Ranking every NCAA Tournament first-round game from No. 1 to 32

Figuring out which games to prioritize with your multi-view or multi-screen setup during the first two days of the NCAA Tournament can be a challenge. With four games often in progress simultaneously, your focus and bandwidth can be pulled in conflicting directions as the Big Dance begins.

It’s a great problem to have, and the volume of games within such a condensed timeframe helps ensure unforgettable moments get stacked on top of each other in a way that is unique to March Madness. Some would even argue this is the greatest weekend in sports.

To help you navigate it, we’ve comprised a ranking of all 32 first-round games, with No. 1 being the best game of the opening round. Of course, last year’s first round was another reminder that you can never tune out a game altogether. No. 1 seed Purdue vs. No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickenson landed as the No. 29 game on this list and proceeded to produce one of the most captivating upsets of NCAA Tournament history. No. 2 seed Arizona vs. No. 15 seed Princeton landed at No. 27 and also ended with a shocking result.

Perhaps the lesson to be learned from 2023 is that every game of the NCAA Tournament’s first round has the potential to be the best game of the NCAA Tournament’s first round.

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  1. (1) UConn vs. (16) Stetson
    Friday | 2:45 p.m. | CBS
    UConn won every game in last year’s tournament by double digits on the way to a national title. Repeating that level of dominance in a loaded East Regional will be tough, but seeing the Huskies pour it on the overmatched Hatters will be fun for UConn fans (and few others).
  2. (2) Iowa State vs. (15) South Dakota State
    Thursday | 7:35 p.m. | truTV
    It’s Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger vs. his former school after he coached the Jackrabbits to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances in a three-year tenure there from 2016 to 2018. SDSU coach Eric Henderson was an assistant under Otzelberger, so perhaps the Cyclones will have some mercy.
  3. (2) Marquette vs. (15) Western Kentucky
    Friday | 2 p.m. | TBS
    Western Kentucky lost its final four regular-season games and then won the Conference USA Tournament. College basketball makes no sense sometimes. WKU doesn’t look like a team Marquette should be particularly worried about, which is exactly why you should be worried.
  4. (7) Dayton vs. (10) Nevada
    Thursday | 4:30 p.m. | TBS
    Dayton big man DaRon Holmes II is among college basketball’s most underappreciated stars. But he’ll have his hands full with a Nevada team that won 10 of its final 11 regular-season games in a rugged Mountain West.
  5. (1) North Carolina vs. (16) Wagner
    Thursday | 2:45 p.m. | CBS
    North Carolina only led Radford 46-41 at halftime, and just 43-34 vs. Lehigh at the break, early this season. It went on to win both games with relative ease, but perhaps this one will be closer than expected at halftime.
  6. (3) Creighton vs. (14) Akron
    Thursday | 1:30 p.m. | TNT
    Akron is 0-5 all-time in NCAA Tournament games but should have some support considering this game is being played less than two hours from its campus. The Zips boast a great 3-point shooting defense, and will need it against a Bluejays team that hits 10.6 shots per game from 3-point range.
  7. (7) Florida vs. (10) Colorado/Boise State winner
    Friday | 4:30 p.m. | TBS
    Florida operated below the surface of national prominence for most of the season but is brimming with dark-horse potential out of the South Regional. But Boise State and Colorado are both capable teams, too. Ideally, this game will serve as a dramatic late-afternoon bridge that gets us through to the beginning of the Friday evening wave.
  8. (2) Arizona vs. (15) Long Beach State
    Thursday | 2 p.m. | TBS
    Arizona lost in the first round to No. 15 seed Princeton last season. The Wildcats have again shown the ability to lose against less-talented opposition this season. Long Beach State is allowing fired head coach Dan Monson to work through the end of the tournament. Maybe if LBSU wins this game, it will try to hire Monson back with a raise.
  9. (3) Baylor vs. (14) Colgate
    Friday | 12:40 p.m. | truTV
    Baylor is a No. 3 seed for the sixth time in the last 15 years, but it hasn’t always gone perfectly. The Bears lost an iconic game against No. 14 seed Georgia State to begin the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Colgate is making its sixth straight appearance in the Big Dance under coach Matt Langel and yearning to break through for its first-ever March Madness triumph.
  10. (1) Houston vs. (16) Longwood
    Friday | 9:20 p.m. | TNT
    Of the 1 vs. 16 matchups, this one has the most upset potential because Houston plays at a slow pace, which could allow Longwood to hang around. The Lancers started just 2-8 in conference play and are the ultimate underdog after winning the Big South Tournament as the No. 5 seed.
  11. (6) BYU vs. (11) Duquesne
    Thursday | 12:40 p.m. | truTV
    BYU ranks second nationally with 11.2 3-pointers per game, but Duquesne led the A-10 in 3-point defense during league play by holding opponents to just 29.5% from beyond the arc. A cold-shooting day from the Cougars will make this the first upset alert of the tournament.
  12. (3) Illinois vs. (14) Morehead State
    Thursday | 3:10 p.m. | truTV
    Illinois has lost to a No. 14 seed from the Ohio Valley Conference before. That was in 1987 against Austin Peay. Morehead State has played the role of Cinderella before. That was back in 2011, when the No. 13 seed Eagles knocked off Louisville. What bearing do those facts have on this game? None, really. But just remember that crazy things do happen in March.
  13. (1) Purdue vs. (16) Grambling/Montana State
    Friday | 7:25 p.m. | TBS
    Considering that Purdue lost to No. Seed 16 seed FDU last season, this will be a must-watch until the Boilermakers pull away. But Purdue will pull away, and there are other games worth watching in the same time window.
