Aug 15, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) pitches against Washington Nationals outfielder Robert Hassell III (57) during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Another spring victory, which is great, but we’re here for the showdown tonight in Miami.
United States vs. Dominican Republic, Paul Skenes vs. possibly the best lineup ever assembled. If you’re not excited by this matchup, I’m know sure you have a pulse.
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)
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Trevor Rogers #28 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches live during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 16, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hello, friends.
There are now 11 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day. Another eight exhibition games remain to be played in Florida, plus the home-and-home with the Nationals next Sunday and Monday. That includes a 6:05 game against the Yankees here tonight, the first night game of the spring schedule so far. The game will be broadcast on MASN as well as on the flagship radio stations of 98 Rock and WBAL 1090AM in Baltimore.
In yesterday’s game, the Orioles dropped an 8-6 result to the Pirates, with a late three-run home run surrendered by Yaramil Hiraldo making a big difference in the game. On the plus side for the Orioles, Adley Rutschman hit his second homer of spring training in the game and Dylan Beavers hit his first. The team is 8-11 in Grapefruit League action with two ties. We are at the point where I would like to start seeing some better results from the players who are definitely going to be on the Opening Day roster. Many players have been delivering through the spring schedule, so there’s not too much reason to panic… well, sorta.
I remain curious about when some more things will be revealed about the contours of the roster, particularly how pitchers will line up in the remainder of the rotation. When will Craig Albernaz make the decision public about whether the team goes with a five- or six-man rotation? Maybe he never will! Maybe we’ll just know from the roster cuts that they make. If Zach Eflin gets put on the injured list so that he can keep building up innings to start the season, then we’ll know. If Dean Kremer gets optioned to the minors, we’ll know that too.
In a typical season, the final, substantial cuts are made before the team heads north from Florida. That could be different this year since there is the presence of the two exhibitions in the District and in Baltimore. The team might hold off until after that game. And it is always possible to have a waiver claim or trade throwing off everyone’s predicted roster between the end of the exhibition games and the roster being set on Opening Day.
Mike Elias has been a big fan of this kind of move in his tenure as Orioles GM. We’ll see what the run-up to the 2026 season brings.
Nothing of particular note is recorded for this day in Orioles history. This is not likely to change today unless there’s really bad news.
There are a few former Orioles who were born on this day. They are: 2025 outfielder Greg Allen, 2008 infielder Freddie Bynum, 1993 infielder Mike Pagliarulo, and Maryland-born Baseball Hall of Famer/1993-95 and 1997-2000 designated hitter Harold Baines. Today is Baines’s 67th birthday, so an extra happy birthday to him.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday to you! Your birthday buddies for today include: 7th president Andrew Jackson (1767), musician Sly Stone (1943), Sailor Moon creator Naoko Takeuchi (1967), and actress Eva Longoria (1975).
On this day in history…
In 44 BC, famously on the Ides of March, the Roman emperor Julius Caesar was assassinated by several senators.
In 1820 AD, the state of Maine was admitted to the union, becoming the 20th of the United States.
In 1848, a revolution began in Hungary, providing short-lived independence from the Habsburgs to the Hungarians. Ultimately, however, the Russian Empire came to the aid of Austria and the Hungarian revolution was stamped out about 18 months later.
In 1917, a later Russian emperor, Nicholas II, abdicated the throne, bringing an end to the Russian monarchy.
A random Orioles trivia question
I received a random book of Orioles trivia questions for Christmas. I’ll ask a question each time it’s my turn in this space until I run out of questions or forget. Though the book has multiple choice answers, I’m not giving you those because that would make it too easy. Here’s today’s question:
Who did the Orioles trade to the Cubs for Sammy Sosa?
**
And that’s the way it is in Birdland on March 15. Have a safe Sunday.
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)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is introduced before a WBC Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at the Tokyo Dome on March 10. (Toru Hanai / Getty Images)
Wait, what? That’s me whenever I see a list of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball that doesn’t include the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the top three — or not until No. 7, like MLB Network’s did.
It’s hard to believe there are professional ball-watchers who want us to believe there are a handful of pitchers better than the Dodgers’ righty who's steadily filling the fingers on his hand with championship rings.
Respectfully, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Zack Wheeler and Atlanta Braves’ Chris Sale are great. So are the Philadelphia Phillies’ Christopher Sánchez and Boston Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet.
But they’re not greater than Yamamoto.
I’m not saying criminally underrating someone like Yamamoto should be prosecutable, I’m just wondering why anyone would?
“It could have something to do with him not throwing 100 like some other guys,” Dodgers pitcher Ben Casparius said. “But just in terms of pure pitching and what he’s able to do and where he’s able to locate certain pitches and how he’s able to read the hitters?”
“In our eyes, I would for sure say Yamamoto is very underrated,” catcher Dalton Rushing said. “I think what goes into your role as a player is your willingness to win, whatever you'll do to win. I don’t have to go back to the World Series and bring anything up, everyone watched those games, everyone saw what he did.”
Maybe it was a power outage at some folks’ homes during the World Series? Or a subtle form of protest against the Dodgers, champions of capitalism? Maybe Yamamoto’s unassuming everyman act is just that good?
