2026 NCAA tournament picks, predictions: Best bets for the Final Four

We saw the definition of March Madness last weekend, whenNo. 2 UConn stunned No. 1 overall seed Duke with a last-second 3-pointer to win 73-72and complete a historic comeback after being down 15 points at halftime.

UConn is a small underdog against No. 3 Illinois in the Final Four, while No. 1 Arizona is a currently a small ‘dog against fellow No. 1 seed Michigan in what should be a fantastic matchup between arguably the two best teams in the country.

Below you'll find the favorite wagers for all the games from our college basketball handicappers — Corbie Craig, Matt Jacob and Matt Russell. We’ll update this piece throughout the week with more wagers from our experts.

All odds courtesy ofBetMGM.

Best bets for Saturday’s Final Four games

No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan (-1.5, 157.5)

Jacob:First-half scores in Michigan’s last five contests dating to the Big Ten tournament championship game: 38-38, 50-46, 48-39, 49-47 and 48-26. All five surpassed 75 points and all five flew over the first-half total, with the Wolverines putting up an average of 46.2 points.

Meanwhile, in its last eight games dating to the regular-season finale at Colorado, Arizona and its opponents have combined for at least 74 first-half points six times. During this stretch, the Wildcats have averaged 37.1 points in the opening 30 minutes of action.

Translation: Both of these No. 1 seeds love to push the pace, particularly early; both can fill the bucket; and both are extraordinarily efficient on the offensive end. I don’t expect anything different in Saturday’s Final Four nightcap.

In fact, both teams have already shown in the NCAA tournament what happens when facing an opponent that also loves to sprint up and down the court. In the Sweet 16, Arizona beat Arkansas 109-88 (with the teams combining for 97 first-half points), and Michigan thumped Alabama 90-77 (with 96 of those points scored before halftime).

It might take a beat or two for these squads to get used to shooting in a cavernous football stadium, but they’ll eventually heat up and easily top 80 points before the first-half horn sounds.

Advertisement

Bet: First half over 73.5 points (-125)

No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Illinois (-1.5, 139.5)

Jacob:Here’s a quick recap of Illinois’ NCAA tournament performance to date: Four wins, all by double digits; three straight opponents held to fewer than 60 points on 38% shooting; a cumulative plus-65 rebounding advantage; and four starters averaging at least 12 points per contest. Just flat-out, across-the-board domination.

So, of course I’m fading the Illini in the Final Four.

The main reason: At this point, a bet against UConn in the Big Dance is essentially a bet against the sun rising tomorrow.

The Huskies’ record in their last 18 NCAA tournament games overall: 17-1 (including 15 double-digit blowouts). Their record in their last 18 tournament games from the Sweet 16 onward: 18-0 (the most recent being Sunday’s miraculous Elite Eight comeback against No. 1 overall seed Duke).

Ranking Duke's worst NCAA tournament losses since its last title

Another reason why I’m backing UConn: It already manhandled Illinois once this season, rolling 74-61 as a 3.5-point favorite in Madison Square Garden back on Nov. 28. Remember those four Illini starters averaging double digits in the NCAA tournament? They combined for 18 points on 6-for-27 shooting (including 2-for-13 from 3-point range) against the Huskies.

Granted, Nov. 28 is a long time ago. But early February is not. I bring that up because that’s when Illinois lost 85-82 to Michigan State in overtime — the first of four consecutive overtime losses (by a combined 10 points) that Illinois suffered between Feb. 7-March 13.

In fact, since edging Texas Tech 81-77 in their third game of the season Nov. 11, the Illini have played six games decided by fewer than six points. Their record in those six contests: 0-6. In other words, Illinois is untrustworthy in close games.

Well, I fully expect this one to be a 40-minute dogfight. And I fully expect UConn to do what UConn always does this time of year: come out on top — somehow, some way.

Bet: UConn money line (+115)

byCreto Bactum

in

April 02, 2026

2026 NCAA tournament picks, predictions: Best bets for the Final Four

We saw the definition of March Madness last weekend, whenNo. 2 UConn stunned No. 1 overall seed Duke with a last-second 3-pointer to wi...