  14. (5) San Diego State vs. (12) UAB
    Friday | 1:45 p.m. | TNT
    Games pitting No. 5 seeds vs. No. 12 seeds are almost always interesting, but neither of these teams plays an aesthetically pleasing style. Perhaps the ending will be dramatic since the Blazers and Aztecs combined for nine overtime games this season.
  15. (6) South Carolina vs. (11) Oregon
    Thursday | 4 p.m. | TNT
    There’s nothing particularly captivating about this matchup in terms of star players or overarching storylines; however, it seems destined to be a close game given the physicality of these teams and the relatively slow pace at which they play.
  16. (6) Clemson vs. (11) New Mexico
    Friday | 3:10 p.m. | truTV
    Rick Pitino’s St. John’s team missed the field, but his son’s New Mexico team didn’t. Richard Pitino’s Lobos tore through the Mountain West Tournament and are a popular Cinderella pick as a No. 11 seed. Clemson has lost three of four entering the Big Dance, which makes the Tigers an easy target.
  17. (6) Texas Tech vs. (11) NC State
    Thursday | 9:40 p.m. | CBS
    This is the ACC’s chance to flex on the Big 12. The Wolfpack will try to bully the Red Raiders inside with 6-foot-9 bowling ball D.J. Burns, who is already something of a March sensation after helping NC State on a five-game triumph through the ACC Tournament.
  18. (2) Tennessee vs. (15) Saint Peter’s
    Thursday | 9:20 p.m. | TNT
    Only a couple of players remain from the 2022 Saint Peter’s team, but the Peacocks are a brand name because of how they toppled No. 2 seed Kentucky that season and became the first No. 15 seed to ever reach the Elite Eight. Given Tennessee’s reputation for struggling in March, it’ll be worth keeping an eye on this one.
  19. (5) Saint Mary’s vs. (12) Grand Canyon
    Friday | 10:05 p.m. | truTV
    Grand Canyon star Tyon Grant-Foster stepped away from basketball for 16 months after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game while playing for DePaul in November of 2021. His great comeback story will get the attention it deserves if he leads the Antelopes to their first-ever NCAA Tournament win. Saint Mary’s and its lockdown defense will provide significant resistance.
  20. (7) Washington State vs. (10) Drake
    Thursday | 10:05 p.m. | truTV
    Washington State guard Myles Rice is a cancer survivor who has helped the Cougars to one of their best seasons ever. Drake is led by a father-son tandem in coach Darian DeVries and star player Tucker DeVries. Feel-good stories to appreciate here in what could be a great game.
  21. (8) Utah State vs. (9) TCU
    Friday | 9:55 p.m. | TBS
    TCU has played some phenomenal games during the tournament’s first weekend over the past two years. Most recently, JaKobe Coles hit a game-winner with 1.5 seconds left to lift the Horned Frogs past Arizona State in last year’s first round. Hopefully ,TCU provides another thriller.
  22. (7) Texas vs. (10) Colorado State
    Thursday | 6:50 p.m. | TNT
    Colorado State star guard Isaiah Stevens vs. Texas leading scorer Max Abmas is a fun matchup. Both are undersized players capable of carrying their teams. The Rams dismantled Virginia in a First Four game on Tuesday to pick up some steam.
  23. (4) Alabama vs. (13) Charleston
    Friday | 7:35 p.m. | truTV
    Alabama’s 90.8 points per game is No. 1 nationally, but the Crimson Tide rank 356th in points allowed at 81.1 per game. Charleston averages 80.5 per game and will be happy to accommodate Bama’s preference of a fast tempo. Both teams rank among the top 10 nationally in made 3-pointers per game, which makes this contest an offense lover’s fantasy.
  24. (8) FAU vs. (9) Northwestern
    Friday | 12:15 p.m. | CBS
    FAU returned nearly every player and coach Dusty May from last year’s team, which reached the Final Four as a No. 9 seed. But Northwestern and star guard Boo Buie will be a challenge for the Owls. The Wildcats own wins over Purdue and Illinois, and Buie is an assassin.
  25. (8) Nebraska vs. (9) Texas A&M
    Friday | 6:50 p.m. | TNT
    This is an electric guard matchup with Nebraska’s Kesei Tominaga and Brice Williams taking on Texas A&M’s Wade Taylor and Tyrece Radford. It also has an elite subplot. Texas A&M announced Trev Alberts as its athletic director on Monday after Alberts spent the last three years as Nebraska’s AD. The former Cornhuskers football player is going to look strange in maroon.
  26. (8) Mississippi State vs. (9) Michigan State
    Thursday | 12:15 p.m. | CBS
    It’s Tom Izzo, and it’s March. That should be enough to get your attention. This is his 26th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and he’s led the Spartans to eight Final Fours. To make another run, he’ll have to shut down Mississippi State star freshman Josh Hubbard, who can get buckets from anywhere.
  27. (4) Duke vs. (13) Vermont
    Friday | 7:10 p.m. | CBS
    Duke’s massive talent advantage should be enough to keep this one drama-free. Then again, Syracuse probably thought the same thing in 2005 when it fell to No. 13 seed Vermont in a first-round game. The Catamounts are making their third straight trip to the Big Dance, just like they were when they broke through in 2005 and stunned the Orange.
  28. (4) Auburn vs. (13) Yale
    Friday | 4:15 p.m. | TNT
    It’s a classic oil and water matchup. Auburn pits its up-tempo system of controlled chaos against the methodical, disciplined approach of an Ivy League school. Yale played Kansas and Gonzaga competitively early this season and will be looking to follow the example Princeton set while reaching the Sweet 16 from the Ivy League last season.
  29. (5) Wisconsin vs. (12) James Madison
    Friday | 9:40 p.m. | CBS
    Obvious upset potential here. James Madison began the season with a win at Michigan State and has won 13 straight to reach 31 victories. The Dukes won’t be intimidated by playing a Big Ten foe. Wisconsin found life again with three victories at the Big Ten Tournament but was awfully shaky in the second half of Big Ten play.

