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Washington Nationals vs Chicago Cubs Game Thread

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 07: Daylen Lile #51 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after hitting a triple against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 07, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Sage Zipeto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Folks, the time has finally come. The 2026 Washington Nationals season is here. I am so excited that baseball is back and I cannot wait to watch the boys play. They will have a tough test on Opening Day, facing off against the Cubs in Wrigley Field. The games really begin for Blake Butera and the 2026 Nats.

Butera put out an unexpected lineup to start the season, and I expect that to be a trend. There will be a lot of mixing and matching this year. James Wood hitting leadoff is not a massive surprise, but there are some interesting decisions after that. While Andres Chaparro can really rake against lefties, seeing him in the two hole on Opening Day is a surprise.

Another shocker is seeing CJ Abrams in the 6 hole. He has mostly been the Nats leadoff hitter the last few seasons, and I don’t think I have ever seen him below the cleanup spot in years. I assume he will hit higher against righties, but with a lefty on the mound, he will be in the 6 spot. Joey Wiemer will also get an Opening Day start, due to his solid numbers against lefties. Luis Garcia Jr. has always struggled against lefties, so seeing him out of the lineup is not much of a surprise. As we have known for a couple weeks now, Cade Cavalli will be your Opening Day starter in only his 12th career big league outing.

The Cubs lineup is filled with bigger names than the Nats. They feature the likes of Alex Bregman, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Dansby Swanson. Michael Busch is the leadoff man, and he is one of the most underrated hitters in the sport. The Cubs have a strong and deep lineup which will be tough for Cade Cavalli to navigate. Matthew Boyd had a late career resurgence last year and he was rewarded with an Opening Day start.

Game Info:

Stadium: Wrigley Field

Time: 2:20 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

Baseball is back ladies and gentleman, and I am fired up. The Nats may not be good, but it is still better than no baseball. Also, the season is still in its infancy. Who is to say the Nats won’t surprise. We have 162 games to find that out. Follow along down below in the comment section and let’s go Nats!

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Don't cry for Cinderella. Nebraska, John Calipari, Duke can save March Madness

My preferred March Madness goes like this: Cinderellas wreak havoc in the first round, before the big dogs take over in the Sweet 16 and beyond.

Give me that opening round dopamine hit of a classic 12 vs. 5 upset, a 13 slaying a 4-seed, a 14 toppling a 3. Thursday and Friday shrine brightest when filled with buzzer-beaters that go in favor of teams like Furman, Saint Peter’s, Princeton and Oakland.

Bold predictions: A No. 1 seed is going down in the Sweet 16

Then, give me chalk, Hall of Fame coaches, big-branded muscle and superstars trading buckets.

In the ideal March Madness, enough top seeds survive and eliminate Cinderella around the second round or so, so that many of the best teams and the top players are still playing and entertaining in the Sweet 16, Elite Eight and Final Four.

If Cinderella keeps winning, we get what happened in 2023. That year, underdogs shined in Round 1, then kept advancing until the Final Four included No. 9 Florida Atlantic and two 5-seeds. The tournament had been great up to that point, before UConn tore through the Final Four in a dominant but boring finish.

I prefer the games to keep getting better through the end of the tournament — like we had last season, when all three games at the Final Four site were 40-minute thrillers, on the heels of a compelling Sweet 16 and decent Elite Eight.

Well, anyway, Cinderella didn’t show up this season. Not an ideal first round, or a particularly entertaining one. The slipper got smashed by bigfoots from the Big Ten and the SEC.

Who's No. 1?: Ranking the 16 college basketball coaches in the Sweet 16

Miami (Ohio) provided some flare in the First Four with a blend of 3s and Speedos, and VCU and High Point delivered a dash of upset magic on the first day of Round 1. Mostly, though, major upsets became an endangered species. If you picked a lot of chalk, you’re doing well in your office bracket pool.

Cinderella’s glory days appear to be in the rearview mirror. Perhaps she’ll never again shine with the same brightness as she did in 2023 and ’24.

Blame NIL, or revenue-sharing, or transfer free agency or Power conference expansion, or all of the above for creating difficult times for low- and mid-majors in March.

Now, ready for the bright side? With so many excellent teams still standing in the Sweet 16, this tournament is positioned to go out with a grand finale. Better have two TVs side by side in your living room the next two nights, because the Sweet 16 is straight banger matchups.

Start with the coaches. It’s a who’s who list of Hall of Famers, national champions, renaissance men, in-their-prime virtuosos, and up-and-coming tacticians.

This week I ranked the Sweet 16 coaches, 1 through 16. John Calipari checked in at No. 8. He’s coached in six Final Fours. Matt Painter, a Purdue legend, ranked No. 9. That should tell you something about the depth of coaching talent in this Sweet 16.

