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Kansas City no longer a slam dunk for Big 12 basketball tournament The Big 12 Conference has long relied on Kansas City’s T-Mobile Arena for its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, a decision that has now come under scrutiny. Commissioner Brett Yormark extended the contract for the event through 2031 last year, but the arrangement is increasingly seen as outdated given the conference’s expanded geographic reach. The Big 12, once a Midwest-centric league, now spans nearly 2,000 miles from east to west, making Kansas City an impractical hub for fans in Arizona, Utah, and other western states. The decision to keep the tournament in Kansas City has drawn criticism for its limited appeal. While the venue works for schools like Kansas, Iowa State, and Kansas State, it poses significant travel challenges for fans in Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. For example, a trip from Colorado’s campus to Kansas City is over 600 miles, and mid-March Kansas City is not a typical destination for most Big 12 fans. The article highlights the need for a more geographically diverse rotation to accommodate the league’s growing footprint. Comparisons to the Pac-12’s approach to its tournament provide a blueprint for change. Former Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott moved the event from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in 2013, transforming it into a major destination for fans. The shift allowed for broader regional access and created a more engaging experience for attendees. Similarly, the Big 12 could adopt a rotating schedule to ensure accessibility for all member schools. Proposed locations for future tournaments include Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Denver, Dallas, and Salt Lake City. This rotation would provide fans in different regions with more affordable and convenient options to attend the event.#t_mobile_arena #las_vegas #big_12_conference #brett_yormark #pac_12

Cincinnati Men's Basketball Concludes Regular Season Against TCU Saturday The Cincinnati men’s basketball team aims to finish its regular season with seven wins in its final eight games as it faces TCU at 2 p.m. ET Saturday at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth. The matchup will be televised on TNT and broadcast on 700 WLW and the TuneIn app. The game marks the Bearcats’ final regular-season contest, offering a chance to solidify their position in the Big 12 standings. The 2025-26 season represents the 125th year of competition for Cincinnati men’s basketball, a milestone the program will celebrate throughout the year. The Bearcats, recognized as a top-10 program in college basketball history by the Associated Press, have a storied legacy including 44 All-Americans, 41 conference titles, six Final Four appearances, and back-to-back national championships dating back to the 1901-02 season. This season, the team has maintained a strong defensive presence, ranking 10th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom. They also lead the Big 12 in 3-point attempts per game and rank among the top teams in scoring defense, assists per game, and field goal percentage defense. Senior forward Baba Miller has emerged as a standout performer, tying for 22nd nationally and ranking second in the Big 12 in double-doubles with 12. He leads the conference in defensive rebounds per game at 7.68 and is among the top rebounders in the nation with 10.0 total rebounds per contest. Miller’s contributions have been critical to the team’s success, as he averages 13.8 points, 10.0 boards, and 3.6 assists per game, joining a select group of players in college basketball averaging at least 13-10-3 for a full season.#cincinnati_men_s_basketball #tcu #schollmaier_arena #big_12 #baba_miller

Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball Slight Betting Underdogs Ahead of Regular-Season Finale At TCU The Cincinnati Bearcats are slight underdogs in their upcoming regular-season finale against the TCU Horned Frogs, set for Saturday. The game, scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, will be broadcast on TNT and HBO Max. TCU is favored by 2.5 points on the consensus betting line, with the total points projected at 138.5. Cincinnati enters the matchup with a strong 17-13 record overall and a 14-16 mark against the spread. The Bearcats have won six of their past seven games, including a recent victory over BYU that sparked discussions about their NCAA Tournament prospects. However, they remain a slight underdog against TCU, which carries a 20-10 straight-up record and a 17-13 ATS (against the spread) mark. The underdog status could influence the game, as Cincinnati has struggled with the over in 18 of 29 games this season, while TCU has a 8-11 record at home. However, the Bearcats have shown improved offensive efficiency in their last six contests, scoring over 1.2 points per possession in five of those games. This surge has helped them rise from the NCAA Tournament “death zone,” a term used to describe teams with uncertain postseason chances. Coach Wes Miller emphasized that his team’s focus remains on winning each game rather than chasing tournament hype. “We talked about it after the Kansas game, because I knew that would create some of the NCAA Tournament talk,” Miller said. “We agreed as a team that we weren’t going to get caught up in the things that are put out there for clicks and for interest.” He noted that while media attention has shifted to the tournament earlier this season, the team’s priority is simply playing with joy and competing.#ncaa_tournament #cincinnati_bearcats #tcu_horned_frogs #wes_miller #tnt

