CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 05: Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Jesus Luzardo (44) delivers a pitch to the plate during the spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 05, 2026 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
This starts the final full week of spring training games, meaning we are a bit closer to real baseball action. For those that aren’t fans of the WBC, this is a positive thing as seeing these few games of still minor leaguers starting in regular positions is getting tiresome. We all reach this point each year during spring where we just want it to end, but for the Phillies, they just want their guys healthy through this week.
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 15: Gunnar Henderson #11 of Team USA rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic WBC game presented by Capital One between Team USA and Team Dominican Republic at loanDepot park on Sunday, March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning, Camden Chatters! Another Monday is upon us as we inch closer and closer to Opening Day 2026. We are now just 10 days from the first real Orioles game of the season. We’re so close! This is the final week of Grapefruit League games. The Orioles play the Red Sox at home this evening, at 6:05 EDT. After that, it’s just five more days of games before they head north for a pair of exhibitions against the Washington Nationals.
The Orioles attempted to play the New York Yankees last night, but the weather had other ideas. The game started on time and Tyler O’Neill made some noise with a two-run single to score Pete Alonso and Samuel Basallo, but the rain came in the third inning and washed away the game. Zach Eflin started and threw 32 pitches in 2+ innings.
We still don’t know if Eflin will be ready to join the roster on Opening Day, although Craig Albernaz says that Eflin is progressing faster than he expected. So we’ll see.
One spring mystery has emerged: Where is Coby Mayo? Mayo is the presumptive starting third baseman for the Orioles and he has been swinging a red-hot bat in spring training. On March 10th, he had four hits, including a home run. He hasn’t played since then! It’s been four games without Coby. There are, of course, other ways to practice and get ready that aren’t playing in games. And no one has reported any injury concerns for Mayo. But still, where is he? If we see him in the lineup tonight, I will retract my concern.
Meanwhile, the real baseball excitement continues with the World Baseball Classic. The United States eliminated Canada on Friday, which is why O’Neill was back in the Orioles’ camp. That same night, the Dominican Republic knocked out Korea. That set up a semifinal between USA and DR, which took place last night.
It was an exciting game that ended with USA on top. DR took an early lead on Junior Caminero’s home run, but Gunnar Henderson tied the game with a homer of his own in the 4th inning. Roman Anthony also homered and Team USA took a 2-1 lead that they did not relinquish.
DR got the tying run to third in the bottom of the ninth, and Mason Miller struck out Geraldo Perdomo looking on a pitch that was very clearly below the strike zone. What an awful way for them to go home. There is no ABS in the WBC.
Henderson goes into the final with an OPS of 1.358. His two homers so far are tied for the most on the team with three other players. He’s played in half as many games as those other guys, by the way. Has he done enough to get the start in the final?
On Saturday, Venezuela knocked out the defending champion Japan, while the underdog Italy beat Puerto Rico to make it to their first semifinal in WBC history. Italy and Venezuela face off tonight to see who will move on to play USA in the final on Tuesday.
Camden Chat’s 2026 Pre-Season Contest Are you looking for a fun activity? Participate in our pre-season contest! There are no physical prizes, but you can feel really good about yourself for being so smart.
Birthday and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have two Orioles birthday buddies, both of the old-timey variety. Catcher Hobie Landrith (b. 1930, d. 2023) appeared in 62 games with the Orioles in 1962 and 1963. He had a 14-season career, mostly with the Cincinnati Reds. Clint Courtney (b. 1927, d. 1975), also a catcher, played for the Orioles in 1954 and 1961.
There isn’t much happening on this day in Orioles history. In 2021, they signed Maikel Franco, who went on to play poorly in 104 games that season. In 2010, the San Francisco Giants returned Steve Johnson, who they had drafted in the rule 5 draft just a few months earlier.
Build Your Winning Bracket!
SB Nation’s CBB expert Mike Rutherford and resident bracketologist Chris Dobbertean will answer all your questions this week and help guide you to bracket glory! Drop in SB Nation’s March Madness Feed all week long and we’ll have both on hand! (All times ET)
DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 04: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins collides with Valeri Nichushkin #13 of the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on March 4, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Who:Pittsburgh Penguins (33-18-15, 81 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division) @ Colorado Avalanche (44-12-9, 97 points, 1st place Central Division)
When: 9:30 p.m. eastern
How to Watch: Locally broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh, streaming on ESPN+
Pens’ Path Ahead: The end of the road trip is within sight, the Pens return to Raleigh on Wednesday for one more game after tonight, then on Thursday/Friday the team gets their only two non-game days of March before things pick back up with a weekend afternoon homestand against Winnipeg on Saturday and those familiar Hurricanes on Sunday.
Opponent Track: Colorado is 5-2-0 in the last seven games, but by their standards it’s not been going tremendously well lately. They’ve lost two out of their last three games, including a 3-1 loss in Winnipeg on Saturday in the most recent outing. In the last five games, the Avs are only 3-2-0 with two of those wins coming in shootout decisions, it hasn’t been the most convincing last 7-10 days for them.
Season Series: The Avalanche make their yearly visit to Pittsburgh next Tuesday (March 24th) to complete the two-game set.
Hidden Stat: The 81 points the Penguins have in the standings in 66 games has already surpassed the 80 that they recorded in 2024-25.
Getting to know the Avalanche
Projected lines
FORWARDS
Nazem Kadri – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Necas
Joel Kiviranta – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin
Parker Kelly – Jack Drury – Nicolas Roy
Zakhar Bardakov – Gavin Brindley
DEFENSEMEN
Devon Toews / Cale Makar
Josh Manson / Brent Burns
Brett Kulak / Sam Malinski
Nick Blankenburg
Goalies: Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood
Potential scratches: none
Injured Reserve: Logan O’Connor, Gabriel Landeskog, Artturi Lehkonen
Dare you say it, but right now just might be a good time to face Colorado. Recent injuries to Landeskog and Lehkonen have thrown the team into a bit of disarray from having nice supporting pieces removed. O’Connor has missed all season so far coming off hip surgery. All three are expected back before playoffs, moving the already formidable lineup above into juggernaut territory.
The lack of that depth has resorted to the Avs virtually rolling three lines in their last game, Bardakov only skated six shifts all game (for 3:48 total ice time) and Brindley only got sent out for seven shifts (5:26 played on the night). The Pens should definitely plan on seeing a heavy batch of MacKinnon, Necas, Nichushkin, Nelson and Kadri; all five of those workhorse forwards logged between 22-26 minutes in Saturday’s game against the Jets (not to mention Makar logging 25 minutes, as per usual).