We’ve all marveled at Shohei Ohtani’s Superman quick change, how he’ll go from dynamite pitcher to fearsome hitter in a few bats of an eye. But the truly superheroic character on the Dodgers’ roster is their 5-foot-10, 176-pound ace, Yamamoto.
His Clark Kent-esque transformation, from unimposing nice guy — “the nicest guy in the entire world,” Casparius said — to smirking menace whenever the day needs saving is the stuff of comic book legends.
In last season’s World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays that went the distance and beyond, Yamamoto earned MVP and three of the Dodgers’ four wins.
He had a 1.02 ERA. Got the Dodgers squared away with nine innings of one-run baseball in Game 2. Staved off elimination in Game 6, giving up just one run in six innings. And closed the deal in Game 7 when he pitched 2 ⅔ innings of scoreless relief in the Dodgers’ 5-4, 11-inning victory.
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is all smiles as he's hugged by a teammate following the Game 7 win over the Blue Jays in the World Series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Oh, and of course Yamamoto was warming in the bullpen when Freddie Freeman hit his walk-off home run to end the 18-inning Game 3 epic at Dodger Stadium.
And Yamamoto showed up for Japan in the World Baseball Classic. He tossed 2 ⅔ scoreless innings in one pool-play start and was scheduled to start again against Venezuela on Saturday evening in Japan’s first knockout round game.
“Part of being a gamer and being a great competitor in big moments is the preparation,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And when you prepare the right way, that eliminates a lot of doubt and fear. And that, for me, that’s the core of who Yoshinobu is.”
Hyper-competitive and exceptionally nimble, Yamamoto is also super strong — in body and mind.
Bruce Wayne had Alfred Pennyworth; Yamamoto has Yada Sensei, personal trainer Osamu Yada, a 60-something Japanese judo therapist whose unique training regimen has helped turn his star pupil into a world-beater.
So while the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes and Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal are baseball’s kings of the hill, if you had to pick one arm to decide the fate of the universe, whose would it be?
Cue the Yoshinobu Yamamoto anthem.
“He's probably the best pitcher I've ever seen live,” Casparius said. “He’s definitely the guy I'm taking in a must-win game.”
Said pitcher River Ryan: “Yoshi, he is just a natural freak athlete” with a “routine that’s incredible to watch.”
And it isn’t merely the pitcher’s willingness to go to bat for his team and country, all the metrics make his case, too.
Last season, Yamamoto had the fourth-best ERA in the big leagues (2.49) and gave up two or fewer runs in 20 of his 30 starts. He was also tied for first in barrel rate (5.7%), fifth in strikeout rate (29.4%) and seventh in FIP (2.94).
Pick a category, and it paints the picture almost as well as Yamamoto does corners.
I’m not asking people to put some respect on Yamamoto’s name, I’m asking them to put mad respect on it.
“I would say yes, I don't think he's fully appreciated for what he's done,” third baseman Max Muncy said. “Not just yet. He will.”
Eventually even people around Clark Kent have to catch on: This guy might not walk around like he’s a superhero, but he is one.
Mar 14, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Venezuela left fielder Wilyer Abreu (16) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Japan in the sixth inning during a quarterfinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
In a WBC littered with big home runs from Red Sox players, Wilyer Abreu now owns the most dramatic moment of the entire tournament.
After falling behind Team Japan 5-2 in the third inning and nearly burying themselves even further in the fourth, Venezuela began to fight their way back into the game in the fifth and sixth. The rally culminated when Wilyer Abreu came to the plate and did this:
Willyer Abreu’s most iconic moment of his life so far. This guy is such a stud. Such an underrated hitter.
I was fortunate enough to be in the stands for this game, and let me tell you, my ears are still ringing from the decibels reached. There was dancing, chanting, hugging, screaming, and singing, but most of all, there was pure unadulterated joy.
Here’s one last look at that infectious joy from the players side of things:
In addition to the enormous ramifications of taking down Team Japan and now finding themselves just one win away from the WBC final, there’s also Red Sox ramifications. Most notably, Abreu looks awesome, and continues to underscore why he’s a guy you can trust at the plate with the game on the line.
What an awesome night for him, the sport of baseball, the WBC, and the entire country of Venezuela!
Just when it seemed that the Detroit Red Wings were down and out, destined for another regulation loss, they demonstrated some major fortitude that they hope will ultimately pay off down the road.
Despite ultimately falling by a 3-2 final score in overtime to the Dallas Stars on Saturday evening, the Red Wings managed to score twice in the third period to salvage a badly-needed point in the standings.
Goals from Simon Edvinsson and Lucas Raymond made Detroit's comeback possible, and as a result, they now have a total of 80 points on the season and are still in the second Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference.
Their comeback effort is something they'll take into their next game.
“It’s a huge point, for sure," said Raymond afterward. "We wanted to get two, but it’s tight this time of the year. They’re a good team over there. Obviously, we put ourselves in a lot of bad spots, especially on the penalty kill, and then didn’t really get it done on the power play."
Saturday also featured the Red Wings season debut of David Perron, who was re-acquired last week from the Ottawa Senators for his second tenure with the club.
Perron skated in 13:46 of ice time and had a shot on goal, later saying that he liked the club's resolve from their early deficit.
