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🏀 Good morning to all, but especially to...

Beware: These Gators bite. No. 5 Florida beat No. 7 Alabama, 99-94, in Tuscaloosa, and, combined with Ole Miss' 78-76 win over No. 4 Tennessee, moved up to the No. 1 seed line in Jerry Palm's Bracketology.

I like Ole Miss as a sleeper second-weekend NCAA Tournament team. The Rebels are experienced and have a bunch of guys who can score.

But I love Florida, as in "they're my championship pick" love. The Gators are top 10 in offensive and defensive efficiency. They're lethal in transition, overwhelming on the offensive glass and full of firepower: Six different players have led them in scoring in a game this season. Their frontcourt is ridiculous, their backcourt explosive. They have experience, depth, versatility and star power. Count me all the way in.

Also impressing last night? No. 13 Maryland, which won at No. 17 Michigan, 71-65.

👍 Honorable mentions

🏈 And not such a good morning for ...

The Seahawks parted ways with one of their top wide receivers yesterday. If another gets his way, he'll be leaving Seattle, too. DK Metcalfrequested a trade the same day the team released Tyler Lockett.

Metcalf is one of several wide receivers who could be finding a new home this offseason, along with Davante Adams, Christian Kirk (released Wednesday) and Lockett. Bryan DeArdo has best landing spots for each.

👎 Not so honorable mentions

🏈 NFL roundup: Maxx Crosby gets huge extension, Zack Baun returns to Eagles

It's a good day to be Maxx Crosby, and it's a bad day to be a quarterback, running back or offensive lineman facing the Raiders. Las Vegas gave its superstar defensive end a three-year, $106.5 million extension with $91.5 million guaranteed. At $35.5 million per year, that's the top salary for a non-quarterback in NFL history.

The Eagles also ensured their All-Pro defender isn't going anywhere, signing Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million extension that includes $36 million guaranteed. Baun arrived on a minuscule one-year deal after playing sparingly for the Saints. Him transforming into an elite off-ball linebacker is one of the many success stories that helped Philadelphia win the Super Bowl.

We'll see how many other contributors can return. Darius Slay said he'd "love to be back."

As for one star not returning, the Chargers released Joey Bosa, saving over $25 million toward the cap. A star from 2016-21, he's struggled with injuries the past three years but is still just 29 years old.

Finally, the Bearsadded their second offensive lineman in as many days, acquiringJoe Thuney from the Chiefs for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Thuney, 32, is a four-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time All-Pro.

For those of you saying he doesn't fit Chicago's timeline, I say the timing is always right to upgrade your quarterback's protection, especially given Caleb Williams' sack-filled debut season. The Bears got another strong mark in Jordan Dajani's trade grades.

Here's more ...

🏀 Is it already time for Mavericks to consider trading Anthony Davis?

I don't mean to pile on, Mavericks fans. Really, I don't. But the timing and severity of Kyrie Irving's torn ACL is simply too awful, and our staff's coverage is too good, for us to move on just yet.

Mavs GM Nico Harrisonexpected to be buried from the moment he traded Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis, which probably wasn't a great sign, and the trade is blowing up in Harrison's face less than a month after it was made, Jasmyn Wimbish says.

Whatever sliver of contender status Dallas was hanging on to this campaign is gone. And with Irving set to miss a significant chunk of next season, there's a Texas-sized question mark on the Mavs' 2025-26 -- the primary years Harrison was targeting. Things can change very quickly, but Sam Quinn says it may already be time to consider trading Davis. Yes, after just one game.

Finally, Jason Kidd ranted about "conspiracy theories" surrounding the injury. It's safe to say no one is happy.

⚽ UEFA Champions League: Liverpool pulls out late stunner vs. PSG

"Expect the unexpected" was the theme of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League action, with three of the four first legs producing surprises.

Liverpool-PSG was a classic example of one goalkeeper bailing his team out. Even Red Devils coach Arne Slot admitted his team would have been lucky to even get a draw after getting outshot 27-2. But that's why goalies are there. Alisson called his nine-save game probably the best performance of his life, and what a time for it.

Here's where things stand heading into the second legs.

📺 What we're watching Thursday