Of particular note, Keith has raised his bat speed by 3 mph, going from 70.7 mph (27th percentile) in 2025 to 73.7 mph (74th percentile) in 2026. In turn, his Average Exit Velocity, Squared-Up, Barrel and Hard-Hit Rates have all increased year over year. He’s also chasing and whiffing less than he ever has before. Last year, Detroit sent six Tigers to the All-Star Game. Keith is making an early case to be part of this year’s contingent. — Flores

Record: 2-8
Last Power Ranking: 7

Early difference-maker: Wilyer Abreu

Fresh off an electrifying performance in the World Baseball Classic, Abreu has been just about the only one performing in the Red Sox lineup so far. He doesn’t have more hits than the entire Boston infield, but we did have to do the math to be sure. Abreu has homered three times and, importantly, held his own in a handful of plate appearances against lefties (3-for-7, two doubles). He’d taken a small but meaningful step forward against southpaws last season, so this is a nice building block early. — Britton

Record: 6-4 
Last Power Ranking: 16

Early difference-maker: The offseason additions

In need of offensive reinforcements to help transform an offseason that finished last in OPS in 2025, Pittsburgh signed Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna and swung a trade for Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum. Consider O’Hearn and Lowe major early-season wins. O’Hearn (1.159 OPS) and Lowe (1.022) have been at the center of a new-look Pirates offense that has the Buccos in the mix in the NL Central. Sure, Ozuna was benched amidst a 2-for-27 start to the year, and Mangum hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire, but you can’t win them all. Honorable mention: Oneil Cruz and his newfound ability to hit left-handed pitching. — Flores

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: T-13

Early difference-maker: Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo has provided the sort of offense that the front office hoped to receive when they dealt away infielder Marcus Semien this past offseason. He probably won’t bat .389 all season, but fellow outfielder Wyatt Langford probably won’t hit .150 all year, either. (If last year was any indication, Joc Pederson may continue hitting .059.) At the very least, Nimmo has provided a spark as the leadoff hitter for new manager Skip Schumaker. He was one of the few Rangers able to get on base this past weekend during a dreary series against Cincinnati. The Rangers managed only four runs while getting swept by the Reds. — McCullough

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: T-13

Early difference-maker: Kyle Isbel

It took a minute (six seasons to be exact), but Isbel is finally pairing his standout center-field defense with a bat to match. He has a hit in every game he’s played, with two multi-hit games interspersed. Consider Isbel an early benefactor of the Royals’ offseason decision to move the fences at Kauffman Stadium in and shorten the wall heights, as his late homer against the Twins wouldn’t have happened otherwise. His 1.148 OPS leads the Royals, and his .444 average is among the best in baseball. — Flores

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 12

Early difference-maker: Trevor Rogers

Every fantasy player in America had the same question several rounds into their draft: How real was what Rogers did last season? Through two starts in 2026, Rogers has backed up his remarkable performance since last June. It’s now 20 starts with an 11-3 record and a 1.76 ERA; the O’s are 15-5 in those games. Yes, the strikeout rate is down. Yes, the walk rate is up, and sure, the FIP is up because of those two things. So you might be justified still in wondering: Just how real is this? — Britton

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 17

Early difference-maker: Mason Miller

Runs have not come easy for the Padres this season, but the team still generated four save opportunities for Miller, who has only further enhanced his reputation as the least hittable pitcher in the land. Miller added an impeccable closer’s entrance when he adopted Korn’s “Blind” as his soundtrack. (The kids are even saying he “entrance-mogged Edwin Díaz.”) The opposing hitters might as well go up with their eyes closed: Miller struck out 11 of the 15 batters he faced in those first four appearances. He has given up just one hit. The San Diego roster is not exactly functioning at a high level these days, but new manager Craig Stammen certainly has the ninth inning covered. — McCullough

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 21

Early difference-maker: Chase DeLauter

Only one player (Trevor Story, seven) has hit more home runs in their first seven career regular-season games than DeLauter and his five longballs. He is tied with Rece Hinds (2024) and Mark Quinn (1999) for the second-most in MLB history since 1900. That’s just the kind of start DeLauter has had to his MLB career. The power numbers (95.6 mph Average Exit Velocity, 21.1 percent Barrel Rate, 57.9 percent Hard-Hit Rate) are legit, and with Cleveland almost certainly having to contend with another largely mediocre offense, DeLauter can be the difference between an AL Central title push and an early vacation.  — Flores

Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 23

Early difference-maker: Sandy Alcantara

When he won the Cy Young in 2022, Alcantara didn’t earn his first of six complete games that season — no team had that many last season, by the way — until late May. This year, he twirled a shutout of the White Sox in his second start, and he’s tossed 16 innings without allowing an earned run. Alcantara’s second half last season was strong; his last six weeks very strong. If he pitched that well this season, he’d remain the subject of trade rumors. If he pitches as well as he has through two starts, the Marlins might contend enough to keep him in Miami. — Britton

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 19

Early difference-maker: Corbin Carroll

A broken hamate bone cost Carroll a chance to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. The injury has not deterred him from providing a boost for an otherwise somnolent Diamondbacks offense. Neither Nolan Arenado nor Carlos Santana looks rejuvenated in their new environment. Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo were batting beneath the Mendoza Line. The lineup took another hit when infielder Jordan Lawlar suffered a broken wrist after getting hit by a pitch. So more of the burden will remain upon Carroll, who has been one of baseball’s best players since he arrived in the majors in 2022. — McCullough

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 18

Early difference-maker: Yandy Díaz

Sure, we’re only looking at like a week and a half here, but let’s appreciate the now seven-plus seasons that Díaz has spent with Tampa Bay. He owns a top 10 OBP in the sport over that time (nestled between Shohei Ohtani and Christian Yelich) and his wRC+ is 135 — tied with Matt Olson, just behind Mookie Betts and just ahead of Jose Altuve and José Ramírez. (So no, the Junior Caminero trade isn’t the only deal with the Rays they lament on the banks of the Cuyahoga.) If Aaron Judge doesn’t win the AL batting title, chances are Díaz does. — Britton

Record: 7-3
Last Power Ranking: 22

Early difference-maker: Chase Burns

After Cincinnati elected to begin the season with a six-man rotation, Burns has made the most of his opportunity, pitching to 0.82 ERA over his first two starts (11 innings). He’s struck out 16 batters, including nine in Sunday’s sweep over the Texas Rangers. So far, he’s looked every bit the part of a No. 2 overall pick, with the Reds going 2-0 in his outings. With Cincinnati’s offense not having quite jelled to open the season, it’s been the starting pitching that has carried the club. Burns and Rhett Lowder have been at the center of that. — Flores

Record: 3-8
Last Power Ranking: 20

Early difference-maker: Daniel Susac

The infielders are dropping balls and slinging cuss words. The manager is referencing Kanye West. The offense appears allergic to scoring runs. The Giants are not exactly off to a rip-roaring start in 2026. So let’s give a nod to Susac, a Rule 5 pick who supplied three hits in his first start as a Giant over the weekend. He actually entered Monday leading the club in wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference. He has taken four at-bats. That should give you a sense of how things are going so far in the Bay Area. — McCullough

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: T-26

Early difference-maker: Jo Adell

Who cares that Adell, once one of baseball’s top prospects, has not generated an extra-base hit this season? His defensive performance on Saturday night was one for the ages, producing the sort of excitement that Angel Stadium hasn’t experienced all that often since Shohei Ohtani left town. Adell robbed the Mariners of three home runs. The last was the best, as he soared over the low right-field containing wall to steal one from Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford. Looks like Adell’s preseason work with Angels special assistant Torii Hunter was worth it. — McCullough

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: T-26

Early difference-maker: Taj Bradley

After struggling through his first six starts as a Twin following a deadline trade from Tampa Bay, Bradley has allowed just one run through his first 10 1/3 innings (two starts) of 2026. He’s averaging 97.3 mph on his fastball, up from 96.2 mph a season ago, and even flashed triple digits in his last start. That early-season heat has led him to the top of the Twins leaderboard for fastest pitches thrown by starters in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008). His late decision to pull out from Team Mexico in the WBC to focus on the season has seemingly paid off for a Twins team deep into rebuild mode. — Flores