Then, you’ve got the playmakers on the court. In this year of the freshman, Cameron Boozer, Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries and Keaton Wagler aren’t ready for their first (and last) tournament experience to end.

Ah, but the youngbloods can’t have all the fun.

Alex Karaban, in his 146th career start, all for UConn (who says loyalty is dead?), dropped a career-high 27 points on UCLA. If only UConn could get four more years out of Karaban, he’d be going for 50-a-game in the 2030 tournament. A cool 27 will have to do for now.

Purdue’s senior point guard Braden Smith is still scoring and dishing, too. He had 26 points and eight assists in Round 1.

I know what you’re thinking. That all sounds great, but you miss Cinderella. OK, fair. Although Texas sits on the 11-seed line, let’s not pretend Mister Money Bags himself, gold-plated Bevo from Austin, is a Cinderella story.

If we set aside seeds, why can’t Nebraska by this tournament’s Cinderella? This time a week ago, Nebraska had exactly zero NCAA Tournament wins ever. Now, the Huskers have two, and they’re literally shooting off fireworks in Lincoln.

Keep your powder dry, because the best of this tournament is still to come.

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: Nebraska, John Calipari can save March Madness after Cinderella flops

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Will Wade releases statement on returning to LSU basketball: 'A chance to go home'

Will Wade is heading back to The Bayou.

The North Carolina State head coach confirmed in a statement on Thursday that he was leaving the Wolfpack after one season and returning to LSU to lead the Tigers' men's basketball program again. According to Wade's contract with NC State, obtained by the USA TODAY Network, he'll owe the Wolfpack $5 million in a buyout payment.

It will mark his second stint with the Tigers, with his first ending with a fire-for-cause in 2022 after NCAA and FBI investigations accused Wade of multiple Level I and Level II violations, including "lack of institutional control."

REQUIRED READING: Will Wade to LSU: Latest news on NC State coach leaving to return to Tigers

LSU has not officially announced Wade's return, but according to multiple reports, the Tigers have dismissed Wade's successor, Matt McMahon, after four seasons, and Wade has signed a seven-year deal with the university.

In a statement released on his personal account, Wade called the decision to leave "not an easy" one.

"This was not an easy decision, because of how much respect and appreciation I have for this program and this university. But the opportunity to return to Louisiana State University is deeply personal," Wade said in a statement. "It's a chance to go home — to a place that means a great deal to me and my family."

In one season, the Wolfpack had some success under Wade, going 20-14 overall and making an appearance in the First Four. NC State picked up top-25 ranked wins

At the ACC tournament, Wade closed down rumors of his name being tossed around for the LSU job, should the Tigers have decided to dismiss McMahon, by saying he is "excited at NC State" and that he had already met with administrators to discuss changes to "put this program where it deserves to be long-term."

It's the second consecutive season that the Wolfpack will conduct a coaching search for its men's basketball program, with Wade being the choice last offseason when the program decided to part ways with Kevin Keatts.

"I'll always be grateful for my time here, the relationships we built, and the foundation we helped strengthen. NC State is positioned for continued success, and I'll be cheering them on moving forward," Wade ended his statement with.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Wade leaves NC State for LSU: 'Not an easy decision'

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Best NBA Player Props Today for March 26: KAT Goes to Town on Hornets

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With March Madness in full swing, we’ve got a light NBA slate tonight, but there’s still a spotlight on the race for Eastern Conference playoff seeding.

Look no further than the New York Knicks’ visit to the Charlotte Hornets, with LaMelo Ball and Co. still eyeing the Top 6, while the Orlando Magic catch a break against the tank-tastic Sacramento Kings.

My top NBA picks for March 26 target all three matchups, including a wager on an in-form Karl-Anthony Towns.

Best NBA player props today

PlayerPickbet365
KnicksKarl-Anthony TownsOver 19.5 points-120
PelicansDejounte MurrayOver 6.5 assists+102
MagicPaolo BancheroOver 25.5 points-110
MORE NBA FREE PICKS

Prop #1: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 19.5 points

-120 at bet365

The New York Knicks will need the best version of Karl-Anthony Towns to win the East, and his March numbers suggest he’s in rhythm as the postseason approaches. KAT is averaging 21.7 ppg this month on 57% shooting, and he’s nailed this Over in four straight outings.

Towns scored 35 points against the Charlotte Hornets in December, and he’s getting good looks in a New York offense that’s passed the 120-point mark in three of the past four contests.

