NBA 101

How much will hurt Vols star Nate Ament play vs UVA in March Madness Round 2?

Tennessee‘s star freshman is playing in the NCAA Tournament banged up.

Forward Nate Ament is pushing through the Big Dance with an injury that has been bothering him for nearly a month, and kept him out of the last week of the regular season. While he did play in the first round game against Miami (Ohio), he clearly wasn’t 100%. Ament didn’t score in the 18 minutes of action.

March Madness live scores, highlights: An upset, near-misses alter Sweet 16 bracket

It was a concerning outing, and will be something to monitor as the Volunteers continue their March Madness run. So how will it affect Ament’s status for the second round matchup against Virginia?

Will Nate Ament play today vs Virginia?

Yes, Ament will play. The All-SEC freshman is still dealing with soreness but expects to play against the Cavaliers and through the rest of the tournament.

“There’s no chance I’d sit out a March Madness game,” he said. “It’s about what can we do to get back to 100%, or as close to it as we can.”

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes called the injury a “problem,” and Ament won’t be fully healthy until he gets time off at the end of the season. While he will play, it’s unknown if there will be a minutes restriction, as it will all depend on how he looks and feels

“We need Nate. He knows it, but he will give us everything that he can, and that’s really all I can say about it. If it’s up to him, he would play every minute if he could. We’ll see game time,” Barnes said.

What happened to Nate Ament?

Ament suffered a high ankle sprain against Missouri on Feb. 24, and then hurt his knee in the next game against Alabama on Feb. 28. He missed the final two regular season games as a result.

Ament averages 17 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nate Ament injury update: Will Vols star play vs. Virginia in March Madness?

LeBron James breaks mark for NBA games played. See his record vs. each team

LeBron James has added another NBA record to his resume.

With his appearance in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ game against the Orlando Magic March 21, the 22-time NBA All-Star broke Robert Parrish’s all-time games played record. Now, LeBron stands alone with 1,612 games played in his career.

While James has numerous iconic moments under his belt, any NBA fan can probably pinpoint one or two moments where the four-time MVP went off against their favorite team. It may not be a fond memory for them, but it’s just another example of the type of legacy James has left on the league.

But which team has James played the most games against? Has he won a game against every team in the league? Has he won a playoff game against every team in the league? Here’s a full breakdown of James’ 1,612 career games (and 292 playoff games).

LeBron James’ games played, regular-season record vs. each team

*- record against each team is listed in parentheses following total games played

NOTE: Teams no longer in existence (e.g. Seattle Supersonics, New Jersey Nets, etc.) are not listed, but are counted as part of the franchise’s current location (e.g. Supersonics are counted with Oklahoma City Thunder).

• Atlanta Hawks: 67 (48-19)
• Boston Celtics: 62 (34-28)
• Brooklyn Nets: 63 (40-23)
• Charlotte Hornets: 59 (50-9)
• Chicago Bulls: 68 (37-31)
• Cleveland Cavaliers: 25 (19-6)
• Dallas Mavericks: 49 (31-18)
• Denver Nuggets: 48 (23-25)
• Detroit Pistons: 66 (42-24)
• Golden State Warriors: 47 (27-20)
• Houston Rockets: 50 (27-23)
• Indiana Pacers: 67 (42-25)
• Los Angeles Clippers: 53 (31-22)
• Los Angeles Lakers: 30 (22-8)
• Memphis Grizzlies: 53 (36-17)
• Miami Heat: 48 (26-22)
• Milwaukee Bucks: 62 (43-19)
• Minnesota Timberwolves: 45 (33-12)
• New Orleans Pelicans: 55 (38-17)
• New York Knicks: 62 (44-18)
• Oklahoma City Thunder: 43 (28-15)
• Orlando Magic: 66 (42-24)
• Philadelphia 76ers: 60 (42-18)
• Phoenix Suns: 52 (31-21)
• Portland Trail Blazers: 45 (30-15)
• Sacramento Kings: 48 (30-18)
• San Antonio Spurs: 47 (25-22)
• Toronto Raptors: 64 (48-16)
• Utah Jazz: 47 (32-15)
• Washington Wizards: 61 (40-21)