Record: 3-6
Last Power Ranking: 24

Early difference-maker: Shea Langeliers

Amid a team-wide slump, Langeliers swatted five home runs in his first nine games. He supplied two more hits in a wild, 12-10 victory over the Astros on Sunday. The Athletics hoped their young offense would help them contend this season, but most of the crew has gotten off to a slow start. Reigning Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz was slugging just .185, with 14 strikeouts in 36 at-bats. Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler have all struggled, too. Langeliers, at least, has provided an early boost for a group that has needed it. — McCullough

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 25

Early difference-maker: Matthew Liberatore

In a season that will be defined by which young Cards step up, Liberatore is showing early why he should be a key part of the St. Louis rotation for seasons to come. After taking the ball on Opening Day, Liberatore has pitched to a 1.64 ERA over his first two starts. Though the strikeouts are down, he is limiting hard contact and isn’t walking a ton of hitters, either. How he can translate that over a 30-start season will be one of the biggest things to watch in 2026. — Flores

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 28

Early difference-maker: Joey Wiemer

Look, there are probably some more important longer-term developments for the Nats this early (C.J. Abrams, Cade Cavalli, etc.). But we have a basic rule: When a guy is slashing .400/.500/.800, you give him some ink. Once a top-100 prospect, Wiemer has become well-traveled; Washington is his sixth team since the start of 2024. His stance isn’t quite as funky as it used to be, and there’s always hope that this is a post-hype breakthrough rather than a flash in the pan. In the midst of a doubled-down rebuild, the Nationals sure could use an unexpected boost. — Britton

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 29

Early difference-maker: Munetaka Murakami

Before Murakami inked his two-year deal with the White Sox, one NL Pacific Rim scout opined that his strikeout rate isn’t going anywhere, so “It’s just going to be, ‘Can he get to enough home-run damage to make it worth it?’” Consider Chicago’s $34 million investment worth it so far. The former NPB slugger has four home runs on the year, the second-most in baseball, and though he has 13 strikeouts, it’s nowhere near the top of the league. He’s barreling the ball at a high clip and also taking his walks. The defense has also been solid, with Murakami making a heads-up play against the Blue Jays and a diving stop Opening Day weekend. — Flores

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 30

Early difference-maker: Tomoyuki Sugano

Sugano led the American League with 33 home runs allowed for Baltimore last season. At 36, wielding an arsenal that can charitably be described as “crafty” but cannot be called “electric,” his profile looked worrisome for Coors Field. Yet in his home debut for the Rockies on Sunday, Sugano was . . . actually pretty good! He struck out five Phillies in six innings of one-run baseball. His lone blemish was, indeed, a solo home run by outfielder Adolis García. But otherwise Sugano kept the Phillies in the park and off the base paths. He has made two solid starts for Colorado, which won a series against Toronto last week and are trending closer to competent so far this year. If that sounds like faint praise, just remember: this team did not win a series in 2025 until June. — McCullough



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MLB Power Rankings: Who’s your team’s early difference-maker?

More Details
Apr 7, 2026
MLB Power Rankings: Who’s your team’s early difference-maker?

[ad_1]

Every week,​ we​ ask a selected group of our baseball​ writers​ — local and national — to rank the teams from first to worst. Here are the collective results.

The early days of the 2026 MLB season have produced memorable debuts, unforgettable images and regrettable decisions. The implementation of ABS has captivated fans, and the baseball itself has done the rest. For this week’s edition of the Power Rankings, we highlighted one member of each team who has been an early difference-maker.

All stats are through Monday afternoon.


Record: 8-2
Last Power Ranking: 1

Early difference-maker: Andy Pages

Pages went so cold last October — his only notable “hit” occurred when he steamrolled Kiké Hernández on an outfield catch to keep Game 7 of the World Series alive — that it obscured an otherwise excellent 2025 campaign. Pages has gotten off to a torrid start at the plate this season, powering the Dodgers’ offense as it woke up this weekend in sweeping the lowly Washington Nationals. Pages smacked a crucial double that keyed Sunday’s eighth-inning comeback. He collected 16 hits in his first nine games, including three home runs. He offers some right-handed-hitting balance for a lineup that relies upon the left-handed-hitting thump of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker and Max Muncy. With Mookie Betts now on the injured list, Pages’ bat will be even more important for the Dodgers. — Andy McCullough

Record: 7-2
Last Power Ranking: 2

Early difference-maker: Ben Rice

The Yankees’ offense has almost no one hitting in the .200s right now; it’s all guys hitting below the Mendoza Line or batting up in the high .300s, like Rice, whose late-blooming breakout — he’s 27 now — came last year, even if some tough luck hid just how big that breakout was. There’s no hiding it now, as he’s pummeling the ball night after night and adding depth to a middle of the order that already contained multitudes. Even though he went to Dartmouth, Rice’s Baseball Savant page is big red, with his quality of contact metrics all among the very best in the game. — Tim Britton

Record: 8-2
Last Power Ranking: 6

Early difference-maker: Brice Turang

While much of the rest of Team USA has been stuck in a post-World Baseball Classic malaise, Turang has hit the ground running, helping power the Brewers’ offense to its first-place standing in the NL Central. New to 2026: power. It’s early, but through Sunday, Turang’s Average Exit Velocity (95.8 mph) is in the 96th percentile, and his Squared-Up percentage (33.3) is in the 89th. Last year, those marks were in the 76th and 71st percentiles, respectively. It’s not showing up in his homer count (one) but Turang already has four doubles and one triple. A season ago, Turang didn’t get his fourth double until his 45th game. He’s played just nine games so far. — Johnny Flores Jr. 

Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 5

Early difference-maker: Mark Vientos

One of the breakout stars for the Mets in 2024, Vientos had a rough 2025, a rougher spring where he looked lost at the plate, and an inactive first few days of the season. But since starting his first game of the season last Tuesday, he’s started six straight and is off to a 10-for-21 start with a slugging percentage north of .700. It’s a reminder to never trust your eyes during spring training and to give your bench a shot in the first fortnight of the year. Over a weekend without Juan Soto, it was Vientos who made sure the Mets’ offense still picked up steam. — Britton

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 10

Early difference-maker: Bryce Elder

Elder here is a stand-in for a pitching staff that, on the whole, has stepped up more than expected. This day last year, Atlanta was 1-8 and had been shut out three times. Now it owns three shutouts itself despite losing 60 percent of its starting rotation in spring training. Elder has spun two very good starts, allowing only two unearned runs while striking out 13 in 13 innings. Elder was a 24-year-old All-Star in 2023, when he made 31 starts with an ERA better than the league average. That might be what Atlanta needs from him again in the difficult NL East. — Britton

Record: 4-7
Last Power Ranking: 3

Early difference-maker: Emerson Hancock

When the Mariners chose Hancock at No. 6 in the 2020 draft, the team hoped he could headline the starting rotation alongside fellow first-round picks like George Kirby and Logan Gilbert. His route into that role has been slowed by shoulder injuries and general ineffectiveness. But he’s off to a good start in 2026; Hancock has lowered his arm slot, which has generated additional movement on his four-seam fastball and two-seam sinker. He permitted only one run in 12 2/3 innings in his first two starts. With Bryce Miller coming off a rough 2025 and nursing an oblique injury, there is an opportunity for Hancock to grab a regular role among the Mariners’ starters. — McCullough

Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 9

Early difference-maker: Cristopher Sánchez

Hey, sometimes your early difference-maker is just your ace. Sánchez has struck out 17 over 11 1/3 innings in his first two starts, both of them ultimately Philadelphia wins. Aaron Nola took a step back last year, and the Phillies are still waiting for Zack Wheeler’s velo to pop as he returns from thoracic outlet syndrome. It sure is nice they have last year’s Cy Young runner-up to hold down the fort in the meantime. — Britton

