Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said his top-10 team can’t sign more recruits because the school’s athletic department is “very poor.”
After the eighth-ranked Cougars’ 79-55 victory Wednesday over UCF, Sampson said his team’s greatest hurdle in recruiting is a lack of funding.
“We have a very poor athletic department,” he said. “We’re poor. We were poor when I got here, and we’re still poor.
“We probably have the lowest budget of anybody in Power 4. The way our recruiting is going, we have to stop at some point because we don’t have the money to keep bringing in many good players. And that’s not easy for us to do.”
According to a USA Today database, Houston was ranked 56th in Division I athletics with revenue of $78 million — or nearly one-third of rival Texas‘ athletic budget — in 2024.
Houston officials did not immediately respond to ESPN’s request for comment, but, in a letter to the fan base in July, athletic director Eddie Nunez issued a “call to action” to raise additional revenue for NIL opportunities.
“Looking ahead to the 2025-26 year, we are embracing the new era of college athletics with a positive mindset of bold ambition, strategic investment, and relentless pursuit of excellence,” Nunez said in the letter. “We are not just keeping pace with change; we are setting the standard. Whether it’s pushing boundaries in performance, academic success, or community engagement, our standard is simple: excellence in everything we do. While revenue-sharing with student-athletes is now officially upon us, it is critical that we also maintain NIL opportunities for our student-athletes.”
Sampson’s claims of Houston’s NIL challenges did not stop him from building one of the top rosters in America. Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac Jr. were two of the most coveted — and expensive — five-star recruits in the current class. In the 2026 class, Houston has already signed a pair of top-35 recruits, too.
Sampson added Wednesday that his current roster is “getting exactly what the market is for them” and “not starving.” But he warned that future roster-building could become more challenging unless his athletic department boosts revenue.
“Teams that have the best recruiting classes usually have the most money. That’s the way it is today,” Sampson said. “Who knows who else we’ll sign? Depends on how much money we have.”
NEW YORK — After more than five decades of coaching, it’s hard for anything to truly impress Rick Pitino. But after notching his biggest regular-season win since taking over at St. John’s, the Hall of Fame coach had a strong proclamation about this Red Storm team.
“This is the best group of people, character-wise, that I’ve coached,” Pitino said. “In my 52 years. There’s not one guy that doesn’t give me everything.”
No. 22 St. John’s landed its first marquee win of the season Friday night, knocking off No. 3 UConn81-72 to snap the Huskies’ 18-game winning streak in front of an electric crowd at Madison Square Garden. It was Pitino’s first win over a top-five team since Feb. 1, 2016, according to ESPN Research, and means he has now guided five different programs to top-10 wins, becoming only the second coach to ever hit that mark.
The victory also tied Pitino with Roy Williams for third place in Division I history with 903 career wins.
“As hard as a game as we’ve had to play this year,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said.
St. John’s strategy was apparent from the opening few minutes. After UConn big man Tarris Reed Jr. went to the bench with a six-point lead six minutes into the game, the Red Storm were finally able to find an offensive rhythm through Big East Preseason Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor. Ejiofor immediately scored his first basket, went to the free throw line on the next possession, then assisted a Joson Sanon 3 to cap a 7-0 run that took less than one minute and gave the Red Storm the lead.
UConn would regain the lead just three times the rest of the game and never by more than two points.
The Red Storm have leaned more and more into a toughness and physicality identity as the season has progressed, and Friday night was no different. They consistently looked to overpower UConn in the paint, outscoring the Huskies in that area 42-34. They grabbed nine offensive rebounds and turned them into 16 second-chance points. And they got to the foul line 31 times, compared to the Huskies’ 12 free throw attempts.
Ejiofor (21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists), Dillon Mitchell (15 points, six rebounds) and Bryce Hopkins (14 points, six rebounds) proved too much for UConn’s frontline on the offensive end.
“They’re grown-ass men,” Hurley said. “Mitchell, Hopkins and Ejiofor, when you have to play them in Big East games, the way that the game is going to be officiated in conference play, they’re built for Big East games.”
At the other end of the floor, St. John’s full-court pressure consistently created issues for UConn. The Huskies turned the ball over 15 times, leading to 20 Red Storm points. UConn had problems all game throwing the ball inbounds, getting awfully close to multiple five-second calls. While Silas Demary Jr. was UConn’s best player on the night, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists, he also turned the ball over nine times.
