Texas women's basketball team went from 'soft' back to the Final Four

FORT WORTH, TX ― Six weeks ago,Texas coach Vic Schaefercalled his team "soft." On Monday, Schaefer called theLonghorns"Texas tough" before cutting down the nets after a77-41 win over Michiganin the Elite Eight.

On February 12,Schaefer openly questioned the "heart" of Texas's playersafter a brutal 86-70 loss to Vanderbilt. The Longhorns found themselves down by as many as 27 points against the Commodores during a rough shooting night. Texas shot 38% from the field, and its usual perimeter production disappeared. The Longhorns made three shots from beyond the arc to the Commodores' nine.

"We had no heart tonight. We had no toughness. No competitive spirit. We're soft. We were whining. Complaining, but no toughness. So you know what? I've been doing this a while. I bet I'll fix it," Schaefer said at the time.

True to his word, the Longhorns coach did fix whatever was plaguing his roster. Texas has 12 consecutive victories since its coach publicly called the team out, including a massive win over the Wolverines to punch itsticket to the Final Fourfor the second straight year.

The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness Second Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the2026 NCAA Women's March MadnessSecond Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

"That next day in practice, really, it's been different ever since, and it started with Madison (Booker) and her voice. She was very vocal that day. Rori (Harmon) was helping a little, but Madison was way different," Schaefer said.

Advertisement

"How they've responded is exactly what I thought they'd do. I mean, these kids, they have been nothing but tough. They have been nothing but competitive since that day. They have answered the bell every night, and I think that speaks volumes about who they are, what they're about, and I couldn't be more proud of them."

Schaefer and Texas will now go onto Phoenix with the hopes of winning the program'sfirst championship in 40 years. On Friday, the Longhorns will begin their Final Four journey with a rematch against the UCLA Bruins, whom they beat in November, 76-65. Texas will be ready, and according toMadison Booker, her coach won't have to worry about the Longhorns being "soft" anymore.

"We never want to hear our head coach say that about the team he recruited because we're so much better than that," Booker said.

"You know, like we told him ... We say we have heart, and I think after that game we kind of turned it around. You know, I hope he sees we have heart now. That will never happen again. I think we will never play that bad or make sure we won't play that bad, but yeah, that was just the mindset from us (from that day forward)."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Texas women's basketball got tough just in time for Final Four run

byAdministrator

in

23:06

Texas women's basketball team went from 'soft' back to the Final Four

FORT WORTH, TX ― Six weeks ago,Texas coach Vic Schaefercalled his team "soft." On Monday, Schaefer called theLo...

Read More

Giants defeat Padres for Tony Vitello's first win as manager

TheSan Francisco Giantsended their winless streak to start the 2026 season, collecting their first win in the Tony Vitello era after defeating theSan Diego Padres,3-2, on March 30.

Under Vitello — joined the Giants as manager in October 2025 — San Francisco had dropped all three of its games in the season-opening series against theNew York Yankees. The Giants went on the road to face the Padres, their NL West divisional rivals, where they got their first victory of the season.

Harrison Bader opened the scoring in the third inning with a 408-foot bomb over left field. The Giants added a couple of runs in the fourth inning by methodically filling the bases, something they hardly did in their series against the Yankees.

San Francisco went up 3-0 in the fourth inning. Patrick Bailey singled to left, which allowed Matt Chapman to cross home plate, as Jung Hoo Lee went to second. Another run shortly followed after Casey Schmitt hit an RBI single to left field that allowed Lee to score.

"The first one's huge," Bader told NBC Sports Bay Area. "Just a matter of going out there and, you know, continuing to process, you know, throwing strikes, taking care of the baseball, getting your swing off as a hitter. You do that, I think good thing happens in the lineup. It felt good to kind of get that off out of the way. Just a good team win."

Advertisement

Green Cathedrals: Photo journey through all 30 MLB stadiums

San Diego finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth inning, when Jackson Merrill hit a two-run home run to right field that scored Jake Cronenworth. However, the Giants got the next batter, Xander Bogaerts, to ground out to shortstop to end the game.

Vitello was doused in beer to celebrate the first major-league win of his career.

"Yeah, it's hard to comprehend, because I got the same disease as every other coach. You're kind of you want the proper guys to get their props. That got it done tonight, which really it was a lot of guys, especially if you include defense," Vitello told reporters after the game.