(3) Kentucky vs. (14) Oakland
Thursday | 7:10 p.m. | CBS
Oakland upset Xavier on the road and played competitive games with Ohio State and Illinois. Considering Kentucky lost to UNC Wilmington at home this season, the Wildcats aren’t 100% trustworthy against a team of this caliber. UK’s elite guards will make this one worth watching even if the Wildcats get up big.

  1. (4) Kansas vs. (13) Samford
    Thursday | 9:55 p.m | TBS
    With star wing Kevin McCullar Jr. out for the tournament, an already tough matchup is going to be even tougher for Kansas. The Jayhawks are perilously light on depth and must face a Samford team that is the deepest in the tournament and determined to press on every possession. Oh, by the way, the game will be played in the altitude of Salt Lake City, Utah.
  2. (5) Gonzaga vs. (12) McNeese
    Thursday | 7:25 p.m. | TBS
    Gonzaga is seeking to reach a ninth straight Sweet 16. McNeese, coached by the once-disgraced Will Wade, is seeking its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. These Zags have less zip than usual, and the Cowboys have the talent and path needed to win more than once in this tournament.

Top 10 guards who can lead deep March Madness runs, from title contenders to Cinderellas

Guards win in March. It may sound simple, but it rings true year after year. They win big — eight of the last nine Final Four Most Outstanding Players have been guards — and they win America’s hearts. Last year’s surprise Final Four runs from San Diego State, Florida Atlantic and Miami were all guard-fueled. Princeton’s Sweet 16 run? Guard Ryan Langborg was the leading scorer. We often see the smallest players carry the biggest loads. Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier led UConn titles of lore.

All NCAA Tournament teams are different, but the best ones have terrific, experienced guard play: players who have the mental toughness and the game that won’t be overwhelmed in the big moments.

Here are 10 guards who fit the bill, from title contenders to bracket busters to Cinderellas.

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Title contenders
Seeds No. 1-4

Tristen Newton, (1) UConn
Top attributes: complete game, toughness, championship experience

Adama Sanogo won Final Four Most Outstanding Player last year, but if there had been a championship game-only award, it would have gone to Newton, who had 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists against San Diego State. This season — his fifth in college — Newton has built off that success as the only major-conference player averaging 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists. The rebounding especially stands out and is a huge reason Connecticut is a top-10 rebounding team nationally.

Newton isn’t necessarily a huge volume scorer — UConn’s balanced attack with five double-digit scorers doesn’t need him to be — but he can fill that role when needed. He had 31 points in an early season contest against Kansas, 27 more against Creighton and 25 in both a one-point win at Villanova and a Big East Tournament semifinal win over St. John’s

The advanced figures love Newton. He’s third in KenPom.com’s Player of the Year ratings and the highest-rated guard. He’s remarkably consistent, and he orchestrates a UConn attack that can solve seemingly any problem.

Jamal Shead, (1) Houston
Top attributes: clutch factor, has that dog in him, leadership

Plenty of good guards have come through Houston under coach Kelvin Sampson. Great guards, even: Damyean Dotson. Rob Gray. Corey Davis. Quentin Grimes. Marcus Sasser. Jamal Shead is the latest, and he’s hoping to be the one that gets the Cougars over the hump. Shead has embraced the spotlight this year, with the highlights being a 26-point performance in a huge regular-season win over Iowa State and a buzzer-beater against Oklahoma to open March.

Game Winner 🐐@Thejshead x #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/BEi39D6FcM

— Houston Men’s Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) March 3, 2024
Shead is a guy you’d go to war with. The ultimate competitor. Sampson called him “the greatest leader I’ve ever coached.” Shead’s baseline numbers aren’t overwhelming, but advanced metrics appreciate his contributions much more. He’s seventh in kenpom.com’s Player of the Year ratings and second in EvanMiya.com’s MVP rankings.

If it’s not Shead leading the charge, it could be L.J. Cryer and/or Emanuel Sharp, who round out Sampson’s excellent backcourt trio. Having an elite guard is great for March; having two more really good ones is even better.

RJ Davis, (1) North Carolina
Top attributes: explosive scorer, sharpshooter, been there before

Two seasons ago, Davis was part of North Carolina’s “Iron Five” — the starters who led a run to the title game. Last season, with massive expectations, the Tar Heels missed the tournament entirely, the first preseason No. 1 team to do so. Big changes happened over the offseason, none bigger than Caleb Love’s departure to Arizona.

The split has proved prudent for both: Love won Pac-12 Player of the Year, and Davis won ACC Player of the Year. Both could easily make this list. Davis gets the slight nod thanks to his consistency and efficiency. He’s on pace to become the first UNC player to average 20 points on 40% 3-point shooting since Antawn Jamison in 1997-98.

Davis has taken on a bigger role while improving his shooting and lowering his turnover rate. The 3-point shooting jump — 35.5% his first three years, 40.6% this year — has been remarkable. So, too, has the Tar Heels’ pace. After ranking 99th in pace nationally last year, they’re 41st this year, and Davis has been terrific in transition. He can lead the break or trail and find his spots, and he can shoot it from anywhere.

Reed Sheppard, (3) Kentucky
Top attributes: sharpshooter, closer, basketball IQ

I’m breaking my own rule here by including a freshman, but Sheppard plays like a veteran. He’s averaging 12.8 points on absurd 54/52/83 shooting splits. That’s right: 52% from 3, the best by a major-conference player since Markus Howard in 2016-17. His scoring average doesn’t pop because Kentucky has so many capable scorers — Antonio Reeves was also a candidate for this list, and Rob Dillingham is excellent — but other numbers indicate Sheppard’s true impact.

He’s fourth in EvanMiya.com’s MVP rankings. On a team with a ton of talent and depth, he’s also sixth in “Most Indispensable Players,” largely thanks to his terrific defense — the end where Kentucky struggles. Sheppard doesn’t start many games, but he finishes almost all of them.

.@reed_sheppard CALLED GAME. pic.twitter.com/iNUVgfMKoW

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 28, 2024
Terrence Shannon Jr., (3) Illinois
Top attributes: ridiculous athlete, attacks with abandon, explosive scorer

It’s important to not fall too much for the recency bias. The Big Ten is the perfect example. Last year’s conference tournament champion, Purdue, infamously lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Fairleigh Dickinson. In 2022, No. 5 Iowa fell to No. 12 Richmond. Even Illinois didn’t make the second weekend after winning the Big Ten Tournament in 2021.

On the other hand … Terrence Shannon Jr.

This season has really been four seasons in one. Illinois started 9-2 before suspending Shannon in late December after he was charged with rape stemming from a Sept. 8, 2023 incident. In early January, Shannon filed a temporary restraining order against the University of Illinois, claiming he was not granted due process in the suspension decision. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Jan. 19, allowing Shannon to return. The Illini went 4-2 without him.

Over the next month, the Illini were out of whack, going 6-4. Then Shannon took over, and Illinois won seven of its last eight games. In the Big Ten Tournament, he scored a record 40 points in a semifinal win over Nebraska and 34 more in the final against Wisconsin. His 102 points total were second-most in a single Big Ten Tournament.

Shannon is impossible to defend. He’s 6-foot-6 with runaway freight train speed in the open court, he finishes through contact with strength and outstanding body control, and he shoots 36% from 3. He scored 7.3 points per game in transition alone, the top mark in the country. He is the complete package offensively, and he’s a solid defender. I understand the concerns about Illinois’ defense, but if you’re willing to come to terms with that when picking your bracket, Shannon could lead the Illini to their first Final Four since 2005. He’s that good.

