Welcome to the wild ride of women’s March Madness. Make sure your seat belt is buckled for the Sweet 16 matchup between No. 1 seed South Carolina and No. 4 Maryland on Friday and enjoy the show. 

If your seat belt isn’t buckled, the defending champion Gamecocks’ “Seat Belt Gang” will make sure you’re strapped up, just like how they lock down opponents. And now, the Seat Belt Gang has another member — Te-Hina Paopao. 

“I’m just really proud to be part of the Seat Belt Gang,” Paopao said Sunday after recording a career-high four blocks and two steals in South Carolina’s 64-53 win over Indiana. The win advanced the team to its 11th consecutive Sweet 16, the second-longest streak in the nation.

The “Seat Belt Gang” is known for setting the tone defensively for the Gamecocks, who rank fifth in the nation in blocks per game (5.8) and opponents’ field goal percentage (35.2%). The group originated as a two-woman show made up of SEC All-Defensive Team guard Raven Johnson and Bree Hall, who regularly celebrate their defensive prowess by strapping imaginary seat belts across their chest after guarding the opposing team’s best player every night. But the duo is now a trio following Paopao’s induction into the exclusive club.

DAWN STALEY: South Carolina coach calls JuJu Watkins’ injury in March Madness ‘a big void’

“My girl showed she can play some defense,” Hall said after the game.

Johnson added, “She’s a member of the Seat Belt Gang. Me and (Hall) was telling her that. … If she brings that all the time, nobody can stop that.’

How did the Seat Belt Gang originate?

The ‘Seat Belt Gang’ originated in South Carolina, not on the basketball court, but on the football field. Former Gamecocks defensive backs Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu came up with the seat-belt celebration during a walk-though ahead of a matchup against LSU in the 2020 season. Horn said they debuted the hand-across-the-chest gesture during the game. ‘We played LSU that weekend. After the first stop I had, I pulled (the gesture) out. My trainer posted it on his Instagram and it took off from there,’ Horn recalled during an interview with ESPN last week. The celebration can be seen everywhere from Pop Warner, to the NFL, to the women’s March Madness tournament. (Horn was drafted with the No. 8 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2021 and became one of the highest-paid NFL CBs earlier this month.)

Te-Hina Paopao’s defense doesn’t ‘get enough credit’

Paopao has been known for being a knock-down shooter throughout her career, which started in Oregon (2020-23) before she transferred to South Carolina last year. Paopao is averaging a career-high 44.8% from the field, but South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said she doesn’t think Paopao’s “defense gets enough credit.”

‘Pao’s defense was great. It was executed to a T,” Staley said on Sunday, following the win over No. 9 Indiana. ‘I thought she did a great job. We told her that in the locker room. I’m happy that we’re helping to complete Pao, because for the longest, her reputation is she can just flat-out shoot the ball. She’s a consummate point guard, and I don’t think her defense gets enough credit in the past two years that she’s been with us because it’s gotten better and better and better.’

Staley added, ‘We’re a culture of playing defense, and if you don’t play it, you stick out, and (Paopao) is not one that wants to stick out in that way.’

The Gamecocks will be tasked with slowing down No. 4 seed Maryland, which is coming off a 111-108 double-overtime win over No. 5 Alabama in the second-highest scoring game in women’s NCAA Tournament history.

‘They will shoot the 3-ball. They will drive it down your throats. They have some bigs that can command the paint,’ Staley said. ‘They play up and down. They get up and down the floor. They want the game in the 80s and 90s and 100s if they can.’

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Duke’s women’s basketball coach, Kara Lawson, is an Olympic gold medalist and former WNBA player.
Lawson’s players attest to her continued basketball skills, claiming she’s the ‘best shooter in the gym.’
Now in her fifth year coaching Duke, Lawson has led the Blue Devils to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley isn’t the only Olympic gold medalist roaming the sidelines of the Sweet 16 here. 

“She will lace them up and show us how it really goes when it comes to executing plays,” Blue Devils senior guard Reigan Richardson said. “Once in a while, she’ll go out there and shoot with us, just to prove she’s the best shooter in the gym.”

Watch Duke vs. UNC on Fubo (free trial)

Lawson, who will lead No. 2 Duke against in-state rival No. 3 UNC in March Madness action on Friday, won gold with the 2008 Olympic team. She played in the WNBA for 13 seasons, winning a championship in 2005 with the Sacramento Monarchs. She was a WNBA All-Star in 2007. 

