The Sweet 16 kicks off Thursday night with the West (LA) and East (Boston) Regions in action. In the East we’ve got a 2023 National Championship rematch between UConn and San Diego State. The Huskies look primed to move on, but will Jaedon LeDee have anything to say about it for the Aztecs? Additionally, as Iowa State takes on Illinois, we’ll get KenPom’s No. 1 defense against the No. 1 offense. But what happens on the other side of the floor?

In the West, top-seeded North Carolina takes on Alabama’s high-powered offense in a rematch from the 2022-23 season in which the Crimson Tide won a four-overtime game. Will Nate Oats’ team buy in on the defensive end though?  Also Clemson will try to keep their tournament run going against Arizona basically in the Wildcats back yard.

In coaching rumors, might we see another Pitino as the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals?



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Sweet 16 Primer: Natty Rematch (UConn vs. SDSU) | Top O (Illinois) vs. Top D (Iowa St) | Another Pitino in Louisville?!

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Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats landed Fairleigh Dickinson forward Ansley Almonor in the transfer portal, the 11th newcomer for the 'Cats as they look to rebuild in the post John Calipari era. Is this the final addition in Lexington for UK, and if so what might the starting lineup and rotation look like at Kentucky?

Did Kentucky FINALIZE roster with Ansley Almonor? | Duke keeps building! | Kugel to Mississippi St

Louisville landed their 10th transfer this week in the form of South Florida’s Kasean Pryor, a lanky forward who should be a great addition to Coach Pat Kelsey’s first team of Cardinals. But then Coach also landed Michigan signee Khani Rooths, who is top 30ish in the class of 2024. Rooths committed on Wednesday, Coach Kelsey’s birthday. 

The 2025 Maui Invitational is field was released on Tuesday, and compared to the 2023 and 2024 fields, it’s rather underwhelming. This is not great news for Maui fresh on the heels of the announcement of the NIL-backed “Players Era MTE”. Battle 4 Atlantis plans to replace Creighton with Providence.



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Louisville adds 10th(!) transfer | 2025 Maui field is set...& it's underwhelming | Atlantis finds Creighton replacement

The SEC released conference opponents scheuldes for the 2024-25 season on Monday afternoon. While we are getting a home and home with Arkansas and Kentucky, the Hogs do have to travel to Lexington, meaning that John Calipari will be back in Rupp in a different color. What will his reception be? Chris Beard and Ole Miss don’t have to travel to Texas…this year.

Doug Gottlieb has long wanted a coaching job and has landed the Green Bay opening. Here’s the kicker – he’s going to continue doing his daily radio show. Doable? We’ll see. 

The Player’s Era Festival will feature eight teams in 2024, including Creighton, who, it turns out, is buying THEIR OWN WAY out of the Battle 4 Atlantis. Just how bad is it going to be for non-NIL-backed MTEs moving forward? 



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Coach Cal is headed back to Rupp...in red | Doug Gottlieb gets Green Bay job (& keeps radio show)

The Washington Huskies reportedly dropped a $2M bag to land former Utah State big man Great Osobor, reuniting him with head coach Danny Sprinkle. Is Osobor really going to get paid out a full $2M, and what kind of impact can he have on the Huskies as they move into the Big Ten?

$2M for Great Osobor! | Bronny James to stay in NBA draft, right move? | More conference realignment

The Players Era MTE (multi-team event) will take place in Las Vegas during Feast Week this season and include eight teams – Creighton, Alabama, Houston, San Diego State, Texas A&M, Oregon, Notre Dame and Rutgers. Ho hum, another MTE, fine whatever. Not so fast my friend (shouts to Lee Corso). This MTE will pay each team $1 million in NIL money to be distributed among the team, who will be responsible for certain contractual activities to receive the money. Reportedly, the winning team will receive an additional sum.

Duke landed Tulane transfer Sion James to help round out the 2024-25 rotation. Additionally, all but one of Duke’s outgoing transfers have committed to new schools, three of which are staying in the ACC.

Wake Forest received a commitment from Louisville transfer Ty-Laur Johnson, meaning that Steve Forbes will once again have a high leave guard transfer. Plus more in the Monday six-pack.



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Sweet 16 Primer: Natty Rematch (UConn vs. SDSU) | Top O (Illinois) vs. Top D (Iowa St) | Another Pitino in Louisville?!

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