Dan Hurley, Mick Cronin to meet in March Madness: 'We're not coaching Little League'

PHILADELPHIA, PA —ConnecticutandUCLAare two of the biggest brands incollege basketball,but have a sparse history against each other, meeting only once in the Elite Eight of the 1995 Men's NCAA Tournament.

That all changes at 8:45 p.m. ET on Sunday inside Xfinity Mobile Area, where aberth to the Sweet 16will be on the line.

REQUIRED READING:How UConn's Tarris Reed Jr. terrorized Furman to avoid March Madness upset

It also features two of the more passionate, emotional, and fierce coaches in men's college basketball with UConn's DanHurleyand the Bruins'Mick Cronin.

"It's ridiculous. Everybody needs to get a life," Cronin said Saturday, March 21 when asked if he cares about how people perceive Hurley and himself. "You want to win big? Do you think Coach Hurley's not supposed to be intense, but you want to win? We're not coaching Little League."

UCLA associate head coach Darren Savino knows about Hurley and Cronin's passion better than most. Savino grew up "literally on the same block" as Hurley in Jersey City, New Jersey and played for Hurley's father, Bobby Hurley Sr., at St. Anthony High School alongside Hurley's older brother, Bobby Hurley Jr. He has been on Cronin's staff at UCLA for seven years and has been coaching with Cronin for 18 seasons.

"Two of the most competitive coaches that you'll come across," Savino told USA TODAY Sports. "Both guys don't like to lose."

While there are other college coaches who are as fiery and competitive as Hurley and Cronin, Savino said what sets these two apart is how consistently they maintain their competitive edge.

"It's not just on game day or once in a while. They're elite at bringing the competitive edge every single day and that's why their teams play that way," Savino added.

REQUIRED READING:Top March Madness scorers: Who is leading scorer in 2026 NCAA Tournament?

Hurley and Cronin met three times in their careers, first in November 2016, as coaches at Rhode Island and Cincinnati, respectively. When Hurley moved to take over UConn in 2018-19, Cronin took a 2-1 lead in the all-time series, sweeping the regular-season series when both programs were in American Athletic Conference play.

Hurley recalled the culture of Cronin's teams and "how hard they play" from those matchups.

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"They (UCLA) play a lot differently than those teams played in Cincinnati, but the culture, the standards, how hard they play, the quality of shots they take, the discipline they play with. That never changes with a Mick Cronin team," Hurley said.

They also share similar sources behind their coaching intensity: They are sons of high school coaches.

Hurley is the son of Bobby Hurley Sr., the legendary andHall of Fame Jersey City basketball coach, while Cronin is the son of Harold Cronin, a Cincinnati high school coach.

"I think it's a huge advantage growing up the way we grew up in the gym, which you don't realize until you go into coaching," Cronin said. "Everybody else has got to learn things that you learn through osmosis. ... Everybody doesn't have those dads."

REQUIRED READING:UCLA basketball's Skyy Clark all smiles after procedure repairs damaged tooth

Hurley and Cronin's styles have helped them to tremendous success, as Huskies and Bruins' coaches are two of the best in their profession. They have combined for 873 wins — including 33 in the NCAA Tournament — 24 NCAA Tournament appearances, three Final Four appearances and two national championships (both Hurley's).

Sunday's coaching matchup nearly didn't happen, either, with both programs facing legitimate upset threats in their first-round games against 15-seed Furman and 10-seed Central Florida, respectively.

The Huskies saw their 11-point cut to four after with 5:49 to go, but a 12-4 run to end the game, fueled by Tarris Reed Jr., helped UConn pick up its 30th win of the season. Reed became the first player since Houston' Elvin Hayes in 1968 to finish with at least 30 points and 25 rebounds in a March Madness game.

The Bruins, who sawguard Skyy Clark lose a tooth during the game, had to withstand a late push from the Knights, who cut the Bruins' lead to just three points with 10 seconds left in regulation.

So, get the popcorn ready: It's not every year in March Madness, especially this early on, that you get a coaching matchup like this.

A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.

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See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's2026 NCAATournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Dan Hurley, Mick Cronin in March Madness is box office, expect theatrics

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 22, 2026

Dan Hurley, Mick Cronin to meet in March Madness: 'We're not coaching Little League'

PHILADELPHIA, PA —ConnecticutandUCLAare two of the biggest brands incollege basketball,but have a sparse history against...

