Cooper Flagg became the first teenager ever to score 50 points in an NBA game during the Dallas M...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/171822" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/171822">Cooper Flagg</a> became the first teenager ever to score 50 points in an NBA game during the Dallas Mavericks' 138-127 defeat Friday against the Orlando Magic.Flagg finished with 51 points on 19-of-30 shooting - including a 6-of-9 clip from deep - to go along with six boards, three assists, and three steals in 34 minutes.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🔥 51 POINTS FOR COOPER FLAGG 🔥 MOST EVER BY A TEENAGER It was also <a href="https://twitter.com/Cooper_Flagg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cooper_Flagg</a>'s 3rd 40-piece of the season, the most by a rookie since Allen Iverson in 1996-97. <a href="https://t.co/zJJ4RSBlN9">pic.twitter.com/zJJ4RSBlN9</a>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/2040273581226000455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"It's always fun getting into that type of mode," Flagg said, according to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mavericks-cooper-flagg-0c6888023bef5635e9a76047f7950240">Associated Press</a>. "The basket feels big. My teammates are looking out for you, helping you out. But I like to win. That was my main focus. It's hard for me to fully enjoy myself out there when we're down 20, down 10, down 15, for the majority of the game."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 19-year-old is the 10th rookie in league history to tally 50-plus points and the third to accomplish the feat since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77.Flagg's previous best mark was a 49-point performance in January against the Charlotte Hornets.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
19 years old. 51 points. Rookie of the...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MFFLAGG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MFFLAGG</a> <a href="https://t.co/g78El3Nb0I">pic.twitter.com/g78El3Nb0I</a>— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) <a href="https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/2040282858183422398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The No. 1 overall pick in last year's NBA draft has three 40-point games this season. No other rookie has cracked the 40-point plateau.Michael Jordan is the only other first-year player since the merger to produce multiple 45-point performances.

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 3: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic on April 3, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

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Flagg becomes 1st teen to score 50 in Mavs' loss to Magic

Giannis Antetokounmpo says it's "against my nature" to sit out games and insists he's been health...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30611" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30611">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a> says it's "against my nature" to sit out games and insists he's been healthy enough to suit up despite missing the last nine contests with what's been labeled a left knee injury.Milwaukee <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3502858" href="https://thescore.com/news/3502858">reportedly</a> wants to shut down Antetokounmpo for the remainder of the campaign, but the two-time MVP apparently told the team that he wants to continue playing."You know who you are dealing with," Antetokounmpo told reporters, including <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7161947/2026/04/03/giannis-antetokounmpo-injury-update-frustrated-bucks-decision/">The Athletic's Eric Nehm</a>, prior to Friday's game against the Boston Celtics. "So for somebody to come and tell me to not play or not to compete, it's like a slap in my face. So, I don't know where the relationship goes from there."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The NBA's been investigating Antetokounmpo's injury status, a source told Nehm.The league received conflicting stories from the Bucks and Antetokounmpo, <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2040239570457931940?s=20">ESPN's Shams Charania</a> reports.Milwaukee told the NBA that it doesn't believe Antetokounmpo is ready, nor does he actually want to play, while the Greek Freak claims the Bucks won't medically clear him, according to Charania.Antetokounmpo added that the franchise hasn't communicated with him since he initially approached them about a possible return this season.The National Basketball Players Association <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3507138" href="https://thescore.com/news/3507138">issued</a> a statement last March ripping Milwaukee for its reported efforts to keep Antetokounmpo sidelined, as well as the NBA for not stepping in."I'm available to play, but I'm not in the game," Antetokounmpo said Friday. "I'm available to play today. Right now. I'm available. Do I look like I'm not available? … I don't see myself in the first 12. I don't see myself in the starting lineup."I don't know what game is being played right here, I just don't wanna be a part of it."The Bucks (30-46) sit 11th in the East entering Friday. They were eliminated from postseason contention following last Saturday's loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #29 of the Milwaukee Bucks walks on the court during warmups before a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on March 19, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

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Giannis: Bucks' decision to sit me 'a slap in my face'

Luka Doncic will miss the rest of the regular season after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstri...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/68198" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198">Luka Doncic</a> will miss the rest of the regular season after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.Doncic's status beyond that is uncertain, sources told <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2040187516754518125?s=20">ESPN's Shams Charania and Dave McMenamin</a>.The six-time All-Star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3513689" href="https://thescore.com/news/3513689">suffered</a> the injury during Thursday's blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He missed four games earlier this season with another left hamstring strain.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The NBA playoffs start April 18.Doncic has been having one of his best seasons to date, averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. However, his latest absence will leave him short of the 65-game requirement needed to qualify for the NBA's end-of-season awards.Doncic's agent, Bill Duffy, is hoping for an exception, as his client missed two games in December for the birth of his child."To ensure that Luka's incredible accomplishments this season are rightly honored and he can be considered for the league's end-of-season awards, we intend to apply for an 'extraordinary circumstances challenge' to the 65-game rule," Duffy said in a statement obtained by <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2040188592723521697?s=20">Charania</a>.Los Angeles sits one game ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the Western Conference's third seed entering Friday's play.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Luka to miss rest of regular season with Grade 2 hamstring strain

Luka Doncic exited Thursday's 139-96 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder after sustaining a...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/68198" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198">Luka Doncic</a> exited Thursday's 139-96 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder after sustaining a left hamstring injury during the third quarter.Doncic pulled up lame on a driving attempt and immediately grabbed his left hamstring. He <a href="https://x.com/khobi_price/status/2039906264591867966?s=20">appeared</a> to be favoring the leg during the first half as well.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Luka Doncic exited tonight's game with a left hamstring injury and will not return. He had been on a HEATER since March 1, averaging 37.5 ppg. <a href="https://t.co/qxKuEh55hh">pic.twitter.com/qxKuEh55hh</a>— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/nypostsports/status/2039909559972540469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Doncic will undergo an MRI on Friday to determine the severity of his injury, a source told <a href="https://x.com/mcten/status/2039909634345975957?s=20">ESPN's Dave McMenamin</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Lakers coach JJ Redick told <a href="https://x.com/LakersNation/status/2039917705969762391?s=20">Lakers Nation</a> that Doncic had his hamstring checked out at half, but was cleared to go back in during the third quarter when he sustained the injury.The six-time All-Star struggled against the NBA's top-ranked defense, tallying just 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting to go along with six turnovers in 26 minutes.Doncic missed four games earlier this season with a left hamstring strain. The 27-year-old will be ineligible for the NBA's end-of-season awards if he were to miss the Lakers' final five contests.Doncic had just capped off a historic March with a 42-point outburst against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3512545" href="https://thescore.com/news/3512545">joined</a> Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to score 600 or more points in the month of March.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 2: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

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Luka exits lopsided loss to Thunder with hamstring injury

Kansas big man Flory Bidunga intends to declare for the NBA draft while maintaining his college e...

