GLENDALE, Ariz. − Purdue basketball is in unfamiliar territory.

Not as a result of the Boilermakers have not been within the NCAA title sport since 1969.

However as a result of the UConn Huskies try to repeat and are on a historic run by way of this postseason.

And for the primary time this season, Purdue is the underdog.

“Numerous our guys on our group, we’ve not had this,” Zach Edey stated. “As a group, all people’s type of counting us out proper now. Numerous our guys are accepting that. Numerous our guys are going through that.”

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA event brackets, scores, schedules, groups and extra.

Connecticut opened as a 6.5-point favourite, per Wager MGM.

Historic event

Connecticut and Purdue have been the very best two groups in school basketball all season and doubled down by being the very best two groups within the NCAA Match.

UConn has defeated Stetson, Northwestern, San Diego State, Illinois and Alabama by a mean of 25 factors. That is a historic tempo. UCLA’s undefeated 1966-67 group that outscored its 4 opponents by a mean of 23.8 per sport owns the NCAA Match file for common margin of victory for a nationwide champion.

Proper behind UConn and UCLA? Purdue this season, profitable its 5 video games by a mean of 19.6 factors.

Extra:Matt Painter is at Purdue due to IU legend Jimmy Rayl, and Painter has by no means forgotten

Names to know

For Purdue, which has used the identical beginning lineup all 38 video games this season, it begins with Edey (24.9 factors, 12.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.2 blocks, 62.5% FG).

However Purdue’s different 4 starters and Large Ten Sixth Man of the 12 months Mason Gillis (6.7 factors, 3.9 rebounds) all have stable numbers: Braden Smith (12.0 factors, 5.9 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.6 steals), Lance Jones (11.9 factors, 2.0 assists), Fletcher Loyer (10.6 factors, 2.0 assists) and Trey Kaufman-Renn (6.4 factors, 4.1 rebounds).

Extra:Fletcher Loyer bought caught stealing a chair, then Purdue basketball’s guard cashed in on it

UConn has 5 gamers averaging double figures in factors: Tristen Newton (14.9 factors, 6.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists), Cam Spencer (14.4 factors, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals), Alex Karaban (13.5 factors, 5.0 rebounds), Donovan Clingan (13.1 factors, 7.4 rebounds, 2.5 blocks) and Stephen Fortress (11.0 factors, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists).

Clingan and Edey are two of the nation’s prime inside gamers. Newton and Smith are two of the nation’s prime guards.

Stat to unpack

Purdue’s 3-point capturing might be the place the Boilermakers have an edge. Although UConn averages extra made 3s per sport (8.6 to Purdue’s 8.3), the Boilers shoot nearly 5% higher from past the arc than their nationwide title counterparts.

Extra:5 highlights from Matt Painter’s media session: On Virginia comparability, Zach Edey and extra

Purdue basketball vs. UConn prediction

Play prefer it did offensively in opposition to North Carolina State within the Closing 4 and Purdue will get run out of the constructing.

Braden Smith will not have a half as dangerous as he did Saturday evening. Perhaps ever once more. It’s going to take a close to flawless effort from Purdue. However this sport was the one it eyed all 12 months.

At this level, why not?

Prediction: Purdue 95, UConn 91.

Sam King covers sports activities for the Journal & Courier. E-mail him at sking@jconline.com and comply with him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

A Powerball participant in Oregon received a jackpot value greater than $1.3 billion on Sunday, ending a winless streak that had stretched greater than three months.

The only ticket matched all six numbers drawn to win the jackpot value $1.326 billion, Powerball mentioned in a press release.

The jackpot has a money worth of $621 million if the winner chooses to take a lump sum quite than an annuity paid over 30 years, with a direct payout adopted by 29 annual installments. The prize is topic to federal taxes, whereas many states additionally tax lottery winnings.

The successful numbers drawn early Sunday morning had been: 22, 27, 44, 52, 69 and the pink Powerball 9.

Till the newest drawing, nobody had received Powerball’s prime prize since New Yr’s Day, amounting to 41 consecutive drawings with no jackpot winner, tying a streak set twice earlier than in 2022 and 2021.

Oregon Lottery says the successful Powerball ticket was offered in Portland on Saturday, however doesn’t point out at which retailer it was offered. The company provides that the winner has a 12 months to return ahead and declare the prize.

“I need to congratulate the winner on this life altering second. Nobody in Oregon has ever received a prize on this scale, and it’s very thrilling for our workers and gamers,” mentioned Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells in a written assertion Sunday.

The biggest Powerball prize beforehand received in Oregon was a $340 million jackpot in 2005, and the final time a Powerball jackpot was received within the state was in 2018, when a Salem man took residence $150.4 million, in accordance with Oregon Lottery.

