Though it doesn’t quite eclipse his two national championships and three Final Four appearances, Dan Hurley is known throughout the college basketball world for his spirited interactions with officials.
After one of the most difficult losses of his career, though, the UConn coach had something else to give out to the crew who worked the game: praise.
In his postgame news conference following the Huskies’ 69-63 loss to Michigan in the 2026 NCAA Tournament championship game, Hurley referred to the trio of referees working the game — James Breeding, Jeff Anderson and Kipp Kissinger — as “an all-star group.” He added they did what they could to officiate a game between two physical teams.
“It's hard to ref that game,” Hurley said. “We both played so hard. That's not an easy game to officiate. If I could have those three guys ref every game the rest of my career, I would sleep well at night.”
Dan Hurley on the officiating 👀
“It’s hard to ref that game. We both played so hard… If I could have those three guys ref every game the rest of my career, I would sleep well at night.” pic.twitter.com/6UHRdWJ0qo
Officiating was a persistent talking point during the Wolverines’ win. UConn was called for 22 fouls, nearly double the 13 Michigan was whistled for, and attempted 16 free throws to the Wolverines' 28 (of which they sank 25).
In the first half, when the Huskies started to set the tone for a slower, more plodding game that gave them a better chance to beat the more up-tempo Wolverines, UConn was whistled for 11 fouls to Michigan’s five. In the process, two of the Huskies’ starters were in early foul trouble, with Silas Demary Jr. picking up his second foul with 13:30 remaining in the first half and Solo Ball doing the same with 12:07 before halftime.
They’re the kinds of data points that had Hurley, for all of his kind words about the referees, wondering what could have been.
“It's not the reason why we lost the game,” he said. “Obviously plus-13 at the free-throw line, plus-12 in attempts. I just thought that the first half foul trouble really — I thought we were positioned if we didn't have that foul trouble to potentially go into halftime with a lead. You go in with a lead and they make a run, you're down five instead of 11. But we also, too, a problem for our team has been undisciplined fouling at times.”
The loss was Hurley’s first in the Sweet 16 or later in his eight seasons at UConn. Entering the night, his teams had been 11-0 in such situations.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 18: Sean Pedulla #00 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives to the basket during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on March 18, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On the previous post, I tracked down as many former Rebels playing professional baseball as I could. I’ll admit, I did not scour every High A roster as the research became so tedious. Some of the former Rebs I have etched into memory where they are. Tim Elko and Jacob Gonzalez are together in the White Sox organization and Doug Nikhazy and Dylan DeLucia are both with the Cleveland Guardians affiliates.
What I noticed during that research was that Nikhazy was not officially on any roster. Come to find out, he had been designated for assignment (DFA’d). This simply means that the Guardians were removing Doug from their 40-man roster to make room for someone else. They then have seven days to trade, release or place him on irrevocable waivers.
Apparently, the Chicago White Sox play at Swayze North because Nikhazy will now be joining Elko, Gonzalez, Calvin Harris and Drew McDaniel in the White Sox organization. Great new for all of them is that the Sox aren’t loaded with talent and the door is open for any of them to make the team soon.
Moving on from baseball, two other former Rebels were recognized for postseason awards in another sport.
Congratulations to former Ole Miss basketball player Sean Pedulla on being awarded the NBA G League rookie of the year award! @PedullaSeanpic.twitter.com/FXm00hpodg
Yep. You read that right. Undrafted G-League rookie, Sean Pedulla won Rookie of the Year in the NBA G League. Just look at those numbers. His mentality and ability were both sorely missed by this year’s Rebel squad. He also made his NBA debut in some garbage minutes with the Clippers, making the most of it, knocking down two threes.
Remember Jamarion Sharp? Well people in the G League sure do. The tallest player in the league averaged just under four blocks per contest and his presence alone was enough to alter shots and force players to kick the ball out away from the basket. Sharp is likely destined to be a permanent G Leaguer or overseas guy, but this is an impressive trophy to put on the shelf at home.
The Houston Rockets’ six-game win streak will be put to the test when they head to the Mortgage Matchup Center to face the Phoenix Suns tonight.
Kevin Durant, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks will all face their former teams, and my Rockets vs. Suns predictions expect big games from the trio of offensive weapons.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this Western Conference clash on Tuesday, April 7.
Rockets vs Suns prediction
Rockets vs Suns best bet: Jalen Green Over 18.5 points (-125)
Between the opening of the season and January 19, Jalen Green appeared in only two games, and he’s played only 30 on the season. The former Houston Rockets guard needed time to ramp up, as he averaged just 12.9 points across his first 12 games. In that span, Green went for 20+ points twice.
However, Green has been excellent over his last 18 games, averaging 22.1 points and clearing this scoring line 14 times. In that span, Green has averaged 22.4 points at home, going for 20+ in six straight home games, averaging a healthy 24.2 points in those contests.
In his last six home games, Green has shot 50.5% from the floor and 42.6% from beyond the arc, while knocking down 3.3 triples and attempting 17.2 field goals and five free throws. He’s been aggressive as a scorer from all three levels.
Green leads the Phoenix Suns in usage this season at a healthy 31.2, and he’s second in shot attempts. His excellence on offense should shine through tonight, as Green will face the Rockets for the first time since getting traded with Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant.
I’ll happily take the Over on this modest scoring line in Green’s first-ever “revenge game.”
Rockets vs Suns same-game parlay
The Suns are 23-16 against the spread at home. A mostly healthy Suns team with a motivated Green and Brooks has enough firepower to stifle the Rockets and snap their six-game win streak.
Strong scoring from Green and Brooks, paired with solid play from Devin Booker and the support of the home crowd, should lead to plenty of scoring from Phoenix. Houston’s offense can be lethal when Durant is hot, and that’s just what he’s been lately. This point total is set far too low based on the quality of the offenses.
Rockets vs Suns SGP
Jalen Green Over 18.5 points
Suns -1
Over 220.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: REVENGE!
Green isn’t just an effective scorer. Over his last 12 games, he’s averaged 8.3 assists+rebounds and cleared the Over on this combo line eight times.
Durant has scored 25+ points in eight of his last 10 games, and he’s reached that mark in each of his two games against his former team. He’s a more prolific scorer on the road, and I expect another strong offensive performance as Durant returns to Phoenix.
