2025 MLB All Star Selections

AL Starters

C Cal Raleigh Seattle

1B Johnathan Aranda Tampa

2B Gleyber Torres Detroit

SS Jeremy Pena Houston

3B Jose Ramirez Cleveland

LF Riley Greene Detroit

CF Byron Buxton Minnesota

RF Aaron Judge New York

DH Brent Rooker Sacramento

SP Tarik Skubal Detroit

 

Reserves

C C.Narvarez Bos 

1B V.Guerrero Tor 

2B J.Chisholm NYY

SS  B.Witt KC  

3B A.Bregman Bos 

OF S.Kwan Cle 

OF J.Rodriguez Sea

Uti Z.McKinstry Det

Uti I.Paredes Hou 

Uti G.Henderson Balt 

Uti JP Crawford Sea

Pitchers

SP G.Crochet Bos 

SP M.Fried NYY 

SP S,Smith CWS 

SP K.Bubic KC 

SP  J.Ryan Min 

SP F.Valdez Hou 

SP  J.Soriano LAA 

SP J.DeGrom Tex

RP A.Munoz Sea 

RP A.Chapman Bos 

RP J.Hader Hou 

NL Starters

C Will Smith Los Angeles

1B Matt Olson Atlanta

2B Ketel Marte Arizona

SS Francisco Lindor New York

3B Manny Machado San Diego

LF James Wood Washington

CF Pete Crow Armstrong Chicago

RF Fernando Tatis San Diego

DH Shohei Ohtani Los Angeles

SP Paul Skenes Pittsburgh

 

Reserves

C W.Contreras Mil 

1B  F.Freeman LAD

2B  B.Donovan StL 

SS  T.Turner Phi  

3B E.Suarez Ari

OF K.Tucker Chi

OF C.Carroll Ariz 

OF  J.Soto NYM

DH K.Schwarber Phi 

Uti E DeLaCruz Cin 

Uti  O.Lopez Mia 

Pitchers

SP  C.Sale Atl 

SP  K.Senga Atl 

SP Z.Wheeler Phi 

SP C.Sanchez Phi 

SP  M.Gore Wash 

SP A.Abbott Cin 

SP F.Peralta Mil 

SP L.Webb SFG

RP  R.Rodriguez SFG

RP D.Santana Pitt 

RP J.Bird Col.

2025 MLB Mid Season Projections

 

AL East

1. NY Yankees 94

2. Tampa 87  WC

3. Toronto 84  WC

4. Boston 81

5. Baltimore      

AL Central

1. Detroit      94

2. Cleveland 82

3. Minnesota 81

4. Kansas City

5. ChiWhite Sox

AL West

1. Houston   90

2. Seattle 86  WC

3. Texas 81

4. LA Angels

5. Sacramento

NL East

1. Philadelphia 93

2. NY Mets 92  WC

3. Atlanta 84

4. Washington

5. Miami

NL Central

1. ChiCubs  94

2. Milwaukee 86

3. St Louis 85

4. Cincinnati 

5. Pittsburgh

NL West

1. LA Dodgers 99

2. San Francisco 86  WC

3. S Diego 86  WC

4. Arizona 85

5. Colorado

2025 NBA Draft Day 2 Big Board (Top 60)

1. Rasheer Fleming                   PF          St Joes       

2. Kam Jones                            G            Marquette         

3. Noah Penda                           F            France         

4. Adou Thiero                         PF           Arkansas     

5. Tyrese Proctor                      PG           Duke      

6. Koby Brea                            G/F          UK               

7. Johni Broome                       C             Auburn             

8. Rocco Zikarsky                    C             Australia         

9. Alijah Martin                       SG             Florida     

10. Javon Small                         PG           W Virginia   

11. Chaz Lanier                         SG           Tennessee        

12. Ryan Kalkbrenner                C             Creighton       

13. Alex Toohey                         F             Australia       

14. Bogoljub Markovic              PF          Serbia               

15. Will Richard                        SG          Florida   

16. Jamir Watkins                       G             Florida St       

17. Maxime Raynaud                 C             Stanford       

18. Max Shulga                          G            VCU          

19. Chucky Hepburn                 PG           Louisville    

20. Sion James                           SF           Duke                

21. John Tonje                           SF            Wisconsin       

22. Mark Sears                           PG           Alabama      

23. Payton Sandfort                    SF              Iowa        

24. Kobe Johnson                       W             UCLA     

25. Brooks Barnhizer                 SF         Northwestern    

26. Grant Nelson                        PF         Alabama  

27. Hunter Sallis                         SG        Wake               

28. Jaxson Robinson                   G/F       UK   

29. Ryan Nembhard                    PG        Gonzaga         

30. Brice Williams                      SF        Nebraska        

31. Igor Milicic                           PF      Tennessee     

32. Lachlan Olbrich                    PF     Australia           

33. Caleb Grill                            SG       Missouri    

34. Curtis Jones                           SG      Iowa St    

35. Miles Kelly                           SG       Auburn  

36. Micah Peavy                         G/F   Georgetown   

37. John Poulakidas                    G/F      Yale     

38. Sean Pedulla                          PG       Ole Miss     

39. Tamar Bates                          SG         Missouri     

40. RJ Luis                                   F         St Johns        

41. Kobe Sanders                        G/F     Nevada         

42. Dylan Cardwell                      C          Auburn    

43. Izan Almansa                         PF          Australia    

44. Eric Dixon                             PF     Nova          

45. Dink Pate                              G/F    Mexico          

46. Vladislav Goldin                    C       Michigan    

47. Caleb Love                            SG     Arizona       

48. Viktor Lakhin                        C      Clemson     

49. Jacksen Moni                         PF        N Dakota St    

50. Isaac Nogues                         PG     G League                

51. Amari Williams                      C        UK    

52. Zakai Zeigler                        PG       Tenn   

53. RJ Davis                                PG        UNC    

54. Lamont Butler                        PG        UK    

55. Gabe Madsden                        SG       Utah  

56. Mohamed Diawara                PF         France      

57. Jalon Moore                             F          Oklahoma  

58. Clifford Omoruyi                   C         Alabama     

59. Kadary Richmond                  G          St Johns  

60. Dawson Garcia                      PF         Minnesota   

(Not A) 2025 NBA Mock Draft

 As always, I'm selecting, not predicting.  

