Category: Basketball

The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, with just one loss in their last nine games. The Utah Jazz, on the other hand, are one of its coldest, scoring just a single victory in its previous seven outings.

The injury reports for both sides are busy, which leads my Clippers vs. Jazz predictions to L.A. center Ivica Zubac, who will be asked to pick up the slack against an ailing Utah frontcourt.

Here are my NBA picks for January 27.

Clippers vs Jazz prediction

Clippers vs Jazz best bet: Ivica Zubac Over 14.5 points (-115)

Ivica Zubac’s scoring output is down in January compared to the first half of the season. Entering tonight’s tilt in Salt Lake City, the Los Angeles Clippers big man is averaging 12.5 points through 11 games this month.

His nightly scoring props had totals set as high as 16.5 and 17.5 points earlier this month before dropping to tonight's 14.5. However, this matchup with the Utah Jazz is a great buyback spot for Zubac’s offensive efforts.

He faces a Utah defense ranked worst in the NBA, with a notable soft spot inside. The Jazz could be down both starting bigs against Los Angeles, with center Jusuf Nurkic doubtful (illness) and standout forward Lauri Markkanen questionable (illness).

The Clippers could also need Zubac to pick up the scoring slack should Kawhi Leonard and Kris Dunn sit out Tuesday (both questionable). He did just that in the first meeting with the Jazz back in October, leading L.A. with 19 points on 9 of 13 shooting.

Zubac snatched three offensive rebounds in that contest and is a handful on the boards, hauling in 3.6 offensive rebounds a night and scoring an average of 4.2 second-chance points – third-most in the NBA.

Even at full strength, the Jazz have a tough time limiting second-chance looks, allowing 16.2 SCP per contest with the 12th-lowest rebound rate in the land. If Markkanen and Nurkic sit out, that’s a collective 17.4 rebounds per game gone from the lineup.

Player projections for Zubac are very optimistic, ranging from 14.8 to as high as 17 points tonight. My number comes out to 15.8 points, which should have the Over 14.5 priced around -125.

Clippers vs Jazz same-game parlay

The Clippers are rolling right now, while the ice-cold Jazz could be missing some big bodies tonight.

Zubac attacks the interior and picks up extra points on offensive rebounds.

James Harden could see more touches if Leonard and Dunn are out, which means more 3-point looks. He isn’t afraid to let it fly, and player models call for 3.6 makes from downtown.

Clippers vs Jazz SGP

• Clippers -8.5
• Ivica Zubac Over 14.5 points
• James Harden Over 2.5 made threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Sour Note

Kyle Filipowski could see extra run and involvement with injuries to Utah’s big men.

Clippers vs Jazz SGP

• Clippers -8.5
• Ivica Zubac Over 14.5 points
• James Harden Over 2.5 made threes
• Kyle Filipowski Over 13.5 points

Clippers vs Jazz odds

• Spread: Clippers -8.5 (-105) | Jazz +8.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Clippers -340 | Jazz +270
• Over/Under: Over 233 (-110) | Under 233 (-110)

Clippers vs Jazz betting trend to know

The Over is 16-6 (73%) in the 22 games in which Utah has closed as a home underdog this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Jazz.

How to watch Clippers vs Jazz

Clippers vs Jazz latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Portland Trail Blazers look to snap a two-game losing streak when they visit Capital One Arena to face the Washington Wizards tonight. 

With neither team producing consistent offense, my Trail Blazers vs. Wizards predictions expect a low-scoring game in the nation’s capital.

Read on for my NBA picks for Tuesday, January 27. 

Trail Blazers vs Wizards prediction

Trail Blazers vs Wizards best bet: Under 232.5 (-110)

The Portland Trail Blazers are on the second night of a back-to-back, a spot that often leads to tired legs, a slower pace, and fewer clean looks late in games. 

The Washington Wizards offense remains inefficient and relies on heavy minutes from a short rotation, regularly leading to turnovers, rushed shots, and prolonged scoring droughts. 

While both teams rank among the league leaders in pace, their last five games have featured far fewer possessions. Add declining offensive efficiency into that mix, and we have a low-scoring affair tonight. 

Trail Blazers vs Wizards same-game parlay

Deni Avdija missed last night's clash with back issues. The line suggests he will play tonight, but he’s failed score more than 26 points in three of his previous four games.

The Trail Blazers defend the arc well, and Kyshawn George has failed to knock down three or more triples in six of his previous seven games.

Trail Blazers vs Wizards SGP

• Under 232.5
• Deni Avdija Under 26.5 points
• Kyshawn George Under 2.5 made threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Clingan to Relevance

Donovan Clingan has snagged 12 or more rebounds in four of his previous six games and meets a mediocre Wizards squad, allowing the second-most boards per game. 

The Blazers defend at a higher level and control tempo. Washington remains unsettled after trading CJ McCollum, leaving a young roster still searching to find its bearings. 

Trail Blazers vs Wizards SGP

• Under 232.5
• Deni Avdija Under 26.5 points
• Kyshawn George Under 2.5 made threes
• Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds
• Trail Blazers moneyline

Trail Blazers vs Wizards odds

• Spread: Trail Blazers -7 (-110) | Wizards +7 (-110)
• Moneyline: Trail Blazers -260 | Wizards +210
• Over/Under: Over 232.5 (-110) | Under 232.5 (-110)

Trail Blazers vs Wizards betting trend to know

The Under is 7-3-0 in the Portland Trail Blazers' previous 10 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Wizards.

How to watch Trail Blazers vs Wizards

Trail Blazers vs Wizards latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

There’s something different about Arizona this season.

On the surface, it looks like the typical Tommy Lloyd team. The Wildcats started the season with impressive wins, rolling into the new calendar year playing a fast, fun brand of basketball that puts them in the upper echelon of title contenders.

It always seems smart to buy stock in the top-ranked Wildcats. The only issue is it has gone to waste in March. The same vibe has existed during this season, and you may be hesitant to buy-in again given the recent postseason history. Maybe you need to see more — or just avoid it entirely.

NCAA tournament bracketology: Big Ten dominates March Madness projection

Mid-major power rankings: Keep eye on these teams in March

But there’s something different about these Wildcats. This team looks like it can be legit and break the Final Four curse; Arizona got through its first major test of 2026 with a road win at Brigham Young — just not in the prettiest of fashion.

For the majority of the night on Monday, Jan. 26, Arizona looked like it was the best team in the country. It went into a hostile Marriott Center — where 13th-ranked BYU hasn’t lost in nearly a year — and silenced more than 18,000 people. 

The Wildcats dominated both sides of the ball, and answered everything the Cougars tried. Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley were slicing and dicing while BYU star AJ Dybantsa struggled to find a rhythm after dropping 43 points just two days before. 

It was a 19-point game with just under 11 minutes to go and we were ready to declare Arizona was no longer the team that can’t get it done when the lights are brightest. That was until the Wildcats showed part of that identity isn’t gone yet.