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 4

Early difference-maker: Kevin Gausman

It might be time to start contemplating where Gausman’s five-year contract with the Blue Jays fits in among the best free-agent signings of a starting pitcher in baseball history. (The Mount Rushmore, off the top of our head, is Greg Maddux in Atlanta, Randy Johnson in Arizona, Max Scherzer in Washington and Zack Wheeler in Philadelphia.) Gausman pitched better than the game results last October for Toronto, and he’s off to an excellent start this year, with 21 punchouts through two outings. So yeah, let’s focus on that and not on losing five of six to the Rockies and White Sox. — Britton

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 8

Early difference-maker: Edward Cabrera

Longtime admirers of the right-hander, Jed Hoyer’s front office finally executed an offseason trade to bring him to the North Side, believing his 2025 campaign was merely scratching the surface of his potential. So far, consider that calculus correct. Over 11 2/3 innings, Cabrera maintains a pristine 0.00 ERA, having allowed just two hits. The strikeouts (nine) and walks (six) are as expected, but pairing Cabrera with an elite infield defense has mitigated some of that risk. With Cade Horton (right forearm) on the 15-day IL and Justin Steele still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Cabrera’s ability to slot in at the top of a rotation is massive. — Flores

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 15

Early difference-maker: Yordan Alvarez

It is no coincidence that Houston’s streak of postseason appearances ended last year during a campaign in which Alvarez played only 48 games. From 2022 to 2024, only Aaron Judge produced a better wRC+ than Alvarez at 174. Alvarez is a multi-faceted monster at the plate, one capable of spoiling good pitches, working long counts and punishing mistakes. He slugged .900 with a .578 OBP in his 10 games this year. It is also no coincidence that Houston, with Alvarez back at the top of its lineup, had scored more runs than any other club heading into Monday’s games. — McCullough

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 11

Early difference-maker: Colt Keith

Though he’s yet to hit a home run on the year, Keith has more than made up for it with a .407 average and 1.004 OPS on the back of 11 hits, including four doubles to start his season. Of particular note, Keith has raised his bat speed by 3 mph, going from 70.7 mph (27th percentile) in 2025 to 73.7 mph (74th percentile) in 2026. In turn, his Average Exit Velocity, Squared-Up, Barrel and Hard-Hit Rates have all increased year over year. He’s also chasing and whiffing less than he ever has before. Last year, Detroit sent six Tigers to the All-Star Game. Keith is making an early case to be part of this year’s contingent. — Flores

Record: 2-8
Last Power Ranking: 7

Early difference-maker: Wilyer Abreu

Fresh off an electrifying performance in the World Baseball Classic, Abreu has been just about the only one performing in the Red Sox lineup so far. He doesn’t have more hits than the entire Boston infield, but we did have to do the math to be sure. Abreu has homered three times and, importantly, held his own in a handful of plate appearances against lefties (3-for-7, two doubles). He’d taken a small but meaningful step forward against southpaws last season, so this is a nice building block early. — Britton

Record: 6-4 
Last Power Ranking: 16

Early difference-maker: The offseason additions

In need of offensive reinforcements to help transform an offseason that finished last in OPS in 2025, Pittsburgh signed Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna and swung a trade for Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum. Consider O’Hearn and Lowe major early-season wins. O’Hearn (1.159 OPS) and Lowe (1.022) have been at the center of a new-look Pirates offense that has the Buccos in the mix in the NL Central. Sure, Ozuna was benched amidst a 2-for-27 start to the year, and Mangum hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire, but you can’t win them all. Honorable mention: Oneil Cruz and his newfound ability to hit left-handed pitching. — Flores

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: T-13

Early difference-maker: Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo has provided the sort of offense that the front office hoped to receive when they dealt away infielder Marcus Semien this past offseason. He probably won’t bat .389 all season, but fellow outfielder Wyatt Langford probably won’t hit .150 all year, either. (If last year was any indication, Joc Pederson may continue hitting .059.) At the very least, Nimmo has provided a spark as the leadoff hitter for new manager Skip Schumaker. He was one of the few Rangers able to get on base this past weekend during a dreary series against Cincinnati. The Rangers managed only four runs while getting swept by the Reds. — McCullough

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: T-13

Early difference-maker: Kyle Isbel

It took a minute (six seasons to be exact), but Isbel is finally pairing his standout center-field defense with a bat to match. He has a hit in every game he’s played, with two multi-hit games interspersed. Consider Isbel an early benefactor of the Royals’ offseason decision to move the fences at Kauffman Stadium in and shorten the wall heights, as his late homer against the Twins wouldn’t have happened otherwise. His 1.148 OPS leads the Royals, and his .444 average is among the best in baseball. — Flores

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 12

Early difference-maker: Trevor Rogers

Every fantasy player in America had the same question several rounds into their draft: How real was what Rogers did last season? Through two starts in 2026, Rogers has backed up his remarkable performance since last June. It’s now 20 starts with an 11-3 record and a 1.76 ERA; the O’s are 15-5 in those games. Yes, the strikeout rate is down. Yes, the walk rate is up, and sure, the FIP is up because of those two things. So you might be justified still in wondering: Just how real is this? — Britton

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 17

Early difference-maker: Mason Miller

Runs have not come easy for the Padres this season, but the team still generated four save opportunities for Miller, who has only further enhanced his reputation as the least hittable pitcher in the land. Miller added an impeccable closer’s entrance when he adopted Korn’s “Blind” as his soundtrack. (The kids are even saying he “entrance-mogged Edwin Díaz.”) The opposing hitters might as well go up with their eyes closed: Miller struck out 11 of the 15 batters he faced in those first four appearances. He has given up just one hit. The San Diego roster is not exactly functioning at a high level these days, but new manager Craig Stammen certainly has the ninth inning covered. — McCullough

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: 21

Early difference-maker: Chase DeLauter

Only one player (Trevor Story, seven) has hit more home runs in their first seven career regular-season games than DeLauter and his five longballs. He is tied with Rece Hinds (2024) and Mark Quinn (1999) for the second-most in MLB history since 1900. That’s just the kind of start DeLauter has had to his MLB career. The power numbers (95.6 mph Average Exit Velocity, 21.1 percent Barrel Rate, 57.9 percent Hard-Hit Rate) are legit, and with Cleveland almost certainly having to contend with another largely mediocre offense, DeLauter can be the difference between an AL Central title push and an early vacation.  — Flores

Record: 6-4
Last Power Ranking: 23

Early difference-maker: Sandy Alcantara

When he won the Cy Young in 2022, Alcantara didn’t earn his first of six complete games that season — no team had that many last season, by the way — until late May. This year, he twirled a shutout of the White Sox in his second start, and he’s tossed 16 innings without allowing an earned run. Alcantara’s second half last season was strong; his last six weeks very strong. If he pitched that well this season, he’d remain the subject of trade rumors. If he pitches as well as he has through two starts, the Marlins might contend enough to keep him in Miami. — Britton

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 19

Early difference-maker: Corbin Carroll

A broken hamate bone cost Carroll a chance to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. The injury has not deterred him from providing a boost for an otherwise somnolent Diamondbacks offense. Neither Nolan Arenado nor Carlos Santana looks rejuvenated in their new environment. Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo were batting beneath the Mendoza Line. The lineup took another hit when infielder Jordan Lawlar suffered a broken wrist after getting hit by a pitch. So more of the burden will remain upon Carroll, who has been one of baseball’s best players since he arrived in the majors in 2022. — McCullough

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 18

Early difference-maker: Yandy Díaz

Sure, we’re only looking at like a week and a half here, but let’s appreciate the now seven-plus seasons that Díaz has spent with Tampa Bay. He owns a top 10 OBP in the sport over that time (nestled between Shohei Ohtani and Christian Yelich) and his wRC+ is 135 — tied with Matt Olson, just behind Mookie Betts and just ahead of Jose Altuve and José Ramírez. (So no, the Junior Caminero trade isn’t the only deal with the Rays they lament on the banks of the Cuyahoga.) If Aaron Judge doesn’t win the AL batting title, chances are Díaz does. — Britton

Record: 7-3
Last Power Ranking: 22

Early difference-maker: Chase Burns

After Cincinnati elected to begin the season with a six-man rotation, Burns has made the most of his opportunity, pitching to 0.82 ERA over his first two starts (11 innings). He’s struck out 16 batters, including nine in Sunday’s sweep over the Texas Rangers. So far, he’s looked every bit the part of a No. 2 overall pick, with the Reds going 2-0 in his outings. With Cincinnati’s offense not having quite jelled to open the season, it’s been the starting pitching that has carried the club. Burns and Rhett Lowder have been at the center of that. — Flores

Record: 3-8
Last Power Ranking: 20

Early difference-maker: Daniel Susac

The infielders are dropping balls and slinging cuss words. The manager is referencing Kanye West. The offense appears allergic to scoring runs. The Giants are not exactly off to a rip-roaring start in 2026. So let’s give a nod to Susac, a Rule 5 pick who supplied three hits in his first start as a Giant over the weekend. He actually entered Monday leading the club in wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference. He has taken four at-bats. That should give you a sense of how things are going so far in the Bay Area. — McCullough

Record: 6-5
Last Power Ranking: T-26

Early difference-maker: Jo Adell

Who cares that Adell, once one of baseball’s top prospects, has not generated an extra-base hit this season? His defensive performance on Saturday night was one for the ages, producing the sort of excitement that Angel Stadium hasn’t experienced all that often since Shohei Ohtani left town. Adell robbed the Mariners of three home runs. The last was the best, as he soared over the low right-field containing wall to steal one from Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford. Looks like Adell’s preseason work with Angels special assistant Torii Hunter was worth it. — McCullough

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: T-26

Early difference-maker: Taj Bradley

After struggling through his first six starts as a Twin following a deadline trade from Tampa Bay, Bradley has allowed just one run through his first 10 1/3 innings (two starts) of 2026. He’s averaging 97.3 mph on his fastball, up from 96.2 mph a season ago, and even flashed triple digits in his last start. That early-season heat has led him to the top of the Twins leaderboard for fastest pitches thrown by starters in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008). His late decision to pull out from Team Mexico in the WBC to focus on the season has seemingly paid off for a Twins team deep into rebuild mode. — Flores

Record: 3-6
Last Power Ranking: 24

Early difference-maker: Shea Langeliers

Amid a team-wide slump, Langeliers swatted five home runs in his first nine games. He supplied two more hits in a wild, 12-10 victory over the Astros on Sunday. The Athletics hoped their young offense would help them contend this season, but most of the crew has gotten off to a slow start. Reigning Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz was slugging just .185, with 14 strikeouts in 36 at-bats. Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler have all struggled, too. Langeliers, at least, has provided an early boost for a group that has needed it. — McCullough

Record: 5-5
Last Power Ranking: 25

Early difference-maker: Matthew Liberatore

In a season that will be defined by which young Cards step up, Liberatore is showing early why he should be a key part of the St. Louis rotation for seasons to come. After taking the ball on Opening Day, Liberatore has pitched to a 1.64 ERA over his first two starts. Though the strikeouts are down, he is limiting hard contact and isn’t walking a ton of hitters, either. How he can translate that over a 30-start season will be one of the biggest things to watch in 2026. — Flores

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 28

Early difference-maker: Joey Wiemer

Look, there are probably some more important longer-term developments for the Nats this early (C.J. Abrams, Cade Cavalli, etc.). But we have a basic rule: When a guy is slashing .400/.500/.800, you give him some ink. Once a top-100 prospect, Wiemer has become well-traveled; Washington is his sixth team since the start of 2024. His stance isn’t quite as funky as it used to be, and there’s always hope that this is a post-hype breakthrough rather than a flash in the pan. In the midst of a doubled-down rebuild, the Nationals sure could use an unexpected boost. — Britton

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 29

Early difference-maker: Munetaka Murakami

Before Murakami inked his two-year deal with the White Sox, one NL Pacific Rim scout opined that his strikeout rate isn’t going anywhere, so “It’s just going to be, ‘Can he get to enough home-run damage to make it worth it?’” Consider Chicago’s $34 million investment worth it so far. The former NPB slugger has four home runs on the year, the second-most in baseball, and though he has 13 strikeouts, it’s nowhere near the top of the league. He’s barreling the ball at a high clip and also taking his walks. The defense has also been solid, with Murakami making a heads-up play against the Blue Jays and a diving stop Opening Day weekend. — Flores

Record: 4-6
Last Power Ranking: 30

Early difference-maker: Tomoyuki Sugano

Sugano led the American League with 33 home runs allowed for Baltimore last season. At 36, wielding an arsenal that can charitably be described as “crafty” but cannot be called “electric,” his profile looked worrisome for Coors Field. Yet in his home debut for the Rockies on Sunday, Sugano was . . . actually pretty good! He struck out five Phillies in six innings of one-run baseball. His lone blemish was, indeed, a solo home run by outfielder Adolis García. But otherwise Sugano kept the Phillies in the park and off the base paths. He has made two solid starts for Colorado, which won a series against Toronto last week and are trending closer to competent so far this year. If that sounds like faint praise, just remember: this team did not win a series in 2025 until June. — McCullough



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MLB Power Rankings: Who’s your team’s early difference-maker?

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Apr 7, 2026
Patrick Agyemang dari USMNT menderita patah tulang Achilles, tersingkir dari Piala Dunia

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Striker tim nasional putra Amerika Serikat Patrick Agyemang mengalami cedera Achilles, demikian konfirmasi klubnya Derby County, yang membuat pemain berusia 25 tahun itu absen dari Piala Dunia.

Agyemang mengalami cedera saat Derby menang 2-0 atas Stoke City di divisi kedua Inggris pada hari Senin, dan pemain Amerika itu harus ditandu pada babak pertama.

Pernyataan Derby pada Selasa pagi dibacakan: “Klub dapat mengonfirmasi bahwa Patrick Agyemang menderita cedera tendon Achilles yang serius selama paruh pertama pertandingan Sky Bet Championship melawan Stoke City.

“Patrick akan menjalani pemeriksaan lebih lanjut atas cederanya hari ini.

“Klub akan memberi Patrick perawatan medis dan rehabilitasi tingkat tertinggi selama pemulihannya.

“Semua orang di Derby County sepenuhnya mendukung Patrick di masa sulit ini dan akan terus mendukungnya di setiap langkahnya.

“Sebagai akibat dari cedera ini, sayangnya Patrick akan melewatkan Piala Dunia FIFA musim panas ini. Pada tahap ini, akan salah jika menentukan batas waktu pemulihannya.”

Pelatih USMNT Mauricio Pochettino memainkan Agyemang di kedua pertandingan persahabatan selama jendela internasional bulan Maret, penampilan tim nasional pertama pemain Derby tersebut sejak Juli lalu.

Agyemang telah mencetak enam gol dalam 14 pertandingan USMNT sejak melakukan debutnya tahun lalu, dan telah menyumbangkan 10 gol dalam 37 pertandingan untuk Derby musim ini, membantu tantangan mereka untuk mendapatkan tempat playoff di Championship.

Cedera tersebut juga membuat Agyemang absen dari lima pertandingan terakhir musim reguler Derby, dengan tim asuhan John Eustace berada di urutan kedelapan di divisi kedua Inggris, terpaut dua peringkat dari babak playoff.

Pochettino harus menyebutkan daftar pemainnya di Piala Dunia paling lambat tanggal 30 Mei. AS, yang menjadi tuan rumah bersama turnamen tersebut bersama Kanada dan Meksiko, akan menghadapi Paraguay, Australia, dan Turki di Grup D.


