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Field of 64 Projections: Stolen bids, new host headline NCAA Tournament entering Championship Sunday

Tonight, the 16 regional host sites will be announced for the NCAA Tournament. But first, there’s plenty of baseball to be played on championship Sunday and we’ve updated our Field of 64 projections before the action gets underway. The SEC remains the leader in the clubhouse with 13 bids. They are followed by the ACC […]

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Tonight, the 16 regional host sites will be announced for the NCAA Tournament. But first, there’s plenty of baseball to be played on championship Sunday and we’ve updated our Field of 64 projections before the action gets underway.

The SEC remains the leader in the clubhouse with 13 bids. They are followed by the ACC (9), Big 12 (7), Big Ten (3), Sun Belt (2), AAC (2), Big West (2) and Conference USA (2) as multiple bid leagues, so far. Of course, more stolen bids could add more conferences into this category.

On the hosting front, the SEC has eight of the top 16 seeds. The remaining hosts come from the ACC (3), Big Ten (2), Big 12 (1), Sun Belt (1) and Independent (1). We do have a new host this week in our latest Field of 64, with Ole Miss slotting in. Entering Sunday, there’s at least one more team that can play there way into hosting a regional, too.

Track every auto-bid given to conference champions by clicking here. The 16 regional host sites will be announced Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. ET, followed by the full selection show on Monday at 12 noon ET.

Field of 64 Projections: Bubble Watch

Last Four In: UConn, Oklahoma State, Xavier, Arizona State
First Four Out: Cal Poly, Troy, Virginia, Notre Dame

Multiple bids were stolen yesterday, shifting back the bubble by a couple of spots. For the teams on the right side of it, they’re hoping for a clean day with the top seeds winning their conference tournaments. Otherwise, these last four in and others just on the inside are in danger. Cal Poly has played their way into the Big West title game, and that would push the Big West to being a two-bid league, which would of course shuffle up the bubble, too.

Nashville Regional

1. Vanderbilt (1)*
2. Northeastern*
3. East Tennessee State*
4. Little Rock*

Vanderbilt remains our top overall seed this morning. It really comes down to Vanderbilt and Texas, and given the Commodores are No. 1 in RPI, have 17 Q1 wins, and have the chance to win the SEC Tournament today, they get the nod.

Fort Worth Regional

1. TCU (16)
2. Southern Miss
3. Mississippi State
4. Houston Christian*

TCU is clinging onto our last hosting bid in today’s Field of 64. TCU lost in the Big 12 Championship on Saturday night. They are very much rooting for a Southern Miss loss in the Sun Belt title game on Sunday. If Southern Miss wins that game, they will take control of the final hosting spot.

Austin Regional

1. Texas (2)
2. UTSA
3. Xavier
4. Bethune-Cookman*

Texas comes in just short of the top overall seed, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they end up there, either. The Longhorns are 4 in RPI, but have 17 Q1 wins and won the SEC regular season. Regardless, they won’t fall any further than 2 or 3 in terms of overall seeding.

Knoxville Regional

1. Tennessee (15)
2. Georgia Tech
3. USC
4. Fairfield*

Tennessee likely did enough in Hoover to move themselves back into the hosting mix, but it’s still not a guarantee. Their resume warrants it with 14 Q1 wins and sitting at 13 in RPI, but we’ll see what happens around them on Sunday. Georgia Tech is still in contention, too, but after falling in the ACC Tournament semifinals and RPI falling to 22, they drop out of the top 16 in today’s Field of 64.

Fayetteville Regional

1. Arkansas (3)
2. Duke
3. Creighton
4. North Dakota State*

Arkansas is the other team right there in contention for the top overall seeds. They finished in second place in the SEC regular season with a 20-10 record, and are 14-10 in Q1 games while sitting at 5 in RPI. Even if the Razorbacks aren’t one of the top three seeds, they won’t fall much further, if at all.