 1. Dallas                  Cooper Flagg   F   Duke

 2. San Antonio        Dylan Harper   G  Rutgers

 3. Philadelphia        Kon Kneuppel   F  Duke 

 4. Charlotte             VJ Edgecomb   SG  Baylor

 5. Utah                    Jeremiah Fears  PG  Oklahoma

 6. Washington         Ace Bailey        W   Rutgers

 7. New Orleans      Collin Murray Broyles  PF   S Carolina

 8. Brooklyn            Tre Johnson       SG  Texas

 9. Toronto               Khaman Maluach  C   Duke

 10. Phoenix            Carter Bryant     F    Arizona

 11. Portland            Noa Essengue    PF  France

 12. Chicago            Cedric Coward   SF  Wash St

 13. Atlanta              Egor Demin        G   BYU

 14. San Antonio      Thomas Sorber   C   Georgetown

 15. OKC                 Kasparas Jakucionis   PG  Illinois

 16. Memphis          Liam McNeeley   W  UConn

 17. Minnesota        Derik Queen        C   Maryland

 18. Washington      Asa Newell         PF  Georgia

 19. Brooklyn          Nolan Traore      PG  France

 20. Miami              Walter Clayton   PG   Florida

 21. Utah                 Rasheer Fleming   PF  St Joes

 22. Brooklyn          Joan Beringer      C   France

 23. New Orleans    Jase Richardson   G  Michigan St

 24. OKC                 Noah Penda         F   France

 25. Orlando             Kam Jones          G   Marquette

 26. Brooklyn           Drake Powell      F   UNC

 27. Brooklyn           Will Riley           W   Illinois

 28. Boston               Ben Saraf            G   Israel

 29. Phoenix             Tyrese Proctor     PG  Duke

 30. LA Clippers      Johnie Broome    C   Auburn

 31. Minnesota         Nique Clifford    SG  Colorado St

 32. Boston               Danny Wolf        PF   Michigan

 33. Charlotte            Adou Thiero       PF   Arkansas

 34. Charlotte            Hugo Gonzalez   W   Spain

 35. Philadelphia       Rocco Zikarsky    C   Australia

 36. Brooklyn            Koby Brea          W   Kentucky

 37. Detroit                Javon Small        PG  W Virginia

 38. San Antonio       Alex Toohey        F    Australia

 39. Toronto              Bogoljub Markovic  PF  Serbia

 40. New Orleans      Ryan Kalkbrenner   C    Creighton

 41. Golden St          Chaz Lanier         SG   Tennessee

 42. Sacramento       Alijah Martin       SG   Florida

 43. Utah                  Max Shulga          SG   VCU

 44. OKC                 Jamir Watkins       SG   Florida St

 45. Chicago            Maxime Raynaud   C    Stanford

 46. Orlando             Yanic Konan Niederhauser  C   Penn St

 47. Milwaukee        Hansen Yang         C     China

 48. Memphis           Will Richard          SG   Florida St

 49. Cleveland          Sion James            SF    Duke

 50. New York          Chucky Hepburn   PG   Louisville

 51. LA Clippers       Kobe Johnson       W    UCLA

 52. Phoenix              Brooks Barnhizer  SF   Northwestern

 53. Utah                   Lachlan Olbrich    PF   Australia

 54. Indiana              Hunter Sallis          SG   Wake

 55. LA Lakers          Grant Nelson         PF    Alabama

 56. Memphis            Mark Sears            PG   Alabama

 57. Orlando              John Tonje             SF    Wisconsin

 58. Cleveland           Igor Milicic           PF     Tennessee

 59. Houston             Jaxon Robinson     W      Kentucky

2025 NBA Draft Big Board Top 75

 1. Cooper Flagg           F Duke

 2. Dylan Harper          G Rutgers

 3. Kon Knueppel         W Duke

 4. VJ Edgecomb         SG Baylor

 5. Ace Bailey               W Rutgers

 6. Tre Johnson             SG Texas

 7. Jeremiah Fears        PG Oklahoma

 8. Noa Essengue         PF France 

 9. Collin Murray Boyles  PF  S.Carolina

 10. Carter Bryant        F   Arizona

 11. Egor Demin          G   BYU

 12.Kasparas Jakucionis   PG  Illinois

 13. Khaman Maluach  C   Duke

 14. Cedric Coward      SF  Wash St

 15. Thomas Sorber      C   Georgetown

 16. Jase Richardson     G  Mich St

 17. Asa Newell            PF  Georgia

 18. Derik Queen          C   Maryland

 19. Walter Clayton      PG  Florida

 20. Liam McNeeley    W  UConn

 21. Rasheer Fleming   PF  St Joes

 22. Nolan Traore        PG   France

 23. Joan Beringer       C     France

 24. Will Riley             W    Illinois

 25. Kam Jones            G    Marquette

 26. Nique Clifford      SG  Colo St.

 27. Drake Powell       F      UNC

 28. Noah Penda         F      France

 29. Ben Saraf            G     Israel

 30. Adou Thiero        PF   Arkansas

 31. Danny Wolf        PF   Michigan

 32. Tyrese Proctor    PG   Duke

 33. Koby Brea          W    UK

 34. Johni Broome     C     Auburn

 35. Rocco Zikarsky   C    Australia

 36. Alijah Martin       SG  Florida

 37. Hugo Gonzalez   W    Spain

 38. Javon Small        PG   W Virginia

 39. Chaz Lanier        SG   Tenn

 40. Ryan Kalkbrenner  C  Creighton

 41. Alex Toohey        F    Australia

 42. Bogolijub Markovic  PF  Serbia

 43. Will Richard       SG  Florida

 44. Jamir Watkins     G   Florida St

 45. Maxime Raynaud  C  Stanford 

 46. Max Shulga         G   VCU

 47. Chucky Hepburn  PG  Louisville

 48. Sion James           SF  Duke

 49. John Tonje            SF Wisconsin

 50. Mark Sears           PG Alabama

 51. Payton Sandfort    SF  Iowa

 52. Kobe Johnson       W   UCLA

 53. Yanic Konan Niederhauser   C   Penn St

 54. Brooks Barnhizer   SF  Northwestern

 55. Grant Nelson          PF Alabama

 56. Hunter Sallis           SG  Wake

 57. Jaxson Robinson     W   UK

 58. Hansen Yang           C   China

 59. Ryan Nembhard      PG  Gonzaga

 60. Brice Williams        SF   Nebraska

 61. Igor Milicic             PF  Tenn

 62. Lachlan Olbrich      PF Australia

 63. Caleb Grill              SG Missouri

 64. Curtis Jones            SG Iowa St

 65. Miles Kelly             SG Auburn

 66. Micah Peavy           W  Georgetown

 67. John Poulakidas      W  Yale

 68. Sean Pedulla            PG Ole Miss

 69. Tamar Bates             SG Missouri

 70. RJ Luis                    F  St Johns

 71. Kobe Sanders          W Nevada

 72. Dylan Cardwell       C Auburn

 73. Izan Almansa          PF Australia 

 74. Eric Dixon              PF Villanova

 75. Dink Pate                W  Mexico

                 

June, 2025 Athlete of the Month

 May

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.  Runners-up: Coco Gauff, Summer McIntosh, Sam Bennett

The year is half over - here's who is currently in the running for 2025 Athlete of the Year.

January-Patrick Mahomes

February-Jalen Hurts

March-Alysa Liu

April-Alex Ovechkin

May-Aaron Judge

June-Shai Gilgeous Alexander

40 Year Basketball Tournament - Final Four

 

We're wrapping it up here with the semis and the final.  3 more games left in the tournament.

1996 KENTUCKY v. 2005 NORTH CAROLINA

1998 NORTH CAROLINA v. 2001 ARIZONA

2005 NORTH CAROLINA 107   1996 KENTUCKY   87

-Roy Williams and the Tar Heels blow out the Cats and head to the Finals.  7 players in double figures for Carolina.  Sean May goes 18 and 10.  15 points/7 assists/5 rebounds for Raymond Felton.  Antoine Walker goes 15 and 10 in the loss.

