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Boston College Fires Men’s Basketball Coach Earl Grant Boston College has fired men’s basketball coach Earl Grant after five seasons in which the Eagles never made the NCAA tournament and finished above .500 just once. Grant, who took over the program in 2021 following Jim Christian’s departure, compiled a 72-92 overall record and a 30-67 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference during his tenure. The decision marks the longest NCAA tournament drought in program history, as BC has not secured a bid since Al Skinner’s teams earned seven appearances between 2001 and 2009—a span that included four head coaches, five athletic directors, and two conference transitions. Grant, 49, previously led the College of Charleston to five consecutive winning seasons, including a 2018 campaign that earned him the Colonial Athletic Association’s coach of the year award and a berth in the NCAA tournament. At Boston College, he showed gradual improvement in his first three years, guiding the Eagles to 13, then 16, and finally 20 victories before the team’s performance declined. Over the past two seasons, BC won just seven ACC games combined and missed the 15-team conference tournament in back-to-back years. The program’s struggles extend beyond basketball. Boston College, one of the early schools to transition leagues during the NCAA’s conference realignment era, left the Big East for the ACC in 2005. Since joining the conference, the Eagles have posted a 305-368 record, the worst in ACC history. The women’s basketball team, which recently fired coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee, has also failed to reach the NCAA tournament since 2006, its first year in the ACC. Meanwhile, the football team went 2-10 this season, winning just one conference game and securing only one bowl victory in a decade.#ncaa_tournament #boston_college #earl_grant #atlantic_coast_conference #college_of_charleston

Boston College Fires Men's Basketball Coach Earl Grant Boston College has fired its men’s basketball coach, Earl Grant, marking the end of his five-year tenure at the school. The decision was announced on Sunday, with the athletic department expressing gratitude for Grant’s contributions while stating the institution has “greater expectations” for the basketball program. Grant, who had three seasons remaining on his contract, had it extended through the 2028-29 season. The firing comes as Boston College finished the season with an 11-20 record overall and a 4-14 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play. The Eagles placed ahead of only the last-place Yellow Jackets (11-20, 2-16) in the conference standings. Grant’s five-year record at Boston College includes a total of 72 wins and 92 losses, with the team posting a winning season in just one of those campaigns. Boston College is the second ACC team to dismiss its head coach this week, following Georgia Tech’s decision to fire Damon Stoudamire. The Eagles’ performance this season fell short of expectations, prompting the school to initiate a national search for a new head coach. Athletic director Blake James emphasized the institution’s commitment to competing at the highest level of college basketball and providing a “world-class experience” for student-athletes. James stated that the search for a replacement will begin immediately, with the new coach expected to align with the school’s vision of excellence both on and off the court. The decision to part ways with Grant reflects the pressures faced by collegiate athletic programs to balance competitive success with academic and institutional goals. Grant’s departure underscores the challenges of maintaining a winning culture in a highly competitive conference.#georgia_tech #boston_college #earl_grant #atlantic_coast_conference #blake_james

OctoPulse Podcast: Faulk Set for Debut Against Devils; Larkin Out In a special edition of The Detroit News' OctoPulse podcast, host Ted Kulfan analyzes the Red Wings' current state following the trade deadline, focusing on the impact of Justin Faulk's addition to the roster and Dylan Larkin's absence due to injury against the New Jersey Devils. The episode, titled "OctoPulse podcast: Faulk to make debut vs. Devils; Larkin sidelined," was released on March 7, 2026, at 8:58 p.m. ET. The podcast highlights key developments from the team's recent activities, including Faulk's anticipated debut and the challenges posed by Larkin's sidelining. Kulfan begins by referencing the Varsity Ford of Ann Arbor, a local sponsor, before shifting to updates on the team's roster and performance. Dylan Larkin, a key forward, is expected to join the team for a four-game road trip, though his absence against the Devils has left a gap in the lineup. The Red Wings have struggled recently, going winless in their last two games and posting a 3-5-2 record in their past 10 contests. This slump has raised concerns about the team's ability to maintain its competitive edge in the league. Meanwhile, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, a defenseman, has been called up from the Grand Rapids Admirals, adding depth to the blueline. Steve Yzerman, the team's general manager, is highlighted for his decision to acquire Faulk, a veteran defenseman known for his defensive skills and leadership. Kulfan notes that Faulk's addition is expected to solidify the top-four defensive pairings, providing stability to a unit that has faced challenges this season. However, the podcast also points out the underwhelming performance of Elmer Soderblom, a forward whose contributions have fallen short of expectations.#new_jersey_devils #ted_kulfan #detroit_news #red_wings #dylan_larkin

