2026 World Baseball Classic Begins

     The 2026 World Baseball Classic began today. The United States, Japan and Dominican Republic are the top contenders to win the event. Japan defeated the United States in the 2023 title game when Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout in the ninth inning to capture the championship in Miami. 

     There will be five nations in Pool D for the 2026 World Baseball Classic that will participate at loanDepot park in Miami. They include Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Israel, Nicaragua and The Netherlands. All nations will play in four games from March 6 until March 11. 

     The playoff rounds will later move to South Florida. The 2026 World Baseball Classic semifinals will happen on March 15 and the championship game will be held loanPark park in Miami on March 17. 

Omer Yurtseven In G League

     Former Miami Heat center Omer Yurtseven has signed a contract with the Houston Rockets G League affiliate the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He was with Panathinaikos BC in Greece for the past two seasons. 

     Yurtseven played two seasons with the Heat in 2021-22 to 2022-23. He averaged 5.2 points-per-game and 4.9 rebounds-per-game for Miami in 65 contests. Yurtseven participated in 48 games with the Utah Jazz in 2023-24. 

Panthers xxxxx Blue Jackets

     The Florida Panthers xxxxx the Columbus Blue Jackets x-x at Nationwide Arena on Thursday night. The Panthers will complete their four-game road trip tomorrow at the Detroit Red Wings.

     Florida(30-28-3)

     Detroit(36-20-6)

Heat xxxxx Nets In Rematch

     The Miami Heat xxxxx the Brooklyn Nets xxx-xxx on Thursday night at Kaseya Center. Both teams played at the same venue two days ago with the Heat victorious. 

     Miami(33-29)

     Brooklyn(15-46)

Heat Connections Working NCAA Basketball Tournament

     Two former Miami Heat members will be part the television on-air announcing crews for the upcoming 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. They are one-time Heat head coach Stan Van Gundy and forward Jamal Mashburn. 

     Van Gundy will work as a game analyst through the regional finals with play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan and sideline reporter Lauren Shehadi. Mashburn will be in the TNT Sports studios in Atlanta as a studio analyst. 

MacKenzie Weegar Dealt To Utah

     The Calgary Flames have traded defenseman MacKenzie Weegar to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Olli Maatta. Weegar was dealt with Jonathan Huberdeau by the Florida Panthers to the Flames for right wing Matthew Tkachuk on July 22, 2022. 

     Weegar played his first six NHL seasons with Florida from 2016-17 until 2021-22. He chalked up 27 goals and 94 assists for 121 points in 306 games with the Panthers. 

Kyle Nicolas Off To Reds

     The Pittsburgh Pirates have sent relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Tyler Callihan. Nicolas played last three seasons with the Pirates. 

     Nicolas was selected in the second round of the 2020 MLB Amateur Draft by the Marlins. He never played in the majors with them.