2026 NCAA Tournament Projections: St. John's, Wisconsin Slide Following Losses

Rick Pitino’s St. John’s got routed 72-40 by UConn — a 32-point loss that’s the second-largest he’s taken as a coach of an AP-ranked team and his worst in three seasons at St. John’s, dropping the Red Storm to a No. 5 seed in Mike DeCourcy’s projections.
DeCourcy’s projected No. 1 seeds are Duke, Michigan, Arizona and UConn — the early favorites heading into March.
Bubble watch: Auburn, San Diego State, Virginia Tech and USC sit as the first four teams out, with Ohio State, New Mexico, Seton Hall and Oklahoma State the next four out.

Sports

February 26, 2026 at 8:11 PM

Venezuela’s lineup is a nightmare for pitchers — Ronald Acuña Jr., Jackson Chourio and Salvador Pérez head a deep, flexible order that can crush games in a few swings.
Their starting rotation is a concern after injuries and opt-outs, but a strong bullpen (Palencia, Bazardo, Alvarado, etc.) can keep them in every game.
After Trea Turner’s 2023 grand slam knocked them out, Venezuela is a serious dark-horse (fourth favorite) this WBC — revenge storylines ahead.

Sports

February 26, 2026 at 8:10 PM

Arvell Reese — a 20-year-old Ohio State consensus All-American — is emerging as one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2026 draft.
Versatile defender: he starred as an off‑ball linebacker but could project as an edge rusher in the NFL, earning early Micah Parsons comparisons for his athleticism and explosiveness.
Reese is testing at multiple positions at the Combine, is bullish on his upside and has already been linked to top draft spots (even New York at No. 2), making his draft night a fun storyline.

Sports

February 26, 2026 at 7:33 PM

No legal sports betting in California as of 2026 — there are no licensed sportsbook apps or retail books in-state (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, etc., don’t offer in-state wagering).
Voters rejected competing 2022 measures (Propositions 26 and 27), so any change would require another statewide ballot — likely only if tribes and commercial operators agree on a single plan.
Californians can still play legally via Daily Fantasy Sports and pick’em apps (Underdog, DraftKings Fantasy, Sleeper, Dabble, etc.), plus tribal casinos, horse racing and the state lottery.

Sports Politics

February 26, 2026 at 7:18 PM

INDYCAR kicks off in St. Petersburg and expands to 18 races this year, including four new venues — Phoenix returns, new street courses in Arlington (TX) and Markham (Toronto suburb), and a Washington, D.C. race for the nation’s 250th — with a balanced 6 ovals/6 street courses/6 road courses slate.
Big driver shuffle: Will Power leaves Team Penske for Andretti, former F1 driver Mick Schumacher joins the series, and several other seat swaps reshaped the grid.
Alex Palou enters as the dominant three-time defending champion (eight wins last year); top threats include Pato O’Ward, Scott Dixon and Kyle Kirkwood — and the Indy 500 is set for May 24.

Sports

February 26, 2026 at 6:53 PM