Category: Basketball

The Golden State Warriors are in desperate need of a win tonight, when they visit the Detroit Pistons in the fourth stop on their six-game road trip. It certainly won’t be easy, as the Pistons boast an Eastern Conference-best 50-19 record. It is made easier by the fact that Detroit will be without their superstar point guard … but then again, so will the Warriors.

Here’s the full injury report for both teams for the 4:30 p.m. PT game.

Warriors

Out — Steph Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)

The Warriors keep expressing optimism that we’ll see Curry before the season ends, but we’re running out of time. This is his 20th consecutive absence, and there are only 12 regular season games on the schedule after leaving the motor city.

Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL surgery)

Butler, on the other hand, has no chance of returning this year, but we all knew that. Hopefully his rehab and recovery are going well following January’s ACL tear.

Out — Moses Moody (right wrist sprain)

Moody’s injury initially didn’t appear serious, but it has really lingered. This will be his ninth straight game on the sidelines, which is a big bummer given how well he was playing before sustaining the injury.

Out — Al Horford (right soleus strain)

This isn’t the usual case of Horford resting because the Warriors have a back-to-back (they visit Jonathan Kuminga and the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night). No, Horford is straight up injured, and his status for the rest of the season is in doubt.

Out — Quinten Post (right foot injury management)

Thank goodness that Kristaps Porziņģis is healthy, since the Dubs are without their other two centers. Given that this is just an injury management day for Post, I would assume that he’ll be on the court on Saturday.

Out — Seth Curry (left adductor strain)

Still just four games played this year for the younger Curry brother. What a bummer of a year for him.

Available — LJ Cryer (left hamstring injury management)

After being sidelined for two games, Cryer returns. He’ll certainly see action tonight, given the number of names that aren’t available.

Pistons

Out — Cade Cunningham (left lung pneumothorax)

Cunningham was putting together quite an MVP campaign before suffering a collapsed lung. Thankfully that’s not quite as scary or serious as it sounds, and it’s still expected that the young superstar point guard will be ready to rejoin the Pistons before the playoffs.

Out — Isaiah Stewart (left calf strain)

Beef Stew is having a typical solid year, averaging 10.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. He’s a menace in the paint, so his absence is a blessing for a Warriors team that is missing Horford and Post.

Out — Marcus Sasser (right hip soreness)

Sasser has struggled with injuries this season, including missing Detroit’s first 23 games. Now he’s back on the sideline after playing nine consecutive games.

Out — Bobi Klintman (G League assignment)

A second-round pick a year ago, Klintman remains very raw. He’s appeared in just 19 games over his two NBA seasons.

Questionable Available — Jalen Duren (right ankle soreness)

The first-time All-Star this year was listed as questionable, but was just announced as good to go. That’s bad news for the Warriors, and means the Dubs are going to need some serious defense and rebounding from Porziņģis and Draymond Green.

Questionable Out — Kevin Huerter (right shoulder contusion)

Similarly, Huerter was listed as questionable, but was ruled out shortly before tip.

Enjoy the game, Dub Nation!

For the better part of the past month, the most hyper-analyzed and breathlessly discussed team in men’s college basketball wasn’t in Lexington, Kentucky or Lawrence, Kansas or on North Carolina’s famed Tobacco Road.

It was a mid-sized state school in southwest Ohio that wasn’t even picked in the preseason to win its own (typically) one-bid conference and had gone nearly 20 years without an NCAA Tournament appearance.

When the 2025-26 season tipped off back in early November, few people outside of Oxford, Ohio could have imagined Miami (Ohio) would become one of the defining teams and storylines nationally by the time March Madness rolled around, yet there the RedHawks were, winning game after game and doing what only some of the most iconic squads in the sport’s modern history had been able to pull off.

March Madness scores: See the big shots, moments, highlights in today's first round

That inspired run ended Friday, March 20, with Miami suffering just its second loss of the season, a 78-56 blowout at the hands of Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Philadelphia.

What happened across an ill-fated 40 minutes, though, did nothing to diminish the five months that preceded it.

The RedHawks became just the fifth Division I team since 1980 to start a season 30-0, joining the star-studded likes of 1990-91 UNLV and 2014-15 Kentucky. The fact those historical peers had significantly more next-level talent only added to Miami’s charm. A roster made up largely of once-overlooked recruits came together to play one of the more beautiful forms of basketball of any team in the country, an offensively explosive outfit that played at a frenetic pace, spread opponents out and knocked down shots at a dizzying rate.

