Texas
Texas basketball coach laments transfer portal after Iowa State mass exodus
UCLA players share what makes Audi Crooks a special player
Players from UCLA are asked about Audi Crooks after she enters the transfer portal and what makes her a special player.
Sports Seriously
PHOENIX ― Texas women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer could barely speak when he was recently asked about Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly and the mass exodus he’s experiencing with his program.
On Thursday, Cyclones center Audi Crooks announced her intention to enter the transfer portal. Crooks’ departure marked the 10th Iowa State player to reveal they will be leaving the team to pursue other options. A large number of players switching teams isn’t uncommon in the transfer portal era, but Fennelly’s program has been hit particularly hard in recent days.
When Schaefer was asked about what Fennelly is experiencing from a coach’s perspective, he paused, shaking his head and rubbing his hands together, deep in thought and visibly emotional. Eventually, he gave a heartfelt response to on-site media in the room ahead of Texas’ Final Four matchup on Friday against UCLA (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
“I mean, you’re talking about somebody that’s literally given his life to this game. It is hard. I’m obviously friends with Bill. His whole family has given so much to this game, to so many young women,” said Schaefer.
“It’s just not the same. It’s just not the same job it was five years ago, certainly not what it was 10, 15, 20 years ago. It’s just way different. … There was a thing called the dinosaur a while ago. What happened to them? They couldn’t figure it out. What happened? They became extinct. We better figure it out, or we’re going to become extinct. That’s just the way it is.”
Ultimately, Schaefer later admitted that he was saddened by what was happening to Fennelly.
“I’m so disheartened and disappointed, especially for him, because I know what he’s given to this game his whole life,” Schaefer said.
Fennelly released a statement on Thursday, sharing how much college basketball has changed and reassuring fans that Iowa State would move forward.
“It goes without saying that college sports have undergone tremendous change the past few years, and our program has obviously been impacted by the current landscape this spring. While I am sad and disappointed that some of our players have chosen to pursue other opportunities, I want to thank them for their time at Iowa State and wish them all the best as they move on,” Fennelly said.
“I look forward with enthusiasm to next season and promise you, we will have a team that represents all of you the Iowa State way.”
A day off at the pool — and a little sunburn — didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins’ momentum.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins went on to complete a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday.
Minnesota has won four games in a row and scored 25 runs in the three-games series in Texas. The two teams had a rare, mid-series day off on Wednesday with the England-Croatia World Cup game being played in Arlington.
“We’re locked in every day,” Lee told Audra Martin on the team’s broadcast. “Yesterday, taking time off, lay out by the pool, get a little burnt and then right back to it. We did a good job getting focused. I feel like we do that with rain delays, too, just lock back in and we’re doing it.”
Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to straightaway center that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna. Larnach’s third hit was an RBI single in the fifth, and Ryan Kriedler hit a two-run homer in the eighth.
Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven but needed 97 pitches to get through five scoreless innings while allowing three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth, and has given up 17 runs while losing three starts in a row.
The Twins never trailed in the sweep that extended their winning streak to four, matching their longest this season. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any American League opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.
Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have lost five of six games. They are 0-15 when giving up multiple runs in the first inning.
Twins DH Josh Bell, who was born in nearby Irving and grew up in the area, had an RBI single before Lee’s homer. Bell hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the series-opening 4-2 win Monday, and had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the first of a 12-2 win on Tuesday.
“We’re just passing the baton each time,” Lee said of the offensive output. “Our guys are hot. They feel good and they came out swinging today. It was awesome to see. We’ve done that for a while now.”
Up next
Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26 ERA) starts Friday at Arizona. The Diamondbacks are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11).
Watch CBS News
A Texas state trooper was killed in a crash in the Panhandle, becoming the 244th Texas Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, according to the agency.
Sergio Romero, 27, died Wednesday after a semi-truck pulled in front of him as he attempted a traffic stop around 4 p.m. on U.S. 287 in Childress County, DPS said.
In a statement, Col. Freeman F. Martin praised Romero’s courage, integrity, and service.
“Today, we grieve the loss of one of our own,” Martin said. “… Our hearts break alongside his family, friends, fellow troopers, and all who loved him. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service of his fellow Texans.”
Romero previously served with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office before joining DPS as part of Class B-2025 in Childress, the agency said.
He is survived by his wife, Francisca, and their two young sons.
Funeral arrangements are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
-
Louisiana4 minutes agoGov. Landry declares state of emergency after flooding, severe weather across Louisiana
-
Maine7 minutes agoImportant things to know about the Maine boys lacrosse state finals
-
Maryland12 minutes agoUniversity of Maryland football player arrested for harassment
-
Michigan19 minutes agoMichigan Department of Corrections to launch L.E.A.D. Academy program this fall
-
Massachusetts21 minutes agoTwo men indicted for Hinsdale robbery after ‘cigarette trail’ leads through Vermont, Massachusetts
-
Minnesota26 minutes agoMinnesota cannabis store owners lament testing backlog: “It’s getting frustrating for everyone involved”
-
Mississippi34 minutes agoMississippi veterans urged to seek PTSD help during Awareness Month
-
Missouri37 minutes agoMissouri judge strikes down nearly all state abortion regulations