Arizona let BYU hang around and the Cougars made a late push, all while the Wildcats were falling apart. Not defending the perimeter. Collapsing on the boards. A flagrant foul. Turnovers.

BYU made a 12-2 run in the final minute to make it a one-point deficit with 16 seconds left, and the Cougars had a chance to steal the win, only for Burries to save the day with a block from behind.

In what was looking like an emphatic statement to the rest of the country, Arizona instead showed it isn’t invincible. Yes, they deserve to be the unanimous No. 1 team in the country with a 9-0 Quad 1 record, tied for most wins in the category with Duke.

Yet the game in Provo, Utah was eerily similar to how the season goes: fantastic start, but fall apart at the end. Arizona has looked so dominant recently, mostly because it hasn’t been tested in some time. 

After beating Connecticut, Alabama and San Diego State all before Christmas, the competition has been easy to start Big 12 action. Five of the first seven games came against the bottom half of the conference, all mostly blowout victories.

We want to see how this Arizona team stacks up against other elite teams before it’s worth investing in. It passed the first test, but plenty more are on the horizon.

BYU was just the start of a 10-game stretch where Arizona will play six ranked teams, all of which are in the top 14 of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Trips to Kansas and Houston? Good luck with that.

This will be the time for Arizona to prove its legitimacy. It certainly is capable of doing so. What’s scary about the Wildcats is they are lethal in numerous ways. Opponents walk into the arena and don’t know who will be the deadly assassin, mostly because it’s a team full of them.

One night it’s the guards in Burries, Bradley or Koa Peat, the next it’s the veteran big man Motiejus Krivas, and so on. Like against BYU, it can be multiple of them, which shouldn’t give teams much of a chance. 

This Arizona team has all the makings of being the one that gets back to the Final Four for the first time since 2001. It has the tools and recipe to be cutting the nets by then.

But then we remember how the end always goes, where this mighty looking ship gets taken out by an iceberg that should have been avoidable. This upcoming stretch will show if Arizona is done sinking, and ready to finish the voyage.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona is the No. 1 team in the country, but can't be trusted fully yet

The Mavericks were 1-1 this past week and remain locked into 12th place in the West. They played both games at home, beating Golden State (123-115) and losing to the Los Angeles Lakers (116-110). Dallas was supposed to fly to Milwaukee for a game on Sunday, but due to inclement weather, the game was postponed. Naji Marshall led the team in scoring with 25.5 points per game. Kyrie Irving (knee) and Anthony Davis (finger) remain out.   

Grade: C+

The Mavericks had a good win against the Warriors. They survived an onslaught from Steph Curry, which, frankly, was breathtaking to witness. Curry had 38 points on 8-of-15 from deep, and each subsequent shot was more incredible than the last. Still, Dallas was able to mitigate the “other guys” and likely got saved from a massive night from Jonathan Kuminga when he exited with an injury after scoring 10 points in nine minutes. Naji Marshall, Max Christie, and Cooper Flagg were all really good, and had the fourth quarter of the Lakers game not happened, this might have been an A+ week.

But the Mavericks get a C+ instead. And yes, that fourth quarter was so bad, it cost them two grades. With 9:38 remaining in the game, the Lakers had put together one of the worst 14.5-minute stretches of basketball I have ever seen to begin the second half. They had scored 14 points until then, and Dallas held a 93-79 lead. From that point forward, Los Angeles outscored the Mavericks 37-17 in just over 9.5 minutes of game time. If you don’t want to do the math, that’s a pace of 187 points per 48 minutes the Mavericks allowed to close the game.

Their defense was putrid, they got stagnant on offense, and head coach Jason Kidd refused to shake things up. Brandon Williams had an excellent run to close the third and was a big reason why Dallas held that lead. But his magic ran out quickly in the final frame, and yet Kidd stuck with him until the clock hit zero. Cooper Flagg was passive and settled. P.J. Washington was in the game, but you could not tell. The lack of a point guard on this team was never more obvious than when Dallas could not get a good shot for what seemed like hours while the Lakers got bucket after bucket on the other end.

And, as horrible as the Lakers’ (and specifically Luka Doncic) defense was in the first three periods, they were just as lights out defensively in the fourth. It was the kind of loss that would have driven everyone mad if the Mavericks were playing for a playoff seeding. With three games in four days this week, they need to flush that collapse and build on the seven quarters they played at a very high level.

Straight A’s: Max Christie

I could have given Naji Marshall A’s this week, too, but Marshall is just doing what he has done all year. Christie, on the other hand, has added things to his game that he did not have last season, and maybe not even earlier this year. Everyone knows about the shooting: 45.5 percent from 3-point range on 5.8 attempts per game. But what I have been most impressed with is his two-point shot diet. He shot 50 percent on 12 twos this week and showed off some moves that were very mature. One stands out against the Lakers, where he caught the ball in transition, pushed, and used his body effectively on a slow euro-step to go into Jake LaRavia and draw a foul:

He has rapidly improved in his time in Dallas. Christie is just 22 and making under $9 million for the next two seasons. He may be playing well enough to bring in a serious return in trade, but I think it is in Dallas’s best interest to retain him as part of their young core. Much like how I felt about Quentin Grimes, it is important to actually keep some of the young, talented guards you have instead of trading them for cost control purposes. Christie certainly falls in that category and is an excellent complementary piece for a rebuild around Cooper Flagg. 

Currently Failing: P.J. Washington

Washington has not been the same since injuring his ankle against Houston earlier this month. In the three games he has played since, he has scored just 24 points in 79 minutes while shooting 33 percent from the floor. His impact has been overwhelmingly negative, and he just looks off. His head is not there right now, and you can tell by the way he is moving on offense. Every dribble and push shot or floater looks a step slow, and you can see his brain over-analyzing what to do in real time. It’s not a matter of talent, because we all have seen what he can be. Washington just needs to refocus and stop thinking as much when he is out there. With all the trade talk surrounding Dallas, it is probably a good thing for Washington that he cannot be dealt this season. It is in his best interest to focus on playing for the rest of the year without distractions and finish strong.

Extra Credit: Luka Doncic

Before Saturday’s game against the Lakers, former Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic reached out to 22 online personalities to invite them to the game for a meet-and-greet, as well as a chance to sit in his suite for the action: 

Dallas will always be special to Luka 🥹

Almost a year after the trade to LA, Luka surprised 22 fans who supported him on social media with a suite for Lakers–Mavs, a pregame meet & greet, and gift bags with Luka Lakers jerseys and his signature shoe. pic.twitter.com/hdznSXx5bv

— ESPN (@espn) January 25, 2026

This group included our very own editor-in-chief, Kirk Henderson, who brought his son with him for an experience they will both remember for the rest of their lives. It was an awesome gesture by Doncic, and one that he absolutely did not have to do. In talking with people who were invited, everyone agreed that he could not have been nicer. 

Doncic will always be loved in Dallas. He will never look normal in purple and gold. We don’t know if he has had thoughts about returning to play for the Mavericks one day, but it is clear that he still thinks about the city and the fans regularly. 