In Year 5 as the head coach of Duke women’s basketball, Lawson has the Blue Devils in the Sweet 16 for the second straight season. And Lawson still has a hold of her jump shot, junior guard Ashlon Jackson said.

“This year was my first year in three years that I have seen her (Lawson) miss a shot while showing us something,” Jackson said. 

Lawson played at Tennessee under legendary head coach Pat Summitt. In four seasons, Lawson led the Lady Volunteers to three Final Fours.

To no surprise, Lawson’s basketball resume has helped her lead and mentor players on and off the floor. In particular, her players enjoy hearing stories from her playing days and from working as the Boston Celtics’ first female assistant coach.  

“It comes out everywhere,” graduate guard Vanessa de Jesus said of Lawson’s storytelling. “Depending on how she feels, especially before games, kind of just motivating us or leading up to a tournament, just to make a story and get us together, have a goal towards something.” 

The 2024-25 Blue Devils still are writing their story. They’re hoping for a few more jaw-dropping surprises like their coach sometimes delivers. 

“After practice I was playing around getting my water and coach is over there practicing her half-court shots,” Blue Devils senior guard Reigan Richardson said. “And her first take she threw it up there and I was like, ‘She’s not gonna make it,’ and then she made it. She swished it.” 

Duke vs. UNC women’s basketball time, where to watch

Date: Friday, March 28
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN

Wesley Branch is a student in the University of Georgia’s Sports Media Certificate program.

Raven Johnson plays point guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks, coached by Dawn Staley, one of the greatest point guards in history.
Staley emphasizes the importance of the position, holding them accountable for any miscommunications or errors on the court.
Staley’s players describe her coaching style as direct and insightful, drawing from her experience as a renowned player.
The players value Staley’s guidance and recognize her deep understanding of the game.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – South Carolina women’s basketball junior Raven Johnson has one of the hardest jobs in March Madness. She plays point guard for one of the greatest point guards in history – her head coach, Dawn Staley.

“If anything goes wrong on the floor I blame the point guards,” Staley said. “Anything, any kind of misconnect, miscommunication. And they could not have been involved in the interaction.”

On Staley’s resume: Three-time Olympic gold medalist, seven-time WNBA All Star, two-time Naismith Trophy winner.

“It’s very hard, you have to be another version of Staley on the court,” Johnson said. “She has to trust you with the ball. Not even that – all these girls have to respect you, they got to listen to your voice.”

Alongside Johnson, guards Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall act as “connectors” on the floor, as Staley calls them. The trio has started in all of the Gamecocks’ 35 games this season and is slated to start in South Carolina’s Sweet 16 game against No. 4 Maryland on Friday.

Staley played point guard at the University of Virginia for four seasons, leading the Cavaliers through four NCAA Tournaments and three Final Four appearances. 

“Her IQ for the game is phenomenal,” Johnson said. “Some things that she sees, I’m like, ‘Wow, Coach, I would have never thought of that.’ From freshman year to now, I’ve learned so much from her.”

Staley is the only player in ACC history, male or female, to log more than 2,000 points, 700 assists and 400 steals. She is one of three Virginia basketball players to have their jersey retired. 

“She has helped me tremendously with my passing, especially to the post,” Hall said. “I’d say the first two years were the building blocks … We would do different drills, and she would ask me, ‘Did you see that? Did you see this? Did you see that?’”

Paopao, who is in her second and final season playing for South Carolina after transferring from Oregon, said Staley is as pinpoint with her guidance as she was with her passing.

“She’s direct,” Paopao said. “She’ll tell you on the spot, rather than waiting ‘til the storm is calm. She’ll tell you right then and there when you don’t want to hear it, but at the same time, you have to hear it.”

Staley was picked as the flag bearer for Team USA during the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Athens Olympics. The same year, USA Basketball named her the Female Athlete of the Year – an honor she also had won a decade before.

“Any advice she gives, I always listen,” Paopao said, “because she’s very wise and obviously knows what she’s talking about.”

Olivia Noni is a student in the University of Georgia’s Sports Media Certificate program.

The No. 1 Duke Blue Devils and No. 4 Arizona Wildcats both had aspirations of playing in San Antonio next weekend, but one of those dreams died Thursday after the two sides played for a spot in the Elite Eight.

Cooper Flagg and Duke have been the juggernaut they were advertised to be, winning their first two March Madness games by a combined 67 points against Mount St. Mary’s and Baylor. They continued that streak with their first win of fewer than 10 points Thursday vs. Arizona, winning 100-93.