Kansas big man <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/121820" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/121820">Flory Bidunga</a> intends to declare for the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, sources told <a href="https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/2039872116804223407?s=20">ESPN's Pete Thamel</a>.Bidunga also reportedly plans on entering the transfer portal, adds Thamel.The 6-foot-10 center made a huge leap during his sophomore year, averaging 13.3 points, nine boards, and 1.5 assists across 35 appearances this season.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Bidunga was fifth nationally in blocks (2.6 per contest) and 10th in field-goal percentage (64%). The 20-year-old was an All-Big 12 first-team selection and the conference's Defensive Player of the Year.Bidunga was one of five finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar award, which is annually given to the top center in college basketball.

BOULDER, COLORADO - JANUARY 20: Flory Bidunga #40 of the Kansas Jayhawks looks on during the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center on January 20, 2026 in Boulder, Colorado.

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Report: Kansas' Bidunga declaring for draft, entering portal

Nikola Jokic continues to etch his name in the NBA's record books.  The Denver Nuggets superstar ...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic</a> continues to etch his name in the NBA's record books.The Denver Nuggets superstar tallied 12 assists in Wednesday's 130-117 win over the Utah Jazz to ensure that he'll average a triple-double for the 2025-26 season. Jokic joins <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/347" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/347">Russell Westbrook</a> as the only players in NBA history to average a triple-double in back-to-back seasons.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Westbrook accomplished the feat from 2016-19.Jokic is having one of the best seasons of his career, registering 27.9 points per contest and leading the Association in rebounds (13 per game), assists (10.8), and triple-doubles (32).Denver is scoring 13.5 more points per 100 possessions with Jokic on the floor.The Nuggets have won seven consecutive contests and sit 1.5 games back of the Los Angeles Lakers for the West's No. 3 seed.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 1: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets calls a play during the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on April 1, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Jokic 2nd player to average triple-double in back-to-back seasons

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner returned to the lineup in Wednesday's 130-101 loss to the Atla...

Orlando Magic forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96086" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96086">Franz Wagner</a> returned to the lineup in Wednesday's 130-101 loss to the Atlanta Hawks after missing the last 22 games with a high ankle sprain.The 24-year-old tallied 12 points, two assists, and one rebound in 20 minutes of action.Prior to Wednesday, Wagner last appeared Feb. 11 against the Milwaukee Bucks. He had another 16-game absence earlier this season while dealing with the same injury.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley told reporters pregame that the team would be "very diligent" with its handling of Wagner's minutes, according to <a href="https://x.com/therealBeede/status/2039454355774935095?s=20">Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel</a>."At the end of the day, he's worked his tail off to get back. We know what he's capable of doing," Mosley said, per <a href="https://x.com/therealBeede/status/2039457109855621406?s=20">Beede</a>.Orlando went 12-10 during his most recent absence, including losses in seven of its past nine games.Wagner has been productive when healthy, averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals across 28 appearances this season. His assist percentage (18%) ranks in the 84th percentile among all wings, per <a href="https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/player/4871#tab-offensive_overview">Cleaning the Glass</a>.The Magic (40-36) sit eighth in the Eastern Conference following Wednesday's defeat.

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 1: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 1, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

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Magic's Franz Wagner returns in blowout loss to Hawks

Kansas head coach Bill Self is returning for his 24th season with the program.  The longtime Jayh...

Kansas head coach Bill Self is returning for his 24th season with the program.The longtime Jayhawks head coach <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3505990" href="https://thescore.com/news/3505990">expressed</a> uncertainty about his future following the team's season-ending loss to St. John's in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.However, Self said Wednesday that he's putting off retirement for at least another campaign.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"With renewed clarity and the ongoing support from our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas basketball competing for a national championship," Self said in a statement. "I look forward to seeing and hearing the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse."Self began his coaching career 41 years ago as an assistant at Kansas under Larry Brown. He returned to Lawrence in 2003 following head coaching stints with Oral Roberts, Tulsa, and Illinois.Self has compiled a 648-167 record during his time in charge of the Jayhawks. He's won two national championships and is the program's all-time winningest coach.Kansas has a strong incoming recruiting class led by five-star prospect Taylen Kinney.Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2026 class, included the Jayhawks among the five teams he's still considering.

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12: Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self looks on during a Big 12 game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Kansas Jayhawks on March 12, 2026 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO.

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Self returning for 24th season with Kansas

This year's Final Four is set following an action-packed weekend.  UConn and Illinois will kick o...

This year's Final Four is set following an action-packed weekend.UConn and Illinois will kick off the double-header at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The two teams went head-to-head last November at Madison Square Garden, with the Huskies leading wire-to-wire in a 74-61 victory.The second matchup features top seeds Arizona and Michigan. The Wildcats and Wolverines are the only schools ranked in <a href="https://kenpom.com/index.php?s=RankAdjOE">KenPom</a>'s top five for both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Saturday tip times (ET)</h3>2 UConn vs. 3 Illinois - 6:09 p.m. 1 Arizona vs. 1 Michigan - Following Game 1

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Alex Karaban #11 of the UConn Huskies dribbles the ball in the first half of a college basketball game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2025 in New York City.

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Final Four tip times set: UConn-Illinois kicks off double-header

Duke was on the wrong end of an all-time NCAA Tournament moment Sunday as Braylon Mullins drilled...

