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Officials missed Herb Sendek timeout on Otega Oweh March Madness buzzer-beater

Kentucky was able to rally to defeat Santa Clara in the opening round of the men's NCAA Tournament — and it may have gotten lucky with officials missing some key moments.

After Allen Graves hit a go-ahead 3-pointer for Santa Clara with 2.4 seconds left, Broncos coach Herb Sendek tried to call a timeout, likely wanting to set up his defense for Kentucky's last shot. While the CBS broadcast caught it, the referees didn't appear to see it and didn't award the timeout.

Kentucky's Otega Oweh instead hit a stunning 3-point buzzer beater from the March Madness logo to force overtime. While there's no telling if that happens or not if Santa Clara got its timeout, the Broncos could have had a chance to defend the final play more efficiently.

"Well, I unequivocally called timeout. But they didn't grant it," Sendek said. "I think the video evidence is clear, and anybody is able to pull it up. So, you know, is a likely response after Allen hits the three that the coach would be calling timeout to set the defense, which I tried to do, and I was successful in doing, other than it wasn't acknowledged or recognized. So that's what happened."

CBS studio analyst Bruce Pearl said Sendek could have gone slightly on the court to alert the officials, but one of them should've noticed the call.

"I 100% of the time think you foul, but because they didn't call timeout, they didn't have an opportunity," Charles Barkley said on the postgame broadcast.

Did Otega Oweh get away with travel?

The second controversial moment came in overtime.

With the Wildcats up by two points in the final minute of overtime, they were able to block a potential game-tying shot from Santa Clara's Sash Gavalyugov, leading to a loose ball. Oweh grabbed it and threw it ahead to Brandon Garrison for the dunk to make it a two-possession game and get the distance it needed for the win.

A replay of the play appeared to show Oweh took more than two steps without dribbling the ball, which should result in a travel. On the CBS broadcast, play-by-play man Spero Dedes said rules analyst Gene Steratore told them Oweh should have been called for traveling.

The controversial no call did have an effect, with the Wildcats winning 89-84.

Otega Oweh travel reactions

People on social media believed officials cost Santa Clara a huge March Madness upset. Here's a sampling of some reactions:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Referee controversy looms as officials miss timeout, travel in Santa Clara loss to Kentucky

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Golden Knights Need Defensive Fixes and Depth Scoring to Turn Season Around

The Vegas Golden Knights are at a crossroads.

A recent stretch of inconsistent play has exposed vulnerabilities, and with a demanding road trip against strong Pacific Division opponents on the horizon, every game will test their ability to regain form and reassert themselves as legitimate contenders.

The Golden Knights are mired in a 3-7-0 stretch over their last 10 games, searching for consistency at a pivotal point in the season. Recent performances have highlighted several recurring issues, including defensive lapses, inconsistent puck management, and an inability to sustain momentum within games. These problems have contributed to a stretch of play that falls short of the standard expected from a contending team.

Defensive and Offensive Adjustments Needed

The upcoming matchup against the Nashville Predators presents an immediate test. Despite roster changes, the Predators remain a competitive group, driven by structured forechecking and opportunistic scoring. Their ability to generate offense from multiple areas of the lineup makes them particularly dangerous, especially against teams that struggle with defensive coverage and discipline.

For Vegas, addressing these shortcomings must begin with improved defensive structure. Limiting high-danger opportunities, maintaining positioning in the defensive zone, and reducing unnecessary penalties will be essential. In prior meetings, lapses in these areas have allowed Nashville to capitalize quickly and shift momentum.

Although the Predators have lost three of their last four games to the Golden Knights, mistakes can accumulate quickly, and in the NHL, any team can beat anyone on any given night.

Equally important is a more consistent offensive approach. The Golden Knights have shown they are most effective when scoring contributions extend beyond the top line. Secondary scoring—from depth forwards and the blue line—can alleviate pressure on primary playmakers and create a more balanced attack. Generating sustained zone time and establishing a stronger net-front presence will also be key in breaking through opposing defenses.

Goaltending Stability and Organizational Considerations

Goaltending stability will play a significant role as well. Timely saves, particularly during momentum swings, can help the team reset and avoid extended periods of defensive-zone pressure. Adin Hill is a Stanley Cup champion, but he is no longer conditioned to handle six consecutive starts.

General manager Kelly McCrimmon should consider drafting a goaltender in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft or exploring upgrades through free agency. With cap space adjustments, bolstering the position should be a priority. Carter Hart has proven inconsistent and has struggled with injuries, making him an unreliable long-term solution in net.

Carter Hart has spent a lot of time on the ice this year -- in pain. 
Carter Hart has spent a lot of time on the ice this year -- in pain. 