Kadri has one goal, one assist (plus a shootout goal) in his second stint of duty in Colorado after being picked up at the recent trade deadline. Prior to now, the last time he was in an Avs sweater was skating with the Stanley Cup in 2022. Undoubtedly the Avs are hoping the reunion will produce the same results this year.
Brent Burns skated in his 990th straight game on Saturday, passing Keith Yandle for the second longest ironman streak ever. First place remains Phil Kessel (1,064 games, and I guess technically still kinda active since I don’t believe Kessel has ever formally bothered to submit his retirement paperwork — a truly classic Phil move). Burns, who turned 41 last week, is the oldest current NHL player. His career is so long he played in an NHL world that didn’t have a salary cap back in 2003-04. Burns is still looking for his elusive first drink out of the Stanley Cup.
The man they call The Dogg is in top form these days. It’s tough to believe the 30-year old MacKinnon doesn’t have an Art Ross scoring title under his belt in his career considering he’s scored 111, 140 and 116 points in the last three seasons. Thus is the burden of living in the era of Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov. 2025-26 could finally be MacKinnon’s time, though he has some work to do. McDavid has 114 points, MacKinnon is behind him at 109 — and Kucherov isn’t too far behind them with 106 points of his own. It looks like that should be the familiar three-man race for the scoring title over the last few weeks of the season. MacKinnon did win the Hart and Ted Lindsay MVP trophies in 2024, he’s making a very strong case to be in contention for that again this season. No matter how one parses the word “value”, MacKinnon certainly either No. 1 or a close No. 2 in terms of being the most dynamic offensive players in the game today by any definition.
Kulak has been on the ice for six 5v5 goals for and zero 5v5 goals against in his Colorado stint following the trade from Pittsburgh. A lot of Penguin fans, understandably and reasonably, were happy that the Avs tossed in a future second round pick in the trade that sent Kulak west for Sam Girard. While it may be a high price (in part to include the benefit of clearing Girard’s $5.0 million cap hit off Colorado’s books after they found a suitable replacement in Sam Malinski), the Kulak add for Colorado might be a sneaky good one come playoff time and one that Colorado was better off making in the short-term.
The stars in Colorado will catch your eye, but keep a look out for No. 17 Parker Kelly. The undrafted 26-year old has set a single-season high in goals, assists and points with modest enough totals but he is pushing towards a 20-goal season. Kelly won’t stand out every game but is one of the ‘common players’ that adds to a great team as far as a depth option who can flash at times and help move the needle. The big boys will be counted on to lead the way but players like Kelly, Kulak and Ross Colton will be invaluable if the Avs go on a deep playoff run.
Key to the Game: Yeah…Um, good luck
The Colorado offense this year is in a class by themselves in terms of both top-of-class process and results to match, a truly impressive machine. MacKinnon’s relentlessly dominant personality has rubbed off on the club that plays extremely hard and piles up the scoring chances and goals. It presents a monster for any opponent to try and deal with, the Pens will definitely have their work cut out for them tonight no matter how you slice it.
To make matters worse — as if you could even make matters worse from that — the Dallas Stars have won four-straight games to get within three points of the Avs (though Colorado does have a game in hand). As noted above, the Avs haven’t been particularly impressive over the last week or so, they definitely have a lot to play for tonight to build momentum and maintain their lead in the ridiculously competitive Central Division that houses COL, DAL and the Minnesota Wild as three teams that rank in the top-5 currently in points in the whole league. Colorado won’t want to fall into that first round 2 vs. 3 slugfest, so they ought to have every incentive tonight to grab the two points.
This should be a game that to the world the Penguins lose more often than not. They’re on the road, mired in a long trip, somewhat depleted and going up against a stacked opponent that has been the NHL’s top team all season long. In that way, there’s a freeing element where there’s almost nothing to lose. Might as well go out there, give it a best effort and see how the game unfolds.
And now for the Pens
Projected lines
FORWARDS
Anthony Mantha – Rickard Rakell – Bryan Rust
Egor Chinakhov – Tommy Novak – Evgeni Malkin
Elmer Soderblom – Ben Kindel – Avery Hayes
Connor Dewar – Blake Lizotte – Noel Acciari
DEFENSEMEN
Parker Wotherspoon / Erik Karlsson
Ryan Shea / Kris Letang
Ilya Solovyov / Connor Clifton
Goalies: Arturs Silovs and Stuart Skinner
Potential Scratches: Sam Girard (injured), Ryan Graves (AHL conditioning stint), Kevin Hayes, Justin Brazeau (out injured week to week), Alex Alexeyev
IR: Sidney Crosby, Filip Hallander, Jack St. Ivany (conditioning stint)
Evgeni Malkin is back! We’re taking a wild stab at the lines, the Pens didn’t practice yesterday during their travels to Denver, so we’ll see how things might look on the ice during the gameday skate. An important note to keep in mind is that Ville Koivunen was recalled under emergency conditions, unless there’s been an additional and yet unannounced injury to an NHL forward, those emergency conditions now no longer exist since Malkin returns from suspension. The Pens could easily elect to move Koivunen’s recall to a normal one instead of an emergency (and thereby use one of their five post-deadline recalls) and keep him, elsewise they will have to send Koivunen back to the AHL today.
Also unknown is whether or not Crosby and/or Girard can get back into the lineup following their respective injuries. Crosby will be four weeks post-incident on Wednesday – with an important notation he did not begin to formally rehab his knee for a few days after that as he attempted to play a few days later and then traveled back to Pittsburgh following the injury. Crosby has been skating in recent game day skates, there’s been no official announcement of when he is going to be cleared for contact and then make a return, so we’ll wait and see for now.
King Karl
I really don’t think you can credit Erik Karlsson enough for his impact, game control and at times being the sole spark of offense for the Penguins over the five games that both Crosby and Malkin have been out. It’s not to say Karlsson has been the singular player to come through — Anthony Mantha, Bryan Rust and Egor Chinakhov also have been making major impacts lately, just a matter of Karlsson’s own skills rising to the forefront. The team has lost two big stars, yet they still have had one elite player able to raise his game in their absence. The Pens have needed Karlsson in this stretch more than ever, he’s held up his end of the bargain by being incredibly active and productive.
