The ACC's issues aren't about nonconference scheduling or computer numbers. The league needs better coaches and more investment in rosters.
Kyan Evans and favored No. 12 seed Colorado State beat short-handed Memphis
Kyan Evans made a career-high six 3-pointers and scored 23 points to lead No. seed Colorado State past fifth-seeded Memphis 78-70 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Nique Clifford, the Mountain West Tournament MVP, had his quietest scoring night in a month, finishing with 14 points, eight on free throws.
Julian Reese and Maryland blow out Grand Canyon 81-49 in March Madness
Julian Reese had 18 points and nine rebounds, and fourth-seeded Maryland pounded No. 13 seed Grand Canyon 81-49 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Ja'Kobi Gillespie added 16 points for the Terrapins (26-8), who will play No. 12 Colorado State on Sunday in the second round of the West Region. Derik Queen, the Big Ten freshman of the year who was averaging 16.3 points and nine rebounds a game, finished with 12 points and 15 boards, becoming the first Maryland freshman with a double-double in the tournament since Jalen Smith in 2019.
Rick Pitino and John Calipari share a mutual respect. Just don’t call them friends
The Hall of Fame coaches will renew their occasionally acrimonious rivalry on Saturday when Pitino’s second-seeded St. John’s faces Calipari’s No. 10 seed Arkansas for the chance to advance to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. The matchup has been anticipated since the March Madness brackets were announced, and sealed on Thursday when Arkansas beat Kansas and St. John’s dispatched Omaha in the first round in Providence – where Pitino hung his first Final Four banner. The two have crossed paths over the decades from summer camp to UMass – Pitino’s alma mater and Calipari’s first head coaching job – to the NBA and, most notably, to one of basketball’s most heated rivalries: Kentucky and Louisville.
Wild Sign Defensive Prospect Stevie Leskovar To An Entry-Level Contract
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild announced on Friday the signing of defensive prospect Stevie Leskovar from the Brampton Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Leskovar, 20, has one goal and five points in 33 OHL games this season. He is a very physical shutdown defenseman for the Steelheads. He has 70 penalty minutes in 33 games this year as well.
The 6-foot-4 defenseman was drafted with the 174th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. The 216-pound native of Cambridge, Ontario, has recorded four goals, 16 assists, 20 points, and 237 penalty minutes in 158 career OHL games across four seasons.
It will remain to be seen what kind of career Leskovar carves out but I would imagine he becomes a solid physical defenseman for the Iowa Wild (AHL) and the Iowa Heartlanders (ECHL).
North Carolina comeback falls short in loss to Ole Miss
Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz reacts to the Rebels’ 71-64 win over the Tar Heels in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
TCU takes down FDU for first NCAA tournament win in 19 years
Yahoo Sports’ Caroline Fenton and basketball analyst Isis "Ice" Young break down TCU’s 73-51 win against FDU and discuss what led them to a strong offensive victory.
Rick Pitino and John Calipari write a new chapter in their storied rivalry
Two coaching giants of college basketball with complicated history are set to spar again at the NCAA Tournament.
Penguins V. Blue Jackets Preview: Lineup, Game Notes, And More
The Pittsburgh Penguins are well-aware of how every game matters from here on out.
And they will have a crucial matchup against a division rival - and a team they are chasing in the standings.
The Penguins will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in Pittsburgh on Friday. They have won six of their last 10 games against Columbus, and the Blue Jackets bested the Penguins in a shootout, 4-3, on Jan. 7 - which was their first win in Pittsburgh since Dec. 21, 2015.
Columbus currently sits three points back of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, while Pittsburgh is eight points back. Needless to say, this is a must-win game for both teams - and a clean two points is nearly essential.
Alex Nedeljkovic will get his first start in goal since Mar. 7, when the Penguins lost to the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-0. Sullivan stressed the importance of making sure both of their goaltenders get reps down the stretch, but he also realizes he needs to ice the guy who gives them the best chance to win.
"The reality is with the amount of games that we've just played and that we have moving forward, it requires us to get both guys involved," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "So, when we make these types of decisions, we're thinking in terms of helping the team win the game right in front of us... but, also, there's a little bit of 'big picture' decision-making.
