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Way-Too-Early men’s Bracketology: Can Ryan Odom bring success back to Virginia, ACC?

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Way-Too-Early men’s Bracketology: Can Ryan Odom bring success back to Virginia, ACC?


RULES

ESPN’s Bracketology efforts are focused on projecting the NCAA tournament field just as we expect the NCAA Division I basketball committee to select the field in March. ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi uses the same data points favored by the committee, including strength of schedule and other season-long indicators, including the NET and team-sheet data similar to what is available to the NCAA, in his projections of the field. Visit the NCAA’s website for a fuller understanding of NCAA selection criteria.

68-Team Bracket

The 68-team bracket is the standard version of the NCAA tournament field that has been in place since 2011. If the 2021 field is comprised of 68 teams, there will be some key differences to past years, however.

The primary adjustment from a normal year is, of course, the playing of the entire NCAA tournament at a single site. This eliminates the need for geographical considerations in seeding. Additionally, there will be at least one fewer automatic qualifier this season, as the Ivy League’s decision to forgo the 2020-21 season reduces the number of AQ entries to 31 for this season.

48-Team Bracket

In this projection, a condensed selection process would reduce the field by 10 at-large teams and 10 automatic qualifiers (the latter of which still receive a revenue unit). The top four seeds in each region would receive a bye into the second round, with four first-round games per region – 5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10 and 8 vs. 9 – being played without fans on the higher seed’s home court.

To minimize travel, first-round pairings will be guided by geography to the greatest extent possible. And the reduced field results in only 32 teams competing at the central site. All participants must post a minimum .500 conference record – the “Lunardi Rule” – for at-large consideration.

16-Team Bracket

In this projection, the committee selects and seeds the 16 best available teams. There are no automatic qualifiers, although all non-competing conference champions receive the designated revenue unit.

To maintain some sense of national balance, conference participation is capped at four teams. And no region shall have more than one team from the same conference.



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Transfer rumors, news: Man United consider re-signing former midfielder Garner

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Transfer rumors, news: Man United consider re-signing former midfielder Garner


Former Manchester United midfielder James Garner is being targeted for a return to Old Trafford, while Chelsea are one of several top European clubs monitoring Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s summer grades | Women’s grades

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Manchester United are keen on bringing Everton midfielder James Garner back to the club next month, the Daily Mail reports. United’s proposed plans to sign a midfielder are expected to accelerate if either Bruno Fernandes or Kobbie Mainoo leave the club in January. While Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson remains United coach Ruben Amorim’s top midfield target, Garner may prove to be a more realistic transfer in the short term. The 24-year-old started his professional career at Old Trafford, where he made just two Premier League appearances. However, he has established himself as a first-team regular at Everton since joining them for £9 million in 2022. With just six months remaining on his contract, Garner could be available for a low transfer fee in the upcoming window.

– Chelsea are monitoring highly-rated Rennes centre-back Jérémy Jacquet, according to The Athletic. The 20-year-old is one of the most sought-after young defenders in European football, having been linked with a host of major clubs in recent months. The Blues are keeping an eye on another Ligue 1 standout in Saint-Etienne forward Djylian N’Guessan, who has been prolific for France at youth level.

– Juventus have shortlisted Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali in their search for a new playmaker, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Italy international remains a top target for Juve, who are expected to be active next month. Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023, and has another two-and-a-half years left on his contract at the club. Juventus, meanwhile, are also expected to be in the market for a new goalkeeper and a winger in January.

– Wolverhampton Wanderers are considering a winter swoop for MLS goal-machine Sam Surridge, according to talkSPORT. The Nashville striker scored 31 goals in 40 matches last season, catching the eye of Wolves scouts in the process. The West Midlands club are in desperate need of goals, as first-choice forward Jørgen Strand Larsen has scored just once in his last 15 Premier League matches. Surridge’s Nashville deal is set to expire at the end of next year.

