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LOS ANGELES — Luka Dončić led the way for the Los Angeles Lakers in their 120-108 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.

Dončić scored 25 of his 31 points in the first half against the Nuggets in a game in which Los Angeles led by as many as 30 and never allowed Denver to lead.

Los Angeles’ quick start led to 46 points in the first quarter, the most the team had scored in any single quarter this season. The Lakers also set a franchise mark with nine three-pointers made in a single quarter.

Austin Reaves nearly produced a double-double with 22 points and eight assists as part of the Lakers’ offensive attack.

The Lakers were without LeBron James and Rui Hachimura while the Nuggets were missing Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray in the starting lineup of a crucial game for both teams. Center Aaron Gordon scored a team-high 26 points for Denver.

The Lakers (43-25) move into third place in the Western Conference standings with the victory. 

The Lakers were one game behind the Nuggets (44-26) coming into the game on Wednesday. Both teams are 13.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder (57-12), which sits atop the conference standings.

Lakers vs. Nuggets highlights:

Luka Dončić stats vs. Nuggets

Points: 31
FG: 10-for-21
3PT: 4-for-9
FT: 7-for-10
Rebounds: 9
Assists: 7
Steals: 2
Blocks: 1
Turnovers: 6
Fouls: 3
Minutes played: 32:16

Lakers’ next game

The Lakers will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday and the Chicago Bulls on Saturday before playing the next four games on the road.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The No. 11 Xavier Musketeers have a date with the No. 6 Illinois Fighting Illini.

Xavier overcame a 13-point deficit to defeat the No. 11 Texas Longhorns 86-80 in the First Four matchup on Wednesday to advance to the first round of the men’s NCAA Tournament. The win represented sweet revenge for Xavier, which lost to Texas in the 2023 Sweet 16.

‘This may be one of the best (wins) that I’ve ever been part in terms of the game. I thought we were dead in the water two different times,’ Xavier coach Sean Miller admitted. ‘The resiliency of the group has always won out for us.’

The Musketeers closed the game on a 16-6 run to win, overcoming their largest deficit of the season. Senior forward Zach Freemantle provided the knockout punch with a slam dunk in the final seconds of the contest. Freemantle finished with 15 points. 

Xavier erases 13-point deficit; leads Texas 78-74

Xavier went on an 8-2 run to take a 78-74 lead over Texas with 4:36 remaining in the game, marking the Musketeers’ first lead since 14:48 remaining in the first half. Xavier’s John Hugley IV hit a three to take the lead 75-74, followed by a layup by teammate Dailyn Swain. Swain was fouled on the layup and knocked down his free throw to go up 78-74.

Zach Freemantle back in foul trouble

Xavier forward Zach Freemantle picked up his fourth foul after pulling on the jersey of Texas’ Kadin Shedrick as he cut for the basket. Shedrick knocked down both free throws to give Texas a 69-67 advantage with 7:10 remaining in the game. Freemantle was immediately subbed out of the game due to foul trouble. 

Xavier ties it on Jerome Hunter’s three

We’re all tied up! Xavier’s Jerome Hunter knocked down a three to tie it up, 65-65, with 8:10 remaining in the game. The Musketeers’ run was fueled by six Texas turnovers in the second half. The Longhorns are up to 10 turnovers in the game, which Xavier has cashed in for 16 points. Hunter has nine points off the bench and is a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. 

Texas withstands Xavier’s surge; up 62-52

Xavier closed Texas’ lead to four points, but the Longhorns responded and built up a double-digit advantage again. Texas’ Tre Johnson knocked down a 3-pointer to go up 62-52 over Xavier with 12:00 remaining in the game. Johnson has a game-high 18 points and four rebounds. 

Can Xavier rally and make a come back? History is not on their side. The Musketeers are 7-11 when trailing at halftime. Three of Xaviers’ starters each have three fouls — Zach Freemantle, Ryan Conwell and Dailyn Swain.

Xavier opens second half on 7-3 run; trails 50-46

Xavier opened the second half on a 7-3 run to come within four points of Texas. Zach Freemantle was held to two points in the first half after picking up two early fouls, but his presence was immediately felt to start the second half. Freemantle hit a 3-pointer and, following a steal from teammate Dailyn Swain, slammed down a dunk in back-to-back possessions to send the crowd into a frenzy. He’s up to seven points. The Musketeers trail 50-46 with 17:00 remaining in the game. 

Halftime: Texas 47, Xavier 39

Xaviers’ Jerome Hunter knocked down a 3-pointer with 23 seconds remaining in the first half to cut Texas’ lead to six. Longhorns’ Tramon Mark answered right back, hitting a jumper as time expired to extend Texas’ lead to 47-39 at halftime.

Texas led by as many as 13 points in the first half and dominated the paint, outscoring Xavier 26-16. Texas’ Tramon Mark has a game-high 11 points, while Tre Johnson added 10 points and four rebounds.

Xavier’s Dante Maddox Jr. has a team-high 10 points off the bench. Ryan Conwell added seven points. 

Texas 41, Xavier 30 

Miscues are starting to pile up for Xavier, which trails Texas 41-30 with 3:24 remaining before halftime. The Musketeers have surrendered four turnovers so far, which Texas has converted into five points. Xavier is also only shooting 40% from the free throw line. To make matters worse, Xavier’s Zach Freemantle (2) and Ryan Cowell (3) are limited due to foul trouble. 

Texas 32, Xavier 21

Texas extended its lead over Xavier to double digits, leading 32-21 with 7:15 remaining in the first half. The Longhorns have superb shooting to thank for that. Texas is collectively shooting 57.1% from the field and 4-of-7 from three, led by eight points from Tre Johnson. Meanwhile, Xavier is shooting 40% from the field and 3-of-9 from three. Texas has held Xavier’s Zach Freemantle to two points so far (1-of-5 FG, 0-of-2 3PT).

Texas goes on 9-0 run; Zach Freemantle in foul trouble

Xavier’s Zach Freemantle went to the bench early after picking up his second foul with 14:11 remaining in the first half. Texas capitalized and went on a 9-0 run to take an eight-lead, 18-10, with 13:16 remaining in the half. Texas’ Tre Johnson has a team-high six points (2-of-5 FG, 1-of-3 3PT) for the Longhorns. Freemantle has zero points.

Xavier vs. Texas tips off

We are underway in Dayton, Ohio for the final First Four matchup between Texas and Xavier, marking a 2023 Sweet Sixteen rematch. (Texas won 83-71). Both teams have struggled offensively to open the game on Thursday, with the Musketeers shooting 2-of-6 from the field, while the Longhorns are 2-of-8 from the field. 

Xavier’s Ryan Cowell is responsible for all five of the Musketeers’ points so far. Things are all tied up 5-5 with 15:58 remaining in the first half. 

Final: Mount St. Mary’s 83, American 72

The Mountaineers will move into the Round of 64, where they will take on Duke, the East Region’s No. 1 seed. Dola Adebayo and Jedy Cordilia each finished with 22 points for Mount St. Mary’s, and Dallas Hobbs added 17.

American was led by Geoff Sprouse’s 18 points, all which came on 3-pointers.

Duane Simpkins receives technical

After American made it a nine-point game with a pair of Matt Mayock free throws, Eagles coach Duane Simpkins earned an untimely technical foul when he flopped to the court in disagreement to a foul call. Arlandus Keyes made both free throws to stretch the Mountaineers’ lead back to 11 at 83-72.

American cuts into deficit

The Eagles are not going away, staging a 7-0 run to cut their deficit to 81-70 with 3:27 remaining.