In an age when mid- and low-major programs largely exist as feeder systems for college basketball’s biggest and richest schools, the RedHawks were a heat-warming anachronism, a group of players who came into the program, developed, improved and, perhaps most impressively, stayed. Of the 15 players who logged at least one minute for Miami this season, 12 began their careers at the school. Five of the top six scorers from a 25-win team the previous season came back, almost certainly spurning more lucrative opportunities elsewhere. And it was all coming under the direction of a coach in Travis Steele who, after stumbling as a head coach at the power-conference level, has made the most of a second chance.

At some point, an inspiring story became something decidedly more polarizing.

As the RedHawks inched closer to an unblemished regular season, debates began over their NCAA Tournament hopes. Their poorly rated nonconference schedule and subpar predictive metrics were nitpicked. Their series of tight wins drew skepticism. If they lost even just once and didn’t earn the Mid-American Conference’s automatic bid to the Big Dance, did they deserve a spot in the 68-team bracket? To some extraordinarily outspoken individuals, the answer was a firm “no.”

Despite Bruce Pearl’s best and most nakedly shameless efforts, and even after a loss to UMass in the MAC quarterfinals, Miami heard its name called on Selection Sunday, earning one of the final at-large spots and a trip to the First Four in Dayton that may as well have been a challenge from the NCAA tournament selection committee — if you really belong in this event, you’ll have the chance to prove it.

And, surely enough, they did.

Steele’s men of steel drained 16 3-pointers and knocked down 39% of their shots from beyond the arc to beat a high-scoring SMU team by double digits and pick up the program’s first NCAA tournament win since a Wally Szczerbiak-led run to the Sweet 16 in 1999.

“I think we do belong here,” Peter Suder, the team’s leading scorer, said Thursday heading into the first-round game. “I think we showed that last night especially, but just don't count us out.”

Two days later, they ran into a wall, taking on a bigger, more physical and more talented Tennessee squad that was as bad of a matchup on the court as it was on paper, outrebounding Miami by a 42-25 margin, limiting its effectiveness from 3 and holding it to a season-low 56 points.

For all but one team, the college basketball season ends in disappointment, but for some, success isn’t wholly defined by national championship or Final Four banners. For months, as Miami’s resume was relentlessly dissected, the RedHawks (and results of Freedom of Information Act requests) insisted that teams from the sport’s major conferences were unwilling to schedule them. They weren’t alone in that struggle. High Point, as coach Flynn Clayman made sure to note after his team upset No. 5 seed Wisconsin on Thursday, faced similar issues.

All that schools like them asked for was a chance in a sport that increasingly seems like it’s stacked against them and designed to kill stories like theirs before they even get the chance to begin. But in the NCAA Tournament, when there’s no hiding behind a cautious scheduling philosophy, those chasms between the haves and have-nots have a beautiful way of disappearing.

While Miami came up well short against Tennessee, it showed that it earned the right to be there. And, as its coach sees it, its hard-earned place in the sport has staying power.

"My goal is to get this thing to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament," Steele said after Friday's loss. "We will be back. I'm very very confident on that"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami Ohio basketball's season is over, but it won't be forgotten

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Sungjae Im held onto the lead on a breezy Friday afternoon in the Valspar Championship, rallying on the back nine to edge ahead of David Lipsky in firm and fast conditions on the Copperhead course at Innisbrook.

After missing two straight cuts in his return from a wrist injury, Im shot a 2-under 69 to get to 9-under 133 — a stroke ahead of Lipsky. On Thursday morning, Im had two eagles in a 64 for a one-shot advantage over Brandt Snedeker.

“The important thing, well, the most important thing is that I can get my drives into the fairways,” the 27-year-old South Korean player said through a translator. “If I do that, then I will be able to give myself good chances. There’s just a lot of danger out there on the course.”

On Friday, Im had three bogeys and two birdies in a front-nine 37, then birdied the par-5 11th and par-4 12th. He broke a tie for the lead with a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th.

“I want to really focus and be patient because I have a chance this weekend.” Im said. “This weekend, I think the winds are going to blow and the greens are going to get more firm.”

He has two PGA Tour victories, the 2020 Honda Classic and 2021 Shriners Children’s Open.

Lipsky had a 65, playing in the first group of the day off the first tee. Winless on PGA Tour, he birdied the first two holes and four of the the first six, added two more on 10 and 11 and parred the final seven.