The Golden Knights (31-24-14) have a clear opportunity to kickstart their winning ways Saturday at 11 a.m. local time when they face the Predators (31-28-9) at Bridgestone Arena. Execution, balance, and stability—both in net and across the lineup—will determine whether Vegas can turn this stretch around.

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Where Julian Champagnie would go in a 2022 re-draft

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 19: Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 19, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Julian Champagnie is having a career year and has been one of the steady role players who have helped the San Antonio Spurs have their best season since 2016-17. He’s come a long way since going undrafted in 2022 and being waived as a rookie, serving as another example of a player development system that works. 

He’s in his fourth season, averaging the fifth-most minutes per game on the team (27.8), and his style as a knockdown shooter fits anywhere. Still, he’s more than that as 31.7 percent of his shots are two-pointers, he rebounds well and he is not a liability on defense. Don’t forget that he’s been a key piece of the team’s most-used lineup this season: the one including De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Victor Wembanyama and Champagnie, is the 16th most-used lineup in the league. 

It says a lot about his basketball character that he’s a necessity on a contender. Being a seamless fit with the starters has made it possible for the team to preserve the talents of veteran Harrison Barnes. This all begs the question, where would Champagnie go in a re-draft?

He was once asked to assess his game before becoming a pro and he said, “I kind of fill roles on the court.” He elaborated a bit, saying he was more of a shooter than his brother Justin, who prefers to play the power game. 

His production mirrors that of a mid-to-late first-round pick, which aligns with where I predict he would go if it was redone today, which is 17th. He is third in made 3-pointers, fifth in effective field goal percentage (55.9), 12th in points and 16th in rebounds in his draft class.  All of this makes him more reliable and impactful than 70 percent of the picks, aside from him being an excellent mover without the ball.

When examining further, Andrew Nembhard and Ryan Rollins were the only second-rounders chosen that can be definitively taken over Champagnie since they are better scorers. Still, for the purpose of this exercise, they were re-slotted into the top seven and 14, leaving no one in round two more productive than Champagnie. To boot, anyone who has earned a starting rotation spot brings value that it way above a second-rounder.

Moreover, he’s one of the most lethal shooters in the NBA when given space, making 47.6 percent of wide-open 3-point shots, which NBA describes as having six feet or more of space. Of course, he’s in the perfect situation being next to two great penetrators and a control tower who does it all, and lots of his shots come from a pass to the corner/wing or one outside following an offensive rebound. He also does a good job of getting open in transition, helping the team with unscripted plays that do lots of damage. In many ways, Champagnie is a security blanket.

His marksmanship set a franchise record, making 11 3-pointers on Dec. 31 against the New York Knicks. Stephen Curry and Trey Murphy III are the only players to have made more in a game this season (12). 

He is averaging more minutes than 18 2022 first-rounders and is sixth in total minutes. Even being older by modern standards, debuting his career at age 21, shouldn’t have made him fall so much on draft night. Quality players slipping through the cracks happens more often than it should.

The next step for him is to improve his passing out of a two-man action. He’s not catching opponents by surprise anymore, so adding the slip-back pass to prevent a trap on a dribble handoff would be useful.

Finding players like him, and signing them for the low, can make a significant difference for a team’s flexibility. Just for perspective, the Miami Heat drafted Nikola Jović 27th in 2022 and paid him based on potential with a four-year extension worth $62.4 million. He was one of the 12 players from the 2022 draft who got a new deal before the season and, sadly for them, he’s barely an NBA player with availability issues, making his contract unmovable for now.

The Spurs are in the opposite situation with Champagine. I’m not saying the Spurs were scheming for a trade at the deadline, but if they wanted to make a splash, opposing squads would have presumably demanded that he be included in the deal because his production so much outweighs his $3 million salary. 

Another one of the valuable things he does well is screen for his teammates. Granted, some of those are ghost screens, but he is third behind Luke Kornet and Wembanyama in screen assists and screen assist points on the team. This hustle extends to the other side since he is second in the league among forwards in defensive loose balls recovered. His 6’ 10 wingspan helps him track those down as well as when closing out to shooters.

His future is bright because he is an unselfish overachiever, and he thinks he hasn’t reached his ceiling. Credit to Noah Magaro-George of the Vic-and-Roll podcast for comparing him first to Danny Green, one of the best snipers in team history. Don’t be surprised if Champagnie continues his work when he enters his first playoff, or if he is in a 3-point contest soon, and wins it. 

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Otega Oweh points today: Kentucky forward explodes for career-high 35 points

Be sure to follow USA TODAY Sports' live updates keeping track of all of NCAA Tournament's Friday first round games.

Kentucky basketball looked to be on its way to a first-round upset in the Men's NCAA Tournament when 10-seed Santa Clara was up by three with 2.4 seconds remaining in the second half.

Otega Oweh wasn't ready to head home, however, as he hit a game-tying 3-pointer from the logo to tie the game at 73-73 to send it to overtime. He then delivered a dagger in overtime with a pair of free throws to send the 7-seeded Wildcats into the second round of March Madness.

Oweh led the way with a career-high 35 points for the Wildcats in their 89-84 overtime win at the Enterprise Center.

REQUIRED READING: Otega Oweh buzzer-beater saves Kentucky from Santa Clara upset in March Madness

Here's a deeper look at Oweh's full stats from Friday's win over Santa Clara:

Otega Oweh points today in NCAA Tournament

Here's a look at Oweh's stats from Friday's game against Santa Clara:

  • Points: 35
  • Shooting: 11-of-24
  • 3-point shooting: 3-of-8
  • Free throw shooting: 10-of-12
  • Rebounds: 8
  • Assists: 7
  • Steals: 1
  • Blocks: 1
  • Turnovers: 2
  • Minutes: 43

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Otega Oweh points today: Big man sends Kentucky to second round with 35 points

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Steph, Seth Curry attend Dell Curry’s jersey retirement in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Sons of Dell Curry, Stephen and Seth Curry watch the jersey retirement celebration with family during halftime of a basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic at Spectrum Center on March 19, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In today’s Dub Hub:

The Golden State Warriors were well represented in Charlotte on Thursday night — not for a game, but for a moment in history.

NBA legend Dell Curry had his No. 30 jersey officially retired by the Charlotte Hornets, cementing his place within the franchise after spending 10 seasons playing for the team from 1988 to 1998.

Dell’s sons, Stephen Curry and Seth Curry, were both in attendance, turning the ceremony into a full-circle moment for one of basketball’s most iconic families. Seth Curry — a former Hornet himself — spoke during the ceremony, reflecting on the meaning of the No. 30 jersey and what it represents as the last player to wear that number for the organization.

The No. 30, of course, later became synonymous with greatness worldwide through Steph Curry’s rise with Golden State. But as Steph shared after the celebration, that legacy started long before the Bay — beginning in Charlotte with his father.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, March 20th:

Warriors News:

Steph Curry still keeping his ‘options open’ about joining Hornets in future | NBC Sports Bay Area

Dell shared that Steph already had asked him if he’d make an exception to wear No. 30 should the Warriors star leave Golden State for Charlotte, to which Steph further detailed the reasoning behind the conversation.

“You always keep your options open,” Curry said on WSOC-TV. “I know what that means when you get your jersey retired, it’s immortalized. Nobody should be able to touch it, but yeah. I’m sure he’d be able to make a special exception if that was the case.”

Curry couldn’t help but grin and even chuckle while responding.

Steve Kerr, Warriors still hope the best for Jonathan Kuminga as Atlanta reunion awaits | The Athletic

As Kerr looks back with the benefit of even more perspective, he does so with empathy for the situation. The Warriors drafted the then-18-year-old Kuminga with the seventh pick in the 2021 Draft.

“I think this is part of the modern NBA,” Kerr said. “You’re getting guys who are so inexperienced. I will tell you, the optimal circumstance for JK when he entered the NBA would have been to go to a bad team. Instead, he came to a championship team. But the way to develop in this league is to play 30, 35 minutes every night, make your mistakes, learn from your mistakes, grow, be able to do it out of the spotlight. And he wasn’t able to do any of those things (here), and I recognize that. That’s why I’m really hoping that the change in scenery will be what he needed.”

Melton Breaks Down KP’s Dominance

NBA News:

Why a Giannis trade might be even more complicated this summer | ESPN

Milwaukee Bucks co-owners Wes Edens and Jimmy Haslam told ESPN in a joint 90-minute interview that they will decide the path to take with their two-time MVP together, and the most important factor will be whether Antetokounmpo signs the four-year, $275 million extension he is eligible to receive on Oct. 1.

“Giannis is going into the last year [of his contract],” said Edens, the team’s controlling owner until April 2028. “So one of two things will happen: Either he will be extended or he’ll be traded.”

“The likelihood you’ll let him just kind of play out the last year, we can’t afford that. It’s not consistent with what’s good for the organization. That’s not a Giannis issue. That’s any player that’s in their last year.”

Luka Doncic scores 60 points in win vs. Heat

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Moses Moody unlikely to return for road trip

While the team maintained hope that Moody’s on-court workouts and new left-handed shooting stroke could get him back on the court for their six-game road trip, it turns out that playing NBA basketball with one hand is quite difficult, especially when it’s not Moody’s dominant hand.