His three-point numbers are still down this year, but he drilled a pair of triples against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday as part of a 21-point effort. Look for KAT to give the Charlotte frontcourt a long night.

  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBA TV

Prop #2: Dejounte Murray Over 6.5 assists

+102 at bet365

The New Orleans Pelicans are an interesting team to watch down the stretch – the rare sub .500 squad that’s still chasing wins. Dejounte Murray’s return has given New Orleans some extra spice, and I see him setting the table for his teammates again here.

Murray has racked up 32 assists across his last three outings, and there’s no reason for him to slow down with Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III (questionable) flanking him.

Facing a fiery Detroit Pistons defense is no joke, but Jalen Duren and Co. gave up 130 points in last night’s OT loss to the Atlanta Hawks. That should leave some tired legs for Murray to exploit in this one.

  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: GCSEN, FanDuel Sports Network-Detroit

Prop #3: Paolo Banchero Over 25.5 points

-110 at bet365

The Orlando Magic have somehow followed up a seven-game win streak with six straight losses, so good luck figuring out this Orlando team. But I can’t pass up a chance to wager against the Sacramento Kings.

That leads me to Paolo Banchero, who’s done his best to put the Magic on his back in the last two contests, with 36 points in Cleveland on the heels of 39 points against the Indiana Pacers – all on efficient shooting.

It should be more of the same here against the Kings, with Orlando missing Franz Wagner and Anthony Black. Count on Banchero to deliver, just as he did while dropping 30 points in the February meeting in Sacramento.

  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBCSCA, FanDuel Sports Network-Florida

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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Pelicans vs Pistons Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Detroit Pistons should stay atop the Eastern Conference despite Cade Cunningham’s absence, giving them the best chance of navigating his hopeful and eventual return. Winning the obvious games is paramount to that task, like tonight against the tanking New Orleans Pelicans.

My Pelicans vs. Pistons predictions and these NBA picks focus on Cunningham’s unexpected replacement on Thursday, March 26.

Pelicans vs Pistons prediction

Pelicans vs Pistons best bet: Daniss Jenkins Over 17.5 points (-115)

You may be forgiven for not knowing who Daniss Jenkins is. In the month following the All-Star Break, the second-year point guard out of St. John’s — who began his collegiate career at Pacific — averaged just 18.8 minutes and 5.8 points per game.

He was a reserve, at best.

But when Cade Cunningham suffered a collapsed lung, the Detroit Pistons needed someone to take on a greater workload, and that someone has been Jenkins. In the four games since Cunningham’s injury, Jenkins has averaged 38.9 minutes and 20 points.

Perhaps most notable, Jenkins is playing 8.5 morem minutes per game than anyone else in the Detroit rotation. The Pistons never planned for a life without Cunningham running the offense; they are desperate for ball-handling.

Oddsmakers have largely adjusted, but not enough to reflect Jenkins’s increased responsibilities. In his four starts, he has cleared this prop in the last three games. Expect more of that scoring from Jenkins tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans, simply because Detroit has no choice but to keep the ball in his hands these days.

Pelicans vs Pistons same-game parlay

While Jenkins has cleared this assists prop in three straight games, two of those were by the hook, and the third featured 10 assists in a game that went into overtime. Given the Pelicans’ happiness to lose games, a comfortable Detroit win would likely feature fewer assists from Jenkins.

Pelicans vs Pistons SGP

  • Daniss Jenkins Over 17.5 points
  • Daniss Jenkins Under 7.5 assists
  • Pistons -4

Our "from downtown" SGP: Jenkins but not from deep

Counterintuitive same-game parlays are such a joy. The math refuses to recognize that Jenkins could score 20 points while hitting only one 3-pointer. He is not a great shooter, just 36.7% from deep this season.

In fact, Jenkins has cleared this point prop while hitting only one 3-pointer in two of his last three games.

Pelicans vs Pistons SGP

  • Daniss Jenkins Over 17.5 points
  • Daniss Jenkins Under 7.5 assists
  • Daniss Jenkins Under 1.5 threes

Pelicans vs Pistons odds

  • Spread: Pelicans +4 | Pistons -4
  • Moneyline: Pelicans +155 | Pistons -185
  • Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5

Pelicans vs Pistons betting trend to know

Detroit has gone 3-1 against the spread since Cunningham’s injury, and the sole ATS loss came in overtime as a two-point favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Pistons.

How to watch Pelicans vs Pistons

LocationLittle Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
DateThursday, March 26, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVPelicans+, Detroit SportsNet

Pelicans vs Pistons latest injuries

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The Sixers are pulling me back in with a chance to climb back up the standings

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Chicago Bulls in the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s no secret that things got dark recently as a Philadelphia 76ers fan. The trade deadline deal shipping Jared McCain to Oklahoma City for draft picks cast a pall over everything. Not long after, nearly every Sixers regular got injured (or suspended) to the point where Nick Nurse was throwing out “Who’s that guy again?” lineups reminiscent of the Process days.