Duke was on the wrong end of an all-time NCAA Tournament moment Sunday as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/172181" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/172181">Braylon Mullins</a> drilled a game-winning three to give UConn a stunning 73-72 comeback victory in the Elite Eight.The stage was set for Mullins on a turnover by Blue Devils freshman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/172511" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/172511">Cayden Boozer</a>, who made an ill-advised pass after being swarmed by a pair of Huskies players.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
OH MY GOODNESS 😱 UCONN LEADSSSS UNBELIEVABLE <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/IPX2JWiw0b">pic.twitter.com/IPX2JWiw0b</a>— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/2038396242200277362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"I'm going to replay that for the rest of my life," Boozer told reporters after the game, per <a href="https://x.com/BryanDFischer/status/2038405804936577271?s=20">Sports Illustrated's Bryan Fischer</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Duke coach Jon Scheyer also commented on the crucial late-game sequence that ultimately ended their season."We just have to secure (the ball), right? We got it. They had to foul. I was ready for a timeout and we just got to hold on," Scheyer said, per <a href="https://x.com/TheFieldOf68/status/2038408073228751258?s=20">The Field of 68</a>.Duke led UConn for all but 94 seconds of the East Region final. The Huskies' only other lead came 21 seconds into the contest, when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/102849" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/102849">Tarris Reed Jr.</a> made a pair of free throws to put his team up 2-0.The Blue Devils took control of the match from there, leading by as many as 19 points and taking a 44-29 advantage into halftime.Cayden and his twin brother, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/172510" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/172510">Cameron</a>, combined for 27 points in the first half, nearly outscoring UConn by themselves.However, the Huskies slowly chipped away at the deficit before finally surging ahead with 0.4 seconds left on Mullins' miraculous shot.Duke's collapse marked the first time in 135 NCAA Tournament games that a No. 1 seed has blown a halftime lead of 15 points or more.However, Scheyer was unwilling to pin the heartbreaking defeat solely on Cayden's miscue."It's easy to look at that play. I look at every play that happened, especially in that second half," Scheyer said. "This is not about one play. It's about every play that put us in that position. And that's what you don't want to do, where one play something can happen."

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Cayden Boozer #2 of the Duke Blue Devils walks off the court after being defeated by the UConn Huskies 73-72 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2026 in Washington, DC.

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Cayden Boozer: 'Going to replay' turnover for rest of my life

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey is available for Saturday's contest against the Charlotte H...

Philadelphia 76ers guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93855" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93855">Tyrese Maxey</a> is available for Saturday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets after missing the last 10 games with a tendon injury in his right pinky finger, per <a href="https://x.com/Matt_Murphy04/status/2038002070683279676?s=20">team reporter Matt Murphy</a>.The two-time All-Star was reportedly set to miss at least three weeks but will return to the lineup ahead of schedule.Maxey was in the midst of his best campaign prior to being sidelined. The Kentucky product is fourth in the NBA in scoring (29 points per game) and averaging a league-leading two steals.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 76ers are scoring 5.8 more points per 100 possessions with Maxey on the floor.Philadelphia went 6-4 during Maxey's absence, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96039" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96039">Quentin Grimes</a> filling his spot in the starting lineup.The 76ers got <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31932" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31932">Joel Embiid</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/1889" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/1889">Paul George</a> back Wednesday. They enter Saturday's action a half-game back of the Atlanta Hawks for the Eastern Conference's sixth seed.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 31: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 31, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

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Maxey back in lineup after missing 10 games with finger injury

Duke guard Caleb Foster is available for Friday's Sweet 16 tilt against St. John's.  Foster under...

Duke guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/110313" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/110313">Caleb Foster</a> is available for Friday's Sweet 16 tilt against St. John's.Foster underwent surgery on March 8 after sustaining a foot fracture in the Blue Devils' regular-season finale.Duke had previously ruled out the 6-foot-5 guard indefinitely, but the team <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3496308" href="https://thescore.com/news/3496308">reportedly</a> believed that he could return if it made the Final Four.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Foster has been a key starter for the Blue Devils when healthy, averaging 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists across 31 appearances this season.Freshman guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/172511" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/172511">Cayden Boozer</a> has stepped up in Foster's absence, tallying 13.8 points and 3.2 assists per contest over his last five games.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162170" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162170">Patrick Ngongba</a> returned to the lineup in the Round of 32 versus TCU after missing the entire ACC Tournament as well as the team's NCAA Tournament opener due to a foot injury.Duke is seeking its third straight Elite Eight appearance.

PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Caleb Foster #1 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles up court during a college basketball game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the Petersen Events Center on February 10, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Duke's Foster available vs. St. John's

Boston College hired UConn assistant Luke Murray as its next head coach, athletic director Blake ...

Boston College hired UConn assistant Luke Murray as its next head coach, athletic director Blake James announced Thursday.Murray has spent the last five seasons on Dan Hurley's staff, including for its national championship runs in 2023 and 2024.The Huskies finished third and first, respectively, in KenPom's rankings for adjusted offensive efficiency during those title seasons, with Murray serving as their coordinator on that side of the ball.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 40-year-old was also an assistant under Hurley at Wagner during the 2010-11 campaign and Rhode Island from 2013-15. His other assistant coaching stops include Towson, Xavier, and Louisville."Today marks a turning point in Boston College men's basketball," James said in a statement. "In Luke Murray, we have found a leader who does not just understand the modern landscape of college basketball - he has helped define it."His role in building a national championship-caliber program, his sophisticated offensive vision, and his relentless pursuit of excellence make him the perfect fit to lead our student-athletes."The Eagles will surely have a new celebrity fan next season as well; Murray is the son of actor Bill Murray.Boston College parted ways with former head coach Earl Grant earlier in March following an 11-20 campaign. The Eagles haven't made the NCAA Tournament since the 2008-09 season.

UNCASVILLE, CT - OCTOBER 13: UConn Huskies assistant coach Luke Murray looks on during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame exhibition college basketball game between the UConn Huskies and the Boston College Eagles on October 13, 2025, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

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Boston College hires UConn's Murray as next head coach

The NBA rescinded the technical fouls issued to Luka Doncic and Goga Bitadze during Saturday's ga...

