#vcu

Charles Barkley Teases Kenny Smith After NBA Analyst's Illness Forces Replacement at NCAA Tournament Kenny Smith, a former NBA star and longtime college basketball analyst, was absent from NCAA Tournament coverage on Friday after his team, the University of North Carolina, suffered a shocking 82-78 loss to 11th-seeded VCU. The upset, which saw the Rams overcome a 19-point deficit, marked UNC’s first back-to-back exits in the round of 64 since 1985. Smith, a former Tar Heels standout, abruptly left the CBS studio following the defeat, sparking speculation about his emotional state. Fans and commentators joked that the loss might have been too much for him to handle, with one user quipping, “Is he under the weather or crying about the UNC loss?” Another remarked, “That’s funny. Kenny seemed fine when Siena was winning. What a pro!” However, the absence of Smith was not due to the loss itself. A day later, as the Round of 64 coverage began, fans noticed a significant change: two-time WNBA champion Renee Montgomery had replaced Smith on the main desk. Montgomery, who previously won titles with the Minnesota Lynx, is now a studio analyst for CBS’s WNBA coverage and also serves as an activist and part-owner of the Atlanta Dream. The switch prompted questions about Smith’s status, but the situation was clarified when host Adam Zucker announced that Smith had been unwell and shared a get-well message with viewers. Smith’s absence was attributed to illness, as he had taken ill during the Michigan-Howard game on Thursday. The incident marked the second broadcasting-related illness in the NCAA Tournament this year, following the case of play-by-play voice Brian Anderson. Anderson, who was noticeably hoarse during Tuesday’s First Four game between NC State and Texas, was replaced by Jason Benetti on CBS and TNT.#university_of_north_carolina #kenny_smith #charles_barkley #cbs #vcu

Kenny Smith Absent from Day 2 of CBS NCAA Tournament Coverage Kenny Smith, a key figure on Inside the NBA, was absent from day two of CBS’ NCAA Tournament coverage due to being “under the weather.” His replacement for the studio segment was Renee Montgomery, a two-time WNBA champion who transitioned into broadcasting. Smith participated in the first day of coverage but left the set after No. 1 Michigan’s first-round victory over No. 16 Howard. His exit coincided with VCU’s upset of his alma mater, North Carolina, in a game that ended 82-78. Smith’s departure from the set sparked speculation, with many suggesting it was tied to North Carolina’s loss. The Tar Heels fell to VCU in the first round for the second consecutive season, marking the first time since the 1960s that the program had back-to-back opening-round exits. North Carolina struggled in the final stretch of the game, surrendering 23-8 to VCU. Head coach Hubert Davis acknowledged the team’s missed opportunities, noting that while they had open shots and executed plays, they missed eight free throws. Davis also praised VCU’s resilience, highlighting their ability to mount a comeback despite being down 19 points. Davis emphasized that the loss was not due to a lack of effort, stating, “We had shots at the basket. We had executed plays. And we miss eight free throws. Sometimes the ball doesn’t go in.” He also credited VCU for their determination, calling their comeback “resilient” and acknowledging that mistakes by North Carolina contributed to the defeat. The loss drew criticism from ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg, who criticized Hubert Davis and the North Carolina program for failing to meet the standard expected of the school.#north_carolina #hubert_davis #kenny_smith #vcu #reneemontgomery

