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Orioles news: Gunnar Henderson homers in Team USA win

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.

Links

Orioles option Cade Povich to minors as rotation takes shape – The Baltimore Banner
If Cade Povich had made the Opening Day roster, it would have meant that something went horribly wrong. I expect we’ll see him at least a bit during the season, though. Andy Kostka takes a look at the current state of the starting rotation.

Cano back to being a pain for opposing pitchers – MASN Sports
I mean, I hope this is true. But it feels a little early to be making such a declaration.

Nick Markakis talks Orioles, Alonso, WBC – Baltimore Baseball
Markakis was in camp as a guest instructor.

Who bats leadoff for O’s? No answer yet, but Ward emerging as option – MLB.com
Jake Rill says that who will bat leadoff is a burning question in spring training. That feels a little dramatic. Per Rill, it’s down to Taylor Ward and Gunnar Henderson.

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)

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Phillies news: Chase Utley, Jesus Luzardo, Seiya Suzuki

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.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

MLB news:

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Shaikin: U.S. reaches WBC final, but struggles at the plate threaten its title hopes

U.S. players celebrate after defeating the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic semifinals.
U.S. players celebrate after defeating the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic semifinals on Sunday night in Miami. (Megan Briggs / Getty Images)

Team USA vanquished the Dominican Republic. The defending champions, Japan, already had been dismissed.

So … congratulations to the United States for winning the World Baseball Classic?

Not so fast, and certainly not based on Sunday’s tense but hardly crisp 2-1 victory in which the U.S. eliminated the Dominican Republic.

“That was high-level baseball at its finest,” U.S. manager Mark DeRosa said.

High-level baseball, no doubt. It was the heavyweight match, the WBC game everyone wanted to see.

At its finest, well, the Americans better hope not.

Read more:Plaschke: Get all beaned up and enjoy the surprisingly profound World Baseball Classic

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.
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.”

Read more:'Bigger than baseball.' Why being in Puerto Rico for WBC meant so much to Kiké Hernández

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.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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The week ahead: Evgeni Malkin (and perhaps Sidney Crosby) return for Penguins

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.

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Islanders News: Headed north to settle some things

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]
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Pens Points: Malkin returns as Penguins brace for an Avalanche

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]

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7 Takeaways from Cavs humiliating 130-120 loss to Mavs: ‘It really comes down to guarding the ball’

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

CLEVELAND — There weren’t a lot of good things to take away from the Cleveland Cavaliers embarassing 130-120 loss to the tanking Dallas Mavericks. Max Strus’s 24-point season debut was one of them.

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.

View Link

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.”

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SB Nation Reacts results: What do you want to do about Ime Udoka?

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.

We’ll be back soon with more Reacts!

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March Madness bracket predictions: AI picks every NCAA Tournament game

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.

So, who will win it all?

Microsoft Copilot AI chatbot believes the 2026 NCAA Tournament will be a redemption story for the reigning national runner-up, Houston.

Think you can beat our experts? Join USA TODAY’s Bracket Challenge today!

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:

Ready to win March Madness? Join USA TODAY’s Survivor Pool today!

March Madness predictions: AI simulation of every 2026 NCAA Tournament game

First Four

  • No. 11 seed NC State beats No. 11 seed Texas (West Region)
  • No. 11 seed Miami (Ohio) beats No. 11 seed Southern Methodist (Midwest Region)
  • No. 16 seed UMBC beats No. 16 seed Howard (Midwest Region)
  • No. 16 seed Prairie View A&M beats No. 16 seed Lehigh (South)

First Round

East Region

  • No. 1 seed Duke beats No. 16 seed Siena
  • No. 8 seed Ohio State beats No. 9 seed TCU
  • No. 5 seed St. John's beats No. 12 seed Northern Iowa
  • No. 4 seed Kansas beats No. 13 seed Cal Baptist
  • No. 6 seed Louisville beats No. 11 seed South Florida
  • No. 3 seed Michigan State beats No. 14 seed North Dakota State
  • No. 7 seed UCLA beats No. 10 seed Central Florida
  • No. 2 seed UConn beats No. 15 seed Furman