Bracket busters
Seeds No. 5-9

Max Abmas, (7) Texas
Top attributes: sharpshooter, been there before, free-throw machine

You probably know the name from Oral Roberts’ Cinderella 2021 Sweet 16 run. Now, Abmas is back for more in his fifth year of college, donning a Longhorns uniform. If Illinois is a team I just can’t trust, Texas is a team I just can’t quit, and Abmas is a big reason why.

Abmas is a lights-out shooter. He’s first in the Big 12 in points per spot-up possession and 16th in the country (min. 100 shots). He takes and makes tough shots and clutch shots. Abmas is also a 92% free-throw shooter, a huge plus in close games. A fully healthy Texas has a ton of potential and experience, and Abmas can lead them as a scorer, distributor or closer. He’s already shredded brackets once. He could do it again.

Walter Clayton Jr., (7) Florida
Top attributes: explosive shooter, versatile scorer, free-throw machine

With Iona last season, Clayton put a first-round scare into eventual champion UConn. The sought-after transfer chose Florida over the offseason, and what a get it’s been for coach Todd Golden. Clayton averaged a team-high 17.1 points this season, and that number jumped to 19.8 against ranked teams. Overall, his 198 points against ranked teams are fourth in Division I.

Clayton get catch fire quickly. He had four games with five or more 3-pointers and made a career-high seven in a late-January win at Kentucky. But he’s much more than a shooter: He scored 100-plus points as a spot-up shooter, in transition and as a pick-and-roll ball handler. He presents all sorts of problems.

Johnell Davis, (8) FAU
Top attributes: been there before, sharpshooter, great size

If you know FAU as a 2023 Final Four team that brought back nearly everyone, you’re right. If you know FAU as the team that beat Arizona, you’re also right. And if you know FAU as the team that somehow lost to Bryant, Florida Gulf Coast and Temple this year, you’re also right.

Regardless of how you know the Owls, you should know Davis shows up in the biggest moments. His 26.7 points per game against ranked teams is fifth in the nation, and he had 35 in the aforementioned win over Arizona. Davis is so smooth and can score in so many ways that it almost looks effortless. At 6-foot-4, Davis can shoot over smaller defenders, and he shoots 43% from 3, too. Davis vs. Northwestern’s Boo Buie — who could (and maybe should) be on this list as well — will be a terrific matchup in the first round.

Cinderellas
Seeds No. 10-16

Jaelen House, (11) New Mexico
Top attributes: big-game player, emotional leader, explosive scorer

House is the perfect fit for this list. Already a March hero? Check — he was Mountain West Tournament MVP. Scores in bunches? Check — he’s averaged at least 16 points in three straight seasons. Competitor? Big, big check.

“WE NOT GOING HOME! … WE WANT IT MORE. WE PLAYING FOR SOMETHING MORE!”

—Jaelen House on @UNMLoboMBB’s @MW_MBB Tourney Championship pic.twitter.com/BGjZyNbmVc

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 17, 2024
Jaelen House is RED HOT! He has scored the last 9 points!@UNMLoboMBB pic.twitter.com/QHLNCGuLTj

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 16, 2024
House’s Lobos are favored over (6) Clemson in the first round, too. As for House, it’s actually been a down year for him shooting, but if he’s truly found his stoke of late, opponents will be in big trouble. Oh yeah, and he plays alongside the Lobos’ two other excellent guards: Donovan Dent and Jamal Mashburn Jr.

Shahada Wells, (12) McNeese
Top attributes: sharpshooter, been there before, complete game

Wells has taken the road less traveled. After two years at Tyler Community College (including a JUCO player of the year award), he went to UT Arlington and was a Second Team All-Sun Belt selection. Then came two years at TCU, where he was mostly a rotational player, and now a year at McNeese.

This has been the perfect ending point. Wells is one of several former major-conference players on McNeese’s roster, but he’s the undisputed leader. The Southland Player of the Year is averaging 17.8 points, 4.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds this season. In nonconference action, he scored 36 points against Michigan, 30 against UAB and 23 against VCU, all impressive wins for the Cowboys. EvanMiya.com has Wells third in its MVP rankings, surrounded by two others on this list in Shead and Sheppard. Wells will be a handful for Gonzaga and potentially beyond.

Meet Purdue’s other star, Braden Smith, who could be key to Boilermakers’ NCAA Tournament redemption hopes

As casual college basketball fans fill out their 2024 NCAA Tournament brackets and attempt to discern which of the No. 1 seeds they can trust, some may understandably be wary of Purdue, which opens play Friday in the first round vs. the winner of Wednesday’s First Four game between No. 16 seeds Grambling State and Montana State. The Boilermakers famously became the second No. 1 seed to ever lose against a No. 16 seed last season, when they fell to Fairleigh Dickinson in a bracket-busting first-round outcome.

But for those doubting the Boilermakers because of that loss, there are a few numbers of note that explain why Purdue is better-equipped for March Madness this time around. Just to name a few: 12.5, 7.3 and 44.8%. Those are the points per game, assists per game and 3-point shooting percentage numbers of sophomore point guard Braden Smith.

After committing a career-high seven turnovers in the FDU loss to end last season, Smith wasted little time returning to the grind to build on an otherwise excellent freshman season. The results have been impressive. In addition to improving his offensive numbers in nearly every facet, he’s also emerged as an impact defender for the Boilermakers, ranking second on the team behind only star center Zach Edey in defensive rating at evanmiya.com.

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“I just believe in sticking with it,” Smith told CBS Sports on the approach he took following the FDU loss. “Take your couple days off, but at the end of the day, it’s a job and we just lost a game. So in my mind, I’m like, ‘why would we want to take a break when we just lost to someone that we should have beaten by 40?’ That’s always been my mindset.”

ICE IN HIS VEINS!!! 🥶 @3bradensmith x @BoilerBall pic.twitter.com/44ceF50l3I

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 6, 2024
Smith got back to work quickly, and it has paid off. He has already set the Purdue record for assists this season while facilitating an offense that ranks second nationally in 3-point shooting at 40.8% entering the Big Dance. By contrast, the Boilermakers shot just 32.2% from 3-point range last season, which was 291st. The 6-foot guard has also started hunting shots for himself more often, emerging as the team’s second-leading scorer after Edey and earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. Though he went through an injury scare at the Big Ten Tournament, Smith is primed to help the Boilermakers stay longer in this year’s tournament.

