David Montgomery shares emotional goodbye to Lions after Texans trade

TheDetroit Lionshave handedDavid Montgomerya one-way ticket out of the Motor City.

It came a week ahead of the unofficial start of free agency, when theLions agreed to trade the running back to the Houston Texans on March 2. The move ends a three-year run in Detroit, where Montgomery starred alongsideJahmyr Gibbsas part of arguably the league's best backfield duo – officially known as "Sonic and Knuckles."

Hours after the news broke, Montgomery bid farewell to the Lions in anemotional tribute posted to his Instagram:

"It's hard to find the right words for a goodbye like this," Montgomery wrote. "Detroit has never just been a location to me – it's been a community. And you all have been more than supporters or a team. You've been steady hands, loud cheers, honest feedback, and quiet strength when I needed it most.

"You believed in me when things were uncertain. You stood beside me through challenges. You showed up – consistently, fiercely, unapologetically. There is something special about the people here. The resilience. The loyalty. The way you don't just support someone – you ride with them. I have felt that from each of you, and I will never take that lightly.

"This isn't goodbye because something ended. It's goodbye because something grew. And growth sometimes calls us forward. Please know this: Everything I do next carries a piece of Detroit with it. The work ethic. The edge. The heart. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for walking this chapter with me.

"I'm beyond grateful – and I'll always be proud to say I was shaped by this city and by you."

Gibbs also shared a post on social media, posting a photo of Sonic and Knuckles walking away from one another, crying. He captioned it with a broken-heart emoji.

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2. New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 3. Arizona Cardinals – OLB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Cleveland Browns – OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 8. New Orleans Saints – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Spencer Fano, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Miami Dolphins – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – WR Denzel Boston, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 14. Baltimore Ravens – DL Caleb Banks, Florida

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – WR Makai Lemon, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Minnesota Vikings – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Carolina Panthers – DT Peter Woods, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – OLB/DE T.J. Parker, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Los Angeles Chargers – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 23. Philadelphia Eagles – DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Denver Broncos – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 31. New England Patriots – DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine

Montgomery's workload took a major hit in 2025 as the running back posted a career-low 158 carries, sparking trade rumors ahead of the offseason.

General manager Brad Holmes told reporters at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine that Montgomery's future with the Lions was "fluid."

"We'd love to have him. Kind of want to put last year in the rearview and just move forward," Holmes said at a Feb. 24 media availability. "But obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. So those conversations are still fluid and we'll just kind of see how it goes."

On March 1,Montgomery addressed the rumors on social media after ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reportedthe running back wanted out of Detroit. He dismissed them, but didn't elaborate. He previously mentioned his desire to stick around with the Lions.

Ahead of Super Bowl 60, Montgomery told USA TODAY Sports that he hoped to return to Detroit in 2026.

"I sure hope so," Montgomery said, when asked if he was confident about a return to the Lions. "I love the Lions, I love the team, I love the city of Detroit. I would love to be there, but it's in the air so I'm just ready and waiting for the ride."

Now that ride has taken him to Houston, where he figures to sit atop theTexans' running back depth chart heading into the 2026 season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:David Montgomery shares goodbye post to Lions after trade to Texans

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 03, 2026

David Montgomery shares emotional goodbye to Lions after Texans trade

TheDetroit Lionshave handedDavid Montgomerya one-way ticket out of the Motor City. It came a week ahead of the...

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Warriors center Porzingis misses 5th straight game with illness coach Steve Kerr calls "mysterious"

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Golden State center Kristaps Porzingis is still dealing with a medical issue that has sidelined him for a week and a half.

Celtics Warriors Basketball

"It's a little mysterious," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before his team hosted the Los Angeles Clipper on Monday night. "We're obviously working with him and hoping that he can get some clarity and he can kind of break through and get to a point to where he's consistently healthy. But that's something that the medical staff is working hard on with him."

Porzingis had returned to practice Friday and was listed as questionable for Saturday's home loss to the Lakers, then missed his fifth straight game Monday with an illness. It's unclear if he will travel for the team's upcoming three-game road trip.