Last Thursday, Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger gave a press conference in a “State of Monumental Basketball” address.

I’m sorry I wasn’t able to break this down in depth last Thursday. Like most of you, I had to prepare for last weekend’s winter storm. If you missed it, the whole conference is below. A h/t to malsman for posting in “The Feed” about it.

The Wizards are finished “deconstructing.” The Mystics are still in it.

Over the last three years, the Wizards have experienced their worst stretch in franchise history. However, Winger, in his opening remarks, was explicit that the Wizards are finished with deconstructing after three seasons.

Considering that Washington recently acquired Trae Young, a multi-time All-Star point guard in his prime, that’s a sign that the losing stretches are coming to an end.

The Wizards will have to make decisions about which players stay and which ones go.

There has been a lot posted about the fact that Washington has a very young lineup. And last Saturday against the Hornets, they started the youngest lineup ever in NBA history.

The Wizards started the youngest lineup in NBA history today against the Hornets.

The lineup has an average age of 20.64 years old. pic.twitter.com/iU7l5KMFfi

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 24, 2026

Part of that is by design. But it also means that some younger players may or may not be part of the Wizards’ future. Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly are among those who figure to be with the Wizards for their sophomore contracts. However, the Wizards’ two-way players including Tristan Vukcevic, Jamir Watkins and Sharife Cooper as well as other additions like Cam Whitmore and Will Riley, may not have the minutes to play on a rebuilding Wizards team — when it doesn’t appear that the Wizards will be rebuilding next year.

David Aldridge of The Athletic asked Winger some pointed questions about whether Young’s addition could mean that the Wizards have playoff expectations next year. Winger responded doing that he isn’t going to have set expectations. However, with Young, the current core and presumably a high 2026 draft pick.

Joshua Robbins of The Athletic also asked a question about whether the Wizards trading Deni Avdjia to the Portland Trail Blazers was a mistake. Coincidentally, the Wizards will play the Blazers tonight. Winger said no, in part because his trajectory and age was ahead of the Wizards’ current younger core of players. This could also be — in part — why Corey Kispert was traded to Atlanta along with with CJ McCollum for Young.

The Mystics are Sonia Citron’s and Kiki Irifaen’s franchise — at least by default.

Winger explained that the Mystics are in year one of their rebuild under his direct control. And by default, he acknowledged that every veteran in the WNBA is on an expiring contract given free agency this year will be hectic.

As I have noted many times over the past couple of years, this effectively means that EVERY WNBA team is deconstructing in 2026. We have no idea who will be on any of the 15 teams until opening day, except All-Star players on rookie contracts. Citron and Iriafen certainly qualify there. Same with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever or Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings, among others.

No Mystics reporter asked any questions about playoff expectations in 2026. It’s quite frankly premature because of the pending free agency. But it is clear that at a minimum, Winger is looking forward to seeing how Washington’s 2026 draft picks mesh with Citron and Irifaen.

Winger did acknowledge a question by Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post about the Mystics’ arena size at CareFirst Arena and shared practice facility with the Wizards and whether that is a disadvantage for them. While he did toe the company line saying that CareFirst Arena does provide an intimate atmosphere for fans, Winger said that the Mystics will also be playing the majority of their games at Capital One Arena when current renovations are done. He also reiterated that the shared practice facility and the collegial atmosphere of Monumental Basketball (the Mystics, Wizards and the Capital Go-Go) are assets not hindrances.

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Let us know what other things stood out from Winger’s conference in the comments below.

The 2026 NBA Draft is a source of hope for teams desperately seeking a savior. This was always going to be a great class with three potential No. 1 overall talents sitting at the top in Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, BYU’s A.J. Dybantsa, and Duke’s Cameron Boozer, but it looks even better now as more freshman studs have continued to emerge.

Houston’s Kingston Flemings and Illinois’ Keaton Wagler weren’t on our preseason draft board. Both had already solidified themselves as lottery picks in our last update, and they look like even stronger prospects now after Wagler dropped 46 points on Purdue and Flemings hung 42 points on Texas Tech over the weekend.

For this update, I simulated the lottery drawing via Tankathon, and one lucky team moved way up to land a top prospect. The selections in this mock don’t really factor team fit into consideration, and more mirror my evaluations of the players in this class. Here’s our latest projection of the 2026 NBA Draft.

1. Indiana Pacers – Cameron Boozer, F, Duke

You don’t draft for fit with the No. 1 overall pick. Boozer is the best prospect in this year’s draft, and in my opinion one of the strongest NBA prospects of the last decade. If the fit is a little wonky with Pascal Siakam right now, who cares: Boozer was born in July 2007 and Siakam was born in April 1994, meaning they aren’t exactly on the same timeline. Boozer will probably be a full-time four eventually, but he’s versatile enough to play the three early in his career while Indiana figures out what it needs around him and Tyrese Haliburton long-term. His intersection of brains, brawn, and skill is so enticing that it eclipses any concerns about his athletic explosiveness or fluidity. Boozer is massively productive and he’s been driving winning at an elite level dating back to high school. He’s an excellent shooter, passer, and driver for his size, and he knows how to make plays defensively even without quick-twitch movement ability. With Boozer and Haliburton, the Pacers could run the East for a long, long time.

2. Dallas Mavericks – Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas

The Mavs jumped up from No. 8 in the lottery standings to the No. 2 pick in our sim, and if that happens Dallas fans are never allowed to complain about the Luka trade again. Peterson hasn’t been at his best this season as he’s dealt with a hamstring strain and constant cramping issues, but if his burst can return to form, he has everything teams want out of a lead guard. Peterson’s shot-making is a signature skill in this class, and he’s shown he has easy NBA range both off the dribble and off-the-catch. He’s a ball dominant star who demands high usage, but he also moves better without the ball than similarly heliocentric players. While his rim attacking and defensive playmaking haven’t looked as good as advertised as he’s battled his various ailments, I fully trust both areas to bounce-back once he’s healthy. Peterson and Cooper Flagg would have the chance to be an all-time NBA duo.

3. Sacramento Kings – A.J. Dybantsa, F, BYU

Dybantsa is a monster scoring prospect as a huge 6’9 wing with rare athletic explosiveness, flexibility, and shot-making. He should punish switches at the next level with an overwhelming amount of length and power against smaller wings and guards, and too much speed for bigs. BYU has been an awesome system to showcase Dybantsa’s strengths with wide open driving lanes inside the arc, and I do wonder how he’ll adjust to the NBA if he needs to be more of a shooter. For now, Dybantsa is only hitting 30.2 percent of the 53 three-pointers he’s taken, which is a slight concern in terms of both volume and accuracy. I’m more worried about Dybantsa’s defense: he doesn’t just imprint his will on that end despite his phenomenal tools. Dybantsa feels more likely to go No. 1 than No. 3, but he has more holes in his game than Boozer and Peterson, and to me that makes him the clear third-best prospect in this class.