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Entering the postseason, Smith spoke with CBS Sports to shed some light on who he is as a person and as the player charged with directing the attack for a Purdue team seeking redemption.

Q: How has your offensive identity evolved since you got to Purdue?

A: “My freshman year, I just came in and tried to play a role. That was to get people shots and to make people better and get them in spots to be successful. That was my role. Scoring was just going to come when it came. Last year, that didn’t work out as well. So just me trying to look more for my shot first and then trying to get help guys in their spots second, I think that’s helped a little bit more.”

Q: But your assist numbers are also up significantly, so it seems you’re still taking a lot of pride in being a distributor?

A: “It’s just who I’ve been my whole life, always getting other people the ball. I’ve always been super over-passive. I sometimes get yelled at for that. That’s just who I am, because I believe as a point guard that’s my job, to get people on your side and to trust you and want you to lead them.”

Q: Undersized players are often perceived as defensive liabilities. You’re an exception. How much pride are you taking with your play on that end of the floor?

A: “When you step on the court, you’ve got to play with that chip on your shoulder every single game. I feel like that’s who I am and who I’ve been. Just taking it a little bit more personal towards the end of the season and just knowing that I can do it and that it’s really just more mental stuff. When guarding those guys, it’s just being smart. Guys that are taller and stronger, we know what they like to do and don’t like to do. So I just try and get people in situations to make decisions that they normally don’t. Like, if someone is really dominant with their right hand, then force them left. It’s a very simple thought. But once you actually do it and make them do something they’re not comfortable doing, it benefits you.”

Q: What are the dynamics like with being part of such a basketball-oriented family? (Smith’s parents, Dustin and Ginny, played at Arkansas Tech. His younger brother, Maddox, is a budding player, too).

A: “They both played college basketball, so being able to learn from them and know what it takes to get to this point, that’s obviously a huge help because they’ve been there and they’ve done it. That’s nice. My mom was a Mrs. Basketball (in Arkansas). So we’ve been about basketball our whole lives. My brother, he’s kind of following my footsteps. He’s 12 years old and he’s playing really well so far. So hopefully he can keep developing, keep getting better and then hopefully be where I’m at one day.”

Q: How does basketball help you bond with your little brother?

A: “Our relationship is pretty close. Ever since I left for college, it’s kind of been tough just because we’re so busy and it’s hard for me to come back other than on holidays and stuff. But every once in a while, I try and make it a weekend to where I can come to a couple of his games and stuff. I’d say we’re pretty close for our age gap.

“He hears enough from my dad and mom, so I feel like I’m that middle guy to where I’m not always about basketball or sports. Sometimes I’ll give him a couple tips here or there if I’m watching his game or whatever. But when I’m back home, we’re playing Xbox and we’re playing 1 on 1 in the yard or throwing the football — stuff like that.”

Thanks to Purdue players Mason Gillis, Fletcher loyer , Chase Barrett and Braden Smith for their support at the Westfield 6th grade rocks game today in Lafayette. @WHSRocksBball @3bradensmith so cool seeing them cheer for the boys. Let’s go boilers and rocks. pic.twitter.com/cUi6hhp5Zl

— Dustin Smith (@dsmitty72503) November 12, 2023
Q: Do your parents still like to coach you up?

A: “They’re still like my coaches in a sense. My dad was always super hard on me and wanted me to be good and always wanted me to be where I’m at today. He wanted it really bad for me. So me and him have had our battles just arguing because he’s always wanting the best. Sometimes you’re just tired of hearing it because you hear it from everybody. But he’s super supportive and helps me, gives me tips. If it’s a good game or bad game, he’s always there. Same with my mom. She has the calmer, softer tone.”

Q: Does your style of play more closely mirror your mom’s style or dad’s style?

A: “With shooting and playmaking, I’m probably like my mom. But with ball-handling and being a true point guard, I’m probably more like my dad. So I’d say I’m a true mixture of both.”

Q: What’s your work regimen like outside of practice?

A: “I’m not a guy who goes in for two or three hours. I just like getting a quick little 30 or 45-minute workout in every day to just keep it consistent and keep it light. Because my load every day during games and during the week of practice is just so much. It’s about listening to the guys here like Coach (Matt) Painter that have been through it, and just understanding my position and how I’m playing and just taking rest, taking those days off and being able to get your body healthy.”

Q: You’ve obviously got a strong basketball IQ How do you foster that part of your identity and build it away from the court?

A: “I go in with P.J. (Purdue director of player development P.J. Thompson) a couple times a week and watch film. He clips up stuff and has videos for me to watch. I also have a shooting coach as well, and he breaks down the shots that I make and miss and why I made and missed those shots. So I have a couple people around that break it down and just show me in case I miss something. Or if something works out well that we talked about, they can point it out.”

“I think we now have to make the statement: Braden Smith is one of the Top 5 players in the Big Ten. He should be an All-Big First-Team caliber player. Playing like one of the best point guards in the country.”

—@JonRothstein on @BoilerBall’s guard pic.twitter.com/0B74fISwST

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 6, 2024
Q: Returning to your backstory. Westfield High School (in the northern suburbs of Indianapolis) wasn’t known for boys basketball. But you helped change that. What did that experience mean to you?

A: “I went to games my whole life when I started living there. So I’d seen it all with the ups and downs. My class, we played together our whole lives, and it was really nice having that. We played together for so many years and built that chemistry and connection. So that definitely helps. I think that once we got there, we kept doing the same things we’d been doing for years before, and it ended up working out.”

Q: This Purdue team also has great continuity. How has that helped you guys this season?

A: “I think it plays a huge part in our success. Us guys, we played together last year and had great chemistry last year. You add everything last year that we experienced to this year and it just makes it so much better.”

