Sports

UCLA routed by Wisconsin in Big Ten tournament quarterfinal

Published

12 months ago

March 14, 2025

UCLA routed by Wisconsin in Big Ten tournament quarterfinal

INDIANAPOLIS — If this was a practice test for the NCAA tournament, then UCLA left half the answers blank and smudged its fingerprints over the rest.

The best grade the Bruins could hope for, given the way they played Friday against No. 18 Wisconsin, was incomplete. That’s because they barely showed up.

They struggled to defend screens. They were slow to close out on three-pointers. Twice, when they finally did, they committed fouls leading to four-point plays.

A few days after UCLA coach Mick Cronin suggested that he was conflicted about a deep run in the Big Ten tournament, his players showed they had no such reservations. They played as if they were ready to get home and sleep in their own beds as soon as possible.

Their dreams might be strewn with visions of Wisconsin making more three-pointers after the fifth-seeded Badgers shredded the fourth-seeded Bruins from long range during an 86-70 rout in a quarterfinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Badgers (25-8) made 19 of 32 three-pointers (59.4%) in advancing to play top-seeded Michigan State in a semifinal Saturday. John Tonje was a perfect six for six from beyond the arc and nine for 10 overall in scoring 26 points.

UCLA forward William Kyle III grabs a rebound above Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee during the second half Friday.

(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

Meanwhile, the Bruins (22-10) had trouble making shots from inside or outside the arc, leaving them to contemplate where they might be seeded for the NCAA tournament. UCLA entered the day as the top No. 6 seed on Bracketmatrix.com, which aggregates NCAA tournament projections, but its prospects of staying relatively close to home might have taken a major hit.

UCLA’s five starters combined for 30 points on 27.5% shooting, with sophomore forward Eric Dailey Jr. going scoreless while missing all six shots. Sebastian Mack’s 18 points off the bench weren’t nearly enough for a team that made 32.4% of its shots and 30% of its three-pointers.

Cronin shook up his lineup to start the second half, going with reserves Mack, Trent Perry and William Kyle III alongside regulars Skyy Clark and Kobe Johnson (14 points). The Bruins rolled off seven straight points before Wisconsin countered with its second four-point play after Johnson fouled John Blackwell (18 points) on a three-pointer.

UCLA arrived here somewhat torn about its best path forward. Should the Bruins try to win the tournament and earn a protected seed in the NCAA tournament, reducing the travel burden on a team tired of cross-country trips? Or should they lose as quickly as possible so they could get home and remain rested for the only tournament that really matters?

The answer was almost immediately forthcoming.

In a sign of the pain to come for UCLA, the Wisconsin band played “Tusk” — a staple of its counterpart from USC — in a pregame trolling endeavor.

Then the Badgers began a conquest of the Bruins by making seven of their first eight three-pointers on the way to building an early 10-point lead. It would have been eight of nine had a three-pointer by Xavier Amos not rolled off the rim after looking like it was going to go down.

On one play, Mack stumbled out of position while trying to defend Tonje beyond the arc. After regaining his footing, Mack scrambled back toward Tonje, only to commit a foul that led to a four-point play.

A deep dive into the record books was necessary after the Badgers made 12 of 19 three-pointers (63.2%) on the way to building a 48-29 halftime lead. That was better than the 50% Wisconsin shot from long range when these teams first met nearly two months ago.

Wisconsin had awoken a sleeping giant on UCLA’s roster that late January day at Pauley Pavilion. Dominating the Badgers in a breakthrough performance, sophomore center Aday Mara made all seven shots on the way to a career-high 22 points in what at the time was a season-high 21 minutes.

Mack was equally irritating to Wisconsin in that meeting, scoring 15 of his 19 points in just a touch over the game’s last 10 minutes on an array of drives toward the basket. The Bruins gave up 83 points and won, a first for the team under defensive-minded Cronin during his six seasons in Westwood.

None of those trends held up 2½ months later halfway across the country. Mara threw down a couple of pretty lobs but had just four points in 11 quiet minutes. Mack’s barrage of points came with his team already down big. And the Bruins gave up even more points in a blowout loss.

If ever there was a wakeup call going into the NCAA tournament, it just left the Bruins’ ears ringing.

Sports

Anthony Richardson free to seek trade after injury setbacks amid Colts’ shift to Daniel Jones

Published

9 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Anthony Richardson free to seek trade after injury setbacks amid Colts’ shift to Daniel Jones

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Anthony Richardson Sr.’s future in Indianapolis faces more uncertainty than ever.

The Indianapolis Colts granted Anthony Richardson, the team that used the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on the quarterback, permission to explore a trade. His agent, Deiric Jackson, confirmed the latest development in the 23-year-old’s tumultuous career to ESPN on Thursday.

Veteran quarterback Daniel Jones beat out Richardson in a preseason competition for the starting job. Jones made the most of another opportunity as an NFL starter, helping the Colts win eight of their first 10 games of the 2025 regular season.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson heads off the field after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

However, his season was ultimately derailed by an Achilles injury. The setback came two years after he tore an ACL with the New York Giants. The Colts appear ready to move forward with Jones, clouding Richardson’s future in Indianapolis.