Brooks’ minutes and scoring have ticked up in two straight games since returning from more than a month on the shelf, and he scored 15 in his last game. Brooks has reached 16+ points in 40 of 53 games on the season, and he’s cleared that number in two of three matchups with Houston.
Rockets vs Suns SGP
Jalen Green Over 18.5 points
Jalen Green Over 7.5 assists + rebounds
Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points
Dillon Brooks Over 15.5 points
Rockets vs Suns odds
Spread: Rockets +1 (-110) | Suns -1 (-110)
Moneyline: Rockets -105 | Suns -115
Over/Under: Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110)
Rockets vs Suns betting trend to know
The Houston Rockets have hit the Team Total Over in 16 of their last 23 games (+7.80 Units / 29% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Suns.
How to watch Rockets vs Suns
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Tip-off
11:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC/Peacock
Rockets vs Suns latest injuries
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‘Twas the night(s) before the playoffs, when all through the Frost Bank Center; Not a creature was stirring, not even The Coyote; The banners were hung by the rafters with care; In hopes that Victor Wembanyama’s ribs healing soon would be there;
“The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of Manu Ginóbili’s fractured elbow on the eve of the 2011 playoffs danced in their heads.” (I know. You’re here for highlights, not nightmares, but we can’t help it after an anxiety-inducing game like that.)
While overwrought fans like me toiled and trembled at not only Wembanyama’s early exit from the game due to injury, we chewed nervously on our nails when Stephon Castle briefly exited from the game due to injury as well. Alas, the good guys persevered (even with a brief cameo from Wemby before he exited for good out of caution, PRESUMABLY).
The game on Monday was truly a team effort as six different Spurs scored in double digits, but no one cracked the 20-point barrier. Stephon Castle led the team with a triple-double, pouring in 19 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 13 assists. Victor Wembanyama and Dylan Harper each chipped in 17 points apiece as Wembanyama only played 15 minutes due to that scary rib injury we previously soliloquized.
If you look up “maximum effort” in the dictionary, you’ll see a picture of Keldon Johnson singing Vanessa Carlton songs at karaoke. Between his making his grown men teammates listen to VC before tip-off and my recent discovery of KJ’s love for Hootie and the Blowfish, I feel like both Johnson and I would also be huge fans of Counting Crows and Michelle Branch. He’s a lot younger than me, so his music taste comes off as eclectic at worst while my personal fandom of VC, CC, MB, and bands/musicians like Crazy Town, Blues Traveler, and O-Town just date me to a long time ago in a prequel galaxy far, far away.
(Writer’s note: This is where our fearless leader and editor-in-chief, J.R. Wilco, might step in and ask me not to mail it in just like the Indiana (redacteds), the (redacted) Wizards, the Utah (redacteds), and the (Brooklyn) (Nets) are mailing it in just because it’s nearing the end of a long regular season. We had to redact some names to protect the identity of certain NBA teams doing the same thing other teams before them have done to get the chance to draft generational players like Victor (redacted)—unless of course you’re the Dallas (redacteds), who incredulously still got the number one overall pick even with 1.8% odds of winning the number one overall pick.
Please enjoy this rambunctious dunk by Wembanyama lobbed up by Fox while I formally apologize for monologuing about the Maverick’s lottery draft fortunes even with the full knowledge that the Spurs have had the most luck when it comes to draft lottery fortunes. But the Spurs would also never let (redacted) (redonciced) walk out of the building if the Spurs drafted someone like (redacted) (redonciced). Detractors (not me) and devil’s advocates (also not me) might also point out that the Spurs once upon a time (allegedly and unequivocally without convincing evidence of premeditated motives) did let a generational talent walk out of the building all the way to Canada and soon later to Los Angeles. But I say we can’t live in the past, man.
Anyway, what’s your favorite Savage Garden song? Mine is “Truly, Madly, Deeply.” I bet Keldon Johnson’s is “I Knew I Loved You.” He seems like a IKILY sort of dude.
I mention Harrison Barnes’s longevity in the league a lot in previous articles because it’s worth mentioning the professional longevity of one Harrison Barnes. He’s been hooping in the pros since Linsanity was a thing (oh my goodness, I did not need to remind myself how long ago Linsanity was). He’s also roughly about the same age as my wife who was born in (redacted).
If you missed the game because you were too busy vehemently denying to your significant other that you posted their age on a San Antonio Spurs website, here are the full-game highlights:
Next up, the Spurs take on the Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sports can be rather ruthless when it comes to poorly timed injuries. Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ only hope and a legitimate MVP candidate, strained his hamstring and is out indefinitely — very possibly missing the first round of the NBA Playoffs or more. Austin Reaves, their second primary offensive creator, went down to an oblique strain and could miss even more time. He’s trying to rush back, but that’s a scary idea in itself, too. If this was not pro basketball, everyone could just rest up and hit the ground running when healed. The Lakers do not have time for that, and they must soldier on with whatever forces they can muster.
If LeBron James can somehow drag his shorthanded team out of the first round, it will be an iconic, hitherto unheard-of effort that the poets will sing about for decades. But the far more pressing fallout of these injuries is this: the Lakers’ peril creates a power vacuum in the Western Conference that other teams are ready to pounce on.
What was a fairly even field in the West just got tilted hard in favor of whoever can figure out how to play the Lakers in the first round. Currently, the Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets are separated by less than two games with only four games left. It’s anyone’s guess who will be 3, 4 and 5. The Nuggets and Rockets have both been on absolute tears, winning nine and six straight games, respectively. The Minnesota Timberwolves, the six seed, thought they had won the lottery and that the Lakers had locked up the three seed to be their first-round opponent — not so. This is all terribly confusing, so I’m going to break it down like an NBA seeding-logistic DJ making a really boring mixtape:
The NBA Playoffs do not re-seed opponents each round. I repeat: The NBA Playoffs do not re-seed opponents. That means the winner of the 2-7 match always plays the winner of the 3-6 match AND the winner of the 1-8 match always plays the winner of the 4-5 match. I forget this every year, but we have to remember it this time because it’s important. Write it on your hand. Tattoo it on your back like John Wick. Schedule send an email to yourself every two hours with the subject line “The NBA Playoffs do not re-seed.” Whatever you have to do.
That is critical this year, because, with the Lakers absolutely gutted but right in the thick of a Western Conference seeding battle, tiny shifts in standing can have explosive results on the bracket. I’m not sure any of this is really controllable, but here’s my read on how it could shake down.