It started to look like the 10th seed was in the Sixers’ future, with only the fact that Milwaukee was so far back meaning Philadelphia couldn’t miss the Play-In Tournament entirely. Folks seriously discussed whether the team should punt the rest of the season to improve slim lottery odds, and conversations swirled as to whether Nurse and Daryl Morey would and should still be here in the fall.

Well, it looks like the Sixers have now crawled through the river of “stuff” and while they may not have emerged completely clean, they can at least go find Red on the beach. Joel Embiid and Paul George both returned to the lineup on Wednesday, and Philadelphia only went out and scored their most points in a game in over 50 years. George said the time off allowed his body to feel 100 percent. Embiid indicated the oblique is something he’s going to have to manage, but that he at least feels the knee issues are no longer a problem at the moment. Tyrese Maxey looks close to coming back from his pinky finger injury, using his right hand some during warmups prior to the Bulls game.

Credit to the MASH unit for holding things together while all of those guys were away. Now, with the roster rounding back into shape, the Sixers can really do some damage in the standings with nine games remaining. Entering play Thursday, Philadelphia is just one game back of Atlanta for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Washington, Indiana and Milwaukee are all left on the schedule. If the Sixers can split their other six games, would a 6-3 final push be enough to catch the Hawks (while also leapfrogging the currently sixth-place Raptors and holding off everyone else)? Maybe? A potential first-round series against James Harden and the Cavaliers would certainly make for some tasty drama, and test the validity of Morey’s “no needle movers changed hands at the deadline” statement. I wonder if Harden thought Daryl was being truthful there.

Regardless, we have a fun closing stretch ahead of us after many of us had resigned ourselves to checking out for the remainder of the regular season. Instead of “let’s see what happens in the Play-In,” we get a chance to watch a talented group play with something on the line against some interesting opponents like Minnesota and San Antonio. Maybe things don’t quite work out and the Sixers end up in the Play-In anyway, but they’ll at least enter with some sort of cohesion built over these final two weeks.

Just when I thought I was out on these Sixers, they found a way to pull me back in.

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Pittsburgh Penguins At Ottawa Senators Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To Watch

The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to play their biggest game of the season so far against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. 

The Penguins have lost two in a row and need a win to stay in third place in the Metropolitan Division. Meanwhile, the Senators have climbed up to the second wild-card spot and also need a win to stay in a playoff spot. 

Ottawa has not been kind to the Penguins as of late. The Penguins have lost their last five trips in the Canadian Tire Centre and haven't won in that building since Feb. 10, 2022. The Penguins have also lost nine of their last 11 overall against the Senators. 

The Senators will be without their top two defensemen, Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot, for this game, but they're still very potent up front. Tim Stutzle leads the way, compiling 32 goals and 73 points in 71 games. Drake Batherson has been fantastic this year too, racking up 27 goals and 61 points in 68 games. 

Penguins fans shouldn't forget about Brady Tkachuk, Claude Giroux, Dylan Cozens, and Shane Pinto, either. All four forwards can score from anywhere on the ice and have been tough to stop this year.

Linus Ullmark will start in goal for the Senators, and he's been dynamite against the Penguins during his career, winning all eight of his starts against them with a .926 save percentage. 

The Penguins will likely use the same lineup that they had on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche for Thursday's game, since Anthony Mantha confirmed after the morning skate that he's good to go. He missed Wednesday's practice with a lower-body injury.

Here's a look at the projected lines: 

Forwards

Rakell-Crosby-Rust

Chinakhov-Novak-Mantha

Koivunen-Kindel-Brazeau

Soderblom-Dewar-Acciari

Defensive pairs

Wotherspoon-Karlsson

Girard-Letang

Shea-Clifton

Stuart Skinner will start in goal for the Penguins. 

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!   

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Game Thread: White Sox (0-0) at Brewers (0-0)

Milwaukee Brewers warmup before the Opening Day game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday March 24, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Baseball is back, baby! | Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Welcome to a new season of Chicago White Sox baseball. As always, we’ll be here to cover all 162 games for you, through bad times and who knows, maybe even some good.

I’ve had the honor of covering nine Opening Days now at South Side Sox, with a record of 3-5. Well, at least this one isn’t coming in July.

So, as we get to today’s lineups, notice anything at the top? Same 0-0 record, but the White Sox are in last place, Milwaukee in first. Sure, the NL Central is marshmallow soft, but that’s ridiculous (I know, I know, it’s a carryover from where the teams finished in 2025.)

