March 9, 2026
NCAA Basketball
Vitale Rips Kentucky
Legendary ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale expressed his disappointment with the Kentucky Wildcats' performance this season, particularly given their roster's reported $22 million in NIL deals. After a loss to Florida, Vitale stated that with such a high-value roster, the team should have been able to assemble a better team. He emphasized that for a program like Kentucky, there are no "moral victories," and they should be winning games, especially at home.
The Race for #1 Seeds Heats Up
With Selection Sunday just a week away, the competition for the top seed in the NCAA Tournament is fierce. Duke, Michigan, and Arizona have established themselves as the top three contenders for the No. 1 overall seed. Following a win over Kentucky and a loss by UConn, Florida is now the frontrunner for the fourth and final No. 1 seed. The upcoming conference tournaments will be crucial in determining the final seeding for the tournament.
Boston University Ends Navy's NCAA Tournament Dreams
In a stunning turn of events, Boston University defeated Navy 73 - 72 in the Patriot League semifinals, crushing Navy's hopes of their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1998. The game ended in dramatic fashion with a last-second, 40-foot shot by Boston's Chance Gladden. The victory was not without controversy, as a game clock malfunction required a review by the officials, who ultimately confirmed the shot was good. This heartbreaking loss for Navy, who had a 26 - 7 record, will likely send them to the NIT instead of the NCAA Tournament.
High School Basketball
State Champs Crowned in South Carolina & Mississippi
The high school basketball seasons in South Carolina and Mississippi have concluded with the crowning of new state champions. In South Carolina, six new champions were celebrated across the SCHSL classifications. In Mississippi, the MHSAA boys' basketball state championships also concluded with seven new champions emerging. These tournaments showcased thrilling games and celebrated the hard work and dedication of young athletes.
Illinois Class 4A Sectionals Showcase Top Talent
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 4A sectional tournaments have been a showcase of talent, with DePaul Prep and St. Ignatius, two teams that recently moved up from smaller classes, now just one win away from the state finals. Their success in the highly competitive 4A class demonstrates their strength and adaptability. The sectional rewind highlighted several key performances and storylines, including the impressive play of Peoria Richwoods sophomore Amarion Smith-Holley.
Revelations from the California High School Basketball Playoffs
The California high school basketball playoffs are in their final days; and the season has been full of revelations. The Los Angeles Times highlighted junior guard Zaire Rasshan of Damien as a standout three-point shooter, setting a school record with 114 threes this season. The regional finals and state championships are set to take place this week, promising more exciting basketball action.
Fun Fact
Did you know that over 70 million brackets are filled out each year? That's a lot of passionate fans hoping to predict the unpredictable! From buzzer-beaters to Cinderella stories, this tournament is packed with excitement.
Join us as we break down the top teams to watch, highlight the underdogs; and dive into stats that will amaze even the biggest basketball junkies!
Sources: - Cobb, D. (2026, March 8). Bracketology: Top NCAA Tournament storylines a week from Selection Sunday. CBS Sports. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/bracketology-storylines-seeding-ncaa-tournament-march-madness/
Henricksen, J. (2026, March 8). Sectional rewind: Breaking down Friday's IHSA state tournament action. Chicago Sun-Times. https://chicago.suntimes.com/high-school-basketball/2026/03/08/ihsa-state-basketball-tournament-sectionals-illinois-depaul-ignatius
Kassim, E. (2026, March 8). March Madness betting favorites. Ranking top 20 teams based on odds. USA Today https://www.usatoday/story/sports/ncaab/2026/03/08/march-madness-bracket-rankings-top-20-teams-betting-odds-favorites-2026/89049945007/
Owens. J. (2026, March 8). March Madness 2026: Boston U dashes Navy's tourney hopes with buzzer-beater after game clock failed to start. Yahoo Sports. https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/march-madness-2026-boston-u-dashes-navys-tourney-hopes-with-buzzer-beater-after-game-clock-failed-to-start-224027316.html
Sondheimer, E. (2026, March 8). Revelations from an action-packed high school basketball season. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/story/2026-03-08/revelations-freom-action-packed-high-school-basketball-season
Thompson, S. (2026, March 8). Dick Vitale rips Kentucky basketball's $22 million roster after loss. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/espn-star-rips-iconic-college-basketball-team-22m-roster-disappointing-season.amp
Webb, K (2026, March 9). Mississippi's MHSAA high school boys basketball state championships conclude with seven new champions crowned. Yahoo Sports. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/mississippis-mhsaa-high-school-boys-004946965.html
Webb, K. (2026, March 9). South Carolina's high school boys basketball season concludes as SCHSL celebrates six new champions. Yahoo Sports. https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/south-carolinas-high-school-boys-020828493.html