Sports
Men’s ACC preview: Final Four contenders, more March Madness predictions
By its own lofty standards, the ACC has muddled through a string of mediocre seasons. The 18-team league received its lowest number of NCAA bids in more than a decade (four) last season, and it hasn’t been a top-three conference since before 2020.
Unexpected Final Four appearances by North Carolina (2022) and NC State (2024) have cushioned the fall, but the decline was always there. The ACC had eight top-40 teams in 2019 — the year of its last national title, via Virginia — compared to last season’s four.
The mediocrity has been mostly in the middle of the standings, but it might finally be ending. With Duke doing Duke things at the top, the likes of Virginia, NC State, Miami and SMU have emerged as solid bubble teams. A half dozen others, even Cal, are in position to add to the ACC’s bid count.
For the first time in a good while, Selection Sunday should bring very good news to Tobacco Road.
The ACC begins conference play on Dec. 30.

1:19
Duke Blue Devils vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Game Highlights
Duke Blue Devils vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Game Highlights
Final Four contenders
Duke Blue Devils
North Carolina Tar Heels
Louisville Cardinals
The Blue Devils are an obvious choice behind Player of the Year contender Cameron Boozer, but UNC with a healthy Seth Trimble and Louisville can also mount a serious challenge in March.
Likely tournament teams
Virginia Cavaliers
Clemson Tigers
SMU Mustangs
NC State Wolfpack
Miami Hurricanes
Virginia is the “feel good” story here under new coach Ryan Odom. With wins over Northwestern, Texas, Dayton and Maryland, the Cavaliers sit atop the ACC’s resurrected second tier.
Possible tournament teams
Cal Golden Bears
Stanford Cardinal
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
The West Coast additions are both ahead of schedule in their second ACC season. This year, they also host Duke and Carolina for the first time in league play, which should make for an interesting road swing for the conference’s traditional powers.
Sleeper team
The Hokies have a future pro in Greek freshman Neoklis Avdalas and have surrounded him with mostly veteran and productive role players. At 11-2, they’re doing their best to erase the 13-19 nightmare from a season ago.
Long shots
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Syracuse Orange
Just when you think these former stalwarts have turned the corner, they lose home games to the likes of Fort Wayne and Hofstra. Not what you want if your address is anywhere near the bubble.
Maybe next year…
Pittsburgh Panthers
Florida State Seminoles
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Boston College Eagles
The ACC may be vastly improved, but not enough to lift its bottom four teams into NCAA tournament consideration. New coach Luke Loucks is succeeding a legend (Leonard Hamilton) at Florida State and will need a little more time. And time may be running out at the other three schools, which have nonconference losses to the likes of Quinnipiac, Drake and Central Connecticut.

Key games to watch
Sports
College track athlete allegedly stabbed to death by girlfriend over suspected affair
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The girlfriend of a college track and field athlete was arrested for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend to death.
Kevaughn Goldson, a senior sprinter from Jamaica, was killed in a stabbing off Lincoln University’s campus in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Goldson, 23, was found after police were called to a house on Monday morning with stab wounds in his back and chest. He died from his injuries after being taken to the hospital.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Denita Jackson, 27, has been charged with the murder of her boyfriend, Kevaughn Goldson, 23, after an incident at Lincoln University. (Lincoln University/Cole County Sheriff’s Office)
“Our thoughts are with family, friends, faculty, staff and all who have been impacted by this tragic situation,” Lincoln University told KRCG in a press release regarding Goldson’s death.
“The well-being of our University community is our greatest priority. Students and employees are reminded of counseling and other support services for those who need them.”
Goldson’s girlfriend, Denita Jackson, was charged by Cole County prosecutors with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
While in a romantic relationship, KMIZ in Missouri reported that there were past issues of domestic violence between the two. Jackson, 27, also ran track and field at Lincoln University.
Investigators questioned Jackson, who allegedly told them she believed Goldson was having an affair with one of her roommates, saying she found him in bed with her, both individuals being clothed, after returning home.

General view of starting blocks and baton at the 120th Penn Relays at Franklin Field. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Jackson opened her roommate’s locked door with a hairclip after hearing her roommate talking with someone in her room, according to court documents. The docs said that Jackson jumped on her roommate’s bed and grabbed Goldson by the shirt, as well as a bottle of cologne that had allegedly been missing, leading to a fight.
Goldson, then, allegedly started to choke Jackson while on top of her, leading to the latter grabbing a knife from under the bed and stabbing the former.
Jackson was allegedly the one to call police regarding the incident, while authorities initially took Goldson to Capital Regional Emergency Room. He was, then, airlifted to University Hospital, where he eventually died during surgery.

