Saracens have opted to pursue domestic success over their continental ambitions this season.

The three-time Champions Cup winners have decided to rest several of their England internationals, including Maro Itoje and Tom Willis, for their trip to Toulon.

Director of rugby Mark McCall says he is prioritising making the Premiership play-offs over the chance at a fourth European crown.

Northampton Saints, meanwhile, are the only English side with a home tie after finishing top of Pool 3.

Saints are eighth in the Premiership table after enduring a dismal defence of their title, but Phil Dowson's side will host Clermont in a welcome reprieve from their domestic campaign.

The visitors are sixth in France's Top 14 table after their recent victory over La Rochelle ended a run of five consecutive league defeats.

Clermont booked their place in the knockout stages by snatching a dramatic 33-26 victory in the sixth minute of overtime to qualify at Bath and Bristol's expense.

Elsewhere, Sale Sharks face a daunting trip to six-time winners and defending champions Toulouse, who will be without injured talisman Antoine Dupont after he ruptured cruciate ligaments in his knee during France's Six Nations win over Ireland last month.

Harlequins face an equally difficult task at four-time winners Leinster, while Leicester Tigers travel north to take on Glasgow Warriors.

The NHL began handing out the Presidents' Trophy to the team with the best regular-season record beginning in the 1985-86 campaign. In its history, it has been awarded 37 times to 18 clubs.

Those teams have been anything but a shoo-in to win the Stanley Cup, however. Just two clubs in the salary cap era (since 2005-06) have won the Presidents' Trophy and hoisted the Stanley Cup: the 2007-08 Detroit Red Wings and the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks. Two of the past six Presidents' Trophy winners have lost in the first round.

So, that's the challenge ahead for whomever claims the trophy this season. At this juncture, it appears to have been whittled down to one of two teams: the Winnipeg Jets (with 106 points through 74 games) or the Washington Capitals (103 through 73).

The Capitals will face off against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+), while the Jets will take on the Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

From an overall strength of schedule standpoint, the Jets have a more difficult route. According to Stathletes, the win percentage of their remaining opponents is 51.3%, which is 12th toughest. Compare that to 47.3% -- the 28th toughest -- for the Capitals.

Despite that, Stathletes gives Winnipeg the edge, projecting the Jets for 115.9 points and the Caps for 114.7. It appears this race will come down to the very end!

There are less than three weeks left until season's end on April 17, 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 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

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

Tuesday's games

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

Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+)
Detroit Red Wings at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
Calgary Flames at Utah Hockey Club, 9 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.

Monday's scoreboard

New Jersey Devils 3, Minnesota Wild 2 (SO)
Philadelphia Flyers 2, Nashville Predators 1
Calgary Flames 3, Colorado Avalanche 2 (SO)
Dallas Stars 3, Seattle Kraken 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 104.2
Next game: vs. FLA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 102.2
Next game: @ NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Florida Panthers

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 102.2
Next game: @ MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Ottawa Senators

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 94.4
Next game: vs. BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 86.5
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 44%
Tragic number: N/A

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 2.9%
Tragic number: 16

Boston Bruins

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 76.5
Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 9

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 76.4
Next game: @ OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 10

Metro Division

x - Washington Capitals

Points: 103
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 115.7
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 105.6
Next game: vs. WSH (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

New Jersey Devils

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 6
Points pace: 93.9
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Rangers

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 85.3
Next game: vs. MIN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 27.8%
Tragic number: 17

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 85.4
Next game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 17.1%
Tragic number: 19

New York Islanders

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: vs. TB (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 8.7%
Tragic number: 16

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 77.6
Next game: @ STL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 9

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 76.6
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 7

Central Division

x - Winnipeg Jets

Points: 106
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 117.5
Next game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Dallas Stars

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 113.0
Next game: vs. NSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 7
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: @ CHI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 96.2
Next game: @ NYR (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 93.4%
Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 95.1
Next game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 95.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Utah Hockey Club

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 86.4
Next game: vs. CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.5%
Tragic number: 8

e - Nashville Predators

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 68.7
Next game: @ CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 56.5
Next game: vs. COL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 110.1
Next game: vs. EDM (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 102.2
Next game: vs. WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 100.0
Next game: @ VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 92.1
Next game: @ UTA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 7.9%
Tragic number: 14

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 89.8
Next game: vs. SEA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 3.3%
Tragic number: 11

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 80.9
Next game: vs. SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 4

e - Seattle Kraken

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 74.4
Next game: @ VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - San Jose Sharks

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 55.0
Next game: @ ANA (Tuesday
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Note: An "x" means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An "e" means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.