“They probably had 15 times where it could have been a five-second count and we didn’t get the call,” Pitino said. “But it wears you out. A lot of times, the benefits of the press is physically, they’re trying to get open for five seconds, it tires you. And it wears on your rebounding, it wears on your passing.”
Despite the stellar play of the frontcourt, the unsung hero on the night was former Idaho State transfer Dylan Darling. Darling’s role has fluctuated throughout the season, and after a scoreless first half in which he played just five minutes, it didn’t appear that Friday was going to be a breakout performance. But the 6-foot-1 backup point guard was a catalyst in the second half, posting nine points, two assists and one steal after halftime.
Darling generated momentum early in the second half when he stole the ball from Demary and made two massive baskets later in the half — including a 3-pointer with 3:13 left that pushed the Red Storm lead to five points.
“This is the best group of people, character-wise, that I’ve coached. In my 52 years. There’s not one guy that doesn’t give me everything.”
St. John’s coach Rick Pitino
“It’s a tough adjustment going from where he was to this level. It takes time,” Pitino said. “His level of wanting to take over a game is amazing to me. … It’s really amazing what he’s doing right now.”
St. John’s has now won nine games in a row after a 9-5 start, and the Red Storm are tied in the loss column with UConn atop the Big East. The rematch is set for Feb. 25 in Hartford, and they’re likely on a collision course for a third game in the championship game of the Big East tournament.
But on Friday, St. John’s protected its home court — a court sometimes called “Storrs South” for the way UConn fans take over Madison Square Garden when the Huskies are in town. This time, there was no mistaking which fan base had the advantage.
“The Garden was as good as I’ve seen it,” Pitino said. “I thought it was unbelievable, how good the Garden was. I said 70/30, 60/40 — that was 90/10. Tremendous crowd.”
Sarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated.
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LOS ANGELES — Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is joining the Los Angeles Rams‘ coaching staff, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Peter Schrager on Friday.
Kingsbury spent the past two seasons with the Commanders before the sides agreed to part in January, according to Schefter. The coordinator had one year left on his contract.
The Rams had the top-ranked scoring offense this season but will make changes to their staff after offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur was hired as the Arizona Cardinals‘ head coach. Rams coach Sean McVay said earlier in the week that Los Angeles would conduct an “extensive search” to find LaFleur’s replacement and that the team had “great in-house candidates” who could be hired into the role.
Los Angeles, coming off a loss to Seattle in the NFC Championship Game, will have a significant portion of the offense return next season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was named NFL MVP on Thursday night, announced that he would return for his 18th season.
In 2025, the Commanders dealt with significant injuries, including to quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin. A season after Daniels was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, Washington finished 22nd in scoring and 22nd in yards. Team sources told ESPN’s John Keim there was a divide in Washington over what style of offense to run moving forward.
Kingsbury previously served as the Cardinals’ head coach for four years before he was fired after the 2022 season.
Colombia captain James Rodriguez celebrates his winning goal against Argentina. Photo AFP
WASINGTON:
Colombia captain James Rodriguez signed for Minnesota United, marking his seventh club since leaving Real Madrid in 2020 as the former World Cup Golden Boot winner continues his globe-trotting career.
The Major League Soccer club announced that the 34-year-old midfielder has signed a guaranteed contract through June 2026, with a club option to extend until December 2026.
Rodriguez will occupy an international squad spot pending a medical and receipt of his visa.
“James is a player whose quality, vision, and experience at the highest levels of the game are unquestioned. We’re excited to add his creativity and football intelligence to our group,” the club’s sporting director Khaled El-Ahmad said in a statement.
“At the same time, this move is about collective strength — not about putting everything on one individual.”
Rodriguez, who won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup in a breakthrough tournament that earned him a move to Real Madrid, has become something of a footballing nomad in recent years.
Since the 2019-20 campaign, the playmaker has plied his trade across continents for Everton, Al-Rayyan, Olympiacos, Sao Paulo, Rayo Vallecano and Leon before landing in Minnesota.
“I’m very happy for this new chapter in my life. I hope to be at my best so I can bring joy to this city and to all of the people who are putting their faith in me,” Rodriguez said.
“I’m looking forward to meeting all of the passionate Minnesota fans because I’m also a passionate player who wants to give everything on the field and always wants to win.”
Rodriguez will get his first chance to impress when the new MLS season kicks off on February 21, with Minnesota taking on Austin.
Earlier, Los Angeles FC acquired midfielder Stephen Eustaquio on loan from Portuguese club FC Porto, the team announced Friday.