4. Washington Wizards – Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina

Wilson is an explosive 6’10 forward with a non-stop motor who makes some jaw-dropping plays above the rim on both ends of the floor. Wilson can be a clunky fit in a halfcourt offense as a total non-shooter right now (5-of-20 from three), but he still makes an impact with his transition scoring, offensive rebounding, and impressive passing. He has some real shot-making touch from mid-range, and shows some awesome pivot moves to score around the basket. The real signature skill for Wilson’s offense is his ability to dunk absolutely everything, with 60 dunks in his first 19 college games. He can do a little bit of everything defensively: switch onto the ball, provide secondary rim protection as a roamer, end possessions with a rebound, and get out into the passing lanes with his length. Wilson plays so hard on every possession and has such good physical tools that it’s hard to see him failing even if the jumper never comes around. He should be an excellent role player at minimum with the potential to be more.

5. Atlanta Hawks (via Pels) – Kingston Flemings, G, Houston

Flemings has my vote for the best prospect in a loaded point guard class because he can play on or off-the-ball on offense while providing solid defense. His driving ability jumps off the screen with an explosive first-step, nasty change-of-direction moves, and the ability to stop on a dime. He can create an advantage with the ball in his hands, but he might be even better extending advantages by catching the ball on the move and attacking decisively. His pull-up mid-range game should be built for playoff moments, but it would be nice to see him shoot more threes or get to the foul line more often. Flemings’ playmaking is even better than his scoring, showing a sixth sense for finding teammates at the rim while avoiding turnovers. Defensively, Flemings has a strong chest, long arms, and quick hands that helps him rack up steals and blocks (5.8 percent stock rate) and quickly turn defense into offense. He’s not the biggest lead guard, but he’s still a natural facilitator with scoring punch and defensive ability. That sounds like a top-5 prospect to me.

6. Brooklyn Nets – Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville

The Louisville freshman just made his return from a long absence due to a back injury, but he’s looked like a capable offensive engine with pull-up shooting, high-level playmaking, and the ability to attack off the bounce all part of the package. Brown has been cold as a shooter so far this year, but the high school and international tape shows a player who can create his own look from deep and knock it down. His playmaking has a case for best in class among this lot of point guards (I’d still give Flemings the edge there), and while I don’t think he’ll be a plus defensively early in his career, he has the height and flashes of takeaway production that at least gives him a chance on that end. Brown has dunk contest-worthy athleticism, three-point contest-worthy shooting, and awesome passing. If it all holds, he has enough other skills to be a high-level guard.

7. Utah Jazz – Hannes Steinbach, F, Washington

Steinbach’s offensive rebounding might be the single best skill in this class outside of the top-three prospects. He’s simply a monster on the glass who does a great job establishing position inside, reading the ball off the rim, and controlling it with his impossibly good hands. He’s a fluid athlete inside the arc who can catch the ball on the move and finish plays above the rim, and he’s showing good touch on awkward finishes as an interior scorer. Steinbach is not an outside shooter right now (9-of-27 from three), but his touch is good enough from the foul line (76 percent) that he should have some long-term upside there. Steinbach probably has to shoot it at least a little bit because he’s not really big enough to play center, and he’s not at all a defensive anchor. I see him fitting best in a two-big front court where he can help gain extra possessions on the offensive glass and his defensive shortcomings can be covered by a primary rim protector and rangier wing defenders. Utah feels like a good fit for that context long-term, and he could certainly improve a middling rebounding team from day one.

8. Charlotte Hornets – Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan

Yaxel Lendeborg might be older than fifth-year Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey, but he’s also one of the most complete prospects in this class with rare tools that should translate to immediate success. Lendeborg has been developing at his own rate after not playing organized basketball until he was 15 years old, and now after junior college and mid-major stops he’s become one of the best players in the country. Lendeborg was mostly a center the last two years at UAB, but he’s made a successful transition to the wing at Michigan where he’s upped his three-point rate while continuing to have a big impact defensively. He has an ideal physical profile for an NBA front court player at 6’9, 240 pounds with a 7’4 wingspan, and he has a real chance to be a long-term shooter after hitting 33.3 percent of 8.5 three-point attempts per 100 possessions so far this season, as well as 88 percent of his free throws. The Hornets have looked good lately with a core of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller, and adding a massive front court player with shooting ability like Lendeborg could make them a playoff team in the East next season.

9. Milwaukee Bucks – Jayden Quaintance, C/F, Kentucky

Quaintance tore his ACL in Feb. 2025, and he didn’t look like himself upon debuting in Dec. after transferring to Kentucky. He’s currently out of the lineup again with swelling in the same knee, and it’s possible he always returned too early. Before the injury, Quaintance looked like an elite paint defender as a 17-year-old freshman at Arizona State. His combination of length (7’5), strength, and quickness easily makes up for his lack of height as a 6’9 center, and allows him to have rare coverage versatility while cutting off the most valuable spots on the floor. Offensively, he showed some flashes of playmaking feel at ASU, and looked better as a driver in a small sample at Kentucky. The truth is that Quaintance’s offense is a major question as an undersized non-shooter with poor touch from the foul line thus far. With a lot of questions about the players in this range, I still like Quaintance for his mix of youth, physical tools, and defensive acumen at the five. I would not be at all surprised if he fell down the board to around the late lottery given the persistent offensive questions in what has been a lost season.

10. Memphis Grizzlies – Koa Peat, F, Arizona

I’m still having a hard time ranking Peat in this class despite the relatively uncomplicated evaluation of his game. Start here: After a killer high school career, Peat has immediately been one of the best and most productive players on arguably the best team in college basketball as a true freshman. The 6’7 wing has a super powerful frame that dishes out punishment to opponents on both ends of the floor. On offense, Peat sets hard screens, rolls to the basket with force, and finishes through contact inside the paint. He’s just a total non-shooter at this point, which is his biggest limitation as a player, and makes him a tricky fit to build around. He projects as a good defender who can hound bigger wings at the point of attack, and he also has some switchability with enough strength to keep bigs away from the paint and the quickness to hang at least a little bit with smaller guards. I love Peat’s motor and play-finishing, but could still see myself dropping him eventually given how hard it is for 6’7 non-shooters without spectacular defensive IQ to impact the game at the highest levels.

11. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clips) – Braylon Mullins, G, UConn

Mullins has a case as the best off-ball three-point shooter in the class, and he’s shown he has a chance to compete defensively, too. The 6’6 wing is making 36.5 percent of his threes on 8.8 three-point attempts per 100 possessions, and he’s taken advantage of the Huskies’ pristine spacing to also convert 64.4 percent of his two-point attempts even if it’s only at 3.5 per game. With a 3 percent steal and 2.3 percent block rate, Mullins doesn’t look like a defender who will have a target on his chest at the next level. He projects as a solid connective wing with high volume three-point shooting right now, and that’s something every team could use.

12. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks) – Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois

Wagler was the No. 150 recruit coming out of high school, but he’s made an instant impact since he’s arrived on campus at Illinois. The 6’6 freshman has moved into more of an on-ball role recently, and he’s shown flashes of high-level off-the-dribble shooting and good decision-making as a passer. Wagler wasn’t a highly regarded recruit because he’s simply not an explosive athlete, to the point where he hasn’t recorded a single dunk this year and hasn’t produced many blocks or steals. That’s usually an alarming sign for a 6’6 potential lottery pick, but if he keeps shooting the ball at this level, it might not matter. I worry about Wagler’s ability to do the dirty work early in his career if he’s not getting a lot of usage. He looks long (there’s no wingspan measurement on him but I’d guess 6’10) but he lacks strength and just doesn’t project as any kind of stopper or glass cleaner right now. Still, it’s impressive that Wagler has finished 65 percent at the rim with 89 percent being unassisted, and his slow-motion step-back threes when he gets a big on a switch can be a thing of beauty. If the Spurs are looking for a young wing with shooting upside around Victor Wembanyama, Wagler makes sense starting around this range. This is mostly a Best Player Available pick.

13. Chicago Bulls – Patrick Ngongba, C, Duke

Cameron Boozer gets all the attention for Duke, but his front court partner Patrick Ngongba has also been quietly driving the Blue Devils’ success. The 6’11 sophomore center is one of the most efficient play-finishers in the country with 73.3 percent shooting on two-pointers, with many of those makes coming against crowded paints in the halfcourt. Ngongba is also an awesome passer who will zip the ball into cutters, and he’s shown some long-term shooting promise this year too. Ngongba’s defensive paint protection is good with long arms and a strong base, and the numbers back it up: Duke’s defense is 11.5 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor. I do wish he was a little bit more of an ass kicker on the glass, and it doesn’t always seem like he plays with the best motor. Still, Ngongba is a solid two-way center with flashes of perimeter skill that gives him both a high floor and some sneaky upside. That’s a worthy swing for a Bulls team that desperately needs a big man in their young core.

14. Portland Trail Blazers – Labaron Philon, G, Alabama

Philon is a drive-and-kick master with a deadly floater game who has made a real leap as a three-point shooter this year. The Alabama guard felt like he could have been a first-rounder last year, but opted to return to school at the 11th hour for an NIL deal. It feels like he’s improved his stock this year as he’s taken on a primary ball handler role in the wake of Mark Sears’ graduation, but he was always going to face frame questions after weighing in at 175 pounds at the combine with a tiny 8’3 standing reach. Philon is really shifty off the dribble, and if he can maintain his 38 percent three-point stroke, he can be a spark-plug guard that generates paint touches and blends scoring and playmaking. The Blazers have Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson ready to go for next year, but Philon still fits the roster pretty well long-term if they think he’s the best player available.

15. Miami Heat – Dailyn Swain, F, Texas

Swain followed Sean Miller from Xavier to Texas for his junior season, and he’s become one of the most complete wings in the country. Swain was always an athletic wing defender with a great frame (6’8, 225 pounds), and he’s continued to shine on the defensive end at Texas while taking a bigger offensive jump. Swain is a true slasher now who has made 70 percent of his shots at the rim with 83 percent of those looks coming unassisted. He’s shown an improved mid-range game off the dribble, and he’s still an 80 percent free throw shooter for his career. Swain just isn’t a good three-point shooter yet, but his driving and passing look better than ever, and he’s also impacted the game on the margins. This is way higher than where he’s usually at in mock drafts, but both his athletic and statistical profiles are so good that this doesn’t feel like a reach.

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic) – Tyler Tanner, G, Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt lost three straight after their 16-0 start, but sophomore star Tyler Tanner is still driving their success. Tanner is about as small as an NBA prospect can be these days at 6-foot, 175 pounds, but he plays incredibly physically despite his lack of size. He’s started the year with 13 dunks in his first 19 games, and he’s putting up ridiculous steal and block rates defensively. He’s super fast with the ball in his hands, and he usually makes good decisions with it with a +4.4 assist to turnover ratio. Tanner is going to have to be a great shooter to be successful in the league at his size, and so far this year he’s making 39 percent of his threes and 87.6 percent of his free throws. The NBA really doesn’t like small guards right now, but Tanner’s statistical profile is so good that he’s worthy of a look.

17. Golden State Warriors – Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State

Jefferson has become one of the best players in the country as a senior at Iowa State. At 6’9, 240 pounds, he’s a physical forward with rare passing ability for his size. Jefferson’s 28.7 percent assist rate is a massive number, and the fact that he’s improved to a 36 percent three-point shooter on his first 53 attempts this year shows even more comfort playing on the perimeter offensively. He’s a really good defensive rebounder who can provide some paint protection defensively, too. Jefferson potentially gives a team the benefits of a double big look without cramping their spacing if his shooting improvement holds, and the value he adds as a passer should be enough to lock him in as a first rounder.

18. Atlanta Hawks – Aday Mara, C, Michigan

Mara is a massive center at 7’3, 255 pounds, with a reported 7’7 wingspan. He’s a bit of a plodding athlete, but his rim protection in drop coverage is an elite skill (12.6 percent block rate, No. 8 in the country) and he’s a ridiculous passer for his size. Mara will bomb outlet passes after grabbing a rebound, and his ability to hit cutters out of the high post is every bit as dazzling. He’s a terrible shooter at this point, and his 44 percent free throw mark will have to improve for serious looks in this range. Still, Mara’s size and smarts are an enticing combo.

19. Oklahoma City Thunder – Thomas Haugh, F, Florida

Haugh fits the bill of a connective wing who can finish plays inside, space the floor, and hold his own defensively. Florida’s offense is 13 points per 100 possessions better when he’s on the floor, and its defense is 7 points per 100 better with him on, too. I’m a bit worried about his ability to score inside the paint when he doesn’t have a dunk, but he has appeal as a low-usage offensive wing who doesn’t need to spend time on the ball to have an impact.

20. Toronto Raptors – Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa

Stirtz might be the best pick-and-roll ball handler in the class with his ability to blend three-level scoring with good playmaking vision off a live dribble. He’s making 68 percent of his rim attempts (67 percent self-created), 47 percent of his mid-range shots, and 36.8 percent of his threes (60 percent unassisted) so far this year. Stirtz could struggle to contain the ball defensively, but he’s pretty good at getting into the passing lanes and scoring in transition. Iowa plays at such a slow pace that it’s hard to evaluate how he’ll adapt to the higher octane NBA game, but there’s a lot to like about both his skill set and production.

21. New York Knicks – Darius Acuff, G, Arkansas

Drafting a John Calipari guard is always a safe bet, and Acuff is next in line after a massively productive start for Arkansas. At 6’3, Acuff always has had grown man strength, and uses it on battering ram drives to the rim. His shot-making from deep (41 percent on 9.1 threes per 100 possessions) has exceeded all expectations, and he’s also shown the ability to hit tough mid-range pull-ups. He’s also proven to be one of the best pure playmakers in this class, and he’s especially good throwing lob passes for alley-oops. Acuff’s rim finishing against NBA length is a bit of a question, but his biggest concerns come on the defensive end. He just doesn’t do much off the ball defensively, and has the worst rebounding numbers of any first-round guard. Acuff could easily go 10 spots higher than this on draft night, but this feels like the right range to me.