2023 NBA picks, October 27 predictions from proven computer model

The Charlotte Hornets (1-0) will try to build on an impressive season-opening victory when they host the Detroit Pistons (0-1) on Friday night. Charlotte sprung a 116-110 upset over Atlanta as a 4-point underdog on Wednesday, with all five of its starters finishing in double figures. Detroit staged a late comeback attempt at Miami in its opener, coming up just short in a 103-102 final. The Pistons trailed by 19 points before nearly pulling off the outright upset as 9.5-point underdogs.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on Friday at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte is favored by 4 points in the latest Hornets vs. Pistons odds, while the over/under is 226 points, per SportsLine consensus. Before entering any Pistons vs. Hornets picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five seasons. The model finished the 2022-23 NBA season on a 72-39 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning nearly $2,800. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Hornets vs. Pistons. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Pistons vs. Hornets:

Hornets vs. Pistons spread: Hornets -4
Hornets vs. Pistons over/under: 226 points
Hornets vs. Pistons money line: Hornets: -177, Pistons: +150
Hornets vs. Pistons picks: See picks here
Why the Hornets can cover
Charlotte got off to a strong start this season with its 116-110 win over Atlanta on Wednesday, as PJ Washington scored a team-high 25 points on 12 of 18 shooting. Second-year center Mark Williams added a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds, while rookie small forward Brandon Miller had 13 points off the bench in his NBA debut. Miller scored eight of his points in the fourth quarter of the upset win.

Veteran guard Terry Rozier added some timely buckets during a 24-point performance, while LaMelo Ball posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists. Ball broke his ankle eight months ago, but he hit four 3-pointers in the second half of Wednesday’s game in his return. The Hornets have won 10 of their last 12 home games against Detroit, and they have covered the spread in six of their last nine games dating back to the end of last season.

Why the Pistons can cover
Detroit has been a pesky underdog since the end of last year, covering the spread six times in its last nine games. The Pistons picked up some momentum at the end of their season opener in Miami, nearly erasing a 19-point deficit in a 103-102 final. They put together a 14-0 run in less than three minutes late in the fourth quarter, and they had a chance to win the game on the final possession.

Star guard Cade Cunningham poured in 30 points and dished out nine assists, shooting 8 of 11 from the field in the first half. Center Jalen Duren and power forward Isaiah Stewart both finished with double-doubles, shooting a combined 14 of 22 from the floor. Rookie shooting guard Ausar Thompson shot just 1 of 7 from the floor, but he should be more comfortable in his second career game. See which team to pick here.

How to make Hornets vs. Pistons picks
The model has simulated Pistons vs. Hornets 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Under, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in over 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

2023 NBA picks, October 27 predictions from proven computer model

The Denver Nuggets (1-0) will go on the road for the first time this season when they face the Memphis Grizzlies (0-1) on Friday night. Denver, the defending NBA champion, opened the campaign with a 119-107 win over the Lakers on Tuesday night. Memphis dropped its season opener to New Orleans at home on Wednesday, despite entering the game as a 1-point favorite. The Nuggets cruised to a 113-97 win in the most recent meeting between these teams, which came last March.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on Friday at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. Denver is favored by 5.5 points in the latest Grizzlies vs. Nuggets odds, while the over/under is 221 points, per SportsLine consensus. Before entering any Nuggets vs. Grizzlies picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five seasons. The model finished the 2022-23 NBA season on a 72-39 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning nearly $2,800. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Grizzlies vs. Nuggets. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Nuggets vs. Grizzlies:

Grizzlies vs. Nuggets spread: Grizzlies +5.5
Grizzlies vs. Nuggets over/under: 221 points
Grizzlies vs. Nuggets money line: Grizzlies: +176, Nuggets: -213
Grizzlies vs. Nuggets picks: See picks here
Why the Grizzlies can cover
Memphis opened the season with a disappointing loss against New Orleans, but it is playing at home for the second game in a row, while Denver is hitting the road for the first time this season. Shooting guard Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 31 points, five rebounds and five assists, knocking down five 3-pointers. Power forward Xavier Tillman added a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

The Grizzlies acquired guard Marcus Smart in the offseason, and he will make another start in place of the suspended Ja Morant. Smart finished with 17 points and three assists on Wednesday. Memphis has been nearly untouchable at home, going 16-3 in its last 19 games, and it has covered the spread in five straight home games against the Nuggets.

Why the Nuggets can cover
Memphis is playing without three starters from last year’s team, with Dillon Brooks going to Houston in an offseason sign-and-trade, Morant serving his 25-game suspension and center Steven Adams undergoing season-ending knee surgery. The Grizzlies were unable to pick up the slack on Wednesday, and now they have to face the defending champions. Denver began its defense of the first title in franchise history with a 119-107 win against the Lakers on Tuesday.

Reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in a triple-double effort. He recorded triple-doubles in each of Denver’s two wins against Memphis last season, and all four of his fellow starters scored in double figures on Tuesday. The Nuggets have covered the spread in five straight road games, while Memphis has only covered once in its last five games. See which team to pick here.

How to make Grizzlies vs. Nuggets picks
The model has simulated Nuggets vs. Grizzlies 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat among best partners for a deal

We’re entering the back half of Week 1 of the 2023-24 NBA season and James Harden is still seeking a new home. While the Los Angeles Clippers are his preferred destination and have reportedly halted negotiations for the time being, other teams could become interested in acquiring him in the more immediate future. Fringe playoff teams are looking to avoid being on the outside looking in once the postseason rolls around while legitimate contenders are hoping to add a finishing touch for a deep title run. The disgruntled Harden could be helpful to both situations and we’ve outlined cases for why two teams should consider bringing him in.

Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves were a play-in team last year and want to do everything they can to make a real push with Anthony Edwards as the face of the franchise. The 22-year-old wing drew some Harden comparisons out of college and Minnesota could use a player who puts more pressure on defenses running at point guard. Harden hasn’t been a go-to scorer in years, but he did lead the league in assists per game last season and his playmaking could benefit several Timberwolves.

Harden’s pairing with Tyrese Maxey worked wonders right off the bat. The Kentucky product feasted off open looks following his arrival in Philly and has converted 45.3% of his 3-pointers and 49.5% of his field goals through 68 career games with him. Edwards often has all eyes on him as his team’s only consistent threat off the dribble. Harden’s creation skills could free him up for fewer forced shots and improve Minnesota’s offensive flow as a whole. Then there’s Karl-Anthony Towns, who’s thrived as one of the league’s premier shooting bigs in recent years. Harden remains a pick-and-roll savant capable of finding KAT spot-up opportunities and picking out the more limited Rudy Gobert easy lobs for finishes around the rim.

Minnesota also has the personnel to make up for Harden’s defensive shortcomings. Jaden McDaniels is growing as one of the NBA’s up-and-coming 3-and-D players. His effort, athleticism, and anticipation make him a great fit with Harden while Gobert protects the paint. Those two and Edwards were part of the five-man Timberwolves lineup that boasted a defensive rating of 104.6 over 260 minutes (17 games) last season.