A post to end the week:

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

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2026 season preview: 1 player, 1 question – Brad Keller

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 17: Brad Keller #40 of the United States takes the field during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship game presented by Capital One between Team Venezuela and Team USA at loanDepot Park on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Good Phight will be previewing the 2026 season by going over each position on the field. We’ll talk about the players that will occupy them, the players behind them, their strengths and weaknesses and give a few takes about how we think the season will shake out.

Had I told you that the Phillies have a right hander that is pretty important to the whole bullpen operation, the first one you’d think of is Jhoan Duran and you’d be right. He is the one that makes everyone else’s job a little easier, gives each pitcher something of a more defined role that many relievers crave.

Yet the other right hander that is going to play a rather large role in determining how well this bullpen functions is Brad Keller.

Signed this offseason to a sizeable contract after only relieving consistently for a single season, Keller parlayed a huge 2025 season into a two-year security blanket for the Phillies. Basing it off of last year, it was a well deserved contract at a not crazy number. His 2.10 ERA was 15th best among 147 qualified relievers last year. After the All-Star break, Keller allowed one earned run. One! There is a good argument to be made that after that All-Star Game, he was the best relief pitcher in the game.

Yet it was just one season in which he was dominant. The World Baseball Classic appearances he had didn’t exactly inspire confidence that the signing was a wise one. Making snap judgements on these handful of games is foolhardy, of course, so the work he has done in the past will have to be our guide.

Can he continue to show the form he had in the second half of 2025?

His arrival and expected performance means everyone in the bullpen outside of Duran will have a different role. No longer will it be Jose Alvarado needed for the 8th inning. He can instead be deployed in high leverage situations that come up earlier in the game if need be. The team won’t be as dependent on Orion Kerkering to get back to the confident self after his disastrous end of season outing in Los Angeles. Everyone has a better, more suited role in the bullpen now that they theoretically have a dominant arm to pair with Duran at the end of games.

It’s all part of the front office’s plan to have a better bullpen as a whole unit. Last year’s version really never took off until Jhoan Duran came to settle things down. Of course, they had to trade yet even more prospects for him, so acquiring more relief arms this offseason both of the free agent and trade variety has allowed them to stockpile some depth that they previously may not have had. Having to rely on Jose Ruiz last year for actual important innings at any point was simply asking for disaster and they very nearly found it had they not had an excellent starting pitching staff to take the bulk of innings. This year, that rotation depth is a little thinner, the questions about them a little louder, thus making bullpen strengthening a priority. Keller (plus full seasons from Duran and Alvarado) gives them that strength. On paper, this is a good group to have.

They just have to prove it on the field, led by Keller and the questions about his ability to repeat 2025.

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Warriors vs Pistons Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for March 20

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Our NBA player prop projections are back for tonight’s primetime matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons, and the model has already identified several standout opportunities.

After breaking down the data and comparing our projections with the current market lines, we’ve pinpointed the spots offering the strongest betting value.

These Warriors vs. Pistons predictions aren’t based on gut instinct — they’re driven by the numbers.

If you’re building your betting card, these are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, March 20.

Warriors vs Pistons computer picks for March 20

Warriors WarriorsPistons Pistons
Porziņģis u17.5 points 
-120		Duren u23.5 points 
-112
Green o5.5 rebounds
+105		LeVert u3.5 assists 
-105
Podziemski o1.5 3-pointers 
-140		Thompson o6.5 rebounds
+105

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Warriors computer picks

Kristaps Porziņģis Under 17.5 points (-120)

Projection: 16.1 points

The Golden State Warriors have been the ninth-lowest scoring road offense this season and have also played at the third-slowest pace among visiting teams over their last five games. 

That combination could limit scoring opportunities for Kristaps Porzingis, supporting the Under on his 17.5-point line—a number he’s fallen short of in eight of his last 10 games.

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Draymond Green Over 5.5 rebounds (+105)

Projection: 6.2 rebounds

The Warriors have been the top offensive rebounding team on the road over their last five games, creating added opportunities on the glass.

That should benefit Draymond Green, who has gone Over his 5.5 rebound line in six of his last 10 games.

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Brandin Podziemski Over 1.5 3-pointers (-140)

Projection: 2.2 3-pointers

Brandin Podziemski has cleared the 1.5 made threes line in six of his last 10 games largely due to his evolving role within the Warriors’ offense.

If the Warriors continue to draw help defenders from the Detroit Pistons and kick the ball out, he’ll be in position to capitalize and knock down multiple threes once again.

