Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what's next.
Purdue and UConn men set for title clash Monday
Afte 68 teams qualified for March Madness, we're finally down to two. Purdue and UConn, both one-seeds in their respective regions, will face off for a national title at 9:20 p.m. on Monday on TBS.
UConn hopes to be the first team to repeat as champions since Florida won titles in 2006 and 2007, while Purdue hopes to finally win its first national championship and become the first Big Ten team to win it all since Michigan State in 2000.
The Huskies defeated Alabama on Saturday evening, while Purdue took down Cinderella story North Carolina State. UConn opened as a six-point favorite by most sports books.
If Purdue can pull off the upset, it would complete a redemption arc after losing to a No. 16 seed a year ago and in turn create an interesting statistic that the only teams in NCAA men's basketball history to lose to a No. 16 seed win it all the next season, joining Virginia.
Iowa and South Carolina women face off for national championship
On the women's side, Iowa and South Carolina will clash at 3 p.m. Sunday in an appetizing matchup that features the undefeated Gamecocks against the nation's best player in Caitlin Clark.
South Carolina bullied North Carolina State on Friday, while Iowa hung on against UConn after a moving screen was called on the Huskies in the final four seconds of regulation which led to a small controversy spreading around the interwebs.
The title matchup is a rematch of last year's semifinal matchup, with Iowa emerging victorious in that one before eventually falling to LSU in the national championship. If the Hawkeyes win Sunday, it would give Iowa its first title in either men's or women's basketball. South Carolina is seeking its second title in the last three seasons and the third under coach Dawn Staley.
Five-star Auburn freshman wideout Cam Coleman makes highlight reel plays in spring game
Ohio State fans have already gotten glimpses of how special Jeremiah Smith is going to be in Columbus after the five-star freshman wideout has dazzled with highlight-reel plays several times in spring practices. They'll have a chance to do so in person next week when OSU plays its annual spring football game.
While Smith was by far and away the consensus No. 1 prospect and No. 1 wide receiver of the 2024 recruiting class, Auburn's Cam Coleman showcased Saturday that he's pretty good, too.
Coleman, ranked the No. 3 overall prospect and the No. 2 wide receiver in the 2024 cycle per 247Sports' composite rankings, made a strong impression for the Tigers during their spring game, highlighted by a circus touchdown catch.
8 for SIX
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) April 6, 2024
First of many in Jordan-Hare for @CamColeman12! pic.twitter.com/WqGaZc1fAd
It will be interesting comparing the freshmen seasons of Coleman and Smith when all is said and done this fall.
ICYMI
London Merritt Says He Committed to Ohio State Because of Larry Johnson and That the Buckeyes Have Been at the Top of His List Since November
Ohio State defensive end commit London Merritt details why he committed to OSU and lays out his plan to help peer recruit his class and enroll early in Columbus.
Dallan Hayden “Very Confident” He Can Earn Role in Ohio State’s Offense Despite Return of TreVeyon Henderson, Addition of Quinshon Judkins
Dallan Hayden may have Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson ahead of him on the depth chart, but the OSU tailback is confident he can carve out a role for himself in the Buckeyes' backfield this season.
Ohio State Running Backs Excited to Be Coached by Carlos Locklyn, Understanding of Tony Alford’s Decision to Leave
New Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn has only been with the Buckeyes for about a week now, but he's already made a favorable impression on OSU's running backs.
What's Next
- 6 Days: Ohio State's spring football game
- 146 Days: OSU football's season opener vs. Akron
- 237 Days: The Game
