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March Madness: Alabama the top seed as games get rolling

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:57 GMT

By The Associated PressMarch Madness is here! Here is what to know, including the favorites and underdogs as well as key games and how to watch the NCAA Tournament. Oh, and how to fill out your brackets!TOP SEEDSThe top four seeds in the tournament are Alabama, Houston, Kansas, and Purdue. Each is in a region, some tougher than others (on paper), and each has had its share of headaches to set up what could be a chaotic tournament. We break them down for you:EAST REGION: The Boilermakers got a No. 1 seed for the fourth time after edging Penn State 67-65 in the Big Ten championship game, but they face potential hurdles in Memphis and surging Duke. Memphis (26-8) is fresh from a big upset of top-ranked Houston and led by Kendric Davis. Duke (26-8) shut down Virginia in a 59-49 ACC title game win. SOUTH REGION: Alabama, led by coach Nate Oats in a challenging season, is a No. 1 seed for the first time after sweeping the Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament titles behind...

March Madness: NCAA Tournament practice sessions open Thursday at Ball Arena in Denver

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:57 GMT

March Madness has come to Denver.Those unable, or unwilling, to purchase pricey tickets to the first two rounds of NCAA Tournament on Friday and Sunday at Ball Arena can still catch a glimpse of the teams Thursday at practice sessions open to the public.All eight teams participating in the first-round games in downtown Denver will hold practices between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the arena. Admission is free of charge, with doors opening to the public at 10 a.m.The following is the practice schedule, with the last session dependent upon the outcome of Wednesday night’s First Four game between Arizona State and Nevada in Dayton:11 – 11:40 a.m.: UC Santa Barbara11:45 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.: NC State12:30 – 1:10 p.m.: Baylor1:15 – 1:55 p.m.: Creighton2 – 2:40 p.m.: Gonzaga2:45 – 3:25 p.m.: TCU3:30 – 4:10 p.m.: Grand Canyon4:15 – 4:55 p.m.: Arizona State/NevadaRelated ArticlesCollege Sports | Want tickets to NCAA Tournament at Ball ...

Kiszla: Broncos have better shot at NFL playoffs with Sean Payton and Russell Wilson than with Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:57 GMT

How dumb must an NFL team be to do everything in its power to recreate the bromance between Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett, a bad idea that made the Broncos look like fools?Sean Payton was hired by Denver to be a coach with the gravitas to wrest away the control from quarterback Russell Wilson that Rodgers now wants with the New York Jets.What can I say? The J-E-T-S are D-U-M-B.Here’s hoping the hissy fit thrown by Rodgers, a Grade AA prima donna, results in his trade to New York, because the Jets are scheduled to make a visit for a game in our dusty old cowtown later this year.The Broncos and Jets are so desperate for a return to the NFL playoffs they are willing to sell their souls for a quarterback. After closing last season on a six-game losing streak, New York finished with a 7-10 record, while Denver was even worse at 5-12.But what combination would you rather have leading your offense?Rodgers and Hackett? Or Payton and Wilson?I say: Advantage, Broncos. Big time.For all t...

San Clemente homes teetering on edge of hillside after collapse; residents evacuated

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:57 GMT

Just a day after officials in Orange County declared a local state of emergency, residents of four residential structures in San Clemente were forced to evacuate after the collapse of a hillside at the rear of the properties.  Crews with the Orange County Fire Authority responded to the scene in the 1500 block of Buena Vista after receiving a 911 call about the landslide shortly after 8 a.m. Firefighters then conducted a search of three properties to ensure all residents were out of the buildings, authorities said. Footage shot by an OCFA drone after the evacuation showed the land beneath the structures still sliding down the hill. A swimming pool at the back of one of the properties can also be seen precariously close to the edge of the hillside collapse.  Drone footage shows the swimming pool of one home, along with adjacent buildings, teetering dangerously close to a hillside collapse in San Clemente Mar. 14, 2023 (OCFA).Close-up look at the swimming pool of a San Cleme...

Kobe Bryant's hand and footprints go on permanent display at TCL Chinese Theatre

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:57 GMT

Kobe Bryant's legacy is now permanently cemented in Hollywood history.On Tuesday morning, the legendary TCL Chinese Theatre permanently placed the Los Angeles Lakers star's footprints and handprints in the forecourt of the landmark.His daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri appeared at the ceremony along with Bryant's widow, Vanessa. Lakers President Jeanie Buss and former Lakers Head Coach and player Byron Scott were also on hand.Now, the public can place their hands and feet inside the NBA icon's prints. Due to the size of the theater's courtyard, not all handprints made of hundreds of celebrities can be displayed all the time. They're often switched out for new ones, but the Mamba's will now be there forever.Bryant became the first athlete to have his hands and feet imprinted in cement at the theater back in February 2011. Bryant died in 2020 alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles.