“It was excellent. I did everything well,” Lipsky said. “Missed it in the right spots, holed the putts early on to get some momentum going. That finishing stretch is obviously tough, so able to save a couple pars down on 16 and 18 and really kept the round going.”

Chandler Blanchet and Doug Ghim were 7 under. Blanchet closed with a bogey for a 66. Ghim shot 67, making an eagle on the par-5 11th, then giving back the strokes with bogeys on 15 and 16.

“Obviously, I wish I would have finished a little bit better,” Ghim said. “Two bad holes doesn’t really necessarily kind of ruin a good day.”

Snedeker had a 72 to drop to 5 under. The 45-year-old U.S. Presidents Cup captain received a sponsor exemption.

“The good thing is it’s playing really tough and tricky this afternoon,” Snedeker said. “Try to take a positive from that. Hung in there when things weren’t going great.”

Jordan Smith (68) also was 5 under with Matt Fitzpatrick (69), Marco Penge (68) and Alex Smalley (69).

“I definitely hit it better yesterday and putted better today,” Spieth said. “So, just try to put them both together on the weekend.”

Fitzpatrick was second last week in The Players Championship.

Brooks Koepka was tied for 10th at 4 under after a 67 in his return to Innisbrook. He missed a 3-foot birdie putt on his final hole.

“Just keep doing what I’m doing,” Koepka said. “Playing well, like the way I’m striking it.”

Defending champion Viktor Hovland missed the cut with rounds of 70 and 75.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

The Atlanta Hawks (38-31) aim for a stunning twelve straight wins against the formidable Houston Rockets (41-27).

Starting lineup:

• G CJ McCollum
• G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
• F Dyson Daniels
• F Jalen Johnson
• C Onyeka Okongwu

Please join in the comments below as you follow along.

Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen

Location: Toyota Center, Houston, TX

Start Time: 8:00 PM EDT

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (FDSNSE)

Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)

Streaming: ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network app, Fubo (out of market), NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)

When they played in January, the Knicks (45*-25) held the Nets (17-52) to 66 points. Tonight in Brooklyn, New York aims to extend their win-streak over their neighbors to 14 straight and sweep the four-game season series.

Tip-off is 7:30 pm EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is Nets Daily. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be good humans. And go Knicks!

* Should be one more, but NBA Cup wins are made of mesh.

VILLARREAL, Spain (AP) — Villarreal beat Real Sociedad 3-1 and completed its first La Liga double over the Basque side since 2016-17 on Friday.

All of Villarreal’s goals came in a busy first half.

Gerard Moreno got the opener with a header after seven minutes, and eight minutes later Georges Mikautadze tapped in a second following good work from midfield by Alberto Moleiro.

Nicolas Pépé made it 3-0 midway through the first half when he strode forward and his deflected shot crept past goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

Luka Sučić pulled a goal back for Sociedad in the first minute of the second half but the visitor could not mount a comeback. It remained in seventh place after missing a chance to go equal on points with the team above it, Celta Vigo.

Villarreal, meanwhile, moved into third, a point above Atletico Madrid. Atletico's game in hand is on Sunday at archrival Real Madrid.

The win was Villarreal's 12th in 15 games at Estadio de la Ceramica this season, with the only defeats coming at the hands of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Be sure to follow USA TODAY Sports' live updates keeping track of all of NCAA Tournament's Friday first round games.

The road to Indianapolis and the Final Four continues Saturday as the first eight teams will book their tickets to the Sweet 16.

Will High Point and VCU's magic continue? Top-seed Duke struggled against Siena, how will Blue Devils respond against No. 9 seed TCU? Saint Louis scores in bunches, can Michigan slow the Billikens down?

Otega Oweh saved UK's season Friday: He might have done more than that

'Nobody would play us': High Point coach gives fiery interview after Wisconsin upset

It should be a great feast of March Madness. Below is Saturday's schedule and TV listings. Here is the rest of Friday night's slate of games.

