PORTLAND, Ore. — On their way to the gym Friday for practice, the USC Trojans, the No. 1 seed in the Portland 3 Regional, the Pac-12 tournament champs, the team playing for its first Final Four since 1986, issued a command to the best freshman in the country. 

Get in the back, rookie. 

‘Man, I’m sick of this seniority stuff,’ JuJu Watkins deadpanned to reporters later. ‘We couldn’t put Kenzie in the back, her knees are bad.’ 

Watkins rolled her eyes dramatically, as the veterans next to her, McKenzie Forbes and Rayah Marshall, cackled in response. 

It was some good, old-fashioned ribbing between Forbes, the Trojans’ most veteran player, and Watkins, their best. 

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Those old knees come with something else, though: Wisdom. Experience. And for Forbes, the sixth-year, 23-year-old graduate guard who has learned you can’t take one second for granted, joy. 

‘To me your college basketball years are the best of your life,’ Forbes told USA TODAY Sports. ‘The resources, the camaraderie. The gap year was the first year in my life I didn’t have teammates. It was so weird! I didn’t like it. It’s a really unique bond − only the people in the locker room know what you go through every day, know the inside jokes. I’m truly just having a lot of fun.’ 

That much is evident. On Saturday in USC’s 74-70 Sweet 16 win over Baylor, Forbes’ stat line looked like this: 14 points, two assists, one huge block, numerous play call suggestions to both the staff and her teammates, too many grins to count. 

There’s no one having a better time this month. And there’s no one in college hoops who’s had a journey quite like Forbes, who grew up outside of Sacramento in Folsom, California. To recap: she started her college career at Cal-Berkeley, playing for Lindsay Gottlieb in 2018-19. After her freshman year, a season in which Forbes earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention freshman honors and the Bears went to the NCAA Tournament, Gottlieb left for the NBA. Forbes decided to transfer. She felt Harvard, where her older brother Mason already played, was the best option. Harvard was happy to have her, but because she’d missed the Harvard-specific transfer deadline, she’d have to wait a year to apply. 

‘Everyone thought I was psycho, and rightfully so,’ Forbes said. ‘They kept telling me, ‘You don’t even know if you’re going to get in!’’

Oh, also, she’d need to enroll at a junior college to stay eligible, and get her associate’s degree in just one year. So Forbes signed up for six classes a semester and pulled straight-As while rehabbing injuries and training. She took up coaching, too, helping run a middle school AAU team, an experience that continues to pay dividends (more on that in a second). 

Then COVID hit. Harvard canceled the 2020-21 season, forcing Forbes out of the gym again. Worse, she spent the season watching former AAU teammates like former Stanford All-American Haley Jones compete in the NCAA bubble tournament and win a national title. 

‘It was heartbreaking,’ Forbes admitted. ‘I wasn’t able to work out like I wanted to, I’m watching all my friends play in the COVID NCAA Tournament. I got a taste of the tournament (at Cal) and then I took two years off. Coaching definitely helped me. I love the game in a different way now, I see it in a different way. It was good for my IQ, and it helped keep me sane.’ 

Finally, in 2021-22, she was back, starting in 23 games for Harvard, averaging 14.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game, earning second team All-Ivy League honors. She was similarly steady the next year, and earned the title of team captain. 

By spring 2023, she had an Ivy degree in sociology and at least one year of eligibility left. And Gottlieb, herself an Ivy graduate, was back in the college game, having taken over at USC in May 2021. It felt like a natural fit. 

USC had arguably the best offseason in women’s hoops, adding three Ivy League transfers (Forbes, plus guard Kayla Padilla from Penn and forward Kaitlyn Davis from Columbia) and Watkins, a generational talent who has the prettiest pull-up in all of college hoops. 

Gottlieb has praised Forbes’ basketball IQ multiple times this season. Forbes’ ability to see the floor — as both a point guard and former youth coach — helps Gottlieb navigate which plays should be called and when. Forbes will talk to Watkins, asking if she wants the ball here or there. Watkins will tell Forbes she likes this play, but not in that direction. Forbes will encourage Watkins when she thinks Watkins can take over, and tell her to reel it in when Watkins needs to take a deep breath. Watkins might take almost 23 shots per game, but it’s because Forbes knows she needs to.  

Saturday after she scored 30, Watkins called Forbes “Yoda” for all Forbes has taught the first-year star.

