Category: NBA

Is this the year Arizona's Final Four drought finally comes to an end?

Arizona is the favorite in today's Elite Eight matchup vs. Purdue, and you'll be hard-pressed to find folks picking against the top-seeded Wildcats.

"We know we're playing a very talented, athletic, skilled, physical team in Arizona" Purdue coach Matt Painter said. "One of the best teams in the country, if not the best team in the country."

ARMOUR: My apologies, Big Ten. I was wrong to doubt you

TOMMY LLOYD: Arizona coach by day, aspiring DJ on the side

Tommy Lloyd has leaned into youth with this team, and it has served him well so far. But as the stage gets bigger, the lights get brighter.

While Arizona has three freshman starters, Purdue has three starters who have already played in a national championship game. Will that experience matter today with a trip to the Final Four on the line?

"I think having that experience what it takes to be there before, I think it helps... having a core group of guys that have done it, we're able to obviously help these guys out," Purdue guard Braden Smith said. "But at the same time they're also very skilled basketball players and also understand what it takes to win high-level games to get to that point."

Purdue leaned into that experience against 11-seed Texas, as senior Trey Kaufman-Renn put himself in position to tip in Smith's miss in the final second to give the Boilermakers their Sweet 16 win.

Arizona's run to the Elite Eight has been less dramatic. The Wildcats blitzed Arkansas, 109-88, in the Sweet 16 as freshman duo Brayden Burries (23 points) and Koa Peat (21 points) did the heavy lifting.

Today's winner is headed to Indianapolis (a short drive down I-65 for the Boilermakers) for the Final Four. Here's what you need to know about today's Elite Eight showdown, including predictions and how to watch.

HIT FRESH FOR UPDATES.

Arizona vs Purdue basketball live score

TEAMS	1H	2H	F
Purdue	—	—	—
Arizona	—	—	—

What time is Purdue vs Arizona in Elite 8?

• Time: 8:49 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 28.

What channel is Purdue vs Arizona? How to watch, streaming info

• The game is airing on TBS/truTV, streaming via Sling TV.

Arizona vs Purdue Elite 8 prediction, odds

∎ Nathan Baird, IndyStar: Arizona 81, Purdue 77

The Wildcats lost two games in a five-day span in February by a total of seven points to NCAA Tournament teams — one in overtime. To become the third team to join that club, Purdue must rebound and defend at a higher level than it did Thursday night. Arizona is a monster, but the last time the Boilermakers took the floor against one of those teams — Michigan, in the Big Ten Tournament championship — they won. Purdue's season always pointed toward some version of this game. Winning may require the best collective performance this group has put together.

∎ Sam King, Journal & Courier: Arizona 91, Purdue 88

Purdue's record in track meets this season isn't great. Purdue can't afford any defensive lapses or Arizona might make the Boilermakers have to score 100 to win. If you're rooting for Purdue, you hope it got its bad shooting night out of the way against Texas. Even if Purdue shoots well, it might not matter. Arizona might be the most complete team in the NCAA Tournament.

∎ Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Arizona 82, Purdue 77

Purdue hasn't lost in the postseason, a run that includes the Big Ten Tournament title. But, Arizona, winner of 12 straight, is playing at another level. Jaden Bradley will have a big game for Arizona as the Wildcats advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2001.

• John Leuzzi: Arizona
• Jordan Mendoza: Arizona
• Ehsan Kassim: Arizona
• Austin Curtright: Arizona
• Moneyline: Arizona (-275); Purdue (+220)
• Spread: Arizona (-6.5)
• Over/under total: 153.5

Arizona will reach Final Four if...

• John Leuzzi: It sticks to what got them to the Elite Eight: Winning in the paint.
• Jordan Mendoza: it controls the tempo of the game with its physicality.
• Ehsan Kassim: The Wildcats can limit Purdue inside
• Austin Curtright: It keeps Purdue's shooting in check.

Purdue will reach Final Four if...

• John Leuzzi: Be the more physical team inside the paint and knock down 3-pointers. Foul trouble too.
• Jordan Mendoza: the 3-point shot comes back.
• Ehsan Kassim: It dominates inside and puts the early pressure on Arizona
• Austin Curtright: Someone other than Fletcher Loyer heats up from 3-point range.

When was last time Arizona went to Final Four?

It's been 25 years since the Wildcats last reached the Final Four in 2001.

“You hear rumblings of it all the time,” Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka told USA TODAY Sports.

“The collective joy it would give our community, it would be more special than just the win by itself,” said Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd.

Is Tommy Lloyd a candidate for UNC basketball coach job? What Arizona coach said about links

Lloyd was asked about the opening in Chapel Hill at Wednesday's press availability ahead of Thursday's Sweet 16. Here's what he said:

"I already have one of the best jobs in the country. One thing we talk about in our program all the time, and I think I've gotten better at, and I think our team has been crushing it this year, is just the ability to have full focus and be present in the moment.

"So I think we have a great team. I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament game by game. But I'm not delusional. I know we could lose tomorrow.

"But this team deserves my full focus, so there's not one thing that is going to knock me off my path. I'm 100 percent focused on Arizona basketball and this program, and I can't wait until the ball gets thrown up tomorrow, and then can't wait to try to figure out a way to come out on top."

Braden Smith breaks Bobby Hurley NCAA assists record

Smith broke Hurley's record in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Queens on Friday, March 20. The senior from Indiana got the record on a dish to Trey Kaufman-Renn in the first half.

Smith finished the game with 1,083 career assists in his four-year career with the Boilermakers. Purdue fans at the game gave Smith a standing ovation for the achievement.

Smith told USA TODAY Sports ahead of the tournament he was "ready to just get it over with" so he could put all of the attention toward winning Purdue's first national championship. Now with that in hand, the decorated guard can go for the two goals he had for his senior season.

"That's one of the reasons I came back, was to win and to get the record," he said. "Obviously, wanted to do it at a place that I've been for the three years prior. For me, just to be around a great bunch of guys and obviously great coaching staff, and do it with them, I think it makes it more special."

Matt Painter March Madness record

Matt Painter has a 27-17 career record in the NCAA Tournament. This is his 18th trip to March Madness, 17th with Purdue (he led Southern Illinois to the NCAA Tournament before becoming Purdue's coach-in-waiting).

Is LeBron James' son on Arizona roster? Does he play?

Bryce James, LeBron's son, is on the Wildcats roster. The freshman is redshirting this season. Bryce was a three-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon, where brother Bronny James also attended, 

Koa Peat 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 19 overall to Miami Heat

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to their organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. Arizona plays at a significantly faster pace (4.6 extra possessions) when Peat is on the floor relative to when he is not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miamis fastest-paced offense in the NBA.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Koa Peat stats

(all stats as of March 15)

• 13.6 points per game
• 5.3 rebounds per game
• 2.7 assists per game
• 53.7% field goal percentage
• 31.6% three-point field goal percentage

Brayden Burries 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 10 overall to Milwaukee Bucks.

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

Arizona freshman Brayden Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard has continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. Burries has proven productivity and that he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Brayden Burries stats

(all stats as of March 15)

• 15.9 points per game
• 4.7 rebounds per game
• 2.6 assists per game
• 49.2% field goal percentage
• 36.7% three-point field goal percentage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona vs Purdue basketball news, predictions, Elite 8 time, how to watch

The San Antonio Spurs can clinch no worse than the Western Conference’s No. 2 playoff seed with a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in an afternoon matinee game on Amazon.San Antonio is heavily favored with a moneyline of -2500, while Milwaukee is at +1100.

