Whether you’re all-in on brackets or just here for the Slurpee news, we’ve got the sports stories worth knowing about this weekend.
🏀 The Madness is Real: McNeese Steals the Show
The NCAA Tournament tipped off with a bang as No. 12 McNeese upset No. 5 Clemson, and it wasn’t just their play that turned heads.
The team’s viral student manager, Amir “Aura” Khan, has become the breakout star of March Madness. Known for leading his team onto the court with a boombox and some serious rap skills, Khan’s NIL deals are piling up—and yes, the cheer squad even wore socks with his face on them. It worked and brought the team good luck.
Other upsets include No. 10 Arkansas over No. 7 Kansas and No. 11 Drake upsetting No. 6 Missouri.
💰 Money Madness: How the NCAA Pays (Some) Teams
North Carolina’s win in the men’s play-in game (a.k.a. First Four) wasn’t just a ticket into the tournament—it was a $2 million payday for the ACC. Add another $2M for simply making the field, and that’s one lucrative win.
This is the first year women's teams will be paid for playing in the tournament. Meanwhile, men’s programs have been cashing in since the early '90s. It's about time.
🗓️ Tournament Timing: What to Know
Men’s Tournament: Day 2 of the First Round is Friday, with Second Round games Saturday + Sunday
Women’s Tournament: The First Round is Friday + Saturday, Second Round is Sunday + Monday
Do you still need to fill out your bracket? Join our free women's bracket. There are prizes for first and last place. There is zero pressure, and it is all fun.
Want to feel smarter about the chaos? Our Wednesday Wisdom podcast provides an easy-to-digest breakdown of both brackets and the stories of the teams to go with it.
👀 Not Just Brackets: Other Stories You’ll Want to Know:
🔍 Shaq & Draymond’s Donations Under Investigation
Two NBA stars—Shaquille O’Neal and Draymond Green—donated to a nonprofit whose funds were allegedly embezzled by a Crips gang leader, Eugene Hurley Jr., now wanted for murder, extortion, and more. The story’s still developing, but it’s one to watch as Hurley Jr. is still at large.
🥶 Shaq’s Slurpee Collab Hits 7-Eleven
For a lighter Shaq moment: He’s teamed up with 7-Eleven to launch the Shaqalicious XL Sour Pineapple Slurpee, inspired by his Shaqalicious XL gummies. If you need a reason to visit 7-Eleven, this is it.
🤼 Matt Madness Takes the Mat
It’s not just basketball—college wrestling’s national championships are happening in Philadelphia. Penn State is the favorite, and they’re as dominant on the mat as some teams are on the court.
✅ What’s Next
We’ll be back Monday with your Monday Minute podcast, giving you everything you missed over the weekend in under 5 minutes. Then, on Wednesday, we’re diving into the MLB season preview as baseball prepares to take the field.
Do you need help with the sports conversation for your next happy hour or work meeting? We’ve got you covered.
Follow along on Instagram and at lastnightsgame.com for your daily dose of sports news—no scoreboard knowledge required.
Photo: Unsplash
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