WHAT TO READ

1. The Knicks are on a historic run, winning nine straight while outscoring their opponents by 212 points — which CBS Sports reports is the largest point differential in NBA history, playoffs or regular season. New York looks poised for its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 after going up 2-0 on the Cavaliers. Read about why this is obviously good news for the Knicks, but their competition hasn’t exactly been stellar. (CBS Sports)

2. The Rams aren’t planning on lining up first round draft pick Ty Simpson under center anytime soon, locking up quarterback Matthew Stafford with a massive contract extension. Los Angeles added one year and $55 million to the 38-year-old’s deal that was set to expire after the upcoming season, meaning he now has $105 million remaining on his contract. Read about the Rams’ decision to lock down the reigning NFL MVP through the 2027 season. (ESPN)

3. The Bears made it as clear as possible that they’re leaving Chicago, announcing there’s “not a viable site in the city,” and that the franchise will only consider Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana. The team has played in Chicago since 1921, starting at Wrigley Field then moving to Soldier Field in 1971. Read about what Arlington Heights, a Chicago suburb, and Hammond, which is across the border but only 25 miles from their current home, are offering the franchise to move. (Associated Press)

4. In another big NHL conference final Game 1 upset, Montreal embarrassed Carolina at home in a 6-2 win. The Hurricanes had been 8-0 in the playoffs and were rewarded with an 11-day break, the longest since at least 1920. Read about how the rest advantage could have turned into rust for the favorites. (SB Nation)

5. ESPN updated its top 50 MLB prospect rankings, with shortstop Jesús Made, in the Brewers’ system, moving up to the top spot. Another shortstop, Leo De Vries (Athletics), made one of the biggest jumps from 11th to 2nd after the 19-year-old switch-hitter already climbed to Double-A. Read the full list to see which clubs could be getting young reinforcements. (ESPN)

WHAT TO WATCH

8am — The CJ Cup Byron Nelson on CBS, Paramount+ and ESPN+: Round 2 gets underway after a low scoring first day, with American Taylor Moore starting with the lead at -9, followed by Brooks Koepka and Jesper Svensson at -8. (Scheffler +260, Kim +600, Koepka +700)

8pm — Golden Knights vs. Avalanche on ESPN: Vegas shocked Colorado with a 4-2 upset in Game 1, and now the Avalanche are down to a 51% chance to win the series on Kalshi. (VGK +160, COL -192)

8:30pm — Thunder vs. Spurs on NBC: San Antonio is looking to keep the advantage it won with its Game 1 victory in Oklahoma City with its first matchup at home in a tied series. (SA -1.5, Total: 217.5)

WHAT TO TRACK

The French Open starts on Sunday, and with Carlos Alcaraz out of the men’s draw with an injury, No. 1 Jannik Sinner doesn’t have much standing in his way to earn his first win at Roland Garros. Kalshi gives Sinner a 73% chance to complete his career Grand Slam (1.34x), with Alexander Zverev next at just 8% (13.4x). The women’s side is much tighter, with No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at 26%, four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek at 24%, and last year’s winner, American Coco Gauff, at 13%.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I was kind of frustrated. I’ve been putting in the reps. It’s not translating right now. I just knew I would keep shooting and if I did that, I would be good.”

— Knicks guard Josh Hart after breaking out of a slump to score a game-high 26 points in the Knicks 109-93 Game 2 win over the Cavaliers.

See you Monday,

Abe

WHAT TO READ

1. The Steelers will start the season with a lame-duck situation at quarterback, as recently signed Aaron Rodgers said this will be his final season. The 42-year-old said he thought he was done in Pittsburgh after Mike Tomlin’s departure, but when the franchise hired his former coach Mike McCarthy, he started thinking about returning. Read about why “this is it” for Rodgers and what he expects from his 22nd year in the league. (The Associated Press)

2. Just two of the six NBA head coaching vacancies have been filled so far, with the Bucks settling on Taylor Jenkins and the Pelicans hiring Jamahl Mosley. Where does that leave the Bulls, Trail Blazers, Magic, and the newest coachless franchise, the Mavericks? Read about why each team needs a new leader and the positives and negatives of the jobs. (ESPN)

3. LeBron James still isn’t sure if he’s returning for a 24th season, but he reportedly isn’t interested in playing for a steep discount if he does come back. The highest-played player in NBA history could take a pay cut for the first time, but a minimum salary doesn’t seem to be in the cards. Read about who might be able to afford the 41-year-old superstar — the Lakers can offer the most. (CBS Sports)

4. With the Golden Knights’ upsetting the heavily-favored Avalanche in Game 1 last night, could the Canadiens be next? After winning Game 7 in Buffalo, Montreal starts as an underdog against Carolina in the East Final. Read Ray Ratto’s piece about whether the Habs might be “blessed” this season. (Defector)

5. New Browns head coach Todd Monken said quarterback Shedeur Sanders has “come miles, in terms of his progressions, getting the ball out, his understanding of concepts.” Sanders started seven games last year and faces competition for the starting role from Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t played more than seven games a season in his four years in Cleveland, and potentially fellow second-year signal caller Dillon Gabriel. Read about how Monken, an offensive guru, plans to manage his quarterback situation. (ESPN)

WHAT TO WATCH

8pm — Cavaliers vs. Knicks on ESPN: After coming back from 22 points down with less than nine minutes left in Game 1, New York has now won eight in a row in the playoffs. Cleveland has been steely this postseason, but it’s hard to bounce back from a meltdown like that, especially at Madison Square Garden. (NY -6.5, Total: 216.5)

8pm — Canadiens vs. Hurricanes on TNT: Montreal has the most Final appearances in NHL history, while Carolina has been just twice (the last time being 20 years ago). But the Hurricanes haven’t lost yet in the playoffs and are allowing just 1.25 goals per game. (MTL +170, CAR -205)

10pm — Sparks vs. Mercury on Prime Video: Kelsey Plum leads the WNBA with 26.8 points per game, but Los Angeles is just 1-3 to start the season. Phoenix began the season with a 33-point win over the Aces but are 1-3 since. (PHX -3.5, Total: 175.5)

WHAT TO TRACK

The World Cup kicks off three weeks from today with Mexico playing South Africa in Mexico City. Kalshi gives 2022 runner-up France the best chance of winning (18.1%), followed by Spain (16.3%), England (11.1%), and Argentina and Brazil (9.5%). The prediction market gives the U.S. the best chance of winning their group (42% to Turkiye’s 36%) and advancing to the knockout stage.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“There’s no panic.”

— Thunder forward Alex Caruso, who scored 17 points in OKC’s 122-113 Game 2 win to even the Western Conference Finals as the teams head to San Antonio.

See you tomorrow,

Abe

WHAT TO READ

1. ESPN predicts which NFL rookies will finish the season leading 10 different stat categories, from touchdown passes to sacks. From the easy picks (Jeremiyah Love with the most rushing yards) to the small handful of rookie interceptions, Mike Clay gives you a full analysis. Read the 48 predictions on ESPN.com.

2. Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti left no room for interpretation: His conference wants a 24-team playoff and he’s fine sticking with 12 until he gets his wish. The SEC has been pushing for a 16-team format, which Petitti seems uninterested in. “If we have to wait, it’s OK. We’ll wait,” he said. Read about the conference maneuvering ahead of the end-of-year deadline for the 2027 college football season on Yahoo Sports.

3. MLB’s automated ball-strike challenge system launched with controversy this season but is working out better than expected. The Cubs’ Carson Kelly is the undisputed winner so far — he’s 21-4 in catcher challenges. Read about the teams and players benefiting and losing out most from ABS on ESPN.com.

4. On another NFL Draft note, CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco re-graded the 2023 edition. Carolina took quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 pick, which he now considers a B- instead of a B+. Read the rest of Prisco’s analysis on CBS Sports.

5. Arsenal clinched its first Premier League title since 2004 after Manchester City drew with Bournemouth yesterday. Unlike most EPL clubs, the Gunners stuck with their coach Mikel Arteta through rough patches, and it ultimately paid off. Read about Arsenal’s championship journey via The Associated Press.

WHAT TO WATCH

7pm — Fire vs. Fever on USA: Indiana is just 2-2 to start the season, but Caitlin Clark is averaging 24.3 points (4th in the WNBA), 9.0 assists (1st) and 5.0 rebounds per game. (IND -13.5, Total: 180.5)

8pm — Golden Knights vs. Avalanche on ESPN: This series isn’t expected to be close. Colorado had a +99 goal differential in the regular season, 40 better than the next-best team. Vegas won the Pacific but points-wise would have been in a tie for ninth in the Eastern Conference and out of the playoffs. (VGK +160, COL -192)

8:30pm — Spurs vs. Thunder on NBC: San Antonio stole Oklahoma City’s home court advantage with the Game 1 win, the Thunder’s first defeat of the playoffs. It’s not a must-win, but the pressure is on Oklahoma City, which is now 1-5 against San Antonio this season. (OKC -6.5, Total: 215.5)

WHAT TO TRACK

Despite Oklahoma City still being a slight favorite to win the Western Conference, there’s some value on Kalshi on the NBA Finals matchup: Oklahoma City vs. New York (39%, 2.40x) sits just below San Antonio vs. New York (43%, 2.29x) in likelihood right now.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“There is no secret: We were attacking [James] Harden. Sometimes you’ve got to do what the game dictates, and they were trying to do the same thing with Jalen [Brunson], so we said, ‘OK, we feel like we can play that game.’ We try not to play that game much, but we feel like we have a guy that we can play that game with in Jalen.”

— Knicks coach Mike Brown on how his team came back to win Game 1 in overtime after being down 22 points with 8:19 left in the fourth quarter.

See you tomorrow,

Abe

WHAT TO READ

1. Ahead of last night’s instant classic Spurs upset over the Thunder, John Hollinger of the The Athletic made the (even more timely now) case that Victor Wembanyama might be in the process of passing two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the league’s best player. As Hollinger wrote, “From Feb. 1 to the end of the season, the Spurs went 28-2 when Wembanyama played and posted a plus-23.4 net rating, the best mark in the league by a wide margin.” After Wembanyama exploded for 41 points, 24 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 assists and willed his team to a double-overtime win in Oklahoma City last night, the superstar replied “Yeah, for sure,” when asked if his performance had anything to do with losing out to SGA. Kalshi now has the series at 50/50. (John Hollinger, The Athletic)

2. There are still a surprising number of quality free agents available to NFL teams as the first OTA Offseason Workouts begin. Three wide receivers make Fansided’s top-five list, along with offensive tackle Taylor Decker and EDGE Cameron Jordan. (Austen Bundy, Fansided)

3. While most of the attention is on NFL rookies this time of year, it’s the second-year players that will generally have a bigger impact when the season begins. ESPN answers the eight biggest questions facing the league’s sophomores, including Travis Hunter’s offense/defense split and whether the new-look, likely healthier Raiders will lead to a breakout season for running back Ashton Jeanty. (Ben Solak, ESPN)

4. Manager Don Mattingly has revitalized the Phillies, as the club hasn’t lost a series since he took over on April 28th. Philadelphia was 9-19 under 5th-year manager Rob Thomson when the team unexpectedly fired the two-time reigning NL East champion and replaced him with their bench coach, who, along with 12 years of managerial experience, is the father of the franchise’s general manager, Preston. Both report to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. (Matt Gelb, The Athletic)

5. Real Madrid fired Xabi Alonso as the club’s manager just 34 games into his tenure in January, and it appears Chelsea managements thinks that was a mistake. The Premier League club hired the former Real Madrid star and Bayer Leverkusen manager effective July 1st to lead a squad that will miss out on both Champions League and Europa League action next season (Chelsea could end up in the third tier Conference League, depending on how their final two games play out). Chelsea sacked Liam Rosenior in April, making Alonso its ninth manager (including interims) since April 2023. ESPN looks at what has gone wrong for the club and its new manager, and how the hire could work out for both sides. (Mark Ogden and Alex Kirkland, ESPN)

WHAT TO WATCH

3:15pm — Tottenham vs. Chelsea on Peacock: The Spurs have been one of the biggest stories in the Premier League this season, but not in a good way. Tottenham needs one point in its last two matches to avoid relegation, so an upset draw or win today would make the season finale next week less stressful. (CHE -115, DRAW +270, TOT +300)

7:05pm — Blue Jays vs. Yankees on TBS: Toronto ace Dylan Cease, one of the few bright spots for the sub-.500 reigning AL champs to start the season, faces Will Warren, who is 5-1 with 59 strikeouts in 47.1 innings for slumping-again New York. (TOR +113, NYY -136)

8pm — Cavaliers vs. Knicks on ESPN: This is the matchup many pundits expected for the Eastern Conference Finals when the season started, but when the playoffs began it didn’t look as likely anymore. The Knicks have won seven straight (guard Jalen Brunson led the team in scoring in four of those, including 33+ in three) and haven’t played since finishing off a sweep of the 76ers nine days ago. (NY -7.5, Total: 217.5)

WHAT TO TRACK

The Avalanche (41%) and Hurricanes (38%) are the favorites on Kalshi to win the Stanley Cup, with their conference finals opponents, Golden Knights (13%) and Canadiens (11%), respectively, trailing pretty far behind as the series are set to begin.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“That young man, he has a rare desire to step into every moment that’s in front of him, and he has showed in his three years in a lot of different situations with a lot of different circumstances that he’s going to attack those moments.”

— Spurs coach Mitch Johnson on Victor Wembanyama, who scored 41 points and added 24 rebounds in a career-high 48+ minutes as San Antonio upset Oklahoma City in double overtime in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

See you tomorrow,

Abe

WHAT TO READ

1. Now that the NFL has released its full schedule for next season, CBS Sports takes a look at one positive and one negative from each team’s slate. On the downside, the Colts face two of the league’s best quarterbacks to start off. The Raiders, on the other hand, match up against all three teams that also finished 3-14 this past season, making the upcoming bridge or rebuilding year a little easier for Vegas. All 32 teams are analyzed in this piece. (John Breech, CBS Sports)

2. After quarterback Aaron Rodgers finally re-signed with the Steelers, the question is: Why? From Rodgers’ perspective it’s a good deal. His salary in the one-year contract ballooned from the $13.65 million he earned this past season to potentially $25 million with incentives this year. But in his first campaign in Pittsburgh, he threw for the fewest yards and touchdowns in his career (with at least 16 games played), so it wouldn’t have been crazy for the Steelers to move on from the 42-year-old veteran. ESPN dives into why the franchise and new coach Mike McCarthy — Rodgers’ former boss — made the move. (Ben Solak, ESPN)

3. An English-born golfer won the PGA Championship for the first time since 1919, as Aaron Rai ran away with the tournament on the back nine yesterday. The 31-year-old outlasted Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Cameron Smith and Justin Rose to win his first major and earn just his second victory on the PGA Tour. Rai was three shots back heading into the final nine but ended up with a three-shot win over Rahm and American Alex Smalley after a four-under stretch from the 11th through 17th holes. (Andy Bull, The Guardian)

4. With how everyone around the franchise was talking, it appeared that Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s 12th season would be his last with the team. But both sides decided to give it another go after a 37-45 season, the coach’s worst since 2019-2020 and his only other sub-.500 finish. ESPN’s Wright Thompson has the full story of why Kerr came back after, as Thompson writes, “he’d decided to retire.” (Wright Thompson, ESPN)

5. Jannik Sinner is on an epic running, not only becoming the first Italian man to win the Italian Open in 50 years, but also matching a record set by one of the greatest men to ever play tennis, Novak Djokovic. With his win over the weekend, Sinner became only the second man to win all nine Masters 1000 tournaments, which are the events just below the four majors in competition. As the Associated Press reports, Djokovic didn’t accomplish the feat until he was 31, while Sinner is only 24. (Andrew Dampf, Associated Press)

WHAT TO WATCH

3pm — Arsenal vs. Burnley on USA: Arsenal can keep the pressure on Manchester City with a win over Premier League bottom-dweller Burnley. Arsenal is two points up and both teams have two matches to play. (Arsenal -1100, O/U: 3.5)

7:30pm — Canadiens vs. Sabres on ESPN: It’s Game 7. Buffalo dismantled Montreal in Canada in Game 6 but has lost the past two home games in this series by a combined 11-4 tally. (MTL +102, BUF -122)

8:30pm — Spurs vs. Thunder on NBC: The Western Conference Finals begin tonight, and OKC is looking to stay undefeated in the playoffs (8-0 so far). The Spurs were 4-1 vs. the Thunder during the regular season. (OKC -6.5, Total: 219.5)

WHAT TO TRACK

Kalshi gives the Thunder a 69% chance to beat the Spurs in the series and head to the NBA Finals for a chance to defend their title. The prediction market gives OKC a 55% chance to score over 112.5 in Game 1 tonight.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It sucked. Being back home, definitely wanted to get this win for the fans. Reminded me of last year, losing on the home court. It’s not a great feeling.”

— Cade Cunningham after the Pistons were blown out 125-94 in Game 7 at home by the Cavaliers, who now face the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

See you tomorrow,

Abe

WHAT TO READ

1. The 2026 NFL schedule continues the sport’s evolution to a nearly week-long event at times, opening on a Wednesday and packing the holiday calendar with a first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game, five games across four days, and a Christmas triple-header. Released last night, the slate features nine international games across four continents and seven countries, including first-time visits to Australia and France, and kicks off September 9th with a Super Bowl LX rematch between the defending champion Seahawks and the Patriots on a Wednesday. The league has aggressively packaged rivalry games and postseason rematches into “event windows” that feel closer to playoff broadcasts than regular-season inventory, while Netflix streams the inaugural Thanksgiving Eve showcase. (Rowan Fisher-Shotton, Newsweek)

2. The 151st Preakness Stakes will be run Saturday at Laurel Park, the first time the race has left Baltimore since 1908, after Pimlico Race Course was demolished for a $400 million reconstruction. Pimlico had hosted the Preakness continuously from 1909 through the 150th edition in 2025, and the move to Laurel is a one-year detour while the new venue is built, with the new Pimlico expected to reopen for 2027. The ownership picture is also shifting: Churchill Downs Incorporated has agreed to purchase the rights to the race for $85 million, a deal set to close after Saturday’s running. The race is wide open with Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo not competing, making it the second straight year the Derby champion skipped the Preakness. (Ross Kelly, CBS Sports)

3. Jordan Spieth is making his 10th attempt at the career Grand Slam at the PGA Championship, and for the first time in years, the question of whether he can finally win it feels genuinely open. CBS Sports examined why Spieth, now 32, remains golf’s most compelling needle-mover despite the inconsistency that has shadowed him for a decade: He has led strokes gained in putting, driving, and ball-striking in different weeks this season but has not been able to combine all three. His last major win came in the 2017 Open Championship, and his best result at his elusive fourth major was second back in 2015. The piece frames this week at Aronimink as both a last-best-chance narrative and a legitimate contention window given his improved form. He starts the second round in a tie for 15th at -1, two back of co-leaders Scottie Scheffler and Alex Smalley. (Patrick McDonald, CBS Sports)

4. Victor Wembanyama’s Game 5 performance against Minnesota put him in historic company that includes only Magic Johnson and Luka Doncic, and now the Spurs are one win away from the Western Conference Finals. The 22-year-old posted 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in the Spurs’ 126-97 win, becoming only the third player ever to record 25 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a playoff game. The Spurs lead the series 3-2 heading into Game 6 on Friday in Minnesota, where Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves will try to force a Game 7. (Debmallya Chakraborty, Yardbarker/Total Pro Sports)

5. College athletic departments are cutting tennis programs at an alarming rate as they redirect money toward the $20.5 million revenue sharing cap, with 18 schools across NCAA divisions eliminating tennis in a 10-week stretch. Arkansas, Saint Louis, Illinois State, North Dakota, and Gardner-Webb are among the programs discontinued, a wave that Patrick McEnroe called a shock given that the trend had previously been confined to lower-division schools. Since Division I revenue sharing began last year, athletic departments have redirected resources to football and basketball players, and tennis has become a target partly because of the high cost per player and the large proportion of international athletes on rosters. Sports Illustrated reports that the trend shows no signs of slowing as departments zoom past the revenue sharing threshold. (Tim Capurso, Sports Illustrated)

WHAT TO WATCH

3pm — Aston Villa vs. Liverpool on Peacock: Both Premier League clubs are likely heading to the Champions League next season, but Villa would love to steal a point here to make it even more unlikely that Bournemouth can pass them in the final two games. (Aston Villa +175, Draw +255, Liverpool +150)

7pm — Pistons vs. Cavaliers on Prime Video: Cleveland can knock out the East’s top regular season team with a home win in Game 6 after taking three straight in this series. (CLE -3.5, Total: 210.5)

9:30pm — Spurs vs. Timberwolves on Prime Video: After dropping Game 1, San Antonio has won every game in the series where Victor Wembanyama wasn’t kicked out. The Spurs can avoid a Game 7 at home with a win in Minnesota tonight. (SA -5.5, Total: 218.5)

WHAT TO TRACK

With the full NFL schedule released, Kalshi has the Rams at an 11% chance to win the Super Bowl, followed by the defending champion Seahawks (8%) and the Broncos (7%). FanDuel also has the Rams as the favorite (+700), followed by three teams at +1000: the Seahawks, Ravens and Bills.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“If you look at the stats, yeah, it’s a whack-a-mole situation. I have had weeks where I’m leading in putting, weeks where I’m leading in driving, weeks where I am leading in ball-striking, and then I just haven’t been able to put them all together.”