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Pistons computer picks

Jalen Duren Under 23.5 points (-112)

Projection: 20.0 points

The Pistons could see fewer possessions in this matchup, facing one of the league’s slowest-paced road offenses in the Warriors over the last five games.

That reduced tempo may limit Jalen Duren’s chances to pile up stats, making the Over a tougher ask tonight.

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Caris LeVert Under 3.5 assists (+105)

Projection: 3.4 assists

The Pistons are likely to see fewer possessions in this matchup, facing one of the league’s slowest-paced road offenses in the Warriors over the last five games. 

That reduced tempo could limit Caris LeVert’s playmaking opportunities, aligning with the Under on his 3.5 assist line—a number he’s fallen short of in nine of his last 10 games.

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Ausar Thompson Over 6.5 rebounds (+105)

Projection: 6.5 rebounds

Offensive rebounds extend possessions and create extra chances for scoring and assists, and the Pistons have led the league with 14.5 offensive boards per game over their last 15 contests.

That added volume should benefit Ausar Thompson, who has gone Over his 6.5 rebound line in four of his last 10 games.

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How to watch Warriors vs Pistons tonight

LocationLittle Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
DateFriday, March 20, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVNBC Sports Bay Area, Detroit SportsNet

Not intended for use in MA.
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Game Thread: White Sox (15-12-1) at Angels (15-14)

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 17: Shane Smith #64 of the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch on February 17, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona.
It’s the last tuneup for Shane Smith before his Opening Day assignment on Thursday. | (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images)

After two late games last night, the White Sox are back for a single afternoon game here in the home stretch of the Cactus League. Many games have been pushed back to night due to the wild heat wave (104° at game time in Peoria, Ariz. last night!), but today both clubs will have to bulk up on their electrolytes.

But first, a batch of outright cuts from White Sox camp:

Pretty brutal for LaMonte Wade Jr., who’s had a great camp and clubbed two homers in the loss to the Padres just last night.

A win at the Angels will assure the White Sox will avoid a losing record this year, as Opening Day starter Shane Smith gets his last tuneup for the season:

Given the proximity to the end of Spring Training, this lineup is more a late-stage tryout as it is a throwaway post-night doubleheader. Sam Antonacci might well be in the starting lineup by the second half of 2026, but for now he exists as a in-case-of-emergency-break-glass factor. There is a chance he beats out Curtis Mead for an infield spot, but the White Sox want Antonacci in an everyday role. Although he is playing left field over fighting-for-life Derek Hill (DH), so …

Why is Jarred Kelenic still in camp? He has played with little urgency and even less results. Hill has had a much better camp, although Kelenic set the bar low. Tristan Peters might beat out both.

Game time temp in Tempe will be 95°, rising to 104° by game’s end. Otherwise it’s another mystery game, so follow on Gameday or find a way to tune in to Angels radio. I’ll be here with you postgame.

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Otega Oweh buzzer-beater saves Kentucky from Santa Clara upset in March Madness

ST. LOUIS — The standout game of the morning session needed five more minutes to finish Friday, as No. 7 Kentucky fended off No. 10 Santa Clara, 89-84, in an overtime classic extended into the extra period by Otega Oweh’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer.

A game that delivered perhaps the moment of the first round of this year’s NCAA Tournament set a high bar for excitement here in St. Louis.

Here are three reasons why:

Broncos navigate rocky first half

Santa Clara (26-9) battled early against Kentucky’s length and reach, particularly at the offensive end. Herb Sendek’s team struggled to manufacture quality offensive possessions, at times flirting with fading away from their first-round matchup here in the Gateway City.

But one of the country’s best rebounding teams locked in defensively, cleaned the glass with the same intention as its SEC counterpart and weathered that storm.

By halftime, no one was shooting the ball particularly well, but Santa Clara had managed to drag the Wildcats into a defensive struggle.

Despite foul trouble that limited dynamic freshman Allen Graves, the Broncos nursed a hard-earned halftime lead, 31-29, into the locker room, in front of an outnumbered but enthusiastic band of Santa Clara fans making the trip east.

Sash Gavalyugov arrives

With Graves quieted by fouls, and Kentucky doing the same defensively to Christian Hammond, Santa Clara’s leading scorer, the Broncos turned to Sash Gavalyugov. The Villanova transfer from Bulgaria answered that need time and again.

In the flow of the offense or against isolated defenders, Gavalyugov poured in 16 crucial points, hitting important shots either side of the deficit.

When Otega Oweh (35 points, 28 after halftime) came alive after the break and injected life into Kentucky’s offense, it was often Gavalyugov answering that momentum. And when the Wildcats (22-13) left gaps in transition or in the halfcourt, Gavalyugov took advantage.

