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AUSTIN, Texas — Texas coach Steve Sarkisian blows his whistle, calling for the Longhorns to begin “two-spotting” — the simultaneous 11-on-11 drills during spring practice. On one side of the field, his first- and second-string players face each other; on the other, his third- and fourth-string. Everyone practices at once, not just the top players on the depth chart as is often the case.

Entering its fourth season under Sarkisian — and the school’s first in the SEC — Texas is deep enough to lose a school-record 11 players in the first six rounds of last month’s NFL draft and still have enough remaining talent to make a second straight run at the College Football Playoff, according to those within the program. They have arguably the best quarterback room in the country, headlined by starter Quinn Ewers and second-year mega recruit Arch Manning. It wasn’t always this way.

“This is what I always hoped it could be like here,” Sarkisian said, “in that you lose an abundance of really good players to the NFL and then we reload it with players that some might be better than those guys that moved on.”

It took three straight top-five recruiting classes to build and patience from one of the most infamously impatient fan bases. Now, even ahead of an arduous SEC schedule after losing multiple first-round NFL draft picks for the first time since 2007, Texas has a legitimate chance to make a run at a national title — four seasons after an abysmal 5-7 record to start the Sarkisian era.

“We’ve recruited in a way that there’s definitely talent, but I would say we never have sacrificed character for talent, and I think that was definitely a little bit of the secret sauce,” Sarkisian said. “There were a lot of great players, but we wanted to make sure the players we brought into our program, their character matched our culture. You never know why you’re hired until you actually look behind the curtain and you’re like, ‘Ok, what are the issues, what are the warts?’ Some of those warts and issues don’t get exposed until adversity strikes. Quite frankly I felt like culturally, we have to get this right. That was such a big investment we were making in Year 1, but we really made that investment in Year 2 and Year 3.

“Now we’ve got the talent and the culture, and I don’t know if I could’ve said either of those two things quite frankly early on, but now we’ve gotten ourselves to that point.”

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Oklahoma, Texas join the celebration of SEC spring games

The Sooners and Longhorns, who will begin play in the SEC this fall, join Mississippi State, South Carolina and Texas A&M in hitting the field for spring football.

It’s been a measurable climb on and off the field. Not only did the Longhorns finish with a 3-6 record in the Big 12 in 2021, they also didn’t have any players drafted — and they finished with a 2.33 team grade point average, according to Sarkisian. In his second season, Texas finished 8-5 with a 2.78 team GPA and five players drafted.

Last year, Texas finished 12-2 with a 2.98 GPA and the aforementioned 11 drafted players. Its resounding 34-24 win at Alabama in Week 2 made an early statement in the CFP race, and ultimately — along with the school’s first Big 12 title since 2009 — that win earned Texas the No. 3 seed and a trip to a CFP semifinal, where it fell six points shy of No. 2 Washington.

Sixth-year linebacker David Gbenda said the win in Tuscaloosa gave the Longhorns the confidence to win at a higher level.

“We managed to go toe-to-toe with a great team,” said Gbenda, who had six tackles (three solo) and a sack for a 10-yard loss at Alabama.

After the season, Sarkisian was rewarded with a four-year contract extension that takes him through 2030 — a rare sign of commitment in Austin. Not since Mack Brown (1998-2013) has a coach lasted more than four seasons at Texas, as Charlie Strong was fired after two and Tom Herman was fired after four.

Gbenda said it wasn’t exactly a “smooth transition,” but now they understand what it takes.

“It was a culture shock when he came in, because he did things a lot differently,” Gbenda said. “‘All gas, no brakes’ is not something he just says — he means that in everything we do. … Year 3 is the year we finally had the right pieces and the right guys.”

If Texas is going to build on last season’s success, beating the likes of Alabama is only the beginning. This year the Longhorns will host Georgia on Oct. 19 in what will be one of the most consequential games of the season. They also have November trips to Arkansas and Texas A&M — plus the annual rivalry against OU — and travel to defending national champion Michigan in Week 2. Texas is the only team in the country that will play the past three national champions this season, as it faces both Georgia (2021, 2022) and Michigan (2023).

The Longhorns return four of five starting offensive linemen, a unit the coaching staff emphasized building since its first recruiting class. Texas has also been meticulous about its use of the transfer portal, luring in speed and experience at wide receiver and depth at defensive tackle, where Texas needed it most. And of course, there’s that quarterback room.

