Photo of Angel Reese at Florida-Maryland is Turning Heads
The No. 1 seed Florida Gators squared off against the No. 4 seed Maryland Terrapins in the Sweet 16, continuing their quest for a national championship.
After a highly competitive and back-and-forth first half, the game appeared to be anyone's to win heading into the second half.
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Florida surged ahead with an early push, building a 55-44 lead with 14:20 left on the clock. From there, the Gators maintained control, securing an impressive 87-71 victory.
As one of the most balanced teams in the tournament, with six players scoring in double figures, Florida showcased why they are considered among the best in college basketball.
WNBA star Angel Reese was in attendance, supporting Maryland and her brother Julian Reese. Meanwhile, a striking photo showcased the dominance of this Florida team.
Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21).Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Julian Reese had a solid performance in an unfortunate losing effort, scoring 12 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists. Maryland freshman and round of 32 hero Derik Queen scored 27 points, the leading scorer for both teams.
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However, the Florida Gators are too good in both sides of the court. Shooting 50% from the field and outrebounding the Terrapins by 18 paved the way for an incredible showing, as they become the second SEC team to move on to the Elite Eight.
Florida now awaits the winner of No. 3 Texas Tech and No. 10 Arkansas, a matchup poised to deliver plenty of drama. The Gators will face a tough test as they aim to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2014.
Related: Florida Makes Major Walter Clayton Jr. Announcement Before March Madness
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Associated Press
42 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Top NHL draft prospects have breakfast with Marchand, meet McDavid at the Stanley Cup Final
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Visiting the Stanley Cup Final weeks before hearing their names called early in the NHL draft, top prospects Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, James Hagens and Jake O'Brien got a surprise at the Panthers' practice facility on Monday. Brad Marchand pulled up a chair and joined them for breakfast. The 37-year-old veteran shared some laughs and chatted with them hours before he and the Florida Panthers face the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3. 'You think you're just going to say hi, and then you're sitting at a table with Marchand and he's talking to you,' Schaefer said. 'We were talking about the draft and the (scouting) combine, and he was like, 'I didn't get to go there.' And he's laughing, and I'm like, 'Well, look where you are now: You're in the Stanley Cup Final.'' Schaefer, Misa, Hagens and O'Brien also met Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and took in the Oilers' morning skate. Schaefer first met McDavid in January when the three-time MVP returned to Erie, where his No. 97 was retired by the Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. This interaction — in the arena where McDavid was drafted first a decade ago — went a little smoother. 'I didn't think I was going to have to talk at his jersey retirement, and then I ended up talking to him,' Schaefer recalled. 'I ran out of things to say, and I ended up looking at McDavid and go, 'I'm proud of you.' Nobody would say that.' Schaefer is NHL Central Registry's top-ranked prospect, though there is still considerable debate as to whom among Schaefer, Misa and Hagens the New York Islanders will select with the first pick after winning the draft lottery. Hagens grew up on Long Island cheering for them and went to games at Nassau Coliseum. Recently, he saw a bumper sticker that read, 'Bring Hagens home,' but he's also a realist about the possibility of his hometown team not selecting him. 'I just want to be (with) a team that wants me the most — I want to play for any of these teams,' Hagens said. 'It's just a competitive nature that you want to be the first person off the board. It's exciting, so I can't wait.' RNH a game-time call Edmonton's longest-tenured player, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, missed practice Sunday, skated some on Monday and is considered a game-time decision, coach Kris Knoblauch said. It is not clear what is ailing Nugent-Hopkins, though he is expected to take part in pregame warmups. Jeff Skinner, who played an NHL-record 1,078 regular-season games before finally making his playoff debut earlier this spring, is on standby if Nugent-Hopkins cannot go. Skinner has been a healthy scratch for all but two of the Oilers' 18 games this postseason. 'It's just part of being a team,' Skinner said. 'You've got to have guys who are ready to step in when there's an opportunity.' 