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Good morning! Just get out of Anthony Edwards’ way, please.
The Real Hook: We’re all here for the upsets
The men’s NCAA Tournament technically begins tonight (more on that later), but there are still two full days until your bracket picks lock. Today, we focus on underdogs.
Our stats wizards have a full list of possible upstarts, which we’ll draw from, but I want to focus on one in particular first: the outta-nowhere McNeese State Cowboys, led by one Will Wade.
Remember Wade? I certainly do, though I am biased. The former LSU coach was seen as a pariah at best, criminal at worst after getting fired in 2022 for some NCAA malfeasance. But, as Brendan Quinn writes today in a fantastic story, Wade has been vindicated.
A few layers here:
- Wade was caught on an FBI wiretap talking about making a recruit a “strong-ass offer,” which, at the time, was a big no-no. As Brendan points out, the forbidden things Wade did at LSU — trying to steer money from brands/boosters to recruits — are largely legal now under NIL.
- Wade wins wherever he goes, never more evident than at McNeese, a program that hadn’t had a 20-win season in over a decade. In his first year, the Cowboys are 30-3 Southland champions. Wade transformed most of the roster through the transfer portal.
- Wade is built for this time. He encourages his players to transfer to bigger schools for bigger bags if they can. He embraces the system, and players love him for it.
Make sure to read Brendan’s full story here. Wade is rebuilding his value, too. Don’t be surprised if another big school comes calling soon. Now let’s get to the upset picks:
- No. 11 New Mexico over No. 6 Clemson (upset chance: 57.8 percent)
This earns the highest probability on our list and comes with an even better story. I will be rooting for the lovable band of misfits. - No. 11 NC State over No. 6 Texas Tech (upset chance: 38.2 percent)
Am I being silly for picking a team that got hot in its conference tournament? Probably. But I loved watching the Wolfpack play last weekend. I’m in. - No. 13 Samford over No. 4 Kansas
OK, this probably won’t happen either, but I simply cannot resist picking an early Kansas exit. Nothing against the Jayhawks, whom I actually like this year, but it always feels like feast or famine for Kansas in the tournament. In the last six years, the Jayhawks have either lost in the second round or won the national title.
Wade and McNeese have, according to our numbers, a 30.8 percent chance to beat Gonzaga. See the full list of upset picks here, and don’t blame me too much if these go south. Read ahead: We’ll be grabbing a few upsets for the women’s tournament from this list tomorrow.
News to Know
Snell lands in the Bay
The reigning NL Cy Young winner finally has a home, just two weeks before the season starts. Blake Snell agreed to a two-year, $62 million deal with San Francisco late last night, giving the Giants arguably the best rotation in the NL West. Snell was one of the notable Boras Five, or high-profile clients of super agent Scott Boras whose negotiations lasted well into spring. Left on that list: Jordan Montgomery and J.D. Martinez.
Young signs with Saints
Chase Young is heading to New Orleans on a one-year, $13 million contract that represents a bet for both sides: the Saints hope they can coax maximum effort out of Young, an uber-talented defensive end still in his prime, while Young hopes a career year will set him up for big money next offseason. See more insights on Young’s curious scouting report here.
Big East mad at snubs
Only three Big East teams — UConn, Marquette and Creighton — made the NCAA Tournament, leaving out bubble teams like St. John’s, Seton Hall and Providence. The conference responded angrily yesterday in a statement, saying it is “very disappointed” in the outcome. This comes a day after Red Storm coach Rick Pitino blasted the NET rating system. Fun times.
More news
Things You Need to See: Don’t hurt me, Anthony Edwards
We have a two-fer for you this morning. First, I might just rename this recurring section in honor of Anthony Edwards, who did another Ridiculous Thing last night in Minnesota’s win over Utah:
NAH YOU NEEDA WATCH THIS AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/wraIyHA4Uk
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 19, 2024
Just so, so mean. I love those dunks that feature a mid-soar climb over a defender. It might’ve been the best of Edwards’ career, which is saying something. The dunk was so thunderous, it left his finger dislocated.
Act II is a bonkers soccer goal I missed from Sunday’s MLS match between Chicago Fire FC and CF Montréal. Just look at the wind-aided golazo in the 99th minute:
THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE WINDY CITY
Stoppage-time scenes in Chicago! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/8vZQppXIHL
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 16, 2024
Imagine losing on that. Tough scene.
Watch This Game
NCAAM: Wagner vs. Howard
6:40 p.m. ET on truTV
The First Four is here, with the night’s first matchup between two No. 16 seeds. The winner gets No. 1 seed North Carolina on Thursday.
NCAAM: Colorado State vs. Virginia
9:10 p.m ET on truTV
Double feature. These are two No. 10 seeds, with the winner playing Texas on Thursday. Virginia is coming off a nice run to the ACC tournament semifinals.
Pulse Picks
Andy McCullough wrote the definitive story on the marriage of Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers, in which failure is not an option. Great read.
Tired of brackets? We have details on different NCAA Tournament competitions, including survivor pools, Calcutta auctions and upset drafts. I had no idea any of these existed.
Howard as a 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament likely won’t go far, but it might have the best nickname in the tourney: “The Mecca.” Jason Jones explains.
There is unrest in the MLBPA, where players are trying to oust the union’s deputy director. Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal have some exclusive reporting. Drama.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Men’s NCAA Tournament printable bracket. Of course.
Most-read story on the website yesterday: C.J. Moore made his entire slate of bracket picks here.
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(Photo: Rick Osentoski/USA Today)
