HOUSTON -- After Houston attorney Tony Buzbee said in an Instagram post Tuesday night that he has filed a lawsuit against Deshaun Watson, the Texans' quarterback put out a statement saying he looks forward to clearing his name.

Watson responded on Twitter to word of the suit, saying he rejected "a baseless six-figure settlement demand," and that this is "about clearing my name, and I look forward to doing that."

Buzbee did not specify the allegations against Watson in his post but referenced behavior with women and later told FOX 26 in Houston that "Watson went too far" with a woman who was giving him a massage.

"I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect," Watson said in his statement.

Buzbee is well-known throughout the Houston area for his law firm and unsuccessful 2019 campaign against Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Philadelphia 76ers swingman Tobias Harris believes he should have been an All-Star this season.

The 28-year-old is trying to let his play back up his case, evidenced by the 30 points he poured in during Tuesday night's 99-96 come-from-behind win over the New York Knicks in Philadelphia.

But he's also offering other reminders, too.

After knocking down a turnaround jumper over swingman Reggie Bullock with 1:49 left in regulation that gave the Sixers a four-point lead, Harris decided to remind everybody how he's feeling about that perceived snub. "I'm an All-Star!" he was caught saying by the NBC Sports Philadelphia cameras.

"That's for sure what I said," Harris said postgame. "For me, that's just reaffirming that to myself. I know the fans know that, but reaffirming that to them and to myself, especially making those big plays. I try to just find motivation in different areas. That's one of them."

Harris, who is averaging 20.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4 assists this month, has the support of his teammates and coaches -- especially as he helps carry a Sixers team playing without All-Star center Joel Embiid, who is out at least two weeks with a left knee bone bruise.

"He was pissed off," Sixers All-Star Ben Simmons said, referencing Harris and his omission from the All-Star team. "He should have been an All-Star. You got a few guys -- myself and Joel on this team, and then Tobias, I think people just take for granted how talented he is. If he was on the team I don't want to take anything away from any other All-Stars but if he was on a different team, he's going to be putting up those numbers. It's clear he's able to do that. But obviously it went the way it went, but he is, no matter what. To us, he's an All-Star, he's one of those guys who can get it done, go get a bucket. He's a big time player."

Harris also acknowledged that he is embracing the challenge of trying to lead the Sixers with Embiid out. Led by Simmons and Harris, the Sixers have won six straight games and enter Wednesday's showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks with an Eastern Conference-leading 28-12 record.

"It's a new challenge for us as a team," Harris said. "And I want to embrace that challenge because I know how good of a team we are with him. I know how good of a team we are even without having him. So obviously we need him, but at the same time I embrace all those challenges. What anybody has to say, it doesn't really affect myself because I know when I look everyone in that locker room in the eye before the game, we're ready to go out there and win."

Sixers coach Doc Rivers knows that Harris is playing with a little extra edge to his game, especially given that he has yet to make an All-Star appearance during his 10-year career.

"I'm sure it fuels him," Rivers said. "He is an All-Star on my opinion. And that's not a slight; I think whenever someone says that they mean someone else isn't. Everyone's deserving who was on it, but Tobias is one as well. I think Tobias wants to win, but I still think he thinks he should have been on the All-Star team, and I agree with that."

Aside from the snub, Harris said he had even more motivation to make sure the Sixers closed out the victory Tuesday night.

"It's Joel's birthday," Harris said. "So I wanted to make sure that he could eat his cake in peace and enjoy his birthday today. Emotions for me honestly, it's the challenge that's ahead for this squad and this team with big fella down. How every night we have to bring it and we have to find -- our identity and who we are out on the floor. And we've been doing it night in and night out so far."

When Rookie of the Year frontrunner LaMelo Ball takes the court against LeBron James for the first time in his young career later this week, he says he doesn't expect to feel any added excitement competing against the 18-year veteran.

"I mean, nah," Ball, 19, told reporters on a videoconference call Tuesday ahead of the Charlotte Hornets' game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. "I grew up a little different. Not really on basketball like that. So, not really."

Ball's statement wasn't a slight against James. He added that "it will be cool" to face the Lakers star, but said he keeps his focus steady no matter the opponent.

"I go to every game with the same approach: going in to try to get a win," he said.

While his older brother, New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball, modeled his game after James, looking up to the four-time MVP in his biddy ball days before eventually teaming up with him on the 2018-19 Lakers, the younger Ball said his basketball idol was his dad, LaVar.

"It was my Pops," Ball said when asked if he had a role model the way his brother looked up to James. "So, I was big on family and stuff like that. Not really with the basketball."

Selected with the No. 3 pick, Ball leads all rookies in scoring (15.8 points), assists (6.3), rebounds (6.0) and steals (1.6) per game, leading the Hornets to one of the surprise success stories this year as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.

He's outpacing the production of his brother, the former No. 2 pick of the 2017 draft by the Lakers, but it's not like Lonzo Ball's time in L.A. was all bad. Before his 2018-19 season was cut short by a severe ankle sprain, the Lakers went 20-14 in games both he and James played together (they were 17-31 in all other games that year). And James and Lonzo Ball became the second pair of teammates in Lakers history with a triple-double in the same game, joining Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who achieved the feat in 1982.

The younger Ball initially hoped that his Staples Center debut, some 35 miles west of his hometown of Chino Hills, California, would give his parents an opportunity to see him play an NBA game in person for the first time.

"Obviously you want your family to come see you and then growing up, they always watched me so it would kind of be like going in the past," Ball said.

That will have to wait. While California officials announced earlier this month that fans will be allowed to attend live sporting events in limited capacities starting in April, the rule only applies to open-air venues, not indoor basketball arenas.

"I didn't even know that," Ball said, when informed of the ordinance. "I mean, I know my people. They'll be cool watching it on TV, too. We really like chilling at the house, more with the comfortable stuff other than being out. Like, I honestly would rather watch a game at home, chilling, than going to one."

WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin took sole possession of sixth place on the NHL's career goal list in the most Alex Ovechkin way possible: ripping a one-timer past a goaltender from just inside the faceoff circle on the power play in a big game for the Washington Capitals.

Ovechkin scored his 718th goal to pass Phil Esposito and became the second active player to record 1,300 points, vaulting the Capitals into first place in the East Division by beating the New York Islanders 3-1 Tuesday night.

"A goal is a goal -- it's always a nice feeling to get it,'' Ovechkin said. "It was very good match, big points and obviously big numbers.''

The Capitals have won six in a row and 10 of their past 11 to move ahead of the Islanders in the standings.

Ovechkin is a big reason for that. The longtime captain has goals in four consecutive games and five of six and is tied with longtime running mate Nicklas Backstrom, who also scored, for the team lead with 12 this season.

"We've seen him do it year after year,'' Backstrom said of Ovechkin. "It's just so impressive. I think the way he shoots the puck, the way he scores, the way he plays the game is just fun to see. As a teammate, you're just enjoying every moment."

Goal No. 718 also came against former Capitals teammate and countryman Semyon Varlamov, his supporting actor in the classic Russian spy "This is SportsCenter'' ESPN commercial. Ovechkin hadn't been able to get his timing quite right on his trademark one-timer but didn't miss this time.

"I just have to hit the net,'' he said. "Finally.''

Ovechkin is 13 goals shy of tying Marcel Dionne for fifth and needs 177 more to break Wayne Gretzky's record.

"You are a fantastic hockey player," Esposito said in a video message congratulating Ovechkin for passing him. "I don't know how you score all those goals with the way these guys block shots with the great equipment that they wear. Good luck."

With Ovechkin leading the way, the Capitals handed the Islanders their first loss since Feb. 27 and first in regulation since Feb. 20.

Ovechkin didn't just score himself. He made a perfect pass to spring Evgeny Kuznetsov into the offensive zone and picked up the secondary assist when T.J. Oshie picked up the rebound and scored.

That was Ovechkin's 1,300th career point, making him the 35th player in history to reach that mark. Greybeard Joe Thornton is the only other active player on that list at 1,521.

With his 1,301st point on the power-play goal -- his 264th, third all-time -- Ovechkin also passed recently elected Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla for 33rd on the career scoring list. Barry Trotz, who coached the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018 and moved on to the Islanders said he wished he wasn't in the building for another Ovechkin milestone.

"I do recognize his greatness and the milestones,'' Trotz said. "I cheer for him, no question. Just not when he plays against us.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

LA Galaxy youngster Efrain Alvarez has been named to Mexico's senior squad ahead of two friendlies in Europe.

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Alvarez, 18, is among a notable contigent of Major League Soccer players on El Tri manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino's roster, which include Sporting Kansas City's Alan Pulido, LA Galaxy midfielder Jonathan dos Santos, and Inter Miami CF's Rodolfo Pizarro.

Mexico will square with Wales in Cardiff on March 27 before traveling to Austria, where they play fellow CONCACAF rivals Costa Rica on March 30.

This is the roster that has been called by HC Gerardo Martino for our upcoming prep matches ??? and ???????!!!

Let's go boys!!!!??⚽️?#PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol pic.twitter.com/GAhrdOn25v

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) March 17, 2021

Alvarez is a dual-national and has been courted to represent the United States men's squad, as well. He most recently trained with the USMNT at a January camp, but would need to file a one-time switch with FIFA since he has played for Mexico in official youth competitions.

Europe-based players called up include Andres Guardado, Diego Lainez, Edson Alvarez, Erick Gutierrez, Hirving Lozano and Jesus Corona.

Raul Jimenez will link up with the team but will not participate in the matches as the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker continues to recover from surgery following a fractured skull in November.

Tony Bennett's five fellow NBA alumni coaching in the 2021 NCAA tournament can only hope Bennett has started a trend.

When Bennett's Virginia Cavaliers became college basketball's most recent national champions in April 2019, the ex-Charlotte Hornet became just the fifth person to play minutes in a meaningful NBA game and coach a Division I men's basketball champion, joining Kevin Ollie (UConn), Billy Donovan (Florida), John Thompson (Georgetown) and Al McGuire (Marquette). (If you'd like to expand the definition, Kansas' title-winning coach Larry Brown played for three franchises in the ABA during his playing career, including the Denver Nuggets.)

Should Juwan Howard's top-seeded Michigan Wolverines or Patrick Ewing's upstart Georgetown Hoyas make a run to their first title since the 1980s over the next three weeks, Howard or Ewing would become a fairly clear No. 1 on the "best players among title-winning college coaches" list.

