Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin made clear Friday night he didn’t want to be on the ice in an empty-net situation when he needed one more goal to break Wayne Gretzky’s record at home.

‘He wants to break the record with a goaltender in the crease,’ coach Spencer Carbery told reporters after the 5-3 win in which Ovechkin scored twice to tie Gretzky (894).

No goalie wants to be the one who gives up the record goal, but it looks like someone will. So who could it be?

Ovechkin has six games and four opponents left to get goal No. 895 before the end of the season. He faces the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets twice, plus the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Islanders are up next on Sunday (12:30 p.m. ET, TNT, truTV). Semyon Varlamov has given up eight goals, including ones on which Ovechkin passed Mario Lemieux for 10th place, Phil Esposito for sixth and Jaromir Jagr for third. But Varlamov is injured.

How Ovechkin has fared against goalies he could face down the stretch:

New York Islanders

Dates: April 6 and 15

Ilya Sorokin: No goals in three games on four shots.

Marcus Hogberg: Two goals in three games on 14 shots.

Carolina Hurricanes

Date: April 10

Frederik Andersen: Nine goals in 12 games on 48 shots.

Pyotr Kochetkov: Four goals in five games on 19 shots.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dates: April 12-13

Elvis Merzlikins: Four goals in seven games on 24 shots.

Daniil Tarasov: Three goals in three games on nine shots.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: April 17

Tristan Jarry: Two goals in 11 games on 30 shots.

Alex Nedeljkovic: Two goals in four games on 12 shots.

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Jim Nantz is back at the Final Four of the men’s NCAA Tournament.

However, this time around, the legendary voice of March Madness does so in a different role: a fan.

The former voice of the Final Four is expected to be in attendance once again to watch Houston, L.J. Cryer and Kelvin Sampson take on Duke, Cooper Flagg and Jon Scheyer in the Final Four at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday.

Here’s what you need to know on why Nantz is back at the Final Four:

Is Jim Nantz a Houston basketball fan?

Yes, a very big one indeed. Nantz’s fandom for the Cougars has to do with the fact that he graduated from the University of Houston in 1981.

‘I am absolutely in love with this team. Kelvin Sampson, the head coach, he’s just incredible. I will be there in the stands wearing red and cheering us on against the mighty Duke Blue Devils come Saturday evening.’

Nantz, who called the Final Four of the men’s NCAA Tournament for 32 years for CBS, was in the stands for the Cougars’ Elite Eight win over No. 2 seed Tennessee at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, March 30. He was even in Houston’s photo on the court after the game at a request by Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson.

‘I hope when we get into (Final Four) week, people look at this (Houston) team as a throwback to what college basketball used to be,’ Nantz told KHOU 11 News Houston’s Jason Bristol after Houston’s Elite Eight win.

Where did Jim Nantz go to college?

Nantz attended the University of Houston, where he earned an undergraduate degree in radio/television in 1981. He was recruited to attend the University of Houston as a member of the Cougars golf team.

‘My career traces back to college and a group of supporters who loved on me, believed in me and gave me opportunity,’ Nantz told NCAA.com in 2023. ‘And it was really channeled through college basketball, through the Houston basketball program.’ 

Nantz told ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ that while he was at Houston, he got introduced to the Cougars’ then-head coach, Guy Lewis, through his golf coach, Dave Williams, and that led to his first big break as a broadcaster: hosting Lewis’ weekly radio show.

‘My whole career really was channeled being on the golf team and the golf coach introducing me to Guy Lewis, the Hall of Fame coach for Houston, who said, ‘Young man I’d like you to be our public address announcer at our home basketball games,” Nantz said. ‘That turned into me, while still a student, hosting his coaches show on the NBC affiliate. It gave me (credibility) when I was 20 years old.

‘It’s been a long-running affair (between Houston and me). For some reason, they even have a banner now right next to the Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.’

Where is Jim Nantz from?

Despite having quite the fandom and connection to the University of Houston, Nantz has no ties to The Lone Star State other than his alma mater. As noted by The Sporting News, Nantz was born in Charlotte, North Carolina before spending parts of his childhood in New Orleans and Marlboro Township, New Jersey.

Nantz, who became the lead voice for CBS’ coverage of the NCAA Tournament in 1991, called his last Final Four in Houston in 2023 at NRG Stadium, when UConn won the first of two back-to-back national championship titles.