Kerr said he spoke with Porzingis earlier Monday.

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"We had a good chat. He's doing fine," Kerr said. "He's obviously wanting to be back and wanting answers and we'll keep supporting him."

The 7-foot-2 big man from Latvia made his Warriors debut Feb. 19 against his former Boston Celtics team after being acquired in a trade from Atlanta, but hasn't played since. He has appeared in just 18 games overall this season, averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/NBA

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 03, 2026

Warriors center Porzingis misses 5th straight game with illness coach Steve Kerr calls "mysterious"

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Golden State center Kristaps Porzingis is still dealing with a medical issue that has sidelined him ...

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NHL trade deadline tracker: Analysis on all of the big moves

TheNHLtrade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on March 6, but teams like to get deals done early, too.

Already this season, theMinnesota Wildhave acquired defensemanQuinn Hughesfrom theVancouver Canucks, and theLos Angeles Kingshave traded for high-scoringNew York RangersforwardArtemi Panarin.

In the latest deal, theEdmonton Oilersacquired defensemanConnor Murphyfrom theChicago Blackhawkson Monday, March 2.

Plenty of players remain, and the Rangers, Canucks,St. Louis BluesandCalgary Flamesare expected to be sellers. Other teams could be, too, depending on how they fare this week.

Here are some of the more notable trades this season. Follow along for analysis on deals as the NHL trade deadline approaches:

Feb. 4: The Los Angeles Kings acquired left wing Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 27: The New York Islanders acquired left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 20: The San Jose Sharks acquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 16: The Anaheim Ducks acquire winger Jeffrey Viel from the Boston Bruins for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Anaheim will give up the better of the fourth-rounder previously acquired from Philadelphia and Detroit.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jan. 8: The San Jose Sharks acquire goaltender Laurent Brossoit, defenseman Nolan Allan and a 2028 seventh-round pick from the Chicago Blackhawks for defensemen Ryan Ellis, Jake Furlong and a 2028 fourth-rounder.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Dec. 29: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Dec. 12: The Minnesota Wild acquired Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Dec. 12: The Edmonton Oilers acquired Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26

March 2: Oilers acquire Connor Murphy

The trade:The Edmonton Oilers acquire defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2028 second-round pick.

Analysis:The Blackhawks retain 50 percent of the $4.4 million cap hit for the pending unrestricted free agent. The Oilers have been leaking goals, and the 6-foot-4 Murphy is a solid defensive defenseman. He played on the No. 1 unit of the league's best penalty kill, led the Blackhawks in blocked shots and was third in hits.

Feb. 24: Penguins, Avalanche swap defensemen

The trade:ThePittsburgh Penguinsacquire defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick from the Avalanche for defenseman Brett Kulak.

Analysis:The Avalanche pick up salary cap space and add a defenseman who has been to the Stanley Cup Final the past two seasons. The Penguins had acquired pending unrestricted free agent Kulak in the Stuart Skinner trade, Girard is also a pending UFA, and Pittsburgh gets a draft pick in the deal by flipping Kulak.

Feb. 4: Kings acquire Artemi Panarin

The trade:The Los Angeles Kings acquire forward Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers for forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.

Analysis:The Kings are hurting for offense and Panarin can provide plenty. He also signed a two-year extension with an $11 million cap hit, ensuring he'll be around after Anze Kopitar retires at season's end. It didn't help the team, though, thatKevin Fiala broke his legat the Olympics before Panarin suited up. Panarin had a full no-movement clause, so the Rangers were limited in their return, but Greentree was the Kings' top prospect and the third-round pickcould become a second-rounder.

Feb. 4: Devils acquire Nick Bjugstad

The trade:TheNew Jersey Devilsacquire forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick.

Analysis:This is the third time Bjugstad has been moved near the trade deadline because the 6-6 forward is a good fit in the bottom six. He has another year left on his contract.

Jan. 27: Islanders acquire Ondrej Palat

The trade:The New York Islanders acquire left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

Analysis:That's two trades in two days with a division rival. Palat is a two-time Stanley Cup winner (with the Lightning) and kills penalties. Tsyplakov didn't get a lot of ice time with the Islanders but has potential.