– Several Premier League and Championship clubs have enquired to Liverpool over the possibility of signing Trey Nyoni on loan, TEAMtalk reports. While the Reds are undecided whether they want to let him leave the club next month, interest from elsewhere in the promising 18-year-old continues to increase. Ideally, Liverpool would like to find the “perfect move” for Nyoni, but concerns over squad depth could see him stay at Anfield until the end of the season.

EXPERT TAKE

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Why Man United players should step up to fill Fernandes’ absence

Don Hutchison explains why he thinks Bruno Fernandes being out with an injury is an opportunity for players to step up for Manchester United.

OTHER RUMORS

– Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester United “admire” Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola. (Ekrem Konur)

– Fulham have joined the race to sign Manchester City winger Oscar Bobb in January. Earlier this week, it was reported that the Norway international was also attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund and Crystal Palace. (talkSPORT)

David Alaba is expected to leave Real Madrid in the summer of 2026. While there have been no formal discussions over his exit, all indications point to the two parties going their separate ways next year. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Tottenham Hotspur want to extend defender Micky van de Ven‘s contract and will offer him improved terms to try and secure a deal. (The Athletic)

– Flamengo are “pushing” to sign Lazio striker Taty Castellanos. A €25m offer has been submitted by the Brazilian club. (Nicolo Schira)

– Roma full-back Zeki Çelik has been offered to Juventus as a free agent for next season by an intermediary. (Nicolo Schira)

– CF Monterrey have agreed a deal to sign FC Cincinnati winger Luca Orellano. (Tom Bogert)

– Porto are targeting a move for West Ham United forward Luís Guilherme in January. (Ekrem Konur)



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Premier League Boxing Day recap: Man United hold off Newcastle

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Premier League Boxing Day recap: Man United hold off Newcastle


Happy Boxing Day!

The traditional British holiday featured a huge matchup, with Manchester United hosting Newcastle United as the only Premier League game of the day. In the end, a phenomenal strike from Patrick Dorgu was the difference, as Ruben Amorim’s squad hung on for a 1-0 victory and a valuable three points.

Take a look back at all the day’s action.



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Minnesota wide receiver makes incredible diving catch to win bowl game

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Minnesota wide receiver makes incredible diving catch to win bowl game


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Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Jalen Smith made an incredible diving touchdown catch to help the team to a Rate Bowl win over the New Mexico Lobos on Friday night.

Minnesota trailed by three points in overtime and needed a field goal to extend the period or a touchdown to win the game. 

On third down, Drake Lindsey found Smith between three Lobos defenders. Smith dove and made the wild catch to give Minnesota the 20-17 win.

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Minnesota wide receiver Jalen Smith scores a touchdown in overtime in front of New Mexico safety Austin Brawley (21) during the Rate Bowl Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The Golden Gophers led 14-6 after Darius Taylor scored a touchdown. But on the ensuing kickoff, Damon Bankston returned a kick 100 yards for a touchdown. New Mexico’s trick play two-point conversion tied the game.

The bowl victory marked Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck’s seventh since he became the Golden Gophers’ head coach. Minnesota hasn’t lost a bowl game under Fleck and hasn’t lost a bowl game since the 2014 season, when Jerry Kill was the head coach.

GEORGIA TECH COACH BRENT KEY DEFENDS STATE OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AMID WIDESPREAD CRITICISM

New Mexico players upset

New Mexico safety Austin Brawley and safety Tavian Combs (7) react after losing to Minnesota in the Rate Bowl Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Lindsey was 18 of 28 with two touchdown passes, both to Smith.

The Lobos went viral during the game for their turquoise uniforms, but they didn’t do enough to distract Minnesota’s defense.

New Mexico quarterback Jack Layne was 14-for-25 with an interception.

PJ Fleck raises the Rate Bowl trophy

Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, wide receiver Jalen Smith and safety Albert Nunes lift the trophy after defeating New Mexico in the Rate Bowl Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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Minnesota finishes the season with an 8-5 record. New Mexico fell to 9-4.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





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