Category: NBA

March Madness is where legends are born and legacies are built.

The player who has the biggest claim to that mantle during the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament may be Connecticut senior center Tarris Reed Jr. Pegged as a potential breakout in March Madness by USA TODAY Sports, Reed has been a monster and arguably the Huskies' best player.

REQUIRED READING: Final Four bold predictions: Which drought continues? Who wins it all?

Reed helped No. 2 UConn survive an upset bid from No. 15 Furman in the opening round with a monster 31-point, 27-rebound performance. That set the tone for the tournament, as he has scored at least 20 points in three games and recorded double-doubles in two.

If UConn is going to win a national championship for a third time in four years, you would expect Reed to play a major role, especially with the remaining big men left in the Final Four.

Heading into the Final Four of March Madness, here's what you need to know about the UConn Huskies veteran big man:

Tarris Reed stats

Here’s a look at Reed's stats from his college career with Michigan and UConn:

• 2025-26 (UConn): 14.7 points per game, 2.4 assists per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 0.9 steals per game, 2.1 blocks per game, 62.1% on field goals, 59.6% on free throws (33 games, 33 starts)
• 2024-25 (UConn): 9.6 points per game, 1.0 assists per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 0.7 steals per game, 1.6 blocks per game, 67% on field goals, 64.4% on free throws (35 games, 1 start)
• 2023-24 (Michigan): 9.0 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 0.5 steals per game, 1.4 blocks per game, 51.9% on field goals, 58.6% on free throws (32 games, 31 starts)
• 2022-23 (Michigan): 3.4 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 0.5 steals per game, 0.9 blocks per game, 51.7% on field goals, 40% free throws (34 games, 0 starts)

Tarris Reed 2026 NCAA Tournament stats

After a strong regular season where he posted career highs across the board, Reed has come alive for UConn in the NCAA Tournament, including a monster 31-point, 27-rebound performance in the opening round vs. Furman.

Here's a look at Reed's stats during the NCAA Tournament:

• March 20 vs. No. 15 Furman: 31 points (12-of-15 shooting), 27 rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes
• March 22 vs. No. 7 UCLA: 10 points (3-of-8 shooting), 10 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and a steal in 29 minutes
• March 27 vs. No. 3 Michigan State: 20 points (8-of-16 shooting), five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal in 33 minutes
• March 29 vs. No. 1 Duke: 26 points (10-of-16 shooting), nine rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals in 32 minutes
• NCAA Tournament averages: 21.8 points (60% shooting), 13.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in 32.3 minutes

Tarris Reed NBA draft stock, mock draft predictions

Before the NCAA Tournament, a lot of mocks viewed Reed as a second-round pick, likely going near the end of the draft. However, his play in March Madness could catapult him into the first round, as more mocks come out over the next several weeks.

• Yahoo!: No. 30 overall to the Dallas Mavericks (April 2)
• ESPN: No. 52 overall to the Washington Wizards (March 11)

How old is Tarris Reed?

Reed is 22 years old. He'll turn 23 on Aug. 5.

What was Tarris Reed's recruiting ranking?

• Stars: 4
• National rating: No. 35
• Position ranking: No. 8 C
• State ranking: No. 3 player from Missouri

Reed was a four-star recruit who was rated as the No. 8 center and the No. 35 overall prospect nationally in the 2022 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.

Why did Tarris Reed transfer from Michigan to UConn?

Following two seasons at Michigan, Reed entered the transfer portal on March 19, 2024, four days before the Wolverines hired Dusty May as their new head coach. He committed to the Huskies on April 17, 2024.

"I chose UConn for its winning culture, commitment to player development and coaching style," Reed told On3's Joe Tipton. "Coach Hurley's tough coaching style is known for pushing players into uncomfortable situations, making the uncomfortable seem comfortable. UConn provides the ideal setting and coaching for me to maximize my potential both on and off the court."

Where is Tarris Reed's hometown?

Reed is from St. Louis. He played at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis for the first three years of high school before finishing at Link Academy in Branson, Missouri.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Tarris Reed Jr.? What to know about the UConn basketball star

Is this the year that Arizona men's basketball's national championship drought comes to an end?

Based on how the Wildcats have looked, the chances are pretty high for Tommy Lloyd's squad.

REQUIRED READING: Arizona in Final Four: What to know about Wildcats' road to Indianapolis

The Wildcats, looking for their first March Madness title since 1997, have shown themselves to be a favorite in the Men's NCAA Tournament with a dominating presence inside the paint that makes it hard for opponents to score. They also have a three-headed scoring trio of Brayden Burries, Koa Peat and Jaden Bradley.

To end the national championship drought, Arizona must first get past No. 1 seed Michigan in the Final Four on Saturday, April 4, inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. If the Wildcats can get past the Wolverines, they will face the winner of No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Illinois in the title game on Monday, April 6.

Here's what to know on Arizona's history in the Final Four:

When was last time Arizona went to Final Four?

