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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

David Roth

Purdue center Zach Edey scowls at and squeezes a basketball during the Big Ten Championship Game against Penn State.

Podcasts

Season Of The Oaf, With Ken Pomeroy

Israel Daramola

Suddenly, Everybody’s Ready For Ja Morant To Get Back On The Court

Tom Ley

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 15: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Minnesota Wild attempts to get physical with Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues but is stopped by linesman Dan Kelly #98 at the Enterprise Center on March 15, 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri.

They Should Have Let Marc-Andre Fleury Beat Up Jordan Binnington

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 19: Purdue students hold up a giant cutout of university president Mitch Daniels during the college football game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Purdue Boilermakers on November 19, 2022, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Media Meltdowns

Man Who Declares “There’s No ‘Us’ In ‘Me’” Has No Brain In Head

Albert Burneko

Ron DeSantis with his big gross mouth open like a nightmare baby bird.

This Is So Stupid

Which Three Fingers Did Ron DeSantis Use To Slurp Down Chocolate Pudding Like A Damn Raccoon?

Lauren Theisen

The Maryland Terrapins mascot, Testudo, peers into the camera

College Basketball

Everything You Need To Know About Maryland–West Virginia

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 15: A general view of Wells Fargo Arena during open practice ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament First Round on March 15, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (

It’s March Freakin’ Madness. Here’s Your Open Thread

<div>Dave Madden is the author of two books, and his essays have appeared in The Guardian, Harper&#8217;s, Lithub, Zyzzyva, and elsewhere. He teaches nonfiction in the MFA Program at the University of San Francisco, and publishes a newsletter named <a href="https://shennymag.substack.com/">Shenny</a>.</div>

Dave Madden

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski congratulates UNC forward Brady Manek after his Blue Devils lost in the 2022 Final Four.

The Family Queer Flies Home For March Madness

Ray Ratto

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors falls to the ground after scoring a basket during the second half against Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on March 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Warriors’ Road Woes Could Earn Them A Rare And Unpleasant Trip To Beamtown

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 15: Edwin Diaz #39 of Puerto Rico is helped off the field after being injured during the on-field celebration after defeating the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic Pool D at loanDepot park on March 15, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

This Sucks So Bad For Edwin Díaz [Update]

Luis Paez-Pumar

Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his opening goal ,during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between SSC Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 15, 2023 in Naples, Italy.

Soccer

Victor Osimhen Is Napoli’s Exclamation Point

Giri Nathan

Daniil Medvedev lies on the court during his fourth-round match at Indian Wells.

Tennis

Daniil Medvedev Hates The Indian Wells Court, And It Hates Him Back

Patrick Redford

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 27: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies participates in an all access team practice on February 27, 2023 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Ja Morant Is Coming Back

There Is A Right Answer To Duke–Oral Roberts

Three Oakland Roots Supporters

Amedspor supporters march to the stadium before a match against Sanlıurfaspor in 2015.

The Scorpions Behind The Barricade

Erling Haaland of Manchester City next to a desperately diving Janis Blaswich of RB Leipzig in Champions League round-of-16

Champions League

Erling Haaland Is A Bolt, Or Five, Of Lightning

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 14: Shakeel Moore #3 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs misses a three point basket against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half in the First Four game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at University of Dayton Arena on March 14, 2023 in Dayton, Ohio.

They Didn’t Need A Three

Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.

Nicholas Russell

‘Physical: 100’ Asks What A Body Is For

Samer Kalaf

Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Josh McDaniels Needs To Work On His People Skills

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers runs onto the field before a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Aaron Rodgers Has The NFL Media Right Where He Likes It: Hostage

Barry Petchesky

I Liked The Cartoon Hockey Game

Kelsey McKinney

I Am Not Weak And Afraid Like Major League Baseball’s Official Scorers

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Mitch Bratt #28 of Team Canada looks on in the dugout during Game 6 of Pool C between Team Canada and Team USA at Chase Field on Monday, March 13, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.

It’s Hard To Be A Youth At The World Baseball Classic

Dave McKenna

Cows stand behind a fence, but in front of a picturesque view of County Mayo in Ireland.

Things We Actually Like

A Yank Walks Into A Pub

Aaron Rodgers is congratulated by Allen Lazard during a Packers game on Christmas Day in 2021.