The overall No. 1 seed Duke enters the tournament as the statistical favorite to reach the Final Four with the shortest regional odds at -135 in the East. They are followed closely by Michigan, which sits at -130 to emerge out of the Midwest Region that includes Iowa State.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a deal with fashion giant Uniqlo to become Dodger Stadium's official field presenting partner, multiple sources tell The Athletic. An official announcement is expected before Opening Day. It's the first time in the 64-year history of Dodger Stadium that there will be a sponsor attached to the ballpark in this way.
Currently sitting at 49-18 and trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder by just three games for the top spot in the Western Conference, San Antonio is on a mission to secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Their balanced attack, which ranks top-five in both offensive and defensive rating, has made them a nightmare for mid-tier teams.
Mallorca has won 57.1% of its games this season when it has been a moneyline favorite (4-2-1). Espanyol has been an underdog in 14 games this season, and won four (28.6%). Mallorca has not won a game when entering as a moneyline favorite with odds of +136 or shorter in three chances.
Charleston (SC) averages 74.5 points per game (44th in college basketball) while giving up 58.1 per outing (33rd in college basketball). It has a +509 scoring differential overall and outscores opponents by 16.4 points per game. Barbot leads the Cougars, putting up 19.5 points per game (24th in the country).
Michigan averages 87.3 points per game (10th in college basketball) while giving up 68.9 per contest (56th in college basketball). It has a +607 scoring differential overall and outscores opponents by 18.4 points per game. The 36.9 rebounds per game Michigan averages rank 14th in the nation, and are 9.7 more than the 27.2 its opponents collect per contest.
Murray State outscores opponents by 12.3 points per game (scoring 86.0 per game to rank fifth in college basketball while giving up 73.7 per contest to rank 334th in college basketball) and has a +405 scoring differential overall.
Charleston (SC) is outscoring opponents by 16.4 points per game with a +509 scoring differential overall. It puts up 74.5 points per game (44th in college basketball) and gives up 58.1 per contest (33rd in college basketball). The Cougars post 14.2 more points than the Pride allow (60.3).
Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki limped off the field during the first inning after getting caught stealing second base. Kevin Barral of Fish On First reported that Suzuki was removed due to discomfort in his right knee and that the team would continue to evaluate him. After the game, superstar Shohei Ohtani spoke to reporters and noted that Suzuki hadn't yet undergone imaging to determine the severity of the issue.