‘I think we have a special relationship, that rookie-vet type vibe,’ Watkins said. ‘She’s always encouraging me and really speaking to me in times I need it during the game. She’s just a great leader. And I’m glad to have that type of leadership my first year.’ 

Forbes isn’t afraid of the big moment either, giving the Trojans two excellent options when the shot clock is winding down and they need a bucket. She’s savvy enough to create for others, or herself. 

A few examples: Late in the third, with USC trailing 50-49, Forbes’ hockey assist to Watkins set up Marshall for a transition layup. On the next possession, as USC desperately tried to keep Baylor at bay, Forbes scored on a floater in the lane and drew the foul. Minutes later, Forbes pulled up for a transition 3, nailed it and then blew a kiss to the Trojans fans going wild behind USC’s bench.

‘I’m having the best time of my life,’ Forbes said after the game. ‘This is by far the most fun season of basketball I’ve ever had, and I think it has everything to do with my teammates and the staff.’ 

She smiled, and the grin spread across her face again. 

‘And, obviously, winning is really fun, too.’ 

BOSTON — It was an emotional Saturday for Connecticut coach Dan Hurley, who said after his team’s Elite Eight win against Illinois that he had been in tears thinking about the possibility that the game would be the Huskies’ last this season.

“It’s not about winning (national championship) number six or going back-to-back,” he said. “This time of year, you just love your team and you can’t imagine what it would be like to not get up the next day and still coach your team.”

He didn’t need to worry: After a slow start, the No. 1 Huskies put together a jaw-dropping second half and routed No. 3 Illinois 77-52 to win the East Region and return to the Final Four. The Huskies narrowly missed becoming the first team to win an Elite Eight game by 30 or more points, last done by Cincinnati against Memphis in 1992.

This makes an NCAA-record 10 double-digit tournament wins in a row for the defending national champions. The Huskies’ closest win during this span is 13 points against Miami (Fla.) in last season’s Final Four. With each passing blowout, UConn builds a stronger case for placing this two-year run among the best in college basketball history.

“The level of basketball that we’ve played to this point, it’s been unparalleled,” Hurley said. “Unparalleled in terms of what we’ve been able to do here and the domination of quality teams.”

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This one made the Huskies sweat through an ugly first half. UConn led 28-23 at the break after shooting just 10 of 30 from the field and making one of nine attempts from deep. The five-point halftime lead was the Huskies’ smallest in tournament play since leading Saint Mary’s 31-30 in last year’s second round.

But the floodgates opened early in the second half. The Huskies went on a 25-0 run coming out the locker room to push the score to 52-23 with 13:16 left, putting Illinois into an insurmountable hole. Overall, UConn went on a ridiculous 30-0 run dating to the final 1:49 minutes of the first half.

“We played a level of basketball that was demoralizing to them,” said Hurley. “We know that when you have somebody down, you better beat ‘em down. You better break ‘em. Because you just don’t want a team to hang around in a game.”

With flashy dunks and a lockdown defensive effort, the Huskies’ performance in this roughly 10-minute block is the latest warning shot to the rest of the teams still in competition for the national championship. Each passing basket and defensive stop sent a message to the three teams set to join them in the Final Four: Good luck, and you’re going to need it.

“UConn is something serious to deal with,” senior guard Hassan Diarra said. “I hope they’re ready.”

Defensively, UConn was able to do what no other team has done this postseason: stop Illinois senior Terrence Shannon Jr., who had scored at least 25 points in each of the first three tournament games.

Kept under wraps by UConn freshman Stephon Castle, a potential lottery pick in this year’s NBA draft, Shannon finished with just eight points on 2 of 12 shooting. His season low prior to Saturday was 11 points against Purdue in early March. Shannon hadn’t been held to single digits since scoring six points against Wisconsin on Jan. 28, 2023.

“To really make it as hard as he made it on him today, that really speaks to Steph,” Hurley said.

The Huskies were led by sophomore center Donovan Clingan, who made an enormous impact on both ends. Clingan had a game-high 22 points with 10 rebounds, five blocks and three steals. He was named the MVP of the East Region.

“Everybody dreams of this as a young basketball player, and there’s only a certain percentage of people that make it to this level,” he said. “Don’t take any moment for granted, go out, give it everything you’ve got, and I’m extremely blessed to be in this position.”

