Today: Updated bracketology, USC dismisses Baker-Mazara, Josh Heupel on Tennessee's reset, and G6 Portal winners.

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MARCH MADNESS

2026 NCAA Tournament Predictions: Bracketology changes after chaotic, upset-filled weekend

Plenty of upsets have shifted bracketology from top to bottom as the regular season winds down and March finally arrives. With one week left in most high-major leagues and mid-major tournaments tipping off, the NCAA Tournament picture is tightening. The selection committee will lean heavily on NET rankings and quadrant records, but conference tournaments still have the power to reshape the field.

Here is the latest snapshot of the bubble and the top line.

Projected 1-line

Duke, Michigan, Arizona, and UConn hold the current 1-seeds. Duke remains the No. 1 overall seed thanks to consistent efficiency and another key ACC win. Michigan strengthened its grip on the top line with a marquee victory over Illinois. Arizona continues stacking résumé boosters in the Big 12, keeping pace in the race for the top overall spot. UConn rounds out the group, fending off challengers with steady play and high-end wins down the stretch.

Last four byes

UCF, SMU, Texas A&M, and Santa Clara are the final teams currently avoiding Dayton. UCF and SMU sit just above the cut line with little margin for error. Texas A&M's résumé swings between quality wins and tough losses, keeping them squarely on the bubble. Santa Clara's strong overall record and solid metrics give it a slight edge over teams chasing from behind.

Last four in

Ohio State, Indiana, Auburn, and New Mexico are projected to head to Dayton for now. Ohio State has stayed competitive against elite opponents, while Indiana's late push keeps it afloat. Auburn's metrics help offset inconsistency, and New Mexico's conference résumé keeps it narrowly inside the field.

First four out

Just outside the bracket sit TCU, VCU, San Diego State, and Cincinnati. Each remains within striking distance, but missed opportunities and inconsistent finishes leave little room for error entering the last week of the regular season.

See the Projected Bracket

NCAA BASKETBALL

USC leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara no longer member of basketball program

The USC Trojans announced Sunday that 26-year-old leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer with the program, a stunning development with two regular-season games remaining and USC squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble. The Auburn transfer averaged a team-best 18.5 points per game, along with 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists, emerging as the team's primary offensive threat after Rodney Rice went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.

USC is in the middle of a five-game losing streak, and Baker-Mazara's departure comes one day after he refused to return to Saturday's loss at Nebraska. Baker-Mazara reportedly told Musselman he couldn't go back in after a hard foul from Pryce Sandfort. He left the bench area and sat among the fans during the second half. He had also been absent from the bench during a recent loss to Illinois.

This wasn't the first public tension, either. Back in January, head coach Eric Musselman openly questioned how the sixth-year veteran fouled out in just 13 minutes against Northwestern, saying, "That's on Chad."

Much has been said about the move from the Trojans, especially from Gilbert Arenas. The former NBA All-Star, whose son Alijah is a freshman on the Trojans, went on an NSFW social media tirade defending Baker-Mazara and blasting the decision.

Now, with Washington and rival UCLA on deck before the Big Ten Tournament, USC must regroup without its top scorer as it fights to stay in the at-large conversation.

Read the Full Story

🚨Headlines

NCAA FOOTBALL

Josh Heupel shares the passion of the Tennessee fan base to win a national title: 'We're in a race to get it done as fast as possible.'

Josh Heupel revived Tennessee faster than anyone expected, winning 11 games in Year 2 and restoring belief on Rocky Top. But a late-season collapse, including a blowout loss to Vanderbilt and six straight defeats to ranked teams, stirred restlessness. Now entering Year 6, Heupel is facing it head-on.

Tennessee overhauled its staff, hiring defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and prying strength coach Derek Owings away from defending national champion Indiana. The goal is consistency and toughness after defensive regression and line-of-scrimmage struggles defined 2025.

Much of the storyline surrounding Heupel's sixth season will revolve around the quarterback competition, and he's emphatic that it will be a "real" competition between George MacIntyre, Faizon Brandon, and Ryan Staub. With full scholarships restored and expectations sky-high, Heupel insists the goal remains simple: compete for a championship. Now.

Read the Exclusive Interview

TRANSFER PORTAL

Group of Six transfer portal winners: San Diego State, USF & more

The transfer portal has reshaped roster building across college football, especially inside the Group of Six, where Power Four programs routinely poach top talent. With coaching changes and heavy roster turnover, several programs have aggressively rebuilt for 2026. Here's a look at five Group of Six portal winners (the full story can be seen here).

Colorado State

The Rams fired Jay Norvell and hired Jim Mora away from UConn, immediately reshaping the roster. Mora brought 16 UConn players with him, including TE Juice Vereen and LB Oumar Diomande. The Rams added 35 transfers overall, highlighted by Auburn RB Durell Robinson and Georgia TE Pearce Spurlin. A quarterback competition between Darius Curry, Oklahoma State transfer Hauss Hejny, and UConn transfer Ksaan Farrar will define the spring.

James Madison

JMU reached the College Football Playoff under Bob Chesney before he left for UCLA. Billy Napier took over and added 41 transfers to stabilize the roster. Florida OT Noel Portnjagin, LSU WR Kylan Billiot, and Northern Arizona RB Seth Cromwell headline the additions, while quarterbacks Davi Belfort and Arrington Maiden reinforce the position.

Oregon State

After an 0-7 start led to Trent Bray's dismissal, Oregon State hired JaMarcus Shephard and began flipping the roster. The Beavers added 20 transfers, including Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson, who threw for 3,611 yards and 34 touchdowns as a freshman. Vanderbilt RB AJ Newberry and Alabama WR Aeryn Hampton strengthen the offense.

USF

South Florida enters Year 1 under Brian Hartline after Alex Golesh departed. Hartline signed 41 transfers, including LSU's Michael Van Buren and Mississippi State's Luke Kromenhoek, creating an open quarterback battle. Ohio State LB C.J. Hicks and WR Bryson Rodgers add Power Four experience.

UNLV

UNLV moved quickly after Anthony Colandrea entered the portal, landing former Oklahoma and Auburn transfer Jackson Arnold as the projected starter. The Rebels also added SMU cornerback Kyron Chambers, Arizona TE Keyan Burnett, and Clemson LB Dee Crayton.

Read the Full Story

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

As a true freshman at Boston College, I led the ACC with 158 tackles and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.
I finished my three-year college career with 532 tackles, won the Butkus Award and Nagurski Trophy, and twice earned consensus All-American honors.
I became an NFL Defensive Player of the Year after being selected in the first round and retired earlier than many expected.

Answer at the bottom.

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