— Jordan Spieth describing his inconsistency as he makes his 10th attempt at the career Grand Slam at the 2026 PGA Championship.

See you on Monday,

Abe

WHAT TO READ

1. The 2026 NFL schedule will be released at 8 p.m. ET tonight, but the leaks are already pointing to one of the most compelling openers in recent memory. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported yesterday that Seattle will begin its title defense against New England in what would be a Super Bowl rematch to open the season. Netflix revealed the matchup for the league’s first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game: Packers at Rams. CBS Sports noted that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell didn’t finalize the schedule until Tuesday, which is one reason the leaks got off to a slow start before accelerating ahead of the full reveal. (John Breech, CBS Sports)

2. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has a plan to make tanking less appealing to his league’s worst teams. Silver told Stephen A. Smith that he’s bringing a proposal to team owners later this month that would flatten the odds to win the NBA Draft lottery and implement “something we’re calling draft relegation, that if you’re one of the bottom three teams in the league, you’ll actually have worse odds than teams that sort of are four through up until teams make the playoffs.” As ESPN reported, the four teams that did the best in this year’s lottery all clearly purposely lost toward the end of the season, and the league’s current fines are less than the value of adding potential top picks. (Tim Bontemps, ESPN)

3. The Braves are the first team in baseball to reach 30 wins after four straight victories against their top competitors for the National League pennant: the Dodgers and Cubs. Atlanta is already up nine games in their struggling division even with former NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. out with an injury since May 3rd. The surprising Rays have MLB’s second-best record to start the season, just 1.5 games behind Atlanta and two up on the Yankees in the division and league. (Paul Newberry, Associated Press)

4. ESPN spent seven days inside Oklahoma City’s practice facility and found a basketball operation built on obsessive consistency, which is one of the reasons why the Thunder are 8-0 to start the playoffs. After sweeping the Suns and the Lakers without Jalen Williams, who is out with a hamstring injury, OKC enters the Western Conference finals as the favorite to repeat as champions. Coach Mark Daigneault runs an operation where bench players can go from watching an entire first round to starring in the next series: Reserve Ajay Mitchell averaged 22.5 points in the Lakers series in Williams’ place and Jared McCain posted 18 points in 18 minutes in Game 2 against Los Angeles. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told Tim Keown that the message to teammates is simple: “Treat every game like Game 7 and they’re about to beat us.” (By Tim Keown, ESPN)

5. Colorado’s locker room runs on camaraderie — and apparently a healthy obsession with Survivor — as the Avalanche push toward the Western Conference Final. The NHL’s best regular season team has built a team-bonding ritual around the CBS reality show, with players gathering every Thursday to watch together, a running joke that captain Gabriel Landeskog leaned into when asked about playoff preparation. Colorado has lost just one game in the postseason after sweeping the Kings in round one and beating the Wild 4-1. The “last one standing” mindset has clearly translated to the ice. (Tracey Myers, NHL.com)

WHAT TO WATCH

7pm — Canadiens vs. Sabres on TNT: Buffalo dealt Montreal its third home loss in five playoff games to tie the series at two, so the Canadiens might feel better in this Game 5 road matchup since they’ve won four of six outside of Montreal this postseason. (MTL +102, BUF -122)

8pm — Lynx vs. Wings on Prime Video: Dallas looks much more competitive in year two of the Paige Bueckers era, so much so that the Wings are actually favored against the consistently playoff-bound Lynx in the third game of the season. (DAL -3.5, Total: 177.5)

9:30pm — Golden Knights vs. Ducks on TNT: Vegas can advance in Game 6 if they can get another win in Anaheim, which the Golden Knights did to the tune of 6-2 in Game 3. (VGK -112, ANA -108)

WHAT TO TRACK

The Cavaliers can close out the series against the Pistons in Game 6 in Cleveland on Friday, and on Kalshi the four seed is heavily favored to beat the East’s regular season champ: The prediction market gives Cleveland a 74% chance to win the series.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I am grateful that a four-time Super Bowl champion will share his wisdom and perspectives with us — coaches and players.”

— Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz on bringing longtime NFL and college assistant coach Tom Moore to the Hawkeyes as a senior consultant to the head coach and offensive adviser. The 87-year-old Moore played for Iowa from 1959-1960.

See you tomorrow,

Abe

WHAT TO READ

1. LeBron James hasn’t decided if he’ll play a 24th season after the Lakers were swept out of the playoffs. “I don’t know what the future holds for me,” James said. The 41-year-old added that he would only come back if he can “commit to still being in love with the process of showing up to the arena 5½ hours before a game to start preparing for a game, giving everything I got.” James averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds in the playoffs, which was a better points and assists mark than he had during the regular season. (Dave McMenamin, ESPN)

2. The NFL is set to play a record nine international games in 2026, and the matchups have been coming out all week ahead of tomorrow’s full schedule release. The Saints and Steelers will play in Paris during Week 7 in what will be the NFL’s first-ever game in France, and the Bengals and Falcons are headed to Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium on November 8th for the league’s second game in Spain. In non-international schedule news, the Chiefs will host the Broncos in the Monday Night Football opener, and the Cowboys face the Giants on Sunday Night Football to open Week 1. Commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly didn’t approve the final schedule until Tuesday afternoon, which is why leaks were scarce early in the week. The full 272-game schedule drops Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network and ESPN2. (Yahoo Sports)

3. A neutral arbitrator sided with the College Sports Commission in the first major NIL deal dispute to reach arbitration, stopping millions of dollars in contracts between Playfly Sports and 18 Nebraska football players. The arbitrator found that Playfly’s deals with Nebraska athletes lacked a valid business purpose and constituted improper ‘warehousing’ of NIL rights under the House settlement rules, the CSC announced Monday. The ruling is a significant early test of the commission’s authority to reject third-party deals worth $600 or more, and CSC CEO Bryan Seeley said the outcome shows “the system is working as intended.” A separate federal court hearing on May 27th will determine whether multimedia rights companies like Playfly and Learfield count as ‘associated entities’ at all — a ruling that could reshape the entire NIL landscape. (Stewart Mandel, Mitch Sherman and Matt Baker, The Athletic)

4. The NHL kicked off the playoffs on a historic ratings run, with viewership up 76% through the first five days of the postseason compared to last year. Coverage of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs averaged 1.15 million viewers through the opening five days, the highest average on record at that stage of the postseason, according to Sports Media Watch. This year’s number is up 30% from the previous all-time high of 887,000 set in 2012, and up 39% from the best mark of the current media rights deal. The surge comes as the Panthers, two-time defending champions, missed the playoffs entirely after an injury-plagued season, giving the field a wide-open feel. (Jon Lewis, Sports Media Watch)

5. Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh finally ended a historic 0-for-38 slump after showering in full uniform the night before. On the advice of pitcher Logan Gilbert, Raleigh took the shower after Monday’s game to wash off what he called the “bad mojo” — and then went 2-for-4 with two singles in a 10-2 rout of the Astros in Houston. His 0-for-38 struggle was the longest hitless streak in the Live Ball Era by a player following a 40-homer season, surpassing Jason Giambi’s 0-for-32 with the 2004 Yankees, according to the Associated Press. Raleigh, last year’s AL MVP runner-up who hit 60 home runs in 2025, was batting .157 on the season heading into yesterday’s game. (Kristie Rieken, Associated Press)

WHAT TO WATCH

3pm — Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace on USA: With one fewer game played, Manchester City is five points behind Premier League-leading Arsenal with three to play and faces an all-but-must-win match for City’s title hopes. (MNC -500, O/U: 3.5)

8pm — Cavaliers vs. Pistons on ESPN: Both teams held serve at home, so it’ll be an uphill battle for the Pistons if the Cavs steal Game 5 in Detroit. (DET -3.5 Total: 212.5)

8pm — Wild vs. Avalanche on TNT: Colorado can advance with a home win in Game 5. The NHL’s top regular-season team has gone 7-1 so far in the playoffs, with the lone blemish being a 5-1 loss in Minnesota in Game 3. (MIN +170, COL -205)

WHAT TO TRACK

On Kalshi, reigning PGA Championship winner Scottie Scheffler has a 17% chance to repeat, ahead of Masters champion Rory McIlroy (8.9%) and Cameron Young (6.7%), who has finished no better than 47th in the past three years at the season’s second major.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I feel like the rage-baiting would have been one of the strategies, so I feel like I had to stay composed.”

— Victor Wembanyama on his approach in Game 5, where he scored 27 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a Spurs’ win, after returning from a Game 4 ejection.

See you tomorrow,

Abe

WHAT TO READ

1. The Bills will open their brand-new Highmark Stadium on national television, hosting the Lions in a Week 2 Thursday Night Football matchup on Amazon Prime. The full 2026 schedule is set for release Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Buffalo’s new stadium, which has been under construction for about two years, replaces the facility the team has called home since 1973. The Bills and Lions last met in December 2024, a 48-42 shootout where Jared Goff and Josh Allen combined for 856 yards and seven touchdowns.

2. Aaron Rodgers spent part of last week in Pittsburgh but still hasn’t signed with the Steelers, and the offseason limbo is now stretching toward the start of OTAs on May 18. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show that Rodgers didn’t go to the Steelers’ facility during rookie minicamp, but “nobody in the organization knew about” an earlier report of a planned visit. Schefter and other insiders still expect Rodgers to re-sign, as Pittsburgh placed a rare unrestricted free-agent tender on the quarterback that bars him from negotiating with another team until July 22. His representatives are reportedly pushing for closer to $20 million after he earned about $13 million last season.

3. The Thunder are through to the Western Conference Finals after sweeping the Lakers and improving to 8-0 in the playoffs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered his best performance of the series with 35 points and eight assists last night, and Chet Holmgren made a tiebreaking dunk with 32.8 seconds left as OKC pulled out a 115-110 win at Crypto.com Arena. Ajay Mitchell added a playoff career-high 28 points in what might have been LeBron James’ final game with the Lakers (he finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds). The Thunder tied the 1950 Minneapolis Lakers for the longest winning streak by a defending champion to open the playoffs at 8-0. (By Brad Botkin)

4. The 2026 NBA Draft Combine is underway in Chicago with more than 70 prospects participating and major stay-or-go decisions looming for a wave of college players, who have until May 27 to pull out of the draft. CBS Sports breaks down the biggest questions, with top prospects AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson headlining the event at Wintrust Arena. The NIL era has completely changed the calculus, with college teams now able to offer contracts that are potentially bigger than a rookie contract. Former Kansas forward Flory Bidunga signed a deal reportedly worth around $5 million to transfer to Louisville rather than turn pro. Under the current CBA, prospects can be ruled ineligible to be drafted if they skip certain mandatory portions of the combine without an explanation. (By Isaac Trotter)

5. The Avalanche are one win away from the Western Conference Finals after fourth-liner Parker Kelly scored the go-ahead goal in a 5-2 Game 4 victory over the Wild. Kelly’s one-timer from the high slot with 8:28 left in the third period broke a 2-2 tie and ultimately gave Colorado a 3-1 series lead, with Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson adding empty-net goals to seal it. It was Kelly’s first career Stanley Cup Playoff goal. Colorado’s Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves in his first start of the postseason after relieving Scott Wedgewood in Game 3, and the Avalanche head back to Denver for Game 5 tomorrow.

WHAT TO WATCH

7pm: Sabres vs. Canadiens on ESPN — Montreal has won two straight by a combined 11-3 score after dropping Game 1 in Buffalo and is favored to take a commanding 3-1 series lead at home tonight. (BUF +120, MTL -142)

8pm: Timberwolves vs. Spurs on NBC — Victor Wembanyama played just 12 minutes before being ejected, but the Spurs still only lost by five in Minnesota in Game 4. The series is now tied at two and back in San Antonio. (SAS -10.5, Total: 218.5)

9:30pm: Ducks vs. Golden Knights on ESPN — Both teams won once and lost once at home, and now the series returns to Las Vegas for a crucial Game 5. (ANA +130, VGK -155)

WHAT TO TRACK

The Lakers were swept by the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, but prediction markets don’t think it was LeBron James’s last game in the NBA. Kalshi has the odds at 78% that James won’t announce his retirement before next season — a nearly 30-point swing from last June when the odds were about 50/50.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“You never know when your opportunity is going to come. You’ve just got to stay ready. It’s one shot. It’s one play you’ve got to bear down on that’s probably going to come your way.”

— Parker Kelly after scoring his first career Stanley Cup Playoff goal, the game-winner to give his Avalanche a 3-1 series lead over the Wild.

In Today’s Newsletter…

1. Leading Off: Best three players still available in the NFL Draft

2. Scouting Report: Brown looks to give Celtics home court advantage back

3. Game of the Day: Lakers are big road underdogs despite 2-0 series lead

4. Overtime: Breaking down every pick of the first round of the draft

1. Leading Off

There was no drama to begin the 2026 NFL Draft, as the Raiders drafted Heisman Trophy and National Championship-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza as expected, making this the fourth-straight year that a QB was taken first. The Rams made the most surprising move of the night, not necessarily for drafting a quarterback — starter Matthew Stafford is 38 — but because Ty Simpson might have been available 10 or more picks later than the 13th spot in which Los Angeles took the former Alabama signal caller. Rams coach Sean McVay said Simpson would compete with Stetson Bennett IV to back up Stafford in the upcoming season, as “This is Matthew’s team.”

Here’s a look at the first round picks who could have the biggest impact in the upcoming season and the prospects still on the board that should come off quickly tonight.

Three Best Picks:

• No. 11 Caleb Downs (Cowboys): Three of his Ohio State teammates were taken before him, but Downs might have been the best pick of the night. The Buckeyes’ safety didn’t allow a touchdown for two seasons and could be the class’s best tackler. The Cowboys gave the Dolphins two fifth-round picks in this year’s draft to swap spots to take Downs, who should get significant playing time as a rookie.

• No. 1 Fernando Mendoza (Raiders): Las Vegas needed a franchise quarterback, so this was an easy one for them. Mendoza could be the face of the team for years to come and showed few flaws as he led Indiana to an improbable title. He’s mentally and physically tough and won’t have to start right away after the Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins this offseason.

• No. 5 Arvell Reese (Giants): Reese was the second of three Buckeyes taken in the span of four picks and had the talent to be taken No. 1 overall in some draft years. The Jets took David Bailey over Reese with the 2nd selection, so they’ll see up close if they made the right call. The Giants didn’t necessarily need Reese, but when he was still available they couldn’t pass up the player that might have the most talent of the class.

Three Best Players Still Available:

• Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy: Most draft experts had McCoy as a first-round talent, but he missed this past season with a torn ACL and no team was willing to take the risk on Day 1. Prior to his injury, he was seen as a sure-fire NFL starter and potential shut-down corner. He should go early today.

• Washington WR Denzel Boston: It’s not a huge surprise Boston fell out of the first round, he certainly wasn’t a lock, but the 6-3, 212-pound wide receiver led the Huskies in receiving each of the past two years and caught 14 of his 20 touchdown passes in the red zone. He likely dropped because he doesn’t have elite speed and there aren’t many teams desperate enough for a rookie receiver to use a pick early.

• Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: Despite missing out on a Day 1 selection, McNeil-Warren could see action as a rookie. He started at Toledo for three seasons and turned down transfer opportunities when he had the chance to leave. McNeil-Warren committed just one penalty in 1,861 defensive snaps in his career and had nine forced fumbles.

Rounds 2 and 3 are on ESPN tonight starting at 7pm, with the 4th-7th rounds beginning at noon tomorrow.

— Abe Rakov

P.S. I was at PEAK 2026 in Las Vegas this week, where we heard from sports leaders like Raiders SVP Qiava Martinez, UFC SVP Gene Tinner, Jomboy Media CEO Courtney Hirsh, and Sports Illustrated Tickets CEO David Lane. To read about their thoughts on the future of sports, subscribe to our new publication, Sports and Co., which launches in less than two weeks.

2. Scouting Report

Brown has 76ers number this season, Avdija looks to bounce back, and McDavid had regular-season success against Ducks.

Celtics G Jaylen Brown at 76ers

The Celtics fell apart after the first quarter in Game 2 but it wasn’t because of Brown, who scored 31 of his 36 points after the first frame. Brown has gone over tonight’s points total in three of six matchups against the 76ers this season, and his lowest-scoring performance was still a 24-point effort. Boston gave up home court advantage after the eyebrow-raising 14-point loss to Philadelphia, so there is even more pressure on Brown to carry his team to avoid falling into an unexpected hole.

• Points: 26.5 (28.7 - 36, 26, 23, 35, 26), Reb: 5.5 (6.9 - 7, 4, 3, 9, 6), Ast: 4.5 (5.1 - 4, 3, 1, 3, 3)

• PHI - W1 (5-5 L10) | Points Allowed: 116.1 (19th), Reb Allowed: 45.3 (22nd), Ast Allowed: 27.6 (22nd)

Trail Blazers F Deni Avdija vs. Spurs

Avdija had his worst offensive performance since the All-Star Break even though his team eked out a three-point win against the Wembanyama-less Spurs in Game 2. Prior to being shut down by San Antonio (5-13 from the field), he scored 25+ in nine straight games. The Spurs’ defense is tough, but with Wembanyama’s status unknown after suffering a concussion, it could be a little more porous than usual. Either way, Avdija finished the year strong, averaging 30.0 points in April — his highest total of any month this season by nearly three.

• Points: 22.5 (24.2 - 14, 30, 41, 25, 35), Reb: 6.5 (6.9 - 4, 10, 7, 6, 4), Ast: 5.5 (6.7 - 3, 5, 12, 10, 5)

• SAS - L1 (7-3 L10) | Points Allowed: 111.5 (8th), Reb Allowed: 42.6 (8th), Ast Allowed: 26.2 (12th)

Oilers C Connor McDavid at Ducks

McDavid has been held goalless in three straight and four of five games, but had success against the Ducks before the postseason. He notched a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win at the end of March, two assists in a 6-5 loss in February and a goal and an assist in a 7-4 win in January. Edmonton is looking for its third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, so McDavid will want to avoid a 2-1 deficit in the first round.

• Anytime Goal: +105 (0.59 - 0, 0, 0, 1, 0), Over 3.5 Shots on Goal: -108 (6.4 - 4, 3, 3, 5, 1), 2+ Points: -130 (1.7 - 0, 0, 4, 1, 0)

• ANA - W1 (3-7 L10) | Goals Allowed: 3.51 (29th), Penalty Kill: 76.4% (27th)

*Player stats are shown as: Today’s total (Season average - Last 5 games from most recent to oldest)

3. Game of the Day

Even with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out of the lineup, the Lakers swept the first two games of the series against the Rockets in Los Angeles. Houston’s own star, Kevin Durant, missed Game 1 but played 41 minutes in Game 2, second on the team behind Amen Thompson’s 42, scoring 23 points on 7-12 shooting in the seven-point loss. LeBron James put in a game-high 28 points for the Lakers in Game 2 after finishing with 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds in the series opener. The 41-year-old could get reinforcements soon, as Reaves could return at some point in this round, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. If the Lakers go up 3-0 tonight, they might not even want to rush him back.

Lakers (2-0) vs. Rockets
8pm on Prime Video

The Odds

• Spread: LAL +10.5 (-115), HOU -10.5 (-105)

  • 76% of the money and 81% of the bets are with LAL

  • ATS | LAL: 47-36-1, HOU: 36-48

• Moneyline: LAL +315, HOU -400

• Total (205.5): Over -110, Under -110

  • LAL: 42-42, HOU: 39-45

Prediction Markets Data

• To Win Game: HOU 78%, HOU to Win by 8.5: 54%, HOU to Win by 11.5: 42%, Over 206.5 Points Scored: 49%

• To Win Series: LAL 54%

Players to Watch

• LAL F LeBron James | Points: 24.5 (20.9 - 28, 19, 18, 28, 26), Reb: 6.5 (6.1 - 8, 8, 4, 6, 8), Ast: 8.5 (7.2 - 7, 13, 6, 12, 11)

• HOU F Kevin Durant | Points: 23.5 (26.0 - 23, 33, 29, 24, 31), Reb: 5.5 (5.5 - 6, 7, 7, 4, 8), Ast: 4.5 (4.8 - 4, 7, 5, 3, 8)

4. Overtime

In the News

• NFL.com analyzed all 32 picks in the first round of the draft, from the Cardinals rightfully reaching to take Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third selection to the Jets snagging Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. at 30th after trading to get into one of the last slots of the first day.

• Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is still in concussion protocol after leaving his team’s Game 2 loss in the second quarter, but he’s traveling with San Antonio in case he is cleared to play for either of the next two games in Portland. “He looks good,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said, but added that there have been no discussions about when Wembanyama can suit up.

• Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders said there’s “a new vibe, a new energy,” under new head coach Todd Monken. Sanders split starting reps with Deshaun Watson, but according to ESPN, Monken said that the number of reps could change each day.

• The Mets ended a 12-game losing streak on Wednesday, but CBS Sports thinks two teams should be panicking even more than New York in the early stages of the season.

• ESPN has an early update to its Bracketology, giving Florida the top overall seed and calling Iowa the last team in next year’s men’s NCAA Tournament. Defending champion Michigan, Michigan State, and Duke are the other projected No. 1 seeds, with UConn, Gonzaga, Arizona and Illinois the current No. 2s.

What to Watch (times ET)

Friday

• 3pm: Sunderland vs. Nottingham Forest on USA

• 7pm: NFL Draft (Rounds 2-3) on ESPN

• 7pm: Celtics vs. 76ers (1-1) on Prime Video (or Lightning vs. Canadiens (1-1) on TNT)

• 7:15pm: Phillies vs. Braves on Apple TV

• 8pm: Lakers (2-0) vs. Rockets on Prime Video

• 9:30pm: Golden Knights vs. Mammoth (1-1) on TBS

• 10pm: Oilers vs. Ducks (1-1) on TNT

• 10:10pm: Cubs vs. Dodgers on Apple TV

• 10:30pm: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers (1-1) on Prime Video

Saturday

• 7:30am: Fulham vs. Aston Villa on USA

• 12pm: NFL Draft (Rounds 4-7) on ESPN

• 12:30pm: Arsenal vs. Newcastle on USA

• 1pm: Pistons vs. Magic (1-1) on NBCSN/Peacock

• 3pm: Hurricanes (3-0) vs. Senators on TBS

• 3:07pm: Guardians vs. Blue Jays on FS1

• 3:30pm: Thunder (2-0) vs. Suns on NBC

• 4:45pm: Minnesota United vs. LAFC on FOX

• 5:30pm: Stars (2-1) vs. Wild on TBS

• 6pm: Knicks vs. Hawks (2-1) on NBC

• 7:15pm: Cubs vs. Dodgers on FOX

• 8pm: Penguins vs. Flyers (3-0) on TBS

• 8:30pm: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves (2-1) on ABC

Sunday

• 10am: Chelsea vs. Leeds (FA Cup) on ESPN2

• 1pm: Cavaliers vs. Raptors on ESPN

• 2pm: Sabres vs. Bruins on TNT

• 3:30pm: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers on ESPN

• 4:30pm: Avalanche vs. Kings on TNT

• 6pm: Angel City vs. Thorns (NWSL) on ESPN2

• 7pm: Celtics vs. 76ers on NBC (or Lightning vs. Canadiens on ESPN)

• 7:20pm: Angels vs. Royals on Peacock

• 9:30pm: Lakers vs. Rockets on NBC (or Oilers vs. Ducks on ESPN)

In Today’s Newsletter…

1. Leading Off: Will Tom Brady mentor his own No. 1 pick?

2. Scouting Report: Final two NBA play-ins, slumping Yankees face ace

3. NBA Playoff Preview: Defending champions are heavy favorites to repeat

4. Overtime: The latest mock NFL Drafts

1. Leading Off

Tom Brady was on the sideline at Hard Rock Stadium in January when Indiana won its first national championship, part of the Raiders contingent that flew in to watch. Fernando Mendoza, the Hoosiers’ Heisman-winning quarterback, didn’t know Brady was there until it was over.

Next week, that changes. Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 to Las Vegas in the NFL Draft, which means Brady, a Raiders minority owner, is about to become his boss. “I love everything about his game,” he said on a Fox broadcast in December, singling out Mendoza’s leadership and the way he shows up for teammates.

Brady’s post-playing life is complicated. He’s part of the Raiders management team, but he’s also Fox’s lead NFL analyst, which has made the owner side of things awkward. Some team officials have worried he could learn things in production meetings one week and use them to help Las Vegas the next — a complaint that always seemed more about jealousy than any real competitive issue. Is it fair that Brady got the biggest sports broadcasting deal ever (10 years, $375 million) before he called a game, then a sweetheart deal to become an owner? Probably not. But he won more Super Bowls than anyone who ever played, so it doesn’t need to be.

What’s his day-to-day actually going to look like in Henderson? Kirk Cousins, signed this month as a bridge starter for the Raiders, gave us the first real tell. Brady, he said, “just wants to be a resource,” a phone call or text away, not in the QB room every day.

That matters, because Mendoza’s path into the league is going to look nothing like Brady’s. He was a national champion too, but as a backup at Michigan, and later was the 199th pick in the 2000 draft. Brady took over after Drew Bledsoe got hurt in Week 2 of his second season and kept the job for nearly two decades. Mendoza arrives as the No. 1 pick of a franchise that won just three games last year and is openly building around him. But new head coach Klint Kubiak said he’s in no rush to play him. “Ideally, you don’t want him to start from Day 1,” Kubiak told reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting last month. “You’d love him to be able to learn behind somebody.”

Mendoza wants the help. “It’s gonna be a long journey, and to potentially have a mentor like that, it would be pretty impressive and pretty meaningful,” he said at the combine, where Mendoza said a brief hello to Brady on the phone during his Raiders interview.

The 22-year-old is walking into something nobody’s done before: a rookie quarterback with a boss who happens to be the best to ever play his position. How much Brady actually gives him (film sessions, the occasional text, nothing at all) will shape Mendoza’s first two years more than anything Kubiak draws up. My guess: Brady’s around a lot early and pulls back once the season starts and the Fox cameras go live. If he’s going to teach him anything, it happens in June, not November.

— Abe Rakov

P.S. I’ll be at PEAK 2026 in Las Vegas Monday through Wednesday, so send me an email if you’ll be in town. In case you don’t know, PEAK is the leading gathering for the global SportsTech and Innovation industry, bringing together top founders, investors, sports executives, and innovation leaders who are at the forefront of SportsTech. I’ll be covering what I learn about the future of sports in next week’s newsletter. A handful of tickets are still available, so if you’re in Vegas or want to make a last-minute trip, join me there.

2. Scouting Report

Curry and Ball look to carry teams into NBA Playoffs, and there’s no rest for the weary Yankees in tonight’s matchup.

Hornets G LaMelo Ball at Magic (CHA -3.5)

Ball has scored 27+ in four of his past five games as he tries to will his team to the real playoffs. He’s coming off a 30-point, and controversial, performance in a 1-point overtime win against Miami. But that took a lot of shots: Ball was 12-31 from the field, weighed down by a 2-16 night from three. He’s been shooting a lot from beyond the arc (12+ times in each of his past six games), but had made at least five treys in five straight before the cold effort against the Heat. The Hornets are favored on the road against the Magic, who actually have played well down the stretch. If Charlotte wins, it’s likely behind another Ball 24+ point effort.

• Points: 23.5 (20.1 - 30, 19, 27, 36, 35), Reb: 5.5 (4.8 - 5, 7, 5, 5, 3), Ast: 7.5 (7.1 - 10, 6, 8, 6, 8)

• ORL - L2 (6-4 L10) | Points Allowed: 115.1 (13th), Reb Allowed: 43.3 (13th), Ast Allowed: 25.3 (8th)

Warriors G Stephen Curry at Suns (PHX -3.5)

The Warriors had just a 15% chance to win their first Play-In matchup at the Clippers after the first half, but then Curry scored 27 points in the final 22 minutes to, along with Al Horford, grab the win for his team. Curry was 12-23 from the field, including 7-12 from three. His 35 points were the most he’s scored since a 38-point outburst against the lowly Mavericks in January. Curry had gone three games in a row scoring below his season average before Wednesday, and overall is averaging just over 24 points over his past nine. He really wants a chance at a playoff run, though, and while the Suns are favored at home, they aren’t trustworthy.

• Points: 27.5 (26.6 - 35, 24, 11, 17, 29), Reb: 3.5 (3.6 - 1, 6, 3, 5, 2), Ast: 4.5 (4.7 - 4, 3, 5, 2, 4)

• PHX - L1 (5-5 L10) | Points Allowed: 111.1 (6th), Reb Allowed: 43.7 (15th), Ast Allowed: 25.1 (7th)

Royals SP Michael Wacha at Yankees (NYY -184)

The Yankees have lost seven of nine after starting the season 8-2, and now they have to face one of the hottest pitchers to start this campaign. Wacha posted his fourth season in a row with a sub-3.90 ERA last year, but was just 10-13 because his teammates struggled when he was on the mound. He’s still not getting a ton of support in 2026, as the Royals average just 2.7 runs scored in his three starts, but he hasn’t needed the help. Wacha has given up just one run across 21.0 innings and opponents have just 10 hits in that span. He also went eight innings in his last outing, a 2-0 win over the White Sox.

• Strikeouts: 5.5 (5.7 - 7, 3, 7), Earned Runs: TBD (0.3 - 0, 1, 0), Hits: TBD (3.3 - 4, 3, 3)

• NYY - L1 (3-7 L10) | Batting Ave.: .212 (27th), SO: 9.6 (24th), Runs Scored: 4.6 (14th), Hits: 6.9 (27th)

*Player stats are shown as: Today’s total (Season average - Last 5 games from most recent to oldest)

3. NBA Playoff Preview

The final NBA Play-In games don’t finish until tonight, but those matchups likely won’t have much of an impact on the actual playoffs. The winner of the Magic vs. Hornets faces the Pistons and either the Suns or Warriors will head to Oklahoma City to take on the defending champion Thunder, who are significant favorites to be the NBA’s first repeat champions since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018.

The upstart Spurs (who are 4-1 against OKC this season) and the surprise of the year, the Celtics, have the second-best odds to win the title (both at +550) after the Thunder (+100). The East’s regular season champions, the Pistons, are +2000 and behind two conference foes (Cleveland, along with Boston).

Unsurprisingly, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the best odds to win Finals MVP (+110), with San Antonio superstar Victor Wembanyama second at +600 and Boston’s duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both at +1200.

The Odds

• NBA Title — OKC: +100, SAS and BOS: +550, DEN: +1200, CLE: +1300, DET: +2000, NYK: +2200, HOU: +7000, CHA: +8000, MIN: +10000

• Western Conference Champions — OKC: -175, SAS: +330, DEN: +700, HOU: +2700, MIN: +4500, LAL: +15000, GSW: +22500, POR and PHX: +25000

• Eastern Conference Champions — BOS: +150, CLE: +320, DET: +480, NYK: +550, CHA: +2200, ATL: +2700, TOR: +4000, PHI: +4500, ORL: +10000

Prediction Markets Data

• To Win the NBA Title — Thunder: 45%, Spurs: 15%, Celtics: 12%, Nuggets: 10%, Pistons: 5%, Cavaliers and Knicks: 4%, Rockets: 2%, Everyone else: 1% or less

4. Overtime

In the News

• The NFL Mock Draft Database website updated its 2026 Consensus Big Board, incorporating 1,168 first-round mock drafts. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is obviously first, with Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 2, Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey third, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love fourth and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa fifth. Ohio State players make up four of the first nine picks.

• Trades are nearly as big a part of the NFL Draft as the selections themselves, and NFL.com looks at six potential deals that could transform the first round. Will the Cowboys be aggressive to nab a linebacker? Could the Jets trade up for a potential star wide receiver? What about the Raiders? Will they make a move for a second first-round pick to give Fernando Mendoza a familiar teammate?

• The college football season is likely to start even earlier after an NCAA committee recommended a pre-Labor Day launch to give schools the opportunity for two byes in a 14-week regular season. If the NCAA adopts the proposal, it would not only give players additional rest during the season and allow for more College Football Playoff flexibility, it would make it easier for the NCAA to comply with President Trump’s “exclusive window” order for the annual Army-Navy game.

• The Dodgers spent seven times more money on payroll than the Marlins, the lowest spenders in Major League Baseball, last season. Los Angeles’s combined $515 million in payroll and luxury tax payments beat the previous record by nearly $85 million (which was set by the Mets in 2024). According to the Associate Press, the World Series champions’ total was more than the six bottom teams combined.

• Ohio State lacrosse player turned Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke was granted a fifth season by an Oklahoma judge after a months-long legal dispute over his eligibility. Sooners coach Brent Venables testified for his team’s second-leading tackler after the NCAA denied Heinecke’s waiver request arguing that the three lacrosse games he played for Ohio State in 2021 shouldn’t count as a year against him.

What to Watch (times ET)

Friday

• 6:40pm: Rays vs. Pirates on Apple TV

• 7:15pm: Tigers vs. Red Sox on Apple TV

• 7:30pm: Hornets vs. Magic (NBA Play-In) on Prime Video

• 8pm: Renegades vs. Aviators (UFL) on FOX

• 10pm: Warriors vs. Suns (NBA Play-In) on Prime Video

• 10:30pm: Whitecaps vs. Sporting Kansas City on Apple TV

Saturday

• 12:30pm: Tottenham vs. Brighton on NBC or Battlehawks vs. Defenders (UFL) on ABC

• 1pm: Raptors vs. Cavaliers (Game 1) on Prime Video

• 3pm: Senators vs. Hurricanes (Game 1) on ESPN or Chelsea vs. Manchester United on Peacock

• 3:30pm: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets (Game 1) on Prime Video

• 5:30pm: Wild vs. Stars (Game 1) on ESPN

• 6pm: Hawks vs. Knicks (Game 1) on Prime Video

• 7:15pm: Rangers vs. Mariners or Braves vs. Phillies on FOX

• 8pm: Flyers vs. Penguins (Game 1) on ESPN

• 8:30pm: Rockets vs. Lakers (Game 1) on ABC

Sunday

• 11:30am: Manchester City vs. Arsenal on NBC

• 1pm: 76ers vs. Celtics (Game 1) on ABC

• 2pm: NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas on FOX

• 3pm: Kings vs. Avalanche (Game 1) on TNT

• 3:30pm: Suns/Warriors vs. Thunder (Game 1) on ABC

• 5:30pm: Grand Prix of Long Beach (IndyCar) on FOX

• 5:45pm: Canadians vs. Lightning (Game 1) on TNT

• 6:30pm: Magic/Hornets vs. Pistons (Game 1) on NBC

• 7:20pm: Braves vs. Phillies on Peacock

• 7:30pm: Bruins vs. Sabres (Game 1) on ESPN

• 9pm: Trail Blazers vs. Spurs (Game 1) on NBC

• 10pm: Mammoth vs. Golden Knights (Game 1) on ESPN

In Today’s Newsletter…

1. Leading Off: Looking ahead at the NFL Draft

2. Scouting Report: Ball trying to carry Hornets to better seed

3. Game of the Weekend: Familiar favorites at the Masters

4. By the Numbers: Today’s 3 NBA games that matter most for the playoffs

5. Overtime: Raiders new QB is ready for a competition

1. Leading Off

The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away. While there’s certainty about where presumed No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza will be when he’s selected (not on stage), just about everything else is still up in the air. DraftKings has Texas Tech end David Bailey with the best odds of going No. 2 (-140), followed by Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese (+110), and Polymarket has Bailey with a 44% chance of being selected by the Jets in that spot, with Reese at 40%.

The sportsbook considers Reese a significant favorite to go third (+130), Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love fourth (+150) and another Ohio State linebacker, Sonny Styles, fifth (+175). A third Buckeye, wide receiver Carnell Tate, looks likely to go sixth (+150), but after that, all bets are off. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is expected to be off the board by the 25th pick, as DraftKings set his line at 24.5 (-230 under, +170 over).

The draft starts at 8pm ET on April 23rd, with rounds two and three on Friday (beginning at 7pm), and four through seven beginning that Saturday at noon. There will be 257 picks in Pittsburgh, including nine compensatory selections, and you can see the full order on the NFL’s website.

— Abe Rakov

2. Scouting Report

Ball has two straight 35+ point games as Hornets need wins, Fried looks to go 3-0 for Yankees and Mbappe has good matchup with Real Madrid looking to keep pace.

Hornets G LaMelo Ball vs. Pistons

Charlotte can still avoid the play-in with a couple of wins and some luck, and Ball is doing his best to make that happen down the stretch. He shot 50%+ in his last two matchups, a win at Minnesota and loss at Boston, scoring 35 and 36 points. He’s averaging 20 on the year and had four straight games under that total prior to the recent breakouts (the Hornets still went 3-1 in those matchups). Ball faces a Pistons team with nothing left to play for, as they’ve already secured the top seed in the East.

• Points: 20.0 (36, 35, 18, 15, 14), Reb: 4.8 (5, 3, 6, 2, 7), Ast: 7.1 (6, 8, 9, 11, 9)

• DET - W1 (7-3 L10) | Points Allowed: 109.6 (3rd), Reb Allowed: 40.7 (4th), Ast Allowed: 23.5 (1st)

Yankees P Max Fried at Rays (Saturday)

The Yankees pitcher has given up just three runs and 10 hits across three starts and 20.0 innings so far this season — and all of the runs and half the hits were in his last start against the Marlins. Before that, in 13.1 innings Fried struck out 10 and walked two in two shutout wins for New York. He was slated to pitch today but is getting an extra day to rest instead. Tampa Bay batters have just a .194 career OBP against Fried, with 10 hits to 11 strikeouts in 68 at bats. Only two Rays players, DH Yandy Diaz and catcher Nick Fortes, have multiple hits off the 32-year-old lefty.

