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Slow-Paced Slugfest Likely Awaits Bruins vs. UConn

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  By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports


The second-round matchup in Philadelphia between the Huskies and Bruins could be a slow-paced slugfest.

MARCH%2BMADNESS%2BLOGO.pngConnecticut plays at a rate ranked 326th in the nation, while the Bruins’ pace is 313th-slowest.

Look for body blows early and often.

And if UCLA can get going early, they could be in a position to pull the upset of second-seeded UConn.

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UCLA Bruins logoNo. 7 UCLA vs No. 2 UConnespn%2Buconn.png

Sunday, March 22
5:45 pm PT, TNT
Philadelphia, PA

The Huskies rank eighth in the nation in first-half points allowed per game, giving up just 30.7.

They also rank 14th in the nation in scoring margin. In the opening 20 minutes, they are +8.3 points to the good, the 11th largest halftime lead per game in the country.

A fast start will be key for the Bruins.

They have not been a great team after halftime over the last few weeks, getting outscored by 3.7 points per outing in their last three games.

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The Huskies’ rim protection makes them tough to score on.

One of the most prolific shot-blocking teams in the nation, UConn is rejecting 9.5% of opponents’ attempts, the fourth-highest rate in the country.

Tarris Reed Jr. leads the Big East regular-season champs with his two blocks per game.

On Friday evening, the Husky star center provided more than just rim protection. In fact, he did not have a single blocked shot as the second-seed held off an upset bid from Furman.

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It was about the only thing Reed did not do, however, as he finished the first-round win with 31 points on 12-of-15 shooting and 27 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive end.

Tarris Reed Jr.
Tarris Reed Jr. vs Furman | Matt Rourke/AP

That sort of stat line has not been seen in the last half-century.

Reed joins Bill Walton as the only players in the past 60 years to have at least 30 points and 20 rebounds on 80% shooting in an NCAA tournament game.

Needless to say, slowing down the Huskies inside will be pivotal if UCLA hopes to continue playing this March.

Preventing offensive rebounds has not been a strength this season for UCLA and allowing second-chance points is not a recipe for success.

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The health of Tyler Bilodeau and his ability to play on Sunday will be a huge factor against a physical opponent that will look to dominate inside.

The Bruins have played a ton of physical games in the Big Ten and have had success against the likes of Michigan State, Purdue and Illinois.

The Fighting Illini are a big team that likes to play a bit faster and UCLA was able to gut out a win while scoring in the 90s.

Donovan Dent
Donovan Dent vs UCF | Bill Streicher/Imagn Images

One common theme in some of UCLA’s biggest wins this season has been the production from Donovan Dent, both scoring and distributing.

The Bruins will need a big performance on the offensive side of the ball from their guards, and especially Dent.

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As big as the nagging injury to Bilodeau is to UCLA, the injury to Silas Demary Jr. might even be a bigger factor for UConn.

The Husky point guard missed the opener, and his ability to defend the UCLA front court will be a huge factor in determining the outcome of what should be a tight contest.

While the play of Dent will play a major role, I think the true X-Factor for UCLA on offense will be the play of Trent Perry, who is averaging 17.3 points over the last three games.

The guard can get hot from distance and get to the rim.

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Knocking down threes will open everything else up, and his ability to make plays at the rim could create some foul trouble for the Huskies, as well as some easy buckets.

If Perry can get going early, things could swing in UCLA’s direction.

Stephen Vilardo
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Australia face packed schedule ahead of India tour as CA unveils 2026-27 calendar | Cricket News

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Australia face packed schedule ahead of India tour as CA unveils 2026-27 calendar
Sam Konstas, Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott and Mitchell Starc of Australia pose for a photo (Photo: Getty Images)

Cricket Australia has revealed its international schedule for the 2026-27 season, outlining a demanding calendar that leaves minimal recovery time ahead of the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, likely to start in mid or late January.The five-match Test tour of India is expected to be a defining stretch for an experienced Australian side led by Pat Cummins, with several senior players facing one of the toughest assignments of their careers.