Read More

Iowa State star Audi Crooks enters transfer portal

Iowa State star Audi Crooks, the nation's second-leading scorer in 2025-26, is entering the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-3 center, who has one year of eligibility remaining, announced her plans Thursday on Instagram.

"Thank you all for embracing me and showing up to Hilton every single game day," Crooks, an Iowa native, wrote in a post directed to Cyclone Nation. "I've met so many of you out in the community, and I will cherish all of the genuine connections that I've built during my time at Iowa State.

Advertisement

"I still believe the grass is greener where you water it, and I've done that here. It's why I want you to hear from me directly that I have decided to enter the portal and explore what it means to take root again in new ground."

Crooks averaged 25.8 points on 64.9% shooting along with 7.7 rebounds in 31 starts this season for the Cyclones, who finished 22-10. Iowa State lost to Syracuse in the first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament despite 37 points from Crooks.

Crooks was a second-team All-American in 2025-26 and a three-time All-Big 12 first-team selection at Iowa State, where she averaged 22.8 points and 7.7 boards in 99 games (95 starts).

--Field Level Media

byCreto Bactum

in

April 02, 2026

Iowa State star Audi Crooks enters transfer portal

Iowa State star Audi Crooks, the nation's second-leading scorer in 2025-26, is entering the transfer portal. The 6-foot-3 cen...

Read More

QB Kirk Cousins reportedly signs with Raiders ahead of team likely taking Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 pick

Kirk Cousins’ time as an NFL starter isn’t over just yet. The 37-year-old reportedly signed a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, his agent announced Thursday.

With the move, Cousins could open the season as the team’s starter as it prepares presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to eventually take over.

Cousins, himself, confirmed the news with a simple three-word post on X:

“The Autumn Wind” is a poem adapted for the Raiders back in 1974, written by NFL Films co-founder Steve Sabol.

Cousins will reportedly sign a one-year, fully-guaranteed $20 million deal with the Raiders, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal is far more complex than that, but essentially works out to be a one-year deal.

Advertisement

The move reunites Cousins with new Raiders coach Klint Kubiak, who was Cousins’ quarterbacks coach and eventual offensive coordinator when the two were with the Minnesota Vikings. Cousins reportedly had interest from ahandful of other teams, including the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, but ultimatelyopted to join Kubiak in Las Vegas, per The Athletic.

The news comes a day after Mendoza — who the Raiders are expected to select with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft — had his pro day. The Cousins signing likely isn’t a commentary on how the Raiders felt about Mendoza’s performance at his pro day, as Kubiak has talked about his preference fornot using a rookie starter immediately, per NFL.com.

"Ideally, you don't want him to start from Day 1," Kubiak said Tuesday. "You'd love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That's in a perfect world. It doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from Day 1, and it's our job as coaches to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show."

That sentiment makes it seems likely Cousins will open the 2026 NFL season as the Raiders’ starter. That could change depending on how both players perform in training camp and in the preseason, but Cousins looks to have a leg up on Mendoza for now.

Cousins opened last season in a backup role for the Atlanta Falcons behind Michael Penix Jr. But an injury to Penix opened the door for Cousins to shift back into a starting role down the stretch. In 10 games – eight starts — Cousins threw 10 touchdowns against five interceptions.

After considering his options during the offseason, Cousins ultimately landed with the Raiders. The move could give him one more shot to prove himself as a starting quarterback in the NFL, though it seems unlikely he’ll remain in that role for long with Mendoza likely waiting in the wings.

byCreto Bactum

in

April 02, 2026

QB Kirk Cousins reportedly signs with Raiders ahead of team likely taking Fernando Mendoza with No. 1 pick

Kirk Cousins’ time as an NFL starter isn’t over just yet. The 37-year-old reportedly signed a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, his agen...

Read More

White Influencer Called Out After Posting AI Image of Her Face on Black Content Creator's Body

Model Tatiana Elizabeth called out influencer Lauren Blake Boultier for using AI to superimpose her face over Elizabeth's in a photo

NEED TO KNOW

• "Pretending to be somewhere you weren't, in something you've never worn, as someone you're not... for social media. It's a little scary," Elizabeth wrote on her Instagram Stories

• Boultier later told TMZ she took "full responsibility" for the incident

Influencer Lauren Blake Boultier said she takes "full responsibility" after another influencer, Tatiana Elizabeth, accused her of using AI to superimpose her face on Elizabeth's body in a two-year-old photo of herself at the U.S. Open.

