Volume 26:8

THE COLE TIMES

Vol.26:8 February 28, 2026

USA Men’s Gold

The United States of America hockey team won gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The Americans were facing Canada in the gold medal game. The USA managed to capture gold with an overtime goal from Jack Hughes. But the real star of the show was American goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck had 41 saves on 42 shots and keyed the US’s victory.

Men’s Basketball Season Winding Down

I have taken the CT NCAAM rankings and looked at what the most important remaining matchup is for each top ten team.

1. Duke (@ #10 Virginia) This is Duke’s most important remaining game because it is their last chance to get one more quality win before the ACC tournament.

2. Michigan (vs #8 Michigan State) This is a rivalry as well as a game that will determine seeding in the conference tournament and NCAA Tournament.

3. Arizona (vs #4 Iowa State) This matchup will be a huge part of where the Wildcats end up on selection Sunday. This will also be a big game for seeding in the conference tournament.

4. Iowa State (@ #3 Arizona) The reasons are the same for both the Cyclones and Wildcats This game will have a massive impact on conference tournament seeding and NCAA tournament seeding.

5. Gonzaga (@ St Mary’s) The Zags are gunning to win the WCC outright in their last season in the conference. To do that, they have to go through their rivals, St Mary’s. The Gaels are a formidable foe at 26-4.

6. UConn (vs Seton Hall) The Huskies have a chance to seemingly end the season for Seton Hall with a win. This is also the hardest of UConn’s two remaining games.

7. Florida (vs #20 Arkansas) This game is the last chance to get a statement win entering the conference tournament. The season is ending, but the Gators are still playing for something.

8. Michigan State (@ #2 Michigan) This regular season finale will have a major impact on seeding in the postseason tournaments. Plus it’s a rivalry game.

9. Illinois (None) Illinois should roll over their last two opponents. The two teams are both bottom three in the conference.

10. Virginia (vs #1 Duke) when you face the number one team late in the season, it is no surprise the magnitude that the result could have.

11. Purdue

12. Nebraska

13. Kansas

14. Houston

15. Texas Tech

16. North Carolina

17. Alabama

18. Miami (OH)

19. Vanderbilt

20. Arkansas

21. St John’s

22. Villanova

23. Utah State

24. Saint Louis

25. Louisville

Women’s Basketball Season Ending

For Women’s basketball, I will go through previewing the power conference tournaments.

Big 10

The UCLA Bruins are undefeated in conference play and heavy favorites to win the conference tournament. However, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Michigan Wolverines pose serious threats to UCLA’s run.

SEC

The SEC is looking like a two-team race. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. The South Carolina Gamecocks are the favorites. Well, Texas seems like they are the only team that poses a threat to SC. But Vanderbilt and LSU do as well. The Commodores and Tigers have both had great success this season. Despite not being the favorites, these two can’t be ignored.

ACC

Duke leads a wide open ACC. But Louisville, UNC, NC State, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Virginia, Notre Dame, and Clemson are all also serious contenders. This ACC race is shaping up to be great and competitive.

Big 12

The TCU horned frogs lead a top-heavy but open Big 12. They are tied with West Virginia and Baylor, who rank similarly to them in the Top 25. OK State, Colorado, and Texas Tech also are Big 12 contenders.

Big East

The Big East is all UConn. The Huskies sit at 30-0 and are widely expected to run the table in the conference tournament.

MLS Opening Games

The first MLS match day is in the books. Here are the results.

• FC Cincinnati beat Atlanta United 2-0

• Both of Cincinnati’s goals were after the 80th minute.

• Saint Louis City tied Charlotte 1-1

• DC United beat Philadelphia Union 1-0

• Philadelphia Union was playing with ten people after a 58th minute red card

• Red Bull NY beat Orlando City 2-1

• Julian Hall scored both goals for RBNY

• Vancouver Whitecaps beat Real Salt Lake 1-0.

• Austin and Minnesota United tied 2-2

• FC Dallas beat Toronto FC 3-2

• Peter Musa had two goals for Dallas

• Houston Dynamo beat Chicago Fire 2-1

• Guilherme Augusto scored both goals for Houston Dynamo

• Nashville beat New England Revolution 4-1

• Sam Surridge had the first two goals for Nashville

• LAFC beat Inter Miami 3-0

• Miami is defending their MLS cup title this season

• Portland Timbers beat Columbus Crew 3-0

• San Diego beat Montreal 5-0

• Montreal had a 50th minute red card

• San Jose Earthquakes beat Sporting Kansas City 3-0

• Daniel Munie had two goals in San Jose’s win