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It’s the calm before the storm. Only two days left to fill out your brackets. Don’t forget to join The Sportsletter’s Bracket Challenge for your chance to win $500.
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In Friday’s edition, I’ll help you pack your March Madness Preparedness Kit — a full guide to surviving three weeks of seeds, upsets, schedules, history, trends, highlights and more. It’s almost time…
Letter Rip!
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NCAA
The NCAA All-America Teams
AP All-America Selections Indicate ‘Players to Watch’ in March Madness
As the NCAA Tournament inches closer — is this the longest week ever, or what? — the end-of-year awards start rolling in. The 2020-21 Associated Press All-America teams were revealed on Tuesday, and three teams garnered nearly half of the honors — Gonzaga (3), Baylor (2) and Illinois (2).
Youth Movement: Four freshmen earned selections, led by Oklahoma State standout and projected No. 1 overall pick, Cade Cunningham. Other potential “one-and-done” freshmen on the list included Evan Mobley (USC), Hunter Dickinson (Michigan) and Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga).
Instead of giving you a biased “Top Players to Watch in the NCAA Tournament” list, we’ll let the consensus selections do the talking.
AP All-America Teams
1st Team
Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State)
Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois)
Jared Butler (Baylor)
Corey Kispert (Gonzaga)
Luka Garza (Iowa)
2nd Team
Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga)
Drew Timme (Gonzaga)
Evan Mobley (USC)
Kofi Cockburn (Illinois)
Hunter Dickinson (Michigan)
3rd Team
Davion Mitchell (Baylor)
Quentin Grimes (Houston)
Herb Jones (Alabama)
Chris Duarte (Oregon)
Cameron Krutwig (Loyola Chicago)
Additional Storylines
B/R: Ranking the 25 Best Players in the 2021 Men’s NCAA Tournament
AP: Gonzaga & Baylor Dominate AP All-America Teams
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NFL
Free Agency: Day 2
Jacksonville Jaguars Win Day 2 of Free Agency; Patriots Add Another Weapon
As the March Madness festivities wait patiently, there’s no shortage of madness taking place in the NFL right now. Day 2 of the early tampering period for NFL free agents saw another key playmaker join the New England Patriots, but it’s the Jacksonville Jaguars who made the most noise on Tuesday. New head coach Urban Meyer added some skill players to build around his (expected) incoming No. 1 pick, QB Trevor Lawrence.
We’re closing in on 100 free-agent agreements in just 48 hours, and only one team has yet to make a new signing — the Philadelphia Eagles. Here’s the wrap from Day 2:
The 10 Biggest Signings of Day 2
TE Hunter Henry → Patriots
Deal: 3 Years, $37.5 Million
CB Shaquill Griffin → Jaguars
Deal: 3 Years, $40 Million
DE Yannick Ngakoue → Raiders
Deal: 2 Years, $26 Million
DT Dalvin Tomlinson → Vikings
Deal: 2 Years, $22 Million
CB Ronald Darby → Broncos
Deal: 3 Years, $30 Million
WR Marvin Jones → Jaguars
Deal: 2 Years, $14.5 Million
WR Emmanuel Sanders → Bills
Deal: 1 Year, TBD
QB Andy Dalton → Bears
Deal: 1 Year, $13 Million
CB Janoris Jenkins → Titans
Deal: TBD
QB Tyrod Taylor → Texans
Deal: 1 Year, $6 Million
Additional Storylines
CBS Sports: Chiefs Release Super Bowl Hero RB Damien Williams
NFL: Broncos Pick Up Von Miller’s Option; Will Play in Denver for $18 Million in 2021
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Real Madrid is Still Kicking…
Champions League: Real Madrid & Manchester City Advance to Quarterfinals
Despite all the despair for Real Madrid in the last year, Los Blancos are still alive and heading to the Champions League quarterfinals. The club ended Atalanta’s Cinderella run on Tuesday, while Manchester City remained dominant in their pursuit of a Champions League title.
Real Madrid def. Atalanta (3-1) | Wins 4-1
No one would’ve believed Atalanta had a shot at reaching the Champions League Knockout Stage when the tournament began in the fall, but the Italian side entered Leg 2 of the Round of 16 just one goal back of the once-juggernauts from Real Madrid. That’s where the story would end. Goals from Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Marco Asensio helped Madrid cruise into the quarterfinals and (potentially) salvage something from a historically bad season.
Man. City def. Monchengladbach (2-0) | Wins 4-0
A no-doubter, here. Manchester City continued their dominating season with another shutout against German challengers Borussia Monchengladbach. Early goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan gave City a four-goal advantage before playing the possession game. They’ve now outscored opponents 17-1 in Champions League play this season.
Today’s Schedule
Bayern vs. Lazio (4:00 pm ET)
Chelsea vs. Atletico Madrid (4:00 pm ET)
Bayern (4-1) and Chelsea (1-0) hold aggregate leads.
Quarterfinals: FC Porto, Borussia Dortmund, PSG and Liverpool are already through to the quarterfinals. The draw for the QFs takes place Friday (March 19).
Additional Storylines
ESPN: ‘Lots of Hunger Left’ for Real Madrid After Reaching UCL Quarterfinals
Goal.com: Dominating Manchester City Defense Reaches 15-Year Champions League High
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The Ridge Wallet
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The Ridge Wallet is celebrating its 8-year anniversary with an 8-day sale just for you.
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THE HIGHLIGHTS
NBA: A 50-Spot Rally for Dame Time
Damian Lillard dropped 50 points and 10 assists to spark a Blazers’ 17-point comeback against the Pelicans (125-124) in the final six minutes. He also hit two free throws for the win with 1.2 seconds left.
NHL: Ovi Ends the Islanders’ Streak
Alex Ovechkin scored his 718th career goal to pass Phil Esposito for sixth on the NHL’s all-time scoring list Tuesday night. In doing so, he led the Capitals over the Islanders (3-1) to halt New York’s win streak at nine games.
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THE STORYLINES
What in the World are “Voidable Years”?
If you’ve been following free agency lately, you may have noticed the phrase “voidable years” pop up in deals for Tom Brady, Taysom Hill, and other players. So what are these things, and why are teams using them? (The Ringer)
Inside ‘NBA Top Shot’ Highlights
Welcome to the new digital marketplace for sports trading cards. If you’re an extremely online NBA fan, you’re going to be hearing about Top Shot soon, if you haven’t already. Here’s why people are spending thousands on digital highlight moments. (Bleacher Report)
️ Two Weeks Into Spring Training
One month ago Monday, pitchers and catchers started to trickle into spring training camps across Arizona and Florida. Meaningful baseball isn’t too far away. Here are some things we’ve learned at the halfway point of the exhibition season. (CBS Sports)
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THE HEADLINES
New Mexico Basketball Hires Richard Pitino One Day After Minnesota Firing
(Bleacher Report)
Tiger Woods Returns Home After 3-Week Stay in Hospital Following SUV Crash
(CBS Sports)
LeBron James Joins Fenway Sports Group as Part Owner of Boston Red Sox
(ESPN)
Famous 101-Year-Old Loyola-Chicago Fan, Sister Jean, Heads to March Madness After Vaccination
(Yahoo! Sports)
19-Year-Old Russian Hockey Player Dies From Being Hit by Puck
(NBC Sports)
BRACKETS
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