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Former Arizona running back signee with elite speed flips commitment to Oregon

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Former Arizona running back signee with elite speed flips commitment to Oregon


Oregon football is adding to its running back depth with a newcomer to its 2026 high school recruiting class.

Four-star running back Brandon Smith announced his commitment to the Ducks on Monday. Smith previously signed with Arizona in December before reopening his recruitment this past weekend, and now he is set to land in Eugene under running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples.

Smith — from Central East High School in Fresno — is rated the No. 21 running back in the country and No. 29 overall player in California according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He also competed in track and field during high school and played safety as well on the football field.

Smith brings plenty of speed to the table, according to 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins.

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“A true game breaker and home run threat running the football and is among the most explosive backs out West,” Biggins wrote back on June 27. “Elite track metrics and competed in five events last Spring with a personal best 10.67-100-meters, 21.52-200m and anchored the schools 4X400 relay team that finished 2nd at the CA State Track and Field Championship. Speed shows up on the football field and he’s able to accelerate and hit his top end gear after just a few strides.”

With early enrollee quarterback Bryson Beaver now headed to Georgia, Oregon’s 2026 high school recruiting class stands at 21 players with the addition of Smith, now rated the No. 2 overall class in 247Sports’ composite rankings. The Ducks’ other 2026 running back is four-star prospect Tradarian Ball (Texarkana, TX), rated the No. 9 running back in the country and No. 14 player in Texas.



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SB Nation Reacts: Arizona men’s basketball fans expecting deep NCAA Tournament run

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SB Nation Reacts: Arizona men’s basketball fans expecting deep NCAA Tournament run


Houston v Arizona

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MARCH 14: Brayden Burries #5 of the Arizona Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Houston Cougars in the championship game of the Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center on March 14, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
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Will Arizona center Motiejus Krivas be picked in NBA Draft?

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Will Arizona center Motiejus Krivas be picked in NBA Draft?


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SAN DIEGO — At 7-foot-2, Arizona center Motiejus Krivas is one of the nation’s premier defensive centers. The junior out of Lithuania is a key part of the reason that Arizona forces its opponents to shoot their 2-pointers an average of 7.0 feet from the rim — the 11th highest mark in Division I. But for his NBA Draft stock, the question will be how valuable that skill set is in the modern NBA, given Krivas’ limited impact further from the basket. Here is where he ranks on a handful of notable big boards.

  • Tankathon: 51
  • The Athletic: 73
  • ESPN: 27
  • CBS: 30

This season, Krivas is Arizona’s fourth leading scorer, averaging 10.5 points per game on 58.2% shooting. He’s taken just 12 threes on the season, although he has made four of them. As for his impact elsewhere, he’s averaging 8.1 rebounds and an impressive 1.8 blocks per game. His profile is rounded out by 1.0 assists and 0.7 steals per contest.



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Arizona State vs Virginia predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament First Four

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Arizona State vs Virginia predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament First Four


The First Four of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament continues Thursday with a slate featuring No. 10 Arizona State vs. No. 10 Virginia on the two-game schedule.

Here is the latest on Thursday’s March Madness matchup, including expert picks from reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network.

USA TODAY Sports has a team of journalists covering the women’s NCAA Tournament to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

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USA TODAY Studio IX: Check out our women’s sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more

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No. 10 Arizona State vs No. 10 Virginia prediction

  • Mitchell Northam: Arizona State
  • Meghan Hall: Virginia
  • Cydney Henderson: Arizona State
  • Heather Burns: Virginia
  • Nancy Armour: Virginia

No. 10 Arizona State vs No. 10 Virginia odds

  • Opening Moneyline: Virginia (-150)
  • Opening Spread: Virginia (-2.5)
  • Opening Total: 126.5

How to Watch Arizona State vs Virginia on Thursday

No. 10 Arizona State takes on No. 10 Virginia at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on March 19 at 9:00 PM. The game is airing on ESPN2.

Stream March Madness on Fubo

2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament full schedule

  • March 18-19: First Four
  • March 20-21: First Round
  • March 22-23: Second Round
  • March 27-28: Sweet 16
  • March 29-30: Elite 8
  • April 3: Final Four
  • April 5: National Championship



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