LeBron James’ games played, playoff record vs. each team

• Atlanta Hawks: 12 (12-0)
• Boston Celtics: 41 (25-16)
• Brooklyn Nets: 11 (8-3)
• Charlotte Hornets: 5 (4-1)
• Chicago Bulls: 21 (16-5)
• Cleveland Cavaliers: N/A
• Dallas Mavericks: 6 (2-4)
• Denver Nuggets: 14 (5-9)
• Detroit Pistons: 21 (15-6)
• Golden State Warriors: 18 (11-17) — James has an additional win against the Warriors in the NBA’s play-in tournament.
• Houston Rockets: 5 (4-1)
• Indiana Pacers: 30 (20-10)
• Los Angeles Clippers: N/A
• Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
• Memphis Grizzlies: 6 (4-2)
• Miami Heat: 6 (4-2)
• Milwaukee Bucks: 5 (4-1)
• Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 (1-4)
• New Orleans Pelicans: N/A — James did beat them in a play-in tournament game in 2024, though.
• New York Knicks: 5 (4-1)
• Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 (4-1)
• Orlando Magic: 6 (2-4)
• Philadelphia 76ers: 5 (4-1)
• Phoenix Suns: 6 (2-4)
• Portland Trail Blazers: 5 (4-1)
• Sacramento Kings: N/A
• San Antonio Spurs: 16 (5-11)
• Toronto Raptors: 14 (12-2)
• Utah Jazz: N/A
• Washington Wizards: 16 (12-4)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James games played, record, playoff success vs every NBA Team

Arizona vs Utah State live updates: Prediction, how to watch March Madness Round 2 game

Follow all of Sunday’s NCAA Tournament second round games with USA TODAY Sports’ live updates.

No. 1 seed Arizona made it look easy against No. 16 Long Island in the first round, even if Wildcats players said it wasn’t.

Arizona jumped out to a 27-point lead in the first half and got at least 14 points from three freshman starters and coasted to a 92-58 win over the Sharks.

March Madness conference records: Big Ten leads at 11-2; How are SEC, Big 12 doing?

No. 9 Utah State played in a much closer game, surviving No. 8 Villanova, 86-76, in one of the more entertaining first round games.

Mason Falslev had 22 points and MJ Collins Jr. had 20 points as Jerrod Calhoun’s Aggies put on an offensive clinic that had broadcasters and studio analysts gushing afterward.

The winner of today’s game advances to next week’s Sweet 16 to play No. 4 Arkansas in San Jose.

Here’s what you need to know about today’s game.

HIT REFRESH FOR UPDATES.

Arizona vs Utah State live score

TEAMS	1H	2H	F
Utah State	—	—	—
Arizona	—	—	—

What time is Arizona vs Utah State?

• Time: 7:50 p.m. ET, Sunday.

What channel is Arizona vs Utah State? How to watch, streaming info

• The game is airing on truTV, streaming via Fubo.

Arizona vs Utah State prediction, odds

∎ Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Arizona 83, Utah State 72

The Wildcats are seeking their first Final Four appearance since 2001. They will get one step closer with a win over Utah State, although it won’t come quite as easily as the win over Long Island.

• John Leuzzi: Arizona
• Jordan Mendoza: Arizona
• Ehsan Kassim: Arizona
• Blake Schuster: Arizona
• Moneyline: Arizona (-800); Utah State (+550)
• Spread: Arizona (-11.5)
• Over/ under total: 153.5

Who is Jerrod Calhoun? What to know about Utah State coach and Aggies offense?

“This guy is an offensive genius,” CBS commentator and former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy said of Calhoun during Utah State’s first round win over Villanova.

CBS Sports analyst Jamal Mashburn, who played 11 NBA seasons, also had high praise for Calhoun and what he’s done with the Aggies program.

“Just a masterful job of what he’s been able to do,” Mashburn said. “Teach these kids how to play that way, and also put them in a position to be aggressive and not be afraid to make mistakes.”

Even TNT Sports host Adam Lefkoe had to admire Calhoun’s coaching prowess.

“Many of you have not seen Utah State. But we sat here and went, ‘Coaches around the country need to steal their plays.’ Hopefully they don’t steal their players,” Lefkoe said. “Utah State’s offense was phenomenal. … Let’s look at the highlights because almost every play you see is a masterclass from coach Calhoun.”

Is Jerrod Calhoun a candidate for Cincinnati coach job?

Calhoun, who’s in his second season as head coach at Utah State, is being linked with a number of power conference openings, including Cincinnati.

An Ohio native, Calhoun got his start in coaching as a student assistant on the Bearcats staff in 2003-04. He spent seven years as head coach at Ohio’s Youngstown State before heading to USU.

“Calhoun is going to be great walking the sidelines at UC,” former Bearcat great Nick Van Exel tweeted after Calhoun’s Aggies defeated Villanova. “Offense is great. Lots of ball/body movement and paint touches. And he gets the history of the program and understands that the UC vs X is a rivalry and not just another game.”

Koa Peat 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 19 overall to Miami Heat

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to their organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. Arizona plays at a significantly faster pace (4.6 extra possessions) when Peat is on the floor relative to when he is not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miamis fastest-paced offense in the NBA.

See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here

Koa Peat stats

(all stats as of March 15)

• 13.6 points per game
• 5.3 rebounds per game
• 2.7 assists per game
• 53.7% field goal percentage
• 31.6% three-point field goal percentage

Brayden Burries 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 10 overall to Milwaukee Bucks.

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

Arizona freshman Brayden Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard has continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. Burries has proven productivity and that he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.

See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here

Brayden Burries stats

(all stats as of March 15)

• 15.9 points per game
• 4.7 rebounds per game
• 2.6 assists per game
• 49.2% field goal percentage
• 36.7% three-point field goal percentage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona vs Utah State live score updates, highlights from March Madness Round 2

Duke vs TCU live updates: March Madness Round 2 game score, highlights

Follow all of Saturday’s NCAA Tournament second round games with USA TODAY Sports’ live updates.

The NCAA Tournament’s overall top seed Duke was in a first-round dogfight against No. 16 seed Siena on Thursday.

Afterward, Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer called it his toughest March Madness moment.

“Toughest one,” he told reporters after the 71-65 win. “Not close. Toughest moment, toughest game, toughest position I’ve ever been in in the tournament, no question about it.”

Upset alert! Ranking 5 most likely March Madness upsets in second round

March Madness games today: Ranking all 8 men’s NCAA Tournament games Saturday

You’d imagine things will only get tougher as the tournament goes on.

Up next for Duke is No. 9 seed TCU. The Horned Frogs beat No. 8 seed Ohio State, 66-64, on a late Xavier Edmonds bucket in Thursday’s first round opener.

TCU has never won a Round of 32 game in March Madness. Is today the day?

Toppmeyer: If Jon Scheyer feels any Duke pressure, Coach K can relate

HIT REFRESH FOR UPDATES.

Duke vs TCU live score

TEAMS	1H	2H	F
TCU	—	—	—
Duke	—	—	—

What time is TCU vs Duke ?

• Time: 5:15 p.m. ET, Saturday.

What channel is Duke vs TCU? Streaming, how to watch

• The game is airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Duke vs TCU prediction, odds

Odds provided by BetMGM as of 1:15 p.m., Saturday.

• Ehsan Kassim: Duke
• Jordan Mendoza: Duke
• John Leuzzi: Duke
• Blake Schuster: Duke
• Moneyline: Duke (-800); TCU (+550)
• Spread: Duke (-12.5)
• Over/under total: 139.5

Cameron Boozer NBA draft stock, mock draft predictions

Boozer is widely projected as a top-3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Here’s a look at where various mock drafts from major outlets have the Duke freshman going:

• USA TODAY (as of March 13):No. 3 overall to the Sacramento Kings
• ESPN (as of March 11):No. 3 overall to the Indiana Pacers
• CBS Sports (as of March 17):No. 3 overall to the Brooklyn Nets

Is Cameron Boozer related to Carlos Boozer?

Cameron Boozer and his twin brother, Cayden (also a freshman for Duke) are the sons of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer.

Before his 13-year career in the NBA, Carlos Boozer was a standout forward for the Blue Devils under Mike Krzyzewski from 1999-2002. A member of Duke’s 2001 national championship team, Carlos Boozer finished his three-year career with the Blue Devils with more than 1,500 points scored and started 93 of the 101 games in which he appeared.

Jamie Dixon coaching record: How long has Jamie Dixon coached TCU?

This is Dixon’s 10th season as TCU’s head coach. Dixon returned to his alma mater after after a 13-year run as head coach at Pitt.

Dixon is 199-137 with the Horned Frogs and has led TCU to five NCAA Tournament appearances.

Has TCU ever reached Sweet 16?

TCU reached the Regional Final in 1968 but only 23 teams were in the NCAA Tournament that year. So the Horned Frogs have never won a Round of 32 game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Duke vs TCU score live update: March Madness highlights in NCAA Round 2

Virginia outlasts Georgia in overtime, 82-73, to advance to second round of March Madness

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Kymora Johnson scored 28 points and Sa’Myah Smith added a career-high 23 to go with 11 rebounds as 10th seed Virginia beat seventh seed Georgia 82-73 in an NCAA Tournament =first-round game on Saturday.