Shane Smith takes the ball for his first career Opening Day start. As does Jacob Misiorowski for the Brewers. It would seem, however, advantage goes to the guy who throws 100 mph like a sneeze and then counters with an 80 mph yakker.

Chase Meidroth was incredibly prolific at the top of the order in Spring Training, so let’s hope he keeps it rolling. Colson Montgomery was dog food at the top of the order in Spring Training, so let’s hope that was a mirage. Andrew Benintendi is hitting cleanup, in case any of you are overly chuffed by Will Venable’s potential as a manager. Meanwhile Munetaka Murakami is hitting sixth, not dispelling any of the high-velo concerns he brought over with him from Japan.

Rub your eyes twice, but the major league outfield of the major league Chicago White Sox consists of Austin Hayes in left, Luisangel Acuña in center, and Everson Pereira in right. That is not the Charlotte Knights lineup; they play tomorrow night, possibly with a better outfield group than this one today.

Over on the other side, Jackson Chourio is out for the Brewers, which is a huge plus for our hopes of stealing an Opening Day win. ANDREW VAUGHN is hitting cleanup for Milwaukee, and would probably not mind one whit hitting a couple of bombs in his first game against his former team.

It’s something like 48° and falling in Milwaukee today, but that ain’t no thing for an indoor ballpark. But sorry, tailgaters, perhaps including our very own Hannah Filippo, Allie Wesel, Kristina Airdo and possibly even others.

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Rays Opening Day lineup for 2026 has some surprises

Feb 19, 2026; PortCharlotte, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Ryan Vilade (26) poses for a photo during media day at Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Rays Opening Day lineup for 2026 has been posted by manager Kevin Cash, and has some surprises compared to the expected starters for the season, in part because a left hander is on the mound in for -Rays first round pick Matthew Liberatore, who was traded to St. Louis in the January 2020 deal for Randy Arozarena.

Liberatore has been on the Cardinals since 2022, and makes his first Opening Day start opposite of Drew Rasmussen, who also gets the nod for the first time.

Here’s how the Rays line up against the Cardinals southpaw:

  1. Yandy Diaz, DH
  2. Ryan Vilade, LF
  3. Jonathan Aranda, 1B (L)
  4. Junior Caminero, 3B
  5. Ben Williamson, 2B
  6. Jonny DeLuca, RF
  7. Nick Fortes, C
  8. Cedric Mullins II, CF (L)
  9. Carson Williams, SS

Two quick reactions:

  1. it is not a surpise that utility defender Ryan Vilade is making the start, but the vote of confidence in his bat to hit Vilade second is notable, as the 27-year old journeyman (and former Cardinal) has only 71 career plate appearances with a .179 wOBA, despite strong performances in Triple-A in 2025 (135 wRC+ across two org’s). The Rays must believe in the bat heading into this season.
  2. Cedric Mullins locks down center field, with the 31-year old veteran getting the start over in-house starter Jonny DeLuca. Last year across two teams Mullins totaled -14 Defensive Runs Saved in center field over 120 games started (1,064.1 innings); DeLuca netted 1 DRS in 14 starts (140 innings) after an extended absence with injury.

First pitch is at 4:15.

Go Rays!

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Highlights: Spurs throw dunk party in Memphis, dominate Grizzlies

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MARCH 25: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against Taylor Hendricks #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at FedExForum on March 25, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Coming off a dominant win against the Miami Heat, the Spurs traveled to the FedEx Forum to take on the Memphis Grizzlies for the final time this season. De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet did not play due to their respective injuries, and the Grizzlies had eight players ruled out. As a result, Dylan Harper started for the second time this season. Nonetheless, as soon as the ball was tipped, the Spurs were out and running. They forced turnovers and cashed in quickly with transition threes and dunks, including the first of several poster dunks. They dominated the Grizzlies in the first quarter, 38-19. The second quarter was an ice-cold shooting fest between both teams, as the Spurs led by only 13 at the half. However, the third quarter was a repeat performance of the first. More poster dunks followed as the Spurs outscored the Grizzlies 41-20, and they carried a 34-point lead into the fourth. The Spurs ultimately won 123-98.

Speaking of dunks, here are all 12 dunks from the Spurs! From alley-oops, breakaways, and THREE poster dunks, the silver and black threw themselves a dunk party in Memphis!

