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ESPN’s Jay Bilas calls NCAA tournament expansion to 76 teams unnecessary

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ESPN college basketball broadcaster Jay Bilas said that the NCAA’s decision to expand the men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments to 76 teams was unnecessary.

Bilas, 62, said that while he is indifferent to the NCAA’s decision to expand, no one was clamoring for it.

“I don’t want to say I don’t care, but I’m not bothered by it. It’s not a decision I would have chosen for the NCAA because — I’m not one of those ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’ guys, because nobody ever says, ‘if it’s not broke, don’t improve it or or don’t maintain it.’ But I don’t think it was necessary,” Bilas told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

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Sports broadcaster Jay Bilas golfing at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course

Sports broadcaster Jay Bilas plays golf during the first practice round at the ACC Celebrity Golf Championship 2025 at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., on July 9, 2025. (David Calvert/Getty Images for American Century Investments)

“Nobody was clamoring to see a .500 team from a major conference making the tournament.”

Bilas noted that had the tournament been expanded for this past season’s tournament, there would have been .500 teams in the tournament.

In the new expanded tournament, the first two days of the tournament would look drastically different. On that Tuesday and Wednesday, there would be 12 games played between 24 teams due to the eight added at-large bids. The games would be played at two different sites.

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Bilas said it might be “a little bit confusing” for the average fan to fill out their bracket. He called the added play-in games “inconsequential.”

“The overwhelming majority of fans don’t think the tournament starts until the first Thursday of the 64-team bracket,” Bilas said.

NCAA TOURNAMENTS EXPAND TO 76 TEAMS: NEW FORMAT, REVENUE BOOM, AND ADDITIONAL GAMES AHEAD

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas standing courtside at Madison Square Garden

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas stands courtside before the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Florida Atlantic Owls at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Dec. 5, 2023. (Porter Binks/Getty Images)

“People still watch the games and especially the basketball nerds like me will watch religiously, but for most fans, they’re kind of — I don’t want to say inconsequential, but they are.”

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Bilas did say that the teams who win the play-in games will be rewarded financially for them.

“What it does is give a bunch of teams a chance to win an NCAA tournament game. Even though most fans won’t give them credit for it, they’ll get money credit. They’ll get an NCAA tournament unit and be able to say, ‘Hey, we won an NCAA tournament game, even though it was against a team with the exact same seed,’” Bilas said.

“It’s fine. I don’t think it’s as big a deal as some are making out of it,” Bilas continued.  “Money is a good reason to do something. I’m cool with that.”

UConn head coach Danny Hurley was among the coaches who were concerned tournament expansion could devalue the regular season. Bilas said he understands Hurley’s point and agrees.

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Jay Bilas preparing to broadcast at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina

ESPN College GameDay host Jay Bilas prepares to broadcast ahead of the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., on Feb. 1, 2025. (Lance King/Getty Images)

“I understand it, and I think it does a little bit. So, the argument about who’s in, who’s out is diminished. Now, if we’re going to have .500 teams out of major conferences that make the tournament now, do I think that’s good? No, I don’t,” Bilas said.

“But it’s not that big of a deal. Most of those teams are going to be out by the first weekend anyway. You may have somebody that puts it together at the end of the year and is better than their record, but I think that horse is already out of the barn.”

American Century Tournament

Bilas will be playing in the American Century Tournament July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe.

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The tournament has raised more than $8 million for regional and national charities. American Century Investments donates 40% of its profits to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and activates fundraising at the tournament to drive direct donations to Stowers each year.

Bilas said he was invited six or seven years ago and called it the equivalent of a PGA Tour player getting invited to the Masters.

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Jay Bilas looking on during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium

ESPN basketball analyst and former Duke player Jay Bilas looks on during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., on Oct. 19, 2012. (Lance King/Getty Images)

“When I got invited six, seven years ago and I was thrilled. I just couldn’t believe I would get to do it. And  they’ve been they must have a very low bar, but they’ve invited me back ever since. And to me, getting that invitation has got to be the equivalent of a PGA tour player getting invited to the Masters. So, you get the invitation, you’re like, “Oh, my God, I can’t believe they invited me back again.” And it’s an automatic yes,” Bilas said.

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“It’s just a thrill. And it’s equally thrilling once you’re there cause it’s a beautiful setting in Lake Tahoe at the Edgewood Resort. The weather’s always spectacular. Seventy thousand people are there in shorts and sundresses and just enjoying seeing some of their favorite celebs.”