"How do we set both of these guys up for success, so when they do go in the net, they have the ability to give us a chance to win? Ultimately, if we can set them up for success, it's going to help the Penguins have success."
Nedeljkovic should certainly be tested, too, as Columbus has five players with 20 or more goals on their roster. They are also getting a lot of offense from their blue line - including from Zach Werenski, who is having a career year with 20 goals and 69 points in 67 games.
"They generate a lot of offense from their defense," Sullivan said. "If I'm not mistaken, they might be second in the league in terms of goals scored by their defensemen. And Zach's a big part of that... he's a difference-maker as far as a defenseman with the way he drives offense."
Here is the rest of the lineup for the Penguins on Friday, which includes Kris Letang in a new home on the left side of the top defensive pairing alongside Conor Timmins:
How we're lining up tonight vs. CBJ ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yYanM7mhNU
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 21, 2025
The Penguins have points in 16 consecutive home games against Columbus, and captain Sidney Crosby enters this game just six points shy of his 20th consecutive point-per-game season, which would break Wayne Gretzky's previous record of 19.
You can track Crosby's progress here.
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3 observations after Sixers fall to Spurs despite four 20-point performances
3 observations after Sixers fall to Spurs despite four 20-point performances originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Multiple career highs and four 20-point outings did not add up to a victory for the Sixers on Friday night in San Antonio.
The Spurs pulled out a 128-120 win at Frost Bank Center. They improved to 30-39 and the Sixers fell to 23-47.
San Antonio’s top scorer was Jeremy Sochan with 23 points. Rookie guard Stephon Castle tallied 17 points and 14 assists.
For the Sixers, Quentin Grimes posted 25 points and a career-best 10 assists. Justin Edwards also put up 25 points, which is tied for the most he’s scored in a game his rookie year.
Ricky Council IV set a new career scoring high, adding 20 points. Guerschon Yabusele had 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
The Sixers were still heavily shorthanded. Lonnie Walker IV returned from a four-game absence with a concussion. However, according to the NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast, Walker was ruled out at halftime because of a mild headache.
The Spurs’ sidelined players included star center Victor Wembanyama, who’s out for the rest of the season because of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
The Sixers will finish their six-game road trip with games Sunday against the Hawks and Monday against the Pelicans.
Here are observations on their loss to the Spurs:
Edwards’ steady scoring
In their 70th game of the season, the Sixers used a 46th starting lineup.
After his 14-point, 15-rebound night Wednesday in the Sixers’ loss to the Thunder, Chuma Okeke started next to Jared Butler, Grimes, Edwards and Yabusele.
The Sixers were the sharper team out of the gates. They played active defense, forced turnovers and profited in transition. Butler’s fast-break three-pointer gave the Sixers an early 15-6 lead.
Edwards posted five of the Sixers’ first seven points with a put-back layup and corner three. He’s scored smoothly and consistently on this road trip, hitting double figures in all four contests. The rookie wing has generally taken sensible shots while also increasing his aggression for an extremely undermanned team.
Over his past three games, Edwards has totaled 62 points and gone 23 for 43 from the floor (53.5 percent).
Grimes and Yabusele making plays
The Spurs eventually got rolling. The Sixers took plenty of hasty jumpers in the first half and missed many, opening 3 for 16 from long range.
They also committed 10 first-half turnovers. The Sixers were whistled for an eight-second violation after Walker couldn’t handle Blake Wesley’s backcourt pressure. A Wesley corner three built San Antonio’s lead to 42-32.
The Sixers’ offense suddenly looked far more crisp when Grimes took charge. He had five assists in the first half, including a drive-and-kick dish to set up a Walker three.
Like Grimes, Yabusele has a knack for finding savvy ways to create open looks out of stagnant situations. He fed Grimes on a backdoor cut late in the second quarter and the 24-year-old guard slammed home a dunk before Sochan could recover.
Offensive magic runs out
Chris Paul canned four three-pointers early in the third quarter and the Spurs extended their advantage to 16 points.
Not much was working for the Sixers’ defense, which has conceded 132.5 points per game thus far on the road trip.
Led by Grimes, the Sixers made a big run back. Grimes poured in 10 straight points, converting three layups, a three-pointer and a free throw. He’s been great this month at attacking constantly and going directly at any defense on its heels.
