Duke’s stream of long, tall NBA-ready standouts smothered Alabama and papered over Cooper Flagg’s rough shooting night to lift the Blue Devils to the program’s 18th Final Four with an 85-65 victory over Alabama.
Mitch Albom: March Madness games have become timeouts interrupted by basketball
Mitch Albom: March Madness games have become timeouts interrupted by college basketball.
Hernández: Roki Sasaki isn't an instant star. But the Dodgers don't need him to be one
Roki Sasaki chose right when he signed with the Dodgers.
Never mind not being ready to lead the rotation of another team and challenge Shohei Ohtani. The 23-year-old Sasaki doesn’t look ready to pitch in the major leagues.
Sasaki made his second start for the Dodgers on Saturday night, and it was somehow worse than his first. He didn’t make it out of the second inning of a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium, his control problems even more pronounced than they were in his debut in Tokyo.
He recorded only five outs. He walked four. He was charged with three hits and two runs. Of the 61 pitches he threw, only 32 were strikes.
Read more:Shaikin: Will Dodgers win a record 117 games? Orel Hershiser would like to see it
This disheartening start to his major league career — he walked five batters in three innings in his previous start against the Chicago Cubs — shouldn’t sound any alarm bells, but that’s only because he’s playing for the Dodgers.
If Sasaki needs another start or two to get acclimated to the pitch clock or low-quality American baseballs, the Dodgers can afford to give them to him.
If he needs to spend time refining his delivery in the minor leagues, the Dodgers have the necessary depth to cover his absence.
Sasaki won’t have a rookie season like Fernando Valenzuela’s or Dwight Gooden’s, but the Dodgers don’t need him to. The Dodgers are World Series favorites with or without him, and they have the luxury of treating him as if he’s a prospect without compromising their championship ambitions.
His circumstances would be completely different if he’d signed with another team. On the San Diego Padres, he probably would have started the season as the No. 3 starter. Him pitching like this would have erased whatever chance the Padres had of dethroning the Dodgers in the National League West. The pressure to perform would be greater by several orders of magnitude.
However, there is a downside to not being needed, as Sasaki is with the Dodgers, which is that a player can be forgotten. Around this time last year, Bobby Miller was viewed as a star in the making. Miller didn’t have the season the Dodgers envisioned, as his performance declined and his health failed him. He started this season with the franchise’s triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City.
Read more:Moving Teoscar Hernández in lineup pays off for Dodgers in sweeping win over Tigers
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Moving Teoscar Hernández in lineup pays off for Dodgers in sweeping win over Tigers
Based on the Dodgers’ original lineup, Teoscar Hernández would have been in the dugout during the biggest at-bat of Saturday night’s game.
Originally, on a night the Dodgers gave normal No. 2 hitter Mookie Betts a scheduled day off following his battle with a stomach virus last week, switch-hitter Tommy Edman was supposed to follow leadoff man Shohei Ohtani in the batting order.
About an hour before first pitch, however, the team announced a late change.
Read more:Mookie Betts' walk-off homer in 10th keeps Dodgers undefeated: 'We just don't quit'
In the new lineup, Hernández was bumped up to second from the cleanup spot. Edman, who has been a significantly worse hitter from the left side of the plate since joining the Dodgers last year, was dropped to eighth against Detroit Tigers right-hander Reese Olson.
The switch meant that, when the Tigers intentionally walked Ohtani with a runner on third and two outs in the fifth, it was Hernández who came to the plate in what was then a tied ballgame.
Sometimes in baseball, those are the fine margins on which contests can be decided.
On cue, Hernández produced the biggest swing of the Dodgers’ 7-3 win over the Tigers in his pivotal fifth-inning at-bat, lining a two-run double inside the third-base bag to help the Dodgers extend their perfect record to start the season to 5-0 — making them just the fourth defending champion in MLB history to begin their season with five consecutive wins.
“Just kind of thinking through things, I just felt that if you slide Teo up, I felt good about that,” manager Dave Roberts explained. “And it just worked out.”
Read more:Nancy Bea Hefley, Dodgers organist who entertained fans for 27 years, dies at 89
Like the four wins that preceded it, the Dodgers’ performance was far from flawless.
Rookie phenom Roki Sasaki failed to get out of the second inning in his first career Dodger Stadium start, struggling with his command again in a two-run, four-walk, 1 ⅔-inning outing.
The Dodgers’ bats only mustered two early runs off Olson, with Freddie Freeman hitting a solo home run in the first and Andy Pages scoring on Michael Conforto’s double in the second (despite running through a stop sign from third-base coach Dino Ebel and getting bailed out by a wayward throw to the plate).
