Arizona

ESPN's Reid: Arizona worth watching for 2025 NFL Draft prospects

Published

2 years ago

August 13, 2024

ESPN's Reid: Arizona worth watching for 2025 NFL Draft prospects

The Arizona Wildcats football team on Monday was ranked No. 21 in The Associated Press top 25 preseason poll despite entering a new conference with a new head coach. Expectations are high because the roster is led by a foursome of players with NFL-level talent.

ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid pinned Arizona as an “under-the-radar team to watch” in reference to their potential for prospects taken in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Of the 10 teams featured, Oregon was the only other former Pac-12 member to make the cut.

Reid split the prospect-heavy programs into three tiers based on predicted first-rounders and total draftees expected to enter next year’s draft.

Powerhouses Georgia and Ohio State occupied the top two spots in Tier 1, unsurprising as No. 1 and No. 2 in AP’s preseason poll. They’re expected to produce 16 and 14 projected draft picks, respectively.

In total, Reid expects Arizona to produce two first-round players and four overall picks in 2025.

‘Top prospect to know:’ WR Tetairoa McMillan

McMillan, the 6-foot-5 rising junior, has already been graded with great stock this preseason as a fixture of three All-American teams and a candidate for the Biletnikoff and Maxwell awards.

He capped last season with 90 catches and 1,402 receiving yards while finding the end zone 10 times. The projected 2025 first-rounder also averaged 107.8 yards per game, placing fifth in all the FBS.

Reid compared the Wildcat’s wideout to the Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons due to his overall size and versatility. Though the NFL draft expert currently has McMillan as the second wide receiver going off his board to Luther Burden III of Missouri, Reid said he would not be shocked if the Arizona product went No. 1 like London did just two years ago.

‘Sleeper prospect to watch:’ OL Jonah Savaiinaea

Fellow rising junior Savaiinaea was not a recipient of as much preseason attention as McMillan, but the 2023 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention has proven enough at such a valuable position.

Reid said pro scouts are torn on whether the 330-pounder projects as a guard or tackle, but the consensus is he will be a top-40 pick.

Savaiinaea started all 13 games for Arizona last season while only allowing two sacks in 889 snaps. He has played both tackle and guard for the Wildcats and Reid said that type of versatility could significantly increase his draft capital.

Other Wildcat standouts

Quarterback Noah Fifita made huge strides in his first season as a starter for Arizona, collecting 2023 Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year.

He posted 2,869 passing yards and 25 touchdowns through the air up against only six interceptions. Despite his ability to produce magical plays, Reid said that his smaller size (5-foot-10, 194 pounds) and lack of production in the pocket will limit his ceiling.

Fifita’s 72.4% completion rate in 2023 was the highest in program history, highlighted by a 30-for-41 performance in the Territorial Cup against rival Arizona State in which he tossed for a single-game record 527 yards.

Cornerback Tacario Davis was Reid’s final Wildcat with professional upside. He’s a rising junior who was an 2023 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention.

Like McMillan, he achieved national notoriety thanks to last year’s campaign, as he finished tied for fourth in pass breakups with 14. Reid credited Davis’ “lanky body structure” for his success and projection as a late first or early second-round pick.

Davis also closed out his sophomore season with a career-high 25 total tackles and appeared in all 13 games.

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Arizona

Kansas Jayhawks at Arizona Wildcats odds, picks and predictions

Published

10 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Kansas Jayhawks at Arizona Wildcats odds, picks and predictions

The No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks (21-7, 11-4 Big 12) visit the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats (26-2, 13-2) Saturday afternoon for a 4 p.m. ET (ESPN) tip from McKale Memorial Center in Tucson, Arizona. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Kansas vs. Arizona odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

Kansas got back in the win column on Monday with a 69-56 victory over Houston, covering as a 2.5-point home underdog with the Under (137.5) hitting. G Tre White led all scorers with 23 points while F Bryson Tiller (11 points, 10 rebounds) added a double-double in the much-needed victory after the Jayhawks had dropped 2 of their previous 3.