With Cooper Flagg struggling and Duke’s season on the line, the Blue Devils’ other freshmen stepped up to deliver the program into Saturday’s national semifinals.

This hasn’t been the case all season: Flagg has delivered on gargantuan expectations with one of the most complete seasons by a freshman in Power Five history.

But he was not himself in the Elite Eight against Alabama. Facing the possibility of being eliminated in the regional finals for the second year in a row, the Blue Devils were carried past the Crimson Tide and into the Final Four matchup against Houston by leaning on two first-year players who have spent the year in Flagg’s shadow.

They were also five-star recruits. They also held offers from many of college basketball’s most elite programs. They also stepped right into the starting lineup, making this Duke team one of the most freshmen-heavy to ever reach the doorstep of the national championship. And they’ve also delivered at a moment when the last vestiges of COVID-era super seniors have made college basketball an older man’s game, relatively speaking.

Duke wouldn’t be two wins away from the sixth national championship in program history without guard Kon Knueppel and center Khaman Maluach, two high-profile offseason additions who in almost any other year would’ve popped onto the national radar long before the NCAA Tournament.

Knueppel’s ‘versatility is huge for us, and his size,’ said Duke coach Jon Scheyer. ‘He’s able to pass. He’s able to finish. You feel he’s always going to get off a good look because he has great pivots in the paint and great patience.’

‘He’s a phenomenal player,’ sophomore guard Caleb Foster said of Maluach. ‘To have a big like that who can catch lobs and defend the rim, it doesn’t get any better than that. I can’t even describe what he means to this team. He’s a big reason why we’re here.’

PREDICTIONS: Our experts forecast who wins Final Four semifinals

TOP SEEDS: Where does this Final Four rank with the best ever?

Maluach, who was born in Rumbek, South Sudan, was the nation’s fourth-ranked prospect in last year’s recruiting class, according to 247Sports.com, sandwiched between a handful of surefire NBA draft lottery picks in Flagg, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper of Rutgers and Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe. The top-ranked player in Wisconsin, Knueppel came in No. 18 overall as the fifth-best small forward in the class.

While Maluach came in with far more hype, Knueppel has been a remarkably consistent second or third scoring option since the Blue Devils’ season opener against Maine.

He’s scored in double figures in all but seven of Duke’s 38 games, including 20 points in the Sweet 16 against Arizona and 21 points against the Crimson Tide. Knueppel is shooting 47.7% from the field, 40.1% from 3-point range and 91.2% from the free-throw line. Only once all season has played fewer than 20 minutes, logging 19 minutes in the opening-round win against Mount St. Mary’s.

Maluach took longer to acclimate himself to the college game. While his physical gifts have been obvious from the start – it’s hard to ignore his 9-foot-8 wingspan – Maluach struggled through foul trouble and finding a place in the Blue Devils’ system through the start of ACC play.

He was held to single-digit scoring 10 times in a 15-game span of conference play from late December through February, including a scoreless performance across 18 minutes in a win against Wake Forest and just three points and five rebounds in a loss to Clemson before fouling out after 20 minutes.

Since the ACC tournament, however, Maluach has made an enormous impact on both ends and helped Duke develop into the favorite at this year’s Final Four.

He’s averaging 11.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks across these past seven games, proving himself to be nearly unstoppable near the rim on the offensive end – Maluach has made 36 of 44 attempts from the field, including 20 of 23 in the tournament – while changing the way opponents challenge the Blue Devils in the paint.

Maluach’s ability to control the area near the hoop has helped Duke’s backcourt focus on stifling teams on the perimeter, aware that he’s around to clean up any mess that might sneak inside the 3-point line – like all great defensive big men, he’s become the eraser at the center of the Blue Devils’ scheme.

‘You just focus on the ball and you know your brother’s got your back,’ Foster said. ‘That’s how we play defense, and it helps he’s back there.’

Both players have saved their best play for the postseason. With Flagg making just 6 of 16 attempts against Alabama and struggling to get to his spots on the offensive end, Knueppel went 2 of 4 from behind the arc, made all five of his attempts from the line and added five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Maluach had 14 points, nine rebounds and a pair of blocks while playing a season-high 31 minutes.

This postseason impact has put Maluach and Knueppel in the mix for the top part of this year’s NBA draft; while Maluach’s size and athleticism had him on the NBA radar before the season, Knueppel’s evolution into a lottery pick has been more surprising.

