Sports Illustrated
Eagles’ Jalen Hurts Pays for Funeral of Slain HS Football Player, per Report
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is paying the funeral expenses of a slain high school football player from Hurts’s hometown of Houston, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Jarvon Coles, an 18-year-old football player from North Shore High School in Houston, was shot and killed at a house party in Humble, a Houston suburb, on March 9. North Shore High School is a rival school of Hurts’s alma mater, Channelview High.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts reportedly is covering the funeral expenses for a slain high school football player in his hometown of Houston.Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports
Officers responded to a welfare check call after reports of underage drinking at a rental property, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, per KHOU-TV. After arriving on the scene, Coles was found unresponsive. EMS attempted to perform CPR before realizing that Coles had suffered a gunshot wound.
Coles was taken from the scene to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officers determined that during the party, a car with several people drove by the property and opened fire. To date, no arrests have been made in the killing.
Fantasy Baseball 2024: Five Hitters That Could Be Late-Round Sleepers
Fantasy baseball draft season is here, and it’s always wise to have a handy list of players that could pay off in later rounds. Third base and outfield are both thin positions this year, so I have chosen to include sleeper hitters who can cover those positions. If you miss out on Julio Rodriguez, Kyle Tucker or Jose Ramirez early, don’t worry – there is upside to be found later in the draft.
Here are five hitters that could easily outperform their current average draft position (ADP). Be sure you also check out my five sleeper pitchers here.
ADP 200
Rick Scuteri/USA TODAY Sports
O.K., I get it. Jimenez has had trouble staying healthy and the White Sox are expected to be a dumpster fire this season, so perhaps the counting stats won’t be massive. But, ADP 200? He’s still expected to bat cleanup behind Luis Robert Jr., and though his DH status limits him to utility for fantasy, it may also help ensure he stays healthy. Jimenez has the upside for 30-plus homers if he plays 150 games and chips in for batting average. Jimenez still hits the ball hard, slugging .561 this spring with 12 RBIs across 41 at-bats.
Tyler O’Neill, Red Sox (OF)ADP 226
If, and of course it’s a big if, O’Neill can stay healthy, he could be one of the draft's biggest steals. O’Neill has not remained healthy for an entire MLB season; however, in 2021, he hit .286 with 34 home runs and 15 stolen bases across 138 games. He followed up that with a 96-game season with 14 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 2022, then in 2023, he only managed 72 games. However, at pick 226, there’s not a lot to lose. His right-handed power should pay well at Fenway, and O’Neill can potentially be a 30/20 guy in this new stolen base environment. His sprint speed remained in the 80th percentile during the 2023 season.
Jorge Polanco, Mariners (2B/3B)ADP 247
Polanco should be the everyday second-baseman for the Mariners. The flexible middle-infielder hasn’t played an entire season since 2021, which is likely suppressing his value, but last year he hit 14 home runs in the 80 games he did play. That hints at a 25-plus home run upside, with a little bit of speed thrown in, too. Hitting third for the Mariners, the counting stats could also exceed expectations based on his current ADP. Polanco’s barrel rate was in the 88th percentile of MLB in 2023, and his sweet-spot rate was in the 94th percentile. Add that to the fact that his 14 home runs in 2023 would have been 17 if they were all hit at T-Mobile, and you can call me intrigued.
Henry Davis, Pirates (C/OF)ADP 273
Davis has been raking this spring, slugging .719 with four home runs and 11 RBIs across 32 at-bats. His most recent round-tripper left the bat at 109.4 mph. The 24-year-old spent the offseason working on his swing path at Driveline, which is paying dividends. Davis was the Pirates' first overall pick in 2021, and he plays two of the shallowest positions in fantasy: outfield and catcher. It may take a few games for Davis to gain catcher eligibility, but I’ll take the talent with the potential for 20 home runs and 10 steals as my backstop after pick 250 every day of the week.
Jackson Merrill, Padres (OF/SS)ADP 299
Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
It’s official: Merrill will get the start in center field on Opening Day in Korea. After a strong spring, Merrill will become just the third player under 21 to get an Opening Day start in center field. What’s even more incredible? Merrill has not only never played a Triple-A game, but he has never played a game at center field in his entire career. Merrill was the 27th pick in the 2021 draft. He has an all-fields approach and has confidently attacked in every at-bat this spring. Before heading overseas, Merrill finished the Cactus League hitting .351 with three doubles, two homers, three walks and three strikeouts. Though the rookie will start in the outfield, he should also pick up shortstop eligibility (his natural position) as the season goes on, making him a flexible player you can use both inside and outside the diamond.
Related: Fantasy Baseball 2024: These Five Pitchers Could Be Late-Round Sleepers
Saquon Barkley’s First Photo With His New Eagles Jersey Had NFL Fans Sounding Off
Saquon Barkley left the New York Giants for the Philadelphia Eagles, signing a three-year, $37.75 million deal last week.
For Giants fans, it’s going to be tough to see their former star running back playing for one of their most heated rivals. For Eagles fans, they’re excited to add another explosive player to their stacked offense.
Philadelphia had fans all fired up on Monday when they released the first photo of Barkley with his new Jersey. The running back will be wearing No. 26, which he wore with the Giants and in college at Penn State.
Check out his new look:
🚨 NEW NUMBERS IN 🚨@saquon 2️⃣6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/Z6sXN5leP8
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 18, 2024Eagles and Giants fans had reactions:
https://t.co/bQM8zjiTUb pic.twitter.com/NVvPDhOyQj
— Graham O'hare (@GrahamOhare) March 18, 2024Bro still can’t believe he pulled a KD💀💀💀🤢 https://t.co/PDObOWrPYz
— Ed. (@EddyDimes) March 18, 2024Son look like he boutta rush for 300 off 1 attempt when he play the giants 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/pjMOXlBT69
— Jimbo Fisherr (@WickstarStrrdi) March 18, 2024This a hell of a signing dawg. Its like right there under CMC with 49ers. Not quite same level but right there https://t.co/g8e3iFyNyl
— Coach Quan (@QuanDBtalk) March 18, 2024Find you someone that will look at you the way @saquon looks at his name on the back of an Eagles jersey 🔥 #FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/DWMf5Ifs0d
— Eagles Ed (@EdFromDelco) March 18, 2024He’s gonna score so many touchdowns on us 😔 https://t.co/S64qqd5fJL
— Julian Gonzalez (@Juliang0329) March 18, 2024My boy so infatuated with the organization it makes me proud to be a fan 🤝🏾 https://t.co/UogRYwTVjy
— Jeezobreezo (@Justjeezyfrfr) March 19, 2024Me this morning after reading this tweet! 👏👏👏👏🦅🦅🦅🦅 #FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/WRwwuEbbtY pic.twitter.com/LvF0tYRYQv
— Marisa🦅❤️🤍💙⚾️ (@EaglesDiplomat) March 18, 2024Yup, this is our new reality. https://t.co/YLElEPoNF5 pic.twitter.com/3TBnGpxUEe
— Bryan Cameron (@BCameronPSN) March 18, 2024I’m going to vomit. https://t.co/WpAtY5f0rP
— fivepointsvids (@FivePointsVids) March 18, 20244 o’clock Eagles game in the rain Saquon with no gloves on pure domination https://t.co/Z4rfw6Je1V
— Kb eagels room 🦅 (@Birds_DBroom) March 18, 2024The 10 Best Signings of NFL Free Agency 2024
NFL free agency is littered with bad contracts. The kind of contracts that any reasonable person knows is a bad idea immediately.