March Madness games tomorrow: Second round game times, schedule for Saturday, March 21

All times Eastern

• 12:10 p.m.: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 9 Saint Louis, CBS
• 2:45 p.m.: No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 6 Louisville, CBS (prediction)
• 5:15 p.m.: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 9 TCU, CBS (prediction)
• 6:10 p.m.: No. 2 Houston vs. No. 10 Texas A&M, TNT (prediction)
• 7:10 p.m.: No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 11 Texas, TBS/truTV (prediction)
• 7:50 p.m.: No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 11 VCU, CBS (prediction)
• 8:45 p.m.: No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 5 Vanderbilt, TNT (prediction)
• 9:45 p.m.: No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 12 High Point, TBS/truTV (prediction)

2026 Men's March Madness remaining full schedule

• March 21-22: Second Round
• March 26-27: Sweet 16
• March 28-29: Elite 8
• April 4: Final Four
• April 6: National Championship

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness 2026 schedule: Who plays tomorrow, when in second round

Be sure to follow USA TODAY Sports' live updates keeping track of all of NCAA Tournament's Friday first round games.

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Virginia basketball coach Ryan Odom did not mention the elephant in the room with his team heading into Friday's Men's NCAA Tournament First-Round game against No. 14 seed Wright State.

"We never talked about it," Odom said following his team's 82-73 opening round win of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. "We only talk about what this team wants to accomplish. We had no thought about the history other than being proud of the history of Virginia basketball."

There was no need to. To Odom's point, the 2025-26 Cavaliers roster features 12 newcomers from last season, and Odom, himself, is in his first year on the sidelines in Charlottesville.

REQUIRED READING: Thijs De Ridder filled out brackets overseas. Now he's leading Virginia's March Madness run

The 3-seeded Cavaliers' first NCAA Tournament win in 2,538 days didn't come easily, however. The Raiders had Odom's squad on upset watch for much of the game and forced them to fight until the end to break their three-game losing skid. Nonetheless, a win in March Madness can go a long way toward building a new team's confidence for a run in March.

"The first game is always the hardest, especially Wright State, credit to them. They did a great job executing. Their game plan was amazing," Virginia guard Malik Thomas said. "As a team, we were a little bit nervous. ... After we got our jitters out and we started to play our basketball and come together, we were able to string some shots together and hit some big shots."

Virginia struggled in the first half with Wright State's fast tempo. The Cavaliers turned the ball over seven times compared to Wright State's single turnover. Those seven turnovers led to four points for the Raiders in the first half, and a five-point halftime deficit.

"They played a little bit differently than we were expecting going into the game and how we prepared," Odom said. "...But our guys did a nice job throughout the game of adjusting, and just hanging in there. And that's what you've got to do in this tournament. It's not going to be perfect. It's not meant to be perfect."

The Cavaliers quickly erased the Raiders' halftime lead with a 7-2 run out of the locker room. They then pushed the lead to as many as four points at that point of the game when 23-year-old freshman Thijs De Ridder drained a 3-pointer in the corner.

Wright State would continue hanging in there with Virginia, which picked up its 30th win of the season, for the next few minutes before the Cavaliers shifted the momentum and the energy in the arena their way. Jacari White hit a few key shots down the stretch for Virginia to pull out the win with his six 3-pointers on the day.

Virginia separated itself from Wright State with an 11-0 run after a technical foul was called on Sam Lewis for bouncing the basketball off a Wright State player, going into a timeout.

White led the way for Virginia with 26 points, while Lewis added 12 and Thomas added 11. De Ridder also finished in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds in addition to two assists.

Odom mentioned that he's proud of how his team held together and played down the stretch to pull out the victory.

"We had to keep the pressure on defensively. We couldn't watch the guys shoot threes. A couple of times, we watched guys shoot and they made us pay. That's not something we have done all season," Odom said. "I think our guys did a nice job of showing the proper poise that was needed to be able to come out victorious."

Virginia will now look to punch its ticket to the second weekend for the first time since 2019 when it takes on the No. 6 Tennessee Vols.

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: Virginia holds off Wright State for first March Madness win since 2019

The Detroit Pistons lost Cade Cunningham to what was later diagnosed as a collapsed lung two games ago. He was out within five minutes of that first game, so effectively, two games minus their All-Star and most important player. They are 2-0. Or maybe they just played the Washington Wizards twice. The Golden State Warriors are no great shakes, and they are also missing their star in Steph Curry. But they are also not the Washington Wizards. As we move forward for the next couple of weeks, especially absent any kind of return timeline for Cunningham, every game becomes a test. Can this team pass the Warriors test if they only play as good as they did against the Wizards? I’m not so sure. But I also think they have a lot of room for improvement, even within their limited offensive skillset. There have been positives — Jalen Duren is a monster and Kevin Huerter is doing all the little things (big thing he’s still not doing — hitting 3s). Tobias Harris has stepped up as a rebounder, and it’s good to have Ausar Thompson back and healthy. Still, Daniss Jenkins is struggling, the lack of point guard play is hurting tertiary guys like Javonte Green and Ron Holland the most, and now the aforementioned Huerter and Duren are questionable with ankle and shoulder issues, respectively. The end of the season is going to be a roller coaster. Strap in.