1998 NORTH CAROLINA 95  2001 ARIZONA 74

-So, what's funny is I played a 256 team all time NFL tournament that ended with two 21st century Steeler teams in the finals.  And here - we're going to see 2 UNC teams battling it out.  30 points and 9 boards for Antawn Jamison, 15 and 6 for Michael Wright in the loss.  

And so - your final game has come.

2005 NORTH CAROLINA (NCAA Champs)

HC Roy Williams (55)

C Sean May (Jr)

F Jawad Williams (Sr)

G Raymond Felton (Jr)

G Rashad McCants (Jr)

G Jackie Manuel (Sr)

1998 NORTH CAROLINA 

HC Bill Guthridge (51)

C Makhtar N'Diaye (Sr)

F Antawn Jamison (Jr)

F Vince Carter (Jr)

G Shammond Williams (Sr)

G Ed Cota (So)

2005 NORTH CAROLINA 106  1998 NORTH CAROLINA  91

-The 2005 Tar Heels cut down the nets.  The '98 team led by a point at the half, it was 74-74 with 13 minutes to go, at 9:40 the '05 team took the lead and never gave it back.  19 for Jawad Williams, 12 points and 10 rebounds for the tournament MVP Sean May.  24 points/10 boards for Antawn Jamison.

And so it ends - the 2005 UNC Tar Heels, winners of the 1986-2025 NCAA Tournament.

40 Year NCAA Basketball Tournament, Elite 8

 Sweet 16

Four games in this round.

2005 NORTH CAROLINA v. 1988 OKLAHOMA

1996 KENTUCKY v. 1995 KENTUCKY

2001 ARIZONA v. 1990 UNLV

2008 KANSAS v. 1998 NORTH CAROLINA

2005 NORTH CAROLINA 109   1988 OKLAHOMA 98

-The Winners of the East - the 2005 North Carolina Tar Heels. 22 points/17 rebounds for Sean May. 26 points for Rashad McCants.  20 for Harvey Grant in the loss.

1996 KENTUCKY 112  1995 KENTUCKY 98

-The Winners of the South, the 1996 Kentucky Wildcats.  The older version of Antoine Walker scored 22 to lead the way. The younger version of Mark Pope had a double/double in the loss.  

2001 ARIZONA 110  1990 UNLV 95

-Michael Wright goes 11 for 14, 29 points and 11 rebounds and Arizona wins the West and heads to the Final Four.  17 points/10 assists for Jason Gardner.  David Butler has 19 in the defeat.

1998 NORTH CAROLINA  91   2008 KANSAS 84

-A second Carolina team reaches the final 4. 14 points/12 rebounds for Antawn Jamison; 16 points, 8 rebounds for Vince Carter. Darnell Jackson with 17 in the loss.

And there you have it.  We are set for the last 3 games of the tournament.

1996 KENTUCKY v. 2005 NORTH CAROLINA

1998 NORTH CAROLINA v. 2001 ARIZONA

40 Year NCAA Basketball Tournament-Sweet 16

 Midwest

 16 teams remain, 8 games in this round to cut the field on half, all games now on neutral sites.  Here's the remaining field.

EAST

1. 1999 Duke

4. 1988 Oklahoma

2. 2005 North Carolina

14. 2016 Villanova

SOUTH

1. 1996 Kentucky

4. 1992 Duke

14. 1995 Kentucky

15. 1987 Indiana

WEST

2. 2025 Duke

11. 1990 UNLV

5. 2010 Duke

9. 2001 Arizona

MIDWEST

1. 2002 Duke

4. 2008 Kansas

7. 2000 Michigan St

11. 1998 North Carolina

1999 DUKE 

HC Mike Krzyzewski (52)

C Elton Brand (So)

F Shane Battier (So)

F Chris Carrawell (Jr)

G William Avery (So)

G Trajan Langdon (Sr)

1988 OKLAHOMA

HC Billy Tubbs (53)

C Stacey King (Jr)

F Harvey Grant (Sr)

F Dave Sieger (Sr)

G Mookie Blaylock (Jr)

G Ricky Grace (Sr)

1988 OKLAHOMA  108     1999 DUKE  103

-The '88 Sooners reach the Elite 8.  Duke led 53-50 at the half, with 18:09 left, they were up 6. A Stacey King finger roll at 11:52 tied the score at 74. Chris Carrawell's turnaround a minute later put Duke up 5.  At 8:42, 2 Harvey Grant FTs gave the Sooners their first second half lead, 84-83. An Elton Brand putback at 1:49 tied the score after several minutes of lead changes on nearly each possession.  Dave Sieger laid one in at 1:19, then stole the ball on the other end, that possession ended in Terrence Mullins' only two points of the game, and the Sooners led by 4 with 56 seconds to play.  Duke never tied the score again and the Sooners head to the Elite 8.  20 points, 10 boards for Grant.  25 points, 8 assists for Mookie Blaylock. 18 points, 11 rebounds for King.  Elton Brand had 22 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

2005 NORTH CAROLINA (NCAA Champs)

HC Roy Williams (55)

C Sean May (Jr)

F Jawad Williams (Sr)

G Raymond Felton (Jr)

G Rashad McCants (Jr)

G Jackie Manuel (Sr)

2016 VILLANOVA  (NCAA Champs)

HC Jay Wright (55)

F Daniel Ochefu (Sr)

F Kris Jenkins (Jr)

G Jalen Brunson (Fr)

G Josh Hart (Jr)

G Ryan Arcidiacono (Sr)

2005 NORTH CAROLINA 89  2016 VILLANOVA  70

-The Heels bust Nova pretty good and head to the Elite 8; 17 points/13 rebounds for Sean May to lead the way. Josh Hart had 20 in the loss.   We'll see Carolina/Oklahoma in the Elite 8.

1996 KENTUCKY (NCAA Champs)

HC Rick Pitino (44)

F Walter McCarty

F Antoine Walker

F Derek Anderson

G Tony Delk

G Anthony Epps

1992 DUKE (NCAA Champs)

HC Mike Krzyzewski (45)

C Christian Laettner

F Grant Hill

F Brian Davis

G Bobby Hurley

G Thomas Hill

1996 KENTUCKY  118  1992 DUKE  112

Great game in the South. With 18:10 left Duke led by 7. A Jeff Sheppard midrange with a little over 14 to play tied it up.  The game remained a 1-2 point margin until a Brian Davis FT made it 83-80 Duke with 10 minutes left.  When Christian Laettner hit a turnaround with 7 and a half left, Duke was up 96-90. A minute later, Laettner made it a 7 point Duke game.  With 5 minutes left, Duke had a 10 point lead.  Antoine Walker scored the next 4.  Derek Anderson the 4 after that.  At 2:43 a Ron Mercer midrange tied the score at 109.  Mercer stole the ball on the next Duke possession, wound up with two FT and Kentucky had the lead and would not give it back.  32 points and 7 rebounds for Walker, 21 for Mercer.  Laettner had 41 points and 8 boards in the loss.