Sebuah pukulan terhadap kedalaman USMNT

Analisis oleh penulis sepak bola senior Paul Tenorio

Anda dapat membuat argumen yang masuk akal bahwa Agyemang mungkin telah melampaui Ricardo Pepi dalam grafik kedalaman selama jendela Maret, ketika ia mendapat 65 menit dari bangku cadangan dibandingkan dengan 20 menit yang dimiliki pemain PSV Eindhoven.

Agyemang dengan tinggi 6ft 4ins (193cm) menambahkan elemen berbeda untuk lini depan AS, dan sepertinya dia belajar bagaimana menggunakan tubuhnya lebih banyak untuk keuntungannya saat bermain di Championship.

Tampaknya ada pertarungan nyata untuk mendapatkan tempat di peringkat 9 dalam skuad Pochettino, dengan pemain yang dianggap sebagai starter Folarin Balogun dari Monaco, Pepi, Agyemang dan Haji Wright dari Coventry City semuanya bersaing untuk mendapatkan tempat di Piala Dunia.

Namun, cedera jangka panjang yang dialami striker Derby ini sepertinya telah membuat Pochettino mengambil keputusan untuknya, dan ini tentu saja merupakan pukulan bagi kedalaman tim Amerika menjelang Piala Dunia.

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Patrick Agyemang dari USMNT menderita patah tulang Achilles, tersingkir dari Piala Dunia

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Apr 7, 2026
“Dan Hurley Menjawab Pertanyaan Tentang Wasit Setelah Pertandingan Kejuaraan Nasional UConn Kalah dari Michigan”.

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Dan Hurley punya cukup banyak reputasi jika menyangkut hubungannya dengan ofisial, jadi tidak dapat dipungkiri dia akan ditanyai tentang peluit saat pertandingan kejuaraan nasional hari Senin kalah dari Michigan.

Bahkan, ia tertawa terbahak-bahak ketika ditanya seberapa besar pengaruh wasit terhadap kekalahan 69-63 timnya sebelum mengatakan, “dengar, itu adalah grup all-star di sana” dan mengatakan “itu bukan alasan mengapa kami kalah.”

Tentu saja ada perbedaan dalam peluit, karena UConn dipanggil untuk 22 pelanggaran pribadi sedangkan Michigan 13. Masalah pelanggaran bagi Huskies juga menjadi masalah sepanjang kontes, terutama ketika Solo Ball melakukan pelanggaran keempatnya di awal babak kedua.

Bintang besar Tarris Reed Jr. juga mencetak dua gol di babak pertama, yang berdampak pada seberapa fisiknya dia saat menghadapi pertahanan.

Tapi juga tidak masuk akal untuk menyalahkan wasit sepenuhnya atas masalah busuk UConn karena itu adalah tema konstan tim Big East sepanjang musim.

Jeff Borzello dari ESPN menyoroti masalah ini saat pertandingan berlangsung:

Michigan memanfaatkan sepenuhnya masalah pelanggaran tersebut dan melakukan 25 dari 28 lemparan bebasnya dengan kecepatan 89 persen. Huskies berhasil memasukkan 12 dari 16 (75 persen) tembakan dari sisi lain.

Masalah buruk bagi UConn adalah alasan utama Wolverine mampu mengatasi kesengsaraan tembakan mereka sendiri. Tim Sepuluh Besar menghasilkan 2-dari-15 (13 persen) yang buruk dari dalam dan juga hanya menembakkan 38 persen dari lapangan, tetapi sebagian besar memegang kendali penuh sepanjang babak kedua karena pelanggaran tembakan dan pertahanannya yang kuat.

Sedangkan untuk Hurley, dia dapat menghabiskan seluruh offseason dengan melakukan disiplin kotor bersama timnya menjelang musim 2026-27, yang dapat menempatkan Huskies dalam posisi yang lebih baik untuk mencetak gol saat mereka mencapai tahap ini lagi.

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“Dan Hurley Menjawab Pertanyaan Tentang Wasit Setelah Pertandingan Kejuaraan Nasional UConn Kalah dari Michigan”.

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Apr 7, 2026
Duke Memimpin Peluang Taruhan Gelar CBB 2027, Daftar Tim Teratas Setelah Michigan Memenangkan Kejuaraan 2026

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Michigan mungkin sedang mengurangi jaringnya saat ini, tetapi Las Vegas yakin tidak ada tim bola basket putra yang memiliki posisi lebih baik untuk melakukannya tahun depan selain Duke.

Menurut Buku Olahraga FanDuelSetan Biru diunggulkan untuk memenangkan kejuaraan nasional selama musim 2026-27 dengan harga +700 (bertaruh $100 untuk memenangkan $700). Wolverine tidak ketinggalan jauh di +800 setelah mengalahkan UConn dalam pertandingan perebutan gelar nasional hari Senin.

Berikut ini adalah pesaing teratas:

Jika Duke ingin mempertaruhkan status favoritnya menjadi gelar nasional, Duke harus memikirkan cara menutup pertandingan besar di turnamen di bawah pelatih kepala Jon Scheyer.

Bagaimanapun, tiga kekalahan terakhir Big Dance merupakan hasil yang sangat menyakitkan bagi program ini:

Bahwa Setan Biru mengalahkan tim Michigan yang akan mereka hadapi dalam perebutan gelar nasional jika mereka melaju sejauh itu selama musim reguler mungkin hanya membuat kekalahan mereka dari UConn semakin sulit untuk diatasi jika dipikir-pikir.

Namun ini merupakan bukti konsistensi dan batas atas program secara keseluruhan bahwa program ini masih dianggap sebagai favorit meskipun kemungkinan besar Cameron Boozer akan kalah dalam draft NBA.

Namun, peluangnya masih berupa permainan tebak-tebakan pada saat ini meskipun program seperti Duke, Michigan, dan Arizona berada pada posisi yang tepat untuk menjadi faktor dalam perlombaan musim depan.

Bagaimanapun, portal transfer telah menjungkirbalikkan olahraga ini dalam beberapa tahun terakhir, dan pasti akan ada sejumlah pemain utama yang pindah sekolah dalam beberapa hari mendatang.

Serigala dimulai daftar semua transfer dalam pertandingan perebutan gelar hari Senin, jadi mungkin ada tim juara yang akan dibangun dalam dua minggu ke depan saat portal dibuka.

Itu bisa mengubah peluang, tetapi Duke berada di urutan teratas untuk saat ini.

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Duke Memimpin Peluang Taruhan Gelar CBB 2027, Daftar Tim Teratas Setelah Michigan Memenangkan Kejuaraan 2026

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Apr 7, 2026
Gelar nasional Michigan adalah babak terbaru dalam tahun dominasi Sepuluh Besar

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Kemenangan Michigan 69-63 atas UConn dalam gelar nasional 2025-26 menandai dominasi musim atletik untuk Konferensi Sepuluh Besar pada 2025-26.

Untuk kedua kalinya, sebuah konferensi memenangkan sepak bola, bola basket wanita Dan bola basket putra kejuaraan nasional.

SEC menikmati kalender atletik yang sama suksesnya pada tahun 2007. Tahun itu Florida menang dalam sepak bola dan bola basket putra sementara Tennessee membawanya pulang dalam bola basket wanita. Namun tahun ini dominasi Sepuluh Besar tidak hanya mencakup olahraga-olahraga besar tersebut.

Perlu dicatat bahwa di banyak cabang olahraga, termasuk yang terbaru bola basket wanita pada hari Minggu, UCLA berdiri sebagai perwakilan kejuaraan Sepuluh Besar. Bruins secara resmi bergabung dengan Sepuluh Besar pada tahun 2023 setelah runtuhnya PAC-12. Bergabung bersama USC, Oregon, dan Washington, penambahan ini membawa kekuatan atletik yang besar ke dalam konferensi tersebut, yang telah terwujud dalam dominasinya tahun ini.

