Bulls' Patrick Williams: Available for Tuesday's Game Against the Wizards Patrick Williams of the Chicago Bulls is listed as available for Tuesday's matchup against the Washington Wizards, according to recent updates from CBS Sports. The forward, who has been dealing with a thumb injury, is shedding his probable designation for the game. However, his recent performance has raised concerns for fantasy basketball players, as he has scored in single digits in six consecutive games. This trend has made him a largely unappealing option for fantasy managers looking to secure points in the upcoming matchup. The injury-related status update comes as part of a broader narrative surrounding Williams' role on the Bulls. While he has been a reliable contributor in limited minutes, his recent output has been inconsistent. Over the past few weeks, his scoring has dipped significantly, with multiple games ending in single-digit totals. This decline has prompted analysts and fantasy experts to question his effectiveness, particularly in high-stakes scenarios where consistent production is crucial. The thumb injury has been a recurring issue for Williams, and its impact on his availability has been a topic of discussion among sports analysts. Initially listed as probable for Tuesday's game, his status has shifted as the team evaluates his readiness to play. The decision to mark him as available suggests that the medical staff has determined he is fit to participate, though his performance may still be affected by lingering discomfort. Fantasy basketball managers have been advised to approach Williams with caution, given his recent struggles. His limited scoring output has made him a less desirable pick in weekly lineups, especially when compared to other players who have shown more consistency.#cbs_sports #chicago_bulls #washington_wizards #patrick_williams #fantasy_basketball
Royals' Michael Massey: Sent to IL with Strained Calf The Kansas City Royals have placed Michael Massey on the 10-day injured list due to a strained calf, according to a report from CBS Sports. The move was announced Wednesday, with the injury being backdated to Sunday, which means Massey will be eligible for activation on April 1. While the team projects his absence to be brief, it remains uncertain whether he will be fully recovered and ready to return by that date. Massey, who has been working to ramp up his training in recent weeks, is expected to undergo a rehabilitation process to address the calf strain. The decision to place him on the injured list comes as the Royals prepare for the upcoming season, with Massey’s availability potentially impacting the team’s early-game schedule. His absence is anticipated to be short-lived, but the timeline for his return remains unclear. The injury adds to the roster management challenges for the Royals, who are balancing the need to keep key players healthy while ensuring competitive depth. Massey’s status for Opening Day remains uncertain, with the team likely to monitor his progress closely in the coming days. If he is not cleared by April 1, the Royals may need to adjust their plans for the early part of the season. This development highlights the ongoing efforts by the team to manage player health and maintain a strong lineup. As the 2026 season approaches, the Royals will be closely tracking Massey’s recovery to determine his potential return and how it might affect their strategic approach to the season’s opening weeks.#cbs_sports #kansas_city_royals #michael_massey #injured_list #calf_strain
Charlotte Eyes Wes Miller for Head Coaching Role, per CBS Sports University of North Carolina at Charlotte is reportedly considering Wes Miller as its next head basketball coach, according to CBS Sports reporter Matt Norlander. The potential hire comes as the school initiates a national search following the departure of current head coach Aaron Fearne. Norlander listed Miller among three candidates under evaluation, alongside former NC State coach Kevin Keatts and Duke assistant Emanuel Dildy. The search is expected to conclude by Tuesday, with Norlander suggesting Miller is the frontrunner. Miller, the former head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats, was dismissed by the university on March 13, less than five years after he took over the position. His firing followed a season marked by challenges, including a 12-20 record in 2025-26. Charlotte’s athletic department has since announced it is seeking a new leader, with Fearne’s decision not to return confirmed on March 17. The school’s search is bolstered by financial support from local billionaire Ric Elias, who has invested in the program’s NIL (name, image, likeness) initiatives, providing resources for player compensation and recruitment. Miller’s coaching career has been deeply rooted in North Carolina. Before joining Cincinnati in 2021, he served as head coach at UNC Greensboro from 2011 to 2021, leading the Spartans to multiple conference tournament appearances. Prior to that, he coached at High Point and Elon, all within the state. A native of Greensboro, Miller also played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he earned All-ACC honors in 2004. The potential hire of Miller would mark a return to the state for the 52-year-old coach, who has spent much of his career in North Carolina.#cbs_sports #wes_miller #unc_greensboro #charlotte #matt_norlander
Renee Montgomery Continues to Substitute for Kenny Smith on CBS Coverage March Madness viewers tuning into CBS Sports’ coverage of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament likely noticed the continued absence of longtime analyst Kenny Smith from the broadcast. For the second consecutive day, Montgomery stepped in to fill his role, with the network attributing Smith’s absence to illness. The network confirmed that Smith missed Friday’s coverage due to sickness, marking another day of Montgomery’s involvement in the broadcast. Montgomery, a former WNBA standout, has consistently delivered strong performances in her broadcasting duties across various events. Her presence on Saturday’s coverage highlighted her ability to adapt to different roles while maintaining the quality of analysis expected from CBS Sports. However, fans and analysts alike have expressed hope that Smith will recover soon and return to the broadcast. The network has not provided specific details about the nature of Smith’s illness, leaving uncertainty about when he might rejoin the coverage. While Montgomery’s contributions have been well-received, the absence of Smith has sparked discussions about the impact of his absence on the broadcast. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates on his condition, with some speculating that he may return for Sunday’s games. The situation underscores the reliance on substitute analysts during unexpected absences and the importance of having a versatile team to maintain the integrity of the coverage. As the tournament progresses, the focus remains on the games themselves, but the absence of a familiar voice like Smith has been a notable aspect of the coverage. Montgomery’s continued involvement ensures that the broadcasts remain engaging, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.#cbs_sports #kenny_smith #march_madness #ncaa_men_s_tournament #renee_montgomery
How to Run Your 2026 March Madness Pool: Play for Prizes and Make an NCAA Tournament Game The NCAA Tournament for men’s and women’s basketball has officially returned for 2026, with millions of fans finalizing their brackets and preparing for the March Madness action. The men’s tournament kicks off on Thursday at 12:15 p.m. ET with Ohio State facing TCU, while the women’s tournament begins on Friday at 11:30 a.m. ET with Duke taking on Charleston. Fans have until the start of the first games to submit their entries for office pools and online competitions. UConn remains the only program to have won both the men’s and women’s tournaments in the same season, achieving this feat in 2004 and 2014. The Huskies are once again in position to make history, with the men’s team seeded No. 2 and the women’s team as the No. 1 seed. With the tournament shaping up to be highly competitive, now is the time to set up your 2026 March Madness pools for both men’s and women’s brackets. Creating a pool is straightforward. For men’s brackets, visit the Create Men’s Bracket Pool page on CBSSports.com or the CBS Sports app. Name your group, choose whether to make it a locked pool (where you control invites) or an open pool (anyone can join), and set your rules. Once ready, share your personal pool link with friends, family, or coworkers. The process for women’s brackets is identical but starts at the Create Women’s Bracket Pool page. CBS Sports offers free NCAA Tournament bracket challenges for both men’s and women’s tournaments, with prizes including trips to the 2027 Final Four. To join the Men’s Challenge, click the provided link, select “Join Now,” and enter your details. After the bracket is released on March 15, complete your picks. Winners of the men’s challenge will be announced before the tournament begins.#duke #uconn #ncaa_tournament #cbs_sports #ohio_state