1995 KENTUCKY 

HC Rick Pitino (43)

C Andre Riddick (Sr)

F Walter McCarty (Jr)

F Rodrick Rhodes (Jr)

G Tony Delk (Jr)

G Jeff Sheppard (So)

1987 INDIANA (NCAA Champs)

HC Bobby Knight (46)

C Dean Garrett

F Daryl Thomas

F Ricky Calloway

G Steve Alford

G Keith Smart

1995 KENTUCKY 101  1987 INDIANA 96

-The '95 UK and '96 UK teams will meet in the Elite 8.  Indiana trailed by as much as 11 in the second half and never got closer than 3.  Walter McCarty had a double/double to lead the balanced Kentucky attack.  25 for Steve Alford in the loss.  

2025 DUKE

HC Jon Scheyer (38)

C Khaman Maluach (Fr)

F Cooper Flagg (Fr)

F Kon Knueppel (Fr)

G Tyrese Proctor (Jr)

G Sion James (Sr)

1990 UNLV (NCAA Champs)

HC Jerry Tarkanian (60)

C David Butler (Sr)

F Larry Johnson (Jr)

F Stacey Augmon (Jr)

G Greg Anthony (Jr)

G Anderson Hunt (So)

1990 UNLV 112  2025 DUKE 101

-Vegas reaches the Elite 8; 21 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks for Larry Johnson, 17 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists for Stacey Augmon, 20 points for David Butler.  Cooper Flagg has 19 pts and 10 boards in the loss.

2010 DUKE (NCAA Champions)

HC Mike Krzyzewski (63)

C Miles Plumlee (So)

F Lance Thomas (Sr)

F Kyle Singler (Jr)

G Jon Scheyer (Sr)

G Nolan Smith (Jr)

2001 ARIZONA

HC Lute Olson (66)

C Loren Woods (Sr)

F Michael Wright (Jr)

F Richard Jefferson (Jr)

G Jason Gardner (So)

G Gilbert Arenas (So)

2001 ARIZONA 84   2010 DUKE 75

-Duke losing game after game here in the Sweet 16; 16 points for Gilbert Arenas leads the way in a balanced performance by the Cats, Nolan Smith had 24 in the loss.

2002 DUKE

HC Mike Krzyzewski (55)

C Carlos Boozer (Jr)

F Mike Dunleavy (Jr)

F Dahntay Jones (Jr)

G Jay Williams (Jr)

G Chris Duhon (So)

2008 KANSAS (NCAA Champions)

HC Bill Self (46)

C Darrel Arthur (So)

F Darnell Jackson (Sr)

F Brandon Rush (Jr)

G Mario Chalmers (Jr)

G Russell Robinson (Sr)

2008 KANSAS 90  2002 DUKE 89

-Duke had 5 of the Sweet 16 and dropped every game.  Duke led 43-36 early in the second half; with 14 minutes to play the lead had ballooned to 12.  With 9 minutes left, Duke led by 13.  At 2:44 Darrell Arthur converted a 3 pt play and Kansas led 83-82.  2 Carlos Boozer FT at 56 seconds to play put Duke up 86-85. It was 86-86 with 14 seconds left when Brandon Rush had a 4 point play, a triple+ a foul that put the game out of reach.  19 for Darnell Jackson.  20 and 10 for Carlos Boozer in the loss.  One game left.

2000 MICHIGAN ST (NCAA Champions)

HC Tom Izzo (45)

F Morris Peterson (Sr)

F Andre Hutson (Jr)

F AJ Granger (Sr)

G Mateen Cleaves (Sr)

G Charlie Bell (Jr)

1998 NORTH CAROLINA 

HC Bill Guthridge (51)

C Makhtar N'Diaye (Sr)

F Antawn Jamison (Jr)

F Vince Carter (Jr)

G Shammond Williams (Sr)

G Ed Cota (So)

1998 NORTH CAROLINA  94  2000 MICHIGAN ST 82

-Carolina joins Kentucky with 2 teams reaching the Elite 8.  Antawn Jamison leads 6 Tar Heels in double figures with 20 points and 12 rebounds.  14 points and 9 assists for Mateen Cleaves in the loss.

And that sets up the Elite 8:

2005 NORTH CAROLINA v. 1988 OKLAHOMA

1996 KENTUCKY v. 1995 KENTUCKY

2001 ARIZONA v. 1990 UNLV

2008 KANSAS v. 1998 NORTH CAROLINA

Each game has 1 NCAA Champion; the '05 Heels won the title, the '88 Sooners lost in the Finals; the '96 Wildcats won the title, the previous year's UK team lost in the regional final.  The Running Rebels won the title, Arizona lost in the Finals, and that '08 Kansas team won the title, while Carolina lost in the final four.  

40 Year NCAA Basketball Tournament - Midwest Region

 

One more Final Four team to name, lets play the MW region, with the top overall seed in the field, the 2001 Duke Blue Devils.  

1. 2001 Duke Blue Devils              41-4              National Champions (d. Arizona 82-72)

2. 1992 Indiana Hoosiers              31-8              2nd Big 10 (L Semis Duke 81-78)

3. 1997 Kentucky Wildcats           40-6         SEC Tourney Champ (L NCAA Finals Arizona 84-79)

4. 2008 Kansas Jayhawks             43-3              National Champions (d. Memphis 75-68)

5. 2015 Kentucky Wildcats           42-2              SEC Champs (L. Sems Wisconsin 71-64)

6. 2015 Duke Blue Devils         41-4                National Champions (d. Wisconsin 68-63)

7. 2000 Michigan St Spartans       38-7             National Champions (d. Florida 89-76)

8. 1989 Michigan Wolverines        36-7            National Champions  (d. Seton Hall 80-79)

9. 2013 Louisville Cardinals         41-5             National Champions (d. Michigan 82-76)

10. 1997 Kansas Jayhawks             36-3            Big 12 Champs (L Regional Semi Arizona 85-82)

11. 1998 North Carolina Tar Heels  38-5         ACC Tourney Champs (L Semis Utah 65-59)

12. 2006 Florida Gators                   39-6         National Champions (d. UCLA 73-57)

13. 1991 Duke Blue Devils             38-7            National Champions (d. Kansas 72-65)

14. 2000 Duke Blue Devils              31-6            ACC Champs (L Regional Semi Florida 87-78)

15. 2011 Ohio St Buckeyes              36-4            Big 10 Champs (L Regional Semi Kentucky 62-60)

16. 2022 Kansas Jayhawks              40-6            National Champions (d. UNC 72-69)

16. 2001 Michigan St Spartans       32-6            Big 10 Champs (L Semis Arizona 80-61)

PLAY IN GAME

2022 KANSAS 93  2001 MICHIGAN ST  82

-National Champion Jayhawks have to play their way in - they do, 24 for Ochai Agbaji.  Zach Randolph with 14 in the loss.

ROUND ONE

1. 2001 DUKE 102  16. 2022 KANSAS 74

-Duke's already got the plurality of teams in the Sweet 16 and the top seed in the MW moves to round 2.  23 for both Jay Williams and Mike Dunleavy.  26 in the loss for Agbaji.

8. 1989 MICHIGAN 106  9. 2013 LOUISVILLE 101

-OT battle between these National Champions.  Michigan led by 10 with 4:45 left in regulation, led by 6 with 31 seconds left, but two triples from junior guard Russ Smith sent the game to OT.  Louisville led 99-98 with 1:41 left, but got outscored 8-2 down the stretch to get sent home.  29 for Rumeal Robinson, 21 points and 8 boards for Glen Rice.  Double/Double for Gorgui Dieng in the loss.