Game Vitals

When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -5.5

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (50-19)

Daniss Jenkins, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Golden State Warriors (34-38)

Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Gui Santos, Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis

NASHVILLE, TN. — Most coaches are focused on one March Madness bracket. High Point University assistant coach Katie Clayman is living in two.

Clayman’s husband, Flynn, is the head coach of the High Point men’s team. March 19, the Panthers pulled off a 12-over-5 upset against Wisconsin. Clayman brought her son, Quinn, to Portland, Oregon, from North Carolina to watch his dad coach in the men’s matchup.

As if caring for a 19-month-old wasn’t already a full-time job, Clayman is traveling between tournament sites to support her husband while also helping lead her team into a matchup against No. 2 seed Vanderbilt in the women’s tournament.

“One thing I honestly believe is family first,” High Point women’s head coach Chelsea Banbury said. “She should be there.”

Of the 136 teams across both NCAA tournaments, only 30 schools have both their men’s and women’s programs in the field. Clayman has a stake in both sides of one of them.

For her, one round is done and it’s on to the next. And as she travels to Nashville, she’ll be working on setting up the High Point women for a Round 1 repeat.

“It's obviously long travel days,” Banbury said. “There's not any direct flights, but she'll get here this evening. I've been in touch with her. She's watching film. I've given her a task of what I want to see when she gets here and what to have broken down by the time she is.”

Both sets of Panthers are looking to make deep tournament appearances. And, for Quinn, it’s a front-row seat to both of his parents chasing history.

Katie Fryburger is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.

This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: Katie and Flynn Clayman look to lead High Point men and women to runs

LENS, France (AP) — Florian Thauvin scored one and made two and Odsonne Edouard grabbed a double as Lens beat Angers 5-1 to leapfrog Paris Saint-Germain and return to the top of Ligue 1 on Friday.

Lens is seeking a first French title since 1998 but its challenge has faltered in recent weeks with losses to Lorient and Monaco.

However, it made its intentions clear in a comprehensive win over a side that has lost five of its last six league matches.

Thauvin set the ball rolling in the 13th minute with his fourth goal in six games.

Then he set up Edouard to make it 2-0. Mamadou Sangare added the third just before halftime.

Edouard scored a fourth three minutes into the second half after taking a perfectly weighted pass from the outstanding Thauvin. Although Lanroy Machine pulled a goal back for Angers 14 minutes later it was no more than a consolation.

Matthieu Udol restored Lens' four-goal cushion with a spectacular fifth.

The result took Lens two points clear of PSG, which has two games in hand.

Angers, meanwhile, was in 12th place, far from the fight from European places but well above the relegation zone.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

BOURNEMOUTH, England (AP) — Bruno Fernandes got a goal and an assist and Harry Maguire marked his return to the England squad by getting a red card as Manchester United drew 2-2 at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Friday.

After a dull first half, Fernandes, so often United’s saviour, put the visitor ahead from the penalty spot an hour in.

Ryan Christie equalized for Bournemouth with a perfectly executed low shot six minutes later.

Fernandes’ in-swinging corner was headed into his own goal by James Hill under pressure from Maguire at the far post.

Then with 12 minutes remaining Maguire — who hours earlier was named in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for pre-World Cup friendlies against Uruguay and Japan — was red-carded for bringing down Evanilson in the box.

Teenage Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi converted the penalty to make it 2-2.

The home side threw everything at its more illustrious visitor during a frantic final push but could not get a winner. Instead, it was a fifth consecutive draw for the Cherries, whose unbeaten run clicked on to 11 matches.

“I’m happy for the performance — it’s a decent point always when you face United," Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola said. "But in the big picture it’s five draws in a row. It doesn’t give you a lot in the standings. Probably, especially at the end, we were looking for a win.”

Bournemouth was 10th in the table.

United remained in third place, six points behind Manchester City, but captain Fernandes could not hide his disappointment at not taking all three points.

