March is an interesting month on the sports calendar for several reasons
Of course, there’s March Madness, which has been a staple for many years, but of course currently when something is good, there’s always somebody out there who will try to ruin it purely for profit.
At the end of the day this tournament has had little sizzle in terms of upsets and mid major advancement, which has always been a staple of what made this tournament special. The NIL and transfer portal have basically taken all that away and in some cases, frankly—ruined the sport. Four number ones advancing to the final four Duke, Florida, Auburn and Houston) is a yawner, except for the fact that it will be decent basketball being played.
That is not my issue. It’s just not as fun!
Then there’s the start of baseball season which gets earlier and earlier every year and starts with two games in Japan about two weeks before the regular season starts. Remember folks, it’s not about your fandom or the sport itself. It is and always will be about money. It’s about money for the MLB. It’s about money for the networks. It’s about money for the NCAA and now it’s about money for what we used to call amateur athletes. So, old dudes like me are a little jaded and a little suspect in this new sports industry as we grew up with something much different, much more fun and much more pristine. OK, now that I’ve got everybody off my lawn.
Here is your recap:
As March Madness 2025 unfolds, both the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments have delivered thrilling performances, unexpected upsets, and historic milestones. Let’s dive into the highlights so far.
Men’s Tournament:
The Final Four is set, featuring all No. 1 seeds—a testament to the selection committee’s seeding accuracy.
- Duke Blue Devils: Duke secured its 18th Final Four appearance by defeating No. 2 Alabama 85-65 in the Elite Eight. Freshman Cooper Flagg made history with 16 points, and a decisive 13-0 run late in the game sealed the victory.
- Florida Gators: Florida made a remarkable comeback to beat No. 3 Texas Tech 84-79, earning their first Final Four spot since 2014. Walter Clayton Jr. and Thomas Haugh led the charge, showcasing resilience and determination.
- Houston Cougars: Houston dominated No. 2 Tennessee with a 69-50 victory, marking their seventh trip to the Final Four. The Cougars’ defense was stellar, holding Tennessee to just 15 first-half points, a record low for a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in NCAA Tournament history. Emanuel Sharp was named the region’s Most Outstanding Player.
- Auburn Tigers: Auburn defeated No. 2 Michigan State 70-64, completing the sweep of No. 1 seeds into the Final Four. Johni Broome led with 25 points and 14 rebounds, overcoming an arm injury scare during the game. This marks Auburn’s second Final Four appearance under coach Bruce Pearl.
Women’s Tournament:
The Women’s Final Four features powerhouse programs, each showcasing exceptional talent and determination.
- South Carolina Gamecocks: South Carolina edged out No. 2 Duke 54-50, securing their fifth consecutive Final Four appearance. Chloe Kitts led with 14 points, including crucial free throws in the final moments.
- UCLA Bruins: UCLA made history by reaching their first-ever Final Four, defeating No. 3 LSU 72-65. Lauren Betts, a 6-foot-7 junior, was instrumental with 17 points, seven rebounds, and six blocks, despite limited playtime in the second quarter.
- UConn Huskies: Led by Paige Bueckers, UConn showcased dominance throughout the tournament. Bueckers set a career-high with 34 points in the Round of 32 against South Dakota State and surpassed it with 40 points in the Sweet 16 against Oklahoma, highlighting her exceptional talent and leadership.
- TCU Horned Frogs: TCU advanced to the Final Four, with standout performances from key players. The team’s resilience and strategic play have been pivotal in their journey through the tournament.
As the tournaments progress, fans eagerly anticipate the matchups ahead. The men’s semifinals will feature Duke vs. Houston and Florida vs. Auburn, while the women’s semifinals will see South Carolina vs. UCLA and UConn vs. TCU. Each game promises to add to the rich tapestry of March Madness history.
FROZEN FOUR
In a tournament that doesn’t get as much attention, but that is very intriguing, is the men’s hockey which will feature Denver playing Western Michigan on one side and Penn State playing Boston University on the other in the frozen four championship.
We will not discuss NHL hockey as I have written that off as a lost cause, just purely for my team. We’ll get back into that when the playoffs start same as for the NBA.
The 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season has commenced with a series of captivating games, standout performances, and intriguing storylines. Here’s a concise overview of the season’s early highlights.
Opening Day and Early Season Highlights:
- Los Angeles Dodgers: The defending World Series champions began their season with a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Shohei Ohtani, the reigning National League MVP, contributed a pivotal opposite-field solo home run in the seventh inning, providing a crucial insurance run.
- New York Yankees: The Yankees showcased their offensive prowess by sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers in their opening series, amassing a total of 36 runs over three games. Notably, they became the first team in MLB history to hit home runs on the first three pitches of a game during their March 29 matchup against the Brewers.
- Arizona Diamondbacks: In a remarkable comeback, the Diamondbacks scored eight runs in the eighth inning to defeat the Chicago Cubs 10-6. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. tied the game with a two-run homer, followed by Josh Naylor’s go-ahead double.
- Baltimore Orioles: Newly acquired outfielder Tyler O’Neill continued his Opening Day tradition by hitting a home run for the sixth consecutive season, extending his MLB record. His three-run homer contributed to the Orioles’ 12-2 rout of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Notable Player Performances:
- Rafael Devers (Boston Red Sox): Devers has experienced a challenging start, going 0-for-16 with 10 strikeouts in his first 12 plate appearances. This performance has raised concerns about his early-season form.
- MacKenzie Gore (Washington Nationals): Gore delivered an exceptional Opening Day performance, recording 13 strikeouts without issuing a walk in a scoreless outing against the Philadelphia Phillies. He joins Bob Gibson as the only pitchers in MLB history to achieve this feat on Opening Day.
Innovations and Rule Changes:
- Torpedo Bats: The Yankees have introduced a new bat design, dubbed “torpedo bats,” developed by former MIT physicist Aaron Leanhardt. These bats have shown impressive results, with the Yankees’ lineup displaying significant power in their opening series. The design redistributes the wood to move the sweet spot, making it easier to hit the ball solidly.
- Rule Adjustments: MLB has implemented new rules for the 2025 season. Notably, violations of the infield shift ban now result in the batter being awarded first base, with runners advancing one base. Additionally, replay reviews can now assess whether a player has overrun second or third base, potentially calling them out for abandonment.
In April, we look forward to warmer days at the stadiums for baseball and the NFL draft.
If I may suggest? Try to get out and watch a high school or college game or even go to the park and watch some kids play for free to get the enjoyment of what we had years ago and hopefully the axis of this wacky world will start to turn back in the way that makes sense to all of us.
Stay well. DT
Source: ESPN, NCAA, MLB
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