標籤: sweet

inter milan is trying to liverpoolCurtis Jones. The two clubs could possibly hold another meeting to finalize a deal.

The midfielder was also on the Nerazzurri’s radar in January. The Reds wanted to tie him down to a new deal and since this failed, the loan move to Inter was never made.

In a bid to seal a summer deal, the Italian champions have held a meeting with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes. A rift has emerged between the two clubs, even if the player appears eager for a move.

It is covered closely sports witnessJones still has no interest in renewing his Liverpool contract.

Some developments are emerging from Italy and this step is gaining momentum.

Arrival of Irola will not change the decision

corriere dello sport Note that both clubs promised to meet again soon after their initial meeting. There is a desire to reach a deal, with a second meeting taking place next week.

There is a €10m difference between the clubs, with Inter stuck at €20m. That’s why the €25m valuation is seen as a ‘sweet spot’ that could attract Liverpool and Inter. This will also give satisfaction to the player who is very keen to join Christian Chivu’s team.

Despite interest from English clubs, Jones wants to ply his trade entirely in another country. The arrival of Andoni Ireola will not change his stance, even though he could become a key player under the Spaniard.

today’s tuttosport He is also confident that the deal is going in the right direction. Inter’s initial offer for the Englishman was €20m but Liverpool demanded between €30m and €35m to sell him.

He also believes the deal could be done for €25m. But the Anfield club are keen to insert a sell-on clause. Without it, any step can become complicated.

Inter have opened up the possibility to some extent but it remains to be seen what percentage they will offer.

fratesi exit key

In any other season, Inter would struggle to meet Liverpool’s asking price. Now, they have a potential sale to the operation which could help from a financial standpoint.

Davide Fratesi is a leading candidate for departure and is attracting interest from Italian clubs. He is expected to cost around €20m, which would sit well with the Nerazzurri.

That’s why it’s very likely that Jones will end his stay at Liverpool after 16 years.

The 2026 edition of the men’s NCAA Tournament, aka March Madness, is underway! If you’re planning to watch matchups from the biggest and best tournament in American sports today, below you can find Friday’s games, upcoming events and other important details on March Madness, including how to watch.

NCAA tournament schedule today

How to watch the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament

If you plan to watch NCAA Tournament games on television today, they will be available on the CBS Sports family of networks. They are CBS, TNT, TBS, TruTV. You can find the times, channels and matchups for today’s games above, or scroll down for tomorrow’s pairings.

Can I watch March Madness on my phone?

Yes, you can watch March Madness games on mobile devices with the March Madness Live app. (For iPhone users).

How to watch March Madness without cable?

All March Madness games are also available on various streaming platforms. You can watch today’s matchup on YouTube TV, Paramount+, MAX, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV stream.

Which teams are in the Sweet 16?

The schools headed to the Sweet 16 are Michigan, Texas, Purdue, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, Arizona, Illinois, Houston, St. John’s, Duke, Alabama, Michigan State, UConn, Tennessee and Iowa State.

Upcoming NCAA Tournament Schedule

Who is the favorite to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament?

The popular picks to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament this month are Duke, Michigan and Arizona.

Who are the top NBA prospects in March Madness 2026?

The 2026 NBA Draft is projected to be one of the best in recent times, and several players who could be taken as early as Round 1 will be competing during March Madness. The top prospects who were on the hardwood for this year’s tournament were Duke’s Cam Boozer, BYU’s AJ DiBuntsa, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Kansas’ Darrin Peterson and Houston’s Kingston Flemings.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

It doesn’t matter who wins in the end and who gets the last shot a shining momentWith the NCAA Championship trophy raised in the air, March Madness is always a great time for NBA Draft prospects to start making a name for themselves before the full pre-draft cycle begins.

Performing well and shining in the spotlight can make a difference in the lives of many of these collegiate players, and if you don’t believe it, just ask Donte DiVincenzo.

This year’s 2026 NBA Draft class figures to be one of the deepest, most talented groups we’ve ever seen enter the league at once, and the list of standouts from this year’s tournament is already long after the first weekend.

AJ DiBantsa and BYU didn’t win their first-round game, but NBA scouts across the country have begun labeling them as the clear favorites for the No. 1 pick. Obviously, his 35-point, 10-rebound performance without missing a game didn’t hurt him in any way in this No. 1 pick argument.

