On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Both the No. 2 seed Alabama Crimson Tide and the No. 6 seed BYU Cougars advanced to the Sweet 16 this weekend in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. This matchup figures to be a highly entertaining affair, with both teams boasting plenty of talent.
Alabama (27-8 overall) advanced into the Sweet 16 with impressive wins over Robert Morris (90-81) and Saint Mary’s (80-66). The Crimson Tide have gotten contributions from a number of players the past few games to advance, including stars like Mark Sears (22 points and 10 assists against Robert Morris) and Clifford Omoruyi (10 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks against St. Mary’s).
BYU (26-9 overall) made their way into the Sweet Sixteen with impressive performances against No. 11 seed VCU (80-71) and No. 3 seed Wisconsin (91-89). The Cougars have been carried by their superstar Richie Saunders, who pumped in 25 points and seven rebounds in their two-point win over the Wisconsin Badgers.
The matchup between Keba Keita and Clifford Omoruyi figures to be one of the best battles of two big men we’ll see in the tournament. BYU guard Egor Demin is being praised as one of the top playmakers in the 2025 NBA Draft class and he’s got the stats to prove it. Against Wisconsin, he had 11 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds.
Odds for Alabama vs. BYU
Going into this game, Alabama is the favorite against BYU. The Crimson Tide are currently 4.5-point favorites, according to FanDuel. The Crimson Tide money line is currently set at -188 and for BYU it is set at +155, if you’d like to pick either team straight up. The total number of points is set at 174.5.
Final score predictions for Alabama vs. BYU
KenPom Predicted Final score: Alabama 89, BYU 84
KenPom Win Probability (for Alabama): 68%
KenPom is another predictive system for college basketball. It’s designed to show how strong a team is at a given time, without taking factors like injuries into account. KenPom mostly agrees with Vegas on the spread and the final score. It’s very close.
How to watch Alabama vs. BYU
Time: 7:09 PM EST
Channel: CBS
Location: Newark, New Jersey
The Alabama Crimson Tide and BYU Cougars are set to tip off at 7:09 PM EST. The game is set to be played on Thursday, March 27th. They’ll play at the Prudential Center in Newark New Jersey, pitting a SEC opponent with a member of the Big 12. For fans who can’t make the game, it will be nationally televised on CBS.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com.
Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino).
More must-reads:
- Columbus had a rotten sports day against Pittsburgh
- Hawks provide injury update on Trae Young amid recent success
- The 'Five game-winning-drives in a season' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
No. 10 Florida shoots past Providence in Rady consolation game
Xaivian Lee scored a game-high 20 points and Urban Klavzar came off the bench to toss in 18 to lead No. 10 Florida to a 90-78 victory over Providence in the Rady Children's Invitational consolation game Friday in San Diego. Florida (5-2) made a season-high 12 3-pointers on 33 attempts. Lee and Boogie Fland each made a team-high four 3-pointers. Fland finished with 17 points. The Gators received 16 points, 12 rebounds and five assists from Thomas Haugh, and a 13-point, 10-rebound performance from Rueben Chinyelu. Ryan Mela (17 points) and Jaylin Sellers (14) were Providence's lead scorers. Sellers made each of his three 3-point attempts. Jason Edwards scored 13 points, Corey Floyd Jr. had 12 and Stefan Vaaks was good for 10 for the Friars (4-4). Providence forward Oswin Erhunmwunse fouled out in 13 minutes of playing time, and forward Cole Hargrove fouled out in 12 minutes. Each player had two points. Florida forward Alex Condon was held out of Friday's game after he was accidentally hit in the chin by Chinyelu on Thursday. Condon ranks second on the team in scoring (15.7), rebounds (8.8), assists (3.5) and steals (1.0). He's also first in blocked shots (1.2). Florida, which lost to TCU 84-80 in the tournament semifinals Thursday, scored 45 points in each half. Providence was coming off a 104-83 loss to Wisconsin in Thursday's other semifinal. Florida took its first double-digit lead when two Haugh free throws made it 32-22 with 6:18 remaining in the first half, and the Gators had their largest lead of the half at 35-22 following Haugh's dunk with 5:27 on the clock. Providence narrowed its deficit to 45-39 at halftime. Sellers drained a 3-pointer and Mela added four free throws in a 7-0 Providence run that cut Florida's lead to 51-47, but the Gators responded with a 10-0 run featuring consecutive triples by Fland. Florida had its largest lead at 80-61 after Klavzar made a 3-pointer with 7:34 remaining. The Gators led by at least 12 points for the rest of the game.