Active and engaged on both ends from the opening tip, Clingan’s performance continues a hot streak of play beginning in the wake of a loss to Marquette in late February, the Huskies’ last defeat. Clingan is averaging 17 points, 11.2 rebounds and three blocks in his past five games.

“This whole stretch, from the Big East tournament until now, he’s showing why he should be a lottery pick and the first pick taken in the draft,” senior guard Tristen Newton said. “He’s been amazing.”

Another four players joined Clingan in double figures: Hassan Diarra (11 points), Cam Spencer (11), Alex Karaban (10) and Samson Johnson (10). Spencer added 12 rebounds and five assists.

With the win, UConn stays on track to become the eighth Division I program to win back-to-back titles. The most recent to do so was Florida under former coach Billy Donovan in 2006 and 2007. The Huskies are just the fourth defending champion in 30 years to reach the Final Four, along with 1995 Arkansas, 1997 Kentucky, 2001 Michigan State and the Gators.

“We’re getting used to cutting nets,” Diarra said. “We want to continue that.”

DALLAS — The first time Duke guard Jared McCain showed up at a basketball tournament with his fingernails painted — lavender was the original color he says with a laugh — he heard all the ugly comments one might expect. 

“When I first did it at 16-and-under Peach Jam, a lot of people called me ‘TikTok,’” McCain said. “I didn’t really understand how that would affect me, but yeah, people just call me TikTok or gay or whatever they want to call me. It doesn’t really matter.”

McCain, the only freshman in Duke’s starting lineup, is a phenomenal basketball talent — a five-star prospect who could have chosen any school in the country. He’s a likely lottery pick in the NBA draft, whether it’s this year or next. He’s a huge reason the Blue Devils are one game away from the Final Four, averaging nearly 14 points per game and shooting 43 percent from the 3-point line this season. 

He’s also unapologetically himself. 

“Jared is one of one,” sophomore Kyle Filipowski said. 

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And he’s unique in ways he knows make some people uncomfortable, particularly the sector of society that has more rigid and perhaps outdated views of what masculinity looks like or how a star athlete is supposed to present himself in public. 

In a TikTok video he posted earlier this week where he’s in the middle of painting his nails blue and white — it’s actually a clever ad for Sally Hansen nail polish — McCain looks at the camera with a sly smile and says: “Sorry if that offends you guys.”

“Perfect deal for me,” said McCain, who has scored several name, image and likeness sponsorships with companies like Celsius, American Eagle, Skims, Downy and Crocs. 

McCain obviously isn’t shy — one look at his TikTok page reveals a young man very comfortable with showing off his dance moves to 2.6 million followers — but he’s also self-aware. 

He knows these things are going to attract attention. He knows that negative comments are going to be part of the deal. He’s also supremely confident in who he is and his ability to straddle a line between individualism and fitting in with a basketball team. 

“Especially coming into a new situation like Duke, all these players were five-stars in high school so for me to come in, I just wanted to lead with my work,” he said. “All the other stuff is a side gig. The TikToks and everything is completely separate from how I am on the court. I just  wanted to let (my teammates) know from the jump that I’m not like doing TikToks all day and painting my nails. That’s complete side stuff.”

And the idea that it’s somehow a problem for Duke? Totally the opposite. 

McCain’s gregariousness off the court and ability to smile his way through every situation has been valuable for a Duke team that has been under the microscope for the last two years under 36-year old coach Jon Scheyer. 

“I think his energy and confidence spreads throughout the team, through practice, through games,” guard Tyrese Proctor said. “He puts so much work in. It reflects on court with his performances and we all have so much confidence in him. He has so much confidence in himself in terms of personality and stuff. I feel like his energy all round campus, it just brings all of us up.”

McCain says he doesn’t read the comments on his posts — especially on X, formerly known as Twitter. That’s probably a good thing, given the way social media reacted to the video of former USC quarterback Caleb Williams sitting at a women’s basketball game last week with his painted fingernails and pink phone case. 

In Williams’ case, it spawned all kinds of ridiculous questions about his ability to lead an NFL franchise as the No. 1 draft pick — as if these kinds of superficial things matter at all. This is a different generation, and many fans’ tolerance of different behaviors is lagging behind these athletes’ peers. 

“He’s a joy to be around,” Duke senior Jeremy Roach said. 

And on the court, McCain has come into his own during this NCAA Tournament. In the round of 32 against James Madison, he made 8-of-11 threes. Against Houston on Friday, he played all 40 minutes and held up well against the relentless defensive pressure of the Cougars’ older guards. Though he scored seven points on 3-of-6 shooting, it was a performance that likely helped his draft stock. If someone can’t see or acknowledge that because of painted fingernails, that’s their problem. 

“My parents raised me to always be myself in any situation,” McCain said. “So when I started doing stuff that was maybe a little out of the ordinary, outside the box, they just told me to continue to be yourself. Even if they didn’t agree with it, even if it was something they weren’t used to especially in their generation, they’ve always supported me for everything I do.

So i’m just gonna continue to be myself. It’s gotten me where I’m at today so there’s no reason why it would stop for a random person online telling me I’m bad at basketball because I paint my nails.”

With the 88th Masters Tournament just two weeks out, the signs are pointing to Tiger Woods making his long-awaited return to Augusta National Golf Club. 

According to a report from ESPN, citing flight tracking X account Radaratlas2, a plane owned by Woods was set to land in Augusta Saturday morning. Could it be a final tune-up for April 11? 

If he does indeed play, this would be the 26th Masters start for the five-time champion, who has always been open about his love for the course and the tournament. 

‘I’ve always loved this golf course, and I love playing this event,’ Woods said after his second round in 2023. ‘Obviously I’ve missed a couple with some injuries, but I’ve always wanted to play here. I’ve loved it.’ 

Woods withdrew from the 2023 Masters after 54 holes due to reaggravating plantar fasciitis. He finished 47th in 2022 but has a chance to break another record in 2024. If he makes the cut, it will be his 24th consecutive made cut at the Masters, passing Gary Player and Fred Couples (23). Woods’ only missed cut at Augusta came in 1996, his second career start.

The rematch is here. 

One year after LSU and Angel Reese knocked off Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the women’s national championship, a game that featured logo 3s and trash talk, the two teams will meet again. It’s another contrast of styles, a matchup sure to draw eyeballs: Iowa likes to score from the perimeter, LSU pounds it in the paint. And this time, there’s a Final Four trip on the line. 

Top-seeded Iowa, led by the reigning and presumptive player of the year, will meet third-seeded LSU Monday at 7 p.m. ET in the Albany 2 regional championship. The winner will advance to the Final Four in Cleveland. 

LSU is trying to become the first back-to-back champs since UConn did it in 2016, and Iowa is trying to reach its second consecutive Final Four for the first time. 

Much has happened since the teams met in American Airlines Arena, when LSU handled Iowa 102-85. 

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In the last year, Caitlin Clark has become the face of women’s college basketball, the all-time leading scorer in Division I regardless of gender and a household name. She’s adored in the Midwest, selling out Big Ten arenas all season. She’s got her own cereal, appeared in State Farm commercials and almost single-handedly lifted the sport to more national prominence than ever before. 

Reese, meanwhile, signed with Reebok, has her own line of Bayou Barbie merchandise at DICK’s Sporting Goods and is mentored by none other than Shaquille O’Neal. She is unapologetic about her brash play and smack talk, and has said numerous times that she’s trying to set an example for the “the girls that look like me.” 

They got back to this place taking significantly different paths. Iowa has mostly rolled through the NCAA tournament, surviving a brief scare against West Virginia in the second round. LSU had to win a tough Sweet 16 game over second-seeded UCLA — the contest featured eight ties and 13 lead changes — to advance. Additionally, there’s been lots of outside chatter surrounding Kim Mulkey and a couple of high-profile articles written about her that have drawn her ire, and some claim, been a distraction to the Tigers. 

LSU beat Iowa last year by getting 22 points off the bench from Jasmine Carson; four of the Tigers starters scored in double figures. They owned the boards, outrebounding Iowa 37-26, and forced the Hawkeyes into 16 turnovers. Clark had 30 in the game, but shot just 9-of-22 from the field. All but three of her shots were 3s, and the Tigers clogged the lane and forced her to pass — she did that well, tallying eight assists, and her teammates shot 19-of-34 for the game. But Iowa settled for too many 3s, taking 30, and didn’t have an answer for Reese in the paint. 