Watch Duke vs Arizona in March Madness on Fubo (free trial)

Arizona gave the Blue Devils their best shot, especially by way of Caleb Love and his game-leading 35 points. But Flagg and Kon Knueppel scored 30 and 20 points, respectively, and were too much for the Wildcats, who refused to go away down the stretch.

Check out full scores, updates and highlights from Duke’s win vs. Arizona:

Duke vs Arizona score

What had been a comfortable Duke lead finished slightly more anxiety-inducing. The Blue Devils led by nearly 20 points at one point in the second half, but the Wildcats managed to cut it to seven points by the end of it, with Duke winning 100-93.

Duke vs Alabama basketball

With the Blue Devils’ win, Duke will now play Alabama in the Elite Eight following the Crimson Tide’s 113-88 win over No. 6 BYU.

Caleb Love stats

It may have come in a losing effort, but Love has nothing to be ashamed of from an individual standpoint. He scored a game-leading 35 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including 5 of 11 from 3-point range. He added four rebounds, an assist and a steal in the loss.

Duke vs Arizona Sweet 16 updates

This section will be updated throughout the game.

Arizona making a run vs Duke

Don’t declare the Wildcats dead, at least not yet. After falling behind by nearly 20 points in the second half, coach Tommy Lloyd’s team is roaring back, riding a 7-0 run to cut Duke’s lead to 78-70 with 7:47 remaining. Renowned Blue Devils assassin Caleb Love is up to a game-high 31 points.

Cooper Flagg no-look pass

Flagg’s been much more than a scorer for Duke against Arizona, as he showed so deftly early in the second half, when he drove to the basket, had the defense collapse on him and, without looking, finds a wide-open Sion James in the corner with a crisp pass, leading to a 3-pointer that put the Blue Devils up 56-44.

Duke gets out to hot second half start

Whatever momentum Duke had going into halftime has followed them out of the locker room. The Blue Devils score eight of the first 10 points of the second half to extend their lead to 56-44 in the opening three minutes of the period.

Duke, Cooper Flagg leading Arizona at halftime

Duke ended the first half in style, with Cooper Flagg calmly taking the ball up the court, checking the clock and draining a 3-pointer from the top of the key to double the Blue Devils’ lead to 48-42 at halftime. Flagg has a game-high 18 points.

As a team, Duke is 19-of-31 from the field (61.3%) and 7-of-13 from 3-point range (53.8%). Behind a team-high 14 points from Caleb Love, Arizona is 12-of-28 overall (42.9%) and 7-of-14 from 3 (50%).

Duke pulling ahead of Arizona

The Blue Devils are creating a little distance from the Wildcats, riding an 11-0 run to take a 23-16 lead over Arizona with 8:30 remaining in the first half. Freshman Kon Knueppel capped off the spurt with a 3-pointer.

Cooper Flagg points today

Flagg has 25 points, six rebounds and seven assists with 3:22 remaining. He’s 9-of-17 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point range. He has a steal and a block, as well, doing a little bit of everything for the Blue Devils.

Caleb Love points today

In what will be his final game against Duke, Love has 33 points on 10-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range. He also has four rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Alabama vs BYU score

The winner of Thursday’s game between Duke and Arizona will advance to take on No. 2 seed Alabama in the Elite Eight. Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide knocked off BYU 113-88 while making an NCAA Tournament-record 25 3-pointers (on 51 attempts). All-American guard Mark Sears led the way with 34 points while making 10 of his 16 shots from beyond the arc.

Maliq Brown injury update

While Cooper Flagg’s ankle generated most of the attention for Duke over the past two weeks, there was another Blue Devil who was dealing with an even trickier injury. Maliq Brown has played in just two games since Feb. 17 after suffering a dislocated shoulder on two different occasions, including most recently in an ACC Tournament win against Georgia Tech on March 13.

After sitting out Duke’s first two games of the NCAA Tournament, he’s now back. In the minutes leading up to the Blue Devils’ Sweet 16 game against Arizona, Duke announced that Brown is active, raising the possibility that he could make his way back to the court.

On Wednesday, Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer said that Brown ‘could be available’ for Thursday, describing his status as ‘day-to-day.’ He took part in his team’s practice Wednesday, as well.

Though he averages only 2.6 points per game, Brown has been an integral piece for Duke this season, particularly on the defensive end.

Caleb Love stats

Duke will be facing a familiar foe Thursday night. Caleb Love has been a frequent villain for the Blue Devils, whose big performances for North Carolina against Duke in 2022 defeated the Blue Devils in their final home game under Mike Krzyzewski and knocked them out of the NCAA Tournament in Coach K’s final career game.