22. Minnesota Timberwolves – Nate Ament, F, Tennessee

Ament entered the year tracking as a possible top-5 pick, but he struggled almost immediately against top competition. The idea of Ament is a 6’10 wing with a dribble, pass, shoot skill set, but evaluators have rarely seen it this year as he’s struggled to adjust to the physicality of the game on a cramped floor with Tennessee. His finishing has been poor (57 percent at the rim), he has more turnovers than assists so far, and his shot (28 percent from three on 8.2 attempts per 100 possessions) needs a lot more work. Tennessee was always going to be a tough offensive context for him, and there’s still a talented player in here somewhere with the right strength training program and shooting development. He had a breakout game against Alabama recently with 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting, and could be starting to earn back his reputation as a top prospect. This is probably his draft floor.

23. Los Angeles Lakers – Morez Johnson, F, Michigan

Johnson transferred from Illinois to Michigan over the offseason, and has proven he isn’t just a paint scorer this year. The sophomore has an outstanding physical profile at 6’9, 250 pounds with long arms, and he’s been beating up opponents all year in the best front court in college basketball. Johnson is one of the best defenders in this year’s class. He also kicks ass on the glass, finishes efficiently inside, and has shown significantly improved touch from the foul line (62 percent as a freshman to 78 percent as a sophomore). He’s still mostly a non-shooter from deep at this point (he’s 4-of-10 from three on the year), but if teams think he can shoot it eventually, his ability to defend all over the floor and bully people inside makes him a sure-fire first-rounder.

24. Charlotte Hornets – Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers

Lopez has been on the NBA’s radar for years as a strong 6’8 forward with loads of scoring upside. Born and raised in Mexico, Lopez has been spending his pre-draft year in the Australian-based NBL, where he’s showcased his ability to finish through contact, grab-and-go off the defensive glass, and provide some secondary shot-blocking. Lopez is a shaky outside shooter right now (30 percent on 69 attempts), and he’s not yet a good passer or decision-maker with the ball in his hands. His ability to defend will also be a bit of a question. Where he’s really good is attacking as a face-up scorer off the bounce at his size.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder – Cameron Carr, G, Baylor

A 6’5 wing with a reported 7’2 wingspan, Carr is a great outside shooter who has hit 43.3 percent of his first 97 attempts from deep. With 60 percent shooting from two point range, Carr is posting ridiculous 65.4 percent true shooting that makes him one of the most efficient scorers in this class. He has explosive leaping ability with the clear path to the basket, and has already thrown down 29 dunks this year. Carr is also 21 years old and still needs to add a lot of strength to his frame, improve his decision-making, and clean up his defensive technique. He might end up going much higher than this, because that combination of length and shooting will be appealing.

26. Boston Celtics – Malachi Moreno, C, Kentucky

Moreno is a mobile freshman center with great hands who impacts the game in a lot of areas outside of scoring. He’ll crash the glass, block shots, and keep the offense moving with his passing ability. Moreno isn’t super long (reportedly a 7’1 wingspan), doesn’t shoot threes yet, and has been an underwhelming finisher so far. He may not be quite big enough to anchor a defense without shooting ability, but his all-around impact is still impressive.

27. Denver Nuggets – Tounde Yessoufou, G, Baylor

Yessoufou is a 6’5 wing with a jacked frame who can hound the ball defensively, crash the offensive glass, and space the floor. He can’t do much off the dribble, so he’ll have to be a better shooter eventually than his current 30 percent mark from three.

28. Cleveland Cavaliers – Chris Cenac Jr., C, Houston

Cenac is a 6’11 freshman big man who has the tools to eventually control the paint, and he’s also a very good outside shooter for his size. He’s hitting 38.5 percent of his threes on 39 attempts so far this year, and he’s also posting an excellent 27 percent defensive rebound rate. Cenac just plays kind of soft right now on the offensive end, and his feel for rotations isn’t great defensively yet. It’s hard to find a true stretch five, and maybe Cenac can turn into one one day if his feel and physicality improve.

29. Detroit Pistons – Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech

Anderson is small for a modern NBA game, but he’s a deadly shooter off the bounce and a good facilitator for his teammates. He’s hitting 44 percent of his threes on 157 attempts so far, and he’s also been really efficient scoring from mid-range and at the rim. His finishing volume isn’t very high and scouts will question whether he can finish over NBA length inside. He’s naturally going to get picked on defensively because of his lack of size, but Anderson has some hope on that end because he’s a high-IQ player with quick hands.

30. Washington Wizards – Motiejus Krivas, C, Arizona

Krivas is a massive 7’2, 260 pound big man who has been quietly driving Arizona’s undefeated season. He’s been a super efficient scorer (69 percent true shooting) who cleans the glass on both ends, protects the rim, and makes his free throws (81 percent from the line). The Lithuanian isn’t much of a passer or shooter yet, but he’s really good at doing all the traditional big man stuff.

Per Shams Charania:

2026 NBA Rising Stars rosters: pic.twitter.com/WXLjq3Ui2i

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 26, 2026

The San Antonio Spurs have three players on the 2026 NBA Rising Stars roster.

Reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle will represent the NBA Sophomores. He’ll play alongside Matas Buzelis (Bulls), Donovan Clingan (Trail Blazers), Kyshawn George (Wizards), Ajay Mitchell (Thunder), Alex Sarr (Wizards), Reed Sheppard (Rockets), Cam Spencer (Grizzlies), Jaylon Tyson (Cavaliers), Kel’el Ware (Heat), and Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies).

Ajay Mitchell, Jaylen Wells, and Cam Spencer are all second round picks who have elevated their game over the last season and a half.

Spurs guard Dylan Harper has been named to the NBA Rookies with Cedric Coward (Grizzlies), Egor Demin (Nets), Tre Johnson (Wizards), VJ Edgecombe (76ers), Kon Knueppel (Hornets), Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans), Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors), Cooper Flagg (Mavericks), and Derik Queen (Pelicans). All players were lottery picks in the last draft.

Finally, Spurs two-way guard David Jones Garcia will represent the NBA G-League. He’ll be joined by Dylan’s brother Ron Harper Jr. (Maine Celtics), Sean East II (Salt Lake City Stars), Alijah Martin (Raptors 905), Tristan Newton (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), Yang Hansen (Rip City Remix), and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (San Diego Clippers).

This marks the first time in franchise history that the Spurs have multiple Rising Stars selections in the same season.

The Rising Star game will be played on February 13th at 9PM EST on Peacock.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and Ja Morant are the three biggest potential targets ahead of the 2026 NBA trading deadline.

All three are injured, and all three will be sidelined well beyond the Feb. 5 deadline. This complicates the overall market.