It has been 25 years since the Wildcats last reached the Final Four, in 2001.

As noted by USA TODAY's Jordan Mendoza, Arizona entered its Elite Eight game vs. Purdue with the fourth-most wins in the country since 2010, but was the only program in the top five that had not made a Final Four. Arizona had lost five consecutive Elite Eight appearances, with two of them coming as a No. 1 seed.

"You hear rumblings of it all the time," Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka told USA TODAY Sports before Arizona punched its ticket to the Final Four.

REQUIRED READING: How Arizona players' halftime talk ended 25 years of March Madness heartbreak

Arizona basketball Final Four history

Arizona is making its fifth trip to the Final Four and the first since 2001. Here's a breakdown of how Arizona has fared in the Final Four:

• 1988: lost semifinal to Oklahoma, 86-78
• 1994: lost semifinal to Arkansas, 91-82
• 1997: won semifinal vs. North Carolina, 66-58; won final vs. Kentucky, 84-79
• 2001: won semifinal vs. Michigan State, 80-61; lost final to Duke, 82-71

Arizona basketball Final Four record

Arizona brings a 3-3 record in Final Four games into Saturday's national semifinal vs. Michigan. The Wildcats lost both of their trips to the Final Four in 1988 and 1994 before picking up their first win, which came during the 1996-97 season, when they won the entire tournament.

It would take another four years for Arizona to return to the Final Four after the 1997 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats went 1-1 at the Final Four in 2001, picking up a semifinal win over then-defending national champion Michigan State before losing to Duke by nine points in the national championship game.

Has Arizona won a Men's NCAA Tournament national championship?

Yes, Arizona men's basketball has won the national championship once in program history, coming in the 1997 NCAA Tournament. To win the national championship that season, the Wildcats — the No. 4 seed in the Southeast Regional — defeated defending national champion Kentucky in the national title game, 84-79 in overtime.

En route to their title, the Wildcats defeated No. 13 seed South Alabama in the first round, No. 12 seed College of Charleston in the second round, No. 1 seed Kansas in the Sweet 16, No. 10 seed Providence in the Elite Eight and No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Final Four.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How many Final Fours does Arizona basketball have? March Madness history

Dan Hurley finds himself in an all too familiar situation on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis when Connecticut men's basketball takes on Illinois in the Final Four.

It is the third Final Four in the last four seasons that the 53-year-old coach has led the Huskies to during their six-year rise back to being one of the top college basketball programs in the country.

He holds a 17-3 record in March Madness with the Huskies, and is looking to become the seventh Division I men's basketball coach to win at least three national championship titles. Remove the first two seasons that Hurley led the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament, both of which were first-round exits, UConn is 17-1 in its last 18 March Madness games.

MORE: Dan Hurley clears air on interaction with ref in UConn's win vs Duke

The Huskies' success under Hurley has not only established him as one of the top coaches in the country and garnered interest from the NBA (hello, Los Angeles Lakers), but it has also bumped their resume up on the blue blood rankings list, which can see them move past Duke with their seventh title in program history.

But Hurley's success and rise in his profession also put a spotlight on his roots and how he got started in coaching, which, if you know anything about the Hurley family, all started in a gymnasium in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Here's what to know about Hurley's family tree:

Dan Hurley family tree

Who is Dan Hurley's dad?

Dan Hurley is the son of legendary New Jersey high school basketball coach Bobby Hurley Sr., who is also enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bobby Hurley Sr. spent nearly four decades as a high school basketball coach at St. Anthony's in Jersey City. In his 39 seasons at St. Anthony's, Bobby Hurley Sr. won over 1,000 games and 28 state championships while turning the program into a national powerhouse. He also led St. Anthony's to 18 undefeated seasons.

FINAL FOUR TICKETS: Where to buy tickets, prices for March Madness semifinals

As noted by CT Insider, Dan Hurley went head-to-head against his dad for nine seasons from 2001 to 2010 at the high school circuit, as the UConn head coach started his career at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark. Bobby Hurley Sr. retired from coaching after the 2016-17 basketball season, when St. Anthony was forced to shut down due to declining enrollment and finances.

The two-time NCAA national championship coach fielded multiple questions about being a byproduct of a high school basketball coach, and whether his intensity on the sidelines comes from that, ahead of UConn's second-round game vs. UCLA, where Dan Hurley went up against Mick Cronin, whose dad was also a high school coach.

"If you don't like me, you'd hate my dad. I bet Mick would say the same thing. We're coach's kids. For me, growing up in Jersey, North Jersey, Jersey City, I coach the way my dad would be coaching this college. Whether you would like that or not," Dan Hurley said. "You just have a special relationship to your team, to your players, to the outcome, to the lifestyle of being a coach when you're a coach's kid.

"It's so personal for coaches like me and Mick, which is where you see, at times, emotional reactions to things that happen on the court because it truly feels like, personally, it's your world, your team. The outcome of the game, it manifests itself sometimes in how we behave."

