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Mark Sears, No. 2 Alabama to get started vs. UNC Asheville

NCAA Basketball: SEC Basketball TipoffOct 15, 2024; Birmingham, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Alabama reached new heights last season by reaching the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.

Now the task is getting back to the pinnacle of the sport.

The No. 2 Crimson Tide will start their path toward another standout season when they open against UNC Asheville on Monday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Alabama won four NCAA games while going 25-12 last season and sent top-seeded North Carolina packing in the Sweet 16. But once the Crimson Tide reached the Final Four, they were outclassed by another No. 1 seed in eventual champion UConn 86-72.

Not surprisingly, Alabama coach Nate Oats is looking to minimize expectations this season.

“When you’re in the program and talking to the team and everybody inside, last year has nothing to do with this year,” Oats said.

The star attraction from last season is back — preseason first-team All-American and SEC Preseason Player of the Year Mark Sears.

Sears averaged 21.5 points last season and set school single-season records of 797 points and 26 games with 20 or more points. The 6-foot-1 guard shot 43.6 percent from 3-point range, averaged 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists, and was a second-team All-American.

Sears flirted with leaving for the NBA before staying put.

“I seen the team that we had, and I wanted to be a part of it and bring home Alabama’s first national championship in basketball,” Sears said at SEC Media Days.

Among the returners are 6-foot-11 Grant Nelson (11.9 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game) and guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (8.9 ppg, 44.7 percent from 3-point range).

A key newcomer is transfer center Clifford Omoruyi, who averaged 10.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and swatted away 93 shots for Rutgers. The Crimson Tide also landed two five-star McDonald’s All-Americans in forwards Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell.

UNC Asheville went 22-12 last season and is dealing with numerous challenges after Hurricane Helene ravaged Asheville on Sept. 27 and prompted devastating flooding.

The Bulldogs relocated to Charlotte, N.C. — 130 miles to the east — and are practicing at area colleges and high schools and even the practice facility of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets when it’s available.

“We’re not victims,” Asheville guard Josh Banks said at Big South Media Day. “It’s just the situation that we’ve been in the past couple weeks. We’re just blessed and thankful that we still have a season coming up, and now we’re just locked in and focused.

“It has been tough to see the place that we live and the place where we are most of the time in the condition that it’s in now.”

Bulldogs coach Mike Morrell said some early season home games could become road games if on-campus Kimmel Arena in Asheville isn’t available. Asheville’s game against Appalachian State — a school located about 100 miles away in Boone, N.C., an area also hard hit by the hurricane — has been postponed to next season.

The Bulldogs lost two-time Big South Player of the Year Drew Pember, and Banks is the leading returning scorer at 12.8 points per game. Guard Fletcher Abee (10.6) also returns.

Morrell said he expects to have solid depth, citing eight newcomers (six transfers, two freshmen) on the roster.

–Field Level Media

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Keller directs Pirates over Rays to clinch series win

MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh PiratesApr 19, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (6) tags Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) out at second base on a steal attempt during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Mitch Keller pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs to help the host Pittsburgh Pirates score a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon.

Coming off a 13-inning loss on Saturday where Pittsburgh used six relievers, Keller (2-1) preserved some arms for the Pirates bullpen and helped his team take two of three games against the Rays, who entered the series having won six in a row.

Bryan Reynolds backed up the pitching with two hits and three RBI to lead Pittsburgh’s bats, while Spencer Horwitz and Nick Yorke each hit solo home runs.

Nick Gonzales had two hits and an RBI and Jake Mangum also had two hits. The Pirates did it with the long ball and small ball as they recorded three bunt singles in a game for the first time since 1998.

After picking up his first win in three years in his previous start, Rays starter Shane McClanahan (1-2) was unable to follow up that success, nor spare Tampa Bay’s own taxed bullpen a day after it used seven relievers. He allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out five over 4 1/3 innings on 90 pitches.

Keller picked up his second win in his fifth start of the season after not doing so last season until his 17th start. He struck out five and gave up five hits and did not issue a walk on 89 pitches.

The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth on a two-run single by Hunter Feduccia off Keller, which was one of Tampa Bay’s six hits overall. Jonny DeLuca followed a Richie Palacios double and then stole second to set up Feduccia’s go-ahead hit.