Erik Karlsson's last 5 games:
– 7 points (1G-6A) – 2nd in NHL scoring behind only Nikita Kucherov (10) – 3 multi-point games – Averaging 26+ minutes a night (26:22)
In addition to the points and crushing a ton of minutes, Karlsson has a whopping 42 total shot attempts in the last five games. Chinakhov (32) is the only other Penguin with more than 22 in this stretch. Karlsson’s style is that of a maestro when he’s on his game and these days he’s been in his element with the puck on his stick and looking to make good things happen for the Penguins.
Mar 14, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) walks off the court after a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Your Atlanta Hawks have won nine straight games with a chance to extend that streak to double digits tonight against the Orlando Magic.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing this season, of course. The team made the decision to part with their superstar player, Trae Young, and continued wheeling and dealing all the way up to the trade deadline.
Jake L. Fischer of the Stein Line substack is always tapped into the inner workings of the Hawks. He dropped some inside knowledge and direct quotes on the latest update of this blog — one that covers many topics of interest to Hawks fans.
On the new team cohesion, vibes shift
Fischer was able to speak directly with players in the locker room, and one common refrain was at how the mood around the team has been lifted. New starting point guard Dyson Daniel had this to say, “everyone’s speaking up [and] the locker room’s gelling. Everyone’s speaking in the group chat. It feels like a whole different vibe.”
Jalen Johnson echoed those remarks in part with “[d]uring timeouts it was pretty quiet. A lot of times earlier in the season, we’d just fold,” Johnson detailed along with referencing a 23-point collapse at home against the Denver Nuggets on December 5th this season. “But our communication [now] allows us to stay together in those moments. Everybody’s coming to the timeout and speaking their mind.”
“This is the closest-knit team I’ve been on with Atlanta,” he would later tell Fischer.
Additionally, newcomer CJ McCollum has pushed a new mantra for this team: ‘[i]f you’ve got something on your mind … say it.’
On Johnson and Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors
Fischer wrote the following passage recounting the saga leading up to the trade deadline — a saga that included a high-profile agent who represents Johnson speaking all too publicly on podcast.
Atlanta would have been a natural trade partner for Milwaukee given the control that the Hawks have over the Bucks’ top selections in the next two drafts, but league sources say that Atlanta has always viewed the notion of trading the 24-year-old Johnson for Antetokounmpo to be a complete non-starter.
The Hawks’ in-house belief, frankly, is that Johnson has MVP potential. So they were very much covering their ears in December when Johnson’s agent, Rich Paul, on his Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman, came out and suggested that the Bucks target Milwaukee native Johnson as the headline return in a deal for The Greek Freak.
“That was probably the first time in my career [hearing] the rumors and stuff like that,” Johnson told The Stein Line. “But I got reassurance from everyone around here that that’s not the plan. Obviously it means a lot … the trust they have in me and the belief they have in me.”
On Onyeka Okongwu’s trade interest
The Indiana Pacers made a big move for Ivica Zubac at the latest deadline. But they (and others) reportedly had their eyes on a different center. Fischer continued:
Atlanta likewise swatted away in-season trade interest from rival teams (Indiana perhaps loudest among them) in Okongwu. “I love being with the Hawks, man,” Atlanta’s starting center told me. “I appreciate all the guys trusting in me and wanting me here.”
On CJ McCollum’s future in Atlanta
CJ McCollum is a fourteen-year veteran in the NBA on the last year of his contract. At his age of 34, this upcoming free agency period is likely his final chance to cash in a multi-year deal.
Since coming to Atlanta, McCollum has put up similar numbers to his previous stops in the league, averaging 18.6 points and 3.7 assists per game on 45% shooting from the floor and 35% from three.
Naturally, Fischer was inclined to inquire about McCollum’s desire to remain with the Hawks past this summer. His response, in part, was this somewhat cryptic exchange (brackets to indicate the speaker are my own insertions):
[CJM]: You might have two situations you end up having to choose between.
[JLF]: What’s the other situation?
[CJM]: You know as well as I do that there’s a lot that can change between now and June 30. Another team needs a scoring guard, offers the same amount…
What do you think? Does Jalen Johnson have ‘MVP upside’? Should the Hawks re-sign CJ McCollum after the season?
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks looks on before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on March 01, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You can’t talk with Jose Alvarado for 15 minutes and not be charmed. Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to chat with the new Knickerbocker and the same exuberance he brings to the court came through our Zoom screen. One of my favorite moments of the season was when Alvarado scored his first basket as a Knick at Madison Square Garden, and the broadcast cut to his family in the stands, joyfully losing their minds. It was exactly the kind of passion the Knicks had been missing before February 5, when they sent Dalen Terry and cash to the New Orleans Pelicans for the 27-year-old guard.
We talked the day after New York scraped out a win in Utah, in the fourth game of a five-game road trip. Soon after joining the team, Alvarado made a splash with a 26-point, 5-steal performance against the 76ers. Since then, his defense and playmaking have continued to benefit the team off the bench, but his shooting has disappointed—Jose hadn’t made a three-pointer in seven games.
I asked how one stays motivated when the season drags on, you’re in the middle of a road trip, your shot isn’t falling, and you’re hunkered down in Salt Lake City. According to Alvarado, the key is perspective.
“The season’s a rollercoaster,” he said. “We had a couple of good games, and then had some trouble, and people start to lose faith. But we trust the process. We’re so deep as a team, we just need to put in the work and the wins will come.”
For Alvarado, the job goes beyond personal statistics. On nights when he’s not scoring, he measures his value in other ways. “It’s not all about the shooting,” he said. “There are lots of ways to contribute. My job is to try to set up easy baskets on offense and get the team going on defense.”
That defensive identity has followed him throughout his career. As a small guard, Alvarado built his reputation by harassing opposing ballhandlers. His secret is surprisingly simple. “I watch their hips,” he explained. “If they’re tilting back, I’ve got them. If they start leaning forward, I know they’re about to drive and I can strike.”
The Knicks guard has quickly developed chemistry with teammates. I asked how much fun it is to throw lobs for Mitchell Robinson.
“It’s great,” Alvarado said with a big smile. “He’s such an easy target to throw the ball to.”
Adjusting to life after the trade
Alvarado’s transition to New York happened fast. After being dealt from the New Orleans Pelicans to the New York Knicks in February, he has had only a short window to settle into a new team and system.
