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The Crown 2026: The full field revealed for men’s college basketball tournament for NIL

The Crown 2026: The full field revealed for men’s college basketball tournament for NIL

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The Crown has replaced the NIT as college basketball’s second-best postseason tournament. In its second year in existence, the has brought in many of the biggest March Madness snubs to produce a strong eight-team field with NIL money up for grabs.

The Oklahoma Sooners just missed out on the field of 68, and now they will headline The Crown with a first-round game against Colorado. The winner advances to the semifinals to play the winner of the Baylor Bears vs. the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Stanford headlines the other side of the bracket. Will stud freshman point guard Ebuka Okorie play? The Cardinal will be must-watch if so in their opening round matchup against West Virginia. The winner of that game faces the winner of Creighton vs. Rutgers in the other semifinal.

The Crown has trimmed from 16 teams to eight teams in its second-year. Last season, it offered $300K in NIL money for the winner, $100K for the runner-up, and $50K for semifinalists. We’ll update this post when the purse comes out for this season.

Here’s the full look at the bracket:

The Crown starts on Wednesday, April 1 with Oklahoma vs. Colorado at 8 p.m. ET, followed by Baylor vs. Minnesota. The other team games will happen the next day on Thursday, April 2. All games take place in Las Vegas, and will be broadcast on either Fox or FSI.

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Deadspin | Yankees hope Cam Schlittler’s white-hot start continues vs. A’s Apr 1, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Cam Schlittler emerged as a possible mainstay for the New York Yankees during the final two months of the regular season when he replaced an injured Clarke Schmidt. His star received a boost when he tossed eight innings and 12 strikeouts in a shutout over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the wild-card series. Schlittler’s first full season is off to a strong start, and the 25-year-old makes his home debut Tuesday night when the Yankees open a three-game series against the Athletics. The Yankees are off to a 7-2 start for the second time in three seasons. Schlittler’s contributions were 11 2/3 scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners. Schlittler (2-0, 0.00 ERA) is still being fully built up after missing some time in spring training with a minor back injury and has thrown 68 and 79 pitches, respectively, in his first two outings. In San Francisco, he allowed one hit and struck out eight in a 3-0 win on March 27. On Wednesday in Seattle, the right-hander permitted two hits and struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings of a 5-3 win. He has yet to issue a walk against 38 batters faced. “It’s exciting to see how dominant his stuff is, just filling up the strike zone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He got some early outs and that allowed him to get pretty deep into the game with a pitch count. He’s throwing the ball incredibly well. He set the tone for us.” Schlittler is the first Yankee to begin a season by turning in consecutive starts of at least five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts. Schlittler is facing the A’s for the first time after the Yankees produced their worst pitching performances so far in a pair of games that lasted for a combined seven hours and 13 minutes. The Yankees survived a short outing by Ryan Weathers and some struggles by their bullpen when they hung on for a 9-7 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday. They allowed four runs in the eighth inning of their 7-6 loss a day later. The A’s took two of three at home from the Houston Astros and have won three of five after getting off to a 0-4 start. The A’s scored 23 runs in their two wins and earned a 12-10 win on Sunday when Brent Rooker hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning and a game-ending three-run homer in the 10th. Rooker homered after starting the season 4-for-30 with 14 strikeouts. Nick Kurtz also had his first multi-hit game after starting the season 2-for-24 with 13 strikeouts. “It was good to finally do something to help us win or do something good in any fashion,” Rooker said after the A’s finished with 16 hits and went 7-for-17 with runners in scoring position. “I’m proud of our guys (Sunday) as a whole. We saw some good arms, and they put together good at-bats and made some unbelievable plays, yet we were able to battle through all that.” Aaron Civale (1-0, 3.60), who is on his sixth team since spending five seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, starts for the A’s. Civale made his debut for the A’s last Tuesday when he allowed two runs on four hits in five innings while getting nine groundball outs in a 5-2 win at Atlanta. The right-hander is 1-5 with a 6.35 ERA in seven career regular-season starts against the Yankees, who hit .299 in those games. He last faced them on March 30, 2025, for Milwaukee when he allowed three homers and five runs in three innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Yankees #hope #Cam #Schlittlers #whitehot #start #continuesApr 1, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Cam Schlittler emerged as a possible mainstay for the New York Yankees during the final two months of the regular season when he replaced an injured Clarke Schmidt.