Yet the signings happen every year because general managers need to keep their jobs, and an abundance of cap space is too juicy to ignore.
But every once in a while, a great signing takes place. One that makes the team better both short and long term.
Below, we ranked the top 10 signings from the 2024 free-agent class.
10. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens Henry is a physical back who will join a contending Ravens roster.George Walker IV / Tennessean.com/USA TODAY Sports
If there’s any player who seemed a perfect match for his new team, it’s Henry and the Ravens. However, he’s only 10th on the list because of positional value and age.
Henry, 30, is still one of the best backs in the league, giving him the leverage to secure a two-year, $20 million deal. After being limited to eight games with a foot injury in 2021, Henry has led the league in carries both seasons since, rushing for 25 touchdowns and 2,705 yards.
9. Xavier McKinney, S, Green Bay PackersMcKinney was the best safety on the market, and the Packers made sure to upgrade one of their weakest positions on the depth chart with a four-year deal worth $68 million.
McKinney played his first four years with the New York Giants, racking up nine interceptions and 27 passes defensed. With Green Bay, McKinney will play behind corners Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes, making the Packers one of the deeper secondaries in the league.
8. Andrew Van Ginkel, LB, Minnesota VikingsVan Ginkel is an underrated signing, going to the Vikings for two years and $20 million. He joins edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and linebacker Blake Cashman as the trio remaking the front seven for coordinator Brian Flores.
Flores and Van Ginkel worked together in Miami, helping the linebacker become one of the more well-rounded players at his position in the league. Last season, Van Ginkel totaled 69 tackles, 19 quarterback hits, six sacks and an interception.
7. Frankie Luvu, LB, Washington CommandersAfter being a part-time linebacker for three seasons with the New York Jets, Luvu starred for the Carolina Panthers since signing there in 2021. The Commanders made him a key target of their busy offseason and signed him to a three-year, $36 million contract.
Luvu, 27, notched more than 100 tackles each of the past two years while amassing 12.5 sacks. Washington’s front seven should be fantastic with Da’Ron Payne and Jonathan Allen inside, and Dorance Armstrong coming off the edge.
6. Christian Wilkins, DT, Las Vegas RaidersWilkins became the best-available defensive tackle once Chris Jones re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, and he cashed in big with the Silver and Black on a four-year, $110 million deal with $84.75 million guaranteed.
Wilkins will elevate Las Vegas’s defense.Sam Navarro/USA TODAY Sports
Paired with Maxx Crosby, Wilkins should give the Raiders a terrific combination up front. With the Miami Dolphins in 2023, Wilkins registered nine sacks on 23 quarterback hits. Expect those numbers to rise with Crosby by his side.
5. Kendall Fuller, CB, Miami DolphinsThe Dolphins lost plenty in free agency, but they gained a terrific corner in Fuller after he departed from Washington. And the value was excellent, with the veteran signing a two-year deal worth $16 million.
Fuller, 29, comes over as a starter who can play a multitude of roles including slot corner, boundary corner and safety. In Miami, he’ll join a talented group alongside Jalen Ramsey to help the Dolphins aim for a third straight playoff berth.
4. Marquise Brown, WR, Kansas City ChiefsBrown might prove to be the best value at receiver in free agency. The Chiefs landed Brown on a one-year, $7 million pact worth up to $11 million with incentives.
Brown, 26, has played five years with the Ravens and Arizona Cardinals, going over the 1,000-yard threshold in 2021 with Baltimore. Now catching passes from Patrick Mahomes, Brown’s a decent bet to find a new level of success in Kansas City’s offense.
3. Bryce Huff, Edge, Philadelphia EaglesHuff broke out in his fourth season with the Jets. After being a rotational defender who played on special teams, Huff became a pass-rushing force in 2023 with 10 sacks despite playing just 42% of snaps.
With the Eagles, Huff joins a front including defensive tackle Jalen Carter and fellow edge rusher Josh Sweat, who reworked his deal to remain with Philadelphia. As usual, the Eagles should have one of the best pass-rushing units in football.
2. Mitch Morse, C, Jacksonville Jaguars Morse will bring valuable leadership to the Jaguars.Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
Morse is a crafty veteran who overcame durability issues early in his career to become one of the league stalwarts at center.
After being released from the Buffalo Bills due to a looming cap crunch, Morse reunited with coach Doug Pederson after the two spent time together with the Chiefs in 2015. Jacksonville had a major need to revamp the offensive line’s interior, and Morse is a perfect fit on a two-year deal.
1. Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta FalconsCousins’s signing is controversial for some, as he’s 35 years old coming off a torn Achilles tendon. And while that’s understandable, the Falcons signed the player who will easily have the biggest impact on his new team.
Cousins only has one playoff win, but he’s been an underrated quarterback for years. In six seasons with the Vikings, Cousins threw for at least 4,200 yards in four of them. He also tossed 171 touchdowns against 55 interceptions in that span.
If Cousins is healthy, he’s the best signing in the free-agency period, even at $180 million over four years.
Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards Trolled John Collins With Wild Response to Young Fan
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards had one of the most impressive moments of the 2023-24 NBA season on Monday night. During the third quarter of Minnesota’s 114-104 victory over the Utah Jazz, Edwards caught a pass and drove straight into the lane, elevating to finish a monstrous dunk over forward John Collins.
The clip went viral immediately, and the dunk’s aftermath left both players suffering minor injuries. Edwards said after the game that he dislocated his finger on the play while Collins suffered a head contusion, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported.
Anthony Edwards with the dunk of the year pic.twitter.com/4mSVgBn9TB
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 19, 2024While Edwards’ postgame reaction to seeing his dunk was quite the sight, the T’Wolves star also had a parting jab for Collins on his way off the floor.