The rosters look pretty different this year, too. Iowa lost All-American post Monika Czinano, while LSU added Louisville All-American Hailey Van Lith. The Tigers also got one of the top freshman in the 2023 class in Mikaylah Williams, who has started all season and averages 14.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Reese, the 2024 SEC player of the year, is her usual dominant self with 18.7 points and 13.2 rebounds. 

Clark has led the country all season in scoring, with 31.8 points per game, and 8.8 assists per game for the most this season, with 307. But their team is very much her and everyone else, even if sophomore Hannah Stuelke has improved dramatically and is second on the team with 14.1 points per game. 

LSU gets to the line more than any team in the country, averaging 27.2 attempts per game. Clark, who’s drawn criticism for how much she complains, also knows how to get calls. Could this game come down to the charity stripe? 

We’ll learn Monday. 

Men’s March Madness continues Saturday night with the first slate of Elite Eight games. Defending champ UConn destroyed No. 3 Illinois to open the night’s action before No. 4 Alabama downed No. 6 Clemson to advance to the Final Four for the first time in program history.

Men’s NCAA tournament games are airing on TBS today. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest news, scores, analysis and more all day. Follow along:

March Madness Elite Eight highlights

UConn defeats Illinois

Alabama defeats Clemson

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NCAA Tournament scores

Here are Saturday’s NCAA Tournament results:

No. 1 UConn 77, No. 3 Illinois 52
No. 4 Alabama 89, No. 6 Clemson 82

Men’s March Madness NCAA Tournament schedule

Here’s the schedule for Sunday’s Elite Eight games.

Alabama reaches Final Four for first time

LOS ANGELES — The Tide are rolling to Arizona.

It was a slow start for the Crimson Tide against Clemson, starting the contest 1-for-13 from 3-point land while it fell behind by as much as 13 points. But the nation’s top scoring offense eventually woke up. It went on a 20-2 run toward the end of the first half to take the lead, and the offense continued its rhythm into the second half. Clemson would quickly take the lead out of halftime, but the 3-pointers were going in for Alabama and each clutch shot held the Tigers at bay. — Jordan Mendoza

Final: No. 4 Alabama 89, No. 4 Clemson 82

No. 4 seed Alabama is advancing to the Final Four for the first time in school history. The Crimson Tide will face reigning NCAA Tournament champion UConn after completing a double-digit comeback to defeat No. 6 Clemson. 

Alabama trailed by as many as 13 points before pulling away for an 89-82 win. Tigers senior Joseph Girard III hit a three to bring Clemson within three points with 2:18 remaining, but Alabama instantly responded.

Alabama senior Mark Sears finished with a game-high 23 points, three rebounds and two assists. Alabama freshman Jarin Stevenson had 19 points and three rebounds off the bench. 

“The hard work always pays off; hard work is undefeated,’ Sears said. ‘… I live for those moments. When you’re a kid you want to be in those moments and my dream definitely came true today.’

Clemson junior Ian Schieffelin had 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Girard had a team-high 19 points and two assists. 

Despite losing in the paint 44-26, Alabama won the rebound battle 44-33, including 16 offensive rebounds. The Crimson Tide shot 46.8% from the field and 16-of-36 from three (44.4%). 

Alabama-Clemson: A barrage of 3s start to fall

For a long stretch of the Clemson-Alabama game, 3-pointers were hard to come by. Just seven were made in the first half.

But then came the second half. With less than 10 minutes to play, seven consecutive baskets were 3s, including four by the Crimson Tide as they grabbed a 68-62 lead with 6:06 left in the second half. Alabama’s Mark Sears made two of the 3s and Jarin Stevenson made one during that strech, and both have made five 3-pointers.

Alabama’s Mark Sears made six consecutive 3s and has a team-high 20 points. — Jeff Zillgitt

Alabama’s Grant Nelson picks up fourth foul

Alabama forward Grant Nelson, who picked up two early fouls to start the game and went to the bench, was called for his fourth foul with 10:22 remaining in the second half and took a seat again with Alabama up 55-51. After going for 24 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in a Sweet 16 victory against North Carolina, Nelson has six points and six rebounds against Clemson. — Jeff Zillgitt

Freshman Jarin Stevenson helps Alabama extend lead

Alabama freshman Jarin Stevenson hit back-to-back threes to extend the Crimson Tide’s lead to six points, but Clemson cut it back to 55-51 with 11:51 remaining.  

Stevenson leads Alabama with 16 points and two rebounds off the bench. Senior Mark Sears added 11 points and three rebounds. 

