Sports
Dickie V: Preseason’s All-Rolls Royce Teams and Diaper Dandies
Here we go, baby! Buckle up, hoops nation, it’s time for Dickie V’s 2025-26 preseason All-Rolls Royce teams — and my list of star-studded Diaper Dandies. We’re talking Prime-Time Players (PTPers) are ready to light up the scoreboard and make this season one for the ages.
You know me. I don’t hand out Rolls Royce honors to just any player, unless he’s the kind to make you stand up and say, “Are you serious, baby?!”
So, let’s tip it off with the best of the best!
First Team
PJ Haggerty, Kansas State Wildcats: The transfer express finally lands in Manhattan, Kansas, and boy, oh boy, Jerome Tang’s got himself a big-time baller and scoring machine. Haggerty’s dropped 21 points a night the past two years — and, by the way, set an American Conference tourney record with 42 points in a game. But he’s not just a scorer, he’s also a playmaker and a defender. He’s a legit Rolls Royce PTPer.
Braden Smith, Purdue Boilermakers: The maestro, the conductor, the Diaper Dandy-turned-veteran PTPer. The Bob Cousy Award winner led the entire nation last season in assists. He’s the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, a first-team All-American, and when you’re breaking conference records for dimes, you’re the Rolls Royce of point guards. He’s Purdue’s straw that stirs the drink.
JT Toppin, Texas Tech Red Raiders: Double-double deluxe, baby! This young man was named the Big 12’s Player of the Year, recording 19 double-doubles last season. He gets it done with muscle, hustle and heart. You talk about toughness? Toppin is Mr. Reliable down low — a Rolls Royce Red Raider.
Graham Ike, Gonzaga Bulldogs: The postman always delivers. He’s been putting up steady double figures his whole career, and with nearly 60% shooting, he’s money on the block.
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa Hawkeyes: From Division II Northwest Missouri State to Drake to the big stage in Iowa City, what a Cinderella story. He’s a scoring guard with clutch DNA. Last year? Over 600 points, 200 assists, 70 steals. Nobody in Mountain Valley Conference history ever did that before him. Now he’s ready to show the Big Ten he’s prime-time material.
Second Team
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue Boilermakers: Ohhh, he’s a scoring dynamo. Averaged 20 points, six boards, two assists, and shot almost 60% from the floor. Are you kidding me? He’s a scoring machine in the paint, baby. Matt Painter’s paint crew is alive and well with TKR running the show up front.
Donovan Dent, UCLA Bruins: The only player in America last year to average 20+ points and 6+ assists, he’s flashy, he’s quick — and now he’s headed to Westwood after three seasons at New Mexico to run the show for Mick Cronin. The Bruins got a baller.
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern Wildcats: Martinelli led the Big Ten in scoring and set a school record last season. The kid’s got touch, toughness and talent. He’s the Wildcats’ scoring Rolls Royce.
Emanuel Sharp, Houston Cougars: Clutch city, baby! Big 12 tourney MVP, NCAA tournament’s Midwest Regional MOP, a Final Four star. He can knock it down from deep and from the stripe. He’s ice, baby!
Otega Oweh, Kentucky Wildcats: Big Blue Nation loves this guy. He’s strong, explosive and clutch. He hit not one, but TWO game-winners last year. He’s the Wildcats’ Rolls Royce slasher.
Diaper Dandies
These are the freshmen phenoms, the future lottery picks, the “wow” factor kids who are ready to dazzle from day one.
Darryn Peterson, Kansas Jayhawks: Naismith HS POY, can score, rebound, pass, defend. Bill Self’s got himself a big-time winner in Peterson, who is a future top-3 draft pick.
A.J. Dybantsa, BYU Cougars: The No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, Dybantsa is 6-foot-9 with handles, athleticism and an MVP performance at the FIBA Men’s U19 World Cup. He’s a projected No. 1 overall draft pick.
Cameron Boozer, Duke Blue Devils: The son of Duke superstar Carlos Boozer, but this kid’s carving his own legend. He’s also a two-time Gatorade National POY, a double-double machine and a guaranteed Blue Devil Rolls Royce.
Nate Ament, Tennessee Volunteers: At 6-11 with guard skills, Ament is versatile and ready to shine in Knoxville. A shot-blocking, rim-rocking Diaper Dandy.
Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville Cardinals: A floor general deluxe. He’s got deep range, big-time vision and the confidence of a veteran. He’s going to be the man at Louisville.
Darius Acuff, Arkansas Razorbacks: Lightning quick, explosive and clutch. He’s got that Iverson flair and Razorback fire, baby. Diaper Dandy alert in Fayetteville!
College hoops fans, I’ve been blessed to share my passion for this great game with you for decades. You are the heartbeat of college basketball. Your love, energy and enthusiasm fuel everything I do. As we gear up for another unforgettable season, I want to say, from the bottom of my heart: thank you for supporting me, supporting the game and being part of my hoops family.
It’s going to be special, it’s going to be sensational, it’s going to be Awesome, baby, with a capital A!
Sports
Dolphins’ Darren Waller says he was kicked out of exit meeting with coach Mike McDaniel before firing
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The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel last week, and Darren Waller almost found himself right in the thick of it.