South Region

  • No. 1 seed Florida beats No. 16 seed Lehigh
  • No. 8 seed Clemson beats No. 9 seed Iowa
  • No. 12 seed McNeese beats No. 5 seed Vanderbilt
  • No. 4 seed Nebraska beats No. 13 seed Troy
  • No. 6 seed North Carolina beats No. 11 VCU
  • No. 3 seed Illinois beats No. 14 seed Penn
  • No. 7 seed Saint Mary's beats No. 10 seed Texas A&M
  • No. 2 seed Houston beats No. 15 seed Idaho

Midwest Region

  • No. 1 seed Michigan beats No. 16 seed UMBC
  • No. 9 seed Saint Louis beats No. 8 seed Georgia
  • No. 5 seed Texas Tech beats No. 12 seed Akron
  • No. 4 seed Alabama beats No. 13 seed Hofstra
  • No. 6 seed Tennessee beats No. 11 seed Miami (Ohio)
  • No. 3 seed Virginia beats No. 14 seed Wright State
  • No. 7 seed Kentucky beats No. 10 seed Santa Clara
  • No. 2 seed Iowa State beats No. 15 seed Tennessee State

West Region

  • No. 1 seed Arizona beats No. 16 LIU
  • No. 8 seed Villanova beats No. 9 seed Utah State
  • No. 12 seed High Point beats No. 5 seed Wisconsin
  • No. 4 seed Arkansas beats No. 13 seed Hawai'i
  • No. 6 seed BYU beats No. 11 seed NC State
  • No. 3 seed Gonzaga beats No. 14 seed Kennesaw State
  • No. 7 seed Miami beats No. 10 seed Missouri
  • No. 2 seed Purdue beats No. 15 seed Queens

Second Round

East Region

  • No. 1 Duke seed beats No. 8 seed Ohio State
  • No. 4 seed Kansas beats No. 5 seed St. John's
  • No. 3 seed Michigan State beats No. 6 seed Louisville
  • No. 2 seed UConn beats No. 7 seed UCLA

South Region

  • No. 1 seed Florida beats No. 8 seed Clemson
  • No. 4 seed Nebraska beats No. 12 seed McNeese
  • No. 3 seed Illinois beats No. 6 seed North Carolina
  • No. 2 seed Houston beats No. 7 seed Saint Mary's

Midwest Region

  • No. 1 seed Michigan beats No. 9 seed Saint Louis
  • No. 4 seed Alabama beats No. 5 seed Texas Tech
  • No. 3 seed Virginia beats No. 6 seed Tennessee
  • No. 2 seed Iowa State beats No. 7 seed Kentucky

West Region

  • No. 1 seed Arizona beats No. 8 seed Villanova
  • No. 4 seed Arkansas beats No. 12 seed High Point
  • No. 3 seed Gonzaga beats No. 6 seed BYU
  • No. 2 seed Purdue beats No. 7 seed Miami

Sweet 16

East Region

  • No. 1 seed Duke beats No. 4 seed Kansas
  • No. 2 seed UConn beats No. 3 seed Michigan State

South Region

  • No. 1 seed Florida beats No. 4 seed Nebraska
  • No. 2 seed Houston beats No. 3 seed Illinois

Midwest Region

  • No. 1 seed Michigan beats No. 4 seed Alabama
  • No. 2 seed Iowa State beats No. 3 seed Virginia

West Region

  • No. 1 seed Arizona beats No. 4 seed Arkansas
  • No. 2 seed Purdue beats No. 3 seed Gonzaga

Elite Eight

  • East Region: No. 1 seed Duke beats No. 2 seed UConn
  • South Region: No. 2 seed Houston beats No. 1 seed Florida
  • Midwest Region: No. 1 seed Michigan beats No. 2 seed Iowa State
  • West Region: No. 1 seed Arizona beats No. 2 seed Arizona

Final Four

  • No. 2 seed Houston beats No. 1 seed Duke
  • No. 1 seed Arizona beats No. 1 seed Michigan

National championship game

  • No. 2 seed Houston beats No. 1 seed Arizona

USA TODAY's Blake Schuster contributed to this.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness predictions: Who does AI have winning 2026 NCAA Tournament?

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Pirates Paul Skenes leads Team USA to win over the Dominican Republic

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.

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March Madness bracket hot takes, from upset picks to Final Four predictions

Madness awaits.

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.

March Madness region breakdown: South | East | Midwest | West

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.

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Miami Ohio deserved its NCAA Tournament bid

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.