The $1.326 billion prize ranks because the eighth largest in U.S. lottery historical past. Because the prizes develop, the drawings entice extra ticket gross sales and the jackpots subsequently grow to be more durable to hit. The sport’s lengthy odds for the weekend drawing had been 1 in 292.2 million.

Saturday evening’s scheduled drawing was held up and occurred within the Florida Lottery studio simply earlier than 2:30 a.m. Sunday to allow one of many organizers to finish required procedures earlier than the scheduled time of 10:59 p.m., Powerball mentioned in a press release.

“Powerball sport guidelines require that each single ticket offered nationwide be checked and verified in opposition to two totally different laptop methods earlier than the successful numbers are drawn,” the assertion mentioned. “That is executed to make sure that each ticket offered for the Powerball drawing has been accounted for and has an equal likelihood to win. Tonight, now we have one jurisdiction that wants additional time to finish that pre-draw course of.”

Powerball is performed in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

OPB workers contributed to this story.

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — William Byron has capped off a storybook weekend for Hendrick Motorsports by successful Sunday’s Cup race at Martinsville Speedway.

Byron, who began 18th, gained his third race of the season on the day Hendrick Motorsports celebrated its fortieth anniversary. Martinsville Speedway is the positioning of the group’s first win.

MORE: Martinsville Cup outcomes

Byron led a one-two-three Hendrick Motorsports end, the primary in Martinsville Speedway historical past, with Kyle Larson in second and Chase Elliott in third. Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney rounded out the highest 5. Alex Bowman, the fourth HMS driver, ended the day eighth.

The race went to time beyond regulation when John Hunter Nemechek had a right-front tire difficulty and hit the surface wall. This erased Byron’s lead and compelled the sphere to line again up for a two-lap sprint to the end line.

Hamlin headed to pit highway from fourth whereas Byron, Larson, Elliott, Blaney, Wallace, Bowman and several other others stayed out on the monitor.

As soon as the inexperienced flag waved, Byron jumped to the lead forward of Elliott. He led the ultimate two laps of the race and took the win in his ruby purple No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro.

Byron now leads the sequence with three wins this season. He has a superspeedway win (Daytona 500), a highway course win (Circuit of the Americas) and a brief monitor win.

Stage 1 winner: Kyle Larson

Stage 2 winner: Denny Hamlin

Who had a very good race: William Byron led 88 laps and gained his third race of the season. … Bubba Wallace began the race on the entrance row, his greatest beginning place at Martinsville. He scored 18 stage factors and completed fourth, his greatest end since Atlanta in February. … Kyle Larson began from pole and led 86 laps. He completed second. … Chase Elliott 64 laps and completed third, his greatest end of the season. … Ryan Blaney needed to make an additional pit cease after stage 1 to tighten a wheel. He labored his method by the sphere and completed fifth. … Joey Logano gambled with a two-tire cease at the beginning of stage 2. He led 84 laps and ended the day sixth.

Who had a foul race: A tire difficulty in stage 2 despatched Christopher Bell down pit highway. He misplaced three laps earlier than rejoining the sphere. He then spun on Lap 202 and needed to make one other pit cease. Bell completed thirty fifth. … Days after reuniting with crew chief Justin Alexander, Dillon spent your complete Martinsville race outdoors of the highest 30. He completed thirty fourth after shedding energy steering. … Josh Berry fell two laps down within the remaining stage after serving a penalty for an uncontrolled tire. He completed twenty fifth.

Subsequent: Cup groups head to Texas Motor Speedway for a Sunday afternoon race on April 14. FS1 will present protection for the race.

Home Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) burdened the expansive attain of Russian propaganda and stated Sunday it has even offered itself on the ground of the U.S. Congress.

In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper, Turner stated he agreed with Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chair of the Home Overseas Affairs Committee, who singled out conservative information retailers and stated, “Russian propaganda has made its manner into the US, sadly, and it’s contaminated a great chunk of my get together’s base.”

“Oh, it’s completely true,” Turner advised Tapper about McCaul’s remarks. “We see straight coming from Russia makes an attempt to masks communications which are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, a few of which we even hear being uttered on the Home flooring.”

“I imply, there are members of Congress in the present day, who nonetheless incorrectly say that this battle between Russia and Ukraine is over NATO, which in fact it isn’t,” Turner stated. “[Russian President] Vladimir Putin having made it very clear, each publicly and to his personal inhabitants, that his view is that it is a battle of a wider declare of Russia, to Japanese Europe, and together with claiming all of Ukraine territory as Russia’s.”