Clemson junior Ian Schieffelin is on double-double watch, with 12 points and seven rebounds. The Tigers, however, are still struggling from beyond the arc, shooting 2-of-14 from three.

Alabama is outrebounding Clemson 33-26, but is losing the battle in the paint to Clemson, 34-20. 

Balanced scoring for both Alabama, Clemson

Alabama has six players with at least five points, led by Jarin Stevenson’s 10 points and Rylan Griffen’s 10 points, and Clemson has four players with at least five points topped by Ian Schieffelin’s 12 points as the pace and intensity picked up.

Clemson center PJ Hall’s bucket with 15:54 left in the second half cut Alabama’s lead to 46-43 at the under-16 timeout. — Jeff Zillgitt

Halftime: Alabama 35, Clemson 32

Twenty minutes remain before either Clemson or Alabama reaches its first NCAA Final Four in men’s basketball.

Alabama rebounded from a 13-point deficit against Clemson and took a 35-32 lead into halftime of their Elite Eight matchup. The Tigers grabbed a 26-13 lead, but it evaporated quickly as the Crimson Tide made four corner 3s, including two by freshman Jarin Stevenson, who had 10 points off the bench.

Alabama’s Grant Nelson, the hero in the Sweet 16 victory against North Carolina with 24 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks, played limited minutes after picking up his second foul less than four minutes into the game. He had four points and four rebounds in the first half, and Aaron Estrada collected five points, five rebounds and three assists for the Crimson Tide.

Ian Schieffelin led Clemson with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Making 3s didn’t come easy for either team. Alabama, just 33.3% from the field, was 6-for-21 and Clemson 1-for-9 from that distance. — Jeff Zillgitt

Alabama rallies back vs. Clemson

Alabama trailed by as many as 13 points, but the Crimson Tide cut the lead to two points with 3:51 remaining in the first half after going on an 11-0 run. They trail 28-26. 

Clemson junior Ian Schieffelin leads the Tigers with eight points and four rebounds. But the Tigers are struggling from beyond the 3-point line, shooting only 1-of-7. 

Alabama freshman Jarin Stevenson has a team-high 10 points off the bench. The Tide are shooting 31.3% from the field and 4-of-16 from three. The Crimson Tide are outrebounding Clemson 23-14, including 10 offensive rebounds. — Cydney Henderson

Clemson leads Alabama early

Two Tigers have 12 of Clemson’s 14 points at the under 12-minute timeout. The Tigers lead 14-11.

Ian Schieffelin has eight points and PJ Hall has four. RJ Godfrey made the other basket and was fouled as the broadcast went to a commercial before Godfrey’s free throw. Alabama is shooting 25% from the field and is 1-for-8 on 3-pointers.

Alabama’s Grant Nelson re-entered the game with his two fouls at the 11:48 mark. — Jeff Zillgitt

Alabama vs Clemson underway; Sweet 16 hero Grant Nelson in early foul trouble

No. 6 seed Clemson came out of the gate firing and went on a 6-0 run to start the game. No. 4 seed Alabama got on the board at the 17:19 mark of the first half with Grant Nelson’s field goal and tied it up 6-6 with Rylan Griffen’s three. 

Nelson, however, picked up two quick fouls in the opening minutes of the matchup. He has three points so far, but was forced to take a seat on the bench in foul trouble. 

Clemson’s Ian Schieffelin made both free throws to reclaim the lead, 8-6, with 15:53 remaining in the first half. — Cydney Henderson

UConn makes it 10 NCAA Tournament wins in a row

BOSTON — Four down, two to go.

After a slow start, No. 1 Connecticut put together a jaw-dropping second half and routed No. 3 Illinois 77-52 to win the East Region and return to the Final Four. The Huskies narrowly missed becoming the first team to win an Elite Eight game by 30 or more points, last done by Cincinnati against Memphis in 1992.

This makes 10 tournament wins in a row for the defending national champions and coach Dan Hurley, all by double digits. With each passing blowout, UConn builds a stronger case for placing this two-year run among the best in college basketball history. — Paul Myerberg

Final: No. 1 UConn 77, No. 3 Illinois 52. Defending champion Huskies return to Final Four

Defending champion and No. 1 UConn is headed to the Final Four for the second consecutive season and very much look like a team poised to repeat.