Until then, they'll have to settle for prime position on our list of playing careers for the 68 coaches who will work sidelines in the 2021 NCAA tournament. As always, this list was devised in largely unscientific fashion by the writer, who knows of no qualitative or quantitative method to compare a Division III star to a D-II reserve to a D-I walk-on.

First, the breakdown of highest level of basketball achieved:

NBA (regular-season roster): 6
Other professional basketball experience: 10
Division I college basketball: 23
Lower NCAA levels, NAIA, or junior college: 19
High School (varsity roster): 8
No varsity high school experience: 2

68. Will Wade, LSU Tigers -- Wade is the lone coach in this tournament who never played high school basketball -- he played golf and was a four-year student manager at Franklin Road Academy in Nashville. Wade's entry into collegiate coaching would come at his alma mater of Clemson, where he was a student manager under Oliver Purnell before being hired as a graduate assistant for the Tigers.

67. Scott Drew, Baylor Bears -- Drew's playing days ended with the JV team at Valparaiso (Indiana) High School. Though his brother, Bryce (also coaching in this tournament), played in the NBA, Scott Drew was a tennis player (he played on the team but didn't letter) and basketball manager at Butler.

66. Chris Beard, Texas Tech Red Raiders -- Beard was a regular for McCullough High School in The Woodlands, Texas, but did not play college basketball at Texas. Then-Longhorns coach Tom Penders gave Beard a managerial job, and he'd eventually become a student assistant at the school.

65. Craig Smith, Utah State Aggies -- Smith played at the high school level for Stephen-Argyle Central High School in Stephen, Minnesota, but did not play collegiately at the University of North Dakota. It was while still a student at UND that Smith met Tim Miles, then the coach at NAIA Mayville State (North Dakota), who helped launch Smith's coaching career by hiring him as an unpaid volunteer assistant.

64. Joe Pasternack, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos -- Pasternack played varsity basketball for four years at Metairie Park Country Day School in New Orleans but did not play college basketball. Pasternack was a student manager at Indiana in the latter stages of the Bob Knight era, graduating from IU in 1999.

63. Dustin Kerns, Appalachian State Mountaineers -- Kerns played power forward for the revered varsity basketball program at Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee (other alumni include current Tennessee Volunteers starter John Fulkerson), but his playing career did not continue during his collegiate days at Clemson. Kerns instead became a student assistant under then-Tigers coach Larry Shyatt, launching his career in coaching.

62. Brian Dutcher, San Diego State Aztecs -- Dutcher played his final level of competitive basketball for the varsity team at Jefferson High School in Bloomington, Minnesota, later attending the University of Minnesota but not playing under his father, Jim Dutcher -- the Golden Gophers' head coach from 1975 to 1986. The younger Dutcher worked for his dad in a non-playing role during college before beginning his coaching career at Apple Valley (Minn.) High School and later the University of Illinois.

61. Greg Gard, Wisconsin Badgers -- Gard was a three-sport athlete (including hoops) at Iowa-Grant High in rural Livingston, Wisconsin, but did not play basketball at Wisconsin-Platteville. He did play baseball at UW-Platteville in the 1990s but was cut before his sophomore year.

60. Mick Cronin, UCLA Bruins -- Despite his diminutive stature (5-foot-7), Cronin was a good high school point guard under his father, Hep, at Cincinnati's La Salle High. A knee injury was a factor in Cronin's career ending before he reached college at Cincinnati.

59. Mark Few, Gonzaga Bulldogs -- Few led Creswell (Oregon) High to the state's AAA semifinals as a senior point guard. Shoulder problems prevented him from playing at Linfield College, where he intended to play basketball and baseball.

58. Paul Mills, Oral Roberts Golden Eagles -- Mills was a good high school player at MacArthur Senior High School in Houston, earning a scholarship to the powerhouse NAIA program at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. Mills did not letter for the Bronchos because of a back injury suffered during his freshman year, then transferred to Texas A&M, where he did not play basketball.

57. Zach Spiker, Drexel Dragons -- After playing high school basketball at Morgantown (W.Va.) High School and at the prep level with The Hill School (Pa.), Spiker served as a backup point guard under head coach Jim Mullins at Division III Ithaca College for two seasons, eventually transitioning into a role as a student assistant coach with the Bombers. Spiker's teammates at Ithaca included current William & Mary coach Dane Fischer (Spiker now faces him in the CAA), UMass AD Ryan Bamford and ESPN college basketball studio host Kevin Connors.

56. Roy Williams, North Carolina Tar Heels -- Williams won all-county, all-conference and all-region honors at T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville, North Carolina, and was a non-scholarship member of North Carolina's freshman team under Bill Guthridge in 1968-69.

55. John Gallagher, Hartford Hawks -- Gallagher began his collegiate career at Division III Catholic University before transferring to become a walk-on under Phil Martelli at Saint Joseph's from 1996-99. The Delaware County (Pa.) native played in 30 games over three seasons, including one in the 1997 NCAA tournament, scoring 17 career points and dishing out seven assists for Saint Joe's. Gallagher departed Hawk Hill with a year of eligibility still remaining for the opportunity to become a full-time assistant under Speedy Morris at Big 5 rival La Salle.