Together with leading scorer Elijah Mahi (20 points, five rebounds), the former Villanova Wildcat kept swinging back every time Kentucky looked like pulling away. As the second half wore on, survival began turning into threat. Santa Clara transformed from the chaser to the chased, leading by four at the under-8 timeout.

Otega Oweh’s excellence saves the day

No player quite defined the second half like Kentucky’s leading scorer.

Good in the first half, Otega Oweh was borderline unplayable in the second. He scored those aforementioned points every way imaginable, adding eight rebounds and seven assists as he pulled Santa Clara’s defense back and forth on a string. Corner 3s, finishing through contact, transition dimes — Oweh’s fingerprints were all over the game by the time it reached full boil inside the final two minutes.

He hit no more important shot the last one of regulation. With just more than two seconds left and no timeouts to set up anything more structured, Oweh let fly a running 3-pointer just moments after Allen Graves’ own 3 had given Santa Clara the lead.

Oweh’s answer banked in off the glass, drawing a roar from the Enterprise Center and sending the game of the afternoon session into overtime.

There, the Wildcats eventually pulled ahead for good following a pair of crucial blocks. Twice, Gavalyugov tried to answer with stepback 3s, and twice, Brandon Garrison blocked him, opening a door to the second round the Wildcats gladly walked through.

Fittingly, they sealed their win thanks to Oweh’s free throws — no player so defined the game as the senior from New Jersey.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Otega Oweh buzzer-beater saves Kentucky from Santa Clara upset

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Spring Breakout Game Thread: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Seattle Mariners

Mar 16, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jett Williams (76) reacts after striking out against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers’ top prospects are set to host the Seattle Mariners’ top prospects in the third annual Spring Breakout at American Family Fields of Phoenix on Friday evening. For a full guide to the Spring Breakout, click here.

Bishop Letson, Milwaukee’s No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will get the start on the mound for the Crew. Letson, 21, was an 11th-round pick by Milwaukee in 2023 and is coming off a solid season. He made 10 appearances (eight starts) with the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, pitching to a 1.69 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 37 1/3 innings. He also made one start with the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers, allowing four runs with six strikeouts across four innings in that one. Letson will start opposite Mariners’ No. 3 prospect and MLB No. 33 prospect Ryan Sloan.

Milwaukee’s lineup features a slew of top prospects, including Jett Williams (team No. 3/MLB No. 51), Jesús Made (team No. 1/MLB No. 3), and Luis Peña (team No. 2/MLB No. 26) filling out the top third of the order. They’re followed by Cooper Pratt (team No. 4/MLB No. 64), Jeferson Quero (team No. 8), and Luis Lara (team No. 12). The lineup is rounded out by Josh Adamczewski, Brock Wilken, and Braylon Payne (team Nos. 11, 22, and 14, respectively).

The Mariners’ lineup also features four top 100 prospects in Jonny Farmelo (No. 78), Michael Arroyo (No. 67), Colt Emerson (No. 9), and Lazaro Montes (No. 43) batting in the top four spots of the order. Seattle’s team Nos. 7, 8, 10, and 12 are also included in the lineup. Of note for Northwoods League followers — Seattle’s No. 12 prospect is Korbyn Dickerson, who had a strong summer with the Madison Mallards in the 2023 and 2024 summers (.272/.357/.453 with 10 homers, 62 RBIs, and 50 runs scored across 71 games).

First pitch in this one is at 4:10 p.m. CT. You can tune in on MLB TV or, if you’re out of market, on MLB Network.

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Otega Oweh on buzzer-beater vs Santa Clara: 'It's March Madness, that's the type of vibe'

Be sure to follow USA TODAY Sports' live updates keeping track of all of NCAA Tournament's Friday first round games.

Kentucky guard Otega Oweh said the Wildcats' first-round NCAA Tournament game against No. 10 seed Santa Clara wasn't over quite yet, saving their season in the process.

Santa Clara's Allen Graves gave the Broncos a 73-70 lead with 2.4 seconds left, which looked like enough to seal the win. However, Oweh received the ensuing inbounds pass and ran up to the March Madness logo, rising for a deep 3-pointer that clanked off the backboard through the net to tie the game at 73-73 to send the game to overtime.

Oweh, the SEC Player of the Year last season, saved his career-best performance for the perfect time against Santa Clara. The senior guard scored a career-high 35 points in the 89-84 overtime win, while racking up eight rebounds and seven assists with a block and a steal. It was an historic performance, as Oweh is only the second player since Larry Bird in 1979 to record at least 35 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in an NCAA Tournament game, according to CBS Sports Research.