The NBA rescinded the technical fouls issued to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/68198" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198">Luka Doncic</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/76007" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/76007">Goga Bitadze</a> during Saturday's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic, the league announced Sunday.Doncic would've been automatically suspended for Monday's matchup against the Detroit Pistons if the league hadn't nullified what was initially his 16th technical foul of the season.The Lakers star got into a verbal altercation with the Magic big man late in the third quarter.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Luka Doncic receives his 16th tech of the season and if it stands he will be suspended for Monday’s game vs. the Pistons. <a href="https://t.co/UNUABrb6W2">pic.twitter.com/UNUABrb6W2</a>— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/2035523907529097530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Doncic <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3505168" href="https://thescore.com/news/3505168">claims</a> that Bitadze insulted his family in Serbian during the exchange. However, the latter refuted those comments and implied that the six-time All-Star was responsible for sparking their argument.Doncic has been playing some of the best basketball of his career during the Lakers' nine-game win streak, averaging 40 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.6 steals.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center on March 21, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.

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NBA rescinds Luka's 16th tech, preventing automatic 1-game suspension

No. 1 overall seed Duke got past a massive scare Thursday, storming back from an 11-point halftim...

No. 1 overall seed Duke got past a massive scare Thursday, storming back from an 11-point halftime deficit for a nail-biting 71-65 victory over No. 16 Siena.Duke trailed 43-32 at the midway point, becoming the first-ever 1-seed to trail a 16-seed by double digits at halftime in NCAA Tournament history, per <a href="https://x.com/jeffborzello/status/2034719420795560358?s=20">ESPN Research</a>.Senior forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/103336" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/103336">Maliq Brown</a> admitted the Blue Devils had underestimated Siena.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"We thought it was going to be a cakewalk going into this game, so now we know what it is, and we just gotta respond back the way we usually do," Brown told <a href="https://x.com/CBSSportsCBB/status/2034726375387550185?s=20">CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson</a> at halftime.The Blue Devils took over down the stretch, fueled by Wooden Award front-runner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/172510" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/172510">Cameron Boozer</a>, who finished with 22 points and 13 boards.Boozer's brother, <a href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/172511" target="_blank">Cayden,</a> also had a solid showing in his NCAA Tournament debut, tallying 19 points, five assists, and two boards.Duke shot 41% from the field and 18-of-21 from the charity stripe.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/163386" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/163386">Gavin Doty</a> led the Saints with 21 points, four boards, and two assists in a losing cause.All five Siena starters played most of the contest. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/173434" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/173434">Christian Jones</a> was the only substitute to play after checking in for 10 seconds to deliver an intentional foul late in the second half.The Saints scored 30 points in the paint to keep themselves within striking distance for most of the game.Duke finally went up for good on an <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162167" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162167">Isaiah Evans</a> layup with 4:25 to go.Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer gave Siena's lead man, Gerry McNamara, full props postgame."GMac. He outcoached me. They were more ready to play," Scheyer told reporters, according to <a href="https://x.com/MikeWatersSYR/status/2034738323109941426?s=20">Mike Waters of Syracuse.com</a>.Duke will take on TCU in the Round of 32 after the Horned Frogs defeated Ohio State earlier Tuesday.

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Riley Mulvey #55 of the Siena Saints fouls Cameron Boozer #12 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina.

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Boozer helps No. 1 Duke avoid stunner vs. No. 16 Siena

Hubert Davis struggled to pinpoint exactly what went wrong for North Carolina down the stretch of...

Hubert Davis struggled to pinpoint exactly what went wrong for North Carolina down the stretch of Thursday's 82-78 overtime loss to 11-seed VCU in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.The Tar Heels led by as many as 19 points in the contest but were outscored 23-8 by the Rams in the final 9:31 of regulation and 7-3 in the extra frame."Just because you miss a shot doesn't mean something's wrong," Davis told reporters postgame, per <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/north-carolina-tar-heels/news/hubert-davis-reacts-to-uncs-ncaa-tournament-loss-to-vcu/">On3's Cade Shoemaker</a>. "We had open looks. We had shots at the basket. We had executed plays. And we miss eight free throws. Sometimes the ball doesn't go in."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Over the final 15 minutes of the game, North Carolina made just four field goals, turned over the ball five times, and missed six free throws.Meanwhile, VCU guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162855" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162855">Terrence Hill Jr.</a>, who capped a career-high 34-point night with a game-winning triple, scored 17 points during that same span.The Tar Heels' last field goal came with 2:44 remaining in regulation, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/103310" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/103310">Seth Trimble</a> providing the team's lone points in overtime at the free-throw line.North Carolina is now 48-2 in the Big Dance when leading by at least 10 points at halftime, with both defeats happening under Davis' watch, according to <a href="https://x.com/awaytoworthy/status/2034804086990577696?s=20">Bryan Ives of the ACC Network</a>.The Tar Heels also surrendered a 15-point lead to Kansas in the 2022 national championship.Davis signed a contract extension in February 2025 that runs through the 2029-30 campaign.Despite the disappointing finish, Trimble pledged his support for Davis following the team's season-ending loss."Everybody has their flaws," Trimbel said, per <a href="https://x.com/PatrickWelter/status/2034819081006665730?s=20">Patrick Welter of WRAL News in NC</a>. "Coach Davis isn't the perfect coach, but he's a coach that's made me better. He's a coach that's made guys better, and he's shown that he can win here."I know he gets hate. Over the last four years, I know he's got a lot of it. But I'm gonna continue to ride with him.

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Head coach Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the second half against the VCU Rams during the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina.

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Davis reflects on UNC's collapse: 'Sometimes the ball doesn't go in'

March Madness is finally upon us. We're only a few weeks away from seeing who'll be cutting down ...