Bilas said he loves competing in the tournament, but called the atmosphere what makes it special. He credited CEO Justin Thomas for being so welcoming and creating a family environment that everyone loves, on top of the tournament’s remarkable charitable work. The tournament will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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KKR crack GT code to keep playoff hopes breathing

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Knight Riders survive Shubman Gill scare: KKR crack GT code to keep playoff hopes breathing

NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 match at Eden Gardens on Saturday, ending Gujarat’s five-match winning streak despite a fighting knock from captain Shubman Gill.Chasing 248, Gujarat Titans finished on 218 for 4 after Kolkata’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs.Gill led the chase with 85 off 49 balls, hitting five fours and seven sixes. Jos Buttler added 57 off 35 balls, while Sai Sudharsan returned after retiring hurt to remain unbeaten on 53 off 28 deliveries.But Kolkata pulled the game back after the dismissals of Gill and Buttler in quick succession. Sunil Narine played a key role with figures of 2 for 29.GT started strongly as Sudharsan and Gill added 42 runs in the first three overs. Sudharsan, however, retired hurt after being hit on the elbow. Nishant Sindhu replaced him but was dismissed cheaply by Narine, who was playing his 200th IPL match.Gill continued the attack, hitting boundaries and sixes against Narine, Anukul Roy and Varun Chakaravarthy. Buttler also found rhythm as the partnership kept Gujarat in the chase.Gill reached his fifty in 33 balls and continued to score freely. Buttler brought up his half-century as Gujarat reached 177 for 1 in 16 overs, needing 71 runs from the last four overs.The match changed when Narine dismissed Gill, caught by Anukul Roy at the boundary. Buttler then fell trying to accelerate, giving a catch at long-off off Saurabh Dubey.Sudharsan returned to complete his innings and reached his fifty, but the target proved too much. Rahul Tewatia was dismissed by Cameron Green late in the innings as KKR sealed the win.The victory lifted Kolkata Knight Riders to seventh place in the points table, two points behind fourth-placed Punjab Kings.Earlier, KKR posted 247 for 2 after strong batting performances from Finn Allen, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Green.Allen smashed 93 off 35 balls to give Kolkata a fast start. Raghuvanshi then made an unbeaten 82 off 44 deliveries, while Green remained not out on 52 from 28 balls to take KKR close to the 250-run mark.Kolkata were also helped by Gujarat Titans’ poor fielding effort during the innings.

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Derek Chisora makes new early KO prediction for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “That’s his problem”

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The long-awaited all-British heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is closer than ever, with both just needing wins in their ‘tune-up’ fights in order to seal the deal.

Now, domestic fan-favourite Derek Chisora has updated his prediction ahead of the long-awaited grudge match.

Fury made his ring return back in April, when he outpointed Russian powerhouse Arslanbek Makhmudov in a largely uneventful affair at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. For Joshua, excusing wins over Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul, he has not registered a victory over a recognised boxer since 2023.

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The 36-year-old looks to soon change that, as he headlines a Riyadh card on Saturday, July 25, against Albania’s Kristian Prenga, looking to build some momentum ahead of a legacy-defining showdown with Fury.

Speaking to Sun Sport, Chisora, who has faced Fury three times but always predicted a Joshua win, has now forecasted that ‘AJ’ will get the job done inside four rounds.

“Tyson can say whatever he wants to say, he is going to talk so much crap. ‘AJ’ is having a warm-up fight, he has been through a lot, it is in Saudi because the war is done, so we are going to Saudi now for Riyadh Season.

“The problem with Tyson is that he is jealous, because ‘AJ’ will do more numbers, more viewers, than he did in his fight on Netflix. This is simple maths.

“He’s going to come in there and talk crap, he can talk so much crap, but at the end of the day, I say this now – Tyson and AJ? AJ will knock him out in four rounds.”

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Fury is also looking for an opponent at the moment, expected to appear in August, before a clash with Joshua in November.

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PGA Championship joins other majors in $20M club

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PGA: PGA Championship - Final RoundMay 18, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Scottie Scheffler poses for a photo with the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The PGA Championship increased this year’s purse to $20.5 million, with $3.69 million going to the champion on Sunday.

The PGA of America announced the boost in prize money Saturday at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa., site of the 108th PGA Championship.

The tournament joins the Masters ($22.5 million in 2026) and the U.S. Open ($21.5 million in 2025) in the $20 million club among Grand Slam events. The Open Championship’s purse was $17 million last year.

The PGA Championship’s total prize money in 2025 was $19 million, which was less than the $20 million for the PGA Tour’s signature events. The purse still trails the $25 million for The Players Championship.

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“We’re really focused on all aspects of how do we improve and continue to look at improvement at the assets we have, including PGA Championships,” PGA of America CEO Terry Clark said earlier this week. “This is a really important one. Obviously, it’s something we look at every year. It’s not always in comparison to all of those (other majors and signature events). It’s what are the factors that make sense?”

Scottie Scheffler took home a $3.42 million winner’s check after winning the Wanamaker Trophy at last year’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Golf Club in Charlotte, N.C.

Sunday’s second-place finisher will win about $2.2 million, with about $1.4 million going to third place. Each of the top-20 finishers will earn at least $252,000. The golfer who finishes last among the 82 who made the cut will receive $23,900, while those who missed the cut will get $4,300.