Eugene Regional

1. Oregon (14)
2. UC Irvine*
3. Oklahoma State
4. Fresno State*

Oregon was looking like a top eight seed yesterday, but their loss in the Big Ten Tournament dropped their RPI down to 17, which might be too low to warrant top eight discussion. The Ducks are 9-1 in Q1 games and 3-1 in Q2 games, which might not be enough meat on the bone to overtake some others in front of them. UC Irvine is still in play as a host, though they’ll need to win the Big West championship today to have a shot.

Chapel Hill Regional

1. North Carolina (4)*
2. West Virginia
3. Western Kentucky
4. Central Connecticut*

North Carolina remains in play as a top seed, and an ACC Tournament title on Sunday could propel them up as high as 2 or 3. The Tar Heels are 9-5 in Q1 games, 16-5 in Q2 games and currently 7 in RPI, and match up with Clemson on Sunday.

Tallahassee Regional

1. Florida State (13)
2. Florida
3. Columbia*
4. Murray State*

Florida State fell just short in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Saturday, but they’re locked into hosting, more than likely. RPI is down to 15, but they are 13-10 in Q1 games and it’d be surprising if they don’t host. Florida isn’t completely out of the discussion either, depending on how the committee views them. The Gators went 15-15 in SEC play and are 12-17 in Q1 games, but also remain top 16 in RPI at 16.

Baton Rouge Regional

1. LSU (5)
2. NC State
3. UConn
4. Tulane*

LSU’s RPI dropped a few spots after losing on Saturday in the SEC Tournament semifinals, but it’s still at 12 and the Tigers are in good shape for a top eight seed. In addition to a 19-11 SEC record, LSU has 13 Q1 wins on the year. They are a hosting lock, and are probably locked in as a top eight, as well.

Los Angeles Regional

1. UCLA (12)*
2. Arizona*
3. Miami
4. Saint Mary’s*

UCLA is on the rise compared to yesterday’s Field of 64. The Bruins are onto the Big Ten Championship, and have their RPI up to 11. What’s interesting is how the committee will weigh their share of a Big Ten title, a potential tournament title, and just a 3-7 Q1 record. If last year was any indication, the conference titles will be enough.

Athens Regional

1. Georgia (6)
2. Kansas
3. Stetson*
4. Bryant*

Like yesterday, Georgia is feeling pretty secure as a top eight seed. The Bulldogs are 2 in RPI, went 18-12 in SEC play, and are 11-11 in Q1 games. It’s interesting to wonder, though, if someone leaps into the top eight, could the Bulldogs’ 11 Q1 wins put them below some of the teams behind them? Still, they are likely safe in the top eight and wouldn’t drop much below.

Oxford Regional

1. Ole Miss (11)
2. Dallas Baptist
3. Kansas State
4. Miami (OH)*

Here comes Ole Miss. It was tough to deny the Rebels a hosting bid in recent weeks, but they’ve done enough. They went 16-14 in SEC play, are up to 10 in RPI, have 19 Q1 wins, which leads the nation, and can add a SEC Tournament title to their resume on Sunday. Leaping into the top eight can’t be ruled out.

Auburn Regional

1. Auburn (7)
2. Louisville
3. Cincinnati
4. Holy Cross*

Like Georgia, Auburn feels good as a top eight seed and is a lock to host. The Tigers went 17-13 in SEC play, and currently sit 3 in RPI with a 16-12 Q1 record. Even if a team like Ole Miss leaps into the top eight, could the Tigers’ 16 Q1 wins compared to Georgia’s 11 keep Auburn in the top eight anyways?

Conway Regional

1. Coastal Carolina (10)*
2. Wake Forest
3. Kentucky
4. USC Upstate*

Coastal Carolina just keeps winning. The Chanticleers went 26-4 to win the Sun Belt regular season and are now up to 9 in RPI ahead of the Sun Belt Championship on Sunday. Their 4-5 Q1 record could keep them out of top eight discussion, but if they win the Sun Belt title, they’re a legitimate threat to steal one of the final top eight bids.