Miami (Ohio) Athletic Director David Sayler Calls for Disclaimer on Bruce Pearl’s NCAA Tournament Comments Miami (Ohio) athletic director David Sayler has publicly criticized former Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, urging television networks to add a disclaimer when Pearl discusses NCAA Tournament eligibility. The dispute erupted after Pearl criticized Miami’s chances of making the postseason, suggesting the Redhawks must win their MAC tournament to qualify. Sayler, who has long advocated for mid-major programs, argued that Pearl’s remarks reflect bias and lack of objectivity. Pearl, appearing on TNT’s college basketball show, questioned Miami’s credentials, stating that the team’s lack of high-profile wins against ranked opponents makes it an unlikely candidate for at-large selection. “If we’re selecting the 68 best teams, then Miami (Ohio) is going to have to win their tournament to qualify as a champion,” Pearl said, emphasizing that the Redhawks are not among the nation’s elite. His comments sparked backlash, with many fans and analysts defending Miami’s season, which includes a perfect 30-0 record. Sayler, however, took issue with Pearl’s approach, particularly his use of the word “we” when discussing Auburn’s tournament prospects. “He shouldn’t be on a TV screen giving advice or opinions on the NCAA Tournament when he’s clearly biased,” Sayler told OutKick. “There should be a disclaimer on the bottom of the screen or something. That’s clearly what he’s doing.” The controversy gained traction as Pearl’s son, Steven, coaches Auburn’s struggling team, which is also on the NCAA Tournament bubble. While Pearl has publicly supported his son’s chances, critics argue his criticism of Miami may be influenced by Auburn’s own postseason struggles.#ncaa_tournament #mac_tournament #miami_ohio #david_sayler #bruce_pearl

Miami's undefeated regular season makes it an NCAA Tournament lock Miami University's 31-0 record in the regular season has solidified its place in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, as no Division I men's basketball team has ever missed the tournament after finishing its regular season undefeated. The RedHawks, led by coach Travis Steele, are guaranteed an at-large bid regardless of their performance in the MAC Tournament, with the selection committee facing immense pressure to include them if they fall short. Despite a strength of schedule ranking 344th nationally, Miami's undefeated run has been a dominant force in the MAC. The team's schedule, which included several high-profile matchups, was shaped by their consistent success, as returning four of the top five scorers from a 25-win season gave them an edge over other programs reluctant to face them. However, the low strength of schedule has sparked debate, with critics arguing it undermines their credentials. Yet, the RedHawks' perfect record remains a defining factor in their NCAA Tournament inclusion. Miami currently sits at No. 19 in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 rankings, with Duke holding the No. 1 spot for the 14th consecutive day. The Blue Devils, along with Michigan and Arizona, have already secured No. 1 seeds in the tournament. The fourth No. 1 seed is expected to be among Florida, UConn, Houston, or Michigan. The rankings section highlights individual performances from top teams, including Cameron Boozer's 26-point game for North Carolina State, Yaxel Lendeborg's 16-point effort for Iowa, and Jaden Bradley's 17-point contribution for Kansas. These stats reflect the competitive landscape as teams prepare for their final regular-season games.#miami_university #travis_steele #ncaa_tournament #mac_tournament #cbs_sports

South Carolina Men's Basketball Concludes Regular Season at Ole Miss South Carolina men’s basketball will wrap up its regular season on Saturday as the Gamecocks face Ole Miss at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion. The game is set for 1 p.m. ET on the SEC Network, with play-by-play commentator Mike Morgan and analyst Rodney Terry providing coverage. The matchup marks the Gamecocks’ fourth consecutive visit to Oxford, where they have secured three straight victories since a 77-74 overtime win on February 15, 2022. The Gamecocks, currently 12-18 overall and 3-14 in the SEC, aim to build momentum ahead of the SEC Tournament after a three-game losing streak. Their recent loss to No. 23/25 Tennessee on Senior Night highlighted a challenging stretch, but they remain optimistic. Meechie Johnson led the team with 20 points, four assists, two rebounds, and a steal, while Nordin Kapic contributed 13 points off the bench. Mike Sharavjamts surpassed 1,000 career points in the game, joining Kobe Knox and Myles Stute as players to achieve this milestone this season. Johnson’s performance has been standout, with a career-best 12 games scoring 20 or more points, 10 of which came in SEC action. This places him tied for third in the league with Auburn’s Keyshawn Hall. Since 2004-05, only Devan Downey (2010) and Sindarius Thornwell (2017) have matched this feat. Johnson’s 19.8 points per game in SEC contests rank him among the top four players in the conference in scoring and assists. His 17.3 points per game overall position him as a potential candidate to become just the 12th player in program history to average 17.0 points per game in a season. South Carolina’s free throw shooting has been a key strength, with the team shooting 78.6% (508-of-646) through 30 games.#ole_miss #south_carolina_mens_basketball #meechie_johnson #mike_sharavjamts #kobe_knox

Men's Basketball Hosts South Carolina for Regular Season Finale Ole Miss men’s basketball will conclude its regular season with a home matchup against South Carolina on Saturday, March 7, at noon in the SJB Pavilion. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network, marking the Rebels’ final home contest of the year. The matchup pits Ole Miss (12-18, 4-13 SEC) against South Carolina (12-18, 3-14 SEC), with both teams entering the game with identical overall records but differing conference performances. Head coach Chris Beard, in his third season at Ole Miss, has guided the team to a 56-42 record at the school, while South Carolina’s Lamont Paris, in his fourth season with the Gamecocks, has compiled a 61-67 record. Paris was recently named SEC Coach of the Year in 2024 after leading South Carolina to a 26-win season. The series between Ole Miss and South Carolina dates back to 1960, with the Rebels holding a 26-24 edge in the all-time matchup. The teams last met on February 12, 2025, when Ole Miss won 72-68 at Columbia, S.C., with Malik Dia leading the charge with 18 points and Collin Murray-Boyles tallying 20 points for South Carolina. South Carolina’s season has been marked by inconsistency, with the team posting wins over LSU, Oklahoma, and Mississippi State in SEC play but losing three consecutive games to Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee. The Gamecocks rank 110th in the NET and 98th in KenPom, reflecting their struggles in the conference. Key contributors include Meechie Johnson, who averages 17.3 points per game and leads the team in free throws made (163), and Mike Sharavjamts, who averages 5.4 rebounds per game. South Carolina’s defensive strengths include a 31.9 three-point percentage defense and a 9.8 turnover per game average, though they rank 99th in three-point attempts.#south_carolina #ole_miss #sec_network #chris_beard #lamont_paris

South Carolina to Face Ole Miss in Regular Season Finale South Carolina will conclude its regular season with a matchup against Ole Miss in Oxford on Saturday. The Gamecocks, with a record of 12-18 overall and 3-14 in conference play, are set to take on the Rebels, who carry a 12-18 record and 4-13 conference mark. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network, with play-by-play commentator Mike Morgan and analyst Rodney Terry providing coverage. The Gamecocks entered the game following a 78-59 loss to Tennessee in their final home contest of the season on Tuesday. Ole Miss, meanwhile, had recently suffered a 89-86 defeat at home to Vanderbilt. This Saturday’s matchup marks the first meeting between the two teams this season. Live streaming options and real-time statistics will be available for fans unable to attend in person. The game thread will be updated as the contest progresses, offering insights and updates throughout the match.#south_carolina #ole_miss #oxford #sec_network #mike_morgan

