In the NBA, perhaps more than any other professional sport, one player can make a massive difference in a team’s success. That’s why it can seem that an NBA trade involving a star player (or even more than one star player) can potentially have enormous repercussions.

Sometimes the addition of a key player to the mix can make a good team great. Occasionally, the impact is so great, it leads to an NBA championship. (Or even more than just one.)

But then again, there are other times when going big doesn’t pay off – and the team ends up in a worse spot than it was before.

With the news of the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, let’s take a look at some of the biggest trades in NBA history.

Wilt Chamberlain to the Sixers (1965)

Speaking of big, they don’t come much bigger than the 7-foot-1, 275-pound Chamberlain.

‘The Big Dipper’ led the NBA in scoring in each of his first five seasons with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors. But after the team had moved to the West Coast, Chamberlain returned home in the middle of the 1964-65 season when he was acquired by a mediocre franchise that just two years earlier was known as the Syracuse Nationals in exchange for Connie Dierking, Paul Neumann, Lee Shaffer and cash.

Back in Philly, Chamberlain went from scoring champ to NBA champ in two years as the Sixers defeated his old team, the Warriors, in the 1967 NBA Finals. In his three seasons with the 76ers, Chamberlain won three MVP awards.

He was traded again in 1968 to the Los Angeles Lakers in another blockbuster and won a second NBA title there.

Oscar Robertson to the Bucks (1970)

The man who practically invented the triple-double (even before it was ever a thing) was an NBA All-Star each of his first 10 seasons with the Cincinnati Royals.

But in 1970, at the age of 31, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Charlie Paulk and Flynn Robinson.

In his first year there, Robertson led a group of young Bucks to the league’s best record and a sweep of the Baltimore Bullets in the 1971 NBA Finals.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Lakers (1975)

Also on that 1970-71 championship Bucks team was a second-year center (Lew Alcindor) who would shortly thereafter change his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and was just beginning his dominance in the NBA.

Though the Bucks won their division all four years Kareem and ‘The Big O’ were on the same team, they never made it back to the Finals. So in 1975, Milwaukee sent Abdul-Jabbar and Walt Wesley to the 30-52 Los Angeles Lakers for Junior Bridgeman, Dave Meyers, Elmore Smith and Brian Winters.

Abdul-Jabbar was named NBA MVP each of his first two seasons in L.A. as the Lakers began to turn things around. After 40-42 in his first year, the Lakers never missed the playoffs again in Kareem’s final 13 seasons, winning five NBA titles.

Charles Barkley to the Suns (1992)

Charles Barkley was a six-time All-Star with six top-six MVP finishes with the Philadelphia 76ers when he was dealt to the Phoenix Suns in 1992 for Jeff Hornacek, Andrew Lang and Tim Perry.

After going on to star for the USA’s gold medal-winning ‘Dream Team’ at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Barkley made his presence felt in Phoenix by leading the Suns to the NBA’s best record and earning league MVP honors.

However, Barkley lost to fellow Dream Teamer Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the Finals. Although he was an All-Star in each of his four seasons in Phoenix, Barkley never did win that elusive ring.

Shaquille O’Neal to the Heat (2004)

Shaquille O’Neal was the NBA’s most dominant big man at the turn of the 21st Century, winning three consecutive NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers (and being named Finals MVP all three times).

But after the Lakers lost in the 2004 Finals to the Detroit Pistons, both O’Neal and coach Phil Jackson departed that offseason. The Lakers traded Shaq to the Miami Heat for Caron Butler, Brian Grant, Lamar Odom, a 2006 first-round draft pick and a 2007 second-round draft pick.

In his first season with Miami, the Heat fell – again to the Pistons – in the Eastern Conference finals, but avenged that loss the following year by advancing to the 2006 NBA Finals and beating the Dallas Mavericks for the title.

Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks (2011)

A native of Brooklyn, Carmelo Anthony returned home after spending his first seven seasons with the Denver Nuggets.

As part of a three-team midseason trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony joined the New York Knicks, along with with Renaldo Balkman, Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams and a 2016 first-round draft pick.

Anthony went on to have six consecutive All-Star seasons with the Knicks, leading the NBA in scoring in 2012-13 and finishing third in the MVP balloting. Although most of the other players in the deal had limited impact going forward, one of the draft picks the Nuggets acquired ended up being guard Jamal Murray, who was an important cog in their 2023 championship-winning squad.

Paul George to the Clippers (2019)

The Los Angeles Clippers made a bold move toward bolstering their championship hopes by acquiring six-time All-Star forward Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. It came at a steep cost – Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, three first-round draft picks and another pair of pick swaps.

But by adding George, the Clippers were also able to sign star free agent Kawhi Leonard, at least somewhat justifying the high price. But with Leonard and George together, the Clippers only made it as far as the conference finals once.

Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander has blossomed into one of the league’s top players, with top-five MVP finishes the past two seasons.

Anthony Davis to the Lakers (2019)

Shortly before the 2019 NBA draft, the New Orleans Pelicans finally worked out a way to trade disgruntled star Anthony Davis. After the Pelicans won the draft lottery to get the No. 1 overall pick, a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers came together quickly.

New Orleans received three players – Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart – plus three first-round draft picks (one a first-round swap). Meanwhile, the Lakers went on to win the NBA title in 2020 in Davis’ first season.