It was 23-23 with 1:50 left in the first half, and when UConn’s Hassan Diarra scored with 13:15 left in the second half, the Huskies led 53-23.

UConn 7-footer Donovan Clingan had 22 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and three steals, and guard Cam Spencer had 11 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal.

Illinois’ demise was marred by an uncharacteristic offensive performance. One of the most efficient offensive teams in the nation averaging 84.2 points, the Illini shot 25.4% from the field and had two stretches of at least five minutes without a point. Marcus Domask led Illinois with 17 points. — Jeff Zillgitt

UConn buries Illinois with stunning 30-0 run

Illinois senior Justin Harmon made a layup with 12:39 remaining in the second half to end UConn’s 30-0 run.

Yes, 30-0.

The Fighting Illini trail 56-25.

They didn’t score for nearly 10 minutes to start the second half as Huskies sophomore Donovan Clingan wreaked havoc. He has 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Illinois has only scored one field goal in the entire second half. 

Illinois is shooting 20.8% from the field, 2-of-15 from three and has been outscored 38-18 in the paint. The Fighting Illini have five turnovers, which UConn converted to seven points. 

Illinois senior Marcus Domask has 15 of the team’s 25 points. No other Illinois player is in double digits. — Cydney Henderson

UConn starting to pull away

UConn opened its biggest lead of the game, 39-23, with an 11-0 run to start the second half, which was part of a 16-0 run bridging the two halves. UConn center Donovan Clingan opened the half with an emphatic dunk and block, and Illinois’ offensive struggles extended into the opening minutes of the second half. Clingan has 14 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and two steals.

Illinois called a timeout with 15:59 left in the second half in an effort to slow the Huskies. — Jeff Zillgitt

Can Illinois get Terrence Shannon going?

If Illinois has a shot at beating top-seed UConn, it needs a big offensive performance from Terrence Shannon Jr. in the second half. He had just two points on 1-for-7 shooting in the first half – that after scoring 26, 30 and 29 points in the first three games of the NCAA Tournament and 28, 40 and 34 points in the Big Ten tournament.

“He throws his body into the defense on drives,” UConn coach Dan Hurley told the broadcast at halftime. “We’ve done a really good job of walling up and taking away his catch-and-shoot 3s. But it’s a long game, and he’s a hell of a player.” — Jeff Zillgitt

Halftime: UConn 28, Illinois 23

With a spot in the Final Four on the line, UConn took a 28-23 lead into halftime against Illinois. It wasn’t exactly a half for offensive purists especially since the two teams entered among the most efficient offensive teams in the country.

Illinois shot just 29% from the field, and UConn was just 1-for-11 on 3-pointers, missing its first 10.

Huskies center Donovan Clingan, a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had nine points, six rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Hassan Diarra added seven points, and after Clingan and Diarra’s seven made shots, the rest of the Huskies were 3-for-19 from the field. — Jeff Zillgitt

Illinois offense off to rough start

Illinois, one of the highest scoring teams in the nation at 84.2 points per game, had just 13 points in the first 13 minutes against UConn. The Illini went five minutes without a made basket, missing 11 consecutive shots. After breaking the scoreless stretch with 6:19 left in the first half, the Illini trimmed their deficit to 19-17 – thanks in part to UConn missing its eight 3-point attempts. — Jeff Zillgitt

Illinois goes cold again

Illinois is in another scoring drought. The Fighting Illini have not scored in over four minutes in the first half, paving the way for a 4-0 run by UConn to go up 19-13. 

Illinois is shooting a dismal 22.7% from the field and 2-of-5 from three and are getting dominated in the paint, 16-6. 

UConn sophomore Donovan Clingan has a team-high nine points, three rebounds and two blocks. Senior Hassan Diarra added four points off the bench. 

“Were going to keep going at him,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said of Clingan. “If he blocks 100, he blocks 100. We aren’t backing down. We are going to do what we do.” — Cydney Henderson

Illinois gets back in the game vs. UConn

Illinois is on the board and settling in. After going scoreless for the first four minutes of the game, senior Marcus Domask made one of two free throws for the Fighting Illini’s first point of the game. Domask then knocked down two 3-pointers. He has nine of Illinois’ 13 points. After being down by as many as nine points, Illinois is within two points of UConn and only trails 15-13 with 10:58 remaining in the first half. — Cydney Henderson

UConn vs. Illinois score: Huskies start on 9-0 run

The Huskies are off to a fast start. UConn opened the game on a 9-0 run, with seven of the team’s points coming from sophomore Donovan Clingan. 