Rodolfo Bellato vs. Luke Fernandez prediction, odds, pick for UFC 326 The UFC 326 Early Prelims feature a Light Heavyweight (205) matchup between Brazil’s Rodolfo Bellato and New Jersey’s Luke Fernandez. Bellato, a seasoned veteran with a 12-3-1 record, faces off against Fernandez, a debutant with an undefeated 6-0 pro record. The event takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, marking Fernandez’s UFC debut following his first-round knockout win at Dana White’s Contender Series. Bellato, who joined the UFC in 2022, has struggled to find consistency since his debut. His recent performance included a loss to Navajo Stirling, a draw against Jimmy Crute, and a no-contest ruling against Paul Craig. Despite his aggressive style, characterized by powerful right hands and quick left jabs, Bellato’s record in the UFC has been mixed. Standing at 6-foot-3 with a 77.5-inch reach, he aims to bounce back from his recent setbacks. Fernandez, by contrast, enters the fight with a perfect record and a strong resume. His victory over Rafael Pergentino at the Contender Series showcased his ability to finish fights quickly, with a TKO in the first round. A former Cage Fury FC titleholder, Fernandez brings technical striking and a lower stance to the octagon, making him a difficult target. At 6-foot-1 with a 76.5-inch reach, he seeks to make an immediate impact on the UFC stage. The odds for the fight are set at +190 for Bellato and -230 for Fernandez, with the over 1.5 rounds line at -125 and under 1.5 rounds at -105. Analysts highlight Bellato’s hunger for a win after his recent string of controversial outcomes, while Fernandez’s fresh perspective and technical edge could give him an advantage. Predictions suggest a close, action-packed contest.#ufc_326 #t_mobile_arena #luke_fernandez #rodolfo_bellato #dana_white_s_contender_series

UFC 326: Luke Fernandez vs. Rodolfo Bellato Set for March 7 Clash Luke Fernandez will face Rodolfo Bellato at UFC 326 on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event will feature a matchup between two fighters with contrasting styles and records. Fernandez, a 30-year-old orthodox striker weighing 205 lbs and measuring 6'1", enters the fight with a perfect 6-0-0 record. Bellato, also 30, stands at 6'3" and carries a 12-3-1 (1 NC) record, with a career highlight of 12-3-1. The odds favor Fernandez at -215, while Bellato is listed at +185. Fernandez’s striking prowess is evident in his statistics, as he lands 32 significant strikes per minute with 100% accuracy. His defensive capabilities are equally impressive, as he deflects all significant strikes aimed at him. In contrast, Bellato connects on 5.13 significant strikes per minute with 59% accuracy but allows 5.86 strikes per minute. Bellato’s reach is slightly shorter than Fernandez’s, at 75 inches compared to 76 inches. The fighters’ grappling skills also differ. Fernandez takes opponents to the mat 0.65 times per 15 minutes, with a 10% success rate in takedowns and 10% takedown defense. Bellato, however, dominates in this category, securing 35% of his takedowns and defending 94% of attempts against him. Bellato’s submission attempts are also more frequent, with 0.7 submissions per 3 rounds, compared to Fernandez’s 0.2 submissions per 3 rounds. Fernandez’s recent performance against Rafael Pergentino showcased his dominance. In a first-round finish, Fernandez landed 8 of 8 significant strikes, while Pergentino connected on none of his attempts. Bellato’s last fight ended in a unanimous decision loss to Navajo Stirling, where Stirling landed 81 of 158 significant strikes, compared to Bellato’s 62 of 111.#ufc_326 #t_mobile_arena #las_vegas #luke_fernandez #rodolfo_bellato