- American Idol: Katy Perry Reacts to Ed Sheeran & Alanis Morissette Filling In as Judges (Exclusiv… Entertainment Tonight
- ‘American Idol’ royal shakeup: Katy Perry, Lionel Richie to be (temporarily) dethroned by ’90s queen, pop prince Yahoo Entertainment
- Ed Sheeran & Alanis Morissette Join Luke Bryan As Guest Judges This Sunday! – American Idol 2023 American Idol
- ‘American Idol’ reveals Katy Perry, Lionel Richie’s replacements for coronation Page Six
- American Idol Shake-Up: See Who’s Replacing Katy Perry and Lionel Richie on the Judges Panel Next Week Yahoo Entertainment
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Tag Archives: filling
Trans People Are Already Having Trouble Filling Their Hormone Prescriptions After Missouri’s Attorney General Ordered Restrictions On Gender-Affirming Care – BuzzFeed News
- Trans People Are Already Having Trouble Filling Their Hormone Prescriptions After Missouri’s Attorney General Ordered Restrictions On Gender-Affirming Care BuzzFeed News
- Advocacy groups sue to block an emergency rule limiting gender-affirming care that’s expected to go into effect this week in Missouri CNN
- Statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on Missouri’s Emergency Regulation Restricting Access to Gender-Affirming Care HHS.gov
- Editorial: Bailey tries but fails to defend his draconian restriction on transgender medical care St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- Transgender Missourians consider leaving state after AG includes adults in emergency rule KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Most young people aren’t getting latest Covid-19 booster, but they’re not filling hospital beds at three large health care systems – CNN
- Most young people aren’t getting latest Covid-19 booster, but they’re not filling hospital beds at three large health care systems CNN
- Kansas’ bivalent COVID booster rate is just 15.8%. These counties have lowest uptake Wichita Eagle
- Only 28% of eligible Peterborough residents have received COVID-19 booster in last six months: health unit The Peterborough Examiner
- Opinion | Should Future COVID Boosters Include the Ancestral Strain? Medpage Today
- Local doctor shares what an annual COVID vaccine could mean for Americans KOLO
- View Full Coverage on Google News
What is RSV? Respiratory syncytial virus cases in babies, toddlers filling up pediatric hospital beds in Chicago, doctors warn
CHICAGO (WLS) — Alissa Werner has been spending the last couple days at Rush University Medical Center with her youngest child.
Three-year-old Ryih is in the intensive care unit being treated for respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV.
“We knew it was viral, so antibiotics were not going to help,” Alissa Werner said. “So just supportive care, get her on oxygen and keep her comfortable.”
Ryih is one of many kids diagnosed with RSV filling up pediatric hospital beds in Chicago. Doctors say the virus is the most common reason for kids under 2 to be hospitalized
“We are very busy with RSV,” said Dr. Laura Meltzer, a pediatric hospitalist at Rush University Medical Center. “It’s an unusually early time in the season to see so many children sick.”
RSV is most common in the winter months, but usual patterns have been thrown off by COVID. Hospitals are also seeing slightly older kids, rather than just babies.
“The kids that would have been affected early in life, now might not have been affected until a few years older because they were wearing a mask or not going to daycare when they were young,” explained Dr. Taylor Heald-Sargent, an infectious disease specialist at Lurie Children’s Hospital.
RSV symptoms are similar to the common cold. The majority of kids recover at home, but trouble breathing and high fevers are what brings children to the hospital. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for RSV.
“It’s so frustrating knowing there isn’t any treatment that we can give to make it get better,” Meltzer said, “but that support is critical: a mix of both hydration, respiratory support, suctioning and medication to control fevers.”
But, most kids do get better, and Ryih Werner is on the mend.
“Her fever is gone, we think we are past the worst of it, weaning her off oxygen and getting back to normal self,” her mom said.
While there is not a cure for RSV, vaccines are being tested in clinical trials, but that is still a long way off.
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Three-Quarters of Community Pharmacists Say Filling Open Positions Remains Difficult
Pharmacy Times interviewed Douglas Hoey, PharmD, MBA, CEO of National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), to learn more about the results of an NCPA survey that showed over three-quarters of community pharmacists say they are having a difficult time filling open positions on their staff.
Alana Hippensteele: Hi, I’m Alana Hippensteele with Pharmacy Times. Joining me is Douglas Hoey, PharmD, MBA, the CEO of National Community Pharmacists Association, or NCPA, who is here to discuss the results of a recent survey that showed over three-quarters of community pharmacists say they are having a difficult time filling open positions on their staff.
So Doug, what did the survey show exactly regarding the current staffing issues that are facing so many community pharmacists today?
B. Douglas Hoey: Well, Alana, great to be here. And I think the survey showed what a lot of our members are telling us and what they’re feeling, and it quantified those things. As you mentioned, almost three fourths are experiencing some kind of labor shortage of some kind, particularly with technicians, front end staff, but also with pharmacists as well. I think that’s coupled with demand for pharmacy services that’s greater than it’s ever been before. So, we have this great demand and this shortage of people to do it coming at the same time.
Alana Hippensteele: What are some of the results of such widespread staffing openings remaining unfulfilled?
B. Douglas Hoey: Well, there’s a lot of ripple effects when our members don’t have the staff that they have to take care of the patients as timely as they would like. One of those things that we’re seeing in a few pharmacies is that they’re having to cut their hours a little bit. Anecdotally, what we’re seeing that, with the independent is much, much, much less severe than what we’ve heard about with the mega chains. But we have had a number of members who say, Hey, I’m not going to be open on Sunday, or if I’m normally open till, say, 7 o’clock, I’m going to close at 7 o’clock. I have heard that from a number of members, and our survey supports some of those actions. Other things are, we’re finding that our owner members and their pharmacy teams are working harder and longer than they had to in the past. And that’s one of the characteristics of an independent community pharmacy is that our members are going to take care of that patient until the last one, to the very last one. We’re not going to shut the door in someone’s face when they’re coming up for care. And so that results in, a lot of times, the owner themselves, he or she working longer hours. I hear about burnout and ‘man, I’m tired’ now over the last couple of years than I’ve heard throughout my career.
Alana Hippensteele: Right. What are some of the potential causes of the staffing and hiring difficulties community pharmacies are experiencing, based on the results of the survey?
B. Douglas Hoey: The results of the survey don’t necessarily ask the why, so we have to speculate somewhat. I speculate—part of that speculation is the workforce pressures that other sectors in the industry or in the world are seeing, that there was the great retirement. A number of pharmacy technicians and salesclerks might have retired or want to cut back on their hours. Also, during the pandemic—well the pandemic is still going on—but when the pandemic was really raging at its peak, the reluctance of workers to be face to face with others. That has had some impact. I also think there’s a growing trend of retail jobs, face to face with the consumer being less desirable, not just in pharmacy, but in other sectors as well. We can speculate, are consumers, is their behavior more boorish or more unacceptable? Or is there something else going on where there’s other jobs pulling those people away? But our members are having a harder time to attract workers, again, as are other industries.
