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#StateToTheShow: Five Bulldogs Prepare For Professional Seasons

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STARKVILLEAs professional softball seasons approach, Mississippi State will be represented by five former players in the Athletes United Softball League (AUSL) and Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF).
 
Raelin Chaffin and Sierra Sacco’s AUSL career begins with the Talons in Rosemont, Illinois, on Saturday, June 7. They will face off against Mia Davidson’s Bandits, though that franchise will be without the Bulldog star for the first few weeks of the season. Davidson is one of 10 players who will miss the beginning of the season while finishing the first half of the Japan Diamond League (JDL) season. She will return stateside from her obligations with Denso Bright Pegasus on June 16.
 
This summer will mark the inaugural season for the AUSL, which is transitioning to a traditional team format for the first time. Davidson has previously played three seasons with Athletes Unlimited under its unique individual scoring format. She finished as high as third in the 2023 AUX season and was taken by the Bandits with the first pick in the fifth round of the AUSL Draft in January. She won her first professional team championship overseas this spring, winning Liga Mexicana de Softbol’s Serie De La Reina with the Diablos Rojos.
 
Sacco concluded her Bulldog career as a consensus All-American and a Top 25 Finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award. She started every game of her career in centerfield and as the leadoff batter. Sacco among the top 10 in MSU single-season history in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, runs, hits, doubles and total bases this year.
 
Chaffin ended her career receiving NFCA First Team All-South Region and Second Team All-SEC honors. She became the first Bulldog pitcher to win 20 games, make 40 appearances and strike out 200 batters since 2015. Along the way, she set a new single-season school record with 10 wins in conference play. She was one of just three SEC pitchers with 200 strikeouts, and the only one to do so without reaching the Women’s College World Series. She led the league in strikeouts looking and ranked fourth in wins and innings pitched.
 
AUSL games will be broadcast by a combination of ESPN platforms, MLB.TV and local regional networks. ESPN platforms will air 40 of the league’s games, beginning with the Talons vs. Bandits game on Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. CT. All games not on ESPN will be available through MLB.TV and the MLB App with no subscription required.
 
Meanwhile, Aspen Wesley recently re-signed with the WPF’s Monarchs who have relocated from Texas to Orlando, Florida. Chloe Malau’ulu will join her, signing with the franchise this week after spending two seasons with the OKC Spark. The Monarchs open their season in the Bahamas against the relocated Atlanta Smoke on June 19-21.
 
Last summer, Malau’ulu won an Association of Fastpitch Professionals championship with the Spark. She batted .235 on the season, playing 21 games. Wesley posted a 2.48 ERA and was named a WPF All-Star in her first professional season.
 
The Bulldogs have now seen 26 players go on to play professionally with 16 of those being coached by Samantha Ricketts. MSU was one of only two programs in the nation with two AUSL draftees this spring, and at least one future pro has been on the roster every season since 2013.
 
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on XFacebook and Instagram by searching “HailStateSB.”
 
 





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College Basketball Rankings: Coaches Poll Top 25 updated after Week 8

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The USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll Top 25 has been refreshed following the eighth week of the season. It was a bit of a light week due to Christmas, but some showdowns still took place amid the holiday celebrations, resulting in some movement throughout the Top 25.

With conference play picking up this coming weekend, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of the season, where the rankings will fluctuate week-in and week-out. While this past week was packed with tune-up games and not a ton of riveting action, that won’t be the case from now until April.

Regardless, the Coaches Poll Top 25 is certain to see plenty of movement. For now, here’s how things stack up after Week 8. This week’s updated rankings are below.

Michigan enjoyed a full week off and enters the week undefeated at 11–0. The Wolverines return to action with home games against McNeese State on Monday and USC on Friday.

Senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg has been the engine, stuffing the stat sheet with 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Michigan will look to stay perfect as conference play looms.

Arizona
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Arizona rolled past Bethune 107–71 last Monday to improve to 12–0 on the season. The Wildcats host South Dakota State before traveling to Utah for a road test on Saturday.

Freshman guard Brayden Burries has emerged as a steady scorer, averaging 14.0 points per game. Arizona’s depth and tempo continue to overwhelm opponents early in the season.