54. Grant McCasland, North Texas Mean Green -- McCasland was an undersized walk-on guard for four years at Baylor (1995-99) during the Harry Miller era, scoring 32 career points and dishing out 34 assists.

53. Josh Pastner, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets -- Pastner played four seasons as a walk-on for Lute Olson at Arizona (1996-2000), appearing in 42 games and scoring 40 career points. As a freshman, Pastner was a member of the Miles Simon/Mike Bibby-led Wildcats team that upset Kentucky to win the 1997 national championship in Indianapolis. Pastner appeared in three NCAA tournament games during his career at U of A.

52. Preston Spradlin, Morehead State Eagles -- Spradlin played four seasons (2005-09) at shooting guard for NAIA Alice Lloyd College in Pippa Passes, Kentucky. Spradlin appeared in 97 games over four seasons, scoring 352 points while shooting 40.7% from the field and 37.2% from the 3-point line.

51. Mike Young, Virginia Tech Hokies -- Young was a four-year letterman and point guard for Division III Emory & Henry from 1982 to 1986, serving as the Wasps' team captain his junior and senior seasons.

50. Rick Barnes, Tennessee Volunteers -- Barnes served mainly as a reserve guard under head coach Bob Hodges at D-II Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, North Carolina, from 1974 to 1977, never averaging more than three points per game. "He was good, but it didn't translate to games," Barnes' teammate John Lentz told the Dallas Morning News in 1998.

49. Dana Altman, Oregon Ducks -- Altman was a guard and captain at Fairbury Junior College in Nebraska (now known as Southeast Community College) from 1976 to 1978 before transferring to Division II Eastern New Mexico University. Altman has described himself as a "poor player" for the Greyhounds, but he did graduate magna cum laude from the school in 1980.

48. Kelvin Sampson, Houston Cougars -- Sampson was a point guard and later a team captain at NAIA Pembroke State (now UNC Pembroke) from 1973 to 1978, and was eventually named to the school's athletics Hall of Fame, alongside his father, Ned. Sampson also earned three collegiate letters as a baseball player at Pembroke.

47. Nate Oats, Alabama Crimson Tide -- Oats played at Division III Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown, Wisconsin, from 1993 to 1997, serving as a captain and earning all-conference honors.

46. Brad Brownell, Clemson Tigers -- If you've made it this far you'll be interested to learn that Brownell had the ball in his hands with a chance to win the 1990 Division III national championship for DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Was Brownell fouled on the final play? You decide.

Despite that heartbreak, let the record reflect that Brownell was a three-year starter for the Tigers from 1988-91, finishing his career among the school's all-time leaders in assists (332) and free throw percentage (.782).

45. Dan Engelstad, Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers -- Engelstad was a four-time letter winner at Division III St. Mary's College of Maryland (a different school than Mount St. Mary's), playing point guard under coach Chris Harney and graduating as the school's all-time assist leader (419).

44. Eric Musselman, Arkansas Razorbacks -- Musselman was an undersized reserve guard at the University of San Diego (1983-87), earning limited playing time but appearing in a pair of NCAA tournaments as a player. After graduating, Musselman was a fifth-round draft choice of the CBA Albany Patroons, who were at the time coached by his father, Bill.

43. Tom Izzo, Michigan State Spartans -- Izzo played point guard at Division II Northern Michigan from 1974 to 1977, captaining the team and also winning all-conference and team MVP accolades as a senior.

42. Shaka Smart, Texas Longhorns -- Smart was a four-year starter and three-year captain at Division III Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He made the All-North Coast Athletic Conference team during his senior season and remains the school's career assist leader (542) by a wide margin.

41. Robert Jones, Norfolk State Spartans -- Jones was a quality player at the Division III level for SUNY New Paltz (1997-2001), winning three All-SUNYAC citations and earning honorable mention D-III All-American honors for the Hawks in 2000. Jones is New Paltz's all-time leader in blocks (140) and remains top-10 in school annals in points (1,321) and rebounds (875).

40. Chris Holtmann, Ohio State Buckeyes -- Holtmann was an NAIA All-American guard at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with his best year coming in 1993-94, when he led the Trojans to a 25-9 record, a No. 1 national ranking and a berth in the NAIA tournament.

39. Pat Kelsey, Winthrop Eagles -- Kelsey played at Wyoming (1993-94) and then Xavier (1995-98), serving as a reserve guard on two NCAA tournament teams under Skip Prosser. Kelsey, who later launched his collegiate coaching career when he was hired to Prosser's staff at Wake Forest, scored 122 points and dished out 131 assists during his college playing career.

38. Joe Golding, Abilene Christian Wildcats -- Golding was a four-year point guard at Abilene Christian (1994-98), averaging 4.3 points and 4.2 assists per game over his career for a program that was then at the Division II level.

37. Andy Enfield, USC Trojans -- Enfield was a Division III All-American at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, where he still holds the school's career scoring record (2,025 points) and also played in a pair of NCAA tournaments. Enfield was particularly legendary at the line -- he graduated holding the NCAA's all-divisions career free throw percentage record (92.5, hitting 431 of 466 shots).