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Jan. 26: Islanders acquire Carson Soucy

The trade:The New York Islandersacquire defenseman Carson Soucyfrom the New York Rangers for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Analysis:Soucy was the first player moved after theRangers informed fans that the team would retool. It's a rare deal completed between the Islanders and Rangers.

Jan. 20: Sharks acquire Kiefer Sherwood

The trade:TheSan Jose Sharksacquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.

Analysis:Sherwood had been mentioned as a trade candidate since the Canucks started slowly. The pending free agent is among the leader in hits and had 17 goals at the time of the deal. The Sharks are playing better than expected and this deal shows they are trying to push for a playoff spot.

Jan. 19: Golden Knights acquire Rasmus Andersson

The trade:The Vegas Golden Knights acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional second-rounder in 2028.

Analysis:The Golden Knights had been without Alex Pietrangelo all season and Andersson gives Vegas another puck-moving defenseman. The Flames get a good return for a pending unrestricted free agent. Andersson is the second defenseman Vegas had acquired from Calgary recently after the 2024 trade for Noah Hanifin. Hanifin eventually signed an extension and the Golden Knights will seek the same from Andersson.

Dec. 29: Penguins acquire Yegor Chinakhov

The trade:The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from theColumbus Blue Jacketsfor forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

Analysis:Chinakhov had requested a trade last season. He's a pending restricted free agent so the Penguins have control over his future. Heinen is a pending UFA.

Dec. 19: Canadiens acquire Phillip Danault

The trade:The Montreal Canadiens acquire center Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round pick.

Analysis:Danault is coming back to Montreal. He was a key shutdown player during the Canadiens' 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Dec. 19: Blue Jackets acquire Mason Marchment

The trade:The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire forward Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.

Analysis:Marchment had been off to a slow start after signing a four-year deal. But he scored 22 goals in each of his last two seasons in Dallas.

Dec. 12: Wild acquire Quinn Hughes

The trade:The Minnesota Wild acquire Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.

Analysis:This is a sign that the Wild are going for it and it gives them a dynamic former Norris Trophy winner to match Cale Makar if they face the Avalanche in the playoffs. The Wild gave up a lot - Buium was great at Denver and for the USA at the world junior championships - andHughes acknowledged that and appreciated it. That could help sway Hughes when he's eligible to sign a contract extension in July.

Dec. 12: Oilers, Penguins swap goalies

The trade:The Edmonton Oilers acquire Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.

Analysis:The Oilers pull the plug on Skinner, who was either spectacular or bad during back-to-back runs to the Stanley Cup Final. But they land another inconsistent goalie in Jarry, who has had injury troubles. Skinner and Kulak are pending free agents, so the Penguins could flip them at the deadline. If Skinner works out, it would allow the Penguins to continue developing goalie Sergei Murashov in the American Hockey League.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NHL trade deadline tracker top moves, deals, team and player analysis

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 03, 2026

NHL trade deadline tracker: Analysis on all of the big moves

TheNHLtrade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on March 6, but teams like to get deals done early, too. Alread...

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Is Deion Sanders fighting for his job? Not yet, but there are issues

Colorado footballcoachDeion Sandersmight not be fighting for his job just yet. But consider this comparison as Sanders opens his fourth spring football season in Boulder this week:

• Previous Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre got fired in 2018 after going 20-17 in his final three seasons from 2016 to 2018, including 10-4 in 2016, when the Buffaloes suffered a blowout loss in the Alamo Bowl.

• Sanders' three-year record at Colorado is 16-21, including 9-4 in 2024, when they also suffered a blowout loss in the Alamo Bowl.

MacIntyre had just one winning season in six years overall. Sanders has just one winning season in three. So how does Sanders veer off that similar path? By solving these three major challenges below, starting Monday, March 2, just one day afterhis team was rattled by tragic news: Backup quarterback Dominiq Ponderdied in a car accidentin Boulder County March 1.

