UCLA track shows off at the Jim Bush

UCLA's Taylor Snaer is the anchor for the women's 4x100 relay, taking 1st place overall. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

LOS ANGELES, CA- UCLA’s men’s and women’s track and field teams delivered a strong all-around performance Saturday at the Jim Bush Legends Meet, highlighted by multiple event wins and personal-best efforts at Drake Stadium.

Competing on their home track, the Bruins showcased depth across sprints, distance events and field competitions, with several athletes turning in standout marks as the outdoor season continues to build momentum.

On the women’s side, UCLA was paced by a series of impressive finishes in the sprint and field events. The Bruins dominated the short sprints, with a strong showing in the 100 meters and 200 meters, where multiple athletes posted top times and controlled their heats from the start. In the field, UCLA’s jumpers added to the team’s success, recording winning marks and consistent performances that energized the home crowd.

UCLA’s Hurdler Davis Davis-Lyric finished second, setting a PB 14.16 seconds. Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

“We’re starting to see things come together,” a UCLA assistant coach said. “This meet is about competing, sharpening execution and building confidence, and our athletes responded across the board.”

The Bruins’ distance runners also contributed, turning in competitive times in the 800 and 1500 meters while maintaining strong pacing throughout. The balanced effort reflected UCLA’s emphasis on depth, as athletes across multiple disciplines contributed to the team’s success.

On the men’s side, UCLA matched that intensity with several standout performances of its own. The Bruins were particularly strong in the sprints and hurdles, where athletes surged late in races to secure victories and top-three finishes. Their execution off the blocks and in transition phases proved decisive in tight races.

UCLA’s Men’s High Jumper Hamdi Ali took 2nd place with a max clearance of 2.13m Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

UCLA’s field event athletes also made a significant impact. Throwers and jumpers delivered solid marks, with at least one event win and several podium finishes that underscored the team’s versatility. The Bruins’ ability to score points across events highlighted their balance early in the outdoor campaign.

“The focus right now is consistency and competing at a high level every time we step on the track,” a UCLA athlete said. “Being at home, we wanted to take advantage of that energy and set the tone for the rest of the season.”

The Jim Bush Legends Meet, named in honor of the longtime UCLA coach, brought together a competitive field of collegiate programs, creating an atmosphere that pushed athletes to perform at a high level. For UCLA, the meet served as both a measuring stick and an opportunity to refine race strategies and technique.

UCLA’s Kayla McBride lead-off to 4x100m relay Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

Throughout the day, the Bruins fed off the support of the home crowd at Drake Stadium, using that energy to deliver strong finishes and maintain focus in closely contested events. The performances reflected a team trending upward as the outdoor season progresses.

While the meet does not carry championship implications, UCLA’s results provided a glimpse of its potential heading into more competitive meets later in the spring. The combination of experienced athletes and emerging contributors gives the Bruins optimism moving forward.

UCLA will continue its outdoor season in the coming weeks, looking to build on Saturday’s momentum as it prepares for conference competition and postseason meets.

UCLA’s Gabriella Taylor placed 2nd in the Women’s 400m Dash at 53.24s Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News

Angel City drops Houston

LOS ANGELES, CA — Angel City FC scored three unanswered goals to defeat the Houston Dash 3-1 on Friday night at BMO Stadium, using a dominant second-half performance to secure all three points in front of a lively home crowd.

Houston struck first, but Angel City responded with composure and attacking precision, turning the match around with pace on the wings and clinical finishing in the final third. The victory marked a strong showing for the Los Angeles side as it continued its early-season push.

Photo by Michael Young / fi360 News

The Dash opened the scoring in the first half, capitalizing on a defensive breakdown to take a 1-0 lead. A quick attacking sequence caught Angel City off guard, and Houston finished cleanly to silence the home supporters.

Despite falling behind, Angel City gradually settled into the match, controlling possession and creating chances before halftime. While they were unable to find an equalizer in the opening 45 minutes, their attacking intent carried into the second half.

“We didn’t panic after conceding,” Angel City head coach said. “The message at halftime was to stay aggressive and trust the way we play, and the players executed that perfectly.”

Angel City wasted little time after the restart. The equalizer came early in the second half following a well-worked move that sliced through Houston’s defense, leveling the score at 1-1 and shifting momentum firmly toward the home side.

Photo by Michael Young / fi360 News

With the crowd behind them, Angel City continued to press. Their second goal followed midway through the half, as sustained pressure forced a turnover deep in Houston’s end, leading to a composed finish and a 2-1 advantage.

The hosts added an insurance goal late in the match, finishing off a counterattack to extend the lead to 3-1 and effectively seal the result. The sequence highlighted Angel City’s ability to transition quickly and exploit spaces as Houston pushed forward in search of an equalizer.

Houston head coach acknowledged the shift in momentum after halftime.

“We had control early and did a lot of good things in the first half,” the coach said. “But we lost our shape after they scored, and against a team like that, it’s hard to recover.”

Photo by Michael Young / fi360 News

Angel City’s midfield played a key role in the comeback, dictating tempo and limiting Houston’s opportunities to build sustained attacks in the second half. Defensively, the Los Angeles side tightened its shape after conceding, allowing few clear chances the rest of the way.

The match marked a tale of two halves, with Houston finding early success through direct play and opportunistic attacking, while Angel City dominated possession and chances after the break.

Fans at BMO Stadium provided an energetic backdrop, fueling the home side’s surge as the match wore on. The victory not only showcased Angel City’s resilience but also its depth and attacking versatility.

Photo by Michael Young / fi360 News

With the win, Angel City FC gains momentum heading into its next match, while the Houston Dash will look to regroup after letting an early lead slip away.

NIL: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

You’ve heard it many times before. “NIL.” But what does it mean in today’s landscape and how does it affect the current collegiate athlete? Also, from a broader view, how is NIL positively and negatively affecting the sports world overall? In this piece, we take a deeper dive into the true nature of Name, Image, and Likeness. 

Photo by Jevone Moore

The Good: 

A unanimous Supreme Court ruling in the summer of 2021 made it possible to allow student-athletes to use their own name to earn money and receive compensation through endorsements, sponsorships, merchandising, and collectives. This means athletes can now profit from activities like promoting brands on social media, starring in commercials and ads, selling branded merchandise, and more recently through NIL collectives. Collectives, which are donor specific organizations, gather money to offer sponsorship opportunities to student-athletes at various colleges and universities. These new rules alone are a far cry from the old NCAA model, which for the longest time prohibited and penalized students and their eligibility from making deals or even accepting gifts. Players can now maximize their earning potential and change the course of the life of themselves and their families without needing to go pro. This is significant because less than 2% percent of NCAA student-athletes go on to play professional sports. Instead they can now reap the benefits of their own situations and create a rock solid financial foundation for the present and future. 

USC Trojans taking the court versus UCLA. Photo by Jason Purisima

The Bad: 

With as much good that NIL brings to the student-athlete, there are an equal amount of rising issues that have developed due to its nature. It’s important to remember that at the end of the day these are young adults that range from the ages of roughly 17-23 years old and without proper guidance and instruction, students can be exploited by agents and companies into signing bad contracts or taking bad deals. Additionally, top players more specifically in basketball and football tend to receive those massive deals leaving their teammates with less, creating inequity and jealousy right in the locker room itself.

Photo by Rashad Griffin / fi360 News

The Ugly: 

Due to such poor regulation, we’re starting to see the fabric of the major sports begin to deteriorate. Athletes are now using the transfer portal to jump from school to school at breakneck speed, essentially going to the highest bidder or whichever program is offering the most money. This ends up taking away that beloved junior or senior that you grow accustomed to seeing for years with a certain program and disrupts a team’s entire roster continuity. In the current model, it’s not uncommon to see a player transfer to four schools in four years. In many cases, this ends up harming the player as they are burning bridges from the previous program and building less meaningful relationships and stability at one location. Not to mention pay-for-play corruption. Boosters are now using the same NIL collectives mentioned above to bribe recruits rather than provide actual endorsement opportunities, indirectly turning college sports into a model that mirrors the professionals. The wealthier schools and Power 5 programs have bigger boosters creating a massive advantage on the recruiting trail, creating an even larger competitive imbalance and destroying many of the Cinderella stories that have captured the hearts of a nation.