Arch Manning has defining performance of college career in win over Texas A&M
In the biggest game of his college football career so far, Texas quarterback Arch Manning grew into the superstar he was touted to be with the nation watching. No. 16 Texas (9-3) earned a huge rivalry win over No. 3 Texas A M (11-1) in Austin on Friday in large part thanks to the second-half play of Manning. Manning was only 8-of-21 for 51 yards in the first half, and the Longhorns trailed the Aggies 10-3 at the break. Texas had an opportunity to kick a field goal and cut the A M lead to four at the break, but an intentional grounding penalty incurred by Manning took that opportunity away. Arch Manning lights up the scoreboard in second half But with the help of a Texas defense that rattled TAMU QB Marcel Reed in the second half, Manning and the 'Horns scored 24 second-half points in a winning effort. Texas' first drive of the second half netted three points, but a strike from Manning to Ryan Wingo on the next UT possession gave the Longhorns the lead and gave Manning some confidence. After another defensive stop, Manning led a six-play, 83-yard TD drive to put the Longhorns up by 10. After Texas A M responded, Manning did as well, running away from the Aggie defense on a 35-yard scoring sprint that ultimately served as the deciding blow. In the end, it was Reed — the more experienced and consistent of the two quarterbacks — that made the back-breaking mistake, throwing an interception deep in Texas territory on a drive that looked poised to end with points. The victory was a team effort for Texas, which will await Saturday's slate of games and beg for several playoff contenders to lose to have a shot at the 12-team playoff field. But it was Manning who would be the face of it. Manning went 14-of-29 for 179 yards and a touchdown through the air and added 53 yards and a score on the ground. The win serves as the biggest moment of Manning's young UT career. Going into Saturday, Manning's sophomore season was marred by inconsistent play. A career day against Arkansas was contrasted by middling performances against Ohio State and Georgia. Standout efforts in wins over Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma were overshadowed by no-shows against UTEP, Kentucky and Florida. But Manning rose to his greatest challenge on Saturday, delivering a win in a rivalry game that nobody in the state of Texas — whether they wear burnt orange or maroon — will soon forget.
'I’m Doing It': Scribe on Maple Leafs Trading Future Star in Quinn Hughes Deal
In another world, where the Toronto Maple Leafs have 30 points and are playoff contenders, looking to capitalize on a window to win, does the organization take a run at a generational defenseman that could put them over the top? One host and analyst thinks so, arguing that he would trade just about anything, including Matthew Knies, to acquire Quinn Hughes. Talk about whether the Vancouver Canucks will eventually trade Hughes is everywhere these days. The Canucks have told 31 other teams they are open to moving veterans and are making pending UFAs available via trade. To this point, that doesn’t include Hughes. However, he remains the big name, and the talking point around him is that he looks unhappy. Despite saying he’s committed to the team, it appears he’s moving on at some point. Perhaps the Canucks should get the most they can, while he can fetch a massive return. Would The Maple Leafs Be Interested? Who’s kidding whom? If Hughes becomes available, the Leafs will make a call to find out the asking price. And Bryan Hayes noted recently that if that price is Matthew Knies, he’s doing it. Should Toronto get two possible playoff runs out of Hughes — even if he eventually makes his way to New Jersey as a free agent to play with his brothers — Hughes is such a difference-maker, the Maple Leafs have to consider the trade. Hayes even said he’s throwing in picks and whatever else is required to acquire the second-best defensman in the world. Hayes said: “Let’s say the Leafs are really rocking right now, and it’s going to cost you Matthew Knies, I’m doing it, that’s what I’m telling you. I’m doing that, plus the picks and the prospects, like, that’s how good Quinn Hughes is.” Why Quinn Hughes Would Be A Risk For the Maple Leafs Hayes is suggesting the Leafs move on from arguably their best young forward. And, he’s suggesting they do so, even if they know that Hughes is ultimately not re-signing in Toronto. That makes any theorized deal all about how good Toronto thinks they can be with Hughes and without Knies over the next two seasons. It might not look like it so far this season, but the Maple