March Madness is finally upon us. We're only a few weeks away from seeing who'll be cutting down the nets in Phoenix. With the bracket locked in, here's everything you need to know about this year's women's NCAA Tournament.<h3>Key storylines 🔑</h3>UConn chasing perfectionCan anybody stop UConn? The Huskies roll into the Big Dance on a 50-game win streak and in pursuit of their seventh perfect season. Geno Auriemma's squad hasn't missed a beat despite losing reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers. UConn's closest result this season was a 72-69 win over Michigan in November, but all of its other victories have been by double digits.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Sarah Strong has taken over as the face of the program and is the front-runner for this year's Wooden Award. Meanwhile, Azzi Fudd is thriving as the Huskies' top perimeter option, and the All-American guard's improvements on the defensive end are putting her in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick in April.UCLA's last danceUCLA might have the best shot at taking down UConn. The Bruins were arguably just as dominant as the Huskies, winning a nation-leading 19 Quad 1 games, including a record 51-point rout of Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament final. Their lone defeat was to fellow 1-seed Texas at the Players Era Championship. Cori Close's squad is the country's sixth-best 3-point shooting team (37.5%), which is a necessity to keep up with UConn's plethora of sharpshooters.UCLA's veteran core of Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, and Gabriela Jaquez could all go in the first round of next month's WNBA draft. The Bruins' path to the Final Four won't be without its obstacles. In the Sweet 16, Ole Miss could be a problem with standout transfer Cotie McMahon powering its offense. Duke's stingy defense or LSU's top-scoring offense also can't be taken lightly if either school meets UCLA in the Elite Eight. Should the Bruins advance through their region, a likely rematch with the Longhorns awaits.South Carolina, Texas seeking redemption<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826751/cropped_GettyImages-2265479978.jpg?ts=1773695509" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826751/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265479978.jpg?ts=1773695509 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826751/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265479978.jpg?ts=1773695509 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826751/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265479978.jpg?ts=1773695509 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826751/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265479978.jpg?ts=1773695509 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826751/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265479978.jpg?ts=1773695509 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>South Carolina and Texas came up short in their respective bids for a national championship last season. The Gamecocks ended the Longhorns' run in the Final Four before being blown out by UConn in the title game. Dawn Staley's squad returned over half of its scoring from a year ago, and it's banking on the extra offensive juice from Florida State transfer Ta'Niya Latson to put them over the top. Meanwhile, Texas is sticking to its principles on both ends of the floor. Vic Schaefer's group doesn't shoot or make many threes, but it's found tremendous success by dominating the paint and mid-range. Led by fifth-year guard Rori Harmon, the Longhorns' suffocating ball pressure is the other half of their winning formula.Stacked freshmen classJust as the case is on the men's side, there's no shortage of young talent in the women's game. Jazzy Davidson, the No. 1 overall recruit, has stepped up for USC in the absence of JuJu Watkins, leading the Trojans in scoring (17.6 per game), rebounding (5.7), assists (4.2), steals (two), and blocks (two). Aaliyah Chavez, the reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year, is a key cog in Oklahoma's success, providing the Sooners with unlimited shooting range and playmaking. Vanderbilt's Aubrey Galvan has been a steady presence at the point alongside Mikayla Blakes and an impact defender in her first season with the 2-seed Commodores.<h3>Cinderella candidates 👠</h3>No. 11 FairfieldFairfield is making a program-record third consecutive appearance in the Big Dance. The Stags have been one of the top mid-major schools since Carly Thibault-DuDonis took over in 2022, but they're still seeking their maiden NCAA Tournament win. That could change this season with an improved offensive attack paired with a defense that forces plenty of turnovers. Fairfield is drilling an NCAA-leading 11.4 triples per contest, with five rotational players shooting at least 35% from deep.No. 11 Rhode Island<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826753/cropped_GettyImages-2266331771.jpg?ts=1773695637" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826753/w220xh124_GettyImages-2266331771.jpg?ts=1773695637 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826753/w320xh180_GettyImages-2266331771.jpg?ts=1773695637 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826753/w640xh360_GettyImages-2266331771.jpg?ts=1773695637 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826753/w768xh432_GettyImages-2266331771.jpg?ts=1773695637 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826753/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2266331771.jpg?ts=1773695637 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Rhode Island is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 30 years. Tammi Reiss guided the Rams to a school-record 28 wins and a sweep of the A-10 regular-season and tournament titles. Their success stems from continuity and a pair of fresh faces. Saint Louis transfer Brooklyn Gray is the team's leading scorer at 12.5 points per contest, while freshman guard Vanessa Harris ranks third at 10.3 points and is the first player in program history to win the A-10's Sixth Woman of the Year award. Rhode Island plays at a slow pace and relies on defense, which helped it upset NC State in Raleigh last November.No. 12 GonzagaGonzaga is another team with 3-point shooting that instills fear in opponents, sitting second behind UConn at 39% from downtown. Leading scorer Lauren Whittaker is a mismatch for opposing bigs with her ability to score in the post and step out beyond the arc. Sophomore guard Allie Turner ranks top-five nationally in 3-point percentage (46.7%) for the second straight season and tops all WCC players with 84 threes.

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NCAA women's tourney preview: UConn seeking 7th perfect season

Alijah Martin knows what Dusty May is all about.  Martin saw firsthand how May transformed Florid...

