Who Can Win the NCAA Tournament?

College

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March 18, 2024

March Madness is in full swing, and the underdogs are taking over the storylines. Could we see another low seed cutting down the nets in April, or will the remaining Blue Bloods take over? In years past, the team that wins the NCAA Championship generates great offense, plays shutdown defense, and has a coach who has stayed with the team for an extended period.

The underdog teams that are championship ready are No. 4 seeded Auburn in the East Region and Illinois, which is also in the East region as the No. 3 seed. In the Midwest region Creighton, as a No. 3 seed and Texas, which got in as a No. 7 seed. Each team has made the tournament for the last three seasons, boasting experienced players and coaches who have been with the team during each of those tournament runs.

Texas: Longhorns Basketball is highlighted by their ability to get hot from deep and their depth at every position. The team’s inability to rebound will be their downfall if they do not remain hot from the three-point line. If they shoot well, they can beat any team in the tournament.

Photo Cred: Texas

Players to Watch: Guard Max Abmas, Forward Dylan Disu, Guard Tyrese Hunter, and Forward Dillon Mitchell.

Illinois: They have been a force in the Big Ten in recent years, winning the Big Ten Tournament this season. Illinois has faced off against Houston in the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons. With Houston on the opposite side of the bracket this year, this could be the year the Fighting Illini finally take the crown.

Photo Cred: Illinois

Players to Watch: Guard Terrence Shannon Jr., Forward Marcus Domask, Forward Coleman Hawkins, Forward Quincy Guerrier.

Auburn: Second-ranked in Blocks Per Game (BPG) among the tournament teams, Auburn is one of the best teams in fast break, averaging nearly 14 points per game. If they continue to outpace teams, they can be a headache for opponents to gameplan against. Moreover, they have the fourth-most points off the bench this season.

Photo Cred: Auburn

Players to Watch: Forward Johni Broome, Forward Jaylin Williams, Guard Chad Baker-Mazara, Guard Denver Jones.

Creighton: One of the three teams to beat UConn this year, Creighton should be considered a championship contender. While not perfect in any aspect of the game, they are solid in every aspect.

Photo Cred: Creighton

Players to Watch: Guard Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander, Center Ryan Kalkbrenner, Guard Steven Ashworth.

It goes without saying that the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament have a chance to win the tournament. With play set to begin on March 19, I wanted to take a deeper dive into who has a fighting chance outside of the top seeds. This year, the No. 1 seeds are Houston, North Carolina, UConn, and Purdue. The No. 2 seeds are Marquette, Iowa State, Arizona, and Tennessee.

2024 SEC: Tennessee Baseball

By

Memphis Spence

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March 18, 2024

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In a bid to replicate last season’s success and clinch the title this time, the Tennessee Volunteers are gearing up for another impressive run. The team made it to the College World Series last year, only to be eliminated in the second round by eventual National Champion LSU. Despite winning 44 games and securing a 4th place finish in the SEC East, the Volunteers faced significant losses due to the draft and the transfer portal.

Photo Cred: Rocky Top Insider

Entering the season ranked 8th by Baseball America, Tennessee bid farewell to key players Chase Dollander, shortstop Maui Ahuna, and pitcher Chase Burns. Dollander was the 9th overall pick, made 17 starts in 2023, closing the season with a 4.75 ERA and 120 strikeouts. Ahuna, a consistent performer with a .312 batting average, was selected by the Giants in the fourth round. The transfer portal claimed Burns, arguably one of the most talented pitchers in the country, who finished with 18 appearances (eight starts) and a 4.25 ERA, boasting the fastest fastball in the nation.

Returners included infielders Christan Moore and Blake Burke. Both players have carried their momentum from last season, boasting above .300 batting averages and starting every game this season. Additionally, new additions from the transfer portal, such as Billy Amick from Clemson and Dalton Bargo from Missouri, have made significant contributions. Amick, a standout transfer with a .378 batting average, has secured a regular starting position. Bargo has excelled in catching and designated hitter roles, collecting ten hits in 25 at-bats.

Photo Cred: Rocky Top Insider

Pitching will see a significant shift for Tennessee this year, with Drew Beam taking the lead after an impressive 2023 season with a 9-4 record, 3.63 ERA, and 88 strikeouts. Returning pitchers include AJ Russell, a top arm with a 0.89 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 30.1 innings, and Andrew Behnke, set to take on a more prominent role this season. Freshman pitchers Matthew Dallas and Brayden Sharp will play crucial roles in the 2024 season.

