Sports
NCAA tournament bracket: Connecticut, Houston, Purdue and North Carolina are No. 1 seeds
The 68-team bracket for the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament is set, but matchup start times for the First Four and first round will not be announced until later Sunday night.
Here’s a look at the NCAA men’s tournament bracket (click on link below for a downloadable version of the bracket):
PRINTABLE NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BRACKET
Here’s a look at the First Four and first-round matchups for the men’s NCAA tournament:
EAST REGION
No. 1 Connecticut (31-3) vs. No. 16 Stetson (22-12), Friday
No. 8 Florida Atlantic (25-8) vs. No. 9 Northwestern (21-11), Friday
No. 5 San Diego State (24-10) vs. No. 12 Alabama Birmingham (23-11), Friday
No. 4 Auburn (27-7) vs. No. 13 Yale (22-9), Friday
No. 6 Brigham Young (23-10) vs. No. 11 Duquesne (24-11), Thursday
No. 3 Illinois (26-8) vs. No. 14 Morehead State (26-8), Thursday
No. 7 Washington State (24-9) vs. No. 10 Drake (28-6), Thursday
No. 2 Iowa State (27-7) vs. No. 15 South Dakota State (22-12), Thursday
SOUTH REGION
No. 1 Houston (30-4) vs. No. 16 Longwood (21-13), Friday
No. 8 Nebraska (23-10) vs. No. 9 Texas A&M (20-14), Friday
No. 5 Wisconsin (22-13) vs. No. 12 James Madison (31-3), Friday
No. 4 Duke (24-8) vs. No. 13 Vermont (28-6), Friday
No. 6 Texas Tech (23-10) vs. No. 11 North Carolina State (22-14), Thursday
No. 3 Kentucky (23-9) vs. No. 14 Oakland (23-11), Thursday
No. 7 Florida (24-11) vs. No. 10 Boise State (22-10) / Colorado (24-10), Thursday
No. 2 Marquette (25-9) vs. No. 15 Western Kentucky (22-11), Thursday
MIDWEST REGION
No. 1 Purdue (29-4) vs. No. 16 Montana State (17-17) / Grambling State (20-14), Friday
No. 8 Utah State (27-6) vs. No. 9 Texas Christian (21-12), Friday
No. 5 Gonzaga (25-7) vs. No. 12 McNeese (30-3), Thursday
No. 4 Kansas (22-10) vs. No. 13 Samford (29-5), Thursday
No. 6 South Carolina (26-7) vs. No. 11 Oregon (23-11), Thursday
No. 3 Creighton (23-9) vs. No. 14 Akron (24-10), Thursday
No. 7 Texas (20-12) vs. No. 10 Virginia (23-10) / Colorado State (24-10), Thursday
No. 2 Tennessee (24-8) vs. No. 15 Saint Peter’s (19-13), Thursday
WEST REGIONAL
No. 1 North Carolina (27-7) vs. No. 16 Howard (18-16) / Wagner (16-15), Thursday
No. 8 Mississippi State (21-13), No. 9 Michigan State (19-14), Thursday
No. 5 Saint Mary’s (26-7) vs. No. 12 Grand Canyon (29-4), Friday
No. 4 Alabama (21-11) vs. No. 13 Charleston (27-7), Friday
No. 6 Clemson (21-11) vs. No. 11 New Mexico (26-9), Friday
No. 3 Baylor (23-10) vs. No. 14 Colgate (25-9), Friday
No. 7 Dayton (24-7) vs. No. 10 Nevada (26-7), Thursday
No. 2 Arizona (25-8) vs. No. 15 Long Beach State (21-14), Thursday
Here’s a schedule breakdown for the men’s NCAA tournament (all times Pacific):
The 68-team women’s bracket will be revealed Sunday at 5 p.m. PDT on ESPN. Here’s a breakdown of the women’s NCAA tournament schedule:
Sports
Jerry Jones opens up on Cowboys’ shortcomings during 2025 season
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The Dallas Cowboys’ Super Bowl drought increased to 30 years as the team was eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday and then lost to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
The Cowboys showed tremendous heart during the season after the defense was gutted when star pass rusher Micah Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers. Dallas picked up big wins over the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, as well as a tie with the Packers.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 14, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
Ultimately, the Cowboys lost their last three games and found themselves on the outside looking in on the playoffs once more. Dallas dropped to 6-8-1 after the loss to Los Angeles, and team owner Jerry Jones opened up about some of the team’s shortcomings.
