SEC POY Mikayla Blakes on Vandy’s rise + which team needs a conferenc… — and more

Hoops 360 hosts Caroline Fenton and Cassandra Negley break down the Power Four conference tournaments with March implications on the line. Is the SEC title South Carolina’s to lose? Can Duke’s offense deliver? Is anyone built to challenge UCLA? And how will the Big 12 shake out?

Plus, Vanderbilt star and SEC Player of the Year Mikayla Blakes joins the show to talk leadership, confidence, and how Vanderbilt surged into national title contention.

Got a question or topic you want covered? Drop it in the comments — we might feature it in a future episode.

01:38 - SEC Conference Tournament Preview: Can South Carolina win its 4th consecutive conference championship?

05:58 - Who could knock off South Carolina?

08:48 - Will Vanderbilt or Texas take the final No. 1 seed?

10:22 - Which team needs to make a run the most to bolster resume?

13:43 - SEC Player of the Year Mikayla Blakes joins Hoops 360!

25:34 - ACC Conference Tournament Preview: What must Duke do to give you confidence in them?

28:51 - If not Duke, then who?

31:05 - Big Ten Conference Tournament Preview: Can anyone compete with UCLA?

35:47 - Big 12 Conference Tournament Preview: Who is the most in need of a resume boost?

39:05 - Additional conference tournaments to watch: Big East, Ivy League, Summit League, A10

45:03 - Which conference tournament is most intriguing?

50:11 - Upcoming games to watch

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Rhian Wilkinson savoured the result, if not the performance, as Wales salvaged a draw from their opening Women's World Cup qualifier in the Czech Republic.

Wales looked set for costly defeat in Uherske Hradiste with the Czechs leading 2-1 in added time.

But substitute Elise Hughes' 93rd-minute header secured a draw which felt almost like a victory after a mixed Wales display.

Given that Wales and the Czech Republic are expected to battle it out for top spot, Wilkinson acknowledged that Hughes' leveller could "absolutely" prove to be key when Group B1 concludes in June.

"That is what we talked about before the game and we prepared for - if we get a tie (draw) away, are we happy with it?" the Wales head coach said.

"It's a big tie and we're pleased with that."

Both goals Wales conceded came from set-pieces, with Eva Bartonova and Jana Zufankova scoring in each half.

Hannah Cain rounded off a fine team move for the visitors' first equaliser before Hughes' fifth international goal gave Wales' women the advantage over the Czechs at this early stage in World Cup qualifying.

"I don't think it was our best performance but we did know that this was going to be a huge battle for us against a really top team at home, so we were going to have to show up and deliver," Wilkinson added.

"There were moments in that game where I didn't think we were good enough."

• Wales salvage late draw in Czech Republic

"But what I am proud of is that we stuck in it to the very end and that goal was going to be important for us to get the tie."

In Wales' first competitive since the international retirement of Jess Fishlock, Wilkinson picked a side packed with experience.

But the Canadian paid tribute to the less experienced "finishers" who played a part after coming off the bench.

"We've got to make sure we keep testing our depth and giving players opportunities to shine like Elise did today," she said.

"I thought Mared also came on and made a difference, Carrie Jones came in, so a lot of performances that were important for us tonight."

Wales, who are looking to qualify for the Women's World Cup for the first time, play their second qualifier against Montenegro in Llanelli on Saturday.

Melker Ellborg: 8/10

A couple of nervy moments with his kicking early on but then settled down and looked very comfortable. Wasn’t troubled from set pieces, made some good punches out and made some decent saves, one from a free kick and then a near post effort with his arm late on.

Luke O’Nien (C): 8/10

Had a little trouble early on, but with the help of Angulo, saw out the danger and grew into the game. Often used his strength and reading of the game to see the ball out of the play when Leeds threatened down that side.

Dan Ballard: 9/10

Was so good in the air all night, throwing himself at so many crosses and comfortably coming out on top in the battle with Calvert Lewin.

Omar Alderete: 8/10

Like his centre half partner, he was a wall at the back. Constantly in the way at set pieces and cross. Some dodgy moments when he got himself out position or turned into trouble but still a colossal effort.

Trai Hume: 9/10

Hume was so good defensively tonight, not giving Leeds any room to manoeuvre down his side of the pitch. Quick to close down and put a tackle in.

Lutsharel Geertruida: 6/10

Protected the defence well enough in the middle of the pitch but didn’t have much influence on the game, steady on the ball at least.

Noah Sadiki: 7/10

Got around the pitch as usual but was a little subdued on the ball, plenty of effort though. Got a bit lucky when he gave the ball away cheaply near our own corner flag in the first half.

Habib Diarra: 7/10

Like Sadiki, he struggled to impose himself on the ball but was always closing down at pace when Leeds had possession. Stepped up when it mattered to convert the penalty.

Enzo Le Fee: 7/10

Worked so hard off the ball to help out Hume and the midfielders, .

Nilson Angulo: 8/10

He was positive on the ball all night, looking dangerous whenever he had it, but put in a great effort defensively to help out O’Nien. Constantly tracking back and using his pace to nullify Gudmunsson.

Eliezer Mayenda: 5/10

Barely involved tonight, was offside too often and his only real opportunity was barely a half chance following Ballard’s header from a set piece.

Substitutes

Granit Xhaka: 7/10

Helped us over the line with his clever first time passing and getting into the right position to block a pass.

Wilson Isidor: 6/10

Had a part in winning the penalty when his effort was eventually handled by Ampadu.

Bertrand Traore: N/A

Only had a couple of minutes on the pitch, gave the ball away cheaply but then did great to recover and prevent a counter attack, seemingly injured himself as a result.

Chris Rigg: 6/10

A late change for Traore, helped us see out of the game.

Man of the Match: Dan Ballard

Lots of really good defensive performances tonight and a great clean sheet for Ellborg on his debut, my man of the match was Dan Ballard though who showed how well deserved the new contract was. An absolute brick wall at the back, got the better of Calvert Lewin time and time again and was dominant in the air from start to finish.

The Chargers put together a strong 2025 season under head coach Jim Harbaugh, finishing 11-6 and securing a playoff berth for the second straight year, their first back-to-back postseason appearances since 2008-2009.

Heading into the 2026 offseason, the big question is how they'll respond and build on that foundation to push deeper, potentially into Super Bowl contention. They can do that by addressing areas like interior offensive line protection, defensive reinforcements, and adding playmakers to take the next step beyond early playoff exits.

With an estimated $84 million in available cap space for 2026, the Bolts have significant flexibility to make impactful additions and re-sign key impending free agents to bolster the weak spots.

Stay locked in to this page on Chargers Wire as we provide live updates throughout the week on trade and free agency-related rumors and news involving the team.

Chargers will not use franchise tag on Odafe Oweh

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, edge rusher Odafe Oweh is likely to hit free agency. The team has given no indication that it will use the franchise tag by 4 p.m. deadline. So, barring surprise, Oweh will enter the market. The Athletic's Daniel Popper believes that Oweh's price tag could reach $25 million per year.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers free agency, trade tracker: Rumors and signings