The men's NCAA Division I basketball tournament brackets must be finalized by Thursday at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET. This is just before Ohio State plays TCU, after which no changes can be made to bracket picks.
Key Facts
The NCAA Division I basketball tournament is an annual sports event in the U.S.
Brackets need to be completed before the first game on Thursday.
The first game of the main tournament between Ohio State and TCU starts at 9:15 a.m. PT / 12:15 p.m. ET.
“Brackets” refer to the predictions fans make about which teams will advance in the tournament.
The four play-in games happen before brackets are locked.
Choosing teams is often based on factors like team rankings and potential upsets.
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College basketball analyst Andy Katz made unexpected predictions for the Final Four of March Madness, choosing teams not typically expected to advance far. His picks include VCU, South Florida, Utah State, and Akron, all considered underdogs. Despite these surprising selections, Katz also discussed more traditional picks with teams like Duke and Michigan.
Key Facts
March Madness is a college basketball tournament known for upsets and unexpected wins.
Andy Katz is a Big Ten basketball analyst.
Katz picked VCU, South Florida, Utah State, and Akron as unexpected Final Four teams.
VCU and South Florida are both No. 11 seeds facing higher-seeded teams.
Utah State is a No. 9 seed playing against Villanova.
Akron will compete against Texas Tech, a strong team from the Big 12.
Katz also considered more typical Final Four picks like Duke, Houston, Michigan, and Arizona.
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In a basketball game between Texas Longhorns and NC State Wolfpack, Texas won with a last-second shot. An assistant coach for Texas celebrated too early, leading to an upset reaction from head coach Sean Miller. The early celebration almost led to a penalty, but did not because the opposing team called a timeout.
Key Facts
The Texas Longhorns beat NC State Wolfpack 68-66.
The winning shot came with 1.1 seconds left on the clock.
Assistant coach Ryan Anderson ran onto the court too early to celebrate.
Head coach Sean Miller was upset with Anderson’s premature celebration.
A technical foul was not called because NC State had already called a timeout.
Texas will play BYU in the next round of the tournament.
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Aaron Judge faced criticism after his performance in the World Baseball Classic final, where Team USA lost to Venezuela. He did not get any hits and struck out three times during the game. Despite previous success, fans were disappointed because they had high expectations for him.
Key Facts
Aaron Judge played in the World Baseball Classic final for Team USA.
Team USA lost the final match to Venezuela.
Judge went 0-4 in the game, meaning he did not get any hits in his four attempts.
He struck out three times during the game.
Fans expected Judge to perform well because he was called "Captain America."
The criticism comes after a previous World Series loss in 2024 where he also struggled.
Judge will return to play for the New York Yankees in the regular season.
The game took place in Miami, and the last pitch Judge faced was a strike that ended the inning.
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Aaron Judge, captain of the New York Yankees and Team USA, expressed his disappointment after Team USA's defeat to Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. Judge emphasized his commitment to the Yankees as the new season approaches, despite being upset about the recent loss.
Key Facts
Aaron Judge is the captain of both the Yankees and Team USA.
Team USA was favored to win the World Baseball Classic but lost to Venezuela.
Judge performed well during the tournament but struggled in the final game.
After the loss, Judge expressed disappointment but remains focused on the upcoming Yankees season.
Judge's presence in the team encouraged other star players to participate.
The U.S. team included notable players, like reigning Cy Young Award winners.
Judge aims to lead the Yankees to the World Series.
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The World Baseball Classic concluded with Venezuela defeating Team USA 3-2 in the championship game. Phillies player Kyle Schwarber expressed disappointment over the loss, while praising Venezuela's performance.
Key Facts
Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic for the first time by beating Team USA.
Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to tie the game for Team USA.
Venezuela regained the lead shortly after and held on to win.
Team USA players took off their silver medals after receiving them.
In the game, Team USA had only three hits and no runners in scoring position.
Kyle Schwarber had an impressive tournament performance with a .364 batting average.
Team USA reached the championship game in the last three tournaments, winning in 2017 but losing in 2023 and 2024.
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Legendary Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, also known as Coach K, expressed his focus on the Duke Blue Devils as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament. Despite not coaching anymore, he remains dedicated to supporting the team. Duke, a top-seeded team, will start the tournament facing Siena, but they may miss key players due to injuries.
Key Facts
Mike Krzyzewski is a legendary coach, known as Coach K.
He expressed his commitment to the Duke team despite not coaching anymore.
Duke Blue Devils are the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
They will face No. 16 seed Siena in their first game.
Two Duke players, Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II, are dealing with foot injuries.
Caleb Foster had surgery and might return during the tournament.