After Dolan Adebayo made two free throws to put Mount St. Mary’s ahead by 18 points, American got a dunk by Matt Mayock, a 3-pointer by Geoff Sprouse and a layup by Lincoln Ball in a span of 1:31.

Dalo Adebayo with massive dunk

Mount St. Mary’s has been dominant in the paint all game long, but that came to a front with seven minutes left in the game when the Mountaineers’ Dalo Adebayo got up for a loud dunk right in the face of American’s Greg Jones.

Adebayo reached 20 points on the night with that bucket.

Eagles 0 for their last 5 from three

As if on cue, the Eagles’ shooters have suddenly gone cold. Their inability to score has led to a 5-minute scoring drought for American.

Mount St. Mary’s is taking full advantage, winning in transition and finding consistent looks close to the basket. Dola Adebayo and Dallas Hobbs have taken control of this game. If they’re not the ones scoring for the Mountaineers, they’re the ones that are driving in and forcing American defenders into the middle before kicking it out to Lipscomb or any of Mount St. Mary’s shooters.

The Mountaineers lead by 19 with nine minutes to play.

Eagles reliant on three-pointers to stay close

American is staying close in this game thanks to lights out shooting from beyond the arc. However, this reliance on three-pointers could prove volatile down the stretch. Any cold streak could give Mount St. Mary’s an insurmountable lead.

As it stands though, American’s shooters − Sprouse, Stephens, Mayock − are the only thing keeping the Eagles in this game. Mount St. Mary’s leads 61-51 with 13 minutes to play.

Mount St. Mary’s still scoring despite American’s defensive changes

So far in the second half, it’s been much of the same, great offense on both sides. However, American has made an effort to limit the Mountaineers’ high-percentage looks down low. That hasn’t stopped the Mountaineers though. They’re making off-balance shots, finding lanes, and getting to the line regardless.

You can tell that the Eagles have improved defensively, but Mount St. Mary’s is getting a lot of lucky bounces and staying just out of reach of American, even if the Eagles are hitting three-pointers at a solid rate.

Five minutes into the second half, Mount St. Mary’s is up eight.

End of 1st Half: Mount St. Mary’s 48, American 38

It was a spectacular offensive half for Mount St. Mary’s, particularly Jedy Cordilia and Dallas Hobbs. Cordilia was incredibly efficient, shooting at an 8-of-9 clip in the first half to lead the Mountaineers with 16 points. Hobbs, meanwhile, was 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, including a buzzer beater at the end of the first half that likely decimated American’s spirits.

The loss of Matt Rogers hurts American’s chances moving forward, but there were some positives. Geoff Sprouse has been phenomenal from three-point land, leading the Eagles in scoring. Their defense will certainly need to make some changes going forward if they want any hope of earning a spot in the Round of 64.

Rogers declared out for game

American’s top scorer Matt Rogers was announced out for the rest of this game after re-aggravating a knee injury he suffered early in tonight’s tilt. Rogers had played spectacularly when he was on the court, but after hurting his knee for the second time, he was barely able to walk into the locker room on his own.

The Eagles will be forced to play the rest of this game without their best offensive weapon. Thankfully for them, Elijah Stephens and Geoff Sprouse have been shooting extremely well in the first half. If they maintain their hot hands into the second half, they could very well win this game.

American answers with back-to-back threes

Eagles Geoff Sprouse and Elijah Stephens avenged their fallen ally Rogers with back-to-back threes to bring the Eagles back within two points. Although the Mountaineers were able to answer back with a layup to make it a two-possession game, the Eagles have shown an ability to score points quickly. Any lapse in defense from Mount St. Mary’s could give the lead right back to American.

Matt Rogers aggravates knee

Rogers has been the best offensive player for American since he returned to the floor, but his knee took a bad turn while defending a spin move from Jedy Cordilia.

Rogers was able to return after suffering the injury early on, but he could barely put any weight on his leg as he left the court. Thankfully, he did start walking under his own power as he entered the locker room. Mount St. Mary’s leads 36-28.

Eagles turnovers costing them early

Despite the close score, American has not been very careful with the ball, committing five turnovers already. Most recently, Matt Rogers lost the ball while trying to back down his defender in the paint. That led to an uncontested three-point attempt for Mount St. Mary’s. They missed, but American proceeded to commit an illegal screen for another turnover which led to a pair of Mountaineers free throws at the other end. Mount St. Mary’s leads 26-22 with eight minutes to play.

Matt Rogers returns for American

After an early injury scared fans, Matt Rogers has returned to the floor. Given American’s ability to score with ease, Rogers’ presence could elevate American to a another level. Rogers led the Eagles in scoring leading into the tournament with 17 points per game.

American goes on 8-0 run

While they certainly hadn’t gotten off to a slow start, they picked up stream coming out of the first TV timeout. A combination of patience and offensive rebounding put American on top 18-15.

The Eagles bounced back nicely though, hitting a corner three to get to 20 points, but American has matched them blow for blow early on.

Mount St. Mary’s and American both shooting lights out to start game

While injuries have already started to take their toll in this contest, the offense from both teams has been spectacular to start this contest. Through just four minutes, both teams are on pace to score over 80 points in this game. In all fairness though, each team has been putting up their points in different ways.

Mount St. Mary’s has been able to find consistent space and hit three-pointers, but American has been incredible down low, scoring most of their points in the paint. It’s 15-10 Mount St. Mary’s.

What time is March Madness First Four games today?

March Madness continues with a second night of First Four action. No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s takes on No. 16 American University at 6:40 p.m. ET. That will be followed by the 11-seed game between Xavier and Texas, with an estimated tip off time of 9:10 p.m.

How to watch First Four Wednesday: TV, streaming coverage 

TV channels: TruTV
Live stream: Max and Sling

Watch March Madness and First Four with Sling

March Madness First Four odds

March Madness First Four odds, according to BetMGM.

Odds as of Tuesday, March 18

Mount St. Mary’s vs. American University

Spread: American (-2.5)
Moneyline: American (-145); Mount St. Mary’s (+118)
Total: 129.5

Xavier vs. Texas

Spread: Xavier (-2.5)
Moneyline: Xavier (-155); Texas (+125)
Total: 149.5

American vs. Mount St. Mary’s predictions

ESPN: American has 53.4% chance to beat Mount St. Mary’s

ESPN’s matchup predictor gave American a 53.4% chance to win its First Four game against Mount St. Mary’s, as of Tuesday afternoon.

NBC Sports: Go with American

‘American University earned the right to play in the NCAA Tournament as champions of the Patriot League. Winners of their last four games, American is led by Matt Rogers who averages 17 points per game. Rogers scored 25 in the Patriot League title game against Navy. … These teams have met in years past with American winning the last four meetings and six of the last ten.’

Sports Illustrated: American wins

‘The key will be for American to dictate the pace. It ranks in the bottom 10 in adjusted tempo according to KenPom … It can do that against a conservative (Mount St. Mary’s) defense that won’t generate turnovers and allow the team to run its preferred offense throughout.’

Arizona Republic: Mount St. Mary’s 69, American 66

‘Both of these schools went 22-12 in the regular season. Both have four-game win streaks. Both won their conference tournaments. We’re taking the underdog in a very close game in Dayton.’

Texas vs. Xavier NCAA Tournament 2025 predictions

ESPN: Texas has 53.6% chance to beat Xavier

ESPN’s matchup predictor gave Texas a 53.6% chance to win their First Four game against Xavier, as of Tuesday afternoon.