• Earned Runs: 1.0 (3, 0, 0), Hits: 3.3 (5, 3, 2), Strikeouts: 4.7 (4, 6, 4), Walks: 1.7 (3, 1, 1)

• TB - L2 (5-5 L10) | Runs Scored: 4.6 (10th), Hits: 8.8 (5th), K: 7.2 (1st), Walks: 3.3 (23rd)

Real Madrid F Kylian Mbappe vs. Girona

Mbappe scored in Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich in Champions League play this week, ending a five-game goalless streak across all competitions — his longest drought of the season. He hasn’t been held without a goal in two of three matches this campaign, as every time he’s scored a goal a game after not finding the back of the net, he’s scored the next match as well. It’s not a must-win, but Real has nearly no shot to catch Barcelona in La Liga with a loss to middle-of-the-pack Girona today. Mbappe scored when these teams played to a 1-1 draw in November.

• Anytime Goal: -300, 2+ Goals: +195, 6+ Shots: -115

• Girona - 13th in La Liga in goals allowed (1.47/game), 16th in goal differential (-12), 12th in points (37)

*Player stats are shown as: Season average (Last 5 games from most recent to oldest)

3. Game of the Weekend

After shooting an opening round 67, Masters defending champion Rory McIlroy is the favorite to win the tournament (+260 at FanDuel). Scottie Scheffler, who won in 2022 and 2024, is tied for sixth after a 70 and has the second-best odds after Day 1 (+350). There’s a wide gulf after that. McIlroy is tied atop the leaderboard with American Sam Burns, who notched an eagle on the par 5 second and was steady from there. Overall, 32 players shot par or better and just 16 went under. You can see the Round 2 pairings and tee times on CBS Sports.

The Masters
All Day Fri-Sun on CBS Sports, ESPN, CBS, Paramount+ and Prime Video

The Odds

To Win

• Rory McIlroy (-5) +260

• Scottie Scheffler (-2) +350

• Xander Schauffele (-2) +1000

• Sam Burns (-5) +1200

• Justin Rose (-2) +1500

• Patrick Reed (-3) +1600

Top 5

• Rory McIlroy (-5) -210

• Scottie Scheffler (-2) -145

• Xander Schauffele (-2) +170

• Sam Burns (-5) +185

• Justin Rose (-2) +250

• Patrick Reed (-3) +270

• Tommy Fleetwood (-1) +340

• Jason Day (-3) +380

• Shane Lowry (-2) +470

• Kurt Kitayama (-3) +500

• Jordan Spieth (E) and Hideki Matsuyama (E) +600

• Cameron Young (+1) +650

• Brooks Koepka (E) +750

Prediction Markets Data (Likelihood to win)

• Rory McIlroy: 26%

• Scottie Scheffler: 19%

• Xander Schauffele: 8%

• Sam Burns: 7%

• Justin Rose and Patrick Reed: 5%

• Tommy Fleetwood: 4%

• Jason Day: 3%

4. By the Numbers

The Friday NBA games that matter most for playoff seeding, two Saturday NHL matchups to watch, and our first look at the UFL this season

NBA

Cavaliers (51-29, 25-15 Away) vs. Hawks (45-35, 23-17 Home)

• Spread | CLE +7 (-110), ATL -7 (-110): 66% of the money is with CLE

• Moneyline | CLE +220, ATL -270

• Prediction Markets Data | ATL -6.6: 51%; Under 234.5 Points: 52%

Raptors (45-35, 22-18 Away) vs. Knicks (52-28, 29-9 Home)

• Spread | TOR +5.5 (-108), NYK -5.5 (-112): 89% of the money is with NYK

• Moneyline | TOR +184, NYK -220

• Prediction Markets Data | NYK -6.5: 50%; Over 219.5 Points: 50%

Clippers (41-39, 19-21 Away) vs. Trail Blazers (40-40, 22-17 Home)

• Spread | LAC +2 (-115), POR -2 (-105): 61% of the money is with POR but 54% of the bets are with LAC

• Moneyline | LAC +108, POR -126

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: TOR 54%; Under 225.5 Points: 53%

NHL (Saturday)

Lightning (48-25-6, 23-12-5 Away) vs. Bruins (43-26-10, 28-10-1 Home)

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: TB 53%; Over 6.5 Goals: 56%

Capitals (40-30-9, 16-19-4 Away) vs. Penguins (41-22-16, 20-12-8 Home)

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: PIT 56%; Under 6.5 Goals: 53%

UFL

Orlando Storm (2-0) vs. Louisville Kings (0-2)

• Spread | ORL -3 (-105), LOU +3 (-115)

• Moneyline | ORL -150, LOU +125

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: ORL 56%

Houston Gamblers (1-1) vs. DC Defenders (1-1)

• Spread | HOU +6.5 (-110), DC -6.5 (-110)

• Moneyline | HOU +240, DC -290

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: DC 71%

Birmingham Stallions (1-1) vs. St. Louis Battlehawks (1-1)

• Spread | BIR -2.5 (-120), STL +2.5 (+145)

• Moneyline | BIR -170, STL +145

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: STL 51%

5. Overtime

In the News

• Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins ruined any drama that was left when he said that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be “great addition to our team” in an interview NFL Network. He also signaled he doesn’t expect to be guaranteed the starting job — unlike when he signed with Atlanta before the franchise drafted Michael Penix Jr. “The best player should play,” Cousins said. “As long as that’s the case, I have no qualms with however it plays out.”

• ESPN has a deep dive on how and why tanking has gotten worse in the NBA, going from a couple of teams losing a little more than they should to double-digit franchises using strategies to protect potential draft picks: “In early March, the Utah Jazz signed Andersson Garcia to a 10-day contract. Garcia was a college backup, an off-the-radar undrafted prospect and a defensive-minded role player for the Mexico City Capitanes this season. The Jazz then played Garcia 25, 29, 43, 24 and 48 minutes in five games.”

• After Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles’ tendon during the playoffs last year, this was slated to be a down season for the Celtics as they waited for their star to recover and rehab in time for the 2026-2027 campaign. But Boston’s other star, Jaylen Brown, has led his team to another 50+ win season and second in the East as Tatum shakes off the rust in time for the postseason. Ramona Shelburne’s feature on how Brown and the Celtics defied expectations this season is worth your time.

• The Department of Justice is investigating “the amount of money fans are paying to watch sports on television,” according to the Associated Press. The official issue would be anticompetitive practices, a source told the outlet, and the investigation is “about affordability for consumers and creating an even playing field for providers.” Last season, NFL games were seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN, ESPN+, NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube TV.

What to Watch (times ET)

Friday

• 8:30am: Masters coverage begins on CBS Sports Network (1-3pm on Prime Video, 3-7:30pm on ESPN)

• 1pm: Paris vs. Monaco (Ligue 1) on beIN Sports

• 3pm: West Ham vs. Wolves (EPL) on USA

• 7pm: Cavaliers vs. Hawks on Prime Video

• 8pm: Storm vs. Kings (UFL) on FOX

• 8:30pm: Timberwolves vs. Rockets on Prime Video

Saturday

• 9:30am: Dortmund vs. Leverkusen (Bundesliga) on ESPN2

• 10am: Masters coverage begins on CBS Sports Network/Paramount+ (2-7pm on CBS)

• 12pm: Gamblers vs. Defenders (UFL) on ESPN

• 12:30pm: Lightning vs. Bruins on ABC (or Liverpool vs. Fulham on NBC)

• 1:05pm: Diamondbacks vs. Phillies on FS1

• 2:30pm: Austin FC vs. LA Galaxy on FOX

• 3pm: Capitals vs. Penguins on ABC

• 4:45pm: Timbers vs. LAFC on FOX

• 5:30pm: USWNT vs. Japan (International Friendly) on TNT

• 7:15pm: Giants vs. Orioles or Red Sox vs. Cardinals on FOX

• 8pm: Golden Knights vs. Avalanche on ABC

• 9pm: UFC 327: Procházka vs. Ulberg (Main Card) on CBS

Sunday

• 10am: Masters coverage begins on CBS Sports Network/Paramount+ 2-7pm on CBS)

• 12pm: Aviators vs. Dalls (UFL) on ABC

• 3pm: Penguins vs. Capitals on TNT (or NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol on FS1 or Stallions vs. Battlehawks (UFL) on ABC)

• 6pm: Magic vs. Celtics on ESPN

• 7:20pm: Guardians vs. Braves on NBC

• 8:30pm: Nuggets vs. Spurs on ESPN

In Today’s Newsletter…

1. Leading Off: UConn has worst odds to win title but wants a dynasty

2. Scouting Report: Adebayo gets another matchup against Wizards

3. Games of the Weekend: A look at both men’s Final Four matchups

4. By the Numbers: Women’s NCAA title game set

5. Overtime: UNC loses out on top head coaching candidate

1. Leading Off

UConn is looking to cement its dynasty with a third national title in four years, but the Huskies have the longest odds in the Final Four. Coach Dan Hurley’s program is a 1.5-point underdog to Illinois today and +600 to cut down the nets on Monday.

With two wins, UConn would earn its seventh title, breaking a tie with North Carolina for the third-most all-time behind Kentucky’s eight and UCLA’s 11. Senior Alex Karaban could pass his coach’s brother, Bobby Hurley, for second all-time with 19 NCAA Tournament wins if UConn takes the championship (Duke’s Christian Laettner has the record with 21).

Michigan has the best odds to win the title (+140), followed by Arizona (+185) and Illinois (+480).

— Abe Rakov

2. Scouting Report

Adebayo faces team he scored 83 points against last month, Wemby vs. Jokic, and Barcelona’s youngster is due…

Heat C Bam Adebayo

The last time Adebayo played the Wizards, he scored the second-most points in a game in NBA history with 83. He cooled down slightly after that and at the end of March had a four-game stretch of scoring 18 points or fewer, but Miami’s star center has put in 23 and 29 points in his last two outings. Adebayo has collected double-digit rebounds in 7 of 8 games, and Washington is last in the NBA in rebounds allowed. The Heat have given up 135+ points in three of four games and the Wizards are 29th in the NBA in points per game allowed, so there should be a lot of scoring today. Miami still has an outside shot of avoiding a play-in slot, so they should still be motivated.

• Points: 24.5 (20.3 - 29, 23, 15, 14, 17), Reb: 11.5 (10.0 - 10, 16, 12, 16, 10), Ast: 3.5 (3.0 - 2, 6, 3, 3, 7)

• WAS - L4 (1-9 L10) | Points Allowed: 124.3 (29th), Reb Allowed: 47.9 (30th), Ast Allowed: 29.1 (29th)

Spurs F Victor Wembanyama

After scoring 41 points in back-to-back games, Wembanyama sat out Thursday’s matchup against the Clippers — but all reports indicate he would have played if the team thought they needed him. The French sensation missed his team’s first two contests against Denver this season, but both were high scoring without him (a 139-136 Spurs win in November and a 136-131 Nuggets victory last month). San Antonio has won 11 straight and is just two games back of Oklahoma City for the top seed in the West, and Denver is just one game behind the Lakers for the three-seed, so both teams could use a win in this spot.

• Points: 28.5 (24.7 - 41, 41, 23, 19, 26), Reb: 12.5 (11.5 - 18, 16, 15, 15, 15), Ast: 3.5 (3.0 - 3, 4, 6, 3, 4)

• DEN - W7 (8-2 L10) | Points Allowed: 116.6 (19th), Reb Allowed: 42.8 (9th), Ast Allowed: 27.5 (20th)

Barcelona F Lamine Yamal

The 18-year-old superstar hasn’t scored in his last two appearances. He hasn’t missed the back of the net in three straight games since October, so he’s due. Prior to this mini-drought, Yamal had seven goals across seven matches. His 14 La Liga goals matches his total from his first two seasons combined, and he’s added 5 goals and 4 assists in eight Champions League matchups, and 2 goals and 2 assists in five Copa del Rey appearances. Yamal was kept of the scoresheet when these teams faced off in December, but had three shots.

• Anytime Goal: +130 (0.53 - 0, 0, 1, 3, 0), Anytime Assist: +185 (0.4 - 0, 0, 0, 0, 1), 4+ Shots: +100 (3.8 - 2, 0, 1, 6, 3)

*Player stats are shown as: Today’s total (Season average - Last 5 games from most recent to oldest)

3. Games of the Weekend

A trip to the national championship game is on the line tonight, as third-seeded Illinois faces second-seeded UConn in the first game and No. 1s Michigan and Arizona play in the nightcap. UConn is coming off a miraculous, come-from-behind, last-second upset victory over Duke, Arizona outscored Purdue by 22 in the second half to erase a seven-point deficit en route to a 15-point win, Illinois pulled away late against Iowa, and Michigan dominated Tennessee with a 33-point drubbing.

Both matchups feature 1.5-point spreads, with bettors backing UConn and Michigan.

No. 3 Illinois (28-8) vs. No. 2 UConn (33-5)
6:09pm on TBS/truTV/HBO Max

The Odds

• Spread: ILL -1.5 (-120), UCONN +1.5 (-102)

  • 61% of the money and 60% of the bets are with UCONN

  • ATS | ILL: 21-15 UCONN: 15-23

• Moneyline: ILL -134, UCONN +112

• Total (139.5): Over -112, Under -108

  • ILL: 15-21, UCONN: 18-20

Prediction Markets Data

• To Win: ILL 55%; Over 139.5 Points: 51%

Players to Watch

• ILL G Keaton Wagler | Points: 17.5 (17.9 - 25, 13, 14, 18, 19), Reb: 4.5 (5.0 - 2, 12, 5, 7, 1), Ast: (4.3 - 3, 3, 2, 7, 8)

• UCONN C Tarris Reed Jr. | Points: 14.5 (14.7 - 26, 20, 10, 31, 17), Reb: 9.5 (8.8 - 9, 5, 13, 27, 7), Ast: (2.4 - 3, 4, 2, 3, 0)

No. 1 Michigan (35-3) vs. No. 1 Arizona (36-2)
8:49pm on TBS/truTV/HBO Max

The Odds

• Spread: MICH -1.5 (-110), ARI +1.5 (-110)

  • 54% of the money and 52% of the bets are with MICH

  • ATS | MICH: 18-20, ARI: 24-14

• Moneyline: MICH -125, ARI +104

• Total (157.5): Over -110, Under -110

  • MICH: 16-22, ARI: 19-19

Prediction Markets Data

• To Win: MICH 53%; Over 157.5 Points: 51%

Players to Watch

• MICH F Yaxel Lendeborg | Points: 17.5 (15.2 - 27, 23, 25, 9, 20), Reb: 6.5 (7.0 - 7, 12, 6, 4, 5), Ast: (3.3 - 4, 7, 2, 4, 1)

• ARI G Brayden Burries | Points: 17.5 (16.1 - 14, 23, 16, 18, 21), Reb: 4.5 (4.9 - 6, 5, 9, 5, 2), Ast: (2.5 - 2, 2, 2, 2, 3)

*Player stats are shown as: Today’s total (Season average - Last 5 games from most recent to oldest)

4. By the Numbers

Women’s championship game is set, playoff seeding on the line in weekend NBA action, and NHL matchups to watch…

NCAAW

NCAA Championship: No. 1 South Carolina (36-3) vs. No. 1 UCLA (36-1)

• Spread | USC -2.5 (-120), UCLA +2.5 (-102)

• Moneyline | USC -160, UCLA +130

NBA

Wizards (17-59, 6-32 Away) vs. Heat (40-37, 24-15 Home)

• Spread | WAS +17.5 (-112), MIA -17.5 (-108): 85% of the money is with MIA

• Moneyline | WAS +1100, MIA -2200

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: MIA 92%; Over 247.5 Points: 54%

Spurs (59-18, 29-11 Away) vs. Nuggets (49-28, 24-13 Home)

• Spread | SAS -2 (-110), DEN +2 (-110): 76% of the money is with SAS

• Moneyline | SAS -132, DEN +112

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: SAS 56%; Over 243.5 Points: 50%

Pistons (56-21, 25-12 Away) vs. 76ers (42-34, 21-17 Home)

• Spread | DET -1.5 (-106), PHI +1.5 (-114): 69% of the money is with DET

• Moneyline | DET -118, PHI +100

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: DET 54%; Over 227.5 Points: 51%

NHL

Red Wings (40-27-8, 20-13-5 Away) vs. Rangers (31-36-9, 12-19-7 Home)

• Spread | DET -1.5 (+172), NYR +1.5 (-220)

• Moneyline | DET -144, NYR +120: 87% of the money is with DET

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: DET 57%; Under 6.5 Goals: 54%

Wild (42-21-12, 21-11-4 Away) vs. Senators (39-26-10, 19-11-6 Home)

• Spread | MIN +1.5 (-250), OTT -1.5 (+198)

• Moneyline | MIN +104, OTT -125: 60% of the money is with MIN

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: OTT 52%; Over 5.5 Goals: 56%

Avalanche (49-15-10, 25-7-5 Away) vs. Stars (45-19-12, 23-10-4 Home)

• Spread | COL +1.5 (-250), DAL -1.5 (+210)

• Moneyline | COL -110, DAL -110: 51% of the money is with DAL

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: COL 52%; Over 6.5 Goals: 54%

Bruins (43-25-8, 15-15-7 Away) vs. Lightning (47-22-6, 24-13-1 Home)

• Spread | BOS +1.5 (-168), TB -1.5 (+134): 64% of the money is with BOS

• Moneyline | BOS +150, TB -182

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: TB 61%; Over 6.5 Goals: 54%

MLB

Dodgers (5-2, 1-0 Away) vs. Nationals (3-4, 0-1 Home)

• Spread | LAD -1.5 (-184), WAS +1.5 (+152): 76% of the money is with LAD

• Moneyline | LAD -295, WAS +240

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: LAD 70%; Over 9.5 Runs: 50%

Marlins (5-2, 0-1 Away) vs. Yankees (6-1, 1-0 Home)

• Spread | MIA +1.5 (-138), NYY -1.5 (+115): 97% of the money is with NYY

• Moneyline | MIA -104, NYY -112

• Prediction Markets Data | To Win: NYY 65%; Over 7.5 Runs: 52%

5. Overtime

In the News

• President Trump issued a new executive order yesterday that limits a student-athlete to one transfer as an undergraduate, places a five-year cap on eligibility, effectively ends NIL collectives, and mandates scholarship benchmarks for women’s and Olympic sports. As he has done with previous executive orders, Trump will tie federal funding to compliance with the new rules. Some of the new mandates have previously been struck down by courts.

• Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd ended speculation that a Final Four run would lead him to Chapel Hill, as the fifth-year coach signed a new five-year contract with the Wildcats. Lloyd is 148-35 in Tucson and now will be one of the five highest-paid coaches in college basketball with a fully-guaranteed contract that averages $7.5 million per year over the term of the deal. Michigan’s Dusty May, who faces Arizona tonight, and Bulls coach Billy Donovan are expected to be UNC’s next targets.

• Quarterback Kirk Cousins signed a one-year, $20 million contract with the Raiders, solidifying his spot as the third-highest-earning player in NFL history. After passing Tom Brady, now Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers are the only players that have earned more than Cousins’ $339.4 million. Vegas is widely expect to take Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in this month’s NFL Draft.