James Harden to the Nets (2021)

A huge four-team trade brought three-time scoring champion and 2018 MVP James Harden to Brooklyn midway through the 2020-21 season. The Nets had picked up Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in free agency a year earlier and felt the addition of Harden would give them the ‘Big Three’ needed to win a championship.

But to pull it off, the Nets had to give up Rodions Kurucs and three first-round picks to the Houston Rockets, plus several draft pick swaps. In addition, they dealt Caris LeVert and a pair of second-round picks to the Indiana Pacers and sent Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The trade was an unmitigated disaster that culminated with a second-round playoff exit and Harden being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers midway through the following season.

Kevin Durant to the Suns (2023)

After the Phoenix Suns lost in the 2021 NBA Finals and then bowed out in the second round the following year despite having the league’s best regular-season record, the midseason acquisition of All-Star forward Kevin Durant was believed to be the missing piece to get them over the top.

In a four-way trade with the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers, the 34-year-old Durant made his way to Phoenix in a massive exchange of players and draft picks (some of which still have yet to be exercised).

Even with Durant on board, the Suns still lost in the second round of the playoffs that season. And they exited in the first round last year.

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After confetti falls next Sunday and a Super Bowl champion is crowned, at least some of the nation’s collective sports attention will shift to men’s college basketball.

Invariably, that heightened interest is centered around the NCAA Tournament and what teams will — and won’t — make it.

Yes, the vaunted tournament bubble, that beautiful fixture of February and March, is back.

With Selection Sunday only six weeks away, chatter about Quad One wins and nonconference strength of schedule is about to pick up significantly as fans of the sport opine on which squads should earn a spot in the 68-team NCAA Tournament bracket and have a chance at a run to the Final Four.

For the purposes of USA TODAY Sports, that annual exercise begins today, with the calendar now over to February.

Here’s a look at which teams are safely in the NCAA tournament field, which ones should make it and which ones are on the dreaded bubble:

March Madness bracket bubble watch tracker

These designations take into account games through Saturday, Feb. 1

NCAA Tournament locks

ACC: Duke
Big Ten: Purdue, Michigan State
Big 12: Iowa State, Houston, Texas Tech
Big East: Marquette
SEC: Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida
Other conferences: None

For many of these teams, the rest of the reason is simply a fight for seeding. Auburn and Duke have been the No. 1 and No. 2 team, respectively, in the country for much of the season and are best-positioned for No. 1 seeds to the tournament, though Houston, Iowa State and a trio of SEC teams — Alabama, Tennessee and Florida — are firmly in the mix, as well. Texas Tech’s gritty win at Houston moves it up to this category.

Teams that should be in NCAA Tournament

ACC: Clemson, Louisville
Big Ten: Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon, UCLA
Big 12: Kansas, Arizona, Baylor
Big East: St. John’s, UConn
SEC: Kentucky, Texas A&M, Missouri, Ole Miss, Mississippi State
Other conferences: Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, Utah State, Memphis

Kentucky would have likely been in the lock category were it not for its recent woes, with three losses in its past four games. Illinois, with four losses in its past six games, is in a similar boat. Both teams, and many others under this umbrella, have strong metrics and enough high-quality wins to make it more likely than not they’ll become locks in the next few weeks.

NCAA Tournament bubble teams 

ACC: Pitt, SMU, Wake Forest, North Carolina
Big Ten: Ohio State, Nebraska, Indiana
Big 12: West Virginia, BYU, Cincinnati, Arizona State, UCF
Big East: Creighton, Xavier
SEC: Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Arkansas
Other conferences: VCU, New Mexico, San Diego State, Boise State, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, Drake, George Mason

Admittedly, the bubble designation covers a wide swath of teams, ranging from squads that have a strong likelihood of making the tournament to those barely hanging on to their March Madness dreams. In short: if your team’s here, it’s not as daunting or dire as it may seem.

It could be tricky for the ACC teams listed here to get off the bubble. The quartet has a combined 3-24 record against Quad One opponents and given the league’s relative weakness this year, there are only so many opportunities left for marquee, resume-boosting wins (and the chances for damaging losses to lowly rated teams are plentiful).

It’s the opposite in the Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC. Arkansas has moved its way onto the bubble after beating Kentucky in John Calipari’s return to Rupp Arena. The Razorbacks will need to continue to play close to that level to make up for a dreadful 1-6 start in SEC play. For now, 14 of the SEC’s 16 teams still have valid tournament hopes. 

Indiana, which has lost five of its past six, has little room for error, though its zero losses outside of Quad One games is helping keep it afloat for now. West Virginia’s tournament standing has gotten a little more precarious in the past few weeks, with five losses in its past seven games. On the heels of a seven-game win streak, Creighton’s very close to moving out of this category, especially with Quad One opportunities against Marquette and St. John’s awaiting.

Lionel Messi fueled Inter Miami, creating two goals in the club’s 3-1 preseason win over Panama’s Sporting San Miguelito in Panama City on Sunday afternoon. 

But it was his teammates’ defense of Messi that stood out the most from Inter Miami’s third preseason match of the year. 

Messi was defended recklessly by San Miguelito’s Aymar Cundumí in the second half. Cundumí slid into Messi’s feet on a hard tackle, which Messi’s teammates strongly opposed in a heated argument between both sides. 

Messi and Cundumí found themselves in another challenge, bumping each other several times before a referee issued a second yellow card to Cundumí to remove him from the game. 

Inter Miami players such as Marcelo Weigandt, Toto Aviles, David Ruiz, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Yannick Bright were among several Messi teammates who contested Cundumí’s overzealous defense on Messi’s behalf. 