MaziMatic Raises $4.8 Million in 7 days for their Entertainment Metaverse from Community and Top-Tier VC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:57 GMT

MaziMatic, a groundbreaking entertainment company, has successfully raised $4.8 million in its Token Pre-sale within just 7 days. The company’s pioneering concept of a Multiverse of Metaverse has attracted widespread attention from investors and enthusiasts alike, leading to an overwhelming response to its Token Pre-sale.MaziMatic aims to create an immersive entertainment experience that transcends boundaries, enabling players to participate in multi-reality games, win in real-time, and interact with each other in a whole new way. The company’s Multiverse of Metaverse is the culmination of technology and entertainment, and it promises to redefine entertainment and take it to new heights. MaziMatic’s NFTs are a key aspect of its Metaverse, allowing players to own a piece of the Metaverse and participate in its development. The company has previously held successful NFT sales, which have attracted significant attention from collectors and investors. MaziMatic’s...

Pair who shot at each other, killing Brentwood teen, are convicted of manslaughter, not murder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:57 GMT

DUBLIN — In a case where two East Bay men fired guns at each other, but killed a 19-year-old woman, jurors returned the exact same verdict against both men Wednesday morning.Willie Samuels, 28, and Fernando Sevilla, 42, both escaped murder convictions, but jurors found them guilty of voluntary manslaughter and gun enhancements in the death of Brentwood resident Madalyn Sandoval. The trial stemmed from a shooting at 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2020, near San Antonio Park in Oakland.The jury deliberated for several days, and the verdict came two days after one juror privately voiced concerns about how deliberations were going to the judge. As speculation rose about the potential for a mistrial, jurors announced Wednesday they had agreed on a manslaughter verdict.The verdict presents another crossroads for the Alameda County District Attorney’s office. During the trial, new DA Pamela Price issued a directive telling her prosecutors to generally avoid filing enhancements — pa...

Plans to build a massive, floating pool on the San Francisco Bay get legislative boost

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:57 GMT

The Bay Area is one step closer to getting its first public floating pool, though challenges remain for the waterfront development just south of the Bay Bridge.Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco, proposed legislation Wednesday authorizing construction of a heated, Olympic-sized pool that would float on the San Francisco Bay, surrounded by retail space, offices and housing.Because the site of the proposed project — Piers 30-32 — is owned by the state, a developer can’t build there without special legislative approval. But even if Wiener’s Senate Bill 273 bill passes, the project still must get a green light from the city, the state and several other agencies.Wiener described the proposed project as a “powerful vision for the waterfront.”“I’m proud to introduce this new legislation and partner with the Port of San Francisco to make our waterfront stronger, safer, more sustainable, and more vibrant,” he said in a news releas...

Warriors’ Andre Iguodala to have wrist surgery next week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:57 GMT

LOS ANGELES — The hits keep coming for the Warriors.Already playing without Andrew Wiggins (family matter) and Gary Payton II (abdominal injury), Golden State will now be down its trusty elder statesman for the foreseeable future.Andre Iguodala is scheduled to have surgery on his broken left wrist next week, the team announced Wednesday afternoon.Iguodala, 39, broke his wrist during Monday’s win over the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center, the team said. He was seen icing his hand in the locker room and had been ruled out ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.While the Warriors couldn’t provide a timeline for Iguodala’s return, his surgery will likely sideline him for the remainder of the regular season and could keep him out into the postseason.The Warriors have no time to sulk the unfortunate news and will need to move on without him. They’re fifth in the Western Conference standings that’s so compacted that only four games ...

Single family residence sells for $1.6 million in Palo Alto

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:57 GMT

3344 Saint Michael Drive – Google Street ViewA house located in the 3300 block of Saint Michael Drive in Palo Alto has a new owner. The 1,679-square-foot property, built in 1955, was sold on Jan. 17, 2023. The $1,585,000 purchase price works out to $944 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms, two baths, a garage, and one parking space. It sits on a 6,060-square-foot lot, which also has a pool.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:A 1,868-square-foot home on the 3300 block of Cowper Street in Palo Alto sold in November 2022, for $3,505,000, a price per square foot of $1,876. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Saint Michael Drive, Palo Alto, in September 2022, a 1,367-square-foot home was sold for $3,500,000, a price per square foot of $2,560. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In October 2022, a 1,754-square-foot home on Middlefield Road in Palo Alto sold for $3,750,000, a price per square foot of $2,138. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathroo...