Sophie Cunningham talks Women's March Madness and SEC dominance

WNBA star Sophie Cunninghamis on a quest to watch more women's basketball thisMarch Madness.

Cunningham, who made theNCAA Tournamentduring each season she spent with the Missouri Tigers from 2015 to 2019, said her schedule usually makes it very tough to keep up with specific players and teams this time of year.

Still, the former SEC Freshman of the Year tries to watch when she can, especially because three of the last four national champions have been an SEC team: South Carolina won in 2022 and 2024, and LSU won in 2023.

"Every conference is tough, right? When you're in it, it's always a battle, but I truly do believe ― playing different conferences, being in the SEC ― that it is afreaking fight every single night. I do believe it's the most competitive, most athletic conference in the country, and, of course, I'm 100% biased," Cunningham told USA TODAY while promoting apartnership with Quest Nutrition, which includes hosting a show, The Grand Try, featuring the USA Rugby women's and men's national teams.

"It's really cool to be proud of where you come from, and I truly am, not only at the University of Missouri, but also coming from the SEC. It's really cool to see all of our athletes and teams dominate tournaments in every sport."

UConn Huskies forward Sarah Strong (21) named Big East Player Of The Year as they celebrate their Big East Championship win over the Villanova Wildcats at Mohegan Sun Arena on Mar 9, 2026.

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Sarah Strong, UConn look for perfection and another championship

UConn Huskies forwardSarah Strong(21) named Big East Player Of The Year as they celebrate their Big East Championship win over the Villanova Wildcats at Mohegan Sun Arena on Mar 9, 2026.

To Cunningham's credit, eight teams from the SEC made the latestUSA TODAY Sports coaches pollahead of March Madness, and 10 teams from the conference got an invite to the Big Dance, which opens on Wednesday, March 18 with the First Four and moves into the first and second rounds on Friday, March 20. Those kinds of numbers on college basketball's highest stage are music to Cunningham's ears. "I want to see an SEC team back on top. Always," she said.

Though the veteran guard's Tigers did not make the NCAA Tournament under head coach Kellie Harper, Cunningham says she's excited to see the program return to the success it found when she was playing. Until then, she's keeping an eye on programs like "sleeper team" Ole Miss and also South Carolina, which just won its fifth straight SEC regular season title and is seeking another women's championship as well, the fourth since 2017. Cunningham believes the Gamecocks could win it all again this year.

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"Dawn Staley's such a phenomenal coach, and she's smart," Cunningham said. "She puts her athletes in positions to be successful. I think once you've been there and you've tasted it, you know what it takes."

Still, Cunningham warns parity in women's college basketball is growing, and a lot of teams out there are "grinding" to try to reach the success Staley and South Carolina have garnered. The WNBA standout shared with USA TODAY that she believes this year'sFinal Four in Phoenixwill be "one for the books." Cunningham plans to attend the semifinal and championship games at Mortgage Matchup Center, noting women's college basketball is, in her opinion, at an all-time high.

"The talent and the execution and the craft has always been there, but I think the media attention is finally following along. I think that you do kinda have to credit ... the class, I feel like, of Angel Reese, of Cameron Brink, of Caitlin (Clark)," Cunningham said.

"That's when the college, I feel like, viewership really went up because of them. Then they went to the WNBA. That's when we had a huge spike. Business is great. And now people are like, 'Oh! You have phenomenal athletes there.' They go back and watch college basketball, and they find their new person, and then follow them to the W. So, I truly do think it's a beautiful trend."

Cunningham says when she played social media was around, but hadn't exploded yet. She says the positive outcome of social media's growth is it helps to cultivate fans, and people can see college and WNBA players for who they are, including off the court. The Fever guard says it helps people fall in love with the players as they continue to be "a bunch of bad asses on the court."

"I am super excited for women's sports. I will always talk very highly about everyone because I think everyone has a part in history," Cunningham said.

"(At) UConn, you know, you haveAzzi Fudd, who is drawing so much attention ...Sarah Strong, I believe, too, with UConn ... For me to know people's names, that's saying something, because I don't know anyone's names. I'm starting to become a fan of my sport, too. It's been really cool to see these athletes just be able to thrive, kinda like how the men always have."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:WNBA's Sophie Cunningham talks women's March Madness, SEC dominance

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 18, 2026

Sophie Cunningham talks Women's March Madness and SEC dominance

WNBA star Sophie Cunninghamis on a quest to watch more women's basketball thisMarch Madness. Cunningham, ...