His star received a boost when he tossed eight innings and 12 strikeouts in a shutout over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the wild-card series.

Schlittler’s first full season is off to a strong start, and the 25-year-old makes his home debut Tuesday night when the Yankees open a three-game series against the Athletics.

The Yankees are off to a 7-2 start for the second time in three seasons. Schlittler’s contributions were 11 2/3 scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners.

Schlittler (2-0, 0.00 ERA) is still being fully built up after missing some time in spring training with a minor back injury and has thrown 68 and 79 pitches, respectively, in his first two outings. In San Francisco, he allowed one hit and struck out eight in a 3-0 win on March 27. On Wednesday in Seattle, the right-hander permitted two hits and struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings of a 5-3 win.

He has yet to issue a walk against 38 batters faced.

“It’s exciting to see how dominant his stuff is, just filling up the strike zone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He got some early outs and that allowed him to get pretty deep into the game with a pitch count. He’s throwing the ball incredibly well. He set the tone for us.”

Schlittler is the first Yankee to begin a season by turning in consecutive starts of at least five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts.


Schlittler is facing the A’s for the first time after the Yankees produced their worst pitching performances so far in a pair of games that lasted for a combined seven hours and 13 minutes.

The Yankees survived a short outing by Ryan Weathers and some struggles by their bullpen when they hung on for a 9-7 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday. They allowed four runs in the eighth inning of their 7-6 loss a day later.

The A’s took two of three at home from the Houston Astros and have won three of five after getting off to a 0-4 start.

The A’s scored 23 runs in their two wins and earned a 12-10 win on Sunday when Brent Rooker hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning and a game-ending three-run homer in the 10th.

Rooker homered after starting the season 4-for-30 with 14 strikeouts. Nick Kurtz also had his first multi-hit game after starting the season 2-for-24 with 13 strikeouts.

“It was good to finally do something to help us win or do something good in any fashion,” Rooker said after the A’s finished with 16 hits and went 7-for-17 with runners in scoring position. “I’m proud of our guys (Sunday) as a whole. We saw some good arms, and they put together good at-bats and made some unbelievable plays, yet we were able to battle through all that.”

Aaron Civale (1-0, 3.60), who is on his sixth team since spending five seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, starts for the A’s.

Civale made his debut for the A’s last Tuesday when he allowed two runs on four hits in five innings while getting nine groundball outs in a 5-2 win at Atlanta.