As rumblings of a 72- or 76-team bracket persist, expansion remains quite obviously unnecessary. It would only prop up the dregs of the Power conferences.

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.

Blake Toppmeyer is a columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA Tournament hot takes: Is this Arizona's year? Bluebloods beware

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The Amazing Perseverance of Baylor Scheierman

Mar 14, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) passes the ball against the Washington Wizards during the first half at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

It was late in the second quarter of Boston’s final contest with the Philadelphia 76ers that Baylor Scheierman lost the ball. 

Scheierman, announced the day prior that he’d be playing through a fractured left thumb, had defenders on his back and in his face, before Tyrese Maxey swooped in from an off-ball position to swipe the ball and sprint to an open basket. But Scheierman didn’t let the play die, instead racing behind Maxey and using his left hand to push the ball out of bounds. In the moment, you’d probably expect signs of pain from the ailing Scheierman, but his face showed nothing but frustration for the turnover. 

Not a wince, not a sign of discomfort, but a clap of frustration, and nothing more. 

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Seven days later against Cleveland, now with an established “thumbs up” celebration to show off the splint protecting it, he had his own clear lane to the basket, leaking out off a missed Cavaliers shot and slamming a two-handed dunk, briefly hanging on the rim in the process. This time, there was a reaction.

A smile. 

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It was on Derrick White’s White Noise podcast that we heard a secondary perspective on Scheierman’s injury, and just how painful it’s been for the second-year wing. 

“He’s struggling to put his socks on, but he’s going out there and doing a lot of good things for us,” White said.

Scheierman, now playing on a sprained ankle sustained late in the loss to the OKC Thunder on Thursday night, is somehow persisting through both injuries while being a positive contributor in the process. 

In the two weeks since his fractured thumb was announced, Scheierman has played in all eight games, shot 46% from the field, 37% from three, and contributed 2.5 assists with 6 rebounds. He is one of five Celtics to take more than 40 3-pointers in that span, and his 37% shooting is the highest among them. 

All the more impressive? Every made basket has come from his dominant left hand, including an array of jumpers, floaters, and yes, even a sweeping left hook. 

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Could anyone have possibly anticipated such efficiency with an injury to a shooting hand? It almost defies belief. When it comes to players battling through injury, the expectation is a dip in overall quality. You applaud the fight and the effort, but you see someone not completely up to their usual standards. When Malcolm Brogdon played multiple Eastern Conference Final games with a partially torn tendon in his shooting elbow, you could see the discomfort he had from your home screen. It was a great shooter greatly affected by a serious injury.

But Baylor has, curiously, been up to his own standards so far, with his eight-game efficiency pretty closely matching his 45/38 splits on the season.

Against the Wizards on Saturday, now carrying the weight of pain on two limbs, Scheierman had a true off-night shooting, making just one of his eight shot attempts. It was the kind of shooting you’d probably expect from that first night with the finger wrapped up, not the eighth. 

And yet, ever the gadget player, Scheierman still found ways to impact the game, grabbing nine rebounds, four of which came on the offensive glass, along with a pair of crafty assists. 

This second quarter hustle play was indicative of the team’s rebounding stronghold over the Wizards, with Scheierman’s corner crash cutting between four paint-surrounding Wizards who watched as he saved the possession that’d later lead to a Luka Garza putback. 

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Even with the added tension of an ankle injury, there has been no reason to indicate Scheierman missing time with the Boston schedule continuing its every other day pattern for the next week. 

“We’re just kind of evaluating it as it goes, but I feel good enough to be out there, and that’s how it’s going to be,” Scheierman told reporters after the initial report of his thumb injury. “I’m not going to sit out.”

Maybe he’s having a hard time putting a sock on, but the impact he’s made on the floor can often look effortless. 

NBA basketball in March can be a strange time. Teams, like the Wizards, will dig their heels in to improve their lottery odds, players that don’t often fill up the statsheet will do just that, and playoff-bound teams will actively find new ways of saying “Load Management” on an injury report to keep their best players rested as playoff seeding begins to take its final shape. 

And then there’s Baylor Scheierman, finger broken and ankle bothered, crashing the glass, confidently pulling up from 25 feet, and leaving it on the court as he continues to prove why he belongs in the rotation for the foreseeable future. 

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March Madness bold predictions: Upsets, chaos and ejections

March Madness is all about chaos, and it’s time to embrace it in the 2026 edition of the Big Dance.