NFL Free Agency Kicks off With Major Shakeups

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By

Sam Cohen

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March 18, 2024

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The new league year has officially commenced, bringing with it significant transactions that may reshape the league in the upcoming season. Teams are now faced with the assessment of wise investments versus overpaying for talent. During the moratorium period, the market for guards surged, marked by substantial price tags. Of particular note was the Carolina Panthers’ commitment of $100 million over five years to Miami Dolphins guard Robert Hunt.

While Hunt has proven himself a valuable asset for the Dolphins, the sizable investment raises eyebrows due to the perception of the guard position as somewhat replaceable, given the frequency of injuries on the offensive line. The trend of free-agent losses continued for the Dolphins, as star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins signed a four-year, $110 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. This move solidifies the Raiders’ defensive line as a formidable force in the AFC, alongside Wilkins, All-Pro Maxx Crosby, and former top-10 pick Tyree Wilson.

Photo Cred: Fox News

With additional support in the secondary, the Raiders could emerge with a top-tier defense next season under the now full-time head coach Antonio Pierce. The quarterback carousel was another prominent feature of this offseason. Notably, long-time starter Kirk Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, displacing Desmond Ridder, who was subsequently traded to the Arizona Cardinals for wide receiver Rondale Moore. This strategic move aims to bolster the Falcons’ talented roster of skill players, including Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson, positioning them to excel in their respective roles.

Photo Cred: SI

The Pittsburgh Steelers also made waves in their quarterback lineup, transitioning from Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph to Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Among other notable signings, All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith joined the Jets on a one-year deal, Giants running back Saquon Barkley crossed town to the Eagles, and long-time Raiders running back Josh Jacobs surprised fans by departing Las Vegas for the Packers. As the offseason progresses, anticipation builds for the league’s landscape at the start of the 2024 season.

Seton Hall Misses NCAA Tournament after St. Johns Lost

By

Sam Cohen

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March 18, 2024

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Big East Tournament: Seton Hall vs. St. John’s — Seton Hall Pirates guard Al-Amir Dawes (2) on the floor after he was shaken up during the first half against the St. John's Red Storm, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in New York City. Dawes stayed in the game.

The Seton Hall Pirates entered the Big East Tournament with momentum, buoyed by a recent victory over Villanova and a strong performance against DePaul. With a firm grip on fourth place in the Big East, they seemed poised for a spot in the NCAA Men’s Tournament. However, the Pirates stumbled out of the gate, falling flat in a 91-72 loss to St. John’s. A major factor in the defeat was the subpar performance of Jaden Bediako, who struggled against St. John’s throughout the game.

Photo Cred: USA Today

Bediako, typically an outstanding rebounder, managed only one rebound against the Red Storm, a team he had previously dominated. Kadary Richmond also failed to impress, tallying 13 points and 9 assists but shooting just 3 for 10 from the field. Richmond was notably absent on defense for the Pirates. Dre Davis, who had been excelling earlier in the season, struggled with only 8 points on 3-for-10 shooting. On the other side, Joel Soriano led the charge for the Red Storm, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds, outplaying Jaden Bediako throughout the contest.

Senior Jordan Dingle also made significant contributions with 14 points on 6-for-13 shooting. Seton Hall finds itself among the notable snubs of 2024. Seton Hall and St. John’s were bubble teams on the outside looking in. Seton Hall’s case rests on its five Quad 1 wins, particularly impressive victories against UConn and Marquette.

Photo Cred: New York Post

Few teams in the field can claim two wins against top-two seeds. However, Seton Hall’s low NET ranking of 67 was a setback, influenced by a non-conference schedule that included only one high-major win against Missouri, with losses to USC, Iowa, and Rutgers. St. John’s victory over Seton Hall significantly bolstered their tournament chances, but both teams still missed out on their ticket to the big dance.

SRA’s PAC-12 Player of the Week

By

Stephen Patrick

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March 18, 2024

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nfaly-dante-vs-oregon-state-flex — Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports

The Oregon Ducks’ senior center, N’Faly Dante, is SRA’s PAC-12 Player of the Week. He led the No. 4 seed Ducks to three wins in three days, securing the PAC-12’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament and Oregon’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 2019. In the quarterfinal against the No. 5 seed UCLA Bruins, Dante scored 22 points, shooting 8-11 overall, and grabbed six rebounds and two steals, leading the Ducks to a 68-66 victory. During their semifinal upset over the No. 1 seed Arizona Wildcats, Dante achieved a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the 67-59 win.

Photo Cred: Oregon Live

Dante was efficient, shooting 5-7 overall, and excelled on defense with four blocks and three steals. Dante delivered one of his strongest performances of the season in the PAC-12 championship against the No. 3 seed Colorado Buffaloes, scoring 25 points on a perfect 12-12 shooting while grabbing nine rebounds. The Buffaloes struggled to contain Dante as he dominated the paint, providing a consistent scoring option for Oregon when other top scorers faltered.

Defensively, Dante held Colorado center Eddie Lampkin to only seven points and four rebounds while tallying three steals and an impressive block of a late KJ Simpson three-point attempt. Dante also had a standout game earlier in the season against Colorado, scoring 20 points on a flawless 10-10 shooting with 12 rebounds in a 79-75 home loss on Mar. 7. For the season, Dante is averaging 16.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting an impressive 70.5% overall, an improvement from last season’s 61.4%.

Photo Cred: Oregon Live

Dante began the season strongly with 16 points and 21 rebounds in the season-opening 82-71 win over Georgia on Nov. 6. Unfortunately, he suffered a left knee injury that required surgery. Dante returned seven weeks later against the California Golden Bears, where he scored eight points in 17 minutes. He has achieved eight double-doubles this season, scored over 20 points five times, and reached double figures in points in 18 of the 20 games he played. Dante will look to continue his momentum from the PAC-12 championship game in the Ducks’ opening NCAA tournament game against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on TNT.

Jake Diebler Named Ohio State Men’s Basketball Head Coach

By

Luke Caputo

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March 17, 2024

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usa_today_22777757.0 — Photo Cred: USA Today

Jake Diebler has officially been named the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team, as announced in a press release from the Ohio State University Department of Athletics on March 17. Diebler signed a five-year contract with Ohio State, Senior Advisor of Intercollegiate Athletics Ross Bjork announced Sunday. In his interim role as head coach at Ohio State, Diebler has led the team to a 6-2 record, including a notable victory over No. 2 Purdue.

Photo Cred: The Lantern

“Jake Diebler possesses all the characteristics we were seeking as we conducted a comprehensive search for a new head coach,” Bjork said in the press release. “Those include coaching ability, passion, energy, program knowledge, character, integrity, and ties to Ohio.”

Photo Cred: Forbes

Bjork emphasized that throughout the search process, Diebler consistently emerged as the best choice for the men’s basketball program. Diebler, who assumed the head coaching role after the dismissal of former Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann on Feb 14, previously served as an assistant coach for eight seasons. Diebler began his tenure at Ohio State as a video coordinator in 2014-2015.

During his time with the program, he played a key role in mentoring current NBA star D’Angelo Russell, now with the Los Angeles Lakers, Aaron Craft, the 2014 NCAA Defensive Player of the Year. Diebler is the first Ohioan to be named head coach of the Ohio State men’s basketball team in 35 years. The last Ohioan to hold this position was Randy Ayers in 1989.

“I’m ready for the challenge and fully embrace the university’s vision for the men’s basketball team,” Diebler said. “It’s a blessing and a privilege to lead this program, and I’m excited for the opportunity. I want to express my gratitude to Ross Bjork and President Carter for their belief in me and my vision for the future. Ohio State basketball is special to me and my family, and I am committed to serving the entire Ohio State basketball family to the best of my abilities.”

NC State Wolfpack’s Historic ACC Championship Triumph

By

Koby Skillern

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March 17, 2024

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The NC State Wolfpack has earned an NCAA Tournament bid in a remarkable fashion. On March 16, they secured the ACC Championship title, establishing themselves as the lowest seed ever to claim the tournament crown. Seeded 10th, their victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels, their in-state rivals, was not just a win; it was a testament to the enduring competitiveness of the ACC.

Photo Cred: USA Today

Prior to this historic feat, Virginia Tech held the record as the lowest seed to triumph in the ACC Tournament, achieving the title as the 7th seed in 2022. NC State’s path to the championship was nothing short of cinematic. Their journey to glory began with a 94-85 triumph over Louisville, ranked 15th. This impressive win was followed by an 83-65 victory against Syracuse, the 7th seed, setting the stage for clashes with the ACC’s top contenders.

