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Arizona's Final Four drought is finally over. The Wildcats are headed back to the Final Four for the first time since 2001 after their Elite Eight win over Purdue.

Trailing by seven at halftime, Arizona produced a dominant second half to put the Boilermakers away. Wildcats players led the halftime pep talk before Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd provided the punctuation: “Let's go kick their ass."

Message received. Arizona outscored Purdue 48-26 after the break.

In-depth: How Arizona players' halftime talk ended 25 years of March Madness heartbreak

Arizona has one national championship in its history, the 1997 Miles Simon-led team... in Indianapolis.

Here's what you need to know about Arizona's road to Indy and the Wildcats' stars that led them there:

No team has impressed more this NCAA Tournament than Michigan. The Wolverines have pummeled their way to the Final Four, their first since 2018.

Led by Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan has won each game by at least 13 points and have the look of a championship favorite.

Here's what you need to know about Michigan's road to Indy and the Wolverines' stars that led them there:

Toppmeyer: Dusty May so good, you almost forget Sherrone Moore — now, UNC needs him

Michigan sends message: You don't want to play them

The road from Champaign to Indianapolis is relatively easy — a two-hour straight shot due east on I-74.

Illinois' path to the 2026 Final Four wasn't as simple, but also didn't provide too many hazards as the Fighting Illini won all four of its NCAA Tournament games by double digits.

The No. 3 seeded Illini won the South Region by beating Big Ten rival Iowa, who did Illinois a solid by knocking out No. 1 Florida in the second round. Freshman star Keaton Wagler, who was overlooked in this year's loaded freshman class, won the South's Most Outstanding Player as Brad Underwood led the Illini to their first Final Four since 2005.

In-depth: How Keaton Wagler has risen from freshman unknown to superstar

More: Illinois was Brad Underwood's dream job. Now, he has it in the Final Four

Without Derrick White and Jaylen Brown, Boston went into the Spectrum Center and beat Charlotte 114-99 in Jayson Tatum’s first 30-plus game of the year and 28 points from Payton Pritchard.

The Celtics got crushed by the Hornets just three weeks ago 118-89 at TD Garden and had won seven of their last nine games, but strong contributions from role players up and down the rotation was too much for the Hornets to overcome on the second night of a back-to-back. They’ll play each other again on April 7th back in Boston in what could be a first round preview.

With two weeks to go, the Celtics have clinched a spot in the playoffs and been a steady +600 at our friends at FanDuel to raise Banner 19 and the favorite to rep the Eastern Conference in the 2026 NBA Finals.

Jayson Tatum

30 minutes, 32 points (5-10 from 3, 3-5 from the free throw line, 12-23 from the field), 5 rebounds, 8 assists, one block, +15

Maybe it was because the game was so close to Durham where he played his college ball or maybe he’s starting to feel more like himself at Game #11, but Jayson Tatum looked really like Jayson Tatum against the Hornets.

The three-point shot was going down (hitting half of his ten three-point attempts), but more importantly, his drives were more aggressive, getting to the cup and the free throw line. He became the youngest Celtic ever to hit 14,000 points.

Grade: A+

Sam Hauser

33 minutes, 7 points (2-4 from 3, 1-2 from the free throw line, 2-4 from the field), 3 rebounds, +13

It was another game that felt like Hauser was just out there. He made half of his four attempts from behind the arc and was a +13 playing mostly with the starters.

Grade: B

Neemias Queta

28 minutes, 17 points (0-1 from 3, 1-2 from the free throw line, 8-13 from the field), 8 rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block, +13

It always seems like when one of the Jays has it going, Queta is going to have a good game, too. It’s that symbiotic relationship between superstar and active big. Whenever the defense collapsed on Tatum or Pritchard, Queta either got the dish in the dunker spot or grabbed the offensive rebound for a putback.

Grade: A

Jordan Walsh

33 minutes, 3 points (0-4 from 3, 1-1 from the free throw line, 1-7 from the field), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, one steal, +14

As LaMelo Ball’s primary cover, Walsh put the clamps on him as a starter. Ball missed his first five shots of the game — he scored his first points in transition cross-matched against Pritchard. Ball would get it going in the second half and finish with 19, but Walsh’s work early cut off the head of the snake and allowed Boston to get out to an early double-digit lead and never look back.

In addition to his individual defense, Walsh got his hands on a lot of loose balls and deflected even more in Boston’s favor.