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Young Girl Struck, Run Over by a Golf Cart at Valspar Championship: 'It Shouldn't Have Happened,' Golfer Brooks Koepka Says

A young girl was struck and run over by a golf cart at the 2026 Valspar Championship

NEED TO KNOW

• The incident took place during the golf tournament in Palm Harbor, Fla., on March 21

• "It's unfortunate. It shouldn't have happened," golfer Brooks Koepka said

A young girl was run over by a golf cart at the 2026 Valspar Championship.

The child was struck and pinned under the golf cart near the 15th hole during the second day of the golf tournament in Palm Harbor, Fla., on Saturday, March 21,Golf Channelreported.

PGA Tour winner Smylie Kaufman reported on the incident as he was coveringBrooks Koepkaand Danny Walker during a third round at the Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course.

As medical staff tended to the child, Koepka, 35, also rushed over to her, according to the Golf Channel.

"Brooks Koepka went underneath the ropes to talk to the girl and comfort her," Kaufman, 34, said. "She's going to be okay after medical evaluation."

"[It was a] very scary moment ... I am sure Brooks Koepka's head is still spinning a little bit," he added.

The identity and age of the child struck has not been shared publicly.

The golf cart that hit the young girl was transporting spectators around the course when the incident occurred, per the Golf Channel.

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The child wasn't seriously injured,Golfweekreported.

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Reacting to the incident during a press conference after his match, Koepka said he "felt terrible" for the young girl.

"From all the reports you've got, she's okay, thankfully, so that's all that matters, as long as she's okay," he added. "I know she's probably a little scared. I just felt for her at the time."

"It's unfortunate. It shouldn't have happened. But as long as she's okay, nothing crazy happened to her, then it will be okay," the golfer continued.

Koepka made double-bogey at the par-4 16th on March 21, putting him seven shots away from Sungjae Im's lead.

"I'm a long ways away. I felt like I needed to get to, at least, it would have been nice to stay at 6," Koepka said, perGolf. "I need a real low one tomorrow."

PEOPLE reached out to the Valspar Championship for comment but did not receive an immediate response on Sunday, March 22.

Read the original article onPeople

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 22, 2026

Young Girl Struck, Run Over by a Golf Cart at Valspar Championship: 'It Shouldn't Have Happened,' Golfer Brooks Koepka Says

A young girl was struck and run over by a golf cart at the 2026 Valspar Championship NEED TO KNOW The incide...

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23 Vintage Celebrity Wedding Day Photos

Old Hollywood weddings never go out of style.

When it comes to romance and timeless fashions, nobody did it better than stars such asJudy Garland,Elizabeth Taylor,Elvis PresleyandFrank Sinatra.

These vintage nuptials range from small, private ceremonies to elaborate, event-of-the-year extravaganzas, but all have the same classic vibe of the period.

From the venue to the cake and, of course, the gown, the details of thesecelebrity weddingshave etched a permanent picture in our brains — despite not all of their love stories having happy endings.

Take a look back at some of Hollywood's classic couples and what it looked like when they walked down the aisle.

Julie Andrews and Tony Walton

Julie Andrewsmarried her first husband — award-winning set designerTony Walton— in 1959, when she was 23 years old. The wedding took place at St. Mary's Church in the English county of Surrey, where both the bride and groom were born, perThe New York Times.

According toTatler, Walton, whodied at age 87in 2022, designed Andrews' high-neck, long-sleeve gown and her Cartier wedding band. The two divorced a decade later, butremained good friends.

Shirley Temple and John Agar

Shirley Templewas only 17 when she donned a satin gown for her wedding to John Agar in 1945. Having served in the armed forces, Agar wore his military uniform at the Hollywood ceremony at the Wilshire Methodist Church. They divorced in 1950.

Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer

In 1954,Audrey Hepburnmarried Mel Ferrer, a Broadway and film star, whom she met just eight months before their wedding in Switzerland. She wore a tea-length gown with a high collar and billowy sleeves. Hepburn's romantic dress wasdesigned by Pierre Balmain, founder and namesake of the iconic French fashion house.

Despite their whirlwind romance, Hepburn and Ferrer stayed married for 14 years — during which they welcomed their son,Sean— until their 1968 divorce.

Josephine Baker and Jo Bouillon

Josephine Bakermarried her fourth husband, composer Jo Bouillon, on her 41st birthday in 1947. Their ceremony was held at Baker's home, a castle in southwestern France called Château des Milandes. They remained together for 14 years before divorcing in 1961.