In a clip of Edwards signing autographs, one fan asked for his jersey, to which the 22-year-old responded, “I’ve gotta give it to [John] Collins.”
the man of the hour. 🐜 pic.twitter.com/BolKfFVOBX
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 19, 2024Edwards was stellar in the Timberwolves’ victory over Utah. Minnesota overcame the absence of Karl-Anthony Town and Rudy Gobert, who were both sidelined due to injury. Minnesota also lost Naz Reid, who had stepped into a starting role in the absence of Towns and Gobert after he suffered an injury in the third quarter.
Edwards finished the night with 32 points on 13-of-23 shooting, eight assists, seven rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.
Anthony Edwards Was in Awe After Seeing Replay of His Poster Dunk Over John Collins
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards helped propel his team to a win on Monday night, and his game kicked into a different gear during the second half after he threw down what was perhaps the dunk of the 2023–24 season over Utah Jazz forward John Collins.
After the win, the 22-year-old was shown the replay of his monstrous jam on the court during his postgame interview with Bally Sports, and even Edwards himself couldn’t help but admire his own work of art.
“Oh my god. That’s my biggest dunk of my career, I’m not gonna lie,” said Edwards. “I couldn’t even react because I dislocated my finger... I couldn’t react to it. I wish I could’ve reacted to it.”
"Oh my gawd!"
Anthony Edwards' reaction to his poster dunk on John Collins is hilarious 😂
(via @ChristopherHine) pic.twitter.com/U1FhPvHl6a
Both Edwards and Collins were injured during the dunk. Minnesota’s star guard suffered a dislocated finger, though he was able to play out the remainder of the game. Collins did not return after sustaining a head contusion on the play.
Edwards has not shied away from going for a huge poster dunk every now and then, and he didn’t balk when a prime opportunity presented itself on Monday night against Utah. His postgame reaction said it all, as he could barely believe what he’d pulled off when given the opportunity to get a better look at his dunk.
T’Wolves’ Anthony Edwards Had NBA Fans Losing Their Minds After Poster Dunk of the Year
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards raised the bar in the NBA dunk of the year debate. The 22-year-old guard threw down one of the most vicious poster dunks in recent memory over Utah Jazz forward John Collins during the third quarter of Monday night’s matchup.
Edwards went straight at Collins, taking off from just inside the free-throw line before emphatically finishing a dunk so powerful that he appeared to hurt his finger. The dunk sent the commentators and fanbase into a complete frenzy.
Anthony Edwards with the dunk of the year pic.twitter.com/4mSVgBn9TB
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 19, 2024The dunk also appeared to injure Collins, who ultimately left the game with a head contusion, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported.
Utah's John Collins has suffered a head contusion from play contesting Anthony Edwards' poster dunk tonight, sources say. Head injury but no concussion for Collins.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 19, 2024If that didn’t do the dunk enough justice, here’s another angle worth watching of Edwards’s incredible finish.
Anthony Edwards is absurd pic.twitter.com/olLw8op5Ld
— Football (@BostonConnr) March 19, 2024Not surprisingly, the dunk sent social media into a frenzy, as fans couldn’t believe Edwards’ powerful finish.
DUNK OF THE YEAR WTF HE TOOK OFF
— 23 💫👑 (@Br0nToLA23) March 19, 2024That’s disrespectful pic.twitter.com/Efx1BRg6FG
— Diet💦 (@DietWaterGUY) March 19, 2024Left a dead body on the court but was worried about his finger 😂
— Adrian Morris (@Futur3_Th1nk3r) March 19, 2024He threw it down so hard, that the ball bounced off the ground and jammed his left hand. That’s insane 😭
— Viceroy Flair Productions (@ViceroyFlair) March 19, 2024Report: Cy Young Winner Blake Snell Agrees to Two-Year Deal with Giants
Former San Diego Padres ace Blake Snell is signing a two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
The deal is reportedly worth $62 million with an opt-out clause after this season.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner is coming off a superb season in which he recorded a 2.25 ERA and allowed the fewest hits per nine innings (5.8) but also led the majors with 99 walks.
As the top free agent pitcher who curiously remained unsigned into spring training, Snell drew rumored interest from several teams including the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels. His offseason saga now comes to a close as the 31-year-old inks a short-term deal with the NL West rival-Giants, who have been to the postseason just once in the last seven years.
Snell’s signing comes on the heels of a slew of Giants’ acquisitions this offseason with San Francisco proving to be aggressive spenders ahead of the 2024-25 season. Snell’s former Padres manager, Bob Melvin, also joined San Francisco in October.
Snell went 29–25 with a 3.15 ERA in 83 starts over the course of his three-year stint on the Padres. The Padres acquired Snell via trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in December 2020.
76ers’ Joel Embiid Returns to Practice for First Time Since Knee Surgery
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid returned to practice on Sunday for the first time since sustaining a knee injury in January.
Although the team hopes to have its star center back by the first or second week of April, coach Nick Nurse told reporters after practice that there is no timetable for Embiid’s return to action.
“Joel was here today, yep. He was on the court. He went through a little bit of the practice,” Nurse said, via Ky Carter of Sixers Wire. “All non-contact stuff. He’s lifting weights right now. No timeline for his return.”
Embiid has been sidelined since Jan. 30, when he suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee during a game against the Golden State Warriors. He underwent surgery in early February and has missed the 76ers’ last 22 games.
Philadelphia (38–30) is battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They moved into the No. 6 seed following a crucial win over the Miami Heat on Monday. Of course, any hope of a legitimate run in the playoffs will revolve around the return of their superstar center.
Embiid’s return would be a major boost for a 76ers team that has won just seven of its first 21 games in the aftermath of his injury. Getting back to action in early April wouldn’t leave him much time to ramp up ahead of the playoffs, though he’d still have a handful of regular-season games in which to build up his stamina.
Prior to his injury Embiid was enjoying a career year, averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.
Caitlin Clark, Two Other Stars to Feature in ESPN Basketball Docuseries, ‘Full Court Press’
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso and UCLA guard Kiki Rice are set to feature in a new four-part docuseries, Full Court Press, co-produced by ESPN and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions.
The docuseries will premiere on May 11 and 12 on ABC and then be available to stream on ESPN+. The trailer was released on Monday.