Alana Hippensteele: Right. How about NCPA? Does the association have any further information on what some of these staffing shortages’ causes may be and also some of the ongoing problems with hiring? What might be the source of that?
B. Douglas Hoey: Well, also with some of the cause, so a pharmacy technician, they don’t have to be certified, but it’s often helpful when they are. So there is a training, and either way they need to be—whether they’re certified or not—they have to be trained in order to assist the pharmacist with his or her duties. That is, I wouldn’t call it a huge barrier to entry, but there is some criteria to entry. You just can’t come up off the street and all of a sudden be a pharmacy technician. There is some training involved. And that’s somewhat true with some of the front-end positions as well. There’s certainly some training that’s unique to community pharmacies. That’s different than say working at a grocery store or fast food place, especially in independent pharmacy, where that connection with the patient, that relationship with the patient is so important, whereas maybe in some other settings, it’s not as important. Those are some of the, again, I’m reluctant to use the term barriers to entry, but it is at least an obstacle to entry. We’re also seeing some of our members, from a salary standpoint or wages standpoint, that there’s wage pressure, as well, to either pay higher wages or adjust compensation in some manner as well. So, all of those pressures are kind of coming together. The thing is, there are others, whether it’s restaurant, grocery store or other retail industries have the same pressure. They’re all trying to attract that same pool of workers, and there’s only so many workers to go around right now.
Alana Hippensteele: Right. How might these staffing shortages affect community pharmacy closures, which have been a trend threatening community pharmacies throughout the pandemic?
B. Douglas Hoey: Yeah, the closures issue, we’re seeing it a lot with the chains. We’ve heard a lot of it with chains, heard a lot of it from our members calling and saying that XYZ chain just put up a sign and said, “we’re closed this weekend. Sorry, patients, do the best you can, or drive 25 miles to the next city to get your prescription where that pharmacy is slammed and doesn’t have access.” We’ve heard a lot of our members, typical of independent community pharmacists trying to do whatever they can to serve that patient, calling the physician, trying to get a new prescription, trying to transfer the patient, which is almost impossible to do with some of these chains because you can’t get through to them, they won’t respond to faxes, electronic requests. The closures are a problem.
Part of the problem also is the economics. We’re seeing some of those prescriptions being transferred over to the independent pharmacies, which are staying open by working harder and longer and being able to keep some of their staff, a lot of their staff. But because of the usually terrible reimbursement from the PBMs, just because they’re filling more prescriptions, doesn’t mean that economically they’re doing better. Now the independent’s in a situation of, I’m filling more prescriptions, but I’m filling prescriptions for terrible reimbursement. What do I do? This patient needs to be served, but I’m losing money by serving this patient. I think that’s going to come to a head in this industry, where at some point, pharmacies are going to say I can’t serve this patient and continue to lose money or I’m not going to be in business. And that patient is going to find themselves in no man’s land. They’re going to not be able to get a prescription. I think when that comes to a head, the industry is going to have to see some changes from the payers.
Alana Hippensteele: Right, Absolutely. Walgreens has announced multimillion dollar investments in their pharmacy staff to support pharmacist retention over the past year. How might this level of financial investment at large chain retail pharmacies impact community pharmacies looking to address the same problem?
B. Douglas Hoey: I don’t have any insight into Walgreens, their financial situation other than what’s publicly reported and what I hear from members. When I do hear concerns from our members, it’s usually about a Walgreens. That’s number one, the one that’s listed as far as not staffing. Those are anecdotal, so I don’t have that quantitatively. But number one, by far, is Walgreens. The recent news about them now offering bonuses, incentives, doesn’t surprise me in that, whatever they’re doing, they need to attract more people. I think it can have a ripple effect, but I also think that a number of pharmacists are going to look at not just Walgreens, but the working conditions in the big chains—and those are pretty well documented. I mean, you can go on social media, you can Google some of the concerns about the working conditions in the large chains. Some of the quantitative surveys that have been done show just pharmacist attitudes, especially in those big chains, have really fallen over the last 5 years. I think there’s a lot of work to do there. The financial incentives will attract some people. But at some point, it’s the quality of life that’s got to change. And again, the economic conditions often lead to the businesses being able to affect the quality of life. So, something’s got to change with the economic conditions, and that’s not a newsflash for anyone in independent community pharmacy.
Alana Hippensteele: Right. What is your outlook on the future for community pharmacies?
B. Douglas Hoey: It’s very bullish. One of the things causing this, and I think it’s important that we keep in mind, that one of the driving factors of this labor shortage is that the demand for pharmacist services has never been higher. People are accepting, consumers have been slowly accepting pharmacists to fill in some of the primary care gaps that our healthcare system needs, starting with immunizations and increasingly, consumers have been getting their flu shot here. But then with COVID patients voted with their feet. Two-thirds of all consumers said, I want to get my COVID shot at a pharmacy by a pharmacist or someone from their pharmacy team. The opportunities for filling in some of these primary care gaps, whether it be immunizations, point of care testing, other public health needs, PEP and PrEP, contraception, smoking cessation, the list goes on and on. It’s never been greater. It’s some growing pains right now to get the labor to balance with the pharmacy demand. And again, not to be redundant, but having the economics to have the payment for those services balance out. So it makes sense for the pharmacist to be able to do those services and to be able to hire staff. So again, the demand for services is amazing progress for the profession. The economics have to catch up with it, and when the economics catch up, I think the labor force will also quickly catch up as well.
Bird flu outbreak: Experts warn to stop filling backyard bird feeders
You might want to stop filling your bird feeders.
Experts warn that an outbreak of the avian influenza (HPAI) strain H5N1 is spreading among wild birds.
And they say bird feeders and baths that encourage birds to congregate in your backyard allow the virus to spread.
The risk of people catching the bird flu is low, with no cases reported in humans.
However, the agency advises to avoid direct contact with dead or live wild birds and dead or ill domestic birds.
“Not only will this action help to protect those beautiful feathered creatures that visit your yard, but will also help all wild bird species that are already having it hard this spring because of HPAI,” Dr. Victoria Hall with the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota says.
Hall added that all bird species are susceptible to bird flu, but they exhibit signs of illness and carry the disease in different ways.
Many infected birds shed the flu through feces and respiratory secretions, and it usually survives in cool, damp environments.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 28.5 million bird flu cases have been reported in backyard and commercial poultry as of April 19 and another 631 among wild birds in 31 states.
These include reports that the virus has plagued 21 birds in Cape May County.
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Why experts say you should immediately stop filling birdfeeders
Experts are issuing unusual advice – quit filling your bird feeders.
The reason, according to Dr. Victoria Hall with the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, is an “unprecedented outbreak” of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, strain H5N1 in wild birds.
