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Survive and advance.
That's all that matters in the NCAA tournament and March Madness.
But when you are coming off an appearance in the final four and boast one of the best scoring offenses in the country, winning isn't enough for the Alabama Crimson Tide...
Alabama yet to play up to their potential in 2025 March Madness
"I don't think we've played to the level that we are capable of playing these first two games," said Alabama guard and sixth man Aden Holloway via Mike Rodack on X-Twitter. "We've been fortunate enough to come out with two wins, but we've got to turn up this third game."
Alabama is headed to their third straight sweet 16 and caked walked through the second half of a March Madness game against a 7th-seeded Saint Mary's team. So what's the fuss about?
Well, while the dominance of Alabama came into play against the Gaels, foul trouble from Mark Spears along with a huge L in the turnover column would have come back to bite the Tide against more premier competition.
If you want to argue that their depth and recruiting can make up for these circumstances, you'll see no argument from me. But starting as soon as Thursday, Alabama will have to be sharp against a BYU team that has a lot of similarities...
"I don't know that I want to say it's refreshing to go against somebody that plays like us because I think we're really tough to guard, and we've led the country in scoring the last two years," HC Nate Oats said via video from Bama 247. "I don't think anybody is saying it's refreshing to play Alabama, whoever is running the defense for the other team."
One thing is certain. The Tide have the potential to one-up their run from last season, and this time, put the finishing touches on everything. After escaping the most dangerous weekend in sports, Alabama should have their sights set on San Antonio.
But it starts by playing their brand of ball. Starting slow, getting into foul trouble and turning the ball over is no one's recipe for success, but certainly not a team with the scoring ability and tempo of the team in Crimson and White.
More must-reads:
- Insider provides notable update on where Commanders, Terry McLaurin stand on extension talks
- Could wheeler-dealer Yankees replace Anthony Volpe at shortstop?
- The 'NFL all-time touchdown receptions leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Steelers reporter shares big claim about how Aaron Rodgers has looked in training camp
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent the bulk of the spring as an unsigned free agent and, thus, only began officially practicing with Pittsburgh Steelers teammates during the team's three-day mandatory minicamp in June. During a Monday appearance on Pittsburgh radio station 102.5 WDVE, Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressed how Rodgers looked during his first few training camp practices with the club. "His release is just astonishing to watch," Dulac said about Rodgers, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "Everybody knows about it, and when you see it in person, you see it every day in practice, you just marvel at it. To me, he's the greatest thrower of the football I have ever seen, even at 41 (years old). That flick of that wrist and that ball comes out, it's moving and it is something to see." Rodgers was with the New York Jets when he suffered a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into the 2023 regular-season opener. He was then slowed by a nagging hip issue, injuries to both his knees, a low ankle sprain and a serious hamstring problem as the 2024 Jets went 5-12. According to Pro Football Reference, Rodgers finished last season ranked 28th in the NFL among qualified players with a 48.0 adjusted QBR and 26th with a 43.9 percent passing success rate. That said, he was also eighth with 3,897 passing yards and tied for seventh with 28 passing touchdowns. Rodgers and Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson endured some struggles during training camp sessions last summer before the two allegedly "never saw eye-to-eye" during the season. It sounds like Pittsburgh fans should be encouraged by how Rodgers performed in recent practices. "That guy can get rid of the ball as quick as anybody," Dulac added. "He made three throws in seven-on-seven (drills) the other day that the cumulative total I bet couldn't have exceeded 2.1 seconds. And two of those were for touchdowns." Rodgers wants to finish his career "the right way" and help the Steelers notch at least their first playoff win since January 2017. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Pittsburgh at -150 betting odds to miss the playoffs for the upcoming season.
Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
Raiders rookie WR showing he could be steal of 2025 draft
Las Vegas Raiders WR Dont'e Thornton Jr. is opening eyes at training camp, including QB Geno Smith, who appears to be trusting the rookie. Maybe that is the reason why general manager John Spytek has not looked for outside help at the position. And just maybe he got a steal from the 2025 NFL Draft. That looked evident on the first day of pads in Henderson, Nevada, where Thornton badly beat fellow rookie cornerback Darien Porter for a long touchdown, as described by The Athletic's Tashan Reed. In a piece, Reed said Thornton has been the first-string "X" receiver since OTAs and "could make an immediate impact." Thornton shared what Smith told him during training camp: "He tells me every single day, 'if you've got a one-on-one matchup, I'm coming to you,'" Smith said, as shared by Reed. "It means a lot to me. Being a rookie and just getting here ... just knowing that he believes in me a lot. It gives me a lot of motivation to keep getting better." While the headlines are more on rookie RB Ashton Jeanty for his potential big season, Thornton is making sure he is not forgotten after getting selected in the fourth round (108th overall) after leading the University of Tennessee with 661 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Thornton is getting all the opportunities he can get, given the Raiders didn't bother to add a veteran WR. One could see why Thornton is raising eyebrows in training camp. That is a good thing because Smith is trusting Thornton's potential playmaking abilities. Thornton is one of the tallest Raiders WRs besides Collin Johnson, and that could be a big deal given the Raiders need a big target minus TEs Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer and Ian Thomas. Yet, ESPN's Mike Clay is projecting Thornton to have a quiet year with 317 receiving yards and a TD. With such low numbers, maybe that is how the Raiders would prefer it to be, anyway. Only the Raiders know what they have in Thornton. It is up to Thornton to keep the momentum going into preseason games and beyond.
Red Sox Aren't Getting Standout Back Anytime Soon
The Boston Red Sox got some bad news in the infield. Rookie infielder Marcelo Mayer has gotten a lot of time at second base and third base. Since Alex Bregman returned, Mayer has gotten most of his action at second base while also filling in as the Red Sox worked Bregman back slowly. Unfortunately, he's on the Injured List, though, due to a wrist sprain. MassLive.com's Christopher Smith shared the lastest update on Mayer from Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Saturday noted that he's "not gonna play soon." "No new updates on Marcelo Mayer's wrist sprain, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said," Smith shared. "'Just waiting for results and see specialists and all that stuff,' Cora added. 'He's not gonna play soon. So have to make sure where we're at and what the course of action is going to be.'" Losing Mayer is tough. Defense has been a question mark for Boston once again this season but Mayer has helped in that area. With Mayer out, Ceddanne Rafaela is expected to get a lot of action at second base. That helps to alleviate the logjam in the outfield, but also removes arguably the best defensive center fielder in the game. Boston isn't at full strength and Cora noting he's "not gonna play soon" certainly doesn't sound positive. Before going down, Mayer was slashing .228/.272/.402 with four homers, 10 RBIs, and eight doubles. Will the Red Sox add another piece ahead of the trade deadline? It absolutely makes sense at this point.
Yankees Want Polarizing Red Sox Infielder, Per NY Insider
Could the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees come together on a deal before the 2025 Major League Baseball trade deadline passes? It's never likely for these two American League East rivals to come together on a deal, but it has happened plenty of times. Carlos Narváez was gifted to Boston last offseason for Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz. Boston traded outfielder Alex Verdugo to New York the offseason before for Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice. These are just two deals in recent memory. A deal between the two rivals surely is never likely, but has happened plenty of times. Over the next three days, there are going to be plenty of rumors and speculation ahead of Thursday's MLB trade deadline. One that popped up on Monday is that the Yankees reportedly like Red Sox speedy infielder David Hamilton, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. This is the first time that Hamilton's name has been thrown around with the trade deadline set to pass on July 31st. Hamilton has played in just 63 games for Boston this season and is slashing .179/.229/.276 with three homers, 12 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases. Hamilton's best trait surely is his baserunning ability. when he gets on base, he's dynamic. Right now, he's back in Boston with Marcelo Mayer on the Injured List and has been used as a late-inning pinch runner and in the infield. It's unclear if Boston is open to moving him, but we'll find out over the next few days.
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