Grade: A

Payton Pritchard

37 minutes, 28 points (2-6 from 3, 6-6 from the free throw line, 10-18 from the field), 6 rebounds, 6 assists, one steal, 2 turnovers, +12

With Brown and White both out, Pritchard started for just the second time since being regulated back to the bench since the Celtics swapped Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic. He didn’t disappoint. Eight of his buckets came in the mid-range

Grade: A

Baylor Scheierman

28 minutes, 14 points (3-7 from 3, 3-4 from the free throw line, 4-11 from the field), one rebound, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, +6

Scheierman broke into the rotation playing solid defense and hitting his threes, but over the last few weeks, we’re getting a little more of the Baylor Showmanship that got us excited at the end of last season. I mean, look at this:

He had the most points off the bench (14) on a night when they were sorely needed with two starters out with injuries.

Grade: A-

Luka Garza

13 minutes, 2 points (1-1 from the field), one rebounds, +8

The Hornets are primarily a perimeter team, so Garza played just 13 minutes in Charlotte for a +8 stint. No complaints.

Grade: C

Hugo Gonzalez

12 minutes, 3 points (1-2 from 3, 1-2 from the field), 3 rebounds, one steal, -12

Gonzalez’s minutes are on the decline since the start of March. He’s played in every game and has injected that infectious energy that sometimes seems to swing the momentum in Boston’s favor when they need it. He took a couple of cracks at LaMelo and made a three-pointer.

Grade: C

Ron Harper Jr.

14 minutes, 7 points (1-1 from 3, 3-3 from the field), 3 rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block, +10

Dude just floats around the court and finds ways to score. Before spraining his right ankle and leaving the game for the locker room, he bridged the first and second quarter hitting all three of his shots in a variety of ways: cutting backdoor on a screen, driving in semi-transition, and leaking out and canning a 3. He’s been a valuable contributor on his two-way deal and hopefully, he’ll sign with the big club this summer.

Grade: A

Charles Bassey, Jon Tonje, Amari Williams, Max Shulga

Mop up duty for the Maine crew.

Inactive: Jaylen Brown, Derrick White

With the fantasy basketball playoffs on the horizon, every roster decision counts. This week's schedule sets up beautifully for managers willing to work the waiver wire, with 18 teams logging four games and key streaming opportunities emerging on light game days. The Cavaliers, Rockets, Suns and Wizards all boast favorable matchup slates, offering plenty of upside for both core starters and speculative adds. Whether you're chasing points, threes, rebounds or steals, the matchup data points to several players primed to deliver monster stat lines. Here's everything you need to know to maximize your lineup for the week of April 4.

Days with fewer than six games

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

Saturday, April 4: WAS at MIA, SAS at DEN, DET at PHI

Teams with more than three games this week

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

Celtics (4), Hornets (4), Bulls (4), Cavaliers (4), Mavericks (4), Pistons (4), Rockets (4), Lakers (4), Grizzlies (4), Bucks (4), Timberwolves (4), Magic (4), 76ers (4), Suns (4), Spurs (4), Raptors (4), Jazz (4), Wizards (4)

Teams with fewer than three games this week

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

Nuggets (2), Trail Blazers (2)

Top teams to target based on favorable matchups

Cavaliers at Jazz, at Lakers, at Warriors, vs. Pacers

The Cavs enter the week with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games, including a win in their most recent outing. They have a great opportunity to build momentum on the right track as they open with a matchup against the Jazz, who  give up the league's most points per game, along with the most three-pointers per game. With Max Strus expected to be sidelined for the contest, Keon Ellis and Sam Merrill are in line for more action and should thrive from long range. Up next, the Cavs take on the Lakers, who give up the league's third-most points and fourth-most free throws per game to opposing small forwards. This is a matchup primed for Strus to work his way back into rhythm, as he is likely to be ready for the second leg of a back-to-back. Moving ahead, the Cavs face the Warriors, who give up the league's seventh-most points and sixth-most three-pointers per game, along with the third-highest field-goal percentage to opposing point guards. This should be ideal grounds for James Harden to come up with a major stat line, while Dennis Schroder, who has delivered well in a limited backup role, can also step up to make his mark against a former squad. Finally, the Cavs encounter the Pacers, who give up the league's fifth-most points per game, third-highest field-goal percentage and the most points in the paint. They also give up the league's third-most rebounds per game. The frontcourt duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley should help their side claim control in this one, while Thomas Bryant, who is averaging 15.0 minutes per game over the last 10, could also shine. 