If Denver bops the Lakers down to four, the Rockets may luck out, and Oklahoma City may seriously luck out by having to play … whoever the eight seed is and then the winner of Los Angeles/Houston; a very easy duo to beat if the Lakers do not have Luka. Meanwhile, Denver is now faced with a super winnable 6-3 against the Timberwolves and a second round against the scary-but-inexperienced San Antonio Spurs.
The Rockets could mess all of that up if they somehow stumble their way to the three seed, in which case the Spurs are your big winners, staring down only the winner of Houston/Minnesota while the Thunder are like “bro what do you mean I have to play the Nuggets in the second round?”
Denver, meanwhile, might have four free wins left on their schedule, playing two tanking teams and then the Spurs and Thunder in their last two; seems hard, until you realize both those teams are basically locked into their seeds and will probably rest their starters. Houston has a bunch of teams that might actually be trying, and the Lakers are going to have to dig deep, no matter who they play.
This is a fascinating ordeal. With everyone trying so hard to avoid that guy but seek out that other guy and making sure that this dude isn’t waiting around the corner has created so much confusion that we should probably just all agree to just… win basketball games and circle back later. But if we had to distill all of this into some deliverables, here’s what I got:
1. The Timberwolves could be trouble for everyone if this breaks right — if the Wolves get the Lakers in the first round and the Spurs in the second round, they could plausibly make the Western Conference Finals. They are 2-1 against the Spurs this year and their loss was by three points. They have size and match up pretty well. Meanwhile, the Thunder may have to deal with Stephen Curry in round one and Nikola Jokic in round two. That’s less fun.
2. If LeBron James can drag his team out of the first round without Luka and Reaves, he might be the GOAT — I’m not going to sit here and tell you that LeBron, Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton have a great shot at beating anyone, but if they do… I mean, come on now. That would be legendary stuff.
3. Every single team in the West’s Top 6 can win the West — this has been a hilarious, weird, unpredictable NBA season. You can talk yourself into every single team in the field to make the Finals; if the Lakers are forfeit, even the Rockets can make this happen. If the Lakers somehow make it to Luka’s return, they could pull a rabbit out of a hat.
Basically, had the Lakers, Nuggets, Timberwolves and Rockets all stayed in their assigned seats, this would be reasonably simple and predictable. Now, we’re in a full-blown crisis trying to figure this out. Nothing about this will be logical, nothing about this will be boring. And as a fan of a team in the Eastern Conference, I cannot wait.
Nov 29, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) drives for the basket against Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Bucks face a Brooklyn Nets team coming off an unfortunate win over the Wizards, which means they will try their darndest to lose. OK, expected. But having seen the Bucks’ injury report… they just might be playing the same game! Have we got ourselves an old-fashioned tankoff? Shoot, this is the most excitement I’ve felt in months! The season series currently sits at one game apiece, with the fourth game (another riveting tank-off?) coming on the 10th.
Where We’re At
Well, the Bucks actually have a .500 winning percentage over their last four games. Woohoo! (*mumbles under breath* to the tanktastic Mavs and Grizzlies). Nah, but in all seriousness, the losses have been secondary to the storylines we are following as far as player development goes, and zeroing in on Cormac Ryan’s game has been a welcome reprieve from the larger Bucks mess. More on that later.
As for the Nets, well, they were never going to make the “mistake” they made last year by winning too much. They don’t own their pick next year, and so this year was always going to be a tankfest. That said, hilariously, they are also .500 over their last four, losing two tank-offs to the Kings and Wizards. If an average NBA fan knows much about the players Brooklyn (or Milwaukee, for that matter) rolls out today, hats off to them.
Injury Report
OK, so the following players are out for the Bucks: Giannis (knee), Kyle Kuzma (Achilles), Kevin Porter Jr. (knee), Bobby Portis (wrist), Ryan Rollins (hip), Gary Trent Jr. (hip), and Myles Turner (ankle).
The Nets have responded in turn, ruling out the following blokes: Nic Claxton, Noah Clowney, Egor Demin, Terance Mann, Michael Porter Jr., Day’Ron Sharpe, Ziaire Williams, and Danny Wolf. Ben Saraf is probable.
Player to Watch
Cormac Ryan (or should I say Cor-max Ryan… sorry, ignore me) has had great games in two of his last three, scoring 25 against the Rockets and 21 against the Grizzlies. Over those two games, he’s shot 16/22 from the field and 7/11 from deep. I’m watching (Wazowski, always watching) for if he can tack on another great game tonight. The level of the opponent should give him every chance.
How To Watch
6:30 p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - May 22: Stephen A. Smith Michael Malone and Chris Paul #3 of the San Antonio Spurs speak before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s really easy in this day and age to have an immediate thought about UNC’s decision to reportedly hire Michael Malone. The immediate reaction by the fan base was one of shock and an immediate comparison to Bill Belichick.
In short—ON MY GOD WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU DO THIS AGAIN?
But just like I preached on Sunday that patience was key in waiting for the decision to be made, time was needed to let the decision wash over fans, other reaction to pour in, and a true analysis of the decision was made. Once all of that started rolling in, there seemed to be some stepping back from the ledge.
Like many, I wasn’t that happy with the initial decision. With all of the names that had been published as being the subject of the search, it felt a lot like just settling for who was there. Then I sat down and started to think about it a little, and I started to realize that there is some logic to the move.
The big one to me was that if your were hinging your hopes on Billy Donovan, why not take a coach that’s a decade younger and has a track record of success at the highest level as opposed to one who’s been OK, but didn’t have a ring and was in the NBA because college wore him out? I thought about the easy reaction of “he’s just like Bill Belichick who used Tom Brady to get his wins by using Nikola Jokić to get his in Denver.” The problem with this line of thinking is that basketball requires more of a buy-in from a player to a coach. Add in the fact that Brady came to the NFL with a fire to prove he wasn’t a Power Five bust, meanwhile by all accounts Jokić doesn’t view basketball as his life and he still was able to develop him to the point where Denver won a title. There’s a development aspect there you don’t normally see with superstars. Plus, Michael Jordan needed Phil Jackson to get him rings, so he had to at least be able to coach.
Once I hit that point, I saw the two interviews that have made the rounds that showed how he was already becoming connected to Carolina, and I started to understand that unlike Belichick who had the tenuous first words of “Beat Duke,” Malone has had real, adult connection to UNC that means he’s at least a little more familiar with Chapel Hill and the environment here than another coach would have been.
If for any reason you would like to learn more about Mike Malone, he was in the @carolina_pod studio this fall and talked about his coaching career, basketball background, connection with UNC and more.https://t.co/w702ksZqcx
Finally, word from former players started to leak out. Tyler Hansbrough, Seth Trimble, and Danny Green all not only supporting the move but doing so enthusiastically. Is there some of this that’s trying to save a move as the portal opens today? Maybe, but we also know how loudly players would be if they weren’t happy with the move and the tone of their enthusiasm at least gives me some pause about this.
So I’ve landed here: I’m not doing backflips over the hire because I would have rather have gotten Dusty May or Tommy Lloyd, but it became clear that UNC was being used as a leveraging play for coach after coach—and it appears it would have continued with Donovan. It’s a risk, but at this point a lot of the other names were a risk. I’m intrigued, and I’m willing to see how the next month goes in terms of building a staff and the portal.
What about you? Are you where you were when this was announced or are you in a different place now? Let us know in the comments below.
Every day this week, the NBC Sports NBA writing crew is breaking down the league's individual postseason awards and giving you their thoughts and predictions. After looking at MVP on Monday, it's Coach of the Year today, a tight race between Boston's Joe Mazzulla and Detroit's J.B. Bickerstaff on most ballots. Here's who we've got.
Coach of the Year
Kurt Helin, NBC Sports Lead NBA Writer: Joe Mazzulla
Remember when we all thought this was going to be a "gap year" in Boston? I had the Celtics pegged as a play-in team (I also didn't expect a Jayson Tatum return, or Jaylen Brown to step up the way he did). This was a team that didn't just lose its star for most of the season, but had traded away a lot of veteran depth like Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis.
This is where Mazzulla's coaching, the culture he built and the expectations he built into the organization stood out. Neemias Queta thrived in Mazzulla's system and was a quality starting center. Payton Pritchard stepped up in a larger role. Derrick White looked like an All-NBA player. Across the board, Mazzulla inspired role players to be more, put them in positions to succeed, and they did. While J.B. Bickerstaff did something similar in Detroit, the edge for this season — it is Coach of the Year after all — goes to Mazzulla.
Jay Coucher, NBC Sports Lead Betting Analyst: Joe Mazzulla
Flip a coin between Mazzulla and J.B. Bickerstaff, with Mitch Johnson a solid third, and Jordan Ott and Charles Lee deserving of consideration. Mazzulla gets the slight edge over Bickerstaff for somehow turning Boston into a top-four offense and defense in what was supposed to be a gap year.
Raphielle Johnson, NBC Sports Fantasy basketball lead analyst: J.B. Bickerstaff
There are many worthy candidates for this award. Mitch Johnson has done phenomenal work with the Spurs, and Mark Daigneault's ability to keep the Thunder atop the league despite their injuries is commendable. Joe Mazzulla has done great work with the Celtics, ending any talk of a "gap year," and Charles Lee's Hornets have been much-improved.
But I'll take Bickerstaff here. While many expected the Pistons to use last season's experience as a building block, few expected them to run away with the top spot in the East as they have.
Eric Samulski, MLB/NBA Writer, NBC Sports: Joe Mazzulla
This is almost as much of a lock for me as Victor Wembanyama for Defensive Player of the Year. Nobody expected the Celtics to be this good without Jayson Tatum. Let alone after also losing Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, and AL Horford. Yes, the Celtics have other good players remaining, but Joe Mazzulla's system is so well-entrenched, and the team is so well-coached that it didn't quite matter who was in the lineup; this team just produced.
Apr 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) reaches for a loose ball ahead of Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
I did not like this game! I suppose there are two silver linings: First (I say this knocking on wood), it would appear that Victor Wembanyama’s injury (a bone bruise in his ribs) is unlikely to be a serious problem in the sense that he should be fine for the playoffs. Second, it gave me the opportunity to find out that the League’s absurdly complex 65-game rule is actually a 63+2 rule in which players are allowed to receive credit for up to two games in which they play 15-19 minutes (all other games require 20+ minutes to count towards the total). As such, Wemby gets credit for this game, and is now just one game away from satisfying the requirement. I normally don’t care too much about regular season awards, but in this particular case I actually think that it would cause the NBA serious reputational harm if the individual universally regarded as the best defensive player did not win DPoY because he fell one game short of an arbitrary threshold.
As impossible as it is to set the injury issue aside when discussing how I feel about this game, I can be more calm and objective when it comes to discussing the box score. Fortunately, the Sliver and Black put together a really solid performance overall, and it shows up in some of the box score highlights:
Fun fact: Philly and San Antonio had the exact same number of field goal attempts (89) and three-point attempts (32) in this game. In the 16,845 regular season games since the start of 2012-2013, this is just the 34th time that two teams have tied in both these areas.
Fortunately, the Spurs were far more effective in shooting from the field overall, logging a FG% margin of +11.24 percentage points enroute to making 10 more baskets. San Antonio’s edge in 3P% (+3.13 percentage points) was literally as small as it could be while still being positive, but still translated to a +1 advantage in made threes. As a result of all this, the Spurs outscored Philadelphia by 21 points from the field.
Despite this huge disparity, the 76ers kept the game interesting for much of the time. One way they managed this was by earning a +8 advantage on the offensive glass, which helped give them an upper hand in overall offensive opportunity. Because the Spurs fouled more (+2) and at worse times, this mostly showed up as an edge in free throw attempts (+7).
In addition to greater volume from the charity stripe, Philly also had a notably better FT% (+10.03 percentage points). As a result, the 76ers made eight more free throws.
It’s slightly atypical for the losing team to earn such a big margin at the free throw line while making far fewer shots from the field, though not as much as you might think. In fact, this contest marked the 812th occasion in the last 13 regular seasons where the winning team had a FGM of +10 or better and a FTM margin of -8 or worse (that’s about 4.82% of all games). The worst FTM differential achieved by a regular season winner with a FGM of at least +10 since the start of 2012-2013 was -26. That actually happened twice, and both games were home wins by the Phoenix Suns (Dallas @ Phoenix on 2/10/26 and Lakers @ Phoenix on 11/22/22).
What are Team Graded Box Scores?