Final Thoughts: 

There’s no denying that NIL has helped many student athletes realize dreams and opportunities  that were otherwise previously unavailable for decades. However, if there is no effort to address some of the major flaws, we could see chaos begin to augment itself quickly and threaten our favorite sports we’ve come to know and love.

Lauren Betts on a career record night uplifts UCLA to fourth sweet 16 in a row, 87-68

Betts (51) Photo by Jevone Moore

UCLA makes its fourth consecutive sweet 16 appearance during Cori Close coaching era with a hard earned, battle-tested victory, 87-68 over Oklahoma State. Making it sweeter with a cherry on top was Senior Center Lauren Betts setting a career high 35 points off 15 of 19 field goals, and nine rebounds as she bid farewell from playing her final collegiate home game at Pauley Pavilion, Monday night in front of an appreciative crowd.  

“I thought Oklahoma State gave us all the aggression, and I thought they were fierce and competitive and physical and just want to give them credit for a great game and a great year for them, UCLA head coach Cori Close said. “It’s a weird feeling right now… not really from a basketball perspective. These aren’t where the tears come from. It’s the way these seniors have [snorts] affected our UCLA community. With class, commitment, [snorts] loyalty, selflessness. People are saying all the time, “Oh, we’ve lost the true student athlete.” No, we haven’t.”

Following a game with multiple Bruins student-athletes delivering double-double performances that included both Betts sisters in the first round against CBU, L. Betts elevated her scoring and minutes played in the second round to leave an impressionable mark and final home memory for any UCLA fan to “Betts” their bottom dollar on her impact on this team, program and a deep tournament run.

“I mean I think her impact has been incredible, she makes everyone better, not just because of the basketball player she is, but the leader she is, Graduate transfer Gianna Kneepkens said. “She challenges us, she pushes us, and she just wants what’s best for the team. So like when people triple her, she’s not worried about can I get the points. She’s seeing who’s open so that we can score. So I just have had such a great time playing with Lauren and she’s one of the biggest reasons I came here. So just super grateful to be part of this team.”

Betts’ basketball odyssey to Bruins beloved Brentwood community has been a bar raising exercise as some considered she carried the team on her back to a national championship game last season. This season, she continues to dominate and carve out her place in this program’s history while receiving a scream-filled, standing ovation when the 6-foot-7 post subbed out her final minutes of her final home game. 

“I’m just really thankful,” Betts said. “This community, the minute I transferred over here, has really welcomed me with open arms.”

Betts shared about how hard she worked on sealing defenders that allowed her teammates to find her in the paint pre demand triple teams for kick out assists. 

“My teammates did a really great job finding me. Some of those passes were absolutely insane!” Betts said.

Betts kept UCLA in the lead for the entire game while the closest Oklahoma came after falling behind in the opening quarter, 21-6 was within 13 points in third quarter. UCLA started the second quarter on 18-8 run that carried them into halftime with an easy advantage, 46-26

“We know that they’re really big, but we also have speed as an advantage,” OSU Guard Jadyn Wooten said. “We didn’t get off to the start that we wanted to, but coming into the second half, it was just something we thought we could take advantage of.”

Wooten scored 18 points off the bench and dished six assists. Cowgirls were led by Achol Akot’s 23 points before fouling out with 24 seconds remaining in the game.

Oklahoma State outscored UCLA 42-41 in the second half forcing coach Close to call late game timeouts despite the deficit and keeping “All Gas” Gabriela Jaquez at the end of the game while the other seniors got an embellishing substitution for their final home celebration.