Red Wings at Devils Projected Lineups The Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils are set to face off in a matchup featuring their projected lineups. The Red Wings, with a record of 35-21-7, will take on the Devils, who have a record of 32-29-2. The Red Wings' lineup includes Alex DeBrincat, Andrew Copp, and Patrick Kane on the first line. Emmitt Finnie, Marco Kasper, and Lucas Raymond form the second line, while Mason Appleton, J.T. Compher, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard make up the third line. James van Riemsdyk, Michael Rasmussen, and Dominik Shine are listed as the fourth line. Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider will form the defense pair, with Ben Chiarot and Justin Faulk also in the lineup. Albert Johansson and Axel Sandin-Pellikka are expected to play. The Devils' projected lineup features Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer on the first line. Arseny Gritsyuk, Jack Hughes, and Connor Brown form the second line, while Jesper Bratt, Cody Glass, and Lenni Hameenaho make up the third line. Paul Cotter, Nick Bjugstad, and Maxim Tsyplakov are listed as the fourth line. Jonas Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton will form the defense pair, with Luke Hughes and Johnathan Kovacevic also in the lineup. Brenden Dillon and Simon Nemec are expected to play. Several players are scratched for the game, including Travis Hamonic, Elmer Soderblom, and John Leonard. Injuries are also a factor, with David Perron and Dylan Larkin both listed as injured. Larkin is expected to miss the game after sustaining a lower body injury during a previous match against the Ottawa Senators. Faulk is set to make his Red Wings debut following a trade with the St. Louis Blues. Brandsegg-Nygard and Leonard were recalled from the Grand Rapids team in the American Hockey League under emergency conditions.#new_jersey_devils #detroit_red_wings #alex_debrincat #patrick_kane #timo_meier

Detroit Red Wings Face New Jersey Devils in Key NHL Matchup The New Jersey Devils will host the Detroit Red Wings in a crucial matchup as they continue their seven-game home stand. The game, set for 7:00 pm EST on Saturday, marks the Devils’ second contest of the season against the Red Wings. The Devils enter the game on a four-game winning streak, including a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers in their most recent game. This win extended Jacob Markstrom’s personal streak of four consecutive victories, with the netminder starting five straight games for the Devils. The Devils’ offensive surge was highlighted by a dominant third period against the Rangers, where they scored three unanswered goals. Jesper Bratt opened the scoring just 1:06 into the game, but the Rangers responded with two quick goals. Dawson Mercer tied the game at 2-2 with 13 seconds remaining in the first period. The teams traded goals in the second period before the Devils took control in the third. Jack Hughes, who tallied three goals in the game, led the charge with an ENG goal that completed his hat trick. Hughes’ performance marked a career-high in goals for the season, signaling a potential turning point in his campaign. The Red Wings, meanwhile, struggled in their most recent game, falling 3-1 to the Florida Panthers at home. The loss extended their skid to two games and marked their third defeat in five contests. Matthew Tkachuk led the Panthers with a hat trick, including an ENG goal in the third period, while Alex DiBrincat scored the lone goal for Detroit. John Gisbon was in net for the Red Wings, but the team’s recent struggles have left uncertainty about their starting goaltender for Saturday’s game, with no official word on whether John Gisbon or Cam Talbot will take the ice.#new_jersey_devils #detroit_red_wings #jacob_markstrom #jesper_bratt #jack_hughes

Tuskers, camels, cadre line up as Nitish Kumar's son Nishant joins JDU #Nitish_Kumar #camels #Kumar_son #joins_JDU #Tuskers

Dow suffers worst week since April as oil hits $90 and weak jobs data adds to market anxiety Oil prices surged this week amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, sending energy benchmarks to their highest levels since late 2023. The conflict with Iran disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a sharp rise in global crude prices. US crude futures climbed 12.2% to $90.90 per barrel, marking the largest single-day gain since May 2020, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 8.5% to $92.69 per barrel. The week’s gains pushed US oil up 36% and Brent crude 27%, the most significant weekly increases since the early 1980s. The surge in oil prices, combined with weaker-than-expected jobs data, deepened market anxiety. US stocks closed lower on Friday as the Dow fell 453 points, or 0.95%, after an initial drop of nearly 950 points. The S&P 500 dropped 1.33%, and the Nasdaq fell 1.59%. The Dow ended the week down 3%, its worst performance since April, while the S&P 500 fell 2%, its worst weekly decline since October. European and Asian markets fared worse, with the Stoxx 600 index dropping 5.55% and Japan’s Nikkei 225 falling 5.5%. The jobs data further exacerbated investor concerns. The US economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Analysts warned that the combination of rising energy prices and a weak labor market could fuel inflation, complicating the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions. “The stock market is becoming increasingly vulnerable to turmoil in the Middle East,” said Craig Johnson of Piper Sandler, noting the potential for further declines. Investors also grappled with the broader economic implications.#iran #middle_east #strait_of_hormuz #dow_jones #bureau_of_labor_statistics

