Before we turn our full attention to March Madness, baseball had its own knockout tournament to settle this week, the World Baseball Classic. In the final last night, Venezuela upset Team USA 3-2 on a ninth-inning double from Eugenio Suárez.
Our Rohan Nadkarni also evaluated six players — three men and three women — who could come to define this year’s NCAA Tournament. The first-round games start tomorrow, and we’ll be live-blogging all the action, from the 12:15 p.m. tipoff through the nightcap, so come back for our real-time analysis at NBC News.
A World Stage
Aaron Judge, the Yankees star and Team USA captain, sparked an online debate this week when he said the World Baseball Classic was “bigger and better than the World Series,” given the “passion that these fans have, representing their country.” (Other players later echoed similar sentiments.)
Lots of people weighed in, including Derek Jeter, the former Yankee captain who said on Fox, “I think the people that say ‘it’s bigger than the World Series’ never played in a World Series.”
Don’t tell that to Venezuela.
After it won, Team Venezuela raced onto the field and celebrated as if it were the World Series. Players and coaches embraced one another. They draped themselves in their home country’s flag. They cried tears of joy.
“I mean, what can I say about this?” Venezuela’s Eugenio Suárez said on the Fox broadcast. “It’s amazing. God is good. … It’s a celebration for all the Venezuela country.”
For Venezuela, the win against this opponent must have meant something. A few months ago, U.S. military forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and brought them to the U.S. to face criminal charges, sending shock waves through the country.
“A lot of emotion, you know,” Venezuela’s Ronald Acuña Jr. told MLB Network, when asked why the win was so special. “My country [needed] a championship. … I just wanted to make my people proud.”
Men's Bracket: Players to Watch
Every March Madness, new players take center stage and capture our imagination. This year, we’re keeping an eye on three freshmen, who might end up being the top three picks in this coming NBA draft.
Darryn Peterson is one of the most tantalizing guard prospects in recent NBA history, but his availability has been limited this year because of injuries, including a persistent cramping issue. If he gives it a full go during the tournament, Kansas will be very dangerous.
Cameron Boozer, meanwhile, has been arguably the best player, leading Duke to a 32-2 record and a No. 1 seed in the tournament. Boozer has a reputation for being unflappable under pressure, which will be put to the test as he carries the high expectations of one of the game’s elite programs into the tournament.
Then there’s AJ Dybantsa, who surprised many when he chose to play for BYU, becoming the highest-rated recruit in the program’s history. Dybantsa has improved over the season, and he has become one of the most aggressive offensive players in the country. He’ll now be playing under a major spotlight as he tries to push a relative underdog to the Final Four.
Women's Bracket: Players to Watch
On the women’s side, our three players to watch are all veterans leading juggernaut teams, hoping to cement their legacies.
Connecticut senior Azzi Fudd will be looking for her second straight championship — and second straight Most Outstanding Player award — as the 33-0 Huskies enter the tourney. Last year’s title ended a nine-year championship drought for UConn. Now Fudd will be looking to stamp a new dynasty before she turns pro.
The biggest challenger to the Huskies will be the UCLA Bruins, led by center Lauren Betts. The Bruins went 31-1 during the regular season, and Betts was a force down low, averaging 16.4 points and 8.6 rebounds a game. A senior with a storied career, Betts will be looking for her first title — and to avenge a loss to the Huskies in last year’s Final Four.
Looking to play spoiler will be Texas, led by junior Madison Brooks. The Longhorns went 31-3 and handed UCLA its only loss of the regular season. Brooks is looking for redemption after she struggled in the Final Four a year ago, scoring only 11 points in a humbling 74-57 loss to South Carolina. Booker is coming off her best and most efficient season, and she will ensure Texas is no pushover in the face of some heavy favorites.
What We're Reading
The WNBA season looks like it’ll start on time after the league and players’ union reached a tentative deal on a new labor agreement.
The disputed ending of the AFCON tournament took another turn yesterday as Morocco was declared champions over Senegal, which was stripped of its title after walking off the pitch during the match.
In the NFL, the Denver Broncos made a major trade, dealing for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in exchange for a few draft picks, including a first-rounder.
Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper, who overcame testicular cancer during his college career, died at age 28, writes our David K. Li.
What We're Watching
Tonight, the NCAA Tournament “First Four” games continue in Dayton, Ohio, where the plucky No. 11 seed Miami (Ohio) will make its debut. The RedHawks went 31-0 in the regular season before they stumbled in their conference tournament. Their athletic director says they’re fighting for the little guys everywhere, for “the heart and soul of March Madness.”
All times are Eastern:
- 6:40 p.m.: No. 16 seed Prairie View A&M vs. No. 16 Lehigh, on TruTV
- 9:15 p.m.: No. 11 seed Miami (Ohio) vs. No. 11 SMU, on TruTV
- 9:30 p.m.: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets, on ESPN
That’s it for now! We’ll be back tomorrow.