Dick Vitale to Make NCAA Tournament Broadcasting Debut with Charles Barkley Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Vitale will make his NCAA Tournament broadcasting debut on Tuesday when No. 11 seed NC State faces No. 11 seed Texas in the First Four game in Dayton, Ohio. The winner of that matchup will advance to the first round to face No. 6 seed BYU in Portland, Oregon on Thursday. Vitale will call the game alongside Brian Anderson, Charles Barkley, and sideline reporter Jenny Dell. This marks the first time Vitale will broadcast an NCAA Tournament game in his career, though he and Barkley previously teamed up for Indiana’s matchup against Kentucky earlier this season. CBS Sports Executive Producer Harold Bryant highlighted the significance of the broadcast, stating that Vitale “has meant so much to the game of basketball” and that having him call the game with Barkley will be “must-see TV.” The collaboration is expected to draw significant attention as the First Four kicks off the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Vitale, 86, made his return to television last year after a nearly two-year hiatus due to battling four types of cancer. His return was initially scheduled for a game earlier in 2025 but was delayed by an accident at his home. Vitale has been a staple of ESPN’s basketball coverage since the 1979-80 season, calling over 1,000 games throughout his career. He is also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame. Beyond his broadcasting career, Vitale has been a prominent advocate for pediatric cancer research through the V Foundation, raising tens of millions of dollars over the years. His contributions to the sport and charitable efforts have solidified his legacy as one of college basketball’s most influential figures.#ncaa_tournament #cbs_sports #charles_barkley #first_four #dick_vitale
Auburn basketball NCAA tournament bubble: Bruce Pearl conflict of interest Auburn has been the focus of numerous college basketball discussions in recent weeks. The Tigers, with a record of 17-16, are on the NCAA tournament “bubble” and are hoping to become the first team ever to secure an at-large bid to March Madness despite having more than 15 losses. Their quality wins over teams like Florida and St. John’s have made this possibility seem plausible, but many bracketologists currently predict the Tigers will miss the cut. At the center of these conversations is not head coach Steven Pearl or any of Auburn’s current players, but rather former Auburn head coach and current college basketball analyst Bruce Pearl, Steven’s father. Pearl, who stepped down as Auburn’s head coach on the eve of the 2025-2026 season’s practice, now serves as a commentator and studio analyst for TNT and CBS Sports. His role typically involves providing objective analysis of the sport, yet his family ties to Auburn and his continued financial connection to the university have sparked debate. Pearl remains listed as part of Auburn’s athletic department and is still receiving payments from the university. According to Auburn’s online payroll database, he recently received a $12,500 payment on Feb. 27. His title is “Special Assistant to the Athletic Director,” a position that has raised questions about his impartiality. Despite stepping down as head coach, his financial relationship with Auburn persists, creating a potential conflict of interest as the NCAA tournament selection process approaches. Auburn, which is firmly on the bubble, is expected to be a major topic on Selection Sunday. Pearl will be part of CBS Sports’ Selection Sunday studio team, despite his ongoing financial ties to the university.#cbs_sports #bruce_pearl #tnt #auburn #joe_lunardi
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
NY Giants Free Agency Rumors: Mike Evans in the Mix The New York Giants are reportedly considering a trade for wide receiver Mike Evans, according to a report from CBS Sports. The 33-year-old receiver, who has spent 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is said to be on the Giants’ radar if he decides to leave Tampa. Jonathan Jones of CBS notes that Evans’ departure is “a real chance,” with the Giants potentially offering a two-year contract worth $20-25 million annually. Despite the high price tag, the Giants are willing to pursue Evans as part of their strategy to build a competitive team for the 2026 season. A healthy Evans would complement rookie Malik Nabers, providing a strong receiving corps. Evans, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 231 pounds, has accumulated 866 receptions for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns throughout his career. He has also been selected to the Pro Bowl six times, highlighting his consistent performance over the years. In addition to Evans, the Giants are also linked to Wan’Dale Robinson, their slot receiver. Jones reports that the Tennessee Titans could be a destination for Robinson, who recorded over 1,000 yards receiving in 2025 and has had consecutive seasons with more than 90 catches. A potential reunion with former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, now the Titans’ offensive coordinator, adds to the intrigue of Robinson’s possible move. The Giants’ willingness to engage in high-stakes trades underscores their commitment to reshaping their roster. With head coach John Harbaugh actively pursuing top-tier talent, the team’s free agency moves could significantly impact their 2026 season prospects.#cbs_sports #new_york_giants #mike_evans #tampa_bay_buccaneers #jonathan_jones