According to USA TODAY Sports’ most recent NBA mock draft, Flagg is projected to go No. 1 overall, Knueppel is picked to go No. 5 and Maluach No. 7.

The way this pair has surged onto the national radar during the past month has helped make a case for this Duke freshmen class being counted among the top rookie groups in NCAA history – a case that would get even stronger should the No. 1 Blue Devils beat No. 1 Houston on Saturday night and then defeat the winner of the other semifinal between No. 1 Auburn and No. 1 Florida.

‘Now, we’ve had some pretty special classes, some freshman classes,’ said Scheyer. ‘I think this group, the way they’ve been so mature with really just being up for any challenge, the way they compete, the way they understand the game.

‘For me as a coach, it’s been amazing to have, to have guys that are always ready. As freshmen, that usually doesn’t happen all the time.’

Houston basketball will be tasked with figuring out how to stop the Duke forward from carrying the Blue Devils to the 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament national championship game. The Cougars had one of the best defenses during the regular season, but Flagg represents a different challenge.

Flagg has averaged 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists on 44.8% shooting from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range to go along with 1.8 blocks per game. Flagg had 16 points in the Elite Eight victory over Alabama last Saturday.

The Cougars have held three of their four opponents under 60 points during the postseason run. They have close wins over Gonzaga and Purdue, but blowout wins over SIU Edwardsville and Tennessee. Houston beat the Vols 69-50 in a dominant defensive performance last Sunday.

Duke beat Houston 54-51 in the first-ever meeting between the programs last year in the Sweet 16 on March 29 in Dallas.

Here’s how experts see the Final Four battle between Duke and Houston playing out, along with odds and how to watch:

Florida vs Auburn picks and predictions

USA TODAY picks:

Jordan Mendoza: Duke’s amazing offense faces its biggest challenge yet. The Blue Devils should be able to put up some points against Houston, but the surprise will be the Cougars keep up. Houston’s defense toughens up in the final minutes for the win. Houston 63, Duke 61.
Paul Myerberg: Houston will make Duke earn it on the offensive end, unlike Arizona and Alabama in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. The Cougars could slow things down enough to negate the Blue Devils’ advantages in size and shooting. But Duke is too good and playing too well to be stopped now. Houston will keep the scoring down but won’t have enough to pull out a minor upset. Duke 71, Houston 58.
Erick Smith: Another matchup where the experience factor is important. That edge goes to Houston on the court and with Kelvin Sampson on the bench. Duke has the more dynamic players, including the best one at the Final Four. Can Cooper Flagg produce the biggest shots on the biggest stage? We will bet on him. Duke 70, Houston 66.
Eddie Timanus: I’m hopeful that this isn’t the rock fight some are predicting. The potential is there for this to be a higher scoring game than the stats might suggest, and if that does indeed turn out to be the case I think that favors the Blue Devils. Duke 84, Houston 75.
Blake Toppmeyer: Nobody defends better than Houston, and the Cougars go five-deep with players who can score in double figures. Their experience will shine at this stage of the tournament. Houston 75, Duke 71.

Rodd Baxley, Fayetteville Observer: Duke 69, Houston 65: 

‘The Cougars have the talent, experience and toughness to beat the Blue Devils and cut down the nets on the following Monday in Texas. But they don’t have Cooper Flagg, who will be the star among stars in the Lone Star State. Duke wins a close one to clinch its spot in the national championship game.’

Duke vs Houston date, start time, where to watch

Game Day: Saturday, April 5
Game Time: 8:49 p.m. ET
Location: Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas)
TV Channel: CBS
Live Stream: Fubo (free trial)

Watch Duke vs Houston on Fubo (free trial)

Duke vs Houston odds

Odds as of Saturday, April 5 via BetMGM.

Spread: Duke (-4.5)
Over/under: 136.5
Moneyline: Duke (-275) | Auburn (+225)

A men’s basketball Final Four lineup like this one doesn’t happen often. In fact, as regular tournament followers well know, a weekend comprised entirely of No. 1 seeds like the current quartet gathered in San Antonio has only happened once before.

But while an ensemble of this caliber offers great promise for an entertaining climax to the season, a fantastic finish is not a guarantee. The prior iteration of all top seeds in 2008, also in San Antonio by coincidence, did yield a classic title game but the semifinal contests were both forgettable. What we do have then are high hopes that the on-court product in 2025 will live up to the hype and provide us with an event we’ll remember for a long time.