Alijah Martin knows what Dusty May is all about.Martin saw firsthand how May transformed Florida Atlantic into a Final Four team within five years of arriving. The Toronto Raptors guard isn't shocked to see his former college coach engineering another quick turnaround at Michigan."I've been around that guy four years straight. I know what type of guy he is," Martin recently told theScore. "I know how much the game means to him and the development of his players. Just winning. That's an ultra-competitor right there.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Everything he does, he tries to win. To see all the success he's having now is not a surprise."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825480/cropped_GettyImages-1476344593.jpg?ts=1773089770" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825480/w220xh124_GettyImages-1476344593.jpg?ts=1773089770 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825480/w320xh180_GettyImages-1476344593.jpg?ts=1773089770 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825480/w640xh360_GettyImages-1476344593.jpg?ts=1773089770 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825480/w768xh432_GettyImages-1476344593.jpg?ts=1773089770 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825480/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1476344593.jpg?ts=1773089770 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Al Bello / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Owls had seven straight losing seasons and were winless in their only trip to the NCAA Tournament prior to bringing May aboard. While nobody would mistake Michigan for Florida Atlantic, the Wolverines were also in pretty rough shape when May took over for Juwan Howard two years ago. The Maize and Blue were coming off a last-place finish in the Big Ten and their worst record (8-24) since the 1960-61 campaign.Michigan bounced back immediately, going 27-10 and reaching the Sweet 16 in May's first year at Ann Arbor. But the Wolverines reached another level this season, posting a dominant 31-3 mark - including a Big Ten-record 19 wins in conference play - to claim their first outright regular-season crown since 2014. They were also a perfect 11-0 on the road, becoming the first Big Ten school to go unbeaten away from home since Indiana in 1975-76.Michigan has been a mainstay in the AP's top five since December. The Wolverines have notched 24 double-digit victories, including a conference-record seven wins by 40 points or more. They're one of four teams ranked in <a href="https://kenpom.com/index.php?s=RankAdjOE">KenPom</a>'s top 10 for both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency.They play the same up-tempo brand of basketball that was synonymous with May's Florida Atlantic squads. They boast the NCAA's 11th-highest scoring offense, with forward Yaxel Lendeborg leading the attack at 14.6 points per contest. But anybody can take charge: Nine different players have led the team in scoring this season.Michigan constantly moves the ball, tallying the fifth-most assists (18.5 per game) in the country. While Elliot Cadeau is the team's lead playmaker, Lendeborg or 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara can also facilitate the offense.The team buys in just as much defensively. Michigan ranks fifth nationally in opponent 2-point percentage (44.3%), fifth in blocks (5.9), and 19th in opponent 3-point percentage (30.2%). Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. anchor the defense with their superb rim protection, while Lendeborg, Cadeau, and Roddy Gayle Jr. smother opponents on the perimeter. May's switch-heavy scheme requires lots of communication.The Wolverines' unselfishness on both ends of the floor is reflective of their head coach and his motto: "Serve and compete.""One thing that I took from him is just how selfless he is," Martin said. "He's always putting the guys first, his family first. He's always putting the team first. He always put himself last."That is a culture I enjoy playing for. ... You always get the best from your team because (players) know it's coming from a good place, and it's coming from a good heart."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826767/cropped_GettyImages-2256816191.jpg?ts=1773703258" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826767/w220xh124_GettyImages-2256816191.jpg?ts=1773703258 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826767/w320xh180_GettyImages-2256816191.jpg?ts=1773703258 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826767/w640xh360_GettyImages-2256816191.jpg?ts=1773703258 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826767/w768xh432_GettyImages-2256816191.jpg?ts=1773703258 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826767/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2256816191.jpg?ts=1773703258 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Lydia Ely / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The foundation of May's teams is created in practice.Martin described the Owls' sessions as "super intense, purposeful, and competitive." Every drill they performed had a winner. The 2025 second-round pick loved counting his victories throughout the week and being able to talk trash if he finished with the most.Martin also appreciated May's hands-on approach to player development. The 49-year-old was honest when someone wasn't meeting his standards. He was happy to get on the court to rebound and pass for his players too.May has been doing the dirty work since his coaching career began 30 years ago at Indiana, where he was a student manager for four years under legendary head coach Bob Knight. The job initially required May to perform some unglamorous tasks, such as sweeping the floors, cleaning the backboards, and doing laundry. But it also gave him a valuable opportunity to observe how Knight operated on a day-to-day basis.The future Michigan coach was an avid notetaker during the Hall of Famer's practices and film sessions. He saw the way Knight was able to simplify complex concepts for his players. May continued to be a sponge at several stops, soaking up lessons from every coach he worked for before earning his first lead gig with Florida Atlantic in March 2018.Martin believes May's long journey resonates with players and has influenced his roster-building philosophy. The lone top-100 recruit on Florida Atlantic's Final Four team was reserve guard Jalen Gaffney, who transferred from UConn.This season's Michigan team features some players who weren't especially highly touted coming out of high school. Lendeborg spent three seasons in junior college and another two campaigns with UAB before earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors with the Wolverines. L.J. Cason, a three-star recruit, became one of the top backup point guards in the country before tearing his ACL late in the regular season."When you look at his background, it's kind of the same background to the players that he had at FAU," Martin said. "We were all underground, and we all had to work to get what we have. It's the same thing for him."It's no surprise that he's having a bunch of success. Some guys like that are just gonna always have success because of how they came up, and they never forget how they came up."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826763/cropped_GettyImages-2248653709.jpg?ts=1773700377" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826763/w220xh124_GettyImages-2248653709.jpg?ts=1773700377 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826763/w320xh180_GettyImages-2248653709.jpg?ts=1773700377 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826763/w640xh360_GettyImages-2248653709.jpg?ts=1773700377 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826763/w768xh432_GettyImages-2248653709.jpg?ts=1773700377 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826763/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2248653709.jpg?ts=1773700377 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Zach Del Bello/Players Era / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Michigan enters the Big Dance as the 1-seed in the Midwest Region, with a real opportunity to capture its first national championship in 37 years. There's a connectedness from top to bottom that's been just as instrumental to the team's success as Xs and Os. It's on display when players gather around May for every postgame interview and playfully mess around with him.The head coach has praised his squad's cohesiveness on several occasions, recently <a href="https://247sports.com/college/michigan/longformarticle/everything-dusty-may-said-after-michigan-basketball-finished-a-historic-regular-season-277005848/#2801764">stating</a> that being great teammates is the Wolverines' "secret sauce." Martin credits May's "charisma" for creating a positive environment that benefits players beyond college and basketball."Guys want to play for him. Guys want to be around him. ... When you meet coach Dusty, you don't leave the same guy. You leave a better person," Martin said."He just teaches you about life. He teaches you about business. He teaches you about basketball. He's been a really good father figure for me. The proof is in the pudding. It's just him."

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How May's culture brought Michigan back from rock bottom

The full NCAA Tournament bracket is here, and the madness is officially set to begin.  The commit...

