Sports
The unlikely rise of Iowa’s Ben McCollum, Bennett Stirtz: Division II to Elite Eight
HOUSTON — Ben McCollum was furious. Saliva sat on the edge of his lip, but he didn’t wipe it off. He was midtirade, and his Iowa team was down 10 points to Nebraska early in Thursday’s Sweet 16 meeting.
Next to him stood Bennett Stirtz, the Hawkeyes’ stoic star who had seen multiple McCollum outbursts. Stirtz wasn’t fazed.
“He slammed his whiteboard and broke his marker on the hardwood floor. Ink everywhere,” Stirtz said after Iowa’s come-from-behind win over Nebraska. “That’s what he likes to do. He’s the negative guy, and then our assistant coaches are the positive people. He was just telling us we sucked and we were soft.”
McCollum had a different interpretation of that pivotal moment against the Cornhuskers.
“They were moving and cutting, and I didn’t even know what was going on. So … we called [the team] into the huddle and just said very nicely, ‘I would like you to play harder, guys,'” McCollum said. “And it seemed to work. Isn’t that right? Isn’t that how that went?'”
Stirtz nodded his head.
“Yes,” he responded.
McCollum is admittedly demonstrative. Look no further than last Sunday’s near clash with Florida coach Todd Golden during Iowa’s upset of the No. 1 seed in the Round of 32.
Stirtz is the opposite. He’s perpetually cool.
That fire-and-ice pairing of McCollum and Stirtz — who are at their third school together, following stints at Division II Northwest Missouri State (2022-24) and Drake (2024-25) — has fueled Iowa’s surprise run to the Elite Eight. The Hawkeyes went just 10-10 in the Big Ten, yet are on the brink of their first Final Four appearance since 1980. It’s the fourth time in four years that McCollum and Stirtz have advanced in an NCAA tournament together. It’s also the furthest they’ve advanced at any level.
First, they made it to the second round of the 2023 Division II NCAA tournament, where Stirtz scored seven points in a loss to Southern Nazarene. A year after that, they reached the Division II Sweet 16, where Stirtz scored 12 points against Minnesota State before losing to the eventual national champion on a buzzer-beater. And after making the Division I jump to Drake last season, they won a first-round game as Stirtz carried the 11-seeded Bulldogs to a first-round upset of a 6-seeded Missouri with 20 points before running into an Elite Eight-bound Texas Tech in the second round.
There was no surprise when Stritz followed McCollum to Iowa — or when the 2024-25 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year continued to thrive in McCollum’s system. The senior guard earned second-team All-Big Ten honors after finishing fifth in the conference in scoring (19.7 PPG) but has saved his best for the NCAA tournament. His 3-pointer with 2:10 to play in Thursday’s win over Nebraska gave Iowa its first lead of the game. The Hawkeyes never trailed again, closing out the win to set up Saturday’s matchup against Illinois (6:09 p.m. ET).
0:17
Bennett Stirtz gives Iowa a lead with a 3
Bennett Stirtz knocks down a huge 3-pointer for the Hawkeyes.
“You see him on the floor, and then you see me on the sideline — so polar opposites in personalities. Not polar opposites in value,” McCollum said. “He’s super competitive. I’m super competitive. I feel like he works with a level of humility. I feel like he’s a really tough kid. I feel like he serves others, all those different things.”
Added Stirtz: “He shoots it straight. Even when it’s tough and even when it’s hard. He pushes you past your limit, and I think that’s where the trust comes in … he just pushes everyone on this team, and honestly, you can see the benefit from that.”
Minnesota State head coach Matt Margenthaler isn’t shocked by the duo’s success this March. He still has nightmares about Stirtz and McCollum’s Northwest Missouri State squad nearly derailing his team’s Division II championship run in 2023.
Their rise, Margenthaler argues, is a beacon for Division II basketball — proof that players and coaches at that level can be stars at the next, too.
“You always question, I think, when you go up a level, ‘Can he do it at that next level in the Missouri Valley Conference?’ And then he proved that in one year,” Margenthaler told ESPN. “And then, ‘Can he do it again in the Big Ten?’ And then he just continues to amaze the coaching world with what he can do.”
“[Stirtz’s] confidence has grown and grown and grown,” Margenthaler said. “He is obviously a Division I basketball player, but one that has made himself better each year. I mean, what a story: those two guys together and what they’re doing.”
