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These Five Mid-Majors Can Make a Cinderella Run in the NCAA Tournament

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These Five Mid-Majors Can Make a Cinderella Run in the NCAA Tournament


In just a few days, the ball will be tipped and the greatest tournament in sports will get underway. One of the reasons that it is considered the greatest tournament in sports is because of the Cinderella run.

Across the board, no matter whether professional or college, it is rare to see upsets in a tournament setting. The NBA, MLB and NHL all have seven-game series, so an off night doesn’t kill a team. 

The NFL and the College Football Playoff are the closest product to March Madness because like college basketball, you have one game to play and win or else you pack your bags.

Some of the greatest upset runs of all time include Florida Gulf Coast’s 2013 run to the Sweet 16, George Mason’s 2006 run to the Final Four and VCU’s vault from Play-In game to Final Four in 2011.

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Which Mid-Major is primed to make a run this year? These five teams have the best shot.

Lipscomb is fresh off of the Atlantic Sun Championship over North Alabama. They were the regular season champion of the conference and came into the tournament with a record of 25-9, but will be no surprise to the big stage. 

They had early season losses to Kentucky and Arkansas, but have shown the ability to score the ball on offense. They are led by senior forward Jacob Ognacevic, who stands at 6-foot-8 and scores 20.1 points per game. Their first-round matchup with Iowa State is one to keep an eye on because if they can score on the Cyclones, they will be in line for an upset.

Kentucky's Brandon Garrison (10) put up a shot during the first half against the Lipscomb Bisons at Rupp Arena on Tuesday, No

Kentucky’s Brandon Garrison (10) put up a shot during the first half against the Lipscomb Bisons at Rupp Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. / Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal & USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The High Point Panthers took over the scene last week with a huge comeback victory over Winthrop in the Big South Tournament Championship. They are much more than a late run and a nasty mean mug. They can muck it up. 

They do not have any matchups on their schedule with a high-profile opponent, but they take care of business no matter what. Their Round 1 matchup is with a Purdue team that has been sputtering down the stretch. If they take down Purdue they will either have Clemson or McNeese State, who we will get to in a minute.

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An old friend is back in the mix in college hoops and that is Will Wade. Wade’s career has had its ups and downs, but he has settled in at McNeese State and built a great team. The Cowboys are 27-6 on the season and are led by 6-foot-3 guard Alyn Breed, who averages 17.3 points per game. 

Of their six losses, none of them have been by more than nine points. They have single-digit losses to Alabama, Liberty, and Mississippi State. If you aren’t on your A-Game, this team will get you.

It’s the battle of the plains in Round 1 of the NCAA Tournament between the Drake Bulldogs and the Missouri Tigers. Missouri better have their head on a swivel because Drake can play basketball. 

The Bulldogs enter the tournament with a 30-3 record and have shown the ability to suffocate teams on defense. They give up only 58.4 points per game, which is the best in all of college basketball. They have wins over Miami, Vanderbilt and Kansas State on the season. 

Mar 9, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA;  Drake Bulldogs guard Bennett Stirtz (14) dunks against the Bradley Braves  during the

Mar 9, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Drake Bulldogs guard Bennett Stirtz (14) dunks against the Bradley Braves during the second half of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images / Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

If they get by Missouri, they will take on the winner of Texas Tech and UNCW for the right to go to the Sweet 16.

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Look out, these Akron Zips can flat-out play. They needed a miraculous comeback to win the MAC Championship to finish with a 28-6 record. 

Akron can score in bunches. They average 84.5 points per game, but they don’t get it from one guy. Nate Johnson leads the way at 14 points per game, but eight different players average over seven points per game. They have a balanced attack and they are relentless in their attack. The Zips have Arizona up first and if they get that win they face the winner of Oregon and Liberty. 

It’s an uphill climb for every Mid-Major team, but every single year there is at least one team that makes a run. These five could be the team that does it this year.



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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland police arrest suspect in involuntary manslaughter investigation, find fentanyl and PCP

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Cleveland police arrest suspect in involuntary manslaughter investigation, find fentanyl and PCP


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Division of Police worked with multiple agencies to arrest a man in an investigation into involuntary manslaughter and found drugs during a police search Wednesday.

The Cleveland Division of Police Narcotics Unit worked with the U.S. Marshals Task Force to arrest 33-year-old James Williams as part of the division’s Violent Crime Reduction efforts.