“In areas with HPAI transmission in any avian species, consider pausing the use of bird feeders and baths for the next couple of months until the rate of virus transmission in wild birds dramatically decreases,” Hall said. “Not only will this action help to protect those beautiful feathered creatures that visit your yard, but will also help all wild bird species that are already having it hard this spring because of HPAI.”
READ MORE:
Wild duck in north Alabama tests positive for avian influenza
Bird flu in 2 Southern states: ‘Highly pathogenic avian influenza’ reported
All bird species are susceptible to HPAI, Hall said but how they show signs of illness and the role they play in carrying or spreading the disease will vary. The virus is shed in feces and respiratory secretions of infected birds and is able to survive for weeks in cool, damp environments.
“Unfortunately, we have a lot of gaps in knowledge about the role of songbirds in HPAI outbreaks. We have some data from previous outbreaks around the world, but this outbreak is very different. The 2022 outbreak is unique because of the very high levels of transmission of the currently circulating H5N1 virus strain in wildlife. With minimal viral surveillance being done with songbirds, it is hard to measure the risk of transmission from songbirds to other birds,” she said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 27 million cases of avian influenza have been reported in backyard and commercial poultry as of April 8th. Another 637 cases have been reported in wild birds in 31 states, including Alabama. The Alabama case was reported Feb. 23 in an American wigeon found in Limestone County.
There have been no cases reported in humans and the CDC said the rusk to most people low. People are advised, however, to avoid direct contact with live or dead wild birds, as well as domestic birds that appear ill or dead.
NFL mock draft 2022 – Mel Kiper’s new predictions for all 32 first-round picks, filling team needs after free agency
With the first wave of NFL free agency and a few league-shaking quarterback trades past us, team needs are becoming more clear ahead of the 2022 NFL draft. We’ve seen which teams have been aggressive in adding veterans and which have sat out free agency (and saved salary-cap space) while looking to a draft class deep with wide receivers and edge rushers.
Let’s get into a new post-free-agency first-round mock draft. I did my previous mock right before the combine earlier this month, so this one has some notable changes, with the Seahawks (No. 9) entering the first round and the Texans (No. 13) and Packers (No. 22) adding a second Round 1 selection. Where will the first quarterback go? Could the Lions shake things up at No. 2? And what’s the Falcons’ plan now?
As a reminder, I’m going to project the top 32 picks based on a combination of my rankings, team needs and what I’m hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league. Round 1 begins April 28, which means there’s plenty of time for more changes to come.
The order for all 262 picks is set, and check out our one-hour SportsCenter Special at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+. Here we go:
Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
When I did my previous mock draft, before the combine, I started off my write-up for this pick with this: “Offensive tackle or edge rusher here? I don’t think the Jaguars are set either way.” Well, things change quickly in the NFL. Jacksonville decided to franchise tag left tackle Cam Robinson for the second straight year, taking away its need for a top-tier blindside protector (at least for a year) for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Now, Hutchinson is the heavy favorite to go to the Jags — barring a desperate team trading up.
Hutchinson, my top-ranked prospect in this class, could get double-digit sacks playing on the other side of Josh Allen in new coordinator Mike Caldwell’s defense. The Jaguars made a few big-money moves in free agency, but there’s still a huge hole at defensive end.
Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux will be in play here, but the top offensive tackles aren’t an option; the Lions are set with Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell. There’s more risk with Thibodeaux than I’d like for a No. 2 pick, because there’s no guarantee he’ll grow into his immense upside. I’d prefer a safer pick here, and I’ve come around to the fit of Hamilton in Detroit, which my guy Todd McShay has pushed for a little bit.
Hamilton is a playmaking safety in a 6-foot-4 frame who would immediately raise the ceiling of a defense that has struggled for years. He can play in the box, out of the slot and as a center fielder. Normally I’d say this is too high for a safety, but Hamilton is a unique and special defender. Detroit brought back safety Tracy Walker, but he could play with Hamilton.
Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Deshaun Watson is gone, and it appears the Texans will move forward with Davis Mills as their quarterback. This team really just has to focus on adding talent around Mills and then see where it is in 2023. Houston is not going to compete in the AFC South this season but could be right back in the top five next year. With five picks in the top 80 in this draft — including the No. 13 selection from the Watson deal — it should take the best prospect available.
For me, that’s Ekwonu, an elite offensive tackle. Yes, Laremy Tunsil is returning on the left side, so put Ekwonu at right tackle and the Texans can have one of the league’s most talented bookend duos. This is a roster with several holes; this selection is another crucial step in a slow rebuild.
Drake London, WR, USC
The Jets have had a nice start to free agency, filling voids at tight end (C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin), safety (Jordan Whitehead), cornerback (D.J. Reed) and guard (Laken Tomlinson). They haven’t yet added an outside wide receiver to help Zach Wilson, though, which means they could be eyeing one with either of their top-10 picks. They could get their choice of the best receiver in the class here, and really, if they want to take one, there’s no need to wait.
London, 6-foot-4 and my top-ranked wideout, had 88 catches for 1,084 yards in eight games in 2021 before a broken right ankle ended his season. He can be a weapon in the red zone. With London and Corey Davis on the outside and Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios working out of the slot, New York would have a young and talented receiving corps for Wilson’s second season.
Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The Giants, the other team with two top-10 picks, haven’t been as active in free agency as new general manager Joe Schoen gets the team back into decent salary-cap shape. That doesn’t mean they don’t have needs, though, particularly at edge rusher and offensive tackle. With the way the board has fallen in this projection, they can get Day 1 starters at both spots.
Neal is a massive tackle who can overpower defenders in the run game and move his feet as a pass-protector. Andrew Thomas, the No. 4 pick in the 2020 draft, looked much better in Year 2 and could stay at left tackle, pushing Neal to the right side. Neal also played some guard at Alabama, and he could be great there too. This is a big season for quarterback Daniel Jones, so the Giants have to keep him upright.
Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
The Panthers have struck out in the quarterback trade market so far — although Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo are still available — but they are clearly trying to upgrade over Sam Darnold. Could they take Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett here? It’s possible. Coach Matt Rhule is on the hot seat, and this could be his attempt at a big splash for 2022. Still, if he wants to win now, he’s probably better off trading for a veteran and staying away from a rookie signal-caller. Carolina could instead take a sizable edge rusher who is still growing into his 6-foot-5 frame.
Walker just keeps rising in the pre-draft process, as he starred at the Senior Bowl and tested extremely well at the combine. He didn’t put up “wow” numbers in college — he had six sacks for the national champs last season — but that’s because of how dominant the entire Georgia defense was around him. He could put up better numbers in the NFL, and he’s stout against the run too.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
This pick is logical for the team and for the prospect. The Giants’ top pass-rusher last season was rookie Azeez Ojulari, who led the team with eight sacks, and they have to improve on the edge. This is their best chance to add a young, talented defensive end. They can afford to use this pick on Thibodeaux, who has a high ceiling but was inconsistent in 2021.