• The Clippers clinched a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament after an inconsistent year that has been messy from start to finish. But their hardcore fans are still all-in on the team, especially those that sit in The Wall — a unique 4,500-seat area of the Intuit Dome that looks and sounds like a college student section.

• For the first time since 1994, neither Tiger Woods nor Phil Mickelson will compete at the Masters. Mickelson announced this week that he withdrew because his “family continues to navigate a personal health matter,” while Woods said he was taking an indefinite leave from golf after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence at the end of last month. Scottie Scheffler is the significant favorite to win at +550.

What to Watch (times ET)

Saturday

• 12:30pm: Red Wings vs. Rangers on ABC

• 3pm: Spurs vs. Nuggets on Prime Video (or Avalanche vs. Stars on ABC)

• 4:10pm: Brewers vs. Royals on FS1

• 6:09pm: Illinois vs. UConn (Final Four) on TBS

• 7:15pm: Cubs vs. Guardians or Braves vs. Diamondbacks on FOX

• 8:49pm: Michigan vs. Arizona (Final Four) on TBS

Sunday

• 11:30am: West Ham vs. Leeds (FA Cup) on ESPN2

• 1pm: Wild vs. Red Wings on TNT

• 3:30pm: South Carolina vs. UCLA (Women’s NCAA Basketball National Championship) on ABC

• 5pm: Bay FC vs. Washington Spirit on ESPN2

• 7pm: Capitals vs. Rangers on ESPN

• 7:20pm: Cardinals vs. Tigers on Peacock

• 7:30pm: Lakers vs. Mavericks on NBC

• 9:30pm: Blues vs. Avalanche on ESPN

• 10pm: Rockets vs. Warriors on NBC

There will be no repeat national champion or back-to-back years with every No. 1 seed in the Final Four because of No. 9 Iowa, the second-lowest seed still standing. The Hawkeyes knocked out Florida to give Iowa its first second-weekend appearance since Tom Davis’s final season in 1999. No. 5 St. John’s is also back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since that same year. Rick Pitino’s Red Storm now face a Duke squad sitting third in the title odds at +420, trailing fellow No. 1s Michigan (+310) and Arizona (+370).

With the three remaining top seeds still in control but nothing settled, here are the matchups to watch in every Sweet 16 game.

Thursday Games

No. 11 Texas vs. No. 2 Purdue

• Matas Vokietaitis (Texas) vs. Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue): Vokietaitis is averaging 18.3 points and 11.0 rebounds across three NCAA Tournament games, but the matchup to watch is Kaufman-Renn against Texas’s drop coverage, which leaves him open to his float game off Braden Smith ball screens. That’s a problem, because Smith, who now holds the all-time NCAA career assists record with 1,083, has been finding Kaufman-Renn in those spots all season.

• Purdue (-7.5, -105), Texas (+7.5, -115): 58% of the money is with the Boilermakers but 53% of the bets are with the Longhorns

No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 4 Nebraska

• Bennett Stirtz (Iowa) vs. Pryce Sandfort (Nebraska): Sandfort is averaging 19.0 points per game in the NCAA Tournament on 55% shooting, including 10-of-18 from three. Stirtz finished with 25 points when Iowa beat Nebraska on Feb. 17, but in the regular-season finale loss to Nebraska he scored just 11 points on 10 shots. The outcome of this rubber match hinges almost entirely on whether Stirtz can get loose or whether Sandfort and Nebraska’s defense force him into another cold performance.

• Iowa (+1.5, -110), Nebraska (-1.5, -110): 66% of the money and 60% of the bets are with the Cornhuskers

No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 1 Arizona

• Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) vs. Jaden Bradley (Arizona): Acuff is the only player in NCAA Tournament history with 60-plus points, 10-plus assists, and five or fewer turnovers over any two-game span. Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley, along with Brayden Burries, will be tasked with containing him, with the primary concern being foul trouble: Acuff’s ability to draw contact and get to the line is what makes him so difficult to guard.

• Arkansas (+7.5, +100), Arizona (-7.5, -122): 72% of the money and 68% of the bets are with the Razorbacks

No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 Houston

• Keaton Wagler (Illinois) vs. Kingston Flemings (Houston): Wagler, a freshman, has totaled 32 points and nine assists across two tournament games while shooting 50% from three, while Flemings, also a freshman and a projected lottery pick, averages 16.5 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 38% from deep. This matchup of two elite guards who serve as the offensive engines for the two best teams left in the South Region is worth watching closely.

• Illinois (+2.5, -102), Houston (-2.5, -120): 65% of the money and 67% of the bets are with the Cougars

Friday Games

No. 5 St. John’s vs. No. 1 Duke

• Zuby Ejiofor (St. John’s) vs. Cameron Boozer (Duke): Boozer is averaging 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season, and much of the defensive responsibility for slowing him down will fall on Ejiofor. St. John’s doesn’t have the length and athleticism that has given Boozer trouble at times, meaning if Ejiofor can’t contain him, Duke’s path to the Elite Eight becomes very straightforward.

• St. John’s (+6.5, -106), Duke (-6.5, -114): 66% of the money and 67% of the bets are with the Red Storm

No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan

• Labaron Philon Jr. (Alabama) vs. Roddy Gayle Jr. (Michigan): Philon scored 29 points in the first round and dished out a career-high 12 assists in the second round, and he’s capable of single-handedly carrying the Crimson Tide. The key to a comfortable Michigan win will be whether Roddy Gayle Jr. and Nimari Burnett can slow him down.

• Alabama (+9.5, -110), Michigan (-9.5, -110): 64% of the money and 69% of the bets are with the Crimson Tide

No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2 UConn

• Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State) vs. Tarris Reed Jr. (UConn): Fears leads the nation in assists at 9.2 per game and combined for 27 assists with only nine turnovers in his two tournament wins, but Michigan State’s primary challenge is limiting Tarris Reed Jr. UConn is a different team entirely when Reed is dominant in the post, grabbing offensive rebounds and generating second-chance opportunities. Whichever player takes over for his team decides the game.

• Michigan State (+1.5, -110), UConn (-1.5, -110): 55% of the money and 51% of the bets are with the Huskies

No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Iowa State

• Tamin Lipsey (Iowa State) vs. Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Tennessee): Lipsey led the Big 12 with 76 steals this season and is Iowa State’s career leader. He totaled 26 points, 10 assists, and five steals as Kentucky committed 20 turnovers in Iowa State’s second-round win, making whether Gillespie can disrupt his orchestration the key matchup in a game that could go either way — particularly if Iowa State All-American Joshua Jefferson remains out. (Note: Jefferson, who averages 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, suffered an ankle sprain in the first round, missed the Kentucky game while on a scooter and in a walking boot, and had an MRI on Monday. His Sweet 16 availability is uncertain.)

• Tennessee (+3.5, -102), Iowa State (-3.5, -120): 64% of the money and 60% of the bets are with the Cyclones

All four No. 1 seeds advanced to the Final Four last season for only the second time since seeding began in 1979 (it also happened in 2008). But oddsmakers are looking for the rare occurrence to repeat: Duke, Arizona and Michigan are all -135 to reach Indianapolis while Florida is +170. Last year’s runner up, Houston, is a two seed and has the next-best odds at +210.

These are the six players in each region that could have the biggest impact in the first and second round matchups this week.

East Region

Wes Enis, South Florida (No. 11 vs. No. 6 Louisville)

A year ago, Enis was playing Division II basketball at Lincoln Memorial. On Thursday, he’ll be the reason South Florida either pulls off a first round upset or goes home quietly. Enis has posted 20-point performances seven times during USF’s 11-game winning streak, hitting three or more threes in 19 of 31 games.

Louisville lives and dies by the three-ball, shooting it at the fourth-highest rate in the country and going 7-8 this season when they fall below 35% from deep. South Florida has held opponents to 33.9% from three all year. Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville’s best creator, is dealing with a back injury that has kept him out of four straight games (including the ACC Tournament), and his status for Thursday is uncertain.

Bruce Thornton, Ohio State (No. 8 vs. No. 9 TCU)

Ohio State has dramatically increased Thornton’s off-ball usage to the 72nd percentile (up from 16th a year ago), with his catch-and-shoot efficiency ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally. He’s averaging 22.5 points over his last 10 games, and the matchup sets him up to approach that number again: TCU is 126th in scoring defense at 72.1 points per contest.

In a rarity in today’s college basketball, Thornton is a four-year starter for the Buckeyes. He’s increased his shooting percentage from 45.6% in 35 games as a freshman to nearly 56% in 33 as a senior (he has 135 starts in his career). Ohio State had won four in a row before losing by just four to rival Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament.

Tyler Bilodeau and Themus Fulks, UCLA (No. 7) vs. UCF (No. 10)

These two players get one entry because they’re playing the same role from opposite directions, and whoever has the better night will largely determine who advances. Bilodeau suffered a mild right knee sprain in the Big Ten quarterfinals, with MRI results showing no structural damage. He’s cleared to play, but UCLA coach Mick Cronin said he would have been “playing hurt” if he was on the court last Saturday. UCLA’s offense ranks second in the country in adjusted efficiency since mid-February when Bilodeau and point guard Donovan Dent are healthy.

That uncertainty gives UCF an opening. Fulks accounts for over 37% of UCF’s total scoring production (14.1 points and 6.7 assists) for an offense that beat Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse and scores 81 points per game. Fulks closed out the regular season scoring 22+ in three of five matchups.

Trey Campbell, Northern Iowa (No. 12 vs. No. 5 St. John’s)

A big caveat: Northern Iowa is 0-5 against the KenPom top 100. But St. John’s is below the national average in both two-point and three-point shooting percentage, and UNI’s defense ranks top-five nationally in three-point percentage allowed, exactly the kind of unit that makes a shaky offense worse.

Campbell averaged 17.8 points during his MVC tournament run, well above his season average of 13.7. The gap between those two numbers could be the difference between an upset and a comfortable St. John’s win.

Darryn Peterson, Kansas (No. 4 vs. No. 13 Cal Baptist then potentially No. 5 St. John’s)

If chalk holds in San Diego, the superstar freshman gets the matchup the bracket wants: a Round of 32 game against Zuby Ejiofor, the Big East’s best player and a former Jayhawk.

Kansas’s biggest weakness is their inability to find a consistent second scorer when Peterson is out. Both Duke and UConn beat the Jayhawks this season in games Peterson missed. St. John’s ranks 12th nationally in defensive efficiency and will make Kansas earn everything. If Peterson gets to 24 or so points, Kansas wins and gets its first second-weekend appearance since their 2022 title. If he settles into a quiet 14, Pitino is the story of the night.

Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State (No. 3 vs. No. 14 North Dakota State then Louisville or South Florida)

Fears leads all of Division I in assists and just broke Michigan State’s single-season record. He’s also scored 21+ points in four straight games entering the tournament. The Spartans’ margin without him is essentially zero, so they desperately need him on offense.

Round 2 would bring whichever team survives the Louisville-South Florida game, and both play at a pace that opens the floor for the kind of transition game Michigan State runs best. Fears averages 15.7 points and 9.2 assists per game. A slight improvement, a 20-point, double-digit assist night, should punch coach Tom Izzo’s ticket to the Sweet 16.

South Region

Bennett Stirtz, Iowa (No. 9 vs. No. 8 Clemson)

Stirtz followed coach Ben McCollum from Division II to Drake to Iowa, and the moves have paid off. He’s the only player in the country this season with at least 625 points, 135 assists, 75 threes, 75 rebounds and 45 steals. Iowa plays at the 350th-slowest pace in the country, which means almost every Stirtz possession matters for his points total. Expect him to exceed his 20.2 average against a suddenly shorter Clemson frontcourt, center Carter Welling tore his ACL in the ACC Tournament, and if he does, Iowa is likely to advance.

One thing to watch: The Hawkeyes were 0-5 in games where Stirtz shot below 40% from the field, and only 27 teams in the country give up fewer points than Clemson.

Terrence Hill Jr., VCU (No. 11 vs. No. 6 North Carolina)

Hill shoots 36.1% from three on 5.9 attempts per game and faces a defense that just allowed Clemson to shoot nearly 50% from deep in the ACC quarterfinals. Seven VCU players logged at least 55% of available minutes and all but one shot better than 35% from three. VCU’s depth is real, but Hill’s performance will determine if there’s an upset. He doesn’t need to score 25 because of that depth, so an 18-point-or-so outing could make the brackets go sideways.

UNC ranked 242nd nationally in opponent three-point percentage, and freshman phenom Caleb Wilson, a projected top-five draft pick, is out for the postseason after undergoing surgery on a broken thumb. Without Wilson, the Tar Heels drop from 21st to 32nd overall, per Hoop Explorer.

Henri Veesaar, North Carolina (No. 6 vs. No. 11 VCU)

Veesaar’s ceiling is the only reason the Tar Heels can survive short-handed. The junior center put up 28 points and 17 rebounds in the loss to Clemson in the ACC Tournament and is a legitimate NBA-caliber interior presence who can score in the post, step out on the perimeter, and rebound at an elite level. VCU is deep and balanced but doesn’t have an answer for a skilled seven-footer who can stretch the floor.

The Tar Heels’ bench has combined to score in single-digits in back-to-back games. This is a game where Veesaar either goes for 24 and prolongs what looks to be a lost season, or he gets neutralized by VCU’s length and the Rams pull the upset.

Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt (No. 5 vs. No. 12 McNeese)

Tanner didn’t start a single game last season, but now he’s a projected first-round pick averaging 19.1 points and 5.1 assists. The committee gave Vanderbilt one of the tournament’s more uncomfortable 5-12 draws, though. McNeese leads the nation in both defensive turnover rate and steal rate. The Cowboys play at a tempo and pressure level that most teams haven’t seen.

But Vanderbilt’s Tanner and senior Duke Miles commit the 11th-fewest turnovers nationally, by far the best number of any opponent McNeese has faced. Vanderbilt is widely considered one of the most underseeded teams in the bracket having just beat defending champion Florida by 17 in the SEC semifinals. If Tanner exploits McNeese’s porous perimeter defense and gets to 24+, Vanderbilt should cruise into the second round. If the Cowboys’ pressure rattles him into uncharacteristic turnovers … this is a 5-12 matchup after all.

Mikey Lewis, Saint Mary’s (No. 7 vs. No. 10 Texas A&M)

This game is getting far less attention than it deserves. Texas A&M is a veteran-laden squad, as its three leading scorers are seniors. The Aggies’ 35.6 bench points per game is the most by any power conference team over the past decade. Saint Mary’s is 1-4 in Quad 1 games this season, so it’s uncertain at best that the WCC team can handle an aggressive, deep SEC squad.

But that’s where Lewis, who has averaged 22.6 points over Saint Mary’s last five games, comes in. He scored 31 against Gonzaga in the regular-season finale to clinch the WCC title. Lewis is a high-volume, high-efficiency perimeter weapon who can get hot in a hurry. Saint Mary’s plays at the 297th-slowest pace in the country and its offense relies on fewer players than most tournament teams. When Lewis scores, the Gaels are a different team. When he doesn’t, they don’t have the volume to grind out a win against even a middle-of-the road SEC squad.

Kingston Flemings, Houston (No. 2 vs. Saint Mary’s or Texas A&M in Round 2)

The freshman leads Houston in scoring and was on a good offensive run before being shut down by Arizona on the Big 12 title game (8 points on 3-12 shooting). That matchup aside, he’s been quietly better in big games all season. Flemings’ assist rate and turnover rate both improve against tougher competition.

He also scores more in those matchups: He had 25 against Tennessee, 22 at Iowa State, 21 against Kansas and Arkansas, 19 at BYU, and 42 at Texas Tech when the Red Raiders were 12th.

West Region

AJ Dybantsa, BYU (No. 6 vs. No. 11 Texas/NC State)

The nation’s leading scorer at 25.3 points per game enters the tournament as the most compelling argument for why a 6-seed can make a Final Four run. BYU has lost two key players to torn ACLs this season, including senior Richie Saunders (who was averaging 18 points per game before going down in February). What’s left is essentially the freshman and a supporting cast: It’s sophomore guard Robert Wright III, a few capable role players, and Dybantsa, who just scored 93 points across three Big 12 Tournament games to break Kevin Durant’s Big 12 Tournament record.

Dybantsa’s first-round opponent is a First Four survivor: either 18-14 Texas or an NC State team that lost most of the pieces from its 2024 Final Four run. Neither defense is built to contain Dybantsa, who hasn’t scored under 20 points since January. He shoots 51.3% from the field and gets to the rim at will. He’ll score, the question is whether BYU’s depleted supporting cast can do enough around him.

Mason Falslev, Utah State (No. 9 vs. No. 8 Villanova)

This is the West’s closest first-round game on paper, with a BPI projection of Utah State winning by 0.4 points. In a bracket full of mismatches, this coin-flip matchup is worth watching.

Falslev won Mountain West Player of the Year for a reason: The 6-3 junior scores, rebounds, passes, and leads the conference in steals while shooting 41% from three. Utah State went 28-6, won the Mountain West regular season and tournament titles, and plays at a pace that generates 82.8 points per game. Villanova’s defense, meanwhile, ranks outside the top 150 in both two-point and three-point percentage allowed. The Wildcats were just outrebounded 46-25 by Georgetown in the Big East Tournament, a problem that Utah State’s physicality should exploit. Falslev playing above his 17.6 average against a porous defense he’s never seen isn’t a stretch.

Terry Anderson, High Point (No. 12 vs. No. 5 Wisconsin)

It’s unlikely anyone outside the Big South has watched Anderson play this season, but that’s the kind of anonymity that makes 5-12 upsets happen. The 6-6 senior forward averages 16 points and six rebounds on 56.4% shooting and is the returning veteran from last year’s High Point team that lost to Purdue in the first round (though he played just eight minutes). The Panthers went 30-4 this season, are riding a 14-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the country, and average 90 points per game at the 24th-fastest offensive pace in Division I.

High Point’s defense ranks 161st nationally and they didn’t face a single top-100 opponent all year, but Wisconsin’s vulnerabilities play right into Anderson’s hands. The Badgers rank outside the top 50 in KenPom defensive efficiency and have struggled in the interior all season. Wisconsin is the better team, but this is the most-circled potential upset in the region because of Anderson.

Nick Boyd, Wisconsin (No. 5 vs. No. 12 High Point)

Anderson is on this list because High Point is an upset pick. Boyd is here because Wisconsin wins this game if he plays up to the standard he set this season. The senior guard is averaging 20.6 points and 4.2 assists in a breakout campaign that has made him one of the more reliable offensive players in the Big Ten. The case for Boyd scoring above his average is straightforward: He’s facing the worst defense he’s played all season in a game projected to be one of the tournament’s fastest-paced.

A Boyd performance that gets Wisconsin past High Point sets up a probable second-round collision with Arkansas that has the makings of the best game of the weekend.

Darius Acuff, Arkansas (No. 4 vs. No. 13 Hawaii then Wisconsin or High Point)

Acuff is the most dangerous player in the West bracket to pick against. The SEC Player of the Year averaged 30.3 points and 7.7 assists per game across four conference tournament games, capping it with a 30-point, 11-assist performance in a win against Vanderbilt in the final. He is the first SEC player to lead the conference in both scoring and assists in the same season since Pete Maravich in 1970.

Round 1 against Hawaii presents an interesting wrinkle: The Rainbow Warriors run a no-help defensive scheme, which could remove Acuff’s ability to get into the paint and pull the defense toward him for kick-outs. If Acuff solves that, he’ll head to Round 2 carrying momentum. That next matchup, potentially against Wisconsin, could be the best game of the entire West bracket. Wisconsin’s Boyd would be the best defender Acuff faced all season.