5. 2015 KENTUCKY  80  12.  2006 FLORIDA 71

-15 pts, 10 boards for Trey Lyles, a double/double for Al Horford in the defeat.

4. 2008 KANSAS 90  13.  1991 DUKE 81

-Not every Duke team survives; sophomore Guard Sherron Collins scores 14, 7 assists, 5 steals. Christian Laettner scores 22 in the loss.

 

11. 1998 NORTH CAROLINA 97   6. 2015 DUKE 96

-Carolina took the lead 64-63 at 13:43 left and never gave it back.  Senior guard Shammond Williams scored 29, 22 points and 14 boards for Antawn Jamison. Jahlil Okafor scores 25 in the loss.

3. 1997 KENTUCKY 111   14. 2000 DUKE  102

-Duke teams drops 3 straight games. 26 for senior forward Derek Anderson, Shane Battier has 27 in the loss.

7. 2000 MICHIGAN ST 98   10. 1997 KANSAS 93

-The National Champs from 2000 head to round 2.  Senior forward Morris Peterson goes for 23 and 9 rebounds.  Double/double for senior guard Mateen Cleaves.  20 for Raef LaFrenz in the loss.

2. 1992 INDIANA  99    15. 2011 OHIO ST  96

-Round one is over; junior guard Calbert Cheaney scores 20 as the Hoosiers edge the Buckeyes; 31 for William Buford in the loss.

ROUND TWO

1. 2001 Duke v. 8. 1989 Michigan

5. 2015 Kentucky v. 4. 2008 Kansas

3. 1997 Kentucky v. 11. 1998 North Carolina

2. 1992 Indiana v. 7. 2000 Michigan St

We're about to finish Round 2 and our Sweet 16 will be set.

1. 2001 DUKE  113  8. 1989 MICHIGAN 109

-Duke places one final team into the Sweet 16. With 16 minutes left Michigan led by 10, less than 2 minutes later the game was tied.  With 11:50 left, Duke was up 6 - that's less than 5 minutes and a 16 point swing.  Michigan tied it up with 2 minutes to play.  With 66 seconds left, the game was tied at 106, Duke then scored the next 7 points and won the game. Shane Battier scores 43 points, has 8 rebounds, it's the new high point game in the tournament.  Glen Rice had 37 in the loss.

4. 2008 KANSAS   78   5. 2015 KENTUCKY 61

-Kansas places a team in the Sweet 16.  Balanced attack for the Jayhawks, senior guard Russell Robinson led with 14 points; Kentucky thoroughly frustrated on the night, just 9 points for Karl Anthony Towns.  

11. 1998 NORTH CAROLINA  82  3. 1997 KENTUCKY 73

-Both Kentucky teams go down in round two, 23 points and 11 boards for Antawn Jamison as the Heels make the Sweet 16.  Ron Mercer had 14 in the loss.  One spot left.

7. 2000 MICHIGAN ST 91  2.  1992 INDIANA 90

-We get a good one to close out round 2. Michigan St led by 7 at the half, 5 minutes later, a Calbert Cheaney 3 tied the score.  At the 10 minute mark, a Matt Nover 5 footer gave the Hoosiers a 6 pt lead.  Mike Chappell hit a midrange with 6 to play to tie the score at 78.  Indiana led by 1 with 2 minutes left, Jason Richardson scored on back to back possessions for the Spartans and they wouldn't give up the lead again. 23 for Charlie Bell, 21 for Morris Peterson. Cheaney had 24 in the loss.

Leaving us with these 4 teams to join the Sweet 16.

1. 2002 DUKE v. 4. 2008 KANSAS

7. 2000 MICHIGAN ST v. 11. 1998 NORTH CAROLINA

40 Year NCAA Basketball Tournament - West Region

 South

Half of the Sweet 16 is set, here's the other half of the bracket.

1. 1991 UNLV Rebels               38-2          Big West Champs (L Semis Duke 79-77)

2. 2025 Duke Blue Devils         39-5          ACC Champs (L Semis Houston 70-67)

3. 1993 North Carolina Tar Heels  40-4         National Champions (d. Michigan 77-71)

4. 2019 Gonzaga Bulldogs        36-5         WCC Champs (L Regional Final TTech 75-69)

5. 2010 Duke Blue Devils         41-5          National Champions (d. Baylor 61-59)

6. 1988 Arizona Wildcats         39-4          Pac 10 Champs (L Semis Oklahoma 86-78)

7. 2021 Gonzaga Bulldogs        35-2          WCC Champs (L Finals Baylor 86-70)

8. 2017 North Carolina Tar Heels  39-7   National Champions (d. Gonzaga 71-65)

9. 2001 Arizona Wildcats         33-8          2nd Pac 10 (L Finals Duke 82-72)

10. 1995 UCLA Bruins             38-1          National Champions (d. Arkansas 89-78)

11. 1990 UNLV Rebels              41-5         National Champions (d. Duke 103-73)

12. 2001 Stanford Cardinal      34-5         Pac 10 Champs (L Regional Final Maryland 87-73)

13. 2012 Kentucky Wildcats     44-2          National Champions (d. Kansas 67-59)

14. 2017 Gonzaga Bulldogs       42-3         WCC Champs (L Finals UNC 71-65)

15. 1986 Louisville Cardinals     38-7         National Champions (d. Duke 72-69)

16. 2011 Connecticut Huskies     38-9        National Champions (d. Butler 53-41)

16. 2004 Duke Blue Devils         35-7         ACC Champs (L Semis UConn 79-78)

PLAY IN GAME

2004 DUKE 92  2011 CONNECTICUT 89

Sophomore forward Shelden Williams goes for 20 pts and 11 rebounds and Duke knocks off the 2011 National Champs.  22 points and 7 assists for Kemba Walker in the loss.

ROUND ONE

1. 1991 UNLV 94   16. 2004 DUKE  72

-Easy win for Vegas to open the West.  Junior guard Anderson Hunt leads the way with 25.  21 points and 8 rebounds for senior forward Larry Johnson.  Double/Double for Shelden Williams in the loss. 

9. 2001 ARIZONA 106  8. 2017 NORTH CAROLINA 102

-The first OT game of the tournament.  Sophomore guard Jason Gardner hit a 3 from the top to tie it for the Cats at the end of regulation; with 95 seconds to play in OT, junior forward Richard Jefferson hit a corner 3 that put Arizona up 5, they never looked back.  20 pts, 8 boards, 5 assists from Jefferson. 19 points, 10 assists for Joel Berry in the loss.

 5. 2010 DUKE 107  12.  2001 STANFORD  99

-Junior guard Nolan Smith goes for 30 and the National Champion Blue Devils head to round 2.  25 points, 5 boards, 5 steals for junior forward Kyle Singler.  Casey Jacobsen had 28 in the loss.

 4. 2019 GONZAGA 97  13. 2012 KENTUCKY  87

-The Zags take out the National Champs from Kentucky and head to round 2.  Sophomore guard Zach Norvell has 25 points. 19 points/9 boards for Rui Hachimura.  Michael Kidd Gilchrist goes 18 and 8 in the defeat.