If Thibodeaux puts it all together, you’re talking about All-Pro-level talent. But if he doesn’t build out secondary moves and can’t improve his all-around game, he could struggle. He has the type of physical traits NFL teams love, but taking that guy in the top 10 is risky. If New York passes on Thibodeaux, keep an eye on cornerback or linebacker with this pick.
Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
So long, Matt Ryan. That means the Falcons will go with a quarterback here, right? Not necessarily. They have one of the league’s worst rosters and could try to get by with Marcus Mariota for a season before going all-in for a passer in the 2023 draft. There’s no guarantee they love Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett enough to take one of them with a top-10 pick. And based on where they are in my rankings — Nos. 19 and 20 — I wouldn’t, either. This is a team that is a long ways from competing, so it shouldn’t force the pick.
Atlanta could go with the best prospect available and fill a need position with Wilson, a field-stretcher who had 113 catches and 18 touchdowns for the Buckeyes over the past two seasons. He ran a speedy 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine. With Calvin Ridley suspended for the season, the Falcons don’t have any starting-caliber receivers on their roster to catch Mariota’s passes.
Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
What’s the Seahawks’ plan for 2022? Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner and D.J. Reed are gone. Quandre Diggs, Al Woods, Rashaad Penny and Will Dissly are back. They added Drew Lock, Noah Fant and Uchenna Nwosu, among a few others. So even after parting ways with two of the best players in franchise history, I don’t think coach Pete Carroll & Co. want to rebuild. It seems they want to give it a go with Lock at quarterback and try to win. That’s why I don’t see quarterback being an option here; Carroll and general manager John Schneider can instead use this pick on an early starter.
Cross could step in for veteran Duane Brown at left tackle. He’s a superb pass-blocker who dominated in the SEC. Seattle, which surrendered its original first-round pick in the Jamal Adams trade, has back-to-back Round 2 picks (Nos. 40 and 41) to add potential starters.
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
I think the Jets would be thrilled to get a shutdown corner with their second Round 1 pick, improving a secondary that allowed quarterbacks to put up a 53.5 QBR last season, which ranked 31st in the league. Signing D.J. Reed will help, but I still see cornerback as a need. They also need a safety, but I don’t have another one with a first-round grade after Kyle Hamilton.
Gardner is a shutdown corner with outstanding tools. He showed in the College Football Playoff against Alabama that he can hold his own against elite talent. I’m a huge fan.
Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Circle April 6 on your calendar. That’s when scouts will get the chance to see Stingley on the field for the first time since he injured his foot in September. He had surgery on the Lisfranc injury and didn’t work out at the combine. It’s a crucial day for a corner once viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick. As a true freshman in 2019, he was one of LSU’s best players on the way to its national title. Stingley has played in just 10 games over the past two seasons and has some inconsistent tape. I’m still betting on his upside, but he could drop if he doesn’t test well.
Washington had major injury issues at corner last season, and it could upgrade its unit with Stingley. I also thought about a receiver to partner with Terry McLaurin for new quarterback Carson Wentz.
2:04
Mel Kiper argues with Todd McShay over his placement of CB Derek Stingley Jr. at No. 15 in his NFL Mock Draft 3.0.
Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Vikings have used first-round picks on four cornerbacks since 2013. Can you name them all? (OK, fine: They are Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes and Jeff Gladney.) None of them are on their roster now, and the guys who drafted them — coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman — are gone, too. This is still a need position for new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell.
McDuffie is the real deal; the stat you’ll see most often is that he didn’t allow a single touchdown in coverage over the past two seasons, and he goes all out on every play. Expect him to be a Day 1 starter.
Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
As I mentioned in my writeup for the No. 3 pick, the Texans aren’t in the position to target needs over talent. They have to get the best players they can and figure out the rest later, because this is not going to be a quick rebuild. So while I thought about edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II and a couple wide receivers, I decided to get Houston a massive defensive tackle who could make everyone around him better.
The 341-pound Davis can plug the middle of head coach Lovie Smith’s defense. He wowed at the combine earlier this month, and even if he doesn’t have stellar pass-rush upside, he’s going to dominate interior centers and guards on early downs. He’s a unique player who can be excellent if used properly, helping off-ball linebackers find space and getting in the face of quarterbacks.
Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The Ravens would likely be thrilled with this scenario. They just let Bradley Bozeman, who started at center in 2021 and left guard in 2019 and 2020, walk in free agency, and they don’t have a replacement on the roster. Linderbaum would be an improvement, not just an instant replacement. As I’ve said a couple times, he’s one of the best center prospects of the past decade.
Defensive end is another position to watch here. Offensive tackle would have been in play, too, but Baltimore added right tackle Morgan Moses in free agency.
Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State
The Eagles haven’t been super active in free agency, though they did add impact edge rusher Haason Reddick and bring back defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. I don’t think any of their needs have changed since my last mock draft. I’m looking at wide receiver, cornerback, safety, off-ball linebacker and defensive end — yes, they still need one — to fill out their three first-round picks.
That leads me to Johnson, a one-year starter who transferred from Georgia to FSU and had a stellar 2021 season. He was excellent at the Senior Bowl and has moved from a possible top-50 pick to likely landing in the top 20. NFL teams always want pass-rushers, and he could help immediately.
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Olave can play early and often for a Philadelphia team that has to get more out of its passing game with quarterback Jalen Hurts. Olave is a speedster (4.39 40-yard dash at the combine) who had 13 touchdowns last season. This would be the Eagles’ third straight draft taking a wideout in Round 1, but it should be a priority if they want to get back to the playoffs.
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
You’ve heard by now how bad the Chargers’ run defense was in 2021, and they’ve already taken steps to improve it, bringing in two defensive tackles via free agency in Sebastian Joseph-Day, whom coach Brandon Staley is familiar with from his time with the Rams, and Austin Johnson. That probably takes defensive tackle off the list of holes to fill in the draft.
So let’s turn the attention over to right tackle where Bryan Bulaga was just released. I don’t see Storm Norton as the answer there, but Penning can be. He’s fantastic as a run blocker, and offensive line coaches love him because he’s just plain mean and plays through the whistle. This would make back-to-back drafts with first-round tackles for the Chargers, and left tackle Rashawn Slater looked like a star as a rookie.
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
The Saints tried and failed to add Deshaun Watson, so are they definitely committed to Jameis Winston now? I don’t think so. If the board shakes out this way — with all of the passers available — why shouldn’t they take Pickett? He’s the most NFL-ready of the bunch, leveling up last season with 42 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. He is super accurate. He understands how to run an offense and lead a team. He could be the Saints’ future.
This is a strange quarterback class, and the range on when Pickett and Malik Willis come off the board varies from everyone I talk to in the league. No one knows for sure. I would not be shocked if either of them fell into New Orleans’ lap here.
1:00
Mel Kiper Jr. details why hand size is not important to NFL teams and how it will not have an effect on Kenny Pickett’s draft stock.
Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah
Here’s a spot to fill Philadelphia’s void at off-ball linebacker. Lloyd was one of the best all-around defenders in college football last season, racking up 111 total tackles, eight sacks, 20 tackles for loss, four interceptions and a forced fumble. He has some juice as a blitzer and can cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game. Lloyd’s 4.66 40-yard dash at the combine means he doesn’t have the straight-line speed of former top-five pick Devin White (a linebacker I’ve compared him to), but I don’t think he should drop past the Eagles.
That’s three early starters for the Eagles here, with Lloyd, Chris Olave and Jermaine Johnson II.
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The structure of Mitch Trubisky’s new contract with Pittsburgh — just $5.25 million guaranteed over two years — means this organization absolutely could draft a quarterback here. Trubisky could be a bridge to Willis, who is raw but supremely talented. As I said when I projected him to the Steelers in my previous mock, he is the most talented quarterback in this class. Willis could compete with Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins in training camp, but he wouldn’t be under immediate pressure to start in Week 1. That would be crucial for him.
If the Steelers go a different direction, they still have holes to plug along the offensive line and in the secondary.
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Unlike last year, the Patriots have been quiet in free agency, notably losing star cornerback J.C. Jackson to a huge-money deal while not adding any surefire starters. I see holes at right tackle, off-ball linebacker, defensive end, cornerback and wide receiver. They’ve also lost several coaches this offseason, including offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. And yet, Bill Belichick’s Patriots team won 10 games last season and still has a lot of really good players.
I projected Williams here in my debut mock in mid-January, and it is a nice fit. Williams, who tore his ACL in the national title game, had a tremendous season for the Crimson Tide, with 1,572 yards and 15 scores. He said at the combine that he’s ahead of his schedule in his recovery, but it’s possible he misses a chunk of the season while rehabbing. New England could afford to wait for a receiver with true No. 1 upside who could be a star for years to come. And we know Belichick has a history of taking Alabama stars.
Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
OK, so this isn’t the sexy pick that Packers fans will love after acquiring this selection in the Davante Adams trade, but check out Green Bay’s other pick at No. 28 before you yell at me. Green could step into the right guard spot vacated by Lucas Patrick’s signing with the Bears in free agency. Josh Myers, a second-round pick last year, looked solid at center, but adding another O-lineman is important, too. Green also has some versatility, as he played both guard and tackle for the Aggies.
Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Arizona let edge rusher Chandler Jones and wide receiver Christian Kirk leave for big deals in free agency, and it hasn’t added many external free agents so far. It could go a few different ways with this pick, including at wide receiver, which suddenly looks barren, and offensive line.
The Cardinals could be a fit for Jordan Davis if he makes it here, but his former Georgia teammate, Wyatt, could be a nice pick, too. The 305-pound tackle had a great workout at the combine, and he impressed impressed NFL scouts at the Senior Bowl. He had only five sacks in four seasons, but I think he could put up better numbers in the right pro scheme. He’ll help take some pressure off J.J. Watt.
Tyler Smith, OT/G, Tulsa
The Cowboys will look different in 2022, with Amari Cooper, Randy Gregory, Connor Williams, Cedrick Wilson and La’el Collins among the notable departures. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be worse, but they do have to plug a couple of holes. I’m not sure an edge rusher makes sense if this is the way the board shakes out — could Dallas take a flier on David Ojabo, who tore an Achilles at his pro day last week? — but there are a couple of offensive linemen who could play immediately. And with Tyron Smith and Zack Martin both over 30, the Cowboys should reprioritize the line.
Smith could play guard or tackle, and in this scenario he’d slot in to Williams’ left guard spot. Zion Johnson is the other possibility, and he could even play some center.
Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Buffalo released Cole Beasley and brought in Jamison Crowder as an option out of the slot, but Crowder isn’t likely to be part of the Bills’ long-term plans. Dotson would be. Where would he help most? The Bills ranked last in the league in average yards after the catch (4.3) last season. Dotson is an explosive playmaker who is a threat to score on every touch. He had 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021.
The Bills have had a great offseason so far, so this is a luxury pick. Dotson, though, could help as a rookie.
Zion Johnson, G/C, Boston College
If Tennessee wants to continue to pound the ball in the run game with Derrick Henry, it has to have a great offensive line. The Titans could upgrade at guard with Johnson, who spent time at multiple positions in college. He didn’t allow any quarterback pressures while playing guard in 2021, and he’s stout as a run blocker.
Even after adding Robert Woods, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Titans picked a wideout here. Treylon Burks and Jahan Dotson could be in play.
Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
A running back in the first round? You know I don’t love this. I don’t have a huge problem, though, because … just look at the Bucs’ depth chart. If they’re not bringing back Leonard Fournette or Ronald Jones, who’s going to carry the ball and serve as Tom Brady’s insurance target out of the backfield? With this selection, Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht and coach Bruce Arians could get their choice of the entire running back class.
Hall would get the chance to be the lead back from Day 1. He had 3,044 rushing yards and 41 rushing scores over the past two seasons, adding 59 catches. His 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine answered a lot of questions about his straight-line speed. Hall is the clear No. 1 back in this class.
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Is this better, Packers fans? Burks will almost certainly have to get a ton of early snaps, helping to fill the void left by the stunning trade of Davante Adams. Burks is a bigger receiver (6-foot-2) who has some run-after-the-catch ability; he can break tackles and run past defensive backs, though he doesn’t have blazing speed. He put up 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
For Green Bay’s sake, it will have to hope Burks develops faster than Adams, who began his career with two up-and-down seasons before breaking out in Year 3. Aaron Rodgers needs help now. And I think the Packers could take multiple receivers with their picks in this draft.
Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia
This was a tough pick for me. It’s definitely a spot to watch for an offensive tackle, but if Miami pays up to sign free agent Terron Armstead (who visited the team on Monday) it doesn’t have to take one here. I also thought about wide receiver Skyy Moore, who is rising after his performance at the combine and could sneak into Round 1. Ultimately, I see a hole in the middle of the Dolphins’ defense that could be filled by a really good every-down linebacker.
Dean was the leader of the national champs’ defense, racking up 72 tackles with six sacks, two forced fumbles and two picks. He has the ability to cover tight ends, and he can blow up backs in the run game. He’s tough. Dean could be a steal for an already solid defense.
George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
If the Chiefs want to keep Chris Jones at defensive tackle where he can wreck game plans from the interior, they have to add capable edge rushers. They ranked 29th in total sacks (31) last season and also 31st in rushing yards allowed per carry (4.8), even though they improved down the stretch. Karlaftis is an all-around defensive end who has some pass-rushing traits and can anchor down in the run game. He had only 4.5 sacks last season, but the tools are there.
You might have noticed that I haven’t projected David Ojabo, who tore his Achilles at the Michigan pro day last week, in Round 1. I love him as a prospect, but I think he’s more likely to go in the second round now. That’s a tough injury, and he might have to miss the entire 2022 season. The Chiefs need help right away.
Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
The Bengals have significantly retooled their offensive line this offseason, adding four new starters in free agency. That takes some of the pressure off Joe Burrow (literally) in Year 3, as he was battered in his first two seasons. The Super Bowl runners-up can now afford to fill a different need with this pick, and I see Jones as a replacement for Larry Ogunjobi, who had a great 2021 season.
Jones is a 325-pound nose tackle with extremely long arms who can controls gaps with his strength. He was impressive at the Senior Bowl in January, boosting his stock into the top 50 picks. He could make sense for a Bengals team that is poised to compete for another AFC North title.
Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
I’m going to stick with Corral to the Lions, but I keep hearing it’s not out of the question that he is the first quarterback off the board. He didn’t work out at the combine, so teams haven’t gotten a look at him since his ankle injury in early January. He’s going to throw for scouts at his pro day Wednesday, and he could create some buzz there. He throws a ball with some zip and is extremely tough, though he doesn’t have a huge frame (6-foot-2, 212 pounds). The biggest question revolves around the offense he ran in college; his coaches didn’t ask him to make many reads. There will be an adjustment in the NFL.
For the Lions, I just don’t see Jared Goff as the future. This allows them to get a potential quarterback of the future on a team-friendly five-year contract.
March Madness 2022 bracket: NCAA Tournament numbers to know, vital stats to use while filling out your bracket
Time to overthink almost every game and use the stats, nuggets and goodies I’ve compiled below to help you gleefully fill out your bracket(s).
Behold, a heaping helpful of facts, stats, trends, did-you-knows and more that can expand your mind and induce plenty of self-doubt over the veracity of your picks. An annual rite of March! Let’s uncover the best teams, players and trends across the men’s NCAA Tournament.
In addition to my own research, all additional info is provided by CBS Sports’ research team, the NCAA, KenPom.com, ESPN Stats & Info, Elias Sports, Sports Reference and BartTorvik.com.
Brackets are here! Get back in your pools and join our Men’s and Women’s Challenges for the chance to win a new truck and a college basketball dream trip!
Pick your favorite figure and have at it. The best sporting event of the year has officiall arrived.
- Highest-scoring team: Gonzaga (87.8 points per game)
- Lowest-scoring team: San Diego State (65.3 points per game)
- Fastest team: Gonzaga (73.8 possessions per game)
- Slowest team: Akron (63.8 possessions per game)
- Best free-throw shooting team: Villanova (82.3%)
- Worst free-throw shooting team: Boise State (65.0%)
- Best 3-point shooting team: South Dakota State (44.2%)
- Worst 3-point shooting team: TCU (30.4%)
- Most experienced team(s): Texas Southern (2.81 average seasons)
- Least experienced team: Arizona (.52 average seasons)
- Tallest team: Arizona (average height 79.4 inches)
- Smallest team: Longwood (75.6 inches)
- Deepest bench: Texas Southern (46.5% of minutes played)
Most efficient offenses, adjusted points scored per 100 possessions:
- Gonzaga (121.8)
- Iowa (121.5)
- Purdue (121.3)
- Kentucky (120.2)
USATSI
Most efficient defenses, adjusted points allowed per 100 possessions:
- Texas Tech (85.1)
- San Diego State (85.9)
- Tennessee (86.2)
- LSU (88.6)
Over the years, teams that have won it all have checked a lot of boxes. You can make the stats tell you a lot of things you want to hear. But if you’ve got a top-30 per-possession D and a guard that’s definitely projected to be drafted, you’ve got a solid shot. Only a handful of teams meet this criteria each year. Four apply in 2022, one of which has two such players.
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83: This is the 83rd NCAA Tournament. Thirty-seven programs have won a national title dating to 1939, when Oregon won its only championship. Two of the teams from the first Final Four are in the field this year: Ohio State was runner-up back in ’39; Villanova was a semifinalist. (Oklahoma and Oregon aren’t dancing.) Indiana, a 12, is the lowest-seeded team in this year’s field with a national title.
0: The Gonzaga Bulldogs, Auburn Tigers, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Tennessee Volunteers and Purdue Boilermakers are the best-seeded teams in the field without a national title.
32: The percentage of brackets at CBS Sports that have Gonzaga winning it all.
27.6: Gonzaga’s percentage to win the title, according to BartTorvik.com. For perspective, top teams normally hover around 15-20%, so Gonzaga is a dominant favorite. (Last year’s undefeated Gonzaga team entered at 33.3%.) The top five for this year: Gonzaga, Houston (8.9%), Kansas (8.2%), Baylor (5.8%), Arizona (5.3%).
1: Only three times has the No. 1 overall seed won the NCAA Tournament since the selection committee began ranking the No. 1s in 2004: Florida (2007), Kentucky (2012) and Louisville (2013). The No. 1 overall seed has also lost in the second round thrice — and the first round once. (UMBC forever.) Gonzaga is this year’s No. 1 overall seed. It’s the fifth time the Zags have made the top line.
13: Wisconsin and Purdue have 12 wins against teams in the field, the most of all dancers. Teams with no wins against 2022 tournament teams: Bryant, Cal State Fullerton, Chattanooga, Colgate, Delaware, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, Longwood, Montana State, Norfolk State, Saint Peter’s, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Texas Southern, UAB, Wright State, Yale.
2: Just two times since 2011 the WAC has sent a team not named New Mexico State to the NCAAs. The Aggies are back again.
0: Infamously, no team has lost its first conference tournament game and then won a national title. This year, you should be suspicious of Auburn, Baylor, Illinois and Wisconsin. They are the teams seeded fifth or better that were one-and-done in their league tourneys. (Additionally, every national champion since 1985 has made it minimally to the semifinals of their league tournament, if their league staged a tournament the year they won it all.)
12 of 23: In the past 23 tournaments, 12 national champions won their conference tournament. Since 1985, 15 national champions have won their league tournaments. There is no pattern at play here.
31 and 2: Arizona has the most wins (31). Murray State has the fewest losses (2).
14: Michigan’s 14 losses are the most in the field. It’s the second time since the NCAA Tournament expanded in 1985 to 64 teams that an at-large team (and a team from a power conference) has the most losses entering the Big Dance. (Maryland did this in 2021 with 13.)
42: It’s been 42 years since Cal State Fullerton won an NCAA Tournament game, the longest drought for any team in the field that has previously made the tournament. The longest drought among power-conference teams in the field is TCU; it last won in 1987. Boise State has been D-I since ’70 and never won a tournament game. This is its eighth tournament.
6-0: Norfolk State has the best neutral-court record in college basketball this season at 6-0. Who’s No. 2? Arizona, Iowa and Montana State are 5-0.
1/18: For the second straight year, Alabama faced the fewest Quad 4 teams of all (1). Tennessee faced 18 Quad 1 foes, the most of anyone in the tournament, and went 11-7 in those games.
-23.5: Gonzaga’s line against Georgia State is the biggest of the first round. Here’s every line for every Thursday and Friday game.
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10: Coaches with top-four seeds to never have made a Final Four as a coach. I think at least one of these guys gets there.