“When you take out that first quarter, we went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the country, and beat them in the second half,” Oklahoma State coach Jacie Hoyt said. 

Coach Close acknowledged her team and coaching staff’s shortcomings or lows as not of major concern despite Oklahoma State producing their largest run early in the third quarter led by Wooten rattling off six points to push a 9-0 run, cutting the lead to 13, 52-39. Having big leads in the first half fueled by great starts has been somewhat an Achilles heel for the Bruins. 

“People are going to go on runs,” Betts said, “but we just have to lock in and focus on what we need to do.”

Betts scored 20 points in the second half, 10 coming in the third to put the Bruins up 64-47 entering the fourth period. She added 10 more points in the final quarter when the crowd sighed a sense of relief as UCLA pulled away and put up a seal to claim victory.

Joining in on this celebratory day were a few celebrities spotted to commemorate a 27-game win streak including NBA Hall of Famer, Dwayne Wade and his wife, UCLA long time athletics supporter, Gabrielle Union-Wade, alongside their 7-year-old daughter. Also, All-time Bruins great and alumni Baron Davis was in the building.

“They have a team that I believe is capable of winning it all,” Cowgirls coach Hoyt said.

Balancing Betts on the inside from the outside was Kneepkens 15 points, which she drained back-to-back triples in clutch moments, shifting momentum away from the Cowgirls. In addition, Senior Guards Kiki Rice and Jaquez scored 10 apiece in their final home game as well.

Next up the No 1- seed Bruins (34-1) take on the No. 4 seed Gophers (24-10) in a rematch of Big Ten league opponents on Friday in Sacramento.

UCLA Lady Bruins Senior Leadership on to the Sweet 16

Loren Betts Photo by Jevone Moore

LOS ANGELES, CA — Lauren Betts delivered a historic performance in her final game at Pauley Pavilion, scoring 35 points to become UCLA’s all-time leading scorer and lead the Bruins to an 87-68 victory over Oklahoma State in the second round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament on Monday night.

The win sends UCLA to the Sweet 16 and marks a fitting farewell for the program’s six seniors, who closed out their home careers unbeaten in the NCAA Tournament at Pauley Pavilion. The group, which has helped elevate the Bruins into national title contention, was honored in an emotional postgame scene after securing the decisive victory.

Betts (16) Photo by Jevone Moore

Betts dominated from the opening tip, controlling the paint offensively and defensively while surpassing the program’s all-time scoring mark in the third quarter. The senior center added to her legacy with efficient scoring, rebounding and rim protection, helping UCLA (record not provided) pull away in the second half after a competitive start.

“It means everything to do this here, with this group,” Betts said. “We’ve built something special, and to have my last game at Pauley be like this — with a win and moving on — it’s something I’ll never forget.”

UCLA set the tone early with its physicality inside and defensive pressure, building a double-digit lead late in the first half. Oklahoma State responded with a brief run to cut the deficit to single digits before halftime, but the Bruins quickly reasserted control after the break.

Kiki Rice (1) Photo by Jevone Moore

Behind Betts, UCLA opened the third quarter on a 10-2 run, stretching the lead to 15 points. The Bruins’ defense tightened, forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance opportunities while converting in transition on the other end.

The senior class played a key role throughout. Beyond Betts’ scoring outburst, UCLA received steady contributions across the lineup, with veterans providing leadership, defensive intensity and timely shooting. The group’s chemistry and experience were evident as the Bruins methodically built their advantage.

CharlisseLeger-Walker (5) Photo by Jevone Moore

“These six seniors have changed our program,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “They’ve set a standard of toughness, selflessness and belief. To see them go out like this at Pauley — it’s incredibly meaningful for all of us.”

Oklahoma State (record not provided) struggled to contain Betts in the paint and had difficulty generating consistent offense against UCLA’s length. The Cowgirls were held to limited efficiency in the second half, unable to keep pace as the Bruins extended their lead to as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter.

By the final minutes, the outcome was no longer in doubt. The Pauley Pavilion crowd rose to its feet as UCLA’s seniors checked out one by one, embracing teammates and coaches in a moment that reflected both celebration and closure.

