Sports
Duke takes lessons from ACC tourney to Big Dance with No. 1 overall seed
Mar 14, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) cuts down the net after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers in the men’s ACC Conference Tournament Championship at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Among the goals for top-ranked Duke was to learn as much as possible from a restructured lineup during the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
Then the Blue Devils learned Sunday that they’ll have a challenging route to negotiate through the NCAA Tournament.
Duke is the overall No. 1 seed and occupies the top line in the East Region.
“We felt we could be really good,” coach Jon Scheyer said. “The character and the connectivity, and that’s been the most exciting part for me to watch develop.”
The Blue Devils (32-2) will meet Siena (23-11), champion of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, on Thursday in Greenville, S.C.
Duke survived a number of tests during the ACC tournament that involved a one-point escape against Florida State, an endurance challenge against Clemson and a back-and-forth final in Saturday night’s 74-70 victory against 10th-ranked Virginia in Charlotte.
The Blue Devils did all this without center Patrick Ngongba II and guard Caleb Foster, whose injuries from the final week of the regular season threatened to disrupt the team’s flow.
Instead, Duke found the necessary answers for three victories in Charlotte. The next quest could include as many as six more triumphs, culminating in the Final Four at Indianapolis.
“I think we’re going to learn so much from this,” Scheyer said of assessing the fallout from the conference tournament.
Among the emerging storylines was the play of guard Cayden Boozer, twin brother of ACC Player of the Year Cameron Boozer. Cayden Boozer was called upon to largely fill in for Foster and he produced in big ways in the semifinal and final, posting consecutive 16-point games which were the highest scoring of his freshman season.
“We’re going to need that from him the rest of the year,” Cameron Boozer said.
While the sample size was small for that heightened role, Cayden Boozer didn’t shy away from it.
“I think it just shows the competitive spirit that we all have,” he said. “Even when we’re dealing with adversity, still find a way to win the game.”
The offense had shaky moments, shooting a combined 41.2% in the last two games.
“We can trust our defense even when our offense isn’t maybe the smoothest,” Scheyer said.
Duke’s NCAA Tournament path could be cluttered with potholes, with a victory against Siena bringing on a matchup with either Ohio State or TCU and then likely followed by either fourth-seeded Kansas or fifth-seeded St. John’s, the Big East Conference champion.
The other half of the East Region bracket includes No. 2 seed Connecticut plus two teams – third-seeded Michigan State and sixth-seeded Louisville – the Blue Devils have defeated.
Duke’s resume is so solid in part because the Blue Devils defeated two No. 1 seeds (Florida, Michigan) this season. But in many ways, it’s a clean slate moving forward, especially if the Blue Devils aren’t at full health.
Indianapolis is the site for the Final Four, a fitting potential landing spot for the Blue Devils. Duke has won three of its five national championships, including its most recent two in 2010 and 2015, in Indianapolis.
Duke’s trek begins in Greenville, where the Blue Devils launched their 2022 Final Four run. Though not in their home state, it’s normally not comfortable for the Blue Devils to be in the same building as North Carolina – now holding a spot in the other bracket at that site – in that region given the general distaste for Duke among rabid Tar Heels fans.
If the Blue Devils advance from the first weekend, the path goes through Washington D.C., where they won a showdown with Michigan last month, in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds.
Foot injuries have sidelined Ngongba (10.7 points per game) and Foster (8.5 ppg).
Foster had surgery following the regular season and the likelihood of him playing in the NCAA Tournament seems cloudy at best. On the other hand, there are signs suggesting Ngongba could be back on the court for the opening round.
“I can tell you he’s improving,” Scheyer said. “I feel very positive about it, but I can’t say what that means as far as later in the week in terms of timing or readiness, because we have to take it step by step.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. lands historic shoe deal
Feb 25, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket as Texas A&M Aggies guard Pop Isaacs (2) defends during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images Arkansas All-American Darius Acuff Jr. has a deal with Reebok to become the first NCAA men’s athlete to land a signature shoe from a major U.S. brand while still in college.
Reebok head of basketball Jide Osifeso confirmed the historic agreement with ESPN on Tuesday.
A 19-year-old freshman for the Razorbacks, Acuff was named the 2025-26 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year after becoming the first player to lead the league in points and assists per game since LSU legend Pete Maravich in 1969-70.