Now at Arizona, he’ll look to deliver one final blow to Duke in what could be his final college game.

This season, Love is averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 39.3% from the field and 33.6% from 3-point range.

Duke vs Arizona men’s basketball betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of March 26

Spread: Duke (-9.5)
Over/under: 153.5
Moneyline: Duke -500 | Arizona +375

Men’s March Madness championship odds

March Madness odds, according to BetMGM, as of Wednesday, March 26

Here’s a full look at the odds of each remaining team to win the men’s NCAA Tournament.

Duke (+210)
Florida (+340)
Houston (+475)
Auburn (+475)
Tennessee (+1600)
Alabama (+1900)
Michigan State (+1900)
Texas Tech (+2200)
Maryland (+3500)
Arizona (+5000)
Kentucky (+6600)
Purdue (+8000)
BYU (+8000)
Michigan (+8000)
Ole Miss (+9000)
Arkansas (+10000)

Duke vs Arizona picks and predictions

USA TODAY Network’s experts have Duke defeating Arizona across the board, with the Blue Devils’ firepower ultimately proving to be too much for the Wildcats.

Jeremy Cluff: Duke 79, Arizona 73
Craig Meyer: Duke 87, Arizona 79
Rodd Baxley: Duke 82, Arizona 70
Ryan Haley: Duke 83, Arizona 74

What time is Duke vs Arizona today?

Tipoff: 9:39 p.m. ET

Where to watch Duke vs Arizona?

TV Channel: CBS
Live Stream:Fubo (free trial)

Duke vs Arizona will be broadcast on CBS. Cord-cutters can find the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial, or Paramount+, CBS’ dedicated streaming service.

The 2025 Major League Baseball season started in earnest Thursday, with 28 of 30 teams in action on the sport’s proper Opening Day.

It began with New York Yankees’ Austin Wells making history and culminating with the the Los Angeles Dodgers raising the 2024 World Series banner.

In the Bronx, Wells became the first catcher to hit a leadoff home run on Opening Day in MLB history as the Yankees prevailed over the Milwaukee Brewers.

In Los Angeles, the Dodgers’ pregame ceremony was made for the big screen. It began with the players strolling out through the center-field gate and rapper Ice Cube driving the World Series trophy onto the field before presenting it to Magic Johnson.

Then, in an emotional moment, Freddie Freeman, the hero of the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series championship, and Kirk Gibson, the hero of their 1988 crown, met and hugged on the field, before Gibson threw the ceremonial first pitch to Freeman.

And now the Dodgers are 3-0 after beating the Detroit Tigers.

It’s only the beginning. There are 2,400 regular season games remaining.

A look back at the highlights from Thursday’s games:

MLB scores today

New York Yankees 4, Milwaukee Brewers 2
Baltimore Orioles 12, Toronto Blue Jays 2
Boston Red Sox 5, Texas Rangers 2
Philadelphia Phillies 7, Washington Nationals 3 (10 innings)
Cleveland Guardians 7, Kansas City Royals 4 (10 innings)
Houston Astros 3, New York Mets 1
San Francisco Giants 6, Cincinnati Reds 4
San Diego Padres 7, Atlanta Braves 4
Chicago White Sox 8, Los Angeles Angels 1
Miami Marlins 5, Pittsburgh Pirates 4
St. Louis Cardinals 5,Minnesota Twins 3
Los Angeles Dodgers 5, Detroit Tigers 4
Chicago Cubs 10, Arizona Diamondbacks 5
Seattle Mariners 5, Athletics 4

Watch select MLB games this season with Fubo

It wasn’t a normal Dodgers game, it was a Hollywood premiere in LA

LOS ANGELES — It wasn’t a domestic season-opener Thursday at Dodger Stadium, it was a Hollywood premiere.

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ home opener against the Detroit Tigers, culminating with a 5-4 victory, belonged on the big screen, not on a grass field in front of a frenzied sellout crowd of 53,595.

There was Shohei Ohtani homering for the second time this season, with Hollywood stars Tom Hanks, Mary Hart and Rob Lowe celebrating as if they just won an Oscar.

There was Teoscar Hernandez with the biggest hit of the game, a go-ahead 3-run homer, making manager Dave Roberts look like a genius for putting him third in the batting order.

There were the Dodgers winning once again, baseball’s only 3-0 team, with visions of winning more regular-season games than any team in history.