The full NCAA Tournament bracket is here, and the madness is officially set to begin.The committee announced its field of 68 Sunday evening, and the debates immediately started over who came out with a good draw and who got a rough slot.While there are plenty of winners and losers across the entire bracket, here are four of each that immediately stood out.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Winner: Houston</h3>Houston appears to be back on track after a rare three-game losing streak in the Kelvin Sampson era. The Cougars won their last three regular-season contests and made it all the way to the Big 12 championship game, where they lost a hard-fought battle against top-seeded Arizona.Houston's got a fairly manageable path to the Sweet 16. It will essentially have home-court advantage in the South regional semifinal and final, as the Toyota Center is less than three miles away from the Fertitta Center. That certainly won't hurt the Cougars in a possible Elite Eight showdown and national championship rematch against Florida.Houston returns three starters from last season's runner-up team, but the key to its title hopes could be Kingston Flemings. The first-year guard has gone through some growing pains as of late, yet has proven to be a game-changing talent with his shot-making, passing, and defensive smarts.<h3>Loser: Duke</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/cropped_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/825619/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255982999.jpg?ts=1773167862 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Duke's reward for getting the No. 1 overall seed was the most difficult path to the Final Four. The Blue Devils are already without two of their key players and must now navigate an East Region that features a number of coaching giants.Duke could face Rick Pitino's St. John's program or Bill Self's Kansas squad in a potential blockbuster Sweet 16 matchup. The Red Storm responded to an embarrassing 32-point loss to UConn with five straight wins, including a dominant 20-point victory over the Huskies in the Big East Tournament final. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks have a number of signature wins on their resume and one of the most talented players in the tournament in freshman Darryn Peterson.The bottom half of the Blue Devils' bracket includes UConn and Michigan State. The Huskies rolled through a difficult nonconference schedule and won back-to-back national titles under Dan Hurley in 2023 and 2024. The Spartans just continually find ways to win in March under Tom Izzo and have a strong core of veterans led by Jeremy Fears Jr.<h3>Winner: MAC</h3>An immediate wellness check would have been ordered if you told people at the beginning of the season that the MAC would get two teams in the NCAA Tournament. The players on conference champion Akron's roster weren't alive the last time the MAC got more than the auto-bid for the field of 68. However, for the first time since 1999, the conference saw multiple members announced on Selection Sunday. The Zips grabbed a 12-seed and will get a first-round matchup against a No. 5 Texas Tech team playing without superstar JT Toppin. Miami (OH) joined Akron with an at-large bid thanks largely to its perfect regular season. We can debate whether the RedHawks individually were winners or losers - see below - but there's no question the MAC as a whole feels pretty good about itself on Sunday night.<h3>Loser: Miami (OH)</h3>From the only undefeated team in the country to the First Four in the span of five days, Miami (OH)'s plight reminds us all that life comes at you fast in the world of mid-major college basketball. The RedHawks did in fact qualify for the tournament in the end, making it two MAC teams in the field for the first time since 1999. That certainly makes the conference a major winner, as we mentioned above. However, Miami (OH) went from 31-0 entering the conference tournament to having to play a First Four game against a major conference opponent. The consolation for the RedHawks faithful is the game will be played in Dayton, just 45 miles from their Oxford campus.<h3>Winner: West Coast Conference</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/cropped_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826571/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265877394.jpg?ts=1773619711 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The WCC is sending three schools to the Big Dance for the first time in four years. Gonzaga and Saint Mary's have been the conference's usual representatives, but they're being joined this time around by Santa Clara. The Broncos are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 1995-96 campaign, when Hall of Fame guard Steve Nash led the program to the second round.A three-bid league was made possible once Santa Clara upset the Gaels in the WCC Tournament semifinals. Each of the three schools finished in the top 40 of the NET and WAB rankings, which proved vital on Selection Sunday. Gonzaga is seeded third in the West Region and is the conference's best shot at making some noise in March. The Bulldogs boast <a href="http://kenpom.com/index.php">KenPom's</a> ninth-best defense and the nation's 17th-highest scoring offense.<h3>Loser: St. John's</h3>Congratulations on your Big East Tournament title win, St. John's. Here's an absolutely brutal spot in the bracket to celebrate. The committee did the Red Storm zero favors with their decision Sunday, placing Rick Pitino's team as the 5-seed in Duke's bracket. That sets up a potential Sweet 16 contest against the top-ranked team in the country ... if St. John's can get there. First up is 12-seed Northern Iowa - a school with great upset history in the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers are as tough defensively as the Red Storm, sitting 24th nationally in KenPom's efficiency rankings on that side of the ball.Should St. John's prevail in the opening round, a date with Bill Self and Kansas is likely waiting on the other side. Self is the winningest active NCAA Tournament coach in the country and has future NBA lottery pick Darryn Peterson at his disposal this time out.<h3>Winner: Missouri</h3>Missouri entered Selection Sunday firmly on the bubble with an NCAA tournament bid highly in question. Not only did the Tigers get in the field, but they avoided a play-in game and got an opening-round date in nearby St. Louis. The committee sent Texas, SMU, and NC State to the First Four as 11-seeds to play their way into the 64-team bracket. That decision came despite all three ranking ahead of Missouri in both the <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings">NET rankings</a> and KenPom. That's some great luck for a team that finished the season with an 8-9 record in their last 17 games.<h3>Loser: Auburn</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/cropped_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/w220xh124_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/w320xh180_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/w640xh360_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/w768xh432_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/808492/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2244418565.jpg?ts=1762229987 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stew Milne / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Speaking of teams that finished ahead of Missouri in the NET rankings and KenPom, let's talk about Auburn. The committee finished with the Tigers as the second team out of the field when the bracket dropped. At first glance, it seems very odd this was a debate to begin with. Auburn finished with a 17-16 overall record on the year, which would have made it the first team with 16 or more losses to ever get an at-large bid.However, like a college student who skips class and assignments frequently but aces the big test, Auburn had some big moments throughout the year. It beat 1-seed Florida and also took down Big East champions St. John's and SEC winners Arkansas.In the end, that wasn't enough, and the overall poor record and 4-13 mark in Quadrant 1 games doomed last year's Final Four participant to miss the field altogether - much to the <a href="https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/2033313498277478464?s=20">chagrin of Bruce Pearl</a>.

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Bracket winners and losers: MAC happy, Duke gets rough draw

The NCAA Tournament is upon us. In the buildup to the opening round, theScore is previewing each ...