Kekuatan finansial Sepuluh Besar juga membantunya memenangkan banyak kejuaraan nasional di berbagai bidang olahraga. Misalnya seperti dilansir oleh AtletikLindsay Schnell dan Matt Baker, sekolah Sepuluh Besar (Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State) mengambil alih tiga dari tujuh tempat teratas dalam hal pembelanjaan di antara sekolah-sekolah di Sweet 16 dalam bola basket putra.

Berikut adalah semua cabang olahraga di mana konferensi tersebut memenangkan kejuaraan selama kalender atletik 2025-26 dan konferensi tersebut dapat dilanjutkan.

Bola basket putra

Michigan mengakhiri tawaran UConn untuk tiga kejuaraan dalam empat tahun pada hari Senin. Bersama dengan Illinois, Sepuluh Besar menyumbang setengah dari Empat Besar. Wolverines menjadi tim pertama yang mencetak 90 poin dalam lima pertandingan turnamen pertama dalam perjalanan mereka untuk memenangkan slugfest pertahanan melawan UConn di kejuaraan.

Sepak bola

Indiana menyelesaikan musim bersejarah 16-0 di belakang pemenang Heisman Trophy Fernando Mendoza, mengalahkan Miami 27-21 pada Januari. Hoosiers adalah tim Sepuluh Besar ketiga berturut-turut yang memenangkan CFP, bersama Michigan pada tahun 2024 dan Ohio State pada tahun 2025.

Bola basket wanita

UCLA Bruins menghadapi tim Carolina Selatan yang memainkan pertandingan kejuaraan nasional ketiga berturut-turut dan mengalahkan mereka, menang 79-51 pada hari Minggu di Phoenix. Center senior Lauren Betts mendominasi, kehilangan total 30 poin, 22 rebound, dan 5 blok dalam dua empat pertandingan terakhirnya dalam perjalanan untuk memenangkan Pemain Paling Berprestasi.

Hoki es wanita

Wisconsin memenangkan Kejuaraan Hoki Es Wanita 3-2 atas Ohio State. Ini adalah konferensi ketujuh berturut-turut sejak tahun 2019 (Tidak ada konferensi pada tahun 2020 karena COVID) dan yang keempat dalam enam tahun untuk Badgers. Antara tahun 2021 dan 2025, Wisconsin dan Ohio State bergantian kejuaraan, dengan Buckeyes menang pada tahun 2022 dan 2024. Dari tahun 2023 hingga 2026, Wisconsin dan Ohio State telah bermain satu sama lain dalam kejuaraan setiap tahun.

Sepak bola pria

Washington merebut gelar sepak bola putra dalam kemenangan perpanjangan waktu 3-2 atas NC State dengan Harrison Bertos mencetak gol penentu kemenangan kurang dari dua menit memasuki perpanjangan waktu. The Huskies adalah tim Sepuluh Besar pertama yang memenangkan gelar sepak bola putra sejak Maryland pada tahun 2018.

Hoki lapangan

Northwestern kembali menjadi juara hoki lapangan, mengalahkan Princeton 2-1 dalam perpanjangan waktu. Tahun sebelumnya, Wildcats mengalahkan Saint Joseph 5-0 di kejuaraan. Gelaran tahun 2025 ini merupakan program ketiga sejak tahun 2021.

Polo air pria

UCLA melanjutkan dominasinya di pool, memenangkan gelar polo air putra kedua berturut-turut melawan USC, 11-10. Pada tahun 2024, Bruins sebelumnya kembali mengalahkan Trojan, 11-8. Bruins juga lolos ke kejuaraan polo air putra 2023, kemudian kalah dari Cal 13-11.

Bola voli pantai

Keluarga Bruins menempati peringkat pertama dalam jajak pendapat AVCA saat ini. Sementara kejuaraan meninggalkan Sepuluh Besar menuju 12 Besar dengan kemenangan TCU pada tahun 2025, tahun sebelumnya, USC mengadakan kejuaraan voli pantai dengan kemenangan 3-0 atas Bruins yang kini berada di peringkat No.1.

Baseball

Saat ini, UCLA Bruins (29-2) peringkat No. 1 di negara ini menurut D1Baseball, peringkat resmi NCAA. Keluarga Bruin adalah dipimpin oleh calon draft pick MLB No. 1 infielder junior Roch Cholowsky. Cholowsky mencapai 0,342 dengan 11 home run musim ini sejauh ini.

Hoki putra

Sepuluh Besar juga menampung dua, Michigan dan Wisconsin, dari empat tim yang tersisa di Frozen Four Putra untuk hoki es putra. Dengan keduanya berada di sisi yang berlawanan, masing-masing menghadapi Denver dan North Dakota, mereka juga bisa bertemu di kejuaraan Sepuluh Besar dalam olahraga itu.

Senam wanita

Sebagai penutup, program senam wanita UCLA dan Minnesota mewakili konferensi tersebut di semifinal Senam Wanita NCAA 2026, keduanya lolos dari Corvallis Regional. Jika ada yang menang, itu akan menjadi konferensi pertama sejak Michigan menang pada tahun 2021.



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Gelar nasional Michigan adalah babak terbaru dalam tahun dominasi Sepuluh Besar

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Apr 7, 2026
Michigan melakukan sesuatu yang tidak biasa sebelum kejuaraan. Apakah itu membantu Wolverine menang?

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Kisah ini adalah bagian dari Peak, Atletikmeja yang membahas sisi mental olahraga. Mendaftarlah untuk buletin Peak Di Sini.


Enam hari sebelum pertandingan kejuaraan NCAA, sekelompok staf dari Universitas Michigan meluncurkan gawang bola basket portabel ke lapangan di Stadion Michigan dan mendirikan laboratorium latihan darurat di pusat salah satu stadion terbesar di dunia. stadion luar ruangan terbesar.

Keranjang itu tampak seperti keranjang yang diambil dari jalan masuk mana pun, terbebani oleh karung pasir. Di sana, di lapangan di tengah lapangan sepak bola, Will Tschetter, seorang power forward senior, melepas bajunya, mengambil bola basket dan mulai melakukan tembakan lompat di bawah sinar matahari.

“Saya sedang bersemangat di luar sana, kawan,” kata Tschetter. “Rasanya seperti saya kembali ke rumah di arena tembak-menembak pertanian.”

Adu tembak mini ini merupakan gagasan pelatih Michigan Dusty May, yang ingin para pemainnya merasa nyaman dengan persepsi kedalaman ekstrem yang akan menunggu mereka di lantai bola basket di tengah Stadion Lucas Oil, markas Indianapolis Colts dan lokasi Final Four tahun ini.

Ketika berita menyebar melalui obrolan grup, Tschetter bergabung dengan sekelompok rekan satu timnya. Tidak semua orang setuju dengan gagasan itu.

“Kami semua berpikir, saya rasa kami tidak akan melakukan itu,” kata senior Michigan, Nimari Burnett.

Kita semua dapat dengan aman berasumsi bahwa sesi di Gedung Besar bukanlah satu-satunya alasan Michigan mengalahkan Connecticut dalam pertandingan kejuaraan NCAA pada hari Senin. Setelah penampilan yang mendominasi melawan Arizona di semifinal nasional, Wolverines hanya membuat dua lemparan tiga angka melawan UConn, panjang dan pertahanan mereka menjadi penentu. Namun hal itu membuat saya berpikir tentang kekuatan visualisasi.

Gagasan May untuk membuat para pemainnya melakukan syuting di stadion raksasa mungkin terdengar seperti kebalikan dari adegan terkenal di Hoosiers dengan Gene Hackman dan pita pengukur, namun hal itu sebenarnya melewatkan sesuatu yang lebih dalam.

Saat Michigan meraih kejuaraan NCAA pertamanya sejak 1989, saya memikirkan tentang Jason Myers, penendang Seattle Seahawks, yang pada bulan Februari mencetak rekor dengan lima gol lapangan di Super Bowl.