Midwest Region

Labaron Philon, Alabama (No. 4 vs. No. 13 Hofstra then Texas Tech or Akron)

Philon is a three-level scorer: 40% from three, 46% on floaters, 66% at the rim, and there’s no defensive scheme that can take away all of that at once. If Texas Tech advances, the second-round matchup would likely feature Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson vs. Philon in the marquee guard battle of the weekend: two projected top-20 NBA Draft picks, both shooting 40+ percent from three, in an elimination game.

On the other hand, Philon could explode if Akron gets the upset. Akron’s defense ranks 253rd in perimeter defense nationally, while Alabama attempts more threes than any team in the country, averages 91.7 points per game, and plays at the fourth-fastest tempo in college basketball.

Christian Anderson, Texas Tech (No. 5 vs. No. 12 Akron)

Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland is asking a lot of Anderson in Tampa on Friday. The sophomore averaged 18.9 points, 7.6 assists, shot 42.5% from three, and made first-team All-Big 12. But since February 17th, he’s been the only star on a team built around someone else. Without junior JT Toppin, opponents no longer collapse into the paint, and the two-man game that drove Anderson’s assist numbers isn’t there anymore.

But Anderson’s standalone talent is real. He put up 27 points in the win over Duke earlier this season, and Texas Tech’s three-point percentage ranks second in program history. If he finds his rhythm against an Akron squad that ranks outside the top 250 in three-point defense, Anderson will look like the preseason All-American candidate he was.

Tavari Johnson, Akron (No. 12 vs. No. 5 Texas Tech 5)

Akron is seventh nationally in scoring at 88.7 points per game, 14th in three-point percentage, and has won three straight MAC titles. All five players who logged meaningful minutes in the championship game are seniors, and they are on a 10-game winning streak. Johnson averaged 20.1 points and 5.0 assists to lead the MAC in scoring, shot 51% from the field, and earned MAC Tournament MVP after the Zips’ 79-76 championship win over Toledo.

Texas Tech has gone 3-3 since losing Toppin and his 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. The defense that ranked 31st nationally has slipped to 87th without Toppin’s rim protection. If Akron gets to the final five minutes with the lead, Johnson’s free-throw shooting and shot creation make him nearly impossible to stop. The Anderson-Johnson head-to-head is one of the Midwest’s best individual matchups in the first round.

Boopie Miller, SMU (No. 11 vs. Miami (OH) in First Four then No. 6 Tennessee)

The senior guard averaged 19.2 points and 6.4 assists against an ACC schedule and earned second-team all-conference. He has a favorable matchup against Miami (Ohio) in the First Four: The RedHawks rank 273rd nationally in opponent three-point percentage, and Miller has shot at least eight threes in three consecutive games. His scoring line is set at 20.5, a full point above his season average.

Win that, and Tennessee would come next. The Vols made back-to-back Elite Eights in 2024 and 2025, but this year’s team is a six-seed that struggled late in the season. Nate Ament and Ja’Kobi Gillespie are both NBA prospects, but Miller could be a real problem for a perimeter defense that’s been inconsistent all year. For SMU to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since the Larry Brown era, Miller has to put together back-to-back high-scoring performances in four days.

Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State (No. 2 vs. Kentucky/Santa Clara winner in Round 2)

Against Arizona in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals, Momcilovic, the best three-point shooter in the country at 49.6% on high volume, made eight threes in Iowa State’s 82-80 buzzer-beater loss. When he’s making shots, the Cyclones’ offense becomes nearly unsolvable. Iowa State also forces turnovers at one of the highest rates in the country and has the second-most efficient offense in college basketball.

Whoever survives the first-round matchup between No. 7 Kentucky and No. 10 Santa Clara faces a tough matchup against Momcilovic. If he’s is on, the region opens up for Iowa State. His shooting in Round 2 could determine whether a Cyclones-Wolverines Elite Eight matchup everyone is circling actually gets played.

Christian Hammond, Santa Clara (No. 10 vs. No. 7 Kentucky 7)

Santa Clara hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since Steve Nash was a senior in 1996, and the drought ended because of the play of Hammond. The redshirt sophomore guard averaged 15.8 points per game on 49% shooting and 40% from three. He’s the leading scorer and primary shot creator on a Broncos team that is 35th in KenPom, 23rd in adjusted offensive efficiency, and 19th in adjusted defensive efficiency. He just scored 24 points in the WCC Championship loss to Gonzaga.

Kentucky arrives banged up and seeded seventh for the first time in program history. The Wildcats lost five of their last seven regular-season games but are still favored by 3.5 points. The Broncos actually grade higher than the Wildcats in both offensive and defensive efficiency per game. Hammond scoring at or above his average against a Kentucky defense that ranks 182nd nationally isn’t the long shot the seed line suggests. If he does, Santa Clara could end one of college basketball’s longer tournament win droughts.

Here are the three players who could decide the titles in each of the eight highest-ranked conferences.

Big 12 (March 10-14)

Top 5 Seeds: Arizona, Houston, Kansas, Texas Tech, Iowa State

Players to Watch

• AJ Dybantsa (BYU): The freshman forward is the only player on our list not on a team with a top-5 seed in its conference tournament because he can take over any game and lead the Cougars to a victory over anyone. Dybantsa is first in the nation at 24.7 points per game and scored 35 against Arizona, 29 against Iowa State and 28 against Houston this year.

• Brayden Burries (Arizona): Burries leads the No. 2 Wildcats in scoring at 16.0 points per game and shoots nearly 50% from the field. The freshman guard adapted to college basketball almost from the start, as he’s played 24+ minutes in all but two games this season — the first and fifth games of his career.

• Emanuel Sharp (Houston): In the postseason experience matters more, and in a conference full of starring freshmen, the Cougars’ senior could be the deciding factor in the title chase. The guard is second on Houston with 15.8 points per game (behind freshman Kingston Flemings’ 16.5), three more per game than he averaged in each of the past two seasons.

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Big Ten (March 10-15)

Top 5 Seeds: Michigan, Nebraska, Michigan State, Illinois, Wisconsin

Players to Watch

• Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State): The sophomore guard ended the regular season with three straight 21+ point efforts and led the Spartans with 15.5 points to go along with a conference-best 9.1 assists. Two of his three highest-point totals of the season came against Michigan (31) and Illinois (26).

• Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan): The Wolverines don’t have a dominant offensive performer, they have just four players averaging double-figures and Lendeborg leads the way with 14.7, but the third-ranked team in the country has seven who put in at least eight per game. The senior UAB transfer ended the regular season with a 27-point performance in a win over Michigan State, the most he scored since dropping 29 against Maryland in December.

• Keaton Wagler (Illinois): Wagler finished the regular season 12th in the conference in scoring at 18.1 per night. The freshman lost some steam to end the campaign, finishing with 11 or fewer in three of five, but scored 23 (including 3-6 from three) in a loss to Michigan 11 days ago.

SEC (March 11-15)

Top 5 Seeds: Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Tennessee

Players to Watch

• Labaron Philon Jr. (Alabama): He’s followed up a solid-but-inconsistent freshman campaign by more than doubling his scoring average from 10.6 to 21.5, good for third in the conference. The guard has shot 50%+ from the field in five of his last six games.

• Thomas Haugh (Florida): The defending champions have won 10 straight and 15 of 16, while Haugh has scored 20+ points in three of four for the third time this season. The junior forward chips in 6.1 rebounds a game, the third-most among the conference’s top-15 scorers.

• Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas): The freshman leads the SEC with 22.2 points per game on nearly 50% shooting, while also pacing the conference with 6.4 assists a contest. He scored 49 points in a double overtime loss at Alabama in mid-February, but put in just 17 in a 31.6% shooting night in a blowout loss to Florida 10 days ago. One thing to watch: Acuff Jr. missed the final game of the regular season with an ankle injury.

ACC (March 10-14)

Top 5 Seeds: Duke, Virginia, Miami, North Carolina, Clemson

Players to Watch

• Cameron Boozer (Duke): The best player on the No. 1 team in the country averages 22.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. The freshman forward finished the regular season with back-to-back 26-point performances, shooting nearly 59% in a win over UNC and 80% in a blowout against NC State.

• Thijs De Ridder (Virginia): The Cavaliers finished second at 15-3 in the conference in large part because of their freshman, who averaged 15.9 points on over 51% shooting from the field. The forward from Belgium added 6.3 rebounds per game, and after three early-February matchups in a row scoring nine points or fewer has put in 13+ in his las six.

• Malik Reneau (Miami): Finishing the regular season averaging 19.0 points per game, good for sixth in the ACC, the Hurricanes’ senior leader needs to step up for his team to have a chance to (likely) face Duke in the ACC title game. Miami is just 1-4 against top-25 teams and didn’t face the Blue Devils in the regular season, but Reneau’s 86 career starts should come in handy in a young league.

Big East (March 11-14)

Top 5 Seeds: St. John’s, UConn, Villanova, Seton Hall, Creighton

Players to Watch

• Zuby Ejiofor (St. John’s): The Big East’s seventh-leading scorer led the Red Storm to a regular season conference championship with 16 points and 7 rebounds per game. The senior scored forward scored 21 and 23 points to end the season, and if Ejiofor faces UConn in the conference title game he’ll be looking to make up for his six-point performance in a 72-40 blowout loss.

• Tarris Reed Jr. (UConn): With Huskies’ leading scorer Solo Ball fading a bit to end the season (he scored under 10 points in three of the last five), Reed Jr. has picked up the slack. The senior center notched double-doubles in four of his past five games, including the last three — increasing his average to 13.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

• Tyler Perkins (Villanova): Other than being completely shut down by St. John’s at the end of February (3 points on 1-5 shooting), the junior guard has been remarkably consistent over the second half of the season. Perkins scored 15+ in 13 of his past 15 games.

Atlantic 10 (March 11-15)

Top 5 Seeds: Saint Louis, VCU, Saint Joseph’s, Dayton, George Mason

Players to Watch

• Dion Brown (Saint Louis): The Billikens were on fire and running away in the Atlantic 10 before going 3-3 to end the season, but the senior guard went above his regular-season scoring average in four of those six games. He’ll likely need to continue leading the offense with senior center Robbie Avila ending the year inconsistently.

• Lazar Djokovic (VCU): He was second on his team and 13th in the conference with 13.8 points per game, but the junior from Serbia ended the regular season as his team’s leader on offense, scoring 11+ in eight of the final nine games, including 19 in a loss to Saint Louis.

• Jaiden Glover-Toscano (Saint Joseph’s): The St. John’s transfer found at home with the Hawks, improving from 2.2 points per game last season and no starts in 22 appearances to 15.8 this year (sixth-most in the conference) and starting 29 games. The sophomore guard scored 21+ in three of the final five games to help lead his team to six straight wins to end the regular season.

American (March 11-15)

Top 5 Seeds: South Florida, Wichita State, Tulsa, UAB, Charlotte

Players to Watch

• Kenyon Giles (Wichita State): The senior guard finished second in the American with 19.4 points per game in his first season with the Shockers. He ended the regular season on a scoring run, putting in 22+ in six of seven with a 24.7 average during the stretch.

• Wes Enis (South Florida): Enis led the Bulls to the conference’s regular season title, pacing his team in scoring in his first year of Division I college basketball. The junior went for 20+ points in five of his final six games, all victories. South Florida is on a nine-game winning streak and has won 12 of 13.

• David Green (Tulsa): The senior transfer leads his team with 16.5 points per game and eight 20+ point games. Green scored a career-high 34 points in a loss to South Florida in January.

Mountain West (March 11-14)

Top 5 Seeds: Utah State, San Diego State, New Mexico, Grand Canyon, Nevada

Players to Watch

• MJ Collins Jr. (Utah State): The senior guard leads the top-seeded Aggies in scoring at 17.6 points per game. He’s coming off a 27-point performance on 7-14 shooting in a win against New Mexico that guaranteed the regular season title.

• Jaden Henley (Grand Canyon): The third-leading scorer in the conference put in 19.7 points per game over his last seven regular-season contests, two more than his season average. The senior guard scored 22 in a five-point loss at Utah State 10 days ago, when he was 7-11 from two but 1-6 from three-point range.

• Corey Camper Jr. (Nevada): Camper Jr. scored 20 points when the Wolfpack upset Utah State in late February and followed it up with another 20 in a win over New Mexico, so he knows how to score against the Mountain West’s best. He has three 30-point games in conference play.

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1. Leading Off: Team USA is the favorite at the WBC

2. Scouting Report: Michigan State faces one of NCAA’s worst defensive teams

3. Game of the Day: Spurs vs. Pistons in a battle of the upstarts

4. By the Numbers: Bettors are split on two NBA matchups

5. Overtime: Aaron Rodgers Watch is back

1. Leading Off

The World Baseball Classic is back, and once again, the road to the title likely runs through Japan and United States. Japan, led by superstar Shohei Ohtani, is chasing its second straight WBC title and fourth overall. No country has been more consistent in the tournament’s six-edition history.

But oddsmakers are with Team USA. Behind a loaded pitching staff headlined by Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, and Mason Miller, the United States enters as the betting favorite at -110. The Dominican Republic (+360), Japan (+380), and Venezuela (+900) round out the top tier in the 20-nation field.

The Classic features four pools of five countries. After 40 round-robin games running through March 11, the top two squads from each group move on to the single-elimination quarterfinals starting March 13. The championship game is set for March 17 in Miami.

Team USA’s pool includes Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, and Mexico, which have a combined 18 MLB players. By comparison, there are currently 1,081 U.S.-born players across MLB organizations. The Dominican Republic is second with 144. Japan, which hasn’t finished worse than third in WBC history, has just 13 MLB to choose from, but as always its roster will be stacked with elite talent from Nippon Professional Baseball.

In the MVP market, Aaron Judge is the betting favorite at +800. Ohtani sits right behind him at +1000 on FanDuel, followed by a cluster of four Team USA stars before Dominican sluggers Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Juan Soto appear on the board.

If the early odds are any indication, this year’s Classic is shaping up as a heavyweight fight with the U.S. power arms trying to slow down Japan’s precision machine.

— Abe Rakov

2. Scouting Report

MSU’s Fears Jr. Gets Enticing Rematch, Jokic Faces Lakers for 1st Time This Season

Nuggets C Nikola Jokic

Jokic averaged just 25.6 points per game in February after returning from injury for just one January contest, but has scored 30+ in four of his last six. He put in 22 last time out, taking just 11 shots in 36 minutes. Jokic has 12+ rebounds in 11 of 13, but the Lakers allow the third-fewest boards of any team in the NBA. After a three-game losing streak, the LA has won three straight with shut-down defense — giving up 101, 104 and 101 (though the competition wasn’t good). Jokic didn’t play in Denver’s 115-107 loss to LA on January 20th.

• Points: 29.5 (28.7 - 22, 35, 23, 30, 35), Reb: 13.5 (12.6 - 12, 13, 17, 12, 20), Ast: 9.5 (10.3 - 5, 9, 14, 6, 12)

• Lakers - W3 (5-5 L10) | Points Allowed: 115.2 (15th), Reb Allowed: 41.0 (3rd), Ast Allowed: 27.5 (22nd)

Magic F Paolo Banchero

After a slow first half of February, Banchero has scored 26.9 points an outing in his seven games since the All Star break, nearly five more than his average. He was 15-21 with a season-high 37 points last time out (vs. Washington) in his second 36+ point performance in four games. Prior to that, Banchero had only scored over 30 points three times all season. Dallas has lost 14 of 16 and has given up 122+ in seven of its last 11 matchups.

• Points: 22.5 (22.1 - 37, 24, 19, 36, 16), Reb: 8.5 (8.4 - 5, 11, 8, 10, 7), Ast: 5.5 (5.0 - 6, 2, 9, 6, 8)

• Mavericks - L4 (2-8 L10) | Points Allowed: 117.6 (22nd), Reb Allowed: 46.6 (27th), Ast Allowed: 27.5 (22nd)

Michigan State G Jeremy Fears Jr.

Rutgers is one of the worst defensive teams in a major conference and is somehow even more deficient at protecting the glass. No. 8 Michigan State is lead by Fears Jr., a sophomore who scores over 15 points per night and has averaged nearly 19 in his past nine. He’s coming off a 21-point performance where he went 7-13 from the field and added nine assists (Fears Jr. leads the country with 9.1 dishes a game). Rutgers gives up over 75 points an outing and allowed 88 in overtime when these teams played in January — a 88-79 Michigan State win in which Fears Jr. scored a then-career high 29 points.

• Points: 15.1 (21, 12, 11, 16, 14), Reb: 2.5 (4, 1, 1, 1, 1), Ast: 9.1 (9, 6, 8, 10, 12)

• Rutgers - W1 (3-7 L10) | Points Allowed: 75.4 (228th), Reb Allowed: 36.2 (292nd), Ast Allowed: 15.3 (304th)

*Player stats are shown as: Today’s total (Season average - Last 5 games from most recent to oldest)

3. Game of the Day

Detroit Travels to San Antonio in Matchup of 2 Unexpected Title Contenders

The NBA’s two upstarts face off in a matchup between teams that are making the case that they can knock of Oklahoma City. Winners of eight of 10, the Pistons are now five games up in the Eastern Conference. The Spurs have won 12 of 13, including their 4th in five matchups against the Thunder this season, and are second in the West — 3.5 games behind the defending champions with a 5.5-game lead over the Rockets and Timberwolves for third.

San Antonio won 114-103 when these teams played on February 23rd in Detroit, a game in which Pistons star Cade Cunningham had a 5-26 shooting night. After being shut down by the Knicks in Madison Square Garden, the Spurs are coming off a 40-point blowout over the 76ers, while the Pistons lost 113-109 at Cleveland on Tuesday.