Eustaquio, who is signed through the end of June with an option to buy, will occupy an international spot.
Since joining Porto in January 2022, he notched 12 goals and 11 assists in 156 matches across all competitions. He also played at fellow Portuguese sides Torreense, Leixoes, Chaves and Pacos Ferreira, as well as LIGA MX powerhouse Cruz Azul.
“Stephen is a top-class midfielder with extensive international experience who knows what it takes to win and lead at the highest level,” LAFC general manager John Thorrington said in a statement. “We’re excited to add a player of his quality, and we’re confident he will have an immediate, positive impact on the group both on and off the field.”
Valentine’s Day has long been associated with flowers, but none capture the spirit of romance quite like roses. Their timeless beauty, rich symbolism, and universal appeal have made them the undisputed star. Here’s why roses continue to reign supreme on the day of love.
Roses have been linked to love and passion for centuries. In Greek and Roman mythology, they were associated with Aphrodite and Venus, the goddesses of love. This ancient symbolism has carried through to modern times, making roses the ultimate emblem of romance.
The red rose, in particular, has become synonymous with deep affection. Its vibrant colour represents passion, desire, and heartfelt emotions, making it the perfect flower to express love on Valentine’s Day. When someone hands over a bouquet of red roses, the message is clear without needing words.
Roses also have a universal language that transcends cultures. Whether in India, Europe, or America, gifting roses is instantly understood as a gesture of love. This global recognition has helped roses dominate Valentine’s Day traditions across the world.
Another reason for their popularity is their versatility. Roses come in a spectrum of colors, each carrying its own meaning. Pink roses symbolize admiration, white roses purity, and yellow roses friendship. This variety allows people to tailor their floral gift to the exact sentiment they wish to convey.
The fragrance of roses adds to their allure. Their sweet, intoxicating scent has long been associated with romance and intimacy, enhancing the emotional impact of the gesture. A bouquet of roses doesn’t just look beautiful—it creates an atmosphere of love.
Roses also hold a special place in literature and art. From Shakespeare’s famous line “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” to countless paintings and poems, roses have been immortalized as symbols of beauty and love. This cultural reinforcement has cemented their role in romantic traditions.
Practicality plays a part too. Florists and growers have perfected the art of cultivating roses, ensuring they are widely available in February. Their accessibility makes them the go-to choice for millions of people looking to express love on Valentine’s Day.
Finally, roses carry a sense of timelessness. Trends in gifts may change, but roses remain evergreen. They are classic, elegant, and never go out of style, which is why they continue to be the most popular flower for Valentine’s Day year after year.
In essence, roses embody everything Valentine’s Day stands for – love, passion, beauty, and tradition. Whether it’s a single stem or a dozen in a bouquet, roses speak the language of the heart more eloquently than any other flower.
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The government has proposed a downward revision of up to Rs1.53 per unit in the base electricity tariff for some domestic power consumers, while recommending higher fixed monthly charges for certain protected and unprotected households, according to a motion filed with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra).
The move aims to rationalise tariffs for the calendar year 2026, balancing affordability for low-usage consumers with recovery of costs from higher users.
Under the proposal, protected consumers using 51–200 units would face fixed charges of Rs200–300 per month, while unprotected consumers consuming up to 600 units could see up to 100% increases in fixed charges, with monthly rates rising from Rs200 to Rs675 depending on consumption.
Conversely, households consuming 601–700 units and above 700 units would see fixed charges reduced from Rs800–1000 to Rs675 per month.
The government also proposed reductions in base tariffs for higher-usage unprotected consumers.
For 301–400 units consumption, a drop of Rs1.53 per unit to Rs36.46 is proposed; for 401–500 units, Rs1.27 to Rs38.95 and for 501–600 units, a cut of Rs1.40 to Rs40.22 has been suggested.
Similarly, for 601–700 units, Rs0.91 per unit cut to Rs41.85; and above 700 units, Rs0.49 to Rs47.20 per unit has been proposed.
Lower-usage unprotected consumers (1–300 units) and lifeline protected consumers would see tariffs largely unchanged, ranging from Rs3.95 to Rs33.10 per unit depending on usage.
Nepra will hold a public hearing on February 10, 2026, allowing stakeholders and consumers to comment on the proposed tariff adjustments.
Energy analysts say the plan reflects the government’s attempt to shield low-usage households from rising electricity costs while passing higher fixed charges to moderate and high-usage consumers, a move likely to impact urban households more significantly.
