UConn's Adama Sanogo Ranked in NCAAM Top 10 NIL Value Ahead of Championship vs. SDSU
Apr 2, 2023
Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo scores past Miami guard Isaiah Wong during the second half of a Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn junior power forward Adama Sanogo ranked No. 7 on On3's list of top 10 college basketball NIL valuations at a cool $773,000 ahead of Monday's Division I men's basketball national championship game versus San Diego State.
Northwestern State's Hansel Enmanuel tops the list at $1.4 million, followed by Texas Southern's Shaqir O'Neal ($1 million), Gonzaga's Drew Timme ($903,000), Alabama's Brandon Miller ($862,000) and UCLA's Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($847,000).
However, Sanogo's valuation is purely hypothetical as he cannot sign NIL contracts, as the Mali forward is on a student visa that makes him ineligible, barring a separate visa or a change to the current law, per Dan Breclin of CTInsider.com.
Jordan Hawkins thinks it's "really unfair" that Adama Sanogo can't benefit from NIL as an international student: pic.twitter.com/qe5B86zR7U
Sanogo has been excellent during the NCAA tournament, averaging 20.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. The 21-year-old has led the Huskies on another deep NCAA tourney run, with the school now one win away from its fifth national championship in men's basketball, all since 1999.
UConn's Jordan Hawkins to Play in 2023 Men's Final Four vs. Miami Despite Illness
Apr 1, 2023
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 30: Jordan Hawkins #24 of the Connecticut Huskies smiles during media availability for the Final Four as part of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at NRG Stadium on March 30, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
UConn's Jordan Hawkins is "a go" to play in the team's Final Four matchup against Miami on Saturday despite an illness, according to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Hawkins has "an illness that teammates and staff are calling a stomach bug and stayed at the team's hotel Friday to rest."
A UConn spokesperson said Hawkins "participated somewhat" in Saturday morning's shootaround, per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.
"We obviously isolated him," head coach Dan Hurley told reporters Friday. "Started to not feel well [Thursday] night. For him to miss today, obviously, tells you he's not in a great way.
"But, obviously, you hope that we contained it in time. We moved him out, moved his roommate out and obviously kept him away from the team. Hopefully, it just doesn't continue to spread."
Hawkins is averaging 17.3 points per game during the NCAA tournament and was the team's second-leading scorer during the regular season, averaging 16.3 points per game. He scored 24 and 20 in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight as the Huskies defeated Arkansas and Gonzaga last weekend.
The West Region All-Tournament Team!
š Jordan Hawkins š Adama Sanogo š Drew Timme š Julian Strawther š Jaime Jaquez Jr. pic.twitter.com/EtuCQMHQCk
He's also a potential first-round prospect, with ESPN's Jonathan Givony projecting him to be picked at No. 23 by the Sacramento Kings in his latest mock draft. B/R's Jonathan Wasserman wrote that "NBA teams will ultimately covet Hawkins' off-ball scoring and shot-making for a role alongside established playmakers and top options."
Freshman center Donovan Clingan told reporters: "No matter what, whether he's 100 percent or 75 percent or whatever, I know Jordan is one of the toughest dudes that I've ever played with. He'll be out there, ready to go [Saturday]. Even if he wasn't, this team has so much depth and talent, we'd still be ready to go. It doesn't change our mindset, and it doesn't make us think of anything different."
UConn will face Miami at 8:49 p.m. ET Saturday on CBS. That will follow Florida Atlantic vs. San Diego State at 6:09 p.m. ET, which is also on CBS.
Amir Abdur-Rahim Hired as USF HC After Kennesaw State's NCAA Tournament Appearance
Mar 30, 2023
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 17: Head Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim of the Kennesaw State Owls gestures against the Xavier Musketeers during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Fieldhouse at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
The University of South Florida announced that it has hired Amir Abdur-Rahim as its next men's basketball head coach.
The 42-year-old just led Kennesaw State to a stunning turnaround after the team won just one game during his first season leading the program (2019-20).