Pistons (45-15, 21-8 Away) vs. Spurs (44-17, 21-6 Home)
8pm

The Odds

• Spread: DET +3.5 (-114), SAS (-3.5, -106)

  • 67% of the money and 53% of the bets are with SAS

  • ATS | DET (away): 12-16-1 SAS (home): 11-16-0

• Moneyline: DET +132, SAS -156

• Total (228.5): Over -110, Under -110

  • DET: 26-34, SAS: 25-37

Head-to-Head

Prediction Markets Data

• Spread: DET 52%; Moneyline: SAS 58%; Under 228.5 Points: 51%

Players to Watch

• DET G Cade Cunningham | Points: 26.5 (25.2 - 10, 29, 25, 29, 16), Reb: 6.5 (5.8 - 6, 6, 10, 4, 6), Ast: 10.5 (9.9 - 14, 11, 7, 13, 10)

• SAS Victor Wembanyama | Points: 23.5 (23.4 - 10, 25, 12, 12, 21), Reb: 11.5 (11.1 - 8, 13, 8, 8, 17), Ast: 2.5 (2.9 - 4, 2, 5, 3, 4)

*Player stats are shown as: Today’s total (Season average - Last 5 games from most recent to oldest)

4. By the Numbers

Bettors Split on 2 NBA Games, No. 3 Michigan is an 8.5-Point Favorite at Iowa

NBA

Mavericks (21-40, 7-20 Away) vs. Magic (32-28, 18-11 Home)

• Spread | DAL +8.5 (-110), ORL -8.5 (-110): 54% of the money is with ORL

• Moneyline | DAL +260, ORL -320

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: 50/50; Moneyline: ORL: 76%; Over 228.5 Points: 50%

Nets (15-46, 7-24 Away) vs. Heat (33-29, 19-11 Home)

• Spread | BKN +12.5 (-105), MIA -12.5 (-115): 86% of the money is with MIA

• Moneyline | BKN +500, MIA -700

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: MIA 55%; Moneyline: MIA 86%; Under 225.5 Points: 51%

Warriors (31-30, 12-17 Away) vs. Rockets (38-22, 20-7 Home)

• Spread | GSW +9.5 (-106), HOU -9.5 (-114): 65% of the money is with GSW but 54% of the bets are with HOU

• Moneyline | GSW +290, HOU -360

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: 50/50; Moneyline: HOU 75%; Over 214.5 Points: 50%

Raptors (35-26, 19-10 Away) vs. Timberwolves (39-23, 21-11 Home)

• Spread | TOR +6.5 (-110), MIN -6.5 (-110): 63% of the money is with TOR but 55% of the bets are with MIN

• Moneyline | TOR +198, MIN -240

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: TOR 54%; Moneyline: MIN 68%; Over 228.5 Points: 52%

Bulls (25-37, 9-19 Away) vs. Suns (35-26, 20-12 Home)

• Spread | CHI +11 (-112), PHX -11 (-108): 78% of the money is with CHI

• Moneyline | CHI +385, PHX -500

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: 50/50; Moneyline: PHX 81%; Over 225.5 Points: 50%

Lakers (37-24, 19-12 Away) vs. Nuggets (38-24, 16-12 Home)

• Spread | LAL +5 (-110), DEN -5 (-110): 51% of the money is with DEN but 52% of the bets are with LAL

• Moneyline | LAL +162, DEN -194

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: LAL 53%; Moneyline: DEN 64%; Under 239.5 Points: 55%

MCBB

No. 3 Michigan (27-2, 17-1 Big Ten) vs. Iowa (20-9, 10-8 Big Ten)

• Spread | UM -8.5 (-110), UI +8.5 (-110): 55% of the money is with UM

• Moneyline | UM -465, UI +340

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: 50/50; Moneyline: UM 79%; Over 145.5 Points: 50%

South Florida (21-8, 13-3 American) vs. Memphis (12-17, 7-9 American)

• Spread | USF -6.5 (-102), MEM +6.5 (-120): 81% of the money is with USF

• Moneyline | USF -285, MEM +230

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: MEM 52%; Moneyline: USF 70%; Under 160.5 Points: 52%

NHL

Mammoth (32-25-4, 14-15-2 Away) vs. Flyers (28-21-11, 14-9-7 Home)

• Spread | UTA -1.5 (+198), PHI +1.5 (-250)

• Moneyline | UTA -125, PHI +104: 60% of the money is with PHI but 65% of the bets are with UTA

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: UTA 31%; Moneyline: UTA 55%; Over 5.5 Goals: 55%

Sabres (36-19-6, 18-11-3 Away) vs. Penguins (31-16-13, 15-8-7 Home)

• Spread | BUF -1.5 (+210), PIT +1.5 (-265)

• Moneyline | BUF -115, PIT -104: 84% of the money is with BUF

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: BUF 32%; Moneyline: BUF 51%; Under 6.5 Goals: 53%

5. Overtime

In the News

• After trading cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams, the Chiefs now have two first round draft picks this year. CBS Sports updated its mock draft to show what Kansas City could do with the extra selection.

• Aaron Rodgers Watch is back, as the quarterback and Steelers aren’t committed to each other despite the team hiring his former coach Mike McCarthy. On “The Pat McAfee Show,” which was the mainstay for Rodgers Watch last time around, the quarterback said, “There’s no contract offer or anything, so there’s nothing that I’m having to debate between. I’m a free agent.”

• Rumors about when Celtics star Jayson Tatum will return from the ruptured right Achilles he suffered less than 10 months ago continue swirling. Reports range from Tatum playing as early as this week to sitting out the entire season and playoffs. According to Yahoo Sports, if Tatum comes back in the next few weeks it would be the shortest rehab since Rudy Gay played just nine months after his surgery in the 2015-2016 season.

• The Patriots decided to release wide receiver Stefon Diggs just one season into a three-year deal with his salary cap hit about to move from $10.5 million to $26.5 million. Diggs had 25 more receptions than New England’s second-leading target (tight end Hunter Henry), and also led the team with 1,013 yards in the regular season — nearly double the next-highest receiver.

• With the start of the WNBA season in doubt, Unrivaled crowned Breanna Stewart’s Mist as the 2026 champions. Stewart, a co-founder of the two-year-old league, scored 32 of her team’s 80 points in a win over Phantom. “We used to have a seven-month blackout period where you didn’t know what these professional basketball players were doing. And now you know,” she said.

What to Watch (times ET)

• 1:05pm: Red Sox vs. Phillies (Spring Training) on MLB Network

• 3pm: Dodgers vs. Reds (Spring Training) on ESPN (or Tottenham vs. Crystal Palace on USA)

• 7pm: Sabres vs. Penguins on ESPN

• 7:30pm: Warriors vs. Rockets on Prime Video

• 8pm: No. 3 Michigan vs. Iowa on Peacock

• 9:30pm: Islanders vs. Kings on ESPN

• 10pm: Lakers vs. Nuggets on Prime Video

1. Leading Off: Are the Hornets really as good as their last 15 games?

2. Scouting Report: Williamson averaged 26+ points for Pelicans in 3 games since break

3. Game of the Day: 76ers coming off two blowout wins

4. By the Numbers: NBA, MCBB and NHL odds and prediction market intel

5. Overtime: Quarterbacks could be on the move in NFL with limited Draft options

1. Leading Off

Charlotte was supposed to be a year or two away. LaMelo Ball had played 50 or fewer games in three straight seasons and the front office has been quietly retooling around a young core, so nobody had the Hornets circled as a playoff team in October. But at 28-31, they’ve won 12 of their last 15 and are firmly in the East play-in conversation. This run might not be just a schedule mirage.

They opened this stretch with nine straight wins, beating Philadelphia by 37, San Antonio, and Houston on the road along the way. The three losses came against Detroit, Houston, and Cleveland, all contenders to go deep into the playoffs. How is this happening? Ball finally has other creators around him: Brandon Miller leads the team in scoring, rookie Kon Knueppel has given them a third option who can make shots off movement, and Miles Bridges still averages over 18 points per game despite the added offense.

Charlotte has been here before in the Ball era, flirting with relevance only to fall apart. But this group is deeper and younger than those teams. With Indiana, Portland, and Dallas coming up next, the Hornets have a real chance to jump to ninth in the conference to start March. In the East’s wide-open play-in bracket, that might be enough to make Charlotte matter.

— Abe Rakov

2. Scouting Report

Change of Scenery Helped Kuminga in Game 1, Williamson on Roll Since Break

Hawks F Jonathan Kuminga (vs. Wizards)

Kuminga had his highest-scoring output of the season in his first game with the Hawks, netting 27 points on 9-12 from the field against these same Wizards. He also added seven rebounds and four assists, both also above his season average. Kuminga isn’t going to score 27 every night, but the much-maligned fourth-year player will be looking to prove himself after the situation in Golden State ended so poorly. Another matchup against the Wizards should be helpful in that effort.

• Points: TBA (12.8 - 27, 10, 20, 2, 4), Reb: TBA (5.9 - 7, 1, 5, 4, 7), Ast: TBA (2.6 - 4, 2, 2, 1, 3)

• WAS - L2 (4-6 L10) | Points Allowed: 122.8 (29th), Reb Allowed: 48.0 (30th), Ast Allowed: 28.7 (29th)

Pelicans F Zion Williamson (at Jazz)

Williamson has averaged over 26 points in the three games since the All Star break, all against serviceable defenses. After tying a season-high with eight assists two games ago, he dished out zero on Tuesday, which followed a trend of inconsistent sharing throughout this campaign. The Jazz allow the most points per game in the league, over three a night more than the next-worst team (that’s a huge gap).

• Points: 24.5 (21.9 - 26, 21, 32, 25, 18), Reb: 6.5 (6.0 - 6, 6, 2, 4, 5), Ast: 3.5 (3.5 - 0, 8, 2, 3, 6)

• UTA - L3 (3-7 L10) | Points Allowed: 125.9 (30th), Reb Allowed: 45.1 (21st), Ast Allowed: 30.3 (30th)

Hornets F Brandon Miller (at Pacers)

Miller shook off two terrible shooting nights in his first games back from the break (22.7% against Houston and 31.6% vs. Cleveland) by scoring 23 and 22 points in his last two matchups — with a 56%+ field goal percentage in both. He was ejected for arguing with officials in the third quarter of his lone matchup against the Pacers this year, and had scored just six points on 2-8 shooting (1-5 from three) before being kicked out. The Pacers have lost four in a row and gave up 131+ in each of their past three games.

• Points: 21.5 (20.6 - 23, 22, 18, 17, 31), Reb: 4.5 (4.6 - 5, 4, 2, 4, 9), Ast: 3.5 (3.4 - 3, 3, 4, 7, 2)

• IND - L4 (2-8 L10) | Points Allowed: 119.2 (25th), Reb Allowed: 47.0 (28th), Ast Allowed: 26.0 (9th)

*Player stats are shown as: Today’s total (Season average - Last 5 games from most recent to oldest)

3. Game of the Day

Maxey Scored 27+ in 4 Games Since All Star Break (7 Straight Overall) But Sixers Have Won Just 5 of 10

Philadelphia has reeled off back-to-back blowout wins to get right since a rough start to the post-All-Star stretch, as they opened with losses to Atlanta and New Orleans before routing Minnesota by 27 and Indiana by 21. Tyrese Maxey is leading the way, dropping 39 and 32 in those wins while shooting 52% from the floor across both. Rookie VJ Edgecombe is heating up alongside him, scoring 24 and 23 while shooting 69% in the Indiana win. At 32-26, the Sixers are fifth in the East.

Miami is coming off a 128-117 loss in Milwaukee on Tuesday where a 39-24 fourth quarter buried them. Norman Powell led with 26 but turned it over six times, and Tyler Herro shot just 5-17. Bam Adebayo chipped in 18 points and nine rebounds in the loss. The Heat are 31-28 and seventh in the East.

Heat (31-28, 14-17 Away) vs. 76ers (32-26, 15-15 Home)
7pm

The Odds

• Spread: MIA +1.5 (-106), PHI -1.5 (-114)

  • 75% of the money and 73% of the bets are with PHI

  • ATS | MIA (away): 15-16, PHI (home): 16-14

• Moneyline: MIA +110, PHI -130

• Total (240.5): Over -110, Under -110

  • MIA: 30-29, PHI: 30-28

Head-to-Head

Prediction Markets Data

• Spread: MIA 52%; Moneyline: PHI (1.73x) 55%; Under 241.5 Points: 52%

Players to Watch

• MIA G Norman Powell | Points: 20.5 (22.9 - 26, 25, 15, 21, 24), Reb: 3.5 (3.6 - 6, 2, 3, 4, 3), Ast: 2.5 (2.6 - 0, 6, 2, 0, 4)

• PHI G Tyrese Maxey | Points: 27.5 (29.1 - 32, 30, 27, 28, 32), Reb: 4.5 (4.1 - 9, 3, 3, 3, 2), Ast: 6.5 (6.7 - 8, 8, 7, 3, 2)

*Player stats are shown as: Today’s total (Season average - Last 5 games from most recent to oldest)

4. By the Numbers

Bettors Are Split in Bulls vs. Trail Blazers Matchup, Back Spartans to Beat Spread on Road

NBA

Hornets (28-31, 16-15 Away) vs. Pacers (15-44, 10-20 Home)

• Spread | CHA -13 (-110), IND +13, (-110): 55% of the money is with IND

• Moneyline | CHA -700, IND +500

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: CHA 52%; Moneyline: CHA 85%; Under 230.5 Points: 53%

Wizards (16-41, 5-22 Away) vs. Hawks (29-31, 12-16 Home)

• Spread | WAS +11.5 (-108), ATL -11.5, (-112): 63% of the money is with WAS (but 58% of the bets are with ATL)

• Moneyline | WAS +480, ATL -650

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: ATL 55%; Moneyline: ATL 83%; Over 233.5 Points: 50%

Trail Blazers (28-31, 12-16 Away) vs. Bulls (24-35, 15-16 Home)

• Spread | POR -4 (-112), CHI +4, (-108): 66% of the money is with CHI (but 61% of the bets are with POR)

• Moneyline | POR -176, CHI +148

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: 50/50; Moneyline: POR 60%; Under 235.5 Points: 51%

Lakers (34-23, 18-11 Away) vs. Suns (33-26, 19-12 Home)

• Spread | LAL -5 (-110), PHX +5, (-110): 90% of the money is with LAL

• Moneyline | LAL -198, PHX +166

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: 50/50; Moneyline: LAL 65%; Over 217.5 Points: 52%

Pelicans (17-42, 6-21 Away) vs. Jazz (18-40, 11-18 Home)

• Spread | NOP -4.5 (-112), UTA +4.5, (-108): 92% of the money is with UTA

• Moneyline | NOP -190, UTA +160

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: NOP 51%; Moneyline: NOP 62%, Over 240.5: 53%

Timberwolves (36-23, 16-12 Away) vs. Clippers (27-30, 14-12 Home)

• Spread | MIN -5.5 (-108), LAC +5.5, (-112): 51% of the money is with MIN (but 52% of the bets are with LAC)

• Moneyline | MIN -198, LAC +166

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: MIN 51%; Moneyline: MIN 65%; Over 225.5 Points: 53%

MCBB

No. 13 Michigan State (22-5, 12-4 Big Ten) vs. No. 8 Purdue (22-5, 12-4 Big Ten)

• Spread | MSU +7.5 (-114), PUR -7.5, (-106): 72% of the money is with MSU

• Moneyline | MSU +285, PUR -365

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: PUR 54%; Moneyline: PUR 74%; Over 140.5 Points: 52%

Wichita State (18-10, 10-5 American) vs. Memphis (12-15, 7-7 American)

• Spread | WICH +0.5 (-104), MEM -0.5, (-118): 60% of the money is with MEM

• Moneyline | WICH +100, MEM -120

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: MEM -1.5 46%; Moneyline: MEM 51%; Under 146.5 Points: 55%

NHL

Blue Jackets (29-20-7, 14-12-3 Away) vs. Bruins (32-20-5, 21-8-1 Home)

• Spread | CBJ +1.5 (-265), BOS -1.5, (+210): 83% of the money is with CBJ

• Moneyline | CBJ -104, BOS -115

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: CBJ 68%; Moneyline: BOS 51%; Under 146.5 Points: 55%

Red Wings (33-19-6, 15-9-4 Away) vs. Senators (28-22-7, 14-10-4 Home)

• Spread | DET +1.5 (-230), OTT -1.5, (+184): 51% of the money is with OTT (but 81% of the bets are with DET)

• Moneyline | DET +116, OTT -140

• Prediction Markets Data | Spread: DET 64%; Moneyline: OTT 56%; Under 6.5 Goals: 51%

5. Overtime

In the News

• ESPN’s Baxter Holmes is out with a feature headlined “The secret Kobe Bryant-Michael Jordan connection few knew about,” which is sure to get some clicks. Holmes reported that Jordan was the first Black Mamba, writing: On March 14, 2004, the same month the $165 shoe launched, a two-page black mamba Air Jordan 19 advertisement appeared in ESPN The Magazine, part of a print-focused run that Thomas said included other national magazines. It carried the tagline “Only Greatness Equals Greatness.” Then, the campaign quickly pivoted.

• The quarterback class in this year’s NFL Draft is pretty small, which could mean veterans get more of a look. Kirk Cousins will be available in two weeks, but the Associated Press looked at what the market could be if the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa or Cardinals’ Kyler Murray become available.

• CBS Sports looks at the 10 players that could jump up in the NFL Draft with a solid performance at the combine. Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion, Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore are ones to watch. The combine continues in Indianapolis through March 2nd.

• Cincinnati is suing its former quarterback for $1 million after he left for Texas Tech during the transfer window. The school says the signal caller refused to pay his exit fee within 30 days as required by the NIL contract he signed. The senior was one of the top quarterbacks available in the portal and reportedly signed a deal worth at least $4 million with the Red Raiders.

• The new Automatic Ball-Strike challenge system that MLB rolled out during Spring Training could end up being a pitcher’s worst nightmare. Reining National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes saw four called strikes challenged and overturned, including one that turned out to be a ball by one-tenth of an inch, according to Yahoo Sports.

What to Watch (times ET)

• 6pm: Tennessee vs. No. 6 LSU (WCBB) on ESPN

• 7:30pm: Rockets vs. Magic on Prime Video

• 8pm: No. 13 Michigan State vs. No. 8 Purdue (MCBB) on Peacock (or Flyers vs. Rangers on ESPN)

• 9pm: Wichita State vs. Memphis (MCBB) on ESPN2

• 10pm: Timberwolves vs. Clippers on Prime Video

• 10:30pm: Oilers vs. Kings on ESPN

1. Leading Off: Where the NBA stands going into the 2nd half

2. Game of the Day: Knicks look to show they’ll compete for East’s top seed

3. Scouting Report: Sixers’ Maxey has a good matchup tonight

4. Olympics: U.S. men and women both contending for hockey gold

5. Overtime: Chiefs use a salary cap maneuver with Mahomes for 4th straight offseason

1. Leading Off

The Thunder are still the clear favorites to win the NBA title as the second half of the season gets underway, but they don’t look quite as invincible as they did at the start of their title defense. Denver has moved up to +550 to win it all, and San Antonio — which has had Oklahoma City’s number so far this season — is now third at +1200 (the Thunder are +130).

The books can’t seem to separate the top teams in the East. The Pistons, Knicks, Celtics, and Cavaliers are all sitting at +1300 to win the championship. At FanDuel, the Knicks are a slight favorite to win the conference at +350, just ahead of the Pistons and Cavaliers (+360), with the Celtics close behind at +370.

Even with the Thunder drifting a bit in the title odds, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-190) is still the heavy favorite to win regular-season MVP. Nikola Jokic is next at +300, followed by Cade Cunningham (+1400) and Luka Doncic (+2000).

At the bottom of the playoff race, oddsmakers seem to think the East play-in picture is mostly set. The Bucks are just 1.5 games behind the Hawks but are +500 to make it, while the Bulls (the same distance back) are +1400. The West feels even more settled, with the Grizzlies sitting 4.5 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers and all the way out at +8000.

With more teams openly tanking and the lottery as unpredictable as ever, finishing last is harder to do and doesn’t mean as much. The bigger question is who goes No. 1 in the draft. Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson is still a strong favorite at -290, with BYU’s AJ Dybantsa next at +370 and Duke’s Cameron Boozer at +850.

— Abe Rakov

2. Game of the Day

East Favorites to Earn No. 1 Seed Face Off as 2nd Half of NBA Season Begins

After failing to reach a double-double in three of four games, Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns closed out the first half of the season with seven straight, averaging 17.4 points and 13.6 rebounds during the stretch.

Meanwhile, New York’s leading scorer, Jalen Brunson, headed into the break on a quieter note. He managed just eight points on 3-of-6 shooting in 30 minutes in a blowout win over the Philadelphia 76ers — his lowest scoring output in nearly a month. That came after he dropped 40 and 31 in his previous two games, so the dip looked more like a blip than a trend.

The last meeting between these teams wasn’t much of a contest. The Pistons rolled to a 118-80 win at home two weeks ago, though that result came with some pretty important context: Towns and OG Anunoby were both out for New York, while Detroit was without Jalen Duren.

Duren won’t be available this time, either. He’s serving the second game of a two-game suspension for his role in the fight during the Pistons’ matchup with the Hornets just before the break. That leaves Detroit a bit shorthanded inside again.