The right-hander is 1-5 with a 6.35 ERA in seven career regular-season starts against the Yankees, who hit .299 in those games. He last faced them on March 30, 2025, for Milwaukee when he allowed three homers and five runs in three innings.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Yankees #hope #Cam #Schlittlers #whitehot #start #continues">Deadspin | Yankees hope Cam Schlittler’s white-hot start continues vs. A’s Apr 1, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Cam Schlittler emerged as a possible mainstay for the New York Yankees during the final two months of the regular season when he replaced an injured Clarke Schmidt. His star received a boost when he tossed eight innings and 12 strikeouts in a shutout over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the wild-card series. Schlittler’s first full season is off to a strong start, and the 25-year-old makes his home debut Tuesday night when the Yankees open a three-game series against the Athletics. The Yankees are off to a 7-2 start for the second time in three seasons. Schlittler’s contributions were 11 2/3 scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners. Schlittler (2-0, 0.00 ERA) is still being fully built up after missing some time in spring training with a minor back injury and has thrown 68 and 79 pitches, respectively, in his first two outings. In San Francisco, he allowed one hit and struck out eight in a 3-0 win on March 27. On Wednesday in Seattle, the right-hander permitted two hits and struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings of a 5-3 win. He has yet to issue a walk against 38 batters faced. “It’s exciting to see how dominant his stuff is, just filling up the strike zone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He got some early outs and that allowed him to get pretty deep into the game with a pitch count. He’s throwing the ball incredibly well. He set the tone for us.” Schlittler is the first Yankee to begin a season by turning in consecutive starts of at least five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts. Schlittler is facing the A’s for the first time after the Yankees produced their worst pitching performances so far in a pair of games that lasted for a combined seven hours and 13 minutes. The Yankees survived a short outing by Ryan Weathers and some struggles by their bullpen when they hung on for a 9-7 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday. They allowed four runs in the eighth inning of their 7-6 loss a day later. The A’s took two of three at home from the Houston Astros and have won three of five after getting off to a 0-4 start. The A’s scored 23 runs in their two wins and earned a 12-10 win on Sunday when Brent Rooker hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning and a game-ending three-run homer in the 10th. Rooker homered after starting the season 4-for-30 with 14 strikeouts. Nick Kurtz also had his first multi-hit game after starting the season 2-for-24 with 13 strikeouts. “It was good to finally do something to help us win or do something good in any fashion,” Rooker said after the A’s finished with 16 hits and went 7-for-17 with runners in scoring position. “I’m proud of our guys (Sunday) as a whole. We saw some good arms, and they put together good at-bats and made some unbelievable plays, yet we were able to battle through all that.” Aaron Civale (1-0, 3.60), who is on his sixth team since spending five seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, starts for the A’s. Civale made his debut for the A’s last Tuesday when he allowed two runs on four hits in five innings while getting nine groundball outs in a 5-2 win at Atlanta. The right-hander is 1-5 with a 6.35 ERA in seven career regular-season starts against the Yankees, who hit .299 in those games. He last faced them on March 30, 2025, for Milwaukee when he allowed three homers and five runs in three innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Yankees #hope #Cam #Schlittlers #whitehot #start #continues

Minnesota United denied reports that James Rodriguez was suffering from a potentially fatal health condition on Monday as the Colombian star returned to training after being sidelined for several days due to severe dehyration.

Rodriguez, 34, was hospitalised for three days with dehydration last week after being taken ill during Colombia’s 3-1 loss to France on March 29 in Landover outside Washington.

Some US media initially reported that the Colombia captain was suffering from rhabdomyolysis — a severe breakdown of muscle tissue that, in extreme cases, can be fatal.

“Minnesota United FC takes the health and privacy of its players seriously,” the Major League Soccer side said in a statement.

“The club and our medical professionals can unequivocally state there has been no clinical or laboratory evidence of rhabdomyolysis.”

Minnesota said Rodriguez had been recovering at home after being discharged last week before returning to training on Monday, where he participated in “a supervised return-to-activity” session.

“His reintegration into full team training will follow the protocols established by the club’s medical department and will be guided entirely by his clinical progress,” Minnesota said.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

#James #Rodriguez #injury #update #Colombia #star #returns #club #training #FIFA #World #Cup">James Rodriguez injury update — Colombia star returns to club for training before FIFA World Cup 2026 Minnesota United denied reports that James Rodriguez was suffering from a potentially fatal health condition on Monday as the Colombian star returned to training after being sidelined for several days due to severe dehyration.Rodriguez, 34, was hospitalised for three days with dehydration last week after being taken ill during Colombia’s 3-1 loss to France on March 29 in Landover outside Washington.Some US media initially reported that the Colombia captain was suffering from rhabdomyolysis — a severe breakdown of muscle tissue that, in extreme cases, can be fatal.“Minnesota United FC takes the health and privacy of its players seriously,” the Major League Soccer side said in a statement.“The club and our medical professionals can unequivocally state there has been no clinical or laboratory evidence of rhabdomyolysis.”Minnesota said Rodriguez had been recovering at home after being discharged last week before returning to training on Monday, where he participated in “a supervised return-to-activity” session.“His reintegration into full team training will follow the protocols established by the club’s medical department and will be guided entirely by his clinical progress,” Minnesota said.Published on Apr 07, 2026 #James #Rodriguez #injury #update #Colombia #star #returns #club #training #FIFA #World #Cup

