10 vs. 7 Upset Rankings: Saint Mary's Least Likely NCAA Tournament No. 7 Seed to Lose A No. 10 seed has defeated a No. 7 seed in every NCAA Tournament since 2005, but only two teams have advanced past the first round in the past eight years. This year’s No. 10 seeds—Missouri, Santa Clara, Texas A&M, and UCF—face the challenge of overcoming the odds to beat their higher-seeded opponents. The matchups between these teams and the No. 7 seeds will determine which upsets are most likely to occur. The rankings of potential upsets are based on statistical analysis and team performance. Saint Mary’s, the No. 7 seed, is considered the least likely to lose to a No. 10 seed, according to the rankings. The Gaels, ranked fourth in rebounding margin and 12th in height, have a strong defensive presence. Their slower tempo and efficient offense, which averages 120.4 points per 100 possessions, could neutralize the faster-paced attacks of teams like Texas A&M. Saint Mary’s also benefits from a favorable matchup against the Aggies, who rank 325th in fouls per game and struggle to contain opponents with strong free-throw shooting. Texas A&M, the No. 10 seed, faces a tough test against Saint Mary’s. The Aggies, despite a strong start to the season, have struggled in recent games, losing seven of their last 11. Their high-tempo style, which averages 87.7 points per game, may not be enough to overcome Saint Mary’s rebounding dominance and defensive efficiency. However, the Aggies’ depth and experience could provide a challenge, especially if they can force turnovers and capitalize on Saint Mary’s slower pace. Santa Clara, another No. 10 seed, is ranked second in the upset likelihood rankings against Kentucky. The Broncos, led by Christian Hammond, have a strong ability to force turnovers, which could disrupt Kentucky’s offensive rhythm.#kentucky #missouri #texas_am #saint_marys #santa_clara
Severe Storms and Tornado Threat Loom Across Midwest A severe weather warning has been issued for the region, with a high likelihood of damaging wind gusts and potential tornado activity. A Tornado Watch remains in effect for parts of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee until 11 p.m. local time. Additionally, a Wind Advisory is active for the entire Heartland region, extending through midnight tonight and into Monday morning. The primary threat involves strong wind gusts, which could lead to widespread damage. Secondary concerns include the possibility of quick spin-up tornadoes forming along the storm's path. Meteorologists note that the available wind energy could allow for the development of powerful tornadoes, though these are expected to be brief in duration. The storm system is projected to move through the Ozark Counties between 3 and 5 p.m., then progress along the Mississippi River between 6 and 8 p.m. The system is anticipated to exit the area by 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. High temperatures are expected to reach the upper 60s and lower 70s during the day. After the storm passes, temperatures will drop significantly. Winter-like conditions are expected to return, with isolated showers potentially turning to light snow. Highs on Monday are forecast to settle in the mid-30s, while overnight lows could fall to the upper teens on Tuesday. Cloudy skies and moderate winds will persist through Tuesday. Residents are advised to stay updated with the First Alert Weather Team and the First Alert Weather app for real-time updates. The National Weather Service recommends preparing for severe weather by securing outdoor items, keeping emergency supplies accessible, and remaining indoors during the storm's peak activity.#illinois #tennessee #kentucky #missouri #midwest
A Bald Eagle with Leucism Captured in Missouri A bald eagle with leucism, a genetic condition that reduces pigmentation, was spotted in Missouri by wildlife photographer Nunn. The bird, which has pale brown and white feathers, was the subject of Nunn’s recent search. He shared his experience on Wednesday, February 17, detailing his efforts to capture images of the rare bird. Nunn described driving back to southwest Missouri specifically to locate the leucistic eagle, emphasizing the challenges of photographing it from a distance. “No guarantees. No shortcuts. Just patience,” he wrote, highlighting the difficulty of securing a clear shot. The bird’s unique appearance, unlike the complete lack of pigmentation seen in albinism, made it a rare sight. After spending eight hours observing the eagle as it flew between trees, Nunn finally captured a close-up image when the bird came within a couple hundred yards. “Finally, late in the day, she came within a couple hundred yards, which is the best opportunity I had