Very briefly, these box scores grade winner-loser differentials for basic box score statistics, with the grade being based on the winning team’s differential relative to other NBA winners during a defined reference period. Think of it like a report card for understanding how a given winner performed relative to other winners. The reference period used runs from the start of the 2012-2013 season to the latest date of play, including only games in the same season category (i.e., regular season and playoff games are not compared to each other).
Data Source: The underlying data used to create these box scores was collected from Basketball Reference. In all cases, the data are collected the morning after the game is played. Although rare, postgame statistical revisions after data collection do occur and may affect the results after the fact.
DENVER, CO - MARCH 14: Head Coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets yells from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena on March 14, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Word got out Monday afternoon that UNC has hired Mike Malone, most recently head coach of the Denver Nuggets and winner of the 2023 NBA championship, as its next coach.
Reactions are mixed.
Many UNC fans were baffled, but that’s not surprising. Like most fans, they aren’t steeped in the business side of basketball. That’s fine—unless they start offering uninformed opinions.
Among more informed people, the verdict is still split. Start with the positive: Malone is a basketball lifer. His father, Brendan, was an NBA coach, and the game is clearly in his blood.
Former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski called it a good hire. So did Dan Dakich, who noted that former NBA players such as Juwan Howard (whom he called an idiot), Chris Mullin, and Chris Ewing all struggled in college.
Malone, however, was never an NBA player; he has been a coach since he graduated from college.
Former Tar Heel Kenny Smith, who was involved in the search, was impressed. Several informed observers said the same about people who worked with Malone in the NBA.
Bomani Jones was skeptical, questioning whether Malone could adapt to the college game. “What’s the big deal about waiting a week for Billy Donovan?” he asked.
One clear upside: no buyout. After committing to paying off Hubert Davis’s full contract and Bill Belichick’s big contract, that alone was appealing.
The transfer portal may have played a role, too. One report said incoming athletic director Steve Newmark grew concerned about the timing there.
The bigger question is whether Malone can adjust to college basketball. He is widely described as hard-working and detail-oriented—strong coaching traits. Still, he is moving from grown men with families and mortgages to 18- to 22-year-olds who cannot legally drink. The sport is the same, but the psychology is not.
Malone is also known for his intensity, which can be an asset. One source called it an upgrade over Hubert Davis. Others are less sure.College coaching demands far more teaching than the NBA, and the best teachers push players without belittling them. A long list of intense college coaches—Virginia’s Dave Leitao, Bob Knight, and Lou Campanelli among them—have run into trouble when intensity crossed into toxicity.
Then there is Malone’s NBA record. He won a championship, but the numbers are telling. As Cody Nagel noted on X:
With Nikola Jokić: 449–293 (.605)
Without Nikola Jokić: 61–101 (.377)
That’s both fair and unfair. NBA coaches have limited roster control, and Malone inherited a dysfunctional Sacramento team before Denver. Still, a talent like Jokić should produce wins.
What ultimately went wrong in Denver? Two main issues. First, a clash with the GM, who wanted a younger roster while Malone preferred veterans—a common front-office tension. Second, and more serious: reports say Malone lost the locker room. Players allegedly felt he favored Jokić and other stars, and his intense style and outbursts reportedly grew tiresome.
That is a genuine concern at the college level. Just this week, toxic cultures surfaced in women’s programs at Virginia (where Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton was forced out) and Tennessee (where the entire team entered the portal amid complaints about Kim Caldwell).
In the NBA, a player like Aaron Gordon is locked in through 2028–29. In Chapel Hill, players can enter the portal any Tuesday.
Yesterday we suggested that if UNC couldn’t land a proven coach quickly, it should hire former assistant Marcus Paige and surround him with experienced staff to help him grow. Malone, with his vast pro experience, doesn’t face the same learning curve—but he would still be smart to hire someone who knows college basketball intimately. A coach like Jerome Tang, recently let go by Kansas State, could help him navigate recruiting, NIL, boosters, and the nuances of the college game.
Victor Wembanyama left the court in the first half, returned and got over the 15-minute threshold, then did not play in the second half with what the Spurs called a rib contusion suffered against the Philadelphia 76ers.
After the game, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said he had no information or update on Wembanyama's status going forward. The injury occurred with 10:47 left in the second quarter when Paul George went to steal a pass meant for Wembanyama as he ran in transition. Wembanyama sat on the court for a minute, then checked himself out of the game and went to the locker room. He returned to play a few more minutes in the first half but did not come out for the second half, with the team announcing he would not return.
Because Wemby played more than 15 minutes, this game counts as his second "near miss" game, so it counts toward his 65-game total needed to qualify for postseason awards (Wembanyama is considered a heavy favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year and is pushing the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP). Wembanyama needs to play 20+ minutes in one of the Spurs' remaining three games to reach the league-mandated 65-game threshold. While Wemby is officially listed as having played in just 63 games, he played in the NBA Cup championship game, and that counts toward the total even though it does not show up in his official stats.
Wembanyama's early exit ended a fun head-to-head matchup with Philadelphia's Joel Embiid. Wemby finished with 17 points in his limited minutes, while Embiid went on to have 34 points and 12 rebounds. The Spurs still got the win behind a triple-double from Stephon Castle.
After the game, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson told reporters that he did not know the status or severity of Wembanyama’s injury.
“I think it would be a positive that he felt he could play the last four-to-five minutes of the half,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson told reporters after the game. “That’s a positive from my perspective, but I have nothing (on his future status).”
Presumably, Wembanyama will undergo testing and imaging Tuesday, April 7, at which point the Spurs will be able to diagnose the issue, though Johnson didn’t have an answer for the timeline on that, either. Monday night’s game against the Sixers was the first game of a four-game homestand, which facilitates the process.
“At halftime, I was told he wasn’t coming back, and honest to God, I haven’t heard anything else at this point,” Johnson added.
Wembanyama appeared to suffer the injury in the second quarter, after he collided near mid-court with 76ers forward Paul George. Wembanyama went down and immediately favored his side. He would go into the locker room briefly, but returned to finish the half.
Later in the second quarter, with 2:56 left to play in the half, Wembanyama made a layup and bumped into Spurs forward Keldon Johnson as he landed. Wembanyama immediately grimaced and labored through the free throw.
What does Victor Wembanyama’s injury mean for his MVP and DPoY eligibility?
In short: Wembanyama needs to appear in at least one of San Antonio’s remaining three games, and he needs to play at least 20 minutes to meet the 65-game threshold required for individual awards eligibility.