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.

1. San Jose Sharks

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18

3. Nashville Predators

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23

4. Seattle Kraken

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25

5. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25

6. Boston Bruins

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23

7. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20

9. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23

10. New York Islanders

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25

11. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 26

12. Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 23

13. New York Rangers

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 32

14. Utah Hockey Club

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25

15. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26

16. Calgary Flames

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 26

Wayne Rooney has revealed he came close to joining Barcelona in 2010 in a transfer that would have seen him link up with Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta at Camp Nou.

Speaking to BBC Sport the five-time Premier League winner said Real Madrid and Chelsea were also in the mix for his signature but it was Barça and playing for Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side that tempted him most.

"When I told Manchester United in 2010 that I did not want to sign a new deal and put in a transfer request, three clubs came in for me," Rooney said.

"Manchester City are often talked about as being one of them, but I don't think that was ever an option for me -- the teams who made an approach were Chelsea, Real and Barcelona.

"In my head, I was ready to go and play in Spain and some talks did take place.

"A deal with Real looked more likely for a couple of days but it was Barcelona whom I thought about the most, and how I might fit into their side alongside Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets.

"In the end I decided to stay at United, but Barça had an incredible team then and any player would have loved to have played in it."

Rooney added: "Winning trophies was the biggest reason I considered leaving United in 2010. I was about to turn 25 and I was concerned about the direction of the club."

Bruno Fernandes will not be allowed to leave Manchester United this summer, according to head coach Ruben Amorim.

Sources told ESPN last week that Amorim is looking to revamp the United squad ahead of his first full campaign in charge.

Reports over the weekend linked United captain Fernandes with a move to Real Madrid but Amorim was adamant he had told the Portugal international his future is at Old Trafford.

When asked about transfer speculation about Fernandes, Amorim told a news conference on Monday: "No, it's not going to happen."

The former Sporting CP coach then added: "He's not going anywhere because I've already told him."

Fernandes has scored 16 goals and assisted a further 16 in all competitions this season despite United's struggles that see them 13th in the Premier League.

In the Premier League this season only Mohamed Salah (54) and Erling Haaland (33) have more goal contributions than Fernandes' 31.

The 30-year-old, who joined United in 2020, is under contract at United until 2027 and has the option to extend by a further year.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has said he is not affected by speculation over Trent Alexander-Arnold's future amid reports the defender is closing in on a move to Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold -- alongside teammates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk -- is out of contract at Anfield this summer.

Last week, a source told ESPN that Madrid are "very optimistic" of signing the 26-year-old on a free transfer, though a Liverpool source told ESPN that no deal has yet been finalised.

In a news conference on Tuesday, Slot refused to be drawn on the rumours, and said Alexander-Arnold is focused on working his way back from injury.

"His situation is unfortunately that he's injured, otherwise people probably would have spoken about him having one or two brilliant performances for the England team," Slot said. "But he's injured and for him, that means he is fully focused on his recovery.

"For us, that means we're trying to help him to be back as soon as he can. For eight months, it went a bit up and down with all kind of talk about him, Virgil and Mo, but we've never been focused on those talks. We've always been focused on what to do.That for Virgil and Mo is trying to win the Merseyside derby. For Trent it is making sure he is fit as soon as he can be."

Slot added: "It's a situation that's been there for eight or nine months now. All three players have performed so well under the circumstances. It doesn't affect me at all."

The 2025 MLS season is now firmly underway, which means it's time for ESPN's Power Rankings.

Who's climbing the table? Who's in free fall? Our writers studied the action from across Matchday 6 to come up with this week's order of all 30 teams in the league. Let's dive in.

1. Inter Miami CF

Previous ranking: 1

Even without Lionel Messi for 55 minutes, Inter Miami got off to a hot start against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. And when the Argentine came on in the second half? Well, it only took him two minutes to get on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win. This Miami squad is deep, talented and just took down the next-best team in the East.