KING OF THE BLUE BLOODS? How UConn can pass Duke this weekend

Following UConn's win over Duke in the Elite Eight, Bobby Hurley Sr. told college basketball reporter Adam Zagoria that the Huskies' come-from-behind win against the Blue Devils, which featured a buzzer-beater from Braylon Mullins, "the singularly most incredible moment" he's seen in person following a college basketball game.

"In the times I’ve been around it, this is the singularly most incredible moment (I've seen) following college basketball. I don’t think I’ve ever been around the game where we were on the right end of a last-second shot," Hurley told Zagoria.

Bob Hurley Sr said this was the ‘singularly most exciting’ college basketball moment he’s been around

And that’s saying something pic.twitter.com/iOjRbjtVzj

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 30, 2026

Who is Dan Hurley's brother?

Dan Hurley's brother is Bobby Hurley Jr., the former Duke All-American guard under Mike Krzyzewski and recently fired Arizona State basketball head coach.

Bobby Hurley Jr. helped guide the Blue Devils to a pair of national championship titles in 1991 and 1992, while recording career totals of 1,731 points, 1,076 assists, 306 rebounds, and 202 steals in 140 career games. His 1,076 career assists used to be the NCAA all-time career record, but he was recently surpassed by Purdue guard Braden Smith.

Who are Dan Hurley's sons?

Dan Hurley has two sons, Danny and Andrew, with his wife, Andrea.

His son Danny attended Seton Hall University, his father's alma mater, while Andrew was a walk-on for his dad at UConn and a member of the Huskies' back-to-back national championship teams in 2023 and 2024. Andrew Hurley is currently a graduate assistant on UConn's coaching staff and will earn his MBA this spring.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dan Hurley family tree: UConn coach son of legendary HS basketball coach

Embiid ‘pissed off' he wasn't allowed to play against Wizards originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Joel Embiid shared his perspective Friday night on the odd series of events that led to him missing the Sixers’ win Wednesday against the Wizards.

He was displeased, to put it mildly.

A recap, for those who didn’t follow the mini-saga: 

Embiid played through an illness in the Sixers’ loss Monday to the Heat. On Wednesday morning, the Sixers wound up holding a film session at their hotel instead of their initially scheduled shootaround. Embiid was not present. In the late morning, the Sixers formally ruled him out for that night’s game. Embiid tweeted that the news “must be an April Fools” joke and said he was “planning to play tonight.” He later tweeted, “I guess they won’t let me play basketball!!” 

“We had activities this morning, film and stuff,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame at Capital One Arena. “He didn’t make the film after reporting some sickness from Miami the other day. Medical obviously went to see him and wanted him to get checked out by a doctor … decided to rule him out at that point.

“He obviously played the other night through some of that, but they just decided, a couple days (of being sick) here in a row, that he needed to get checked out.”

So … time for Embiid’s side of the story following the Sixers’ home win Friday over the Timberwolves.

“I was pissed off,” Embiid said. “I wanted to play basketball. I wasn’t allowed to play basketball. So I think this is more of a question for (Sixers president of basketball operations) Daryl Morey and whoever makes the decisions. I think, going into Miami, I was pretty sick, but I understood how important the game was. I still wanted to give us a chance to go out there and try to do something. … I felt a little bit better going into Washington. Definitely much better than I felt against Miami. 

“I woke up … didn’t sleep until probably 5 in the morning or 6. With that, couldn’t make it to shootaround. And then after that, I found out online that I wasn’t playing that night. That kind of caught me off guard. That pissed me off. But then again, I guess they make the decisions. It doesn’t matter what I think or not, I’ve just got to follow it. But that’s more of a question for Daryl and them. I don’t know what’s going on. I just want to play basketball.”

It’s notable that the Sixers appeared very likely to beat the Wizards, who sit at 17-59, regardless of whether Embiid played. On paper, having their star center grit it out against such an opponent wouldn’t have been prudent.

The Sixers had a rough first half defensively in D.C., but Paul George dropped 39 points and the team ultimately checked off a convincing win.

Listed as doubtful Thursday night, Embiid was upgraded to probable during the day Friday and then officially deemed available about 30 minutes before tip-off. While he had a slow start vs. Minnesota and finished 6 for 17 from the field, he was very good defensively and on the glass. The seven-time All-Star posted 19 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. It was a high-quality win for the Sixers, who needed it to stay sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with five regular-season games left. 

Embiid acknowledged postgame that the right oblique strain he suffered in late February has continued to affect him. 

“A little bit,” he said. “I got hit again today, so that doesn’t help. Just got to keep playing and try to not think about it.”

Embiid was asked whether he might play in the second leg of the Sixers’ back-to-back, a meeting Saturday night with the top-seeded Pistons. 

“There’s a chance,” he said. “I don’t know. I guess these guys decide to let me play or not. Whatever they tell me, I guess I’ve got to follow.”

Miami or Milwaukee, South Beach or north at the border, Boston’s blueprint might have been drafted on this 3-1 road trip. After splitting days off in a back-to-back in Charlotte and Atlanta, we’ve seen an impressive two games from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. With Brown leading the scoring charge, Tatum has flexed his all-around game with nearly two triple-doubles against the Heat and Bucks.

A 133-101 throttling started with the Celtics hitting 8-for-12 from behind the arc to take a 43-26 lead in the first and they never looked back. All five starters and sixth man Payton Pritchard scored in double figures with the team committing just eight turnovers in a fairly lackadaisical game.

The Celtics now have four of their final five games at TD Garden and a magic number of three to finish #2 in the East. Their only road game is of course Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Their odds have improved all week with our friends at FanDuel and now are +550 to raise Banner 19 and the favorite to rep the Eastern Conference in the 2026 NBA Finals.

Jaylen Brown

30 minutes, 26 points (2-4 from 3, 10-11 from the free throw line, 7-17 from the field), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 steals, +27

After a bout with Achilles tendonitis, Brown seems rejuvenated. After scoring 43 against the Heat, he dropped 26 points in 30 minutes in Milwaukee that included 11 trips to the free throw line. He had the full repertoire on display: the pitter patter drives, the strong finishes at the rim, and his fall away in the mid-range.

Grade: A

JB showed why it’s dangerous to be on his island 1v1 with this fancy move making it tonight's @JetBlue Play of the Game 🏝️ pic.twitter.com/0DqopFtvfS

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 4, 2026

Jayson Tatum

31 minutes, 23 points (4-8 from 3, 3-4 from the free throw line, 8-16 from the field), 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 steals, +30

Early in his comeback, Tatum was a little prone to holding the ball a little too long and going in to his isolation game like it was 2024 all over again.

Now, he’s making decisions so much quicker. That’s really opened up Queta’s game whenever he slips out of picks or short rolls to the free throw line.

Grade: A+

Neemias Queta

29 minutes, 19 points (3-4 from the free throw line, 8-11 from the field), 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks, +33

Queta has quickly become the closest approximation of Robert Williams III the Celtics have seen since Timelord was traded three years ago. As soon as he catches the ball, he’s so quick off the bounce and has developed an array of Olajuwon-esque moves in the paint. Add four blocks and four offensive rebounds and it was a near perfect game for the Most Improved Player candidate.

Grade: A

Sam Hauser

27 minutes, 13 points (3-4 from 3, 5-6 from the field), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, +25

Attention all playoff opponents, Sam Hauser is getting hot. Maybe it was Tatum’s return. Maybe it was just water finding its level. Maybe it’s just destiny.

After spending scuffling under 40% from 3, Hauser sits at 39% with five games to go. He’s hit eight of his last eleven triples and become an important cog in the starting lineup.

Grade: A

Derrick White

31 minutes, 17 points (5-9 from 3, 6-11 from the field), 3 rebounds, 5 assists, one turnover, +34

I don’t want to jinx it, but DWhite looked great last night and had the highest +/- on the evening. I’ll stop there and hope that the juju has permanently changed.

Grade: A-

Payton Pritchard

26 minutes, 16 points (2-6 from 3, 7-12 from the field), 3 rebounds, 6 assists, one turnover, +2

Pritchard own the second quarter with the second unit. He led the team with twelve points and scored at all three levels.

Grade: A

'scuse me 🤌 pic.twitter.com/LIcHFKe9aG

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 4, 2026

Luka Garza

12 minutes, 2 points (1-2 from the field), 4 rebounds, one assist, +0

The starters plus Pritchard were absolutely unconscious that players #8-#10 in the rotation didn’t have to do too much.

Grade: B

Baylor Scheierman

23 minutes, 2 points (0-2 from 3, 1-3 from the field), 2 rebounds, 3 assists, one turnover, one steal, +4

Like Garza, Scheierman didn’t light up the box score, but filled in with quality minutes off the bench. Two of his dimes came in the alley-oop variety.

Grade: B

Jordan Walsh

12 minutes, 7 points (1-3 from 3, 3-5 from the field), 2 rebounds, +1

Walsh has seemingly leapfrogged Gonzalez on the wing rotation. His defense remains his calling card, but if he can hit more than 35% from 3 and generate stocks (steals and blocks), those 20+ possessions per game he’s on the floor for should have a positive impact.

Grade: B

Charles Bassey / Hugo Gonzalez / Ron Harper Jr.

5-6 minutes, 8 points (0-1 from 3, 4-6 from the field), 4 rebounds, one assist, one turnover, one steal +4

With how well Gonzalez and Harper Jr. have looked in spurts this season, it’s unfortunate that we don’t get to see them play here at the end of the season. Mazzulla seems to be trimming the rotation down to nine players and they’re just simply the odd man out…until Mazzulla throws another curve ball and one of those guys are starting a game in April.

Grade: INC

DNP-CDs: Max Shulga, John Tonje, Amari Williams

Inactives: Nikola Vucevic

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the Spurs are on their second 11-game win streak right now.

After leaving a Kawhi Leonard-shaped crater behind them in Los Angeles, without the aid of the Monstar that is Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs should enter this one with peak confidence.

It almost feels like a lack of exaggeration to say the silver-and-black have been so in lockstep over the last several games that it’s hard to point out who (if anyone) can end this streak.

The Nuggets are on that *very* short list, though, with most of their top contributors back on the court for this match-up.

When healthy, Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon pose particular problems for the Spurs, with Gordon exploiting the Spurs’ weakness at Power Forward, and Jokic’s passing negating some of Wemby’s otherwise smothering presence in the paint.

I’d also be remiss to leave out the ever-levitating Jamal Murray, who serves as one of the best challenges to the usually stellar defense of San Antonio’s guards.

Difficult enough to guard on an average day, you never know when Murray is going to summon the golden touch and completely wreck a lead, or San Antonio’s entire game plan. Almost every player, given enough time, will go on a hot streak that surpasses even the loftiest expectations, but Murray is in his own category in that respect, to the extent that it would have turned even Kobe Bryant’s head.

If I’m being honest, it reminds me of the way that Manu Ginobili would get hot back in his prime. And that’s as high a compliment as I can give.

That being said, the Spurs are in an interesting state of mind (and health), with the team seemingly getting stronger the longer that the streak goes on.

Wemby’s been tossing out 40-point games with the ease of a longtime paper boy running his route for the 1000th time. Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are burning up the rims from long-distance, each easily shooting 40%+ outside of the arc (with Harper shooting 50%) over the last 10 games. All of the important players are off the injury report.

The Spurs are #1 in Offensive and Net Rating since February. Their defensive rating over that same stretch? That would be 2nd in the NBA. And according to this nifty, newly updated chart, these Spurs have officially passed the ‘Beautiful Game’ Spurs of 2014 in Net Rating for the season.

Even with a perfectly healthy Jokic, Gordon, and Murray, that might be too much to overcome, and I’m not confident that Jokic and Gordon are that kind of healthy.

Still, between the infamous Mile High Air and the cohesiveness of the Nuggets when they are all present, there’s a chance this could go down to the wire. It should certainly be entertaining.

I wouldn’t place any bets on the Nuggets, though. Especially with Victor likely to be hungry coming off of rest. This San Antonio team is something else.

And not only do they know it — they’ve been playing like it.

San Antonio Spurs (59-18) vs Denver Nuggets (49-28)

April 4th, 2026 | 2:00 PM CT

Watch: NBA on Amazon Prime/KENS| Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: None

Nuggets Injuries: Tim Hardaway Jr: Probable (Knee), Peyton Watson: Out (Hamstring), Spencer Jones: Out (Hamstring), Zeke Nnaji: Out (Hip)

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will miss the remainder of the regular NBA season with a hamstring injury.

The Slovenian, 27, had played himself into contention for the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award during an outstanding March in which he became only the 10th player in history to score 600 points in a single month.

But he will miss the final five regular season games after suffering a grade two strain of his left hamstring during Thursday's heavy loss to Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers have not provided a timetable for Doncic's return after he had a scan on Friday - just two weeks before the start of the NBA play-offs on 18 April.

Doncic is the NBA's leading scorer this season with 2143 points for an unequalled average of 33.5 points per game.

However, having been sidelined for four games with a left hamstring strain earlier in the season, and missing two games to return to Slovenia for the birth of his daughter in December, Doncic is set to fall short of the minimum games threshold required to qualify for the NBA's major end-of-season awards.

Doncic, who is one appearance short of the 65 required, will apply for an "Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge", according to his agent Bill Duffy.

"This season, Luka Doncic has performed at a historic level, leading the league in scoring, carrying the Lakers to third place in the Western Conference and placing himself in the middle of one of the most tightly contested MVP races in memory," Duffy told ESPN.

"To ensure Luka's incredible accomplishments this season are rightly honoured and he can be considered for the league's end-of-season awards, we intend to apply for an 'Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge' to the 65-game rule."

Doncic was named March's player of the month following 13 consecutive 30-point performances which helped the Lakers to 13 wins in 14 games prior to the defeat by Thunder.

Rookie Flagg makes history in defeat

Cooper Flagg became the first teenager in NBA history to reach 50 points in a game - but that was not enough to earn the Dallas Mavericks victory against the Orlando Magic.

Flagg, 19, scored 51 points - including 24 in the fourth quarter - to surpass his previous career high of 49 in January.

But the 138-127 loss brought Dallas' 14th consecutive home defeat.

"It's always fun getting into that type of mode," Flagg said.

"The basket feels big. But I like to win. That was my main focus. It's hard for me to fully enjoy myself out there when we're down 20, down 10, down 15, for the majority of the game."