Rockets vs. Knicks, vs. Bucks, vs. Jazz, at Warriors

The Rockets are just 5-5 in their last 10 games but enter the week on a two-game win streak. They begin with a challenge against the Knicks but should find the edge, as the Knicks give up the league's 10th-most three-pointers per game, which favors the leading talent of Kevin Durant, as well as Reed Sheppard, who has taken on a starting role and is averaging 3.0 made threes per outing over five games. Up next, the Rockets meet with the Bucks, who give up the league's second-most three-pointers per game and third-highest three-point shooting percentage, another great chance for the aforementioned two to lead the charge. From there, the Rockets clash with the struggling Jazz, who give up the league's third-highest field-goal percentage, including the fourth-highest three-point shooting percentage. They also give up the second-most free throws per game, which means guys like Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith, who do well to get to the foul line are likely to pad their stats. Lastly, the Rockets take on the Warriors, who give up the league's seventh-highest field-goal percentage and the fourth-most turnovers per game. They also give up the second-most rebounds per game to opposing centers. The Rockets have four players averaging more than 1.0 steal per game, including Sheppard, Thompson, Sengun and Tari Eason, who will all have a great chance to boost their numbers on the defensive end. 

Suns at Grizzlies, at Magic, at Hornets, at Bulls

The Suns are 4-6 in their last 10 games but are coming off a win and have a good opportunity to build some positive momentum down the final stretch of the season. They commence their week against the shorthanded Grizzlies, who give up the league's eighth-most points in the paint and fifth-most three-pointers per game. The Grizzlies also give up the third-most offensive rebounds, fifth-most total rebounds and eighth-most turnovers per game. This provides a perfect chance for Oso Ighodaro to continue to build on his improved play, as he is averaging 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals over the last six games. Up next, the Suns clash with the Magic, who give up the league's seventh-highest field-goal percentage and sixth-most free throws per game, signifying that Devin Booker, Grayson Allen and Jalen Green, who are among their team leaders in free throws per game, are likely to pad their stats. From there, the Suns take on the Hornets, who give up the league's seventh-most turnovers per game, along with the fourth-highest field-goal percentage and fifth-most threes per game to opposing power forwards. This is a perfect chance for Royce O'Neale to stand out, as he averages 2.8 three-pointers and 1.1 steals per game. Finally, the Suns close the week against the Bulls, who give up the league's fourth-most points per game, sixth-most three-pointers and fourth-most points in the paint.

Wizards at Lakers, vs. 76ers, at Heat, at Nets 

The Wizards are well beyond playoff contention and have lost nine of their last 10 games. Nonetheless, they look ahead towards continued opportunity to develop the younger talent on their roster and begin the week with a matchup against the Lakers, who give up the league's fifth-highest field-goal percentage, including the highest field-goal percentage to opposing power forwards. This should be the perfect chance for Will Riley to keep up his strong play, as he is averaging 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists over the last 10 games. Next, the Wizards take on the 76ers, who give up the league's eighth-most free throws per game, along with the fourth-most offensive rebounds per game, suggesting Bilal Coulibaly and Justin Champagnie as likely candidates to boost their stats. Moving ahead, the Wizards meet with the Heat, who give up the league's ninth-most points per game and the ninth-most points in the paint. Big men, Alex Sarr and Tristan Vukcevic should stand out in that one. Finally, a bout with the Nets, who give up the league's highest field-goal percentage and the seventh-most points in the paint, along with the third-most turnovers per game. This matchup also favors the five already-mentioned players.

There are only two weeks left in the regular season. The playoff contenders are using the final stretch to jockey for position and secure home court, while the league’s bottom dwellers shut things down and look to improve their lottery odds. Monday night’s contest between the San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls will be a matchup between teams in each of those categories.

The Bulls have officially been eliminated from playoff contention and are dealing with several injuries. They’ll be without big men Zach Collins and Jalen Smith, and ball-handlers Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons against the Spurs. Chicago is still feisty, though. They have solid young players like Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.

San Antonio knows the Bulls’ spoiler ability all too well. It took a 32-19 fourth quarter for the Spurs to secure a 121-117 win against Chicago earlier this season. San Antonio’s eight-game winning streak has been defined by blowouts started by early leads. The Spurs will need a good start to bury the Bulls as they look to gain ground on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed in the Western Conference.

San Antonio Spurs (56-18) vs. Chicago Bulls (29-45)

March 30th, 2026 | 7 PM CT

Watch: Peacock | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), David Jones Garcia – Out (G League), Emanuel Miller – Out (G League)

Bulls Injuries: Zach Collins – Out (toe), Noa Essengue – Out (shoulder), Jaden Ivey – Out (knee), Mac McClung – Out (G League), Nick Richards – Questionable (elbow), Anfernee Simons – Out (hand), Jalen Smith – Out (calf), Guerschon Yabusele – Questionable (ankle)

What to watch for:

Containing ball handlers

If there is one thing Chicago has, it’s a plethora of guards who can handle the rock. Giddey is one of the league’s best point forwards, Colin Sexton has added a necessary veteran presence, Rob Dillingham has shown flashes, and Spurs fans will be familiar with the game of Tre Jones. With all of their ball handlers, the Bulls match up with the Spurs surprisingly well on the perimeter. Chicago’s best bet to contend with the Spurs is to utilize all its ball handlers to shift the defense and create easy looks.