Arizona Republic: Xavier 75, Texas 70

‘The SEC sent 14 of 16 teams to the tournament and Texas was No. 14. Did the Longhorns deserve the bid? We’re about to find out against an Xavier team that won seven straight games before losing in the first round of the Big East Tournament.’

NBC Sports: Take Xavier

‘Xavier lost to Marquette in the Big East Tournament, 89-87. The loss snapped a seven-game win streak for the Musketeers. Zach Freemantle is averaging 17.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game to lead Xavier.’

Action Network: Xavier

‘A rematch of the 2023 Sweet 16 game that helped Rodney Terry earn the full-time head coaching job at Texas, this game could end up being a full-circle moment for Terry’s tenure in Austin, as rumors about his job security have been rampant in recent weeks … Xavier has an element that Texas lacks: a go-to interior scorer in sixth-year senior Zach Freemantle.’

First Four scores: Results from March Madness games

Tuesday, March 18

First Four games

South region: No. 16 Alabama State def. No. 16 St. Francis, 70-68
South region: No. 11 North Carolina def. No. 11 San Diego State, 95-68

2025 Men’s March Madness Printable Bracket

Click for your 2025 NCAA Tournament printable bracket

March Madness bracket predictions: Expert picks for NCAA Tournament

Jordan Mendoza

Full bracket

Final Four: Michigan State, Florida, Duke, Houston
Final: Florida vs. Houston
National champion: Houston

Paul Myerberg

Full bracket

Final Four: Auburn, St. John’s, Duke, Tennessee
Final: Auburn vs. Duke
National champion: Duke

Erick Smith

Full bracket

Final Four: Michigan State, Texas Tech, Duke, Tennessee
Final: Michigan State vs. Duke
National champion: Duke

Eddie Timanus

Full bracket

Final Four: Auburn, Florida, Duke, Houston
Final: Florida vs. Duke
National champion: Florida

Dan Wolken

Full bracket

Final Four: Michigan State, Florida, Duke, Houston
Final: Florida vs. Duke
National champion: Duke

March Madness bracket: First Four/Round of 64 dates, times, TV, results and scores

All times Eastern

Tuesday, March 18

First Four games

South region: No. 16 Alabama State def. No. 16 St. Francis, 70-68
South region: No. 11 North Carolina def. No. 11 San Diego State, 95-68

Wednesday, March 19

First Four games

East region: No. 16 American vs. No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s, 6:40 p.m. on truTV
Midwest region: No. 11 Texas vs. No. 11 Xavier, 9:10 p.m. on truTV

Thursday, March 20

Round of 64 games

South region: No. 8 Louisville vs. No. 9 Creighton, 12:15 p.m. on CBS
Midwest region: No. 4 Purdue vs. No. 13 High Point, 12:40 p.m. on truTV
East region: No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 14 Montana, 1:30 p.m. on TNT
Midwest region: No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 SIU-Edwardsville, 2 p.m. on TBS
South region: No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 16 Alabama State, 2:50 p.m. on CBS
Midwest region: No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 12 McNeese State, 3:15 p.m. on truTV
East region: No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 VCU, 4:05 p.m. on TNT
Midwest region: No. 8 Gonzaga vs. No. 9 Georgia, 4:35 p.m. on TBS
Midwest region: No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Wofford, 6:50 p.m. on TNT
West region: No. 7 Kansas vs. No. 10 Arkansas, 7:10 p.m. on CBS
South region: No. 4 Texas A&M vs. No. 13 Yale, 7:25 p.m. on TBS
West region: No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Drake, 7:35 p.m. on truTV
Midwest region: No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 Utah State, 9:25 p.m. on TNT
West region: No. 2 St. John’s vs. No. 15 Omaha, 9:45 p.m. on CBS
South region: No. 5 Michigan vs. No. 12 UC San Diego, 10 p.m. on TBS
West region: No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 14 UNC-Wilmington, 10:10 p.m. on truTV

Friday, March 21

Round of 64 games

East region: No. 8 Mississippi State vs. No. 9 Baylor, 12:15 p.m. on CBS
East region: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 15 Robert Morris, 12:40 p.m. on truTV
South region: No. 3 Iowa State vs. No. 14 Lipscomb, 1:30 p.m. on TNT
West region: No. 5 Memphis vs. No. 12 Colorado State, 2 p.m. on TBS
East region: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 American/Mount St. Mary’s, 2:50 p.m. on CBS
East region: No. 7 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 10 Vanderbilt, 3:15 p.m. on truTV
South region: No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 North Carolina, 4:05 p.m. on TNT
West region: No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 13 Grand Canyon, 4:35 p.m. on TBS
West region: No. 1 Florida vs. No. 16 Norfolk State, 6:50 p.m. on TNT
Midwest region: No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Troy, 7:10 p.m. on CBS
South region: No. 7 Marquette vs. No. 10 New Mexico, 7:25 p.m. on TBS
East region: No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 13 Akron, 7:35 p.m. on truTV
West region: No. 8 UConn vs. No. 9 Oklahoma, 9:25 p.m. on TNT
Midwest region: No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 11 Texas/Xavier, 9:45 p.m. on CBS
South region: No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 15 Bryant, 10 p.m. on TBS
East region: No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 Liberty, 10:10 p.m. on truTV

When does the Final Four start?

On the men’s side, the Final Four is scheduled for Saturday, April 5. The NCAA Championship Game will take place three days later on Tuesday, April 7. Starting at the Final Four, all games will played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

For the women, the Final Four will be played on Friday, April 4 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The championship game will Sunday at 3 p.m. at the same venue.

Women’s March Madness schedule

Here is the women’s schedule: 

First Four: March 19-20
First round: March 21-22
Second round: March 23-24
Sweet 16: March 28-29
Elite Eight: March 30-March 31
Final Four: Friday, April 4, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, hosted at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Second game starts 30 minutes after first game ends.
NCAA championship game: Sunday, April 6 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC, hosted at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

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The stage is set. March Madness has commenced.

For the next three weeks, the sporting world’s eyes will be firmly fixated on college basketball, as 128 college basketball teams — 64 men’s and 64 women’s — vie for a national championship.

For the men, all roads lead to San Antonio, a city with plenty of familiarity hosting the Final Four. The women, meanwhile, are trying to get to the Southeast. Tampa, Florida hosts the Final Four at Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Watch select March Madness games on Fubo (free trial)

While March Madness has always been a wildly popular tournament, the chaos implicit in it has made it an absolute hotbed for sports betting. Few tournaments boast as many upsets as the NCAA Tournament, and that makes every victory all the sweeter (and every loss more bitter).

While any team can make a run, fortune smiles upon some more than others. Here’s a look at the favorites on both the men’s and women’s sides as Nos. 1-64 try to make it to April 6 for the women and April 7 for the men.

(All odds courtesy of BetMGM)

Men’s March Madness favorites 2025

Naturally, the No. 1 seeds are the favorites. No. 2 overall seed Duke and consensus No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft Cooper Flagg lead the way at +325, tied with Florida, whereas No. 1 overall seed Auburn is third in odds at +400. Houston is the ‘longshot’ No. 1 seed at +600.

Here’s a full look at the favorites to win the men’s tournament, everyone who sits at better odds than +2500.