“It’s a learning process,” he said. “Those guys had the first half of the season to work together, and I’ve had just a couple of weeks. So it takes time to figure things out, but we’re getting there.”
The basketball adjustment is only part of the challenge. A midseason trade uproots nearly every part of a player’s life overnight.
“People don’t understand,” Alvarado said. “You think, ‘They’ve got millions,’ and don’t get me wrong, the financial security is great. But one day you’re comfortable in your forever home, and overnight you have to go to a different city, leaving your wife and kids behind.”
As Alvarado explained to me, the logistics are chaotic. Players scramble to find temporary housing, ship belongings across the country, and introduce themselves to new teammates—all while continuing to play NBA games. “I haven’t been back to my home in New Orleans since the trade,” he said. “I just had to have someone send me some things from there.”
Despite the upheaval, New York holds special meaning for Alvarado.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m so glad to be back in New York, because my mom and dad are here,” he said. “I grew up a Knicks fan. This is where I want to be. But it’s not easy. Being away from my wife and kids is hard.”
A career built on defense
Long before he reached the NBA, Alvarado made his name as a defensive menace at Georgia Tech. During the 2020–21 season, he led the Yellow Jackets to an unexpected run through the ACC Tournament. March 13 marked the five-year anniversary of winning the tourney. Jose called it, “The highlight of my career. We didn’t have a great season leading up to it, and then went on a nine-game streak. No one saw us coming.”
His playmaking and defensive clamps were vital to the team’s success. That season, Alvarado led the ACC with three steals per game and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year. It was a target he had set early in his college career.
“Winning that award was my goal,” he said. “As a small guard, I knew that would help me stand out, so that’s what I focused on and worked for.”
Even now, he keeps in touch with teammates from that successful run, though distance and overseas careers make it difficult. “I keep in contact with those guys,” he said. “But it’s hard because some of them are in Europe, in different time zones.”
I asked for Jose’s thoughts on older players returning to college to play, such as James Nnaji at Baylor. Due to a controversial loophole, players who have left college are eligible to return if they never signed an NBA contract or played in an official NBA game.
“I’m against it,” said Jose. “Imagine you’re a senior and trying to line up your career, and then an older player comes back to take your spot. You make one mistake and lose your chance. That just doesn’t seem fair.”
Measuring himself against the best
Asked about the most defining matchup of his career so far, Alvarado didn’t hesitate. He pointed to a playoff series against Chris Paul during the 2022 postseason, when the Pelicans faced the Phoenix Suns.
“He’s one of the best, and he has so many tricks,” he said. “We didn’t win, but I felt like I had achieved what I set out to do and showed everyone what I’m capable of.”
That confidence has fueled his rise from an undrafted guard to a rotation player known across the league for his relentless drive.
From fan to Knick
Alvarado’s connection to Madison Square Garden dates back to early in his career. One of his breakout performances came there in 2022, when he scored 13 points, four assists, and four steals in a game against the Knicks, while still not secured on the Pelicans’ roster.
“I was still on a two-way then and needed to prove myself,” he said. “We had played a few nights before in Brooklyn, so I was warmed up. [Willie Green] gave me a chance, and I made the most of it.”
The Garden experience is like no other. “It’s one thing to go to a Knicks game as a fan, or play there in a college game,” he said. “It’s a different experience as a pro.”
Jose reminds me of my childhood idol, John Starks, who was also a small guard, used grit to define himself, and was not guaranteed a path to NBA success. Alvarado will appear with Starks, Patrick Ewing, Jalen Brunson, and Karl-Anthony Towns in AT&T’s Connection Matters campaign for March Madness.
The campaign highlights the role shared experiences play in college basketball’s biggest moments. The ads focus on how connections—fans in arenas, friends watching games from different places, or loved ones sharing milestones—can lend extra meaning to the tournament. The campaign emphasizes AT&T’s goal of supporting those moments through a dependable network. The spots will run throughout the tournament across CBS, TBS, TNT, the March Madness Live app, and more.
Alvarado said that it is humbling to be in the presence of Knicks legends. Now that he wears the orange and blue himself, the reality still hasn’t quite sunk in. I asked how it felt to check into the game for the first time playing as a Knick, the team he rooted for as a kid.
“It’s surreal,” Alvarado said. “But you tell yourself, ‘Alirght, let’s get rid of these bubbleguts and get to work.‘”
Trust the work, unselfish basketball, and pitbull defense? Thibs would have loved him. Here’s the aforementioned Connection Matters ad. Go Knicks!
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 8: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates during the game against the Houston Rockets on March 8, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Recently, Jaylen Brown referred to himself as the best two-way player in the game. But he added a caveat when considering Victor Wembanyama in the league.
“That boy Wemby is a problem, a big problem. When I say I’m the best two-way player in the league, it’s not counting Wemby. Like, Wemby don’t count. He’s not even human. I’m the best human player.”
He is not the first player to praise Wemby’s generational talent.
Josh Paredes put together a great list of quotes.
Ant: "Wemby takes away the layup, jump shot. Good feet, can move. He's one of a kind."
Curry: "He challenges you in a way that doesn't make any sense."
Redick: "It’s more than the counting stats with him because there’s such an avoidance of him defensively."
Anthony Edwards said “Wemby takes away the layup, jump shot. Good feet, can move. He’s one of a kind.”
Stephen Curry shared, “He challenges you in a way that doesn’t make any sense.”
Lakers head coach J. J. Redick added, “It’s more than the counting stats with him because there’s such an avoidance of him defensively.”
Even legendary Boston Celtics big man Robert Parish got in on the action saying, “He may be a player where they have to rewrite the rules.”
And recently on his podcast, Draymond Green pontificated, “Everything he does takes you 4 people to do. He’s just different than everybody.”
Draymond Agrees With Jaylen Brown's Assessment Of Victor Wembanyama
“Wemby is this otherworldly thing man. Like, I’m not even going to say otherworldly person, he is just this otherworldly thing and everything that he does is going to take you like four people to do. Like, he is… pic.twitter.com/YcOorVJxa4
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) March 15, 2026
High praise from some big names in basketball.
One thing is for sure, Wemby alters the way the game is played and it is now on the Spurs to make sure opponents continue to alter their game when Wemby is on the bench. As the postseason looms, look for the Spurs and head coach Mitch Johnson to try some new tactics to protect Wemby from the physical defense and to keep teams at bay when Victor takes necessary breaks in play.
Spurs are on the road for the next two nights playing the Clippers and Kings before heading back to the Frost Bank Center for a couple of home games later this week.