1. Deion Sanders must break in a mostly whole new team

After finishing 3-9 last year, Sandershas a new offensive coordinator, new defensive coordinator, new running backs coach, new defensive line coach, new tight ends coach and new cornerbacks coach, along with44 new scholarship transfer playersand 12 new scholarship freshmen.

Out of 77 scholarship players on the current team, only 21 return from last year's team, according to the university. The newcomers include San Jose State transfer receiver Danny Scudero, who led the nation last year in receiving yards (1,297). Talented playmaker Boo Carter also transferred into Boulder from Tennesseeafter his dismissal from the team there in November.

Colorado's transfer class ranked No. 23 nationally, according to 247Sports. But Sanders only has 15 spring practices to work on it before the start of preseason practices and the season opener at Georgia Tech on Sept. 3.

2. Prepare the quarterback of the future

This will be an especially tough spring for Colorado quarterbacks after the sudden passing of Ponder, a non-scholarship player.

"I know that we'll we'll find a way to get through it and and honor Dom in the way that we work every day," Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion said March 2.

Ponder likely would have been a backup this year behindredshirt freshman Julian Lewis, who started two games last season. Lewis, 18, has shown he has the poise and potential to be the team's new starter this year as a pro-style passer. But then Sanders changed his offensive coordinator, replacing Pat Shurmur withMarion, who runs a run-heavy Go-Go offense. That doesn't mean Lewis won't fit into that system. But it does raise questions about how well he'll fit into it.

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Another mystery added to the intrigue recently when the Buffsconducted an internal player draftto select two intrasquad teams. In a bit of a shocker, Lewis was not the first quarterback selected, as shownin a video posted by Sanders' son Deion Jr.

Colorado teammates instead picked freshman quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne at No. 1 overall, ahead of Lewis, who was picked No. 2. Sweetwyne is a dual-threat QB who at least gives the Buffs some options at a position that suffered a setback in 2025 after Sanders' quarterback son Shedeur left for the NFL.

3. Establish an effective defense in a hurry

Five days before the start of spring practice, defensive coordinator Robert Livingstondeparted to take a job as an assistant coach with the NFL's Denver Broncos. Colorado also confirmed Feb. 26 pass rush coordinatorWarren Sapp has leftthe coaching staff, too.

In a bit of a jam, Sanders promoted new linebackers coach Chris Marve to replace Livingston and revive a defense that regressed in 2025. Colorado ranked 111thnationally in scoring defense with 30.5 points allowed per game last year and then lost its leading tackler — safety Tawfiq Byard, who transferred to Texas A&M. But the Buffs still might be able to fill his void. They added veteran Vanderbilt safetyRandon Fontenette, who had 125 tackles the past two seasons.

A bigger question might be whether Marve is the man to get the job done. He previously served as defensive coordinator at Virginia Tech, where he was fired in 2024 after a 6-6 regular season.

If Marve fails again, will Sanders go the way of MacIntyre with two one-hit wonders between them in 2016 and 2024?

It's a question that won't need to be asked if Sanders can meet these challenges, starting Monday. The Buffs conclude their spring practice season April 11.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer@Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Deion Sanders facing 3 big issues this spring with Colorado football

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 03, 2026

Is Deion Sanders fighting for his job? Not yet, but there are issues

Colorado footballcoachDeion Sandersmight not be fighting for his job just yet. But consider this comparison as Sanders op...

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Is Miami Ohio in March Madness if it loses MAC? Case for, against RedHawks' at-large chances

The last undefeated team inmen's college basketballis at the center of theNCAA Tournamentdebate.

No. 20 Miami (Ohio)remains perfect going into the final week of the regular season, at 29-0 with two games left before the MAC tournament.

And while their record indicates the RedHawks should be a shoo-in for March Madness, that may not be the case. And there's no certainty Miami wins the MAC's automatic bid either.

'Flat out wrong.'Miami Ohio AD fires back at Bruce Pearl over March Madness bid

March Madness bracket:Teams rising, falling in projected NCAA field

TheRedHawkshave had plenty of close calls, and second-place Akron is no pushover. The Zips are 24-5 (15-1 in MAC), with their lone league loss to Miami by three points back on Jan. 3.