What the Longhorns lost is nothing to scoff at, as they have to replace their top five receivers in both receptions and yards, and the returners accounted for just 16% of the receiving yards last year. That position, though, might be the best example of how Texas has combined its high school recruiting, the transfer portal and player development to establish a room capable of saying farewell to first-round NFL draft pick Xavier Worthy and second-round pick Adonai Mitchell without flinching.

Alabama transfer receiver Isaiah Bond was considered by many the top receiver in the transfer portal, and he joins Oregon State transfer receiver Silas Bolden and Houston transfer Matthew Golden as members of 2024 Texas. Last season, Bond and Bolden led their respective teams in receiving yards. They’re all talented enough to start, but they’re in good company with players like Johntay Cook II and DeAndre Moore, who have been waiting in the wings — and true freshman phenom Ryan Wingo, who is capable of earning a starting role.

According to ESPN’s Bill Connelly, Texas ranks No. 38 in the country in overall returning production (67%) and seventh in SEC. The other CFP semifinals from last season rank 101st (Alabama), 128th (Washington) and 131st (Michigan).

According to Connelly, the Longhorns have stocked their returning production drastically since Sarkisian’s first season when they were 120th in the country. In 2022, that jumped to 62nd in the FBS. Last season, they were 15th in returning production, including No. 3 in the country on offense (85%).

That type of depth is what allowed Texas to run its “two-spotting” drill this spring, and have a true spring game with substitutions.

“I can have one field with 22 guys a snap, working,” Sarkisian said. “Well, that means I’ve got 100 guys watching. Or I can have two fields and now I have 44 guys working. Dramatic difference. And then when they go watch the tape, they’re watching themselves, not somebody else.

“We’ve always been trying to do it, and every team tries, but a lot of times that second field doesn’t have enough linemen or things. We’ve done a good job of balancing our roster at multiple positions to where we can do that. We’ve probably done it more in spring practice than we ever have at anywhere I’ve really been.”

Not that the new faces don’t have something to prove.

Gone is Byron Murphy II, the Big 12’s defensive lineman of the year, along with defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, the league’s 2023 defensive player of the year, and linebacker Jaylan Ford. That means an opportunity for linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., who was named the Big 12’s co-defensive freshman of the year. His five sacks were the most by a Texas freshman since 2000.

Texas finished with the No. 5 recruiting class in the country for 2024, luring in 14 ESPN 300 commits. Sarkisian’s 2023 class was No. 3 in the country, inking Manning, who is still the biggest quarterback name on a collegiate roster. In 2022, Sarkisian’s first full recruiting class as head coach, he had the No. 5 class and added Ewers into the class after he transferred from Ohio State. That was also the class four-star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks, who committed to Texas on the heels of the five-win season.

The two recruiting classes before those three ranked No. 15 and No. 9 by ESPN.

Banks said a big reason he bought into Sarkisian’s philosophy was because former offensive lineman Christian Jones was proof of player development. Jones was recently drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round.

“He had a down year and the next year he went crazy, absolutely crazy,” Banks said. “He had a great year, was high in the rankings as an offensive tackle. Just seeing that and him as well telling me and giving me all the information, everything that was going on, it made me feel like, if he’s doing it, why can’t I do it, too? … Listening, doing it and seeing it working all helped me along the way buy into the process.”

Discipline has been part of that process, the players said, agreeing that Sarkisian is a stickler for uniformity. Tuck the shirt in, take the earrings out, wear the same socks. Get to class on time. Clean up the locker room, close the locker doors, don’t leave tape lying around.

“How are you going to do the big things when it’s quarter four, it’s a long drive and you’re expected to be relied upon and you can’t even pick up your tape?” Gbenda said. “That’s the standard we try to build here, the standard of excellence on and off the field. Sark is really big on that. He doesn’t like playing with jerks or people he can’t rely on. Trust is a big thing in this program.”

Texas hasn’t been without incident, as Sweat, the Outland Trophy winner, was booked into jail after an arrest for driving while intoxicated. Linebacker S’Maje Burrell has since been identified as the driver of the vehicle that hit the SUV Sweat was driving. Police said Sweat was driving a Ford Bronco when he was hit from behind, causing him to lose control, veer off onto a service road and roll the car onto its side. When police responded at 4:41 a.m., the other driver, later identified as Burrell, had left the scene.