How to watch San Antonio Spurs vs. Milwaukee Bucks

• Date: Saturday, March 28

• Time: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT

• Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wis.

• TV Channel: Amaz, FDSS

• Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Team records

• San Antonio Spurs: 55-18 (No. 1 in Southwest Division)

• Milwaukee Bucks: 29-43 (No. 3 in Central Division)

Odds

• Spread: San Antonio Spurs -18.5

• Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks +1100) / San Antonio Spurs -2500

• Over/Under: 225.5

The Atlanta Hawks fell to defeat to the Boston Celtics on Friday night — 109-102 — at TD Garden. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks in scoring with 29 points with CJ McCollum adding 21 points. For the Celtics — without Jaylen Brown — Payton Pritchard scored 36 points, and Jayson Tatum added 26 points.

Much is made by those among general NBA circles of the schedule the Hawks have played since the All-Star break, and this contest in Boston certainly represented a great opportunity for the Hawks to measure themselves against one of the Eastern Conference favorites (even without Brown).

The Hawks got off to a great start, running out to a 25-9 start behind strong play from Johnson (scoring 12 first quarter points), but towards the end of the first quarter the Hawks’ second unit couldn’t continue the Hawks’ hot start as the Celtics recovered from their early deficit to just three points by the end of the first quarter.

A balanced scoring effort in the second quarter saw the Hawks maintain their lead heading into the locker-room, but the third quarter saw a shift in the game’s momentum. Initially, the Hawks looked as though they were about to re-establish their double-digit lead, pushing their lead back to eight points with 8:30 remaining in the third — and leading to a Boston timeout.

What followed after this timeout was one of the defining stretches of the game, as the Celtics went on a 9-0 run to re-take the lead — a lead the Hawks would re-take themselves very briefly after this run, but never again for the remainder of the game.

Sam Hauser gets the run going as he comes off the screen — gaining separation from CJ McCollum — and receives the hand-off from Neemius Queta, and Hauser rises into the three:

Onyeka Okongwu, I think, played this as well as he could have, covering off the immediate threat of Hauser shooting an open three before McCollum recovers, while also savvy of the threat of Queta on the roll. McCollum could, perhaps, contest this shot better, but Hauser’s height is one of his advantages when it comes to his shooting.

In reply, the Hawks get an open shot through Johnson after the ball screen from Dyson Daniels, but when the three is missed by Johnson, and the Celtics push in transition through Pritchard and Derrick White. After the give-and-go, Pritchard pulls up for three:

After another missed three from Johnson, Pritchard uses the off-ball Queta screen, receives the ball, and hits another three-pointer after a much better contest from McCollum:

“I feel like we could have done better,” said Jalen Johnson when asked of the third quarter shot selection. “I feel like I could have taken better shots to put us in a better position, but we’re not going to be perfect the whole game…”

“They had the one stretch where they hit some threes and just rattled it,” added Hawks head coach Quin Snyder of the third quarter. “I thought we were better offensively than the score indicated. There was a couple stretches like that. You’re not going to hold a lead like we had the whole game. We responded, we competed. We’ve just got to play better.”

The Hawks’ superiority in this game was, essentially, extinguished in this run. Pritchard scored 13 of his 36 in the third quarter as the Celtics outscored the Hawks 32-22 in the period. While this 9-0 Celtics run wrestled the Hawks’ lead from under them in a matter of moments from the starting unit, the bench unit didn’t fare well towards the end of the period, and in the early exchanges in the fourth quarter.

A combination of poor shot selection and some solid Boston defense were factors in the Hawks falling further behind in the contest in the early stages of the fourth quarter, beginning with a high-screen from Jonathan Kuminga for McCollum, who gets downhill and thinks he has an opening with the defense back-pedaling only to be blocked by the recovering Walsh:

Off of the hand-off from Okongwu, McCollum tries to operate and rise behind the screen, only for another good contest from Walsh to deter McCollum, contributing to another miss:

Kuminga did not have a great first half, and the opening of the fourth quarter didn’t fare better. With the shot clock ticking under 10 seconds, Kuminga is faced by Baylor Scheierman and attempts to rise over him, and misses badly:

I understand the shot clock was beginning to reach critical point, but it’s still a bad shot — at least in execution — from Kuminga, and when he was wide open in the corner on the find from McCollum the result is another miss:

The Celtics didn’t score off of all of these misses, but it was more a case of the Hawks missing their chance to bring the lead down before the rest of the starters returned. The Celtics would soon take their lead to double digits for the first time in this game, and the Hawks faced an uphill battle for the remainder of the game. The Hawks got within four points with under three minutes to go, but against a team like the Celtics, on the road, that 11-point deficit in the fourth was too much to overcome.

There were…some interesting foul calls towards the end of the game that did not help their comeback cause. I thought the call on Alexander-Walker was fair; he clearly pushed off behind the play — it’s just not a play that is normally called for a foul behind the play for an offensive foul. The foul call on McCollum for the three Tatum free throws I think was a bit more dubious. Alas, the Hawks fall short in Boston by a margin of seven points in the end, shooting 29% in the fourth quarter (though, the Celtics did not fare much better; shooting 35% in the final frame).

After the game, on three separate occasions (twice unprompted) Jalen Johnson referenced some elements were ‘out of the Hawks’ control.’

“We’re not going to be cursing,” said Johnson postgame. “We’re not going to be on a win streak the whole year. How we’re playing these games, I know we’re just sticking to what we do best. That’s something we can continue to build on, despite the loss. I thought it was a really good game tonight, there were some things that are out of our control.”

“…There was just some things we just had to deal with as a group,” Johnson added in a separate answer. “Some things, like I said, were out of our control…”

When explicitly asked about what was out of the Hawks’ control, Johnson did not get detailed with his answer, replying, “Some things out of our control. Just how the basketball game goes sometimes.”

Johnson’s repetition of the elements outside of the Hawks’ control appeared to be a very clear reference to the officiating the Hawks felt went against them down the stretch. I don’t think all of the calls made were wrong, but I absolutely do not believe those calls would have been made in in Atlanta.

Of the aspects the Hawks could control, Quin Snyder was pleased with the opportunities the Hawks got down the stretch in this game but focused on the Hawks’ poor shooting efficiency from the field as a contributing factor to defeat.

“We were getting great looks,” said Snyder of the stretch play. “When you’re rebounding and shooting threes, we had layups that went in-and-out. To me, there were a few stretches when they got some offensive rebound put-backs, and they hit some shots. It’s going to be hard to win the game when you shoot 39% from the field is really what it comes down to. I thought we got some good looks and, frankly, to hold them to 35 threes and to defend the way we did, we just got to be a little better through a lot of things. I don’t think there’s one thing that’s going to really stand out that cost us the game. We’ve got to play better.”

What Snyder believed impacted the Hawks’ efficiency was a lack of spacing and finding each other off of drives. The Hawks talk often about ‘breaking the paint,’ and having their ‘eyes out’ on those drives; perhaps reflected in the Hawks’ 23 assists — far below their average.

“There were some times where we didn’t have our eyes out when we got into the paint,” said Snyder. “There were times also where our spacing did break down: those two things impact one another. When you’re not spaced, it’s hard to pass. When you get in the lane, you’ve kind of done your job. If you can get your eyes out, there’s a chance that we’re going to get something better.”