Iran War Tests Investors. How To Navigate Stock Market Trading Risks During Global Conflicts When a crisis such as the Iran war breaks out, investors' emotions can run wild. Fear of financial losses and the fog of war cloud stock market trading decisions. How can investors handle the latest conflict and its unpredictable moves? Geopolitical shocks are times for investors to summon the nerves of a warrior and stay with the rhythms of the stock market — not necessarily each day's results, investing veterans say. Rather than try to keep up with headlines from distant battlefields, the playbook for crisis investing is as close as your trading screen. Studying the behavior of the major market indexes and leading stocks provides the best way to navigate storms, as it does in any environment, experts say. "Investing based on geopolitics is a losing proposition," said Paul Schatz, president of Heritage Capital in Woodbridge, Conn., in a note to clients. Even with signs foreshadowing the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, it was difficult to gauge market reaction. "It's no different than Nvidia's earnings, which I thought would blow out," Schatz said. "Yet, I had no idea how the stock would react." History shows that markets can overreact when a new crisis starts. But they usually calm themselves and return to the prevailing trend that existed before the crisis. Wars typically don't cause bear markets. The Yom Kippur war of 1973 and the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 occurred while the S&P 500 was already in a bear market. Neither crisis did anything to turn the market around. A table detailing the S&P 500's performance after key geopolitical events reveals that while short-term volatility is common, long-term trends often persist. For example, the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 saw the index rise 5.10% in one month and 27.#iran #israel #s_p_500 #u_s #george_smith

Oil prices surge, stocks drop after weak update on U.S. job market NEW YORK — Oil prices reached their highest level since 2023 on Friday as tensions in the Iran war escalated, while a disappointing jobs report further dampened investor confidence, leading to steep declines in U.S. stock markets. The combination of rising oil prices and a weak labor market marked Wall Street’s worst week since October, raising concerns about economic stagnation and inflation. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that employers cut more jobs in February than they added, with the economy losing 92,000 positions. This unexpected decline added to fears of a slowing economy, as oil prices surged past $90 per barrel, pushing the S&P 500 down 1.3% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lower by 0.9%. The Nasdaq composite also fell 1.6%, reflecting widespread unease among investors. Analysts warned that the situation could lead to stagflation—a dangerous mix of stagnant economic growth and high inflation—complicating the Federal Reserve’s efforts to stabilize the economy. “A negative payrolls number combined with a big jump in oil prices will have traders worrying about stagflation risks,” said Brian Jacobsen, chief economic strategist at Annex Wealth Management. The surge in oil prices was driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the disruption of key oil routes near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy supplies. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 8.5% to $92.69, briefly surpassing $94, its highest level since September 2023. U.S. crude also hit a 2023 peak, climbing 12.2% to $90.90. The war’s impact on oil markets intensified as Iran’s use of drones to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz raised fears of prolonged supply disruptions.#strait_of_hormuz #federal_reserve #us_department_of_labor #annex_wealth_management #old_dominion_freight_line

Oil prices surpassed $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, driven by escalating tensions in the Iran war and disruptions to global energy supplies. The surge reflects growing concerns over the impact of military strikes on oil infrastructure and the potential for further supply chain instability. The global benchmark Brent crude reached $101.81 on Sunday, while U.S. benchmark WTI hit $101.56, marking a significant increase from pre-war levels. Analysts attribute the spike to heightened geopolitical risks, including the threat of further attacks on oil facilities and the closure of critical shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow waterway, vital for transporting energy from the Middle East, has seen reduced tanker activity due to fears of conflict, exacerbating supply constraints. U.S. drivers are bearing the brunt of the price increase, with regular gasoline prices rising from around $3 per gallon before the strikes to $3.45 on Sunday. Analysts warn that further hikes are likely as storage capacity nears limits and production in key regions like Iraq and Kuwait faces disruptions. The situation has also complicated efforts by the Trump administration to manage rising costs, with officials exploring measures such as political risk insurance, naval escorts, and sanctions waivers to enable Russian oil purchases. The price surge has become a political liability for President Trump, who has previously highlighted lower gasoline prices as a key achievement. Meanwhile, critics argue that the administration’s options are limited, with Eurasia Group analysts noting that prices will remain elevated until credible steps are taken to restore safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.#iran_war #brent_crude #strait_of_hormuz #strategic_petroleum_reserve #trump_administration