Each player is expected to make an eventual full return to health, though each – to varying degrees – has his own complicated injury history. The problem arises in the risk potential suitors may be feeling to trade for players who have combined to miss 63 games this season, as well as the real assets required to pry those stars away from their teams.

This all points to a potential drag in the trading market, possibly making this a sleepy deadline – especially when compared to last season’s that saw stars like Luka Dončić, Jimmy Butler, De’Aaron Fox and Brandon Ingram each shipped to new teams.

Complicating this further is that the entire market is in somewhat of a holding pattern, awaiting to see what happens with Antetokounmpo, the two-time Most Valuable Player and biggest chip on the board.

Antetokounmpo technically has not requested a trade, and the Milwaukee Bucks have been reluctant to make their franchise player available in a deal. But Antetokounmpo, 31, has repeatedly voiced his frustrations – he most recently characterized the team’s play as “selfish” – and has maintained that he wants to compete for championships.

The Bucks are 18-26 and 10th in the Eastern Conference. This is quickly becoming a lost season, and the latest Antetokounmpo injury likely precludes them from being buyers ahead of the deadline. So the Bucks may reluctantly understand that a fresh start is best for everyone, particularly because Antetokounmpo has one more year on his deal with a player option for 2027-28 that he can decline.

NBA POWER RANKINGS: New No. 1 team unseats OKC Thunder

TRADE RUMORS: NBA players who could be on the move at the deadline

Essentially, if Milwaukee senses that Antetokounmpo is considering walking during the 2027 offseason, the Bucks may want to at least recoup some assets for a rebuild. In that case, a trade makes perfect sense.

Yet, potential suitors will have far more financial flexibility and draft capital to deploy in an Antetokounmpo trade over the offseason, so the Bucks are probably best served to exercise patience.

Either way, we’re nearly 50 games into the season, Antetokounmpo is dealing with an injury that has nagged him, and he’s expected to be reevaluated in a month – at the earliest. That puts potential contenders who would be interested in him in a tricky spot.

Adding Antetokounmpo is a franchise-altering move that also impacts the day-to-day operation of a team. Regardless of who the suitors may be, a player like Antetokounmpo completely alters the way offenses are run, so there would be an adjustment period.

Not only are the mechanics of trading a player like Antetokounmpo during the season complicated (with a third team possibly needing to be involved), it also means these suitors would need to undergo a massive pivot, which is a risk this late in the year.

So, as the rest of the league awaits for resolution with Antetokounmpo, this could create a further lag in the trading market.

The Mavericks have also indicated they’re not necessarily in a rush to move Davis, who was the headliner returned in the infamous Dončić deal. Davis turns 33 in mid-March and is a constant injury concern, though he can be effective when he’s on the floor.

Dallas, though, is hanging around the play-in picture in the West and is also without Kyrie Irving. Eventually, the Mavericks may feel that they can make a late push for the playoffs.

And the Grizzlies have to contend with a depressed market as Morant’s value is as low as it has been throughout his career.

Granted, this could all change very quickly. If the Bucks decide they want to prioritize a head start on a rebuild, they could look to move Antetokounmpo sooner. If the Mavericks feel they can get good value for Davis, maybe they scoop up younger players more aligned with their timeline. Maybe the Grizzlies decide their relationship with Morant has run its course.

This trading deadline will certainly be active with role players like Jonathan Kuminga, Michael Porter Jr., Coby White and Domantas Sabonis likely to find new teams.

Don’t be surprised, however, if all this smoke about Antetokounmpo, Davis and Morant turns out to be just that.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA trade deadline could be a bust depending on Giannis Antetokounmpo

As March Madness inches ever closer, we offer our latest attempt to project the men's basketball NCAA tournament field. While four different conferences are still represented on the No.-1 seed line, the upper quadrant of the bracket skews heavily toward the Big Ten.

For now the top regional seeds are unchanged from our previous installment of bracketology. Arizona has the strongest case for the top overall seed, with Michigan, Connecticut and Duke still projected to lead the regionals. The Wolverines head a group of five Big Ten squads among our projected top 12, despite preseason league favorite Purdue slipping to a No. 3 seed. Red-hot Illinois has moved up to a No. 2 along with still undefeated Nebraska, and perennial tournament contender Michigan State is also on the third line.

Mid-major power rankings: Keep eye on these teams in March

Weekend recap: Paying attention to Texas Tech yet? You should.

It might be a case of quantity over quality for the SEC, which is still well represented with 10 teams in the field but none seeded higher than Florida and Vanderbilt at No. 4 for the moment. The league’s automatic qualifier based on the current standings would be Texas A&M, though the Aggies likely will need to improve their profile should they require at-large consideration.

Seton Hall has toppled out of the field for now, leaving the Big East with just three tournament squads. The Mountain West also has three spots, though a couple of them are dangerously close to the bubble.

Bracketology: NCAA tournament field projection

March Madness Last four in

TCU, UCLA, New Mexico, Miami (Fla.).

March Madness First four out

Virginia Tech, Indiana, Missouri, Seton Hall.

NCAA tournament bids conference breakdown

Multi-bid leagues: Big Ten (10), SEC (10), Big 12 (8), ACC (8) Big East (3), Mountain West (3), West Coast (2).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness bracketology: NCAA Tournament projection led by Big Ten

With college football season over and the Super Bowl only two weeks away, many of the country’s sports fans will adopt what has become a familiar routine over the years — digging into men’s college basketball and counting down the days to the start of the NCAA tournament.

At least some of the excitement and joy from the madness of March comes from outside the sport’s biggest conferences, where smaller schools pull off the kinds of upsets that thrill fans and destroy brackets. It’s part of the beauty of NCAA tournament folk heroes, with previously little-known players, coaches, programs and schools become national darlings in an instant.

Those teams, though, can be enjoyed well before they become household names.

NCAA tournament bracketology: Big Ten dominates March Madness projection

What we learned last week: Paying attention to Texas Tech yet? You should

As March inches closer, USA TODAY Sports will do weekly rankings of the 10 best teams from outside of the five Power conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East and SEC), so while programs like Gonzaga or San Diego State — both of which have made the national title game in the past five years — are nobody’s idea of a mid-major, they fall into this category for the sake of this exercise.

Where do teams from outside the biggest conferences stand as February approaches?

College basketball mid-major power rankings

1. Gonzaga (21-1)

Mark Few has made the Bulldogs a model of consistent success for any program at any level of the sport and this season has been no exception. Since a loss to No. 2 Michigan in the Players Era Festival on Nov. 26, the Zags have rattled off 14 consecutive wins, a run that has included victories over Kentucky (by 35), UCLA, Oregon and Santa Clara. Graham Ike and Braden Huff form one of the best frontcourts in the country, with the forwards averaging a combined 35.9 points per game.

2. Saint Louis (19-1)

If it weren’t for a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in a 78-77 loss to Stanford on Nov. 28, the Billikens would be among the small handful of undefeated teams remaining in the sport. In its second season under coach Josh Schertz, Saint Louis has emerged as the class of the Atlantic 10, with a 7-0 conference record and only two of those games decided by single digits. College basketball folk hero Robbie Avila, who previously played for Schertz at Indiana State, is averaging a team-high 12.7 points and four assists per game.