Messi left the game in the 76th minute as a substitute, leading to a brief talk with Inter Miami coach, and his former teammate, Javier Mascherano when he reached the sideline. 

But the damage was already done. 

Messi sparked Benjamín Cremaschi’s goal just before halftime (45’+1), after a back-and-forth exchange with Weigandt, who got the assist. Then, Messi led David Ruiz into position to find Fafà Picault for a goal in the 64th minute. 

Inter Miami newcomer Tadeo Allende also scored a sliding goal, his first for the club, in the 48th minute just after halftime. 

Messi scored a goal against reigning LIGA MX champions Club América in Inter Miami’s first preseason match in Las Vegas on Jan. 18. He was scoreless against reigning Peruvian champions Universitario last Wednesday. 

Inter Miami won both games by penalty shootout.

Messi continues to play in prime form ahead of the 2025 MLS season, which will also see Inter Miami compete in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. 

Messi and Inter Miami return to action for their fourth of five preseason games against Club Olimpia Deportivo in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. ET.

Inter Miami’s final preseason game will be on Feb. 14 against MLS rival Orlando City at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Messi and Inter Miami will play the first game of the 2025 MLS season, hosting New York City FC on Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

However, the club will be in action on the road against Sporting Kansas City in the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Feb. 18. They’ll play the second leg at Inter Miami on Feb. 25.

Check out these highlights from the match.

Fafà Picaultgoal: Inter Miami 3, San Miguelito 1

Lionel Messi has two hockey assists on the night, starting another goal opportunity for Inter Miami. Messi found David Ruiz in space, and Ruiz found Fafà Picault, who scored in the 64th minute. 

Inter Miami updated live stream

Tadeo Allende goal: Inter Miami 2, San Miguelito 1 

Tadeo Allende has scored his first goal for Inter Miami in the 48th minute, and the club has bounced back nicely after an early 1-0 deficit in Panama City. 

Benjamín Cremaschi goal: Inter Miami 1, San Miguelito 1

Inter Miami on in the board just before halftime as Benjamín Cremaschi’s right boot from the center of the box found the net on an assist by Marcelo Weigandt. It the first goal this preseason for Cremaschi, an Argentine nation who played for the U.S. men’s national team at the Paris Olympics and two friendlies last month. But the opportunity was created by Messi, who despite being pulled by defenders placed a through ball to Weigandt to spark the goal. 

Adan Hendricks goal: San Miguelito 1, Inter Miami 0

Adan Hendricks scored in the 24th minute, finding the net with an assist by Diego Valanta behind the unbalanced Inter Miami defense. 

How to watch Messi, Inter Miami vs. Sporting San Miguelito live stream?

Live stream in U.S. and Canada on InterMiamiCF.com.
Inter Miami’s YouTube channel will provide a free live stream
Panamá Local Broadcast: SerTV, TV MAX, RPC
Rest of World: OneFootball App

Messi in Inter Miami starting lineup vs. Sporting San Miguelito

Messi is in Inter Miami’s starting lineup for today’s game.

How has Messi, Inter Miami performed during preseason?

Inter Miami won both preseason games in a penalty shootout. They beat Club América 2-2 (3-2 in penalty kicks), then beat Universitario 0-0 (5-4 in penalty kicks).

Mascherano is pleased with Messi’s ramp up during the preseason, and the club’s performance after facing such stiff competition in his first two matches at the helm of the MLS club.

“We have played against two champions – against a three-time champion (in Club América) and against a two-time champion (Universitario) of leagues that are important,’ Mascherano said. ‘That for us has been a very, very good test.’

What is the rest of Inter Miami’s preseason schedule?

Inter Miami will play its fourth preseason game against Club Olimpia Deportivo in San Pedro Sula, Honduras on Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. ET.

Inter Miami’s final preseason game will be on Feb. 14 against MLS rival Orlando City at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

When does Inter Miami begin the 2025 MLS season?

Messi and Inter Miami will play the first game of the 2025 MLS season, hosting New York City FC on Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

However, the club will be in action on the road against Sporting Kansas City in the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Feb. 18. They’ll play the second leg at Inter Miami on Feb. 25.

Senior guard Lucy Olsen scored a game-high 28 points for Iowa Hawkeyes in the 76-69 upset over guard JuJu Watkins and Southern California Trojans.

The Hawkeyes built a strong lead and held the Trojans to four points in the first quarter before Watkins rallied USC late in the second quarter to take a lead into the locker room at halftime.

Olsen scored 15 points in the fourth to help close out the game in favor of the Hawkeyes in front of the home crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

It’s the biggest victory for the unranked Hawkeyes in the post-Caitlin Clark era. The Trojans entered the game No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

The Hawkeyes retired Clark’s No. 22 jersey after the game. Fans, many wearing Clark’s No. 22, were lined up to get into the arena and rushed in when doors opened two hours before the game. Each fan got a yellow towel with a black screenshot of Clark’s No. 22 jersey, the Iowa logo and 2020-2024.

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‘It’s been fun looking back on this whole past year and everything that’s been able to happen. Just the journey we went on,’ Clark said.

USA TODAY Sports will have all the action from the Big Ten contest. Follow along for news, scores and highlights of the action:

Caitlin Clark’s jersey number now hangs in rafters

Iowa honored Caitlin Clark after the upset victory over USC. Clark led the Hawkeyes to back-to-back national championship game appearances.

‘I’m pretty overwhelmed but there are so many people to thank,’ Clark said during the ceremony.