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U.S. players celebrate after defeating the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic semifinals on Sunday night in Miami. (Megan Briggs / Getty Images)
U.S. batters struck out 15 times, walked once, and went hitless with runners in scoring position. None of their final 13 batters got a hit.
Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony each hit solo home runs in the fourth inning, and five relievers shut out the Dominican over the final 4⅔ innings.
That guaranteed the U.S. a spot in Tuesday’s championship game, against the winner of Monday’s game between Italy and Venezuela.
Can the Venezuelans beat the U.S.? They eliminated Japan, their leadoff batter is Ronald Acuna Jr., and they are outslugging the U.S.
Can the Italians beat the U.S.? They already did, in pool play. They have hit more home runs than the U.S., in fewer games. They would have Aaron Nola lined up to start.
Tuesday’s starter for Team USA: New York Mets rookie Nolan McLean. He was the losing pitcher in the Italy defeat, giving up three runs — including two home runs — in three innings.
You never know: The difference in Sunday’s game was billed as Paul Skenes.
“You can make the argument he is the best pitcher in the game,” DeRosa said. The other candidate, according to DeRosa: Tarik Skubal, who could have been in line to start the championship game but opted out of the WBC after one appearance.
U.S. pitcher Paul Skenes delivers against the Dominican Republic in the first inning Sunday during the World Baseball Classic semifinals in Miami. (Megan Briggs / Getty Images)
Skenes breezed through the first inning in nine pitches and the first three in 38, dented only by a Junior Caminero home run.
Before the game, Dominican manager Albert Pujols said facing an All-Star lineup is one thing in the All-Star Game, quite another in a game that counts and a pitcher faces batters more than once. Skenes has started two All-Star games and pitched one inning each time.
Sure enough, Skenes required 33 pitches to get his final four outs, saved throughout his outing by repeated defensive brilliance: from right fielder Aaron Judge, from shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., from second baseman Brice Turang and from third baseman Henderson.
“Toughest lineup I’ve ever faced, for sure,” Skenes said. “I’m sure they would probably say the same thing about facing us.”
Credit to the Dominican, of course, for a lineup that started with Fernando Tatis Jr., with a heart of Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Manny Machado, and with shortstop Gerardo Perdomo batting ninth. Perdomo led National League position players in WAR last season, according to Baseball Reference.
The tough U.S. lineup? On paper, sure. In the past four WBC games — after routs of Brazil and Britain — the U.S. has scored more than five runs once and has a two-run win, a two-run loss, a two-run win and a one-run win.
“I’m still waiting for our offense to explode,” DeRosa said.
Said Henderson: “We haven’t played our complete game yet.”
The most valuable player for the U.S. might be closer Mason Miller, who earned the save Sunday. Miller has faced 14 batters in the WBC, allowing no hits and striking out 10.
Because this is the WBC, DeRosa has to consult with Miller’s employers, the San Diego Padres, to determine whether Miller can pitch for a third time in five days in the world championship, should the U.S. need him.
DeRosa called Sunday’s game “a game we’ll remember forever” and, given the hype, why not?
The Americans are the favorites Tuesday, no matter who they play. However, if the U.S. bats do not rouse from their slumber, the championship game will be a game the Americans curse forever.
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 18: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 18, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
When Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin received his five-game suspension for slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin a week-and-a-half ago, the timing of it could not have possibly been worse. The Penguins were already playing without their captain and best player, Sidney Crosby, were in the middle of a tough and increasingly close playoff race, and were entering what was going to be by far the toughest part of their schedule. That stretch of games included the start of a five-game road trip that would see them play nothing but potential playoff teams and Stanley Cup contenders.
It could have been a major turning point in the season.
Instead, the Penguins mostly got through it.
In the five games without Malkin and Crosby, the Penguins went 2-1-2 and earned six out of a possible 10 points. That is good enough.
So far in the 10 games without Crosby they are 4-3-3. That is above .500 hockey, which is probably what they needed to do.
Now they go into this week still in a playoff spot, knowing they will get Malkin back on Monday night and potentially Crosby as well.
It is hard to ask for anything more given the circumstances.
Keep something in mind, back on March 5 when the Penguins dropped that game to the Sabres and learned the Malkin suspension news, they were three points clear of the Columbus Blue Jackets and tied with the New York Islanders.
During the time without Malkin they really did not lose much ground to anybody. Here is a look at what the Penguins points leads and deficits were with the other bubble teams in the Eastern Conference playoff race, and how much ground they lost or gained on every team during Malkin’s suspension.
This is another remainder as to how difficult it is to make up points this late in the regular season.
The only team that gained more than one point on them is the Ottawa Senators, who remain four points back.
The New York Islanders gained no ground.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins gained only one point each.
The Penguins actually gained a point on the Washington Capitals and gained three points on the Detroit Red Wings.
It would have been great to get those overtime points against Philadelphia and Carolina, especially with full two-minute power plays in overtime to work with, but every point during this stretch mattered. If somebody told you on March 5 that they would get six out of the next 10 points, regardless of the manner in which they were earned, you probably would have signed up for that and taken it.
They still hold a playoff position. They still have the tiebreaker over every team on this list, which is important.
Now they have some help on the way.
The week begins on Monday with what might be their toughest game of the season, on the road at the NHL’s best team, the Colorado Avalanche.
Colorado does everything well, has star-power all over the lineup and got even better at the trade deadline with the addition of Nazem Kadri, giving them a powerhouse trio of centers with Nathan MacKinnon, Brock Nelson and Kadri down the middle. They have only lost 12 games in regulation all season, and only five on home ice. Getting even a point out of that game would be huge.
The Penguins then conclude this five-game road trip on Wednesday night where it began in Carolina. This time they should be somewhat closer to having a full lineup, while also getting the Hurricanes on the second half of a back-to-back, as they will be playing in Columbus on Tuesday night. There is a little bit of a schedule boost there. The Penguins have actually held their own against the Hurricanes this season, earning three out of a possible four points in the games against them. Their first game against them, a 5-1 win in Pittsburgh, came when the Hurricanes were coming in on the second half of a back-to-back. Maybe they can be vulnerable there.
The Penguins then finally return home during the weekend with a back-to-back set of games against the Winnipeg Jets and the Hurricanes again.