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In total, Australia are scheduled to play 10 Tests within a 14-week span from December to March, making it one of the most intense periods in the team’s history.The home summer begins in August 2026 with a two-Test series against Bangladesh and runs through to March 2027, ending with a landmark day-night Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to celebrate the 150th anniversary Test against England national cricket team.A four-Test home series against New Zealand national cricket team has been squeezed into just over a month, adding further pressure to an already tight schedule. Before that, Australia will tour South Africa national cricket team for a three-Test series that runs until the end of October, followed by an eight-match white-ball series against England in November.According to CA, the India tour represents a significant challenge for senior players such as Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, all of whom are yet to win a Test series in India.“That Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour, a final frontier for the likes of Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, who have never won a series in India, will also be a quick-fire campaign given CA’s anniversary Test begins back in Melbourne on March 11,” CA said in a statement.The board also indicated a cautious approach to workload management, pointing out that the decision to rest key fast bowlers like Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood for the early stages of the Indian Premier League reflects concerns over sustaining them through the packed season.“The call to hold back all three of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood from at least the first few rounds of the soon-to-begin IPL shows CA is wary of getting their trio to the finishing line of the intense 2026-27 run,” the statement added.Australia’s packed Test itinerary includes:August: Two Tests vs Bangladesh (home)October: Three Tests vs South Africa (away)December-January: Four Tests vs New Zealand (home)January-March: Five Tests vs India (away)March 11-15: 150th anniversary Test vs England (home)Looking further ahead, Australia could feature in the World Test Championship final in June if they qualify, before embarking on a five-Test tour of England between June and August.

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Updated driver points standings after Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway

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JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier became the first multiple winner of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season after winning Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway.

In an action-packed O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Darlington, Allgaier took advantage of Kyle Larson’s slow pitstop to take the lead and held off Brandon Jones to take the checkered flag.

According to their finishes in the 2026 Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200, drivers received points, and these points will determine the top-12 playoff drivers after the regular season.

After winning the Darlington race, Justin Allgaier gained 69 points and maintained the top place in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drivers’ standings with 306 points.

The defending O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, Jesse Love, finished 11th at Darlington. He gained 30 points and moved to second place in the points table with 254 points.

Carson Kvapil, who started on the second row, gained 49 points and moved to third place in the points table with 222 points.

With a P2 finish, Brandon Jones gained 50 points. He moved to eighth place in the points table with 170 points.

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Kvapil is followed by Sheldon Creed, Austin Hill, Sammy Smith, Corey Day, Brandon Jones, Parker Retzlaff, and Rajah Caruth to round out the top 10 in the points standings.


NASCAR Craftsman O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drivers’ standings after Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200

Here is the updated list of NASCAR drivers in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings after the 2026 Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200:

  1. Justin Allgaier – 306
  2. Jesse Love – 254
  3. Carson Kvapil – 222
  4. Sheldon Creed – 218
  5. Austin Hill – 210
  6. Sammy Smith – 192
  7. Corey Day – 188
  8. Brandon Jones – 170
  9. Parker Retzlaff – 169
  10. Rajah Caruth – 151
  11. Sam Mayer – 149
  12. Taylor Gray – 132
  13. William Sawalich – 119
  14. Brennan Poole – 116
  15. Jeb Burton – 115
  16. Anthony Alfredo – 113
  17. Ryan Sieg – 105
  18. Patrick Staropoli – 95
  19. Blaine Perkins – 88
  20. Jeremy Clements – 83
  21. Josh Bilicki – 81
  22. Nick Sanchez – 77
  23. Austin Green – 74
  24. Dean Thompson – 73
  25. Kyle Sieg – 73
  26. Harrison Burton – 67
  27. Ryan Ellis – 62
  28. Lavar Scott – 61
  29. Brent Crews – 59
  30. Josh Williams – 47
  31. Garrett Smithley – 41
  32. Joey Gase – 35
  33. Jordan Anderson – 33
  34. Luke Fenhaus – 31
  35. Mason Maggio – 26
  36. Alex Labbe – 25
  37. J.J. Yeley – 21
  38. Carson Ware – 18

Catch NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drivers and teams next in action at Martinsville Speedway for the sixth race of the season on March 28, 2026.