Arizona has won 3 in a row after taking down Baylor 87-80 on Tuesday, narrowly failing to cover as a 7.5-point road favorite with the Over (154.5) hitting. G Jaden Bradley scored a team-high 25 points, G Brayden Burries added 24, and F Tobe Awaka (10 points, 13 rebounds) added a double-double.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!

Kansas at Arizona odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 9:40 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Kansas +400 (bet $100 to win $500) | Arizona -550 (bet $550 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Kansas +9.5 (-110) | Arizona -9.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 149.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Kansas at Arizona picks and predictions

Prediction

Arizona 76, Kansas 69

PASS.

There is minimal value on the Wildcats (-550) to win at home on Saturday against a Jayhawks team that is 5-4 on the road this season.

BET KANSAS +9.5 (-110).

The Jayhawks are 18-10 ATS this season, including 9-3 ATS over their last 12. They are 3-1 ATS over their last 4 on the road, as well, and are coming off a massive win over No. 5 Houston to build momentum heading into another tough contest.

The Wildcats have failed to cover in 4 of their last 5 games, including each of their last 4 as favorites and back-to-back games at home.

With a near double-digit spread, the advantage belongs to the road squad.

BET UNDER 149.5 (-105).

The Wildcats have hit the Under in 7 of their last 10 games, including 3 of their last 4. They have scored 78 or fewer points in 4 of their last 5 games while allowing 68 or fewer in 5 of their last 10, including 2 of their last 3.

The Jayhawks have hit a 19-9 Under record this season and have also hit the Under in 7 of their last 10. They have scored 69 or fewer points in 3 of their last 4 while allowing 75 or fewer in 7 of their last 10.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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Arizona

Arizona Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

22 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Arizona Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Feb. 27, 2026

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers

7-7-0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers

16-19-20-26-37

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Triple Twist numbers

11-15-24-25-28-30

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

What time is the Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings are at 7:59 p.m. Arizona time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?

In Arizona, Powerball tickets cost $2 per game, according to the Arizona Lottery.

How to play the Powerball

To play, select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.

You can choose your lucky numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers.

To win, match one of the 9 Ways to Win:

5 white balls + 1 red Powerball = Grand prize.
5 white balls = $1 million.
4 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $50,000.
4 white balls = $100.
3 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $100.
3 white balls = $7.
2 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $7.
1 white ball + 1 red Powerball = $4.
1 red Powerball = $4.

There’s a chance to have your winnings increased two, three, four, five and 10 times through the Power Play for an additional $1 per play. Players can multiply non-jackpot wins up to 10 times when the jackpot is $150 million or less.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:

Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Arizona

Warmer temps increase rattlesnake risks: Arizona Game and Fish

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Warmer temps increase rattlesnake risks: Arizona Game and Fish

article

PHOENIX – Officials with the Arizona Game and Fish Department said unseasonably warm temperatures in the state will increase risks for rattlesnake encounters.

What they’re saying:

In a statement released on Feb. 27, the agency said while rattlesnakes are most active in desert areas from March through October, they “may appear earlier in the year as warming temperatures bring them out of winter hibernation.”

“During the spring, it’s common for rattlesnakes to be out during daylight hours,” read a portion of the statement. “As the days become increasingly hot, rattlesnakes tend to move around more at night.”

What you can do:

Officials said there are things people can do to keep themselves safe, including:

Step back and let a rattlesnake move away if you see one on a trail
Be mindful of where you place your feet and hands, because rattlesnakes can easily blend in with their surroundings
Carry a flashlight at night, especially on warmer nights when rattlesnakes can be most active
Clean up yard debris and reduce standing water near homes, in order to avoid attracting rattlesnakes
Stay on marked trails, as rattlesnakes encounters are more likely to occur when a person leaves a marked trail

Game and Fish officials said people should do the following if someone was bitten by a rattlesnake: