Michigan
Michigan Panthers vs. D.C. Defenders: What time, TV channel is Week 7 of the UFL on?
Michigan Panthers (4-2) vs. D.C. Defenders (3-3)
Kickoff: Noon Sunday.
Where: Audi Field in Washington.
TV: ESPN.
Streaming: Check out the Michigan Panthers on Fubo (free trial).
THE JAKE BATES SHOW: Bates hits another game-winning field goal in Michigan Panthers’ 28-27 win
BOX SCORE
Game notes: The Michigan Panthers can virtually clinch a United Football League playoff berth — and the franchise’s first .500-or-better record in three seasons — with a victory today. Memphis’ loss Saturday afternoon eliminated the 1-6 Showboats, and 1-5 Houston faces 4-2 San Antonio this afternoon at 3 p.m.. D.C.’s playoff hopes are on the edge, as they enter the day trailing St. Louis (which won Saturday) by 2½ games and San Antonio by a game with three weeks to play after today.
This should be a good matchup for the Panthers, who entered the weekend with the No. 2 rushing offense in the league, averaging 108.2 yards a game on the ground. The Defenders, meanwhile, are doing anything but; D.C., led by notorious ex-NFL defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, is next-to-last in stopping the run, at 112.5 yards a game, and stopping the pass, at 200.7 yards a game.
The Panthers have won two straight with backup QB Danny Etling under center; the former Purdue and LSU standout is completing 63.1% of his passes for 482 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Etling might not get the start vs. the Defenders however, with reports suggesting former Michigan State QB Brian Lewerke is now atop the Michigan depth chart. The Panthers’ top target has been the do-everything Marcus Simms, who has 19 catches for 385 yards — No. 2 in the league — and three touchdowns while also delivering seven kickoff returns for 201 yards; he’s fifth in all-purpose yards.
There’s also likely to be a shuffle among the Panthers defenders, with star linebacker Frank Ginda — last season’s USFL Defensive Player of the Year — potentially out for the season. Ginda was tied (with Kai Nacua) for the team lead in tackles with 35 (21 solo).
D.C., meanwhile, features former Lions practice squadder — they’re all over the place — Jordan Ta’amu at quarterback. The former Ole Miss star — and the XFL’s Offensive Player of the Year last season — is completing just 53.6% of his passes, but is third in yards (1,067) and second in TDs (eight). He’ll be looking for Kelvin Harmon, who has 338 receiving yard on 25 catches — more than twice as many as any other Defenders option.
After today, the Panthers return home for their Ford Field finale against the Showboats at 4 p.m. Saturday. (They wrap up the season with a visit to Houston on May 26 and a stop in Birmingham, Alabama, on June 1.) The Defenders, meanwhile, hit the road for two weeks — first at St. Louisin May 19 and Memphis on May 26 — before closing things out at home against Arlington.
Contact Ryan Ford at rford@freepress.com. Follow him on X (which used to be Twitter, y’know?) @theford.
Michigan
Trey McKenney to return to Michigan Basketball next season, per report
In the middle of what’s been an incredible season for the Michigan men’s basketball team, Dusty May and the program are now confirmed to be bringing back a big contributor for next season. According to a report from Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, freshman guard Trey McKenney is set to be back with the Wolverines next year.
“We’re going to have a really talented team next year,” McKenney told Garcia. “I came in with a role this year and I think my role would definitely expand next year, so I’m definitely looking forward to coming back.”
McKenney joined the program this offseason as a prized five-star recruit in the Wolverines’ 2025 recruiting class. So far he’s lived up to the billing, coming off the bench to average 9.7 points per game, but shooting an impressive 38.5 percent from three-point range this year. He has already asserted himself as one of the team’s best shooters.
In addition to his offensive game, he’s gotten after it on the defensive end as well and has been regularly on the floor to close games this season. We’ve seen McKenney’s role slowly grow, especially in the absence of fellow guard L.J. Cason, who has missed the last month and is set to miss all of next season with an ACL tear.
By cementing his status with the program, McKenney is a great foundation for what the team hopes to build next season. He’ll likely step into a starting role as the Michigan’s shooting guard, while May and company also look to get players like Elliot Cadeau, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara back in the fold.
Michigan will get a shot to fill out the rest of its roster when the transfer portal opens up on April 7, just one day after the National Championship.
For now though, McKenney and the Wolverines will focus on punching their ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 2018 by defeating Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.
Michigan
Michigan women’s basketball vs. Louisville in Sweet 16: Time, TV, stream
When the Sweet 16 continues on Saturday during the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan women’s basketball (27-6) will continue its climb to reach the Final Four for the first time.
The Wolverines, who earned the No. 2 seed in the Fort Worth 3 Region, are playing in the program’s third Sweet 16 under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.
“We committed to Michigan to do this, and we committed to Coach Arico to do it for her and for each other,” Michigan guard Olivia Olson said. “We’re accomplishing the goals we set out to, and we’re not done yet. So we’re going to keep having fun with it and keep preparing.”
Michigan will take on No. 3 Louisville Cardinals (29-7) at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
“This is my first time going to the Sweet 16, all of our first times, so I think the feeling of, we’re still dancing, we’re still playing basketball, it’s a great feeling,” Louisville guard Taj Roberts said.
The winner from Saturday’s matchup will play in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 30, for the right to advance to the Final Four.
What time is Michigan vs. Louisville?
- Date: Saturday, March 28
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)
The Michigan Wolverines will play the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Michigan vs. Louisville: TV, streaming
Michigan
Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land
The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.
See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here
Morez Johnson Jr. player profile
(all stats as of March 15)
- Position: Forward-Center
- Current Team: Michigan
- 13.1 points per game
- 7.2 rebounds per game
- 1.1 assists per game
- 62.8% field goal percentage
- 37.9% three-point field goal percentage
Los Angeles Lakers 2026 projected draft picks
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