2025-26 Champions League (Quarterfinals)

1st Leg

Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich

Wonderful soccer! Both teams were dangerous all the way through, Bayern was able to finish right before half and then again right after, but Real never went away, back and forth action and Madrid was able to claw back a goal. Over the last few years, Bayern has been close but they just haven't been themselves lately--they're starting to look like the old Bayern again. Real is strong, they can be frisky on the road, but I think Bayern finishes this back home. Ought to be a classic either way. 

Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal's goal came in the 90th minute, Havertz finds the hole in the defense, expertly takes down the pass and sneaks it past the keeper. Whew! The whole match long I was thinking the Arsenal was the better team, the more confident in possession, but Sporting just keeps coming, they never let up, and if I was an Arsenal fan I'd sure feel better with a goal on the road. Didn't feel like that goal was coming, but they snuck one in at the last minute and I think Arsenal's looking pretty good going back home. That said, Sporting is relentless, they don't know how to stop, so Arsenal should coming out looking to add to that lead. 

Barcelona 0-2 Atletico Madrid

Just not Barca's day, seemed like every promising attack went awry, unlucky bounces on defense, goofy red card, Atletico just kinda did whatever they wanted on this day. They'll probably regret not scoring more because I doubt Barca will be this bad in the return match. Atletico's looking good but I wouldn't count out Barca just yet.  

Paris-St. Germain 2-0 Liverpool

Liverpool's press defense was rugged for about 10 minutes--didn't feel like PSG was ever gonna cross midfield! But PSG did, got into the box, scored a weird-looking goal and that was that. Liverpool never got any offense going, PSG thoroughly dominated the 2nd half. I suppose Liverpool has a puncher's chance back at home, but PSG is clearly the better team and with a two goal advantage, I'd be pretty surprised if Liverpool gets 'em back.   

2026 NCAA (Final Four and Final)

(3) Illinois 62-71 (2) Connecticut

UConn made more shots than Illinois. Sounds rather basic but it felt to me like both teams were getting shots, getting the offense they wanted to get, UConn converted more than Illinois did and that was about it. I think UConn is the most puzzling team of recent times: they're right there every year and I generally don't understand why. I don't see anything special about UConn at all, don't understand how they did so well this season or in this tourney. If Illinois just knocks down some shots, I think they would've won and I feel like I could say that about most of UConn's opponents. I dunno, I just don't understand why they've had so much success.  

(1) Michigan 91-73 (1) Arizona

I thought this one was gonna be a classic but, no, Michigan pretty much shut them down from beginning to end. Arizona had a burst about 10 minutes into the 1st half where they tied it up, but that was the end of that. Michigan ran off before haltime and buried them rather easily in the 2nd half. I was blown away by Arizona's scoring potential against Purdue, thought it would translate to Michigan, but no it did not. I'd be kinda shocked if Michigan didn't mop the floor with UConn.

(2) Connecticut 63-69 (1) Michigan

A rather unsatisfying game. Michigan was the better team but they never could extend their lead or really dominate the action, so UConn hung around even though they weren't really shooting all that well. The refs were letting them on beat on each other so the stretch run of the game was a lot of fouls, replays, clumsy play. I thought Michigan should've pounded UConn and looking back on it....they absolutely should have pounded UConn. But Michigan had their own shooting woes and the style of the refs just slowed everything down and kept giving UConn chances. The Huskies couldn't take advantage of the opportunities but it still made for a sludgy game where the better team felt bridled, instead of unleashing an all-timer of an ass-whippin'. Wolverines are your champs! They really were the best team all through the tourney, one of the best of the regular season, a well put-together collection of length and speed. I doubt this team even hit their peak this season--they could've absolutely demolished the Final but the game itself slowed them down. 

2026 NCAA Tournament (Elite 8)

Games I watched (some of):

(9) Iowa 59-71 (3) Illinois

Iowa started hot, just couldn't keep up the offense. Illinois is a grinding team, not the most talented but gonna be a tough out. 

(2) Purdue 79-64 (1) Arizona

Wow, Arizona just took Purdue apart. Never felt like the Boilermakers were even in this game. Arizona scores all over the place, I think they're looking pretty good. 

Didn't see:

(2) Connecticut 73-72 (1) Duke

All I saw was literally the final 10 seconds or so, the entire play where Duke gacks it up on the full court press and UConn drains a 35 footer at the buzzer to win it. Duke dominated the 1st half, felt like they were cruising all through the 2nd half, then suddenly with 10 seconds left the game was actually on the line. Man, I love watching Duke lose, they come up with some interesting ways to do it. 

(6) Tennessee 62-95 (1) Michigan

Not even close, over quick. Michigan just stifles all comers.

2026 NCAA Tournament (Sweet 16)

Games I watched (some of): 

(11) Texas 77-79 (2) Purdue

I thought Texas was the better team for most of the game, but Purdue got late buckets and UT faltered, so the Boilermakers are moving on. Too bad for the Longhorns, this was a winnable game for them. Purdue is a nice team but I suspect this is as far as they go. 

(9) Iowa 77-71 (4) Nebraska

Nebraska got off to a hot start--and if they could've kept it going, they would've won easily. But as the game wore on, their shooting completely fell off. Iowa is gonna be a tough out: they play as a unit, they don't really rely on anyone to do anything, they're all in lockstep and as Nebraska peaked and faded, Iowa just steadily played their game and got the W.

(3) Illinois 65-55 (2) Houston

This Houston team didn't have the depth that they've had in recent years. Illinois was able to control possessions and had more offense all the way through. 

(5) St. John's 75-80 (1) Duke

The two teams were pretty even but in the final minutes, Duke had the star power and St. John's didn't. Sound simplistic but Duke made the plays in the final handful of possessions and St. John's just couldn't keep up. The first 39 minutes, though, were pretty even--maybe St. John's was even a little better. 

(4) Alabama 77-90 (1) Michigan

Back and forth all through the 1st half, even at the break. I felt like Michigan's ability to keep the scoring going would be better than Alabama's, and I was right. The Wolverines are good at every position and the depth just won out over the Tide.

(6) Tennessee 76-62 (2) Iowa State

I thought UT was just flat out better than Iowa State. Iowa State just suffered a major injury, but even still I was surprised how easy it looked for the Vols to control the match. 

The ones I missed: 

(4) Arkansas 88-109 (1) Arizona

I missed this one though it felt like the marquee match of the round. Arizona held the lead pretty much throughout and steadily piled on after halftime. This Arkansas team was nice, felt like they had everything they needed but never really took command in any way. Arizona is one of those casually good teams that might be staggeringly better than everyone else or they may get stomped in the next match--hard to tell.

(3) Michigan State 63-67 (2) Connecticut

UConn jumped out to an early lead, seemed like the whole rest of the game was Michigan State chipping away. chipping away, but then coming up just short. The Spartans are a nice defensive squad, but their offense was always kinda suspect and when they got behind early, it didn't feel like they would make up the gap. I don't get this UConn squad, I can't tell if they're any good or not. 

2026 NCAA Tournament (Day 4)

Games I watched (some of):

(7) Miami 69-79 (2) Purdue

Miami did well to hang for a while, every time it felt like Purdue had finally finished them off, the Hurricanes would come roaring back. The game was a bit closer--certainly more tense--than the score would suggest. Purdue is a nice team but I don't see them as a champion, I can't imagine they'll go undefeated from here. 

(7) Kentucky 63-82 (2) Iowa State

UK started off hot but they weren't able to keep that going for very long. Iowa State is nice team, deceptively long at every position and feature of batch of pretty good shooters. I can see the Cyclones winning it all (just sayin').

(5) St. John's 67-65 (4) Kansas

What an ending! St. John's had a decent lead through most of the game, Kansas warmed up late, whittled the lead down to nothing with about 14 seconds left. Because KU had only committed 2 fouls (who the fuck only two fouls in an entire half of basketball?!?!?), they were able to run off most of the remaining time by just fouling over and over. But with 3 seconds left and no more fouls to give, St. John's was able to get loose up the middle straight to the basket for the layup at the buzzer. Beautiful! I was kinda lukewarm on both of these teams all season long but I think the Johnies are getting hot at the right time, if they can keep their 3-point shooting going, they can hang.

(6) Tennessee 79-72 (3) Virginia

I thought Tennessee was the better side throughout, but UVA came back late and really made it tense in the last few minutes. But UVA just didn't have the scoring to keep up and UT milked the lead to close out the game. Not a huge fan of UT, but they if they can get hot from outside, they'll be a tough out.

(9) Iowa 73-72 (1) Florida

I figured Florida would pummel Iowa, but I was intrigued when I noticed the Hawkeyes up by double digits at halftime. Florida floundered around for a little while into the 2nd half but then they found themselves and took control of the game. So--and I watched the rest of the game and I still don't know--how was Iowa even close enough to hit a late shot on them? I'm puzzled. It felt like with about 12 minutes to go, Florida righted the ship and had full control, but somehow Iowa hung around and with 5 seconds left they were only down by 2. This is the first real shocker of the tourney for me, I thought Florida was a shoo-in for the Elite 8 and I fully expected them to be in the mix at the end of the tourney. I watched it and I still don't understand how Iowa won, but they hustle and when they get hot, they've shown they can win.  

Games I caught on the scoreboard ticker:

(9) Utah State 66-78 (1) Arizona

Not exactly a thumping but it looked like the Wildcats were in control throughout.

(7) UCLA 57-73 (2) Connecticut

Back and forth for a while, then UConn finished them off, I take it.  

(5) Texas Tech 65-90 (4) Alabama

Hmmm....I thought Bama was a major upset possibility and I thought Tech was a pretty solid team that would probably finish off the Tide. But, dang, it looks like Bama just took it to 'em from the gitty.

2026 NCAA Tournament (Day 3)

Games I watched (some of):

(9) St. Louis 72-95 (1) Michigan

Good win for Michigan. St. Louis would have moments, but the Wolverines did well to keep their offense in check. The game was mostly closer than this, Michigan kinda ran off and left them in the last 10 mins. Michigan looks long and fast all over the court and they've got scoring off the bench, they're looking good.