Turner stated the propaganda has made it more and more tougher to go Ukraine help and to current a transparent image of a battle between democracy and authoritarianism.

“Now, to the extent that this propaganda takes maintain, it makes it tougher for us to actually see this as an authoritarian versus democracy battle, which is what it’s. President Xi [Jinping] of China, Vladimir Putin himself have recognized it as such,” Turner stated.

“We have to arise for democracy. We have to make sure that we all know that authoritarian regimes by no means cease once they begin an aggression. Ukraine wants our assist and help now and it is a very essential time for the U.S. Congress to step up and supply that help,” Turner continued.

GOP Rep. Mike Turner mentioned Sunday that Russian propaganda has taken maintain amongst a few of his Home Republican colleagues and is even “being uttered on the Home ground.”

“We see straight coming from Russia … communications which are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, a few of which we even hear being uttered on the Home ground,” Turner, chair of the Home Everlasting Choose Committee on Intelligence, mentioned in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“There are members of Congress at this time who nonetheless incorrectly say that this battle between Russia and Ukraine is over NATO, which in fact it’s not,” he added.

Turner’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to NBC Information’ request for clarification about which members of Congress he was referring to.

His feedback come on the heels of remarks Home International Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul made this week about how Russian propaganda has taken root among the many GOP.

McCaul, a Texas Republican, informed Puck Information that he thinks “Russian propaganda has made its means into the US, sadly, and it’s contaminated a very good chunk of my occasion’s base.”

Turner and McCaul every tied Russia and its chief, Vladimir Putin, to different authoritarian leaders, together with President Xi Jinping of China and Kim Jong Un, the chief of North Korea.

“[The propaganda] makes it harder for us to essentially see this as an authoritarian versus democracy battle, which is what it’s,” Turner informed CNN, including, “President Xi of China, Vladimir Putin himself have recognized as such.”

McCaul described explaining to colleagues that the specter of Russian propaganda is just like threats made by different U.S. adversaries.

“I’ve to clarify to them what’s at stake, why Ukraine is in our nationwide safety curiosity,” he mentioned. “By the way in which, you don’t like Communist China? Nicely, guess what? They’re aligned [with Russia], together with the ayatollah [of Iran]. So whenever you clarify it that means, they form of begin understanding it.”

The committee chairs’ remarks about Russian propaganda got here as they spoke in regards to the want for Congress to approve extra army assist to Ukraine.

“Ukraine wants our assist and help now, and this can be a very essential time for the U.S. Congress to step up and supply that assist,” Turner informed CNN.

The Home in current months has stalled on efforts to move Ukraine assist, with Speaker Mike Johnson refusing to place an assist package deal the Senate handed in February that would offer sources to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on the Home ground.

Final week, Rep. Don Bacon mentioned on NBC Information’ “Meet the Press” that he had commitments from Johnson and McCaul that they might permit a bipartisan Ukraine army assist package deal to advance to a vote.

Rep. French Hill echoed this level on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday morning, saying he believes Johnson will deliver Ukraine assist to the ground “instantly after finishing the work on [the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] and FISA’s extension — that deadline of April 19 makes it a precedence for the primary few days we’re again.”

“I consider he is absolutely dedicated to bringing it as much as the ground instantly thereafter,” Hill added.

However Bacon, R-Neb., additionally warned that Johnson may face a vote to oust him from the speakership if he strikes ahead with Ukraine assist.

On Sunday, Turner downplayed the notion that Johnson’s place was in danger over Ukraine assist.

“I do not assume he is at any threat,” Turner mentioned. “I believe that what individuals have been referring to because the ‘chaos caucus,’ these people who’re searching for consideration for themselves and making an attempt to cease the entire vital work in Congress, at the moment are seen as merely disruptive.”

Democrats have signaled that they might be a part of a number of Republicans in serving to to save lots of Johnson’s speakership if a movement to vacate, such because the one filed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene simply earlier than the Home left for a two-week Easter recess, had been delivered to a vote.

Proper-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg has formally retired from Main League Baseball after reaching a settlement settlement with the Washington Nationals. The precise phrases of that settlement are unknown presently.

Srasburg confirmed the information with his own statement, which reads in full: 

In the present day, I’m saying my retirement from the sport I like. I noticed after repeated makes an attempt to return to pitching, accidents not permit me to carry out at a Main League degree.

As a younger child, all I dreamt about was profitable a World Collection. Due to the numerous coaches, teammates, and medical employees, my boyhood dream got here true in 2019. Regardless of this being a private objective of mine, I’ve come to appreciate how actually necessary and particular that second was for no many followers within the DMV. Your unwavering help by way of all of the ups and downs will at all times imply the world to me.