Technically, and even though he played just 15:40 against the 76ers, Wembanyama officially played his 63rd game of the season. The 65-game rule stipulates that a player needs to play at least 20 minutes in each game to be eligible, but the NBA has two “near-miss” exceptions for when a player records between 15 and 20 minutes in a game. Monday night will go down as Wembanyama’s second exception, after he played just 17:18 in a December 18 victory over the Washington Wizards.
In addition, and even though the stats from the NBA Cup Championship do not count to his season totals, Wembanyama’s participation in the final does count toward the 65-game rule.
All of which puts him at 64 games for this season and necessitates that final 20-minute performance.
What does Victor Wembanyama’s injury mean for the Spurs?
Without knowing the severity of the injury, this is tough to project. Wembanyama, however, is one of the Top 5 players in the world, so any time missed is a blow.
His dominance on defense completely changes the way opponents can attack San Antonio. His length and versatility on offense make him a singular, three-level scorer.
All that said, the Spurs are a deep and talented team, one that is well positioned to weather a short-term absence; San Antonio went 11-5 in games this season that Wembanyama missed.
Backup Luke Kornet would presumably start in Wembanyama’s place, and even more responsibility would be placed on guards Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox.
Let’s start by making a few things clear. This is not about wins and losses. This is not even just about the Phoenix Suns. This is about the NBA.
This is about a billion-dollar product that a lot of us pay a lot of money to watch. This is about a league which claims to “encourage[e] communication, dialogue[,] and transparency with NBA fans…” while showing little to no effort to meet such a goal. But it is becoming clear to me that this may not be an issue if Adam Silver actually put competent leadership in place.
Let’s also be clear that these failures of NBA executives are not a new development. Not at all. The NBA’s leadership void has persisted for years – and evidence suggests the problem is only becoming exacerbated.
Let’s start with Kathy Behrens
Behrens is the Executive Vice President of Social Responsibility and Player Programs for the NBA. According to her bio, she “oversees a group that manages all of the NBA’s programs that coordinate league and player social responsibility efforts, support player growth and development, and enhance the marketing opportunities for current and former players.”
For instance, after Draymond Green punched Jusuf Nurkic on December 13, 2023, the NBA suspended him indefinitely, and Behrens played a role in regular “check-in calls” with Green before he was allowed to return from suspension.
Sounds like Behrens is a real difference-maker in a positive way, right?
That might be the case if you are able to ignore the fact that Kathy Behrens enabled Green’s violent behavior before finally seeing what the rest of the world had seen for years.
Let’s go back to October 5, 2022, when Draymond Green attacked his teammate, Jordan Poole, during a Golden State Warriors team practice. Frankly, my legal background made it an intriguing situation, so I reached out to Behrens via email, asking why the NBA had not issued any discipline to Green. While, for reasons I will not get into here, my email (curiously) never reached Behrens, she eventually provided me with some insight via a Twitter DM.
With respect to Green, Behrens told me that “the [Warriors] disciplined him and [the NBA] determined that was sufficient.”
Public reports regarding the incident, however, suggested that Green faced potential discipline, but that it would be handled internally. So, I asked Behrens if she could clarify the “sufficient” discipline that the Warriors had levied.
In response, Behrens stated, “The warriors suspended him and it was made public…” and that the NBA believes that “was the right outcome.”
The problem with Behrens’ statement, however, is that public reports stated that Green “was fined but not suspended.”
I pointed this out to Behrens, and she changed her response to me: “Draymond was kept out of practice for a number of days and then fined by the team.”
I followed up and asked Behrens how Green’s actions and the NBA’s response fit within the league’s social responsibility principles – what did that result in?
So, let’s recap:
Draymond Green attacks his teammate in 2022.
The NBA’s Executive Vice President of Social Responsibility and Player Programs, admittedly, does nothing about it – in fact, does not even know what discipline was levied by the Warriors.
When I ask whether Green’s conduct falls within the purview of her job, Behrens blocks me.
One year later, Green attacks Nukic in the middle of a game and THEN the NBA – and Behrens – decide something needs to be done.
What took Behrens so long to take action against Green?
Why did Behrens not even know what discipline – if any – was levied the first time around?
Why would Behrens block someone for asking about the NBA’s role in social responsibility?
All signs point to complete ineptitude in her role. Nothing more, nothing less.
Let’s move on to officiating – and the man responsible for NBA officials – Albert Sanders, Jr.
Sanders is the NBA’s Executive Vice President, Head of Referee Operations. You can learn more about him in this lovely puff piece written by Dan Woike.
According to Woike, Sanders took his job with the NBA “[b]ecause the rules matter.” Which is ironic, considering the fact that Sanders’ officials consistently fail to enforce the rules.
Now, before diving deep into the failures of Sanders and his officials, let’s provide some context for these referees. NBA referees are touted as being the best of the best. That, presumably, is why they are paid between $250,000 and $550,000 per year. They are paid very well to perform in a high-profile job in – as referenced above – a billion-dollar industry.
This, of course, makes their constant failures – and the lack of any discipline or transparency from Sanders – particularly frustrating.
Now, I could post video after video of NBA officials missing calls, but that does not seem productive. Even the most egregious misses, in theory, can be explained by the game speed, angles, etc. So, for purposes of this article, we’ll give officials the benefit of the doubt for on-floor calls.
Let’s focus on more objective standards.
First, the pool reports that are done by NBA officials after certain games and numerous instances where NBA referees have provided explanations/answers to pool questions that are inconsistent with the NBA Rulebook.
Why focus on that? Because these are irrefutable instances where NBA referees demonstrate a complete lack of understanding when it comes to the NBA Rulebook – a circumstance that, for individuals being paid as much as they are and who are as imperative to the game as they are, should be unacceptable to Albert Sanders, Jr.
In the NBA Rulebook, can profanity lead to a technical foul? Yes, it can.
But “Cursing at or blaspheming an official shall not be considered the only cause for imposing technical fouls.” (emphasis added.)
So, Foster states that Kidd was ejected for using profanity at an NBA official on two occasions, but the NBA Rulebook provides that such conduct is not even sufficient grounds for one technical foul, let alone an ejection. Objectively, Scott Foster’s response to the pool reporter’s question is inconsistent with the NBA Rulebook.
While Scott Foster may have been besties with Tim Donaghy and, therefore, of questionable ethical makeup in the first place, he has been an NBA referee for more than 30 years, and his inability to grasp the rules is inexcusable.