T1. Duke (+325)
T1. Florida (+325)
3. Auburn (+400)
4. Houston (+600)
5. Alabama (+1600)
6. Tennessee (+1800)
T7. Michigan State (+2500)
T7. St. John’s (+2500)

Women’s March Madness favorites 2025

It’s a similar story on the women’s side for the most part, although No. 2 seed UConn has eked its way into the favorites conversation behind superstar Paige Bueckers. Even so, South Carolina stands as a slight favorite at +220, with UConn trailing at +240. No. 1 overall seed UCLA is at +525, while JuJu Watkins and USC are tied with Texas at +700. Hannah Hidalgo and Notre Dame round out the favorites at +900 before a steep drop-off.

Here are the women’s squads who sit above +2500 to win the tournament.

1. South Carolina (+220)
2. UConn (+240)
3. UCLA (+525)
T4. Texas (+700)
T4. USC (+700)
6. Notre Dame (+900)

Men’s March Madness longshots 2025

If you’ve made it this far, you hate chalk.

So you don’t think it’s going to be the best player in the country in Flagg or possibly the most impressive coaches in the country in Tom Izzo (Michigan State) or Rick Pitino (St. John’s). Which team is going to obliterate brackets this year? Here’s a look at who oddsmakers are giving a shot. Could it be Bill Self and Kansas, in the midst of a down season? Or John Calipari in his first season with Arkansas? Maybe Dan Hurley and UConn right the ship in time to make a third consecutive run.

Here is who oddsmakers think are longshots to win the NCAA Tournament this season.

T9. Iowa State (+3500)
T9. Texas Tech (+3500)
T11. Kentucky (+5000)
T11. Arizona (+5000)
T11. Gonzaga (+5000)
T11. Wisconsin (+5000)
T11. Maryland (+5000)
16. Clemson (+6000)
T17. BYU (+6600)
T17. Texas A&M (+6600)
T19. Kansas (+8000)
T19. UConn (+8000)
T19. Purdue (+8000)
T19. Illinois (+8000)
T19. Michigan (+8000)
T19. Missouri (+8000)
T25. Marquette (+12500)
T25. Saint Mary’s (+12500)
T25. UCLA (+12500)
T25. Ole Miss (+12500)
T25. Louisville (+12500)
T30. Creighton (+15000)
T30. Oregon (+15000)
T32. North Carolina (+20000)
T32. Baylor (+20000)
T32. Mississippi State (+20000)
35. VCU (+25000)
T36. Arkansas (+30000)
T36. New Mexico (+30000)
T36. Vanderbilt (+30000)
T36. Memphis (+30000)
40. Georgia (+35000)
T41. Utah State (+50000)
T41. Oklahoma (+50000)
T41. Colorado State (+50000)
T41. Drake (+50000)
T41. UC San Diego (+50000)
T46. Grand Canyon (+100000)
T46. McNeese (+100000)
T46. Yale (+100000)
T46. Liberty (+100000)
T46. Troy (+100000)
T46. Wofford (+100000)
T46. Robert Morris (+100000)
T46. UNC Wilmington (+100000)
T46. High Point (+100000)
T46. Lipscomb (+100000)
T46. Omaha (+100000)
T46. Montana (+100000)
T46. Bryant (+100000)
T46. Akron (+100000)
T60. SIU Edwardsville (+200000)
T60. Mount St. Mary’s (+200000)
T60. Norfolk State (+200000)
T60. Alabama State (+200000)

Women’s March Madness longshots 2025

Taking women’s longshots is a bit of a different beast. Eleven of the past 12 national champions have been No. 1 seeds.

However, if betting the underdog does tickle anyone’s fancy, there are few intriguing options. Kim Mulkey’s LSU Tigers sit at +5000, while Ohio State — which was overshadowed by newcomers UCLA and USC in the Big Ten this season — sits at +15000. Here’s a full list of the longshot odds for the women’s side.

7. NC State (+3500)
T8. LSU (+5000)
T8. Duke (+5000)
T8. TCU (+5000)
T11. Kansas State (+15000)
T11. Tennessee (+15000)
T11. Kentucky (+15000)
T11. Ohio State (+15000)
T15. North Carolina (+20000)
T15. Baylor (+20000)
T15. Oklahoma (+20000)
T15. Ole Miss (+20000)
T15. Michigan State (+20000)
T15. Maryland (+20000)
T15. Iowa (+20000)
T22. Iowa State (+25000)
T22. West Virginia (+25000)
T22. Louisville (+25000)
T22. Florida State (+25000)
T22. Alabama (+25000)
T22. Michigan (+25000)
T22. Vanderbilt (+25000)
29. Utah (+30000)
T30. Nebraska (+50000)
T30. Creighton (+50000)
T30. Indiana (+50000)
T30. Georgia Tech (+50000)
T30. Cal (+50000)
T30. South Dakota State (+50000)
T30. Oregon (+50000)
T30. Washington U (+50000)
T30. Oklahoma State (+50000)
T30. Grand Canyon (+50000)
T40. Oregon State (+100000)
T40. Mississippi State (+100000)
T40. Arkansas State (+100000)
T40. Florida Gulf Coast (+100000)
T40. Wisconsin Green Bay (+100000)
T40. Ball State (+100000)
T40. Fairfield (+100000)
T40. Tennessee Tech (+100000)
T40. UNC Greensboro (+100000)
T40. High Point (+100000)
T40. Montana State (+100000)
T40. South Florida (+100000)
T40. San Diego State (+100000)
T40. Stephen F. Austin (+100000)
T40. Vermont (+100000)
T40. Southern (+100000)
T40. Lehigh (+100000)
T40. Murray State (+100000)

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Two First Four games tipped off the 2025 women’s NCAA Tournament on Wednesday, with Iowa State and Southern advancing to the first round as 11 and 16 seeds, respectively.

Iowa State rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit to beat Princeton 68-65 behind dynamic duo Audi Crooks and Addy Brown’s stellar performances, as Crooks scored 27 points and Brown added 22 points with seven rebounds and eight assists. The Cyclones will face 6-seed Michigan on Friday.

Southern then took down UC San Diego with relative ease, besting the Tritons 68-56 behind Soniyah Reed’s game-leading 24 points. The path gets much harder for the Jaguars, who face top-seeded UCLA in the Los Angeles Regional in the first round.

Here’s a look at the highlights and updates from the first day of the women’s First Four, which concludes with two more matchups between Washington and Columbia and William & Mary and High Point on Thursday:

Women’s First Four score updates

This section will be updated when games tip off.

Women’s First Four live updates

Southern holds on for 68-56 win

Southern hangs on to win, earning a spot against 1-seed UCLA in the first round of the Los Angeles Regional.

Soniyah Reed led all scorers with 24 points off the bench, while Aniya Gourdine added 17.

UC San Diego cuts deficit to 49-40 after 3rd quarter

The Tritons outscore Southern 20-9 in the third quarter to move their deficit to single digits, putting themselves in position to attempt a comeback heading into the final period.

UCSD’s Sumayah Sugapong has 16 points and four assists on 6 of 16 shooting and was paramount in UC San Diego’s strong third quarter showing. Parker Montgomery also made two 3-pointers in the quarter.

UC San Diego trying to claw back

UC San Diego trying to claw its way back, as it has outscored Southern 13-7 in the third quarter so far.

Southern still maintains a 47-33 lead midway through the third quarter, however.

Southern leads 40-20 at halftime

Southern takes a 40-20 lead into the second half after a dominant showing through two quarters, led by Reed’s 19 points and a stellar 8-of-9 shooting. Aniya Gourdine also scored 10.

UC San Diego is shooting just 8 of 28 from the field and 2 of 10 from 3-point range.