Then, in the seventh, the Dodgers almost let the Tigers back into the game on two defensive miscues. Hernández dropped a fly ball while crashing into the wall on a running catch attempt, resulting in a leadoff triple. Two batters later, reliever Luis García created more traffic for himself by failing to cover first on a ground ball, albeit after appearing to tweak something on his pitch.
And yet, in what has become an early theme of the team’s title defense this season, the Dodgers nonetheless found a way to pull away late.
Hernández’s double gave them their first lead in the fifth. Will Smith and Edman extended it with solo home runs in each of the next two innings. And despite being called upon for more than seven innings of work, the bullpen posted almost nothing but zeroes the rest of the way, completing the club’s second-straight series sweep to open the season.
“The bullpen did a fantastic job ... and obviously the offense picked us up and scored some runs when we needed to,” Roberts said. “That's a good ball club over there. So for us to win three at home was a huge series for us.”
Like the first two nights of this home-opening series, Saturday began with another (albeit more muted) round of pregame ceremonies. Hernández, Betts and Ohtani were given their Silver Slugger Awards from 2024. One of last year’s postseason heroes for the Dodgers, Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty, was presented with his World Series ring by a group of his former teammates on the field. The same thing happened back in the clubhouse, with Dodgers players distributing rings to members of their behind-the-scenes staff.
"I think we've been able to compartmentalize,” Freeman said. “It's been a great weekend.”
It didn’t include a great start from Sasaki, though. Just like in his MLB debut in Tokyo last week, when he sprayed the ball around with shotgun-esque command, he put the Dodgers in an early hole amid more command issues.
In the top of the first, Sasaki found the zone on just 24 of 41 pitches, fell behind on five of the eight batters he faced, and gave up two runs on three singles (one of them, a swinging bunt by Manuel Margot that opened the scoring) and two walks (the second, a bases-loaded free pass that forced in another run).
In the second, Roberts pulled him with two outs after Sasaki issued two more walks, giving him nine in less than five total innings.
“Roki, throughout his entire career, he's been a command guy,” Roberts said of the 23-year-old right-hander, who only averaged two walks per nine innings during his four professional seasons in Japan. “Right now it's just not syncing up. So we're going to keep working on it.”
That work, however, will have to come later.
Roberts then turned to his bullpen, counting on the group to pick up the slack in the same way they did so often in October.
“Those guys are ready for it whenever that happens,” said Smith, who caught six relievers over the next 7 ⅓ innings. “Like they say, they're dawgs down there. We're fortunate to have all of them.”
Indeed, the Tigers’ only other run scored after Hernández’s dropped ball in the seventh.
And by then, the right-field slugger already put the Dodgers in front.
Although Hernández said he didn’t realize he’d been bumped up to No. 2 spot in the batting order until he got to the dugout shortly before the game, he was fully locked in after watching Ohtani get intentionally walked in front of him.
“Any hitter that gets the guy in front of them intentionally walked, you put a little more effort and focus on the things you have to do in that at-bat,” Hernández said. “Just to do damage and help the team.”
This time, Hernández’s damage came in the form of a scorching one-hopper that snuck past Zach McKinstry at third base. Conforto, who led off the inning with a walk, scored easily from third. Ohtani, who was motoring around the bases from first, slid in safely behind him.
It already marked the fourth time this season the Dodgers managed to erase an early deficit.
And, with the help of another insurance run in the eighth — when Freeman’s RBI double scored Ohtani from second following his first stolen base of the season — the unbeaten Dodgers never looked back again.
“To go out there and play a good baseball game, get the sweep in front of our fans, while we celebrate last year,” Freeman said, “I think that was just a great job by all of us this weekend."
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sears, Alabama can’t duplicate record 3-point night, fall to Duke with Final Four at stake
Mark Sears shot a free throw late in the second half that could have cut Alabama's deficit to 10 — a last-gasp effort at a comeback still within reach — and watched the ball clang off the back rim. The star guard equated the hoop to the size of an ocean in his mind after sinking 10 3-pointers in the Sweet 16. Duke handcuffed Alabama's All-American and did a pretty good job stifling the rest of the high-scoring Crimson Tide, too.
Mets' Francisco Lindor not discouraged by hitless opening series: 'I've got to do a way better job'
Before the Mets received MVP-level production from Francisco Lindor for the vast majority of last season, the superstar shortstop endured an April slump that sparked the ire of fans for weeks.
Of course, it's still far too early to declare history repeating itself. But the opening series of the 2025 campaign certainly mirrored more of the worst from Lindor than the best.
A lineup built for serious damage has yet to check in, as the Mets were held to a single hit in their 2-1 road loss to the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Since the third inning of Friday's game, they've produced only two knocks, and at the center of the skid is Lindor, who went a hitless 0-for-11 in the series.