2. Columbus Crew

Previous ranking: 4

Still yet to lose in MLS play, the Crew took down D.C. United on the road by a 2-1 scoreline. Wilfried Nancy's team has become quite acquainted with tight games in 2025: each of their last five matches has either been a draw or has been decided by a single goal.

3. Vancouver Whitecaps

Previous ranking: 2

While some of their early season magic seems to be fading, the Whitecaps secured a point on the road with a 0-0 draw against Toronto FC ahead of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal clash with Pumas on Wednesday. Still, the sooner this group gets Ryan Gauld back, the better.

4. Philadelphia Union

Previous ranking: 5

There's no shame in losing to Inter Miami at Chase Stadium. Despite falling 2-1 on the road, the Philadelphia Union put together a strong second half and nearly managed to earn a draw thanks to some clever looks on set pieces. Bradley Carnell's team still looks like a threat.

5. San Diego FC

Previous ranking: 7

It sure didn't look like San Diego FC was the expansion team in a 3-2 win over LAFC on Saturday. Even missing two first-choice attackers, the new kids on the block created chances with ease and secured yet another impressive victory over a Southern Californian rival.

6. FC Cincinnati

Previous ranking: 11

Thanks to a wonder-strike from Evander, a winner from the spot from Kevin Denkey, and some heroic saves from Roman Celentano, FC Cincinnati earned a 2-1 win over Nashville SC this past weekend. There's defensive work to be done, but it's clear this team has match-winners.

7. Minnesota United

Previous ranking: 13

Make that three-straight wins for the Loons over Real Salt Lake. All right, fine, technically Minnesota's two penalty shootout victories from last year's playoffs go down as draws. But there's no doubt Eric Ramsay's team has Salt Lake's number. Minnesota United created chance after chance in a 2-0 win on Saturday.

8. Colorado Rapids

Previous ranking: 10

An airtight defensive performance mixed with a top-tier outing from Djordje Mihailovic in a 2-0 win over Charlotte FC showed just how dangerous the Rapids can be. Whether Mihailovic plays on the left or through the middle (and he did both of those things against Charlotte), he's creating problems for the opposing defense.

9. Charlotte FC

Previous ranking: 3

Failing to carry over any momentum from their multi-goal demolition of the San Jose Earthquakes last weekend, Charlotte FC flopped in a 2-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. Concerningly, Wilfried Zaha was anonymous on the wing.

10. Austin FC

Previous ranking: 18

For three weeks running, Austin FC have averaged less than 37% possession. They packed numbers against the ball in a 1-0 road win over St. Louis City on Sunday, continuing to play the ruthlessly efficient brand of counter-attacking soccer that Nico Estevez seems to love so much.

11. Orlando City

Previous ranking: 19

Luis Muriel should write John McCarthy a thank-you note. It was McCarthy's howler in the 90th minute that allowed Muriel to extend his goal contribution streak to six games. Orlando City notched a 2-1 win over the Galaxy as a result.

12. LAFC

Previous ranking: 6

Cengiz Under continues to look like a major threat on the right wing, but between sloppy set piece defending and a red card from Igor Jesus that forced his team to play down a man for the final 40 minutes, LAFC's 3-2 loss to San Diego FC was a game to forget.

13. New York Red Bulls

Previous ranking: 14

The Red Bulls didn't bleed chances in their 2-1 loss to the New England Revolution, but they weren't dangerous enough in the attack to warrant a victory away from home. Sandro Schwarz will, undoubtedly, be looking for ways to get just a little more out of his team in the final third.

14. Atlanta United

Previous ranking: 15

Atlanta United aren't strangers to allowing goals this year: they've conceded at least two goals in five of their six matches in 2025. Saturday's 4-3 win over NYCFC was true to form, then. Still, quality attacking talent won the day over sloppy defending for the Five Stripes.

15. Nashville SC

Previous ranking: 8

Nashville outplayed Cincinnati for most of their meeting on Saturday, but yet another missed penalty from Hany Mukhtar came back to bite in a 2-1 loss. It's time to take Mukhtar off penalty duties.

16. Seattle Sounders

Previous ranking: 16

Despite taking a whopping 26 shots and generating 2.9 xG, according to FBref, the Sounders only managed a single goal in a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes. There's talent in the final third, but it's simply not clicking.