And once again, there was Randy Newman’s ‘I Love L.A,’ blaring into the night as fans headed for the exits.

When the night was over, all the Dodgers could talk about was their spectacular pregame ceremony, making the game almost anti-climatic.

− Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

Ichiro Suzuki, 51, throws out first pitch at 84 mph

Hall of Famer and Seattle Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki delivered a laser of a ceremonial first pitch, caught by Dan Wilson. The 51-year-old dialed up an 84 mph first pitch to kick off Opening Day against the Athletics. Ichiro, who now serves as the Special Assistant to the Chairman with the Mariners, was dressed in full uniform and cleats to deliver the pitch.

Shohei Ohtani homers in Dodgers home opener

It’s Opening Day and Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has homered in two countries this season – Japan and the United States. Ohtani’s home run off Tigers reliever Brenan Hanifee gave the Dodgers a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. It was the second home run of the season for Ohtani.

He homered in the second game of the Tokyo Series against the Cubs on March 19.

Tigers legend Kirk Gibson throws Opening Day first pitch wearing Dodgers jersey

Gibby, meet Freddie.

Detroit Tigers legend Kirk Gibson – wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers jersey – threw a surprise ceremonial first pitch to Dodgers superstar Freddie Freeman ahead of Thursday’s Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Gibson and Freeman hugged after the first pitch.

Both players hit legendary walk-off home runs over the right-field wall at Dodger Stadium in Game 1 of the World Series for the Dodgers, separated by 36 years – Gibson in 1988 and Freeman in 2024. Both homers led to the Dodgers winning the World Series.

In 1988, Gibson — suffering from a leg injury — hit a walk-off two-run home run against Oakland Athletics pitcher Dennis Eckersley for a 5-4 win in the ninth inning. In 2024, Freeman — suffering from an ankle injury — hit a walk-off grand slam off New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes for a 6-3 win in the 10th inning.

Fox Sports broadcaster Joe Davis referenced Gibson during his play-by-play call of Freeman’s home run.

‘She is gone!’ Davis said. ‘Gibby, meet Freddie!’

− Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press

Reds’ Hunter Greene defends Ian Gibaut after blown save

Cincinnati Reds Opening Day starting pitcher Hunter Greene told reporters after Thursday’s tough loss to the San Francisco Giants that he talked to relief pitcher Ian Gibaut about his blown save and told Gibaut he supports him and believes in him.

‘It impacts us a lot. … It’s a big sting. It hurts. But Ian’s a dog,’ Greene said after the game. ‘And that’s what I told him. I know people might not want to hear that, but people need to believe that. Because he is. The last couple years he’s been with us he’s been in very tight situations. And he’s made it look easy getting out of them. This game’s difficult. He wasn’t able to do that today. But he’s one of our best pitchers. … Fans might not want to hear it. But they need to believe it because it is true. … I want him to know that I support him and I look past what happened today. And I know the rest of the team feels that way about Ian as well.’

– Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer

Astros beat Mets in Juan Soto’s NY debut

HOUSTON — The Mets did not completely get their money’s worth on Opening Day.

The team’s record signing, Juan Soto, stepped to the plate as the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning. He watched three balls before Astros closer Josh Hader worked a full count.

With runners on the corners, Soto waved at a slider, and the Mets dropped their Opening Day tilt with the Astros, 3-1, in front of a sold-out crowd of 42,305 at Daikin Park.

– Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com

Devin Williams nails down save for Yankees vs. Brewers

NEW YORK – Waiting in the wings, new Yankees’ closer Devin Williams was ready to unleash his famous “Airbender’ changeup against his old team.

Arriving to protect a three-run lead on a cool, clear Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, Williams wobbled Thursday afternoon before saving a 4-2 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers. A somewhat subdued crowd of 46,208 fans became agitated as Williams loaded the bases with none out, gave up a run on a sacrifice fly and faced runners at second and third.

But for the fifth time Thursday, Brewers’ leadoff hitter Jackson Chourio struck out and Williams struck out the dangerous Christian Yelich on a full-count Airbender to end it.

Making his second career Opening Day start, Carlos Rodon pitched into the sixth and yielded just a solo home run, and three relievers bridged it to Williams.

– Pete Caldera, NorthJersey.com

Tyler O’Neill homers for sixth straight Opening Day

Making his Orioles debut after signing a three-year, $49.5 million contract, O’Neill hit a three-run homer in the third inning off Toronto Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios.

– Jesse Yomtov

Vinny Capra home run: First of career for Brewers spring training star

Holy smokes, the star of spring just tanked one to left field at Yankee Stadium.