“A good battle back, lots going on recently, obviously, but we found a way and kept pushing," Perron said. "It was nice to get rewarded as a group to have one point there.”
The Red Wings will return home for a pair of crucial matchups against the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 14: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics looks to rebound the ball against Washington Wizards defenders during the second half at TD Garden on March 14, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) | Getty Images
#1 – Aiming for weaknesses
Entering the game, the Washington Wizards were 26th at limiting shots at the rim and last at protecting the defensive rebound. So the Celtics just went for the paint and made sure they put pressure on the Wizards’ defensive frontcourt.
Overall, by the end, the Celtics created 19 more possessions thanks to offensive rebounds. Like Joe Mazzulla said after the game, you don’t want to rely only on offensive rebounds, but it must be controlled, especially on a night where the jump shots weren’t going in.
"You don't want to be too good of an offensive rebounding team, because that just means you keep missing" – Joe Mazzulla
He also acknowledge how much offensive rebounds were a big part of the win in a game where the Celtics shot 26% from deep.
To start things off nicely, Queta decided to roll over the entire Wizards defense. He grabbed a lot of offensive rebounds and scored from putback situations, but the Celtics coaching staff also made sure to draw plays for him. Here, a Spain pick-and-roll where Sam Hauser sets the back-screen that blocks Alex Sarr. With Derrick White and Jayson Tatum in each corner, Queta has all the space he needs to finish at the rim.
It felt like he was always placed in the right position at the right time. On this beautiful drive and dish from Jaylen Brown, he arrives with perfect timing to place his layup. He also showed that he has developed a nice touch on the floater.
Like often, the space he was able to use was created by his ability to screen and roll. On that possession, he understands that the Wizards are switching and puts his defender on his back to have a better chance to catch the ball on the roll. Then he used the size advantage to dominate at the rim.
Looking back at the game, it felt like the Celtics were largely in control entering the 4th quarter. The 20-point lead felt natural, but in reality the Celtics only dominated the 2nd quarter – but it was enough.
They started the second quarter with an interesting play that involved four different players, with a first movement starting with Payton Pritchard on the ball, then a second movement starting with Derrick White running toward the ball and Luka Garza.
Double get-action into a zoom-action to start the 2nd quarter.
Great play-call to put pressure on the rim from Joe Mazzulla.
This movement around the three-point line created chaos and space so the Celtics could once again attack the rim. During that stretch, the Celtics also dominated on defense, leading to a lot of transitions. This gave us some great highlights like this spin move from Queta, who was unstoppable last night.
This great momentum over those 12 minutes was enough to remain in control in the second half despite losing it 59 to 47.
#4 – Balanced scoring
There were questions about the Celtics’ balance with the return of Jayson Tatum. Last night’s game was a great display that there is enough room for everyone on a winning team.
Nobody took more than 20 shots, but six players scored at least 15 points and seven attempted eight field goals or more. There were also eight players with multiple assists, showing that the ball moves and everyone is involved.
But the scoring wasn’t only balanced player-wise. The Celtics also showed a very versatile performance in terms of shooting profile: 19 field goals made at the rim, 10 from the mid-range, and 12 beyond the line.
With the jump shots not falling, the Celtics didn’t get stuck in the mud and adapted. They were able to score a lot from putback situations, turning misses into new possessions, like Baylor Scheierman and his seven missed shots but four offensive rebounds.
#5 – Baylor feel was showing
Scheierman is among those players where you can see the game slowing down for him, so he is often a step ahead. This play with Sam Hauser is a great example of that feel for the game. He looks like he got caught, but he knows where Sam is located and finds him without even looking at him beforehand.
His feel is obvious on a highlight like this one but can be seen in less flashy situations too. His understanding of the game makes him a very good offensive rebounder. As the Celtics wanted to dominate that aspect of the game, they relied on him to put pressure on his matchup anytime a shot was triggered by one of his teammates.
It’s not a surprise that he keeps being the player with the most minutes behind the core six-man rotation late in the season.
#6 – Off-ball Tatum is a win-win
To get back to his final form, Jayson will need time, but his influence on a defense structure is already back. When he is off the ball, the defense still feels his gravity, which gives great space to his teammates. But it also gives him more speed. While he is getting back in shape and learning how to trust his legs again, having him off the ball to start the play can benefit him and make him a bigger threat.
On top of the speed, having him off the ball is a great way to optimize his shooting threat. When he doesn’t have the rock, the defense still keeps an eye on him. And as soon as he receives the ball, there are immediate collapses because the threat couldn’t be greater than Jayson Tatum with the rock and space.
On the play above, as soon as the basketball touches his hands, two defenders run to him, leaving White in the corner, and JT doesn’t hesitate for a second to swing the ball. A great example of why Tatum isn’t breaking the Celtics’ balance – he brings even more gravity and more connectivity to exploit defensive mistakes.
Of course, we want Tatum to play his isolation, but the impact he already has on the court when he doesn’t have the ball is back to elite – leading to great possessions for the team.
#7 – Tatum and Queta relationship
Speaking of Tatum, his relationship with Queta in the pick-and-roll has been growing through these first four games. And this might be a key to the Celtics’ success this season. When the offense was stuck last year, the Celtics didn’t hesitate to spam Tatum and Kornet pick-and-rolls. They could be doing the same this year with Queta.