- Tommy Lloyd (Arizona)
- Mark Adams (Texas Tech)
- Matt Painter (Purdue)
- Greg Gard (Wisconsin)
- Eric Musselman (Arkansas)
- Ed Cooley (Providence)
- Brad Underwood (Illinois)
8 for 11: In eight of the past 11 NCAA Tournaments, at least one 13-seed has defeated a No. 4. The most popular No. 13-over-No. 4 pick at CBSSports.com/on the CBS Sports app: Vermont over Arkansas (18%).
143-1: No. 1 seeds are 143-1 all time vs. 16s. The No. 2s are 135-9 against 15s.
6 or fewer: It took UMBC 33 years to become the first No. 16 seed to win. When will we see it again? Seven times a 16-seed has finished a game within six points or fewer of a No. 1 seed. Those results were: 2013 Southern vs. Gonzaga (64-58); 1996 Western Carolina vs. Purdue (73-71); 1990 Murray State vs. Michigan State (75-71 in OT); 1989 McNeese State vs. Illinois (77-71); 1989 East Tennessee State vs. Oklahoma (72-71); 1989 Princeton vs. Georgetown (50-49); and 1985 Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Michigan (59-55).
5 or lower: This is a 🚨🚨🚨 for your bracket: Every NCAA Tournament since 2013 has had a No. 5 seed or lower reach the Final Four.
2016: The last time all four 1-seeds reached the Elite Eight. Before that, it was 2009.
2009: The last and only other time one conference had as many as three No. 1 seeds. It was the Big East; Pitt, UConn and Louisville all did it. The Big 12 has two No. 1 seeds this year for the first time since 2003.
2008: Famously, the only time all four No. 1s reached the Final Four. But since 2010, only 15 of the 44 Final Four appearances have come from No. 1 seeds.
1-4: You almost never wanna go all chalk at the top in the first round. In 2017, all No. 1s 2s, 3s and 4s won their first-round game. Prior to that, the last time that happened was 2007. It’s happened just six times since 1985.
59 vs. 52: No. 1 seeds have made the Final Four 59 times. That’s more than the combined Final Four showings of Nos. 4-16 since seeding began (52).
No. 2: Only two times in the past 24 NCAA Tournaments have all four No. 2 seeds made the Sweet 16. It’s happened just five times since 1985: ’89, ’95, ’96, ’09, ’19. Pick at least one No. 2 to lose early. It’s probably going to happen. Iowa and Ohio State got got in 2021.
12: Every seed, from No. 1 to No. 11, has made a Final Four. When does a No. 12 do it? This year the options are not inspiring: Richmond, New Mexico State, UAB, Rutgers and Indiana.
7: Though 7/10 games feel a bit like 8/9 games, they’re not. No. 10s have never swept the 7s with the exception of one year. No. 8 seeds are 71-73 vs. 9-seeds all time.
10>8+9: You’re more likely to make the Sweet 16 as a No. 10 seed than as either an 8 or 9. No. 10s are 18-34 vs. No. 2 seeds, while No. 8s are 14-58 and No. 9s are 6-65 vs. No. 1s. Breaking down the math further: No. 10 seeds historically have a 16.0% chance of making the Sweet 16, while the combined chances for No. 8s and No. 9s is 14.6%. Seeding matters. A 7-seed has made it to the Sweet 16 28 times since 1985. Contrast that to a No. 8, which has only gotten there 14 times.
6-10: In the past 10 NCAA Tournaments, teams seeded No. 5 or No. 6 that enter the tourney being ranked outside the top 30 at KenPom have a 6-10 record. While there’s no team this applies to on the No. 5- or 6-line, it’s worth noting that No. 3 Wisconsin is 34th and fourth-seeded Providence is extremely low at KenPom (49th). (H/T, Jason Lisk.)
65.9-to-1: Per bracketodds.com’s calculator, those are the chances we’ll have four No. 1 seeds reach the 2022 Final Four. If you go to all No. 2s, it’s 372.4-to-1. Two No. 1s and two No. 2s — a popular combo this year — is 25.4-to-1.
9,223,372,036,854,775,808: The number of different possible bracket outcomes. Wondering how to pronounce that number? I got you. That would be nine quintillion, two hundred twenty-three quadrillion, three hundred seventy-two trillion, thirty-six billion, eight hundred fifty-four million, seven hundred seventy-five thousand, eight hundred eight. It’s much larger than the number of possible outcomes seen by Doctor Strange in Avengers: Infinity War.
9: The Big Ten’s nine bids lead all conferences. It ties the league’s record.
30: Oklahoma, 30th at KenPom, is the highest team in that metric to not make the tournament.
39/72: Oklahoma’s No. 39 NET ranking makes it the highest-rated team to not make the field, while Rutgers’ No. 77 ranking is the lowest of any at-large in this year’s field. The NET has existed for four years. Rutgers is now the record holder.
21 of 22: A top-three seed has won the national title 21 of the past 22 tournaments.
7: In nine of the past 10 tournaments, a No. 7 seed or lower has cracked the Elite Eight. Who’s doing it this year?
1-34: The Big South has existed since 1986. It’s 1-34 all time in the NCAA Tournament. The only win? Winthrop back in 2007. Longwood is making its NCAA Tournament debut and gets the strongest No. 3 seed, Tennessee.
Six for 16: Gonzaga’s made the Sweet 16 in six straight tournaments. No other team has a streak longer than three.
17: The number of coaches who are making their NCAA Tournament debuts. The youngest: Loyola Chicago’s Drew Valentine (30). The oldest: Texas Tech’s Mark Adams (65).
28: It has been 28 years since a No. 6 seed made the Final Four. Who was it? Chris Webber and the Fab Five at Michigan. The highest-rated 6-seed per KenPom is Texas (15th). Last year, it was USC at 14th — and the Trojans were a win away from doing it.
19: Of 68 schools dancing, 19 have won a national title: UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, Indiana, UConn, Kansas, Villanova, Michigan State, San Francisco, Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, Loyola Chicago, Marquette, Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
5: The only top-eight seed yet to win a national title is a 5.
+.194: Providence, a No. 4 facing No. 13 South Dakota State, rates as the “luckiest” team in the field, per KenPom. In the past 18 NCAA Tournaments, the luckiest team in the field lost its first game 16 times. The unluckiest team this year: Colgate, which happens to be facing Wisconsin, which is fourth in luck in this year’s field. (Hmmmmm.)
20+: There have been three 20-point upsets against the spread in the NCAA Tournament since 1985: No. 15 Santa Clara (+20) over No. 2 Arizona in 1993; No. 15 Norfolk State (+21.5) over No. 2 Missouri in 2012; No. 16 UMBC (+20.5) over No. 1 Virginia in 2018. Norfolk State is a 21-point dog to Baylor, Georgia State is +23.5 against Gonzaga.
26/24: Tennessee coach Rick Barnes will be making his 26th appearance in the NCAAs. Tennessee as a program has been here two fewer times: 24.