Cameron Boozer continues to make headlines with Duke winning his first two games, and the same can be said about Houston freshman guard Kingston Flemings, who looks to punch his ticket to the Final Four with two more wins just seven minutes from his campus.

And then there are several other names that emerged during the first weekend of the tournament – ​​Darius Acuff Jr. clearly dominated social media content and led all players in scoring in Arkansas’ first two games.

March Madness is in full swing, and the Sweet 16 begins Thursday night. Looking at the remaining 16 teams, there are plenty of prospects and stories, but here are the four NBA Draft prospects making the most noise that are worth keeping an eye on this weekend.

West Region: Darius Acuff Jr. – Arkansas

No player has been more impressive than Darius Acuff Jr. during the latter stages of the college basketball season and through his first two games of March Madness.

Whenever Arkansas needs a basket, Acuff is there to deliver, and he did just that in that thrilling second-round game against High Point that came down to the final few possessions.

Acuff finished the game with 36 points, scoring 12 of the Razorbacks’ 16 points in the final five minutes of the game. It seems like this guy lives and performs in the biggest moments, which is why he has fans all over the country anticipating a Sweet 16 matchup with Arizona, a team that many think can win the entire tournament.

Not only has Acuff scored 60 points in his two tournament games to lead all players offensively, but he is shooting nearly 46 percent from 3-point range in March Madness. He will now face Arizona’s Jaden Bradley, one of the best guard defenders in the country. This is must-see basketball Thursday night in San Jose.

East Region: Taris Reed Jr. – UConn

Before the NCAA Tournament started, we highlighted Tyrese Reed Jr. as one of the most interesting draft prospects moving forward and could find himself a first-round pick depending on how he performs for UConn.

Well, the UConn center played pretty well against Furman in the first round, dropping 31 points and 27 rebounds. Yes, you read that right – 27 rebounds. Reed joined Tom Gola (1995), Elvin Hayes (three times; 1966 and 1968), and Jerry Lucas (twice; 1960 and 1961) as the only players to record a 30-point, 25-rebound game in NCAA Tournament history.

In their next matchup against a much stronger-willed UCLA team, Reed had 10 points and 13 rebounds, bringing his tally to 41 points and 40 rebounds through the Huskies’ first two tournament games. Since 1971, only four players have had at least 40 points and 40 rebounds through two games: Bill Walton (1972 – UCLA), Hakeem Olajuwon (1983 – Houston), Tim Duncan (1997 – Wake Forest), and now Tyrese Reed Jr.

This is a list to be a part of and it’s the beginning of Reed’s rise. Tom Izzo coaching against Dan Hurley is entertainment in itself, but if you need another reason to watch UConn’s Sweet 16 game, it should definitely be for Reid.

By the time June comes around, we can discuss Reed as the best center prospect in this draft class, assuming he doesn’t return to college with several major zero offers that will likely come his way.

Midwest Region: Keaton Wagler – Illinois

Since Illinois is one of the top offensive teams in the country, individual performance often gets overlooked for the Illini. However, Keaton Wagler has been a standout freshman for Illinois this season, and if not for his consistent play and timely shots throughout the season they would not have been in the Sweet 16.

In his two games against Penn and VCU, Wagler scored a combined 32 points on 12-of-24 shooting, including 6-of-12 from 3-point range. Not only is he shooting very efficiently from everywhere on the court, but he has also recorded 12 rebounds and nine assists during his first two tournament games.

When it comes to NBA Draft prospects, Wagler won’t blow you away like the athletic and dynamic players at the top of the board will, but he is developing a very consistent, honest approach on the offensive end of the court, and his length provides a lot of advantages to becoming a tall scoring guard on the perimeter at the next level.

This Sweet 16 matchup against Houston is a great opportunity for Wagler to raise even more eyebrows of NBA personnel, as how he attacks his opponent’s strong defense and handles pressure will be two key elements of a potential Illinois upset in the Cougars’ backyard.

South Region: Morez Johnson Jr. – Michigan

It was difficult to choose between Moraes Johnson Jr. and Yaxel Lendeborg for this spot in the South Zone. Lendeborg was a player we highlighted as a highly touted draft prospect before the tournament started, and he scored 25 points in Michigan’s Round of 32 game against St. Louis.

While Lendeborg is the player most likely to go in the lottery out of these two Wolverine prospects, there is a lot to like about Johnson, and NBA scouts are monitoring him closely as one of the late-season players to consider before things fully kick off with the draft cycle.