Council drilled a three late in the third quarter to put the Sixers in front. Two nights after shooting 1 for 11 from the floor against the Thunder, Council had a strong, very efficient night. Over two career appearances in San Antonio, Council has scored 31 points on 10-for-14 shooting.
The Spurs went down 117-111 on an Okeke three, but they responded with a 10-0 spurt.
The Sixers’ offense grew shaky. The team committed two shot-clock violations, one of which came when Grimes air balled a deep, desperate three. Grimes threw a loose perimeter pass that Sochan picked off and turned into a slam on the other end.
Though Grimes made a triple to cut his team’s deficit to one point, the Sixers then left Harrison Barnes wide open. He nailed a crucial corner three and the Sixers wound up losing on a night they shot 56.8 percent from the field and received four excellent offensive performances.
Pitcher Julio Urías suspended through the All-Star break by MLB under domestic violence policy
NEW YORK — Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías was suspended through the All-Star break by Major League Baseball on Friday under its domestic violence policy with the players' association.
Urías had pleaded no contest last May to one count of misdemeanor domestic battery. The penalty was the second for Urías under the policy following a 20-game suspension in 2019. MLB said he will be reinstated from the restricted list on July 17 and as a free agent can sign with any team.
A 28-year-old left-hander, Urías has not pitched since Sept. 1, 2023. He was arrested two days later outside BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, where he had attended a Major League Soccer game on Sept. 3 involving Inter Miami and Lionel Messi. The Department of Public Safety said it was contacted by someone, whose name was not publicly identified, regarding a physical altercation between a man and a woman.
Urías initially was given a felony charge of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, and he was placed on administrative leave by MLB that Sept. 6.
Urías pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor domestic battery the following May 1 as four other misdemeanor charges were dropped. Los Angeles City Attorney’s office spokesman Ivor Pine said Urías was placed on 36 months of summary probation and ordered to complete 30 days of community labor. Urías must also complete a 52-week domestic violence counseling course, pay a domestic violence fund fee, not possess any weapons, not use any force or violence, pay restitution to the victim and abide by a protective order.
“Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Urías violated our policy and that discipline is appropriate,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement Friday.
MLB said Urías agreed to be evaluated by the joint policy board established by MLB and the players' association and to comply with any of its recommendations.
Urías' agent, Scott Boras, said the pitcher was not making any statement.
Urías became a free agent after the 2023 World Series when his $4.7 million, one-year contract expired.
Urías was also arrested in May 2019 on suspicion of domestic battery. While he was suspended by MLB, he wasn’t prosecuted by the LA city attorney on the condition he complete a 52-week domestic violence counseling program.
Over eight major league seasons, all with the Dodgers, Urías is 60-25 with a 3.11 ERA. He led the National League with a 2.16 ERA in 2022 and was a member of the team that won the 2020 World Series, going 4-0 with a save and a 1.17 ERA in six postseason appearances.
Urías became the first player suspended under the domestic violence policy since New York Yankees pitcher Jimmy Cordero on July 5, 2023. Cordero missed the final 73 games of the season, spent last season with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Pacific League and has signed with Mexico's Toros de Tijuana for this season.
Others penalized under the domestic violence policy include Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer, Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and pitcher Domingo Germán, Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, Toronto pitcher Roberto Osuna, Colorado shortstop José Reyes and Atlanta outfielder Hector Olivera.
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco remains on the restricted list and hasn't played since Aug. 12, 2023, but has not been disciplined by MLB.
Flames forward relishes homecoming as team shows resilience in playoff chase
For Calgary Flames winger Matt Coronato, this week has been about more than just hockey; it's been a homecoming. As the Flames make their way through the New York area, Saturday’s game against the Islanders is particularly meaningful for the young forward.
Coronato, who grew up on Long Island as a passionate Islanders fan, is getting the rare opportunity to play in front of the family, friends, and mentors who helped him reach the NHL.
“It's awesome to get to have so many people come and watch and be a part of it,” Coronato told the Calgary Flames website team on Friday. “So thankful for so many people that helped me get to this point.”