The Owls went 26-9 and won the Atlantic Sun before making the Division I NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.
The No. 14-seeded Owls nearly picked off No. 3 Xavier and even led by 13 points in the second half before falling 72-67 in the first round of the tournament.
Kennesaw State moved from Division II to Division I in 2005. The Owls never posted a winning season in D-I until Abdur-Rahim led them to one this year.
Abdur-Rahim takes over the program after it parted ways with Brian Gregory after six seasons. The Bulls have posted losing seasons in each of their last four campaigns, including a 14-18 record and 7-11 mark in American Athletic Conference play last year.
Memphis WCBB's Jamirah Shutes Pleads Not Guilty to Assault Charge for On-Court Punch
Mar 29, 2023
Memphis guard Jamirah Shutes reacts to a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina won 79-54.(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Memphis women's basketball player Jamirah Shutes has pled not guilty to an assault charge stemming from an altercation following a game against Bowling Green on Thursday, per TMZ Sports.
The Bowling Green State University police charged Shutes with assault on Friday after she punched Bowling Green women's basketball star Elissa Brett in the handshake line following a Super 16 matchup in the Women's National Invitation Tournament on Thursday, a 73-60 victory for Bowling Green.
Bowling Green athletics said in a statement following the incident:
"Following Thursday's unwarranted physical incident after the WNIT home game, the Bowling Green State University Police Department has charged a member of the Memphis Women's Basketball team with assault. Additionally, BGSU Athletics is conducting its own review.
"Violence is never acceptable and our priority remains the health, safety and support of our student-athlete, who is recovering and doing well. This is an active investigation in conjunction with the City of Bowling Green Prosecutor, and no further comment is available at this time."
BGSU womenās basketball moving on to the final 8 of the WNIT after beating Memphis ā but this will steal the headlines unfortunately.
Ugly, ugly scene in the handshake line. A Memphis player punched Elissa Brett. Just brutal. pic.twitter.com/2hptXYBEtj
It's unclear why Shutes punched Brett. According to TMZ Sports, Brett had swelling in her right eye following the strike.
Brett still suited up for Bowling Green's next matchup against Florida on Monday and is set to play in the team's Fab 4 matchup against Columbia on Wednesday.
In 37 games this season, Brett is averaging 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 38.3 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from deep. She posted 15 points, six rebounds and two steals against Memphis.
Shutes appeared in 33 games for Memphis this season, averaging 15.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 36 percent from the floor and 25.6 percent from beyond the arc.
South Carolina's Dawn Staley Says UConn Will 'Start a New Streak' After Sweet 16 Loss
Mar 26, 2023
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 25: Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on during the first half against the UCLA Bruins in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 25, 2023 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
University of Connecticut women's basketball will dominate in 2023 even after the team failed to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in 16 years, said South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley.
During a press conference Sunday ahead of South Carolina's Elite Eight matchup against Maryland on Monday, Staley said she expects UConn to start a new streak next year.
"UConn is going to continue to be UConn," Staley said. "They're going to reload. If you see their roster that's coming in and who they're bringing back next year, they'll reload. They'll start a new streak."
The end of an era: UConn will not advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2007, as the 3-seed Ohio State Buckeyes upset the 2-seed Huskies in the Sweet 16. UConn last lost this early in the tournament in 2005.
The Huskies' elimination Saturday in a 73-61 Sweet 16 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes finished off a season marred by injuries.
In addition to the season-long losses of Paige Bueckers to an ACL tear and Ice Brady to a dislocated patella, UConn suffered so many injuries that the team only had 10 players available in four out of 34 games, according to CT Insider.
Even facing a total of 116 combined games lost to injury, the Huskies won their 10th consecutive conference championship before being eliminated in the Sweet 16.
"It's not over," Staley said. "It's a scary thing because they lost a lot more games than they normally lose. But they were hampered by injuries, and once they get healthy, once they get Paige back, once this year's recruiting class is able to play and who they'll bring in, it's back to the drawing board."