 

11. 1990 UNLV 97   6.  1988 ARIZONA 77

-The '90 National Champs reach round 2; 23 points/10 rebounds for Larry Johnson. 20 points for Sean Elliott in the loss.

14. 2017 GONZAGA  97  3.  1993 NORTH CAROLINA 73

-The two Vegas teams have moved on - and they are joined by the 2 Gonzaga teams.  21 for senior guard Jordan Matthews, Eric Montross with 11 points is the high point scorer for the Heels, they really got locked down.

7. 2021 GONZAGA  94  10.  1995 UCLA 85

-3 Gonzaga teams reach round 2.  23 points for Corey Kispert, 21 for Jalen Suggs.  18 for Ed O'Bannon and the National Champs get bounced.  (I fudged a little, slipping UCLA into the field, I lost one of the recent UConn title teams to the simulation not having it ready)

2. 2025 DUKE 86  15. 1986 LOUISILLE 73

-Cooper Flagg scores 25 and moves the Blue Devils into round 2.  22 for Milt Wagner in the loss.

SECOND ROUND

1. 1991 UNLV v. 9. 2001 Arizona

4. 2019 Gonzaga v. 5. 2010 Duke

11. 1990 UNLV v. 14. 2017 Gonzaga

2. 2025 Duke v. 7. 2021 Gonzaga

2 from Duke, 2 from Vegas and 3 from Gonzaga reach the second round.

9. 2001 ARIZONA 122  1. 1991 UNLV 115

-Arizona won the first OT game in the tourney in rnd 1 and now they win the second OT game to reach the Sweet 16.  51-49 Arizona at the half, neither team had more than a 5 point lead until 6 minutes remained in regulation when Arizona went up 7 with a Michael Wright putback.  3 minutes left, Larry Johnson scored from the block and UNLV trailed by 2.  A minute later H Waldman, a freshman guard, drilled back to back triples, and Vegas led 97-95. Arizona scored the next 5 - but with 22 seconds left Gilbert Arenas missed the second FT to open the door a crack - and at the buzzer, a Larry Johnson 3 sent the game into OT.  But the Cats were too much, sprinting out to a quick lead they'd never give back. Arenas led the way with 31. Wright had 15 points and 12 rebounds.  Johnson gave it all he had, 31 points, 6 boards, 5 assists, 4 blocks, but we lose our first number one seed.

5. 2010 DUKE 90  4. 2019 GONZAGA 80

-Duke places its third team into Sweet 16.  Kyle Singler scores 25, Nolan Smith 22.  Rui Hachimura goes for 22 and 8 in the loss.

11. 1990 UNLV 107  14.  2017  GONZAGA 83

-Vegas does find its way into the Sweet 16, Anderson Hunt scored 28, Larry Johnson scored 21 and had 13 boards.  21 for Nigel Williams Goss in the defeat.  

2. 2025 DUKE 112  7. 2021 GONZAGA 104

-All 3 Zags squads fall in round 2 and now 4 Duke teams are safely into the sweet 16.  Cooper Flagg could not be stopped, 38 points, 6 assists and 5 boards.  28 for Jalen Suggs in the loss.

Here's who heads to the Sweet 16 from the West

5. 2010 DUKE  v.  9. 2001 ARIZONA

2. 2025 DUKE v. 11. 1990 UNLV

40 Year NCAA Basketball Tournament - South Region

 East is here.

4 teams survived the East, the top seeded '99 Duke Blue Devils, two National Champions, the '05 North Carolina Tar Heels and the '16 Villanova Wildcats - and the 1988 Oklahoma Sooners.  Who are the 4 teams that will survive the South?

1. 1996 Kentucky Wildcats           40-2           National Champions (d. Syracuse 76-67)

2. 2025 Houston Cougars        40-6          Big 12 Champs (L Finals Florida 65-63)

3. 2025 Auburn Tigers                   36-7          SEC Champs (L Semis Florida 79-73)

4. 1992 Duke Blue Devils              40-2        National Champions (d. Michigan 71-51)

5. 1998 Kentucky Wildcats      41-4              National Champions (d. Utah 78-69) 

6. 2009 North Carolina Tar Heels  40-4         National Champions (d. Mich St 89-72)

7. 1994 Arkansas Razorbacks         39-3        National Champions (d. Duke 76-72)

8. 2019 Duke Blue Devils                35-7     ACC Tourney Champ (L Regional Final Mich St 68-67)

9. 2021 Baylor Bears                     34-2       National Champions (Gonzaga 86-70)

10. 2019 Virginia Cavaliers       41-3                National Champions (d. TTech 85-77)

11. 1986 Duke Blue Devils           42-4              ACC Champs (L. NCAA Finals Louisville 72-69)

12. 2024 Houston Cougars             34-6        Big 12 Champs (L. Duke Regional Semi 54-51)

13. 2002 Maryland Terrapins         38-4          NCAA Champions (d. Indiana 64-52)

14. 1995 Kentucky Wildcats            31-6          SEC Champs (L Regional Final UNC 74-61)

15. 1987 Indiana Hoosiers                36-4          NCAA Champions (d. Syracuse 74-73)

16. 2007 North Carolina Tar Heels  34-8      ACC Champs (L Regional Final Georgetown 96-84)

16. 1991 Kansas Jayhawks               32-9       Big 8 Champs (L NCAA Finals Duke 72-65)

PLAY IN GAME

'07 NORTH CAROLINA 92   '91 KANSAS 79

-Freshman forward Brandan Wright has 22 pts, 2 rebounds and the Tar Heels will face the top seeded '96 Kentucky Wildcats in the next game.  15 points, 5 rebounds for Terry Brown in the loss.

 

 ROUND ONE

1. 1996 KENTUCKY  116   16. 2007 NORTH CAROLINA 90

-22 for Walter McCarty, 21 for Tony Delk, double/doubles for Antoine Walker and Mark Pope and the '96 Cats roll into round 2.  Tyler Hansbrough had 23 in the loss.  

9. 2021 BAYLOR  116   8. 2019 DUKE 101

-The National Champs from Baylor will be heading to Rupp Arena in round 2.  Junior Guard Jared Butler plays all 40 minutes and scores 35, with 8 assists and 5 steals. Both Davion Mitchell and MaCio Teague go for 20.  RJ Barrett gets the first tournament triple double in the loss.  

5. 1998 KENTUCKY  88  12. 2024 HOUSTON  76

-Both of these UK title teams advance in the South; senior guard Jeff Sheppard scored 25, junior center Nazr Mohammed had 17 pts and 13 boards.  Jamal Shead had 15 pts and 8 assists in the loss.  

4. 1994 DUKE  113  13. 2002 MARYLAND 109

-Really good one between these two National Champions; 97-95 Duke with 2:22 left, Lonnie Baxter stole a pass, giving the Terps the ball - but they couldn't convert, the teams traded buckets - Duke still up 2 when, with 1:14 left, Bobby Hurley hit a huge 3 from the top.  Again, the teams traded baskets, and with 27 seconds left, Maryland got within 2 on a Juan Dixon 3 pointer.  Duke hit its FTs down the stretch and Maryland never got closer.  27 for Thomas Hill, 26 for Christian Laettner, Hurley had 18 points and a dozen assists.  Dixon had 29 in the loss.

 

6. 2009 NORTH CAROLINA  97   11. 1986 DUKE  94

-Super tight all second half, tied 46-46 at halftime, Freshman Guard Larry Drew hit a corner 3 to bring the Heels within 2 at the 15 minute mark.  Senior forward Tyler Hansbrough scored North Carolina's next 7 points and it was 62-62 with 12:30 left.  Carolina had its biggest lead of the game, 6 points, at the 10 minute mark.  A Jay Bilas dunk tied the score 80-80 with 6:10 to play.  Tommy Amaker tied the game at the foul line at 2:37, Duke was down 4 with under a minute to play after a Danny Green bucket, Dave Henderson scored at 45 seconds, the Heels then came up empty and with 15 seconds to play, an Amaker dunk tied the score at 94.  Carolina didn't call time out - and at the buzzer, Hansbrough hit a contested triple to send the Heels to round two for the tournament's first buzzer beater.  Ty Lawson had 20 points, 11 assists and 5 steals in the win.  28 for Johnny Dawkins in the loss.

14. 1995 KENTUCKY 97  3. 2025 AUBURN 94

-Back to back 97-94 games.  Kentucky had an 11 point lead early in the second half, but at the 13 minute mark, the Tigers led 68-67.  Senior guard Chad Baker Mazara scored 6 points in the next 3 minutes and with 10 to play, Auburn had entirely swung the game and led by 8.  Kentucky junior Rodrick Rhodes scored 6 straight UK points to tie the score at 83 with 6 to play.  Johni Broome put Auburn up 1 with a triple at 4:30, Jared Prickett put Kentucky up 1 with a layup at 2:30 and a minute later tied the score for the Cats with a midrange.  Junior Forward Walter McCarty hit a corner 3 with 22 seconds left and UK went up 94-91, Denver Jones tied the score with a 3 of his own with just 4 seconds remaining in regulation.  Out of the time out - Junior guard Tony Delk hit an off balance buzzer beating 3 and UK moves on. 22 points for Rhodes led the way for UK, 21 points, 14 boards, 6 assists for Broome in the loss.

7. 1994 ARKANSAS 88  10. 2019 VIRGINIA 84

-Arkansas led by as much as 11 in the second half, but with 56 seconds to play, Kyle Guy hit a midrange jumper to tie the score at 81.  On the next possession, Scottie Thurman hit a corner 3 and the Razorbacks never trailed again.  17 points, 6 boards, 4 assists for junior guard Corey Beck.  17 points, 10 assists, 5 boards, 5 steals for Ty Jerome in the loss.  

 

15. 1987 INDIANA 83   2. 2025 HOUSTON 66

-The National Champion Hoosiers go to Houston and cook the Cougars.  20 points, 6 boards, 6 assists for Steve Alford.  A double/double for Dean Garrett. 16 in the loss for LJ Cryer.

SECOND ROUND

1. 1996 Kentucky v. 9. 2021 Baylor 

5. 1998 Kentucky v. 4. 1992 Duke

6. 2009 North Carolina v. 14. 1995 Kentucky

7. 1994 Arkansas v. 15. 1987 Indiana

3 Kentucky teams highlight the second round in the South Region.  4 additional National Champions - Baylor/Duke/Indiana/North Carolina - and the 40 Minutes of Hell Razorbacks. 

1. 1996 KENTUCKY 101  9. 2021 BAYLOR 77

The National Champion Cats barrel their way into the Sweet 16.  20 pts for Antoine Walker, 19 pts, 7 rebounds for Walter McCarty, 19 for MaCio Teague in the defeat.

4. 1992 DUKE 102  5. 1998 KENTUCKY 86

Duke becomes the first school with 2 teams headed to the Sweet 16.  22 and 7 for Christian Laettner, 20 for Bobby Hurley. 19 for Scott Padgett in the loss.  

14. 1995 KENTUCKY 93  6. 2009 NORTH CAROLINA 92

2 UK teams will advance to the sweet 16 from the South; Jared Prickett scored from the block with 4 to play to give UK a 7 pt lead. Carolina scored the next 6 after a Dean Thompson layup, making it 88-87 UK with 2:21 left.  At a minute left it was 90-90, Kentucky ball - Ty Lawson stole a pass, Wayne Ellington hit a midrange and Carolina had the 92-90 lead, 35 seconds to play. Tony Delk hit a corner 3, and its 93-93 UK with 26 seconds to play.  On Carolina's last possession, Tyler Hansbrough missed twice and the '95 Cats advance.  15 points/5 boards/4 assists for Walter McCarty.  Hansbrough had 24 and 8 in the defeat.

15. 1987 INDIANA 105  7. 1994 ARKANSAS 83

Bobby Knight reaches the Sweet 16.  28 points for Steve Alford. Corliss Williamson goes for 16 in the loss.

4 more teams reach the Sweet 16.

1. 1996 KENTUCKY v. 4. 1992 DUKE

14. 1995 KENTUCKY v. 15. 1987 INDIANA

40 Year NCAA Basketball Tournament - East Region

 Using the same simulation engine I've recently used for the all time NFL Tournament (the '08 Steelers.  Who knew?) I've got a 68 team, 1986-2025 NCAA Basketball Tournament. Records below are regular season +postseason.  There are 30 NCAA Champions in the field. 

Here's the East Region.

1. 1999 Duke Blue Devils        42-3                 ACC Champs  (L. NCAA Finals UConn 77-74)

2. 2005 North Carolina Tar Heels   39-4        National Champions (d. Illinois 75-70)

3. 2025 Florida Gators            42-4                 National Champions (d. Houston 65-63)

4. 1988 Oklahoma Sooners     40-5                 Big 8 Champs (L. NCAA Finals Kansas 83-79)

5. 2018 Villanova Wildcats      42-4                National Champions (d. Michigan 79-62)

6. 2022 Gonzaga Bulldogs        30-5               WCC Champs (L Regional Semi Arkansas 74-68)

7. 2002 Duke Blue Devils                33-5     ACC Tourney Champs (L Regional Semi Indiana 74-73)

8. 1991 North Carolina Tar Heels  33-7         ACC Tourney Champs (L NCAA Semi Kansas 79-73)

9. 2024 Purdue Boilermakers     39-6             Big 10 Champs (L NCAA Finals UConn 75-60)

10. 1999 Connecticut Huskies   40-2              National Champions (d. Duke 77-74)

11. 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide   31-10        3rd SEC (L Regional Final Duke 85-65)

12. 2007 Florida Gators            41-5               National Champions (d. Ohio St 84-75)

13. 2015 Wisconsin Badgers       41-5             Big 10 Champs (L Finals Duke 68-63)

14. 2016 Villanova Wildcats      41-5              National Champions (d. North Carolina 77-74)

15. 1993 Kentucky Wildcats           34-5        SEC Tourney Champ  (L Semis Michigan 81-78) 

16. 2000 Stanford Cardinal       28-5         Pac 10 Champs (L 2nd Rnd UNC 60-53)   

16. 2003 Kansas Jayhawks        35-9              Big 12 Champs (L NCAA Finals Syracuse 81-78)

PLAY IN GAME:

'03 KANSAS 90  '00 STANFORD 85

-Kirk Hinrich scores 22 and the first game of the tournament belongs to the 2003 Jayhawks, double/double for Nick Collison, 13 points and 11 rebounds.  Ryan Mendez scored 22 points in 23 minutes in the loss for the Cardinal.  