Victor Wembanyama led the way with 19 points (8-15 FG), 15 rebounds, 7 blocks, three steals, and three assists. Vic dropped eight of his 19 points in the first half, but also had five of his seven blocks in the first half. He dominated the paint on both ends and had an exciting back-and-forth with GG Jackson II early in the third. After Jackson posterized (sort of) Wemby, Wemby came right back on the other end and posterized Jackson! He then scored on multiple straight possessions. Jackson II had awoken the beast inside Wemby, and Wemby sent the Grizzlies packing. Spurs fans continue to lead his campaign for MVP and DPOY.

On the board with style! Devin Vassell finds a cutting Wemby on the alley-oop connection to put the Spurs on the board first!

PEAK SPURS BALL MOVEMENT! Look at the unselfishness of this team! Multiple passes around the perimeter result in a Wemby dime to Harper for three! Harper finished his second career start with 10 points, six assists, five rebounds, and a block.

TOO BIG AND TOO STRONG! Wemby posts up at the top of the key and bullies his way inside for an and-one slam through contact!

LOCKDOWN! As mentioned earlier, five of Wemby’s seven blocks came in the first half!

PAYBACK POSTER! After getting posterized by Jackson II, Wemby returned the favor on the other end with an exploding one-handed poster on Jackson II!

Icing on the cake! Wemby ends a dominant third quarter with a buzzer-beating three!

Stephon Castle dropped 15 points (5-7 FG), nine assists, and three rebounds. Steph started alongside Harper and just missed out on a double-double. He dished out nine dimes and slashed his way to the paint with ease. He also got to the foul line several times but went five of nine. Despite also committing five turnovers, Steph got the dunk party started by introducing Taylor Hendricks to his poster!

Here’s the reverse angle! Look at Steph’s reaction after the poster! He is simply confused why Hendricks decided to jump with him!

Devin Vassell led the scoring with Wemby by dropping 19 points (7-10 FG, 4-6 3PT) to go along with seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Devin was extremely efficient from the field, especially from the three-point line. He also mixed it up with unselfish playmaking and crashed the boards. Since the arrival of Wemby, Castle, Fox, and Harper, Dev has been a fantastic plug-and-play player for this team. He is an X-factor for this team and a solid wing on both ends. He and Keldon Johnson have been the longest tenured players on the roster, and they will be rewarded by finally making their postseason debuts this April.

MORE SPURS BALL MOVEMENT! In transition, the Spurs move the ball around to the corner, where Dev passes the ball back to Harper, who splashes another three!

DEV WANTS IN ON THE DUNK PARTY! Dev sprints ahead for a breakaway one-handed slam through two defenders!

Julian Champagnie dropped 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block. Besides dropping threes, Julian got into the passing lanes and came up with two stocks. Ever since he became a permanent fixture in the starting lineup, he has been an underrated rebounder. After seeing Castle and Wemby posterize defenders, Julian felt left out. He took matters into his own hands and posterized Hendricks!

Keldon Johnson dropped 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. KJ added another solid scoring game off the bench to add to his 6MOTY candidacy. Besides bringing the energy before and after every game. KJ ALSO felt left out after seeing Castle, Wemby, Julian, and Dev bring the house down. KJ leaked out on a fastbreak and had himself a clear runway for a ferocious slam!

Another <.500 opponent, another take-care-of-business game. The Spurs led wire-to-wire and took care of an injury-riddled team early. As the playoffs appear closer by the game, the Spurs keep looking better. They’ve won games in many different ways this season, but games like these prove that they are also all unselfish and want to send a message every time they step on the court. They are now two games behind the OKC Thunder for the one seed, and clinched home-court advantage for the first two rounds.

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The Spurs travel to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks this Saturday at 2:00 P.M. (CST) on Prime Video/FDSN-SW.

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SEE IT: 2026 Mets introduced ahead of Opening Day meeting with Pirates at Citi Field

Mets baseball is officially back.

Before the team took the field for their Opening Day meeting with the Pirates, though, we had to go through the festivities that come with the day.

With this roster completely overhauled from last season, player introductions gave the fan base their first opportunity to welcome the several new faces to Citi Field. 

Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, Luis Robert Jr, and Devin Williams were among those who received a big hand from the orange and blue faithful. 

Familiar faces such as Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Brett Baty, Francisco Alvarez, Nolan McLean, and Kodai Senga also received a warm welcome back home. 

Arguably the loudest cheers of the day, though, came when top prospect Carson Benge came running out of the Mets’ dugout for the first time wearing his No. 3 jersey ahead of his MLB debut. 

Here's some of the scenes from the pregame festivities…

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Game Thread #1: Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) vs. Chicago White Sox (0-0)

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 23: Brice Turang #2 of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated by William Contreras #24 after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the exhibition game at American Family Field on March 23, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a long, cold, baseball-less winter, we’ve made it. At long last, here are the words I’ve been waiting to write since Game 7 of the World Series: Happy Opening Day!