I would additionally prefer to thank the late Ted Lerner and household for giving me the prospect to put on the curly W all these years. Though I’ll at all times want there have been extra video games to be pitched, I discover consolation realizing I left all of it on the market for the one group I’ve recognized. My household and I are actually lucky and blessed to have skilled this baseball journey within the Nation’s Capitol. 

As at all times, Go Nats! #37

Strasburg, 35, has not pitched for the reason that 2022 season due to persistent signs of thoracic outlet syndrome. He was slated to announce his retirement final fall with a press convention, however the announcement by no means got here, as reviews surfaced that Strasburg and the Nationals disagreed on the monetary phrases — The Athletic reported on the time that the Nationals altered their authentic place of eager to pay him in complete. He got here into this season owed greater than $100 million over the following three years.

“Stephen Strasburg is and at all times can be an necessary a part of the Washington Nationals franchise. We help him in any choice he makes and can be sure that he receives what is because of him,” Nationals group proprietor Mark Lerner stated on the time in a press release.

Strasburg, after all, helped ship the Nationals the 2019 World Collection — he was named the Most Worthwhile Participant of that collection after throwing 14 1/3 innings and surrendering simply 4 runs. That accomplishment capped one of the vital spectacular months of particular person pitching in latest reminiscence, as Strasburg posted a 1.98 ERA in 36 1/3 frames. He subsequently signed a seven-year pact value $245 million to stay in D.C. Sadly, he was restricted to simply eight begins afterward attributable to his aforementioned harm points.

The No. 1 choose within the 2009 draft, Strasburg completes his MLB profession having began 247 video games. He amassed a 3.24 ERA (127 ERA+) and a 4.37 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His contributions had been value an estimated 32.3 Wins Above Alternative, per Baseball Reference. He made three All-Star Video games and even received a Silver Slugger Award in 2012. 

The Nationals have deliberate a celebration of their 2019 World Collection win for the weekend of April 19, when they’ll tackle the Astros. Alumni will take part in a ceremonial first pitch, line-up card supply, Play Ball announcement and autograph classes all through the weekend. The previous gamers in attendance haven’t but been publicly named.

Washington Nationals beginning pitcher and 2019 World Collection MVP Stephen Strasburg formally retired from baseball Saturday.

Strasburg performed 13 seasons in Washington, incomes three All-Star choices. He’s most recognized for main the Nationals to the 2019 World Collection title, going 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 5 postseason begins. Two of these victories got here towards the Houston Astros within the championship spherical.

In a press release launched Sunday, Strasburg acknowledged the overwhelming fan help he is obtained over the course of his 13-year profession.

“As a younger child, all I dreamt about was successful a World Collection. Due to the various coaches, teammates, and medical employees, my boyhood dream got here true in 2019,” Strasburg wrote. “Regardless of this being a private purpose of mine, I’ve come to appreciate how really essential and particular that second was for thus many followers within the DMV.”

The Washington Nationals also released a statement on X Sunday praising Strasburg as one in all their all-time greats.

“It was a privilege to look at him develop as a participant and an individual all through his illustrious profession. He gave us so many reminiscences that may reside in our hearts ceaselessly.”

The No. 1 decide within the 2009 MLB Draft, Strasburg entered MLB as arguably the most effective pitching prospect in baseball historical past. For a lot of his profession he lived as much as that hype, starting with a 14-strikeout outing towards the Pittsburgh Pirates in his skilled debut. He would go on to win 113 video games with a 3.24 ERA and common 10.5 strikeouts per 9 innings.

For all of Strasburg’s success, nevertheless, his stardom was derailed by a mess of accidents.

He was shut down halfway by way of his rookie 12 months for Tommy John surgical procedure, had carpal tunnel surgical procedure in 2020 and has handled thoracic outlet syndrome since 2022. The latter happens when there’s compression of nerves or blood vessels within the decrease neck and higher chest.

Strasburg had pitched solely 4 ⅔ innings since June 9, 2022.

He signed a seven-year, $245 million extension in December 2019 following his World Collection run. He’s owed greater than $100 million by the franchise for the remaining years. The Nationals and Strasburg, in response to a number of experiences, agreed to a monetary settlement this week.

They’re married!

Don Lemon and Tim Malone made it Instagram official, sharing a “Simply married!” picture on Saturday night time, 5 years to the day after their engagement. In it, the 2 tuxedo-clad grooms are exiting a church, sporting huge smiles and holding their three canines, who put on tux-like, bow-tied collars.

Video shared in Lemon’s and Malone’s Instagram Tales exhibits company forming a second line behind the couple and waving blue handkerchiefs as they head to a marriage reception at Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar.