Vinny Capra just hit his first career home run, pulling the Brewers back to within 2-1, and this one wasn’t hit softly over the right-field wall. Capra only had 30 minor-league home runs in his career but hit six bombs in spring training, with 14 RBIs and an OPS over 1.000. It’s how Capra earned a spot on the roster and made him the surprise starter at third base on Opening Day.

Great line on the radio broadcast: ‘One of the few guys who could hit a home run today that has fewer home runs than Ueck.’

– JR Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Austin Wells home run leads off for Yankees

Leading off the bottom of the first, New York catcher Austin Wells homered to right field against Brewers starter Freddy Peralta, giving the Yankees an early 1-0 lead at Yankee Stadium.

Wells is the first catcher to bat leadoff in franchise history.

Yankees vs Brewers gets Opening Day underway

Yankees lefty Carlos Rodón struck out Brewers leadoff hitter Jackson Chourio in the Bronx, to officially begin MLB’s 2025 domestic Opening Day.

Rodón set Milwaukee down in order, needing just nine pitches to get through the first inning.

Reds’ Terry Francona went to dentist on Opening Day

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said on Wednesday that he’s made greater efforts later in his career to try to savor and enjoy Opening Day. That probably wasn’t as easy to achieve this year given his trip to the dentist on Thursday morning.

Francona started his first Opening Day in Cincinnati with a previously unplanned trip to a cosmetic dentist, he revealed during his pregame news conference Thursday at Great American Ball Park.

Asked at the outset of his 11:30 p.m. news conference with reporters what kind of morning he’d had so far, Francona said: ‘Not the best.’

‘Woke up about 2 a.m. One of my veneers, I think I chewed out,’ Francona said. ‘Woke up about 6 (a.m.) because I thought the trainer could probably get me in. So, then he called me about 8 a.m. and said, ‘you’re all set.’ I went out to wherever it was and got it fixed. Now I’m ready to go.’

– Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer

Tanner Bibee scratched for Guardians

Tanner Bibee turned himself into the Guardians’ No. 1 starter last year and recently signed a five-year, $48 million contract extension that could keep him in Cleveland through the 2030 season with a club option. There was a wave of positive momentum surrounding Bibee entering the 2025 season.

He was then tasked with taking the ball for the Guardians’ Opening Day game against the Kansas City Royals Thursday, but an illness has changed those plans, and he has been scratched from the start.

Instead, Ben Lively, coming off of a career year in 2024, will take the mound for the Guardians. 

– Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal

How to watch MLB Opening Day

ESPN will broadcast Brewers vs. Yankees at 3:05 p.m. ET. That will be followed by the defending World Series champion Dodgers welcoming the Tigers at 7:10 p.m. ET. MLB Network promises to have regional coverage of the Cubs-Diamondbacks and A’s-Mariners night games.

For those looking to stream the action, games available on ESPN and MLB Network are also available through MLB.tv or FuboTV.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The first two tickets to the Final Four will be punched Saturday.

Four teams advanced to the Elite Eight on Thursday, coming one step closer toward booking a trip to San Antonio. In the West Region, Florida dominated Maryland and Texas Tech used a furious rally to get past Arkansas. Out in the East Region, Alabama kept making 3-pointers against Brigham Young and Duke’s offense shined against Arizona.

All of the teams involved have been to the Final Four before, and the next round is another chance to add to a storied legacy. Here’s what to know for Saturday’s Elite Eight games.

Men’s NCAA Tournament Elite Eight Saturday schedule, times, how to watch

Here is the complete schedule for the Elite Eight games on Saturday, March 29 (all times Eastern).

6:09 p.m.: No. 1 Florida vs. No. 3 Texas Tech (San Francisco) | TBS/truTV
8:49 p.m.: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 2 Alabama (Newark) | TBS/truTV

Men’s NCAA Tournament Elite Eight announcers

No. 1 Florida vs. No. 3 Texas Tech

Play-by-play: Kevin Harlan Analyst: Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy Sideline reporter: Lauren Shehadi

No. 1 Duke vs. No. 2 Alabama

Play-by-play: Brian Anderson Analyst: Jim Jackson Sideline reporter: Allie LaForce

How to watch men’s NCAA Tournament 

The Elite Eight will air on CBS, TBS and truTV. Games can also be streamed on Sling TV, while Paramount+ has select games aired on CBS. Fubo, is also streaming select games on CBS and is offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream men’s NCAA Tournament games on Sling TV

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