Unparalleled, behind-the-scenes access with three of college basketball’s biggest stars: Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso and Kiki Rice 🙌
The four-episode docuseries, “Full Court Press,” premieres on May 11 and 12 on ABC and ESPN+. pic.twitter.com/7VBjlcx3Vl
Full Court Press will give fans a glimpse into the lives of three elite women’s college hoopers at the top of their game. The series will include exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage to document Clark’s, Cardoso’s, and Rice’s 2023-24 seasons, taking audiences from Paris to Iowa City to revisit some of the biggest matchups from the past year.
“As someone who has grown up a devout fan of the women’s game, I am thrilled that we are able to make this show at this pivotal moment in the history of the sport,” Full Court Press director Kristen Lappas said. “To be able to pull back the curtain and document Caitlin Clark’s historic season has been a privilege for our entire team. Each of our three players brings a unique set of storylines to the table, and we hope we’re able to capture both the excitement and the complexities surrounding what it means to be an elite female basketball player in 2024.”
The 22-year-old Clark hardly needs an introduction, but her 2023-24 historic season could certainly use a documentary. The NCAA all-time leading scorer captured a plethora of records in her senior campaign and is still determined to make history this year in March Madness. After finishing as the runner-ups in last season’s NCAA tournament, the No. 1-seeded Hawkeyes (29–4) are eying the all-too-elusive title.
Gamecocks center Kamilla Cardoso also boasted an impressive senior season averaging 14.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game while helping South Carolina go undefeated (32–0). Cardoso replaced former national player of the year Aliyah Boston in a starting role this year and is a projected top-5 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft in April.
Bruins sophomore guard Kiki Rice is the youngest athlete to be featured in the docuseries but packed in an efficient season with 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and a team-leading 4.6 assists per game. Rice could run into Clark early in the NCAA tournament, as both No. 2 UCLA (25–6) and Iowa landed in the Albany 2 Region.
“I remember what it meant to the University of Tennessee and the entire state when Pat Summitt led the Lady Vols to back-to-back national titles during my time in Knoxville,” said Peyton Manning, founder of Omaha Productions. “We’re excited to share the stories of these three amazing women to a national audience at this incredible moment for women’s basketball.”
Tyron Smith Sends Farewell Message to Cowboys After Signing With Jets
Veteran offensive tackle Tyron Smith parted ways with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason after 13 years with the franchise. Last week, Smith agreed to join the New York Jets, where he’ll serve as a key pass protector for Aaron Rodgers in 2024.
Smith, an eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro, has been with the Cowboys since he was drafted in the first round back in 2011, and he expressed his gratitude to the organization in an Instagram post on Monday.
“Thirteen years sure is a long time to sum up in one short letter to thousands of people who have made my time in Dallas so memorable. It’s been a long and wild ride filled with plenty of ups and downs but Cowboy Nation, you have been there through it all,” wrote Smith in part of his address.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Tyron Smith (@tyronsmith77)
While Smith is moving onto the next chapter of his career, he made clear that Dallas and Cowboys Nation will always hold a special place in his heart.
The 33-year-old played in 161 games for Dallas over the past 13 seasons and made seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 2013-19. Injuries have slowed him down over the past few years, however. Since 2020, Smith has played in just 30 games, including two in ‘20 and four in ‘22.
Rick Pitino Voices Disappointment Over Lack of Big East Representation in NCAA Tournament
Only three Big East teams will be among the field of 68 at this year’s NCAA tournament after the surprising omission of Seton Hall, in addition to the absences of other hopefuls such as Providence and St. John’s.
On Monday, Red Storm coach Rick Pitino weighed in on the Big East’s lack of representation at the tournament and specifically mentioned the absence of Seton Hall as being particularly disappointing.
“I believe in getting better not bitter. I totally believe that six teams from the Big East belonged in the field. I know our players along with Providence are totally disappointed with the decisions made. But not having Seton Hall at 13–7 in BE play with wins over the top teams is flat out wrong!” wrote Pitino on X on Monday evening.
The Pirates were among the “first four out” from the tournament, according to the selection committee, yet there were many, including Pitino, who were confused what more the team could’ve done to earn their place. Seton Hall won 13 games in a stacked Big East conference and won 20 games on the year, though they were bounced in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament by St. John’s.
Pitino addressed the Red Storm missing the tournament on Sunday, and he seemed equally fired up about the team’s conference rival also not receiving an invite to the big dance. Unlike St. John’s, however, Seton Hall plans to continue its season in the NIT. Pitino was quick to turn down a potential invite to the tournament, saying that the Red Storm would focus on preparations for next season instead.
Josh Dobbs Agrees to One-Year Deal With 49ers, per Report
The San Francisco 49ers are adding some depth to the quarterbacks room ahead of the 2024 season.
Veteran quarterback Josh Dobbs is reportedly in agreement on a one-year deal with the 49ers, according to his agent Mike McCartney.
Dobbs will make a fully-guaranteed $2.25 million, with the chance to earn additional $750,000 in playing time incentives, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Dobbs, 29, spent last season with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, featuring in a total of 13 games and making 12 starts. Dobbs impressed early on during his stint with the Vikings amid Kirk Cousins’s absence, but was eventually benched in place of rookie Jaren Hall.
In all, he threw 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 62.8% of his pass attempts. He added six rushing touchdowns and 421 yards on the ground, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt.
Now, the former fourth round pick will get a chance to serve as the backup to Brock Purdy in San Francisco as the 49ers look to stage another run to the Super Bowl. The team’s previous backup, Sam Darnold, signed a one-year deal with the Vikings this offseason.
49ers Must Forfeit Draft Pick Over Salary Cap Error
The San Francisco 49ers are being docked a future draft pick after the NFL discovered inaccuracies in the team’s payroll accounting at the close of the 2022 league year, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero confirmed the Monday afternoon report shortly afterward.
A league investigation uncovered accounting errors indicating the 49ers misreported their cumulative player compensation in 2022. Although the team remained under the salary cap despite the accounting error, the NFL will require San Francisco to forfeit a fifth-round pick in ’25, and their ’24 fourth-round selection will be moved to the end of the round.
The defending NFC-champion San Francisco 49ers must forfeit a 2025 fifth-round draft pick due to an accounting error.Maria Lysaker/USA TODAY Sports
The league also determined that there was no ill intent behind the team’s accounting mishap.
The 49ers will see their fourth-rounder this year move from pick No. 131 to pick No. 135.
“We take responsibility and accept the imposed discipline from the NFL due to a clerical payroll error. At no time did we mislead or otherwise deceive the League or gain a competitive advantage in connection with the payroll mistake,” the 49ers said in a statement Monday.
Chase Young Agrees to One-Year Contract With Saints, per Report
After a 2023 season split between two teams, defensive end Chase Young reportedly will get another change of scenery in 2024.