There are a couple of things we can say for certain heading into Saturday’s contests. One finalist will be an SEC team, and the other will be a squad that dominated its power conference all season.

Here’s a look at the matchups:

No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 1 Florida

Time/TV: 6:09 p.m. ET, CBS

The participants in this all-SEC showdown aren’t as familiar with each other as they could be. They only met once in the regular season, and their first potential rematch in the conference tournament was derailed when Auburn was bounced by Tennessee in the semifinals. That result, along with a couple other late setbacks down the stretch, is why, unlike last week, the Tigers might actually have a case to play the underdog card here despite being designated the tournament’s overall top seed. Another reason, of course, is that the Gators took that first meeting on Auburn’s home court.

Florida’s first priority will be keeping Auburn’s star big man Johni Broome under wraps. The Gators have a number of options there, as frontcourt starters Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu have been joined by key reserve Micah Handlogten, another seven-footer who had planned to redshirt but rejoined the team in mid-February to provide needed depth. Broome for his part is still likely to post yet another double double by night’s end, and Dylan Cardwell can help on the glass. But the Tigers are going to need points from the arc to keep pace with the Gators. Tahaad Pettiford has had a good tournament thus far, but the Tigers need better shot selection from Miles Kelly can continued success from Denver Jones.

Ah yes, about those Gators’ scorers. As we’ve seen, it will probably be Walter Clayton Jr. taking the big shot when needed, which means he’s likely to draw attention from Auburn’s Chad Baker-Mazara. But Florida also has Elijah Martin, who has Final Four experience from his time at Florida Atlantic, to help alleviate the ball pressure on the perimeter.

PREDICTIONS: Our experts forecast who wins Final Four semifinals

TOP SEEDS: Where does this Final Four rank with the best ever?

No. 1 Duke vs. No. 1 Houston

Time/TV: 8:49 p.m. ET, CBS

The Saturday nightcap at the Alamodome features two of the sport’s heavyweights. Both programs were at or near the top of the polls from the outset, and their respective performances in March certainly justified their lofty rankings. Duke sent the top-seeded Cougars packing in the Sweet 16 a year ago, though both teams have since gone through considerable changes.

At first glance, one might project this to be a low-scoring affair. Houston gives up a mere 58.3 points a game, while the Blue Devils aren’t far behind on the defensive end allowing just 62.6. The game might indeed unfold in that manner, but there could be more points than one might expect given all the offensive weapons on both sides.

Houston is rightly identified as a defense-first team, but its three-point prowess this season is somewhat underappreciated. L.J. Cryer, Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan all shoot better than 40% from the arc, and the Cougars grabbing nearly 13 offensive rebounds per game helps even some of the misses turn into points. As Alabama just learned, however, Duke’s length on the perimeter could prove more difficult to solve. The Blue Devils’ offense does not rely solely on Cooper Flagg, though he will touch the ball on most possessions. His freshman classmates Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach have been just as valuable finishing at the rim, and Tyrese Proctor’s recent hot shooting gives the Cougars’ excellent defenders another element to consider.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin needs one goal to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record.

Ovechkin scored a pair of goals in the Capitals’ 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks to tie Gretzky with 894 career goals.

How has Oveckhin gotten so close to ‘The Great One?’ The answer isn’t a big disparity in empty-net goals.

Ovechkin has eight empty-netters this season and an NHL-record 65 in his career, but he’s not too far ahead of Gretzky in that category. The Great One had 56 in his career and is No. 2 all-time after Ovechkin passed him last season.

Ovechkin wasn’t out there after the Blackhawks pulled their goalie on Friday because he didn’t want to break the record on an empty-netter. Ryan Leonard scored into an empty net to make it 5-3 and Ovechkin had chances as time wound down but Spencer Knight stopped him.

‘I tell (coach Spencer Carbery) right away I don’t want to do it,’ Ovechkin told reporters. ‘(Dylan Strome) asked me, (John Carlson) asked me, everybody asked me, ‘Do you want it? Do you want it?’ and I said, ‘Let’s wait.”

Carbery has deployed Ovechkin when the other team pulls its goalie for an extra skater, even though the winger doesn’t play when the Capitals are a man short while killing penalties. He noted that many teams use high-skilled offensive players in 5-on-6 situations.

‘They know where the next play is and where the puck is going, and that’s what you see from (Ovechkin) constantly,’ Carbery told reporters earlier this season. ‘He’s reading where the next puck is going.’

