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UConn men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley isn't worried about the Huskies falling out of the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll.

"No one gets crowned in February," Hurley said on Monday, per Adam Zagoria of NJ.com.

"You know, there's no crowns handed out for for a while here," he added. "Obviously, in today's world there's going to be very quick reactions and all types of hot takes."

The Huskies, who have won the national championship in each of the past two seasons, own a 4-4 record over their past eight games and sit at 16-7 overall.

This included a 68-62 loss to No. 9 St. John's on Friday in which UConn blew a 14-point lead, faltering down the stretch of the second half.

Hurley's team is now out of the AP top 25 for the first time since the 2022-23 preseason poll (h/t Kels Dayton of the Hartford Courant).

The Huskies sat at No. 3 in the Week 1 AP top 25 poll for the 2024-25 season, rising as high as No. 2 before steadily dropping down.

Still, Hurley isn't concerned with the team's current placement and is focused on getting back on track for March.

"There's no crowns that get handed out on February 10," Hurley said, per Zagoria. "I know we didn't get any crowns the last two years in the beginning of February. So everyone's got to keep playing and, you know, all the big things get decided in March."

The Huskies have dealt with multiple injuries to key players this season. Freshman forward Liam McNeeley has only appeared in 15 games due to an ankle injury, while senior point guard Hassan Diarra has been dealing with knee issues.

The Huskies will attempt to start finding some consistency on Tuesday, facing off against Creighton. Tip-off is at 9 p.m. ET.

The list of teams for one of the top remaining free agents is reportedly getting smaller.

Per ESPN's Buster Olney, Alex Bregman is "likely to land with" the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs or Detroit Tigers "soon." Bregman has spent his entire eight-year MLB career with the Houston Astros, and the organization is "skeptical he'll return to Houston," according to Olney.

Bregman reportedly declined a six-year deal worth around $156 million from Houston earlier this offseason as he was seeking a contract worth roughly $200 million.

Even after Bregman rejected that deal in December, the Astros believed they were still in the mix. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported in January that Houston was "keeping the door ajar for" the 30-year-old to re-sign with the Astros.

The Athletic's Chandler Rome also reported in January that Bregman had re-engaged in contract talks with his former squad.

The tone regarding Bregman changed recently, however. Rome reported last week that Astros general manager Dana Brown said at the team's annual luncheon that Houston "lost Bregman" while referring to the third baseman in the past tense several times.

According to Rome, Brown said the Astros were "continuing to have internal conversations because he's still available," though he added that he hadn't recently spoken to Bregman's agent, Scott Boras.

With Brown subtly indicating that Bregman won't return to the Astros, the focus shifts to where he will end up.

Olney noted that joining the Red Sox would likely mean shifting to the middle infield. He added that if he signs with Chicago, it will be "likely on a short-term" contract.

Signing with the Tigers would allow Bregman to play for a team ready to compete this year. Detroit is coming off an 86-76 season in which it reached the ALDS and will bring back reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Adding a player like Bregman could give the Tigers enough to make a push for the World Series.

Bregman, a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion with the Astros, had 26 home runs, 75 RBI and slashed .260/.315/.453 in 2024. He also won the first Gold Glove Award of his career.

The Philadelphia Eagles are celebrating the team's Super Bowl 59 victory, but it's never too early to take a look at the 2025 season.

The opponent that the Eagles will play to start their title defense isn't official just yet. They can face a variety of teams at home including the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra).

Here's the full list of eligible opponents that Philadelphia can matchup with to kick off its 2025 campaign.

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Eagles' Potential 2025 Week 1 Opponents

• Chicago Bears
• Dallas Cowboys
• Denver Broncos
• Detroit Lions
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Los Angeles Rams
• New York Giants
• Washington Commanders

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This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app, homepage and social feeds—including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi is reportedly returning to the Dodgers' front office after his firing by the San Francisco Giants.

Zaidi will serve as a special advisor in his second stint with the team, The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya reported Monday.

The Dodgers have hired Farhan Zaidi as a special advisor, source says. He will also be assisting owner Mark Walter in his other sports interests.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 10, 2025

Zaidi worked as the Dodgers' general manager from 2014 to 2018. He then served as president of baseball operations for the Giants from 2018 to 2024.

Dodgers owner Mark Walter, who also owns stakes in the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Sparks, PWHL and Chelsea FC, will receive assistance from Zaidi with "his other sports interests," according to Ardaya.

Ardaya and Ken Rosenthal first reported for The Athletic in December that the Dodgers were talking with Zaidi about a front office role.

In an interview with Foul Territory that month, Zaidi said it was "not important" to him to resume his former role as general manager.

"If it happens, great. I know there's so many different ways that anybody can help an organization," Zaidi said in December. "I have friends who are GMs, and the chance to be a special assistant, to be an advisor to one of them, I think not only would it be great personally, but it would be nice professionally, too."