"I was trying to get as close as possible to make the shot," Oweh said on the CBS postgame broadcast. "I don't know, it just went in. It's March Madness, that's the type of vibe it is, I ain't even gonna lie."

Santa Clara coach Herb Sendek was shown on the broadcast attempting to call a timeout after Graves' 3-pointer, which would've given the Broncos a chance to set up for the final inbounds play. However, Oweh was able to get momentum down the floor after catching the pass, which ultimately led to Kentucky's win.

Santa Clara's 3-point shooting kept it in the game, as the Broncos made 11 3-pointers to overcome its size disadvantage against Kentucky. Elijah Mahi led the way for the Broncos, scoring 20 points with five rebounds.

But it was Oweh again in overtime who sealed the win for Kentucky, with four crucial points and another assist in the extra period.

Kentucky now looks forward to its second-round matchup against the winner of No. 2 seed Iowa State and No. 15 East Tennessee State, and hopes to reach the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season.

The Wildcats will certainly have a chance to do so, especially if Oweh shows up like he did against Santa Clara.

"That's what March is though," Oweh said. "All the best games happen at this time of the year. It was a blast, I was just glad we got to pull it out."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What Otega Oweh said about buzzer-beater that saved Kentucky vs Santa Clara

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Chris Sale named Braves Opening Day Starter for 2026

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 16: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning in game two of a split doubleheader at Nationals Park on September 16, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The headline speaks for itself,

Officially a week a way, The Atlanta Braves will be taking on the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park with Chris Sale (2025 ERA: 2.58) taking the mound.

He will be facing Royals’ starter Cole Ragans (2025 ERA: 4.67 ERA), who will be looking for his first Opening Day victory out of his past two starts.

Making his seventh career Opening Day start (second with the Braves) the 2024 NL Cy Young award winner will look to kick the Braves off on a high note in contrast to last year’s start on the West Coast.

Picking up where he left off, Sale pitched in a total of 21 games after coming off of a back spasm set-back in 2024, that took him out of the remainder of the post-season competition in September.

Fast forward to 2025, Sale started a healthy campaign during his return, despite the overall team’s disappointing record. Though being moved to the 60-day IL list due to suffering a fractured rib cage in June, he made a successful comeback in late August to finish up his 21 game and 125.2 inning stint to complete the year with 165 total strikeouts, 161 ERA+ and 2.67 FIP.

It was also announced a month ago that Sale and the Braves had agreed to a one-year, $27 million extension that includes a $30 million option for 2028. This will guarantee him for next year and was noted by Braves’ reporter Grant McAuley, that the deal represents the highest AAV (Average Annual Value) ever given by the club.

Sale remarked prior to the extension that he wanted to retire as a Brave when the time came, but don’t think he won’t give the remainder of his career all he has to close out on a high note.

His 2026 campaign is officially a week away, and this start also makes him the 14th-oldest pitcher in Braves franchise history to start on Opening Day, as well as the sixth left-hander in franchise history to start multiple Opening Day contests.

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Washington Nationals demote Dylan Crews to Triple-A in a statement move by Paul Toboni

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 07: Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews (3) celebrates scoring a run with teammates in the dugout during a MLB spring training game against the New York Yankees at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 7, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Paul Toboni pulled the trigger on a massive move by sending Dylan Crews to Triple-A to start the season. Even as Crews struggled mightily this spring, I did not think they would pull the trigger and send him down. However, I was wrong and the former second overall pick will be starting his season in Rochester.

This is a statement move by the new regime and shows that nobody will have a spot handed to them this year. There has been a lot of talk about a fresh start for these young players and that is certainly the case. However, this fresh start goes both ways, as we see here. If you are not producing, this new regime will not just hand you a spot in the big leagues.

We wrote about the idea of demoting Crews a few days ago. I thought it was a move that made sense, but did not think they would do it. Demoting a former top pick who was marketed as the future face of the franchise would be a gutsy move. Paul Toboni has made it clear that he is more than willing to make gutsy moves.

If you just go off of this spring, the move makes a ton of sense. Crews was 3/28 this spring and mostly looked lost at the plate. He was also making mistakes in the field and looked like a guy who was pressing. It was similar to what we saw last year, but to an even more extreme degree. The whiffs were out of control, and when he did make solid contact, it was usually on the ground.

Sending Crews to AAA allows him to try and get right away from the spotlight. A re-set could be exactly what the 24 year old needs. He needs time to find himself again and regain that confidence that was beaming from him when he was at LSU. It is a tough pill to swallow, but it is probably what is best for Crews’ career.