17. Chicago Fire

Previous ranking: 12

On paper, a home game against a CF Montreal team just days removed from firing its coach looked like three points in the making. In reality, the Fire put in a sleepy performance in a 1-1 draw and felt the absence of all three first-choice central midfielders.

18. New York City FC

Previous ranking: 17

A brutal mix-up between defender Thiago Martins and keeper Matt Freese saw NYCFC unravel against Atlanta United in a 4-3 loss on Saturday. Still without any meaningful player additions this winter, Pascal Jansen's job on the sidelines isn't an easy one.

19. Portland Timbers

Previous ranking: 21

It didn't take much for the Timbers to push past the Houston Dynamo in a 3-1 win at Providence Park on Sunday. With a goal and two assists from the perennially underrated Felipe Mora, Portland reminded MLS just how dangerous their attack can be.

20. FC Dallas

Previous ranking: 22

Beating Sporting Kansas City doesn't skyrocket you up these rankings like it might have earlier in Peter Vermes' tenure, but FC Dallas did more than enough to earn a 2-1 win over SKC in Frisco.

21. St. Louis City SC

Previous ranking: 9

Try as they might, St. Louis City can't seem to create consistent chances via sustained passing sequences. With 64% possession and 60 minutes to find a goal after conceding in the first half, St. Louis couldn't find their way back in a 1-0 home loss to Austin FC.

22. San Jose Earthquakes

Previous ranking: 20

After allowing 3.0 xG against Charlotte FC last weekend, San Jose allowed 2.9 xG against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. The difference? Daniel made some huge saves to preserve a 1-1 draw.

23. D.C. United

Previous ranking: 25

Despite yet another goal from Christian Benteke, D.C. fell 2-1 to the Columbus Crew. At times, it's clear that Troy Lesesne only has one DP at his disposal. Saturday was one of those times.

24. Real Salt Lake

Previous ranking: 23

For 55 minutes, Real Salt Lake were decidedly outplayed by Minnesota United in what turned into a 2-0 loss. By the time RSL started finding looks in the second half, it was too little, too late.

25. New England Revolution

Previous ranking: 30

Thanks to Carles Gil's free kick in a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls, the New England Revolution finally saw one of their own players put the ball in the back of the net in 2025.

26. Houston Dynamo

Previous ranking: 24

The Dynamo are in a bad place right now. Their top two goalkeepers are both injured, they don't have a healthy winger, and their new No. 10 Ondrej Lingr isn't ready to suit up. With all that in mind, a 3-1 loss to Portland on Sunday wasn't a shock.

27. LA Galaxy

Previous ranking: 26

Between McCarthy, whose blunder gifted Orlando City a 2-1 win, and Novak Micovic, the LA Galaxy can't seem to find a competent goalkeeper this year. They're still winless in the regular season.

28. CF Montréal

Previous ranking: 28

Less than a week after manager Laurent Courtois was fired, Montréal put in a respectable performance under interim manager Marco Donadel. Montréal's 0-0 road draw with Chicago marked their second result of 2025.

29. Toronto FC

Previous ranking: 29

Toronto FC were far from dominant at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps, but Saturday's 0-0 draw doubled their points total on the year. That's progress, right?

30. Sporting Kansas City

Previous ranking: 27

Despite taking the lead on the road against FC Dallas, a pair of quick concessions saw SKC drop all three points in a 2-1 loss. They're the only team in MLS still stuck on a single point after six games.

Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles will forgo the WNBA draft and enter the transfer portal, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Monday.

Miles, the projected No. 2 pick, had said she was undecided about entering the draft. Many players have returned to school for their final year of eligibility, but it's not common for a player to come back to college and enter the portal.

"It just changes every day. I love college. I think I've outgrown it a little bit, though, so that makes my decision tougher to stay. It's comfortable, a place where you have security," Miles said after Notre Dame's Sweet 16 loss Saturday.

"The W ... the volatility is up and down. So I don't know. I'm deciding between a bunch of factors."

Miles is eligible for the draft because she has been in college for four seasons and is 22. She has a year of eligibility remaining because she sat out 2023-24 after injuring her knee at the end of the 2022-23 regular season.