So, the Hawks dropped a game on the road in Boston against a top-tier playoff team — a bit unfortunate given that Brown was not part of the equation, so it wasn’t entirely reflective of a full-strength Boston-side. Bigger picture: it did give the Hawks a glimpse of their potential limitations come playoff time.

I think, firstly, defense is not this team’s main issue. The Hawks were able to get stops in the fourth quarter when it mattered. Their defense of Payton Pritchard was, at times, not brilliant in this game, but the defense was not the issue in this game. Again, without Jaylen Brown that isn’t entirely representative, but the Hawks’ defense has been excellent since the All-Star break.

The main problems are on the offensive end in the fourth quarter. When the Celtics clamped down, and moving and switching as they do — and the Hawks were chasing the game and needing buckets — Atlanta was very reliant on CJ McCollum to get the offense going. As was seen in the Detroit game that can work (though, offensive creation was difficult down the stretch in that game, too), but it is concerning just how reliant the Hawks were on McCollum, and when he shoots 8-of-20 from the field (and 2-of-7 in the fourth) that may be difficult to sustain postseason success against the better teams in the East.

McCollum has been a solid addition since his acquisition but compared to other leading guards on teams above the Hawks such as Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Jalen Brunson, Jaylen Brown, and Cade Cunningham…there is a disparity present in terms of offensive reliability in postseason situations. I can’t help but feel that the Hawks may be served with more Alexander-Walker shots (just four attempts) in the fourth quarter shots than McCollum (and 20 Alexander-Walker shots instead of just 12 for the whole game).

The other issue offensively is that Dyson Daniels is still going to be played off on the perimeter in the fourth quarter; and while he was aggressive and quick to burst/spin into the paint on perimeter catches, it remains the case that the Celtics clearly benefitted from playing off of him. Daniels’ usage percentage in the fourth was just nine percent, while McCollum’s was 33% — if teams are going to play off of Daniels in the postseason, then he needs to have the ball more often than he did last night in the fourth.

The other issue is the bench, which has to be better than it was last night in the postseason. Despite scoring six points and registering a minus+17 on the game, I actually thought Zaccharie Risacher was OK (though, 13 minutes played is a tough situation all around at this stage of the season). Jonathan Kuminga just has to play better: the Hawks actively rely on his scoring off the bench, and if they’re to have any postseason success he has to shoot better than 0-of-5 and take better quality shots when he does shoot. In contrast, Payton Pritchard stepped up for the Celtics last night, including beginning 6-of-6 from three before cooling off.

The Hawks were aware of the challenge in front of them last night, and the early playoff test it would represent both in environment and highlighting what the Hawks need to improve upon against playoff-calibre opponents

“On the margins, we’re going to be able to look and see the things that we need to do better,” said Snyder. “It’s across the board, but I think there will be some things that stand out and that’s the opportunity right there. It’s to get better and learn from it.”

 “These are good teams,” added CJ McCollum. “Good opponents, hostile environments, and that’s what we need as we prepare. We need these types of moments, these types of games.”

A narrow-enough loss for the Hawks — there wasn’t much to separate the two sides: only one made three between the two sides, 19 made free throws apiece, similar number of assists, and similar points in the paint. The Hawks only committed four turnovers and scored 20 points off of the Celtics’ 16 turnovers, and the Celtics generated zero steals last night. The big disparity in their favor came in bench scoring — 55-18 — and field goal percentage, 39% versus 46%.

Atlanta played well overall, as Snyder alluded to, but it wasn’t enough to lift them over the Celtics on the road. That said, there will be plenty of takeaways internally as the Hawks continue to prepare for the postseason.

Next for the Hawks (41-33) is a home contest tonight against the Sacramento Kings (19-55). The Kings have an advantage on rest (having played a tight game against Orlando on Thursday) but the Hawks will be considered heavy favorites at home.

Until next time!

We’re almost there! The Nets have just eight games remaining on their schedule in the regular season. This isn’t just the end of a season for the Nets…it’s the end of a two year “tank run” we knew wouldn’t be fun, but we had to go through. It’s the end of a jail sentence. The end of a depressing, laborious chore. Friend of the show Jordan Greene is here to help us get a few steps closer to the finish line.

In this episode of The Brooklyn with Pooch & Collin, we touch on:

• Cam Thomas being cut (again)
• The biggest threat to the tank
• Our favorite Nets x March Madness history

You can also check out the latest episode on Apple Music or Spotify. Follow us on X, Instagram, and Tik Tok.

The guys LOVE No. 88 for Nolan Traoré pic.twitter.com/EqWe0GMXRi

— The Brooklyn (@thebrooklynpod) August 29, 2025

We also recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers on YouTube. Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far!

Iowa is known for its Field of Dreams. This Hawkeyes' improbable run to the Elite Eight is what dreams are made of.

“Every time someone asks how you’re feeling, like, ‘Man, it’s just super crazy,’” Iowa junior Cam Manyawu said. “To really think, ‘Yeah, I'm in the Elite Eight, and I have a chance to really make it to the Final Four and go on a run.’ I mean, this is literally the stuff that kids dream about.”

This is the Hawkeyes' first trip to the Elite Eight since 1987. "Walk Like An Egyptian" was the top song and gas cost $0.96 a gallon.

And Ben McCollum was 6 years old.

March Madness finds a Cinderella: Iowa basketball, the slipper is yours

Unbreakable resolve: Inside Ben McCollum's 'insane' Iowa ride to Elite 8

More: Illinois in Elite 8 thanks to pair of do-it-all freshmen

Iowa's coach has proven to be a March wizard. He won four Division II national titles at Northwest Missouri State, sprung a first round upset in his lone year at Drake, and now in Year 1 in Iowa City has the Hawkeyes on the cusp of their first Final Four since 1980.

The Illini are back in the Elite Eight for the second time in three years and have been among the most impressive teams in this NCAA Tournament. Illinois' wins have been comprehensive. It beat Penn by 25 in the first round, VCU by 21 in the second round and beat Houston — in a home game for the Cougars — by 10 in the Sweet 16.

The winner of today's game advances to next week's Final Four in Indianapolis. Here's what you need to know about the matchup:

HIT FRESH FOR UPDATES.

Iowa vs Illinois live score

TEAMS	1H	2H	F
Iowa	—	—	—
Illinois	—	—	—

What time is Iowa vs Illinois in Elite 8?

• Time: 6:09 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 28.

What channel is Iowa vs Illinois ? How to watch, streaming info

• The game is airing on TBS/truTV, streaming via Sling TV.

Iowa vs Illinois prediction, odds

∎ Tyler Tachman, Des Moines Register: Illinois 73, Iowa 64

Once the Hawkeyes took down Florida in the Round of 32, the path to the Elite Eight was pretty clear and not a far-fetched idea. But the path to the Final Four is a whole heck of a lot different with Illinois in the way.

The Illini took down the Hawkeyes, 75-69, back in January, and the game honestly wasn't as close as the score indicated. In the second half of that game, the Hawkeyes only had an 18.3% chance to win at their best moment, according to ESPN. Iowa did not lead for a single second in that meeting. With a trip to the Final Four on the line, Illinois won't be letting up either.