Williams was taken into custody in the Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood in Cleveland’s Fourth District Wednesday.

He was previously wanted on an involuntary manslaughter investigation warrant in connection with three fatal drug overdoses, police say.

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In November 2025, Williams was identified by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office as one of 37 suspects in a large-scale drug trafficking organization.

Police say that during the investigation into Williams, they seized thousands of grams of illegal narcotics.

After Williams’ arrest, the Narcotics Unit executed a search of his home.

During the search, police say the unit found 83 grams of suspected cocaine, 76 grams of suspected fentanyl and 824 grams of suspected PCP.

During the search, police say the unit found 83 grams of suspected cocaine, 76 grams of suspected fentanyl and 824 grams of suspected PCP.(WOIO)

Investigators say they seized numerous items associated with drug manufacturing and distribution that contained suspected drug residue.

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Investigators say Williams was involved in distributing dangerous narcotics, including mixtures containing fentanyl and xylazine, a drug commonly used as a tranquilizer for animals.

Police say when xylazine is mixed with fentanyl, it can increase the risk of overdose and death.

Police said Narcan can reverse the opioid effects of fentanyl, but it cannot reverse the effects of xylazine, which makes those overdoses dangerous and in need of medical intervention.

“Every day, these men and women dedicate countless hours to complex investigations aimed at removing violent offenders, illegal firearms, and dangerous narcotics from our neighborhoods. We remain deeply concerned about the presence of Xylazine, a dangerous substance that does not respond to Narcan and is contributing to fatal overdoses,” Chief Dorothy Todd said. “We are grateful for the continued dedication of our local, state, and federal partners as we work together to reduce violent crime, disrupt criminal organizations, and keep Cleveland’s residents safe.”

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.

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Cleveland, OH

Woman killed, several children injured in Ohio Turnpike crash in Lorain County

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Woman killed, several children injured in Ohio Turnpike crash in Lorain County


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 28-year-old woman is dead, and three children are hospitalized following a one-car rollover accident in Elyria Township in the eastbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike.

The crash happened around 11:54 a.m. at milepost 146.3.

During the investigation of the crash OSHP learned that the crash happened when the Toyota RAV4, driven by Najalee N. Rivera, drove off the right side of the road, struck a guardrail, and overturned.

The vehicle was also occupied by three children. A 7-year-old boy, a 8-year-old girl, and 4-year-old girl all from Lorain, they all suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported by LifeCare Ambulance to University Elyria Hospital.

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Rivera was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash, according to OSHP.

Two of the lanes were reopened about 4:15 p.m., according to a social media post from the Ohio Turnpike.

Check back with 19 News for the latest on this story.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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Cleveland, OH

LOOK: Remembering the Cavs championship win, victory parade 10 years later

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LOOK: Remembering the Cavs championship win, victory parade 10 years later


CLEVELAND (WJW) — Ten years ago, Cleveland experienced one of the most unforgettable moments in the city’s history.

The Cavaliers became the first-ever team to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a championship. By winning the 2016 NBA Finals, they also ended a 52-year championship drought for Cleveland.

Mr. Cavalier, Austin Carr, said he still relishes that moment 10 years later.

“The odds we overcame to win that championship,” he said. “Not only did we have to win three straight games, but we also had to have the right things happen at the right moment in order to win it. And that just tells me how difficult it is … with ‘The Shot’, ‘The Block’, and the defensive move. All those. It was just meant to be.”

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The victory over the Golden State Warriors catapulted LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith and the rest of the crew into essential Northeast Ohio sainthood.

When Akron’s own James screamed the now-famous phrase, “Cleveland, this is for you!” following the game, a whole legion of Cleveland fans around the country wept and cheered along with him.

CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 22: Kyrie Irving #2, LeBron James #23 and J.R. Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers look on during the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 NBA Championship victory parade and rally on June 22, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

When Smith refused to put a shirt on for what seemed like a whole summer in honor of the win, it felt right and proper.

Whenever the long-since traded Irving comes back to town, he’s remembered for his important 3-pointer at the end of Game 7 and not the way he left the team.

And the city made history again just a few days later, when more than 1.3 million people flooded downtown Cleveland for the championship parade. According to the Cavs, it remains the largest NBA championship parade ever.

The current Cavaliers (now in their Donovan Mitchell era) haven’t been back to the NBA Finals. They reached the conference finals this past spring for the first time since 2018. But a finals appearance has still eluded the wine and gold.



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