The junior guard returned to start all 34 games this season and averaged a career-high 15.4 points on 48.3% shooting. Her 3-point shooting went from 22.8% last season to 40.6% this season.

After her final home game in South Bend, Indiana, in the round of 32, Miles thanked the fans for their support -- a signal that her time at Notre Dame could be over.

Miles and teammates Hannah Hidalgo and Sonia Citron were widely considered one of the best backcourts in college this season. They led the Irish to the No. 1 spot in the AP poll for the first time since 2019 after handing UCLA its first loss of the season.

But toward the end of the season, Notre Dame struggled, dropping two of its last three regular-season games. The Irish were the No. 2 seed in the ACC tournament but were ousted in the second round. Notre Dame earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The Irish hoped for a deep run but lost in the Sweet 16 to TCU, which had never reached the Elite Eight.

After Notre Dame's 71-62 loss to TCU, Miles said the thought of joining the WNBA in a few months was daunting and that having an offseason would be nice after suffering an ankle injury during the Sweet 16 game. But she added that passing up the opportunity to be a lottery pick was "a lot to give up."

But now, she will look for a new start elsewhere.

SPOKANE, Wash. - It wasn't until there were two seconds left in the UConn Huskies' Elite Eight game that star Paige Bueckers relaxed off her USC Trojans defender, walked toward her teammates and clapped her hands in celebration.

It's far from mission accomplished yet for the Huskies and Bueckers, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in next month's WNBA draft. But thanks to Monday's 78-64 victory over No. 1 seed USC in the Spokane 4 Regional final - in which the superstar guard finished with 31 points and six assists - the Huskies added the latest chapter to their extensive Final Four lore and positioned themselves two wins away from their ultimate goal: the program's 12th national championship.

"We're just so grateful, but we know like the journey isn't done," Bueckers said. "We want our story to continue as long as possible, and we have business to finish."

Leading the Huskies to a Final Four each season she's been healthy, Bueckers is the only player in NCAA tournament history to post four 25-point games in the Elite Eight. But the main force that drives her now is winning a title -- which would be her first and only after three previous heartbreaks in the season's final weekend.

"Where things go next week, I don't know, but I'm glad she's getting an opportunity," coach Geno Auriemma said. "That's all you want. It would have really, really disappointing to not be able to get to this week."

The Huskies will face No. 1 overall seed UCLA in a national semifinal Friday evening in Tampa, Florida. In what's become a nearly annual appearance, it marks UConn's 16th Final Four in 17 years and 24th overall - numbers that even Auriemma, who earlier this season became the sport's all-time wins leader, can't fully wrap his head around.

"There's Disneyland, there's Disney World and then there's UConn World," Auriemma said. "These are fantasy numbers that make no sense. You couldn't predict this and you couldn't script this at all."

In her final games in a UConn jersey, Bueckers has saved her best for last. Her performance Monday marked her third-straight 30-point game, tying own previous mark for the longest such streak in UConn history. Her 105 points across those contests are the most by a UConn player in any three-game span in program history. And she kept up her trademark efficiency on Monday night, hitting 9 for 11 shots and 4 for 8 from 3, altogether making her the first player with 30 points and 50% shooting in three-straight NCAA tournament games since Missouri State's Jackie Stiles in 2001.

"For her to get all the attention she gets, have all the demands on her life, all the expectations in her life, and still be able to deliver... when I say unique, I think she's closer to one or two or three of most unique players I've ever coached," Auriemma said. "And I'm really going to miss her."

The Trojans -- playing without national player of the year front-runner JuJu Watkins, who tore her ACL in their second-round NCAA tournament game last Monday -- put up a valiant effort without their superstar but fell just short of their first Final Four appearance since 1986. They were led by a 23-point, 15-board performance from senior Rayah Marshall.

"We lost a National Player of the Year, probably, one week ago today and we've won two NCAA tournament games, because they really became a team," USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. "I was just very proud of the way that we competed tonight. I think you saw the heart and character of our team on display."

The Trojans didn't just have to deal with Bueckers' big night, but also one from freshman Sarah Strong. The latter's 22 points and 17 rebounds made her the second freshman in NCAA tournament history with a 20-point, 15-rebound game in the Elite Eight or later.