    

ROUND ONE

1. '99 DUKE 93  16. '03 KANSAS 76

-The number one seeded Duke Blue Devils spread it around, 7 players in double figures in the easy round one win.  17 pts, 9 assists for sophomore guard Will Avery, sophomore center Elton Brand had 12 pts, 13 boards and 7 blocks.  Senior guard Kirk Hinrich scored 33 in the loss.  

8. '91 NORTH CAROLINA 97  9. '24 PURDUE 88

-Junior guard Hubert Davis scores 25 and the Tar Heels will be facing Duke in round two.  18 points/8 rebounds for senior forward Rick Fox.  Senior center Zach Edey had a dominating 29 points and 15 boards in the loss.

5. '18 VILLANOVA 99   12. '07 FLORIDA 79

-Battle of the first two National Champs to play in the tournament; Junior guard Jalen Brunson scores 25 with 9 assists, freshman forward Omari Spellman with the 10 pt/10 board double double.  Junior forward Al Horford goes 18/10 in the loss.

4. '88 OKLAHOMA 103  13. '15 WISCONSIN 97

-200 combined points in this 4/13 matchup.  Senior forward Harvey Grant provided 26 of them for the winning Sooners, adding 9 boards.  18 points and 7 boards for junior center Stacey King.  Senior center Frank Kaminsky went 22/9 in the defeat.

Favorites (all playing at home, we'll go to neutral sites at the sweet 16) take the first four games.

 

6. '22 GONZAGA 106   11. '25 ALABAMA 102

-Junior forward Drew Timme has the top performance to date, 32 points/10 boards, Freshman center Chet Holmgren scores 21 with 7 blocks. Alabama senior guard Mark Sears scores 26, 5 assists/5 steals in the defeat.  Alabama led by 10 with under 5 minutes to play, Holmgren scored 8 down the stretch and the Zags advance.

14. '16 VILLANOVA 98  3. '25 FLORIDA 

-Battle of National Champions produces the first upset of the tournament; Nova '18 beat Florida '07 earlier in the round and Nova '16 keeps up that energy here.  Junior guard Josh Hart scores 27.  21 for Florida senior Walter Clayton in the loss.  

7. '02 DUKE  106   10. '99 UCONN 96

-30 points, 7 boards and 6 steals for junior forward Mike Dunleavy Jr., Junior guard Jay Williams adds 22.  19 for Rip Hamilton in the loss.  

2. '05 NORTH CAROLINA 92   15. '93 KENTUCKY 72

-Junior guard Raymond Felton leads the way for the second seed in the East, 16 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds.  Travis Ford scores 18 in the loss.

Just one upset, here's the largely chalky second round.

1. 1999 Duke v. 8. 1991 North Carolina

5. 2018 Villanova v. 4. 1988 Oklahoma

6. 2022 Gonzaga v. 14. 2016 Villanova

2. 2005 North Carolina v. 7. 2002 Duke 

We've got 2 Duke/North Carolina matchups in round 2, Coach K taking on Dean Smith and Roy Williams.  We've also got essentially the same Villanova core in two matchups.  

ROUND TWO

1. 1999 DUKE  109   8. 1991 NORTH CAROLINA 84

-The top seed in the East reaches the Sweet 16.  Elton Brand goes 22 and 11, 18 points for Shane Battier.  Rick Fox filled the sheet in the loss, 16 points, 5 boards, 5 assists, 4 steals.

4. 1988 OKLAHOMA 106  5. 2018 VILLANOVA 86

-Oklahoma's gone for over a hundred in both rounds and reaches the sweet 16. Stacey King goes OFF, 37 points and holds Omari Spellman on the other end to 4 of 12 from the floor.  Mookie Blaylock has 23 points, 7 assists, 6 steals.  Eric Paschall paced the losing side with 22.  Seed holds, Duke and Oklahoma will face off in the Sweet 16.  

14. 2016 VILLANOVA 90  6. 2022 GONZAGA 81

-Villanova's national title team reaches the Sweet 16.  21 for Kris Jenkins - 17 rebounds for Daniel Ochefu.  20 for Rasir Bolton in the loss.  The Wildcats took the lead with 15 to play and never gave it up.

2. 2005 NORTH CAROLINA 102   7. 2002 DUKE 75

-The East region is set, seeds 1,2,4 advancing to the Sweet 16. 20 points and 16 rebounds for Sean May.  Jay Williams has 26 in the loss.

So - there you go, the 4 teams to head to the Sweet 16.

1. 1999 DUKE  v.   4.   1988 OKLAHOMA

2. 2005 NORTH CAROLINA v. 14. 2016  VILLANOVA

2025 NBA Finals Prediction

 OKC in 5.

 OKC has had an all time great season; Indiana is just a team.  An upset would be historically improbable.

 I'm rooting for the Pacers.  

60 Game Mark - MLB All Star Selections

32 players for each team, 20 position players, 12 pitchers, 3 of them are relievers. Every team has a representative.  I'll do it again at 80 games.

AL

C       C.Raleigh Sea

1B     J.Aranda TB 

2B     G.Torres Det 

SS     J.Pena Hou

3B     A.Bregman Bos 

LF     S.Kwan Cle

CF     J.Rodriguez Sea

RF     A.Judge NYY-MVP

DH    R.Devers Bos 

SP     G.Crochet Bos

C           L.O'Hoppe LAA

1B         P.Goldschmidt NYY

2B         B.Lowe TB 

SS         B.Witt KC

3B         J.Ramirez Cle

OF        R.Greene Det

OF        B.Buxton Min 

OF        W.Langford Tex 

DH        R.O Hearn Balt 

Uti         V.Guerrero Tor 

Uti         B.Rooker Oak 

SP   H.Brown Hou    

SP  T.Skubal Det         

SP   K.Bubic KC         

SP   B.Woo Sea           

SP  M.Fried NYY 

SP  C.Rodon NYY 

SP  T.Mahle Tex 

SP  N.Eovaldi Tex

RP  J.Duran Minn

RP  M.Vasil CWS

RP  J.Hader Hou

C      W.Smith LAD

1B    F.Freeman LAD

2B    B.Donovan StL 

SS    F.Lindor NYM

3B    M.Chapman SF 

LF    J.Wood Wash

CF   PC Armstrong Chi

RF   C.Carroll Ari 

DH   S.Ohtani LAD-MVP

SP    Z.Wheeler Phi

C       W.Contreras Mil

1B     M.Olson Atl

2B     N.Hoerner Chi

SS     G.Perdomo Ari  

3B     M.Machado SD 

OF     H.Ramos SF 

OF     O.Cruz Pit  

OF     K.Tucker Chi

DH    K.Schwarber Phi 

Uti     F.Tatis SD

Uti     E De La Cruz Cin

SP    K.Senga NYM      

SP    M.Gore Wash  

SP    C.Sale Atl

SP    J.Luzardo Phi

SP    P.Skenes Pitt 

SP    R.Ray SFG

SP     L.Webb SFG

SP    Y.Yamamoto LAD 

RP   J.Bird Colo

RP   A.Bender Mia

RP   R.Suarez SD