Johnson is a big-bodied forward who does almost all of his damage in the paint, and that has allowed Lendeborg to thrive. Not only can Johnson be a double-double threat, but he is extremely efficient when it comes to finishing around the rim, shooting nearly 64 percent from the floor in the tournament.

As good as Lendeborg and others on Michigan’s roster are, Johnson is likely the key for this team to cut down the net in Indianapolis. Every successful college team has that one guy who can be labeled as the stabilizer and who really steps up when his team needs it.

Johnson is that player for Michigan, and his play is getting a lot of attention when it comes to the talent selections hovering around the outside of the lottery.

The 2026 edition of the men’s NCAA Tournament, aka March Madness, is underway! If you’re planning to watch matchups from the biggest and best tournament in American sports today, below you can find Thursday’s games, upcoming events and other important details on March Madness, including how to watch.

NCAA tournament schedule today

How to watch the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament

If you plan to watch NCAA Tournament games on television today, they will be available on the CBS Sports family of networks. They are CBS, TNT, TBS, TruTV. You can find the times, channels and matchups for today’s games above, or scroll down for tomorrow’s pairings.

Can I watch March Madness on my phone?

Yes, you can watch March Madness games on mobile devices with the March Madness Live app. (For iPhone users).

How to watch March Madness without cable?

All March Madness games are also available on various streaming platforms. You can watch today’s matchup on YouTube TV, Paramount+, MAX, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV stream.

Which teams are in the Sweet 16?

The schools headed to the Sweet 16 are Michigan, Texas, Purdue, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, Arizona, Illinois, Houston, St. John’s, Duke, Alabama, Michigan State, UConn, Tennessee and Iowa State.

Upcoming NCAA Tournament Schedule

Who is the favorite to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament?

The popular picks to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament this month are Duke, Michigan and Arizona.

Who are the top NBA prospects in March Madness 2026?

The 2026 NBA Draft is projected to be one of the best in recent times, and several players who could be taken as early as Round 1 will be competing during March Madness. Players you should keep an eye on are Duke’s Cam Boozer, BYU’s AJ DiBuntsa, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Kansas’ Darrin Peterson and Houston’s Kingston Flemings.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Brooklyn Nets have their sights set on the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. With 10 games left in the regular season, the rebuilding squad is ranked No. 3 in the draft lottery standings. If the season ended today, the Nets would have a 52.1 percent chance of being picked in the top four and could fall no lower than seventh.

Many of the draft’s top prospects will square off on Wednesday and Thursday during the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. With that, here are the top four players Nets fans should keep an eye on.

4. Keaton Wagler – PG/SG, Illinois

Wagler has been the biggest surprise of this year’s draft cycle. A three-star recruit and the No. 261 player in the Class of 2025, according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings, he wasn’t on the radar of most draft analysts this summer. Fast forward six months, and he’s made his way into the top-10 of mock drafts.

Wagler’s excellent shooting, ball-handling and high-level playmaking cannot be denied. While the freshman is a limited athlete, his speed, finesse and high-IQ have allowed him to flourish as a dominant creator. The 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 17.8 points per game while shooting 40.8 percent on 10.1 three-point attempts per 100 possessions. He has been one of the most efficient facilitators in the class, averaging 4.4 assists per game with a 2.48 assist/to ratio.

Despite concerns about his limited versatility and ground athleticism, Wagler is able to get to the rim using ball screens, shot fakes and change-of-pace moves. His rim frequency and efficiency have been in line with other top guard prospects, as he has attempted 4.1 close-tos per 36 minutes and converted at a 58.5 percent clip.

The Nets may be hesitant in taking another lead ball-handler with a limited athletic profile after selecting Igor Demin eighth overall last June. However, if they fall at the low end of their lottery range, Wagler should be included in the conversation.

Wagler’s limited athleticism has led to some struggles against more athletic, physical safeties. After Illinois’ impressive first and second round wins over Penn and VCU, it will face a tough test against Houston’s top-ranked defense on Thursday at 10:05 pm EST.

3. Darius Acuff Jr. – PG, Arkansas

Acuff may be the biggest player in this year’s class since the beginning of tournament play. The freshman led Arkansas to the SEC Championship and became the first player to lead the conference in points and assists per game since Pete Maravich in 1969–70. He is averaging 30.2 points and 7.2 assists while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 48.6 percent in three SEC Tournament appearances and two NCAA Tournament games.