The Iowa legend thanked her teammates and acknowledged that while it was her jersey hanging in the rafters it was a group effort to help get her where she is.

Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz also provided Clark with a commemorative basketball.

‘We all knew that we would be standing here with you and watching your dreams come true but also making the dreams of all that are with us and watching from afar come true,’ Goetz said. ‘In sports, retiring a jersey number is for the best of the best. The elite. Those whose accomplishments are never forgotten and you have taken us on an incredible journey and perhaps it was always the destiny that the homegrown generational talent was going to have her jersey in the rafters someday.’

‘I love when we play in front of a big crowd,’ USC star JuJu Watkins shared after the game. ‘That was what today was. Just the energy from everybody, it was electrifying.

‘It’s a testament to what Caitlin’s done and the direction the sport is headed in. Super grateful to have a part in it and to be able to showcase my talents and what the women’s game can do.’

Iowa also shared a video package with various fans that spoke about the impact Clark had on their lives and the inspiration she had been to all of them during her college career.

A fulfilled prophecy

Before Clark’s jersey was retired, former Iowa coach Lisa Bluder recalled a time when she came into the gym and saw her guard shooting. She noticed Clark looking up at the jerseys in the rafters and told her, ‘Caitlin, someday your name is going to be up there, your jersey is going to be up there. Today is that day, Caitlin.’

– Nancy Armour

Final: Iowa 76, USC 69

The Hawkeyes knock off the No. 4 Trojans at home. Lucy Olsen had 28 points, four rebounds and four assists for Iowa.

Sydney Affolter nearly produced a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds for the Hawkeyes while Hannah Stuelke had 10 points and five rebounds.

JuJu Watkins had 27 points, five rebounds and three assists while KiKi Iriafen added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Trojans.

Iowa leads USC late in fourth

The Hawkeyes lead the Trojans 67-60 with 4:20 left in the final period of regulation. Lucy Olsen stole the ball from KiKi Iriafen before running down the other end for a layup. Iowa has 17 points off turnovers (USC has turned the ball over 18 times). USC has 14 points off turnovers (Iowa has 16 turnovers).

End of 3rd quarter: Iowa 51, USC 50

JuJu Watkins scored 23 points through the first three quarters of play, making 6-of-17 shots from the field and going 10 of 11 from the free throw line.

Lucy Olsen had 13 points for Iowa through three quarters of play but had a quiet second quarter after going 0-for-3 from the field and 1-for-2 from the free throw line. Olsen turned things around in the third quarter after she went 3-for-4 from the field and made both free throw attempts to finish with eight points.

Just like Caitlin did

During a third-quarter timeout, an Iowa fan was given the chance to make a 3-pointer from Clark’s ‘spot’ on the floor, where she hit a 3-pointer to become the all-time leading scorer in women’s basketball. (She would later break Pete Maravich’s major-college basketball record.) 

The fan missed several shots, with most not even coming close. ‘It’s a lot further than it looks,’ the PA announcer said. But finally, with about 10 seconds left, he swished one, prompting Clark to raise her hands from her seat in the stands.

– Nancy Armour

Caitlin Clark thankful for return to Iowa

Caitlin Clark joined the Fox broadcast team during the third quarter to talk about her jersey retirement ceremony, the Super Bowl and more.

She also spoke about how grateful she was to return to Iowa over the weekend and how she became emotional walking into Carver-Hawkeye Arena before the game.

The Hawkeyes remained competitive with JuJu Watkins and the Trojans through the third period.

‘I’m really impressed with our defense,’ Clark said. ‘I told them yesterday, JuJu is gonna make hard shots. Don’t hang your head, just get back and make a shot.’

Iowa back in the lead early in third quarter

Iowa and USC exchange the lead throughout the early minutes of the third quarter. The Hawkeyes lead the Trojans 33-32 with 8:20 left in the third quarter.

First half highlights: Iowa vs. USC

Halftime: USC 29, Iowa 28

JuJu Watkins and USC complete the late first-half rally to lead Iowa at the break. Watkins produced the last 10 points for the Trojans, including the final four points in the last 20 seconds of the second quarter to take the lead into the locker room.

Her second layup was made as she sprinted down the court after stealing the ball from Aaliyah Guyton. Watkins scored a game-high 18 points for the Trojans in the first half. Taylor McCabe led the Hawkeyes with nine points.

JuJu Watkins continues to help close the gap

JuJu Watkins scored a pair of free throws to make it a two-point game between Iowa and USC with 1:54 left in the second quarter.

USC manages to cut Iowa’s lead down to three

USC went on an 11-0 scoring run to crawl back into the game and trail Iowa 24-21 with 2:05 left in the second quarter.

USC’s KiKi Iriafen adds four free throws to cut into Iowa’s lead

KiKi Iriafen made four free throws to increase USC’s point total to eight in the middle of the second quarter. The Hawkeyes remain in full control of the game leading the Trojans 23-8 with 5:22 left in the period.

The band is back together in Iowa

Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall, who along with Clark formed the core of the teams that made back-to-back national championship games, were on hand for the retirement of Clark’s jersey. Marshall accompanied Clark to her pre-game news conference while Martin was introduced between the first and second quarters. 

– Nancy Armour

End of 1st quarter: Iowa 18, USC 4

Iowa allowed just one point through most of the first quarter before JuJu Watkins made a three-pointer with 26 seconds left in the opening period. Iowa has won the turnover battle 7-3 in the first quarter with the Hawkeyes having 11 of their first-quarter points off turnovers.