Just a hunch: UConn will have what occurred today fuel it for the next 12 months. The Huskies are due for a special season if they can just find a way to stay healthy. Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and company will be back next year. I expect Geno Auriemma and the program to respond.
Staley knows just how the confident Buckeyes, who advanced to the program's first Elite Eight in 30 years with their historic elimination of the Huskies, are feeling. After all, she understands what it means for a team to best UConn.
"UConn is a great program, a great team, but we're a great team too."
Last year, the Gamecocks and Huskies met on April 3 for the 2022 NCAA title game, and South Carolina's 64-49 victory marked a turning point for the Gamecocks.
The team has not lost a single game since that victory and will now head into Monday's Elite Eight matchup with a perfect 35-0 record.
"You get a chance to beat UConn, it's always going to be a big win for you and your program," Staley said.
The Gamecocks will tip off against the Maryland Terrapins at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, while the Buckeyes will take on the Virginia Tech Hokies at 9 p.m. in a pair of Elite Eight matchups.
UConn Hailed as Title Contenders by Twitter in Dominant Win vs. Drew Timme, Gonzaga
Mar 26, 2023
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 25: Jordan Hawkins #24 of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates after making a three point basket during the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 25, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
UConn is the real deal.
The No. 4 UConn Huskies defeated the No. 3 Gonzaga Bulldogs 82-54 on Saturday in Elite Eight action to clinch a berth in the Final Four for the first time since 2014, when they went on to win the NCAA title as a No. 7 seed.
Gonzaga's entire lineup underperformed against UConn. Two of the team's best players, Drew Timme and Julian Strawther, put together particularly disappointing performances. Timme finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four assists as he got into foul trouble, and Strawther finished with 11 points, six rebounds and one assist. The two combined to shoot 9-of-29 from the field.
The remainder of the team's starting fiveāRasir Bolton, Nolan Hickman and Anton Watsonāwere essentially non-factors for the Bulldogs.
UConn, meanwhile, received consistent performances from their starting lineup and several bench players.
Jordan Hawkins notched 20 points, six rebounds and one assist, and Alex Karaban finished with 12 points, four rebounds, one assist and one block. Adama Sanogo, Tristen Newton, Andre Jackson Jr., Nahiem Alleyne and Joey Calcaterra all finished with at least eight points.
The Huskies were also dominant on defense, limiting the Bulldogs to just 33.3 percent shooting from the floor and 10 percent shooting from deep.
UConn has been bulldozing opponents since the beginning of the tournament, but not many expected this type of performance out of the Huskies on Saturday night against a Gonzaga team that had been pretty good this season.
Following UConn's big win, fans on Twitter hailed the Huskies as legitimate NCAA title contenders:
UConn is reminiscent of Florida in 2006. Good year, but not a popular championship pick. Just rolling teams. I don't know if there's anyone left who can stop them.
This marks the sixth time in program history that the Huskies are in the Final Four. They're looking to win their fifth-ever title, which would put them in a tie with Duke and Indiana for the fourth-most all-time.
UConn will face either No. 2 Texas or No. 5 Miami in the Final Four on April 1.
The No. 9 Florida Atlantic Owls already clinched a berth in the Final Four with a 79-76 win over No. 3 Kansas State. They'll face No. 5 San Diego State or No. 6 Creighton in the next round.
With the way the Huskies are playing, they could beat anyone remaining in this year's tournament.
Watch March Madness Live to stream every tournament game through the Final Four.
Houston's Jarace Walker Plans to Declare for 2023 NBA Draft; Projected Lottery Pick
Mar 25, 2023
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 24: Jarace Walker #25 of the Houston Cougars reacts to a play against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on March 24, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
After Houston's season came to an end with a Sweet 16 loss to Miami, Jarace Walker said he intends to enter the 2023 NBA draft.
Walker confirmed following the Cougars' 89-75 defeat on Friday night he plans to turn pro after one year in college.