He added: "Also look ahead in the next game, is an opportunity to win a series down here and continue things in the right direction. So probably soak in getting back to the hotel. But yeah, pretty special looking around the room, whether it's in the office, in the dugout or in the lock, some of these guys have been slower to come out of their shell with me, but it's little moments like that, or breaking camp or opening day where I think, you know, the bond grows a little bit, which, you know, at the end of the day, we want to be a strong unit right now."

Vitello believes that the team will continue grow as a unit as the season wears on. The Giants face the Padres again onMarch 31at Petco Park, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Giants get first win of Tony Vitello era vs. San Diego Padres

byAdministrator

in

23:06

Giants defeat Padres for Tony Vitello's first win as manager

TheSan Francisco Giantsended their winless streak to start the 2026 season, collecting their first win in the Tony Vitell...

Read More

LeBron James triple-double leads Luka Doncic-less Lakers to win over Wizards

The red-hotLos Angeles Lakersbarely skipped a beat without the presence of Luka Doncic. LeBron James made sure of it.

With Doncic out of the lineup Monday to servehis one-game suspensionafterreceiving his 16th technical foulof the season against theBrooklyn Netson March 27, James powered the Lakers to a120-101win over theWashington Wizardsbehind his 21-point triple-double at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, March 30.

James had 12 assists and 10 rebounds to go along with his 20-ball, and LA clicked offensively with six players scoring in double figures. Austin Reaves, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes each put up 19 points — with Reaves adding nine assists — while Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton scored 14 and 12, respectively as the Lakers cruised to their third straight victory and their 15th in their last 17 games.

It was also the 1,228th win of James' career, including playoffs, tying yet another Kareem Abdul-Jabbar record for most all-time.

Advertisement

"He's very praiseworthy," head coach JJ Redick told reporters postgame. "I don't know what else to say about him. At this point. I've tried to give every version of the same soliloquy on his longevity."

The one thing the Lakers didn't do on Monday was clinch a playoff spot or the Pacific Division, which they entered the day with an opportunity to do. LA took care of their end with a win over Washington, but they also needed a loss by thePhoenix Suns, who pulled away from theMemphis Grizzliesin fourth quarter for a131-105win.

The Lakers host theCleveland CavaliersonTuesday, March 31, when they'll have a shot to win 50 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:LeBron James' triple-double leads Lakers to win without Luka Doncic

byAdministrator

in

23:06

LeBron James triple-double leads Luka Doncic-less Lakers to win over Wizards

The red-hotLos Angeles Lakersbarely skipped a beat without the presence of Luka Doncic. LeBron James made sure of it. ...

Read More

Why the nation trying to broker US-Iran peace talks risks being drawn into the conflict

In the month since the US and Israel began their aerialbombing campaign of Iran, thousands of people have been killed across at least nine countries in a rapidly escalating conflict that is costing economies billions of dollars a day. The world is facing a globalenergy crisis.

But the scale of this war could get much, much worse.

Iran has fired salvos of drones and missiles at Saudi Arabia, as well as fellow Gulf Cooperation Council members Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Yet, so far, none of these countries have retaliated against Tehran.

"Saudi Arabia has been very patient," said retired Lieutenant General Muhammad Saeed, formerly the second highest officer in the Pakistan Army.

"If the Saudis retaliate militarily, it won't be the Saudis alone," Saeed continued. "That would then put the entire region into flames."

Saudi Arabia's direct involvement in the war would have implications that go far beyond fellow Arab countries in the Gulf.

In 2025, Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense agreement with Pakistan.

During a meeting with the Saudi foreign minister in Islamabad on Sunday, Pakistan's prime minister thanked his ally for its "remarkable restraint."

He also assured the Saudi diplomat that "Pakistan would always stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia."

The implication is, if the Islamic Republic of Iran pushes Saudi Arabia too far, it could end up forcing its nuclear-armed neighbor Pakistan to come to Riyadh's defense.

The Pakistani leadership isn't exactly spoiling for a fight.

It has been less than a year since arch-rivals India and Pakistan fought a 4-day air-and-missile war against each other. And the Pakistani military has been engaged in cross-border skirmishes with the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan for months.

Pakistan has tremendous incentive to help de-escalate the conflict. And after launching drones and missiles at so many of its neighbors, Iran has very few friends left in the region.

"The least problematic relationship [Iran] has in its strategic environment is Pakistan," says Kamran Bokhari, Senior Resident Fellow with the Middle East Policy Council in Washington.

