Utah Valley blew its first NCAA tournament berth in most heartbreaking fashion possible

Utah Valley blew its first NCAA tournament berth in most heartbreaking fashion possible

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The WAC was quietly one of the more competitive mid-major conferences during the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season, so it should come as no surprise that it had one of the best conference tournament championship games. Utah Valley won the league’s regular season crown, and was looking for its first ever March Madness berth. Cal Baptist was a D2 school less than a decade ago, and finished second in the conference while enjoying its best season since climbing to the DI level.

There was going to be jubilation on one side and heartbreak on the other with two schools looking for their first ever men’s NCAA tournament appearance, and it played out in dramatic fashion. Trailing by two in the final seconds, Utah Valley threw an alley-oop to try to send the game to overtime. The pass was on point, but the finish was not. The Utah Valley player got rejected by the rim on the dunk, and Cal Baptist ran out the clock to win the league and clinch the auto-bid to the NCAA tournament.

Watch the final play here. This is the double-edged sword of March in one sequence.

Utah Valley and Cal Baptist will have to continue their rivalry in a new conference next year. Both are leaving the WAC to join the Big West. Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, West Georgia and Central Arkansas will join the new-look WAC in 2026-27 alongside returning members Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, and UT Arlington.

It’s hard to keep up with conference realignment, but the drama keeps us coming back. Congrats to Cal Baptist. Better luck next year, Utah Valley. Get your printable blank bracket here.

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Deadspin | RJ Barrett’s heroics push Raptors-Cavaliers to Game 7 May 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) celebrates after scoring the winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the overtime period in game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images RJ Barrett made a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime Friday night as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 to force Game 7 of the first-round playoff series. Barrett’s Kawhi-esque bucket from straight away hit the back of the rim, bounced high into the air and fell in between the mesh. The shot was from the same end of the court as Leonard’s four-bounce miracle during Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 playoffs. Barrett, the Mississauga, Ontario, native, finished with 24 points. Ja’Kobe Walter also scored 24 to set up the deciding game Sunday at Cleveland. Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 13 assists for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles contributed 17 points. Evan Mobley had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers in a series in which the home team has won each game. Donovan Mitchell added 24 points, and James Harden had 16 points, nine assists and four turnovers. Jarrett Allen scored 14 points, while Dean Wade contributed 10. Toronto took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter. After two Cleveland defensive stops, Mitchell nailed a corner three and then made a driving layup to reduce the margin to three with 6:54 to go. Mobley’s rebound and dunk cut the lead to one with 5:48 left. A Barnes free throw had Toronto up by two with 1:17 left. Toronto’s shot-clock violation gave Cleveland possession with 0:16 left. Mobley’s layup tied the game at 104 with a layup with 0:12 to play in regulation. Jamal Shead missed a 17-footer to set up overtime. After a Toronto turnover, Harden hit a 12-footer to give Cleveland a two-point lead. Barnes tied it at 108 with a floater with 1:25 left in overtime. Mitchell’s layup put Cleveland up by two with 0:34 left, and then Shead made one of two free throws to cut the lead to one. Mobley’s turnover gave Toronto the ball with 0:11 left to set up Barrett’s shot. The game was tied at 32 after one quarter. The Raptors led by nine points after Barnes spun around Harden before making a dunk with 7:04 left in the second quarter. Cleveland cut the lead to two before Toronto took a 61-51 halftime lead following Shead’s 3-pointer with 51 seconds remaining. A Cleveland turnover led to Barrett’s running layup and a 15-point lead with 5:02 to play in the third quarter. Toronto led 92-81 after three quarters. Toronto was without Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Barretts #heroics #push #RaptorsCavaliers #GameMay 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) celebrates after scoring the winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the overtime period in game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

RJ Barrett made a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime Friday night as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 to force Game 7 of the first-round playoff series.

Barrett’s Kawhi-esque bucket from straight away hit the back of the rim, bounced high into the air and fell in between the mesh. The shot was from the same end of the court as Leonard’s four-bounce miracle during Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 playoffs.

Barrett, the Mississauga, Ontario, native, finished with 24 points. Ja’Kobe Walter also scored 24 to set up the deciding game Sunday at Cleveland.

Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 13 assists for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles contributed 17 points.

Evan Mobley had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers in a series in which the home team has won each game.

Donovan Mitchell added 24 points, and James Harden had 16 points, nine assists and four turnovers. Jarrett Allen scored 14 points, while Dean Wade contributed 10.


