Aaron Beard

The fans-masquerading-as-reporters thing is an issue. Way too many people "covering" a team while tweeting about being nervous about a game result, posting "I'm one of you" vibes to fans, seemingly preferring just to be close to a team instead of writing actual stories, etc...

NC State is wayyyyyy underranked here

Made For March @madeformarch

Your Way-Too-Early 2026 Top 25: 1) STOP 2) WITH 3) THE 4) MADNESS 5) THE 6) SEASON 7) JUST 8) ENDED 9) THE 10) PORTAL 11) IS 12) STILL 13) OPEN 14) AND 15) SOME 16) TEAMS 17) HAVE 18) NO 19) PLAYERS 20) LET’S 21) TAKE 22) A 23) GODDAMN 24) BREATH 25) PLEASE

RT @john_wawrow: AP wins reinstatement to White House events after judge rules government can’t bar its journalists https://t.co/mR8d05Gugq

We've made it, y'all. Final Monday night of the season. Houston vs Florida. Let's do this. https://t.co/USBjag2TYO

RT @NHL: ALEX OVECHKIN IS NOW THE NHL'S ALL-TIME GOALS LEADER!!! 🤩🤩🤩 HE PASSES WAYNE GRETZKY WITH CAREER GOAL NO. 895! #Gr8ness https://t…

Duke's march to a 6th title comes to end with an unlikely 2nd-half fade, blowing a 14-point lead and a six-point edge in the final 74 seconds against Houston. "There's a lot of pain that comes with this," Jon Scheyer said. "That's what this tournament is all about."

Halftime stats notes: -Houston shot 9 for 29 (.310). That's 5 for 11 from 3 (.455) and 4 for 18 inside arc. -Knueppel is in ACCT MVP mode: 12 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 from 3) -Flagg has 8 points and 4 rebounds, is getting physical and heavy defensive attention -Cryer with 12 for HOU

One thing Houston has done is deny the alley-oop lob to Maluach so far. It's not coming easily for Duke but the Devils don't look out of their comfort zone, either.

RT @ConorONeill_DI: Duke is going to need more than the token few first-half minutes from Maliq Brown tonight.

Duke's defense is looking good and Houston isn't helping itself by rolling layups and close good looks they do get off the rim. Cougars are 3 for 16 here early.

An early big play for the AP national player of the year

ACC Men's Basketball @accmbb

Hooper Flagg: @MFinalFour Edition 😈 📺 @DukeMBB x @MarchMadnessMBB https://t.co/nbPrTT8cp2

Final: Florida beats Auburn 79-73 in SEC matchup of 1-seeds. Walter Clayton Jr. entered with a tournament-best 89 points in 4 games, then had 34 in a bad-bad-man type showing. Auburn's Johni Broome struggled after halftime and left for the last time with eyes red from tears.

My goodness, this play... took the breath away in all parts of the Alamodome

CBS Sports @CBSSports

"SEND IT IN, BIG FELLA!" ALIJAH MARTIN AGAIN! https://t.co/VtZIZTFXTf

Y'all, I just saw Duke fan/comedian-actor Ken Jeong talking briefly to Roy Williams at halftime of Auburn-Florida. Then RoyW offered Jeong the chance to grab a handful from his popcorn tub -- which Jeong took him up on, lol

Aaron Beard @aaronbeardap

LOL, showing various coaches in attendance here, including Mark Few. When the camera got to retired UNC Hall of Famer Roy Williams, there were some boos with rival Duke playing here. RoyW chuckled and showed off his tub of popcorn.

LOL, showing various coaches in attendance here, including Mark Few. When the camera got to retired UNC Hall of Famer Roy Williams, there were some boos with rival Duke playing here. RoyW chuckled and showed off his tub of popcorn.

So, I guess we're gonna have plenty of offense in Auburn-Florida to offset the defensive grind that Duke-Houston has the potential to be.

It's time! National semifinals are here. Florida-Auburn first, then Duke-Houston on the sport's biggest stage. Here's a look at the work it takes to bring that Final Four court look together, and the history in the hardwood...

Aaron Beard @aaronbeardap

It's Final Four week so here's my story on how the courts there are built and the rich history of hardwood (specifically maple) in the sport. Tag-teamed with AP colleagues who got the photos/video with it for a behind-the-scenes look at the process: https://t.co/3MV3lfMfZU