Slowing but surely, Jayson Tatum and Neemias Queta relationship is growing.
Great sight for the the Celtics to see the primary ball-handler developing a great synergy with the best roll-man on the team. pic.twitter.com/zZneZulSuQ
It’s the same play that gave a layup to Queta, but this time the defense put more bodies in the paint, leading to a pass to Hauser. Tre Johnson rotates and that leaves White open in the corner. This is all caused by the pick-and-roll led by Tatum and Queta.
#8 – Could Tristan Vukčević be an interesting pick-up?
If there is one thing we learned over the last year, it is that the Celtics can turn a center on a two-way contract into a starter on a competitive team – and after watching this last game, I wonder if Tristan Vukčević could be the next one.
He has been in and out of the rotation for the Wizards over the last three years but could bring some interesting upside to the Celtics’ interior rotation. He has a great touch and we know how much Brad Stevens loves a center who can shoot.
Thoughts on the Serbian center?
#9 – There is always room to be better
I might be overthinking here but aren’t there always ways to improve, even in a game where you had a 30-point lead? Well, looking at last night’s game there is an area where the Celtics should have been better: transition defense.
The Wizards had a 1.63 points-per-possession efficiency in transition and this could be costly against better teams. While this might be due to a lack of seriousness because of the quality of the opponent, it could also happen against more competitive teams. With players crashing the offensive glass, there can be some lapses in the defense when the tagging-up isn’t well coordinated.
Could be worth monitoring against better teams coming to town over the next few weeks.
#10 – Some French influence in Boston?
Before the game, Joe Mazzulla talked about his meeting with Guillaume Vizade, Le Mans Basket head coach. They met back in France this summer and Mazzulla said he learned from the time they spent together. Could France have an influence on the Celtics’ new playstyle? More on that soon…
Joe Mazzulla n'avait que du bien à dire sur @GuillaumeVIZADE avant le match contre les Washington Wizards.
"His ability to teach offense was good so I enjoy sitting with him […] I got better with the time spend with him, grateful for that"
It's a proverbial Christmas Day for fans of college basketball. The presents aren't opened in the morning. They're opened in the evening of Selection Sunday with the reveal of the men’s NCAA Tournament bracket of the 68-team field for March Madness.
So who will be the top seeds and who will see their bubble burst. The final version of the USA TODAY Sports Bracketology will answer those questions.
The No. 1 seeds appear straightforward with Duke going to the East Region as the top overall seed and Michigan, Florida and Arizona staying in their respective geographical areas in the Midwest, South and West part of the bracket.
It’s not so clear-cut at the bottom of the at-large selections. This year’s bubble saw several contenders flame out early in their conference tournaments. Auburn, Indiana, Cincinnati, West Virginia are among the teams that failed to win a game in the postseason. That opened the door for other contenders to make their case. San Diego State and Oklahoma each won two games but ultimately fell short of the field.
One bubble spot went to Miami (Ohio), the regular-season champion of the MAC that lost its only game of the season in the conference tournament, creating a bid-stealing situation with Akron grabbing the league's automatic spot. Texas and Missouri were able to withstand losses in the SEC tournament and keep their place.
There’s still some drama to unpack Sunday with five conference championship games. Should Dayton win the Atlantic 10 that could lead one of those aforementioned three teams sweating when the bracket is unveiled.
March Madness bracketology: NCAA Tournament prediction
Teams in bold have clinched tournament berth.
March Madness last four in
Texas, Missouri, SMU, Miami (Ohio).
March Madness first four out
Oklahoma, San Diego, New Mexico, Auburn.
NCAA tournament bids conference breakdown
Multi-bid leagues: SEC (10), Big Ten (9), ACC (8), Big 12 (8), Big East (3), West Coast (3), Atlantic 10 (2), MAC (2).
For weeks, the teams that make up the 68-team Men’s NCAA Tournament bracket have been a source of constant speculation, prompting heated discussions revolving around NET rankings, Quad One games and Wins Above Bubble.
For nearly half of the field, though, there isn’t a debate about whether they should be included.
The NCAA tournament rewards automatic bids to the champions of each of the 31 Division I conference tournaments. It’s a setup from which much of March’s madness comes, with small schools from the smallest conferences earning a chance to try to stun national powerhouses on the biggest, brightest stage their sport has to offer.
In the two weeks leading up to Selection Sunday, schools from across the country compete in conference tournaments, with a spot in the Big Dance on the line. For many of those leagues, it’s the only and only bid that’s available.
With the start of the tournament approaching, who has locked up those coveted spots? Here’s a look at who has earned automatic berths to the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament:
The Kings are signing the 24-year-old guard to a two-year contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday, citing Hayes’ agent Yann Balikouzou of LIFT Sports Management.
The Sacramento Kings are signing guard Killian Hayes to a two-year deal, agent Yann Balikouzou of LIFT Sports Management tells ESPN. The former No. 7 pick played in 10 games for the Kings over two 10-day contracts and now lands a full deal. pic.twitter.com/gFJtFSAwlc
Hayes is a former No. 7 overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in the 2020 NBA Draft. He signed a 10-day contract with the Kings on Feb. 23, followed by a second 10-day on March 5. Now, Sacramento is set to lock him up for the next two seasons as the team deals with a barrage of injuries.