Beberapa hari setelah pertunjukan, Myers menceritakan kepada kami tentang rutinitas mingguannya, yang mencakup salah satu bentuk gambaran mental dan visualisasi paling disengaja yang pernah saya temui.

Ketika Myers masih seorang penendang muda, dia akan mencari foto-foto stadion asing untuk membantu latihan imajinasi mentalnya, membayangkan dirinya menendang di dalam tempat yang belum pernah dia injak.

“Saya mempunyai ritme dalam cara saya ingin menendang,” kata Myers, “dan saya berlari dengan ritme yang sama.”

Dengan kata lain, apa yang dilakukan Michigan di Gedung Besar bukanlah tentang sedikitnya repetisi fisik pada hari Selasa. Ini tentang menciptakan lingkungan yang mungkin membantu gambaran mental mereka sampai mereka tiba di lokasi di Indianapolis. Itu adalah cara sederhana untuk menghasilkan beberapa repetisi mental yang lebih bermanfaat.

“Itulah yang membuat menjadi pemain untuk Pelatih Dusty sangat menyenangkan,” kata Burnett, “karena dia memikirkan sedikit nuansa permainan, hal-hal yang tidak terlalu Anda pikirkan.”

Kebanyakan atlet akrab dengan penggunaan gambaran mental atau visualisasi. Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa latihan tersebut dapat meningkatkan kepercayaan diri seorang atlet dan mengurangi kecemasan sebelum pertandingan. Namun ilmu pengetahuan dibalik hal ini lebih dari sekedar dorongan psikologis.

Ketika seorang atlet menciptakan gambaran mental tentang diri mereka sendiri yang menembakkan tiga angka atau menendang bola, hal itu melibatkan banyak jalur saraf yang sama yang digunakan selama pertunjukan, mengaktifkan korteks motorik di lobus frontal otak – sebuah proses yang dikenal sebagai kesetaraan fungsional.

“YAnda masih mengaktifkan jalur saraf seperti yang Anda lakukan di dunia nyata,” kata Alan Chu, profesor psikologi olahraga terapan di UNC Greensboro, kepada saya tahun lalu.

Saya sedang berbicara dengan Chu sebuah cerita tentang gambaran mental dalam konteks tenis. Namun bola basket telah menjadi landasan bagi beberapa penelitian paling menarik mengenai subjek ini.

Pada tahun 1997, sekelompok ilmuwan dan peneliti olahraga di Yunani menerbitkan sebuah penelitian yang menyelidiki pengaruh “teknik latihan mental simulasi,” atau SMPT, pada sekelompok pemain bola basket.

Dalam penelitian tersebut, 36 pemain bola basket berketerampilan tinggi dibagi menjadi tiga kelompok dan masing-masing diminta melakukan dua putaran yang terdiri dari 10 lemparan bebas. Di sela-sela ronde, kelompok pertama diperbolehkan berlatih fisik, menembakkan 30 lemparan bebas per hari selama seminggu, sedangkan kelompok kedua menggunakan suatu bentuk gambaran mental; mereka duduk di ruangan gelap dan memvisualisasikan diri mereka mengambil 30 gambar per hari sambil mendengarkan rekaman audio ritual pengambilan gambar mereka. Kelompok ketiga – sebagai kontrol – tidak diperbolehkan berlatih.

Ukuran sampelnya kecil, namun hasilnya tetap mengejutkan: kelompok yang menggunakan visualisasi dan pencitraan mental ternyata mengalami peningkatan lebih besar dibandingkan kelompok yang benar-benar melakukan latihan fisik. Kelompok ketiga tidak melihat adanya perbaikan.

Tidak ada yang berpendapat bahwa visualisasi dapat menggantikan praktik nyata dalam jangka panjang. Namun manfaatnya menyebabkan peneliti melihat lebih jauh. Konstruksi “model mental” untuk latihan sangat ampuh.

Ketika May tiba di Michigan sebelum musim lalu, dia memiliki reputasi sebagai pelatih yang inovatif dan penuh rasa ingin tahu, selalu mencari perspektif berbeda. Salah satunya adalah milik Doug Lemov, mantan kepala sekolah menengah atas dan pakar pendidikan yang menulis buku, “The Coach's Guide to Teaching.” kata Lemov Mungkin tentang pentingnya persepsi bagi atlet.

Untuk memahami cara berpikir seorang atlet, biasanya yang terbaik adalah memulai dengan apa yang mereka lihat. Setengah dari otak manusia didedikasikan untuk penglihatan. Seperti yang ditulis Lemov dalam bab tentang persepsi, “otak lebih sering merasakan apa yang sering dirasakannya, dan keunggulan awal dalam persepsi—representasi mental yang lebih baik—bertambah seiring berjalannya waktu.”

Namun dalam hal menciptakan model pencitraan mental, Chu, sang profesor, mengatakan bahwa yang paling efektif adalah rekreasi nyata yang mencakup banyak indera. Jika Anda seorang pemain bola basket, misalnya, Anda mungkin membayangkan aroma popcorn di udara saat Anda memvisualisasikan diri Anda memotret dari sudut Stadion Lucas Oil. Semakin detail gambarnya, semakin berguna gambaran mentalnya.

Dengan kata lain, mengambil beberapa gambar di Stadion Michigan mungkin merupakan upaya yang berguna. Pengalaman tersebut harus memberikan sepotong informasi yang dapat membantu dalam gambaran mental tentang bagaimana rasanya bermain di Final Four.

Jika tidak ada yang lain, kata May, itu akan menjadi kenangan yang luar biasa.

Jadi itu terjadi pada Senin malam. Michigan bersiap untuk saat ini, percaya diri, berbakat, dan menerima nuansa, hal-hal yang belum pernah mereka pikirkan sebelumnya. Mereka mengibarkan trofi kejuaraan nasional, menjatuhkan konfeti, dan perayaan pun berlangsung meriah.

Itu juga persis seperti yang mereka bayangkan.

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Michigan melakukan sesuatu yang tidak biasa sebelum kejuaraan. Apakah itu membantu Wolverine menang?

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Apr 7, 2026
Michigan Mengakhiri Kekeringan Gelar 37 Tahun di Slugfest Berbasis Pertahanan dengan UConn

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INDIANAPOLIS — Kesempurnaan adalah tujuannya. Ini bukan persyaratannya.

Saat program tersebut mengincar gelar nasional pertamanya sejak 1989, Michigan berjuang sekuat tenaga melawan tim Connecticut yang fisiknya menyebalkan. Ada pertempuran terus-menerus untuk mendapatkan posisi rendah. Peleknya diperketat pada jumper, lemparan tiga angka tidak sering jatuh dan UConn mengunci UM dalam transisi.

Namun saat serangan yang ditakuti dan bernilai tinggi berhasil dilakukan oleh UConn, Wolverine beralih ke serangan mereka lainnya kekuatan.

Pertahanan negara dengan peringkat tertinggi, menurut KenPompasti bermain seperti itu.

Dibayangi oleh UM yang mencetak 90 poin lebih dalam lima kemenangan turnamen NCAA sebelumnya, pertahanan menjadi sorotan dalam kemenangan 69-63 hari Senin.

Michigan menahan UConn dengan kecepatan tembakan 30,9 yang suram—termasuk 9 dari 33 di perimeter—dan memaksa 11 turnover, hari terburuk kedua bagi Huskies di March Madness. Connecticut juga mengubah 22 rebound ofensif menjadi 19 poin peluang kedua.

Dan tren krusial keunggulan di babak kedua kembali muncul.

Michigan mengungguli Howard, Saint Louis dan Alabama dengan 14 poin lebih setelah jeda selama tiga putaran pembukaan. Laju 17-6 langsung mengubur Tennessee di Elite Eight, dan lonjakan 29-15 menghancurkan impian kembalinya Arizona yang tidak terduga di semifinal Final Four.

Senin, keunggulan empat poin pada babak pertama naik menjadi 11 di belakang awal 15-8. Itu tidak memberikan hasil yang baik bagi Wolverine, namun memberi mereka jaminan penting.

