Pearl Admits to Nepotism in Auburn Coaching Change — and more

Former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl has confirmed he helped his son Steven replace him as the university's basketball coach, admitting to what he described as nepotism.

Pearl, who stepped down from his coaching position, acknowledged that his involvement in his son's hiring was apparent to everyone involved in the process.

Oilers cut ties with $3.6 million forward with trade before deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Edmonton Oilers have moved on.

Andrew Mangiapane ended up being a total bust, but at least they found a way off of him.

He's reportedly being sent to the Chicago Blackhawks in a fascinating deal reported Wednesday night:

Trade details, per sources:

To #LetsGoOilers:
C Jason Dickinson (50% retained)
F Colton Dach

To #Blackhawks:
F Andrew Mangiapane
2027 1st Round Pick

Condition: 1st round pick is Top 12 protected.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 5, 2026

MORE: Maple Leafs getting help from Flyers to trade veteran center

The Oilers actually made this deal more likely by passing Mangiapane through waivers earlier in the week.

The Athletic's Chris Johnston wrote : "Quite the contrary, in fact, because an acquiring team can send Mangiapane directly to the AHL once he’s passed through waivers and would be in a position to get a sweetener from Edmonton for taking on his contract. Mangiapane’s game is a long way from the 35-goal season he had in 2021-22, but he did score 13 even-strength goals in Washington last season and was also deployed as a penalty killer on the league’s fifth-best unit. Edmonton is desperate to clear up cap space for other moves, so he has to go."

Mangiapane has a $3.6 million annual average value and is still under contract through the 2026-27 season.

That appears to be Chicago's problem now.

More NHL news:

• Oilers want 2 positions before the NHL trade deadline
• A salary cap rule may make 2 Flames trades difficult
• Canadiens know trade cost for Robert Thomas
• It'll be complicated to trade for Steven Stamkos
• Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans
• Buffalo Sabres have gone from last to the best story in hockey

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Katie Fiso scored 20 points, Ehis Etute had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Oregon defeated Purdue 82-64 in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday night.

Mia Jacobs had 14 points and nine rebounds for 11th-seeded Oregon (21-11).

Lana McCarthy had 14 points and nine rebounds before fouling out, and Hila Karsh and Tara Daye each scored 11 points for Purdue (13-17), the 14th seed.

Etute scored eight points in the first quarter and the Ducks led 21-12 after one.

In the second, the Boilermakers had a seven-minute stretch in which they missed all 10 of their shots. Oregon’s lead ballooned to 47-24 at halftime.

After shooting 24% and scoring only 24 points in the first half, Purdue shot 73% in the third quarter and scored 25 points. The Ducks shot only 25% in the third quarter but still led 64-49 heading to the fourth.

Oregon shot 47% in the first half and held on despite shooting only 33% after halftime.

The Ducks and Boilermakers met barely a week ago, on Feb. 25, with Oregon winning 71-65 at Purdue.

Up next

Oregon plays No. 6-seed Maryland on Thursday with the winner moving on to play third-seeded Michigan in the quarterfinals.

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