The NCAA Tournament is upon us. In the buildup to the opening round, theScore is previewing each region to get you prepared to pick your bracket. Today, we focus on the East Region.<h3>Top teams</h3>No. 1 DukeDuke fully deserved the NCAA Tournament's No. 1 overall seed. The Blue Devils tallied a nation-leading 17 Quad 1 wins and lost just two games all season (by a combined four points). Jon Scheyer's squad is one of two schools ranked in <a href="https://kenpom.com/index.php?s=RankAdjOE">KenPom</a>'s top five for both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. Freshman forward Cameron Boozer is the Wooden Award front-runner, Isaiah Evans has emerged as a solid secondary scorer, and Patrick Ngongba has been a force in the paint.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Meanwhile, Caleb Foster, Maliq Brown, and Dame Sarr give Duke a trio of strong perimeter defenders. However, the Blue Devils got the toughest path of any 1-seed and will reportedly be missing Foster until at least the Final Four. Ngongba is also sidelined with foot soreness but is hopeful to return for the Big Dance.No. 2 UConn<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826608/cropped_GettyImages-2259896577.jpg?ts=1773628079" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826608/w220xh124_GettyImages-2259896577.jpg?ts=1773628079 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826608/w320xh180_GettyImages-2259896577.jpg?ts=1773628079 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826608/w640xh360_GettyImages-2259896577.jpg?ts=1773628079 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826608/w768xh432_GettyImages-2259896577.jpg?ts=1773628079 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826608/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2259896577.jpg?ts=1773628079 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Joe Buglewicz / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>UConn is back in the national championship mix after last season's disappointing exit to Florida in the Round of 32. The Huskies' improved point guard play and defensive turnaround are huge parts of their 29-win campaign. Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr. brought a similar skill set as ex-floor general Tristen Newton. Demary ranks 12th in the NCAA in assists (211), boasts a 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio, and has been an effective point-of-attack defender.Dan Hurley's offense is well-balanced. Five-star freshman Braylon Mullins provides the Huskies with another movement shooter alongside Solo Ball and Alex Karaban. Upperclassman Tarris Reed Jr. and first-year center Eric Reibe give UConn a one-two punch at the five, which was a key component of their previous two national championship-winning teams. The Huskies weren't dominant in Big East play despite a 17-3 record. But wins over Florida, Kansas, Illinois, and BYU in the nonconference portion of the schedule show what this team is capable of when it's firing on all cylinders.No. 3 Michigan StateMichigan State hasn't missed the NCAA Tournament since 1997. The Spartans have been a model of consistency under Tom Izzo, reaching at least the second weekend on 16 occasions, including a title run in 2000. This season's bunch has the toughness and grit that's been a trademark of his best teams.Michigan State is 13th on <a href="https://kenpom.com/index.php?s=RankAdjDE">KenPom</a>'s rankings for adjusted defensive efficiency (94.7 points per 100 possessions) and third in rebounding margin. The Spartans are elite at limiting opportunities in the paint, surrendering the ninth-fewest 2-point field goals (14.7 per contest). Izzo's got an experienced group led by star point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who's averaging a team-high 15.7 points and an NCAA-best 9.2 assists.<h3><a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fbasketball%2Forganization%2Funited-states%2Fcompetition%2Fncaab%2Fsection%2Fregion-winner&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3500980">East Region odds</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Duke</td>
<td>-125</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Connecticut</td>
<td>+550</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michigan State</td>
<td>+700</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>St. John's</td>
<td>+900</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kansas</td>
<td>+1500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Louisville</td>
<td>+1500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UCLA</td>
<td>+2200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ohio State</td>
<td>+2500</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><blockquote>👉 <a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fbasketball%2Forganization%2Funited-states%2Fcompetition%2Fncaab%2Fsection%2Fregion-winner&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3500980">Click here to bet on the East Region and other March Madness markets available on theScore Bet</a></blockquote><h3>Bracket-busters</h3>No. 11 South Florida<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826617/cropped_GettyImages-2265030802.jpg?ts=1773630794" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826617/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265030802.jpg?ts=1773630794 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826617/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265030802.jpg?ts=1773630794 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826617/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265030802.jpg?ts=1773630794 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826617/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265030802.jpg?ts=1773630794 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826617/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265030802.jpg?ts=1773630794 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Justin Ford / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>South Florida is heading to the dance for the first time in 14 years. But don't expect the Bulls to be content with just getting into the party. They've won 11 straight games and 14 of their past 15 overall, and their last defeat was a one-point loss to Temple on Jan. 31. South Florida has the NCAA's eighth-highest scoring offense (88.3 points per game), with all five starters averaging at least 11 points. The Bulls' multi-pronged attack is led by double-double machine Izaiyah Nelson and sharpshooters Wes Enis and Joseph Pinion. Bryan Hodgson's team is absolutely capable of pulling off an upset or two.No. 13 California BaptistCalifornia Baptist secured its first March Madness berth with a dramatic 63-61 win over top-seeded Utah Valley in the last-ever WAC Tournament. The Lancers trailed by six points with 2:22 to go before Dominique Daniels Jr. drilled three triples to save their season. The-ex junior college guard is the nation's fifth-highest scorer (23.2 points per game) and can single-handedly take over any contest. Daniels' explosive scoring ability combined with his team's stingy defense could make California Baptist this year's Cinderella.<h3>Players to watch</h3>Darryn PetersonPeterson's health has spent more time in the spotlight than his game. But the Kansas freshman has proven to be quite the talent when available. He's averaging 19.8 points and shooting 38.4% from beyond the arc across 22 appearances this season. The 6-foot-5 guard can efficiently score at all three levels, create for others out of the pick-and-roll, and cause havoc on the defensive end. The Jayhawks could make a serious run if Bill Self finds a way to optimize Peterson's strengths.Donovan Dent<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/cropped_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/w220xh124_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/w320xh180_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/w640xh360_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/w768xh432_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/826620/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2265885241.jpg?ts=1773632607 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Dent transferred back home to UCLA this offseason following three seasons at New Mexico. The Bruins guard got off to a rough start in Westwood but has turned things around in the past month, averaging 14.1 points, 9.8 assists, 3.6 boards, and 1.3 steals over his last eight appearances. Dent's triple-double against Rutgers in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament was the first triple-double in the history of the tourney. It's no coincidence that Dent's improved play lines up with the Bruins' late-season turnaround, and he could be the key to upsetting UConn in a potential Round of 32 matchup.Cameron BoozerBoozer is doing a pretty good Cooper Flagg impression. The 6-foot-9 forward has been Duke's Swiss Army knife, leading the team in scoring (22.5 points per game), rebounding (10.2), and assists (4.2). Boozer can score in the paint against taller players, knock down threes, crash the glass with physicality, and initiate offense from the high post. The Blue Devils have a tough task ahead of them, but a star of Boozer's caliber can overcome a lot of their challenges.US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call <a href="tel:8003275050">(800)-327-5050</a> or visit <a href="http://gamblinghelplinema.org">gamblinghelplinema.org</a> for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at <a href="tel:18665312600">1-866-531-2600</a>. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at <a href="http://www.connexontario.ca">www.connexontario.ca</a>.

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East Region preview: Can Duke escape difficult draw?

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Chicco Nacion

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