Winnipeg has been one of the worst teams in the NHL this season, but is trying to cling to some slim playoff hopes in the Western Conference and has been playing a little better recently. As long as Connor Hellebuyck is in the lineup, they are going to be a formidable opponent, but it is not a particularly good team overall. This might be the most winnable game of the week.
Then they get their fourth and final game with the Hurricanes this season to complete the back-to-back. This time, however, the Penguins will be the team playing the second half of the back-to-back while Carolina is coming in rested.
This is going to be a challenging week. Perhaps even more daunting than the previous week, even with a potentially better lineup. Pretty much every game for the next two or three weeks is going to be this way. They are going to lose some of these games. They just are. But so are a lot of the teams they are competing with. Columbus and Boston both play almost equally hard schedules. Detroit is dealing with major long-term injuries to its top-two centers. Philadelphia and Washington are just so far back and in a spot where it is going to be really difficult to make up that many points in the stanidngs.
The Penguins do not need to finish ahead of all of these teams, they just need to finish ahead of a few of them. That is not an overly high bar.
Eight more wins gets them to 97 points. They might be enough.
If they can get two of those wins this week, or some combination of results that gets them at least four or five points, that would be a good path to start their way there. Having their two best players back, or even just one of them (Malkin) would be really, really helpful for that.
DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 04: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins faces off against Jack Drury #18 of the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on March 4, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Here are your Pens Points for this Monday morning…
It appears the Pittsburgh Penguins reassigned defenseman Alex Alexeyev back to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Sunday. He was recalled to the NHL on Thursday, but did not dress for the NHL club in either contest he was available for. [Trib Live]
Forward Connor Dewar has become a strong fit for the Penguins since arriving in a trade last season, staying healthy and appearing in every game while setting career highs in goals, assists, and points this season. His ability to play a well-rounded two-way game has helped the team fight for a playoff spot well into March. [Trib Live]
News and notes from around the NHL…
San Jose Sharks forward Igor Chernyshov left Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens after a scary collision and fall involving Mike Matheson, less than 30 seconds after puck drop. The 20-year-old winger slid headfirst along the ice and bloodied his face before attempting to stand twice and losing his balance both times. He was later evaluated and is traveling with the team. [TSN]
One King reigns above them all: Anze Kopitar scored two goals to pass Marcel Dionne for the franchise record in career points during the Kings’ 6-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. [NHL]
The Toronto Maple Leafs pushed for a longer suspension for Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas after his knee-on-knee hit injured and ultimately ended the season of captain Auston Matthews. The hit left Matthews with a Grade 3 MCL tear. [Sportsnet]
An investigation into a Newfoundland junior hockey game that led to three brawls, 572 penalty minutes, and the game being called early due to several ejections has resulted in large-scale suspensions, with league officials calling the incident a “black eye” for hockey in the Canadian province. [TSN]
I like defeated butts and I cannot lie | Getty Images
The Islanders begin their last road “trip” of the regular season as they head north of the border for visits to tanking Toronto and still playoff-holding Montreal and playoff-hopeful Ottawa.
After this trip, they’ll finish with 10 of 12 games at home and only single-game trips to make up those two away games in Buffalo and Carolina. They can induce karmic damage to the Leafs, depress the Senators’ playoff hopes, and do likewise to the suddenly-not-safe Canaadiens.
As things stand today, the Eastern Conference playoff race is incredibly tight, with the Isles and Penguins in the 2-3 seed of the Metro tied at 81 points, while Boston and Detroit tenuously hold the wild card slots with 80 points, and surging Columbus (79 points) and Ottawa (77 points) not far behind.
So, much to play for from the opponents on this trip, except for the Leafs, who are without Auston Matthews and have a pretty good incentive to tank harder so they can keep the top—five protected pick that is otherwise headed to Boston.
Islanders News
Getting solid goaltending from their backup is refreshing, and should help the playoff push. [Newsday]
Brayden Schenn “had no idea” what kind of player Simon Holmstrom was when he arrived on Long Island and he’s been pleasantly surprised by the skill and 200-foot game. [Post]
Speaking of which, it was a third “Iron Man Mask” award for Holmstrom. [Isles]
The Isles were pleased to be the one jumping to a 3-0 lead for once. [Post]
The Skinny: “Matthew Schaefer has drawn 32 penalties this season, more than any other NHL defenseman, and tied-2nd in the NHL (behind Connor McDavid and tied with Macklin Celebrini).” [Isles]
Elsewhere
Last night’s NHL scores included Montreal losing late at home in regulation, while Toronto and Ottawa each picked up wins.
Leon Draisaitl scored in an Oilers win, but he left after receiving a big hit. [NHL]
Man, what could’ve been. Jared Spurgeon is playing his 1,000th game in a Wild uniform. He was drafted by the Garth Snow Isles but left unsigned, at a time when the team signed similarly undersized Aaron Ness and Mark Katic. (Such mistakes can happen, but man we had one commenter BCISLESMAN who was singing Spurgeon’s praises pre-draft and for the whole two years we had his rights). [Athletic]
Connor McDavid is one star saying NHL player safety discipline needs review. [Sportsnet]
Cole Hutson leaves BU to sign his ELC with the Capitals. [NHL]
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 15: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Rocket Arena on March 15, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Strus looked like he hadn’t missed a beat as he drained six of his seven threes. More than that, he provided help on the glass and a compete level on defense that this team has sorely missed at times.
“It was a pretty amazing performance after seven months of not playing an NBA game,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said of Strus. “Maybe the best I’ve seen.”
Strus’s brilliant season debut was wasted by Cleveland’s lackadaisical defense.
Atkinson wasn’t shy when talking about what went wrong defensively. He called the defense “permissive,” said Dallas “never felt them,” and that the effort was “inexcusable.”
“It really comes down to guarding the ball,” Atkinson said.
The Cavs didn’t do that. They allowed Dallas to get into the paint whenever they wanted to. And then when they did, the help defense wasn’t quick enough to stop them at the rim. This led to the Mavericks converting 81% (87th percentile) of their shots at the rim.
And the rare time the help defense was there, the rotations weren’t, which led to Dallas connecting on 50% of their threes (95th percentile) and 75% of their corner triples (97th percentile).
“If you don’t contain the ball, it’s a trigger,” Donovan Mitchell said. “When you get beat, then the next man rotates, and now they’re swinging to the corner. You go to the corner, they swing again, and the guy drives. It’s unpredictable basketball, which makes teams elite. … That’s where we got to be better, and it starts on the ball.”