36. Jeff Boals, Ohio Bobcats -- Boals was a four-year player and two-time captain at Ohio under coach Larry Hunter (1991-95), averaging 5.6 points and 4.3 rebounds during his career as a 6-foot-7 forward. Boals was a part-time starter on the 1993-94, Gary Trent-powered Bobcats team that went 25-8 and reached the NCAA tournament, losing to Indiana in the first round.

35. Porter Moser, Loyola Chicago Ramblers -- Moser played guard for four seasons at Creighton (1986-1990), starting on the team that reached the 1989 NCAA tournament under coach Tony Barone. Moser, who averaged 4.6 points and 1.7 assists per game as a collegian, finished his playing career with a loss to DePaul in the 1990 NIT.

34. Mike Rhoades, VCU Rams -- Rhoades didn't just play Division III basketball, he was the best player in Division III, winning national player of the year honors in 1995 and two All-America citations at Lebanon Valley (Pa.) College. The shooting guard -- who also led the team to a national title in 1994 -- holds school records for points, assists, steals and free throw percentage, and his jersey was retired by the school.

33. Ritchie McKay, Liberty Flames -- McKay was a good player at the Division II level, graduating as Seattle Pacific's single-season and career record holder for steals. McKay also left the school ranked No. 3 on its all-time assists list.

32. Tad Boyle, Colorado Buffaloes -- Boyle was primarily a reserve guard for four years at Kansas under Ted Owens then Larry Brown, playing on NCAA tournament teams in 1984 and 1985 and serving as a captain during his senior year. Two of Boyle's teammates on the 1985 KU team -- Mark Turgeon (currently at Maryland) and Danny Manning (formerly at Wake Forest) -- would join him in the Division I head-coaching ranks.

31. Brad Underwood, Illinois Fighting Illini -- Underwood started his collegiate career at then-Division I Hardin-Simmons (1982-83) in Abilene, Texas, before moving on to Independence (Kansas) Community College (1983-84) and then to Kansas State for two seasons (1984-86). Underwood was an occasional starter at guard under head coach Jack Hartman, scoring 105 points in two seasons in the Big Eight.

30. Rick Pitino, Iona Gaels -- Pitino played as a point guard at UMass (1972-74), handing out 329 assists during his career there on teams that included future NBA player (and eventual Rhode Island, Boston College and Kennesaw State coach) Al Skinner.

29. Jay Wright, Villanova Wildcats -- Wright played three seasons at Bucknell (1980-83), emerging as the Bison's leading scorer as a junior but serving as a role player for the rest of his career with the Bison.

28. Mark Schmidt, St. Bonaventure Bonnies -- Schmidt played four years at guard for Boston College (1981-85) under coaches Tom Davis and Gary Williams, and though not a prolific scorer (Schmidt scored 63 career points) he appeared in a total of seven NCAA tournament games over two separate Eagles NCAA tournament runs in 1982 and 1985. Among the notables Schmidt shared a court with in the tournament were the vaunted Phi Slama Jama (BC lost to Houston the 1982 Elite Eight) and the 1985 Duke team including Johnny Dawkins, Jay Bilas and others (BC defeated Duke in the Round of 32).

27. Dennis Gates, Cleveland State Vikings -- Gates played four seasons at Cal (1998-2002) under Ben Braun, appearing in 114 games (34 starts) at guard including a pair of NCAA tournaments. Gates averaged 3.8 points per game for his collegiate career and was a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic choice.

26. Steve Pikiell, Rutgers Scarlet Knights -- The Bristol, Connecticut, native Pikiell stayed home to play for newly hired coach Jim Calhoun at UConn in 1986, eventually playing on a pair of NCAA tournament teams and recording 165 career assists as a part-time starter at point guard. Pikiell's final career game as a Husky was a 1991 Sweet 16 loss to the Duke team that would later upset UNLV and win Coach K's first national title.

25. Johnny Jones, Texas Southern Tigers -- Jones played point guard for four seasons at LSU under Dale Brown (1980-84), averaging 4.4 points and 2.2 assists per game over a 121-game career and playing in a pair of NCAA tournaments as a Tiger. Jones is one of six coaches in this tournament with Final Four playing experience -- he played nine minutes in LSU's loss to eventual champion Indiana in the 1981 Final Four in Philadelphia.

24. Mike Boynton, Oklahoma State Cowboys -- Boynton played four seasons at South Carolina (2000-04) under Eddie Fogler and Dave Odom, averaging 4.3 points per game and connecting on 129 3-pointers for his career. Boynton was a full-time starter at USC during his senior season of 2003-04, helping lead the Gamecocks to the NCAA tournament.

23. Fran McCaffery, Iowa Hawkeyes -- McCaffery started his career in the ACC, averaging 5.3 points as a freshman at Wake Forest (1977-78) before transferring to Penn for his final three collegiate seasons. As a senior (1981-82), McCaffery dished out 105 assists for a Quakers team that reached the NCAA tournament.

22. Bill Self, Kansas Jayhawks -- Self played at Oklahoma State from 1981 to 1985, starting at point guard over his final two seasons in Stillwater. Self also played in the 1983 NCAA tournament as a sophomore at OSU, scoring eight points in a 5 vs. 12 upset loss to Princeton in the first round.