UH forward Jarace Walker officially declares for the NBA Draft after 1 season with @UHCougarMBK.
"It's not really what I'm focused on at the moment...I mean I really wish I could do another season with these guys...but I just feel like this is what's best for me." @KHOUpic.twitter.com/2ftLbWYIzK
B/R's Jonathan Wasserman has Walker ranked as the sixth-best player in this year's draft class:
"Aside from the easy baskets he picks up off his power and length, he's demonstrated promising shooting range (33 3PTM), shot-making from the post and footwork and touch shots on drives past closeouts. His NBA coach may also be surprised to see how skilled of a live-dribble passer he is, something he was able to show more of at IMG."
Walker's decision doesn't come as a surprise, especially since head coach Kelvin Sampson said on his radio show on March 6 that he expected as much.
Freshman Jarace Walker appears to be one-and-done at UH. Kelvin Sampson, responding to a fan question during his radio show tonight, via @UHCougars site. "Is (Jarace) going to be leaving or we don't know?" Kelvin: "I do know. I've know since the day I signed him. Yes." @KHOU š·AP pic.twitter.com/1nDmtC7lON
The Baltimore native has been preparing for the NBA since high school, when he transferred to IMG Academy for the 2018-19 academic year.
IMG has one of the most prestigious high school basketball programs in the country. Walker was on the team that won the national title in April 2019 by defeating No. 1 La Lumiere, 65-55, in the championship game.
A 5-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, Walker committed to Houston in November 2021. He earned AAC Freshman of the Year honors after averaging 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
The Cougars spent seven weeks ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll this season. They earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1983 and tied the school record with 33 wins.
Wasserman recently projected Walker to be the No. 5 overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2023 draft on the strength of his "outstanding" size and "flashes of shooting, touch shots, close-out drives and passes" that have the potential to get better as he gains experience.
Power forward isn't a position the Magic need to fill with Paolo Banchero having an outstanding rookie season and Bol Bol emerging as a capable role player, but they can add the best talent and figure out the fit later.
NCAA Tournament 2023 Odds: UConn Betting Favorite To Win Men's Title Ahead of Elite 8
Mar 25, 2023
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 23: Andre Jackson Jr. #44 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts with head coach Dan Hurley after coming out of the game during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 23, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
With all four No. 1 seeds eliminated from the field, Connecticut is now favored to win the 2023 NCAA men's basketball tournament.
Per the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, the Huskies have +320 odds (bet $100 to win $320) going into the Elite Eight.
Texas is a close second at +360, followed by Gonzaga (+500) and Creighton (+550).
Updated NCAA Tournament Odds
Connecticut +320
Texas +360
Gonzaga +500
Creighton +550
Kansas State +800
San Diego State +900
Miami (FL) +1100
Florida Atlantic +1300
The No. 2 Longhorns are the highest-seeded team still in the field. They made easy work of Xavier with an 83-71 win in the Sweet 16 and have won their first three tournament games by an average of 12.3 points.
Connecticut, No. 4 in the West Region, is the lower seed going into the Elite Eight against No. 3 Gonzaga. Head coach Dan Hurley's squad has three consecutive double-digit wins, including a dominant 88-65 victory over Arkansas on Thursday.
The Huskies have won nine of their last 10 games overall dating back to the regular season. Six of those victories have been by at least 12 points.
Gonzaga, still chasing its first national title in program history, has been playing with fire in its past two games. The Bulldogs nearly blew an eight-point lead in the final 65 seconds against UCLA in the Sweet 16 before Julian Strawther's three with 7.2 seconds led them to a 79-76 win.
Before getting to the Sweet 16, Gonzaga held on for an 84-81 win over TCU in the second round.
Florida Atlantic has the lowest odds to win the national title of any team still standing, but it's coming off an impressive showing against Tennessee. The Vols' 55 points were their fewest in a game since a 46-43 win over Auburn on Feb. 4.
The Owls will take on Kansas State on Saturday looking for their first appearance in the Final Four.