The Wolfpack’s relentless spirit propelled them to overcome Virginia, the 3rd seed, with a score of 73-65. They continued their momentum by defeating Duke, ranked 2nd in the ACC and 11th nationally, demonstrating their championship caliber. The pinnacle of their journey came in the championship game, a thrilling 84-79 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels, the tournament’s top seed and the 4th ranked team nationally.

Photo Cred: Backing the Pack

Entering the tournament with a modest 9-11 record in regular-season play, the Wolfpack turned the tide, finishing with a 14-11 record against ACC opponents. This remarkable transformation was led by the stellar performances of their players, particularly DJ Burns Jr. With an average of 15.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game throughout the tournament, Burns Jr. rightfully earned the tournament MVP honors. Yet, the Wolfpack’s success was a collective effort, with guards Jayden Taylor, Casey Morsell, and Michael O’Connell playing pivotal roles, delivering crucial three-pointers and making significant plays when it mattered most.

The NC State Wolfpack’s ACC Championship triumph not only showcases their talent but also serves as a beacon of inspiration, highlighting the unpredictable nature of college basketball. Armed with a tournament bid, the Wolfpack are now poised to extend their historic run through March, aiming for further glory. Their story stands as a constant reminder that in the realm of sports, rankings and records pale in comparison to heart, teamwork, and the determination that truly defines a champion.

Colorado Falls Short to Oregon in Pac-12 Championship

By

Augustus Oswald

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March 17, 2024

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APTOPIX Pac-12 Championship Basketball — Oregon players celebrate after defeating Colorado in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Pac-12 tournament Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The Colorado Buffaloes came up short in the Pac-12 championship against the Oregon Ducks on Saturday, capping off a wild day of hoops and leaving teams on the bubble anxiously awaiting their fate. The no. 4 seed Oregon Ducks secured a hard-fought 75-68 victory over the no. 3 seed Colorado Buffaloes, becoming yet another bid thief in the postseason. With Florida Atlantic’s loss to Temple 74-73 earlier in the day, there were three fewer at-large spots available for teams vying for a spot in the NCAA tournament, intensifying the pressure on the bubble teams.

Photo Cred: USA Today

Colorado (24-10, 13-7 Pac-12) finds itself among those teams on the bubble, nervously awaiting the selection show after failing to secure the conference’s automatic bid. While some bracketologists have the Buffaloes safely in the tournament, others have them on the outside looking in as one of the first four teams left out. The Buffaloes had been on an impressive eight-game winning streak before falling to the Ducks.

Their recent victories included a crucial win against Oregon on Mar. 7 with a score of 79-75, and a hard-fought battle against the Washington State Cougars in the Pac-12 tournament, winning 58-52. On the other hand, Oregon (23-11, 12-8 Pac-12) showcased their strength by defeating the heavily favored no. 1 seed Arizona in the Pac-12 semifinals with a score of 67-59. This victory came after trailing by as many as 14 points and losing to the Wildcats twice during the regular season.

Colorado’s point guard KJ Simpson continued his impressive performance, leading the team with 23 points on 6-12 shooting overall, including 3-8 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 8-8 from the free-throw line. However, Simpson lacked significant support as forward Tristan Da Silva failed to reach double-digit points for the first time this season, contributing only nine points on 3-10 shooting overall.

Photo Cred: The Press Democrat

In a game where both teams shot decently overall, Oregon managed to capitalize on opportunities, scoring 23 points off of 13 Colorado turnovers while committing only three turnovers themselves. The Buffaloes took an early 20-11 lead in the first half, but Oregon responded with a 15-6 run to tie the game at 26-26. Oregon carried a slim 33-30 lead into halftime, and the game remained tightly contested throughout the second half. Oregon’s N’Faly Dante proved to be a dominant force, scoring 25 points on a perfect 12-12 shooting while also grabbing nine rebounds.

Dante, who had previously scored 20 points in the earlier loss to Colorado, continued his impressive form in the championship game. Colorado head coach Tad Boyle acknowledged Dante’s impact, stating, “I thought N’Faly Dante, he was the difference in the game. We were trying to double him tonight, and he scored out of double-teams, he played extremely well.”