Iowa State remained perfect at 12–0 after an off week. The Cyclones host Houston Christian on Monday and West Virginia on Friday.

Junior forward Milan Momcilovic leads the team at 18.3 points per game. Iowa State’s balance continues to separate it from most of the field.

UConn had the week off and remains one of the nation’s most complete teams at 12–1. The Huskies head to Xavier on Wednesday before hosting Marquette on Sunday.

Junior guard Solo Ball leads the backcourt with 15.4 points per game. This week offers a strong measuring stick against Big East competition.

Purdue
Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Purdue stayed idle last week but remains firmly entrenched near the top of the Coaches Poll with an 11–1 record. The Boilermakers face a tricky week with a home matchup against Kent State on Monday before heading to Wisconsin on Saturday.

Senior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn continues to anchor the frontcourt, averaging a double-double at 13.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Purdue’s ability to maintain consistency through a two-game week will be closely watched.

Duke remained idle last week and sits at 11–1 entering a two-game stretch. The Blue Devils host Georgia Tech on Wednesday before traveling to Florida State on Saturday.

Freshman phenom Cameron Boozer has been dominant, averaging 23.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Duke will be tested defensively as ACC play intensifies.

Gonzaga extended its winning streak with a victory over Pepperdine on Sunday and sits at 13–1. The Bulldogs play three times this week, traveling to San Diego before hosting Seattle U and LMU.

Junior forward Braden Huff leads the way with 19.1 points per game. Gonzaga’s depth will be tested during the busy stretch.

Houston
John Jones-Imagn Images

Houston enters the week at 11–1 after a quiet stretch. The Cougars host Middle Tennessee State on Monday before heading to Cincinnati on Saturday.

Senior guard Emanuel Sharp continues to pace the offense with 17.9 points per game. Houston’s defensive pressure remains its calling card heading into conference play.

Michigan State enjoyed a week off and sits at 11–1 on the season. The Spartans host Cornell on Monday before traveling to Nebraska on Friday.

Senior forward Jaxon Kohler has been a force inside, averaging 13.9 points and 10.3 rebounds. Michigan State will look to sharpen its execution away from home.

BYU cruised past Eastern Washington 109–81 last Monday to improve to 12–1. The Cougars face a lone test this week with a road trip to Kansas State on Saturday.

Freshman star AJ Dybantsa has lived up to the hype, averaging 23.1 points per game. BYU’s offense remains one of the most explosive in the country.

11. Vanderbilt
12. North Carolina
13-T. Nebraska
13-T.
Louisville (+1)
15. Alabama
16. Texas Tech
17. Kansas
18. Arkansas
19. Illinois
20. Tennessee
21. Virginia
22. Florida
23. Iowa
24. Georgia
25. St. John’s

Dropped Out: No. 25 USC

Others Receiving Votes: Kentucky 35; USC 25; Utah State 14; Auburn 7; Saint Louis 6; Clemson 6; Seton Hall 5; Oklahoma State 5; Yale 4; UCLA 4; Saint Mary’s 4; LSU 3; California 2; Villanova 1; Miami (OH) 1; Indiana 1



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Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA

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Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA
photo credit: Craven Whitlow

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When Bobby Petrino returned to Arkansas after the 2023 season, his first task was finding a new quarterback.

In this era of college football, that also meant funding a new quarterback. For that, the former head coach leaned on his old friend Frank Fletcher.

The Little Rock-based businessman stepped up and footed a large chunk of the bill for Taylen Green, the talented signal caller Petrino identified to run his offense for the Razorbacks.

It hasn’t only been a transactional relationship, though. Over the last two years, Fletcher has been mindful of Green’s life after sports. Rather than simply handing the star quarterback a boatload of cash, he offered something few college athletes receive: personal relationship and mentorship.

“I had a wonderful two years with Taylen Green,” Fletcher said during Monday’s edition of Morning Mayhem on 103.7 The Buzz. “I was lucky that I happened to back a player that was that nice a kid and [had] great parents. I’ve learned a lot from him. I’m teaching him everything I know, and he wants to learn.”

Fletcher helped Green navigate the financial market by giving the QB1 homework, making him chart a series of stocks over a few months – something that could prove even more important after his subpar finish to the 2025 season likely impacted his pro prospects.