gotten in my trips over there,” he noted. The successful encounter marked the culmination of his efforts to document the unusual bird. The post also included a credit line for the image, acknowledging the eagle’s striking appearance against the clear blue sky. While the focus was on the leucistic eagle, the text also listed other unrelated animal-related stories, such as the Chicago Aquarium’s achievement in raising a warty frogfish and updates on bald eagle nests in Florida and Wisconsin. However, these were likely part of the website’s content rather than the main article. Nunn’s account provided a detailed glimpse into the challenges of wildlife photography, particularly when dealing with rare and elusive species. His experience underscored the patience required to document such unique natural phenomena.#bald_eagle #nunn #missouri #leucism #wildlife_photography
Americans from Texas to Iowa face tornado threat Friday as spring storm season begins A growing concern is emerging as the first major storm system approaches the U.S. heartland, potentially bringing strong tornadoes to millions of people across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and neighboring states. The National Weather Service warned that scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to develop late Thursday in the Texas Panhandle, western Oklahoma, and parts of Kansas. These storms could produce large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes, according to forecasters. The most intense storms are anticipated to form on Friday, targeting Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and nearby regions. Melissa Mayes, deputy director of the Washington County Emergency Management Agency in Oklahoma, noted that this event marks the beginning of the spring storm season, with people starting to take the threat more seriously. Over 6 million Americans are at the highest risk of severe weather on Friday, including major metropolitan areas like Kansas City, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City. An additional 22 million people in areas such as St. Louis, Omaha, and Milwaukee are at a slightly lower risk. Meteorologists explained that the storm system is driven by a clash between warm air moving north from the Gulf Coast and colder air from Canada, which is carried by cold fronts. This setup is also expected to bring unusually warm temperatures to parts of the eastern U.S. by the weekend. Federal forecasters predicted temperatures could be 20-30 degrees above average, with 80s Fahrenheit reaching as far north as the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions. For example, Louisville, Kentucky, is forecast to hit 81 degrees Fahrenheit by Friday, while Atlanta could reach 82 degrees by Saturday. Washington, D.C.#oklahoma #texas #kansas #missouri #washington_county_emergency_management_agency
College Hoops: Bubble Teams in Panic Mode, Todd Golden vs. John Calipari and More With Selection Sunday fast approaching, teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble are scrambling to secure their spots. The final Saturday in February became a pivotal day for teams teetering on the edge of qualification, as every game carried significant weight. The margins for error have narrowed dramatically, and results from this weekend could determine whether some teams make it to the tournament while others are left out. Auburn stands out as the most vulnerable team in the bubble. The Tigers, who entered the season with one of the toughest schedules in the country, have struggled to translate their difficult slate into wins. A 85-79 loss to 12-17 Ole Miss at home dropped them to 15-14 overall, putting them in serious danger of missing the tournament after a Final Four appearance last year. Despite strong metrics like KenPom suggesting they should be in, their record has not been good enough to guarantee a bid. Auburn still has a chance to salvage their season with games against LSU and Alabama in the final week, but the window is closing rapidly. The weekend’s action saw several teams solidify their tournament chances. Missouri, after defeating Mississippi State 88-64 on the road, is now above .500 against the top two quadrants. Their strong performances against Kentucky, Florida, and Tennessee, combined with a lack of bad losses, have positioned them as a lock for the tournament. Similarly, Texas secured a crucial road win over Texas A&M, though they face a challenging final week. In the Mountain West, San Diego State and New Mexico delivered a thrilling showdown in Albuquerque. The Lobos edged the Aztecs 81-76 in a game marked by high intensity, with Luke Haupt’s clutch 3-pointer sealing the victory.#texas #ole_miss #missouri #auburn #san_diego_state