Kiki Rice (1) Photo by Jevone Moore

The victory not only advances UCLA deeper into the tournament but also underscores the impact of its senior class, which has helped return the program to national prominence. With Betts now atop the program’s all-time scoring list and the Bruins still dancing, the story of this group continues.

UCLA will look to carry its momentum into the Sweet 16, but Monday night belonged to its seniors — and to Betts, whose record-setting performance ensured her name will forever be etched in Bruins history.

No. 1 UCLA unpredictable slow start unleashes into an unprecedented second half over Cal Baptist, 96-43

Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News

Los Angeles, CA- Senior Starting Center Lauren Betts went to the bench early before finishing with a double-double, 22 points and 10 boards while grabbing key putbacks to help her team unlock the combination of an unyielding Cal Baptist’s first half and an unstoppable second half run to secure another opening round NCAA tournament victory at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday night, 96-43. 

The Bruins (32-1) trailed in the first few minutes of the game after predictions of a 52.5 spread and only led by ten points entering halftime, 44-34 while the Lancers (23-10) were able to keep up behind some hot shooting from deep, knocking down almost everything but the kitchen sink. 

Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News

“I want to just compliment Cal Baptist…and their sustained excellence…how they play to their identity,” UCLA head coach Cori Close said. “They had just sort of a relentless hustle about them knowing who they are… they had a great season. They’re very well coached. Obviously, those kinds of matchups are difficult for us as big as we are. We couldn’t take advantage of it as much in the first half on offense and then defensively it really spreads us out.”

Cal Baptist brought March madness to a disappointed UCLA head coach, Cori Close, in the first half, calling out her team’s “unacceptable” play to which her team responded with a 31-4 third quarter run, holding their 16 seeded opponent to only one three-pointer in second half after connecting on five in the first. 

“I mean in my opinion that’s the best team in the country and we gave them all they could handle for about 20 minutes,” Cal Baptist Head Coach Jarrod Olson said, “Unfortunately, you know, whatever Cori said to them at halftime really kind of got them going in the second half.”

Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News

Senior Guard KiKi Rice was a key part of that second half charge, scoring 18 points, 10 of those points came from a perfect trip to the charity stripe, along with seven rebounds and four assists.

Bruins posted five players in double figures including three front court players with double-doubles in points and rebounds. UCLA out-rebounded Cal Baptist 62-21, 41 of those 62 grabbed off the defensive glass.

“I feel like that’s something that we really emphasized all week in practice that we need to be amazing rebounders if you want to get through this tournament,” L. Betts said. “I think that’s just all the hard work that we did in practice translated into the game today.”

Chance Bucher led Cal Baptist in scoring with 11 points as sole Lancers double-digit scorer, which included knocking down two triples in a row to close on the Bruins’ lead right before her team went cold hitting only four and five points in the last two quarters. They shot a dismal 4 out of 33 from the field in the final half. 

“Yeah, I think in that first half we were just playing basketball like that’s something that we emphasized a lot like going into this game like

it’s just basketball,” Bucher said, “I think we succeeded in doing that in the first half and that’s what kept us so close.”

Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News

Unfortunately for the Lancers, the Bruins did not allow them a fairytale ending and understood their assignment to keep a glass slipper on for this Cinderella team to exit the ball before midnight despite leaving it all on the floor.

“I think in the locker room it was made very clear to us that we needed to do a better job and that was before the coaches came in,” Angela Dugalic said. “Like Coach Cori said, Cal Baptist is a great team and a great shooting team and we didn’t execute our scouting report to our best potential. I think in the second half we did a better job because we were all on the same page and we understood what we had to do.”

UCLA unpacked their uncharacteristic sluggish start to not underestimating their higher seeded opponent or expecting a cake walk but leaned towards them unfollowing their game plan from the onset and Cal Baptist playing unhinged with a style of play that took time to adjust and attack before unraveling any hope of upset.

Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News

“I believe in our team. I love this team,” coach Close said. “This has been one of the most fun teams I’ve ever coached and it’s been one of the most hardworking teams that I’ve ever coached. And every game presents some different learning points and challenges. I’ve really got great confidence in this team that we will look at this game and go okay you know what did this teach us—what are the pivots and adjustments that need to be made and we will come out ready to go on Monday.”

UCLA advances to face Oklahoma State (24-9) in the second round after having to endure a mixed home crowd with Cal Baptist whom had supporters traveling approximately 70 miles from Riverside to cheer on the WAC regular season and tournament champion in their second tournament appearance in three years.

US National Flag Team dominates NFL stars

Photo by Jevone Moore

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The U.S. Men’s National Flag Football Team left little doubt about the gap between traditional tackle football stars and the sport’s elite specialists, rolling to a championship at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on Saturday at BMO Stadium.

Team USA defeated the Wildcats FFC 24-14 in the title game after earlier dominating both NFL star-led squads, showcasing the speed, timing and precision that have made the Americans the standard in international flag football.

Darrell Doucette III (Photo by Jevone Moore)

“It’s a different game — angles, spacing, timing — and we play it every day,” Team USA quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette III said. “Those guys are incredible athletes, but this is our sport. We knew if we executed, we’d come out on top.”

The championship game was competitive early, with Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels splitting time at quarterback for the Wildcats. Burrow threw for 76 yards and a touchdown, while Daniels added 48 yards and a score as the Wildcats kept pace through the first half.

But Team USA’s efficiency proved decisive. Quarterback Chad Casares completed 7 of 8 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, while Doucette added a scoring pass and ran for two touchdowns, finishing with 46 rushing yards. The Americans also controlled possession for nearly 19 minutes and capitalized on defensive stops to pull away late.

(Photo by Jevone Moore)

Earlier in the day, Team USA set the tone with a 39-14 victory over the Wildcats in the opening game. Casares threw three touchdown passes, and the offense spread the ball efficiently, totaling 200 yards. The Wildcats showed flashes behind Burrow (133 yards, one touchdown) and a deep receiving corps that included Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins, but struggled to match the pace.

Team USA followed with a dominant 43-16 win over the Founders FFC, led by Tom Brady and Jalen Hurts. Casares was nearly perfect, completing all 14 of his passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns, while Doucette accounted for two more scores through the air.

Brady threw two touchdown passes in the loss, but the Founders were unable to generate consistent offense against Team USA’s disciplined defense.

(Photo by Jevone Moore)

In the third game, the Wildcats defeated the Founders 34-26 behind a balanced offensive effort. Burrow was flawless, completing all seven of his passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns, while Daniels and Saquon Barkley combined for more than 100 rushing yards. Beckham added two touchdown receptions in the win.

Despite the star power on the NFL-led rosters, the tournament ultimately underscored the unique demands of flag football — a point emphasized by Tom Brady after the championship.

“You can see how specialized this game is,” Brady said. “The quickness, the decision-making, the way these guys move — it’s different than what we’re used to. That team earned it.”

Tyler Davis #0 scores a touchdown (Member Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity) ( (Photo by Jevone Moore)

The event, produced by Fanatics Studios and televised by FOX Sports, served as a preview of flag football’s Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028 — on the same field where Team USA celebrated its latest statement victory.

(Photo by Jevone Moore)

For one night, at least, the future of football belonged to the specialists.

Fanatics Flag Football Classic Coming

Credit: Getty Images for Fanatics

LOS ANGELES, CA — A star-studded mix of NFL talent, entertainers and global athletes will take center stage Saturday when the Fanatics Flag Football Classic kicks off at BMO Stadium, offering a high-profile glimpse into a rapidly growing sport on the verge of its Olympic debut.

The March 21 event, produced by Fanatics Studios in association with Tom Brady and Shadow Lion, will be televised by FOX Sports. It serves as both a showcase and a statement for flag football, which has surged to more than 20 million participants worldwide and is set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Saturday’s tournament also marks Brady’s return to the field since his retirement following the 2023 NFL season, though this time in a different format and alongside an eclectic mix of talent.