The 76ers nearly toppled the new-look Milwaukee Bucks in their season opener and could get this deal done in return for Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, and some draft capital. Getting some veteran support is better than nothing for Philly and a difference maker at point guard could mean the world to the Timberwolves in a Western Conference that’s teeming with star power toward the top.

Miami Heat
The Miami Heat missed out on the Damian Lillard sweepstakes and it’s clear that they could still use an upgrade at point guard. Harden appears to be the only star on the market and Miami shouldn’t have to fork up as much as they would have for Lillard. The Heat have enough moveable assets and talent to make a deal work.

The 76ers would probably like to start someone other than De’Anthony Melton with Maxey in the backcourt and 37-year-old Kyle Lowry probably isn’t the answer. That’s where 23-year-old Tyler Herro enters the conversation. The young duo would be a hindrance on defense together but have loads of offensive versatility as scorers and facilitators. Caleb Martin and draft capital could help sweeten that deal, as breakout performance from last year’s playoffs was eye-opening. He’s a competent scorer who can defend multiple positions and help make up for the fact that P.J. Tucker gives the 76ers little to nothing on offense.

This deal would bring Miami a more dynamic player at point guard and give him an environment where he can be on the court with at least one All-Defensive caliber player at all times. Shooters like Duncan Robinson and Kevin Love can provide Harden with efficient outlets on the perimeter. Miami has exceeded expectations in the postseason for years but could use a third piece to take them over the top. Could Harden be the answer?

2023 NBA picks, October 27 predictions from proven computer model

The Denver Nuggets (1-0) will go on the road for the first time this season when they face the Memphis Grizzlies (0-1) on Friday night. Denver, the defending NBA champion, opened the campaign with a 119-107 win over the Lakers on Tuesday night. Memphis dropped its season opener to New Orleans at home on Wednesday, despite entering the game as a 1-point favorite. The Nuggets cruised to a 113-97 win in the most recent meeting between these teams, which came last March.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on Friday at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. Denver is favored by 5.5 points in the latest Grizzlies vs. Nuggets odds, while the over/under is 221 points, per SportsLine consensus. Before entering any Nuggets vs. Grizzlies picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five seasons. The model finished the 2022-23 NBA season on a 72-39 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning nearly $2,800. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Grizzlies vs. Nuggets. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Nuggets vs. Grizzlies:

Grizzlies vs. Nuggets spread: Grizzlies +5.5
Grizzlies vs. Nuggets over/under: 221 points
Grizzlies vs. Nuggets money line: Grizzlies: +176, Nuggets: -213
Grizzlies vs. Nuggets picks: See picks here
Why the Grizzlies can cover
Memphis opened the season with a disappointing loss against New Orleans, but it is playing at home for the second game in a row, while Denver is hitting the road for the first time this season. Shooting guard Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 31 points, five rebounds and five assists, knocking down five 3-pointers. Power forward Xavier Tillman added a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

The Grizzlies acquired guard Marcus Smart in the offseason, and he will make another start in place of the suspended Ja Morant. Smart finished with 17 points and three assists on Wednesday. Memphis has been nearly untouchable at home, going 16-3 in its last 19 games, and it has covered the spread in five straight home games against the Nuggets.

Why the Nuggets can cover
Memphis is playing without three starters from last year’s team, with Dillon Brooks going to Houston in an offseason sign-and-trade, Morant serving his 25-game suspension and center Steven Adams undergoing season-ending knee surgery. The Grizzlies were unable to pick up the slack on Wednesday, and now they have to face the defending champions. Denver began its defense of the first title in franchise history with a 119-107 win against the Lakers on Tuesday.

Reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in a triple-double effort. He recorded triple-doubles in each of Denver’s two wins against Memphis last season, and all four of his fellow starters scored in double figures on Tuesday. The Nuggets have covered the spread in five straight road games, while Memphis has only covered once in its last five games. See which team to pick here.

How to make Grizzlies vs. Nuggets picks
The model has simulated Nuggets vs. Grizzlies 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat among best partners for a deal

We’re entering the back half of Week 1 of the 2023-24 NBA season and James Harden is still seeking a new home. While the Los Angeles Clippers are his preferred destination and have reportedly halted negotiations for the time being, other teams could become interested in acquiring him in the more immediate future. Fringe playoff teams are looking to avoid being on the outside looking in once the postseason rolls around while legitimate contenders are hoping to add a finishing touch for a deep title run. The disgruntled Harden could be helpful to both situations and we’ve outlined cases for why two teams should consider bringing him in.

Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves were a play-in team last year and want to do everything they can to make a real push with Anthony Edwards as the face of the franchise. The 22-year-old wing drew some Harden comparisons out of college and Minnesota could use a player who puts more pressure on defenses running at point guard. Harden hasn’t been a go-to scorer in years, but he did lead the league in assists per game last season and his playmaking could benefit several Timberwolves.

Harden’s pairing with Tyrese Maxey worked wonders right off the bat. The Kentucky product feasted off open looks following his arrival in Philly and has converted 45.3% of his 3-pointers and 49.5% of his field goals through 68 career games with him. Edwards often has all eyes on him as his team’s only consistent threat off the dribble. Harden’s creation skills could free him up for fewer forced shots and improve Minnesota’s offensive flow as a whole. Then there’s Karl-Anthony Towns, who’s thrived as one of the league’s premier shooting bigs in recent years. Harden remains a pick-and-roll savant capable of finding KAT spot-up opportunities and picking out the more limited Rudy Gobert easy lobs for finishes around the rim.

Minnesota also has the personnel to make up for Harden’s defensive shortcomings. Jaden McDaniels is growing as one of the NBA’s up-and-coming 3-and-D players. His effort, athleticism, and anticipation make him a great fit with Harden while Gobert protects the paint. Those two and Edwards were part of the five-man Timberwolves lineup that boasted a defensive rating of 104.6 over 260 minutes (17 games) last season.

The 76ers nearly toppled the new-look Milwaukee Bucks in their season opener and could get this deal done in return for Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, and some draft capital. Getting some veteran support is better than nothing for Philly and a difference maker at point guard could mean the world to the Timberwolves in a Western Conference that’s teeming with star power toward the top.