Ovechkin has a big lead on Gretzky in overtime and power-play goals while Gretzky leads in short-handed and even-strength goals.

Comparing Ovechkin and Gretzky on types of goals:

Alex Ovechkin empty-net goals

Ovechkin has 65 career empty-net goals, making up 7.2% of his 894 career goals.

Former Capitals coach Peter Laviolette also used him in empty-net situations and he scored nine empty-netters in 2021-22 during a 50-goal season. He totaled nine over the next seasons.

This season, Ovechkin had two empty-netters before he broke his leg in November and scored an empty-netter in his Dec. 28 return. He has five empty-netters since Jan. 11. But he fired the puck past a goaltender 17 times during that stretch, too, including by stars Connor Hellebuyck (twice), Andrei Vasilevskiy and Igor Shesterkin.

Ovechkin completed a hat trick on Feb. 23 with an empty-netter after Edmonton unexpectedly pulled its goalie and an Oilers defenseman’s stick broke on a shot attempt.

On March 11 against the Anaheim Ducks, Ovechkin passed the puck to Aliaksei Protas in an empty-net situation to allow his teammate to complete a hat trick.

His key career empty-netters were goals No. 400 and No. 802, which moved him past Gordie Howe into second place.

Wayne Gretzky empty-net goals

Gretzky has 56 career empty-net goals, making up 6.3% of his 894 career goals.

One of Gretzky’s most famous goals was into an empty net. He did so as part of a five-goal game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 30, 1981, when he set an NHL record reaching 50 goals in just 39 games.

Gretzky had four empty-netters during that 92-goal season. The most he had was six in a season, accomplished three times.

Ovechkin vs. Gretzky overtime goals

Ovechkin holds the record with 27 overtime goals in the regular season. Gretzky had only two, even though overtime was instituted in 1983-84 during his fifth season in the league. OT play was 5-on-5 and didn’t change to 4-on-4 until 1999-2000, the season after Gretzky retired. Ovechkin has either played 4-on-4 or 3-on-3 overtime.

Ovechkin vs. Gretzky power-play goals

Ovechkin holds the record with 324 power-play goals. Gretzky had 204, which is 18th all-time.

The difference is the Capitals’ power play centers on getting Ovechkin the puck for a one-timer. He was stationed at the point early in his career, then later moved his office to the left faceoff circle.

Gretzky’s office was behind the net, so he was more of a playmaker on the power play. He has an NHL-record 686 assists with the man advantage. Ovechkin has 276.

Ovechkin vs. Gretzky short-handed goals

Gretzky leads 73-5 for one simple reason: Ovechkin doesn’t kill penalties. He had three short-handed goals as a rookie and only two since. He has played 80 seconds of short-handed time this season.

Ovechkin vs. Gretzky even-strength goals

Gretzky has a record 617 and Ovechkin is third with 565. He’s close to No. 2 Howe (566).

Ovechkin vs. Gretzky games

Gretzky played 20 seasons and Ovechkin is in his 20th season. Ovechkin has played one less game. He has been mostly healthy, outside of the 16 games he missed this season. But Ovechkin’s entry in the league was delayed by a season-long lockout in 2004-05. He also went through a shorter lockout, plus two COVID-shortened seasons.

Gretzky was limited to 45 games by injury in 1992-93 and to 48 games in 1994-95 by a lockout.

A changing of the guard at tight end could be imminent – or already underway – in the NFL.

In recent years, Travis Kelce and George Kittle helped further push the once-overlooked position squarely into the limelight. But with Kelce having mulled retirement this offseason after a down year statistically and Kettle turning 32 in October, others might soon be left to pick up the mantle.

The Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride and Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers look up to the task after their respective Pro Bowl seasons in 2024. But more competition is on the way in the form of a draft class that features two marquee names likely to land in the first round, as well as several other potential starters.

Here’s USA TODAY Sports’ ranking of the top 10 tight ends in the 2025 NFL draft:

1. Tyler Warren, Penn State

Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki was one of the first to refer to his star pupil as a ‘football unicorn,’ and he deployed the do-everything star in a fittingly unique manner. A finalist for the Paul Hornung Award for college football’s most versatile player, the former quarterback lined up all over the field and even saw action behind center in Wildcat packages. Despite that usage, the 6-6, 256-pounder still could handle a more straightforward, throwback role as an inline tight end, though his future team will undoubtedly look to take advantage of all that he can offer in the passing game.