“I’m excited to be back out there competing again, even if it’s a different kind of game,” Brady said. “Flag football is growing fast, and this event shows how much talent and excitement the sport can bring to a global stage.”

The tournament features three teams: the Founders FFC, Wildcats FFC and the reigning IFAF world champion U.S. Men’s National Team. Team captains Brady and Jalen Hurts lead the Founders, while Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow headline the Wildcats.

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 11: pre game fireworks at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)

Both squads were assembled during a lively draft event hosted by Kevin Hart and Druski, where playful banter and competitive energy set the tone for the weekend. Among the more notable exchanges was lighthearted smack talk between Brady and Logan Paul, who now find themselves on opposing sides.

The Wildcats roster boasts playmakers such as Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr. and Davante Adams, while the Founders counter with stars including Alvin Kamara, Stefon Diggs and Rob Gronkowski.

In addition to the on-field competition, the event has taken on a festival-like atmosphere. Players and guests gathered ahead of the tournament to dine on popular Los Angeles spots and participate in activations, including the Oakley Cactus Jack Pre-Draft Outpost portrait studio, where athletes modeled exclusive draft shades.

“It’s not just about football — it’s about culture, entertainment and bringing different audiences together,” said Michael Rubin. “We’re creating something that reflects where sports are headed, and flag football is a huge part of that future.”

The U.S. Men’s National Team enters as the betting favorite, with Fanatics Markets listing it at a 45% implied probability to win, followed by the Wildcats and Founders. Members of Team USA were present during draft festivities, observing their competition as they prepare to defend their global standing.

With Olympic stakes looming in 2028 — also at BMO Stadium — Saturday’s event offers an early preview of the sport’s evolution and its appeal across traditional and nontraditional audiences alike.

From elite quarterbacks to social media stars, the Fanatics Flag Football Classic blends competition with spectacle, signaling a new chapter for football in a format designed for speed, accessibility and global reach.

UCLA And Cal Baptist March Madness Preview

From sea to shining sea, March Madness is a magical time on the sports calendar; 64 NCAA basketball programs vying for their One Shining Moment of cutting the net as National Champions.

The spotlight is on the UCLA Bruins and the University of Cal Baptist. Two teams whose history and legacy are completely different, yet their dreams and goal are one and the same.

The No.7 Seed Bruins (23-11) will compete against No. 10-Seed UCF (21-11) in a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup this Friday evening, March 20 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Game time is set for 4:25 PM.

The winner of Friday’s game will advance to face either No. 2-seed UConn or No. 15-seed Furman on Sunday in Philadelphia.

This marks UCLA’s fifth appearance at the NCAA Tournament in the last six seasons. Stretching back to the Bruins’ 2012-13 season, this is UCLA’s 10th trip to the NCAA Tournament in the last 14 seasons.

Streaking at the right time, The Bruins have won six of their last eight games, heading into this Friday’s contest against UCF. UCLA has won 22 or more games for the fifth time in seven seasons under head coach Mick Cronin.

UCLA lost to Purdue, 73-66, in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago last Saturday (March 14).

The Bruins concluded the regular season with a 13-7 record in Big Ten play for the second consecutive season.

UCLA features the dynamic duo of Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent.

This Friday night’s game will mark the first-ever contest on the hardwood between UCLA and UCF. The game will air on TBS.

As for the University of Cal Baptist, this marks their first ever appearance in the Big Dance. Punching their inaugural ticket with a thrilling, come from behind victory over Utah Valley, 63-61 in the WAC Championship on Saturday night.

Trailing 59-52 with 2:15 left in their season, CBU relied on star Dominique Daniel’s Jr. scoring 23 points while nailing a critical 3-pointer with fifteen seconds remaining to lift his team to the Big Dance. Bradey Henige had 11 points and Jonathan Griman added 10.