Even when Crews was in Triple-A the last time, he never truly dominated the level. He hit .265 with a .795 OPS, which is solid, but not elite. It is clear that Crews was rushed due to the fact people assumed he would be a quick mover when he was drafted. When he had good, but not great results in the high minors, he went straight to the big leagues anyway.

Now, he will get that chance to dominate in AAA and re-establish himself. He will also get to work with really sharp hitting minds like Travis Fitta, which could help him out. This is a surprising decision, but not shocking either, given how his last couple years have gone.

It will be interesting to see how the outfield shakes itself out now. With Crews out of the picture, the Nats have Daylen Lile, Jacob Young, James Wood, Joey Wiemer and Christian Franklin as options. Will they keep all five or will they cut one more guy? I think Wiemer and Franklin will battle it out for the last spot in the outfield. Wiemer not having any minor league options likely will give him the edge.

Overall, this is a big time move by Paul Toboni. By cutting Crews, he is showing that nobody is safe and production will be valued over pedigree. As for Crews, he will have a role to play on this team at some point this season. However, he will have to earn it in AAA. There is a chance this could be the best thing to happen for Crews if he takes it the right way.

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Former NHL Player Bobby Farnham Among Group to Purchase Minority Stake in Carolina Hurricanes

Former New Jersey Devil Bobby Farnham, along with Brett Jefferson and Marc Grandisson, purchased minority ownership interests in the Carolina Hurricanes.

This announcement followed the team's official statement released on Friday.

Further details on the transaction emerged when Sportico reported that owner and CEO Tom Dundon agreed to sell 12.5% of the Hurricanes at a $2.66 billion valuation for about $332.5 million.

Regarding the sale, Dundon spoke about his decision to sell a portion of the ownership.

 “Brett, Marc, and Bobby are accomplished executives whose experience will help us grow,” Dundon said. “Brett lives in the area, and Marc will soon relocate to Raleigh, making their influence local. As a former NHL player, Bobby brings a unique perspective as we move forward.”

Farnham formerly played four seasons in the National Hockey League. The undrafted right-winger began his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Farnham spent two seasons with the Penguins (2014-15, 2015-16) before joining the New Jersey Devils in 2015-16.

In 50 games with the Devils, Farnham had 10 points, eight goals, and two assists.

He finished his career with the Canadiens in Montreal.

Over his four-year NHL career, Farnham played 67 games, tallying all of his 10 points while with the Devils.

Since concluding his playing career, he has shifted to the business side of the industry.

Now, at 37, this transition has brought Farnham back into the league in a new capacity. 

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Sabres Shutout Streak Continues In San Jose

The Buffalo Sabres continued their four-game Western road swing with a sluggish start and some good hunting luck in a 5-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. The Sabres relied on goalie Alex Lyon to fend off the young Sharks until the middle of the second period, when Noah Ostlund, Sam Carrick and Rasmus Dahlin scored on Buffalo’s only three shots of the middle frame. 

The Sabres only had 16 shots on Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, but extended their lead early in the third on Tage Thompson’s 35th of the season, with Carrick registering his second of the game and fourth goal in seven games with Buffalo. Lyon made 23 saves for his third shutout of the season, extending the Sabres scoreless streak to 164:07, going back the second period of the 3-2 shootout victory over Toronto. 

Head coach Lindy Ruff commented on the performance after the game:

What were your thoughts on the effort in the victory?

 (San Jose's) compete early on was at a higher level than ours. We turned some pucks over in the neutral zone. Had some lateral passes again, but our goaltender gave us some great saves. And then I thought we passed up a couple of great opportunities, but then once we got rolling offensively, I thought made a couple of real nice plays.

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What were your thoughts on Mattias Samuelsson’s performance and the overall defensive effort against the dangerous Macklin Celebrini?

We knew they were gonna have to be aware of (Celebrini). I thought, as a group, and Sammy especially, when he was out there, he did a good job making sure he didn't get free. He caught us a couple of times in Buffalo, and we tried to make sure we were aware when he was on the ice.

Lyon really kept you in the game early on, he’s done that for you all year….

(He made) real important saves. I mean, to get through that first period, and not give up any with some of the opportunities we gave him, you've got to give our goaltender a lot of credit.

Thompson scored in the third, but it was nice that you were able to get some secondary scoring in this game:

Yeah, the depth of our scoring has been something that's helped us stay on this roll. I think there are nights where top guys don't get on the board, and that secondary scoring really helps you out. I think you look at again tonight the our fourth line got a couple for us, and then finally, Tage came through in the two on one with Krebs, but the Ostlund line with Norris, they got us started. At different times, I think it's been important that all those guys produce. 

The Sabres move down the coast to take on the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday and finish off the road swing in Anaheim against the Ducks on Sunday. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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