"Sarah impacts the game in so many ways, that you just have so much confidence in her, so much belief in her," Auriemma said. "I don't know. Can't explain it."

UConn's defense made the Trojans uncomfortable for large swaths of the game, forcing 10 turnovers in the first half and holding them without a 3-pointer until the 6:44 mark of the third quarter.

Star Kiki Iriafen shot 3 for 15 and did not make a basket from the field after the 4:14 mark of the first quarter. After combining for 45 of USC's 67 points in previous round, the Trojans' top three freshmen of Kennedy Smith, Avery Howell and Kayleigh Heckel managed just 21 on Monday. The team finished with its worst field goal percentage in a game this season at 32.8%.

Meanwhile, the Huskies' 10-for-22 effort from beyond the arc marked the first time this season USC allowed an opponent to reach double digits on 3-pointers.

Auriemma knew he would have to go to Strong early given the defensive attention he expected the Trojans to throw toward Bueckers. The freshman delivered, keeping the Huskies afloat with 10 of their 14 first-quarter point before the rest of the team picked up steam to close second frame. At the break - with UConn up 14, USC's largest halftime deficit of the season -- Strong and Bueckers had combined for more first-half points (28) than USC (25).

The Trojans edged the Huskies in the third, 21-12, making things interesting heading into the fourth. Senior Talia von Oelhoffen spurred the comeback bid with 10 third-quarter points that included a timely basket before the end-of-period buzzer, helping USC cut a 19-point deficit to just five. But UConn refused to panic. After dealing with a swath of injuries over the last three years - including advancing to the Final Four last season with just eight available players - UConn said it leaned on its past experience overcoming adversity to get each other through this test.

"We were built for this," Bueckers said. "Everything that we went through as a team, as individuals, we've weathered every storm that life has thrown our way. So why not weather another."

Added Auriemma: "It has toughened us up a little bit and it has made us a little stronger individually and collectively, believe in each other a little bit more."

Graduate student Azzi Fudd, who started the game shooting 0 for 9, helped UConn pull away down the stretch with eight points in the fourth. Her first basket came on UConn's initial offensive possession that frame, an elevator play that Auriemma had drawn up for his struggling star. She then hit another trey to put UConn up by 14 at the 6:54 mark.

"No matter what the first 30 minutes looked like, we told her the fourth quarter was hers, and she showed up like she always does," Bueckers said.

Fudd and Bueckers scored UConn's first 15 points of the fourth, which along with two late layups from senior Kaitlyn Chen, put the game just enough out of reach. USC never got closer than nine points from then on out.

After the final buzzer sounded, the Huskies gathered at center court, with lots of smiles, high-fives and excited pats. No dogpiles or jumping. As per UConn tradition, the nets at both baskets remained untouched. That's a ritual reserved for championships. But there were still moments of levity and celebration. Bueckers bear-hugged Strong, her heir apparent to Husky stardom. Bueckers' teammates dumped a cooler of confetti during her postgame interview on ESPN, and Bueckers returned the favor by dousing Auriemma during his own TV spot.

The two later shared a moment in the locker room after the game -- grateful for what they accomplished together, and hopeful of what's to come in, regardless of the final outcome, her final week as a Husky.

"At this time, you know it's coming to an end, and it's going to end whether you want it to or not," Auriemma said. "You just want to make it the best weekend of her career at UConn, and it's my job to help her do that."

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The best road trip in Boston history has given the Celtics a chance at grabbing a piece of NBA history.

The Celtics finished off the franchise's first 6-0 road trip on Monday night with a 117-103 win at Memphis. That win -- Boston's eighth straight on the road overall -- pushed the Celtics' away record to 32-7, two wins shy of tying Golden State for the NBA single-season road mark.

The Warriors were 34-7 away from home in the 2015-16 season. Boston's two remaining road games are April 8 at New York and April 9 at Orlando.

It led to Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla being asked a simple question after the Memphis win: "Why are you guys so good on the road?"

Mazzulla did not hesitate before answering. "I would venture to say that our guys are good everywhere," he said.

The Celtics now have 23 double-digit wins on the road, one away from tying the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers for the most in NBA history. They've outscored opponents by 404 points on the road, 26 away from the mark set by those same Lakers in 1971-72.