This would be concerning enough on its own. This performance, coming against a team that entered this game 27th in offensive rating while also without multiple key players in Klay Thompson (rest), Daniel Gafford (illness), and Dereck Lively (foot), makes it even more alarming.
“We’ve got to go out there and figure it out as a group collectively,” Mitchell said. “It’s not just the guy on the ball, it’s the next man. Are we getting into gaps? … When they drive, are we there to go help? Are we there for the next close? Are we there rotating? We got to do that over and over and over.”
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Right now, the Cavs have too many holes on the perimeter. The starting backcourt isn’t good defensively. Neither Mitchell nor James Harden is known for providing much resistance. Their wing defense is better, but they don’t have many good options against teams with size.
The Cavs’ lack of bigger wings hurt them in their recent losses to the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic. They didn’t have anyone other than Dean Wade they could put on to contain opposing wings. That happened again on Sunday as Cooper Flagg torched them for 27 points and 10 assists.
Getting Jarrett Allen back — who’s out with a knee injury — would help immensely. He will provide good help defense at the rim upon his return. But no center can truly make up for a point of attack defense that is this poor. That will need to change if they want to be taken seriously as title contenders.
The Harden and Mobley two-man game isn’t working.
Before the game, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said that it would take up to half a season before he would feel comfortable playing alongside a new big man when he was running point. He mentioned that it took a long time to figure out what his new big’s strengths were and where they needed the ball to be their best selves.
Harden and Mobley can become a lethal duo, but they don’t have the time to work out all the issues they currently have. That showed through on Sunday as they combined to turn the ball over 10 times. More than a few of those were from doomed attempts to get the other involved.
Harden has struggled to find passing lanes to Mobley when they’re running the pick-and-roll.
Mobley isn’t a rim-running big, even when he does set a physical screen. He’s not a vertical finisher when rolling to the basket, even though he can finish lobs off cuts or when he’s standing in the dunker’s spot. This takes away a window for Harden to feed Mobley the ball, which has left him trying to get it to him with the bounce pass. That is a much harder pass to complete, and much easier for a defense to disrupt, as seen in the play below.
Atkinson has mentioned that the duo has been spending a lot of time watching film together. That will likely keep happening. But as of now, they’re no closer to piecing things together, and they’re running out of time to do so.
This new-look Cavs team is running into adversity after playing so well after the deadline. They’ve now lost three of their last five games, with two of those losses coming against teams below them in the standings. They’ve felt disjointed on both ends of the floor.
It isn’t a coincidence that these three losses have come without Allen on the court. He’s been the glue holding this team together. Even so, there’s too much talent on the roster to justify losing a game like this.
Things need to be cleaned up before the postseason, which starts in a month.
“We haven’t had much adversity with the current group that we have,” Mitchell said. “It was all sunshine and rainbows. It was great, right? We had to kind of go through these moments and figure that out. We have time. We don’t have time to delay this, but I think this is good for us. We’ll figure these things out.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 28: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets reacts in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center on January 28, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
This week’s question asked you about Ime Udoka. There’s no debating that the Rockets have underachieved this season. Despite still sitting in the fourth seed, they’ve been a worse team than the one last year, and one of the reasons is because of head coach Ime Udoka. He’s had struggles with offensive creativity as well as rotation and game management. It hasn’t always been pretty.
That being said, we asked you want you would want to do about Ime in the offseason. This question was what would you want to do, not what the Rockets will do. Here are the results:
It was an interesting poll. A full 54 percent want Ime to have an OC next to him, while 31 percent want him fired. That’s a full 85 percent of Rockets fans are dis-satisfied with the way things are going for Udoka right now. Yikes.
Don’t forget to check out FanDuel NBA. They have player props, parlay builders and many more. The Rockets are currently +4000 to win the NBA Title. If you have a feeling they somehow pull that out, $100 gets you a huge payout.
Now that the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament bracket has been announced, college basketball fans have begun filling out their brackets for each of the four regions, and the paths that would be required for the 68 teams to reach the Final Four.
USA TODAY Sports used the Microsoft Copilot AI chatbot to predict the result of every men's game in this year's NCAA Tournament bracket. The exercise looked a lot like how avid and casual college basketball fans fill out a traditional bracket for their bracket pool groups every year.
The Microsoft Copilot AI simulation selected the 2-seeded Cougars to be crowned the national champion on Monday, April 6 inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which would be the first national title for Houston and make Kelvin Sampson the oldest Division I coach to win a national championship at 70 years old. Copilot had Houston beating Big 12 foe, 1-seed Arizona, in the national title game. The Wildcats defeated the Cougars in the Big 12 championship game this past weekend.
The artificial intelligence software also predicted three upsets for the entire tournament, two coming in the first round with No. 12 seed High Point beating No. 5 Wisconsin and No. 9 seed Saint Louis beating No. 8 seed Georgia. The other was Houston getting revenge for last year's national championship loss to Florida in the Elite Eight of the South Region. It has a Final Four that includes three No. 1 seeds (Duke and Michigan as the others) and one No. 2 seed in Houston.
There was one major flaw in the simulation, though. It mixed up the region names of the bracket, but it got the matchups through the Elite Eight correct. For the Final Four and national championship, we had to run a different simulation with the correct Final Four matchup pairings of regions from the actual NCAA Tournament bracket.
Here's a complete look at how Microsoft Copilot's AI chatbot predicted every game in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament bracket:
Mar 15, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; United States pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against the Dominican Republic during a semifinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Team USA is heading to their third straight World Classic Baseball championship game appearance coming off a victory over the Dominican Republic in a 2-1 nail biter. The Pirates’ ace Paul Skenes was on the mound for the Americans and earned his second win in the WBC.
In this semi-final matchup, the Dominican Republic brought one of the most stacked lineups with a power hitter at every position. The USA brought out the best pitcher they had to offer who did the impossible by limiting DR to just one run scored.
In 4.1 innings pitched the 23-year-old former Air Force cadet struck out two batters while allowing just one run off of a Junior Caminero homer in the second inning. From there though Skenes was able to limit the damage with the help of a stellar USA defense that had several highlight plays to keep the Dominican hitters under wraps. Bobby Witt Jr. had several stellar plays (again) from shortstop, and Aaron Judge had a huge throw to catch Fernando Tatis Jr. at third base.