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2,554: The distance as the crow flies from Smithfield, Rhode Island to San Diego International Airport, making Bryant’s trip the longest, though Bryant won’t fly that directly, as the Bulldogs need to get through the First Four first. If Bryant doesn’t advance, Rutgers’ trip to San Diego is the longest at 2,246 air miles (narrowly beating Seton Hall, also going to San Diego).
69%: Saint Peter’s has the best cover percentage of all NCAA Tournament teams at 69%. That’s nice. Longwood is second at 67.9%, Norfolk State third at 65.4%.
14: A No. 14 has beaten a No. 3 in five of the past eight NCAA Tournaments. Anyone feeling Colgate?
21: South Dakota State’s 21-game winning streak is longest heading into the Dance.
33-10/.767: UNC has the best NCAA Tournament record/win percentage since 2008 (minimum of six games played).
2: The number of teams making an NCAA tourney debut. Welcome to the club, Bryant and Longwood!
0 for 39: The Northeast Conference is still the only league that has never won a first-round NCAA Tournament game. Bryant needs to get past Wright State — and then Arizona — to end the streak. Yikes!
32: Most consecutive NCAA tourneys: Kansas (32), Michigan State (24), Gonzaga (22), North Carolina (11). Kansas’ Bill Self, absurdly, is coaching his 21st straight NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed or better.
35: Combined national championships for programs in the East Region, the most of the four regions BY FAR. The schools: UCLA (11), Kentucky (8). North Carolina (6), Indiana (5), San Francisco (2), Baylor (1), Marquette (1), Wyoming (1). Serious hoops history here.
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8: School in this NCAA Tournament with the most appearances to never win a game: Boise State (8).
11: The number of first round games with a point spread of -3 or less. (H/T, Chris Fallica.) We’ll have two more potentially joining this group depending on who wins in the First Four. There are 32 first round games, and on paper, this sets up as the most competitive first round in a few years.
51: A No. 12 seed has won 51 first-round games since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985. The ’88, ’00, ’07 and ’15 and ’18 tournaments are the only ones since the field expanded to not have a No. 12 seed win. In 2019, three 12s did it. In the past 12 tournaments they are are 20-28 vs. No. 5s. Don’t overlook No. 11s, though. That’s still a real upset, and in the last five tournaments, No. 11s are 11-9 vs. the No. 6s.
.793: Michigan State coach Tom Izzo’s winning percentage in the second round and Elite Eight. He is 23-6 in those games (i.e., on a two-day turnaround). Should Michigan State get past Davidson, it would potentially face No. 2 Duke. However: Izzo is 3-12 vs. Mike Krzyzewski.
24-17: Since seeding the field began, No. 1 seeds have more national titles (24) than the rest of the seeds combined (17).
10-15: Pick at least one double-digit seed to reach the Sweet 16, because it has happened all but two years since ’85 (1995, 2007). And 15 times there have been at least three double-digit seeds that made it to the regional semifinals. In 2021, we had four: Oral Robert, Oregon State, Syracuse and UCLA. Challenge yourself. It’s going to happen again.
7: Since 1980, there have been seven reigning champions that have made the Final Four the next tournament. It hasn’t happened since Florida in 2007, which went a step further and repeated as champs. With Baylor as a No. 1, it’s got a fair shot to end the drought.
9 for 10: There have been 10 NCAA Tournaments since the First Four’s format was introduced. In nine of those 10 tournaments, a First Four team has won at least two games. VCU (2011) and UCLA (2021) went to the Final Four. Wyoming, Rutgers, Indiana, Notre Dame. Who will it be this year?
+350: Gonzaga’s odds to win the whole thing, according to Caesars Sportsbook.
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Cooper Rush, filling in for injured Dak Prescott, delivers huge win for Dallas Cowboys
MINNEAPOLIS — With a 20-16 win against the Minnesota Vikings, things could not have worked out better for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.
Dak Prescott was able to gain extra rest for his right calf strain, Cooper Rush was able to show he can deliver if needed as the backup quarterback, and the Cowboys won their sixth straight game.
“This was definitely a gut-check win for us,” coach Mike McCarthy said.
That Rush played was not too surprising considering Prescott did not take any team snaps in practice during the week, focusing on his rehab from a calf injury he suffered while throwing the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime to beat the New England Patriots on Oct. 17.
That he played so well was — considering he entered Sunday with just 2 career yards on 1-of-3 passing and had not thrown a pass since 2017. A year ago, Rush did not make the Cowboys’ roster; on Sunday he delivered a massive win.
“You definitely dream about them and it’s just as good as the dream,” said Rush, who completed 24 of 40 passes for 325 yards with 2 touchdowns, including a 5-yard fade to Amari Cooper with 51 seconds to play.
His first touchdown pass — a 73-yarder to Cedrick Wilson in the third quarter — was the longest thrown by a Cowboys quarterback in his first start since Roger Staubach had a 75-yarder in 1969.
A year ago, the Cowboys’ season was lost when Prescott went down with a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle in Week 5. They went 4-7 without Prescott and finished 6-10 in McCarthy’s first year.
“I felt like I belonged out there,” Rush said. “In the huddle, breaking the huddle, getting to the line, going through your processes, it didn’t feel overwhelming at all. I haven’t played a lot but being around the NFL, you’re practicing against these guys every day and our defense is pretty good. … It never felt too big in terms of the speed. I just felt in command.”
Prescott went through his normal pregame warmup with director of rehabilitation Britt Brown on Sunday. After nearly 20 minutes of work, Prescott, McCarthy and Brown had a quick discussion. Prescott remained on the field and threw some passes before heading back to the locker room. He was officially on the inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff.
“I had a plan all week, trying to progress and get myself out there,” Prescott said. “We made a call at the end of having a chance to come out with win, without me playing, and be able to get healthy and not have something re-injure and linger past this week.”
Prescott was on the sideline during the game, wearing a headset and ready to offer advice to Rush, a teammate since 2017.
“There wasn’t a moment I thought he was too high or nervous or rattled. That’s Coop,” Prescott said. “He’s very mild tempered and always that way — never too high or too low. It showed tonight. It allowed him to stay in there, stick to it, stick through some bad plays and come out and make some great plays to win the game that we needed in the fourth quarter.”
The Cowboys play the Denver Broncos on Nov. 7 and while McCarthy did not indicate Prescott would start for sure, the Cowboys believe the added time off with more rehab and practice work will keep the calf strain from being an issue for the remainder of the season.
Leading into the Vikings’ game, McCarthy and Prescott said it would be a group decision. While he looked fine during the warmup, the judgment was made to hold him out, despite his wishes.
“Can he play the game a certain way or can he play the game 100%? We looked at all those things,” McCarthy said. “And frankly at the end of the day, I think this is a great opportunity for us as a football team to grow and win through another adverse moment. We didn’t have our leader. We didn’t have our starting quarterback out there and we went out and won a tough game in a hostile environment on the road.
“So it was a great opportunity for us, and definitely feel like we made the right decision.”