In any other workplace, such incompetence would not be tolerated. In the NBA, it seems as though it is almost celebrated.
Exhibit 2
You all may recall this one. On December 14, 2025, LeBron James manhandled a referee in a game against the Phoenix Suns and what came of it? Zero. Nothing. Zilch. Nada.
And why was that, you may ask?
Well, according to Tyler Ford (I know, I know…), “During instant replay review, we have the ability to review all unsportsmanlike acts. There was no unsportsmanlike act observed for making contact with a referee.”
Pool report with lead official Tyler Ford on Phoenix Suns 116-114 loss to Los Angeles Lakers Dec. 14 at Mortgage Matchup Center. #Suns#LakeShowpic.twitter.com/wIxfZQrphq
Once again, an NBA official makes a statement that is entirely inconsistent with the NBA Rulebook, which states:
Let’s break this language down, shall we?
According to the dictionary (yes, it needs to be this elementary for NBA officials), “shall” means, “expressing an instruction or command.” In other words, if someone “shall” do something, they are required to do something.
Applying the foregoing to the NBA Rulebook means that an NBA referee must issue a technical foul if a player makes contact with a referee because, by definition, contacting a referee is an “unsportsmanlike act.” The Rulebook does not provide a subjective aspect where the official can decide whether or not an “unsportsmanlike act” exists.
But, apparently, Tyler Ford believes that this subjective element exists. In reality, however, LeBron should have been assessed a technical foul for contacting a game official. Tyler Ford’s explanation indicates that either (1) he expressly ignores the NBA Rulebook and calls games on his own prerogative (which is not entirely out of the question), or (2) he does not know the NBA Rulebook.
Either way, Ford’s nonsensical explanation is another demonstration of Albert Sanders, Jr.’s failures as an NBA executive.
Exhibit 3
OK…this one is not from a pool report, but it is equally objective.
How many times have we seen a referee allow a challenge by an opposing team after a member of the Phoenix Suns has already been given the ball at the free throw line?
Well, guess what? The NBA Rulebook says that cannot happen.
Not to belabor the point – because it is explained in the tweet – but, under the NBA Rulebook, to initiate a Challenge, the team challenging the call “must call a legal timeout immediately after the call….”
Going back to our trusty dictionary, “must” means “to be obliged or bound to by an imperative requirement.” In other words, “must” – much like “shall” – indicates a “requirement.”
Lucky for us, the NBA Rulebook actually defines the term “immediately.”
In the clip referenced above, Ray Acosta passes the ball to Devin Booker, looks to the bench, then blows his whistle and awards the challenge – a decision that Crew Chief, Tyler Ford (yeah, that guy, again), should not have allowed. But, of course, Ford has already demonstrated his inability to grasp the rules.
At the point where Acosta releases the ball to give to Devin Booker, there is no longer the ability to challenge the call. Objectively, that is what the NBA Rulebook says.
So, again, why this error? Incompetence.
And it all starts at the top with Albert Sanders, Jr.
While we are at it, it bears noting that this has happened to the Phoenix Suns at least three times this season – and at least twice to Devin Booker.
So, if the NBA is becoming less watchable for you, these are two individuals who can carry a large load of the blame.
Lastly, I will note that I reached out to Behrens, Sanders, and even Sanders’ boss, Byron Spruell, about these issues. Perhaps not surprisingly, I received no response. Which begs the question: why is the NBA so scared of transparency? Why would Behrens, Sanders, and Spruell not want to demonstrate that the NBA operates with integrity?
Their silence provides all the answers I need.
But, hey…maybe I’m wrong about everything. Maybe every piece of analysis in this article is wrong.
If so, Kathy, Albert, and Byron know how to find me.
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 21: Cameron Boozer #12 of the Duke Blue Devils runs downt the court against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 21, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
College basketball season is over, and the Michigan Wolverines are national champions. Now the 2026 NBA Draft is on the clock.
This has long been considered a strong class due to the three star freshmen expected to go with the first three picks. The draft lottery on May 10 will determine in what order Duke’s Cameron Boozer, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa come off the board. The rise of fellow freshmen like North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, Arkansas guard Darius Acuff, and Houston guard Kingston Flemings makes this class even stronger in the first half of the lottery.
The Final Four had so many great NBA prospects on display. This mock draft features a whopping nine players who competed in Indianapolis for the national semifinals. Wagler will have a chance to go as high as No. 5 overall, and Brayden Mullins’ incredible Elite Eight buzzer-beater to stun Duke now has him in his highest mock draft position all season.
Here’s our latest projection of the 2026 NBA Draft. The order is determined by the NBA’s current lottery position standings.
Pick
Team
Player
Position
School
Age
1
Washington Wizards
Cameron Boozer
Forward
Duke
Freshman
2
Indiana Pacers
Darryn Peterson
Guard
Kansas
Freshman
3
Brooklyn Nets
AJ Dybantsa
Wing
BYU
Freshman
4
Utah Jazz
Caleb Wilson
Forward
North Carolina
Freshman
5
Sacramento Kings
Darius Acuff
Guard
Arkansas
Freshman
6
Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans)
Keaton Wagler
Guard
Illinois
Freshman
7
Memphis Grizzlies
Kingston Flemings
Guard
Houston
Freshman
8
Dallas Mavericks
Mikel Brown Jr.