Owning the interior

With Nick Richards listed as questionable for Monday night’s game, the Bulls’ tallest player could be 6-10 forward Leonard Miller. In case you forgot, the Spurs have a fairly talented 7-foot-4 big man named Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio should dominate the paint against the smaller Bulls. As Wembanyama chases the MVP, the Spurs could force-feed the big man inside for easy buckets against a weaker Chicago front line.

Stephon Castle stays hot

Stephon Castle had his fourth triple-double of the season in the team’s last win against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Sophomore has been playing some fantastic basketball down the stretch, averaging 16.6 points, 7.7 assists, and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 48.8% from the field and 40% from three. He’ll have the opportunity to go off again against the Bulls, who give up the third-most points per game in the NBA.

Last weekend on March 28th, Richard Francis Dennis Barry III turned 82. Just another date passing for a player who took the Golden State Warriors to the top of the mountain top and set a standard for excellence for the franchise.

Rick Barry is still the only player in basketball history to lead the NCAA, the ABA, and the NBA in scoring. Different leagues, different rules, different versions of the sport trying to figure themselves out. But they couldn’t figure out how to stop Barry.

Some younger fans might only know him for that awkward moment when the crowd rained boos on Joe Lacob after the Monta Ellis trade, and Barry grabbed the mic to tell everyone to knock it off.

But his time in the Bay will always come back to 1975 with that title team that for forty years stood as the only championship Golden State could brag about. That team was not supposed to win anything. Definitely not a sweep over Washington. The Warriors had Barry and a group that trusted him enough to follow wherever he led them:

The Warriors were a team that was not even expected to make the playoffs at the beginning of the season. After the 1974 season, in which they had a modest record of 44 – 38, they gave away 3 of their 5 leading scorers and got just one promising young player in return. The Warriors traded their 2nd leading scorer, Cazzie Russell, for a future draft pick. Even more startling, no shocking, is that the Warriors traded their future Hall of Fame center, Nate Thurmond, who had been 8th in the 1974 MVP voting and had been named to the 2nd team All-NBA Defensive squad. 

Barry controlled the entire series, averaging 29.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, dictating pace, space, and outcomes. By the time it was over, Barry had turned one of the least likely championship runs in franchise history into something that felt inevitable.

That part matters more than it gets talked about. Before Steph Curry turned impossible shots into routine moments, Barry was doing something just as disorienting in a different way. He made a team that didn’t look like a champion play like one because he refused to let the game settle anywhere he didn’t control.

Zoom out, and the resume keeps stacking. Nine First-Team All-League selections across the NBA and ABA. A Finals career scoring average of 36.3 points per game that still sits at the top of the record books. A free throw stroke that looked like it belonged at a family barbecue and quietly became one of the most efficient weapons the game has ever seen.

So you end up with this strange gap between impact and recognition, where one of the most dominant players the Warriors have ever had still feels like he exists just outside the center of the story. Maybe that’s just part of it. Some players get celebrated easily over time, while others make you wrestle with them a little before you understand what you’re looking at. Dub Nation is looking at a top 50 and top 75 all time NBA player.

Happy birthday, Rick!

Detroit Pistons (54-20, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (59-16, first in the Western Conference)

Oklahoma City; Monday, 9:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -13.5; over/under is 219.5

BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City will aim for its 60th victory of the season when the Thunder play the Detroit Pistons.

The Thunder have gone 31-7 in home games. Oklahoma City is ninth in the Western Conference with 49.3 points per game in the paint led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 12.5.

The Pistons are 25-11 on the road. Detroit ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 45.7 rebounds per game led by Jalen Duren averaging 10.6.

The Thunder make 48.2% of their shots from the field this season, which is 4.0 percentage points higher than the Pistons have allowed to their opponents (44.2%). The Pistons average 10.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.4 fewer made shots on average than the 14.3 per game the Thunder give up.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Pistons won 124-116 in the last meeting on Feb. 26. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 29 points, and Jaylin Williams led the Thunder with 30 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Gilgeous-Alexander is shooting 55.1% and averaging 31.4 points for the Thunder. Williams is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Tobias Harris is shooting 46.2% and averaging 13.4 points for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 9-1, averaging 118.9 points, 45.3 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 8.8 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.7 points per game.

Pistons: 8-2, averaging 120.7 points, 44.9 rebounds, 31.4 assists, 10.1 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.6 points.

INJURIES: Thunder: Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).

Pistons: Duncan Robinson: day to day (hip), Ausar Thompson: day to day (ankle), Jalen Duren: day to day (knee), Tobias Harris: day to day (hip), Cade Cunningham: out (lung), Isaiah Stewart: out (calf).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.