With wins in Manhattan and New Jersey after a trip-opening loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Coronato has already been in the area for a few days, making the most of the Flames’ schedule. With multiple games in close proximity, his support group has been able to watch him play live—something they haven’t had many chances to do as he chases his hockey dream.
“For them to be able to come to a few games this week has been really special,” Coronato added.
While the homecoming is a highlight, there’s no time to slow down. The Flames are in the thick of a heated battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, and every remaining game is crucial. With back-to-back wins to start this trip, they’ve positioned themselves well, but they know the job isn’t done yet.
“It’s been a great trip so far - two big wins,” Coronato said. “So, every game is so important right now. So, it'd be really big to finish this road trip off the right way.”
Coronato has played a key role in Calgary’s success, ranking fourth in team scoring with 18 goals and 35 points in 63 games. His elite shot and ability to find open space have made him a dangerous offensive weapon, and he’s been feeling confident with the puck on his stick.
“It’s great to see some pucks go in,” he said. “And I think when we're working and playing the right way, the offence will come.”
As the Flames continue their playoff push, Coronato’s homecoming serves as both a personal milestone and a reminder of just how far he’s come.
“Yeah, it’s cool,” he said. “It’s been nice being here this week, having all the support from family and friends. Definitely been enjoying it.”
The Hockey Show: GM meetings and playoff races with David Pagnotta and Adnan Virk
Between the Stanley Cup Playoff race and the NHL GM Meetings, there was a lot to get to on this week’s episode of The Hockey Show.
That’s why hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork brought in some extra muscle to help go over everything.
Joining the show this week were Amazon Prime NHL host Adnan Virk, NHL Insider David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period and special guest host Jonathan Zaslow of ESPN Radio and the Zaslow Show 2.0.
Among the tropics from the GM meetings that we discussed were potential rule changes, making cut-proof attire mandatory, extending overtime, changing the playoff format and the fact that power play opportunities across the league are down significantly this season.
We also touch on CBA negotiations, the idea of an NHL-KHL showdown floated by President Trump and how there is a real possibility that all seven Canadian NHL teams can make the playoffs this season.
Our wins and fails of the week included an OHL player losing his cup mid-game, an all-goalies game in Seattle, an empty-net blunder by Vegas, a referee assist and the conundrum that is Matt Rempe.
We also, as always, spend a full segment breaking down the latest happenings in and around the Florida Panthers.
You can check out the full episode in the video below:
LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA
Three takeaways: Panthers earn essential two points in Columbus, game had playoff-level intensity
Bobrovsky, Barkov propel Panthers to 1-0 victory in Columbus
Panthers road trip continues against hungry Blue Jackets as both teams aim to escape funks
Florida Panthers prospect Jack Devine among 10 finalists for Hobey Baker Award
Dmitry Kulikov considered week-to-week, so Panthers will lean on Tobias Bjornfot
(3-22-25) Blackhawks-Blues Gameday Lineup
ST. LOUIS -- For the St. Louis Blues, now comes the hard part.
It's one thing to be the hunter trying to chase down those in front of them for the Western Conference wild card, but now to be the hunted, which the Blues (35-28-7), who host the Chicago Blackhawks (20-40-9) on Saturday at 2 p.m. (FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM), are, being chased by three teams (Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Utah Hockey Club) makes the final 12 games that much more interesting.
But what it does is not change a thing.
"That's a pretty myopic vision right now," Blues coach Jim Montgomery said after a very brief practice Friday. "We have the Blackhawks at (2 p.m.) tomorrow. We're going to get ready for them.
"It's going to come down to the last game because there's just not enough games left and not enough point separation to be able to take a breath, and that's great. What we've been doing, it's what we're used to. Our mindset's in the moment. I sound like a broken record, but that's what we have been focused on."
That's the message relayed to the players, and they have had it ingrained in them since making this 11-2-2 run.
"Yeah 100 percent, that's the message," said forward Dylan Holloway, who scored in the third period to give the Blues a 3-2 lead. "We can't get too high or too low. It was a big win tonight, but we've got more games coming. It's tight. ... It's as tight as it's ever been, and we've just got to keep going."
But boy, that will be a task after such an emotional 4-3 overtime win on Thursday at home against the Canucks when Philip Broberg scored at 3:42 of overtime to put the Blues one point ahead of Vancouver, two ahead of Calgary and four ahead of Utah. The Canucks have a game in hand while the Flames have two games in hand.