And if you ask McCollum and Stirtz, they’re not done yet.
“In 20 years, it will be an insane story. A guy that goes from Division II with his coach and then goes to Drake and then goes to the University of Iowa and actually makes it farther in the tournament in Division I than he did in Division II,” McCollum said. “I think when you’re a player-coach [relationship] sometimes, you obviously care for each other and love each other and all of that, but you don’t get to connect on [this] kind of level. But it’s been a hell of a ride, but it’s far from over.”
Sports
Jacob Fatu chooses to acknowledge violence, AAA Mega Championship makes WWE history and more from Raw
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Roman Reigns wanted Jacob Fatu in the ring for an “acknowledgement ceremony” on “Monday Night Raw,” despite concerns from general manager Adam Pearce and Jimmy Uso.
Reigns learned the hard way of the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”
Despite the contract signing that Fatu would have to “acknowledge” Reigns after he lost the World Heavyweight Championship, Fatu wouldn’t have any of that.
Instead, he chose violence. He ignored Jey Uso’s pleas to think about what he was doing. Fatu, instead, headbutted Uso multiple times.
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Jacob Fatu holds up the World Heavyweight Champion belt during RAW at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 11, 2026. (Sydney Yonker/WWE)
“What you think? You want me to come and acknowledge you, Roman?” Fatu said. “Hell no! You’re going to beat that acknowledgement out of me.”
Fatu had no time for anyone trying to talk him off the ledge. He was truly all gas and no brakes. He got to the ring, stared down Reigns and the two went to work. The two exchanged blows in the ring and it looked like Reigns was going to gain the advantage. He hit Fatu with a chair multiple times, trying to make Fatu acknowledge him.
But the “Samoan Werewolf” was undeterred. Reigns went for a spear but was met by a superkick and the Tongan death grip. It was all downhill for the “Tribal Chief.” He taunted Reigns as he continued his beating.
He then powerbombed Reigns through the announce table. The assault didn’t stop there. He hit Reigns with another Tongan death grip as officials from the back tried to keep him at bay.
Jacob Fatu takes out Jimmy Uso, Roman Reigns and Jey Uso all at once during WWE RAW at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 11, 2026. (Michael Owens/WWE)
Before he walked to the back, he saw the Usos tending to Reigns. He ran back at full speed and sent all three men through the barricade.
Seth Rollins tries to thaw icy relationship with Street Profits
Seth Rollins helped Street Profits win in six-man tag match against The Vision as he took out Bron Breakker from the outside. Angelo Dawkins rolled up Austin Theory to get the win.
Rollins came into the ring to help Dawkins up. But as Breakker got back into the ring and lined up for a spear, Rollins stepped aside making Dawkins take the damage. Montez Ford came back into the ring and wondered what Rollins was going out there in the first place.
Rollins, Ford and Dawkins talked in the back.
“If you boys are serious about getting the tag titles off The Vision, then it’s time we talked,” Rollins said, addressing Dawkins and Ford backstage.
Ford said there was no “we” in the conversation, while Dawkins wanted to hear out Rollins.
Rollins said he was “wrong” to tell the Street Profits that all parties should keep their business to themselves.
“You know, Seth, you’re every single thing they say about you,” Ford said. “Everybody. The greatest in our generation. A revolutionary. But you know what they also say? You’re not to be trusted. We don’t need your a– to win the tag team championship. Bet on that.”
The Street Profits will be aiming for tag team gold in two weeks when they take on Logan Paul and Theory.
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AAA Mega Championship defended on Raw
Dominik Mysterio makes his entrance during RAW at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 11, 2026. (Michael Owens/WWE)
The AAA Mega Championship is the most prestigious title in Lucha Libre Worldwide (AAA) and possibly across all of Lucha Libre depending on who you ask. The title was defended for the first time on WWE programming on Monday night.
Dominik Mysterio put the belt on the line against Original El Grande Americano. Mysterio took advantage of Original El Grande Americano getting distracted by El Grande Americano. He hit the 619 and a frog splash to pick up the win.
The title defense came on the heels of WWE announcing a two-night Triplemania event for September. It will be the first time AAA’s premiere event will be ran over the course of two nights.
Passing of the torch
IYO SKY and Asuka embrace during WWE Backlash at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla., on May 9, 2026. (Michael Owens/WWE via Getty Images)
Iyo Sky defeated her mentor Asuka in an emotional match at Backlash over the weekend, and on Monday night, Asuka said “goodbye.”