Familiar faces in the crowd for Iowa

Former Iowa coach Lisa Bluder is attending the Hawkeyes’ game against USC. Bluder was Clark’s coach at Iowa. Bluder retired after the 2024 season.

She is sitting next to former late-night television talk show host David Letterman. Bluder developed a friendship with Letterman after attending a game involving the Indiana Fever, Clark’s WNBA team.

Iowa starts fast against JuJu Watkins and Iowa

The Hawkeyes start the game on an 11-1 scoring run with six minutes left in the first quarter. Guard Taylor McCabe scored six of the 11 points after shooting 2-of-4 from the 3-point line.

What’s it like for Caitlin Clark to be back at Iowa?

Clark said she assumed she’d be able to spend a lot of time at Iowa this off-season, but this is only the second time she’s been back on campus. (The first was in October when her team received their Big Ten championship rings.)

‘It’s just fun for me to come back and just say `thank you’ to everybody that poured so much into me and allowed me to be great,’ Clark said. ‘None of that happens without all of those people pouring themselves into our team and our program every single day.’

Still, it’s a bit weird to be coming to the arena knowing she won’t be playing.

‘You have those butterflies in your stomach when you walk in here. Not so much for a basketball game now, but just to be around everybody and to enjoy the environment,’ Clark said. ‘You’re a little more vulnerable. I don’t have to go and compete for 40 minutes, even though I wish maybe I could.

‘It’ll definitely be a little bit more emotional that I don’t have to compete and go play for 40 minutes.’

When is the Big Ten game between USC and Iowa?

The Big Ten regular-season game women’s basketball game between the No. 4 Southern California Trojans and the Iowa Hawkeyes tips off at 1:30 p.m. ET (12:30 CT) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

How to watch USC vs. Iowa game

The Big Ten regular season game between the No. 4 Southern California Trojans and the Iowa Hawkeyes will be televised nationally on FOX.

The game can be streamed on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app. Live streaming is also available on Fubo, which is offering a free trial.

Catch college basketball games this season with Fubo

USC vs. Iowa betting odds, line

The USC Trojans are the favorites to defeat the Iowa Hawkeyes in this Big Ten game, according to the BetMGM college basketball odds on Sunday.

Spread: USC (-15.5) 
Moneyline: USC (-2000); Iowa (+1000) 
Over/under: 143.5

USC vs. Iowa predictions

HawkCentral: USC 75, Iowa 65

Dargan Southard writes ‘The Hawkeyes get off to a decent start while riding the intense energy in the building, but the Trojans have too much firepower to stay grounded for 40 minutes. A down afternoon from JuJu Watkins is offset by USC’s elite depth, as the Trojans extend their winning streak to 16.’

HawkeyeInsider: USC 80, Iowa 72

Sean Bock writes ‘It’s going to be an emotional day, but this USC team is just too talented and I’m not sure if Iowa has the offensive firepower to keep up.’

Hawkeye Report: USC 77 Iowa 66

Kyle Huesmann writes ‘I think the Hawkeyes will meet the moment and give a spirited effort, but taking down the Trojans is a tall task. This feels like it could be a game where Iowa is always within reach and just a scoring run away, but USC may just make too many shots.’

USC vs. Iowa location

USC travels to Iowa City to take on Iowa in a game that will be played at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The multi-purpose home of the Hawkeyes has a capacity of 15,500.

USC vs. Iowa record 

Since 1993, the USC Trojans have played Iowa twice, with the Hawkeyes holding a 2-0 record in the series during that time.

Iowa beat USC 78-65 in their last meeting, which came on Nov. 28, 2013 in Cancun, Mexico. On Dec. 30, 1993, the Hawkeyes edged the Trojans 50-49 in the USC Christmas Tournament.

NCAA women’s college basketball rankings

Here are the latest USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll top 25 for Week 13. Records current through Jan. 30, 2025.

UCLA (20-0)
South Carolina (20-1)
Notre Dame (17-2)
USC (18-1)
LSU (21-1)
UConn (19-2)
Texas (20-2)
Ohio State (19-1)
TCU (20-2)
Duke (17-4)
Kansas State (19-2)
Oklahoma (16-4)
Kentucky (17-2)
Maryland (16-4)
North Carolina (18-4)
North Carolina State (16-4)
Michigan State (17-3)
California (18-3)
Tennessee (15-5)
West Virginia (16-4)
Georgia Tech (17-4)
Alabama (17-4)
Vanderbilt (17-4)
Florida State (16-4)
Oklahoma State (17-3)

Caitlin Clark’s financial impact

‘Caitlin Clark’s final year as a college basketball star led to record revenue for University of Iowa athletics but also added millions of dollars in extra expenditures, the school’s 2024 fiscal-year statement shows.

‘The report, which was due to be filed to the NCAA by Jan. 15 and obtained by the Des Moines Register via an open-records request, also showed that Iowa women’s basketball revenue exceeded that of the men’s team for the first time. The numbers are staggering and underscore how Clark’s senior season with the Hawkeyes became a wildly entertaining experience, both on and off the court.’

When is March Madness?

The women’s NCAA basketball tournament tips off with First Four matchups getting started on March 19. This is preceded by Selection Sunday, which is when the fun begins and we see how the brackets shape out.

Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 16
First Four: March 19-20
First round: March 21-22
Second round: March 23-24
Sweet 16: March 28-29
Elite Eight: March 30-31
Final Four: Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m. The second game will follow roughly 30 minutes after the first game ends.
NCAA championship game: Sunday, April 6 at 3 p.m. ET

Nancy Armour contributed to this story

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The Dallas Mavericks wanted defense.

The Los Angeles Lakers sought offensive help on the perimeter.

Instead of making a deal around the margins with minimal impact, the two teams orchestrated a blockbuster trade that sends forward-center and 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Mavericks and five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers in a three-team deal involving the Utah Jazz.

The Lakers will also receive Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from Dallas, which will also get Max Christie and a first-round pick from the Lakers. The Jazz will acquire Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick from the Lakers and a 2025 second-round pick from the Mavericks.

The stunning deal comes ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline as the Lakers and Mavericks try to bolster their roster for a deep playoff run. The Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in last season’s Finals, and the Lakers lost in the first round to Denver after losing to Denver in the 2023 Western Conference finals.

The magnitude of the trade – both are on a Hall of Fame trajectory, both are All-NBA players and Doncic could end up a multi-time MVP – skew the optics of the deal in the moment.

Grading the Lakers-Mavericks trade:

Mavericks trade grade: B-

Let’s start with this: trading a 25-year-old star, not yet in his prime, who is already a five-time All-NBA selection and led the franchise to the Finals in 2023-24 is bold and risky. The Mavs parted ways with one of the NBA’s most gifted offensive players who finished third in MVP voting last season and is close to being a 30-point per game triple-double player.

There’s a lot riding on this trade for the Mavs. Comments from GM Nico Harrison about defense winning championships suggested the Mavericks didn’t think they could win a title with Doncic’s defense. Is Doncic’s defense that bad? Was it worth giving up his offense? Or was there another compelling reason to trade Doncic now? Was it his possible free agency in the summer of 2026 and the idea of losing him without getting much in return?

The Mavericks certainly got a star in return. Davis, who is out for about another week with an abdominal strain, is one of the game’s best two-way big men who can score, rebound, block shots, protect the paint and defend on the perimeter.

Does this move elevate the 26-23 Mavs from eighth place in the Western Conference to title contender? It certainly makes them better defensively and gives them a premier low-post scoring option, and Christie developed into a starter with an improving 3-point game.

Lakers trade grade: A-

The Lakers traded LeBron James’ close friend without James knowing until news of the deal broke. James is no stranger to the business of basketball so whatever sting he feels will disappear with time.

Doncic’s physical conditioning will be scrutinized even more, as will Doncic’s commitment to defense. The Lakers are No. 21 defensively and just got worse with Davis’ departure.

Doncic, who has been out since Christmas with a calf injury and is expected to return this month, gives the Lakers help at the guard position they’ve sought. His offensive skillset is phenomenal, and James and Doncic will create offensive fireworks.

Will that offensive production be enough to compensate for defensive shortcomings, especially in the playoffs? The Lakers are 28-19 and in fifth place in the West, just a half-game behind the Denver Nuggets. They are a hot streak away from challenging Houston and Memphis for second and third place.

Certainly, this was a move made for the present but also the future. The chance to acquire a player of Doncic’s caliber doesn’t come along often. James won’t be around forever. The Lakers are now expecting to have one of the league’s best players for the next decade.

Jazz trade grade: B

The Jazz were mostly innocent bystanders, taking a player and draft picks to help facilitate the surprising portion of the trade. Getting two second-round picks could help facilitate another deal at the trade deadline or in the offseason for the Jazz.

(This story was updated to add a new video)

The Las Vegas Raiders have made their final coordinator hire ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

Last week, the franchise hired Pete Carroll to take the role of head coach. Now, Carroll has a key position filled on staff: offensive coordinator.

Former Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly will be the Raiders’ next offensive coordinator, per multiple reports.

Kelly most recently held the offensive coordinator position with the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2024 college football season. Ohio State won the college football playoff (CFP) this past season with him at the helm of the offense.

Kelly is the only new coordinator for the Raiders entering the 2025 NFL season. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon were both retained for the coming season.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Prior to his season with Ohio State, Kelly served as the head coach of UCLA from 2018 through 2023. The team went 35-34 in his six-season tenure and 1-1 in bowl games.

Kelly became an NFL coaching candidate following a successful stint with the Oregon Ducks football team, first as an offensive coordinator and then as a head coach. The Ducks went 46-7 from 2009 to 2012 with Kelly as head coach and made the national championship game in 2010.

Chip Kelly coaching record

Kelly spent four seasons as a head coach in the NFL, three with the Eagles and one with the 49ers.

Philadelphia Eagles (2013-15)

Regular season record: 26-21
Playoff record: 0-1

Kelly took over for Andy Reid in Philadelphia starting in the 2013 season. He went 10-6 in back-to-back seasons with the Eagles and had a top-five scoring offense in 2013 and 2014.

The team dropped off in 2015 and Kelly was fired after Week 16 with the Eagles sitting at 6-9. The team hired Doug Pederson ahead of the 2016 season and won the Super Bowl a year later.

San Francisco 49ers (2016)

Regular season record: 2-14
Playoff record: 0-0

Kelly spent one year in San Francisco and started off with a shutout win in Week 1. The team then lost its next 12 games in a row and both Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke were fired after a 2-14 season.

Kelly took a year off from coaching before going to UCLA ahead of the 2018 college football season. San Francisco hired Kyle Shanahan to replace Kelly.