Guard
Louisville
Freshman
9
Chicago Bulls
Aday Mara
Center
Michigan
Junior
10
Milwaukee Bucks
Brayden Burries
Guard
Arizona
Freshman
11
Golden State Warriors
Yaxel Lendeborg
Forward
Michigan
Senior
12
Portland Trail Blazers
Nate Ament
Wing
Tennessee
Freshman
13
Miami Heat
Karim Lopez
Forward
NZ Breakers
Born 2007
14
Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic)
Jayden Quaintance
Center/Forward
Kentucky
Sophomore
15
Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers)
Hannes Steinbach
Forward/Center
Washington
Freshman
16
Charlotte Hornets
Morez Johnson
Center/Forward
Michigan
Sophomore
17
Toronto Raptors
Labaron Philon
Guard
Alabama
Sophomore
18
Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers)
Braylon Mullins
Guard
UConn
Freshman
19
Charlotte Hornets (via Suns)
Bennett Stirtz
Guard
Iowa
Senior
20
San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks)
Patrick Ngongba
Center
Duke
Sophomore
21
Detroit Pistons (via Wolves)
Thomas Haugh
Forward
Florida
Junior
22
Atlanta Hawks (via Cavs)
Cameron Carr
Wing
Baylor
Junior
23
Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets)
Motiejus Krivas
Center
Arizona
Junior
24
Los Angeles Lakers
Dailyn Swain
Forward
Texas
Junior
25
New York Knicks
Tyler Tanner
Guard
Vanderbilt
Sophomore
26
Denver Nuggets
Allen Graves
Forward
Santa Clara
Freshman
27
Boston Celtics
Tounde Yessoufou
Guard
Baylor
Freshman
28
Minnesota Timberwolves (via Pistons)
Joshua Jefferson
Forward
Iowa State
Senior
29
Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs)
Koa Peat
Forward
Arizona
Freshman
30
Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder)
Tarris Reed
Center
UConn
Senior
Some do some quick takes here:
Boozer is my No. 1 prospect because he was obviously the best player in the country this year, he’s the youngest of the big three, he has the strongest feel for the game, and the best offensive versatility. I don’t understand the skepticism about his upside as he goes to the next level. All he does is impact winning to the highest degree. I really like his fit in Washington with a mobile defensive center in Alex Sarr.
I love the fit with Mikel Brown Jr. going to Dallas. The Point Flagg experiment was cool, but let’s get him focused on playing elite level defensive again.
Bennett Stirtz is my favorite prospect after the lottery this year. He’s an elite shot-maker with the strong feel who should thrive once he exits Iowa head coach Ben McCollum’s super slow offense.
The toughest evaluation this year is Jayden Quaintance. He looked like a stud as a 17-year-old freshman at Arizona State a year ago, but recovering from a torn ACL wiped away almost his entire season at Kentucky this year. Quaintance has great physical tools, but his offensive impact is questionable. I thought he’d be a lock for a top-10 pick coming into the year, and now it’s extremely difficult to project where he could go.
Got a question or comment about this mock? Leave a comment and I’ll respond
INDIANAPOLIS — You wouldn’t think Michigan would be all smiles at halftime.
Yes, it had a four point lead over Connecticut in the national championship game, but it was an unattractive four-point lead. It was arguably the worst first-half performance of the season. Not only did the Wolverines fail to make a single 3-pointer in the first half – the only time that’s happened this season – but there were no makes outside of the paint.
An awful first 20 minutes, but the Wolverines weren’t just staying positive, they were beaming in happiness.
Why?
"It can’t get any worse," Michigan guard Nimari Bennett told USA TODAY Sports.
True, but it’s not like the second half was any better. Michigan struggled offensively for all 40 minutes. The 69 points were Michigan's third lowest of the season. It was the worst 3-point shooting night of the season.
Actually, it was the worst shooting performance of the season, period.
UConn needed to make Michigan look ugly to win. It did that – and it still lost.
So, how did the Wolverines do it?
Because of one thing hiding in plain sight; while Michigan was lighting up the scoreboard with its prolific offense all tournament long, it made everyone forget one thing: they are just as good on defense.
The Wolverines made sure to remind everybody on Monday, resulting in a national championship as those halftime smiles carried over to after the buzzer sounded and Lucas Oil Stadium rained maize and blue confetti.
It’s not like Michigan’s defensive prowess wasn't there for all to see. Three players – Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara – were Big Ten all-defensive players, with Mara the conference defensive player of the year.
That’s why teams’ defensive shooting percentage of 38.4% and average of 6.1 blocks per game were each the second best mark in the country, and it was on full display in the NCAA Tournament.
The reason why Michigan won its first five tournament games by an average of 21.6 points per game wasn’t just because it was scoring at least 90 points, but because it harassed opposing offenses every night.
No team shot above 45% against the Wolverines, and the collective opponent shooting percentage from those games? A whopping 37.9%. The defense got better in the tournament.
"The statistics, it speaks for itself," Bennett said. "I feel like we're the best defensive team in the country."
Bennett and company did prove it. UConn shot a season-worst 31% from the field. A team that was top 10 in assists with more than 18 per game had just nine, the only time it was held to single digits.
Despite making nine three pointers, UConn missed 24 attempts. Shots were constantly getting contested by the the Wolverines' quickness to the ball. Even with the looks UConn wanted, not many of them were wide open.
It didn't get any easier near the basket. Six shots inside the paint got swatted away, making it tough for the Huskies to prevail even with their own defensive toughness.
"It's hard to have a level of disappointment where literally it just came down to we just didn't make enough shots in the basket," UConn coach Dan Hurley said. "To be able to keep that team under 40% from the field – 38% – this team has destroyed everyone they've faced in this tournament."
In the NCAA Tournament, teams are 1-50 all-time when:
- scoring under 70 points - shooting under 40.0% from the field - shooting under 15.0% from three on 15+ attempts - getting outrebounded
For all of its defensive success, Michigan still had to find a way to score, and it did so in an uncharacteristic way.
If there was one thing Michigan wasn’t good at, it was free throws. The Wolverines entered the night 109th in the country with a 74.3% mark from the charity stripe. They drew fouls, resulting in 28 free throw attempts.
How many makes? How about 25 for an 89.3% clip.
All of it proving to be just enough to get the biggest win of the season.
"We started off really, really bad offensively, our defense was the reason why we won most of those games, today is the same thing," Lendeborg said. "We had to dig deep."
While it wasn’t pretty by any means, how Michigan won showed there is nothing to doubt about this title. Since the statement it made at the Player’s Era tournament, Michigan had been a relentless machine on both sides of the ball, churning blowout after blowout, no matter who was on the other side.
Even when it isn’t able to do that, instead of falling apart like most teams could, the Wolverines opted to hone in on one of its many strengths and ride it toward a win.
"They're legit. They definitely deserved to win the national championship. They're clearly the best team in the country this year," Hurley said.
UConn wanted a slugfest, and it’s exactly what it got. Michigan coach Dusty May actually admitted the Huskies "had a masterful game plan to beat us." All of it pointed to a third national title in four years to cement Hurley’s dynasty.
Little did UConn and the rest of the country realize Michigan had been throwing it down all season, and it didn’t need another offensive surge to do that. The defense carried Michigan just as much to this point, and in the end, it proved defense wins championships.
"Obviously, it's a big stage, but we deserve to be here," Bennett said. "We deserve this moment."