In case you missed it, Harrison and I put together a season primer with everything you need to know about the Brewers before today’s first pitch. You can find that article here.

With Freddy Peralta now in New York, Milwaukee’s starter for today’s game is right-hander Jacob Misiorowski. Not only is this Misiorowski’s first Opening Day start, it’s his first Opening Day as a major leaguer. He had an up-and-down rookie season, though the highs — outdueling Paul Skenes, striking out nine Dodgers over five innings in Game 3 of the 2025 NLCS — were exceptionally high. Misiorowski will look to improve on last season’s 4.36 ERA as the Brewers’ newly-minted #1 starter.

On the mound for the White Sox is righty Shane Smith. Smith was originally signed by the Brewers as an undrafted free agent following the 2021 draft and remained with the Brewers organization until 2024, when Chicago selected him with the first overall pick in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. He was named an AL All-Star in 2025, finishing the season with a 3.81 ERA over 29 games started.

Missing from Milwaukee’s Opening Day lineup is outfielder Jackson Chourio, who was placed on the 10-day IL this morning (retroactive to 3/25) with a left hand fracture. Per Curt Hogg, the fracture was sustained in an exhibition game on March 4th while with Team Venezuela. He is expected to miss somewhere between 2-4 weeks. Blake Perkins has been recalled from Triple-A Nashville to take his place on the roster.

The top of today’s lineup consists of Brice Turang, William Contreras, and Christian Yelich (DH’ing tonight). Andrew Vaughn will hit cleanup tonight, facing the team that drafted him No. 3 overall for the first time since being traded to Milwaukee. He’s followed by Jake Bauers, who posted a 1.725 OPS with seven home runs in 39 spring training at-bats. Bauers will look to stay hot as Chourio’s replacement in left field. Sal Frelick, David Hamilton (playing third tonight), Garrett Mitchell, and Joey Ortiz round out the lineup for the Brewers.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. You can catch the television broadcast on Brewers.TV and the radio broadcast on WTMJ 620 and the Brewers Radio Network. With the recent uncertainty surrounding local TV availability, the Brewers have released a handy tool (found here) to help fans find where to watch.

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Gamethread 3/26: Rangers at Phillies

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 13, 2026: Adolis García #53 of the Philadelphia Phillies warms up prior to a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at BayCare Ballpark on March 13, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

It’s opening day. It’s awesome. I hate Netflix.

Lineup for the Phillies:

For the Rangers:

Prediction: Justin Crawford lays down a bunt hit in the 5th inning.

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Illinois vs Houston live updates: Prediction, time, how to watch Sweet 16 game

Tonight's Sweet 16 game between Houston and Illinois will be a home game for the Cougars, but UH players don't expect that to matter much.

"Last year we played Purdue in Indiana. It doesn't really give you too much of an advantage, honestly," Cougars guard Milos Uzan said. "Every team here is good, and, yeah, it doesn't really give you too much advantage. I think we just continue with the same preparation and live with the results."

March Madness: Sweet 16 games ranked

This could be the best game of the night. Illinois averages 85 points a game, while Houston is known for its defense. It will also feature two of the top freshmen in the country, Kingston Flemings for Houston and Keaton Wagler for Illinois, who both figure to go early in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The winner of tonight's game advances to Saturday's Elite Eight to face the winner of Nebraska vs. Iowa in the South Region's other Sweet 16 game.

Here's what you need to know about tonight's game, including predictions:

HIT REFRESH FOR UPDATES.

Illinois vs Houston basketball live score

TEAMS1H2HF
Illinois———
Houston———

What time is Illinois vs Houston Sweet 16 game today?

Tip-off is scheduled for 10:05 p.m. ET from Houston.

What channel is Illinois vs Houston game on? How to watch, streaming info

Houston vs. Illinois will air on TBS/truTV and stream via Fubo.

Houston vs Illinois prediction

Odds provided by BetMGM, as of noon, Thursday, March 26.

  • Blake Toppmeyer: Houston
  • Paul Myerberg: Houston
  • Jordan Mendoza: Houston
  • John Brice: Houston
  • Matt Glenesk: Houston
  • Craig Meyer: Houston
  • John Leuzzi: Illinois
  • Austin Curtright: Houston
  • Ehsan Kassim: Illinois
  • Moneyline: Houston (-165); Illinois (+135)
  • Spread: Houston (-2.5)
  • Over/under total: 139.5

Is Andrej Stojakovic related to Peja Stojakovic?

Yes, Peja is his dad. Peja Stojakovic played 13 seasons in the NBA, primarily for the Sacramento Kings, and was a three-time All-Star.