Across 10 games (one start) this season with the Kings, Hayes is averaging 3.8 points, 3.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 15.3 minutes, while shooting 26.9 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from 3-point range.
Sacramento now will hope to be rewarded for giving a former top prospect in Hayes a second chance in the NBA.
Following the much-anticipated bracket reveal for March Madness at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 15, all eyes turn to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) bracket reveal. The 32-team field comprises teams that did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
The NIT is an invitation-only style tournament, which means that Division I teams must be extended an invitation by the selection committee to play in the game. It is one of several postseason tournaments that take place simultaneously with the NCAA Tournament.
Sixteen "exempt" teams make up half of the field. Four spots are taken up by top teams from the ACC and SEC not selected for the NCAA tournament field, while the remaining 12 "exempt" spots go to the top team in the top 12 conferences, based on the KenPom Rankings.
The remaining 16 spots are automatic bids for conference regular season champions that have a "KNIT" score of 125 or better and at-large teams of the best available teams that did not make it into the tournament.
When is the NIT? Full schedule for 2026 tournament
NIT start date: Tuesday, March 17
NIT championship: Sunday, April 5
The 2026 (NIT) is scheduled to tip off on Tuesday, March 17, with the first round of games, which also happens to be the first night of the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio.
The semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, April 2, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, while the championship game is set for Sunday, April 5, from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, also in Indianapolis.
Hinkle Fieldhouse is the home of the Big East's Butler, while the NBA's Pacers and the WNBA's Fever play at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Here’s a breakdown of the NIT schedule:
First round: Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18
Second round: Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22
Quarterfinals: Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25
Semifinals: Thursday, April 2
Championship: Sunday, April 5
NIT history, past champions
Here's a look at past NIT champions dating back to 2000 per NCAA.com:
2000: Wake Forest
2001: Tulsa
2002: Memphis
2003: St. John's*
2004: Michigan
2005: South Carolina
2006: South Carolina
2007: West Virginia
2008: Ohio State
2009: Penn State
2010: Dayton
2011: Wichita State
2012: Stanford
2013: Baylor
2014: Minnesota
2015: Stanford
2016: George Washington
2017: TCU
2018: Penn State
2019: Texas
2020: Canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
2021: Memphis
2022: Xavier
2023: North Texas
2024: Seton Hall
2025: Tennessee–Chattanooga
* Denotes vacated by the NCAA
The list of all the NIT champions since 1938 can be found here.
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 13: Austin Wells #28 of Team Dominican Republic speaks to media after the 2026 World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals game presented by Capital One between Team Korea and Team Dominican Republic at loanDepot park on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Our World Baseball Classic Final Four is set. Team USA will square off tonight at 8pm ET on FS1 with the Dominican Republic in a dynamic matchup of Paul Skenes vs. the formidable Dominican lineup to see who will advance to the WBC Championship Game In tomorrow’s game, Italy will try to continue their dream run all the way to a finals berth, but will have to pull off another big upset against a dangerous Venezuela club that knocked out Shohei Ohtani and defending champion Japan last night in a thriller.
Today on the site, Kento will discuss how we got to this point in the WBC by recapping yesterday’s action. Estevão will preview the Reds—who really did make the playoffs last year, we promise—Nick will celebrate an awesome 1980s Yankee’s birthday, and John will run the weekly social media spotlight. Then we have some doubleheader action! Estevão and Peter will have you covered with separate game threads and recaps.
Today’s Matchup
New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers
Time: 1:05 p.m. EST
Video: YES Network, Gotham Sports App, Detroit SportsNet
Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL
New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles
Time: 6:05 p.m. EST
Video: MASN, MLB.tv
Venue: Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, FL
Questions/Prompts:
1. Who’s winning tonight: the Dominican Republic or Team USA? Who gets the biggest hit?
2. Did you watch any college basketball conference tournament play this weekend, or have you mostly stuck to baseball?
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 14: Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards fight for the rebound during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 14, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Here’s where the Wizards are at this point: losing by 11 to the Boston Celtics feels almost like an achievement. Most of the relative narrowness of that margin was due to Boston bricking open and wide-open threes they normally make, some working out of kinks related to Jayson Tatum’s return to the lineup, and probably a little Boston slacking off, but being almost kinda-sorta close to being almost competitive towards the end was…umm…something?
There was stuff in this game that I don’t recall ever seeing before. For example, Washington was +15 from three-point range in the first quarter and exited the period trailing by two.
Wizards wing Bilal Coulibaly dunks during the team’s loss to the Boston Celtics. | NBAE via Getty Images
Boston was so dominant on the boards, the broadcast team sent their stats guy to research the biggest single-game rebounding differential in franchise history. The Celtics were “only” =17 on the glass last night — well short of the franchise record (+52 during the Bill Russell era — Boston had 112 rebounds in that one game, believe it or not).
Washington’s defense was so bad, it revealed the “getting to watch good basketball” privilege enjoyed by Boston fans and analyst Brian Scalabrine. Scalabrine was baffled by Washington “choosing” not to defend Neemias Queta after the center went to help.