Dating back as far as the Players Era Festival in November, Michigan men's basketball has been one of the top programs in the country for a majority of the season.

The Wolverines strengthened that claim by rolling past their four opponents in the first two weekends of the Men's NCAA Tournament, highlighted by a colossal 33-point win over No. 6 Tennessee in the Elite Eight that came off from a 27-point performance from Yaxel Lendeborg.

So, is this the year that the Wolverines get over the hump and the season-long mission of being national champions with two wins at the Final Four?

Final Four odds: Expert picks to win March Madness

On part, because of its depth, experience and physicality inside the paint, Michigan has as good a chance as any of the four teams in Indianapolis to do that. Oddsmakers agree.

To get to their first national championship celebration since 1989, though, Dusty May's squad must get through a challenging No. 1 Arizona team with just as high a ceiling as Michigan and which brings as much physicality and presence around the rim as the Wolverines do.

Here's what to know on Michigan's history in the Final Four:

When was the last time Michigan went to Final Four?

It has been eight years since the Wolverines last reached the Final Four in 2018.

Michigan basketball Final Four history

Michigan is making the ninth Final Four appearance in program history, but only seven of those are recognized by the NCAA after the Wolverines vacated appearances in the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons due to improper benefits paid by a booster to players.

Here's a breakdown of how Michigan has fared in the Final Four:

• 1964: lost semifinal to Duke, 91-80; lost third place game to Kansas State, 100-90
• 1965: won semifinal vs. Princeton, 94-76; lost final to UCLA, 91-80
• 1976: won semifinal vs. Rutgers, 86-70; lost final to Indiana, 86-68
• 1989: won semifinal vs. Illinois, 83-81; won final vs. Seton Hall, 80-79
• 1992: won semifinal vs. Cincinnati, 76-72; lost final to Duke, 71-51 *
• 1993: won semifinal vs. North Carolina, 81-78; lost final to North Carolina, 77-71 *
• 2013: won semifinal vs. Syracuse, 61-55; lost final to Louisville, 82-76
• 2018: won semifinal vs. Loyola-Chicago, 69-57; lost final to Villanova, 79-62

* Denotes vacated Final Four appearances

Michigan basketball Final Four record

The Wolverines are an official 5-1 in the Final Four in their six previous trips that are recognized by the NCAA. Michigan's lone loss in the Final Four came in 1964 when Dave Strack was the head coach, and the Wolverines finished as the co-champions of the Big Ten conference.

Michigan's last trip to the Final Four came in 2018 when it stopped Cinderella sweethearts Loyola-Chicago's (with viral sensation and legend Sister Jean) run in March Madness in the national semifinals. The Wolverines would then see their run come to an end in the national title game when it ran into the buzz saw of Villanova.

Has Michigan won a Men's NCAA Tournament national championship?

Yes, Michigan men's basketball has won the national championship once in program history, coming in the 1989 NCAA Tournament. To win the national championship that season, the Wolverines — the No. 3 seed in the Southeast Region — defeated No. 3 seed Seton Hall in a one-possession, overtime game thanks to 31 points from Glen Rice and 21 points from Rumeal Robinson.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How many Final Fours does Michigan have? March Madness history

Dan Hurley has built quite the powerhouse at Connecticut in his eight seasons in the so-called "Basketball Capital of the World."

He's won a lot because of that, too.

The Jersey City, New Jersey native, who started out coaching high school basketball at St. Benedict's Prep, is widely considered as one of the top coaches in the country ... And perhaps of all-time. So, what are the numbers?

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Since taking over the Huskies program in 2018, Hurley has led the Huskies to a 198-74 overall record, back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, a Big East tournament title and six straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

In the NCAA Tournament alone, the Huskies are an impressive 17-3 overall under him, and are the first team in over a decade to make the Final Four three times in a four-year span. His overall 19-5 NCAA Tournament record, which includes a few trips with Rhode Island, has him with the best winning percentage in March Madness among active coaches and third-best all-time with a minimum of 15 games.

The Huskies now look for their 18th NCAA Tournament win under Hurley on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET when they face No. 3 Illinois in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

For his success at UConn, Hurley is well compensated by the Huskies. Here's a look at Hurley's contract at UConn:

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Dan Hurley contract

Hurley signed a new six-year contract with UConn in July 2024, less than a month after he turned down a job offer in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. His deal currently has another four years left on it, according to his contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

His contract extension in 2024 was his second in a span of a year, as he had signed an original six-year, $32.1 million contract extension following the Huskies' first of two back-to-back national championship titles.

"It's an honor to coach basketball at UConn and to represent this world-class institution and the great state of Connecticut," Hurley said in a statement at the time of his July 2024 contract extension. 

He is making a total of $8.025 million this season, making him one of the highest-paid coaches among public universities and colleges.