Toronto took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter. After two Cleveland defensive stops, Mitchell nailed a corner three and then made a driving layup to reduce the margin to three with 6:54 to go. Mobley’s rebound and dunk cut the lead to one with 5:48 left. A Barnes free throw had Toronto up by two with 1:17 left. Toronto’s shot-clock violation gave Cleveland possession with 0:16 left. Mobley’s layup tied the game at 104 with a layup with 0:12 to play in regulation. Jamal Shead missed a 17-footer to set up overtime.

After a Toronto turnover, Harden hit a 12-footer to give Cleveland a two-point lead. Barnes tied it at 108 with a floater with 1:25 left in overtime. Mitchell’s layup put Cleveland up by two with 0:34 left, and then Shead made one of two free throws to cut the lead to one. Mobley’s turnover gave Toronto the ball with 0:11 left to set up Barrett’s shot.

The game was tied at 32 after one quarter.

The Raptors led by nine points after Barnes spun around Harden before making a dunk with 7:04 left in the second quarter. Cleveland cut the lead to two before Toronto took a 61-51 halftime lead following Shead’s 3-pointer with 51 seconds remaining.

A Cleveland turnover led to Barrett’s running layup and a 15-point lead with 5:02 to play in the third quarter. Toronto led 92-81 after three quarters.

Toronto was without Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Barretts #heroics #push #RaptorsCavaliers #Game">Deadspin | RJ Barrett’s heroics push Raptors-Cavaliers to Game 7 May 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) celebrates after scoring the winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the overtime period in game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images RJ Barrett made a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime Friday night as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 to force Game 7 of the first-round playoff series. Barrett’s Kawhi-esque bucket from straight away hit the back of the rim, bounced high into the air and fell in between the mesh. The shot was from the same end of the court as Leonard’s four-bounce miracle during Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 playoffs. Barrett, the Mississauga, Ontario, native, finished with 24 points. Ja’Kobe Walter also scored 24 to set up the deciding game Sunday at Cleveland. Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 13 assists for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles contributed 17 points. Evan Mobley had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers in a series in which the home team has won each game. Donovan Mitchell added 24 points, and James Harden had 16 points, nine assists and four turnovers. Jarrett Allen scored 14 points, while Dean Wade contributed 10. Toronto took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter. After two Cleveland defensive stops, Mitchell nailed a corner three and then made a driving layup to reduce the margin to three with 6:54 to go. Mobley’s rebound and dunk cut the lead to one with 5:48 left. A Barnes free throw had Toronto up by two with 1:17 left. Toronto’s shot-clock violation gave Cleveland possession with 0:16 left. Mobley’s layup tied the game at 104 with a layup with 0:12 to play in regulation. Jamal Shead missed a 17-footer to set up overtime. After a Toronto turnover, Harden hit a 12-footer to give Cleveland a two-point lead. Barnes tied it at 108 with a floater with 1:25 left in overtime. Mitchell’s layup put Cleveland up by two with 0:34 left, and then Shead made one of two free throws to cut the lead to one. Mobley’s turnover gave Toronto the ball with 0:11 left to set up Barrett’s shot. The game was tied at 32 after one quarter. The Raptors led by nine points after Barnes spun around Harden before making a dunk with 7:04 left in the second quarter. Cleveland cut the lead to two before Toronto took a 61-51 halftime lead following Shead’s 3-pointer with 51 seconds remaining. A Cleveland turnover led to Barrett’s running layup and a 15-point lead with 5:02 to play in the third quarter. Toronto led 92-81 after three quarters. Toronto was without Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Barretts #heroics #push #RaptorsCavaliers #Game

Deadspin | Kazuma Okamoto’s first 2-homer game guides Blue Jays past Twins May 1, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Yohendrick Pinango (24) catches a fly ball hit by Minnesota Twins right fielder Austin Martin (16) in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Kazuma Okamoto hit two homers and drove in three runs as the Toronto Blue Jays pulled away for a 7-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night in Minneapolis. Yohendrick Pinango finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs for Toronto, which evened the series at one win apiece. Lenyn Sosa went 3-for-4 with a double. Byron Buxton went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer to lead Minnesota. Ryan Jeffers tallied the other RBI for the Twins. Blue Jays left-hander Patrick Corbin (1-0) allowed two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out four. Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (0-5) gave up six runs (four earned) on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked one and fanned two. The Blue Jays started the scoring in the second inning. Daulton Varsho and Sosa hit back-to-back singles with one out, and they advanced on a wild pitch by Woods Richardson. Pinango hit a ground ball moments later, and Twins first baseman Josh Bell fired an errant throw past home plate that allowed the Blue Jays to take a 2-0 lead. The Twins pulled even at 2-all in the third. Brooks Lee led off the inning with a single, and Buxton followed two batters later with a home run just past the wall in left field. The shot was Buxton’s fourth home run in the past five games and his ninth of the season. Toronto quickly responded to grab a 4-2 lead in the fourth. Okamoto put the Blue Jays on top with a leadoff homer to left. Sosa hit a one-out double and scored the second run of the inning on Pinango’s single to center. In the fifth, Okamoto struck again, this time with a two-run homer that increased the Blue Jays’ lead to 6-2. The blast gave the 29-year-old rookie from Japan his first career multi-homer game and seven long balls on the season. Pinango hit another RBI single in the seventh to put Toronto ahead 7-2. Jeffers pulled the Twins within 7-3 on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kazuma #Okamotos #2homer #game #guides #Blue #Jays #TwinsMay 1, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Yohendrick Pinango (24) catches a fly ball hit by Minnesota Twins right fielder Austin Martin (16) in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Kazuma Okamoto hit two homers and drove in three runs as the Toronto Blue Jays pulled away for a 7-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night in Minneapolis.

Yohendrick Pinango finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs for Toronto, which evened the series at one win apiece. Lenyn Sosa went 3-for-4 with a double.

Byron Buxton went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer to lead Minnesota. Ryan Jeffers tallied the other RBI for the Twins.

Blue Jays left-hander Patrick Corbin (1-0) allowed two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (0-5) gave up six runs (four earned) on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked one and fanned two.

The Blue Jays started the scoring in the second inning.

Daulton Varsho and Sosa hit back-to-back singles with one out, and they advanced on a wild pitch by Woods Richardson. Pinango hit a ground ball moments later, and Twins first baseman Josh Bell fired an errant throw past home plate that allowed the Blue Jays to take a 2-0 lead.


The Twins pulled even at 2-all in the third.

Brooks Lee led off the inning with a single, and Buxton followed two batters later with a home run just past the wall in left field. The shot was Buxton’s fourth home run in the past five games and his ninth of the season.

Toronto quickly responded to grab a 4-2 lead in the fourth.

Okamoto put the Blue Jays on top with a leadoff homer to left. Sosa hit a one-out double and scored the second run of the inning on Pinango’s single to center.

In the fifth, Okamoto struck again, this time with a two-run homer that increased the Blue Jays’ lead to 6-2. The blast gave the 29-year-old rookie from Japan his first career multi-homer game and seven long balls on the season.

Pinango hit another RBI single in the seventh to put Toronto ahead 7-2.

Jeffers pulled the Twins within 7-3 on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Kazuma #Okamotos #2homer #game #guides #Blue #Jays #Twins">Deadspin | Kazuma Okamoto’s first 2-homer game guides Blue Jays past Twins May 1, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Yohendrick Pinango (24) catches a fly ball hit by Minnesota Twins right fielder Austin Martin (16) in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Kazuma Okamoto hit two homers and drove in three runs as the Toronto Blue Jays pulled away for a 7-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night in Minneapolis. Yohendrick Pinango finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs for Toronto, which evened the series at one win apiece. Lenyn Sosa went 3-for-4 with a double. Byron Buxton went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer to lead Minnesota. Ryan Jeffers tallied the other RBI for the Twins. Blue Jays left-hander Patrick Corbin (1-0) allowed two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out four. Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (0-5) gave up six runs (four earned) on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked one and fanned two. The Blue Jays started the scoring in the second inning. Daulton Varsho and Sosa hit back-to-back singles with one out, and they advanced on a wild pitch by Woods Richardson. Pinango hit a ground ball moments later, and Twins first baseman Josh Bell fired an errant throw past home plate that allowed the Blue Jays to take a 2-0 lead. The Twins pulled even at 2-all in the third. Brooks Lee led off the inning with a single, and Buxton followed two batters later with a home run just past the wall in left field. The shot was Buxton’s fourth home run in the past five games and his ninth of the season. Toronto quickly responded to grab a 4-2 lead in the fourth. Okamoto put the Blue Jays on top with a leadoff homer to left. Sosa hit a one-out double and scored the second run of the inning on Pinango’s single to center. In the fifth, Okamoto struck again, this time with a two-run homer that increased the Blue Jays’ lead to 6-2. The blast gave the 29-year-old rookie from Japan his first career multi-homer game and seven long balls on the season. Pinango hit another RBI single in the seventh to put Toronto ahead 7-2. Jeffers pulled the Twins within 7-3 on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kazuma #Okamotos #2homer #game #guides #Blue #Jays #Twins

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