So what happens if Miami doesn't leave Cleveland with an automatic bid?

Miami's resume and season has perplexed the hoops world as it reignites the age-old postseason debate of best vs. deserving. The discussion intensified whenformer Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said the RedHawks aren't worthyof an at-large spot.

"If we're selecting the 68 best teams, then Miami (Ohio) is going to have to win their tournament to qualify as a champion, because as an at-large, they are not one of the best teams in the country, and that's going to be a difficult choice for the committee," he said.

Miami's athletic director David Sayler wasn't too impressed with Pearl's analysis,firing back on Monday via social media.

"(You) are flat out wrong about (Miami Ohio basketball) when (you) say we would finish last in the Big East," Sayler posted. "The disrespect is awful and (you) should not be near a TV studio covering this sport when (you) show your true colors! Even slipped in a 'we' when talking aboutAuburn, nice work!"

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There are several reasons Miami should and shouldn't be in the NCAA Tournament. Of course, it can make all of this moot by heading into Selection Sunday if it still hasn't lost. But let's breakdown the RedHawks' at-large case, just in case.

Why Miami Ohio should be in NCAA Tournament

To start, it's March and they are the only one of 365 teams that haven't lost. Miami (Ohio) is just the fourth team in the 21st century — Wichita State (2014), Kentucky (2015) and Gonzaga (2021) — to enter March undefeated. The 29 wins are the most in Division I.

The RedHawks have the best shooting percentage at 52.7% and are eighth in 3-point percentage at 39.2%. They average 90.9 points per game, second in the country behind Alabama, an win by an average of 17 points a game, a margin that's seventh-best in Division I.

Some models back the success. Thestrength of recordis 21st in the country, and inthe RPI, the old model used to select NCAA Tournament teams before the NET rankings, the RedHawks are No. 28.

History certainly favors Miami. No team with more than 28 wins has ever missed out on March Madness since it expanded in 1985, and the NCAA Tournament selection committee never left out a team with less than four losses. Even if the RedHawks lost the remainder of their games, they'd only have three defeats.

Why Miami Ohio shouldn't be in NCAA Tournament

It's the quality of resume the tournament selection primarily uses that doesn't work in Miami's favor.

While undefeated, the RedHawks are ranked No. 52 in the NET rankings, high for an at-large team. It's still possible, as San Diego State was that exact ranking when it made the First Four last season.

A deeper look reveals Miami doesn't have any Quad 1 games, and just one Quad 2 victory. A majority of the wins are Quad 4 with a 16-0 record that doesn't include the three victories against non-Division I teams. It doesn't help at the moment, it will not get a chance to earn a Quad 1 win by the end of the MAC title game.

The lack of quality opponents really hurts other metrics. The strength of schedule ranks 256th and Miami has a KenPom rating of 87, surrounded by teams that are virtually out of the running for an at-large spot. In KenPom, the RedHawks have a strength of schedule ranking of 285th, and a the nonconference rating is sixth-worst in Division I.

All of the variables make for one of the most polarizing bubble contenders in recent memory. Miami deserves credit for playing its schedule perfectly and should be rewarded for the amount of wins, yet it's understandable to see why there's a chance they can end up being left out of the tournament — no matter how unfair it is.

Miami Ohio basketball remaining schedule

• Tuesday, March 3: vs. Toledo, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

• Friday, March 6: at Ohio, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2

• Thursday, March 12: MAC tournament first round (vs. TBA)

• Friday, March 13: MAC tournament semifinal (vs. TBA) *if advance

• Saturday, March 14: MAC tournament championship (vs. TBA) *if advance

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Is Miami Ohio a March Madness lock? RedHawks' case for, against at-large bid

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 03, 2026

Is Miami Ohio in March Madness if it loses MAC? Case for, against RedHawks' at-large chances

The last undefeated team inmen's college basketballis at the center of theNCAA Tournamentdebate. No. 20 Mia...

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Meet the nobodies who are biggest somebodies in Trump college sports roundtable

Look, everyone, it's Tiger Woods! AndTim Tebowand the President of the United States and so many other heavy-hitting heroescoming togetherto fix college sports.

