Iowa dethrones reigning champion Florida

 The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Florida Gators 73-72 last night, eliminating the defending champion Gators from the 2026 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament. The Hawkeyes advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 27 years, and will play their biggest rivals, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

It was a thrilling game. Iowa jumped out to a 23-13 lead in the first 13 minutes, but Florida narrowed the gap to 2 by the end of the first half. The Hawkeyes were up by as many as 12 points in half 2, but the Gators stormed back and took a 3 point lead with 2 minutes to play. The Hawkeyes got a floater to bring them within 1. The Gators got the ball back, and threw up some 3-pointers. But they were no good. They got the rebounds and Iowa fouled to get the ball back. Isaiah Brown missed the first free throw, but hit the second. The Gators called timeout, and gave the ball back to the Hawkeyes for them to try to send it to overtime or go for the kill. Iowa drove down the court. Alvaro Folguieras shot a 3, and it went in, sending the Hawkeyes to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999 and denying the Gators of a repeat champion.

This Iowa team is something special. Many people didn't think they deserved to make it into the dance, but they proved us all wrong. And they are hungry for more as they take on their archrivals in the Sweet 16. I can't wait for it.

Bam Adebayo scores 83 points, second most in NBA history

 On March 10, Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat scored 83 points in their win over the Washington Wizards. Adebayo's 83 points were the most by a Heat player in history, and the 2nd-most in NBA history, behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962. Adebayo overtook the late Kobe Bryant for 2nd place. The Mamba famously scored 81 points in 2006. 

Adebayo's performance has been praised by many NBA legends, such as LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki and so many more, but many critcized his high number of free throws, his low field goal percentage, and the fact that the Heat should have pulled Adebayo out of respect for Bryant. 

Personally, I think this is great. I never thought I would see the day Kobe's record would be broken. I understand that he took over 40 free throws, but at the end of the day, an 83 point game is an 83 point game. It's impressive no matter how it's done. And I am sure that if Kobe were here today, he would be thrilled watching Adebayo overtake him. 

Adebayo's performance will live on forever, and people will remember where they were when they heard about it. Criticize it all you want, but he's just set foot into immortality.