∎ Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star: Illinois 68, Iowa 62

Look for Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic to once again be a big factor off the bench. His offensive output in the last three tourney games as resulted in 14.3 points per game. But the Illinois defense stepped up big time, holding Houston to its lowest point total since 2024. Now, the Hawkeyes will try to dictate the tempo and play at its own pace. Iowa has won its three tournament games all by single digits and a combined 13 points. First-year coach Ben McCollum looks to put Iowa into the Final Four for the first time since 1980.

• John Leuzzi: Iowa
• Jordan Mendoza: Illinois
• Ehsan Kassim: Illinois
• Austin Curtright: Illinois
• Moneyline: Illinois (-300), Iowa (+240)
• Spread: Illinois (-6.5)
• Over/under total: 137.5

Illinois will advance to Final Four if...

• John Leuzzi: It replicates what it did defensively against Houston.
• Jordan Mendoza: It controls the interior.
• Ehsan Kassim: Wagler can win the matchup against Stirtz.
• Austin Curtright: If its defense plays like it did against Houston.

Iowa will advance to Final Four if...

• John Leuzzi: It limits Illinois on offensive rebounds, and second chance opportunities.
• Jordan Mendoza: it's knocking down 3-pointers.
• Ehsan Kassim: Hawkeyes can make the game slower paced and Illinois misses shots.
• Austin Curtright: Its bench contributors of Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and others continue their strong play.

What happened when Illinois, Iowa played in regular season?

Iowa and Illinois played just once this season, a top-20 matchup on Jan. 11 in Iowa City. Illinois led by 11 at halftime, but the Hawkeyes made a push before an eventual 75-69 Illinois win.

"I think Iowa's a team that's not going to go away," Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler said. "When we played 'em, we got up early on them, and then we let them back in the game. We can't get lackadaisical on that side of the ball on defense, just stick to our process throughout the whole game."

Wagler led the Illini with 19 points, while Bennett Stirtz struggled, going 5-of-17 from the field.

Is Andrej Stojakovic related to Peja Stojakovic?

Yes, Peja is his dad. Peja Stojakovic played 13 seasons in the NBA, primarily for the Sacramento Kings, and was a three-time All-Star.

Andrej played at Cal and Stanford before transferring to Illinois.

When was last time Iowa was in Final Four? How many times has Iowa been to Final Four?

Iowa has been to three Final Fours. Their last appearance in the Final Four is in 1980 under Lute Olsen. The Hawkeyes have never won a national championship.

When was last time Illinois was in Final Four? How many times has Illinois been to Final Four?

The Illini have been to the Final Four times. Their last appearance was in 2005 under Bruce Weber. Illinois has never won a national championship.

How many Europeans are on Illinois' team? Why does Illinois have so many Europeans on its roster?

• David Mirkovic is from Montenegro
• Andrej Stojakovic lists Thessaloniki, Greece as his hometown
• Tomislav Ivisic is from Croatia
• Zvonimir Ivisic is from Croatia
• Mihailo Petrovic is from Serbia
• Toni Bilic is from Croatia

"Geoff Alexander, Orlando Antigua deserve most all of the credit in terms of building the relationships in Europe," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. "It's taken years. NIL has obviously helped enhance our abilities to attract some of the best players in Europe. But they're a great fit for us. It's not for everybody. I enjoy coaching 'em. They fit our university. We're a diverse university with a lot of international students, so it's a perfect fit for them.

"Basketball-wise it's a great fit for me, and I like coaching them. The way we're playing with positional size and shooting, it's just — it's a great marriage and a great fit. So we'll continue it. I would think others will continue to migrate over there and keep trying to recruit those guys."

Bennett Stirtz followed Ben McCollum from Northwest Missouri State to Drake to Iowa

The Hawkeyes' leading scorer Bennett Stirtz (19.7 ppg) has followed Ben McCollum from Northwest Missouri State to Drake, transferred from Drake to Iowa, following McCollum again. The two were key to the Bulldogs' first-round upset of Missouri in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

"Yeah, the amount of trust I have in him, and that he never lies to anyone on this team, including me. He shoots it straight," Stirtz said on his relationship with McCollum. "Even when it's tough and even when it's hard. He pushes you past your limit and I think that's where the trust comes in and he cares about you a lot and wants to make you a better person. So, yeah, he just pushes everyone on this team and honestly you can see the benefit from that and even in the wins that he's all had throughout his career, he doesn't get complacent. So that's what we need to do and continue to do is even though we beat a 1 seed, we can't get complacent, we got to keep getting better every day and get ready for the game tomorrow."

Why does Alvaro Folgueiras point to sky after 3-pointers?

Folgueiras points up at the sky after every 3-pointer he makes in honor of his dad, who died when he was 9 years old. He pointed at the sky after hitting his eventual game-winner against Florida, although he waited for the Gators' timeout after running back on defense.

Folgueiras expressed what his family means to him after the game, and mentioned his mom being a rock throughout his childhood without his dad.

"He left us with my mom and my brother in my house," he said. "It was kind of hard. We didn't really feel it as much because my mom always made sure that we didn't need anything, absolutely nothing. So, I cannot say that I grew up in an environment where I needed some things. No, that's not the truth.

"Sometimes I can say that because I feel his absence. I was just going in the court and playing to get away of my house to be with something else. But I can say that I had a happy childhood. Something that we all said, and everyone has these kinds of things on their life.

"It's that we are not victims. I never let things like that make me a victim. Not to me and not to my brother, not to my mom. We are like that because my mom was showing out every single day. Yeah."

Keaton Wagler 2026 NBA Draft mock draft prediction

Atlanta Hawks, pick No. 7.

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

After trading away Trae Young, the Hawks could find their point guard of the future in Illinois standout Keaton Wagler using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. The 19-year-old guard scored 46 points while shooting 9-of-11 on 3-pointers against No. 12 Purdue on Jan. 24. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 41.0 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman this year. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year is a cerebral basketball player who is also averaging 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season.

∎ Read more about Keaton Wagler's rise from unknown for freshman superstar.

Keaton Wagler stats

(all stats as of March 15)

• 17.9 points per game
• 4.8 rebounds per game
• 4.4 assists per game
• 44.6% field goal percentage
• 40.2% three-point field goal percentage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Illinois vs Iowa basketball news, predictions, Elite 8 time, how to watch

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

Powered by Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs are still chasing the No.1 seed in the West, and today they’ll see a Milwaukee Bucks team that’s surely coming to the end of the road with its own unicorn superstar.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo in street clothes, Milwaukee is coming off a pair of ugly losses, and my Spurs vs. Bucks predictions expect San Antonio to cruise in this one, extending its seven-game win streak.

Get the lowdown on this March 28 matchup with my NBA picks and betting tips.

Spurs vs Bucks prediction

Spurs vs Bucks best bet: Spurs -19 (-110)

The Milwaukee Bucks are way too late to the tanking party, but that hasn’t stopped Doc Rivers’ men from losing their last two games by a combined 64 points. After those beatdowns, just about the last thing Milwaukee needs is a visit from a ruthless San Antonio Spurs squad.

The Spurs are 16-8-1 ATS in their last 25 contests, and I’m siding with Victor Wembanyama and Co. here despite the massive spread. San Antonio has been reliable on the road all year, posting a 26-11 SU mark, and the early Saturday tip should only be a minor obstacle.

The visitors’ last two victories have both come by 25 points, and they beat the Bucks 119-101 in January, before Giannis Antetokounmpo's latest injury setbacks. In short, don’t expect any mercy this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee has nowhere to turn for offense.