Warren is a top-tier athlete for the position, but his best attribute might be the urgency he displays on every play as he fights for contested catches and charges up field with the ball in his hands. He’s hardly afraid to take on defensive ends in the run game, though his hand usage leaves something to be desired. Above all, Warren is sure to be someone his future coaching staff will center, not only in the game plan but also as a tone setter in the locker room.

2. Colston Loveland, Michigan

Operating essentially as a supersized wideout, the 6-6, 248-pounder is the stylistic contrast to the more rugged Warren. And while he might have been overtaken in the positional pecking order by his Big Ten counterpart, Loveland might not be far behind as a highly desirable target primed to create mismatches against both linebackers and safeties.

Michigan’s moribund passing attack in 2024 (averaging a mere 129.1 yards per game) obscured his true capabilities, but Loveland still set a school single-season record for most receptions by a tight end with 56. As a downfield target, he can be a true terror for defenses to account for thanks to the ease with which he pulls away from opponents and then skies over them when high-pointing passes. With his long arms and massive catch radius, he can give his quarterback a higher margin of error and corral passes outside of his frame. Loveland might be in for somewhat of a rude awakening when facing opponents who will try to jostle him at the line of scrimmage and catch point, but pass catchers with his frame and athleticism aren’t easy to find.

3. Mason Taylor, LSU

The son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor decided to focus his career on assisting passing attacks rather than derailing them like his father did. The younger Taylor’s steady ascent as a receiver – he tallied 55 catches for 546 yards last season – could continue in the pros if he becomes a more nuanced route runner, which would open up more downfield opportunities after his limited set of work in that area. The 6-5, 256-pounder likely will need to bulk up to handle battles at the line of scrimmage better, but he can be utilized as a move tight end in the early going.

4. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon

A stellar combine performance – his 4.63-second 40-yard dash and 39-inch vertical stood as the best marks of any tight end, while his 10-foot-2 broad jump ranked third – helped underscore what Ferguson can offer an aerial attack. The 6-5, 247-pounder is equally comfortable operating in a traditional role or out of the slot, and he can threaten defenses by creating separation or settling in against zone coverage. His usage might be limited early, however, as pedestrian strength makes him a vulnerability when asked to help handle defensive ends.

5. Elijah Arroyo, Miami (Fla.)

In his lone season as a starter, Arroyo emerged as a key weapon for likely No. 1 pick Cam Ward, averaging 16.9 yards per catch. That figure might lead to some false conclusions about his athleticism, however, as the scheme did plenty of favors for a player who shouldn’t be expected to be the most dynamic target at the next level. But Arroyo is reliable and can compete for opportunities over the middle, which should position him to bail out his quarterback as a complementary piece in the passing game.

6. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

It’s not often that a tight end is truly the focal point of an offense, but Fannin was exactly that for the Falcons, setting Football Bowl Subdivision single-season records in 2024 for the most receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555) at the position. With an H-back build at 6-3 and 241 pounds along with rigid and awkward movements, he can make for a difficult projection, especially with a sizable leap in level of competition ahead after dominating the Mid-American Conference. But Fannin is surehanded and makes things happen after the catch, so he should be an attractive option for a team that will be deliberate about how it gets him the ball.

7. Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska

Two knee injuries sidelined Fidone for the first two years of his career, but he powered through to notch 61 catches for 633 yards from 2023-24. At 6-6 and 255 pounds, he’s one of the more athletic inline players in this year’s class. Filling out his frame will be an important step for him, but Fidone is worth bringing along given his upside as a downfield target.

8. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame

One of the more well-rounded players in this class, Evans can stay on the field in most situations thanks to his sufficient athleticism and effort as both a blocker and receiver. The 6-5, 258-pounder just isn’t particularly explosive in any element of his game.

9. Gunnar Helm, Texas

Helm broke out in a big way for the Longhorns in 2024, posting 60 catches for 786 yards and seven touchdowns. The 6-5, 250-pounder wins primarily with knowhow rather than pure athleticism, and he might be hard-pressed to replicate his success when forced to play in traffic.

10. Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech

The 6-4, 253-pounder might not amount to anything more than a bulldozer in the run game. But as a backup who hangs around for short-yardage situations and goal-line opportunities, he can add value as a reliable blocker.

At least one SEC team is going to the 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament national championship, but the question is whether it will be Florida or Auburn.