After Boultier posted the now-deleted photo on Instagram, Elizabeth posted toThreadsand her Instagram Stories to call out the alleged use of AI to put her face onto Elizabeth's body— and on a photo that Elizabeth first posted two years ago. Boultier, who is White, has over 1.6 million Instagram followers.

In the Monday, March 30, Threads post, Elizabeth shared a screenshot of Bouliter's photo next to her original, taken at the 2024 U.S. Open. In the original photo, Elizabeth, who is Black, wore a white tennis skirt, a white short-sleeved cropped t-shirt, along with a green-and-white striped cardigan tied around her shoulders, paired with a coordinating green and white Louis Vuitton purse.

Boultier's photo shows her in the exact same outfit, pose and lighting, along with the same background.

"Bar for bar," Elizabeth began Monday's Threads post. "The weirdest part about this is that it’s not even an AI influencer. This is a real person who used AI to put her head on my body. She geotagged MIAMI as if she’s at the Miami Open. When my photo was taken at the US open two years ago."

"Well this is..... peculiar...I was here too!!" Elizabeth continued on herInstagram Stories. "In this same exact outfit and the same watch, same bag, picture was taken at the same angle even..omg we even have the same tattoo!!!!!!?"

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Elizabeth then re-shared the original photo on her Instagram Stories. "Pretending to be somewhere you weren't, in something you've never worn, as someone you're not... for social media. It's a little scary," Elizabeth concluded.

The influencer also shared a TikTok video about the situation, where she added, "And by no means am I trying to bash this girls into health is real, and I'm not a bully... I'm just, I'm a little perplexed."

Advertisement

"I just want to know what was the reason," Elizabeth continued. "Cause social media got to our heads that much that we are completely disregarding couth?"

"Tatiana hopes this situation raises awareness about how AI can blur reality, which can be unsettling. As of now she has not been in contact with the other party," a rep for Elizabeth tells PEOPLE.

"That shouldn’t have happened, and I take full responsibility," Boultier toldTMZ Sportson Wednesday, April 1.

"This came from an A.I. content system my team uses to generate images at scale," Boultier told TMZ. "I did not see the original image or intentionally set out to copy anyone’s work, but that doesn't change the outcome."

"I understand this impacted another creator, especially when it comes to respecting original work, and I never want to contribute to that kind of frustration or harm within the creative community that I have been a part of for 10 years," Boultier added.

"I take full responsibility for what appears on my platforms," Boultier wrote in a WednesdayInstagramstatement, in which she also said she spoke with Elizabeth privately to apologize.

"I will have more oversight with my agency to ensure my content is handled with the integirty and respect it deserves moving forward," Boultier continued. "I am deeply sorry for the hurt this has caused the original creator and the community at large."

Also on Wednesday, Elizabeth posted screenshots of two apologies she says Boultier sent her via Instagram DM onThreads, as well as the response she sent to Boultier.

Read the original article onPeople

byCreto Bactum

in

April 01, 2026

White Influencer Called Out After Posting AI Image of Her Face on Black Content Creator's Body

Model Tatiana Elizabeth called out influencer Lauren Blake Boultier for using AI to superimpose her face over Elizabeth's in a phot...

Read More

“Ferris Bueller” book reveals the '80s star who almost beat out Matthew Broderick for title role (exclusive)

Ferris Bueller is undoubtedlyMatthew Broderick's most iconic film role — but the character was almost played by another '80s teen cinema icon.

Author Jason Klamm is pulling back the curtain onFerris Bueller’s Day Offwith his upcoming bookFerris Bueller…You’re My Hero: The Story of the World’s Most Famous Day Off, which chronicles the development and production of the classic high school comedy in great detail.

In the third chapter of the book, Klamm explains how writer/directorJohn HughespitchedFerristo Paramount executives Ned Tanen and Lindsay Doran. In that preliminary meeting, theBreakfast Clubfilmmaker and the studio execs tossed around marketing ideas, as well as a surprising casting idea for the title role:Jon Cryer, who had previously popped up as Ducky in the Hughes-written comedyPretty in Pink.