It’s no exaggeration to call Acuff the most talented offensive player in this year’s class. He’s an elite shooter, converting at a 44.6 percent clip on 9.1 three-point attempts per 100 possessions with a mix of catch-and-shoot and pull-up looks. The 6-foot-3 guard is also a talented court-mapper and decision-maker, averaging 6.5 assists and committing only 2.2 turnovers per game (3.01 est/to).

But as good as Acuff’s offense has been, its defensive shortcomings are hard to ignore. He struggles to defend at the point of attack or navigate off-ball actions. Many have questioned whether Acuff’s size would fit at the combine at 6 feet 3 inches, and the NBA has moved away from undersized guards who need to hide on defense. The front office will have to decide whether Acuff’s ridiculous shooting season is an outlier or his bottom line, and whether it outweighs his shortcomings on the other end.

Brooklyn has strayed away from drafting smaller guards during Shawn Marks’ tenure. The Nets GM pointed to positional size as the main selling point of the team’s 2025 class. Still, Acuff’s aggressive production and ability to thrive on the biggest stage is attractive. After scoring 36 points on 11 of 22 shooting during a second-round win over High Point, Acuff and Arkansas will face No. 1-seed Arizona on Thursday at 9:45 p.m. EST.

2. Kingston Flemings – PG, Houston

Flemings headlined the second tier of guard prospects behind Kansas star Darrin Peterson for most of the season. The Houston star’s 6-foot-4 frame, elite athleticism and two-way versatility will give him a strong claim for the No. 5 spot on the draft board.

Flemings is the most explosive guard in this year’s class. He creates advantages with ease and consistently takes advantage of his paint touch. The freshman has been an adequate finisher (57.3 percent on close twos) while posting elite numbers as a mid-range shooter (44.4 percent on far twos) and playmaker (5.2 assists per game, 2.85 ast/to ratio). Considering his defensive value, NBA front offices should jump on the idea of ​​bringing him into their building.

Fleming’s low three-point volume will give some scouts pause. He has attempted just 5.6 threes per 100 possessions. However, he has converted at a 38.8 percent clip. His efficiency from the mid-range and free-throw line (84.3 percent) may ease any concerns.

Houston defeated Idaho and Texas A&M in the first two rounds of the tournament. Fleming faces a much tougher challenge Thursday against Wagler and third-seeded Illinois.

1. Cam Boozer – PF/C, Duke

According to many metrics, Boozer has been the best player in college basketball this season. The 6-foot-9 standout has made his historic mark from high school and the AAU circuit to Duke. He averaged 22.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists on .563/.398/.787 shooting splits while leading the Blue Devils to a 34–2 record.

Boozer has posted a +19.45 box plus/minus, the second-highest of any college player in the last 16 years, trailing only former Duke star Zion Williamson (+20.1, 2018-2019).

The star freshman is widely considered a safe bet in the top three of the draft. Boozer has led Duke’s offense with his steady ball-handling, passing and shooting. He consistently makes the right reads with the ball in his hands while dominating as an interior scorer and showing promise as an outside shooter. Although he has been an elite defensive rebounder, his ground athleticism and above average lateral speed have raised questions about his NBA outlook.

Boozer was shaky during Duke’s narrow first-round win over Siena. However, he bounced back with a stellar performance in the second half during a decisive second-round win over TCU. They face a tough test against St. John’s and reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year Zubie Ejiofor on Friday at 10 PM EST.

Even though the front office has already used their 2026 NBA Draft pick on Derrick Queen, the New Orleans Pelicans will be scouring NCAA March Madness for some late second-round pick intel, especially during Sweet Sixteen action. Arkansas, UConn, Illinois and Houston are filled with former McDonald’s All-Americans thriving in supporting cast roles. St. John’s is obviously a sleeper, but they also have a great heritage connection that’s worth noting.

Fortunately, the current roster construction makes NBA Draft scouting priorities clear. Dejounte Murray is the current at point guard, while Jeremiah Fears represents the future. Trey Murphy III has a wing spot secured, and Zion Williamson anchors the frontcourt when healthy. This leaves two glaring needs for the Pelicans: another wing/off-ball guard to act as Herb Jones insurance and a reliable big to step up Yves Missy and Derrick Queen for minutes.

The Sweet Sixteen provides a timely scouting window for five under-the-radar names who fit those ideals.

