Michigan have been named the overall number one seed in the NCAA tournament selection committee’s initial bracket preview, leading a consensus top three alongside Duke and Arizona.

Wolverines lead the pack

The Wolverines rank first in six of the seven metrics used on NCAA teamsheets and lead the nation in combined Quadrant 1 and 2 victories.

Despite suffering two defeats last week, the Arizona Wildcats remained in the top tier, with all three leading programmes boasting 10 Quadrant 1 wins.

Committee chair Keith Gill revealed that significant debate surrounded the final number one seed position.

UConn dropped to the two-line following a midweek loss to Creighton, allowing Iowa State to claim the remaining top-tier spot.

Gill confirmed that Iowa State, UConn and Houston were all strong contenders for the final headline slot.

“Iowa State’s win over Houston on Monday was one of the determining factors.”Keith Gill, NCAA selection committee chair

Huskies and Cougars slip down

UConn settled for the highest number two seed, edging out Houston based on the quality of their best victories.

“UConn’s three best wins are better than Houston’s three best wins. [The committee] weighted those wins a little higher.”Gill added

The landscape at the top could shift rapidly with Houston hosting Arizona and Michigan facing Duke in Washington D.C. on Saturday.

Illinois and Purdue completed the set of number two seeds in the mock reveal.

Injury impact and bubble teams

The third tier features reigning champion Florida alongside Kansas, Nebraska and Gonzaga.

Texas Tech fell from a projected three-seed to a four-seed after All-American forward JT Toppin was ruled out for the season with a torn ACL.

“When we scrubbed on Thursday morning, they ended up dropping to the 4-line.”Gill explained regarding Texas Tech

Michigan State, Vanderbilt and Virginia rounded out the four-seeds.

Alabama and Arkansas were the final two teams omitted from the top 16 following their double-overtime thriller on Wednesday.

Gill noted the committee discussed the Crimson Tide’s usage of Charles Bediako but determined his absence was not a material factor for seeding adjustments.

Road to Selection Sunday

History suggests this preview is highly predictive, with at least three projected top seeds maintaining their status on Selection Sunday in seven of the last eight years.

With over 800 regular-season games remaining, the final field will be confirmed on 15 March.

Victor Wembanyama has the San Antonio Spurs on course for the playoffs just one year after a blood clot ended the French star’s season.

The Spurs resumed their campaign on Thursday with a dominant 121-94 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Austin.

It marks a significant shift in fortunes for a franchise seeking its first postseason berth since 2019.

Wembanyama, now in his third NBA season, has been the catalyst for a culture change following a turbulent 12 months for the organisation.

Overcoming medical adversity

The team’s current success stands in stark contrast to the distress of the 2024-25 campaign.

Progress stalled last February when doctors diagnosed Wembanyama with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

The diagnosis forced San Antonio to shut down their 7ft 5in centre for the remainder of the season.

That medical emergency was just one part of a difficult year that began with head coach Gregg Popovich suffering a stroke.

Mitch Johnson was required to step into the lead role abruptly amid the uncertainty.

Further compounding the roster issues, trade acquisition De’Aaron Fox underwent season-ending surgery to repair tendon damage in his finger.

San Antonio ultimately finished that season with a 34-48 record, missing the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year.

Setting a new tone

Wembanyama has returned with a determination that has permeated the entire roster.

His influence was evident during the recent All-Star weekend in Los Angeles.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards noted that the two-time All-Star “set the tone” for the most competitive exhibition game in years.

This intensity seemingly trickled down to Spurs rookies Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle during the Rising Stars event.

Wembanyama was vocal about his competitive approach prior to the festivities.

“I’ve always thought to myself that if I was in [the All-Star Game], I’m never stepping onto the court to lose or not [play hard].”

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Centre

“I’m thinking it’s [not] OK to lose. I’m going to be out there. I might as well win.”

The Spurs are now looking to carry that mentality into the final 27 games of the regular season.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has strengthened his position as the favourite for the NBA Most Valuable Player award in the latest media straw poll.

The Canadian received 78 first-place votes in the survey of 100 media members conducted by ESPN.

He was the only player to appear on every single ballot cast this week.

The reigning MVP is enjoying another prolific campaign, averaging 31.8 points and 6.4 assists per game.

His efficiency remains elite, shooting 55.4% from the field for the Western Conference leaders.

Injury issues threaten contenders

Despite their leader’s individual brilliance, the Thunder have cooled off recently following a blistering 24-1 start to the season.