The team secured an ACC tournament win with top player Cameron Boozer.
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Rory McIlroy plans to host a special dinner with a menu that includes some of his favorite dishes, such as elk appetizers and a traditional dish from his childhood, before defending his Masters title. The dinner is a traditional event for past champions at the Masters golf tournament. McIlroy's menu choices reflect personal memories and tastes, including dishes inspired by his family's cooking and restaurants he enjoys.
Key Facts
Rory McIlroy will host the traditional champion's dinner at the Masters in August.
His menu includes appetisers like dates stuffed with goat cheese and bacon and elk sliders.
The main course options are wagyu filet mignon or seared salmon, with Irish champ as a side dish.
McIlroy selected sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
Two wines are chosen: a 2022 Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet and a 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
The dinner celebrates McIlroy's 2025 Masters victory, completing his career Grand Slam.
McIlroy expressed excitement about the perks of being a Masters champion.
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The Los Angeles Rams considered trading for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown but decided against it due to concerns about his health. Reports indicated that the Rams backed out after reviewing Brown's medical information, fearing the investment was too risky for a player of his age. The Rams continue to have two strong wide receivers, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua.
Key Facts
The Rams recently traded four draft picks to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie.
The Rams were interested in trading for Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Concerns over A.J. Brown's health led the Rams to decide against pursuing the trade.
The Rams reportedly feared the investment was too much due to Brown's age and possible health issues.
Rams general manager Les Snead is known for making bold trades.
Davante Adams and Puka Nacua are key wide receivers currently on the Rams' roster.
Matthew Stafford, the Rams' quarterback, will have Adams and Nacua as target options.
There was skepticism about how serious the Rams' interest in Brown really was.
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The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Kyler Murray, aiming to make him their main starter. Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price expressed interest in joining the Vikings, impressed by the prospect of playing with Murray and wide receiver Justin Jefferson. There is a chance Price may not be available when the Vikings pick in the second round of the NFL draft.
Key Facts
The Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray on a favorable contract.
Kyler Murray was the No. 1 pick in an earlier NFL draft.
Notre Dame's star running back, Jadarian Price, showed interest in joining the Vikings.
Justin Jefferson is recognized as one of the best receivers in the league.
Jadarian Price ran for 674 yards and scored eleven touchdowns last year.
Price is a projected second-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
The Vikings have the No. 49 selection in the second round of the draft.
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The Carolina Panthers signed running back AJ Dillon to a one-year contract. Dillon, previously with the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles, steps in to fill the spot left by Rico Dowdle, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Key Facts
Rico Dowdle, a running back, left the Panthers for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
AJ Dillon signed a one-year contract with the Panthers.
Dillon played for the Green Bay Packers, where he was known for his size and power.
He missed a season with the Packers due to a neck injury.
Dillon appeared in seven games for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.
The Panthers are known for being a favorable team for running backs.
Dillon could share duties with Chuba Hubbard in the Panthers' backfield.
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Duke's basketball team is facing the NCAA Tournament without two key players. Patrick Ngongba II has a foot injury and is unlikely to play in the initial rounds, while point guard Caleb Foster is not expected to return until potentially the Final Four, if at all.
Key Facts
Duke's team is missing two key players due to injuries.
Patrick Ngongba II has a foot injury and is considered "day-to-day."
Ngongba has not suffered a setback, but his readiness to play is still a concern.
Caleb Foster has a fractured right foot and is unlikely to return during the tournament.
Duke recently won the ACC Tournament with a seven-man rotation.
Coach Jon Scheyer provided an update stating it's unlikely Ngongba will play in the first round against Siena.
Ngongba averages 10.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
There is little chance that Foster will play unless Duke advances deep into the tournament.
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Shaun Murphy will face Ronnie O'Sullivan in the last 16 of the World Open after defeating Xu Si 5-1. O'Sullivan advanced with a 5-0 victory over Matthew Selt. Other players like Judd Trump, Zhao Xintong, and Kyren Wilson also progressed to the next round of the tournament.
Key Facts
Shaun Murphy won against Xu Si with a score of 5-1 to reach the last 16.
Murphy achieved two century breaks, which means he scored over 100 points in two separate turns.
Ronnie O'Sullivan won 5-0 against Matthew Selt with a 138-point break.
O'Sullivan has a historical winning record of 14-4 against Murphy.
Judd Trump defeated Jackson Page 5-2 to move to the last 16.
World champion Zhao Xintong beat Sam Craigie 5-1.
Kyren Wilson won against Allan Taylor with a score of 5-1.
Hossein Vafaei came from behind to beat Mark Williams 5-2.