The proposal underscores ongoing challenges in Pakistan’s power sector, as policymakers try to balance affordability, cost recovery, and financial sustainability for utilities.
Hike in Feb electricity bills
Meanwhile, electricity consumers, including those of K-Electric, will face an additional Re0.284 per unit in their February bills following a fuel charges adjustment for December 2025.
The hike, announced by the Nepra, comes as electricity costs rose last December while consumers were billed at lower rates.
The increase applies to all consumer categories except lifeline users, pre-paid electricity customers, and electric vehicle charging stations, and will also impact Incremental Consumption Package users.
Nepra clarified that bills issued before the notification will incorporate the adjustment in subsequent cycles, and the change will be itemised separately on bills.
The adjustment underscores ongoing challenges in Pakistan’s power sector, as fuel price volatility continues to influence electricity tariffs and billing for both urban and rural consumers.
Pakistan began its campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against Netherlands in Sri Lankan capital today (Saturday) amid chances of rain.
Captain Salman Ali Agha is aiming to continue the team’s impressive recent form when they face the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo at 10.30 am (Pakistan Standard Time).
The 10th edition of the global tournament, jointly hosted by Sri Lanka and India, will run from February 7 to March 8.
The Super 8 stage is scheduled to commence on February 22, while the semifinals will be played on March 4 and 5.
Since finishing as runners-up in the Asia Cup 2025, the Green Shirts have played 13 T20Is, winning 10 and losing only three.
Their confidence received a major boost after registering their first-ever T20I clean sweep over Australia in a three-match series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
This World Cup will mark Salman Ali Agha’s debut as Pakistan captain in a major ICC event.
He has already led Pakistan in 43 T20Is, securing 27 victories and building a reputation for calm leadership and tactical clarity.
Historically, Pakistan has maintained a strong presence in ICC T20 World Cup competitions.
They won the title in 2009 and finished as runners-up in 2007 and 2022. Pakistan also reached the semifinals in 2010, 2012 and 2021.
Overall, Pakistan have won 30 out of the 51 matches they have played in the tournament’s history.
Pakistan Squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Kh M Nafay (wicketkeeper), M Nawaz, M Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.
Netherlands squad: Scott Edwards (c), Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Max O’Dowd, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar.
Authorities may require disclosure of assets, initiate seizure proceedings, escalate the case to civil courts or order civil imprisonment for continued refusal to pay compensation. In extreme situations, authorities may also restrict the builder from launching new projects or take further regulatory action.
Failure to abide by a RERA order constitutes a critical legal offense in India. Builders who fail to comply with RERA face increasing legal consequences ranging from daily monetary penalties and recovery of due payments to confiscation of assets, imprisonment, and restrictions on business activities. These stringent rules under RERA serve the very purpose of the regulation.
Kaley Cuoco has finally broken the silence on her divorce from Karl Cook.
During an appearance on the latest episode of the Drew Barrymore Show, the 40-year-old actress opened up about difficulties she experienced following her 2022 divorce.
“I had like the crazy story when this is a handful of years ago, when I said that I was going through my divorce… it was the premiere of the second season of Flight Attendant,” said Kaley.
The actress further shared, “I woke up that morning, I was so depressed and so sad I couldn’t even breathe, and I was just lying on the floor. I literally thought I was gonna die, I really did.”
“I said, ‘What am I doing?’ And it was like the worst morning of my life, but knowing the night was coming, it was supposed to be the best night of my life. It’s so crazy those things sometimes happen at the same time,” continued Kaley.
The Big Bang Theory alum added that her team stepping in to help her get ready for the premiere.
“I couldn’t get up,” she said. “I’m like, ‘I can’t go. I can’t go anywhere.’ I just blew up my life. My life’s over. I truly thought that.”
At the time, Kaley thought she was “never tied the knot again.”
“I knew when I was lying on that floor in my house, I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is what they talk about. This is the lowest point I could get,’ ” the 8 Simple Rules actress said, before sharing that she met her now-fiancé, Tom Pelphrey, just three weeks later.
“That’s, like, supposed to be the best night ever of my career, and I literally saw my soul leave my body,” added Kaley. “It still chokes me up because I can remember it so clearly, but it made me a whole new person.”
For those unversed, Kaley and Tom got engaged in August 2024. The couple shares a daughter, Matilda Carmine Richie Pelphrey.