“We were in front two times, we gave it away,” he said.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Be sure to follow USA TODAY Sports' live updates keeping track of all of NCAA Tournament's Friday first round games.

There's nothing like spending your Friday night with some madness.

The 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament first round continues with eight more games tonight.

Will anything match the drama of Otega Oweh's banked-in buzzer-beating 3-pointer that kept Kentucky's season alive against Santa Clara?

Did Santa Clara get hosed? Officials missed Herb Sendek timeout on Otega Oweh buzzer-beater

Guess we'll find out. Tonight's remaining schedule is below.

Here's who plays in Saturday's second round.

March Madness games tonight: Men's NCAA Tournament first round schedule, TV listings

• 6:50 p.m.: No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 9 Iowa, TNT (predictions)
• 7:10 p.m.: No. 5 St. John's vs. No. 12 UNI, CBS (predictions)
• 7:25 p.m.: No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 UCF, TBS (predictions)
• 7:35 p.m.: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 15 Queens, truTV (predictions)
• 9:25 p.m.: No. 1 Florida vs. No. 16 Prairie View A&M, TNT (predictions)
• 9:45 p.m.: No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 California Baptist, CBS (predictions)
• 10 p.m.: No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Furman, TBS (predictions)
• 10:10 p.m.: No. 7 Miami (FL) vs. No. 10 Missouri, truTV (predictions)

March Madness results so far today

• No. 7 Kentucky 89, No. 10 Santa Clara 84, OT
• No. 5 Texas Tech 91, No. 12 Akron 71
• No. 1 Arizona 92, No. 16 Long Island 58
• No. 3 Virginia 82, No. 14 Wright State 73
• No. 2 Iowa State 108, No. 15 Tennessee State 74
• No. 4 Alabama 90, No. 13 Hofstra 70
• No. 9 Utah State 86, No. 8 Villanova 76
• No. 6 Tennessee 78, No. 11 Miami (Ohio) 56

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness games tonight: Who is playing in NCAA Tournament Friday?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

With LeBron James set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, he’ll have all of the options on the table regarding what his future in basketball will be.

He can negotiate a new deal with the Lakers, take his talents elsewhere, or call it a career after 23 seasons in the NBA.

LeBron has made it clear he isn’t sure what the future will be, leaving everyone wondering how much of his career is left and where that ending will take place.

For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked, what does the future hold for LeBron James?

The results are in, and 40% of fans believe he will be joining the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Now, 40% is a big number, but it makes sense given LeBron’s history. After all, he’s the kid from Akron and what better way to end his career than where it all started?

While the Cavs option did win the poll, the Lakers were a very close second at 38%. Since LeBron joined the Lakers, there has been speculation about his exit. However, he’s been here for eight years, his longest stint in one place in his career. So, how appropriate would it be if he closed things out here while everyone speculates about a change?

LA looks like a good team with LeBron, and if they can figure out a contract that allows the Lakers to pursue other players, James’ return might be best for all involved.

It would allow them to keep an All-Star player, improve as a team and celebrate LeBron as he calls it a career.

The front office has consistently stated that they would love for James to return next year.

Tied for last are the options of LeBron retiring or joining another team. It’s surprising that retiring is so low given his age and the years on his body, but then again, until he leaves, it’s probably always going to feel like he’ll play.

Only 11% voting for a different team makes sense. This late into his career, playing somewhere else might seem like a lot of change just to wrap it up in a season or two.

Another question in our SB Nation Reacts survey asked who should win the MVP this season.

It’s important to note that this was asked last week before Luka Dončić went off and scored 60 against the Heat.

In our poll, Victor Wembanyama was the winner with 39% of the vote.

Wemby has had a great year, averaging 24.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and three blocks per game. Considering he’s leading the Spurs to their best season in years, he has a valid argument for MVP.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting 34% of the vote also isn’t a shock. He won the MVP last year and his team is destined to be the No. 1 seed in the West, yet again.

Nikola Jokić got 15% of the vote and Cade Cunnigham came in last at 12%.

With Luka Dončić leading the league in scoring and the Lakers currently sitting at No. 3 in the West, he’s also putting himself in the MVP race.

On FanDuel, Luka’s MVP odds are at +1500, so it seems that the betting markets agree that he is a top candidate.

There’s still a month of basketball to go, so we’ll see if Luka improves his odds and makes this a compelling MVP race. And as far as LeBron’s future, it looks like that’s going to be more of a wait-and-see game.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.