'Trading' Barkov Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov did not register a point in either of the first two games of the final and has a minus-4 rating. Leave it to coach Paul Maurice, ever the jokester, to cut the tension. 'We're trading him.' Maurice quipped. 'No, I'm not (worried) at all. There's action at both ends of the ice all the time. I don't think this is a statistical series because it's not relatable to series that you played in the past. Shot attempts, the sheer volume of quality offense driven by both teams and at the same time, both teams are defending very well. He got a minus on the 4 on 4 with a heck of a shot block, but it's in the back of the net.' Barkov recently won the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward for a third time. He played a big role in keeping McDavid off the scoresheet in Game 7 of the final last year when Florida won 2-1 to capture the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Going to Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final? What to know about pregame entertainment
The Stanley Cup Final series between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers has shifted to Sunrise for the next two games of the best-of-7 series on Monday and Thursday. And beyond the entertainment that should take place on the ice — the first two games have been thrillers, with Game 1 going to overtime (4-3 Edmonton win) and Game 2 going to double overtime (5-4 Florida win) — there will be plenty of excitement and entertainment at Amerant Bank Arena leading up to Game 3's 8 p.m. start time on Monday. Another one While there is no concert outside the arena like there was for Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final last year, the Panthers announced Monday afternoon that DJ Khaled will perform in the arena both pregame and during the first intermission. It's the second consecutive year Khaled has been part of Florida's Stanley Cup Final festivities. He performed outside the arena ahead Game 2 in last season's Cup Final. It's also the second time this postseason the Panthers will have an in-arena performance midgame. Cedric Gervais performed during the first intermission of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes. Adebayo on the drum Meanwhile, Miami Heat star center Bam Adebayo is scheduled to bang the drum pregame prior to opening faceoff. He's the latest big name from South Florida to get things started before a game this playoffs. The running list of those who have banged the drum this postseason: ▪ First round vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Inter Miami midfielder Banjamin Cremaschi (Game 3) and Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (Game 4) ▪ Second round vs Toronto Maple Leafs: Boca Raton-based social media personalities A.J. and Big Justice, former Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle (Game 4) and former Marlins catcher Charles Johnson (Game 6) ▪ Eastern Conference final vs Carolina Hurricanes: rapper Trick Daddy (Game 3) and Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler (Game 4) Rally towels take jabs at previous opponents For every home game this postseason, the Panthers have laid out rally towels for fans to wave throughout the game. Each one generally has a theme or saying that fits into messaging the Panthers have had all season. For Game 3 on Monday, the saying is 'Rats Rule,' featuring a rat with a hockey stick and helmet and a Florida crest on its chest in front of a shield. The Panthers have embraced the rat throughout basically the franchise's entire history, going back to the Year of the Rat in 1996 when they went on to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time. It's become even more ingrained this year with Florida's aggressive style of play, led by agitators Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand. But look closer at the rat itself and you'll notice the logos of the three teams Florida has knocked out in the playoffs to reach the Cup Final for a third consecutive year. A lightning bolt on the rat's left leg. A maple leaf on the rat's right ear. A hurricane flag on the knob of the stick. They're subtle, but give a reminder of the path Florida has taken in its quest to repeat as champions. Getting to the arena For those parking at Amerant Bank Arena, the parking gates open at 5 p.m. and doors to the arena open at 6:30 p.m. Parking is $75 per car.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Latest Stanley Cup Final Series Winner, Conn Smythe Trophy Odds, Best Bets