The Bucks are just 3-7 ATS in their past 10 outings, and the injury report doesn’t help their cause. Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, and Bobby Portis all missed Wednesday’s loss in Portland, and that could leave Milwaukee vulnerable in the frontcourt.

Ryan Rollins had a career-high 36 points earlier this week, but he’ll have a mountain to climb against Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.

With one of the NBA’s deepest benches, the Spurs can pull away when their second unit is on the floor, and their offense sits third in the league in points per game (119.3). All the signs signal one-way traffic at Fiserv Forum.

Spurs vs Bucks same-game parlay

The San Antonio starters may not log their usual minutes today, yet I still like Wemby and Stephon Castle to steal the show. Wembanyama has had back-to-back outings with 15 rebounds, and he won’t get much resistance on the glass against the depleted Bucks.

Castle continues to be one of the Spurs’ main engines, and he’s nailed this assists Over in four of his past five contests, including 12 dimes in Sacramento earlier this month. His lob connection with Wemby grows stronger every week.

Spurs vs Bucks SGP

• Spurs moneyline
• Victor Wembanyama Over 11.5 rebounds
• Stephon Castle Over 7.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Castle Hunts Bucks!

Castle is rarely far from the action, and this SGP embraces all the ways he impacts games. He had 19 points and 10 assists against the Bucks earlier this year, and he’s grabbed 7+ boards in five of his last seven outings.

Look for Castle’s nonstop effort to put San Antonio in control this afternoon.

Spurs vs Bucks SGP

• Stephon Castle Over 15.5 points
• Stephon Castle Over 1.5 made threes
• Stephon Castle Over 7.5 assists
• Stephon Castle Over 4.5 rebounds

Spurs vs Bucks odds

• Spread: Spurs -19 | Bucks +19
• Moneyline: Spurs -2250 | Bucks +1106
• Over/Under: Over 226 | Under 226

Spurs vs Bucks betting trend to know

The Spurs are 17-10-1 ATS against the East this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Bucks.

How to watch Spurs vs Bucks

Spurs vs Bucks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The struggling Milwaukee Bucks face the white-hot San Antonio Spurs this afternoon at Fiserv, and there is potential for it to get really ugly, really fast; with Giannis already ruled out, Victor Wembanyama could run riot over the Bucks. A Spurs win today would mean they take the season series 2-0.

Where We’re At

The Bucks have lost 12 of their last 15 games. Yeah, it’s been rough. Most recently, they got pummeled by the Blazers, 130-99; watching that game was the embodiment of the “stop, he’s already dead” scene in The Simpsons. I mean, it got ugly early, and if it wasn’t for a Ryan Rollins career-high 36 points, there was absolutely the potential for a 50-point loss. That said, there have been some silver linings, such as Andre Jackson Jr., who has shown some good signs since getting back into the rotation. Jackson had four steals against the Blazers and showed flashes of a more composed offensive game. I assume this is last chance saloon for AJax, so it’s good that he’s put his best foot forward.

As for the Spurs, well, it’s the opposite situation. They have won seven straight and sit 2.5 games back of the Thunder for the one-seed in the West. Of course, it helps when you have a 7’4” destroyer that can score from anywhere and defend anyone. The season Wemby is having is truly crazy, and yes, worthy of MVP consideration: 24.2 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 3.6 BPG! Of course, this team got lucky and jumped from the bottom of the lottery to the top (because of course they did), drafting Dylan Harper, who looks to be a player himself. This team is good and will be good for a long time; I need to stop writing before I get depressed.

Injury Report

For the Bucks, Giannis (calf) and Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) are out. Kyle Kuzma (Achilles), Bobby Portis (wrist), Myles Turner (calf), and Gary Harris (groin) are all questionable. The Spurs have a clean bill of health.

Player to Watch

Coming off his career-high, and with multiple ball-handlers out, I’m watching for what Ryan Rollins can do against this Spurs lineup, which ranks third in defensive rating for the year. How does he navigate (or avoid) Wemby? How does he fare with Stephon Castle as his primary defender? This is an almighty test for Rylo, and I’m just keen to see how he goes.

How To Watch

Tune in at 2:00 p.m. CDT on Prime Video.

---

---

The Sixers are coming off a blowout WIN (haven’t been able to type that much this season), taking down the Chicago Bulls 157-137. Now they head to Charlotte to take on one of the hottest teams in the league in what could be a pivotal matchup with real long-term stakes.

Why does a regular-season game in March carry this much weight? The Sixers and Hornets have already met twice this year, splitting the series 1-1, making this the decider. Whoever wins clinches the tiebreaker between two teams hovering around the same spot in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte sits one game back right now, and with how close these records could finish, that tiebreaker is very much in play. A Sixers win adds cushion. A loss pulls the Hornets right into striking range.

Charlotte has quietly become one of the better stories in the league this season, and a lot of that starts with Kon Knueppel. The rookie has put together one of the strongest freshman campaigns we’ve seen in years, averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists on a near 50-40-90 clip. Tonight he’ll go head to head with VJ Edgecombe, another rookie who has looked just as far beyond his years on the other side. Two first-year players, taken back to back in the draft, squaring off in a game with actual playoff implications — that’s a pretty compelling subplot.

Since the new year the Hornets have been one of the better teams in basketball. Their offense has jumped to fifth in the league, with their defense sitting 12th. The rough record is mostly a hangover from a brutal first half, but they’ve clawed their way back to the point where they’re not just a play-in team anymore — a real playoff spot is on the table.

The usual names round out the roster: LaMelo Ball, still one of the most talented players in the league even if the consistency comes and goes, alongside Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner as strong rotation pieces. This will also be our first look at Coby White in a Hornets uniform since the trade deadline.

For the Sixers, things finally feel like they’re trending in the right direction. The Bulls aren’t exactly a measuring stick team this season, but putting up 157 points with Joel Embiid and Paul George combining for 60+ is still a statement. Both guys looked fresh, moved well and put on offensive clinics. George in particular was excellent on both ends. Four steals and a block to go with his scoring output, and having that kind of smooth, versatile wing back in the lineup has been a desperately needed addition.

Edgecombe has kept his strong play going too. It wasn’t his biggest statistical night, but he did a nice job navigating life with Embiid and George back in the rotation, letting them operate while still making his own impact. He shot 7-of-9 from the field, which tells you how clean his opportunities were playing off two stars drawing all the attention. That load-sharing role suits him well, but tonight is a different test. The Hornets have no shortage of guards, so Edgecombe will need to be sharp on both ends.

There are some notable injury statuses to keep an eye on heading into this one. For the first time since his injury, Tyrese Maxey isn’t listed as out — he’s questionable with a finger tendon strain, which is an encouraging sign. Kelly Oubre Jr. is also questionable but told beat reporters yesterday that he expects to suit up. That leaves Johni Broome as the only Sixer potentially sitting out. On the Charlotte side, former lottery pick Tidjane Salaun is the only player listed outside of G League assignments.

This is an important matchup for both squads and could end up being the deciding factor depending on how the playoff and play-in picture shapes out. Edgecombe now has the reinforcements he needs for the Sixers to come out on top. Let’s see if they can win the first of what could be several pivotal matchups in their playoff pursuit.

Game Details

When: Saturday, March 28 2026, 6 PM EST
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

Could Tom Izzo retire following his team's Sweet 16 loss to Connecticut?