Southern pulling away

Southern finding its groove in the second quarter, as it grabs a 27-13 lead. The Jaguars are holding UC San Diego to poor shooting so far, as the Tritons are 5 of 17 shooting to Southern’s 11 of 17 shooting.

Southern leads 17-11 after 1st quarter

Despite both teams struggling to score through the first half of the first quarter, both teams found their groove offensively. It’s Southern, though, that takes a 19-11 lead into the second quarter.

Southern’s Soniyah Reed leads all scorers with 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting with three 3-pointers off the bench.

Southern, UC San Diego tip off

The second First Four game of the women’s NCAA Tournament is underway, as Southern and UC San Diego tip off.

The winner gets a chance at UCLA in the Los Angeles Regional.

Iowa State holds strong, wins 68-63

Iowa State holds strong, earning a 68-63 win over Princeton in the First Four. The Cyclones will face 6-seed Michigan on Friday.

Audi Crooks leads the way with 27 points for the Cyclones, 18 of which came in the second half. Addy Brown was also stellar, with 22 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

Iowa State, Princeton trading buckets in 4th quarter

Princeton not going away without a fight, as the Tigers have already outscored their output from the third quarter with 10 points in the fourth so far.

Iowa State has also scored 10, however, as the Cyclones hold a 62-57 lead midway through the final period.

Crooks leads all scorers with 23 points on 11 of 18 shooting.

Iowa State leads 52-47 after 3 quarters

What a response for Iowa State, which outscores Princeton 27-9 to take a 52-47 lead into the fourth quarter. Emily Ryan’s jumper as time expires makes it 27 points in the quarter, as the Cyclones outscore Princeton 27-7 in the third.

Brown and Crooks lead the way with 22 and 15 points, respectively.

Iowa State takes lead

They say basketball is a game of runs, and this one has been exactly that so far. Iowa State has outscored Princeton 20-4 so far in the third quarter to take a 46-42 lead with a few minutes left until the fourth quarter.

The run comes after Princeton outscored Iowa State 27-7 in the second quarter. Quite a change of events.

Iowa State starts 2nd half strong

The Cyclones shorten their deficit to 42-37 in the third quarter with a 12-4 run to start the second half.

Brown and Crooks are unstoppable right now, with 16 and 13 points each.

Princeton leads 38-25 at halftime

What a second quarter from Princeton, as the Tigers trailed 18-11 after the first quarter but outscore Iowa State 27-7 in the second period to take a 38-25 lead into halftime.

Chea and Fadima Tall have 15 and 10 points, respectively, whereas 20 of Iowa State’s 25 points have come from Brown and Crooks (11 and nine points, respectively).

Princeton ends the first half on a 14-0 run, completely shifting momentum heading into the second half.

Ashley Chea cooking for Princeton

What a quarter for Princeton’s Ashley Chea, has her two 3-pointers late in the first half have helped the Tigers to a 12-0 run in the second quarter.

Chea’s deep 3-pointer has her up to 15 points with three rebounds and two assists with three 3-pointers so far as Princeton leads 36-25.

Addy Brown, Audi Crooks leading way for Iowa State

Brown and Crooks are doing it all for Iowa State right now, as Brown enters double figures with 11 points so far after a driving layup. Crooks has also added nine points, as the duo has combined for 20 of the Cyclones’ 25 points.

Princeton leads 26-25, however, as it has outscored Iowa State 17-7 in the second quarter.

Princeton with 10-2 run to start 2nd quarter

Here comes Princeton. The Tigers start the second quarter with a 10-2 run to tie the game at 20.

Forward Fadima Tall is up to six points now for Princeton.

Cyclones take 18-11 lead into 2nd quarter

Iowa State has set the tone early, shooting 8 of 16 as a team behind Brown’s seven points and Crooks’ six points. Brown has also added two rebounds and three assists, as the Cyclones’ post presence has been too much for Princeton to handle through a quarter.

Iowa State leads early

The Cyclones lead 13-9 midway through the first quarter, with Iowa State’s Addy Brown already up to seven points.

Seven of Princeton’s nine points have come from Ashley Chea, who’s 3 of 5 shooting with seven points in the first quarter.

Women’s First Four 20 minutes from tip off

Iowa State and Princeton are getting set for the first women’s NCAA Tournament game this season, with star forward Audi Crooks leading the Cyclones against the Tigers’ Skye Belker and Co.

The winner faces Michigan in the first round of the Notre Dame Regional.

What is the First Four?

The First Four is essentially a play-in game for the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament, where eight teams compete for four spots in the first round of March Madness. The eight teams are selected based on the NCAA Committee’s last four ranked at-large teams at last four ranked automatic qualifiers.

The two winners of the at-large First Four games earn 11 seeds, whereas the winners of the last four ranked automatic qualifiers take 16 seeds.

Women’s First Four times today

Game 1: (11) Iowa State vs. (11) Princeton | 7 p.m. ET
Game 2: (16) UC San Diego vs. (16) Southern | 9 p.m. ET

The first of Wednesday’s women’s First Four games, Iowa State vs. Princeton, is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET from the Purcell Pavilion in Notre Dame, Indiana. The winner will advance to play 6 seed Michigan.

The second game, UC San Diego vs. Southern, is scheduled to tip off at 9 p.m. ET from Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, with the winner advancing to face No. 1 overall seed UCLA.

Watch women’s First Four with Fubo (free trial)

What channels are women’s First Four games today?

TV channel: ESPNU
Streaming: March Madness Live | ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

Both of Wednesday’s games will air on ESPNU. Streaming options include March Madness Live and the ESPN app, which require valid cable logins. Another option is Fubo, which offers a free trial

Iowa State vs Princeton history

Series record: N/A

This will be Iowa State and Princeton’s first time meeting, according to both teams’ histories.

UC San Diego vs Southern history

Series record: N/A

This will be UC San Diego and Southern’s first time meeting, according to both teams’ histories.

Women’s First Four predictions

Iowa State vs Princeton

USA TODAY Network: Iowa State 72, Princeton 64
South Bend Tribune: Iowa State
Des Moines Register: Iowa State 84, Princeton 65

UC San Diego vs Southern

USA TODAY Network: UC San Diego 59, Southern 56
South Bend Tribune: UC San Diego

Women’s First Four betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, March 19

Iowa State vs Princeton

Spread: Iowa State (-4.5)
Over/under: 136.5
Moneyline: Iowa State (-210) | Princeton (+170)

UC San Diego vs Southern

Spread: UC San Diego (-3.5)
Over/under: 111.5
Moneyline: UC San Diego (185) | Southern (+150)

Iowa State women’s basketball schedule 2024-25

Below are Iowa State’s five most recent games. For the Cyclones’ full schedule, click here.

Saturday, Feb. 22: at Baylor (L, 67-62)
Tuesday, Feb. 25: at UCF (W, 98-73)
Sunday, March 2: vs. Kansas State (W, 85-63)
Thursday, March 6: vs. Arizona State (W, 96-88) (Big 12 tournament)
Friday, March 7: vs. Baylor (L, 69-63) (Big 12 tournament)

Princeton women’s basketball schedule 2024-25

Below are Princeton’s five most recent games. For the Tigers’ full schedule, click here.

Saturday, Feb. 22: vs. Columbia (L, 64-60)
Friday, Feb. 28: at Harvard (W, 70-58)
Saturday, March 1: at Dartmouth (W, 67-55)
Saturday, March 8: vs. Penn (W, 67-53)
Friday, March 14: vs. Harvard (L, 70-67) (Ivy League tournament)

UC San Diego women’s basketball schedule 2024-25

Below are UC San Diego’s five most recent games. For the Tritons’ full schedule, click here.