Andrej played at Cal and Stanford before transferring to Illinois.

How many Europeans are on Illinois' team?

  • David Mirkovic is from Montenegro
  • Andrej Stojakovic lists Thessaloniki, Greece as his hometown
  • Tomislav Ivisic is from Croatia
  • Zvonimir Ivisic is from Croatia
  • Mihailo Petrovic is from Serbia
  • Toni Bilic is from Croatia

Kingston Flemings 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

Utah Jazz at No. 5 overall.

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

The Jazz currently have the worst defensive rating in the league but could potentially improve that by selecting Houston freshman Kingston Flemings. The All-Big 12 guard has several games when he has recorded at least three steals, notching eight against Arizona State earlier this season. He scored 42 points against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24 and had a strong performance against Baylor, recording 21 points with seven assists and two steals on March 4. With highs as high as his thus far, it will not take long for him to hear his name called on draft night.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here.

Kingston Flemings stats

(all stats as of March 15)

  • 16.4 points per game
  • 3.9 rebounds per game
  • 5.3 assists per game
  • 47.5% field goal percentage
  • 39.2% three-point field goal percentage

Houston NCAA Tournament history (since 2014)

  • Appearances: 7
  • Most recent appearance: 2025
  • Games played: 27 (20-6)
  • Highest seed: 1
  • Lowest seed: 6
  • Best finish: National Championship

Keaton Wagler 2026 NBA Draft mock draft prediction

Atlanta Hawks, pick No. 7.

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

After trading away Trae Young, the Hawks could find their point guard of the future in Illinois standout Keaton Wagler using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. The 19-year-old guard scored 46 points while shooting 9-of-11 on 3-pointers against No. 12 Purdue on Jan. 24. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 41.0 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman this year. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year is a cerebral basketball player who is also averaging 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season.

∎ Read more about Keaton Wagler's rise from unknown for freshman superstar.

Keaton Wagler stats

(all stats as of March 15)

  • 17.9 points per game
  • 4.8 rebounds per game
  • 4.4 assists per game
  • 44.6% field goal percentage
  • 40.2% three-point field goal percentage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Houston vs Illinois news, live updates, prediction, how to watch Sweet 16

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Ruff On Sabres Loss To Boston: “Those Two Periods Were Probably Our Poorest In Three Months”

The Buffalo Sabres began their four-game homestand against the Boston Bruins on a sluggish note, stumbling through the opening 40 minutes and trailing 2-1 before rallying to take the lead, but the Sabres allowed Boston to tie the game late in the third and lost 4-3 in overtime on Pavel Zacha’s goal 38 seconds into the extra frame. 

The Buffalo rally was due mainly to the work of pesky Zach Benson, who blew past a defender at the end of a Bruins power play and scored, and drew an undisciplined penalty from Boston’s Mason Lohrei, which resulted in Jason Zucker’s second power play goal of the game. Former Sabre Casey Mittelstadt evened the score with six minutes remaining, before Zacha gave the Bruins the win, slipping a wrist shot five-hole past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. 

Head coach Lindy Ruff spoke to the media after the game:

What happened on the overtime goal?

I think we just didn't play the entry well. Our forward that was back, kinda got caught on the D side. We opened up the shot. I didn't really like our first forward, that he swung by Pastrnak either........you're out of your zone and responsible for a guy or your man on man as soon as he gets over the blue line.

What was the reason for the improved play in the third?

(We) went back to simple, went back to working harder. Those first two periods were probably our poorest periods of last three months. I thought there's a lot of things, puck decisions weren't very good. You're playing a team that's battling as hard as it can to stay in a playoff picture. They won more battles. I don't think (that) had anything to do with being sluggish; that has a lot to do with willpower. To get over the puck and make sure you win your battles. And we didn't win enough of them. Started at the start of the game, and then you watch some of our puck play in the second period that we just gave them opportunities. In the third period, we got back to playing our game, (we) went north, put the puck in the right place, had a good power play, created turnovers. We didn't give up anything.

Other Sabres Stories

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

Lindy Ruff - Jack Adams favorite?

What did you think of the play of Conor Timmins in his first game in three months?

I thought Timmins on our penalty killing (was) rock solid, and that penalty killing has been hurting now for a little bit. 

Your changes on special teams seemed to work well:

We're trying to move some things around. We were just trying to, and I thought the power play looked really good for only practicing once. Move (Tage Thompson) around a little bit, use them in the bumper, try to get them up high on top of the circle, try to get him in different places where they they got to try to find them and let those guys operate low. But I thought he made a great play on the on the second (power play goal), going behind the net.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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