It doesn't appear he'll be joining this offseason's coaching carousel.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan State vs UConn final score: Spartans fall to Huskies at end, highlights

The Michigan State coach was once again reflective on his 31-year coaching career and the topic of retirement following the 3-seeded Spartans' loss to 2-seeded UConn in the East Region on Friday, March 27, saying he has bigger goals yet to chase.

"Trying to win a national championship, plain and simple," Izzo said March 27 when asked by a reporter where he sees himself in five years. "That's it. Those things usually start after your last loss. Nowadays, it's a little more screwed up, but not at Michigan State."

Tom Izzo on retirement speculation. 👀

“I’m feeling good. We’ll talk about retirement—why? What the hell am I going to do? The minute I don’t feel good, the minute I don’t feel like I’m giving my AD, president, or school every ounce of energy I have every day… you won’t have to… pic.twitter.com/TEaKNlJFGc

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 28, 2026

Izzo coached in his 17th career Sweet 16 on Friday, where his record dropped to 11-6. The Spartans coach has led Michigan State to 28 consecutive March Madness trips, the NCAA Division I record for most consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. The Spartans, who were looking for their second consecutive trip to the Elite Eight, have not advanced to the Final Four appearance since 2019.

REQUIRED READING: March Madness scores last night: Sweet 16 results from NCAA Tournament Friday games

The Hall of Fame coach said he's still "feeling good" at 71 years old.

"We all talk about retirement. Why? What the h--- am I going to do? The minute I don't feel good, the minute I don't feel like I'm giving my (athletic director) or president or school every ounce of energy I have every day, or that energy drops, you don't have to worry about it. I don't steal money. I won't steal anybody's time. But it's sure as hell not going to be now," Izzo said.

"I've got some things to accomplish."

Michigan State ends the season 27-8, its fifth straight season of at least 20 wins under Izzo, and its 25th overall season reaching that win mark.

REQUIRED READING: Who's in Elite 8? Updated March Madness bracket, NCAA Tournament schedule

With no retirement plans on the horizon just yet for Izzo, Michigan State will head into the 2026-27 season once again looking to end the program's national championship drought, having last won it all in 2000.

"I said a couple years ago that I'll find a way to get back there. We've knocked on the door twice. We haven'tgotten back. We'll get back," Izzo said.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Tom Izzo retiring? Michigan State coach addresses future after Sweet 16 loss

CHICAGO – They were coming at the Tennessee men's basketball team like no one else had this season, Rick Barnes said afterwards. Iowa State players were hounding anyone wearing orange all over the United Center court, and the Vols were heaving shots at the end of the shot clock as their NCAA Tournament Midwest Region Sweet 16 game began Friday, March 27.

But when freshman Nate Ament launched an errant 3-pointer, Felix Okpara grabbed the offensive rebound. Then J.P. Estrella grabbed another miss. Then Ament grabbed one more miss. A minute later, Okpara corralled an errant shot attempt. Then Estrella did, too. Another offensive rebound sent Estrella to the free throw line. Before the first media timeout, once Okpara snagged yet another offensive rebound, Tennessee had somehow grabbed seven of its first 10 missed shots of the game.

Never mind that this only led to one basket. The tone had been set, one that carried the sixth-seeded Volunteers back into the Elite Eight for the third year in a row after a 76-62 win over shorthanded No. 2 seed Iowa State that felt more like a bludgeoning because of the manner in which the beating was delivered.

OPINION: My apologies, Big Ten. I was wrong to doubt you

Tennessee demoralized an Iowa State team already playing without All-American Joshua Jefferson because the biggest plays of the game revolved around offensive rebounds. Of course they did. It’s perhaps the best explanation why Tennessee, with just one player in the lineup Friday who played in last year’s Elite Eight game, gets another chance to earn its first Final Four appearance in Sunday’s Midwest Region final against No. 1 seed Michigan. 

The Volunteers have the nation's best offensive rebounding percentage this season, according to KenPom, and there really isn’t anyone close to them left in the bracket. Tennessee grabs an offensive rebound on 45% of its missed shots. For comparison, none of the seven other teams left in the NCAA Tournament bracket grab more than 40% of their missed shots.  

“It’s our identity. That’s our best offense. That’s what coach Barnes always says,” Okpara said.

Tennessee corralled 16 more offensive rebounds against Iowa State and turned those extra possessions into 14 second-chance points, part of a 43-22 rebounding advantage the Vols enjoyed on the glass to offset their 17 turnovers. 

They advanced mostly through brute force, not finesse.

“We stayed in the same set pretty much the entire second half,” Barnes said.

But what had been accomplished was still sinking in as he answered questions about it late Friday. This was the deep frontcourt he envisioned deploying last offseason after Houston ended last year's NCAA Tournament run. He also thought this team should have won more games than it did during the regular season.

Then Ament, the Vols' freshman projected NBA draft lottery pick, hurt his ankle last month. Barnes hoped this would all come together in time for March Madness. 

Suddenly this has, largely because these Volunteers can suck the life out of teams with each wayward shot attempt.

They're better than anyone in the country at it.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tennessee Vols basketball back in Elite 8 thanks to this stat

Sorry for the miss on the Game Thread last night, y’all. We had a miscommunication on the game coverage sheet, and I was working one of my other jobs last night, so I couldn’t just jump in. Anyway, enough apologies, on to the game.

The Houston Rockets got a win last night, dowing the Memphis Grizzlies 119-109 in a solid performance. The team was led by Kevin Durant, who finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists on 8-for-14 shooting from the floor and 3-for-7 from deep. He helped Houston on a 14-3 run in the fourth quarter that put the game away for the Rockets.

Houston also had a good night from Jabari Smith Jr., who bounced back from an ugly game with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was 7-for-16 from the field. In fact, all five Rockets starters finished in double figures, as the Rockets got 18 points and 8 boards from Amen Thompson, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks from Alperen Sengun, as well as 15 points, 5 boards, 5 assists and 4 steals from Reed Sheppard, who continues to remain in the starting lineup. Seems like Ime may have finally gotten his head out of his ass on that one.

The Rockets got hit with the Rampaging Rando (trademark Xiane) last night, as Olivier-Maxence Prosper went off for 31 points on 12-for-15 from the floor depsite just averaging 9 points per game on the season, but the rest of the Grizzlies shot just 36 percent on the night. The Rockets also won the rebounding battle to help bring home the win.

Houston now moves to 44-29 on the season and sits in sixth place in the Western Conference. They are one game back of the Minnesota Timberwolves for fifth and are four games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for seventh place. They will return to action on Sunday versus the New Orleans Pelicans.

On March 8th, the Phoenix Suns played the Charlotte Hornets. The Suns won 111-99 behind a combined 78 points from the backcourt trio of Devin Booker, Collin Gillespie, and Jalen Green. For most of us, this was a game like any other. We watched, we enjoyed, we went to bed happy that our Suns got another win. It was the second win in a row, and it came against a Charlotte team that is surprisingly hot this season.

But in Phoenix at the Mortgage Matchup Center, in section 108, row 17, there was a special young man and his parents, for whom this game meant so much more.

---

22-year old Tate Haddock comes from a long line of Suns fans. His mother, Pam, reminisces about the stories her father would tell about the first seasons of Suns’ basketball. Tate himself started really paying attention to the Suns around a decade ago during Devin Booker’s sophomore season.

In August of 2024, the lives of the Haddock family would change forever. Tate was diagnosed with Leukemia. Doctors told him that if left untreated, he had six months left to live.