Asuka met with Sky backstage before the “Genius of the Sky’s” match against Sol Ruca. She said she was looking for someone to take over as leader and found it in Sky.
“I was looking for someone to take over my passion. Finally, you’ve become the person. I’m so glad it was you,” Asuka said. “I’m proud of you.”
Sky responded, “Even if we fight, we’ll always be family. Goodbye, Asuka-san.”
Sky later defeated Ruca in an exhilarating singles match.
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Raw match results
- Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford and Joe Hendry def. Austin Theory, Logan Paul and Bron Breakker.
- Je’Von Evans def. Rusev.
- Iyo Sky def. Sol Ruca.
- Oba Femi def. Angel and Berto as part of Oba’s Open Challenge.
- Dominik Mysterio def. Original El Grande Americano to retain AAA Mega Championship.
Sports
Florida judge rules prosecutors can access Tiger Woods’ prescription drug history after DUI arrest: report
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A Florida judge reportedly ruled that prosecutors will have access to Tiger Woods‘ recent prescription drug history.
An April court filing showed that a subpoena was to be issued for Woods’ prescription drug records following his DUI arrest in March, but his attorneys fought it. But according to the TC Palm, the records will be released to prosecutors only and not made available to the public.
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Tiger Woods was handcuffed after a sobriety test. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
Woods was arrested for driving under the influence after taking field sobriety tests following a two-vehicle crash in which his Range Rover turned onto its driver’s side.
The aforementioned court filing showed that a subpoena will be issued to “seek copies of any and all prescription medication on file” for Woods from Jan. 1 through March 27, the date of his car crash and arrest.
Woods’ attorney, Douglas Duncan, wrote in a motion that the subpoena goes against Woods’ constitutional rights to privacy, requesting Tuesday’s hearing to determine whether prosecutors should be allowed to obtain the records.
Woods told law enforcement that “I take a few” prescription medications amid seven back surgeries and “over 20 operations” on his leg. In 2021, he got into a wreck that resulted in serious leg injuries that kept him off the golf course for the entire year.
Tiger Woods went through several exercises before getting handcuffed. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
USGA SHARES TIGER WOODS STATUS UPDATE WITH US OPEN FAST APPROACHING
He also mentioned that his ankle was fused, and he walks with a limp due to the injuries. Due to the nature of his injuries, authorities made him do a field sobriety test while sitting down. He blew “triple-zeroes,” authorities said, but “lethargic” movements warranted exercises anyway.
Woods participated in four exercises before a deputy placed him in handcuffs. The deputy stated she believed Woods was under an “unknown substance.”
Deputies found two white pills on Woods, which were later identified as hydrocodone, an opioid used to treat pain.
Woods has pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge but announced several days after the wreck he would “seek treatment.” At the scene of the crash, he said he was “hoping to” play in the Masters, but his treatment put his eventual return to the course on hold.
Tiger Woods sits in the back of a cop car after getting arrested on March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
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Woods was granted permission on April 1 to travel out of the country “to enter into comprehensive inpatient treatment.”
Woods was charged with driving under the influence, property damage, refusal to submit to testing and careless driving. He pleaded not guilty and waived his arraignment, demanding a trial with a jury.
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It’s NBA playoff time.
Let’s take a look at the latest NBA title futures at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 12.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
NBA Finals winner 2025-26 season
Oklahoma City Thunder: -175 (bet $10 to win $15.71 total)
San Antonio Spurs: +390 (bet $10 to win $49 total)
New York Knicks: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Detroit Pistons: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Cleveland Cavaliers: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Minnesota Timberwolves: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Here is what to know about the NBA title oddsboard:
West Update: The two teams favored to win the title both reside in the Western Conference: OKC and San Antonio. The Thunder swept the Suns in Round 1 and swept the Lakers in Round 2, while the Spurs gave up just a single game to Portland in the first round and are tied 2-2 with Minnesota in the second round. While the Thunder pulled off a second straight sweep, the Spurs are in a dogfight.
East Update: The Knicks have become the class of the conference, having won seven consecutive playoff games. They finished off a sweep of Philly in the second round, and apparently can’t be stopped. As for the East’s top seed, the Pistons, they are tied with the Cavs 2-2. Neither team has been able to get a win in the others’ home arena in that series.
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