“I was at the scene of the crime, bro. I think I was the last person to see him before he got fired,” the Dolphins tight end said in a recent appearance on Johnny Manziel’s podcast.
Waller said he was in his exit interview with McDaniel discussing possibilities for the 2026 season before owner Stephen Ross “kicked the door open” roughly 10 minutes into their discussion.
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Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (83) catches the ball in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
“He comes in and, like, joins the conversation,” Waller said. “We’re just all talking, reflecting on the year, and Stephen Ross was like, ‘Love to have you back next year.’ Then the conversation kind of just hits a lull.”
Waller said Ross was then giving him a specific look, which Manziel understood.
“It’s time for you to get the hell out,” Manziel said laughing.
“I looked at Mike, and he said we’d finish the conversation later … I go out of the meeting, get a massage, check my phone and see he was fired. I’m like, ‘This s— is cold.’”
Ross cited a need for “comprehensive change” after the team missed the playoffs for a second straight year with a 7-10 finish this season.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel runs to the locker room after the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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The Dolphins made back-to-back playoff appearances in McDaniel’s first two seasons as head coach but were eliminated both times in the first round. The following season, they were eliminated after suffering an unexpected loss to the New York Jets in the team’s season finale.
McDaniel’s final season in Miami was tumultuous, highlighted by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s struggles and his eventual benching in the final three games of the season.
As one of his last major moves as head coach, McDaniel said this week that the Dolphins would hold a quarterback competition for the 2026 season, a decision Tagovailoa seemed to welcome this week when he confirmed he was open to a “fresh start” somewhere else.
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel address reporters. (HAL HABIB / The Palm Beach Post / USA TODAY NETWORK)
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In addition to replacing their head coach and finding a reliable candidate for the quarterback position, the Dolphins will be looking for longtime general manager Chris Grier’s replacement after he was fired mid-season.
Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.
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The New York Mets have reportedly made a big addition to their lineup.
The Mets and Bo Bichette are in agreement on a three-year, $126 million contract on Friday, according to multiple reports. After falling short in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, who reportedly signed a whopping four-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mets pivoted to Bichette.
The deal includes opt-outs after both the first and second seasons of the contract, according to multiple reports.
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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Bo Bichette (11) runs after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning during Game 7 of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. The game was played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 1, 2025. (John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images)
Bichette, 27, had a good season for the Toronto Blue Jays last season, hitting .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBI in 135 games. He sustained a knee injury in September during a collision at home plate and missed the remainder of the regular season, the ALDS and ALCS.
He returned in the World Series and was a big contributor to the Blue Jays, who were just two outs away from winning it all. In seven World Series games, Bichette hit .348 with one home run and six RBI.
However, during the World Series, he moved off his normal position of shortstop and manned second base, because of his limited mobility with the injury. Bichette graded out poorly as a defensive shortstop regardless, and it does not appear that the Mets signed him to play shortstop, as they have Francisco Lindor there currently, who is a good defender.
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Bo Bichette (11) of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a two-RBI single in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium. The game was played in Los Angeles, California, on Oct. 28, 2025. (Harry How/Getty Images)
The Mets acquired Marcus Semien to play second base from the Texas Rangers earlier in the offseason, and he won a Gold Glove last season. With Semien and Lindor seemingly locked into second base and shortstop, respectively, it appears the Mets signed Bichette to play third base.
Bichette has never played third base in his professional career. If the Mets do indeed try Bichette at third base, it would mean their corner infielders could be making their professional debuts at their respective positions.
The Mets signed Jorge Polanco earlier this offseason to be their first baseman, despite him having never played there in his big-league career.
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Toronto Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette watches his three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of Game 7 of baseball’s World Series. The game was played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Regardless of how the Mets align their infield, Bichette is a major boost to the top of their lineup. In seven seasons, Bichette is a career .294 hitter with 111 home runs and 437 RBI, along with 60 stolen bases.
The top of the Mets lineup will look very different next season with the additions of Bichette and Semien, along with mainstays Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil all having departed in free agency or via trade.
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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced that the 11th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will kick off on Thursday, March 26, featuring eight teams following the inclusion of two new franchises.
The date was decided during the meeting of PSL Governing Council convened at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on Friday evening to finalise preparations for the upcoming season, according to a press release issued by the cricket board.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi chaired the meeting, which was attended by representatives of all eight PSL franchises, along with PCB and PSL officials.
The council welcomed the new team owners of Sialkot and Hyderabad to the PSL family and congratulated the board and league officials on the successful conclusion of the new teams auction.
The two new PSL franchises were acquired by FKS Group and OZ Developers for a whopping Rs1.75 billion and Rs1.85 billion, respectively.
Detailed discussions during the meeting covered the schedule of PSL 11, player retentions, the adoption of the player auction or a hybrid format called ‘drauction’, and the option of opening direct signings.
It was confirmed that PSL 11 will kick off on Thursday, 26 March, ushering in a new era for the league.
The meeting concluded with the formation of a working group set to convene on Saturday to deliberate further on remaining agenda items. The governing council will reconvene immediately as required to finalise decisions.
The PSL, which began in 2016 with five teams and expanded to six in 2018, further grown with the addition of two new franchises in its 11th edition.
PSL 2026 matches will be hosted in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, and, for the first time, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, marking the venue’s debut as a PSL host city.
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