Leafs’ window to win is now with Auston Matthews and William Nylander in their prime. In fact, that window is closing fast and if the team doesn’t push this season and next, they might be looking at starting over. How much of an impact can Hughes make with this roster? That’s the real question. If you were to describe the ideal fit, Hughes is it. Whether moving on from Knies to get what you need is the right play would be heavily debated. Getting Hughes would be huge. Losing Knies means immediately looking for another player to do what he does and at the same or a lower price. That’s no easy task, given how much the salary cap is rising and with what good forwards are commanding. Winning is the priority, but at what cost? Hughes is a long-term rental, probably nothing more. Hayes is behind the idea that you do what you have to, but is he right? There’s no indication a Hughes trade is close. There’s no sign that the Maple Leafs have eyes on him. But, if the opportunity fell into their lap, does GM Brad Treliving do whatever it takes to make that possibilty a reality?
Eagles' grip on NFC East suddenly in danger of slipping away amid spiral, Cowboys' resurgence
Life comes at you fast in the NFL, and the Philadelphia Eagles are finding that out right now. Now they are in a position where what looked to be a runaway lead in the NFC East is rapidly shrinking, and it could be in danger of completely slipping away after an ugly 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears on Friday. Especially after the Dallas Cowboys won again on Thursday, continuing to narrow the gap in the division. Could the Eagles actually lose the division? The odds are still in the Eagles' favor, but given the way both teams are playing right now, nothing should be considered a given. Dallas has rapidly become one of the hottest teams in the NFL with three consecutive wins, and boasts one of the league's best offenses. The Cowboys' much-maligned defense has also been given a massive boost thanks to the trade-deadline addition of defensive lineman Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets. Dallas really started to get some belief for itself when it rallied to beat the Eagles in a massive NFC East game a week ago. It continued on Thanksgiving with another big win over the Kansas City Chiefs. With Philadelphia's loss on Friday, the gap in the division is now down to just a game-and-a-half with five weeks to go in the season. Hardly insurmountable. Are the Eagles still in the driver's seat? Sure. Would they trade positions with the Cowboys right now? No way. But that doesn't mean anybody in Philadelphia has to be feeling good about any of this given the way the Eagles are playing. Especially when it comes to the team's offense. The Eagles offense has been a struggle for much of the season, and it is getting progressively worse with each game. The passing game has been non-existent. They entered play on Friday with the 23rd-ranked passing offense in the league, and it looked worse than that against the Bears. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has struggled with consistency, the team's best wide receiver — A.J. Brown — seems perpetually miserable with his role and usage, and the play-calling has become shockingly conservative and bland. The running game that carried the Eagles to the Super Bowl a year ago has struggled to build any sort of a rhythm, and Saquon Barkley has been a shell of what he was last season. Even worse, they have almost completely eliminated any designed runs for Hurts, something that was a major X-factor for the offense in recent years. If all of that is not concerning enough, a new issue emerged on Friday — the defense that has helped keep the Eagles afloat this season and lift up the inconsistent offense was completely dominated by the Bears' running game. They were pushed around, bullied and could not get off the field on important third downs. It just looks like a team that has no confidence and nothing going for it. Conversely, the Cowboys all of a sudden look like a team that can do nothing wrong and they are suddenly breathing right down the Eagles' necks. Philadelphia still has games against the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders (twice) remaining. The Cowboys still have the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Chargers, Commanders and New York Giants. The schedules are pretty similar. But the division might not come down to the opponents. It might come down to what the Eagles and Cowboys can do on their own. The Cowboys should be very confident right now, and the Eagles should not be.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