Corvallis Regional

1. Oregon State (8)
2. Oklahoma
3. Arizona State
4. Utah Valley*

Oregon State is up to the top eight in today’s Field of 64. The Beavers are truly relying on what happens around them this week, since they don’t have a conference tournament to play in. The Beavers went 41-12-1 this season, have an 11-11 Q1 record, and are up to 6 in RPI.

Clemson Regional

1. Clemson (9)
2. Alabama
3. Rhode Island*
4. Wright State*

All of a sudden, top eight is back in play for Clemson. The Tigers are 10-9 in Q1 games, went 18-12 in ACC play and can add ACC Tournament champions to their resume with a win over North Carolina on Sunday. If they do that, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if they slide in.



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South Carolina softball reloads with WCWS star catcher from Ole Miss

There’s another portal win for the South Carolina softball team. Former Ole Miss catcher Jamie Mackay has officially committed to the Gamecocks marking the eighth addition to the 2025 transfer class. It is also the second Ole Miss Rebel to flip to South Carolina, following teammate Tate Davis to the Gamecocks. Mackay has one year […]

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There’s another portal win for the South Carolina softball team. Former Ole Miss catcher Jamie Mackay has officially committed to the Gamecocks marking the eighth addition to the 2025 transfer class. It is also the second Ole Miss Rebel to flip to South Carolina, following teammate Tate Davis to the Gamecocks. Mackay has one year of eligibility remaining.

Mackay was a key part of the postseason run for the Rebels, appearing in 36 games during the season. She started 20 of those games, batting a .284 with 12 RBIs, 19 hits, two homeruns, and six runs scored. She also delivered one of the most memorable moments of the Women’s College World Series, delivering a game-tying 2-RBI single in the seventh inning against Oregon.

In her career, Mackay has a .262 average with six homeruns, 16 doubles, and 37 RBIs in 252 at-bats across three seasons. She is versatile too, starting 45 games in right field in 2024 after spending the majority of her career as a catcher.

Mackay joins a star-studded transfer class that includes:

  • Josey Marron (Mississippi State RHP)

  • Tori Ensley (NC State OF)

  • Tate Davis (Ole Miss INF)

  • Alyssa Hovermale (Florida INF)

  • Emma Friedel (Kennesaw State P)

  • Precious Bross (Georgia INF)

With Mackay now on the roster, Gamecock head coach Ashley Chastain-Woodard continues to build a championship-caliber team. And coming off the program’s first-ever Women’s College World Series appearance, this Gamecock squad will be ready for another run at a title.



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Cooper Flagg Inks Deal With BOSS, Rocking Designer Suit For NBA Draft

Cooper Flagg Dressin’ Like A ‘BOSS’ For Draft Partners W/ Fashion Brand Published June 25, 2025 3:11 PM PDT Cooper Flagg is reaping the benefits of being the (super likely) No. 1 overall pick — the former Duke star is BOSS’ newest ambassador … and is commemorating the deal by repping the brand at the […]

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Cooper Flagg Inks Deal With BOSS, Rocking Designer Suit For NBA Draft

Cooper Flagg
Dressin’ Like A ‘BOSS’ For Draft
Partners W/ Fashion Brand

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College quarterbacks turning NIL earnings into venture capital investments

College athletes are channeling their NIL earnings into venture capital investments. Front Office Sports reports that three college quarterbacks — including a potential top-five pick — are putting their money into VC-backed start-ups. South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers — projected as one of the top signal-callers in the 2026 NFL Draft — Southern Methodist University’s Kevin […]

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College athletes are channeling their NIL earnings into venture capital investments. Front Office Sports reports that three college quarterbacks — including a potential top-five pick — are putting their money into VC-backed start-ups.