Overall, Skenes finished the contest calm and composed, but had clearly had given his team everything he had when he was relieved in the fourth. Physically, he was throwing high heat and the most pitches so far this tournament, finishing with 71 pitches on the night. The mental fortitude showed up as well, as Skenes proved he could be rattled but recenter himself after facing some adversity against this stacked lineup. Skenes showed up in a pivotal moment for the U.S and finishes his WBC run with a 1.08 ERA, nine strikeouts, and just one run allowed across two contests.
Former Pirate David Bednar has been a workhorse in the bullpen for the U.S and he had another scoreless frame against D.R, and also ended his night with two strikeouts in a high leverage spot.
Team USA will face off against the winner of Italy and Venezuela in Miami at LoanDepot Park on Tuesday night.
Good luck as you try to spot the perfect 12 vs. 5 upset pick, so you can lord your Cinderella-spotting skills over your buddies. If you’ll allow me a word of advice as you fill out your brackets: I like the upset potential of the 11-seeds this year much better than the 12-seeds.
While we await the games, here are eight burning thoughts and predictions off this NCAA Tournament bracket.
Duke is No. 1 team, but Arizona is frontrunner after good region draw
The selection committee did Duke dirty.
The Blue Devils earned the No. 1 overall seed, but big whoop. Their prize? Getting placed into a region that includes an all-star cast of coaches.
Lined up in Duke's way are Dan Hurley, Tom Izzo, Bill Self and Rick Pitino. That’s some kind of reward for the tournament's top seed.
As if Duke hadn’t absorbed enough bad luck already with the recent injury to point guard Caleb Foster, now it’s got to solve a who’s who list of coaches.
The true seeding affirms Duke’s East Region has the best collection of Nos. 1 through 4 seeds. Duke already played and beat Michigan State and Kansas in the regular season. That doesn’t mean it would relish a rematch.
Even Duke’s second-round game, potentially against No. 8 Ohio State, brews a recipe for trouble. The Buckeyes are hot, and they can hang with premier teams. They recently beat Purdue, and they gave Michigan a 40-minute fight in the Big Ten tournament.
In fact, Duke might prefer to teleport into the West Region, where Arizona is the No. 1 seed.
With Duke facing the region of doom, Arizona should be viewed as tournament frontrunners. Arizona already emerged on top of the nation’s best conference. Now, the Wildcats must exorcise some postseason demons. They last reached the Final Four in 2001, with a bundle of flops since then.
Better to face old demons, though, than face the teams in Duke’s way of the Final Four.
Mid-majors give the NCAA Tournament its irresistible flavor, and the committee got it right by awarding at-large bids to 10th-seeded Santa Clara and 11th-seeded Miami (Ohio).
Santa Clara twice beat Saint Mary's, a 7-seed in this bracket. Sure, Santa Clara went 0-3 in games against Gonzaga, but the Broncos played the Zags closer each time than Kentucky did when it got routed by Mark Few’s crew. Now, Santa Clara gets its own crack at UK in a 7 vs. 10 game.
The committee directed the RedHawks to a First Four game. That’s fine, considering their poor strength of schedule. Kicking Miami out of the bracket entirely, though, based on a single loss, would have been too heavy-handed. This is an instance of the First Four providing some real value. Let a game in Dayton, Ohio, determine whether 31-win Miami is worthy of the first round.
Nobody got snubbed, and March Madness expansion unnecessary
If we needed more proof that the NCAA Tournament does not need to expand, we got it. The first two teams left out of the field were Oklahoma (19-15) and Auburn (17-16).
When we’re spotlighting a 15-loss team with barely a top-50 NET ranking as the biggest “snub,” that means there were no snubs.
Could Oklahoma or Auburn have won an NCAA Tournament game? Yes, they might have won a game or possibly even two, if selected. Or, either could’ve been routed in its opener. Bottom line: Neither played with enough consistency to earn a ticket, and nobody with Elite Eight potential got omitted from this 68-team bracket.
First-round upset special: No. 10 Santa Clara beats No. 7 Kentucky
It must have been painful for Big Blue Nation watching John Calipari and Arkansas win the SEC tournament. Well, that’ll be nothing compared to the outrage that’ll radiate from Kentucky if Mark Pope falls in the first round to cap his second season.
Santa Clara can pile up points, and Kentucky specializes in falling behind, before trying to mount furious rallies.
Santa Clara finished as the West Coast Conference's runner-up. In Kentucky’s last taste of the WCC, it lost to Gonzaga by 35 points in December.
First-round upset special, Part II: No. 11 VCU beats No. 6 North Carolina
The Tar Heels’ Final Four potential absorbed a gut punch when top scorer Caleb Wilson suffered a season-ending injury earlier this month. That’s reflected in North Carolina's seeding. If Wilson was healthy, UNC probably would be more in the vicinity of a 4-seed.
VCU is hot, winners of 16 of its past 17 games. Its credentials include a November rout of Virginia Tech, a 19-win team from the ACC.
A frequent NCAA qualifier, VCU last sprang a first-round upset a decade ago. Dust off the glass slipper.
Second-round game I’m dying to see
If chalk holds in the first-round games in Portland, Oregon, then No. 3 Gonzaga would face No. 6 Brigham Young in the second round. That’s an opportunity to see one of the nation’s best pure scorers, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, go against one of the nation’s best defensive teams, Gonzaga.
Some NBA Draft experts expect Dybantsa to be selected with the No. 1 pick. Before that, enjoy his college curtain call this March Madness.
Big 12, Big Ten represent in Final Four
Last year, all four 1-seeds reached the Final Four. Surely, that won’t repeat … right? Right.
The SEC earned the most bids, but the Big 12 is the nation’s best conference, and I expect it to represent ‘til the end, with No. 1 Arizona and No. 2 Houston reaching the Final Four. I’ve also got No. 1 Michigan and No. 3 Michigan State in the Final Four.
Arizona starts a lineup full of double-digit scorers. Houston has an excellent blend of proven veterans and premier freshmen. Michigan plays the nation’s best defense and scores plenty, too. As for Michigan State, trust March Madness virtuoso Izzo inside the rough-and-tumble East Region.
National championship pick: Arizona beats Houston
The past 25 years were filled with NCAA Tournament heartbreak for Arizona. It’s time to end that madness.
In the year of the freshman, Arizona starts three really good ones, including top scorer Brayden Burries. But, as the saying goes, old guards win in March. I’m all-in on Arizona because of its do-it-all senior point guard Jaden Bradley, the Big 12 player of the year and the soul of this team.