Young intends to sign a one-year, $13 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, according to a Monday afternoon report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Should the deal become official, the Saints will become Young’s third team in his five-year pro career.
After a stellar collegiate tenure at Ohio State—including a fourth-place finish in the Heisman voting on the heels of a transcendent 2019—the Washington Commanders took Young with the No. 2 pick of the 2020 NFL draft.
The Upper Marlboro, Md., native was successful at first, winning the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award in ’20. However, injuries took their toll, and the Commanders dealt Young to the San Francisco 49ers in November 2023.
There, Young helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl LVIII—which they lost 25-22 in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Joe Torre Appeared in Yankees Spring Training Game, and MLB Fans Loved It
It wasn’t that long ago that Joe Torre was managing the New York Yankees. For instance, Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander pitched against his final Yankees teams, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw played for him from 2008-10, and so on.
However, in some respects, Torre’s reign as New York skipper from 1996-2007 might as well belong to another epoch. When he managed the Yankees, they were the most feared and glamorous franchise in North American professional sports. Austerity and losing were not in their vocabulary; four World Series titles and six pennants were.
On Monday, Torre unexpectedly took the field to make a pitching change for New York during its 4-3 exhibition win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Yankees fans were surprised and excited to see their old boss.
Just like old times.@JoeTorre 🫡 pic.twitter.com/q3rIl8CoZ9
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 18, 2024Longtime New York announcer Michael Kay called the moment “pretty darn cool.”
Blast from the past. Pretty darn cool. https://t.co/daaj90n2c7
— Michael Kay (@RealMichaelKay) March 18, 2024Another Yankees media mainstay, Ryan Ruocco, called it “awesome.”
So awesome https://t.co/nPvrPUntCB
— Ryan Ruocco (@RyanRuocco) March 18, 2024Even New York fans suspicious of nostalgia approved of the moment.
Our fanbase is so insanely nostalgia-riddled for the “good old days”
And, yeah, count me among them, because this was undeniably cool to see lol https://t.co/gmiZZW40oE
Some Yankees backers suggested the franchise could stand to get more in touch with its storied history.
Yankees need more ritual displays of elitism like this #SteinbrennerWay https://t.co/HlrXEFSpEq
— Brendan McGovern (@nbadrafter) March 18, 2024After his awkward exit in ’07, it seems safe to say Torre’s political rehabilitation is complete.
I don't think Yankee fans properly appreciated Torre till he was gone. And I mean some of the young players can one day say they shared a mound with a HOF manager with his number retired. Quite a feeling. https://t.co/0lsEz4TRl8
— JB (@JB_III) March 18, 2024Falcons Unveil New Uniform Number for QB Kirk Cousins
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is going double-digits this season.
He might record double-digit touchdowns, or perhaps double-digit interceptions, but the one thing for certain that Cousins is getting is a double-digit jersey number.
The Falcons announced Cousins’s new number for the 2024 season, and it’s not No. 8.
It’s No. 18.
Atlanta Falcons QB
Kirk Cousins
No. 18 pic.twitter.com/LuD2ulR9yF
Cousins has worn No. 8 since his early playing days at Holland Christian High School in western Michigan and Michigan State. He was assigned No. 12 by Washington when he was drafted in 2012 and wore that for his first two NFL seasons. He reclaimed No. 8 in his third pro season after veteran quarterback Rex Grossman left the team. When Cousins signed his then-record-setting contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, he continued to sport No. 8, a number that Vikings fans have fondly associated with Cousins over the past six seasons.
Now, the four-time Pro Bowler will be making a fresh start in more ways than one. Heading into Year 13 of his pro career, Cousins makes the switch to No. 18 following speculation that he would acquire No. 8 from Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts.
During an introductory press conference last week, Cousins said he tried to convince Pitts to give up No. 8, even offering to make a charitable donation or pay Pitts for the number switch. Fresh off signing a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed, Cousins likely had money to spare.
In the end, though, Pitts holds onto the number he’s worn for the past three years in Atlanta, and Cousins is set to trot out for his first Falcons game with two digits on his back instead of one.
March Madness: 10 Teams That Could Make Cinderella Runs in 2024 Men’s NCAA Tournament
In every NCAA men’s tournament, one team blows up everyone’s brackets with a run for the ages. Last year, the Florida Atlantic Owls went on a magical four-game run to the Final Four, going from a 31-win mid-major team few knew much about to the stars of March. Meanwhile, the No. 15 seed Princeton Tigers rolled to the Sweet 16. Is there another sleeper that might capture the hearts of men’s college basketball fans this March?
Here’s a look at the 10 most dangerous double-digit seeds that might just be this year’s Cinderella … and could help you win your office pool in the process.
[ March Madness 2024: News & Analysis | Schedule | Bracket ]
1. James Madison Dukes (No. 12 seed, South Region)The Dukes and the UConn Huskies are the only two teams in the nation with 31 wins, with JMU ripping through the Sun Belt en route to a 31–3 season that included a season-opening win at the Michigan State Spartans. Last season’s lone 31-win team in the regular season? Florida Atlantic, which went to the Final Four. And while it’d be unrealistic to expect the same type of run from Mark Byington’s team, James Madison does have a lot of the makings of a team that can make noise in the tournament. The Dukes take care of the ball at an elite level, run an efficient offense with a number of different weapons and feature a star in Terrence Edwards Jr. capable of playing anywhere in the country.
Edwards is one of the reasons James Madison is a likely Cinderella in the 2024 NCAA men’s tournament.Chuck Cook/USA TODAY Sports
Wisconsin comes in hot off of a strong run in the Big Ten tournament, but the Badgers are vulnerable, as evidenced by losing eight of 11 down the stretch. And a potential second-round date with the Duke Blue Devils also isn’t unwinnable, especially with how Duke looked vs. the NC State Wolfpack in the ACC tournament. Don’t be shocked to see JMU in the Sweet 16.
Related: South Region Breakdown: Top Two Seeds Houston and Marquette Have Strong Cases
2. New Mexico Lobos (No. 11 seed, West Region)New Mexico may have finished sixth in the Mountain West regular season, but the Lobos feel like the most likely team from the conference to make a deep run in the Big Dance. Richard Pitino’s team was electrifying in the Mountain West tournament, winning four games in four days thanks to elite guard play and improved defense. Veteran shooting guard Jaelen House is the team’s emotional leader and was dominant all week in Las Vegas, averaging 23 points per game in the team’s four wins capped by 28 in the title game vs. the San Diego State Aztecs. Sophomore point guard Donovan Dent is dynamic, a force to be reckoned with in transition thanks to his speed and finishing ability. Plus, the Lobos have athletic bigs in JT Toppin and Nelly Junior Joseph to match up with bigger opponents.
First-round matchup Clemson might be able to keep the Lobos out of transition, but Toppin and Joseph give New Mexico the bodies to match up with PJ Hall and Ian Schieffelin on the interior. If House and Dent can outplay Joe Girard and Chase Hunter, the Lobos are in business.
Related: West Region Breakdown: North Carolina Earns Last No. 1 Seed But Has Hard Path
3. Grand Canyon Antelopes (No. 12 seed, West Region)Bryce Drew has the Antelopes dancing for a third time in four years at the helm of this burgeoning mid-major powerhouse, and this may be the program’s best chance to win a game in the tournament. The Lopes dropped just four games all season, all by single digits, and logged impressive wins against San Diego State and the San Francisco Dons in the nonconference.
Plus, the draw is a favorable one. The Saint Mary’s Gaels are an excellent team, but certainly won’t overwhelm the Antelopes athletically. A potential second-round date with the Alabama Crimson Tide isn’t that scary either with how the Tide played down the stretch.
If GCU can make a run, a big reason why will likely be wing Tyon Grant-Foster, who has one of the best stories of any player in college hoops. Grant-Foster starred in junior college, spent a year as a bench player with the Kansas Jayhawks, then missed nearly two years after collapsing due to cardiac arrest during his first game with the DePaul Blue Demons in November 2021. He returned to action this season and has blossomed into a superstar, averaging nearly 20 points per game this season.
Related: March Madness: Forty Things to Watch in the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament
4. Drake Bulldogs (No. 10 seed, East Region)Few teams were left with a more bitter taste in their mouths last March than Drake, which led a Miami Hurricanes team that went on to the Final Four 55–47 with five minutes to go in the first round before surrendering a 16–1 game-closing run to get sent home early. But the Bulldogs are back in March Madness and might be poised for a run this time. Tucker DeVries will be the best player on the floor in a lot of matchups this March, and the Bulldogs should have a friendly atmosphere playing in Omaha against the Washington State Cougars in the first round. Get through that one, and Drake gets a crack at in-state rival Iowa State Cyclones. One thing Drake is elite at is taking care of the ball, a must against the Cyclones.
Related: ‘We Have an Angel’: The Emotion of Drake’s Win for the DeVries Family
5. Samford Bulldogs (No. 13 seed, Midwest Region)Picking against Bill Self and Kansas in the first round has traditionally been a bracket no-no. Kansas hasn’t lost in the first round since 2006, winning two national championships and reaching four Final Fours since. But this season’s Kansas team at least feels vulnerable, entering the Big Dance on a low after losing four of five to close the season and dealing with a rash of injuries to star players Kevin McCullar Jr. and Hunter Dickinson.
While it seems likely the Jayhawks’ top players will give it a go, they may not be 100% healthy, and that’s a scary thought against a Samford team that is deep, athletic and presses all 40 minutes of the game. Maybe Bucky McMillan’s team can simply wear out a Kansas group that barely uses its bench and doesn’t have a ton of capable ballhandlers.
Related: Midwest Region Breakdown: Can Purdue Finally Break Through?
6. UAB Blazers (No. 12 seed, East Region)UAB needed the American’s automatic bid to go dancing but could make some noise now that it’s in the field. The Blazers boast terrific size and athleticism across the point, starting with dynamic point guard Eric Gaines and flowing through Andy Kennedy’s entire roster. Most importantly, the Blazers have the size and depth in the frontcourt to try to slow down San Diego State star big man Jaedon LeDee, one of the most imposing post presences in the country. Manage LeDee, and you have a chance to beat the Aztecs.
Plus, we already know UAB can hang with big, physical teams. The Blazers beat the Maryland Terrapins and lost a heartbreaker to the Clemson Tigers in November, knocked off a very good Drake team in December and beat the Memphis Tigers and FAU in AAC play. Consistency hasn’t always been there, but in a one-off situation, the Blazers could be dangerous.
Related: East Region Breakdown: Auburn Could Stand in UConn’s Way
7. McNeese State Cowboys (No. 12 seed, Midwest Region)Former LSU Tigers coach Will Wade has quickly built McNeese State into a powerhouse, winning 30 games in his first year on the job to send the Cowboys to the Big Dance for the first time since 2002. Simply put, McNeese’s talent level far exceeds that of most low- and mid-major teams. Star guard Shahada Wells was previously a rotation piece at TCU, big man Christian Shumate is a high-major athlete and other key cogs like DJ Richards Jr., Mike Saunders Jr. and Javohn Garcia all could easily play at a higher level. They won’t be overwhelmed athletically against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, and Wells can easily get hot and beat a team.
Plus, having Wade on the sideline gives the Cowboys an edge. He won an NCAA tournament game with the VCU Rams and had multiple high-level teams in the SEC. He’d be on a high-major sideline still if not for the sanctions he was hit with for recruiting violations in Baton Rouge. Is he outcoaching Mark Few? Probably not, but Wade certainly won’t be intimidated by coaching against one of the sport’s greats.
8. Morehead State Eagles (No. 14 seed, East Region)Morehead may come from the Ohio Valley Conference, but the Eagles have high-major size to match up with the Illinois Fighting Illini. Preston Spradlin’s club is an elite two-point defense thanks to having bigger, physical guards who stop drives and athletic bigs in Dieonte Miles and Riley Minix who can protect the rim. That should scare Illinois some given how much the Illini rely on Brad Underwood’s “booty ball”—using its bigger guards like Marcus Domask to back down defenders and create mismatches as a result. Morehead’s guards are big enough to play one-on-one in those situations. The big matchup question is how effectively Illinois can pull Miles away from the rim with Coleman Hawkins as a stretch five, but otherwise, Morehead has a decent matchup here. Plus, the Eagles take and make a lot of threes, a good recipe for a high-variance single elimination setting.
9. Duquesne Dukes (No. 11 seed, East Region)The draw for Duquesne isn’t ideal, with an underseeded BYU Cougars team first and then a potential date with Illinois in the second round to get out of the first weekend. But Duquesne is a great example of a team playing its best basketball at the right time. The Dukes started 9–8 and 0–5 in the Atlantic 10, but have since surged to 15 wins in their final 18 games, including four victories in the A-10 tournament to punch a ticket to March Madness for the first time in nearly five decades. Duquesne is deep (eight players played 15-plus minutes in the A-10 title game), old (four of five starters are fifth-years or older) and features two dynamic guards in Dae Dae Grant and Jimmy Clark III who can really fill it up. That’s a good March recipe.
10. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (No. 15 seed, South Region)There’s always one Cinderella no one sees coming. Each of the past three seasons, a No. 15 seed has taken down a No. 2, and if there’s one that can do it this year, it might just be Western Kentucky. Coach Steve Lutz has the Hilltoppers dancing in his first year on the job, and his team has the type of offensive firepower that makes them a scary matchup for No. 2 seed Marquette. Plus, the Golden Eagles might be a bit more vulnerable than usual with star point guard Tyler Kolek coming off an oblique injury.
Teams that play as fast as the Hilltoppers have traditionally not been the best long shot bet, but WKU might be an exception. Guard Don McHenry is elite at creating his own shot and is capable of taking over a game with his scoring ability. Plus, WKU has high-major size and athleticism in Rodney Howard (Georgia Tech), Dontaie Allen (Kentucky) and Brandon Newman (Purdue), and the Hilltoppers have defended well for a team that plays fast. If WKU can take care of the ball against Marquette’s disruptive defense, it might have a shot.
Devin Haney Is Ready to Seize His Moment in Boxing’s Spotlight
Inside the Top Rank gym in Las Vegas last week, where Devin Haney is holding his training camp for April’s scheduled fight with Ryan Garcia, it was business as usual. Haney, the reigning 140-lbs. champion, was in the ring, snapping off punches as three sparring partners rotated in.
“Haney time!” shouted someone from the ring apron.
“Best in the world!” exclaimed another.
Only it isn’t business as usual. Garcia’s erratic behavior, which has been broadcast to his millions of followers on social media, has cast doubt on the fight moving forward. While Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, has attempted to downplay suggestions the fight could be canceled—De La Hoya says he was “1,000% sure” the fight would happen—skepticism remains. On Instagram, where Garcia has more than 10 million followers, Garcia claimed the New York State Athletic Commission was asking for a mental evaluation. In response, Garcia threatened to sue.
Haney was named Sports Illustrated’s 2023 Fighter of the Year.IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
From afar, Haney has been monitoring all of it. Over the last two years Haney, 25, has emerged as one of boxing’s top fighters, winning titles in two weight divisions—including the undisputed championship at 135 lbs.—and climbing pound-for-pound lists. In 2023, Haney successfully defended his lightweight titles against Vasyl Lomachenko before moving up to 140 lbs., where he scored a lopsided defeat of longtime titleholder Regis Prograis. Those accomplishments earned Haney accolades, including Sports Illustrated’s Fighter of the Year.
The Garcia fight represents Haney’s most lucrative opportunity to date. Garcia, 25, is one of boxing’s most bankable young stars. His fight against Gervonta Davis last April generated a reported 1.3 million pay per view buys. His exciting style—20 of Garcia’s 24 wins have come by knockout—sells tickets. And there is history between the two, with Garcia and Haney splitting six fights in the amateur ranks.
In an interview with SI, Haney said he was optimistic the fight would move forward.
“In the beginning I was worried [about the fight being canceled] to be honest,” says Haney. “I called Oscar and I was asking Oscar, ‘Hey, what’s up man? Is this fight going to go through? What’s going on? Is he going to pull out? Is he having mental health issues?’ Oscar said, no, the fight’s going to happen. This guy says he’s trolling. He knows what he’s doing. So it is what it is.”
Haney admits Garcia’s behavior has been puzzling. In recent weeks Garcia has said he was raped as a child, that he has witnessed rapes, that he knows who killed Tupac Shakur, that the sports drink PRIME, co-founded by YouTube influencers KSI and Logan Paul, contains cyanide and that anyone who drinks PRIME is “working for Satan.” Last week, Garcia posted a video of him jogging down the streets of Dallas asking random people if they supported pedophiles. Haney has accused Garcia’s behavior as being fueled by cocaine, a charge Garcia has denied.
“According to him, it’s fake,” says Haney. “It is trolling. So I don’t know. I can’t focus on his team and what they’re doing. It might just be all a plan, like he said, to sell the fight. But if it is, it is a very odd way to do it. I can’t say. I don't know until fight night to see if it actually is working as in selling the fight or if it’s getting people drawn away from the fight.
“What can we do? My only focus is to remain focused and focus on the fight. Do my job as the true professional that I am. This is what I love to do, this is what I do, and I thank Allah for everything, for the opportunity, the platform, and whether [Garcia] is in the ring or not this whole situation has made Devin Haney even bigger and my brand even bigger.”
Indeed, Haney has benefitted from Garcia’s social media activity. Days after Garcia went after PRIME, Haney announced a sponsorship agreement with the company. The timing was coincidental, says Haney, but he was happy to be involved. And if Garcia is forced out of the fight, Haney says he is prepared to face Arnold Barboza, an undefeated 140-lbs. contender currently scheduled to appear on the undercard.
“It is crazy that we even have to have a backup opponent,” says Haney. “I don’t know if we ever had this happen in boxing. But it is what it is. This is what we’re dealing with. This is what I signed up for. Fighting a guy like Ryan Garcia, a guy who’s mostly an influencer these days and doesn’t really take boxing serious like boxers. This is the risk that you run when you fight a guy like Ryan.”
Still, Haney is hopeful Garcia stays in. Haney-Garcia “is a big event for boxing,” says Haney. The fight, which will be streamed on DAZN PPV in the U.S., could generate north of 500,000 PPV buys. It’s a chance to win, collect a sizable paycheck and showcase his talent in front of a large audience.
“I believe that I am the best and no matter who gets in the ring on April 20, the outcome will be the same,” says Haney. “Ryan can come in however he’s going to come in. It doesn’t matter to me. It really doesn’t. Whatever he brings to the table, I’m going to be ready for a 100% because I do feel like I’m the best fighter in the world.”
Ranking Every Mascot in the 2024 NCAA Tournament Field
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey made a crucial mistake over the last week when he suggested, implicitly, that the NCAA men’s basketball tournament should at some point become the domain only of teams from power conferences.
It was a flagrantly incorrect reading of history that was rightly crushed. The NCAA men’s tournament is not solely the domain of blue bloods, or of mid- or low-major teams for that matter.
The NCAA men’s tournament is the domain of mascots.
That’s right. At no point in American sports do so many mascots get so much airtime in such a short window. If you enjoy anthropomorphic hijinks, this is your month.
With this in mind, let’s rank this March’s constituent critters on a scale of off-putting to awesome—with scattered commentary where appropriate.
- March Madness 2024: News & Analysis | Schedule | Bracket
- Forde: 40 Things to Watch in NCAA Men’s Tournament
Illinois and San Diego State do not have school-sanctioned mascots, for fairly intuitive reasons. That leaves us with 66 mascots to rank in this year’s men’s NCAA tournament field.
So much of this article boils down to “look at his eyes.” So I beg you, Clemson fans, haters and non-perceivers alike: look at his eyes.
Strong candidate for the position of “last thing you see before you die.”
64. Cy the Cardinal (Iowa State)
Iowa State is hamstrung a bit by its meteorological nickname. A cyclone walking around might get mistaken for a cinnamon roll. Instead, we get TEETH.
63. Buster Bronco (Boise State)
Almost charmingly lo-fi. Almost. Still beats Western Michigan’s Buster Bronco, who appears on the verge of falling asleep at any moment.
62. Grambling Tiger (Grambling)
A Hall of Famer, as this link reveals. Again, however: look at his eyes.
61. Raider (Colgate)
Nice to see Lord Farquaad is doing well these days.
Mascots are supposed to be agents of hype, correct? The lopsided tongue makes him look oddly tranquilized.
59. Butch T. Cougar (Washington State)
This is supposed to represent an Irish caricature, I think. Instead, it looks as if he will star in a $200 million Phase Five Marvel movie that earns $5.
57. Charlie and Kitty Catamount (Vermont)
Rudy Flyer fires up the home crowd before Dayton’s 91-86 win over VCU on March 8.Matt Lunsford-USA TODAY Sports
Proof positive that when you’re in the whole “winning championships” business, mascot-related efforts kind of fall by the wayside (see also: Michigan).
53. Thunder the Antelope (Grand Canyon)
Inflatable mascots are cheating. You should not, under any circumstances, be (theoretically) able to carry your mascot in a bag. When you talk about carrying around a mascot suit, the verb you use should be “lug.”
48. Bruiser and Marigold (Baylor)
They toe the line between fierce and cute, which is so critical for any mascot. However, it’s difficult to shake the idea that they look like horror-movie Muppets.
46. Clyde the Cougar (Charleston)
45. Champ T. Bobcat (Montana State)
Mr. Wuf stayed busy last week as North Carolina State won five games in five days to capture the ACC tournament title.Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
44. Mr. and Mrs. Wuf (NC State)
In the “good but not great” tier, Mr. and Mrs. Wuf jump out for their highly formal names. Then again, after the Wolfpack’s ACC tournament run of five wins in five days, they deserve it.
43. Spike the Bulldog (Samford)
42. Spike the Bulldog (Gonzaga)
These two mascots need to fight.
The unintentionally vaudevillian cane gives him the upper hand against other humanoid mascots.
39. Seahawk (Wagner)
Bonus points for actually being shaped like a shark, unlike S.J. Sharkie of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.
37. Willie the Wildcat (Northwestern)
The near-median, average mascot, almost charmingly so. Contrast him, however, with his Kansas State counterpart’s downright freaky vibe.
36. Grizz (Oakland)
35. Bison (Howard)
Billy Bluejay carries the Creighton school flag at a home game against Holy Cross in 2022.Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
33. Iggy (Marquette)
One of the better new college mascots of recent years.
32. Blaze (UAB)
If you’ll allow an obscure Gen Z reference here: many a child from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s was raised on a series of puppet TV programs called Baby Einstein. A lot of mascots evoke that show, but this one really evokes it.
31. Shasta (Houston)
Two mascots for the price of one—a live cougar and an anthropomorphic cougar. Somehow, the duality works.
30. Big Al (Alabama)
29. Aflie, Wolfie Jr. and Luna (Nevada)
Give Nevada credit for living up to its moniker: the Wolf Pack.
This is the rare mascot that tries to do something completely different and sticks the landing. You’ll never see a horse rendered quite like Elwood.
26. SuperFrog (TCU)
Contrary to popular belief, TCU’s mascot is not Hypnotoad from Futurama.
Substitute with your least favorite Duke star as needed.
24. Owlsley (Florida Atlantic)
23. Big Jay (Kansas)
Pants are optional for a number of college mascots, including South Carolina’s Cocky.Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Aside from Nebraska’s Lil Red, Cocky might have the strangest body architecture of any mascot on this list. Impossible to say whether or not he is wearing pants. Ungovernable.
20. Jack the Jackrabbit (South Dakota State)
How much more entertaining would Space Jam have been if Michael Jordan were the cartoon and Bugs Bunny were live-action? This mascot dares to answer that question.
Another double play a la Houston, elevated by his regal name ...
18. Cam the Ram (Colorado State)
... but Cam the Ram gets the incremental edge. Green and gold is a slightly better look for a sheep than powder blue.
Bevo is assuredly the only mascot on this list to attempt a murder on live television. Hook ’Em presumably exists to keep Bevo from wreaking havoc in smaller venues.
16. Aubie (Auburn)
We’re heading for the all-timer tier. Gets points for looking nearly identical to his illustrated rendering in real life, which is not the case for all mascots (see Beaker, No. 51).
14. Jonathan (UConn)
12. Griff (Drake)
The Good Pooches Department! Griff takes the title (at least in this tier) due to the little varsity jacket he dons during games.
Griff and the Drake Bulldogs are making their third NCAA tournament appearance in four years after winning the Missouri Valley Conference tournament.Courtney Crowder/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
11. Pete the Peacock (Saint Peter’s)
Maybe this is a residual 2022 overreaction. So be it. How many fowls do you know with mohawks?
His name and his precise relationship to Disney are subject to much debate. His sense of chaos is not.
This is the “Good Pooches Who Also Function as Regional Cultural Symbols” section.
Possibly the most famous mascot in the country. Does more commercials than Travis Kelce. Was even on a video game cover in 2008 (NCAA Football 09, for Wii).
5. Albert and Alberta Gator (Florida)
Two more of our most telegenic mascots. Albert in particular starred in one of the most memorable This is SportsCenter ads of all time alongside naturalist Steve Irwin.
This YouTube video title tells no lies. Wherever BYU is playing, Cosmo defying death is sure to follow.
3. Ralphie and Chip (Colorado)
Ralphie is the reason Deion Sanders never has to worry about being the most difficult personality in Boulder to rein in. Chip, Ralphie’s anthropomorphic counterpart, is (like Hook ’Em) presumably more docile.
If you click on a good amount of the links in this article, you’ll notice a throughline: a lot of mascots claim to be world famous. And then there is Big Red, who has been involved in a $250 million copyright infringement lawsuit in Italy.
In the wise words of Wendy Williams: she’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she is the moment. Just don’t ask her about her Kent State counterpart.