Pistons (40-13, 18-7 Away) vs. Knicks (35-20, 21-7 Home)
7:30pm on Prime Video

The Odds

• Spread: DET (+4.5, -112), NYK (-4.5, -108)

  • 59% of the money is with NYK but 53% of the bets are with DET

  • ATS | DET (road): 10-14-1, NYK (home): 14-14

• Moneyline: DET +150, NYK -178

• Total (222.5): Over -108, Under -112

  • DET: 22-31, NYK: 28-28

Players to Watch

• DET G Cade Cunningham | Points: 24.5 (25.3 - 28, 33, 11, 30, 29), Reb: 5.5 (5.6 - 7, 9, 5, 8, 2), Ast: 8.5 (9.6 - 9, 7, 7, 8, 10)

• DET F Duncan Robinson | Points: 11.5 (12.3 - 13, 18, 9, 21, 20), Reb: TBA (2.7 - 4, 3, 4, 1, 3), Ast: TBA (1.9 - 1, 4, 2, 2, 2)

• NYK G Jalen Brunson | Points: 27.5 (27.0 - 8, 40, 31, 12, 42), Reb: 3.5 (3.3 - 4, 5, 3, 4, 8), Ast: 5.5 (6.1 - 4, 8, 8, 4, 9)

• NYK C Karl-Anthony Towns | Points: 19.5 (19.8 - 21, 22, 11, 24, 19), Reb: 11.5 (11.9 - 11, 14, 10, 12, 15), Ast: TBA (2.9 - 5, 3, 1, 1, 3)

*Player stats are shown as: Today’s total (Season average - Last 5 games from most recent to oldest)

3. Scouting Report

Maxey Scored 44 Last Time Out Against Atlanta, Bane Faces Coldest Team in NBA

76ers G Tyrese Maxey (vs. Hawks)

• Maxey went into the All Star break hot despite the 76ers losing three of four. He scored 32, 30 and 29 in his last three games, and in the one before that run he dished out 13 assists to go along with 26 points. When these teams played at the end of November, Maxey scored 44 points on 14-31 shooting with seven rebounds and nine assists in a double-overtime loss. Atlanta gave up an average of nearly 123 points in the six games leading up to the break.

• Points: 28.5 (28.9 - 32, 30, 29, 26, 14), Reb: 3.5 (4.1 - 2, 1, 9, 0, 4), Ast: 6.5 (6.8 - 2, 4, 6, 13, 3)

• ATL - L3 (5-5 L10) | Points Allowed: 118.6 (25th), Reb Allowed: 46.8 (26th), Ast Allowed: 27.3 (22nd)

Magic G Desmond Bane (at Kings)

• Bane averaged 23.5 points over his last eight games before the break, and that included a seven-point showing in just 22 minutes in a blowout loss to Oklahoma City. In his past two contests he shot 19-28 (10-16 from three) and scored 31 and 25 points. The Kings needed a stop in play more than any other team in the NBA, as they’ve lost 14 straight and now have the worst record in the league. After four solid-for-them defensive performances in a row, Sacramento gave up 120+ in four of five to close out the first half of the season. And their two best players both had season-ending surgery yesterday.

• Points: 21.5 (19.6 - 31, 25, 22, 23, 7), Reb: 4.5 (4.2 - 2, 3, 3, 3, 2), Ast: 3.5 (4.2 - 5, 1, 2, 4, 2)

• SAC - L14 (0-10 L10) | Points Allowed: 120.6 (28th), Reb Allowed: 44.9 (20th), Ast Allowed: 27.5 (25th)

Pacers F Pascal Siakam (at Wizards)

• They were just All Star “games,” but Siakam was in good form in Los Angeles — going 5-7 in 18 minutes, scoring 10 points in two matchups. He went for 30 points in his last outing before the break, an overtime win over the Knicks (his first time scoring at least 30 in nearly three weeks). Siakam went for just 11 on 4-12 shooting when he played Washington in mid-December, but dropped 24 and nine rebounds when the teams played two weeks prior. The Wizards gave up 138, 132 and 127 in their final games before the break, continuing their run of being one of the NBA’s worst defensive teams.

• Points: 23.5 (23.7 - 30, 18, 19, 27, 25), Reb: 6.5 (6.7 - 6, 4, 6, 4, 6), Ast: 3.5 (3.9 - 4, 2, 4, 5, 1)

• WAS - L3 (4-6 L10) | Points Allowed: 123.1 (29th), Reb Allowed: 47.8 (30th), Ast Allowed: 28.8 (29th)

*Player stats are shown as: Today’s total (Season average - Last 5 games from most recent to oldest)

4. Olympics

Team USA Men and Women Could Both Win in Hockey, American Speed Skater Stolz Aims for 4 Golds

Norway continues to lead the medal count at the Winter Olympics, with 33 total and 15 golds. Italy is next with 26 and nine — this year’s host nation had just two golds four years ago in Beijing (and 17 total, good for 13th) — while the United States is in third overall and in golds with 24 and seven.

Some of the biggest events are still to come, with Team USA in contention to win in both men’s and women’s hockey, the women’s figure skating final happening today, and American speed skater Jordan Stolz favored to win his final two events in his attempt to earn four gold medals in these Games.

Women’s Hockey Gold: Canada vs. USA

• Spread | CAN (+1.5, +130), USA (-1.5, -162)

• Moneyline | CAN +360, USA -480

• Total (5.5) | Over +112, Under -138

Men’s Hockey Gold

• Canada -125, USA +110, Finland +1700, Slovakia +3300

Women’s Singles Figure Skating Gold

• Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) -115, Ami Nakai (JPN) +200, Alysa Liu (USA) +320, Adeliia Petrosian (AIN) +1600, Amber Glenn (USA) +3500

Men’s Freeski Halfpipe Gold

• Finley Melville Ives (NZL) -210, Alex Ferreira (USA) +430, Nick Goepper (USA) +500, Hunter Hess (USA) +1300

Men’s Mass Start Speed Skating Gold

• Jordan Stolz (USA) -125, Andrea Giovannini (ITA) +470, Jorrit Bergsma (NED) and Bart Swings (BEL) +700, Jae-Won Chung (KOR) and Metodej Jilek (CZE) +1100

Women’s Mass Start Speed Skating Gold

• Marijke Groenewoud (NED) -115, Mia Manganello (USA) and Ivanie Blondin (CAN) +370, Valerie Maltais (CAN) and Francesca Lollobrigida (ITA) +800

5. Overtime

In the News

• The Chiefs picked up a ton of cap space, restructuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract to convert a large portion to a signing bonus and free up nearly $44 million in flexibility, according to ESPN. But Kansas City started the offseason $57 million over the salary cap, meaning there’s more work to do on the financial front. Mahomes has worked with the Chiefs to restructure his contract for four straight years.

• The definition of voluntary is under review in Baltimore. “We would expect them to be here and certainly it is voluntary,” new Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. Baltimore is starting a new era after firing John Harbaugh after 18 years and replacing him with Jesse Minter. Doyle was the Bears offensive coordinator this past season, but head coach Ben Johnson called the plays.

• Coincidence or not, college basketball coaches are publicly criticizing their teams a lot more now that the players are being paid, the Associated Press noted in a feature. Some examples: “We deserve to be on a 6 a.m. flight out of Lubbock, commercial,” Colorado men’s coach Tad Boyle said. “These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few of them in it next year,” said Kansas State men’s coach Jerome Tang, who has since been fired. “It’s probably the softest team I’ve had in years,” Texas women’s coach Vic Schaefer said.

• The Super Bowl champions are for sale and are expected to go for a record $7-$10 billion (what’s a $3 billion difference between billionaires?). Jody Allen has been the controlling owner of the Seahawks since her brother Paul Allen died in 2018, but Paul Allen said both his teams (he also owned the Trail Blazers) should eventually be sold with the proceeds going to charity. The Commanders have the current record across all sports with a $6.05 billion sale to Josh Harris in 2023.

• Sacramento has lost 14 straight and has the worst record on the NBA, but somehow things are getting worse. Both Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine had season-ending surgeries yesterday, Sabonis to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and LaVine for a tendon in his right hand. Sabonis hasn’t played much this season, but averaged 15.8 points and 11.4 rebounds in 19 appearances (15 starts). LaVine had been leading the team in scoring with a 19.2 average, playing in 39 of 56 games.

What to Watch (times ET)

Thursday

• 8:20am: Olympics - Men’s Aerials Final on USA

• 1pm: Olympics - Women’s Figure Skating on NBC

• 1:10pm: Olympics - USA vs. Canada for Hockey Gold on USA

• 7:30pm: Pistons vs. Knicks on Prime Video

• 8pm: Olympics - Primetime in Milan on NBC

• 9pm: No. 7 LSU vs. No. 17 Ole Miss (WCBB) on ESPN

• 10pm: Celtics vs. Warriors on Prime Video

Friday

• 11:50am: Olympics - Men’s Semifinal Hockey on USA (2nd Semifinal at 3:10pm on NBC)

• 7pm: VCU vs. No. 18 Saint Louis (MCBB) on ESPN2

• 7:30pm: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves on ESPN

• 8pm: Olympics - Primetime in Milan on NBC (or Indiana vs. No. 7 Purdue (MCBB) on FOX)

• 10pm: Clippers vs. Lakers on ESPN

Saturday

• 9am: Olympics - Men’s and Women’s Mass Start Speed Skating on USA

• 1:05pm: Olympics - Men’s Curling Gold Medal on CNBC

• 2pm: Miami vs. No. 14 Virginia (MCBB) on ESPN2

• 2:40pm: Olympics - Men’s Hockey Bronze Medal on USA

• 3pm: No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 2 Houston (MCBB) on ABC

• 4:30pm: FC Cincinnati vs. Atlanta United on FOX

• 5pm: Magic vs. Suns on NBA TV

• 5:30pm: No. 5 UConn vs. Villanova (MCBB) on TNT

• 6:30pm: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 3 Duke (MCBB) on ESPN

• 8pm: Olympics - Primetime in Milan on NBC (or No. 10 Illinois vs. UCLA (MCBB) on FOX)

• 8:30pm: Rockets vs. Knicks on ABC

• 10:30pm: No. 6 Iowa State vs. No. 23 BYU (MCBB) on ESPN

Sunday

• 8:10am: Olympics - Men’s Hockey Gold on NBC

• 11:30am: Tottenham vs. Arsenal on USA

• 12pm: No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 13 Iowa (WCBB) on FOX

• 1pm: Cavaliers vs. Thunder on ABC

• 2:30pm: Olympics - Closing Ceremony on NBC

• 3:30pm: Nuggets vs. Warriors on ABC

• 4pm: Iowa vs. No. 24 Wisconsin on FS1

• 6:30pm: Celtics vs. Lakers on NBC

• 9pm: Magic vs. Clippers on NBA TV

• 9:15pm: Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids on FS1

1. Leading Off: Where the Olympics stand after yesterday

2. NBA Futures: A look at the current playoff odds

3. Olympics: Team USA men’s hockey team looks to match women’s dominance

4. By the Numbers: NBA and MCBB odds and stats

5. Overtime: A former Steelers player said that his former QB was “just not a good teammate”

1. Leading Off

The Milan Cortina Games delivered plenty of drama on Wednesday, starting with a genuine upset on the ice. France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron edged heavily favored Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates by just over a point in ice dance. Chock and Bates won the past three world championships, making the 225.82–224.39 loss one of the biggest surprises early in the Games.

Jordan Stolz, meanwhile, continued his rise as America’s speed skating star, taking gold in the 1000 meters and setting an Olympic record in the process. Stolz now has a chance to leave Italy with four medals. On the slopes, Americans Elizabeth Lemley and Jaelin Kauf went one-two in women’s freestyle moguls, while two-time defending Olympic champion Chloe Kim cruised through halfpipe qualifying with her usual dominance. She’s clearly the one to beat in today’s final.

NHL players finally returned to Olympic ice after a 12-year absence, and Slovakia immediately shook things up, upsetting Finland 4–1 to bring some chaos to the new era of Olympic hockey.

In the medal standings, host nation Italy is tied with Norway with 13 total medals, though the Norwegians lead in gold with seven. The United States sits just behind with 12 medals (four golds, tied with the Italians), building a cushion over Germany (eight medals) and Switzerland (seven medals).

— Abe Rakov

2. NBA Futures

Defending Champion Thunder Are Still Big Favorites to Repeat

It’s the last day before the NBA’s All Star Break, though many teams have been coasting for the past week by resting players to give them even more of a breather. Before the festivities get underway in Los Angeles, we wanted to take a look at where the betting markets stand for the playoffs.

• Eastern Conference Winner: Pistons +320, Cavaliers +340, Knicks +350, Celtics +390, 76ers +1100

• Western Conference Winner: Thunder -150, Nuggets +380, Spurs +750, Rockets +1100, Timberwolves +1500, Lakers +2500

• 55+ Regular Season Wins: Pistons -1200, Spurs -400, Rockets +194, Nuggets +220, Celtics +280, Knicks +320, Cavaliers +360

• NBA Champions: Thunder +120; Nuggets +600; Pistons, Knicks, and Cavaliers +1300; Spurs and Celtics +1400; Rockets +2000

• Finals MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +125, Nikola Jokic +650, Cade Cunningham +1200, Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama +1600, Donovan Mitchell +1900

3. Olympics

U.S. Men’s Hockey Takes the Ice for First Time in Olympics, Women’s Team Has Dominated

Team USA’s men’s hockey team takes the ice for the first time in these Olympics after watching the women’s squad pick apart archrival Canada 5-0 on Tuesday. We’re also spotlighting women’s snowboard competitions and next week’s women’s singles figure skating competition. The men’s final is this Friday, but the odds are so stacked in American skater Ilia Malinin’s favor most sportsbooks aren’t even offering it.

Latvia vs. USA (Men’s Hockey)

• LAT (+1.5, -114), USA (-1.5, -106)

• Moneyline | LAT +220, USA -275

• Total (5.5) | Over +120, Under -148

Denmark vs. Germany (Men’s Hockey)

• DEN (+1.5, -114), GER (-1.5, -106)

• Moneyline | DEN +220, GER -275

• Total (5.5) | Over +120, Under -148

Women’s Halfpipe Gold

• Chloe Kim (USA) -150, Gaon Choi (KOR) +280, Sara Shimizu (JPN) +500, Maddie Mastro (USA) +1200

Women’s Snowboard Cross Gold

• Charlotte Bankes (GBR) +115, Michela Moioli (ITA) +240, Josie Baff (AUS) +650, Julia Ninani-Pereira (FRA) +850

Women’s Singles Figure Skating Gold Medal (Tuesday)

• Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) +105, Adeliia Petrosian (AIN) +230, Alysa Liu (USA) +320, Amber Glenn (USA) +700

4. By the Numbers

With Teams Across NBA Resting Stars, Opportunities Abound for Tonight’s Players

NBA

Bucks (22-30, 10-18 Away) vs. Thunder (42-13, 29-5 Home)

• MIL (+12.5, -108), OKC (-12.5, -112): 81% of the money and 67% of the bets are with OKC

  • ATS | MIL (road): 12-16, OKC (home): 13-14

• Total (215.5) | MIL: 21-31 (111.7 ppg), OKC: 29-26 (119.9 ppg)

• Points | MIL Kevin Porter Jr.: 19.5 (17.5 average), OKC Chet Holmgren: 18.5 (17.6 average)

Trail Blazers (26-29, 10-16 Away) vs. Jazz (18-37, 11-17 Home)

• POR (-8, -114), UTA (+8, -106): 67% of the money is with POR but 75% of the bets are with UTA

  • ATS | POR (road): 12-14, UTA (home): 16-12

• Total (237.5) | POR: 29-26 (116.1 ppg), UTA: 32-23 (118.2 ppg)

• Points | POR Deni Avdija: 23.5 (25.5 average)

Mavericks (19-33, 5-16 Away) vs. Lakers (32-20, 14-9 Home)

• DAL (+6.5, -106), LAL (-6.5, -114): 72% of the money and 60% of the bets are with LAL

  • ATS | DAL (road): 7-15, LAL (home): 13-11

• Total (232.5) | DAL: 24-29 (114.1 ppg), LAL: 30-32 (115.9 ppg)

• Points | DAL Max Christie: 15.5 (13.1 average), LAL Marcus Smart: 10.5 (9.9 average)

MCBB

Memphis (12-11, 7-4 American) vs. North Texas (13-11, 4-7 American)

• MEM (-1.5, -105), UNT (+1.5, -115): 75% of the money and 76% of the bets are with MEM

  • ATS | MEM (road): 2-6, UNT (home): 5-5

• Total (136.5) | MEM: 11-12 (75.0 ppg), UNT: 7-15 (70.6 ppg)

• Leading Scorers | MEM Dug McDaniel: 13.2, UNT Je’Shawn Stevenson: 17.0

Friday Games

No. 10 Michigan State (20-4, 10-3 Big Ten) vs. Wisconsin (17-7, 9-4 Big Ten)

• ATS | MSU (road): 2-3-1, WIS (home): 7-7

• Over/Under | MSU: 9-15 (79.1 ppg), WIS: 14-10 (83.3 ppg)

• Leading Scorers | MSU Jeremy Fears Jr.: 15.1, WIS Nick Boyd: 20.2

UNLV (12-12, 7-6 Mountain West) vs. Boise State (15-9, 7-6 Mountain West)

• ATS | UNLV (road): 4-4, BSU (home): 6-5

• Over/Under | UNLV: 14-9 (78.9 ppg), BSU: 12-10 (79.2 ppg)

• Leading Scorers | UNLV Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn: 18.7, BSU Drew Fielder: 13.5

5. Overtime

In the News

• The NFL invited 319 prospects to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, which starts in 10 days in Indianapolis. Fifteen quarterbacks are welcome, including everyone from Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Fernando Mendoza to North Dakota State’s Cole Payton. The wide receiver class is especially deep, with 46 of them being asked to come to Indianapolis. Players don’t have to attend the combine to be drafted.

• “He’s just not a good teammate,” former Steelers assistant coach and linebacker Joey Porter Sr. said of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Cameron Heyward’s podcast. “[Roethlisberger] knows that. Anybody in the Steelers building knows that, but we protected him because I’ve only won one Super Bowl and that was my quarterback. So do I love my quarterback? Yeah, but is he a good person? No.” Roethlisberger and Porter played together for three seasons and won Super Bowl XL.

• Defending national champion Florida beat Georgia by 20 and held the second-leading scoring team in the country to 66 points — nearly 26 below the Bulldogs’ season average. The 14th-ranked Gators are now atop the SEC at 9-2 in the conference and 18-6 overall, winning nine of their past 10. “A lot of people wanted to count us out and say we’re not last year’s team,” Florida coach Todd Golden said. “We handled that the right way. We were not pointing fingers. We were not blaming each other for the lack of success.”

• Dan Wolken of Yahoo Sports wrote a feature about how Winter Olympians come up with new tricks in snowboarding and freestyle skiing. “You think about it, you see it in your head. You think it possibly could work,” freestyle skier Alex Ferreira told him. “Some steps can take two days. Some steps can take two years. And I’ve been stuck in all different types of the steps.”

• Kyle Busch took the Daytona 500 pole and is looking for his first win in the race in his 21st start. The 40-year-old Busch is starting in the top-5 at the 500 for the first time since 2016. According to the Associated Press, “No driver has ever won their first Daytona 500 after 20 previous attempts. The late Dale Earnhardt won for Childress in his 20th start in 1998.”

What to Watch (times ET)

• 6:45am: Olympics coverage on USA

• 8am: Gold Zone Olympics coverage begins

• 12pm: Olympics coverage on NBC

• 3pm: Brentford vs. Arsenal on Peacock (or Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona on the ESPN App)

• 7pm: No. 17 TCU vs. No. 12 Baylor (WCBB) on ESPN

• 7:30pm: Bucks vs. Thunder on Prime Video

• 8pm: Primetime in Milan Olympics Coverage on NBC

• 9pm: Memphis vs. North Texas (MCBB) on ESPN

• 10pm: Mavericks vs. Lakers on Prime Video