The Dodgers developed players like Max Muncy and Chris Taylor under Zaidi's first tenure. The club made back-to-back World Series appearances in Zaidi's final two seasons as general manager, but lost to the Houston Astros in 2017 and the Boston Red Sox in 2018.

Zaidi then left to join the Giants. He named the 2021 MLB Executive of the Year after the club set a franchise record with 107 wins in his third season with the franchise.

But that season ended with a five-game NLDS loss to the Dodgers, and the Giants haven't finished a season with a winning record since.

Zaidi signed an extension with the Giants in 2023, reported by John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle as a two-year agreement with a club option. He ultimately served out just the first year of that deal before he and the club parted ways last September.

The Giants lost out to the Dodgers in signing star free agents like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto under Zaidi's tenure. The team almost signed star shortstop Carlos Correa to a 13-year, $350 million deal in 2022, but the agreement fell apart due to medical concerns. And even the biggest signings of Zaidi's tenure in San Francisco— the additions of Matt Chapman and Blake Snell in 2024— weren't enough to lift the Giants above .500 last season.

As noted by The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly, the Giants meanwhile struggled to develop internally-developed talent while missing out on major free agent signings, contributing to the organization's loss of faith in Zaidi.

Zaidi won't have to worry about attracting star free agents once he's back with the Dodgers, where Ohtani and Yamamoto have since been joined by Snell alongside other players like Roki Sasaki and Tanner Scott.

The teams that will be featured on the plaques of the members of the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame Class were unveiled on Monday.

Pitcher CC Sabathia will have a New York Yankees logo on his cap after spending the majority of his career in New York and Cleveland, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).

Closer Billy Wagner's hat will feature the Houston Astros while outfielder Ichiro Suzuki will be wearing a Seattle Mariners cap, via ESPN. Dave Parker will be represented with a Pittsburgh Pirates cap and Dick Allen will have the Philadelphia Phillies' logo.

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This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app, homepage and social feeds—including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Fresh off an outstanding freshman season at Alabama, Ryan Williams has inked a new NIL deal.

The standout receiver, who just turned 18, revealed on his Instagram on Sunday that he's partnering with beauty company Sally Hansen for his nail polish needs this season.

pic.twitter.com/psaL04BUkw

— 1-1-1-1 (@pahrduve) February 10, 2025

According to On3's Pete Nakos, Williams began painting his nails with his younger sister before every game in high school. He's kept the tradition going in college, and it led to an NIL deal.

Nakos also noted that former Duke star and current Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain had an NIL deal with Sally Hansen last year. McCain, like Williams, made painted nails his signature look.

Williams had a tremendous freshman season for the Crimson Tide, recording 48 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. He added a pair of touchdowns on the ground as well. Williams turned heads in Alabama's win over Georgia in September when he had six receptions for 177 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown that helped seal the win in the fourth quarter.

Williams was rated as the No. 3 receiver and No. 4 player in the nation in the Class of 2024, per 247Sports' composite list, leading to lofty expectations. It's safe to say he met those expectations in Year 1, and he's now looking to have an even better sophomore season.

The Tennessee Titans will have a wide array of options with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, but ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. believes Travis Hunter should be the selection.

In a conversation with ESPN's Field Yates regarding the Titans' choice with the No. 1 pick, Kiper confirmed he would add the Colorado two-way standout.

"If you asked me the question, I would take Travis Hunter," Kiper said (32:15 mark).

He also explained why he's been impressed with Hunter throughout the predraft process.

"Travis Hunter, what he does, he's effortless," Kiper said (28:00 mark). "He is so smooth. You don't realize how fast he is because he's such a smooth athlete. He's so smart. He's so tough. His stamina and endurance level is through the roof. I'm taking Travis Hunter if I'm taking the best player in this draft."

Tennessee's intentions with the top pick aren't clear. ESPN's Dan Graziano reported Saturday that he talked to "multiple people who think the Titans could trade out of the top pick."

If the Titans decide to stay put, they could target a quarterback given the struggles of starter Will Levis in 2024. Still, Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker didn't commit to selecting a signal-caller.

"We won't pass on a generational talent with the first pick in the NFL draft," Brinker said, via NFL.com's Eric Edholm. "We won't do that."

Hunter, the winner of the 2024 Heisman Trophy, is coming off an incredible season with the Buffaloes. He excelled at both wide receiver and cornerback, recording 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a wideout. He also racked up 36 tackles, 11 passes defensed and four interceptions at cornerback.

Hunter was ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the 2025 draft class on the latest big board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

The Titans could look to move down from the top pick or select a quarterback, but Kiper is adamant that they should stay put and acquire Hunter.

A handful of players stand out in the 2025 NFL draft class, but a number of prospects will likely go under the radar.