Jones is set to become a free agent in March, meaning the Colts must either use the franchise tag or sign him to a new deal. Richardson has started just 15 games in three seasons with the Colts, his tenure largely shaped by injuries.

A shoulder surgery limited Richardson to four games during his rookie campaign, while a series of setbacks cost him four games in 2024.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) looks for an open receiver during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)

Richardson suffered what was described as a “freak pregame incident” during warmups last season, landing him on injured reserve after attempting just two passes in two games in 2025. He has thrown 11 touchdowns against 13 interceptions in his NFL career.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday that the vision problems stemming from Richardson’s orbital fracture last October are “trending in the right direction.” He added that Richardson has been “cleared to play.”

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

Riley Leonard, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is expected to return to the Colts next season.

When asked about Richardson’s standing with the Colts moving ahead, Ballard replied, “I still believe in Anthony.”

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

Sports

Prep talk: Freshman golfer William Hudson of St. John Bosco wins Servite Invitational

Published

9 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Prep talk: Freshman golfer William Hudson of St. John Bosco wins Servite Invitational

William Hudson, a 14-year-old freshman golfer, shot 71 on Monday at Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills to win the Servite Invitational.

“It was very important to me and my school,” Hudson said.

Some think it’s the first time a St. John Bosco student won an invitational title.

Hudson is a straight-A student who picked up his first golf club when he was 3. He has a daily routine involving practicing at 6 a.m. before heading to school. He’s also enrolled in a school entrepreneur program that involves taking classes at a junior college that will qualify for college credits.

“They are long days, but I get through it,” Hudson said.

He comes from a family that enjoys golf. His great-grandfather played until his death at 98 last year.

“I love how it can take me to interesting places and meet interesting people,” Hudson said. “I can play for the rest of my life. It’s a lifelong sport.”

It’s looking like another strong year for golfers in Southern California, with several individual champions returning, including Jaden Soong of St. Francis and Grant Leary of Crespi.

Now Hudson has thrust himself into the conversation.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Sports

Dashcam video shows former WWE executive Vince McMahon rear-ending vehicle on Connecticut highway

Published

21 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Dashcam video shows former WWE executive Vince McMahon rear-ending vehicle on Connecticut highway

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Police have released new video showing former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon speeding before crashing his 2024 Bentley Continental GT into another luxury car on a Connecticut highway last summer.

McMahon appeared to be followed by a state trooper in Westport moments ahead of the eventual collision. McMahon’s vehicle reached speeds of more than 100 mph, state police said.

A trooper’s dashcam video showed McMahon accelerating and then braking too late to avoid rear-ending a BMW. The car McMahon was driving then swerved into a guardrail and careened back across the highway. A cloud of dirt, apparently mixed with vehicle debris, was visible in the immediate area of the crash.

WWE owner Vince McMahon enters the arena during WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium on Apr 3, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Joe Camporeale/USA Today Sports)

“Why were you driving all over 100 mph?” a state trooper asked McMahon after catching up to the wrecked Bentley.

“I got my granddaughter’s birthday,” McMahon replied, explaining he was on his way to see her. The encounter was recorded on police bodycam video.

No serious injuries were reported in the July 24 crash, which happened the same day former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan died of a heart attack in Florida.

In an image taken from Connecticut State Police police bodycam video, Vince McMahon is questioned in his car after an accident on July 24, 2025, in Westport, Connecticut. (Connecticut State Police via The Associated Press)

Aside from the damage to the rear of the BMW, another vehicle driving on the opposite side of the parkway was struck by flying debris. The driver of that third car happened to be wearing a WWE shirt, police video suggested.

McMahon was cited for reckless driving and following too closely. In October, a state judge allowed him to enter a pretrial probation program that could erase the charges if he completes it successfully.

He was also ordered to make a $1,000 charitable contribution. His attorney, Mark Sherman, called the crash simply an “accident.”

“Not every car accident is a crime,” Sherman said. “Vince’s primary concern during this case was for the other drivers and is appreciative that the court saw this more of an accident than a crime that needed to be prosecuted.”

Vince McMahon attends a press conference to announce that WWE Wrestlemania 29 will be held at MetLife Stadium in 2013 at MetLife Stadium on Feb. 16, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Michael N. Todaro/Getty Images)

State police said a trooper was trying to catch up to McMahon on the parkway and clock his speed before pulling him over. They said the incident was not a pursuit, which happens when police chase someone trying to flee officers. They also said it did not appear McMahon was trying to escape.

“I’m trying to catch up to you, and you keep taking off,” State Police Det. Maxwell Robins said in the video.

“No, no no. I’m not trying to outrun you,” McMahon clarified.

An accident information summary provided to the media shortly after the crash did not mention that a trooper was following McMahon.

The trooper’s bodycam video also shows him asking McMahon whether he was looking at his phone when the crash happened. McMahon said he was not and added he hadn’t driven his car in a long time.

After Robins tells McMahon that his car is fast, McMahon replies, “Yeah, too (expletive) fast.”

Fox News Digital submitted a public records request to obtain the police video, which was first acquired by The Sun.

McMahon stepped down as WWE’s CEO in 2022 amid a company investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He also resigned as executive chairman of the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE, in 2024, a day after a former WWE employee filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against him. McMahon has denied the allegations. The lawsuit remains pending.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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