The NCAA Tournament bracket is out, revealing the paths all 68 teams need to make the Final Four. The fun part is you can forget what happens on-paper because there are bound to be some wild things going on when the action tips off. 

From Cinderella stories to stunning buzzer-beating shots, it’s impossible to guess all that will happen, which is why there needs to be some bold predictions when filling out your bracket. Luckily, we’ll come up with some — and back up why it can happen. Will all of them be true? Likely not, but that’s what makes March Madness so thrilling.

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Miami Ohio wins multiple games

There was so much talk about whether the 31-1 RedHawks should be in the field, with questions of their legitimacy given how relatively easy the schedule was. Well, Miami (Ohio) can put it all to rest by advancing out of the first round.

Sure it didn’t play a tough schedule, but this is a fun team to watch play, and they can challenge just about anyone. The offense is one of the best and in the country, always going on hot streaks that can make it tough to stop. A relentless attack powers the RedHawks toward its first tournament win this century, and by taking down Tennessee, it should silence the doubters.

No love? Wally Szczerbiak 'surprised' Miami (OH) sent to First Four

Half of SEC teams lose in first round

The SEC got the most teams in with 10, but it’s not anywhere as strong as it was in 2025, setting up for a rather disappointing turnout.

It’s hard to imagine getting another eight teams to reach the Sweet 16, given so many squads have tough roads to make it to the second weekend. The path to the second round also seems tricky, and besides Florida and Arkansas, it’s hard to trust the rest of the SEC. That leads to just four teams making it to the second round. 

That won’t be something to gloat about, but don’t worry, the conference is still in good shape to get a representative to the Final Four.

March Madness region breakdown: South | East | Midwest | West

Mick Cronin, Dan Hurley both get ejected

Get ready for a passionate second-round game between Connecticut and UCLA. The two teams have two of the notable "passionate" coaches in Dan Hurley and Mick Cronin, and they’ll put on an antics masterclass in Philadelphia.

In an exciting back-and-forth game, both head men get fiery about what’s unfolding. Whether it’s a foul or missed call, these two let the officials know how they truly feel, not holding back as the referees discipline them, ultimately leading to both being sent to the locker room early.

Bonus points if they end up arguing with each other, and watch out for the losing postgame news conference.

A Cinderella run to the Sweet 16

There was no belle of the ball in 2025 as no team seeded No. 11 or higher made the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2007. It really took away some of the magic, but expect it to be back this time around.

One of those teams will make it to the second weekend and become a major story. What makes it easier to see is while there are some real title contenders at the top, there is a huge gap behind the top two seeds, very susceptible to being upset. There are also some great candidates to go on that run, including South Florida, VCU, High Point, Akron and Miami (Ohio).

Kansas misses Sweet 16… again

Last season was the third straight time Kansas didn’t get a third tournament game. A rarity for the Jayhawks, but there’s no way it happens a fourth time, right?

Think again. For as good as Kansas has shown it can be, it’s a mystery what team can show up on a given day. One day it’s taking down top-ranked teams, the next it’s falling to non-tournament teams. The inconsistency plagues Bill Self again, and if Kansas avoids a first round upset, it’s unable to get advance past the second round.

Four straight tournaments without a Sweet 16 appearance is unprecedented in the storied history of the Jayhawks. Yet, things have been weird ever since winning it all in 2022, and the questions will continue to linger around Self.

AJ Dybantsa powers BYU to second weekend

While BYU underwent a puzzling slump to end the regular season that severely hurt what seed it ended up being, one thing remained constant: Its star was hooping, and he’ll come up big for the Cougars.

Dybantsa has been one of the most electric players in the sport, leading the country with 25.3 points per game. Even though he’s had to carry a heavier burden with injuries, it hasn’t stopped him, scoring at least 20 points in 13 straight games while causing headaches for defenses.

With the lights shining bright, Dybantsa continues his hot streak to push BYU toward a successful first weekend, reaching the Sweet 16 back-to-back years for the first time in program history.

Chaos region? The Midwest

Looking for a region to completely change brackets? Look at the Midwest.

There are so many legit upset candidates throughout the bracket, with a chance for multiple double-digit seeds advancing. It wouldn’t be crazy to see some double-digit second round matchups, paving the way for a Cinderella run with at least three teams seeded nine or lower in the Sweet 16.