The Gators are coming off a come-from-behind 84-79 victory over Texas Tech in the Elite Eight last Saturday, while the Tigers defeated Michigan State 70-64 on Sunday. Florida earned a 90-81 win over Auburn on the road during the regular season on Feb. 8. The Gators built up a 21-point lead in the win.

Florida enters on a 10-game winning streak, including winning the SEC tournament championship, while the Tigers have won four in a row after ending the regular season with three losses in four games.

Here’s how experts see the Final Four battle between Florida and Auburn playing out, along with odds and how to watch:

Florida vs Auburn picks and predictions

USA TODAY picks

Jordan Mendoza: Did Auburn learn from the first meeting? Both teams have been vulnerable during the tournament, and Johni Broom’s health looms large. The Tigers lead at halftime, but another clutch performance by Walter Clayton Jr. gets Florida in the title game. Florida 85, Auburn 80.

Paul Myerberg: Auburn’s experience and maturity has been a huge advantage in this tournament. A veteran lineup has helped the Tigers survive stiff tests from Creighton, Michigan and Michigan State. Florida is a different animal than what Auburn has faced so far. The Gators’ depth and 3-point shooting are two huge assets as Auburn looks to bully Florida closer to the basket. This one is more likely to be a shootout, based on the Gators’ 90-81 win during the regular season. Florida 88, Auburn 84.

Erick Smith: This sets up as a big vs. little matchup with Auburn relying on Johni Broome on the inside and Florida looking to Walter Clayton Jr. on the perimeter. Yes, the Gators won the regular-season meeting, but this game is a completely different circumstance. Which team can handle the pressure of the big moment? The Tigers might have the edge in maturity. Auburn 73, Florida 70.

Eddie Timanus: The Gators were my pick to win the whole thing at the start of the tournament, so I’m not going to go back on that now even though they’ve been pushed to the brink a couple of times. It might be cliché to say a team peaked too soon, but Auburn might have done just that. Florida 78, Auburn 72.

Blake Toppmeyer: Walter Clayton Jr. is becoming the story of this tournament. He’s clutch, and the Gators are without weakness. Guards win in March Madness. Auburn’s guards are good. Florida’s are better. Florida 82, Auburn 70.

Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun: Florida 88, Auburn 83

‘It’s hard to beat a high-caliber program twice, but Florida will find a way. Clayton will make more big shots and UF’s four-player post rotation will play physical enough inside to neutralize Broome. Florida will advance to the national title game for the first time since 2007.’

Adam Cole, Montgomery Advertisor: Florida 92, Auburn 88 (OT) 

‘It’s hard to beat any good team twice. That certainly goes in Auburn’s favor, and its ability to do a week-long scout on the Gators holds the same sentiment. But Florida has looked unstoppable since it beat Auburn, and while the Tigers could certainly have it figured out, the edge, however slight, goes to the Gators.’

Florida vs Auburn date, start time, where to watch

Game Day: Saturday, April 5
Game Time: 6:09 p.m. ET
Location: Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas)
TV Channel: CBS
Live Stream: Fubo (free trial)

Watch Florida vs Auburn on Fubo (free trial)

Florida vs Auburn odds

Odds as of Saturday, April 5 via BetMGM.

Spread: Florida (-2.5)
Over/under: 159.5
Moneyline: Florida (-150) | Auburn (+125)

The women’s NCAA Tournament all comes down to this: one game between UConn and South Carolina, with a national championship on the line.

The Huskies (36-3) have arguably played their best basketball of the season during March Madness. A Final Four blowout win over UCLA exemplified that, with Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong combining for 57 points in a comprehensive demolition of one of the best teams in the country. UConn has won each of its tournament games by at least 14 points, dominating in all facets as Geno Auriemma pursues his 12th NCAA title.

The Gamecocks (35-3) have had a slightly bumpier road, but any doubts were put to rest in the Final Four. Against a familiar foe in SEC power Texas, South Carolina’s ferocious defense took over in a 74-57 win. Joyce Edwards bossed things inside while Te-Hina Paopao shot the lights out, a formula that could see the Gamecocks defend their crown. That would also help avenge a 29-point loss to this same UConn bunch back in February.

Here’s how to watch the women’s basketball national championship game between UConn and South Carolina:

Where to watch UConn vs. South Carolina: TV channel, time, live stream

Game Day: Sunday, April 6
Game Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Amalie Arena (Tampa, Fla.)
TV Channel: ABC, ESPN
Live Stream: Fubo

Watch UConn vs. South Carolina on Fubo