Pelicans look for shooters

Andrej Stojakovic (SG/SF, Illinois) Averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds, but production fluctuated wildly. A 30-point game is sandwiched between a week’s single-point duels. He completely disappeared against Michigan (0 points, 1 rebound, 2 fouls, 1 turnover) and dropped 21 points and 12 rebounds on Oregon in the next game. Finding a way to stoke that fire for an 82-game season is perhaps the most challenging step in developing a player.

Shooting (24.1%3PA) is also an issue. He has made only three three-pointers since Valentine’s Day; However, shooting 62% from inside the arc and his rim-attacking mentality give him a realistic NBA offensive floor. Stojakovic’s size, coupled with his pedigree and versatility at the shooting guard/small forward position, should draw real front-office attention when Illinois takes on Houston.

There is never a dull moment together Emmanuel Sharp (SG, Houston)A senior sharpshooter who has quietly spent four years becoming one of the best two-way guards in college basketball. The 6-foot-3 combo guard is averaging 15.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game this season, while shooting 40.7% from the field and a career-high 37.5% from three-point range. He was named to the All-Big 12 Team, the Big 12 All-Defensive Team, and earned Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors after averaging 20.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and three 3-pointers per game in three tournament games.

Houston’s run to its sixth consecutive Sweet Sixteen is based, in part, on Sharp’s reliability. He scored 18 points in the second-round win over Texas A&M and is averaging 17.0 points through two tournament games. He is now Houston’s career 3-point field goal leader with 277 triples. For the Pelicans, Sharp represents the off-ball shooting guard and glue-guy ideal they often lack. Consider a high-upside Jose Alvardao replacement. Sharp is a player who is capable of guarding multiple positions, spacing the floor, and competing in high-leverage possession with or without the ball.

If the Pelicans prioritize toughness and defensive tenacity, Sharp is a logical target. A key part of Kelvin Sampson’s suffocating system, the scrappy fighter brings an edge that translates to winning basketball.

Sweet Sixteen’s Slugfest

With apologies to Coach Cal, Trayvon Brazile (PF/C, Arkansas) Perhaps the most astute individual in the Sweet Sixteen. Public draft boards took him anywhere from his late 20s and never heard his name called, even though the 6-foot-10, 230-pound Arkansas forward averaged 13.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 53% from the field. He has posted multiple double-doubles during SEC play, including a career-high 28-point outburst against Texas.

What makes the Brazilian particularly attractive to a Pelicans team in roster flux is his combination of length and touch. He has a wingspan of 7 feet 3.75 inches and a maximum height of 41 inches, giving him the physical profile of a legitimate NBA rim protector and rebounder. He also demonstrated range this season and shot 36% from beyond the arc, a skill that matches up well with Williamson in modern frontcourt alignments.

If there is any doubt Tyrese Reed Jr. (PF/C, UConn) were in the NBA conversation, his first-round performance against Furman erased it. The 6-foot-11, 265-pound center scored 31 points and grabbed 27 rebounds in the Huskies’ 82–71 opening round victory, a stat line that had not been posted in an NCAA Tournament game since Bill Walton in 1972. Reed made 15 of 15 shots from the field in that performance and became the first player in 54 years to have 30 points, 20 rebounds and shoot 80% from the field. In a tournament game.

Reed’s regular season statistics are equally impressive. He averaged 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds with a 62.5% field goal percentage and earned first-team All-Big East honors after being named the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year last season. He transferred to UConn after two seasons at Michigan, and the adjustment to Dan Hurley’s program has been seamless. The knock on Reed remains his free-throw shooting (54.6%), a flaw that may limit his NBA range but shouldn’t disqualify him from being a late second-round flyer.

Finally, looking at the biggest underdog, Dillon Mitchell (PF, St. John’s) This is probably the most interesting name on this list, as he doesn’t appear in the box score like a traditional prospect. The 6-foot-8-inch, 205-pound forward from Tampa is averaging 8.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and a remarkable 3.1 assists per game this season, while shooting 55.2%. Those assist numbers from a power forward are essentially unheard of, and they reflect a skill set that clearly translates to the modern NBA.

A long, switchable, pass-first frontcourt piece who can run the offense on multiple levels, Mitchell may be the best low-risk, high-reward prospect to put next to Derrick Queen. Maybe not long term, but it would make for some fun NBA Summer League hoops this summer. St. John’s has gone 19-1 at one point since Mitchell was reinserted into the starting lineup this season, and that’s no coincidence.