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Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes repeats as champion of the grueling Iditarod sled dog race

NOME, Alaska (AP) — Former reality TV star Jessie Holmescruised to a repeat victoryin the Iditarod, the roughly 1,000-mile (1,609-kilometer) sled dog race in Alaska.

Holmes guided his dog team across the finish line Tuesday night in the old Gold Rush town of Nome, a Bering Sea coastal community.

The race started March 8 in Willow, a day after theceremonial startwas held in Anchorage. The course took dog teams and their mushers over two mountain ranges, along the frozen Yukon River and across the unpredictable Bering Sea ice.

Holmes, a former cast member on the National Geographic reality show "Life Below Zero," is the third competitor in the 54-year history of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to repeat the year after winning for the first time. The others were Susan Butcher in 1986-1987 and Lance Mackey in 2007-2008. Both went on to win four titles.

Holmes told The Associated Press before the Iditarod that this year's race wasthe most important of his career. "That's hard to put that on yourself because you got to live with that pressure every day," Holmes said. "And if I do not make it, it is going to absolutely crush me."

He will pocket about $80,000 for this year's win, up from the $57,000-plus he took home last year. This year's purse was boosted by financial support from Norwegian billionaire Kjell Rokke, who participated in a newly created, noncompetitive amateur category. Rokke reached Nome on Monday, under rules that allowed him to have outside support from a former Iditarod champ, flexible rest periods and to swap out dogs.

Holmes' first Iditarod was in 2018. His seventh place finish earned him rookie of the year honors. He has now raced in the Iditarod nine times, earning seven top 10 finishes. He's been in the top five the last five races.

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He appeared for eight years on the National Geographic reality show "Life Below Zero," which chronicled the hardships of people living in rural Alaska.

Holmes used the money he earned from the show to buy better dogs and equipment, and also was able to purchase raw land near Denali National Park and Preserve. A carpenter by trade, he's carved his homestead in the wilderness, where his closest neighbor is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) away.

Rokke, who now lives in Switzerland, provided $100,000 in additional prize money and $170,000 to Alaska Native villages that serve as checkpoints. Another musher in the noncompetitive "expedition" class, Canadian entrepreneur Steve Curtis, pledged $50,000 to help youth sports programs in the villages. Curtis did not finish the race.

The race's biggest critic, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has claimed that more than 150 dogs have died in the history of the Iditarod. It urged Rokke to spend his money to help dogs rather than put them through "hazards and misery."

The Iditarod has never provided its count of dogs who have died on the race.

One dog has died in this year's race, a 4-year-old female named Charly on musher Mille Porsild's team, the Iditarod said in a statement Tuesday. A necropsy will be conducted.

Thirty-four competitive mushers started, matching the inaugural 1973 race for the second fewest in race history. The retirements of many longtime mushers and thehigh cost of supplies, such as dog food, have kept the fields small this decade.

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 18, 2026

Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes repeats as champion of the grueling Iditarod sled dog race

NOME, Alaska (AP) — Former reality TV star Jessie Holmescruised to a repeat victoryin the Iditarod, the roughly 1,000-mi...

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Sarah Ferguson’s Dating Life Could Take a Turn Thanks to Friend — Source

Sarah Fergusonmay be going through a difficult time, but sources say she is not alone. Her time in the United States could also bring unexpected changes to her personal life.Reportsclaim Ferguson has been spending time withPriscilla Presley. The latter has offered her a place to stay and support as she deals with recent challenges. Insiders say Presley is actively helping lift Ferguson's mood and may even be trying to set her up with someone.

Priscilla Presley 'promised' to find Sarah Ferguson 'eligible' bachelors, claims source

Sarah Ferguson's connection with Priscilla Presley traces back to a close bond with Presley's late daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. Sources say Ferguson supported Lisa Marie during difficult periods in her life, and Presley has not forgotten that kindness. According to an insider, she's happy to be there for Ferguson now as the latter navigates current challenges.

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"Priscilla has a lot of sympathy for her and is insisting that she'll get through this," the source said. Presley has reportedly encouraged Ferguson to consider writing a memoir. Sources say Presley, who has written about her own life, believes sharing personal experiences publicly can be a powerful and even therapeutic step. "Priscilla got a huge amount of relief from writing her own memoir, and she's urging Sarah to do the same," the insider said, noting that she sees no reason Ferguson should remain silent about her experiences.

According to the same source, Presley has "promised" to introduce Ferguson to "eligible American bachelors" within her social circle. The actress, who has long-standing connections across entertainment and social circles in the United States, is reportedly confident she can help Ferguson meet potential partners. "Priscilla is very well-connected and has a huge group of friends, so the odds are in Sarah's favor that she'll be able to rustle up some decent options," the insider said.

The postSarah Ferguson's Dating Life Could Take a Turn Thanks to Friend — Sourceappeared first onReality Tea.

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 18, 2026

Sarah Ferguson’s Dating Life Could Take a Turn Thanks to Friend — Source

Sarah Fergusonmay be going through a difficult time, but sources say she is not alone. Her time in the United States could also bring unex...

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Zendaya’s Dress Hides a Telling Clue Amid Wedding Rumors

Zendaya's dress at a recent event is related to a wedding tradition. The actor recently graced the world premiere of her upcoming film, "The Drama." She slayed on the red carpet wearing a strapless, silky gown by Vivienne Westwood. During the interview, Zendaya dropped an interesting clue, fueling her wedding rumors withTom Holland.

Zendaya follows this wedding tradition with telling 'old' dress at 'The Drama' press tour

Zendaya showcased a wedding tradition at the red carpet event of "The Drama." The reporter, Maura Higgins, called the "Dune 2" star "a fashion icon" and asked for more details about her elegant outfit. "So, I was trying to figure out how to theme dress," Zendaya responded.

She added, "We just happen to be wearing white a lot. But I didn't want it to be the only theme, and I know the saying is 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.'" The 29-year-old continued, "So I started with something old, and this is the dress I wore when I was 18 years old to the Oscars."

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Zendaya said it was her "first Oscars" and "a very important moment" in her life and career. She added it was also crucial for her family and folks. Moreover, the attendance meant a lot to her. The Golden Globe Award winner further explained, "So, this felt like the right time to bring this one out of the archive, and also it happened to be a wedding dress." Zendaya hilariously said, "And that worked out too," with fans taking it as a hint about her wedding with Tom Holland.

Recently, the diva alsoaddressedthe couple's AI wedding pictures on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The host told her how the photos appeared real, and Zendaya answered, "Yeah, and many people have been fooled by them." She continued, "I was just out and about in real life, and people were like, 'My god, your wedding photos are gorgeous."

Thus, Zendaya cleared, "Babe, they are AI. They are not real." Furthermore, she showed her wedding video with a twist. The video was a wedding scene from "The Drama," where Robert Pattinson's face is replaced with Holland's. Zendaya joked, "No, that was real footage."

The postZendaya's Dress Hides a Telling Clue Amid Wedding Rumorsappeared first onReality Tea.

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 18, 2026

Zendaya’s Dress Hides a Telling Clue Amid Wedding Rumors

Zendaya's dress at a recent event is related to a wedding tradition. The actor recently graced the world premiere of her upcoming film...

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Thunder's Alex Caruso receives technical foul for using shoe to block shot in win over Magic

After going undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2016, Alex Caruso spent the early part of his pro career doing everything he could to carve out a role for himself in the NBA.

Eventually, he became one of the league's most tenacious defenders. Now a two-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree, Caruso has proven he'll do whatever it takes on that end of the floor.

The 32-year-old wing took that sentence to another level Tuesday, and it humorously cost him.

When Caruso's left sneaker came off in the second quarter of a113-108 road winover the Orlando Magic, he picked it up and got creative on defense.

[Enter Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem now for your shot at $50K]

Playing help defense in the paint, Caruso swiped his lost shoe at the left hand of Magic forward Tristan da Silva, who was going up for a layup.

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Caruso made contact with the ball, and it came loose, ricocheting off da Silva's arm and flying out of bounds.

Except, rather than resulting in an Orlando turnover, the play wound up with Caruso receiving a technical foul and the Magic being awarded the two points da Silva could have scored otherwise, plus the subsequent free throw due to Caruso being T'd up.

That sequence assisted Orlando's comeback effort. The Magic drew within one point of the Thunder by halftime. Then they pulled in front early in the third quarter.

But the Thunder stormed back andsecured their spot in this year's playoffs. Oklahoma City is the first team during the 2025-26 campaign to punch its ticket to the postseason.

Mark Daigneault's team has won nine games in a row and is now 54-15. The Thunder are gunning for their second straight NBA title.

Reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 40 points Tuesday. As for Caruso, he finished with just two points but also eight rebounds and two steals — and one innovative technical foul that raised eyebrows in Orlando and everywhere online.

byAnio Baumeister

in

March 17, 2026

Thunder's Alex Caruso receives technical foul for using shoe to block shot in win over Magic

After going undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2016, Alex Caruso spent the early part of his pro career doing everything ...

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