NCAA

An NCAA Tournament reporter says he was hit with a threat from UConn after he posted a video of Dan Hurley in a bit of an unflattering situation on Sunday night.

The footage was taken inside the bowels of the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. ... just after Hurley's Huskies dropped their second-round matchup to the Florida Gators, 77-75.

Hurley could be heard in the clip screaming about the referees ... as the Baylor Bears were gearing up to take the court for their matchup with Duke.

Rick Pitino made the trip to Cleveland to be a supportive papa for his son Richard's matchup in the NCAA tournament ... but a heartwarming moment was derailed by someone else in the crowd.

The 72-year-old was all smiles when cameras panned to him cheering on the New Mexico Lobos in their contest with the No. 2 ranked Michigan State Spartans in the round of 32 ... which was cool to see especially after Rick's St. John's squad was upset by Arkansas a day prior.

The touching gesture isn't what was the focus on social media, though ... as some folks admitted they didn't even realize a Hall of Fame coach was in the shot!!

If St. John's cuts down the nets in San Antonio next month, call Rick Pitino the GOAT ... 'cause Dan Dakich says a title win for the Red Storm this year would make their head coach the best ever.

Dakich didn't mince words during his sitdown with TMZ Sports this week ... proclaiming if Pitino becomes a three-time champion with three separate programs, he would immediately vault to the top of the all-time greats list.

"Three different schools, three banners?" Dakich said. "Greatest coach in the history of college basketball."

No need to play out the NCAA women's tournament ... 'cause UConn great Jen Rizzotti tells TMZ Sports she's confident her Huskies are going all the way -- thanks to Geno Auriemma's ability to always get it done!!

Rizzotti -- currently the Connecticut Sun president -- is well aware of the legendary coach's ways ... as she played under Auriemma in the mid-'90s, winning an NCAA championship in 1995.

She sees the same fierce determination in the current Huskies, with Paige Bueckers and Sarah Strong leading the team to the women's 36th consecutive NCAA tournament.

Owen Hayes, the college baseball player who cops say beat the crap out of an 84-year-old man at a California bar, is no longer enrolled at his university.

Hayes was playing baseball at The Master's University in Santa Clarita, CA up until this week, when he surrendered to authorities at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station and was booked on a charge of felony assault.

In a statement to TMZ, the school says ... "The individual in question no longer attends The Master's University. The University takes all violations of its standards and biblical convictions seriously."

A member of the McNeese State University basketball team has caught the eyes of sports fans with March Madness underway ... but we aren't talking about an athlete -- but rather their student manager!!

Senior Amir "Aura" Khan has taken the college basketball world by storm this season ... and while he isn't allowed on the bench during tournament games -- he got the team hyped as it took the court against number No. 5-ranked Clemson.

Despite the restriction, he was busy in the stands taking pictures with fans. Even the cheerleaders were in on the craze, rocking socks that featured his mug!!

A brawl broke out during the Jackson State and the Prairie View A&M baseball game in Texas over the weekend -- with benches clearing amid the chaos ... and now both sides are left dealing with the consequences.

It all went down on Saturday after senior Trenton Bush hit a walk-off RBI for the Panthers -- as the winners were celebrating at second base, a Tigers player sprinted from left field and into the huddle ... and that's when things took a turn.

As coaches tried to break up the athletes, a Panthers player fell to the ground near second base ... but he was eventually helped up to his feet.

The college basketball world is busy looking for solutions after teams like West Virginia and Indiana were left out of the Big Dance in favor of North Carolina ... and Dan Dakich gave TMZ Sports his fix for the selection process -- let Las Vegas decide!!

Babcock spoke with Dakich, host of Outkick's "Don't @ Me," on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs nightly on FS1) after the Selection Sunday drama ... and he said the Tar Heels getting in over the Mountaineers and the Hoosiers is "shady."

"I have always thought that there has been nefarious things because it is adults, there's money involved," he said. "Anytime you get adults with money, there's an opportunity for stupidity and corruption."

Bubba Cunningham -- University of North Carolina athletic director and chairman of the NCAA selection committee -- is responding to backlash over the Tar Heels sneaking into March Madness after a tough 2025 season ... claiming he had nothing to do with it!!