The Pirates answered immediately when Joey Bart doubled and Billy Cook followed with a bunt single and stole second. Two batters later, Gonzales singled to drive in Bart, and Reynolds followed with a two-run single to put Pittsburgh ahead 4-2.

Right-hander Wilber Dotel was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis and made his major-league debut in the ninth. He allowed a solo home run to Junior Caminero, but then struck out Jonathan Aranda and retired Yandy Diaz on a ground out, and Cedric Mullins on a fly ball to center. The Pirates optioned reliever Cam Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis.

–Field Level Media

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Curtis Mead, Keibert Ruiz help Nationals tame Giants

MLB: San Francisco Giants at Washington NationalsApr 19, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Curtis Mead (45) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Curtis Mead hit a two-run homer, Keibert Ruiz had two hits and the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 in Washington on Sunday to avoid a series sweep.

Andrew Alvarez (1-0), called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win, allowing three hits and striking out five without a walk.

PJ Poulin opened for Washington and was replaced by Miles Mikolas with two outs and two on in the first. Mikolas, who began the day with an 11.49 ERA, pitched four scoreless innings while allowing four hits in his best outing of the young season.

Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert had two hits each for the Giants, who had won three straight, but went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

San Francisco’s Robbie Ray (2-3) gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

The Giants put runner on first and second with two outs in each of the first two innings but did not score.

The Nationals got an infield single and a walk to open the third inning but couldn’t cash in. Curtis Mead hit a blooper to shallow left field that dropped, but Keibert Ruiz briefly broke back towards second and was thrown out at third. Brady House flied to the warning track in center and CJ Abrams flied out.

Washington took a 3-0 lead in the fifth. Nasim Nunez reached on a bunt single and stole second. Ruiz hit shot to left center and Heliot Ramas made a diving effort but couldn’t come up with it. Nunez scored and Mead lined the first pitch he saw from Ray out to left for a two-run homer.

The first two Giants reached base in the eighth inning on an error and a single, but Casey Schmitt grounded into a double play and pinch hitter Jerar Encarnacion struck out.

–Field Level Media

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Best Value Betting Picks Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson (WO40) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn ImagesFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson (WO40) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

It’s hard to believe that the 2026 NFL Draft is already almost here. It’s the perfect time to cash in on some draft betting picks.

Over the last few months, countless NFL mock drafters have taken stabs at where these top prospects could be selected.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best value on the board, utilizing FanDuel Sportsbook odds. Remember, this doesn’t mean that we’re predicting these players will be drafted in these spots.

Rather, we’re going to try to cash in on some valuable plus money opportunities for the NFL Draft, an event that is always capable of a few surprises.

No. 3 Overall: Francis Mauigoa (+650)

The Arizona Cardinals have the No. 3 overall pick – and they have needs all over their roster.

David Bailey (+110) and Arvell Reese (+260) are the betting favorite to come off of the board in this spot. But what if the Cardinals want to hook up new offensive minded head coach Mike LaFleur with a player to help fix his offense?

That could lead the Cardinals to Mauigoa, who was a standout right tackle for the Miami Hurricanes. 31-year-old veteran Elijah Wilkinson is expected to start at right tackle for the Cardinals.

They’ll probably take an edge rusher. But if they don’t Mauigoa would be the play at +650.

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No. 6 Overall: Caleb Downs (+1200)

The Cleveland Browns don’t need a defensive player. But Browns general manager Andrew Berry continues to float the idea of the team trading down. It’s a safe bet to expect the Browns to try and trade back.

Who would be worth another organization deciding to trade up for? Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs, who should still be on the board if the New York Giants select his Buckeyes teammate, Sonny Styles, at No. 5 overall.

Obviously, a lot has to go right for this selection to cash. But Downs is one of the best players in the draft. If he’s still available outside of the top five selections, he won’t last much longer.

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No. 10 Overall: Jordyn Tyson (+440)

Tyson is the one player in this class that could cause a major shakeup inside the top 10 picks.

According to reports, 20 teams attended the Arizona State star’s private workout, where the consensus seemed that most teams were comfortable with his medical situation.

The Giants just acquired the No. 10 selection from the Cincinnati Bengals. The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Giants GM Joe Schoen had dinner with Tyson the night before the private workout.

If Tyson is still available at No. 10 overall, the Giants could load up on offense for Jaxson Dart.

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