Thursday, March 6: at Long Beach (W, 82-51)
Saturday, March 8: vs. UC Davis (L, 69-58)
Thursday, March 13: vs. Cal Poly (W, 59-54) (Big West tournament)
Friday, March 14: vs. Hawaii (W, 51-49) (Big West tournament)
Saturday, March 15: vs. UC Davis (W, 75-66) (Big West tournament)

Southern women’s basketball schedule 2024-25

Thursday, March 6: vs. Alabama State (W, 61-38)
Saturday, March 8: vs. Alabama A&M (L, 48-35)
Wednesday, March 12: vs. Mississippi Valley State (W, 63-43) (SWAC tournament)
Friday, March 14: vs. Jackson State (W, 51-47) (SWAC tournament)
Saturday, March 15: vs. Alcorn State (W, 64-44) (SWAC tournament)

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A House GOP lawmaker’s town hall devolved into chaos minutes after it began this week, and he’s now responding to hecklers who criticized his concerns about the national debt.

‘We heard from a lot of Nebraskans last night that voiced their concerns about Elon Musk. And I basically said I support [the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE], I support what Elon Musk is doing,’ Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., told Fox News Digital in an interview on Wednesday.

‘What I asked people to do is think about our debt, not as a red or blue issue, it’s an American issue. It’s going to take all of us to solve it. And what I said last night is we need to balance the budget. I was booed. That is not the right response.’

Flood illustrated his focus on the national debt, which is over $36 trillion, with a massive graphic that hung above him in a Columbus, Nebraska, high school auditorium for most of the town hall. 

But any mention of government spending cuts spurred jeers from the crowd, particularly in the context of Musk’s DOGE efforts.

Multiple people raised specific concerns about medical programs and veterans funding, which Flood said he was in favor of protecting.

‘What I told my constituents last night was, ‘Hey, if you have a concern about a federal agency or a federal program or a specific spending item, communicate that with me,’’ Flood said.

‘I heard a lot last night about the [Department of Veterans Affairs]. We have made a promise to these veterans. … If there’s a hiccup in the system, I’ll do what I’ve always done, and that is I’ll interface with the VA. I’ll advocate on behalf of the veterans and will ensure that they receive the care that they’re entitled to.’

At one point, a woman who said she lost her sister to breast cancer accused Flood of supporting cuts to critical cancer research programs while noting his wife grappled with the disease.

Flood said he supported medical research funding but also supported efforts to find more efficiency in government, again citing the national debt.

He attempted to continue his answer multiple times as people booed, prompting him to incredulously ask, ‘How can you be against a balanced budget?’

Democrat groups had advertised their presence ahead of the packed event. MoveOn promoted a ‘Musk or Us’ protest at the same time and location as Flood’s event. Nebraska Democratic Party staff were also onsite, a top official wrote on X.

Flood said Democratic Party staffers were handing out leaflets to attendees outside the event.

‘I, like every other member of Congress right now, am dealing with a lot from the Democrats. … And last night was an extension of the same at the end of the day,’ he said. ‘I represent them, so I’m happy to visit with them. I’m happy to explain where I am on the issues, but it was obviously fairly coordinated among certain folks last night. Ultimately, we had an exchange of ideas, and that’s what’s important.’

The Nebraska Republican was the lone House GOP lawmaker whose office held a formal town hall this week while Congress is in recess.

House Republican leaders warned their conference to refrain from in-person events as anti-DOGE demonstrations escalate.

But Flood said he would persist and hold his next town hall in Lincoln, Nebraska, in August.

‘We have to explain to the people we represent every single day that $36 trillion national debt is a national security issue. It’s a ticking time bomb. And I think confronting the issue by raising it at a town hall, there’s a lot of value to that,’ Flood said. 

‘I think last night, the best part of it was that I got the chance to explain and connect the dots for people as to why I’m so supportive of some of the spending cuts that we are engaged in right now.’

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‘From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam…’ Those familiar lyrics we all grew up singing represent the vast diversity of America’s natural grandeur, the majesty of which inspired the first Pilgrims, our Founders nearly 250 years ago, and the frontiersman who pushed West. I believe that same marvel for the great outdoors is still at the heart of the American spirit, though muffled by the noise of hyper-politicization. 

Our love of nature used to rise above politics. In 1991, nearly 80% of Americans self-identified as ‘environmentalists.’ But today, the environment is gridlocked.The inmates have been running the asylum. Green New Deal Liberals have staked their claim on the issue, creating the narrative that Republicans are anti-environment. 

Look at the numbers: 95% of voters say that protecting the water in our lakes, streams, and rivers is important to them. 93% believe clean energy is crucial for our future. 88% support sustainable agriculture practices. And 82% support federal investment to reduce the threat of wildfires. Public opinion hasn’t changed in the last three decades, our leaders have just become too politically stubborn. 

Americans are sick of the loudest, most extreme voices controlling the environmental movement.  And America’s natural beauty deserves better than political culture wars. 

That is why I founded Nature Is Nonpartisan, a 501c(3) nonprofit dedicated to rebranding environmentalism as a nonpartisan issue by building a large-scale, cross-partisan coalition to advocate for common-sense conservation. With a Board of Directors as politically diverse as David Bernhardt (fmr. DOI Secretary under President Trump), Jack Selby (co-founder of PayPal), Michael Brune (fmr. Sierra Club CEO), and Carlos Curbelo (fmr. U.S. Representative from Florida), and partners including the National Wildlife Federation, American Forests, Ducks Unlimited, and the American Conservation Coalition, Nature Is Nonpartisan represents millions of Americans who are ready to usher in a new era of environmentalism. 

Nature Is Nonpartisan will launch its movement on March 20, 2025, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota – the geographic center of the country – where we’re asking Americans of all political stripes and backgrounds to ‘meet us in the middle.’ We’re bringing high-profile influencers, celebrities, and politicians together to promote the simple idea that the environment is an inherently nonpartisan issue. South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden will officially proclaim the first-ever ‘Nature Is Nonpartisan Week.’ And we’re going to highlight the stories of diverse leaders putting aside partisan politics to conserve their local environment. 

If America wants to make environmental progress that lasts beyond the next Election Day, we need an environmental group that fights to conserve our natural beauty regardless of which ‘side’ is in power. The traditional environmental movement seems content to cry wolf about this administration’s environmental policies while never actually being a part of the conservation – but Nature Is Nonpartisan is focused on forging the path to create real impact over the four years ahead. 

Donald Trump has an opportunity to leave a conservation legacy that rivals that of Teddy Roosevelt by making unprecedented federal investments in America’s natural beauty – including conservation, wildlife preservation, sustainable agriculture, public lands, and ecosystem restoration. 

Making America Beautiful Again is not about politics. It’s about setting up the framework for the important work that will trigger a cascade of bipartisan legislation in Congress, drive progress within key government agencies, and open doors for more environmental NGOs to work alongside the Trump Administration. 

At Nature Is Nonpartisan, we are building the future of nature in a way that truly transcends the divisiveness of modern politics and unites Americans around our shared love of nature. 

It’s time to step away from political division, work across partisan differences, and deliver a healthier environment for the next generation. 

The future of nature is now. And the future of Nature Is Nonpartisan. 

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Strikes launched by Israel killed at least 58 Palestinians throughout the Gaza Strip overnight and into Thursday, according to hospitals via The Associated Press.