(6) Louisville 69-77 (3) Michigan State

Louisville was gritty defensively just like Michigan State, but the Spartans still had more offense. Similar teams, I thought, but MSU knocked down shots better and were the better team. 

(9) Texas Christian 58-81 (1) Duke

TCU hung for a little while but early in the 2nd half, Duke started getting buckets and TCU could not hang. Duke looked pretty strong here. 

(11) Texas 74-68 (3) Gonzaga

I kept waiting for Gonzaga to take control but they never did. I wasn't that in on the Longhorns but they possessed and moved the ball well today and Gonzaga had no answer. Good win for Texas. 

(5) Vanderbilt 72-74 (4) Nebraska

Fun game! Nebraska moves the ball and gets up good shots and here they made Vandy look positively slow and lumbering, which is bizarre because that's not who they are (they're more like Nebraska actually!). But after Vandy fell behind early, they re-grouped, came back and took the lead, forcing Nebraska to rally and get it done late. Back and forth but in long stretches, good game, shame to lose Vandy, because they were dangerous. This Nebraska is good, they know who they are and they get buckets.

(12) High Point 88-94 (4) Arkansas

Arkansas was the better team but they really struggled at closing out the game. Pesky High Point just would not go away, but Arkansas made plays and their ball handling guards are really good. This Razorback squad is gonna be a tough out.  

Games I caught on the scoreboard ticker:

(10) Texas A&M 57-88 (2) Houston

(11) Virginia Commonwealth 55-76 (3) Illinois

2026 NCAA Tournament (Day 2)

Games I watched (some of):

Queens University 71-104 Purdue

I am proud to say I am a Queens (College) alumnus and I was proud of my alma mater finally making it to the big dance. And for 15 minutes or so, they acquitted themselves admirably. But Purdue went on a run right before halftime, kept that run going after the break. Purdue is a good team and they did what good teams do: they handled their business and didn't fall for the scrappy underdog routine. As for Queens, hey, man they hung tough for a while, made some plays, looked good out there, but just couldn't hang with the big dogs. Purdue has a great PG (broke the all time NCAA assist record in this game) and they look ready to make a meaningful run.  

Furman 71-82 Connecticut

Turned this one on kinda late, it was close for much of the game but by the time I got to it, Furman had pretty much shot their wad and the Huskies were able to ease the game to victory. Good survival skills for UConn should come in handy.

Wright State 73-82 Virginia

UVA's first win in the tourney in eons and I gotta say: I was not impressed. They play such a slow down style that they are just built to be upset. Wright State succumbed to foul trouble by the end and just couldn't hang down the stretch. 

Santa Clara 84-89 (OT) Kentucky

Game of the day! I was impressed with Santa Clara, this was meant to look like an easy match for the Wildcats but really Santa Clara is the veteran team that showed a lot of grit throughout the season. UK, on the other hand, has some nice players but never found any consistency or real identity all season long. The game was back and forth, thought the Wildcats were generally better but they couldn't get any seperation and it felt like Santa Clara was doing everything they needed to do to steal it late. But Oweh tied it up late, Santa Clara hit a 3 with 2 seconds left, Oweh was able to heave up a prayer just beyond mid court--that went in! (*) OT went back and forth but UK made the defensive plays (two blocks!) in the final minute and got the outlet bucket needed to ice the W. Is this the wakeup call UK needed? Are they ready to go on a run? Well, their next match is against (2) Iowa State, so we'll know right away whether this something the Cats can build on. As for Santa Clara, tough L, they really could've won this match--and may have given Iowa State a real shock.

Missouri 66-80 Miami

The two teams were similar for the most part, the game was close til the midway through the 2nd half when Miami's scoring just became more reliable. Miami is not bad, they were defeinitely better than Missouri, but I'm not sure I'm that afraid of them going forward. 

Utah State 86-76 Villanova

Utah State was the better side all the way through. I kept waiting for Nova to make some kind of run or take some control of the match but they just never did. Not sure if Utah State is pretty good or if Villanova just didn't have it this year. 

Iowa 67-61 Clemson

These two struck me as pretty much the exact same team, except that Iowa was a better shooting team and the better bet to win throughout, which is what happened.

Games I watched on the scoreboard ticker: 

Long Island University 58-92 Arizona

Prairie View A&M 55-114 Florida

Tennessee State 74-108 Iowa State

Hofstra 70-90 Alabama

Felt like Alabama would be an upset candidate and Hofstra hung with them for most of the 1st half, but Alabama went on a run and finished them fairly early, it looks like. 

California Baptist 60-68 Kansas

Cal Bap scored a bunch late, don't think this game was as close as the score suggests.

Akron 71-91 Texas Tech

Northern Iowa 53-79 St. John's

Miami (OH) 56-78 Tennessee

UT jumped on them early and seemed in control throughout. 

Central Florida 71-75 UCLA

This one, too, got close late, I think UCLA actually had this rather easily. 

(*) It was long but it was a makeable shot, Oweh did well to get such a good look at that moment.