Entering each of the last four Masters, there was one clear top player riding a wave of momentum. However, there is more uncertainty this year 👀 We have the top numbers and things to know ahead of the 90th Masters Tournament. 🎁 Free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

"He wasn’t meant to be seen. But he saw everything." an incredible piece of writing, courtesy of @jerrybrewer.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

No one on this or any other planet knows more about Michigan basketball than Dylan and it is 10/10 awesome that he and his site got to cover a national championship. Read every word.

Ken Griffey Jr. Still cooler than any of us could hope to be. Great stuff from @bfquinn.bsky.social.

A story on chasing your interest, changing perspectives, and The Kid at 56 www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

“I will beat Geno’s ass” - Dawn Staley

In what he thought was a private moment, Shota Hayafuji took one step back, turned to the course before him, removed his hat, and, very simply, bowed. Five years later, we look the moment, the men who made it, and what was shown in the mirror www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

this was the height of graphic design. the profession has never found a way to top it

NEWS: Tiger Woods has waived arraignment, entered a not guilty plea on both misdemeanor charges and demanded a trial by jury. The defense has 10 days to file motions. More details: www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

The Smell of Death, by Edvard Munch, 1895

THAT DID NOT JUST HAPPEN

CBS turned their news operation into propaganda, kicked Colbert off the air for making too much trouble, and all that just to have Charles Barkley go on the air on one of their most-watched telecasts of the year and say this lmao

The Tiger Woods car crash news is … getting worse. www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

From @theathletic.com: Tiger Woods was involved in a rollover car crash in Florida. His condition is yet to be confirmed.

HORNS DOWN BOILERS UP

there's a story i always wanted to dive into if/when Nebraska ever made an NCAA run, but never got the chance. Maybe the wildest exit in college hoops history... The night Moe Iba coached the Huskers in their first NCAA Tournament game and handed in his letter of resignation *as he left the floor*

once spent three days with Matt McMahon back in his Murray State days. Can tell you, in a profession of so many hucksters and liars, I was left little reason to see him as either. He was, to be totally honest, always an odd fit at LSU. Didn't deserve to be done dirty in the end, but unsurprising...

Here’s my latest feature for The Athletic — on how the NHL’s youth movement is changing the game.

My latest on how a 3-second video clip of a guy who's never played a down of football has sent college recruiters into a frenzy. Meet Ireland’s Neff Giwa, a 6-7 1/2, 295-pound rugby-player-turned offensive tackle with 37-inch arms who can run a 4.88 40. Free story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

Interesting point here by our @brendanmarks.bsky.social - gotta wonder if that North Carolina job is more tempting to Billy Donovan than another half-decade of 33-49 (trying again with an actual link!) www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

An unaccounted for part of the economy is how much young people virulently hate AI, despite how aggressively it's being forced on them. They realize it's making their friends dumber and ruining the world and they want nothing to do with it. From the Penn student paper: www.thedp.com/article/2026...

Meanwhile just over here buying all the Arizona State stock after the Randy Bennett hire.

Sorry, Todd, but

ben mccollum looks like he's heading to his first holy communion while his staff is in head-to-toe black sweatsuits like high school stagehands

When it comes to suits on the sidelines, the rule is all or nothing. If the head coach goes jack and tie, the staff has to go jacket and tie. If the head coach wears athleisure pajamas, the staff has to wear athleisure pajamas. This is inarguable.

(go birds)

Rob Martin averaged 5.5 mpg in 12 appearances as a freshman at Indiana State in 2022-23. Unranked recruit. Zero high-major offers. Currently *giving it* to John Calipari's fleet of five-starts. College basketball.

"take me to the balkans please!" is another raftery all time

fwiw - Brandon Gaudin was so incredibly good on the back and forth in that final minute. Just awesome. Starting with, “Hoiberg!! The smallest man on the floor!”

Not only is Vandy-Nebraska a spectacular game, but the *bings!* from these rims on made 3s are ELITE

Who could’ve seen this coming?

starting to think this is better logic than my current process of staring at kenpom data and just *making up theories* to make picks

Herb Sendek is a really underrated figure in college coaching. Came up on Pitino's staffs, working with Jeff Van Gundy, Stu Jackson, Billy Donovan, Tubby Smith. Then produced his own coaching tree inc. Thad Matta, Sean/Archie Miller, Ron Hunter, Eric Musselman, John Groce, Rob Senderoff, others.

I am dead. I have died.

This is just lovely. Santa Clara seems to smile at every Kentucky haymaker.

Your annual reminder to respect Jesuit basketball.

a lot of words just to say "we are vapid, money-lusting goobers"

best college hoops story you'll read today — @cjmoorehoops.bsky.social on impending NCAA assist king Braden Smith www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

Why is there no live NCAA Tournament basketball at this minute? What are we doing?? MORE!

We are all Saints

If you’re unaware of the background — Dick Vitale calling a Will Wade-coached team in the NCAA Tournament on a Tuesday night in Dayton is incredibly funny

Bruce Pearl went from being kicked out of his sport for lying to the NCAA to becoming the face of CBS’s Selection Sunday coverage. Yet, he still cannot escape controversy, claiming Miami (OH) doesn’t belong in the tournament and defending Auburn’s résumé, while on their payroll.

Pour one out for the pod

Norlander’s annual offering to the masses. It’s beautiful.

From @theathletic.com: UConn is the top overall seed in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. See who’s in, who’s out and the full bracket.

Chuck AND Dickie V on the call! Total chaos.

Wrote about my absolute favorite part of March Madness, featuring the great @jeff-neiburg.bsky.social and T.J. Power, Band-aided chin and all: collegesportsmoney.substack.com/p/march-madn...

Michigan-Saint Louis could be highly awesome