The Jewish State resumed attacks across Gaza earlier this week, breaking a ceasefire, which reportedly killed over 400 Palestinians – mostly women and children – on Tuesday, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

Israel’s military indicated that it intercepted a missile fired by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels early Thursday before it entered Israel’s airspace, The AP reported.

‘Hamas refused offer after offer to release our hostages. In the past two weeks, Israel did not initiate any military action, in the hope that Hamas would change course. Well, that didn’t happen. While Israel accepted the offer of President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, Hamas flatly refused to do so,’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video shared to X on Tuesday. ‘This is why I authorized yesterday, the renewal of military action against Hamas.’

‘Israel does not target Palestinian civilians. We target Hamas terrorists,’ he declared. ‘And when these terrorists embed themselves in civilian areas, when they use civilians as human shields, they’re the ones who are responsible for all unintended casualties.’

Israel launched its war on Hamas in response to the terrorist group’s heinous attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

 

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., a staunch supporter of Israel, continued to express his support while visiting the foreign nation this week.

‘Hamas does not want peace. I unapologetically, 100% stand with Israel, and demand the release of all remaining hostages. Sending this from Israel,’ Fetterman said on X on Tuesday.

 

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., said on X on Wednesday, ‘Hamas could end this war right now if it released the hostages held in Gaza. It could’ve done so months ago, but instead it’s brought devastation by prolonging this conflict. America must lead the world in pressuring Hamas to end this war and bring the hostages home.’

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A federal bankruptcy judge on Wednesday issued a limited protective order in the bankruptcy case of Colorado football player Shilo Sanders after questioning why certain aspects of Sanders’ financial activities should be given such privacy protections, including his business deals and bank statements that might show how many times he ordered food at McDonald’s.

In a hearing in Denver on Tuesday, Judge Michael E. Romero also reminded Sanders’ attorney that Sanders voluntarily chose to file for bankruptcy in a public court in 2023 as part of his effort to free himself of more than $11 million in debt. Romero therefore questioned Sanders’ attorney why Sanders’ previous bank statements should be shielded from public view by a protective order.

“So you’re saying there’s a need for protection to find out how many times your client went to McDonald’s in 2023 − that it’s important that we protect the bank statements on that because it’s listed on his accounts?” the judge asked.

“We at least want it to not end up on social media,” said Shilo’s attorney, Keri Riley.

“Who cares how many times he goes to McDonald’s?” the judge asked. “There may be somebody interested… There may be somebody in this world who wants to know how many Big Macs he gets, but who cares?”

Sanders, 25, is the son of Colorado football coach Deion Sanders. He is hoping to be selected in the NFL draft next month, but the bankruptcy case could affect his future earnings if it doesn’t go the way he wants.

The judge ended up finding ‘good cause’ to give Sanders certain privacy protections. Among other things, Romero’s five-page protective order Wednesday says ‘designated discovery material may not be used for any other purpose’ other than that is related to the case.

What is the latest on Shilo Sanders’ bankruptcy case?

In the hearing this week, the judge was trying to determine how much privacy Sanders should be given as he tries to wipe out his debt – almost all of it owed to a man named John Darjean, a former security guard at his school in Dallas.

Sanders’ attorney had asked for a protective order in the case that would keep discovery evidence from being publicly disseminated by the parties in the case, including business deals for his name, image and likeness (NIL). They didn’t want it to end up on social media as part of a “smear campaign” against him that could affect his future earnings after bankruptcy.

But Darjean’s attorney, Ori Raphael, is fighting to collect every penny of the debt his client is owed and argued Shilo should not get “extra” privacy protection in public bankruptcy court. He wanted any protective order to be “as narrow as possible” to get the case moving.

“Nothing is special about what he’s done,” Raphael told the judge Tuesday. “Nothing makes him unique. The only thing that’s unique is he’s chose to be bankrupt and come to this court to say, `Oh I’m special, so I shouldn’t have to reveal anything I’ve done.’ You chose this path. You have to therefore accept it. Same with the people who contracted with him. It’s the risk of doing business.”

Protective order allows Shilo Sanders some privacy

The judge’s order appears to forbid social-media dissemination of designated discovery evidence unless it gets into the public court record.

Sanders’ attorney had emphasized this in the hearing Tuesday.

“We don’t want a situation where we’re producing bank statements from 2023, and now we see an Instagram post saying, `Oh look. Four times last month, instead of paying (Darjean), he went to go and get avocado toast,’” Riley told the judge. “Does anybody care? We would hope not, but this is a case that is in the public sphere already.”

The fight over Shilo’s debt

The debt stems from an incident in 2015 when Shilo was 15 and was accused of severely injuring Darjean when Darjean tried to confiscate his phone at school. Darjean sued Sanders for damages and finally went to trial in 2022, where he won a $11.89 million default judgment against Sanders in a Dallas civil court. Before the trial, Sanders claimed he acted in self-defense but didn’t show up for the trial to defend himself and now is stuck with debt from the judgment. He then filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October 2023, hoping he could have that debt discharged so he can get a “fresh start.” In response, Darjean filed two complaints to try to prevent that from happening.

But the case recently has been bogged down by this dispute over how much privacy Sanders should get in this public case as it starts to get deeper into discovery evidence over his finances. Generally, one of the tradeoffs of trying to get your debt erased in bankruptcy court is that you have to go through the process publicly to ensure transparency and fairness for creditors.

On Tuesday , the judge asked what harm could be caused by having discovery evidence in the case posted on social media. He said the court is not going to pay attention to what people are saying about the case there.

“Right, Your Honor, but it does impact this debtor’s ability to get his fresh start and continue to generate revenue down the road,” Riley told the judge. “As somebody who does have at least somewhat of a public presence, when this content is created that is targeting him in a negative way… it’s doing nothing more than impacting his ability to get future deals.”

What is next after this?

Romero decided on a protective order that allows for discovery evidence to be designated ‘confidential’ if the designating counsel has a good-faith belief that it contains information that is proprietary, confidential or commercially sensitive, or would invade somebody’s legitimate privacy interests. Such designations can be challenged, however.

Now that this protective order is in place, the case will proceed toward trial on different fronts. The stakes are high. If Darjean wins in his attempt to prevent Shilo’s debt from being discharged, Darjean could pursue debt collection from Shilo on the full amount in the future. But if Shilo succeeds in having his debt wiped out in court, Darjean likely only would collect a small fraction of what he’s owed.

A bankruptcy trustee has been trying to round up Shilo’s non-exempt assets to sell and divide among creditors in the meantime.

‘We’re still trying to get all of those NIL contracts, Your Honor,’ said Peter Cal, attorney for the trustee.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

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Following a year of significant setbacks in the Middle East for Iran with its proxy forces flagging in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria, Tehran is leaning on its influence over the Houthi terrorist group in Yemen to carry out its offensive aims. 

According to findings obtained by sources embedded in Tehran who are affiliated with the Iranian resistance group called the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, not only are some of Iran’s most senior military officials in its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) involved in Houthi decision-making, but Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has his thumb on the deadly group. 

President Donald Trump’s recent threats against Tehran over its sponsorship of the Houthis are supported in the report, which claims well-placed sources have confirmed that one of the most senior commanders in the IRGC’s Quds Force – the elite branch of the Iranian military – is ‘directly commanding Houthi activities.’

Khamenei, according to the report compiled by the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and first obtained by Fox News Digital, personally supervises all Houthi ‘political and military affairs’ that are first approved by his regime.

‘According to reports received from within the IRGC, Khamenei has personally emphasized the importance of Houthi attacks and the necessity of sending weapons and equipment for the Houthis to IRGC commanders and regime officials,’ the report said. 