Angela Lansbury and Peter Shaw

Angela Lansburywore florals from head to toe at her 1949 wedding to second husband Peter Shaw, to whom sheremained married until his deathin 2003. TheMurder, She Wroteactress — whodied at age 96in 2022 — matched her flowery headband to the pattern of her V-neck dress. Even their wedding cake was topped with a bouquet!

Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli

In 1945, Garland married filmmakerVincente Minnelli, the second of her five husbands. The glamorous Hollywood duo met on the set of theirOscar-nominated Christmas musicalMeet Me in St. Louisand remained together until their 1951 divorce. Nearly a year after their wedding, Garland and Minnelliwelcomed their daughter,Liza Minnelli.

Elizabeth Taylor and Conrad Hilton Jr.

In 1950, an 18-year-old Taylormarried hotel heir Conrad Hilton Jr.— her first of eight weddings toseven different husbands, one of whom she wed twice. The actresswore a princess-style gownwith a full veil at their Beverly Hills ceremony.

According toVogue, her pearl-encrusted dress was inspired by the one she wore in the filmFather of the Bride. In 2013, the elaborate number was auctioned off for more than £121,000, perChristie's.

Brigitte Bardot and Jacques Charrier

Brigitte Bardotmarried her second husband, Jacques Charrier, in a gingham buttoned dress in 1959. The couple, who met on the French flickBabette Goes to Warearlier that year, walked down the aisle in Louveciennes, France. Their June ceremony took place just a few months before their film premiered in Europe that September.

Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher

Debbie Reynoldslooked lovely in lace at her 1955 wedding to her first husband,Eddie Fisher. After their wedding in New York's Catskill Mountains, the two performers welcomed two kids,Todd FisherandCarrie Fisher.

Reynolds and Eddie remained married until 1959, when they split due to Fisher'sextramarital affair with Taylor.

Diana Ross and Arne Naess Jr.

The Supremes frontwomanDiana Rosswed her second husband, Norwegian businessman Arne Naess Jr., in 1986, one year after they met. Ross wowed at their Switzerland ceremony in a silky dress layered with intricate lace sleeves and a matching cape. They remained together until their divorce in 2000, and Ross shares two ofher five childrenwith him.

Raquel Welch and Patrick Curtis

Befitting her bombshell status,Raquel Welchwore a crocheted minidress to marry her second husband, Patrick Curtis, in Paris on Valentine's Day in 1967. They would later divorce in 1972.

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Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles

Rita Hayworthbuttoned up in a chic suit for her wedding to Orson Welles in 1943. According toThe Hollywood Reporter, their quick nuptials at the Santa Monica Courthouse took place during the actress' lunch break while she was filming the 1944 musicalCover Girl.

Ginger Rogers and Lew Ayres

In 1934,Ginger Rogersmarried fellow actor Lew Ayres, her second husband. The Oscar-winning performer donned a hat to match her floor-length Chantilly lace gown. They divorced six years later in 1940.

Bette Davis and William Grant Sherry

Bette Davisand her third husband, William Grant Sherry, cut their decadent wedding cake in California in 1945. TheAll About Eveactress wore a checkered dress suit and a complementary brimmed hat for the occasion. They divorced in 1950.

Aretha Franklin and Glynn Turman

Aretha Franklin's white outfit matched second husbandGlynn Turman's hat and youngest son Kecalf's white tuxedo at their wedding ceremony in Detroit. They were married in 1978 at Franklin's father's New Bethel Baptist Church and divorced in 1984.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono

John LennonandYoko Onoboth wore white when theytied the knot in Gibraltarin 1969. The bride wore a mini skirt while herBeatleshusband looked suave in a white blazer and turtleneck. According toRolling Stone, John smoked a cigarette during their short ceremony.

The couple remained together until John'sdeath in 1980and welcomed one child together: sonSean Lennon.

Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner

Sinatra andAva Gardnergot hitched in 1951, marking his second and her third marriage. The bride passed on classic white attire and wore a two-tone cocktail dress with a string of pearls around her neck.

James Dougherty and Marilyn Monroe

Before she became an international icon and sex symbol,Marilyn Monroemarried her high school sweetheart, James Dougherty, just after her 16th birthday in 1942. The starlet-to-be wasclad in a long-sleeve lacy numberthat matched her veil, her extravagant bouquet and her groom's white tux.

The duo stayed together for only four years before splitting in 1946 due to Dougherty's disapproval of her career trajectory.

Nancy Kwan and Peter Pock

Nancy Kwanlooked darling in a cardigan and headband at her first wedding in 1962. The actress and her ski instructor paramour, Peter Pock, wed in London and stayed together until 1968.