"They have a tough schedule coming at some point, where they're not going to be able to take a breath," Montgomery said. "Coming up, we're going to have a couple of two days off in between games. That's going to be really beneficial, but until we get there, we've just got to push through and we've done that. Our mental toughness, the way we prepare, the way guys are going out shift after shift playing really good hockey has been very impressive."
Nonetheless, there was so much to like for Montgomery in a game that had so many range of emotions, both good and bad.
"I just the think the way we played," he said. "We were committed to playing the right way. Vancouver pushed in the second, and then we pushed back in the last eight and a half minutes of the second. The third period, I think it was a combination of nerves and it's not an excuse, but the density of the schedule we made some decisions that I don't think are common for us lately, more common in January. It's just an opportunity for us to reset, recharge the batteries and get ready for another two big games here."
The Blues had their team photo day at Enterprise Center on Friday and skated for a shade under 15 minutes.
Oskar Sundqvist was the lone absentee from the skate due to a maintenance day, but Montgomery said the forward would be available to play on Saturday.
The Blues will be going for their second-ever season series sweep of the Blackhawks; they own a 6-2 win at the 2025 NHL Discover Winter Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Dec. 31 and a wild 6-5 shootout win at Enterprise Center on Feb. 8.
The Blues' only season sweep was in 2919-20 when they went 4-0-0.
- - -
Blues Projected Lineup:
Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Pavel Buchnevich
Dylan Holloway-Brayden Schenn -- Jordan Kyrou
Mathieu Joseph-Oskar Sundqvist-Zack Bolduc
Alexey Toropchenko-Radek Faksa-Nathan Walker
Cam Fowler-Nick Leddy
Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk
Ryan Suter-Tyler Tucker
Joel Hofer is projected to start in goal; Jordan Binnington would be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Alexandre Texier and Matthew Kessel. Colton Parayko (knee) remains out. Torey Krug (ankle) is out for the season.
- - -
Blackhawks Projected Lineup:
Ilya Mikheyev-Frank Nazar-Connor Bedard
Teuvo Teravainen-Jason Dickinson-Nick Foligno
Joe Veleno-Ryan Donato-Tyler Bertuzzi
Landon Slaggert-Lukas Reichel-Patrick Maroon
Alex Vlasic-Wyatt Kaiser
Ethan Del Mastro-Connor Murphy
Alec Martinez-Artyom Levshunov
Arvid Soderblom will start in goal; Spencer Knight will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Philipp Kurashev, TJ Brodie and Louis Crevier. Laurent Brossoit (knee) and Colton Dach (elbow) are out.
Padres' Yu Darvish to start season on injured list with elbow inflammation
PEORIA, Ariz. — San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish will start the season on the injured list because of inflammation in his right elbow, manager Mike Shildt said Friday.
Shildt said there is no timetable for Darvish's return but the team is confident Darvish will be back in the rotation following rest and a ramp-up period.
Darvish made a pair of spring training starts but was shut down after the second, a four-inning, 54-pitch outing against Kansas City on March 13. The Padres decided to have him back off his throwing program after he played catch a couple times.
Kyle Hart, Stephen Kolek and Randy Vasquez are candidates to fill Darvish’s spot in the rotation behind Michael King, Dylan Cease and Nick Pivetta.
Darvish is 110-88 with a 3.58 ERA in 12 major league seasons after pitching for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League from 2005-11. The 38-year-old had Tommy John surgery on March 17, 2015, and returned to a major league mound on May 28, 2016.
He had back, neck and elbow problems last season and was on the restricted list for personal reasons from early July to late August. He won three of four starts in September and was 1-1 with a 1.98 ERA in two starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series
Darvish came to the major leagues in 2012 after agreeing to a $56 million, six-year contract with the Texas Rangers. He was traded to the Dodgers in July 2017, became a free agent after the World Series and signed a $126 million, six-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. Darvish was dealt to San Diego after the 2020 season and in February 2023 agreed to a contract with the Padres that added an additional $90 million in guaranteed money for a total of $108 million over six year.
His 2023 season ended in late August because of a bone spur in his right elbow.