The weakening of Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ amid the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria has increasingly pushed Tehran to lean on its proxies in Iraq and Yemen.

More than 100 attacks on commercial shipping vessels have been committed by Houthi forces since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, which sparked responses from surrounding terrorist networks, including Hezbollah.

The exchange of missile and drone fire by both the Houthis and U.S. forces escalated this week when the terrorist network threatened to renew strikes on Israeli vessels after Jerusalem cut off humanitarian aid headed for the Gaza Strip this month.

President Trump responded by vowing ‘overwhelming lethal force’ until the Houthi attacks ceased and warned Iran that it would be held ‘fully accountable’ for any attacks.

‘[IRGC Brig. Gen. Abdolreza] Shahlai is in charge of all military, political, and economic matters related to the regime’s intervention in Yemen, including all Houthi operations and attacks,’ the report said, noting his close ties to the former commander of the Quds Force who was killed by then-President Trump’s order in Iraq in 2020, Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani had the blood of hundreds of American soldiers on his hands. 

The report also found that the Iranian Embassy in Yemen is currently under ‘full control’ of the Quds Force.

While it is not necessarily unheard of for intelligence operatives to work out of embassies abroad, the report said it could find no evidence that any personnel from Iran’s Foreign Ministry were in its embassy in Yemen.

The Iranian Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen, did not respond to Fox News Digital’s questions. 

‘The mullahs’ regime is the root cause of war and instability in the region, sustained through repression at home and the export of terrorism and conflict abroad,’ Ali Safavi, a member of the NCRI’s Foreign Affairs Committee, told Fox News Digital. ‘The only viable solution to the Iranian crisis is the regime’s overthrow by the Iranian people.’

‘A decisive international policy toward Iran must recognize and support the legitimacy of the Iranian resistance, proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist entity, activate the U.N. Security Council snapback mechanism and endorse the Resistance Units’ fight against the regime,’ he added. 

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The 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament has no shortage of intrigue.

From the best No. 1 overall prospect in years in Cooper Flagg to the most well-represented conference in March Madness history in the SEC, this year’s iteration of the most exciting tournament in American sports has a little something for everyone.

The aforementioned SEC has two No. 1 seeds in Florida and No. 1 overall seed Auburn, while Flagg and the Blue Devils and the Big 12’s Houston hold the other top lines. In-state rivals Michigan and Michigan State are undoubtedly eyeing each other in the South Region, while Bill Self and John Calipari are facing each other in the first round in Calipari’s first year at Arkansas.

Watch select men’s March Madness games on Fubo (free trial)

However, the magic of March is in the storylines you don’t expect. Which double-digit seeds will advance? Will we get a Cinderella, run a la Saint Peter’s in 2022 or Loyola in 2018? Could a 16 seed even upset a No. 1 seed, something that has happened only once before?

Anything is possible as the tournament begins. Here is the full March Madness schedule, featuring times and channels.

March Madness schedule 2025

All times Eastern

Thursday, March 20 (first round)

Game 1: No. 8 Louisville vs No. 9 Creighton | 11:15 a.m. | CBS (Fubo)
Game 2: No. 4 Purdue vs No. 13 High Point | 11:45 a.m. | truTV (Sling)
Game 3: No. 3 Wisconsin vs No. 14 Montana | 12:30 p.m. | TNT (Sling)
Game 4: No. 1 Houston vs No. 16 SIU Edwardsville | 1 p.m. | TBS (Sling)
Game 5: No. 1 Auburn vs No. 16 Alabama St. | 1:50 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)
Game 6: No. 5 Clemson vs No. 12 McNeese | 2:15 p.m. | truTV (Sling)
Game 7: No. 6 BYU vs No. 11 VCU | 3:05 p.m. | TNT (Sling)
Game 8: No. 8 Gonzaga vs No. 9 Georgia | 3:35 p.m. | TBS (Sling)
Game 9: No. 2 Tennessee vs No. 15 Wofford | 5:50 p.m. | TNT (Sling)
Game 10: No. 7 Kansas vs No. 10 Arkansas | 6:10 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)
Game 11: No. 4 Texas Tech vs No. 13 Yale | 6:25 p.m. | TBS (Sling)
Game 12: No. 6 Missouri vs No. 11 Drake | 6:35 p.m. | truTV (Sling)
Game 13: No. 7 UCLA vs No. 10 Utah State | 8:25 p.m. | TNT (Sling)
Game 14: No. 2 St. John’s vs No. 15 Omaha | 8:45 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)
Game 15: No. 5 Michigan vs No. 12 UC San Diego | 9 p.m. | TBS (Sling)
Game 16: No. 3 Texas Tech vs No. 14 UNC Wilmington | 9:10 p.m. | truTV (Sling)

Friday, March 21 (first round)

Game 17: No. 8 Baylor vs No. 9 Mississippi State| 11:15 a.m. | CBS (Fubo)
Game 18: No. 2 Alabama vs No. 15 Robert Morris | 11:40 a.m. | truTV (Sling)
Game 19: No. 3 Iowa State vs No. 14 Lipscomb | 12:30 p.m. | TNT (Sling)
Game 20: No. 5 Memphis vs No. 12 Colorado State | 1 p.m. | TBS (Sling)
Game 21: No. 1 Duke vs No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s/No. 16 American | 1:50 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)
Game 22: No. 7 Saint Mary’s vs No. 10 Vanderbilt | 2:15 p.m. | truTV (Sling)
Game 23: No. 6 Ole Miss vs No. 11 North Carolina | 3:05 p.m. | TNT (Sling)
Game 24: No. 4 Maryland vs No. 13 Grand Canyon | 3:35 p.m. | TBS (Sling)
Game 25: No. 1 Florida vs No. 16 Norfolk State | 5:50 p.m. | TNT (Sling)
Game 26: No. 3 Kentucky vs No. 14 Troy | 6:10 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)
Game 27: No. 7 Marquette vs No. 10 New Mexico | 6:25 p.m. | TBS (Sling)
Game 28: No. 4 Arizona vs No. 13 Akron | 6:35 p.m. | truTV (Sling)
Game 29: No. 8 UConn vs No. 9 Oklahoma | 8:25 p.m. | TNT (Sling)
Game 30: No. 6 Illinois vs No. 11 Xavier/No. 11 Texas | 8:45 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)
Game 31: No. 2 Michigan State vs No. 15 Bryant | 9 p.m. | TBS (Sling)
Game 32: No. 5 Oregon vs No. 12 Liberty | 9:10 p.m. | truTV (Sling)

Saturday, March 22 (second round)

Game 33: TBD
Game 34: TBD
Game 35: TBD
Game 36: TBD
Game 37: TBD
Game 38: TBD
Game 39: TBD
Game 40: TBD

Sunday, March 23 (second round)

Game 41: TBD
Game 42: TBD
Game 43: TBD
Game 44: TBD
Game 45: TBD
Game 46: TBD
Game 47: TBD
Game 48: TBD

Thursday, March 27 (Sweet 16)

Games TBD

Friday, March 28 (Sweet 16)

Games TBD

Saturday, March 29 (Elite Eight)

Games TBD

Sunday, March 30 (Elite Eight)

Games TBD

Saturday, April 5 (Final Four, San Antonio)

Game 61: TBD vs TBD | 6:09 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)
Game 62: TBD vs TBD | 8:49 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)

Monday, April 7 (National championship, San Antonio)

Game 63: TBD vs TBD | 8:50 p.m. | CBS (Fubo)

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