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The University of Connecticut (UConn) women's basketball team announced that players Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong were named first-team All-Americans by the Associated Press. UConn, currently undefeated this season, will start the NCAA Tournament as the top seed.
Key Facts
UConn women's basketball team had an undefeated regular season.
Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong were named first-team All-Americans.
This is the first time two UConn teammates made the first team since 2020.
Sarah Strong averaged 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game.
Azzi Fudd was the second-leading scorer with 17.7 points and averaged three assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game.
UConn is the No. 1 seed in the Women’s NCAA Tournament.
UConn will face No. 16 seed UTSA in their first tournament game.
UConn holds strong odds to win the tournament, according to DraftKings.
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Tiger Woods shared that his recovery from back surgery is ongoing, with both good and bad days, affecting his potential participation in the Masters golf tournament in April. Despite his efforts, Woods has not fully recovered to play in recent matches, leaving his participation uncertain.
Key Facts
Tiger Woods recently had back surgery and is recovering.
He has not ruled out playing in the Masters tournament in April.
Woods says he experiences both good and bad days during his recovery.
Disk replacement surgery has made his recovery challenging.
Despite efforts, Woods hasn't been able to play in recent matches.
The Masters is scheduled to start on April 9.
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Marquise "Hollywood" Brown has joined the Philadelphia Eagles after signing a one-year contract. Before making this decision, Brown considered returning to the Baltimore Ravens, where he started his career. He cited his agent's input and his belief that this was the right move for now as factors in choosing Philadelphia.
Key Facts
The Philadelphia Eagles signed Marquise "Hollywood" Brown to a one-year deal in the 2026 offseason.
The Eagles needed more wide receivers because some left during free agency and others got injured.
Brown thought about going back to the Baltimore Ravens, the first team he played for in the NFL.
Brown said he left the choice to his agent and felt guided to choose Philadelphia.
He played his best season in 2021 with 1,008 receiving yards and 91 receptions while on the Ravens.
Brown has a career total of 4,322 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns in 90 games.
His career average is 11.6 yards per catch, showing he is skilled at making big plays.
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Jessie Holmes won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for the second year in a row. He finished the 1,000-mile race in Alaska in nine days, seven hours, and 32 minutes, earning an $80,000 prize along with additional awards.
Key Facts
Jessie Holmes won the Iditarod Sled Dog Race for the second consecutive year.
The race covers a distance of roughly 1,000 miles in Alaska.
Holmes completed the race in nine days, seven hours, and 32 minutes.
He earned an $80,000 prize for winning this year.
Holmes also received $5,500 in cash and $4,500 in gold nuggets for additional race achievements.
He made his first Iditarod appearance in 2018 and has competed every year since.
Holmes has finished in the top 10 five times out of his six races, including his two wins.
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The Iranian national women's football team has returned to Iran. Some players had previously sought asylum in Australia but then withdrew their requests.
Key Facts
The Iranian women's football team returned to Iran.
A few players initially asked for asylum in Australia.
These players later withdrew their asylum requests.
The team participated in the Women's Asian Cup.
The issue arose after players refused to sing the national anthem before a game.
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The Michigan Wolverines are entering the NCAA Tournament as a top-seeded team aiming for their first national championship since 1989. Senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg has played a big role this season, earning first-team All-American honors from several organizations. Michigan will compete against Howard in their first match of March Madness.
Key Facts
Michigan Wolverines have a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
They lost to Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament Championship.
Yaxel Lendeborg, a senior forward, is noted for his significant performance this season.
Lendeborg received first-team All-American honors from the Associated Press, NABC, and USBWA.
Michigan is placed in the Midwest section of the tournament bracket.
Lendeborg scored 27 points against Michigan State during the regular season.
He led Michigan to a 29-2 record as well as a runner-up finish in the conference.
Michigan will play against No. 16 Howard in their first March Madness game.
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The Philadelphia Eagles have not traded their star wide receiver A.J. Brown, though discussions about a potential trade may continue until June 1st. Brown reportedly has a list of preferred teams, specifically the Patriots, Bills, Chargers, and Chiefs, but only the Patriots remain a possible option. The Eagles have not indicated any immediate plans to trade him.
Key Facts
A.J. Brown is a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Reports suggest a trade might be considered closer to June 1st.
The Patriots, Bills, Chargers, and Chiefs were on Brown's preferred trade list.
The Bills removed themselves from contention by trading for another player.
Brown played for the Eagles since being acquired from the Titans in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Eagles have not made any official move to trade Brown currently.
Brown consistently achieved over 1,000 receiving yards in the past four seasons.
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