Braden Smith surges past assist record

Purdue’s point guard is set to become the all-time assist leader, entering the NCAA Tournament two more away from breaking Bobby Hurley’s record. There’s no doubt he gets it done, but the question is: how far does he go?

Well, it all depends on how far the Boilermakers advance. Play more, more chances for dimes.

Fortunately, Purdue is peaking at the right time, paving the way for multiple wins in the tournament. It allows Smith to stack up more assists, and he ends his career at least 25 assists ahead of Hurley.

 All No. 1 seeds make Final Four

We’re sticking to our guns. Even though conference tournament week tested them, all four No. 1 seeds will make the Final Four for back-to-back years.

The top seeds in Duke, Michigan, Arizona and Florida really separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Not only did they win a lot, but they did it against quality opponents, making up the only squads to win at least 12 Quad 1 games. That’s also come with them consistently putting teams away and leaving no doubt in their contests, with the four included in the top eight teams in scoring margin.

It won’t be a cakewalk through the bracket, and expect some close calls for an early exit. However, the Blue Devils, Wolverines, Wildcats and Gators will be clutch, culminating with an epic meeting in Indianapolis.

Duke doesn’t win it all

The Blue Devils are the top overall seed, and will try to be the second consecutive one to win the national championship. They get to the Final Four, but don’t hoist the title.

Duke has one of the toughest paths to the title, with the East Region loaded with talent. It is more than capable of winning those games, but they will take a toll on the top seed. This team won’t be as healthy as it can be, and it ultimately is its downfall. This isn’t saying it misses the national championship, but Duke isn’t victorious.

Jon Scheyer has handled the transition perfectly, but last winning a title in 2015, this is the longest Duke has gone without a championship since winning its first in 1991. The streak continues.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness predictions: 10 bold picks for NCAA tournament bracket

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Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Anze Kopitar leads category targets this week

Fantasy hockey managers looking to tinker with their rosters will benefit from zeroing in on specific categories. Whether you are looking for long-term fits or short-term options, there should be a plethora of potential pickups to help your squads. 

Let's get into this week's suggestions for your consideration.

Lafreniere's stock has risen rapidly due to a red-hot start to March. He has amassed six goals and five assists in seven outings while occupying a top-line role with Mika Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault. The 24-year-old Lafreniere has two power-play markers and 19 shots on net during that span. Dating back to Jan. 31, he has lit the lamp nine times and has 15 points in 11 contests. The surging Rangers have won four straight games and play four times this week.

Snuggerud has registered eight goals and 20 points in his past 16 outings. He has 42 shots on target and 19 hits over that span. Through eight games in March, he has picked up five goals, 11 points, 25 shots and nine hits. He is playing superbly on the team's top line with Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway, who have both heated up down the stretch. The 24-year-old Snuggerud possesses plenty of long-term potential in keeper formats, and he should be a worthwhile addition for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign. The Blues play only twice this week, but he is a popular pickup, and time may be running out to get him on your roster. 

Kopitar is ramping up offensively down the stretch, generating four goals on 22 shots and five assists in his last 11 games. He has reached the scoresheet in six of his seven March appearances, with four goals and three helpers. He has two tallies and one assist on the power play during that period. He has received a boost while skating between Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe down the stretch. The 38-year-old Kopitar also ranks 19th in the league with 551 faceoff wins, thanks to a 55.9 winning percentage. He is doing his best to extend his final season in the NHL, as the Kings battle for a playoff spot. Los Angeles has four games scheduled for this week. 

[Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season]

McMann starred in his Seattle debut on Saturday, earning two goals, one assist, four shots on net and four hits in a 5-2 win over Vancouver. He missed two straight games with the Maple Leafs for roster-management purposes before being traded to the Kraken. He had to miss another three games while obtaining his work visa and was obviously eager to play in Saturday's match. He even notched his second power-play goal with the Kraken while tacking on an assist, four shots and two hits in Sunday's 6-2 victory over Florida. McMann could be an intriguing pickup down the stretch if he continues to see playing time on Seattle's top line and first power-play unit. The Kraken play three times this week. 

Edmonton has anointed Ingram as the team's No. 1 netminder, making him a solid roster choice for fantasy managers in need of a starter. While he continues to deal with consistency issues, he should see an increase in playing time and could pick up victories on the strength of the Oilers' offensive firepower, even on nights when he isn't at his best. After receiving a vote of confidence from the coaching staff, he stopped 26 shots in Sunday's 3-1 win over Nashville. He has gone 2-0-1 in his last four appearances while allowing only eight goals on 96 shots. Edmonton plays three home games this week. 