John Wayne and Josephine Saenz

Western starJohn Waynemarried his first wife, Josephine Sáenz, in 1933. Their floral-studded ceremony took place at actress Loretta Young's home in Los Angeles.

The pair had four children together before divorcing in 1945. (The actor later remarried twice andwelcomed three more childrenwith his third wife, Pilar Palette.)

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart

Lauren BacallandHumphrey Bogart, two of the biggest stars of their time, wed at a friend's farm in Ohio in 1945.

The couple — who welcomed two children,son Stephen and daughter Leslie, during their union —remained married until Bogart's deathin 1957.

Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley

Elvis andPriscilla Presleyfirst met in 1959 when he was serving in the army overseas in Germany; she was just 14 years old. They continued their romance when Elvis returned home and, after Priscilla moved to the United States in 1963, they eventuallymarried in Las Vegas in 1967.

The couple welcomed one child together, daughterLisa Marie, whodied in 2023at the age of 54. They divorced in 1972.

The King of Rock 'N' Rolldied in 1977at the age of 42.

"It was a good life," Priscilla told PEOPLE in September 2021 about her relationship with Elvis. "It was different, but it was ours."

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier

Grace Kelly's romance withPrince Rainier of Monacowas a whirlwind. Theygot engaged mere days after meetingandtied the knotin 1956.

The royal couplewelcomed three childrenduring their 26-year marriage:Princess Caroline,Prince AlbertandPrincess Stéphanie.

Kelly and Prince Rainier's love story was cut short when she suffered a stroke while driving near Monte Carlo and laterdied of injuriesand a brain hemorrhage in a Monaco hospital in 1982.

Read the original article onPeople

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 22, 2026

23 Vintage Celebrity Wedding Day Photos

Old Hollywood weddings never go out of style. When it comes to romance and timeless fashions, nobody did it ...

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Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Spencer Celebrates 3rd Wedding Anniversary with Greg Mallett: 'My Best Friend'

Lady Amelia Spencer and Greg Mallett celebrated their third wedding anniversary

NEED TO KNOW

• Spencer and Mallett were married in Cape Town, Africa, in 2023

• The couple wrote their own vows for their wedding and included personal touches like family readings and a choir

Lady Amelia Spenceris celebrating herthird wedding anniversarywith a sweet tribute to her husband.

On Saturday, March 21,Princess Diana's niece, 33, reflected on three years of marriage to her husband Greg Mallett in a post toInstagramfull of photos from their 2023 nuptials in Cape Town, South Africa.

"Three years 🤍🤍🤍 married to my best friend 🤍🤍🤍," she captioned the post, alongside photos of herself in her long-sleeved, floral-patterned wedding gown at the ceremony and reception.

Mallett, an estate agent and fitness instructor, could be seen embracing his wife, sharing a kiss with her and walking with her during the ceremony and reception in the romantic photos.

"The best day ever 😍🥰♥️," Amelia's twin sister Eliza wrote in the comment section. "Happy Anniversary my Mealsy and Grizzle♥️ I love you both so much 😍🥰♥️."

The twins are the daughters of Princess Diana's brother,Charles, 9th Earl Spencer, and his first wife, Victoria Aitken. The couple are also parents to daughterKitty, born in 1990, and son Louis, who arrived in 1994.

Amelia and Mallett tied the knot in South Africa,Hello!magazine reportedin 2023. The wedding's mountain-top location near Cape Town was a special choice as the country is where the bride spent much of her childhood — and the couple first met while studying at the University of Cape Town.

"It means so much to get married here," Amelia toldHello!magazine at the time. "Growing up here together for the last 14 years, all of mine and Greg's happiest times as a couple are here. It's even more special now."

According toVogue,Amelia wore a custom bridal gown by Atelier Versace that took more than two months to craft, and was adorned with Swarovski crystals and intricate floral appliqué. She complimented the look with a silk tulle veil and Jimmy Choo shoes.

"I have always loved Versace, and so it was a very easy decision and a dream come true," she told the magazine in 2023. "My gown was crafted, over the course of two and a half months, from custom silk rebrodé lace and featured a two-and-a-half-meter train, Swarovski crystals, a hand-embroidered neckline, and structured shoulders, with intricate flower patterns running throughout."

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The groom, meanwhile, wore custom black Atelier Versace fine wool and mohair wedding suit.