With the 2024 NFL season now in the books, teams are hoping to find the gems of the draft. ESPN's Mel Kiper and Field Yates identified a handful of those sleeper picks in this year's class.

Kiper and Yates named Iowa tight Luke Lachey, Kansas running back Devin Neal, Oregon defensive back Jamaree Caldwell, Maryland defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, Marshall safety J.J. Roberts and Central Arkansas edge David Walker.

Lachey's numbers don't jump out, as he had only 28 catches for 231 yards and no touchdowns in 2024 for the Hawkeyes. But considering Iowa has a subpar offense, averaging 8.3 yards per reception isn't a bad feat. Lachey also has NFL size at 6'6" and 247 pounds.

Neal, who spent all four of his college seasons with the Jayhawks, recorded three consecutive seasons with 1,000 or more rushing yards, He had 1,266 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024.

Caldwell had a career-high 29 tackles, three passes defended and a forced fumble for the Ducks in 2024. The 6'1", 340-pounder also showed off his ability to get to the quarterback in 2023 when he recorded 6.5 sacks.

Phillips also had a productive year on Maryland's defensive line, racking up 29 tackles.

Roberts didn't get the same attention as some NFL prospects because he played at a smaller school, but that didn't stop him from having a career year. The fifth-year senior had 94 total tackles, 12 passes defended, a sack and a forced fumble.

Walker was in a similar boat this year while playing for Central Arkansas, but he'll likely get some attention ahead of this year's draft. Walker had 68 tackles, 10.5 sacks, five passes defended and four forced fumbles in 2024. He ended his three-year collegiate career with 30 sacks.

While the names Kiper and Yates mentioned don't stand out as much as players like Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Travis Hunter, the talent is there and it won't be a surprise to see some of those players hear their names called earlier than expected.

The latest mock draft from NFL.com's Chad Reuter featured several intriguing early selections.

Reuter projected the Cleveland Browns to select Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick. Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders was drafted by the New York Giants at No. 3 in the mock.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders were projected to add Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall selection.

Here's the full top 10 from Reuter's mock draft.

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Chad Reuter's Top 10 Picks

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
7. New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
8. Carolina Panthers: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
9. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

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This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app, homepage and social feeds—including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Russell Wilson is reportedly remaining confident in the possibility he will return for a second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I was with Russell on Friday, and I'm just telling you, the tone that I got from him was entirely different than reports that are out there," ESPN's Adam Schefter said Monday on the Pat McAfee Show. "And we'll see what winds up happening, whether or not he's back there. But I think he feels like there's definitely a chance he's going to be back there.

"He's having conversations with the organization about the future, and where it's going to go. There's still a lot that's going to play out here, but I think he definitely thinks that he may be back in Pittsburgh."

"I was with Russell Wilson on Friday and he feels like there's a chance he's gonna be back in Pittsburgh..

He's having conversations with the organization about the future" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/7ld5P0B88E

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 10, 2025

Both Wilson and Justin Fields hit free agency after the 2024 season, and team owner Art Rooney said last week the Steelers "probably won't wind up bringing them both back."

"I think both of them see themselves as starters, and I don't know that they want to share the same job again next year," Rooney said, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Both Wilson and Fields have expressed interest in being the Steelers' QB1 next season.

Days after the Steelers were eliminated from the Wild Card round with a Jan. 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Wilson told reporters returning to Pittsburgh in 2025 was "the plan."

"I just love the guys," Wilson said. "I love the locker room. I love Coach Tomlin... I love playing the game. And, you know, if it works out that way, I'm excited to do that for the black and gold again."

Two weeks earlier, Fields had told Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he wanted to be in Pittsburgh next season.

"I'm kind of tired of learning a new offense every year," Fields said. "This will be my third in four years. Of course I'd love to be back, but that's all up to God at the end of the day. I'll be where God wants me to be."

Schefter reported on Sunday night that the Steelers have spoken with both Fields and Wilson so far this offseason.

As of Sunday, the Steelers were "still undecided" as to which of the free agent quarterbacks they would re-sign, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.

Per Pelissero and Rapoport, the Steelers are looking to sign one Wilson or Fields to "a short-term deal while also continuing to seek a long-term answer, potentially through the draft."

That matches what Rooney said earlier this month, when he said the Steelers would be targeting quarterbacks in the 2025 and 2026 drafts, per Pryor.

Wilson, who turned 36 in November, is likely to be targeting a short-term contract regardless of where he ends after the dissolution of his previous deal with the Denver Broncos.

Fields, who will turn 26 in March, could look to earn a longer-term contract if he can take the next step in his development on a prove-it deal next season.

Schefter said Sunday there were "a number of teams interested" in Fields should he depart from the Steelers this offseason. Free agency interest from other franchises could encourage the Steelers to make their quarterback decision as soon as possible.