Dan Hurley bonuses

Hurley has already earned $475,000 in postseason bonuses for leading the Huskies back to the Final Four, according to his contract. He could also an addition $300,000 if UConn beats Illinois on Saturday, and then an addition $500,000 if the Huskies win it all.

All told, Hurley could earn up to a total of $1.275 million in postseason bonuses this season.

Dan Hurley buyout

Hurley's buyout is currently set at $3 million if he were to leave UConn, which was set for April 1. Should Hurley be fired by the Huskies with cause, his buyout is currently at just under $34.8 millon as of April 1.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dan Hurley contract: UConn coach's bonuses, buyout before Final Four

Orlando Magic (41-36, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (25-53, 12th in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Magic -3; over/under is 235.5

BOTTOM LINE: New Orleans will try to end its seven-game slide when the Pelicans take on Orlando.

The Pelicans are 16-23 on their home court. New Orleans is 14-24 in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Magic are 17-20 in road games. Orlando has an 18-25 record against teams above .500.

The Pelicans score 114.9 points per game, 0.5 fewer points than the 115.4 the Magic give up. The Magic average 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.4 fewer made shots on average than the 14.2 per game the Pelicans allow.

The two teams square off for the second time this season. The Magic defeated the Pelicans 128-118 in their last matchup on Jan. 11. Desmond Bane led the Magic with 27 points, and Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 22 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Pelicans. Saddiq Bey is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Bane is averaging 20.4 points and 4.2 assists for the Magic. Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.2 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 3-7, averaging 111.5 points, 41.2 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.9 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.8 points per game.

Magic: 3-7, averaging 114.2 points, 38.7 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 7.5 steals and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.6 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Karlo Matkovic: day to day (back), Dejounte Murray: day to day (achilles), Bryce McGowens: day to day (toe).

Magic: Anthony Black: out (abdomen), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Memphis Grizzlies (25-52, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (30-47, 11th in the Eastern Conference)

Milwaukee; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Memphis looks to stop its three-game losing streak with a victory over Milwaukee.

The Bucks have gone 17-22 in home games. Milwaukee allows 116.9 points to opponents and has been outscored by 6.4 points per game.

The Grizzlies are 11-26 in road games. Memphis averages 14.7 turnovers per game and is 14-24 when committing fewer turnovers than opponents.

The Bucks average 15.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.0 more made shot on average than the 14.0 per game the Grizzlies allow. The Grizzlies average 13.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 14.8 per game the Bucks allow.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Grizzlies won 125-104 in the last matchup on Dec. 27.

TOP PERFORMERS: Myles Turner is averaging 11.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Bucks. Ryan Rollins is averaging 14.5 points and four assists over the last 10 games.

GG Jackson is averaging 12.5 points for the Grizzlies. Olivier-Maxence Prosper is averaging 12.8 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bucks: 2-8, averaging 106.0 points, 38.6 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 7.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.0 points per game.

Grizzlies: 2-8, averaging 109.7 points, 35.1 rebounds, 23.8 assists, 9.5 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 126.0 points.

INJURIES: Bucks: Kevin Porter Jr.: out for season (knee), Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (ankle), Ryan Rollins: day to day (hip), Bobby Portis: day to day (wrist), Gary Trent Jr.: day to day (hip).

Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: out for season (knee), Jahmai Mashack: day to day (neck), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Walter Clayton Jr.: day to day (hip), Ja Morant: out for season (elbow), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out for season (toe), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Ty Jerome: day to day (ankle), Jaylen Wells: out for season (toe), Taj Gibson: day to day (foot), Olivier-Maxence Prosper: day to day (back), Cam Spencer: day to day (back), Brandon Clarke: out for season (calf).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Charlotte Hornets (42-36, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (46-31, sixth in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Timberwolves -1.5; over/under is 228.5

BOTTOM LINE: Charlotte is looking to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Hornets take on Minnesota.

The Timberwolves are 25-14 on their home court. Minnesota ranks fifth in the Western Conference with 16.2 fast break points per game led by Ayo Dosunmu averaging 3.8.

The Hornets are 21-17 on the road. Charlotte leads the league averaging 16.4 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 38.0% from downtown. LaMelo Ball leads the team averaging 3.6 makes while shooting 36.5% from 3-point range.

The Timberwolves' 13.7 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.9 more made shots on average than the 12.8 per game the Hornets give up. The Hornets are shooting 46.1% from the field, 0.2% higher than the 45.9% the Timberwolves' opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Timberwolves won the last matchup 122-105 on Nov. 1, with Julius Randle scoring 30 points in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Randle is averaging 21.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Timberwolves. Dosunmu is averaging 15 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists over the last 10 games.

Ball is scoring 19.5 points per game with 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists for the Hornets. Brandon Miller is averaging 20.3 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49.3% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 5-5, averaging 110.4 points, 46.1 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 8.9 steals and 6.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.0 points per game.

Hornets: 8-2, averaging 122.4 points, 47.0 rebounds, 26.8 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.4 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: Jaden McDaniels: out (knee).