The heart of the Mets' order offered very little at Daikin Park. Aside from Juan Soto, who produced the lone hit on Saturday and reached base seven times in three games, other key contributors -- Pete Alonson, Brandon Nimmo, and Mark Vientos in particular -- combined for a measly 4-for-31 (.129).
It's no secret that Lindor, chock-full of energy and flare, has long been the tone-setter atop the Mets' lineup. Luckily, the sample size is tiny. There's no need to press the panic button or even lift up the security cover. If it provides some comfort, Lindor isn't worried about the skid either.
"I've got to do a way better job to be on base and to make things happen," Lindor said after the loss. "I think once I do that, then the offense is going to continue to get better. I feel like the guys had quality at-bats the entire weekend."
Before the game, manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that Lindor's wife is expecting their third child in the next week or two. The team has yet to learn how much time -- if any -- the 31-year-old veteran will miss.
Following the loss, Lindor was asked if it's been "tough" to play with the family news on his mind. He smiled and jokingly dismissed the notion.
"It's life, I'm sure I'm not the only one going through it. There's no excuses," Lindor said. "There was no baby last year and I was in the same spot. This is not my kid's fault. This is not my wife's fault. I own up to it. I didn't get any hits."
The Mets' offense will look to wake up on Monday in South Florida, when they begin a three-game set against the division-rival Miami Marlins. The trip back east could bode well for Lindor -- he's slashed .289/.387/.471 with five home runs, seven doubles, and 17 RBI in 31 career games at Marlins Park.
"I've got to do a way better job to be on base and to make things happen. I think once I do that, then the offense is going to continue to get better"
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 30, 2025
Francisco Lindor talks about his slow start at the plate: pic.twitter.com/UWhQezcGek
Duke dominates Alabama to advance to Final Four
Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz and former Big 12 player of the year Marcus Morris Sr. react to the Blue Devils’ 85-65 win over the Crimson Tide in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Florida rallies to beat Texas Tech
Walter Clayton Jr. rescued top-seeded Florida with two late 3-pointers, and the Gators rallied from nine points down late to reach the Final Four with an 84-79 victory over Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region final on Saturday. The Gators (34-4) trailed 75-66 with less than three minutes to play before staging a furious rally against the third-seeded Red Raiders (28-9), who had done the same in the Sweet 16 against Arkansas. Clayton, who began his college career at Iona, scored 30 points to lead the Gators.
Has Duke been to Final Four? Blue Devils’ championship history after 2025 Elite Eight win
Duke is now tied for the second most trips to the Final Four with a win over Alabama in the men's NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
Duke slows down Alabama to reach Final Four of March Madness for 18th time
The second spot in the NCAA men's tournament Final Four has been secured. Duke slowed down high-powered Alabama and will head to San Antonio, Texas.
Blue Devils go wire-to-wire for Elite Eight win
Duke locked down Alabama and toughened up, making enough plays down the stretch to lead from the first possession to the final buzzer. It means the Blue Devils are headed back to the Final Four. Duke beat Alabama 85-65 in the Elite Eight on Saturday night at Prudential Center.
March Madness: Duke overwhelms Alabama, cruises into Final Four despite off shooting night from Cooper Flagg
The nation's highest-scoring offense was no match for Duke's defense and size. The Blue Devils will be the favorites to cut down the nets in San Antonio.
Lakers bounce back from Chicago heartbreak to earn important win over Memphis
If Saturday felt like a big game, the crowd booming while the music thumped in the fourth quarter, it’s because the teams treated it like one with the final two weeks of the season on their doorstep.
Pushing to the finish line, both the Lakers and the Grizzlies needed some momentum. The Lakers were coming off a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer in Chicago and Memphis was playing its first game after firing longtime coach Taylor Jenkins in a surprise move.
And once the regular season ends, it's very possible the Lakers and the Grizzlies will meet in the first round of the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Read more:Lakers crumble in stunner, losing to Bulls on Josh Giddey's half-court shot at buzzer
An early lead didn’t matter much, the Grizzlies quickly catching up in a game where neither team could ever stop the other.
But in the fourth quarter, Dorian Finney-Smith fought off Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr. for rebounds. Luka Doncic slid his feet to stay in front of Desmond Bane. LeBron James cleaned the glass and Austin Reaves crashed into the paint and put Memphis away with a three-point play, stamping it with an animated air punch.
If there was any emotional damage done by Josh Giddey’s half-court buzzer-beater or James’ late-game gaffes against the Bulls, it never showed, the Lakers fighting off the Grizzlies in a 134-127 win.
“I said before the game that we'll be ready to play. ... I'm not surprised at how hard we played and how well we played tonight,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I made sure the group knew that I believed still, and that the coaching staff believed and they were resolute in their belief in this team.”
The Lakers’ three stars turned in high-impact games to end their road trip with a win. Reaves had 31 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Doncic had 29 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, and James scored 25 to go with six rebounds and eight assists.
