Play Now
Men’s Brackets
Play Now
Women’s Brackets
Mock Draft Review
Covering the impact of coronavirus on the sports world
Happy Tuesday, all! Hope this newsletter finds you well.
Let’s get right to it.
This is the article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM morning newsletter. To sign up and get this in your inbox, fill out the information below.
PAIGE BUECKERS AND THE UCONN HUSKIES
They don’t call her Paige Buckets for nothing. Paige Bueckers scored 15 of her game-high 27 points in the overtime periods as UConn beat NC State 91-87 in double overtime to advance to the Final Four. It’s the Huskies’ 14th straight trip to the Final Four, but this one did not come easy:
This game truly had it all. There was outstanding shot-making by both sides, and especially by Bueckers, whose 27 points were her most since the season opener. Neither team led by more than six points after halftime. But in the end, as has been the case every NCAA Tournament since 2008, UConn is headed to the Final Four.
Joining the Huskies there will be…
Here’s the Final Four schedule.
THE BOSTON CELTICS
If you’ve been stuck in the NBA‘s version of the dog days for the last few weeks, I don’t blame you. The post-All Star and pre-playoffs stretch can drag a bit. But if you’ve found yourself a bit tuned out, you’ve missed a pretty incredible stretch by the Boston Celtics.
On the morning of Jan. 17, the Celtics woke up in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. Since then, they…
Safe to say it’s been pretty much all good news since mid-January. But the good news hit an abrupt end Monday: Center Robert Williams III will have surgery to fix a torn meniscus and is out indefinitely.
This is a massive loss for Boston, writes our NBA guru Sam Quinn:
Williams’ impact isn’t limited to defense, either. He is a terrific finisher at the rim — his 157 dunks this season rank fourth in the NBA — and a very good offensive rebounder (3.9 per game, also fourth in the league).
Just because Williams isn’t Boston’s biggest name doesn’t mean he won’t be sorely missed. The Celtics will have their hands full trying to adjust with the playoffs nearing, but NBA expert Brad Botkin has some ideas.
Fear not, Buffalo Bills fans: Your team is here to stay.
Yesterday, the Bills reached an agreement with New York State and Erie County for a new, $1.4-billion stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. with a 30-year lease. The stadium is expected to be completed by 2026. It will come at a cost, though:
The Bills were long overdue for a new stadium, explains our NFL writer Jeff Kerr:
Buffalo has some of the NFL’s best fans. Josh Allen and company should give them plenty to cheer about for years to come, soon at a venue they thoroughly deserve.
And then there were four… We’re also down to four teams remaining in the men’s NCAA Tournament, which means we’re down to 20 starters, and college basketball expert Kyle Boone has ranked every single one, 1-20.
One player stands out among the rest, as he’s playing his best basketball at the perfect time:
Meanwhile, it’s worth remembering one of the best typical starters among the remaining teams — Villanova guard Justin Moore — is out for whatever remains of the Wildcats’ season after tearing his Achilles in the Elite Eight. Don’t sleep on his likely replacement, Caleb Daniels, though. The former Tulane transfer scored 12 points in the Elite Eight win over Houston and was one of just two Villanova players to reach double figures. He comes in 17th in Boone’s rankings.
The NBA regular season ends in under two weeks, and there are plenty of storylines to follow. My favorite, though, is the battle for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Here’s where things stand:
But, as our NBA expert Jasmyn Wimbish explains, earning that top seed could be a double-edged sword, because the current No. 8 seed is not your typical No. 8 seed.
🏀 Lakers at Mavericks, 7:30 p.m. on TNT
🏀 Jazz at Clippers, 10 p.m. on TNT
© 2004-2022 CBS Interactive. All Rights Reserved.
CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc.
Images by Getty Images and US Presswire