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No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Texas Tech keep winning without star players

Syndication: Tuscaloosa NewsMar 7, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. (0) flexes during a time out of the game with Auburn at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama defeated Auburn 96-84. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

Alabama and Texas Tech both had concerns regarding their roster makeup entering the NCAA Tournament.

Now one of them is guaranteed a spot in the Sweet 16.

The teams meet in Sunday night’s Midwest Region second-round game in Tampa, Fla.

Fifth-seeded Texas Tech (23-10) was looking like a national championship contender until losing star forward JT Toppin to a season-ending torn ACL on Feb. 17.

Still, the Red Raiders will challenge the Crimson Tide in many ways, particularly because of guard play — much of which was on display during the second half of Friday’s 91-71 handling of No. 12 Akron.

“This team does as good a job as anybody as I’ve seen at hunting mismatches,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said of Texas Tech.

Fourth-seeded Alabama (24-9) is without suspended guard Aden Holloway, who was second on the team in scoring with 16.8 points per game. He faces a felony drug charge stemming from his arrest on Monday.

Yet there’s plenty of firepower out there for both teams. Labaron Philon Jr. averages 22 points per game for Alabama, which rallied past 13 seed Hofstra 90-70 on Friday.

“I don’t know if there’s a comparison just because he’s got size and can do it in a lot of different ways,” Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said of Alabama’s Oats. “But definitely impressed with his ability to win.”

The Crimson Tide are hoping that experience against different types of lineups will come in handy for Sunday’s showdown. Texas Tech is bound to want to keep the tempo at a moderate pace, while Alabama likes a brisker pace.

“I would say we’ve just got to get adjusted to how they play,” Alabama forward Aiden Sherrell said. “We play so many teams throughout the season that have a great guard play, and at the end of the day, we had to get adjusted.”

Sherrell had his third double-double of the season with 15 points and 15 rebounds against Hofstra. He’s ready to do more if that’s what’s needed.

“The key will be just trying to make the winning plays for sure, just doing whatever it takes to help my teammates succeed and help us win,” Sherrell said. “Just giving that second effort on every possession.”

Much of the outcome of the second-round game might depend on if Alabama can rebound at the rate that it did against Hofstra (a 46-34 advantage).

“I do think part of what makes Texas Tech good is all the hustle plays,” Oats said.

Texas Tech has had to compensate for rebounding since losing Toppin. It has become more of a group effort.

“I think that the guards since JT has been injured have stepped up for us,” forward LeJuan Watts said.

Watts said Alabama’s 17 offensive rebounds from the Hofstra game caught the Red Raiders’ attention.

McCasland said rebounding is a topic that has been uncomfortable for Texas Tech since Toppin’s injury. He understands why it’s viewed as such an important topic.

“Guard rebounding is huge for us,” McCasland said. “When we play our best, our guards are five rebounds-plus each, and that’s where it feels like we need to create advantages.”

Shooting from the perimeter might turn out as important.

“We like to get 3s off,” Oats said. “So do they. If we can get more good looks off than them, I like our chances.”

–Field Level Media

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Fire earns road win as Union stays in Eastern Conference basement

MLS: Chicago Fire FC at Philadelphia UnionMar 21, 2026; Chester, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Union forward Bruno Damiani (9) is tripped up by Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi (4) while going for the ball during the first half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Jonathan Bamba scored his second goal early in the second half and the visiting Chicago Fire earned a 2-1 victory on Saturday against struggling Philadelphia Union.

Hugo Cuypers added his fourth goal late in the first half for the Fire (2-2-1, 7 points) who earned their first away victory of the season after leading the Eastern Conference with nine in 2025.

Chris Brady made three saves as Chicago avenged its elimination by Philadelphia in last year’s first-round playoff series and snapped a four-match winless run against the Union in all competitions.

Milan Iloski scored his first goal for Philadelphia just before halftime. But the Union (0-5-0, 0 points) extended the worst start for a reigning Supporters’ Shield holder, less than 72 hours after their elimination from the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a 1-1 draw at Mexico City’s Club America and a 2-1 aggregate defeat.

Bamba put Chicago in front in the 58th minute.

From near midfield, Cuypers spotted Robin Lod down the right. Lod eventually dribbled into the right edge of the penalty area on his right foot, before cutting back onto his left to cross.

With Cuyper in the center of the box, the cross sailed beyond just him, where Bamba connected with an excellent side-footed volley to beat Andre Blake inside the left post.

Philadelphia pressured for an equalizer, but Chicago came closest to scoring the game’s fourth goal. Maren Haile-Selassie missed narrowly wide on the break in the 63rd minute, then Lod rattled the crossbar from a similar attack in the 82nd.

Both teams scored during the more than seven minutes of first-half stoppage time.

First, it was Chicago through Cuypers.

Lod’s initial pass was deflected out wide, where Andrew Gutman reached it on the left flank.

Gutman drove forward and curled in an outswinging, left-footed cross. Cuypers ran between Philadelphia’s center backs to meet it with a powerful header past Blake from six yards out.