Despite the efforts of Colorado’s Luke O’Brien, who scored 11 points, and the struggles of Oregon’s Jackson Shelstad and Jermaine Couisnard from the field, the Ducks managed to secure their first Pac-12 championship since 2019. Oregon will now comfortably await Selection Sunday as the final Pac-12 champion, while the Buffaloes will anxiously hope that their impressive metrics and late-season run will earn them a spot in the NCAA tournament.

2024 SEC Baseball: Florida Gators

By

Memphis Spence

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March 17, 2024

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Revenge looms large on the minds of the Gators in 2024. Following their defeat to LSU in the 2023 National Championship, Florida returns with a roster boasting many key players, including one of college baseball’s most gifted athletes. Having tied LSU for the highest number of wins in college baseball last year at 54, Florida fell agonizingly short of the title, losing a pivotal Game Three to finish as runners-up.

Photo Cred: Florida

The Gators bid farewell to several marquee players in the off-season, notably on the pitching front. Among the departures were their top two starting pitchers, Hurston Waldrep and Brandon Sproat, who combined for 38 starts. They said goodbye to their leading hitter, Wyatt Langford. Langford anchored their offense last season, tallying 21 home runs, 28 doubles, and a .373 batting average. These were just two of the six players drafted from Florida’s roster, necessitating key replacements.

Stepping up to fill these voids, the Gators return many standout performers, with Jac Caglianone often touted as the college baseball’s premier talent. The two-way star excelled at the plate and on the mound last year, batting .323 with 33 home runs and 90 RBIs while starting 18 games and finishing with a 4.34 ERA and 87 strikeouts. Other returning stars include Cade Kurland, Luke Heyman, and Tyler Shelnut, joined by newcomers such as transfers Colby Shelton from Alabama and Brody Donay from Virginia Tech.

Photo Cred: Florida

The pitching rotation for this season will feature fresh faces, with several freshman pitchers joining the staff. Despite losing two starting pitchers, the Gators retained their third starter, Jac Caglianone, along with some bullpen depth. To fill the gaps left by departed starters, Florida anticipates relying on freshman Liam Peterson, a top prospect in Florida in 2023, as one of their starters behind Caglianone. Other notable returning arms this year include Cade Fisher and Brandon Neely, with newcomers Alex Philpott and Christian Rodriguez expected to make significant impacts. The staff will also benefit from redshirts Ryan Slater and Blake Purnell.

2024 SEC Baseball Preview: LSU Tigers

By

Memphis Spence

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March 16, 2024

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E3DIMRZBZBCBPOA23IFGZCFWWQ — Photo Cred: WAFB

The champions are back. Following a 2023 season in which LSU won 54 games and finished second in the SEC West, they advanced to the College World Series and defeated fellow SEC team Florida to secure their seventh national championship in school history. The Tigers are anticipated to bring back some of the biggest names from their championship-winning roster while also bidding farewell to key players. The most notable losses for the Tigers occurred during the MLB draft.

Photo Cred: Facebook

After just the first round, their top pitcher and top hitter were selected, with Paul Skenes going first overall to the Pirates and 2023 Golden Spikes winner Dylan Crews going second to the Nationals. These were among the 12 players LSU lost to the draft, but they plan to compensate with their returning players, transfers, and signing class. Ranked second by Baseball America and fourth by D1Baseball in preseason rankings, LSU is set to welcome back significant contributors for the upcoming season while also introducing new talent.

It all begins with Tommy White. The preseason All-American is expected to lead the Tigers’ offense after a stellar 2023 season, during which he hit 24 home runs and recorded 105 RBIs. Joining him in the lineup are 2023 All-American Jared Jones, Hayden Travinski, and Alex Milazzo. Players who will bolster the lineup include Arizona transfer Mac Bingham, South Carolina transfer Michael Brown III, and freshman Jake Brown, aiming to fill the gaps left by departed players.

Photo Cred: LSU Sports

On the pitching front, the Tigers are guided by returnee Thatcher Hurd. Despite making only 11 starts last year, he is slated to take on the role of the Friday night starter for LSU this season. The Tigers also retain other top pitchers from last year, such as Nate Ackenhausen, Gavin Guidry, and Griffin Herring, who are expected to play more prominent roles. The pitching staff will also benefit from new additions, including UCLA transfer Gage Jump, Xavier transfer Justin Loer, and Alabama transfer Luke Holman, who are expected to assume significant roles for the Tigers. Second-ranked LSU currently holds a 16-2 record as they enter conference play and will kick off against Mississippi State in Starkville.

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