“It was very rattling, more than anything,” Tate said.

However, it was neither the diagnosis nor the chemo that Tate said was the worst part of his battle with cancer.

“People don’t talk about watching your loved ones struggle with it just as much, if not more than you do. It was a lot harder on the people that cared about me than it was myself.”

Ever since the diagnosis, Mike and Pam Haddock have been driving four and a half hours every week with their son to St. Louis for chemotherapy. Through it all, Tate and his parents remained strong and hopeful, with the help of their community.

“I had a great support system. My parents, my partner, grandparents. There are a lot of people taking good care of me. My partner stayed with me throughout my entire hospital stay. For better or worse, there were people that cared.”

It wasn’t just his family, either. His small town in Missouri held a golf benefit for him. Pam said, “You don’t realize until you’re in the middle of it and you find the kindness of strangers, how you really are supported and how much people are willing to care and support you if they know what you need and want.”

---

Even through the last year and a half of treatment, the Haddock family has kept up with their Suns. Ask them about their favorite Suns players of all time, and you will see a trend. Pam immediately chimes in, “I loved Charles Barkley’s bad attitude!” Tate will tell you, “Dillon Brooks, and we love Goodie!”

The conversation about favorite players led us to his Instagram (@haddock_tate_haddock). “If I’m really locking in, I like Dionte Christmas because one time he reposted my story on Instagram.” Dionte Christmas played his sole 31 NBA games for the Suns in the 2013-2014 season.

That Suns fandom was why, just a few days before Tate’s birthday, the family piled into their car and roadtripped from Missouri to Phoenix to watch the Suns play the Hornets. 

But Pam had more in mind than just a good time at the arena. “I tried everything to get him to be able to meet players. Emailing reporters, players. I’ve got to figure this out!”

Eventually, she was able to get a hold of the Sun’s Mercury Foundation. “They said they wanted to make it a night he wouldn’t forget.” 

And so it was that before the game, Tate Haddock could be seen, freshly in remission, walking through the players’ tunnel to stand courtside for pregame shootaround.

“I didn’t know how special it was going to be. I was allowed to just walk up to Oso and talk to him.”

In addition to this incredible experience, the Suns gave him a bag full of merch. He even got his hat signed by Royce O’Neale, Amir Coffey, Haywood Highsmith, and Oso Ighodaro.

“It was amazing,” says Pam, “For them to recognize him and make him feel special and for them to treat our whole family like VIPs, it made me feel like I had accomplished something amazing.”

Overall, it was an incredible night for a young man with battles still ahead of him. Though in remission, Tate has to continue chemo until September 2027. He’s happy that during this, the team is moving in a positive direction.

“This is the best I’ve felt about being a Suns fan since 2021,” Tate said.

“We love the culture and scrappiness,” Pam continued.

When Tate was asked about who his favorite young player on the roster was, he said, “I love Rasheer Fleming.”

And why shouldn’t he? Rasheer Fleming is turning himself into a scrappy player, much like his other favorite players Dillon Brooks and Jordan Goodwin. These players exemplify in their games what Tate has exemplified in his heart, a fighting spirit that doesn’t give up.

“When you are facing adversity, try to see the good in things. When it’s hard to find the good, you’ve got some options. You can create it for yourself or look harder. Eventually, you’ll find it, no matter how hard it can be.”

Tate’s story isn’t just about one man’s battle with cancer. It is a reminder of how much more we are capable of when we come together. It is a reminder of the power of a community working together toward a common goal, whether as a nation, a small town in Missouri, or the fans of a basketball team.

The most important thing we can do is take care of one another. So tell the people you love that you love them, go out and get involved in your community, and cheer as hard as ever for the teams you love.

---

#1 – Early game trouble

As it was highlighted by Gray Washburn in the press conference after the game, it’s rare for Joe Mazzulla to call multiple timeouts so early in the game. However, pretty quickly, the Celtics were falling behind, especially because of their offense. As the Celtics head coach said, there were too many “empty possessions.”

Looking back at the film, most of the shots prior to that second timeout were contested pull-up shots or floaters, but rarely open opportunities or layups at the rim. The Hawks did a great job of contracting the space without leaving too much gap to the shooters.

Right after the timeout, it was yet another missed pull-up from the mid-range, but this time the Celtics crashed the glass and extended the possession for a Hugo Gonzalez three-pointer.

#2 – Quick adaptation

To get back in the game, the Celtics needed to find a way to the rim. For that, they used the Hawks’ coverage against them. As the Hawks were willing to switch over screens, the Celtics multiplied the cuts and increased the movement while obtaining the matchup they wanted.

On the play below, the screens on the strong side of the court create a switch that gives Luka Garza a big size advantage on Gabe Vincent. This makes it easier for Derrick White to find him on the cut and finally get a shot at the rim for the Celtics.

The Celtics used that momentum against the Hawks bench to get going and make the most of the mistakes. Here, Jonathan Kuminga jumps on the fake and White drives right away for another layup. The Celtics were finally able to get deep into the paint.

The lack of good execution on switches was perfect for the Celtics offense, and showed how deep the Celtics can be. While the starters struggled a little at first, the bench rolled over the Hawks. Here, the switch is completely broken and Garza gets a free roll to the rim.

This run was fueled by a man who was craving buckets, Payton Pritchard.

#3 – MVPayton the tornado

Of course, it had to be him to conclude the first-quarter run.

Buzzers HATE to see Payton shooting 🚨 pic.twitter.com/pPzwXVLXqt

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 28, 2026

But he was just getting started, as the guard ended up with 36 points last night. Often, Joe Mazzulla talks about creating good looks early in the possession. Well, look at PP here going full speed on that handoff with Garza. The defense isn’t even set and he scores right at the rim. The early bird gets the worm, right?

Then, a little give-and-go early in the possession. As he passes to Jayson Tatum, PP uses the flare screen from Neemias Queta to get enough space for another bomb.

Here, the action starts a bit slow as he runs a first ball screen with Tatum. He sees space to attack, so he swings it to the side, but immediately cuts and gets the ball back for another layup.

And he kept attacking the Hawks like this all night until the final buzzer. Great game from PP with Jaylen Brown sitting out. But while the scoring is what stands out, he impacted the game in other ways.

#4 – Pritchard beyond the scoring

Asked Joe Mazzulla about Payton Pritchard, who was a +26 in a game the Celtics won by seven:

“The points are one thing, but I thought the ball handling, handling the pressure, the offensive rebounding… It’s just those big time plays for us. He's not defined by scoring.” pic.twitter.com/jTlPSfP8Ip

— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) March 28, 2026

Joe Mazzulla was right, the 36 points will make the headlines, but some plays had an even bigger impact on the game. In the second half alone, he created four extra possessions with offensive rebounds.

He also put his body on the line late in the game to force a foul on Nickeil Alexander-Walker that created a much-needed extra possession.

This extra effort from one of the smallest guys on the court speaks loudly to the commitment to winning and doing what it takes to put the team in the best position possible, with or without the ball.

#5 – Roaming off Dyson Daniels

The other big factor in the game was the Celtics’ defensive plan against the Hawks — and once again, it was about how they mixed matchups. As expected, they put Neemias Queta on the Atlanta Hawks’ worst shooter, Dyson Daniels. This lack of shooting from the former Pelicans guard created an overload of players in the paint for the Hawks on offense, as Queta was playing the safety.