After winning the SEC tournament, Arkansas has reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed. The Razorbacks (28-8) face West Region No. 1 seed Arizona (34-2) on Thursday night in San Jose, Calif.
The 6-foot-3 Acuff is averaging 23.3 points, 6.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 35 games (all starts) this season while shooting 44.6% from 3-point range.
The Detroit native is projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Acuff becomes the first men’s basketball player to receive a signature shoe with Reebok since John Wall, according to ESPN.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Montreal signs Team Italy captain Nadia Mattivi
Feb 9, 2026; Milan, Italy; Nadia Mattivi of Italy celebrates after the match against Japan in women’s ice hockey group B play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images The Montreal Victoire signed Italian national team captain Nadia Mattivi to her first PWHL contract.
The 25-year-old defender played at Boston University before launching her pro career in Sweden, where she was the league’s Defender of the Year in 2024-25.
Mattivi tallied two assists in five games for the host country at last month’s Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, advancing to the quarterfinals.
“Nadia is coming off an excellent season in Sweden and also performed very well at Milano-Cortina, and we are happy to have her join our team,” said Victoire general manager Daniele Sauvageau, who was also the GM of the Italian team.
Also on Monday, the Victoire placed captain Marie-Philip Poulin on long-term injured reserve. The 34-year-old Canadian center has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since March 15 and is eligible to return to the lineup on April 5.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Buccaneers LB Lavonte David retires after 14 seasons
Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) warms up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David announced his retirement Tuesday after spending his entire 14-year career with the franchise.
David, 36, was a 12-time team captain and Super Bowl LV champion who tied Derrick Brooks’ team record with 1,714 career tackles.
“It’s time,” David told Sports Illustrated. “I’ve been playing football since I was 6 years old. Thirty years straight of football. I never missed a year. A lot of time, man. When it’s time, when you know, you know. I always wanted to be a guy who wanted to retire on my own terms. Right now is the perfect opportunity for that. I give glory to God for me to be able to play football for this long.
“For me, man, 14 years (in the NFL) is enough. I’m comfortable with my decision. I’m satisfied with my career. When I first got into the league, I never, never, ever in a million years expected to play 14 years at a high level for the same organization. And it’s something that doesn’t come around often. I think it’s time that I hang it up and let the next generation of players come in and take over the game.”
David is also the Bucs’ all-time leader in tackles for loss (177), forced fumbles (33) and fumble recoveries (21) and ranks third in games played and started (215).
“For the past 14 seasons, Lavonte David has personified what it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. He was a selfless leader both on and off the field, playing with passion and a genuine love for the game. He leaves a legacy as a Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest players in franchise history, setting a standard that will continue to impact our organization for years to come,” said a statement from the Glazer family, owners of the Buccaneers. “Today, we celebrate Lavonte’s legendary career as one of the most accomplished players of his era and thank him for the many memorable moments he provided our fans. Beyond the statistics and accolades, he will be remembered throughout Tampa Bay for his humble demeanor and strong commitment to our community. We wish him well on his journey after football and look forward to honoring his Hall of Fame-worthy achievements in the near future.”
David recorded 114 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while starting all 17 games last season. It was his 12th season with triple-digit tackles.
“Lavonte’s mark on our franchise could never be overstated,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht said. “For the entirety of his 14-year career, Lavonte set the standard for professionalism, leadership, and consistency. He embodies everything that it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer and he is undoubtedly one of the best players to ever put on this uniform. His contributions to our franchise, to his teammates and to this community will leave an impact far beyond his playing years.”
An All-Pro selection in 2013 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2015, David tallied 42.5 sacks and 14 interceptions since being selected in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Nebraska.
“Before I came to the Buccaneers, I always had immense respect for Lavonte as a special football player,” said Bucs head coach Todd Bowles. “Having had the fortune to coach him for the last seven seasons, I have also experienced the special person and leader he is. He has been the heart and soul of our defense and a Super Bowl champion on the way to being an eventual Hall of Famer. There isn’t anyone more respected by his teammates, and that respect extends to his peers and opposing coaches throughout the league. I, as well as everyone in this organization, will miss him tremendously.”
–Field Level Media
Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. lands historic shoe deal
Montreal signs Team Italy captain Nadia Mattivi