Chip Kelly offense rankings

Kelly’s reputation for a fast-paced, prolific offense with Oregon is what earned him interest from NFL teams even before taking the Eagles job in 2013. Here’s how his NFL offenses have ranked:

2013 (Eagles)

Points: 4th
Passing: 9th
Rushing: 1st

2014 (Eagles)

Points: 3rd
Passing: 6th
Rushing: 9th

2015 (Eagles)

Points: 13th
Passing: 12th
Rushing: 14th

2016 (49ers)

Points: 27th
Passing: 32nd
Rushing: 4th

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The NASCAR Cup Series is back in action, and that means the sport’s most famous race is fast approaching.

One week after the Super Bowl, all eyes will be on Daytona International Speedway for the 2025 Daytona 500. The iconic race is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 16 and will kick off a 36-race season that culminates in November with the championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

The excitement begins with Daytona Speedweeks, which starts Wednesday, Feb. 12 with Daytona 500 pole qualifying. The next night, the speedway will host the twin Daytona Duel races, which will set the full Daytona 500 lineup. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will take center stage on Friday with its opening race of the season, followed on Saturday by the NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener.

Sunday will see Cup drivers back on the track battling over 500 miles and 200 laps to take the checkered flag and etch their name in history as Daytona 500 champion.

Here’s what to know about the 2025 Daytona 500 and Daytona Speedweeks:

When is the 2025 Daytona 500?

The 2025 Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2:30 p.m. ET at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

What TV channel is the Daytona 500 on?

The 2025 Daytona 500 will be televised nationally on Fox.

Will there be a live stream of the Daytona 500?

The 2025 Daytona 500 can be streamed on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app. For those looking to cut the cord, all NASCAR races on Fox or FS1 can also be streamed via Fubo, which is offering a free trial.

How to watch and stream 2025 Daytona 500

Date: Sunday, Feb. 16
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Stream: Fubo, FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app
Where: Daytona International Speedway (Daytona Beach, Florida)

Watch NASCAR action with a Fubo subscription

How to watch Daytona Speedweeks events

Daytona International Speedway will hold four days of action ahead of the 2025 Daytona 500. Here are the Daytona Speedweeks events and how to watch:

Daytona 500 pole qualifying

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 12
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: FS1

Daytona Duel races

Date: Thursday, Feb. 13
Duel 1 Time: 7 p.m. ET
Duel 2 Time: 8:45 p.m. ET
TV: FS1 (both duel races)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series opener

Date: Friday, Feb. 14
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: FS1

NASCAR Xfinity Series opener

Date: Saturday, Feb. 15
Time: 5 p.m. ET
TV: CW

Who won last year’s Daytona 500?

William Byron won the 66th annual Daytona 500 to kick off the 2024 season. The 26-year-old edged Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman at the checkered flag. Byron’s win gave team owner Rick Hendrick a record-tying nine Daytona 500 victories, becoming the sixth different driver in the team’s history to win the iconic race.

Daytona 500 winners by year

1959: Lee Petty
1960: Junior Johnson
1961: Marvin Panch
1962: Fireball Roberts
1963: Tiny Lund
1964: Richard Petty
1965: Fred Lorenzen
1966: Richard Petty
1967: Mario Andretti
1968: Cale Yarborough
1969: LeeRoy Yarbrough
1970: Pete Hamilton
1971: Richard Petty
1972: A.J. Foyt
1973: Richard Petty
1974: Richard Petty
1975: Benny Parsons
1976: David Pearson
1977: Cale Yarborough
1978: Bobby Allison
1979: Richard Petty
1980: Buddy Baker
1981: Richard Petty
1982: Bobby Allison
1983: Cale Yarborough
1984: Cale Yarborough
1985: Bill Elliott
1986: Geoff Bodine
1987: Bill Elliott
1988: Bobby Allison
1989: Darrell Waltrip
1990: Derrike Cope
1991: Ernie Irvan
1992: Davey Allison
1993: Dale Jarrett
1994: Sterling Marlin
1995: Sterling Marlin
1996: Dale Jarrett
1997: Jeff Gordon
1998: Dale Earnhardt Sr. 
1999: Jeff Gordon
2000: Dale Jarrett
2001: Michael Waltrip
2002: Ward Burton
2003: Michael Waltrip
2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2005: Jeff Gordon
2006: Jimmie Johnson
2007: Kevin Harvick
2008: Ryan Newman
2009: Matt Kenseth
2010: Jamie McMurray
2011: Trevor Bayne
2012: Matt Kenseth
2013: Jimmie Johnson
2014: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2015: Joey Logano
2016: Denny Hamlin
2017: Kurt Busch
2018: Austin Dillon
2019: Denny Hamlin
2020: Denny Hamlin
2021: Michael McDowell
2022: Austin Cindric
2023: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
2024: William Byron

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John Calipari won his homecoming to Rupp Arena on Saturday with his newly led Arkansas Razorbacks, defeating No. 12 Kentucky 89-79.

It was a homecoming like no other in men’s college basketball, or college sports for that matter: Calipari helped the historically prominent Wildcats program return to national dominance, while being the face of the program as a whole.

The Basketball Hall of Fame coach was greeted with boos as he walked onto the floor by Kentucky fans. But the boos were quickly quieted by the Razorbacks, who led from start to finish, had a 12-2 run to open the second half and shot an efficient 52% on 3-point attempts. ESPN cameras showed Kentucky fans leaving for the arena with over two minutes still to go in the second half.