And none of them mean a damn thing.

Except, that is, Jeff Gold, Jere Morehead and Donde Plowman.

Who are they, you ask? Merely three surface nobodies who are the biggest somebodies inPresident Trump's scheduled Friday White House meeting to finally, mercifully, fix what's broken.

The answer of yesteryear:Looking for college football's magic bullet? It's academic eligibility

More money, more problems:Players, cash, lack of consequences. What could go wrong in NIL world?

But nothing gets done without theBig TenandSECsigning off on it, and they're not exactlyplaying nice of late. Which brings us the the big three of the event, where the rubber meets we don't have to do a thing if we don't want to.

• Morehead, Georgia's president, is the most powerful president or chancellor in the SEC, and likely college sports. He's widely considered the most hands-on sports administrator in the nation.

• Gold, the longtime Nebraska chancellor, led the Big Ten through its return to play during the pandemic season, steering the league clear of a dolt former commissioner's idea of spring football and — get this — two seasons in eight months.

• Plowman, the Tennessee chancellor, is at the forefront of the push for collective bargaining, the one true answer — however it's massaged and managed into a plausible system — to gain control of pay for play and player movement.

You can have Tiger or Timmy or Condi Rice or Adam Silver (Adam Silver?). My money is on the Big Three ― Morehead, Gold and Plowman ― to make this thing work.

Because despite what you believe, despite how Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey have become the bad guys in this deal, they're simply herding cats. Or in this case, university presidents and chancellors who make every decision.

That's 18 from the Big Ten and 16 from the SEC, and those 34 men and women will be the sole reason college sports figures a way out of this mess. If it even does.

More to the point, the Big Three at the Trump meeting carry considerable weight within their university caucuses.

There's a reason Tennessee athletic director Danny White has been publicly talking about the need to collectively bargain with players — which, until now, has been last resort, last chance. Well, here we are, everyone.

The last train is leaving the station.

If White is publicly talking about collective bargaining — again, it doesn't have to be collective bargaining as we know it — he's doing it because his boss (Plowman) signed off on it. Plowman will enter that meeting full of collective bargaining research from White and his staff.

That stand-your-ground move by White comes six years after Gold fought the Big Ten — and won. He wasn't buying the cancellation of the pandemic season, and threatened to play a full schedule without the Big Ten.

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Think about that: He was willing to go against his conference membership when dealing with the pandemic, possibly leading to Nebraska's expulsion had the Big Ten membership not eventually figured out the lunacy of not playing.

To say nothing of the potential lawsuits from injured players after playing two seasons in eight months (seriously, how dumb was that idea?).

Can Trump fix college sports?Can't sell plan if SEC, Big Ten don't want to hear it

Then there's Morehead, the most powerful player in the most powerful conference in college sports. The conference that could, if it wanted to, break away and make billions as the most-watched product in college sports. By a long way.

Morehead could bring the SEC presidents and chancellors together, and be part of the answer. Instead of being part of the problem.

Look, the SEC and Big Ten could survive in this ever-changing, eat what you kill world. It wouldn't be easy, and there would be annual fires to put out — some costing hundreds of millions of dollars in potential legal losses — but it could be done.

They could survive even without an antitrust exemption. Hell, they're doing it now.

But at what cost, and do they want to be seen as the two conferences that killed college sports as we know it?

Here's why this meeting could actually work, beyond how they eventually figure out the machinations of it all: Who blinks first? The SEC or the Big Ten?

Be the first conference to join the other side, and you're forever seen as the conference that saved college sports. Be the conference that follows, and you're forever seen as being dragged, kicking and screaming, to the answer.

This isn't about Trump, though his bully pulpit helps. This isn't about Nick Saban and his championships, or Tony Dungy or an NFL owner or the reality that no players or player representatives have been asked to attend.

Nothing changes without the Big Ten and SEC saying it does.

And the three surface nobodies who are the biggest somebodies to finally making it happen.

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

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:The most important people at Trump's college sports roundtable

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 03, 2026

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