Miami Heat
The Miami Heat missed out on the Damian Lillard sweepstakes and it’s clear that they could still use an upgrade at point guard. Harden appears to be the only star on the market and Miami shouldn’t have to fork up as much as they would have for Lillard. The Heat have enough moveable assets and talent to make a deal work.

The 76ers would probably like to start someone other than De’Anthony Melton with Maxey in the backcourt and 37-year-old Kyle Lowry probably isn’t the answer. That’s where 23-year-old Tyler Herro enters the conversation. The young duo would be a hindrance on defense together but have loads of offensive versatility as scorers and facilitators. Caleb Martin and draft capital could help sweeten that deal, as breakout performance from last year’s playoffs was eye-opening. He’s a competent scorer who can defend multiple positions and help make up for the fact that P.J. Tucker gives the 76ers little to nothing on offense.

This deal would bring Miami a more dynamic player at point guard and give him an environment where he can be on the court with at least one All-Defensive caliber player at all times. Shooters like Duncan Robinson and Kevin Love can provide Harden with efficient outlets on the perimeter. Miami has exceeded expectations in the postseason for years but could use a third piece to take them over the top. Could Harden be the answer?

James Harden is still good, but at this point Tyrese Maxey is better for the 76ers

There was a time when James Harden was worth the headache. When he was worth dedicating your entire offense to at the expense of everyone and everything else. When his scoring, playmaking and foul drawing were so dominant that you could put up with his pathetic defense.

That time has passed.

That’s not me saying that. That’s the market saying that. Only one team appears to even vaguely want him, the Clippers, and even they only want him if they can get him off the clearance rack. Hell, the Sixers didn’t let the guy on their team plane, and they nearly went into Milwaukee and knocked off a Bucks team that is arguably the championship favorite anyway.

Sure, it’s one game. The first game of the season, no less. It means nothing in the grand scheme of things. But there was no way to watch Tyrese Maxey in that game and think anything other than the Sixers, at this point, simply don’t need Harden any more than anyone else does.

“Maxey is ready. He is ready,” Doc Rivers, who of course coached Maxey and the Sixers for the past three seasons, recently said on The Bill Simmons Podcast. “I think if [the 76ers] make the right trade [for Harden], and allow Maxey to be Maxey, he’s ready, and that makes them a really good team.”

It begs the question: What is the right trade? At this point, the answer might be any trade. Daryl Morey isn’t a give-in kind of guy, but given that you could argue that Maxey isn’t just an adequate Harden replacement, but actually the better current player, perhaps the return package doesn’t need to reflect the value Harden is really only worth in name.

If Morey wants to free his team of the drama and let it move forward with a fair chance of competing with a clear head, there’s a legitimate addition-by-subtraction case to be made here. Harden is still good, but he’s not doing anything anymore, for the most part, that is irreplaceable. He’s surely not the only point guard in the NBA who can score 20 points a night or drag defenders with him and hit a roller or kick to a shooter.

Hell, even at his peak, Harden was never as good a 3-point shooter as Maxey, and he has never offered anything close to Maxey’s full-court, straight-line, or even corner-turning speed.

Against Milwaukee, Maxey put up 31 points and eight assists. He didn’t commit a single turnover. He made three 3-pointers and got to the free-throw line 10 times. He lived in the paint. Drew defenders and dropped short-roll passes to Joel Embiid. Created an ocean of space on his step-backs.

Tyrese Maxey looks like an All-Star pic.twitter.com/Vqm1es7gIj

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) October 27, 2023
Nobody is saying Maxey is, or ever will be, the force Harden was at his peak (he’ll never be the playmaker that Harden was or even still is today, to say nothing of the volume shooting/scoring). But this had the look of a peak Harden performance, and if you’re playing the “it’s only one game” card, you clearly haven’t been watching Maxey these past three years.

This was a performance in keeping with his immense talent and career trajectory. The Sixers have seen this from him before. A lot, actually. But they’ve never been able to fully utilize, or benefit from, Maxey’s abilities with Harden commanding so much control of the ball and offense.

Rivers, in the aforementioned interview with Simmons, said as much: “Sam Cassell [former Sixers assistant coach] said it to me all last year: ‘[Maxey is] ready now, but you know, we’ve got two guys.”

Do you know how you fix a two-guy problem? Get rid of one of them. It’s going to require Morey to swallow a little pride and accept what he surely believes to be a lowball offer, but again, it’s addition by subtraction if nothing else. Give this team, and Maxey, an honest chance. They deserve it more than whatever it is that Harden thinks he deserves.

Kobe Bryant mural in Los Angeles saved from being torn down

Following Kobe Bryant’s tragic death in 2020, murals that celebrated the memory of the five-time NBA Champion were created around the world. However, one particular mural that depicted Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, was recently in danger of being taken down, according to USA Today.

Painted by Louie Palsino, the mural is located in Los Angeles and sits less than 1,500 feet south of Crypto.com Arena, the home of the Lakers. Its existence was in jeopardy after the landlord of the building had ordered it to be removed. The occupants of the building, Hardcore Fitness, pleaded with the community to help keep the Bryant mural up. Thankfully, with the help of 2K Games and others, the mural will stay up as a landmark in the community.

On Sept. 14, Hardcore Fitness owner Cecilia Moran stated in an Instagram post that the mural was in danger of being removed. This led to an online petition to keep the mural and it has received more than 90,000 signatures to date, including support from Vanessa Bryant.

In meetings with her landlord, Moran received an extended deadline through October in order to get rid of the mural. In an appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Today” on Monday, 2K Games head of lifestyle and content marketing Ronnie Singh, better known as Ronnie 2K, announced that the video game company had reached an agreement with Moran’s landlord to keep the mural from getting taken down.

Singh even held a rededication ceremony near the mural on Thursday and told fans about how important the company felt that the mural was. Ironically enough, Bryant is the cover athlete of the NBA 2K24 video game, which was released last month.

“For weeks and months, people have lined up in front of this beautiful mural, taking pictures. For us to be a part of saving this thing is just a celebration of basketball,” Singh said. “This one means a lot to our community. It’s basketball-related. It’s Kobe Bryant. Our cover star for NBA 2K24 is Kobe Bryant. It made sense for us to get involved. We felt a moral responsibility to jump in and say, ‘We want to make a difference.’ Not words, but actions.”

The mural will be kept up until at least Oct. 26, 2024, and 2K Games will aim to extend that agreement.