The Cavaliers (21-11) became the first lower seed to win in March Madness this season. Virginia will play either second seed Iowa or 15th seed Fairleigh Dickinson in Monday’s second round.

Virginia, which became the second team ever that played in the first four to win a game, outscored Georgia (22-10) 11-2 in overtime. Smith, who was held scoreless in the second half, scored five of the Cavaliers’ points.

Georgia had two chances to win the game in the final seconds of regulation. Trinity Turner’s shot with four seconds left missed, and Savannah Henderson grabbed the offensive rebound before being tied up by Smith. The possession arrow favored Georgia with seven-tenths of a second remaining, giving the Bulldogs a final shot. But Mia Woolfolk’s 10-foot jumper hit off the left rim as the buzzer sounded.

It was warm inside the building with temperatures in the 80s as the arena doesn’t have air conditioning.

Woolfolk led Georgia with 27 points. Rylie Theuerkauf had 22 points, all but two points coming in the first half. Henderson had 11 points.

Romi Levy added 14 points for Virginia.

Virginia led 26-16 with 9:16 left in the second quarter before the Bulldogs rallied to lead 43-42 at halftime. Theuerkauf, who was 5 of 5 in 3-point shooting in the quarter, scored 17 points in the final 9:03 of the half.

Up next

The Cavaliers will be playing their third game in five days on Monday. They defeated Arizona State 57-55 in Thursday’s First Four game.

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Joshua Jefferson injury update: Iowa State star injured in March Madness first round

Iowa State started its March Madness run already with a scary incident.

Star forward Joshua Jefferson was injured early in the first-round matchup against Tennessee State on Friday, March 20.

The Cyclones player landed landed awkwardly after going up for a layup attempt less than three minutes into the contest, appearing to twist his ankle as he landed. He had to be helped off the floor by support staff as he was unable to put any weight on his left foot. Jefferson went straight to the locker room after the incident.

Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson was helped off the floor after an apparent ankle injury pic.twitter.com/R4xaFzgsJU

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 20, 2026

Joshua Jefferson injury update

Jefferson has not return to the game against the Tigers, and it doesn’t look like he will.

Around the 11-minute mark in the first half, the broadcast showed Jefferson on crutches going into a room in the arena.

It’s unknown the severity of the injury but it can be a brutal one for an Iowa State team trying to reach its first Final Four since 1944. Jefferson is a dynamic player for the Cyclones, averaging 16.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He has two triple doubles this season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joshua Jefferson injury update: Iowa State star hurt in March Madness

Time to see how serious UNC is about basketball. Go get Todd Golden

There’s only one way out of this thing, and in the shocker of all shockers, it involves throwing money at the problem. 

Not just $5 million in go-away money for North Carolina coach Hubert Davis, but huge, nasty cash to fix it once and for all. 

Because if you’re North Carolina and you’ve committed tens of millions of dollars to Bill Belichick and his plan to rescue your football program, what’s the price to resuscitate your suddenly stale yet still iconic basketball program?

Armour: One day in and March Madness already its usual marvelous self

More: Where VCU’s epic March Madness comeback vs. UNC ranks in history

Let me give you a hint: a hundred million or more commitment. 

This is big business, people. We’re talking about one of the three biggest college basketball brands struggling to not only reach the NCAA Tournament, but avoid disaster in the first round.

The program of Michael Jordan and Dean Smith and Roy Williams and all of those All-Americans and national championship moments, just blew a 19-point lead to VCU in the NCAA Tournament. 

This isn’t about the loss of injured star freshman Caleb Wilson and how it affected the last two weeks of the season. It’s about the totality of Davis’ tenure, and if North Carolina is ready for a Belichick-ian response.

That can only mean one thing: Start printing cash for Florida coach Todd Golden.

Chasing history: Inside Todd Golden’s remarkable rise to top of college basketball

Back for more: Will Wade and LSU again? Desperation overshadows all hesitation

If you’ve given Davis everything he could possibly want and need — the roster was valued at $15 million this season — and you’re still getting beat by VCU in the NCAAs, there’s no half-measure response to this unfolding nightmare.

North Carolina can’t keep throwing bad money after good and expect different results. The football program is on the verge of that very scenario with Belichick, who produced all of four wins with his bag of cash — and it doesn’t look much better after he signed the 50th-ranked transfer portal class according to the 247Sports composite.

This is no time for the timid. Be bold and brave ― and eliminate any possibility of Kentucky swooping in and signing Golden first.

Take the rare step and pay Golden like a football coach — or better yet, more than a football coach. More than Kirby and Cigs and Sark. 