Yet, what was surprising was Sam Hauser being matched up with Onyeka Okongwu, and the Hawks weren’t going after him to punish the Celtics’ bet. Of course, the Celtics center isn’t known for his post-up moves and isn’t even that tall, but the Hawks could have tried to put pressure on the Celtics’ defensive shell with that size advantage.

The Hawks tried various things to help Daniels. They attacked the Celtics big men with drives, or asked for more movement from their non-shooting wing, but the flow seemed off when the actions involved him, and the paint was full of bodies anyway.

Overall, the Celtics were able to turn him into a non-impact offensive player, forcing others to make the difference from the outside.

#6 – Dealing with Jalen Johnson

A big wing with driving and shooting abilities like Jalen Johnson is tough to handle for any team, but the Celtics had a plan in mind to make sure they gave away the right thing. Early in the game, they were comfortable living with his shooting variance, even as he was making pull-up threes from deep.

On the action above, it is clear that the threat the Celtics identified was his drive, not his shot. The following play speaks even louder. Like against the Thunder, the Celtics sent a lot of help from the nail, closed the drives, and took away the pass to the corner. And if you take away the drives and the corner three from a team… well, there isn’t much hope left.

#7 – Queta the QB

Against a team with a lot of ball pressure, drawing offense around Neemias Queta was smart and worked pretty well. Here, he gets the ball at the nail, and Sam Hauser sets a back screen for Jayson Tatum. The action isn’t well read and that creates a gap for JT’s cut.

Right away, they run the same play again and Queta finds JT deep in the paint so he can use his size and touch to go over Dyson Daniels.

A little later, Tatum returns the favor to Sam Hauser with a screen on the zoom action, and Queta is again the man holding the ball while the play unfolds, like a QB waiting to deliver a touchdown pass.

#8 – Small-ball experiment

With 5 minutes left in the second quarter, the Celtics were up 3 points and then went for a small-ball unit to close the first half. While the score at the break indicates it didn’t go as expected, there are some encouraging flashes and lessons from that stretch.

First, the Celtics — and Jayson Tatum in particular — will need to be more disciplined in these situations where he is the rim protector. Here, he gets caught by Daniels behind him and that’s an easy layup for the Hawks.

At the same time, Jayson Tatum at the five is great for spacing and mismatch hunting. He can be the screener and, depending on the defensive coverage, it creates gaps in the defense. Here, the double comes and he finds Jordan Walsh on the cut.

The Celtics will need to keep working on that lineup because it could be a game changer depending on the matchup when the playoffs come.

#9 – Jordan Walsh delivers

After six games without playing, the opportunity was much needed for Walsh — especially in such a competitive game. And Jordan delivered.

I asked Joe Mazzulla about Jordan Walsh’s energy and impact after not playing for six games.

“The game called for toughness and physicality and that’s something that he brings, it’s a to credit to him.

“The professionalism to stay ready over the course of the season says a lot… pic.twitter.com/EO2LVMTvoK

— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) March 28, 2026

On offense, it was simple and energetic. He made the right reads and took the shots he was supposed to. Most importantly, he showed presence on the offensive glass to generate much-needed extra possessions.

On defense, he was very active but remained disciplined. He had the second-most contested shots for the Celtics and did a great job against the Hawks guards, especially on CJ McCollum. On the play below, he stays connected, navigates the screen the right way, and baits McCollum into a shot that he can block.

Jordan stayed ready and delivered a strong performance with a real impact.

#10 – Another trip, another blast because of you

This three-week trip to Boston to cover the Celtics was, like last year, an immense honor. Every game, I have to pinch myself to make sure it is still real.

However, this experience wouldn’t be possible if all of you weren’t here to read, comment, and react to these articles. So I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to go through these lines.

The kid I was back in my French Alps wouldn’t have dared to dream about an opportunity like this, and you made it possible by reading my work on CelticsBlog. I hope I didn’t disappoint.

Thanks.

As the NBA appears focused on major reforms to get teams to stop tanking, the NBA Player’s Association (NBAPA) has made a proposal of their own for the league to consider. While the commissioner’s office unveiled a trio of reforms focused on the lottery, the player’s proposal included something massive: huge financial incentives. According to a report by Jake Fischer of The Steinline, the NBAPA’s proposal would allow the standings to impact each team’s share of national TV revenue.

Currently, all NBA teams evenly split national TV revenue. However, per Fischer, the NBAPA’s pitch emulates soccer’s English Premiere League, which would reward teams with an additional $10 million of revenue for each higher seed. It’s unclear whether the proposal is specific to conferences or if team would be stacked up from 1-30. Either way, entering the season expecting to tank would put potentially $50-$100 million of revenue at risk under this proposal, something that would be an extremely strong deterrent aimed at tanking owners.

The NBAPA also proposed an adjusted lottery. The proposal is similar to one of the three unveiled by the league office, expanding the lottery to 18 teams, giving the bottom 10 teams a 7% chance to move up in the draft with the remaining eight squads getting a 3.75% chance of landing the number one pick. The union is also supporting Silver in giving the commissioner more explicit powers to punish tanking teams by diminishing their lottery odds, moving their pick to the end of the lottery or the first round, or stripping them of a first-round pick all together.

It’s hard to imagine league owners ever agreeing to such a clear change to their revenue sharing, but if the league wants to actually disincentivize tanking, making losing hurt a team’s bottom line would be the easiest way to get owners to stop empowering front offices that always want to kick the can down the road.

In strange-but-true news, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has filed to trademark the word “Iceman” for his merchandise line. If the name “Iceman” sounds familiar, it’s because San Antonio Spurs legend George Gervin has been using it for over half a century.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams recently filed four trademark applications to legally claim the "Iceman" nickname for his own clothing and merchandise line, but Spurs legend George "The Iceman" Gervin is officially fighting back. Just days after Williams submitted his… pic.twitter.com/gzacHRA3OJ

— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) March 26, 2026

The Hall of Fame baller has taken action by filing trademark requests for “Iceman and ”Iceman 44.“ This came four days after Williams initially filed his clothing line trademark request.

There has been much discussion on social media. Young fans unaware of Gervin believe he should have trademarked the nickname by now. Meanwhile, fans of the ABA/NBA crossover star have pointed out his merits as reason enough for Williams to change his path.

In their professional careers:

Gervin — Williams —
4x Scoring Champ
12x All-Star
1x ASG MVP
9x All-NBA/ABA
ABA All-Rookie

One is Iceman. One is a guy. pic.twitter.com/3fOJ5RJUfZ

— SpursMuse (@spurs_muse) March 27, 2026

Skip Baylessn spoke out in defense of George Gervin….

I’m a Caleb Williams fan. But I was a much bigger Iceman Gervin fan, and I’m offended Caleb and Co. are trying to steal George’s all-time great nickname. I unleash on today’s Arena Gridiron 2:30 E.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 27, 2026

…which compelled Williams to respond.

Idc about where your fandom stands.

I was trying give you and everyone else the benefit of the doubt. About knowing business and being smart about it. But I guess not. Foolish of me!

Also words matter Skip Bayless.
“Steal”

Enjoy that podcast. https://t.co/PDMbllK1lxpic.twitter.com/fouK4A4zsz

— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) March 27, 2026

Turns out both could be fighting for table scraps as former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell may have trademarked the term prior to either Williams or Gervin.

This story is ongoing and will be updated.

---

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.