Mitchell is a McDonald’s All-American who has played at three programs (Texas, Cincinnati) after becoming one of the most highly traveled portal prospects in recent memory, and his basketball IQ has only sharpened under Rick Pitino.

As the Sweet Sixteen unfolds, the focus will naturally fall on the star players and Cinderella stories. However, for the Pelicans’ scouting department, the real task is to evaluate how these five potential second-round targets handle the pressure of high-stakes tournament basketball. In the margins of the NBA Draft, intel is the currency, and New Orleans would be wise to collect as much as possible on this quintet of underdogs.

The Memphis Grizzlies enter the 2026 NBA Draft with two first-round picks and the first selection of the second round. It all depends on the Indiana Pacers maintaining their tank lead over the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets. However, as the standings settle over the last few weeks of the regular season, every front office executive expecting a lottery selection will participate in at least one NCAA Sweet Sixteen square-off.

Franchise-changing talent fills the bracket, and for an organization with great drafting depth, even first-round prospects deserve a hard look. EVP Zach Kleiman’s scouting department should prioritize these three matchups to understand how the Grizzlies should utilize their top-5, top-20 and top-33 selections this summer.

Duke, St. John seems one-sided

This matchup provides one of the widest scouting ranges in the area. All eyes will be on Duke freshman Cam Boozer, a unanimous top-five pick whose evaluation is more about confirmation than discovery. Boozer’s mix of size, experience and offensive polish makes him the safest bet among this group, and a deep tournament run will only strengthen that position.

However, what the Grizzlies need to take away from this matchup goes far beyond Duke’s star. Evans, Ngongba and Sarr all enter the Sweet Sixteen with something to prove. Each is in danger of falling out of the lottery without a strong showing in March, which creates urgency and opportunity for a team pick at the end of the first round.

On the St. John’s side, Zubie Ejiofor and Dillon Mitchell represent the kind of motivated prospects that scouts love to track in high-risk environments. Playing as underdogs against a Duke roster loaded with lottery talent, both players have the platform to make a financial leap if they can take advantage of the moment. The Grizzlies would be well served to evaluate how each performs under pressure and against specific competition.

About Arkansas vs Arizona All Stars

This matchup is less about star power and more about volume scouting. The Razorbacks and Wildcats offer a mix of high-end guard play and international size, filling two clear needs for the Grizzlies’ future roster. Basically, the convergence of Darius Acuff Jr. and Melek Thomas against Koa Peat, Braden Burries and Motijes Krivas offers an extended look at players who could fit into Tuomas Isalo’s rotation at multiple positions.

Acuff Jr. and Thomas are certainly explosive scorers. His matchup against Arizona’s perimeter defense will serve as an important assessment of how his play translates against a high-level structure. Pete, in particular, is the type of versatile frontcourt player the Grizzlies could attract if they opt to insure Zack Eddy. On the other hand, can Arkansas stop anyone without a foul?

This is the type of game where front offices can identify fit-based targets rather than pure upside. Memphis should pay particular attention to players who can contribute within a defined role. Trayvon Brazil and Jaden Bradley, both second-round projections, could move into the late first-round conversation with strong performances in a game of this magnitude.

Houston, Illinois is in depth

If the goal is to evaluate competitive translatability, this is the key match. Houston’s Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac taking on Illinois’ Keaton Wagler and Tomislav Ivicic presents a series of straightforward, NBA-caliber positional battles. These are the types of face-to-face assessments that often hold more importance than raw statistical outputs.

But this game may ultimately be decided by the level of the second round. Joseph Tugler vs. Kylen Boswell and Milos Uzan vs. Andrej Stojakovic represent four players who could swing a deep, high-stakes NCAA Tournament game and, in doing so, dramatically change their draft trajectory.

Zvonimir Ivicic is the real wild card of the game. When locked down, Illinois’ great power becomes a force that security struggles to contain. When isolated, he may remain missing for long periods of time without registering any meaningful impact. This inconsistency is a red flag for any team investing in a guaranteed contract, and it’s likely worth valuing him as a late second-round selection or undrafted free agent option. Well, until the Sweet Sixteen slugfest against Cenac changes that narrative.

The tank-season situation of the NBA Draft will take care of itself in the final weeks of the regular season. What requires active management right now is an intelligence gathering operation ahead of one of the team’s most consequential draft nights in recent memory. The Grizzlies aren’t just looking for talent; They are assessing the risk across multiple choices.