South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers — projected as one of the top signal-callers in the 2026 NFL Draft — Southern Methodist University’s Kevin Jennings and Kansas State University’s Avery Johnson have invested in The Cashmere Fund. According to Front Office Sports, the fund is a “Nasdaq-listed venture capital fund that allows non-accredited investors to invest in VC-backed start-ups.”

Buffalo Bills players Josh Allen and Damar Hamlin are also investors.

“There was some business savvy in all of them,” Elia Infascelli, CEO of Cashmere, told Front Office Sports. “Avery Johnson is a business major, for example. They didn’t need to do this, but they wanted to.

“They are investors in the fund just like any other person would invest in the fund.”

Cashmere is working with college athletes to bring more attention to their fund and attract additional investors.

“At 18, 19, or 21, to think about long-term relationships and invest without any immediate upside today, that’s rare,” Infascelli explained.

NIL has created new opportunities for college athletes. For those who won’t turn pro, these ventures offer a path to financial stability beyond their college careers.

Matt Higgins worked in national and local news for 15 years. He started out as an overnight production assistant … More about Matt Higgins



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Kendrick Perkins Gets Roasted For Making Outrageous Cooper Flagg Comparison

It’s fair to say Kendrick Perkins is extremely high on Cooper Flagg. PublishedJune 25, 2025 10:48 AM EDT•UpdatedJune 25, 2025 10:48 AM EDT Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link One of the greatest aspects of the NBA Draft is the talking heads in the media trying to come up with player comparisons for prospects, and Kendrick […]

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It’s fair to say Kendrick Perkins is extremely high on Cooper Flagg.

One of the greatest aspects of the NBA Draft is the talking heads in the media trying to come up with player comparisons for prospects, and Kendrick Perkins truly outdid himself with his Cooper Flagg comp.

It’s only natural for folks in the media to compare prospects to some of the best players in the league. That is what stirs the pot, and comparing a top-tier prospect to a player that averages 10 points per game doesn’t exactly make for the most exciting content.

NBA Draft Prospects Give Varying Opinions Of NIL Effect On College Basketball

Given the fact that Flagg has been the sure-thing first-overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft since his high school days, he’s been compared to essentially every notable player in the league up to this point. It has forced the media to think outside of the box when coming up with any sort of original thought about the undisputed best player in the draft.

Perkins took a swing at doing just that during ESPN pre-NBA Draft coverage on Tuesday, and delivered an all-time comparison for the former Duke star.

“This is how I look at Cooper Flagg, if LeBron James and Kevin Garnett had a baby, you’d get Cooper Flagg,” Perkins said.

Now look, Perkins makes some fair points while describing Flagg as an all-around player, such as James, and then as a tenacious competitor like Garnett, but it feels like a significant stretch to go ahead and try and lump him into a category of two of the best players to ever do it.

Folks on social media went to town on Perkins after his strange comment about Flagg:

The NBA Draft is set to get underway at Barclays Center in Brooklyn at 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday.





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Athletes First makes bold move to enhance college football presence

Athletes First already has some of the more renowned players in the NFL, not to mention a top-shelf coaching clientele that includes the likes of Ryan Day and Brian Kelly at the collegiate level as well as Matt LeFleur on the NFL side.  Now, the organization is making multiple moves to wade deeper into college […]

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Athletes First already has some of the more renowned players in the NFL, not to mention a top-shelf coaching clientele that includes the likes of Ryan Day and Brian Kelly at the collegiate level as well as Matt LeFleur on the NFL side. 

Now, the organization is making multiple moves to wade deeper into college football.

Multiple sources tell FootballScoop that Athletes First has hired longtime top Notre Dame personnel executive Dave Peloquin as well as LSU’s Jordan Arcement to bolster their college sports division — specifically the company’s process of identifying potential prep and college players who project to potential top-tier college Name, Image and Likeness clients as well as NFL prospects.