21. Greg McDermott, Creighton Bluejays -- McDermott was a reliable center at Northern Iowa (1984-88), scoring 1,033 points (or about 2,000 fewer than his son, Creighton legend Doug McDermott) and being selected to the all-Mid-Continent Conference team as a junior. McDermott briefly played professional basketball in Switzerland following his graduation.

20. Leonard Hamilton, Florida State Seminoles -- Hamilton was a star at UT Martin (1969-71), graduating with the school record in assists while averaging 11.7 points per game and being named to the all-conference first team as a senior. Hamilton, a UTM Hall of Famer, was the first Black student-athlete in the history of the university.

19. Darian DeVries, Drake Bulldogs -- DeVries was a 1,000-point scorer and two-time captain at Northern Iowa (1994-98), developing into a double-digit scorer and the team's assist leader over his final two seasons at UNI. DeVries led the Panthers in 3-point shooting three times, including 44% from 3 as a senior. DeVries did not play professional basketball but has a pro in the family -- his younger brother, Jared, was an NFL defensive end for 10 years with the Detroit Lions.

18. Matt Painter, Purdue Boilermakers -- Painter was a four-year letterman at Purdue (1989-93), playing on three NCAA tournament teams and becoming a full-time starter as a senior. Painter was an honorable mention All-Big Ten choice in 1992-93, when he averaged 8.6 points and 4.5 assists per game.

17. Mark Turgeon, Maryland Terrapins -- Turgeon played point guard for four years under Larry Brown at Kansas (1983-87), was named captain in his final two years in Lawrence and became the first player in team history to play in four straight NCAA tournaments. Turgeon is one of six coaches in this tournament with Final Four playing experience, recording five assists in a 1986 national semifinal loss to Duke.

16. Isaac Brown, Wichita State Shockers -- After starting his career at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Brown played at Texas A&M under Kermit Davis in 1990-91, averaging 12 points per game but transferring to Louisiana Monroe (then Northeast Louisiana University) after Davis (now the head coach at Ole Miss) was embroiled in a recruiting scandal and forced to resign. Brown averaged 11.1 points per game in his lone season in Monroe, including a 14-point performance in a loss to Iowa in the 1993 NCAA tournament.

15. Dan Hurley, UConn Huskies -- Though brother Bobby received more of the limelight for his exploits at Duke, the younger Hurley was a collegiate point guard of some renown as well. Hurley played in 121 games over five seasons at Seton Hall (1991-96), appearing in a pair of NCAA tournaments and later developing into a double-digit scorer over his final two seasons at the school. Hurley's 437 assists rank among the top 10 in Seton Hall history.

14. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse Orange -- Boeheim played three seasons at Syracuse (1963-66), coming off the bench his first two seasons before becoming a starter as a senior. He averaged 14.6 points and 3.1 assists during the 1965-66 campaign, leading the Orange to the Elite Eight. Boeheim went on to play professionally with the Scranton Miners of the ABL.

13. Wes Miller, UNC Greensboro Spartans -- Miller started his collegiate playing career at James Madison in 2002 but transferred to North Carolina after his freshman season, and would depart Chapel Hill having played in 93 games -- mostly as a key reserve -- for Roy Williams (2004-07). The native Charlottean was known for his 3-point exploits -- 96 of his 104 career field goals at UNC were from beyond the arc. He is one of six coaches in this tournament with Final Four playing experience -- he appeared in UNC's Final Four win over Michigan State in 2005, and would help the Heels cut down the nets in St. Louis two nights later. After finishing college, Miller played one pro season with the London Capital of the British Basketball League.

12. Shantay Legans, Eastern Washington Eagles -- Legans started four years at the Division I level for Cal (1999-2002) and Fresno State (2003-04), putting up career totals of 1,294 points, 548 assists and 172 steals as a collegiate point guard. Legans played in a pair of NCAA tournaments with the Golden Bears, where he was a teammate of Dennis Gates (see above), but his finest statistical season came as a senior with the Bulldogs. Legans averaged 15 points and 5.6 assists during the 2003-04 season with FSU. Legans played professionally in the Netherlands before beginning his career in coaching.

11. Matt Langel, Colgate Raiders -- Langel was a very good player on some quality teams at Penn (1996-2000), starting on a pair of NCAA tournament squads under Fran Dunphy and earning All-Ivy first-team honors as a senior. Langel went to rookie camp with the NBA Seattle SuperSonics and was on the Philadelphia 76ers' pre-Summer league squad, also playing for a range of teams in Europe before beginning his coaching career.

10. Mike White, Florida Gators -- White was a four-year starter at point guard for Ole Miss (1995-99), leading the Rebels to three NCAA tournament appearances and graduating in the top 10 on the school's all-time assists list. After his collegiate career concluded, White played professionally in the short-lived International Basketball League, as well as in England.

9. Bob Huggins, West Virginia Mountaineers -- Huggins began his collegiate career at Ohio University in 1972, later transferring and playing three seasons at West Virginia under Joedy Gardner (1974-77). Huggins averaged 13.2 points and 3.8 assists as a senior, subsequently attending NBA training camp with the 76ers before being cut. A knee injury suffered when Huggins was hit by a car while bicycling weeks before the 1977 NBA draft curtailed his playing career.