General view of hurdles at a Track & Field event. (C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Goldson, who stood six-foot, 160 pounds, was a middle distance runner with the Blue Tigers earlier in his college career before moving into a sprinter role with the program.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Sports
Lionel Messi ‘deeply regrets’ not learning English
Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has spoken of his regret over not applying himself in his studies when he was young, particularly when learning English.
The Argentina captain and 2022 World Cup winner admitted that he felt “half ignorant” when meeting famous personalities throughout his impressive career and not being able to communicate.
“I regret many things,” Messi, 38, told Mexican podcast “Miro de Atras.”
“To not have learned English as a boy. I had the time to have at least studied English and I didn’t do it. I deeply regret it.
“I experienced situations where I was with incredible and spectacular personalities to be able to talk and have a chat and you feel half ignorant.
“I always thought: ‘What an idiot, how I wasted my time.’
“When you’re young, you don’t realise it. Today that’s what I tell my children, [the importance of] having a good education, to study and be prepared.
“I always tell my children to take advantage of it. They have a different situation to the one I had although I never lacked anything…”
Messi arrived at Barcelona from his native city Rosario when he was 13.
– Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments in 2026
– MLS Power Rankings: LAFC No. 1 after win over Miami, Messi
– Messi struggles in MLS opener; will it impact his World Cup hopes?
“It [my last year of school in Argentina] was a disaster,” he admitted.
“I knew that I was leaving [for Barcelona]. At Barcelona, I finished my high school with the other children that went to [Barcelona’s youth academy] La Masia.”
Meanwhile, Messi, who joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023 after two years at Paris Saint-Germain, says football has offered him other valuable lessons.
“I was able to do everything and reach the top [in football], but along the way there are many experiences and lessons learned,” the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said.
“It’s true that football is a way of life. It teaches you a lot, it gives you a lot of values. It creates lifelong bonds. You get to know places.”
Sports
South Africa women clinch ODI series after 2nd win over Pakistan
South Africa have secured a 16-run victory over Pakistan in a thrilling One Day International encounter of the ICC Women’s Championship series at SuperSport Park, clinching the series 2-1 with a match to spare.
The hosts were made to struggle hard for their unassailable 2-0 lead, enduring a few nervous moments as the visitors launched a spirited pursuit of a daunting target.
Electing to bat first, the Proteas showed confidence from the very beginning of the match with openers Laura Wolvaardt (20) and Tasmin Brits (77) laying a solid foundation.
However, it was Brits who truly shifted the momentum. Her innings of 77 from just 62 balls set the tone for what was to follow.
Following the departure of Wolvaardt and a brief stint at the crease for Faye Tunnicliffe (7), the stage was set for a remarkable middle-order display.
Sune Luus played tactfully, compiling a measured 57, but the day belonged to Annerie Dercksen. In a breathtaking exhibition of power-hitting, Dercksen fell just ten runs short of a century, blasting 90 off 68 deliveries, with the help of six boundaries and and four sixes.
Her partnership with Luus gave the home side a commanding position. Nadine de Klerk’s late flurry, featuring a colossal 90-metre six, compounded Pakistan’s misery, with the tourists’ bowling discipline deserting them at crucial junctures.
Chasing a record target of 361, Pakistan found themselves in early trouble at 24 for two, as Dercksen sent Muneeba back. However, the tourists refused to capitulate.
A resolute third-wicket stand of 97 between Sadaf Shamas and Ayesha Zafar breathed new life into the contest. Zafar’s composed 75 and Shamas’s gritty 61 kept the required rate within reach.
The hosts’ sloppiness in the field, included 30 extras plus 24 wides. When Fatima Sana arrived at the crease, the equation began to look increasingly precarious for the home side. The Pakistan captain struck a defiant 52 from a mere 36 balls, shifting the balance in her side’s favour.
Pakistan’s valiant effort ended at 345 all out in the penultimate over, handing South Africa a hard-fought victory.
The teams will now head to Durban for the final ODI on Sunday.
-
Entertainment1 week agoQueen Camilla reveals her sister’s connection to Princess Diana
-
Tech1 week agoRakuten Mobile proposal selected for Jaxa space strategy | Computer Weekly
-
Politics1 week agoRamadan moon sighted in Saudi Arabia, other Gulf countries
-
Entertainment1 week agoRobert Duvall, known for his roles in "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," dies at 95
-
Business1 week agoTax Saving FD: This Simple Investment Can Help You Earn And Save More
-
Politics1 week agoTarique Rahman Takes Oath as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Following Decisive BNP Triumph
-
Tech1 week agoBusinesses may be caught by government proposals to restrict VPN use | Computer Weekly
-
Sports1 week agoUsman Tariq backs Babar and Shaheen ahead of do-or-die Namibia clash