"There is no other channel."

The recognition that the current conflict will only lead to further "death and destruction," in the words of Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, is what prompted the top diplomats from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt to meet him for crisis talks in the Pakistani capital on Sunday.

Advertisement

After those discussions, Dar argued that some kind of US-Iran peace talks hosted by Pakistan were on the table.

"Both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate the talks," Dar said, adding that such a meeting could be possible "in coming days."

In his statement on Sunday, Dar also cited a recent call with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"China fully supports Pakistan's initiative to host Iran-US talks," Dar said.

The Pakistani diplomat is scheduled to fly to China on Tuesday for talks, despite suffering a hairline shoulder fracture in a fall during his meeting with the Egyptian delegation.

But Pakistan's crisis diplomacy faces graver challenges.

Last weekend, Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen entered the fray, firing missiles for the first time in this round of hostilities at Israel, further expanding the regional war.

Meanwhile, the US is deploying thousands of troops to the Middle East, raising the specter of possible ground operations against Iran.

And there are voices inside Iran, vowing to continue the fight for an extended period.

"This is our war, and we will not stop defending until we teach Trump and Netanyahu a historic lesson," asenior Iranian security officialtold CNN's Fred Pleitgen.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that Iran did not participate in any recent meetings organized by Pakistan with regional countries, saying they take the form of a framework not agreed upon by Iran.

"The meetings that Pakistan holds with neighboring countries are within a framework they have designed themselves, and we have not participated in this framework," he said.

According to the spokesperson, while the US has conveyed requests for negotiations and proposals through intermediaries, including Pakistan, Iran's current priority is defending itself against ongoing attacks. "Right now, under conditions in which America's military aggression and assault continue intensely, certainly all our efforts, all our capacity, are devoted to defending ourselves," the spokesperson said.

The situation is incredibly fluid and dangerous. Both the Trump Administration and the Islamic Republic of Iran are declaring victory, while simultaneously firing tons of deadly munitions at each other.

But even the warring parties in this conflict have demonstrated moments of restraint.

The risk that this war could expand far further is all too real.

CNN's Sophia Saifi contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byAdministrator

in

22:34

Why the nation trying to broker US-Iran peace talks risks being drawn into the conflict

In the month since the US and Israel began their aerialbombing campaign of Iran, thousands of people have been killed acr...

Read More

Mongolia names new prime minister in bid to end legislative deadlock

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — Mongolia's parliament has confirmed Uchral Nyam-Osor as the third prime minister in a year in a bid to end a deadlock in the legislature at a time of mounting economic pressures for thelandlocked, resource-dependent country.

Mongolia Politics

Uchral called for political unity, saying internal disputes have compounded external challenges.

"As others unite to confront crises, we cannot afford political infighting that weakens our economy," he told lawmakers.

A total of 107 ofthe body's 126 lawmakersvoted Monday night, with 88 supporting Uchral — or 82.2% — clearing the way for the 39-year-old leader to take office.

Uchral is a former minister of digital development and communications, where he promoted transparency reforms and digital governance initiatives. Before entering politics, Uchral got public attention as a hip-hop artist under the stage name "Timon."

Advertisement

He has positioned himself as a reform-minded leader focused on modernizing Mongolia's regulatory environment, including streamlining the permitting systems inherited from the country's Soviet-era. Mongoliatransitioned to democracyin 1990 after decades of one-party Communist rule.

His appointment comes amid renewed concern among foreign investors over Mongolia's political instability, frequent policy changes and reputation for corruption and regulatory unpredictability.

Uchral was seen as a compromise between factions in the Mongolian People's Party loyal to the president and others loyal to a former prime minister, Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai.

A boycott by the opposition Democratic Party and the infighting in the ruling party had left the parliament without the required number of members to hold votes in the session that began about two weeks ago.

Outgoing Prime MinisterZandanshatar Gombojav, who had taken office nine months ago,submitted his resignationFriday to resolve the crisis. He was also under pressure because one of his senior ministers faced corruption allegations.

Zandanshatar, who is close to the president, had replaced Oyun-Erdene, who was prime minister for four years beforeresigning last Juneafter losing a vote of confidence in parliament. All three prime ministers are from the Mongolian People's Party.

byAdministrator

in

22:34

Mongolia names new prime minister in bid to end legislative deadlock

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — Mongolia's parliament has confirmed Uchral Nyam-Osor as the third prime minister in a ye...

Read More