3. Miami-Ohio (20-0)

The RedHawks are one of just three undefeated teams at the Division I level, with a 20-0 mark on the heels of a 25-win season in 2024-25. It marks the first time a Mid-American Conference team has ever won its first 20 games. Their nonconference schedule was the fourth-easiest among Division I squads, according to KenPom, but coach Travis Steele’s team has shown its mettle in pressurized situations, with overtime wins against Buffalo and Kent State, as well as a three-point victory over reigning MAC champion Akron.

4. Utah State (16-3)

The Aggies have become a launching pad for promising coaches to bigger, higher-paying jobs, with four coaches in the past six years. Through it all, though, they keep winning, with Vanderbilt transfer MJ Collins Jr. pacing this season’s team with 19.3 points per game on 42.4% shooting from 3. They’ve cooled off a bit lately, losing two of their past three after a 15-1 start, but they still look like the Mountain West favorite.

5. Saint Mary’s (19-3)

Like West Coast Conference rival Gonzaga, the Gaels win year after year and have continued it this season, with 10 wins in their past 11 games. Among the areas in which they’ve excelled? At the free-throw line, where they’re burying a Division I-best 81% of their attempts.

Coaches Poll, AP Top 25: Men's college basketball rankings after Week 12

6. Santa Clara (17-5)

Under veteran coach Herb Sendek, the Broncos are on pace for their most wins in a season in a decade while collecting several impressive victories along the way — beating, among others, Saint Mary’s, Xavier, Minnesota, Nevada and McNeese.

7. San Diego State (14-5)

The Aztecs have found their footing after a 3-3 start, winning 11 of their past 13 games (with one of those losses coming to No. 1 Arizona). As always, they’ve been fierce on the defensive end, ranking 26th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.

8. New Mexico (16-4)

After winning 30 games last season at UC San Diego, coach Eric Olen has kept things rolling in his first season with the Lobos, who are 13-2 since Nov. 21 and have picked up wins against Santa Clara, VCU, Mississippi State and Nevada.

9. George Mason (18-2)

Tony Skinn helped lead the Patriots to the 2006 Final Four as a player and has excelled since returning to the school as a coach, winning at least 20 games in his first two seasons. This squad might be his best yet. Like Miami (Ohio), George Mason feasted on a weak nonconference schedule, but it still has quality wins over VCU and George Washington.

10. Akron (16-4)

Three of the Zips’ four losses this season have come by five points or fewer, with only No. 12 Purdue beating them by a larger margin. Senior guard Tavari Johnson is one of the most dynamic scorers in the country, averaging 20.3 points per game and shooting 38.7% from 3.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball mid-major rankings: Gonzaga, Saint Louis lead way

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

BOSTON — Late in the fourth quarter of the Celtics 102-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Payton Pritchard crouched down in pain on the TD Garden parquet and clutched his left hand. Moments later, the Celtics guard headed into the locker room, his injury status seemingly up in the air.

But, much to the relief of the Celtics fans who braved the winter storm to watch Jrue Holiday and Rob Williams make their triumphant returns, Pritchard returned just a few minutes later and closed out the final 42 seconds of the ball game. The Celtics put away the Blazers, and improved to 29-17 on the season — the Eastern Conference’s second-best record.

Afterwards, Pritchard revealed that the injury was nothing too concerning; he simply re-injured a pinky finger that’s been bothering him for the past month.

Pritchard looked like he aggravated a left pinky/hand injury that he already had wrapped. Left the game with just under 3 minutes remaining. pic.twitter.com/asMuxx7cj4

— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) January 27, 2026

“I’ve been dealing with it, jamming it back and forth, and then he just kind of hit it,” Pritchard said, explaining his finger turned sideways.

Pritchard said he thinks he first hurt his finger when the Celtics faced the Trail Blazers on December 28th. But it’s not something that’s put him on the injury report; he’s only missed one game in January, and that was due to listed ankle soreness.

“When you play basketball, you deal with finger injuries,” Pritchard said.

Payton Pritchard put together another strong showing vs the Blazers

On Monday, Pritchard beat both the end-of-first-quarter and halftime buzzers, while tallying 23 points on 8-16 FG, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.

The finger injury doesn’t appear to have slowed down his production. This year, Pritchard is averaging 16.8 points while shooting 45.1% from the field and 34.7% from three-point range.

Payton Pritchard in the paint, he is the first player with 20 pic.twitter.com/OBdXGKFYWY

— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) January 27, 2026

In January, his counting stats have slightly decreased, but his efficiency has improved; he’s averaging 15.9 points and shooting 46.6% from the field and 39.4% from three-point range. All season long, Pritchard has had one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the NBA; he’s averaging 5.3 assists and 1.1 turnovers per game.

After the win over the Blazers, Pritchard said the discussions around the Celtics taking a step back this season were motivating.

“People have been doubting me my whole life,” he said. “For me, it’s like show up, go to work, figure out how to win games — and prove people wrong. So, nothing changed for me in my mindset.”

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, January 27th. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 28-20 and beat the Orlando Magic yesterday.

They host the Los Angeles Lakers tomorrow. We hear a certain someone will be in town. You won’t want to miss it.

Today’s Game of the Day

• Detroit Pistons at Denver Nuggets – 9 PM FanDuel Sports Network, NBA League Pass

Still no Nikola Jokic, but the Nuggets (31-15) are still a team worth watching. That is, if Jamal Murray doesn’t miss this game as well. Murray is currently listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.

Nevertheless, this is a chance for Cavs fans to keep an eye on the Pistons (33-11). Detroit probably won’t relinquish control of the Eastern Conference’s top seed, but you can scout the best team in the East and get a sense for how the Cavs might stack up against them.

The Rest of the NBA Slate

• Portland Trail Blazers at Washington Wizards – 7 PM
• Sacramento Kings at New York Knicks – 7:30 PM
• Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers – 8 PM
• New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder – 8 PM
• Brooklyn Nets at Phoenix Suns – 9 PM
• LA Clippers at Utah Jazz – 10 PM

Honorable mention to the Clippers and Jazz game. I don’t know why, but I feel like that could end up being an entertaining one.

Cavs links of the day

• Cavs’ sophomore Jaylon Tyson selected for NBA’s 2026 Rising Stars game – Fear the Sword
• Cavs stay close to top of NBA power rankings – Cavs on SI
• Opposing teams are trying to trade for Cavs small forward – Fear the Sword
• “The ultimate glue guy,” Unheralded Dean Wade becoming Cavs starting lineup linchpin – Cleveland.com

NBA links

• NBA Rewind: What does Giannis really want? – New York Times
• NBA Trade Deadline: What should the Bucks do with Giannis? – ESPN
• NBA Power Rankings: Pistons surge past Thunder for No. 1 spot – NBA.com