While the Florida Panthers are the slight favorites to win the Stanley Cup, the shortest odds to win the Conn Smythe Trophy still belong to 2024 winner Connor McDavid of the Oilers. While the Florida Panthers are the slight favorites to win the Stanley Cup, the shortest odds to win the Conn Smythe Trophy still belong to 2024 winner Connor McDavid of the Oilers. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Oddsmakers essentially saw this year's Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Panthers and Oilers as a coin flip before it got underway last week. Despite losing last year's Stanley Cup Final in seven games, Edmonton opened as the slight series favorite at between -120 and -130 (depending on the sportsbook). As expected, both Game 1 (EDM 4, FLA 3 in OT) and Game 2 (FLA 5, EDM 4 in 2OT) came down to the wire, with Edmonton rallying from early deficits to force overtime in both contests. While the Oilers took Game 1 on a Leon Draisaitl goal at the end of the first overtime period, the Panthers evened the series on a Brad Marchand game-winner in double overtime in Game 2. With the series tied at 1-1, oddsmakers like Florida to win the series, but the Conn Smythe Trophy oddsstill favor Edmonton star Connor McDavid, who has already racked up 5 assists. Stanley Cup Series Winner Odds (as of June 9) Following a memorable start to the series, Florida is the slight favorite to win the Stanley Cup ahead of Game 3 on Monday night in Sunrise, Florida. DraftKings FanDuel bet365 Oilers +100 -102 +100 Panthers -120 -118 -120 Stanley Cup Final Winner Analysis, Best Bet We're not exactly going out on a limb when we say that this series still feels destined to go seven games, just like last year's Stanley Cup Final. If there's been a surprise thus far, it's been how high-scoring this series has been through two games, as both the Panthers and Oilers -- especially the former -- have been stout defensive Florida's D in front of goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has been a huge reason the Panthers are playing in the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year, but Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Oilers have managed to score eight goals in just two games. Florida's offense lacks a star quite like McDavid or Draisaitl, but this team's balance up front has been as efffective in this year's Final as it has been throughout the last couple postseasons. Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand have each scored three of the Panthers' eight goals in this series, and seven players have already recorded at least one assist. So far, the biggest difference between the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup Finals has been the play of McDavid and Draisaitl. With the latter battling an injury in last year's matchup, both got off to slow starts vs. the Panthers. Draisaitl did not tally a point in either Game 1 or Game 2 in 2024, and McDavid was held to 1 assist and 0 goals in Games 1 and 2 of last year's series. But in two games in this series, the Panthers have already given up five assists to McDavid, and Draisaitl has already piled up three goals and an assist. Despite struggling to contain Edmonton's star duo, the Panthers held a lead entering the third period in both Games 1 and 2 at Rogers Place. After two overtime games in which Edmonton needed a third-period goal to force OT, Games 3 and 4 should also be close, but it's hard to see the Oilers taking more than one game on the road from the defending champs. For now, I'm still sticking with my pre-series pick (Edmonton in seven), but the Oilers have to find a way to start playing better earlier in games. If not, they're likely going to be heading back home for Game 5 down 3-1. Conn Smythe Trophy Odds (as of June 9) Below are the current odds on who will win the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is given annually to the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. DK FD bet365 Connor McDavid +105 +105 +105 Sergei Bobrovsky +300 +340 +320 Sam Bennett +600 +480 +550 Leon Draisaitl +600 +600 +650 Aleksander Barkov +1600 +2100 +1800 Brad Marchand +1800 +2100 +2000 Matthew Tkachuk +7500 +8000 +8000 Sam Reinhart +10000 +18000 +10000 Stanley Cup Final Winner Analysis, Best Bet Obviously, if you're confident in Edmonton winning this series, McDavid is awfully tempting at plus-money. And remember (in case you haven't heard): last year, McDavid joined a short list of stars who have won the Conn Smythe despite their team losing the Stanley Cup Final. If you like Florida to retain the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy best bet is a little harder to figure out (no, I don't see McDavid losing the Cup and winning the Conn Smythe in back-to-back years). What's interesting is that Bobrovsky -- who has already allowed eight goals in this series -- has much shorter odds than Sam Bennett. The latter has continued his stellar playoff play with three goals in two games vs. the Oilers. Bennett currently leads all playoff scorers with 13 goals, which is three more than Draisaitl, who is the NHL's second-highest scorer in the postseason with 10 goals. We flagged Bennett as the most tempting Conn Smythe Trophy longshot bet before this series, and he remains tantalizing at +600, especially if this series remains high-scoring. Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