Former CNN information anchor Lemon, 58, and his real-estate dealer husband wed in New York Metropolis in a ceremony attended by 140 company, in accordance with Folks. The marriage at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in Manhattan was officiated by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

The couple had a “lovely marriage ceremony,” Lemon’s consultant, Allison Gollust, instructed USA TODAY on Sunday. “They’re thrilled.”

“I by no means thought that I might get married,” “The Don Lemon Present” host instructed Folks, which printed unique photographs from the occasion. “For therefore a few years of my rising up and hiding issues, I by no means thought it may occur legally.”

The grooms wore marching velvet tuxedos – inexperienced for Lemon and blue for Malone – and in African-American custom, jumped a brush on the finish of the marriage, Folks reported. Celeb company included Matt Lauer, Clive Davis, Pleasure Behar, Tamron Corridor, Dana Bash and Alec and Hilaria Baldwin.

“We needed to make a public assertion, and we needed to contain our family members,” Malone instructed Folks. “For lots of them it may be their first homosexual marriage ceremony.”

The couple have been engaged since 2019, when Malone popped the query by placing tags on their canines’ collars that learn: “Daddy will you marry Papa?”

“He gave me a gift on his birthday,” Lemon wrote when he introduced their engagement on social media. “How may I say no?”

Contributing: Sara M. Moniuszko

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has married his longtime companion, actual property agent Tim Malone, in a New York Metropolis marriage ceremony, a consultant for Lemon confirmed to ABC Information.

The couple is “thrilled” following their Saturday ceremony, the consultant mentioned.

Lemon, 58, and Malone, 40, shared a photograph of the couple carrying marriage ceremony tuxedos and smiling whereas standing on the steps of a church holding three canines.

“Simply married!” learn the caption of the submit, which garnered congratulatory feedback from rapper Fats Joe, actress and comic Leslie Jones and extra.

Lemon and Malone shared a number of images and movies of the April ceremony on their Instagram tales, which included celebratory dancing and a shot of the newlyweds strolling the three canines down the road following the occasion.

Lemon’s Instagram Story confirmed a number of of his former co-workers in attendance, together with Dana Bash, Kate Bolduan and Erin Burnett.

Malone shared the second of their April 6, 2019, engagement on Instagram earlier than the occasion, writing: “#fbf to April 6, 2019. When @donlemonofficial and I obtained engaged. And tomorrow April 6, 2024 we make it official. It’s getting so actual ❤️ #weddingweekend”

Throughout a New Yr’s broadcast on CNN in 2018, Lemon introduced he had “discovered love” earlier than inviting Malone on digital camera to share a New Yr’s kiss.

In a humorous Instagram video shared final week, Lemon donned a skeptical face, surveying a church with the caption, “Whenever you gave opinions in your marriage ceremony and present as much as your rehearsal to see it is every little thing your fiance needed.”

Lemon made headlines in March after he mentioned a sit-down interview with X’s Elon Musk resulted in Lemon’s partnership with the platform being abruptly known as off.

C.J. Snare, the lead vocalist and a founding member of Firehouse, has died. He was 64.

The band shared the information of Snare’s passing on Sunday (April 7) in an announcement on the official Firehouse Fb web page.

“Right now is a tragic day for Rock N Roll,” the message started. “It’s with nice sorrow we’re letting the world know now we have misplaced our brother: CJ Snare, the rock and roll warrior, lead vocalist, and a founding member of Firehouse.”

The assertion says the singer — who was anticipated to return to touring this summer time, following restoration from stomach surgical procedure Snare stated was deliberate within the fall — “handed unexpectedly” at his house Friday night time (April 5).

In October, Snare up to date followers on Instagram that he’d underwent surgical procedure, and that it was “time to recuperate and get again to the stage.”

On March 27, Snare wrote, “I’ll be again on stage with FireHouse earlier than you recognize it. Well being is first so making a FULL restoration earlier than my return.”

“We’re all in full shock with CJ’s premature passing,” the group wrote on Saturday, highlighting Snare’s vocal expertise and noting he’d been on the street with FireHouse “continuous the previous 34 years.”

After signing with Epic Data in 1989, Firehouse had two prime 10 hits on the Billboard Sizzling 100 within the early ’90s with energy ballads “Love of a Lifetime” in 1991 and “Once I Look Into Your Eyes” in 1992.

Firehouse’s assertion on Snare’s loss of life ended with condolences “to the whole Snare household, Katherine Little, pals, and all our beloved followers all around the world. ‘Attain for the Sky’ CJ! You can be eternally missed by household, pals, followers and your band mates. You’re singing with the angels now.”