Deadspin | Celtics looking to integrate Nikola Vucevic against surging Hornets Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) shoots a jump shot against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Although this is the final week of the NBA regular season, the Boston Celtics still have at least one significant thing to iron out entering Tuesday’s game against the visiting Charlotte Hornets: making sure Nikola Vucevic fits comfortably into the rotation before the playoffs begin. Vucevic returned to the court for Sunday’s 115-101 victory over Toronto after missing four weeks with a broken finger. The injury occurred in a March 6 game against Dallas, the same night Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles injury. Vucevic collected four points and four rebounds in 13 minutes against Toronto, but he also picked up four fouls. “He was good,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I mean, it was only 13 minutes. I thought offensively he made the right reads, missed a couple. Second half, we kind of went to — it was almost, we were looking at some different matchup stuff, so we didn’t get him in as much as we wanted to in the second half. But he was fine, I thought. He’s just going to continue to get acclimated.” Vucevic said regaining chemistry is the hardest part about returning after missing significant time with an injury. “That just has to come from us playing and practicing together, which is good I get at least these five games in before the playoffs then we’ll have that week between that will help,” he said. “But I think as far as plays, coverages, kind of knowing what to do out there in different situations, that was pretty good for me. I did a lot of it throughout my rehab. A lot of my workouts were fully left-handed, but I was still learning plays like that. “Just continue to play alongside all of the guys,” he continued. “Obviously me and JT didn’t get a lot of time together, but I think we’re both high-level players, both smart players, and I think we’ll be able to figure it out pretty quick. Just even being around the guys, the time I did play, I think it’s helped a lot. Obviously, it would have been great to have that full month that I missed, but it is what it is. We know we’ll try to make the best out of it in the next couple games. And then also I think that week leading up to the playoffs is going to help. We’ll probably have a couple practices which will help as well.” The Celtics (53-25) will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games. Charlotte (43-36) has won four in a row since it dropped a 114-99 decision to Boston at home on March 29. The Hornets are 9-2 in their last 11 games, and are trying to avoid the play-in tournament by finishing sixth or higher in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte will participate in the postseason for the first time since 2015-16, when the Hornets lost to Miami in the first round. The Hornets beat the Celtics 118-89 when the teams met in Boston on March 4. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges said dealing with Boston’s physicality will be paramount Tuesday night. “We came into their place and beat them,” he said. “Then they came into our place and beat us, so we want to return the favor and start getting ready for the playoffs.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Celtics #integrate #Nikola #Vucevic #surging #HornetsApr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) shoots a jump shot against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Although this is the final week of the NBA regular season, the Boston Celtics still have at least one significant thing to iron out entering Tuesday’s game against the visiting Charlotte Hornets: making sure Nikola Vucevic fits comfortably into the rotation before the playoffs begin.

Vucevic returned to the court for Sunday’s 115-101 victory over Toronto after missing four weeks with a broken finger. The injury occurred in a March 6 game against Dallas, the same night Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles injury.

Vucevic collected four points and four rebounds in 13 minutes against Toronto, but he also picked up four fouls.

“He was good,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I mean, it was only 13 minutes. I thought offensively he made the right reads, missed a couple. Second half, we kind of went to — it was almost, we were looking at some different matchup stuff, so we didn’t get him in as much as we wanted to in the second half. But he was fine, I thought. He’s just going to continue to get acclimated.”

Vucevic said regaining chemistry is the hardest part about returning after missing significant time with an injury.