Power has accounted for three goals, four assists, 11 shots on net and 10 blocked shots in his last eight appearances. During his three-game point streak, he has notched one goal and two assists. Although Power is behind last year's career-high 40-point pace, he already has tied his previous best with seven goals. If he remains productive offensively during a four-game week for Buffalo, Power should provide solid category coverage for potential fantasy managers.

McLeod is one point away from reaching 50 for a second straight season. He has played superb hockey for the Sabres in a secondary role since being acquired from Edmonton in July of 2024. He has amassed five goals, 22 assists and 34 shots on target in 28 appearances since the calendar flipped to 2026. McLeod has four power-play helpers and four shorthanded points (three goals, one assist) during that stretch. He ranks second in the NHL with six points while killing penalties, including a league-leading five goals.

[Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem: Fill out brackets for your shot at $50K]

He also sits first on the team with 518 faceoff wins despite a 47.5% success rate. McLeod has plenty of upside ahead of a four-game road trip this week. 

Schenn contributed six assists in his last six games and has added 10 shots on goal, six blocked shots and 13 hits during that stretch. He has chipped in two helpers in his last three outings while occupying a second-line role at even strength and a spot on the top power-play unit. Schenn was hot and cold with the Blues before being acquired by the Islanders ahead of the trade deadline. If he continues to produce offensively, the 34-year-old should be a solid addition in banger leagues during a four-game week for New York. 

Bourque appeared as a recommendation a couple of weeks ago, when he was available in 99% of Yahoo leagues. While his rostered percentage is climbing, he remains an under-appreciated option with high offensive upside. He has compiled five goals on 31 shots, eight assists and 21 hits in his past 13 matches. He has picked up at least one point in six of his seven appearances in March. The 24-year-old Bourque is a great fit on the top line alongside Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston. Dallas plays four times this week. 

Minten has heated up in spurts this season while collecting 15 goals and 30 points across 66 contests. He has just one goal in his last 11 outings, but he has 17 shots, 10 blocks and 20 hits during that time. He also moved up to the top line between David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie in Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over Washington. The 21-year-old Minten has under-the-radar upside if he maintains that role across a four-game week for Boston. 

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Fantasy Basketball Week Ahead: Top Matchups, Streaming Teams & Roster Tips

Fantasy managers, it is time to get your rosters in order. This week's schedule offers a strong mix of high-volume teams and favorable matchups, giving both active managers and streaming-focused squads plenty to work with. The Suns and Wizards lead the way with five games apiece, while a long list of teams checks in at four. Matchup quality varies widely, so targeting the right opponents will be key. From big men feasting on the paint to guards exploiting perimeter defenses, the opportunities are there for those who plan ahead. Let's break it all down.

Days with fewer than six games

These are dates to target players for streaming options from the following teams:

Sunday, March 22 - POR at DEN, BKN at SAC, WAS at NYK, MIN at BOS, TOR at PHX

Teams with more than three games this week

Make sure to activate players and target weekly pickups from the following teams:

Hawks (4), Nets (4), Celtics (4), Nuggets (4), Warriors (4), Rockets (4), Clippers (4), Lakers (4), Grizzlies (4), Timberwolves (4), Pelicans (4), Magic (4), Suns (5), Trail Blazers (4), Spurs (4), Wizards (5)

Teams with fewer than three games this week

Consider looking for streaming options if your roster includes players from these teams:

None

Top teams to target based on favorable matchups

Clippers vs. Spurs, at Pelicans, at Pelicans, at Mavericks

The Clippers open with their toughest matchup of the week against the Spurs, a squad with virtually no notable weaknesses. However, their latest addition, Darius Garland, may help gain an edge, as the Spurs give up the league's fifth-most free throws to opposing point guards. Additionally, the Clippers lost their previous encounter by just four points in early March. Up next is back-to-back meetings with the Pelicans, who give up the league's sixth-most points and third-most three-pointers per game. They also give up the eighth-highest field-goal percentage and the seventh-most rebounds, including the second-most offensive per game. From there, the Clippers finish off the week against the Mavericks, who give up the league's eighth-most points and fourth-most rebounds per game. They also give up the league's most points in the paint. The final three matchups offer a great advantage to opposing big men. Unfortunately for the Clippers, this is an area where they are slightly limited. It will be up to guys like Derrick Jones and Isaiah Jackson to provide an extra boost off the bench. Brook Lopez and John Collins, who recently returned from a seven-game absence, will have to work hard to establish their game. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard is listed as doubtful for Monday due to an ankle injury. This will likely mean a much more significant role for Bennedict Mathurin, along with a boost for Jones.

Suns at Celtics, at Timberwolves, at Spurs, vs. Bucks, vs. Raptors

With five games on the week, the Suns are a standout choice when looking for streaming options. However, they will be up against a very tough string of opponents, beginning with the Celtics, who rank second in the East. Nonetheless, the Suns' shooters Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Grayson Allen could get their squad off to a good start. The Celtics give up the league's fifth-most three-pointers per game. They also give up the third-most threes per game to opposing power forwards, which should favor Royce O'Neale, who averages 2.4 makes from deep per outing. Up next, the Suns face off against the Timberwolves, who give up the league's fifth-most free throws per game. They also give up the league's most points per game to opposing point guards. This will be an opportunity for Collin Gillespie to step up. The rest of the team could also benefit from a concerted effort to pressure the rim and draw foul contact. Moving on, a meeting with the nearly impermeable Spurs offers little to hope for beyond a relentless effort on both sides of the ball. From there, the Suns may find better luck against the Bucks, who give up the league's second-most three-pointers per game and the second-highest three-point shooting percentage. The Bucks also give up the fifth-most points per game to opposing point guards, once again favoring the aforementioned players. Lastly, the Suns encounter another solid defensive squad in the Raptors. However, the trend continues, as the Raptors give up the league's fourth-most points per game to opposing point guards and the fourth-highest three-point percentage to opposing shooting guards.

Wizards vs. Warriors, vs. Pistons, vs. Pistons, vs. Thunder, at Knicks

The Wizards have dropped 11 straight games, but their focus on developing up-and-coming players should mean a few solid streaming choices through a five-game week. They open against the Warriors, who sit ninth in the West and are likely to represent the least overwhelming matchup of the week, especially if their injury woes continue. Bilal Coulibaly should be a prime candidate to pad his stats. He leads his squad with 1.4 steals per game, while the Warriors give up the league's sixth-most turnovers per game. Up next, the Wizards meet the Pistons, who sit first in the East but give up the league's most free throws per game. Moving ahead, they face the first-place team in the West, the Thunder, who give up the league's sixth-most rebounds and fourth-most three-pointers per game. If Trae Young and Alex Sarr are active, they could make the most of those weaknesses and help their team make a statement. It would send a warning that they will be a formidable opponent next season. Additionally, Will Riley, Jaden Hardy, and Tre Johnson could find room to get going. The Wizards wrap the week against the Knicks, who show a solid defensive profile but give up the league's 10th-most three-pointers per game. It is another chance for the above-noted bunch to step up.

Nuggets vs. 76ers, at Grizzlies, vs. Raptors, vs. Trail Blazers

The Nuggets start things off against a hobbled 76ers squad that gives up the league's ninth-most free throws and eighth-most offensive rebounds per game. This should favor the versatile and energetic play of forwards Aaron Gordon and Cameron Johnson. With Tyrese Maxey sidelined, there should also be an opportunity for Jamal Murray to take control in the backcourt. Up next is a meeting with the Grizzlies, who give up the league's seventh-most points and seventh-most three-pointers per game. They also give up the seventh-highest field-goal percentage, ninth-most rebounds, and fifth-most turnovers per game, including the third-most offensive rebounds. This, combined with their shorthanded frontcourt, will likely result in easy pickings for Nikola Jokic. From there, the Nuggets clash with the Raptors, who give up the league's seventh-most rebounds to opposing power forwards. They also give up the most blocks and eighth-most steals per game to opposing small forwards, once again calling on Johnson and Gordon as notable x-factors. The Nuggets finish their week against the Trail Blazers, who give up the league's most turnovers per game. This is a great chance for Bruce Brown and Christian Braun to pad their stats. The Blazers also give up the ninth-most points per game and the eighth-highest field-goal percentage. They additionally surrender the eighth-most free throws and fourth-most offensive rebounds per game.