“I really am better when I’m getting my a– kicked than I am when I’m having success,” he said, via The Athletic. “I’ve seen some of the decisions I’ve made work.
“We get one team that gets to go to that Super Bowl every year. Two that get to go to those (conference championship) playoff games. I’m looking forward next year to getting back in that championship game and maybe beyond. And then I’ll be right at the top of the list of how long it’s been since you’ve been to one. And that’s how you do it. Right at the top. And this will all go away.”
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) prepares to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Jones did take away some positivity from the 2025 season. He acknowledged the team “underachieved” but there were some things that the team could carry forward into 2026.
Particularly, Jones said he was impressed with how Dak Prescott played during the year.
Prescott has 4,175 passing yards and 28 touchdown passes this season. He’s leading the NFL in completions (378) and passing attempts (552). Both George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the season.
“I am pleased with what we have in Dak, very pleased going forward,” he said, via the team’s website. “Nothing we’ve done so far this season gives me anything but optimism about going forward at one of the key, if not the key position.”
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Dallas has the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants left on its schedule.
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Sports
Palisades starts out as City Section basketball favorite in top 10 rankings
It’s time to take a look at the City Section’s top boys’ basketball teams a little more than a month into the season:
1. PALISADES (2-4): The Popoola twins, EJ and OJ, combined with freshman Phillip Reed, make the Dolphins the City Section Open Division title favorites.
2. WASHINGTON PREP (6-4): Jayshawn Kibble is a candidate for City player of the year.
3. CLEVELAND (5-4): Sophomore guard Charlie Adams becomes eligible Friday.
4. GRANADA HILLS (6-3): Help coming when sit-out transfer period ends Friday.
5. SAN PEDRO (7-3): Lots of varsity experience could result in Marine League title.
6. VENICE (5-8): Win over Fairfax, one-point loss to San Pedro.
7. BIRMINGHAM (4-2): Patriots like being under the radar.
8. TAFT (5-4): Turnaround showing progress ahead of schedule.
9. FAIRFAX (5-2): Young players making progress.
10. EL CAMINO REAL (7-5): One-point loss to Chaminade offers hope.
Sports
Broncos’ Pat Bryant placed on backboard, carted off field after scary hit in loss to Jaguars
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Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant was carted off the field in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars after a vicious hit that was scary to look at.
Bryant was attempting to make a catch with just seconds left at Empower Field when Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown came flying in and crashed into him to break it up.
One could hear how hard Bryant was hit with the broadcast picking up the cracking of helmet and pads as he went to the turf.
Pat Bryant of the Denver Broncos is carted off the field during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field At Mile High on Dec. 21, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Bryant stayed down on the field after the play, and he wasn’t moving much as Broncos trainers came running out to look at him on the turf.
After several minutes of evaluation, Bryant was loaded onto a stretcher and carted off the field. There was obvious concern throughout the stadium for Bryant, and it was later reported that he was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
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Broncos head coach Sean Payton, speaking after his first loss in 12 games, gave an update on Bryant, saying that he “had movement” in his extremities, and it was “encouraging” to see, per 9News’ Mike Klis.
Of course, any time a player is loaded onto a stretcher, thoughts of the worst immediately enter the mind. Luckily, Bryant’s hospital visit was only to ensure everything was fine.
Pat Bryant of the Denver Broncos is carted off the field during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field At Mile High on Dec. 21, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Broncos moved to 12-3 after the loss at home, a 34-20 defeat at the hands of a red-hot Jaguars squad who have now won six straight games.
At 11-4, the Jaguars remain one win above the Houston Texans for the AFC South lead, though they are likely headed to the playoffs one way or another.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have already clinched their shot at a Vince Lombardi Trophy, having won 12 games this season for the best record in the AFC to date. Only the New England Patriots could reach 12 wins this week if they defeat the Baltimore Ravens on “Sunday Night Football.”
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Bryant finished the game with five catches for 42 yards. He has totaled 27 catches for 347 yards and a touchdown this season in a loaded Broncos receiving room.
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