The company has several notable NFL clients, including former Notre Dame All-America safety Kyle Hamilton as well as Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. 

In a role that sources told FootballScoop essentially as as the company’s general manager of the collegiate division, Peloquin instantly brings wtih him almost a quarter-century work from his time at Notre Dame — spanning from his student-work as an undergraduate assistant. 

Starting in Bob Davie’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish program, Peloquin is one of the rarest individuals in all of college football — his value extending through five full-time Notre Dame football coaches beginning with Davie, transitioning to Ty Willingham, Charlies Weis, Brian Kelly and, finally, in multiple roles for Marcus Freeman.

He was both retained by all those Irish coaches and turned down numerous job opportunities to head up personnel departments for several other Power Conference programs, including in the Big Ten and SEC.

Arcement steadily grew in LSU’s recruiting department since his arrival in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2022, following work at the University of Virginia. Most recently, Arcement was LSU’s director of recruiting communications and external relations. He also has coached in the prep ranks and played collegiate football at Nicholls State (La.).

The moves from Athletes First signal the company’s willingness to try to be on the leading edge of ongoing changes in college athletics, specifically college football.

The House Settlement takes effect July 1, with Power Conference schools who opt in at the maximum amount able to share $20.5 million in revenue with student-athletes — almost overwhelmingly directing the majority of those funds to football players — annually and with built-in increases of 4% annually over the decade-long terms of the deal.

Additionally, NIL opportunities are still available for college athletes and increasingly more so for high school athletes. At the college level, as part of the House Settlement, all NIL deals valued at more than $600 must be ratified by third-party financial powerhouse Deloitte. Athletes First, like other powerful agencies in college and pro athletics, has long history in dealing with marketing arrangements — the types of which Deloitte is being asked to oversee in the House Settlement. 



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Jay Bilas explains why NIL has positive impact on both college basketball, NBA Draft

This year, the NBA Draft saw its fewest early entrants in a decade. Just 106 players entered the draft by the end of April, which continues a downward trend from 363 declarations in 2021 just before the NIL era began. More players are opting to stay in college and hone their skills now that they […]

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This year, the NBA Draft saw its fewest early entrants in a decade. Just 106 players entered the draft by the end of April, which continues a downward trend from 363 declarations in 2021 just before the NIL era began.

More players are opting to stay in college and hone their skills now that they are able to enter into NIL deals and make money. To ESPN’s Jay Bilas, that helps both the college and professional games.

Bilas said the amount of talent returning to college programs means those players can become more well-rounded by the time they reach the NBA. As a result, both levels can benefit – and it makes the later rounds of the draft a bit more interesting.

“I think what we’re seeing is that NIL and the opportunity to make money while you’re in college has caused players that may have been fringe-first rounders or second-round picks to stay in school longer,” Bilas said on FOS Today. “Why go in when you’re doing so well financially in college? You can wait now and go when you really feel like you’re ready. So we’ve seen, the second round is a lot different with NIL that it would have been in past years, you would’ve seen a lot of players go. And now, they’re staying, and I think that’s nothing but a good thing, certainly, for college basketball, to keep more talent in the game.

“But I think it’s also good for the NBA that they’re getting finished products when they decide to go and players that are really [feeling] like they’re truly ready. I think that’s a good thing for the NBA, as well.”

One of the most notable draft withdrawals was Labaron Philon, who announced his decision to return to Alabama despite having first-round potential and initially saying he’d stay in the draft. On3’s James Fletcher III ranked the former touted recruit as the No. 27 overall player on his Big Board prior to his announcement.

Florida also won big with NBA Draft withdrawals, keeping Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu on the roster after last season’s national title. Former Memphis guard PJ Haggerty also withdrew from the draft and eventually announced his decision to transfer to Kansas State for an NIL deal reportedly in the “neighborhood” of $2.5 million. He was considered a fringe second-round pick.

The 2025 NBA Draft officially gets underway Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. Round 2 will take place Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.



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