On April 10, Sarkisian released a statement saying the school had suspended Burrell from all team activities due to “conduct detrimental to the program.” Burrell has since entered the transfer portal.

Gbenda said anyone who doesn’t follow the rules gets called out by the leaders on the team or position coaches, and some form of individual punishment is done “off to the side.” If a player doesn’t get the message and is a repeat offender, the whole position group gets punished, Gbenda said.

“After a point in time,” he said, “if you’re not getting the message, everybody around you will understand the message.”

The Longhorns are still searching for their first national title since 2005 — the ultimate proof that Texas is indeed “back.” The CFP will unveil a 12-team format this fall that guarantees the five highest-ranked conference champions a spot in the playoff — making that October home game against Georgia significant to the CFP seeding, as the top four seeds will earn a first-round bye. Banks said the “Texas back” talk infiltrates the locker room, but they try not to get consumed by what people outside the program think.

“As a team we’re very focused,” Banks said. “We’re thriving. It was a little taste last year. We want to reach that national stage. We want to show everybody, ‘Hey, we’re not just going to say we’re back and be here and not show it on the field.’ We want to show people what we’re talking about, that’s what we’re building here.”

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NHL playoff watch: Inside the Western wild-card race

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NHL playoff watch: Inside the Western wild-card race

Though it lacks the volume of teams in close proximity like the Eastern Conference wild-card race, the Western derby is no less wild. Sunday’s action will provide yet another clue as to who will earn the final spot in that half of the postseason bracket.

Heading into Sunday’s slate, the Minnesota Wild appear pretty well locked in to the the first wild-card spot, with 79 points and 29 regulation wins through 67 games. But who gets the second one?

  • Right now it’s the Vancouver Canucks, with 73 points and 24 RW in 66 games. They’re taking on the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+). Once past that game, they’ll play eight games of their final 15 against playoff teams.

  • Next up are the Calgary Flames, with 71 points and 24 RW in 65 games. They are idle on Sunday and will play against teams currently in playoff position in nine of their final 17 contests.

  • The St. Louis Blues are also two behind the Canucks in points, with 23 RW through 67 games. Jordan Binnington & Co. host the Anaheim Ducks (6 p.m. ET, ESPN+), then play just four of their final 14 against teams in playoff spots.

  • Speaking of the UHC, following Sunday’s game against the Canucks, seven of the remaining 15 games are against current playoff-positioned clubs.

Stathletes gives the Canucks the best playoff chances of the group (31.1%), followed by the Blues (30.2%), Hockey Club (22.4%) and Flames (20.2%). The “prize” for the team that wins this race is likely a first-round matchup with the Winnipeg Jets, but upsets do happen!

There is a lot of runway left until April 17, the final day of the regular season, and we’ll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Yesterday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 New York Rangers
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Vancouver Canucks
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers


Sunday’s games

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).

Vegas Golden Knights at Detroit Red Wings, 1 p.m. (TNT)
Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche, 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
Anaheim Ducks at St. Louis Blues, 6 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
Florida Panthers at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
Utah Hockey Club at Vancouver Canucks, 8 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Seattle Kraken, 9 p.m.


Saturday’s scoreboard

Buffalo Sabres 4, Vegas Golden Knights 3 (SO)
Pittsburgh Penguins 7, New Jersey Devils 3
Washington Capitals 5, San Jose Sharks 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Boston Bruins 2
Ottawa Senators 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 2
Montreal Canadiens 3, Florida Panthers 1
Carolina Hurricanes 5, Philadelphia Flyers 0
New York Rangers 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 0
St. Louis Blues 5, Minnesota Wild 1
Los Angeles Kings 1, Nashville Predators 0 (OT)
Vancouver Canucks 6, Chicago Blackhawks 2


Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 104.0
Next game: @ NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 100.6
Next game: vs. PHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 16
Points pace: 100.6
Next game: vs. CGY (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 95.7
Next game: @ MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 98.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 88.2
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 10.4%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 84.5
Next game: vs. VGK (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 7.4%
Tragic number: 29

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: vs. BUF (Monday)
Playoff chances: 8.8%
Tragic number: 25

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 73.2
Next game: @ BOS (Monday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 21


Metro Division

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 117.5
Next game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 15
Points pace: 105.3
Next game: @ SJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 14
Points pace: 94.1
Next game: @ CBJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 97.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 15
Points pace: 88.1
Next game: vs. EDM (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 43.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 87.0
Next game: vs. NJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 21.9%
Tragic number: 31