Illinois hasn’t made a field goal in the first four minutes of the game. The Fighting Illini are 0-of-4 from the field, 0-1 from three and 0-of-2 from the free-throw line. They have more turnovers (2) than points. — Cydney Henderson

March Madness Elite Eight schedule today 

Here is the scoreboard for today’s Elite Eight games. 

What time does Elite Eight start? 

The first Elite Eight game, between No. 1 UConn and No. 3 Illinois, tips off just after 6 p.m. EDT. 

What time does March Madness start today? 

Here is Saturday’s Elite Eight schedule. 

6:09 p.m.: (1) UConn vs. (3) Illinois 
8:49 p.m.: (4) Alabama vs. (6) Clemson 

Who won the Sweet 16 games last night?

How to watch Elite Eight games 2024 

TBS will air both of today’s Elite Eight games. CBS will air the men’s Final Four and championship game. 

UConn’s start to March Madness should scare tournament opponents 

Once again, it feels like it’s UConn versus the field. That’s what happened last year as the Huskies tore through March, dominating all six opponents on their way to a national championship. What UConn did this weekend looked like a carbon copy — only this time, everyone sees it coming. 

Yes, the competition will get tougher as UConn advances to the East Regional, where an Elite Eight game against No. 3 seed Illinois could be one of the most exciting matchups of the tournament. But at this point, the distance UConn has created between itself and everyone else almost seems as big as what women’s basketball dealt with when Geno Auriemma won four consecutive national titles between 2013 and 2016. Read Dan Wolken’s full column. 

How to stream March Madness on your phone 

You can catch every second by streaming every game through a few different options. 

Stream through Paramount+ 
Stream through HULU with Live TV 
NCAA March Madness Live app 
Stream through DirecTV Stream 

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Elite Eight predictions 

(1) Connecticut vs. (3) Illinois, 6:09 p.m. ET Saturda – (at TD Garden in Boston)

Jordan Mendoza: UConn
Paul Myerberg: UConn
Dan Wolken: UConn

(4) Alabama vs. (6) Clemson, 8:49 p.m. ET Saturday — (at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles)

Jordan Mendoza: Clemson
Paul Myerberg: Alabama
Dan Wolken: Alabama

Men’s March Madness schedule 

Here is the men’s schedule: 

First round: March 21-22 
Second round: March 23-24  
Sweet 16: March 28-29  
Elite Eight: March 30-31  
Final Four: Saturday, April 6 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. 
NCAA championship game: Monday, April 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. 

UConn vs. Illinois odds and predictions 

The Huskies are favorites to defeat the Fighting Illini in Saturday’s Elite Eight March Madness matchup, according to the BetMGM college basketball odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering sports betting promos in 2024. Odds as of Friday: 

Spread: UConn (-7.5) 
Moneylines: UConn (-325); Illinois (+260) 
Over/under: 156.5 

March Madness 2024 game locations 

Here are all the venues hosting tournament games over the next couple weeks. 

Why Jim Nantz isn’t calling 2024 March Madness games 

As the men’s NCAA Tournament begins, fans may be wondering where Jim Nantz, voice synonymous with one of the most popular events in college sports is. 

Nantz decided the 2023 NCAA Tournament would be his last so he could focus on his family and other broadcasting commitments. Nantz didn’t retire from broadcasting; He’s still calling The Masters and serves as the lead play-by-play person for CBS’ NFL coverage alongside Tony Romo. The duo were in the booth for Super Bowl 58 in February. — Jordan Mendoza 

Terrence Shannon Jr. case shows how NIL can increase legal protection for college athletes 

Terrence Shannon Jr., who has led Illinois to the Elite Eight of the NCAA men’s tournament despite being charged with rape, is drawing attention from an eclectic group. 

Of course there are basketball scouts. Shannon, a 6-6 senior guard widely projected to be a Top 15 pick in the NBA draft in June, will take the court again Saturday when No. 3 Illinois is set to play No. 1 seed Connecticut. 

But there also are law professors, other academics and higher-education consultants tracking the situation for reasons that go far beyond basketball. In January, a federal judge granted Shannon legal protection based in part on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals that were unavailable to college athletes before 2021. Read Josh Peter’s full story here.