Redick met with his three stars Saturday morning in an effort to improve how his three stars work together. Against the Grizzlies, the trio dominated.
“I think the meeting was just still trying to build that chemistry amongst the three of us to help the team be successful,” Reaves said. “And I think tonight it just showed that when we play the right way and trust one another, especially offensively, we can have open looks on almost every possession.”
Read more:Team LeBron or Team Stephen A? Charles Barkley and others weigh in on the heated feud
Bane scored 29 points, Jackson had 24 points and Ja Morant, playing for the first time in two weeks, had 22 points for Memphis (44-30). The Lakers made stops when necessary and never got flustered by Memphis making shots.
“You're not gonna play a perfect game,” Reaves said. “But late game, you had to be really locked in to what you were trying to do and I felt like we did that tonight. Obviously, giving up, like you said, 127, it's not how many points we want to give up. So, obviously, we can do better. But when we needed it, we got stops.”
The Lakers got key contributions from their role players, Gabe Vincent making four threes and Rui Hachimura and Finney-Smith each making three as well.
“I think we can get all wide-open shots every time,” Hachimura said.
It’s the third time this season the Lakers (45-29) have beaten the Grizzlies, assuring them of any tiebreaker between the teams in the tight Western Conference playoff race.
And as far as the Grizzlies’ energy was after replacing their coach, Vincent said the Lakers couldn’t afford to concentrate on its impact.
“I feel like we were desperate for a win, so I didn't really give a damn about how they were,” he said.
Saturday’s win pushed the Lakers a game ahead of Memphis for the No. 4 seed in the West. The Lakers host No. 2 Houston on Monday.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Freshman duo of Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell lift USC into Elite Eight rematch with UConn
Playing without injured star JuJu Watkins, freshmen Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell powered USC to a 67-61 victory over Kansas State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Complete Road Trip Sweep, Win Sixth Straight With 3-1 Win In Nashville
NASHVILLE -- The Golden Knights extended their win streak to six games by closing out their three-game road trip with a 3-1 win over the Nashville Predators.
Reilly Smith scored his 11th goal of the season, and first since returning to the Golden Knights just before the trade deadline, to break a 1-1 tie 6:25 into the third period.
"It's definitely nice to be able to help the team win, and a little bit of relief just to see it go in," Smith said. "I feel like I've gotten a lot of opportunities over the last few games and just hitting something and not going in. Sometimes your worst opportunities are the ones that go in and just find it fortunate it bounces in the crease. At the end of the day that it's a big win for us and a really good road trip."
Smith's goal was the team's 52nd power-play goal of the season, tying a franchise record.
🗣️ REILLY
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 30, 2025
SMITH 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/uFf4Ole5m8
Jack Eichel scored his 27th goal while Brett Howden celebrated his 27th birthday with his 22nd goal of the campaign.
Adin Hill made a spot start and made 23 saves for the Knights, one night after making 18 saves in a 5-3 win at Chicago.
Vegas now has 98 points with nine games left on the schedule, nine points ahead of the second-place Los Angeles Kings in the Pacific Division.
Ryan O'Reilly scored Nashville's lone goal while Justus Annunen made 27 stops for the Predators, who were eliminated from the playoffs last week.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
ON THE SPOT: Hill wasn't scheduled to start in Nashville, after playing the night before, but after taking warm-ups, coach Bruce Cassidy said Ilya Samsonov wasn't able to go.
"Sammy just wasn't able to go," he said. "Something tightened up. So that was that. It was not going to be Hilly. We tend not to play a guy back to back, especially this time of year. But that was the choice we were left with, and good on him.
Cassidy added he had "no idea ... because it's something we expected to play right up until 5:10, or something. So hopefully not. Once we get back, it'll be re-evaluated."
COMING TOGETHER: Vegas' third line of Smith, William Karlsson and Victor Olofsson continues to build chemistry. Smith's goal came on the heels of Olofsson's two he scored in Chicago on Friday. With Smith and Karlsson's built-in chemistry after playing together in Vegas from 2017-2023, and now Olofsson a part of the line, the trio becomes an integral combination in the bottom six.
"I think the last two games is a testament of us trying to work with each other more and trying to create more on the rush and in zone," Smith said. "I think our reads have been better over the last two games. We're playing a little bit quicker, a little bit more in sync, and we're getting more opportunities because of it."
PLAYOFF READY: With just nine games remaining and the Golden Knights playing well, Cassidy wasn't ready to concede that his team is in playoff form... yet.
"You never want to get ahead of yourself, but I said last week, I thought we're trending really well, so we're certainly closer to the top of the scale than the bottom, especially our overall game," Cassidy said. "We're not only winning because we're scoring. It's not one thing, it's not one line, it's not one special team. It's, I think, a little bit of everything."