Two first-rounders and the 31st pick give Memphis flexibility. The Sweet Sixteen gives the front office a clear view of who deserves them.

The Chicago Bulls may have lost 142-130 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, but it was still a memorable evening for Yuki Kawamura.

Kawamura played 10 minutes off the bench, adding three points, one rebound and two assists. But what happened after the game was special for Japan’s undersized guard.

He reunited with his national team teammate Rui Hachimura and they shared a memorable moment – ​​literally.

Casey Johnson of Chicago Sports Network on

Kawamura, 24, immediately became a fan favorite in Chicago when he joined the team in Summer League last year. However, he was released during training camp after suffering a foot injury.

Many were saddened by his departure, some even imploring the Bulls to reverse the decision. In January, the team brought back Kawamura on a two-way deal.

He’s not just a novelty, as Kawamura’s vision and athleticism are up there with some of the NBA’s top level generals. He is a prototypical point guard, as he likes to set up his teammates.

Kawamura and Hachimura last represented Japan together at the 2024 Paris Olympics. They did not win in three matches. Hachimura led the team with 22.0 points, while Kawamura was not far behind with 20.3 points. Kawamura also averaged 7.7 assists.

Hachimura had 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting in their win over the Bulls.

Alpern Sengun delivered an incredible dunk highlight during Monday night’s clash between the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz.

Sengun is in his fifth year of his NBA career with the Rockets. He has become one of the best big men in the league, helping the Rockets return to relevance.

His offensive skills, especially his play-making, often come to light. What isn’t often highlighted is his dunking tendencies. That part of his game was on full display during Houston’s contest with Utah. The highlight came in the third quarter when Sengun and Kevin Durant used pick-and-roll action to go it ahead. Durant passed the ball back to his co-star, who took a euro step to get past his defender and then leapt into the air for a reverse dunk.

Alpern Sengun with Euro for the Reverse Slam 😮‍💨pic.twitter.com/0OzVBcpvl7

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 24 February 2026

Alpern Sengun, how the Rockets played against the Jazz

Successfully completing it was a big highlight for Alpern Sengun, helping the Rockets blow out the Jazz 125-105 at home.

Perimeter shooting and rebounding made the difference in this matchup. The Rockets won both categories after making 18 3-pointers and grabbing 53 rebounds. It wasn’t the same for the Jazz as they only converted eight triples and grabbed 36 rebounds.

Six players scored in double figures for Houston in the win, including Sengun. He finished with a stat line of 16 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and one steal on 7 of 12 shooting from the field. Jabari Smith Jr. made a splash with a performance of 31 points, nine rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Amen Thompson finished second with 20 points and seven rebounds, Kevin Durant had 18 points and 12 assists, Reed Shepard had 15 points and four assists, while Terri Eason provided 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Houston improved to a 35–21 record on the season and finished fourth in the Western Conference standings. They are one game up on the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. However, they trail the Denver Nuggets on tiebreakers and the San Antonio Spurs by 5.5 games.

The Rockets will stay at home and await their next matchup. They will host the Sacramento Kings as tip-off takes place on February 25 at 8 PM ET.

The San Antonio Spurs enter Saturday’s game against the Sacramento Kings looking to extend their seven-game winning streak. Early in the first quarter, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was doing his best to throw down an incredible slam dunk after deceiving Kings big man Maxime Renaud.

This game occurred when the Spurs were already leading by double digits, 16–6. Victor Wembanyama caught the ball on the wing, dribbled into the paint, pretended to spin left, only to go right and throw down a slam dunk.

However, at the time of publication, the Kings had managed to mount a comeback midway through the second quarter and tie the game. Spurs will need more plays like Wembanyama’s to maintain their winning streak.

Wembanyama is coming off his second consecutive All-Star selection after being voted as a starter. As part of the league’s new format, he represented Team World, which lost both of its games in the round-robin tournament due to early exits. After the All-Star Game, Wembanyama was outspoken about his competitiveness and desire to win on All-Star Weekend.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Wembanyama is already one of the top five players in the NBA. With a unique blend of size, speed, strength and skill, that’s why his ‘Alien’ nickname makes sense.

Heading into Saturday’s game, he had appeared in 41 games this season, averaging a little over 28 minutes per game. He averaged 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.7 assists while splitting 51 percent shooting from the field, 36.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 81.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line.