The Wolverines were down 63-61 with about 10 seconds left to play. Utah Valley ran a play as they inbounded the ball from the sideline.

Alley OOPS!

Davis went up for an alley-oop dunk, but just couldn’t finish it. He sat on the ground in disbelief.

The Lancers won the game and earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Awaiting them is one of the most iconic school’s in college basketball history, the Kansas Jayhawks. CBU is looking for their own Cinderella story.

NO. 3 Seed Kansas takes on NO.14 CBU on Friday, March 20 at Viejas Arena in San Diego. Tipoff is slated for 6:45 PM, and will air on CBS.

Daniels has been one of the best stories in college basketball this year, winning the WAC Player of the Year award after averaging 23.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game in the regular season. What the 5-foot-10 guard lacks in size, he makes up for with toughness and shot-making ability.

Good luck to CBU and UCLA.

USC Falls to Washington 76–64 as Ladine, Howell Take Over in Big Ten Tournament

Photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Washington Huskies women’s basketball came to Day 2 of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament with a mission — and a little revenge on their minds. Behind a dominant second quarter and a huge night from senior Elle Ladine and former USC Trojans women’s basketball guard Avery Howell, Washington pulled away for a 76–64 win over USC at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Huskies now move on to face UCLA Bruins women’s basketball as the tournament rolls on in Indianapolis.

Washington set the tone early by attacking the paint, scoring six of its first eight points inside. USC’s defense kept things tight early, turning pressure into offense with four points off turnovers. Still, neither team could fully find a rhythm, and the opening quarter ended locked at 8–8.

Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson — the Big Ten Freshman of the Year — flashed her scoring ability early with a quick bucket out of a timeout. But there was a brief scare for the Trojans when Davidson headed to the locker room with under five minutes remaining in the first quarter. The freshman returned just minutes later and checked back into the game.

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Washington’s Avery Howell led the Huskies early with five points against her former team.

Then the second quarter hit — and Washington flipped the switch.

The Huskies strung together hustle plays and went on a 9–0 run that stretched the lead before Davidson stopped the bleeding at the free-throw line. She drew a foul on a three-point attempt and knocked down two of three, cutting the deficit to 19–12.

But Washington wasn’t cooling off.

Ladine caught fire, drilling a three as part of a huge offensive surge. USC answered with a three from Kara Dunn, but the Trojans struggled to generate consistent offense, going several minutes without a field goal.

Meanwhile, Ladine kept cooking.

Dayana Mendes later hit a three for USC to trim the deficit to ten, and the Trojans found energy on the defensive end with a big block from Mendes that had injured star JuJu Watkins up on the sideline cheering.

Still, the final word of the half belonged to Washington.

With just 0.1 seconds left, Ladine scored off an inbound play to cap a massive quarter. She poured in 13 of Washington’s 24 second-quarter points, sending the Huskies into halftime with a 12-point lead and serious momentum. The performance carried extra edge — Washington was still remembering a 59–50 loss to USC back in December.

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The second half kept the pressure on.

Howell — once a Trojan herself — drilled a three early in the third quarter to reach 15 points, continuing a breakout season where she’s become one of the Big Ten’s most reliable players in her new role with Washington.

When USC tried to make a push, Washington answered every time.

After another Ladine three, Mendes tried to ignite the Trojans with a three of her own. But every hint of a USC run was quickly shut down as the Huskies maintained control. Washington closed the third quarter with another basket to stretch the lead to 20 points heading into the fourth.

The final quarter brought more offense from deep. Howell added another three while both teams started filling it up from beyond the arc.

Kennedy Smith worked hard to keep USC within striking distance, attacking late as the Trojans applied a full-court press that trimmed the deficit slightly in the closing minutes.

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But the damage from Washington’s earlier surge was too much to overcome.

Howell and Ladine combined for 43 points, powering the Huskies to the 76–64 victory. Smith finished with 14 points for USC while London Jones led the Trojans with 17.

Washington moves on — and with this kind of momentum, the Huskies look ready for whatever comes next in Indianapolis.