Cunningham and the vice chair of the selection committee -- Keith Gill -- spoke with CBS Sports after the 2025 bracket came out ... and he said there was no funny business going on when UNC got its number called to go dancing ... despite a 22-13 record and an unimpressive resume overall.

"I was not in the room for any of that," Cunningham said.

The West Virginia men's basketball team was left out of the NCAA Tournament field, and the Mountaineers squad is "heartbroken" over the perceived snub, saying they're flat-out better than some teams who made the cut!

WVU, after finishing the season 19-13 (with a 10-10 record in the Big 12), hoped -- maybe even expected -- to hear their names called during the Selection Show on Sunday, but it didn't happen, and they're crushed.

"Heartbroken for @WVUhoops," AD Wren Baker said after the show. "I can’t comprehend this team being left out."

2:59 PM PT -- Mitch Voit is expressing regret over his viral celebration ... saying his actions do not reflect how he was raised, his character or the school.

"I made an immature decision in the heat of the moment," Voit said in a statement.

"I take full responsibility for what I did, and I am truly sorry to all those who I have negatively impacted by doing this."

Mitch Voit gave a whole 'nother meaning to "line" drive during Sunday's USC vs. Michigan baseball game ... after he hit a big RBI triple, he appeared to pretend to snort cocaine!!

The wild scene all unfolded during the second inning of the Wolverines' tilt with the Trojans in Ann Arbor, after Voit roped a pitch to center field.

He rounded second and slid head-first into third ... and when he realized his bat just plated three runs for his Michigan squad, he put his nose to the nearby chalk line and took a big sniff.

Flau'jae Johnson ain't just getting LSU wins with her skills on the court ... Mikaylah Williams tells TMZ Sports her music's helping fuel the Tigers' postseason run too!

Kim Mulkey's sophomore guard sat down with us on Monday while working a ceremonial shift at a Raising Cane's in Baton Rouge ... and she made it clear, Flau'jae's tunes are a big part of LSU's success this season.

She told us the Tigers bump Johnson's music in the locker room regularly -- and get this, she says it's played so often, they know all the lyrics!!

Bill Belichick's proving he can be a sweet boyfriend ... showering his love Jordon Hudson in delicious desserts -- though he may be a little late on the celebration.

The legendary head coach's girlfriend shared a picture from their anniversary dinner Friday night ... featuring a chocolate cake with "Happy Anniversary" written in white frosting.

The plate's got a candle and a few other goodies on it ... and, Jordon added her own twist by writing in brown script text on the photo "better late than never" with a matching heart after it.

Patrick Mahomes didn't have much to celebrate after the Super Bowl, but he was back to being in good spirits at the Texas Tech basketball game on Monday ... losing his mind after a fan nailed a full-court putt!!

The Kansas City Chiefs superstar -- sporting a fresh cut -- and his wife, Brittany, had courtside seats to check out his alma mater's matchup against Houston ... and during a break in the action, one guy showed off his impressive golf game in an on-court promotion.

The fan hit the shot from the opposite baseline and through a hole in a board to win a pair of AirPods Max ... and everyone in the arena lost their minds -- including the three-time champion.

Alex Rodriguez proved he's a baller on the baseball diamond and the hardwood ... 'cause he tossed up a shot Sunday from halfcourt and made it -- helping out one lucky student in the process.

The former Yankees third baseman was in attendance to watch Army take on Bucknell University Saturday afternoon in basketball ... and, during halftime he was invited to take a huge shot from the middle of the floor.

Check out the vid ... A-Rod -- clad in a bright orange Bucknell t-shirt -- tosses the ball up, hits the backboard and the ball goes straight through the hoop.

Gilbert Arenas' son, Alijah, a five-star high school basketball recruit, has officially decided on his future ... announcing his commitment to the USC Trojans!!

The 6'6" guard revealed his choice on Thursday during his dad's "Gil's Arena" podcast ... by calling his future coach, Eric Musselman, to let him know he's joining the program.

Alijah then removed his jacket to show off his new Trojans jersey ... solidifying his spot as Coach Musselman's highest-ranked recruit at USC.