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–Field Level Media

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Tarik Skubal’s Fast Recovery Gives Tigers Hope in AL Central Race

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Two-time CY Young winner, Tarik Skubal, is on the fast track to returning to baseball, as he recovers from elbow surgery way ahead of schedule. Skubal is already back to some light throwing after receiving arthroscopic surgery that normally sidelines pitchers for three months.

You never want to rush a pitcher back, especially one as good as Skubal, but if you’re the Tigers, you are doing everything in your power to get him back out on the diamond. Currently, the Tigers are tied with the Royals at 19-25 for last place in the AL Central.

Only being 4.5 games back in a weak AL Central isn’t cause for concern, but this window of Detroit baseball hangs in the balance of this season. It seems unlikely that Skubal will be staying in Detroit in 2027, and missing the playoffs in his final season would be an incredibly tough pill to swallow.

The Tigers are dealing with injuries all over the field at the moment, so having an ace like Skubal in the lineup who can steal starts is so important. Keider Montero transforming into a frontline starter has been one of the few bright spots in the Tigers’ starting rotation, as Framber Valdez has been a bit inconsistent when he isn’t suspended.

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Outside of a beaten-up pitching staff, a Tigers lineup that was one of the toughest outs in baseball last year has quickly regressed to the mean. Detroit sent four position players to the All-Star Game last year, and I don’t think that will be the case this year.

Riley Greene is having a career year, largely in part due to his massively improved eye at the plate. His walk rate has more than doubled, going from 7% to 14.2% this year, and I think that has improved every other part of his game.

Also, rookie Kevin McGonigle has had a tremendous start to his pro career, but has cooled off in the month of May, slashing just .195/.327/.220 over his last 41 ABs. Outside of these two, it has been an ice-cold start to the year for the Tigers’ offense.

You’d love to make one last playoff run with this group before Skubal likely takes his talents to Los Angeles; however, if the offense doesn’t get going, he could easily be a trade deadline candidate as well. If Skubal is back pitching in only a month, his trade value would go right back to being sky high, and contenders might be willing to overpay for a potential playoff run. It’ll be intriguing to see how the beginning of Summer kicks off for the Tigers, and if they can stay afloat without their ace.

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Police pelted with bottles as Celtic fans celebrate Scottish Premiership title

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Hoops fans gathered in Glasgow after a 3-1 win put paid to Hearts’ dream of lifting the trophy.

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WWE veteran seemingly confirms his status for AEW Double or Nothing 2026

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AEW Double or Nothing is set to be the next big pay-per-view for All Elite Wrestling this year, which will take place at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. The company has prepared a solid lineup of matches for the show, and fans are excited more than ever to witness the event unfold. Ahead of the show, a WWE veteran has also confirmed his status for the pay-per-view.

The veteran is none other than WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross. The latter has been making sporadic appearances in AEW due to his illness. His last showing in the promotion was on January 7, 2026, episode of Dynamite, where he returned to call the action in his home state of Oklahoma. But recently, Ross confirmed that he is coming back for the Double or Nothing show.

Speaking on the Grilling JR podcast, Jim said he plans to be in New York for the Double or Nothing pay-per-view on May 24. He revealed that he is enjoying Darby Allin’s run as the AEW World Champion, and he is looking forward to seeing what Tony Khan has planned for him in the company from here on out at the pay-per-view.

“I tell ya, AEW’s TV shows, and I know people expect us to ballyhoo it, to put it over – it’s easy to put it over when it’s good. And their TVs lately have been very good. And what they’re doing with Darby, they’re not doing anything more important on their television than featuring Darby Allin and letting us support him and get behind him and all that stuff. So he’s very resilient, and I like his approach a lot. So we’ll see how that materializes over the next few weeks. I plan on being in New York in a couple of weeks. And I’m excited about this card. It’s loaded, man. It’s got some good sh*t on it,” said JR.

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Jim Ross gave his thoughts on the Stadium Stampede match at AEW Double or Nothing 2026

Stadium Stampede is set to make its return to AEW this year at Double or Nothing. A team of Chris Jericho, The Hurt Syndicate, and The Elite will take on Demand, The Don Callis Family, and The Dogs. Recently, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross gave his thoughts on this chaotic showdown.

In the same conversation on the Grilling JR, Ross said that Stampede matches are hard to produce due to them being scattered all over the place in a stadium. However, he believes Chris Jericho to be someone who will use his veteran experience to form the match.

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“Those matches are hard to lay out because you got so many moving parts. Jericho is a veteran. He’s been around a long time. He’s just coming back. He’s going to want to make a good returning impression,” said Ross.

Fans are very excited to see this epic showdown unfold later this month in New York. It will be interesting to see how Tony Khan plans this match at Double or Nothing.