Injuries have seen the team go 17-13 in their last 30 games, with Gilgeous-Alexander currently sidelined by an abdominal issue.

While the Thunder guard remains the frontrunner, the league’s mandatory 65-game eligibility rule is beginning to impact his closest rivals.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic retained second place in the voting with 18 first-place selections.

However, a bone bruise sustained in December kept the Serbian out of action for nearly a month.

The three-time winner is now perilously close to falling foul of the NBA’s award criteria.

If Jokic misses two more games, he will fail to reach the threshold required for end-of-season honours.

Disqualification would end his streak of five consecutive top-two finishes in MVP voting.

Wembanyama rises in rankings

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has surged from eighth to fourth in the poll.

The French phenom picked up three first-place votes and appeared on 75 ballots.

Now in his third season, Wembanyama is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and a league-leading 2.7 blocks per game.

Like Jokic, the 21-year-old is walking a tightrope regarding availability.

Having missed 13 games already, Wembanyama can afford only four more absences to remain eligible for the award.

If he stays fit, the Spurs could look to replicate the late charge made by Joel Embiid to win the trophy in 2023.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 12 points in his debut for the Golden State Warriors as they fell to a 121-110 defeat against the Boston Celtics.

The Latvian forward came off the bench to feature for 17 minutes in San Francisco, marking his first appearance since playing for the Atlanta Hawks on 7 January.

Despite a late rally sparked by the new arrival, Steve Kerr’s side were comprehensively beaten at home.

A rusty start for Porzingis

Having been acquired before the trade deadline, the Warriors took a cautious approach with the 7ft 2in centre.

Porzingis initially struggled with the pace of the game, missing his opening two attempts as the visitors surged ahead.

Boston produced a dominant second quarter, outscoring their hosts 38-19 to build a commanding lead that reached 32 points.

Finding rhythm in the second half

The former New York Knicks draft pick found his range later in the contest, converting two long-range three-pointers and succeeding in the post.

While Jaylen Brown starred for the Celtics with a triple-double of 23 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, the Warriors outscored Boston by 15 with Porzingis on the court after the interval.

“He just looked more comfortable and settled in,” said head coach Kerr.

“Boston was incredible. They’re having an amazing season. They’re a machine right now.”

Injury woes continue for Golden State

Porzingis admitted he is keen to increase his playing time “as quickly as possible” despite accepting he is far from perfect shape.

“Even if I’m exhausted out there, I still want to push myself,” he said.

The result leaves the reeling Warriors with a 29-27 record as they prepare to face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

They remain without key talisman Stephen Curry, who is sidelined with a knee issue, while Jimmy Butler has been ruled out for the season with a torn ACL.

Cade Cunningham staked his claim for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award with a dazzling 42-point display as the Detroit Pistons swept the season series against the New York Knicks with a 126-111 victory.

The 23-year-old guard added 13 assists and eight rebounds to his tally, dominating proceedings at Madison Square Garden.

It was a statement performance from the league leaders, who secured the win despite missing key frontcourt players through suspension.

‘If you don’t agree, that’s your opinion’

Cunningham had previously suggested individual accolades would naturally follow team success, but was more direct regarding his credentials on Thursday.

Having led Detroit to the NBA’s best record, the playmaker believes his performances now speak for themselves.

“I think I am [MVP],” Cunningham told ESPN. “And if you don’t agree with me, that’s your opinion.”

The former number one draft pick admitted he wanted voters to analyse the game intelligently rather than relying on him to campaign verbally.

“It comes from doing the things I said, what I needed to do to be in that conversation,” he added.

Pistons overcome suspensions to dominate

Detroit arrived in New York without their primary big men, Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, following an altercation in Charlotte before the All-Star break.

Despite those absences, the visitors stifled the Knicks’ offence, restricting one of the league’s most prolific perimeter teams to just eight three-pointers from 35 attempts.

New York, looking for revenge after facing a sweep in the season series, missed 15 consecutive shots from distance during a difficult first half.

“This isn’t an us versus the Knicks thing,” said Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “The majority of our games, we’ve played the same way… This is just basketball for us.”

Detroit tighten grip on top seed

The victory improves Detroit’s record to 41-13, cementing their status as the NBA’s best team having recently overtaken defending champions the Oklahoma City Thunder.

They now hold a six-game lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference standings.

Cunningham’s dominance was total, overcoming defensive attention from OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to shoot five-of-11 from deep while adding two blocks.