In the excerpt below, Klimm shares details from his interview with Cryer, in which theTwo and a Half Menstar indicated that he had no idea that he was considered to play Ferris. The author also addresses the rumors that another frequent Hughes collaborator,Anthony Michael Hall, was considered for the part.

Excerpted from FERRIS BUELLER… YOU'RE MY HERO: THE STORY OF THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS DAY OFF by Jason Klamm. Copyright © 2026 by Jason Klamm. Reprinted with permission of 1984 Publishing. All rights reserved.

They already had some casting ideas, too. The most prominent among these was Jon Cryer, whose performance inPretty in Pinkwas fresh on their minds. I asked Cryer if his people had relayed the studio's interest to him.

Advertisement

"Yes, for theAlan Ruckcharacter," he says, then explaining why he likely wasn't cast as Cameron. "I mean, I'm just too similar to Matthew." As for being under consideration to play Ferris: "I have not heard that, but I trust Lindsay Doran [former Vice President of Production at Paramount]...yeah, that's news to me." [John] Hughes came to thePretty in Pinkset enough while it andFerriscrossed over that Cryer (a fan of Hughes back to hisLampoondays) did feel like he was missing out. "Ferris Buellersounded a little more antically comedic thanPretty in Pinkwas," Cryer tells me. "It sounded like he was going to have a great time, and I was like, 'Oh, that would have been a fun project to do with him'...I recall being a little jealous at the time."

Famously, Hughes' three-time leading man, Anthony Michael Hall, has since said that the part could have been his. "John actually had written Ferris Bueller for me," Hall would later write. "We both determined that I should move on to other things. I needed a break. I wanted to try some new things." Instead ofFerris, it seems, he shot the filmOut of Boundsand became a part ofSaturday Night Live's strangest season.

"Trust me, I think he would have put Michael in anything," Jane Lay [Hughes' assistant] says. "I don't want to say 100 percent, but I would say that I'm sure he was thinking of Michael for Ferris at some point." Some of the dialogue in the film—especially some lines that were either never shot or used in the film—do have that young Anthony Michael Hall attitude in them, though Hughes himself never publicly confirmed this rumor. "How it ended up not being Jon Cryer and being Matthew Broderick, I don't really remember," Doran admits. "I do remember that at least Jon's representatives were disappointed about that."

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

Ferris Bueller… You're My Hero: The Story of the World's Most Famous Day Offwill be released on June 16 by 1984 Publishing.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byCreto Bactum

in

April 01, 2026

“Ferris Bueller” book reveals the '80s star who almost beat out Matthew Broderick for title role (exclusive)

Ferris Bueller is undoubtedlyMatthew Broderick's most iconic film role — but the character was almost played by another '80s te...

Read More

Final Four predictions: AI picks winners of Illinois-UConn, Arizona-Michigan games

Will two Big Ten teams face off with anational championship on the line?No. 3 seed Illinois and No. 1 Michigan are on opposite sides of theFinal Fourin 2026, and could guarantee the Big Ten the NCAA Tournament championship with wins in the national semifinals.

The Fighting Illini take on No. 2 Connecticut, while the Wolverines face fellow No. 1 seedArizona, each on Saturday, April 4. The winners will move onto the national championship game on Monday, April 6, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

REQUIRED READING:Final Four predictions: Who will advance to national championship game?

The last Big Ten school to win a national championship was Michigan State in 2000, Tom Izzo's fifth season at the helm. The Huskies, meanwhile, are looking for their third national championship in four seasons under Dan Hurley, who's quickly rising the all-time coaching ranks.

The Wildcats have won one national championship in their history, which came in 1997. They last made the Final Four in 2001, and are looking to get back to college basketball's mountaintop.

What does Artificial Intelligence think about the Final Four in 2026? Here's how AI predicted the two matchups to go:

AI predicts Final Four games

No. 3 Illinois vs No. 2 UConn

Microsoft Copilot is impressed with Illinois' offense, but also thinks UConn's veteran presence and ability to win games late is important.

"Best offense left in the tournament," Copilot said of Illinois. "Illinois brings elite scoring versatility, with multiple shooters and one of the nation’s best offensive rebound rates."