"It's more about just playing consistent basketball," Mazzulla said. "But I think each year you develop different kind of strengths, especially with the same team. And this year it just happened to be kind of our road mentality."

Oklahoma City also still has a chance of tying Golden State's record for fewest road losses in a season. The Thunder are 29-7 with four games left away from home; technically, Oklahoma City will finish the season with 41 home games, 40 road games and one neutral-site game in Las Vegas -- an NBA Cup semifinal win in Las Vegas over Houston.

The Thunder are 11-0 on the road since the All-Star break, on their way to the NBA's best record.

The Celtics' 32nd road win of the season Monday also tied the 1972-73 team (32-8 on the road) and the 1974-75 team (32-9) for the most away victories in Boston history.

"We've been very focused and I feel like even last year, we were good --- but especially in the playoffs I felt like we did a really good job on the road controlling the tempo and being able to play a certain way," Celtics forward Al Horford said. "It's pretty special, the way that we're playing and some of the things we're doing here."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Left-hander Garrett Crochet and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a six-year, $170 million contract extension, sources told ESPN on Monday, keeping the 25-year-old ace with the organization that traded for him this winter to lead its rotation.

The deal starts in 2026 and includes an opt-out after the 2030 season, when Crochet would be 31. It guarantees him the most money ever for a player with four-plus years of service, trumping the five-year, $137.5 million contract Jacob deGrom signed with the New York Mets in 2019.

Though the sides had been discussing an extension for months, they hit roadblocks because of the difficulty in valuing Crochet. He has thrown only 224 innings in his career, spending 2020 and 2021 as a reliever, sitting out 2022 after Tommy John surgery, returning to the bullpen in 2023 and transitioning to the rotation with the Chicago White Sox last year. Because of his lack of bulk numbers, Crochet will make only $3.8 million this year after a breakout season in which he struck out 209 and walked 33 in 146 innings.

Boston rewarded him like a frontline starter nevertheless, enticing him with ace-level money that does not include any deferrals and keeping him from reaching free agency after the 2026 season.

The Red Sox saw enough from Crochet this spring to put to rest that possibility. Should he opt out after 2030, Crochet still could receive another nine-figure deal. Left-hander Max Fried, who was 31 on Opening Day this year, received an eight-year, $218 million free agent contract from the New York Yankees. And at 32, left-hander Blake Snell signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for five years and $182 million.

With a fastball that reaches 100 mph and a dastardly cutter he added to his repertoire last season, Crochet is among the best left-handed pitchers in baseball -- a factor in Boston paying heavily for him in dollars and players.

Giving up catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez in a trade for Crochet during the winter meetings illustrated the Red Sox were ready to transition from years of mediocrity to contention. With a solid major league core and the emergence of prospects Kristian Campbell -- who is now starting at second base for Boston -- outfielder Roman Anthony and shortstop Marcelo Mayer, the Red Sox spent the winter aggressively pursuing upgrades.

The signing of third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract and right-hander Walker Buehler to a one-year, $21.05 million deal added veteran big leaguers, though Crochet was the prize of the winter.

No pitcher who received a nine-figure contract had done so with fewer than 800 innings. That Crochet did with not even one-third of that speaks to the impression the 6-foot-6, 245-pound fireballer made on the Red Sox during his short time with the team.

Chosen No. 11 by the White Sox out of Tennessee in the 2020 draft, Crochet skipped straight to the major leagues, throwing six scoreless innings down the stretch of the COVID-shortened season. He remained in the big leagues the next year, serving as a high-leverage reliever for a White Sox team that won the American League Central Division.

Elbow reconstruction slowed Crochet's ascent and kept him out for all of 2022 and all but 12 innings in 2023. Chicago's decision to move him into the rotation proved prophetic, as Crochet made the AL All-Star team and was perhaps the most sought-after player at the trade deadline.

With a planned shutdown to limit his innings, Crochet let teams know that he would pitch only for a contender if given a contract extension. No team obliged the request, and Crochet spent the final three months of the season throwing no more than four innings per start.

Chicago put him back on the trade block over the winter and struck a blockbuster with Boston, which expressed interest in extending Crochet and eventually came to terms on a deal that can max out at $180 million with escalators.