"Greg's father, Dave Mallett, officiated our wedding," Amelia said of the ceremony. "And, we had a beautiful Asili choir sing 'Hallelujah.' Our mothers and Greg's sister and grandmother delivered profoundly meaningful readings that they had personally chosen, and we wrote our own vows. At the end, we walked out to 'Still Falling for You' by Ellie Goulding. It was surreal—as soon as we locked eyes, we both felt a sense of calm, and we have never felt so much love and happiness."

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After 11 years of dating, the coupleannounced their engagementin July 2020.

"Best day of my life ❤️ I can't wait to spend forever with you@gregmallettI couldn't love you more," the model wrote of anInstagramphoto of her and Greg kissing, her new diamond ring on display.

Though they often prefer to keep their lives out of the spotlight, the couple have shared some details about their love story.

Opening up about the proposal, Mallett spoke toHello!about the moment he popped the question at Clouds Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa, following a romantic lunch and day at the pool.

"I had one big pink box, inside which I put in eight smaller boxes, decreasing in size," he said in 2020. "In each box was a photograph of a 'first time.' The final box contained a note instead of a picture, that said: 'But most importantly, I know that you will remember tonight as the night that I proposed.' As Amelia was reading the note, I dropped to one knee with the ring."

Amelia toldHello!she "burst out crying" when she realized what was happening.

"I was in shock, I said: 'Yes, yes, yes!' and gave him a hug and a kiss. I'm used to Greg being very romantic, but I really had no idea."

Read the original article onPeople

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 22, 2026

Princess Diana's Niece Lady Amelia Spencer Celebrates 3rd Wedding Anniversary with Greg Mallett: 'My Best Friend'

Lady Amelia Spencer and Greg Mallett celebrated their third wedding anniversary NEED TO KNOW Spencer and Mal...

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Box Office: ‘Project Hail Mary’ blasts off with $80.5 million, a best for Amazon MGM

"Project Hail Mary"is bringing audiences to movie theaters in numbers the industry hasn't seen for a non-franchise film since"Oppenheimer."The science fiction epic starring Ryan Gosling earned around $80.5 million in ticket sales in its first weekend playing in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday. Box office tracker EntTelligence estimates that translates into about 5 million ticket buyers.

NY Premiere of "Project Hail Mary"

The PG-13 rated film opened on 4,007 screens and easily topped the domestic box office charts, surpassing expectations and delivering a record opening for studio Amazon MGM, whose previous best was "Creed III" ($58 million in 2023). Not accounting for inflation, "Project Hail Mary" also scored the second biggest opening for a non-franchise movie behind only"Oppenheimer,"which opened to $82.4 million in 2023.

It's now one of only three non-franchise movies in the past decade to open over $70 million (the third isJordan Peele's "Us"). In the realm of modern space operas, it exceeded the debuts of "The Martian," also an Andy Weir adaptation that opened around $54.3 million in 2015, "Gravity" ($55.6 million in 2013) and "Interstellar" ($47.5 million in 2014).

Directed byPhil Lord and Christopher Miller, "Project Hail Mary" cost about double the "Oppenheimer" production budget, with a price tag in the $200 million range. But it also carries strong reviews and audience scores and could be destined for a long run. According to PostTrak exit polls, where it scored five out of five stars, 83% of audiences said they would "definitely recommend" the film to friends. The gender breakdown skewed slightly more male (57%), and 55% of the audience were under 35.

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The film is centered around Gosling's character who wakes up alone and with little memory on a spaceship, where his apparent mission is to try to save the sun from dying. As has become the norm for "event" movies like "Project Hail Mary," premium large format screens were in demand, making up 56% of the weekend's gross. IMAX screens alone accounted for 24% of the total.

"We believe deeply in the Hail Mary, and it's clear audiences do as well," said Kevin Wilson, Amazon MGM Studios' head of domestic distribution, in a statement. "What we're seeing in theaters — the energy, the exit scores, the word-of-mouth — is everything we believed this film would deliver."

Hollywood's other big new opener,"Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,"a Searchlight release, came in a distant fourth with $9.1 million, behindDisney and Pixar's "Hoppers"($18 million) and the Bollywood sequel "Dhurandhar: The Revenge," which made $9.6 million from Friday through Sunday. Universal's Colleen Hoover adaptation"Reminders of Him"rounded out the top five in its second weekend with $8 million.

Viva Pictures also released an animated adaptation of the popular children's book "The Pout-Pout Fish" in 1,854 theaters and is expected to place in the top 10.

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 22, 2026

Box Office: ‘Project Hail Mary’ blasts off with $80.5 million, a best for Amazon MGM

"Project Hail Mary"is bringing audiences to movie theaters in numbers the industry hasn't seen for a non-f...

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