“I don’t think you pick an MVP based off just one game,” added Bickerstaff. “He’s been this way for the entire season. He’s dominated both ends of the floor and impacted winning in a major way.”

Defending NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder will resume their campaign without key duo Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams due to ongoing injury concerns.

The franchise announced on Thursday that Gilgeous-Alexander requires re-evaluation in approximately one week regarding an abdominal strain.

Williams, an All-NBA selection last season, is set to be sidelined for roughly two weeks as he recovers from a right hamstring strain.

Key reserve guard Ajay Mitchell also remains unavailable and will be re-assessed in a week following a left ankle sprain sustained over the All-Star break.

Injury timelines and setbacks

The reigning league MVP has been absent for the past five games, having initially suffered the abdominal issue on 3 February.

Oklahoma City must now navigate a challenging schedule of four fixtures within the next seven days without their primary playmaker.

Williams had briefly returned from a 10-game absence against the Los Angeles Lakers on 9 February before re-aggravating his hamstring just two nights later.

Despite the recurrence of the injury against the Phoenix Suns, the forward demonstrated his importance by scoring 28 points in just 20 minutes before leaving the court.

Mitchell adds to the depth concerns, having not featured since 21 January due to a previous abdominal strain before his recent ankle issue.

Battle for the top seed

The Thunder currently sit atop the Western Conference standings with a 42-14 record.

They hold a three-game cushion over the San Antonio Spurs as they look to secure the number one seed in the West.

However, the Detroit Pistons have moved marginally ahead of Oklahoma City in the race for the league’s best overall record.

Holding the best record would guarantee homecourt advantage throughout the post-season, including the NBA Finals.

The NBA plans to implement strict new anti-tanking regulations for next season after Commissioner Adam Silver delivered a forceful message to general managers on Thursday.

Silver addressed executives from all 30 franchises to outline the league’s determination to safeguard the sport’s integrity.

Discussions regarding potential reforms have intensified recently involving the board of governors and the competition committee.

Radical proposals under consideration

Multiple concepts were discussed during the meeting to curb the trend of teams losing deliberately to improve draft stock.

Sources indicate that the competition committee is evaluating several significant changes to the draft lottery system.

The league is also considering restricting protections on traded first-round picks to top-four or top-14 selections only.

Silver demands ‘prompt attack’

The league chief was described as “forceful” in his desire to address a problem that has escalated significantly in recent weeks.

Mike Krzyzewski, the legendary former college coach now acting as senior adviser, urged a “prompt, tasteful attack” on the issue during the meeting.

Those involved were told to be prepared for legislative changes to be enacted in the coming months.

Recent fines and criticism

The crackdown follows comments from Silver at All-Star Weekend where he admitted the issue was “worse this year than we’ve seen in recent memory”.

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia recently criticised the practice on social media, calling it “much worse than any prop bet scandal”.

Administrative action has already begun regarding player availability.

Last week, the Utah Jazz were fined $500,000 (£395,000) and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 (£79,000) for resting healthy players in moves deemed to compromise the league’s integrity.

The jersey worn by Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg during the first half of his NBA debut has been sold for a record-breaking $1m (£790,000).

The memorabilia was sold privately by Sotheby’s following the teenager’s first professional appearance against the San Antonio Spurs.

This sale establishes a new financial record for any collectible associated with Flagg.

It also stands as the most expensive shirt ever sold through the official NBA Auctions programme.

Historic price for rising star

Flagg recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds during the 125-92 defeat on 22 October.

Since that season opener, the 18-year-old has rapidly established himself as one of the league’s most potent offensive threats.

He has already become the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points in a single game.

“The $1 million result for Cooper Flagg’s rookie debut jersey is a powerful testament to the significance collectors place on true ‘first moments’ in sport,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles.

“This jersey captures the very beginning of a special career, one carrying huge expectations and excitement.”

Shattering previous records

The transaction eclipses the previous benchmark set by another international sensation.

Victor Wembanyama’s debut jersey, worn for the San Antonio Spurs, sold for $762,000 in November 2023.

Flagg’s market value has likely been bolstered by his historic performance on the court this season.

The Mavericks forward currently holds the single-game scoring record for a teenager after dropping 49 points in a recent contest.

Sotheby’s is set to continue its focus on the new draft class with an NBA Rookie Debut Auction running from 17-23 March.

Jerseys from fellow newcomers VJ Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel, and Dylan Harper are scheduled to be available.