Philadelphia leveled from a long throw-in four minutes later. Alejandro Bedoya flicked on Frankie Westfield’s throw from the right, then Iloski won the second ball as he somehow generated enough power to loop his header over Brady and under the crossbar from near the penalty spot.

–Field Level Media

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Mason Jones takes decision in bloody win over Axel Sola at UFC London

MMA: UFC Fight Night-London Weigh-InsMar 20, 2026; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Axel Sola of France and Mason Jones of Wales at weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

Fireworks erupted early between lightweights Mason Jones and previously unbeaten Axel Sola in the fight of the night at UFC London on Saturday.

Jones, a winner by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28), improved to 18-2 and both fighters left the octagon bloodied.

Jones was knocked down with a spinning elbow in the first round and absorbed multiple direct blows. He had a cut above his right eye and under his nose when his hand was raised, but Sola (11-1-1) had at least three cuts and was covered in blood at the final bell.

“I just like fighting people. Axel wanted to fight. I took it to him,” Jones said. “I opened him up. There was fear in his eyes at the end of the first round. There was fear in his eyes in the end.”

In a featherweight match, Nathaniel Wood (11-3) got his fourth consecutive win and dealt Losene Keita his first loss in a split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28). Keita was 5-0 in the past three years and now has a 16-2 record overall in mixed martial arts.

Michael Page (25-3), who questioned whether he’d upset UFC officials because of the low-level spot on the card and his relatively anonymous opponent, defeated Sam Patterson (14-3-1) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) in a welterweight match. “MVP” had more to say post-fight about a bout that drew plenty of pro fighting critics on social media for a lack of action.

“It’s getting more and more difficult when nobody really wants to engage. Everyone’s on the back foot,” Page said. “He knew how to frustrate me by not wanting to engage. It’s more difficult to fight somebody that doesn’t want to fight than fight someone difficult that wants to fight.”

Light heavyweight Iwo Baraniewski (8-0) struck Austen Lane, a former NFL defensive lineman, with a quick left hook and then landed repeated right hands to win in just 28 seconds. Lane (13-8) was dazed and rocked back before ever throwing a punch or kick as the referee stopped the fight with Lane planted on his back taking cover.

Baraniewski, a graduate from the Contender Series, could be in line for a marquee opponent in his next bout. He’s been buzzworthy since the December action-packed duel with Ibo Aslan at UFC 323.

Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (16-4) scored his first UFC win with a 30-27 unanimous decision over Shem Rock (12-3-1). Al-Selwady dropped Rock with an overhand right in the first round, but he rebounded off the mat quickly with an attempt to lock up Al-Selwady. Rock kept moving toward Al-Selwady and made contact after the ball, narrowly ducking a haymaker in retaliation before being led to his corner.

–Field Level Media

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Auburn's home streak presents tall task for visiting Seattle in NIT

Syndication: The Montgomery AdvertiserAuburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford (0) celebrates with guard Kaden Magwood (5) as Auburn Tigers take on South Alabama Jaguars during the first round of the National Invitation Tournament at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Auburn Tigers defeated South Alabama Jaguars 78-67.

Soon after his Seattle University squad defeated St. Thomas in the opening round of the NIT, Redhawks coach Chris Victor was asked about facing top-seeded Auburn in its next matchup.

At that moment, Victor wasn’t concerned about how his team is one step away from the quarterfinals.

“I haven’t thought about it yet,” Victor said, smiling. “Really, I’m just worried how we’re going to get out there.”

The Redhawks (21-13) will be meeting an 18-16 Auburn team Sunday afternoon minus one of its starters, as Tigers forward KeShawn Murphy, who averaged 10.7 points and a team-high 6.8 rebounds, decided against participating in the NIT.

Auburn rallied from a six-point halftime deficit to defeat South Alabama 78-67 in its tourney opener Tuesday, as Kevin Overton and Keyshawn Hall each scored 21 points.

Overton made 7 of 8 3-point attempts after the intermission after going 0 for 5 in the first half.

“The shots were falling in the second half,” said Overton, who added seven rebounds and four assists. “In the first half I was trying to find that rhythm. When you make those simple ones, the other ones become easier.”

Hall leads the Tigers with 19.9 points per game, with Tahaad Pettiford next with 15.4 points and a team-best 3.6 assists.

Seattle beat St. Thomas 67-52 as Brayden Maldonado had 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Maldonado leads the Redhawks with 14.4 points per game, with Will Heimbrodt averaging 12.3 points and a team-high 5.3 rebounds.

“We’ve shown that we can beat some really good teams,” said Heimbrodt, who added 13 points and five rebounds in Tuesday’s victory. “We had an ACC win (against Stanford) and a Big Ten win (against Washington). So going into Auburn … it’s going really fun.

“They’re a great team, but I think we can hang in there with anyone.”

It won’t be easy, as the Tigers have won 65 consecutive nonconference games at home dating to the 2016-17 season. That’s the longest current streak in the nation.

But the Redhawks boast the No. 23 scoring defense in the country this season, giving up fewer than 67 points per game.

“One of the better defensive teams we’ll have gone against all year,” Auburn coach Steven Pearl said. “Incredibly active, they really fly around and make what you do really difficult.”

–Field Level Media

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