Sports Illustrated

Joey Votto already is making headlines in his first plate appearance for his hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays.

Votto, who batted second in the order, homered on the very first pitch he saw in the Blue Jays’ Grapefruit League game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday in Clearwater, Fla. The former Cincinnati Reds slugger connected on a fastball from the Phillies’ Zack Wheeler to give Toronto a 1—0 lead in the first inning.

The ball traveled 392 feet and appeared to bounce off the top of the wall back onto the field. Although the Phillies argued the hit shouldn’t have been ruled a home run, the call stood because there were no replay challenges in the exhibition game.

First pitch swinging 😮

It's @JoeyVotto's FIRST homer in a #BlueJays uniform! pic.twitter.com/1cVrONpJ0N

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 17, 2024

MLB fans and pundits couldn’t get enough of Votto’s first homer as a Blue Jay.

JOEY VOTTO BLUE JAYS LEGEND pic.twitter.com/Fchyw50lO1

— Jordan Cicchelli 🤍 (@jordancicchelli) March 17, 2024

Joey Votto going yard on the very first pitch he sees in a Blue Jays uniform is just so Joey Votto pic.twitter.com/Rqq5q8ciln

— Calico Joe (@CalicoJoeMLB) March 17, 2024

Votto still bangs. https://t.co/gBF0YrOYIK

— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) March 17, 2024

Joey Votto the last two years:

Today: HR on the first pitch he sees as a Blue Jay

Last June 19: HR in his first game of the season

Last Sept. 10: HR in his first game off the Injured List

Some guys just know how to make an entrance https://t.co/NMZfUGVwp8

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 17, 2024

We LOVE to see it!!! https://t.co/R0Gu21L8g9

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 17, 2024

He's home

— Nealer (@Nealerrr) March 17, 2024

🐐

— Michael Wilder (@iamwilder12) March 17, 2024

Watch this man make the roster and have the best 40 year old season ever

— Christo Aivalis 🌹🍊 (@christoaivalis) March 17, 2024

Perfect! Meant to be 👊🏼🇨🇦⚾️🧢

— Four-seam fazzball (@holdmeiholdu) March 17, 2024

Etobicoke's own. 🇨🇦👍

— Big John 🏒🥅🚨💙🇨🇦 (@JKBubba7) March 17, 2024

It was Votto’s lone at-bat for the day, as the 40-year-old first baseman rolled his right ankle in the dugout and was replaced by Glenn Santiago in the second inning.

Votto signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on March 8 after playing his first 17 MLB seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. The former NL MVP has a career .294 batting average with 356 homers and 1,144 RBIs.

Joseph Daniel Votto 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/ak1DY3yfXa

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 17, 2024

The PGA Tour's month-long Florida Swing ends on one of the Tour's better courses, the Copperhead at Innisbrook Resort.

The Valspar Championship falls immediately after the Players Championship but still attracts a solid field, with 11 of the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking scheduled to compete—and it would have been 12 had Tom Kim not pulled out due to illness after being on the entry list.

Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and Brian Harman are top-10 players competing. Jordan Spieth, the 2015 champ, is also back at Valspar after finishing two shots behind winner Taylor Moore with one of his all-over-the-map rounds.

Jordan Spieth is a past champion at Innisbrook. 

Corey Perrine/USA TODAY Network

The Copperhead course isn't the typical Florida course with flat terrain and tons of water, instead it plays through the woods with some undulation. Sam Burns won back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022 at 17 under (2022 won in a playoff), but winning scores have been far higher over the years.

Here's the full field for the Valspar Championship:

Field for next week’s Valspar Championship: pic.twitter.com/dOpraZm6R2

— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) March 15, 2024

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Gary Woodland smiled as he made par at the 18th hole Sunday at the Players Championship, but it was a false mask he was showing the fans.

The 2019 U.S. Open champion never was in the mix to win as he finished hours before the leaders teed off, but just getting to the weekend is a victory for Woodland, who has struggled not with his game but his health.

Last September, Woodland had surgery to remove a majority of a tumor from his brain and since then Woodland has struggled to deal with a health issue that may be with him longer than he ever imagined.

And it's changing his life every day.

“My game is a lot better than my health,” Woodland told Sports Illustrated. “I just don't feel very good, it's been hard to be honest with you.”

Gary Woodland finished 72nd at the Players Championship, at 3 over par.

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Since playing in the Genesis Invitational, where he made his first cut of the season and finished T39, Woodland has had some health setbacks.

Setbacks that include fogginess, tiredness, cloudiness, loss of energy around 2 in the afternoon and symptoms that just pop up that Woodland calls unusual.

“I just came back probably a little too early, but just still learning every day,” Woodland said. “It's potluck, I don’t know if I’m going to feel better when I wake up.”

The doctors made some changes to his medicine last week, with a larger dose at night and smaller ones in the morning to hopefully give Woodland some relief throughout the day.

The hope with the different regimen is he will sleep through the medicine's rougher parts and ultimately start to feel better after a week. He's scheduled to play this week at the Valspar Championship outside Tampa, Fla.

Woodland will have his next MRI in three weeks but due the recent difficulties, he will travel to Orlando before Tampa on Monday to visit a brain clinic for tests to understand the issues and potential treatment.

“It's been tough. We hope it's the meds, pray It's the meds,” Woodland said. “But I was hoping to get off the meds in three weeks, but after the last month, it's gonna be a while now. So, it just feels off and that part doesn't translate well to the game.”

At the same time as his life is ever-changing he is trying to compete with the best players in the world, which may be the easiest part of the whole equation. Woodland and his coaches believe he is playing better than he has in a while.

“I talk to my coaches, and they say this is the best I've seen you in years,” Woodland said. “And obviously I've dealt with some stuff last year, but I haven't played well for a couple of years. And I'm able to hit shots and do things now that I haven't done in a couple years.”

Which makes it frustrating because the game is in a position where he can compete, but his body is just not there.

“The more I've talked to people that have gone through what I've gone through, it's a little longer timetable than I was expecting,” Woodland said. “The problem is, physically I can do anything I want and that's what's the most frustrating part. But when you feel like s---, it's it's hard.”

Chet Holmgren makes timely plays on and off the court. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder big man, who’s enjoying a stellar rookie season on the court, appears to have enjoyed an amusing moment off the court during a recent interview. 

Holmgren, 21, sat down with two female interviewers and was asked to name his celebrity crush—and the Thunder center responded with a pick-up line that promptly went viral on social media. 

Holmgren responded with a wry smile, asking one of the interviewers, “You consider yourself a celebrity?” The woman who asked the question laughed, and her fellow interviewer couldn’t hide her amused expression.

Here’s the moment, as shared on TikTok. 

@zone.visualz

shooters shoot #chetholmgren #nba #fyp #viral #edit #sports

♬ original sound - zone

Holmgren’s teammates, Jaylin and Jalen Williams, seemingly approve of his line, as they each reposted the video, which features the 1975 Hall and Oates song Sara Smile.

As of Sunday afternoon, the Tiktok post had more than 130,000 likes, and a post featuring the clip on X (formerly Twitter) boasted more than 685,000 views.

Holmgren, in his first full NBA season after missing all of the 2022-23 campaign due to a foot injury, is averaging 16.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in 67 contests. 

Connor McCaffery, the son of Iowa men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery, took to social media Sunday to shut down a rumor claiming his father wants out of his job. Connor responded to a post on X, formerly Twitter, suggesting that the elder McCaffery “wants out” of Iowa City but that his “ego won’t let him take a smaller job.” 

The account that posted the claim, which goes by the username “Coaching Changes,” went on to say that the coach “hates this recruiting era.”

Connor McCaffery, a former Hawkeyes player, didn’t hesitate to shut down the rumor. And he did so bluntly.

“I’m honestly not sure if there’s a more misinformed account on social media,” Connor McCaffery wrote on X. 

I’m honestly not sure if there’s a more misinformed account on all of social media https://t.co/Vp0hCfs9VB

— Connor McCaffery (@connor_m30) March 17, 2024

Fran McCaffery, 64, led the Hawkeyes to an 18–14 record this season and is coming off a second-round exit to Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament. Connor played four years for his father and wrapped up his collegiate career last March.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Patrick Cantlay confirmed a meeting Monday with representatives of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

While not confirming who will be in the meeting from either the PGA Tour, PIF or the Strategic Sports Group, a recent investor into the new for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises, the PGA Tour Policy Board member characterized the meeting as more of a meet-and-greet than a substantive discussion on the issues with the Saudis.

Patrick Cantlay classified Monday's meeting as a "meet and greet."

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

“Well, I’ve gotta hear out what they have to say, and I will always do my best to represent the entire membership whenever I am in a meeting in that capacity,” Cantlay said after his final round at the Players Championship. “I think more information is always better.”

When asked about the process, Cantlay was unwilling to commit to the details.

Adam Scott, another member of the policy board, indicated Friday that the process of doing a deal with SSG would be a similar process with the PIF.

“I'm not even sure that we're to that point yet,” Cantlay said of the PIF discussions. “So, I don't want to get out ahead of myself. And say something that may go different.”

Cantlay indicated he measures success with the PIF discussions by getting a right deal for the PGA Tour membership, but did not expand on what that deal would be.

What was clear is that Cantlay approaches the discussions like a sponge, and that listening and little talking is his intention in Monday’s meeting.

“If it weren't to happen, we would go on in a similar paradigm to how we're going on right now,” Cantlay said when asked about if a deal could not be consummated. “I think there's pros and cons.”

Los Angeles Rams superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald announced his retirement Friday, and it led to an outpouring of messages from the NFL world. One of those messages came from Kelly Stafford, wife of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, and she hinted at her husband’s retirement in the comment. 

“Chills,” Kelly Stafford commented on Instagram. “Can’t believe I’ll be watching football without you on that field. You definitely set the bar high for the generation behind you. Miss you and @ericadonald99 already. We love y’all so much and know the future is bright! Hell, maybe I’ll get Matthew to retire and we can do it together!” 

Kelly Stafford alluded to husband Matthew Stafford’s possible retirement in an online reply to retiring Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Instagram / @aarondonald99

Stafford hasn’t hinted or given any indication that he plans to retire, so his wife’s comment likely was made in jest.

The 36-year-old veteran QB threw for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdown passes to 11 interceptions this past season to lead Los Angeles to a 10–7 finish and a playoff berth. 

It didn’t last long, though, as the Rams lost to the Detroit Lions in the wild-card round. As of now, Stafford is set to play his 16th NFL season in 2024. 

Jerome Bettis Jr. announced Sunday that he’ll be following in his famous father’s footsteps by revealing his commitment to Notre Dame, and he did so with a touching video.

Bettis’s father, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis, also played for the Fighting Irish during his college days, and he helped out his son during the video. 

“When I made my decision on a school, I knew it would impact my life for the better,” the elder Bettis said. “Now, all I ask is that you make your decision based on what school would change your wife. Not for a season, but for a lifetime.”  

☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/JcZVgKctla

— Jerome Bettis Jr (@jeromebettisjr) March 17, 2024

The three-star wideout will graduate from Woodward Academy in Atlanta next year, and then he’ll look to replicate his father’s impact at Notre Dame.

“I’m blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Notre Dame,” the younger Bettis said. “Go Irish.”  

The Pittsburgh Steelers apparently would like to keep quarterback Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future.

The Steelers, who on Friday made Wilson’s one-year contract official, plan to ink the veteran QB to a long-term deal after the conclusion of the 2024 season, according to Gerry Dulac of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

Pittsburgh has completely overhauled its QB room this offseason. In addition to the signing of Wilson, The Steelers let backup Mason Rudolph walk in free agency, jettisoned 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett in a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles and finally acquired dual-threat Justin Fields in a deal with the Chicago Bears on Saturday. 

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin reportedly informed Fields that Wilson will be the team’s starter.

It’s interesting that the Steelers’ long-term plans in regard to Wilson would become public. Presumably, the ex-Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos signal-caller must show improved play on the field to earn another contract with the Steelers.

.@DangeRussWilson sat down with @missi_matthews to talk about Coach Tomlin, joining the team, and more. @84LumberNews pic.twitter.com/7AmsgzBfmW

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 16, 2024

After Wilson endured his worst year as a pro in 2022 with Denver, Wilson rebounded in ’23, completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards with 26 touchdown passes and eight interceptions in 15 starts. 

Wilson, entering his 13th NFL season, is slated to earn the league’s veteran minimum, $1.21 million, in his 2024 contract with Pittsburgh.

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore released a statement Saturday in regard to the arrest of new defensive line coach Greg Scruggs. Scruggs, whom Moore hired earlier this month, was arrested for suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated early Saturday morning in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“Greg made an unfortunate mistake and was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated,” Moore’s statement read. “He made no excuses and has taken accountability for his actions. The football program and athletic department have suspended Greg indefinitely while we review details of the incident.”

Ann Arbor police confirmed to the Detroit Free Press that Scruggs was arrested at approximately 3 a.m. ET Saturday morning. 

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore has suspended defensive line coach Greg Scruggs indefinitely after his arrest pic.twitter.com/bw7JPBXvIv

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 16, 2024

Scruggs, 33, played in the NFL for four years with the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears. He started his coaching career with the University of Cincinnati in 2018 before moving on to the New York Jets and most recently Wisconsin as its defensive line coach. 

Former UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen took to social media Wednesday to take a shot at former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson to accuse him of faking a recent training video to promote his upcoming boxing match against Jake Paul. 

To promote the bout, the 57-year-old Tyson posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) of him hitting the mitts with a caption reading, “It’s Day 1 … the fun has just begun.”

But Sonnen isn’t buying it. He accused the boxing legend of faking the workout. 

“In the future, if you’re ever going to spend five seconds hitting mitts, as a way of making the audience believe you’re doing a training session, make sure you splash water on your face and T-shirt first,” Sonnen wrote on X. 

In the future, if you’re ever going to spend five seconds hitting mitts, as a way of making the audience believe you’re doing a training session, make sure you splash water on your face and T-shirt first. https://t.co/5MZ11RjshH

— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) March 14, 2024

Sonnen noticed Tyson wasn’t sweating at all in the video, so he took that to mean the video wasn’t genuine. 

Nevertheless, the the boxing legend will face Paul on July 20 in Arlington, Texas, with the bout scheduled to be televised on Netflix. 

The final minutes of the Golden State Warriors‘ 128–121 win over the Los Angeles Lakers were just as eventful as the entire game that preceded them, due to to a clock malfunction and multiple replay reviews that caused a 23-minute delay in the action at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. 

The delay led to an amusing, reaction from Lakers star LeBron James on a hot mic. 

But the best reactions came from the celebrities in attendance, who appeared to be running low on patience during the agonizingly long delay, granting ABC’s television cameras a perfect opportunity to capture their frustration. 

16 minutes to play 15 seconds. The celebrities have had enough. pic.twitter.com/ZlsFaCFNDc

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 17, 2024

As it took the Lakers and Warriors 16 minutes to play 15 seconds worth of game action, actor Ben Affleck, sitting courtside with son Samuel and wife Jennifer Lopez, could be seen on camera with a look of absolute boredom on his face. 

The camera then panned to tennis star Novak Djokovic, media personality Kim Kardashian and rapper Bad Bunny—and all of them looked as if they would rather be anywhere else. 

Although it couldn’t have been fun for these stars to sit through the delay, it sure did make for entertaining television. 

Leave it to North Carolina fans to troll Duke during the ACC tournament final when the rival teams aren’t even playing each other. 

During the tournament championship game Saturday night between UNC and North Carolina State in Washington, ESPN’s Jay Bilas and Dan Shulman were addressing viewers at halftime with the score tied at 29, and a Tar Heels fan could be seen in the background. Seeing an opportunity for camera time, the fan displayed a phone with a message reading, “WHERE’S DOOK?” 

Adding insult to rivalry, the fan was wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Duke’s Kyle Filipowski tripping UNC’s Harrison Ingram on March 9. 

A UNC fan photobombed Jay Bilas and Dan Shulman with a "Where's Dook" message and a t-shirt of Kyle Filipowski tripping Harrison Ingram. College hoops is the best. pic.twitter.com/RQcA9y6Srp

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 16, 2024

The Blue Devils lost to the Wolfpack in the semifinals of the tournament, and the Tar Heels eventually met the same fate. NC State went on to upset yet another blue blood, defeating UNC 84–76 to win the tournament, but at least the photobombing fan enjoyed a moment of fame. 

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson is enjoying his best season yet, and he showed just why Saturday night when his latest on-the-court move lit the internet on fire against the Sacramento Kings. 

With just over 40 seconds left to go in the game and the Knicks leading by three points, Brunson was sizing up Kings defender Keon Ellis. But Brunson noticed that the young guard kept turning his head around to look for a screen. Seeing this, the Knicks star got creative. 

Brunson pretended as if he were calling for a screen to his left, and sure enough, Ellis took the bait and turned his head—giving Brunson a wide-open lane to the hoop. 

A dagger in more ways than one 🗡️
Jalen Brunson Is. Not. Nice.pic.twitter.com/FPPryJsPyp

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 17, 2024

Brunson took off and got an easy bucket, leaving Ellis bewildered. New York went on to win, 98–91, and Brunson finished with 42 points to lead all scorers. The fake screen was the play of the game, and NBA fans loved it online.

Here are some of the best reactions to Brunson’s head-turning play from social media: 

Brunson on his Mahomes ish https://t.co/VYtGtVupic

— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) March 17, 2024

What it takes to beat a team that’s in a position to help the Magic: https://t.co/Glnk5ggp5l pic.twitter.com/AWhhiDRUbd

— ORLmuse (@ORLmuse) March 17, 2024

I watched this 10 times and I'm still laughing

Bro's controller died with the game on the line 😭 https://t.co/Rb5xa1qeHq

— Knicks Union 🗽 (@knicks_union) March 17, 2024

This is so nasty https://t.co/2dN3Gwzs6T

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 17, 2024

When your controller dies in 2K https://t.co/dZJGy8ZDo0

— Ev (@turtsportsbrand) March 17, 2024

There’s no coming back from this. Keon Ellis has to retire. https://t.co/sd3wipa9SQ

— Joseph 🇮🇹🇺🇸 (@BubankusMoosaka) March 17, 2024

brb watching this on repeat https://t.co/z0fwAH4lKr

— claire de lune (@ClaireMPLS) March 17, 2024

It appears as though New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers won’t be hitting the campaign trail this year after all. 

Rodgers, reportedly a vice presidential candidate for Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign, is out of the running, according to a report from Diana Falzone of Mediaite. Kennedy reportedly is setting his sights on California attorney Nicole Shanahan as his running mate, per Falzone. 

Rodgers, 40, was named as a potential running mate for Kennedy on an independent ticket, along with former Minnesota governor, WWF wrestler and actor Jesse Ventura. 

The outspoken Rodgers hasn’t been shy about expressing his opinions on a variety of political matters, from public comments about the COVID-19 vaccine to his reported belief in conspiracy theories about the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school mass shooting, which he denied Thursday.

Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers reportedly was under consideration to become presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy’s running mate.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The four-time NFL MVP, who has supported Kennedy’s message and 2024 run on social media, reportedly has been speaking with the politician “pretty continuously” about a run over the course of the past month. 

The reported consideration from Kennedy sparked plenty of reactions from NFL fans, pundits and Rodgers’s teammates, as well as questions as to how the outspoken QB would manage the grueling workload of an NFL season and a political campaign. 

Rodgers was dealt to the Jets in a blockbuster trade last offseason, then suffered a season-ending Achilles tear just four snaps into his New York career. 

It appears as if his focus will indeed be on a rebound campaign—rather than a political one—with the Jets in 2024. 

Rodgers will enter his 20th season in the NFL when the Jets open training camp this summer. 

The final minutes of the Los Angeles Lakers–Golden State Warriors game Saturday night was a disaster, and LeBron James had the perfect NSFW reaction to the debacle. Thanks to three coach’s challenges and a malfunctioning shot clock, the final two minutes on the game clock took 23 minutes and 27 seconds of real time to complete. 

Both coach’s challenges came within seconds of each other, and then the shot clock malfunctioned—leading to ESPN mics picking up James having a Roger Murtaugh moment in real time.

“I’m too old for this s---,” James said 

The 39-year-old clearly was ready to go home. 

"I'm too old for this s---."

—LeBron after the stoppages in the final minutes of Warriors-Lakers 😂 pic.twitter.com/PSc9Z564nn

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 17, 2024

The shot clock never was fixed, though, and referees instead resorted to having legendary public address announcer Lawrence Tanter count down the shot clock while it was kept via stopwatch. The game eventually came to a merciful end with Golden State winning, 128–121. James led all scorers with 40 points in 38 minutes of action.

"I've never seen anything like this in 30+ years in the NBA."

-- Mike Breen

The shot clock in LA stopped working.

After a LONG delay, it was determined the clock would be kept via stopwatch, with PA man Lawrence Tanter counting down the time. pic.twitter.com/XNULtX2ciG

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 17, 2024

On Saturday, Kent State lost out on a potential trip to the NCAA men’s tournament in one of the wildest ways you will ever see.

The Golden Flashes led Akron in the closing seconds of the MAC tournament championship when guard Julius Rollins fouled Zips guard Greg Tribble. Tribble then stepped up to the free-throw line and hit a pair of foul shots to send Akron to the Big Dance for the second time in three years.

Senderoff’s emotional reaction to Rollins’s mistake drew a lot of attention, but the coach was quick to back his player in the game’s aftermath.

“As I told the team, I should have called a timeout there. I do not blame Julius,” Senderoff said. “There’s 100 plays in the game and that was just one of them.”

Kent State coach Rob Senderoff classy in a tough spot. He said Rollins lost track of time,
score in final seconds.
“As I told the team, I should have called a timeout there. I do not blame Julius. There’s 100 plays in the game and that was just one of them.”

— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) March 17, 2024

Rollins finished the game with three points and a rebound in 17 minutes.

Despite its late collapse, Kent State can look back on a solid season—its 26th straight year finishing .500 or better.

Long Beach State entered the 2024 Big West men’s tournament a bit adrift. The once-proud Beach finished the regular season 17-14; they’d lost their last five games and an early victory over Michigan had proven misleading.

They responded by parting ways with coach Dan Monson—a veteran of the coaching ranks who helped mold Gonzaga into a proto-national power in the late 1990s. He would be allowed to coach his team in the conference tournament but would not return in 2025.

How did he respond? By leading Long Beach State to the NCAA tournament.

On Saturday, the Beach edged UC Davis 74-70 in the Big West tournament title game to complete an improbable conference tournament run in a year chock-full of them.

Long Beach State dismissed longtime head coach Dan Monson on Monday but said it would let him coach until the end of the season. Tonight, he won the Big West tournament championship and secured the second NCAA tournament invitation of his tenure. March, man. March.

— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 17, 2024

To make the moment even more special, Monson’s 90-year-old father Don—a decorated former coach of Idaho and Oregon—was in attendance.

The younger Monson discussed what the moment meant to him after the game.

Long Beach State’s Dan Monson, who was fired last week but was allowed to coach in the conference tournament, just led the 49ers to the Big West title, upending the top two seeds en route.

First NCAAT appearance for the Beach since 2012.

College basketball, folks. pic.twitter.com/UgMADuCHsM

— Made For March (@madeformarch) March 17, 2024

On Sunday, Monson and Long Beach State will hear their names called for the Big Dance for the first time since 2012.

What a week.

When the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers—and their stars, guard Stephen Curry and forward LeBron James—get together, NBA fans often wish the matchup would never end.

On Saturday, it nearly happened.

The Warriors defeated the Lakers 128-121 in a game marred by its final two minutes, which took an astounding 23 minutes and 27 seconds of real time to complete.

Yes, you read that right.

The culprits included three coach’s challenges—all in the span of two seconds of game time—and a malfunctioning shot clock.

ABC cameras hilariously panned to an array of celebrities waiting out the delay, including actor Ben Affleck, musician Jennifer Lopez, tennis legend Novak Djokovic, and rapper Bad Bunny.

16 minutes to play 15 seconds. The celebrities have had enough. pic.twitter.com/ZlsFaCFNDc

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 17, 2024

At one point, the game’s referees resorted to having public address announcer Lawrence Tanter read out the time remaining on the shot clock while it was kept via stopwatch.

"I've never seen anything like this in 30+ years in the NBA."

-- Mike Breen

The shot clock in LA stopped working.

After a LONG delay, it was determined the clock would be kept via stopwatch, with PA man Lawrence Tanter counting down the time. pic.twitter.com/XNULtX2ciG

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 17, 2024

James’s reaction, meanwhile, was pitch-perfect; he told ABC’s commentary team that he was “too old for this s–t.”

"I'm too old for this s---."

—LeBron after the stoppages in the final minutes of Warriors-Lakers 😂 pic.twitter.com/PSc9Z564nn

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 17, 2024

North Carolina State head men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts returned a veteran roster that was expected to make an NCAA men’s tournament appearance this season.

However, a rocky regular season left the Wolfpack needing to capture the conference title to make the NCAA tournament. The disappointing regular season and potential missed tournament berth had Keatts’s seat warming quickly.

Consider all of that water under the bridge. 

The Wolfpack traveled to Washington D.C. for the ACC tournament and won five games in five nights, culminating with an 84–76 victory over No. 1 seed North Carolina to capture the conference title on Saturday night.

With the win, Keatts triggered a two-year contract extension that now runs through April of 2030. In addition, Keatts will receive a $400,000 raise, which will be effective beginning next season. The Wolfpack coach will also receive a $100,000 bonus for winning the conference title, and will make at least $10,000 for appearing in the NCAA tournament.

This will be the second straight NCAA tournament appearance for the Wolfpack, and their third in seven seasons under Keatts. NC State has never made it past the first round of the NCAA tournament with Keatts as the coach. The Wolfpack lost as an 8-seed to 9-seed Seton Hall in 2017-’18, and lost last season as an 11-seed to 6-seed Creighton.

NC State will learn more about its first round opponent and path to pursuing a national title when the bracket is released on Sunday night.