8. Wayne Tinkle, Oregon State Beavers -- Tinkle starred at Montana from 1986-89, earning All-Big Sky honors as a forward over his final three seasons in Missoula. He continues to rank in the Griz top 10 in points (1,500) and rebounds (836). Tinkle played professionally for 12 years, including time in the CBA and Europe, and went to training camp with the Seattle SuperSonics.

7. Lon Kruger, Oklahoma Sooners -- Kruger was a two-time Big Eight player of the year as a point guard at Kansas State (1973 and 1974) and led the Wildcats to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances during his collegiate career. He was a ninth-round pick of the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA draft (Kruger also tried out with the Detroit Pistons) and played professionally in Israel. He also played a season of minor league baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals organization and was invited to training camp with the Dallas Cowboys as a quarterback.

6. Cuonzo Martin, Missouri Tigers -- Martin played four years under Gene Keady at Purdue (1991-95), where he was a quality defensive player and good outside shooter. Martin was an All-Big Ten pick as a senior, then played briefly in the NBA with the Grizzlies and Bucks. Martin was playing professionally in Italy when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, ending his playing career.

5. Tony Bennett, Virginia Cavaliers -- While playing for his father, Dick, at Green Bay, Bennett was a two-time player of the year in the Mid-Continent Conference (now the Summit League), leading the Phoenix to three postseason berths while graduating as the conference's leader in points and assists. Bennett played 152 NBA games as a backup guard with the Charlotte Hornets before injuries hastened the end of his career.

4. Mark Pope, BYU Cougars -- Pope began his career at Washington (1991-93), winning Pac-10 Rookie of the Year honors and averaging more than 10 points and eight rebounds per game before transferring to Kentucky after coach Lynn Nance resigned at UW. Once in Lexington, Pope was an important reserve on two very good Wildcats teams, the second of which won the 1996 national title. Pope would go on to play in 153 NBA games as a center with the Pacers, Bucks and Nuggets, before attending three years of medical school at Columbia and ultimately opting for a career in coaching.

3. Bryce Drew, Grand Canyon Antelopes -- The former Valparaiso star Drew is best remembered for his iconic buzzer-beater against Ole Miss in the 1998 NCAA tournament, also known as "The Shot." But Drew was a lot more than that on the floor, a two-time Player of the Year in the Mid-Continent Conference who graduated as Valpo's leading scorer and was selected No. 16 overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1998 NBA draft. Drew played in 243 NBA games as a member of the Rockets, Bulls and Hornets from 1998-2004.

2. Juwan Howard, Michigan Wolverines -- Howard was a decorated piece of Michigan's fabled "Fab 5" teams of the '90s, joining Chris Webber and Jalen Rose on a group that reached the national championship game in 1992 and 1993. Following Webber's departure, Howard would become an All-American for the 1993-94 Wolverines, averaging 20.8 points and 8.9 rebounds for a group that lost to eventual champion Arkansas in the Elite Eight. Howard was subsequently selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft by the Washington Bullets and played in 1,208 career NBA games, which ranks in the league's top 50 all time. Howard's pro achievements include his selection to the 1996 All-Star Game and an NBA title won with the 2011-12 Miami Heat.

1. Patrick Ewing, Georgetown Hoyas -- A two-time inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame (both as an individual and a member of the U.S. Olympic Dream Team) who was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996, Ewing is not only the best former player in this tournament but arguably the best player ever to serve as a head coach in college basketball's history. (Clyde Drexler, Isiah Thomas and Chris Mullin are among the other realistic contenders.)

Ewing's legend began at Georgetown (1981-85), where his achievements included three consensus All-America citations, three trips to the Final Four (1982, 1984, 1985) and a national title in 1984. The No. 1 pick in the 1985 NBA draft, Ewing was an 11-time NBA All-Star as a member of the New York Knicks, and his No. 33 hangs from the rafters of Madison Square Garden. He also won Olympic gold twice, both in 1984 as a collegian and as member of the vaunted Dream Team in 1992.

Fred VanVleet has been giving out a lot of hugs lately, for the simple fact that he's thrilled to know the worst of his COVID-19 experience is now over.

For the Toronto Raptors, that news couldn't come quickly enough.

VanVleet and three other Raptors -- Pascal Siakam, Malachi Flynn and Patrick McCaw -- were back with the team for practice Tuesday, after missing more than two weeks for virus-related reasons. Siakam, Flynn and McCaw are questionable to play Wednesday in Detroit; VanVleet and OG Anunoby are likely to remain out until at least Friday's home game in Tampa, Florida, against Utah.

VanVleet revealed that he tested positive for the virus, adding that the symptoms gave him some problems.

"I wouldn't wish it on anybody," VanVleet said. "But I'm here, I'm alive, I'm breathing and I know there's a lot of people that didn't make it through COVID. So, my thoughts and my heart are with the families and people that's been affected by this thing that weren't as fortunate as I was -- as I am."

Siakam has missed six games, while VanVleet and the other Raptors have missed five. Toronto also was without coach Nick Nurse and some assistants for some of that time.

"It's been a rough stretch for everybody, not just the guys that were locked up," VanVleet said. "The rest of the guys that were trying to put the pieces together, I feel for them."

But the Raptors have had some mini-celebrations in recent days, as players and coaches return to the mix.