Several times, Scalabrine said he’d never seen a defense like the one Washington was playing — with no one cracking back to pick up the big. It was kinda cute that Scalabrine thought that was by design and not simply Washington defenders repeatedly blowing rotations they should be making.
The Wizards largely fixed the issue at halftime, by the way. Presumably the coaching staff reminded players to try a little.
The game revealed the oceanic distance Washington needs to cover to become a contender. Boston out-smarted, out-worked, and out-executed the Wizards all night long. The only thing keeping the final margin under 30 was the Celtics having an off night shooting the ball.
Thoughts & Observations
The first defensive possession game me some hope — Bilal Coulibaly blocked a Jaylen Brown attempt to bully-ball a bucket. The defensive intensity didn’t last.
Jayson Tatum looked pretty damn amazing considering he’s less than 10 months removed from tearing an Achilles. That injury used to be career-ending, or massively career-diminishing. Modern sports medicine is downright miraculous.
The possession ending at 9:54 in the first quarter is a good example that illustrates Scalabrine’s point that Washington just didn’t guard the big man when their center helped. It’s not scheme, though — it’s failure to execute. On the play, Washington seemed to switch a high pick-and-roll. Sarr took Brown and Coulibaly seemingly having responsibility for Queta. Then Coulibaly suddenly blitzed Brown, giving Washington three defenders on two guys 25 feet from the basket (Trae Young was lurking there because Sam Hauser was coming up for a Spain screen. Washington had two guys low — Will Riley on Tatum in the strongside corner (he correctly stayed home on Tatum), and Tre Johnson on Derrick White in the weakside corner. Johnson didn’t move until the ball was already reaching Queta, and his “help” was a pointless flyby swipe at the ball. Again, that’s not scheme — the responsibilities were clear. Johnson just didn’t notice what was happening.
Another? At 4:18, Sarr helped on a Tatum drive. I first thought no one rotated to help on Queta’s roll, but what actually happened was worse. Bub Carrington picked him up, and then just left him to run out and defend the weakside corner. I have no idea why he abandoned a seven-footer standing under the basket.
So, I was about to add Boston’s announcers to the list of mis-pronouncers of Tristan Vukcevic’s name. But, I got curious at the persistent and consistent mispronunciation, so I googled it. And, the NBA’s official pronunciation guide — one where the players say their own names — has Vukcevic saying his name is Vook-chevitch. I stand corrected and apologize to all the announcers I’ve criticized along the way.
Boston had many, many beautiful possessions in this game — great examples of teamwork, quick actions, and passes to create good shots, which they then missed because off night. A few examples, if you want to watch (use the official play-by-play on NBA.com)
10:13, second quarter
6:37, second quarter — a dribble handoff, a screen, a ghost screen, and a roll. Simply not guardable, even by a good defensive team.
2:35 — A Spain pick-and-roll produces a Queta dunk.
Boston’s Spain pick-and-roll sets are so fun to watch. They’re fast, varied, and brutal to defend. They mix in misdirection, real screens, ghost screens, rolls, pops, and drives. Joe Mazzulla’s system is superb.
In the third quarter, Coulibaly had an impressive drive — Tatum couldn’t stay with him, and Queta couldn’t get there fast enough. Coulibaly missed the layup, but the turbo speed was cool to see.
Jaden Hardy scored 12 points on five shots in just 15 minutes of action.
Jamir Watkins competed on defense and hit shots.
Vukcevic pumped in 22 points in 20 minutes, including six threes. Tanktacular moment: Vukcevic hit his sixth three, and moments later got replaced in the game by Anthony Gill. LMAO.
Four Factors
Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).
The four factors are measured by:
eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)
FOUR FACTORS
WIZARDS
CELTICS
LGAVG
eFG%
53.0%
50.5%
54.3%
OREB%
20.0%
39.6%
26.0%
TOV%
13.8%
14.8%
12.7%
FTM/FGA
0.131
0.183
0.208
PACE
94
99.3
ORTG
106
118
115.5
Stats & Metrics
PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).
PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.
POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.
ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is listed in the Four Factors table above. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.
USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%. Median so far this season is 17.7%.
ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.
+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 115, the league — on average — would produced 23.0 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -3.0.
Players are sorted by total production in the game.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves rebounds his own missed free throw moments before scoring a tying basket at the end of regulation in a 127-125 overtime win against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Austin Reaves doesn’t practice that shot. But like so many of his athletic exploits, somehow a perfect missed free throw just comes naturally to the Lakers guard.
Reaves' expertly executed missed free throw, offensive rebound and difficult tying floater with 1.9 seconds remaining in regulation spurred the Lakers to a thrilling 127-125 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
While Luka Doncic had 30 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists and the winning shot in overtime, Reaves had a team-high 32 points and the biggest rebound of the game.
With the Lakers down by three with 5.2 seconds left, Reaves was fouled and made the first free throw. He said he was “not very” confident when he received instructions to miss the second.
Coach JJ Redick set the play up to miss it to the right side because that was supposed to be the side with just one defender. When only Nikola Jokic lined up to Reaves’ left, he switched the plan.
“I thought if I threw it fast enough, that Jokic wouldn’t have the time to get his hands up to grab the ball,” Reaves said.
Reaves chucked up a line drive that ricocheted off the front of the rim and toward his left. Deandre Ayton screened Jokic away from the rebound, Reaves chased it down, turned, drove baseline and tossed up a one-legged floater that went in. The game went to overtime after Denver guard Jamal Murray’s half-court prayer bounced off the backboard at the buzzer.
“That execution was perfection,” said Doncic, who clenched both fists when Reaves’ shot dropped softly through the net.
No one practices missed free throws, said LeBron James, who had 17 points, five assists and one clutch full-extension dive to save a loose ball in the fourth quarter. The unfamiliarity with the play makes it that much harder to execute.
But Reaves, who excels at nearly every sport he attempts, including golf, bowling, tennis, pickleball and table tennis, just has great touch, Redick said with a shrug.
Reaves said he did pull off a similar feat this summer in a pick-up style, five-minute game when he collected his own missed free throw and hit a reverse layup to tie it.
“That’s one in a 100 in the NBA,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said.
Those odds couldn’t be much longer than the ones Reaves already beat to get to this point.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves celebrates during the Lakers' win over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The under-recruited, undrafted Arkansas native is in the midst of a career year. He is averaging 24 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. He was bound to make his first All-Star Game before being sidelined for more than a month because of a calf injury. With the Lakers surging up the Western Conference, moving into third place Saturday with their fifth straight win and their eighth in the last nine games, Reaves has three consecutive 30-point games. He is shooting 55.8% from the field in the last four games, a stretch that included significant wins over playoff contenders in the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Nuggets.
Reaves became the 46th undrafted player in NBA history to reach 5,000 career points this week, eclipsing the mark in Thursday’s win over the Chicago Bulls. Teammates including James and Doncic count Reaves among their peers deserving of star status. Reaves balks at the idea.
“Still feels weird,” Reaves said on Thursday of being considered a “star.” “I obviously have delusional confidence in myself when it comes to basketball. But when the game’s over and I’ve got to go home and think about it, I don’t really think of myself in the category of some of these other guys. But I just enjoy playing basketball, playing the right way and continuing to get better. I really just stay low-key and hang out by myself.”
Reaves is “a simple guy,” Redick said. He likes to golf, he likes to hoop — sometimes in that specific order — and he likes his family. Reaves’ face lights up anytime someone brings up his niece Ruby, who was born shortly before the season started.
But Redick knows there’s a “wonderful duality to Austin.” He's a quiet country boy. He's also capable of dropping 51 points in a game like he did against the Sacramento Kings earlier this season. And he's confident enough to shout "I'm him" after making a clutch three-pointer in the playoffs.
After pulling off another iconic play Saturday, Reaves had a more humble message.
“I love you,” Reaves said to the basketball in his hands as the game went to overtime. “I love you.”
For those competing in Yahoo! default leagues, Week 21 marks the start of the playoffs. And there won't be a lack of action, as all 30 teams are scheduled to play at least three games, with two playing five. Friday and Sunday are the light game days, with six scheduled on Friday and five on Sunday. Below is a look at the Week 21 schedule and some of its key storylines.
Week 21 Games Played
5 Games: PHX, WAS
4 Games: ATL, BKN, BOS, DEN, GSW, HOU, LAC, LAL, MEM, MIN, NOR, ORL, POR, SAS
- The Suns and Wizards are the teams to target for streaming options.
Phoenix and Washington play five games during Week 21, with two back-to-backs within the week (no wraparounds). That makes some of the low-rostered players on these teams more attractive in leagues without a games-played cap. While Grayson Allen has been a question mark for back-to-backs, that has not been the case for Collin Gillespie or Royce O'Neale. Oso Ighodaro has a higher ceiling filling in for Mark Williams at center, but he has not been a lock to play starters' minutes.
As for the Wizards, their handling of playing time and availability has been a bit tricky since the All-Star break, but there's still value to be found. Tristan Vukčević may have added value in spots where Alex Sarr does not. Bilal Coulibaly played well to finish Week 20, but he's another player whose availability for back-to-backs has not been guaranteed. Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson and Will Riley have silly season standout potential, but we'll see how much they'll play in Week 21.
- The Bulls and Pistons are the teams to avoid at the end of Week 21.
Not only do Chicago and Detroit have three-game weeks, but their Week 21 schedules are brutal. The Bulls play their final game of the week on Thursday, while the Pistons will be done on Friday. And those games are part of back-to-backs. Chicago's back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday could be problematic for multiple players, including Josh Giddey and Jalen Smith, although the former played both games of Chicago's most recent back-to-back.
As for the Pistons' back-to-back on Thursday and Friday, Isaiah Stewart's recent calf strain is worth watching. The clear priority will be to ensure that everyone is healthy for the postseason, so key contributors like Stewart, Ausar Thompson and Cade Cunningham could be in line for a day off at the end of Week 21. And both teams miss out on the light game day in Week 21, which falls on Sunday.
- Like Phoenix and Washington, the Trail Blazers have two back-to-backs to navigate.
Portland's two back-to-backs are wraparounds, and both involve the Brooklyn Nets. For their first back-to-back, which begins in Philadelphia on the final day of Week 20, the Trail Blazers visit the Nets the following night. And Portland hosts Brooklyn in the second game of its final back-to-back of the week, which is preceded by a game in Denver on March 22. Could those two Nets games be ones in which Deni Avdija sits? Or will his availability not be an issue? To a lesser extent, Robert Williams III will also be affected by the schedule, but he's rostered in 11 percent of Yahoo! leagues because of the availability question mark.