“That just has to come from us playing and practicing together, which is good I get at least these five games in before the playoffs then we’ll have that week between that will help,” he said. “But I think as far as plays, coverages, kind of knowing what to do out there in different situations, that was pretty good for me. I did a lot of it throughout my rehab. A lot of my workouts were fully left-handed, but I was still learning plays like that.


“Just continue to play alongside all of the guys,” he continued. “Obviously me and JT didn’t get a lot of time together, but I think we’re both high-level players, both smart players, and I think we’ll be able to figure it out pretty quick. Just even being around the guys, the time I did play, I think it’s helped a lot. Obviously, it would have been great to have that full month that I missed, but it is what it is. We know we’ll try to make the best out of it in the next couple games. And then also I think that week leading up to the playoffs is going to help. We’ll probably have a couple practices which will help as well.”

The Celtics (53-25) will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games.

Charlotte (43-36) has won four in a row since it dropped a 114-99 decision to Boston at home on March 29. The Hornets are 9-2 in their last 11 games, and are trying to avoid the play-in tournament by finishing sixth or higher in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte will participate in the postseason for the first time since 2015-16, when the Hornets lost to Miami in the first round.

The Hornets beat the Celtics 118-89 when the teams met in Boston on March 4. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges said dealing with Boston’s physicality will be paramount Tuesday night.

“We came into their place and beat them,” he said. “Then they came into our place and beat us, so we want to return the favor and start getting ready for the playoffs.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Celtics #integrate #Nikola #Vucevic #surging #Hornets">Deadspin | Celtics looking to integrate Nikola Vucevic against surging Hornets Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) shoots a jump shot against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Although this is the final week of the NBA regular season, the Boston Celtics still have at least one significant thing to iron out entering Tuesday’s game against the visiting Charlotte Hornets: making sure Nikola Vucevic fits comfortably into the rotation before the playoffs begin. Vucevic returned to the court for Sunday’s 115-101 victory over Toronto after missing four weeks with a broken finger. The injury occurred in a March 6 game against Dallas, the same night Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles injury. Vucevic collected four points and four rebounds in 13 minutes against Toronto, but he also picked up four fouls. “He was good,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I mean, it was only 13 minutes. I thought offensively he made the right reads, missed a couple. Second half, we kind of went to — it was almost, we were looking at some different matchup stuff, so we didn’t get him in as much as we wanted to in the second half. But he was fine, I thought. He’s just going to continue to get acclimated.” Vucevic said regaining chemistry is the hardest part about returning after missing significant time with an injury. “That just has to come from us playing and practicing together, which is good I get at least these five games in before the playoffs then we’ll have that week between that will help,” he said. “But I think as far as plays, coverages, kind of knowing what to do out there in different situations, that was pretty good for me. I did a lot of it throughout my rehab. A lot of my workouts were fully left-handed, but I was still learning plays like that. “Just continue to play alongside all of the guys,” he continued. “Obviously me and JT didn’t get a lot of time together, but I think we’re both high-level players, both smart players, and I think we’ll be able to figure it out pretty quick. Just even being around the guys, the time I did play, I think it’s helped a lot. Obviously, it would have been great to have that full month that I missed, but it is what it is. We know we’ll try to make the best out of it in the next couple games. And then also I think that week leading up to the playoffs is going to help. We’ll probably have a couple practices which will help as well.” The Celtics (53-25) will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games. Charlotte (43-36) has won four in a row since it dropped a 114-99 decision to Boston at home on March 29. The Hornets are 9-2 in their last 11 games, and are trying to avoid the play-in tournament by finishing sixth or higher in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte will participate in the postseason for the first time since 2015-16, when the Hornets lost to Miami in the first round. The Hornets beat the Celtics 118-89 when the teams met in Boston on March 4. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges said dealing with Boston’s physicality will be paramount Tuesday night. “We came into their place and beat them,” he said. “Then they came into our place and beat us, so we want to return the favor and start getting ready for the playoffs.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Celtics #integrate #Nikola #Vucevic #surging #Hornets

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