Offer $13-14 million a year over 10 years, and commit to $20 million annually in NIL funds (including private deals). Once the Belichick experiment fades — and it will — North Carolina will again realize what’s important, what fuels the Carolina brand. 

Who knows if Golden would leave Florida, but you’re not starting over with one of the top three programs in the history of the sport with a mid-major coach, or another learn-on-the-go Carolina Man. 

You’re not going to make a regional hire like UNC Wilmington’s Takayo Siddle, or High Point’s Flynn Clayman coming off an NCAA run.

You’re not hiring a former NBA coach, and you’re (probably) not getting John Calipari to leave Arkansas. OK, maybe Cal would go — but how much longer is he coaching?

It’s time to see just how serious North Carolina is about basketball.

Golden can be in Carolina Blue for three decades if he wins and wants to hang around. He can win big and recreate the pecking order of legendary UNC coaches. 

Dean, Roy and Todd. Or Dean, Todd and Roy.  

The only option is Golden, whose choice will be building a legacy at Florida or embracing the rebuild at arguably the most iconic brand in the sport.

He’s young, knows how to reach players in the NIL-driven world and has proven he can build and develop rosters and win a national title. He has made Florida a basketball school again.

Billy Donovan eventually walked away from what he built at Florida, and headed to the NBA. Golden could do the same — unless UNC pays him like an NBA coach.

This has nothing to do with the “football school” and “basketball school” nonsense. Florida has won it all with two different coaches at their first major job, and has the structure and financial wherewithal to win it all again with another.

This is a North Carolina question, not a Florida question. 

How badly does North Carolina want to win big again, and at what cost?

Big, nasty cash to fix it once and for all.

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: North Carolina basketball must replace Hubert Davis, hire Todd Golden

NBA tank watch: Teams eye high draft picks, early vacations

NBA scouts and executives are keeping an eagle eye on the start of the Men’s NCAA Tournament this week, hoping that one of the stars eligible for the NBA draft falls in their lap and changes their fortunes overnight.

One thing is for sure: Those same scouts and executives are happy because they don’t have to look at their own teams for the next two weeks and can really concentrate on finding the next superstar, so they won’t routinely find their teams on lists like this.

There are more than enough intriguing college players to consider with the No. 1 pick, including Darryn Peterson of Kansas, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa (the nation’s leading scorer), Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson of North Carolina.

Without further ado, this week’s edition of Tank Watch, featuring the best of the worst the NBA has to offer.

NBA teams already booked for Cancun

All records and winning percentages are through games on Thursday, March 19.

Indiana Pacers (15-55; .214)

The Pacers have long since given up and haven’t won since the All-Star break, a skid of 15 consecutive games. It’s the second time this season they have set a franchise record for regular-season futility.

Washington Wizards (16-53; .232)

Any team that gives up 83 points to Bam Adebayo, as the Wizards did last week, not only needs a vacation, but the league needs to think about retraction as well. Washington has lost 10 games or more in a row three different times this season.

Brooklyn Nets (17-52; .246)

If you want to find the equivalent of a junior varsity team taking the court against real professionals, look no further than Brooklyn’s 121-92 humiliating loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, March 18.

Sacramento Kings (18-53; .254)

The Kings’ M.A.S.H. unit is filled with All-Star-caliber players, and the situation is so bad that people have coined the term “ethical tanking” to excuse the putrid product put out nightly.

Utah Jazz (21-49; .300)

The NBA’s version of the Washington Generals, otherwise known as the league’s worst defensive team, couldn’t be bothered with keeping a dribbling offensive player in front of them. NBA fans couldn’t be bothered watching them either.

NBA teams waiting to spend hours in TSA line to board flight

It’s just a matter of time before the teams listed below are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention and can start making trips to Cancun (or Galveston, according to Charles Barkley) for an early vacation – or to Turkey to explore hair transplants, whichever one applies to them.

(All records and winning percentages are through games on Thursday, March 19.)

Memphis Grizzlies (24-44; .353)

Memphis better be glad the league is expanding to 32 teams, or their franchise would be the first one to exit stage left out of town.

Dallas Mavericks (23-47; .329)

Dallas got rid of incompetent general manager Nico Harrison earlier this season. Next on the hit list, the American Airlines Center.

New Orleans Pelicans (25-46; .352)

At least the gumbo and jambalaya are good year-round.

Chicago Bulls (28-42; .400)

The only good news this week for Chicago: Former star Dennis Rodman is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA tank watch: Teams with best chance to land No. 1 draft pick