NBA icon who vanished from CBS desk after March Madness upset suddenly absent in studio next day Following UNC’s stunning upset loss to VCU in the first round of March Madness, Kenny Smith left his CBS Sports desk—and the NBA icon was absent from Friday’s NCAA Tournament coverage. Smith was replaced by Renee Montgomery for Friday’s March Madness coverage. Smith’s absence from CBS and TNT Sports’ coverage of March Madness came just a day after he abruptly left his desk. On Thursday, Smith’s alma mater, UNC, fell 82-78 to VCU as the 11th-seeded Rams stormed back from a 19-point deficit to secure a shocking upset win in the NCAA Tournament. Terrence Hill Jr. led VCU with 34 points, including 20 in the second half. As he covered March Madness alongside Charles Barkley and Clark Kellogg, Smith left his desk in frustration following UNC’s loss. The former UNC standout had earlier appeared in bracket segments with Barkley before the game and had even picked UNC to reach the Elite Eight. The Tar Heels were eliminated in the Round of 64 for the first time since 1985, the year Smith played on the team. During that season, he averaged 12.0 points and 6.2 assists for a UNC squad featuring future NBA players like Brad Daugherty, Joe Wolf, Jeff Lebo, Dave Popson, and Steve Bucknall. Speculation suggested Smith’s departure may have been triggered by the loss, though some questioned whether he was unwell. On Friday, Smith was replaced by Renee Montgomery at the main desk in New York as viewers tuned in for the Round of 64. Host Adam Zucker, joined by Montgomery, Kellogg, and Barkley, introduced the day’s coverage and noted that Smith was under the weather. Zucker shared a get-well message, while Barkley teased his longtime “Inside the NBA” partner with a quip about keeping his shirt on at the beach.#kenny_smith #charles_barkley #vcu #unc #rene_e_montgomery

CBS Analyst Kenny Smith Leaves Broadcast After UNC's Upset Loss to VCU The NCAA Tournament’s opening round delivered a dramatic twist as North Carolina’s historic upset loss to VCU left CBS analyst Kenny Smith abruptly exiting the broadcast. The defeat, which ended the Tar Heels’ season in the round of 64, prompted Smith to leave the studio shortly after the game, drawing immediate attention from viewers. The incident underscored the volatile nature of March Madness, where a single game can shift fortunes and spotlight the personal ties of analysts to their alma maters. Smith, a former UNC standout and longtime CBS/TNT commentator, had been part of the studio team alongside Charles Barkley and Clark Kellogg. The Tar Heels entered the game with a 39-28 halftime lead and a 18-point advantage in the second half, but the momentum shifted dramatically. VCU, led by Terrence Hill Jr.’s 34 points and a clutch stepback three-pointer in overtime, overcame a 19-point deficit to secure an 82-78 victory. UNC’s Henri Veesaar contributed 26 points and 10 rebounds, but his efforts proved insufficient as the Rams’ resilience proved decisive. Smith’s departure from the broadcast booth sparked widespread speculation. Some viewers questioned whether he had left due to illness, while others interpreted it as a reaction to the loss. Social media reactions ranged from amusement to accusations of “typical coward behavior,” with many fixating on the vacant seat. However, Smith’s exit carried added weight given his pre-tournament confidence in UNC’s prospects. He had predicted the Tar Heels would face Illinois before a potential Elite Eight clash with Houston, envisioning a national championship showdown between Michigan and Michigan State, with the Spartans emerging victorious.#kenny_smith #vcu #unc #terrence_hill_jr #henri_veesaar

North Carolina vs. VCU NCAA Tournament Matchup: Odds, Predictions, and Key Details The 11th-seeded VCU Rams will face the sixth-seeded UNC Tar Heels in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament South Region on March 19. The game, set for 6:50 p.m. ET at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., marks the first-ever matchup between the two programs. VCU, led by first-year coach Phil Martelli Jr., enters the tournament with a 27-7 record after a 72-60 victory over Dayton in the A-10 tournament championship. UNC, meanwhile, lost its last two games, including an 80-79 defeat to Clemson in the ACC Tournament, and finished fourth in the league with an 12-6 record. UNC will be without star freshman forward Caleb Wilson, who is sidelined for the season following surgery for a broken thumb. The Tar Heels have turned to Henri Veesaar, averaging 16.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in Wilson’s absence. VCU, which has won 16 of its last 17 games, will rely on its balanced scoring attack, with Terrence Hill Jr. projected to contribute 13.3 points in the matchup. The game’s odds show UNC as a 2.5-point favorite, with the over/under total set at 150.5 points. The total has dropped 5 points since opening at 155.5, reflecting cautious expectations for a low-scoring contest. SportsLine’s Projection Model, which has a strong track record in NCAA Tournament predictions, simulated the game 10,000 times and leaned toward the under, projecting the total to fall in 52.4% of simulations. The model also highlighted key player contributions, with VCU expected to have two players scoring 12.6 points or more and UNC’s Veesaar projected to lead the Tar Heels with 16.4 points. The model’s analysis suggests the under total is a strong bet, aligning with recent trends in both teams’ games.#north_carolina #phil_martelli_jr #vcu #henri_veesarar #terrence_hill_jr

