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Wade’s LSU Reload Pushes NCAA Rules to the Brink
6 days ago•Source: Sports Illustrated
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5.055 min•25 days ago
Goodman Takes Aim at Greenberg’s 76-Team Expansion Claim
Jeff Goodman publicly challenged Seth Greenberg’s support for expanding the NCAA Tournament to 76 teams, arguing that Greenberg’s own Hokies tenure—marked by bubble-era near-misses and only one NCAA appearance in his final 17 seasons—undermines the case for expansion. The piece notes the proposal is polarizing and could dilute the magic of March Madness, while mentioning talk of an extra play-in round for 12th-place Big Ten/SEC teams.
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Tar Heels land Avdalas as Malone makes first transfer splash
UNC secured Virginia Tech’s Neoklis Avdalas, the first transfer addition for new coach Michael Malone. The 6-foot-9 Greek wing averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds last season and flashed a 33-point game vs. Providence, projecting as an oversized guard who can drive and create in ball screens. UNC will weigh keeping Henri Veesaar and Jarin Stevenson as it pursues more perimeter targets while Malone builds his roster.
Michigan basketball kicks off transfer portal chase as roster reshaping begins
As the NCAA transfer portal opens (April 7–21), Michigan is lining up potential additions to replace departures and injured players, with a running list of targets and rumors. Key departures include Yaxel Lendeborg, Roddy Gayle Jr., Nimari Burnett and Will Tschetter, and L.J. Cason’s season-long absence. Michigan has already landed J.P. Estrella and remains connected to guards and big men such as Juke Harris, Flory Bidunga, Andrew McKeever, Neoklis Avdalas, Kameron Taylor, John Blackwell and Aiden Sherrell, among others. The tracker updates with visits and shifting interest after Estrella’s commitment, offering a live feed of Michigan’s 2026–27 roster-building landscape.
KU Forward Bryson Tiller Sets Sights on Missouri After Entering Transfer Portal
Kansas freshman Bryson Tiller has entered the transfer portal, with Missouri, Michigan, Arizona and Miami among his top choices. He started 31 games last season for KU, averaging 7.9 points and 6.1 rebounds, but his late-season production dipped and he was benched in the Big 12 semifinal. Kansas staff had projected NBA potential and wanted more physicality, and Tiller is weighing a move that could land him at a rival such as Missouri.
Friday’s Sweet 16: Four Blue-Blood Showdowns Set Elite Eight Stakes
Friday’s NCAA men’s Sweet 16 features four marquee bets: No. 1 Duke vs No. 5 St. John’s (7:10 p.m. ET) where Duke’s defense aims to slow St. John’s hot shooting; No. 1 Michigan vs No. 4 Alabama (7:30 p.m. ET) pitting Michigan’s balanced attack against Alabama’s high-octane scoring; No. 2 UConn vs No. 3 Michigan State (9:45 p.m. ET) a clash of size/experience versus playmaking in East Lansing; and No. 2 Iowa State vs No. 6 Tennessee (10:10 p.m. ET) a potential back-and-forth featuring Tennessee’s offense against Iowa State’s efficiency. Key storylines include injury/status notes (e.g., Duke’s Ngongba and Tennessee’s Joshua Jefferson) and depth rotations, plus up to 23 players from The Athletic’s top 100 prospects potentially suiting up as teams chase a spot in the Elite Eight.
Wade Leaves NC State for LSU Homecoming After 1 Season
Will Wade is leaving NC State after one season to return to LSU as head coach, a move that, if confirmed, would lead LSU to fire Matt McMahon. Wade’s return comes amid his controversial LSU tenure and sanctions history, while his lone year in Raleigh produced a 20-14 record and barely earned an NCAA Tournament berth; NC State’s buyout drops to $3 million on April 1 and could be settled.
Will Wade Set for LSU Return? Insider Says Tigers Poised for Reunion
Insider Jon Rothstein claims LSU is set to fire Matt McMahon and hire Will Wade, reuniting Wade with the Tigers; the report suggests Wade is the likely next LSU coach barring unforeseen developments, with Heath Schroyer tied to an administrative role, while McMahon’s tenure has been marked by limited NCAA Tournament success.
Creighton names Alan Huss to succeed Greg McDermott after retirement
Creighton coach Greg McDermott retires after 16 seasons and will be succeeded by longtime assistant Alan Huss. Huss, a former Creighton player who later led High Point to its first NCAA Tournament appearance, takes over as McDermott leaves with a 365-188 Creighton record and Elite Eight runs; the Bluejays enter the Crown tournament at 15-17 as Huss prepares to take the helm.
Wingspan defense and big-name exits reshape the second round
Michigan’s length anchored a defense-first second round victory over Saint Louis, while late-game drama and standout performances—like Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner’s 27 before a near-miss—highlighted the night. Illinois produced a rim-rocking, high-energy showing; Iowa, under Ben McCollum’s leadership, edged Florida in a bruising grind; Kansas suffered a shocking exit to St. John’s as Bill Self faces a program in transition; Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. erupted for 36 to push High Point aside, and Cinderella stories appear to be fading as power programs advance toward the Sweet 16.
Pack Portal Plan: Paul McNeil Jr. Tops NC State’s Return Targets
As portal season nears, NC State is expected to bring back at most two players from this year’s roster. Seniors Copeland, Lubin, Williams, Holloman, and Ebube won’t return, while Allen Breed’s eligibility remains unclear. The clear priority is Paul McNeil Jr, viewed as a future star and the staff’s top return target; Matt Able seems unlikely due to McNeil’s rise and the addition of Cole Cloer; Zymicah Wilkins has about a 60% chance to stay, Alyn Breed’s status is uncertain, and Colt Langdon could move to a lower level for minutes. Deng, Arceneaux, and Musa are not expected to stick without significant pay cuts. NC State plans to add at least five players via the portal to rebuild a more versatile guard-driven roster and culture under head coach Will Wade.
Greenberg Names 2026 NCAA Tournament's Five Standouts
ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg revealed his top five players for the 2026 Men’s March Madness, highlighting Cameron Boozer (Duke), Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas), AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Keaton Wagler (Illinois), and Darryn Peterson (Kansas) as potential game-changers with elite scoring, versatility and NBA upside, while noting questions about fit, health, and how well they’ll carry their teams through the tournament.