Matt Norlander's Updated Bracket Stream of NCAA Basketball Matt Norlander joined Hakem Dermish to review his updated NCAA Tournament bracket on Sunday, March 22nd. The bracket featured key matchups, including No. 11 Texas facing No. 2 Purdue, No. 9 Iowa challenging No. 4 Nebraska, and No. 3 Illinois taking on No. 2 Houston. Other notable games included No. 4 Arkansas against No. 1 Arizona, No. 5 St. John's versus No. 1 Duke, and No. 6 Tennessee against No. 2 Iowa State. The Sweet 16 preview highlighted several critical matchups, with analysts focusing on the potential impact of each game. For instance, the St. John's-Duke matchup was expected to be a high-stakes contest, with Duke’s health and St. John's experience under Rick Pitino being key factors. Similarly, the Illinois-Houston game drew attention to Illinois’ defensive capabilities and Houston’s offensive firepower. Arkansas’ matchup against Arizona was noted for its balanced teams, while Iowa’s clash with Nebraska was seen as a pivotal test for both programs. Other analyses included the significance of the Iowa-Nebraska matchup, which carried implications for the tournament’s top half. The game also featured standout players like Bennett Stirtz, who had struggled from beyond the arc, and the potential for revenge games, such as Pryce Sandfort’s anticipated return to the court. The bracket also included predictions for each Sweet 16 team’s chances of advancing to the Final Four, with some teams facing tougher challenges than others. Meanwhile, the NCAA’s hiring process for new head coaches, including reports of North Carolina pursuing candidates outside its family network, added another layer of intrigue to the tournament season.#illinois #duke #st_johns #matt_norlander #hakem_dermish
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