UNC Opens NCAA Tournament Without Caleb Wilson vs. Surging VCU North Carolina will face a challenge in the opening weekend of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, as the Tar Heels will play without star freshman Caleb Wilson. The No. 6 seed UNC (24-8) will take on No. 11 seed VCU (27-7) at 6:50 p.m. ET Thursday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. The South Region game will be broadcast on TNT. Wilson, an All-ACC first-team selection, is out for the season after breaking his right thumb. The injury occurred while he was recovering from a previous left hand fracture. His last game was on Feb. 20, and UNC is 5-3 in eight games without him. Coach Hubert Davis expressed disappointment over the injury, stating, “Our team will move forward,” after the regular-season finale against Duke on March 7. Davis also highlighted the emotional impact of the injury, noting, “There’s tremendous sadness for him. He’s a special player and teammate, and his passion for the team and the program is unmatched. It was a dream for him to play in the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, and my heart is broken he won’t be able to do that.” The winner of the UNC-VCU matchup will face the winner of the Illinois-Penn game on Saturday in Greenville. The South Region includes other notable teams such as No. 1 seed Florida, No. 2 seed Houston, No. 4 seed Nebraska, No. 5 seed Vanderbilt, No. 7 seed Saint Mary’s, No. 8 seed Clemson, No. 9 seed Iowa, No. 10 seed Texas A&M, No. 12 seed McNeese, No. 13 seed Troy, No. 15 seed Idaho, and two No. 16 seeds, Lehigh and Prairie View A&M. UNC enters the tournament on a two-game losing streak, having fallen to Duke in the regular-season finale and lost 80-79 to Clemson in the ACC quarterfinals. Meanwhile, VCU has dominated its recent schedule, winning 16 of its last 17 games.#bon_secours_wellness_arena #vcu #unc #caleb_wilson #keith_gill

March Madness games today: Ranking Thursday's NCAA Tournament games The first full slate of games in the Men’s NCAA Tournament kicks off today, drawing widespread excitement from college basketball fans. With 16 matchups set across various time slots and television networks, the day promises high stakes and unpredictable outcomes. Fans are encouraged to follow live updates and scores as the tournament unfolds, with key games featuring top-ranked teams and underdogs alike. The schedule includes a mix of high-profile matchups and tightly contested battles. Among the highlights is No. 6 North Carolina facing off against No. 11 VCU at 6:50 p.m. ET on TNT. The Tar Heels, led by their experienced roster, will aim to overcome the challenges posed by VCU, a team riding an 11-game winning streak. Meanwhile, No. 1 Michigan will take on No. 16 Howard at 7:10 p.m. ET on CBS, testing the Wolverines’ depth against a lesser-ranked opponent. Other notable games include No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Siena at 2:50 p.m. ET on CBS, where the Blue Devils will look to quickly dispatch the Saints despite missing key starters. The day’s final matchup, No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 Howard, will be a critical test for the Wolverines’ defense. Regional breakdowns and predictions suggest that while top teams like Duke and Michigan will likely advance, underdogs such as Siena and Howard could create upsets. The tournament’s unpredictability is underscored by the potential for late-game adjustments, as some games may start later than scheduled due to spillover from earlier matches. Fans are advised to stay tuned for real-time updates, as the day’s outcomes will shape the tournament’s trajectory. With 16 games spread across multiple time zones, the excitement of March Madness continues to build as the nation’s best college basketball teams take to the court.#duke #north_carolina #ncaa_tournament #vcu #march_madness

Most Probable First-Round Upsets in 2026 NCAA Tournament The 2025 men’s NCAA tournament saw only five double-digit seeds advance in the first round, with two of them being 10-seeds, which are not classified as Giant Killers. The Elite Eight was the most predictable in history, featuring all top-three seeds, and the Final Four had only two 1-seeds. Despite this, March Madness remains defined by upsets, and analysts are now identifying potential candidates for this year’s tournament. Using ESPN’s BPI projections, the Giant Killer model highlights matchups with the highest upset probabilities. However, it’s important to note that probability does not guarantee outcomes, and the likelihood of multiple upsets this season is low. NCAA tournament betting lines are at record highs, and the model gives no team seeded 11th or lower a 40% chance of winning in the first round. Only one No. 12 seed, the perennial upset pick, has a 20% chance to advance. The model also indicates that last year had more high-probability upsets, with four matchups exceeding 40% and eight above 25%. For those looking to differentiate their brackets, here are the most likely candidates for upsets. The matchup between (11) VCU and (6) North Carolina has a 39% chance of an upset. North Carolina’s performance has been impacted by the absence of star freshman Caleb Wilson, who is out for the season due to a broken thumb. Without Wilson, the Tar Heels’ efficiency numbers dropped, particularly on the offensive glass and in 2-point field goal percentages. VCU, however, has been dominant, winning 16 of its past 17 games. The Rams’ balanced attack and aggressive playstyle, combined with their eight regular rotation players hitting at least 18 3-pointers this season, make them a formidable opponent. Another high-probability matchup is (11) NC State vs.#north_carolina #ncaa_tournament #byu #vcu #nc_state

George Mason Women's Tennis Team Loses to Fordham in Spring Match HILTON HEAD, S.C. — The George Mason women's tennis team suffered a 4-0 defeat to Fordham University in their final match of the Spring Tennis Fest on Thursday at Hilton Head High School. Fordham secured the victory by winning two doubles matches and three singles matches. The Rams captured the doubles point with wins on courts two and one. At No. 2 doubles, Valerija Kargina and Lily Chitambar defeated Brooklyn Siegel and Maya Bayat, 6-3. Nevena Kolarevic and Julianne Nguyen clinched the point with a 6-3 victory over Cenan Liu and Mary Young at No. 1 doubles. The No. 3 doubles match, featuring Noelle Talarek and R. Ramanantoanina against Paola Dalmonico and Catalina Padilla, remained unfinished with the Patriots leading 4-3. In singles play, Kargina extended Fordham’s lead by defeating Maitree Diksha Rout, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 2 singles. Chitambar added another point for the Rams with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Young at No. 4 singles. Dalmonico secured the match for Fordham with a straight-sets victory over Liu, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 1 singles. The remaining singles matches, including Maya Bayat vs. Julianne Nguyen and Noelle Talarek vs. Aya Matsunaga, were unfinished. Head Coach Steve Curtis praised the team’s progress, stating, “I am very happy with our improvement match to match this week. The opportunity to play outdoor against great competition will get us more prepared for our remaining matches.” The final results of the match were: Singles (1. Paola Dalmonico def. Cenan Liu, 6-2, 6-3; 2. Valerija Kargina def. Maitree Diksha Rout, 6-0, 6-0; 4. Lily Chitambar def. Mary Young, 6-0, 6-4) and Doubles (1. Nevena Kolarevic/Julianne Nguyen def. Cenan Liu/Mary Young, 6-3; 2. Valerija Kargina/Lily Chitambar def. Brooklyn Siegel/Maya Bayat, 6-3). The No.#george_mason #fordham_university #hilton_head #steve_curtis #vcu