Hornets: Grant Williams: day to day (knee), Moussa Diabate: day to day (ankle), PJ Hall: day to day (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Detroit Pistons (56-21, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (43-34, sixth in the Eastern Conference)

Philadelphia; Saturday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pistons -1.5; over/under is 227.5

BOTTOM LINE: Detroit faces Philadelphia in Eastern Conference action Saturday.

The 76ers are 25-24 against Eastern Conference opponents. Philadelphia ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference with 50.2 points per game in the paint led by Tyrese Maxey averaging 11.3.

The Pistons are 35-12 in Eastern Conference play. Detroit averages 117.5 points and has outscored opponents by 7.9 points per game.

The 116.5 points per game the 76ers score are 6.9 more points than the Pistons allow (109.6). The Pistons are shooting 48.2% from the field, 1.4% higher than the 46.8% the 76ers' opponents have shot this season.

The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Pistons won 131-109 in the last matchup on March 12. Duncan Robinson led the Pistons with 19 points, and MarJon Beauchamp led the 76ers with 17 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Maxey is averaging 28.7 points, 6.8 assists and 1.9 steals for the 76ers. VJ Edgecombe is averaging 20.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists over the past 10 games.

Ausar Thompson is averaging 9.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and two steals for the Pistons. Jalen Duren is averaging 22.2 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 7-3, averaging 122.5 points, 46.4 rebounds, 27.8 assists, 7.5 steals and 6.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.8 points per game.

Pistons: 8-2, averaging 119.2 points, 44.6 rebounds, 31.0 assists, 9.9 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 50.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.6 points.

INJURIES: 76ers: Johni Broome: out (knee).

Pistons: Marcus Sasser: day to day (hip), Tobias Harris: day to day (knee), Cade Cunningham: out (lung), Isaiah Stewart: out (calf).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Los Angeles Clippers (39-38, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. Sacramento Kings (20-57, 14th in the Western Conference)

Sacramento, California; Sunday, 9 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles will try to keep its three-game road win streak alive when the Clippers take on Sacramento.

The Kings are 3-10 against opponents in the Pacific Division. Sacramento has a 3-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Clippers are 8-6 against opponents in the Pacific Division. Los Angeles is 18-27 against opponents over .500.

The Kings are shooting 46.6% from the field this season, 0.3 percentage points lower than the 46.9% the Clippers allow to opponents. The Clippers are shooting 48.5% from the field, 1.0% lower than the 49.5% the Kings' opponents have shot this season.

The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Kings won the last matchup 118-109 on March 15. DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points to help lead the Kings to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: DeRozan is scoring 18.6 points per game with 3.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Kings. Maxime Raynaud is averaging 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 54.6% over the last 10 games.

Kawhi Leonard is averaging 28 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and two steals for the Clippers. Darius Garland is averaging 19.4 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 3-6, averaging 112.3 points, 43.2 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 5.9 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.6 points per game.

Clippers: 5-5, averaging 115.3 points, 38.8 rebounds, 24.2 assists, 10.2 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 50.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.7 points.

INJURIES: Kings: Domantas Sabonis: out for season (back), Russell Westbrook: out (foot), De'Andre Hunter: out for season (eye), Zach LaVine: out for season (finger), Drew Eubanks: out for season (thumb), Malik Monk: day to day (shoulder), Keegan Murray: out (ankle).

Clippers: Isaiah Jackson: out (ankle), Yanic Konan Niederhauser: out for season (foot), Bradley Beal: out for season (hip).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Utah Jazz (21-57, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (61-16, first in the Western Conference)

Oklahoma City; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Utah is looking to stop its eight-game slide with a win against Oklahoma City.

The Thunder are 38-9 in Western Conference games. Oklahoma City ranks second in the Western Conference with 34.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Chet Holmgren averaging 7.0.

The Jazz are 1-14 against Northwest Division opponents. Utah ranks third in the league with 29.4 assists per game led by Isaiah Collier averaging 7.2.

The Thunder score 118.9 points per game, 6.7 fewer points than the 125.6 the Jazz give up. The Jazz score 9.7 more points per game (117.2) than the Thunder give up (107.5).

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Thunder won 129-125 in overtime in the last meeting on Jan. 8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 46 points, and Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 29 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Holmgren is shooting 55.0% and averaging 16.9 points for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.5 points over the last 10 games.

Kyle Filipowski is scoring 11.3 points per game and averaging 7.1 rebounds for the Jazz. Ace Bailey is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 9-1, averaging 120.9 points, 46.9 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 9.9 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.5 points per game.

Jazz: 1-9, averaging 116.6 points, 42.5 rebounds, 29.8 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 130.6 points.

INJURIES: Thunder: Alex Caruso: day to day (illness), Luguentz Dort: day to day (undisclosed), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).

Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (hip), Isaiah Collier: day to day (hamstring), Keyonte George: out (leg), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Elijah Harkless: day to day (hamstring), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.