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 83.3
Next game: vs. FLA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 9.3%
Tragic number: 29

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 78.4
Next game: vs. NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.8%
Tragic number: 21

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 77.2
Next game: @ TB (Monday)
Playoff chances: 2.1%
Tragic number: 21


Central Division

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 117.5
Next game: @ SEA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 108.5
Next game: @ COL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 15
Points pace: 101.6
Next game: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 96.7
Next game: vs. LA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 96.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 86.9
Next game: vs. ANA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 30.2%
Tragic number: 29

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 85.7
Next game: @ VAN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 22.4%
Tragic number: 29

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 72.1
Next game: vs. STL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 18

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 60.0
Next game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 7


Pacific Division

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 106.9
Next game: @ DET (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 102.2
Next game: @ MIN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 16
Points pace: 99.4
Next game: @ NYR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 90.7
Next game: vs. UTA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 31.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 89.6
Next game: @ TOR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 20.2%
Tragic number: 33

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 80.8
Next game: @ STL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 25

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 75.9
Next game: vs. WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 20

Points: 45
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 54.3
Next game: vs. CAR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 1


Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.

Points: 45
Regulation wins: 13

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 24

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Hanshin Tigers sweep Cubs, Dodgers in shutouts

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Hanshin Tigers sweep Cubs, Dodgers in shutouts

TOKYO — For two days in Japan, it’s the Hanshin Tigers who have looked like the class of the National League.

In another sign that Japanese baseball has never been better, the Tigers capped a two-game sweep over MLB clubs with a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday at the Tokyo Dome.

Even more impressive, the Tigers didn’t give up a run in either game. Daichi Ishii recorded the final out, freezing James Outman for strike three on a 95 mph fastball to cap 18 scoreless innings in a row.

“These two days were priceless,” Hanshin manager Kyuji Fujikawa said through an interpreter.

Hanshin tagged two-time Cy Young award winner Blake Snell for three runs in the fourth inning when the first two batters reached base before Teruaki Sato smoked a three-run homer into the right-field seats, where a jubilant Tigers fan club erupted in celebration.

On the mound, right-hander Hiroto Saiki threw five dominant innings, giving up just one hit and one walk while striking out seven. Saiki struck out Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to start the game and coaxed a harmless popup from the slugger in the fourth.

“Really good ballclub,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I thought they played really good defense. They can handle velocity, good with the fastball. The starter [Saiki] had major league stuff. Good command, good split. And then Sato, he looks the part. He’s a really impressive baseball player.”

Saiki was one of the best pitchers in Japan last season, finishing with a 13-3 record and a 1.88 ERA over 167⅔ innings. The Tigers had a 74-63 record last season, which was good for second place in Japan’s Central League.

The Tigers started the two-game sweep with a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday after 20-year-old lefty Keito Mombetsu threw five perfect innings. No Cubs player reached base until Miguel Amaya smacked a single through the infield in the sixth that just got past the shortstop.

Hanshin also dominated on the basepaths against the Cubs, going 3-for-3 on stolen base attempts.

“They clearly showed they can play at the top level,” Roberts said.

Japanese players have made a huge mark on MLB, particularly over the past three decades. Former Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki was recently elected to the Hall of Fame, and this week’s Tokyo Series features five Japanese players, including three on the Dodgers with Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.

Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga play for the Cubs.

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Pirates ace Skenes to start opener at Marlins

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Pirates ace Skenes to start opener at Marlins

BRADENTON, Fla. — Paul Skenes is going to start for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day.

Pretty easy call for manager Derek Shelton.

Skenes is coming off a dominant performance in his first season in the majors. The 22-year-old right-hander went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts for Pittsburgh in 2024, winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

The Pirates posted a video on social media on Saturday that showed Shelton informing Skenes of his decision.

In the video, Skenes walks into Shelton’s office and answers a couple questions about how his bullpen went and how he was feeling. Shelton later got up from behind his desk and informed Skenes he would be starting March 27 at Miami. He shook hands with Skenes and gave him a hug.

“Congrats, brother,” Shelton said to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft.

“Appreciate it,” Skenes responded.

The 22-year-old Skenes has been working on incorporating a cutter and a running two-seam fastball to go along with his blazing four-seam fastball.

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