UConn v Michigan

Connecticut bertahan, memangkas defisit menjadi lima poin dengan peluang untuk memotongnya lebih jauh. Aday Mara memberi umpan, dan Roddy Gayle Jr. menyerbu ke bawah, melayang di gang ke Mara dan memantapkan kapal Wolverine.

Keunggulan mereka kembali menjadi 11 poin dan tetap dalam rentang dua, tiga penguasaan bola hingga UConn mengubah kedudukan menjadi 67-63 di menit terakhir.

Sekali lagi, Maize dan Blue meningkatkan pertahanannya.

Meskipun tidak sedramatis serangan Gayle ke Mara, pertahanan yang sadar memaksa Alex Karaban ke posisi tiga yang dalam dan putus asa. Connecticut tentu saja tidak keberatan dia meluncurkan bidikannya, tapi itu bukan tampilan yang ideal.

Dua lemparan bebas dan pemberhentian terakhir kemudian, Wolverine merayakan dengan kejuaraan nasional pertama program tersebut dalam 37 tahun.

“Kebersamaan kami dalam bertahan pada akhirnya membawa kami melewati kesulitan,” kata pelatih Michigan Dusty May di lapangan sesudahnya.

Sebuah permainan yang sempurna, ternyata tidak.

Namun, tim-tim hebat selalu menemukan cara untuk menang.

Contoh paling jelas dari perjuangan ini adalah bagaimana Michigan membutuhkan waktu 27 menit, sebuah serangan tiga angka yang sangat efisien, untuk mengubur tiga angka.

Untuk pertandingan ini, Wolverine hanya melakukan 2 dari 15 percobaan jarak jauh. Mereka mengandalkan serangan dari tepi lapangan, keunggulan 36-22 yang mengesankan untuk poin dan penyelesaian 25-dari-28 yang diperlukan di garis lemparan bebas.

Berkat upaya defensif itu, itu sudah cukup.

Turnamen Bola Basket Putra NCAA – Kejuaraan – Indianapolis

Di era sekarang, sangat sulit untuk memprediksi apa yang akan terjadi selanjutnya.

Michigan ditakdirkan untuk membentuk kembali daftar pemainnya seiring dengan majunya penyerang All-American Yaxel Lendeborg ke NBA dan kemungkinan besar Aday Mara juga akan melakukannya. Morez Johnson Jr., yang diam-diam membukukan 12 poin dan 10 rebound dalam kemenangan kejuaraan, setidaknya mungkin akan mendaftar untuk draft NBA.

Kami tahu program ini akan menjadi tujuannya—ketiganya dan Elliot Cadeau, Pemain Paling Berprestasi di Final Four, adalah buktinya—jadi semoga beruntung menemukan orang-orang yang berpikir Wolverine akan kalah drastis.

Namun kini, grup berikutnya akan menghadapi tekanan yang berbeda.

Kenangan kampanye runner-up Fab Five tidak lagi harus menghantui Michigan. Bayangan Luke Hancock dan Ryan Arcidiacono melakukan rentetan tembakan mungkin tidak terlalu menyakitkan.

Sebaliknya, Wolverine adalah juara bertahan. Mereka adalah program yang akrab dengan program March Madness yang mendalam dan sekarang memahami cara menyelesaikannya.

Michigan, berkat upaya pertahanan yang tiada henti, akhirnya kembali berada di puncak dunia bola basket perguruan tinggi.

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Michigan Mengakhiri Kekeringan Gelar 37 Tahun di Slugfest Berbasis Pertahanan dengan UConn

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Apr 7, 2026
Setelah karir HBP ke-24, Willson Contreras memberi tahu Brewers bahwa dia akan mengambil tindakan lain kali

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BOSTON — Setelah pertandingan Senin malam, baseman pertama Boston Red Sox Willson Contreras, yang melakukan pukulan demi lemparan ke-24 dalam karirnya di Milwaukee, mengeluarkan peringatan kepada Brewers untuk sisa seri: Awas.

“Ini bukan hanya lemparan demi lemparan, ini adalah lemparan ke-24 yang mereka lakukan dalam karier saya — ke-24,” kata Contreras setelah kekalahan 8-6 dari Boston. “Itu keenam kalinya (Brandon Woodruff) memukul saya, dan mereka selalu berkata, 'Saya tidak mencoba memukulmu.' Itu menjadi tua. Jadi lain kali mereka memukulku lagi, aku akan menghabisi salah satu dari mereka. Itulah pesannya.”

Contreras mempunyai perseteruan yang berkepanjangan dengan Brewers sepanjang karirnyatetapi 24 lemparan demi lemparan dalam 121 pertandingan melawan Brewers adalah lemparan yang paling banyak dilakukan oleh satu tim melawan pemain aktif mana pun.

“Tidak ada seorang pun yang suka dipukul kapan pun, tapi saya mengambil pengecualian, ini yang ke-24 kalinya, itu bukan kebetulan,” kata Contreras. “Mereka pergi ke sana dengan suatu tujuan. Tidak apa-apa, itu adalah pitching. Tapi lain kali Anda memukul saya, pesannya jelas. Saya akan mengalahkan salah satu dari mereka.”

Pembuat bir DH Christian Yelich sepertinya merujuk pada sejarah itu, mengatakan kepada Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Kami telah melihat sandiwara itu selama 10 tahun terakhir. Ini bukanlah hal baru.”

Sebelum kembang api dinyalakan setelah pertandingan, mereka awalnya meledak pada inning ketiga, ketika lemparan pertama dari Woodruff menyerempet tangan Contreras. Pemain berusia 33 tahun itu langsung melemparkan tongkat pemukulnya saat ia menuju ke posisi pertama.

Brewers meminta peninjauan kembali panggilan tersebut, dan lemparannya dipastikan baru saja memotong tangan Contreras. Namun, Contreras yang marah berteriak ke arah ruang istirahat Brewers ketika manajer Alex Cora berlari keluar untuk menenangkannya.

Ketika permainan dilanjutkan, Wilyer Abreu melakukan pilihan fielder, dan Contreras meluncur dengan keras ke dalam tas, memukul baseman kedua David Hamilton dan merobek celananya. Hamilton turun sejenak saat seorang pelatih keluar. Manajer Brewers Pat Murphy menghabiskan beberapa menit di lapangan untuk berbicara dengan wasit tentang permainan tersebut.

“Saya rasa tidak ada tim lain yang memukul saya sebanyak mereka,” kata Contreras. “Dan saya tidak peduli mereka menyebutnya apa, saya tidak peduli apa kata mereka, satu-satunya hal yang saya pedulikan adalah kesehatan saya. Jika mereka tidak peduli dengan kesehatan saya, dan mereka memukul saya lagi, saya akan mencoba mengeluarkan salah satu dari mereka.”

Adik laki-laki Contreras, William, adalah penangkap Brewers dan berada di belakang plate selama insiden tersebut. Willson mengatakan itu bukanlah sesuatu yang dia bicarakan dengannya. Dalam kekalahan tersebut, Contreras mencapai base lima kali dan melakukan homer solo di set kesembilan untuk mendekatkan Red Sox.

Baseman ketiga Red Sox Caleb Durbin, mantan Brewer yang terlibat perselisihan dengan Contreras tahun lalu, menyimpulkan kepribadiannya yang berapi-api.

“Willson, dia bermain dengan jenis chip yang berbeda di bahunya daripada yang dimainkan kebanyakan orang, saya akan mengatakannya seperti itu,” kata Durbin. “Cara terbaik untuk mendeskripsikannya adalah Anda mencintainya ketika dia berada di tim Anda, dan Anda benci melawannya, jadi saya senang dia ada di sisi saya tahun ini.”

Pukulan pertama Contreras pada hari Selasa dijadwalkan melawan pemain andalan Brewers Jacob Misiorowski.



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Setelah karir HBP ke-24, Willson Contreras memberi tahu Brewers bahwa dia akan mengambil tindakan lain kali

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