The AI was also complementary of true freshmanKeaton Wagler, one of the top remaining players in the NCAA Tournament.

"Since their November loss to UConn, Wagler has become a top‑10 NBA prospect and a dominant scorer — far more impactful than in the first meeting," Copilot said.

Advertisement

On the other hand, Copilot acknowledges Tarris Reed Jr. could be a matchup problem for Illinois, and that UConn wears teams down defensively.

"He’s averaging dominant numbers inside and could force Illinois into foul trouble or defensive adjustments," Copilot said of Reed. "They just survived Duke on a last‑second 3 and have shown resilience in multiple close games."

Copilot actually predicts an upset, taking Illinois in a close one.

"Illinois’ offensive versatility, improved defense, and Wagler’s rise give them the edge in a matchup where UConn’s inconsistent perimeter shooting could finally catch up to them," Copilot said.

• Score prediction: Illinois 76, UConn 71

No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan

Copilot noted both teams' dominance in the Men's NCAA Tournament as reasons to be excited for the Final Four matchup between Michigan and Arizona, noting Michigan outscored its opponents by 90 points in March Madness to Arizona's 82 points.

Copilot also noted Michigan's balance, acknowledging the Wolverines rank No. 1 in adjusted defensive efficiency and No. 5 in adjusted offensive efficiency, per KenPom. It also is impressed by Yaxel Lendeborg, a first-team All-American who scored 27 points against Tennessee in the Elite Eight.

But Copilot likes Arizona's balance and interior scoring a bit more than Michigan.

"Their starting lineup is the deepest and most balanced in the Final Four," the AI said. "Analysts consistently note Arizona’s edge on the glass and at the rim will be key in a game this evenly matched."

Ultimately, Copilot is going with Arizona to take down mighty Michigan for a spot in the national championship.

"This is the heavyweight fight everyone expected, but Arizona’s superior rim finishing, rebounding edge, and deeper scoring options give them a slight advantage," Copilot predicts.

• Score prediction: Arizona 78, Michigan 74

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Final Four predictions: Who does AI pick to make March Madness championship?

byCreto Bactum

in

April 01, 2026

Final Four predictions: AI picks winners of Illinois-UConn, Arizona-Michigan games

Will two Big Ten teams face off with anational championship on the line?No. 3 seed Illinois and No. 1 Michigan are on opposite sides of...

Read More

Lakers clinch playoff berth, Pacific Division title with Suns loss

For the second consecutive year, theLos Angeles Lakerswill finish the regular season atop the Pacific Division.

The Lakers (49-26) clinched a playoff spot and the division title before their game against theCleveland Cavalierson Tuesday night even tipped off, thanks to thePhoenix Suns'115-111loss to theOrlando Magicearlier.

With division title already in tow, the Lakers defeated theCavaliers,127-113, on Tuesday night. With the win, the Lakers have secured back-to-back 50-win seasons for the first time since the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.

Advertisement

Luka Doncic made a statement in his return froma one-game suspensionafterreceiving his 16th technical foulin LA's win over theBrooklyn Netson Friday, leading all scorers with 42 points. He also had 12 rebounds and 5 assists Xto re-assert himself in the MVP conversation. Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayrton added another boost offensively with 19 and 18 points, respectively.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

While the Lakers have historically dominated the Pacific with 26 titles since the division was established in 1970-71, their current run of two straight since the arrival of head coach JJ Redick snapped a dry spell that began aftertheir NBA championship run in 2019-20.

The red-hot Lakers — winners of 11 of their last 17 — currently sit as the third seed in the West after Monday, one game ahead of the fourth-placeDenver Nuggetsand three games ahead of theMinnesota TimberwolvesandHouston Rockets. And with their postseason spot now in hand, LA could have a chance to cement their claim at the third spot with wins over theDallas Mavericks,Golden State Warriors, Suns andUtah Jazz.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Los Angeles Lakers clinch playoff spot, Pacific Division title

byCreto Bactum

in

April 01, 2026

Lakers clinch playoff berth, Pacific Division title with Suns loss

For the second consecutive year, theLos Angeles Lakerswill finish the regular season atop the Pacific Division. The Lakers (49-26)...

Read More