Miami and San Diego State took down arguably the top two teams in the tournament on Friday with wins over Alabama and Houston. The Hurricanes' offense lit up the scoreboard with 89 points on 51.7 percent shooting from the field.
San Diego State held Alabama to 32.4 percent shooting overall and a 3-of-27 record from three-point range in a 71-64 win.
Both the Aztecs and Hurricanes are seeking their first-ever appearance in the Final Four. Miami will take on Texas in the Elite Eight on Sunday, and San Diego State follows with a showdown against Creighton .
Watch March Madness Live to stream every tournament game through the Final Four.
For all the latest betting information and reaction, check out B/R Betting.
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Mattress Mack Loses $4M After Betting on No. 1 Houston to Win Men's NCAA Tournament
Mar 25, 2023
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 29: Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale hypes the crowd as the Norfolk State Spartans play the Houston Cougars at Fertitta Center on November 29, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Houston's 89-75 loss to Miami in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament on Friday night didn't just bust a whole lot of brackets, it also ended Jim McIngvale'sāmore commonly known as Mattress Mackādream of winning $35 million.
McIngvale bet $4 million in total on the Cougars to win the NCAA tournament, the payout would have been the second-largest in sports betting history. He is already the owner of the biggest payout ever after he won $75 million with the Houston winning the 2022 World Series.
A furniture businessman who lives and works in Houston, McIngvale hitched his wagon to one of the best teams in the country as the Cougars entered the Sweet 16 with the second-best odds to win the whole thing at the +350, only trailing Alabama at +275.
The Crimson Tide also lost Friday night against San Diego State.
Houston was the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region after another terrific season under coach Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars went 33-4 this season and 17-1 in the American Athletic Conference, they also had one of the nation's premier players in Marcus Sasser.
They will now miss out on the opportunity to play in the Final Four in front of their home fans at NRG Stadium.
UConn Men's Basketball Team's Items Stolen from Bus While at Practice in Las Vegas
Mar 24, 2023
ALBANY, NY - MARCH 17: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies looks on during the first half against the Iona Gaels during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, New York. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Based on its performance in Thursday's Sweet 16 win over Arkansas, you would never know Connecticut's time in Las Vegas leading up to the game has been rough.
Per Mike Anthony of CT Insider, Huskies players had several items stolen from their team bus while they were practicing at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday.
Anthony noted players and athletic director David Benedict filed a police report, but specific details of the report were not made available.
According to Anthony, UConn head coach Dan Hurley said after the win this week was a "disaster" before Thursday's game:
"Then stuff gets stolen. It was a debacle. Obviously when you play at UConn, you have tremendous resources. The way we travel gives us a chance to pursue championships. It wasn't what you expected when you got to Las Vegas for the Sweet 16. We didn't know there would be police reports from day one. We didn't know we'd be moving with our tails between our legs back into the hotel just to get our bags and leave. It was an awkward situation. But now we're in a much better place."
Freshman center Donovan Clingan told Anthony his iPad was stolen out of a backpack he left on the bus and a manager had a laptop stolen.
Clingan did say he was able to track down the location of his iPad using an app on his phone and found it was "like three miles away" from the bus.
Earlier this week, David Borges of CT Insider reported UConn switched hotels after arriving in Las Vegas on Tuesday because the team's original accommodation had "awful" conditions, including rooms with "dirt, vomit...and worse" in them.
Despite the rough start to their week, the Huskies didn't let it impact them on the court. They made easy work of Arkansas with an 88-65 win they led wire to wire.
In his fifth season as head coach, Hurley has Connecticut back among the nation's elite programs. This is its first appearance in the Elite Eight since winning the national championship in 2014.
The Huskies will play Gonzaga on Saturday with a trip to the Final Four on the line. This will be the sixth all-time meeting between the two schools. Connecticut holds a 3-2 edge in the previous five matchups, but Gonzaga won 73-70 in their last game on Nov. 27, 2015.