- The Raptors and Jazz don't play their first games of Week 21 until Wednesday.
Toronto and Utah's low-rostered players will be more valuable to fantasy managers at the end of Week 21 than at the beginning, since neither team will play its first game until Wednesday. Collin Murray-Boyles has been out with a thumb injury, freeing up a few more minutes for Sandro Mamukelashvili. However, unlike earlier this season, when the Raptors were either without Jakob Poeltl or the incumbent's playing time was limited, Mamu's opportunities have not been as plentiful. Regarding the Jazz, players like Kyle Filipowski, Brice Sensabaugh, and Isaiah Collier will be worth adding at the start of the week. Fantasy managers can afford to hold off on the others.
- How much value will fantasy managers get from the Warriors during Week 21?
The back-to-back on Friday and Saturday to end Week 21 may be problematic for the Warriors, who ended Week 20 incredibly shorthanded due to injuries. Stephen Curry (knee) remains out, but the most recent report has him being re-evaluated during Week 21. Add in the likes of Draymond Green, Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņǵis and De'Anthony Melton, whose availabilities have not been guaranteed, and fantasy managers may have to rely on players like Gui Santos and Pat Spencer to end the week.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 14, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Saturday night marked Jayson Tatum’s fourth game back since returning from a ruptured right Achilles tendon. His transition from five-on-five team scrimmages to rejoining the Boston Celtics’ starting lineup was swift, and coach Joe Mazzulla hopes that doesn’t get taken for granted.
Coming back from a nearly 10-month recovery isn’t something that produces immediate results like those Tatum provided before surgery. Yet, Mazzulla already sees the impact Tatum is having.
“I think sometimes these guys get judged by just the points, and some of that is their responsibility,” Mazzulla told reporters, per CLNS Media.
Tatum played 32 minutes in Saturday’s 111-100 win over the Washington Wizards — his most since coming back. He got off to a slow start, missing his first five shots, including three layups. He went into halftime having shot only 2-of-8 with eight points, before finishing with 20 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. The scoring was modest by his standards, but as Mazzulla pointed out, focusing only on points does a disservice to all the other ways Tatum has helped the Celtics.
“He’s rebounding, he’s boxing out, he’s making the right play, getting to space, and doing all the things that impact winning,” Mazzulla told reporters. “So I think that’s more important than anything else.”
More than half of Tatum’s assists went to center Neemias Queta. Using the attention he drew from Washington’s defense, Tatum helped fuel Queta’s career-best first-half start. Queta scored 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting by halftime to keep pressure on the Wizards, courtesy of Tatum’s playmaking.
“He’s giving the game exactly what it needs,” Mazzulla added.
The missed layups, which kept Tatum from finishing with 28 points instead of 20, are typical for a player returning from an injury of his severity. It’s been almost a year since he last played NBA basketball, which is vastly different from drills or five-on-five scrimmages.
But little by little, as he logs more minutes, Tatum feels his comfort returning.
“Compared to the first game, I feel a lot more relaxed,” Tatum told reporters, per CLNS Media. “Obviously, the first game was such a big moment. I think now I’m finding more and more moments where I’m feeling more confident, more explosive. Whether it’s driving or a closeout or reacting to something, it’s just more and more moments each game where I find plays where — maybe it’s not a big play that people notice — but it’s something that I noticed, and it gave me confidence.”
Eight days ago, during Tatum’s return game against the Dallas Mavericks, he missed a one-handed dunk from just two feet away. In the third quarter against Washington, Tatum euro-stepped past Tre Johnson in transition for a slick two-handed dunk.
The difference reflects what he’s working toward, and each game brings him closer to where he wants to be.
With 15 games left in Boston’s regular season and five weeks until the playoffs, Tatum is committed to the plan. The Celtics, now 44-23 after defeating the Wizards, remain a major threat in the Eastern Conference. Having Tatum back in the mix, whether as a scorer, a rebounder, or a facilitator, only makes Boston even stronger moving forward.
“I knew that my minutes would go up a little bit this week, and that’s just the progression,” Tatum told reporters. “I was playing 27 minutes the first three games. They go up a little bit for a week or so to see how you respond. But obviously I’ve been responding really well and feeling great the next day and after the games, and we go from there.”
Tatum added: “Since May 13, nobody’s done more calf raises than me.”
For the time being, Tatum is embracing everything that comes with his return — even the not-so-fun parts. During Boston’s matchup with the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, Tatum hit the deck after getting shoved by Victor Wembanyama in the third quarter. He didn’t think much of it, chalking it up as part of the game.
“You’ve got to enjoy all aspects of coming back to play, not just the fun parts,” Tatum told reporters. “Like getting knocked on your ass and falling is a part of being in the NBA. When (Wembanyama) pushed me, it knocked me off balance, but I laid there for a second like, ‘All right, I’m fine.’ It’s just moments like that where it’s been a while since something like that has happened. So, it is a good feeling of like, ‘I’m back.’”
Raphielle Johnson