"Actually almost had a whole roster out there tonight," Nurse said after practice Tuesday. "I was running some 5-on-0 and had to run three teams, believe it or not. Big jump forward."

VanVleet said he was dealing with body aches, a fever and other issues. He also had to separate himself from his family and teammates immediately after testing positive.

"At that point, it was just a matter of trying to get somewhere and get isolated and get away from my kids and my girl and my family," VanVleet said. "I hunkered down. I had it. I had symptoms, a few days of symptoms. It was pretty rough, a few of those days."

The league has had about 100 players test positive this season -- 48 of those in the week before the start of training camp -- and has had to reschedule 31 games for virus-related reasons, such as positive tests and contact tracing keeping teams from having enough players to take the floor. Philadelphia's Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid could not play in the All-Star Game because of a contact-tracing issue, and the New Orleans Pelicans had some players and staff get their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine this past weekend.

VanVleet learned Sunday that he would be allowed back in the gym to start conditioning again Monday. He said he couldn't even sleep Sunday night, in anticipation of finally getting back to work.

"I forgot how much I love this (stuff)," VanVleet said. "I really love the game. I really love basketball. I love being in the gym. I don't always love everything that comes with it, but I really love the game. It's just a blessing to be able to be back."

CONCORD, N.C. – Spire Motorsports announced Tuesday that Stewart Friesen will drive the team’s No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE in his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the Food City Dirt Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Stewart, a two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series winner, will be supported by long-time partner Halmar Int’l when he takes the green flag for the 250-lap dirt race on the famed high-banked, half-mile oval.

The race will mark the first time NASCAR’s premiere series has raced on dirt dating back to 1970.

Friesen, who has more than 330 career wins in dirt modified racing, won the last time the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series raced on dirt at Eldora Speedway in 2019.

“It’s a dream come true to compete in the Cup Series,” explained Friesen. “It’s the pinnacle of motorsports in North America. As a race fan myself, it has always been something I’ve dreamed about doing. I’m really excited to work with Kevin Bellicourt as our crew chief. I’ve known him for a few years now since we worked together at GMS Racing. In addition to Kevin, the whole Spire Motorsports group has been very welcoming. There’s some stuff we can take from our dirt experience with the truck at Eldora and apply to the Cup car, to hopefully be very competitive at Bristol. Thanks to Halmar International for coming on board as a partner for this whole deal, and thanks to (Spire Motorsports co-owners) T.J. Puchyr, Jeff Dickerson and the whole group at Spire Motorsports for the opportunity.”

Friesen will also compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on March 27 alongside his wife, Jessica Friesen, who will race as a teammate to her husband.

“Stewart Friesen is an outstanding race car driver and his pedigree on dirt speaks for itself,” said Puchyr. “I’ve watched Stewart with great interest over the last several years. He’s won on dirt and on pavement in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, so we feel like he’s the right driver to put in the No. 77 for the Food City Dirt Race. He’s a very talented driver, puts in the work and checks all the boxes. We’re thrilled for him make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in our car and I’m confident he’ll do a good job.”

NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier is expected to miss three weeks following surgery Monday to repair a frontal sinus fracture.

Hischier was injured in a 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Feb. 27, when he was struck in the visor by a deflected puck.

Hischier has scored three points (two goals, one assist) in five games this season. The Swiss center also missed the first 11 games because of a foot injury.

The Devils named Hischier the 12th captain in franchise history earlier this season.

A new international team competition is coming to professional golf.

The World Champions Cup will debut in Fall 2020, the PGA Tour announced on Tuesday. The three-day event will include six man teams representing the U.S., Europe and the Rest of the World and comprised of players 50 and older. The inaugural event will feature playing captains Jim Furyk (U.S.), Darren Clarke (Europe) and Ernie Els (World).

The format will include both singles and team play, with matches being nine holes instead of the customary 18 that is seen at the Ryder or Presidents cups.

“We are excited to add this global event to the golf calendar starting in 2022 and are appreciative of Intersport’s passion to begin a new world-wide golf tradition,” said Miller Brady, president of PGA TOUR Champions. “The World Champions Cup will give golf fans the opportunity to see the game’s greatest players come together in a team format on the world’s biggest stage. International team events are some of the most significant competitions in our game and it will be fun to see Ernie, Jim and Darren, along with their teammates, compete for the inaugural World Champions Cup next year.”

Talks are still ongoing with potential media partners, title sponsors, and host courses.

“International team golf events have provided me with some of my greatest golf memories,” Els said. “I have spent my career competing in global golf championships and supporting the growth of the game across the world. It’s a great honor to be named the captain of Team World for the inaugural World Champions Cup.”

Added Furyk: “I am excited to lead Team USA and recapture the great global team championships I have been fortunate enough to enjoy during my career. For more than 20 years, I have been competing against Ernie and Darren, and I look forward to having the chance to captain Team USA and play against them in the World Champions Cup.”

And Clarke: “I am extremely proud to be named captain of Team Europe for the inaugural playing of the World Champions Cup. To be selected along with Jim and Ernie, two of golf’s all-time great players, is an honor. I have been fortunate to compete in many global team events, but I am as excited about captaining and playing in the World Champions Cup as I ever have been throughout my career.”