The win for Arkansas was just its second in SEC play, while the loss handed Kentucky its third conference loss in its last four games.

Following the game, Calipari spoke on the emotion of his return to Rupp Arena, as well as his team’s win over the Wildcats. Here’s everything from Calipari’s postgame news conference:

John Calipari on winning at Rupp Arena with Arkansas

Calipari mentioned there were times throughout the game on Saturday that he thought his team was losing when he looked up at the scoreboard, as he defaulted to looking at Kentucky on the scoreboard.

‘It’s hard to win in here. I got to be honest with you and Adou (Thiero) said he did the same thing, I looked up a couple of times and I thought we were losing because I kept looking at Kentucky instead of Arkansas,’ Calipari said.

‘I told him that I did that and Adou said, ‘Coach I did the same thing.’ It’s 15 years here.’

Across his 15 seasons in Lexington, Calipari posted an overall record of 410-123 (76.9 winning percentage) and a 198-65 record (75.2%) in SEC play with the Wildcats. He led them to 12 NCAA Tournament berths, four Final Fours and a national championship in 2012.

And though it was a business trip for Calipari, it was still a trip back home, as he said he was able to visit with some friends on Saturday morning who weren’t able to make it to the game.

John Calipari on players’ return to Kentucky

Saturday’s contest wasn’t just a homecoming for Calipari. It was also one for Thiero, D.J. Wagner and Kareem Watkins, who all followed Calipari to Arkansas by way of the transfer portal.

On Thursday before leaving Fayetteville for Lexington, Calipari called the three former Wildcats into his office and checked in on their emotions before returning to Rupp arena.

‘I called them in together and I said, ‘Are you guys OK going back here? Are you going to be OK?’ And they said, ‘We’re fine coach. We are worried about you,” Calipari said. ‘That’s the kind of team I have and that’s the kind of players they are.

‘They were worried about me but I said, ‘I’m fine.’ They were good and they played well today. All three played well.’

What John Calipari said after Arkansas win vs. Kentucky

Here’s what Calipari said asked if he felt any sort of emotion — relief, joy or a mixture of a few things — after winning in his return to Rupp Arena.

‘We needed to win a game,’ Calipari said. ‘It didn’t matter who it was against.’

Arkansas entered Saturday’s losing six of its first seven games in SEC play, with its lone conference win coming on Jan. 22, when the Razorbacks came back from a 15-point deficit to beat Georgia. But after he made his point across that the Razorbacks needed to get back in the win column, Calipari did offer another brief reflection of being back in a place where he won a national championship.

‘I made it clear: It was a privilege and an honor to coach here. We had 15 unbelievable years, a great run,’ Calipari said. ‘The fans supported us. The families that entrusted us with their sons (supported us). I got 190 texts by the time the game ended and I’m guessing a bunch of them are former players.

‘Not that they’re ever going to root against Kentucky, they went to school here. But they also have a relationship with me. But the only emotion I had was, we got to win the game.’

Arkansas (13-8, 2-6 in SEC) concludes its two-game road trip on Wednesday when it travels to Texas. The Razorbacks and Longhorns are slated for a 9 p.m. ET tipoff inside the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

The NBA felt a seismic jolt overnight with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz agreeing to one of the biggest blockbuster trades in league history. And it was one that very few – not even Lakers superstar LeBron James – ever saw coming.

The deal was confirmed to USA TODAY Sports by a person familiar with the details, but who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly until the trade is official.

The headliners in the package are two of the biggest stars in the game today, with five-time All-Star and reigning NBA scoring champ Luka Dončić going from the Mavs to the Lakers and 10-time All-Star forward Anthony Davis going the other way. Both players are currently sidelined by injuries, but expected to return this month.

Here’s how everything breaks down.

Lakers get G Luka Doncic, F Maxi Kleber, F Markieff Morris

Los Angeles gets a big-time scorer and a much younger player in Dončić to pair with LeBron James.

Dončić, 25, averaged a league-high 33.9 points per game last season in leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals. He also finished third in last season’s MVP voting.

He’s averaging 28.1 points a game this season and has been out since Christmas with a strained left calf.

Dončić, who signed a five-year, $215.1 million contract with the Mavs in 2022, is under contract through 2026-27 but is eligible for an extension this summer before he can become a free agent in the summer of 2026.

In the deal, the Lakers will also receive forward Maxi Kleber, an eight-year veteran averaging 3.0 points per game this season, and 35-year-old forward Markieff Morris, who’s only seen action in seven games this season.

Mavericks get F Anthony Davis, G Max Christie, draft pick

Dallas gives up its best player, but receives a tough inside scorer who’s also one of the best defenders in the league.

The 31-year-old Davis, who was just named to his 10th All-Star team, is averaging 25.7 points 11.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots per game this season, but he hasn’t played since Jan. 28 due to an abdominal strain.

Davis is under contract through 2027-28 at $175.3 million.

This isn’t the first time Davis has been part of a huge three-way trade. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, Davis was sent to the Lakers in July 2019 in exchange for four players, including guard Lonzo Ball, and three first-round draft picks as part of a deal that also involved the Washington Wizards.

The Mavericks also receive third-year guard Max Christie and a first-round pick from the Lakers.

Jazz get G Jalen Hood-Schifino, draft picks

The Jazz will receive guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, who has appeared in only 23 games over two seasons in Los Angeles, plus a 2025 second-round pick from the Lakers and a 2025 second-round pick from the Mavericks.

(This story was updated to add more information.)