VOUX MAG

CLEVELAND (AP) — James Harden scored 21 points to become the ninth player in NBA history with more than 29,000 career points, Keon Ellis added 19 off the bench, and the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised to a 115-101 victory over the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

Donovan Mitchell had 17 points and six assists, and Evan Mobley had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers. Harden reached the milestone with a free throw in the first quarter, finishing the game with 29,017 points in 17 pro seasons.

Cleveland is 8-1 at home since Jan. 23, with its lone loss Sunday to surging Boston, and has won 18 of its last 24 overall. The Cavaliers are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, one game behind New York.

Quentin Grimes scored 17 points and Cameron Payne had 12 points for Philadelphia, which has lost two in a row and four of its last five to slip into eighth in the East. Justin Edwards added 14 points.

NETS 126, GRIZZLIES 115

NEW YORK (AP) — Day'Ron Sharpe matched a season high with 19 points, Ochai Agbaji added 18 and Brooklyn beat the injury-plagued Memphis for their second straight victory.

Nolan Traore added 17 points for the Nets, who were coming off animprobable 107-105 winat Eastern Conference-leading Detroit on Saturday night that snapped a 10-game skid.

The Nets, who rested leading scorer Michael Porter Jr., had six players score in double figures. The Grizzlies had only eight players available.

Rayan Rupert scored a career-high 20 points and Javon Small added 19 for Memphis, which has lost four straight and 11 of 14.

THUNDER 129, NUGGETS 126

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderdrilled a step-back 3-pointerwith 2.7 seconds left to cap a frantic final minute on a night he matched Wilt Chamberlain's record for consecutive 20-point games, and Oklahoma City beat Denver.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points and a career-high 15 assists, becoming the second player in NBA history to have those totals and zero turnovers. He also had nine rebounds. In the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander reached the 20-point mark for the 126th straight game,equaling Chamberlain's streakfrom 1961-63.

With Oklahoma City leading 126-122, Denver's Nikola Jokic hit a 3-pointer and Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams was called for an off-ball foul fighting through a screen. Jamal Murray made the free throw with 8.5 seconds remaining to tie the game.

Gilgeous-Alexander responded, elevating over Spencer Jones for his second 3 in the final 14 seconds. Denver's Aaron Gordon missed a 61-foot heave at the buzzer.

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The Thunder are 6-0 since Gilgeous-Alexander returned from an abdominal strain that sidelined him for nine games.

Williams scored 29 points and Ajay Mitchell, in his return after missing 20 games with an abdominal strain and a sprained left ankle, added 24 points.

Jokic had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists. It was his 24th triple-double of the season and the 188th of his career. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 28 points and Gordon added 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets.

JAZZ 119, WARRIORS 116

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Brice Sensabaugh scored 21 points, two-way player Blake Hinson made the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute, and Utah outlasted Golden State.

Hinson made four 3-pointers including a shot from beyond the arc on the right wing with 29.9 seconds remaining to shock the Warriors, who were without Stephen Curry and several other rotation regulars.

Kyle Filipowski contributed 19 points and 15 rebounds for Utah, which had lost eight of nine games.

De'Anthony Melton, who led the Warriors with 22 points, made a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 117-116, but Elijah Harkless, another two-way player, clinched the game for the Jazz with two free throws to reach a career-high 16 points.

CLIPPERS 126, KNICKS 118

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points, Bennedict Mathurin added 28 points, and Los Angeles beat New York to climb back to .500 for the first time since early November.

The Clippers are 32-32 and have won five of their first six games in March as they try to improve their potential position in the NBA Play-in Tournament. They began the season in a 6-21 tailspin.

It was Leonard's 42nd straight game with 20-plus points, the second-longest active streak in the NBA and third-longest in team history.

Mathurin scored 22 in the second half off the bench as one of five Clippers in double figures. Darius Garland had 23 points and seven assists in his second start.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 35 points on 13-of-17 shooting, 12 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out in the final seconds. Jalen Brunson added 28 points and OG Anunoby had 22 points.

The Bobby Hurley EraatArizona Stateis in limbo.

According to Michelle Gardner of the Arizona Republic,part of the USA TODAY Network, the reports that surfaced Monday afternoon of the Sun Devils and Hurley expected to "part ways" at the end of the season are "premature."

There were multiple reports Monday that mentioned the Sun Devils and Hurley are expected to go their separate ways at the end of the season, which could be as soon as Tuesday afternoonin the Big 12 tournament,after 11 years in Tempe.

Hurley entered the 2025-26 season on the final year of his contract and already under heat after the Sun Devils finished with losing records in back-to-back seasons.

REQUIRED READING:ASU welcomes underdog role at Big 12 tournament

Hurley's contract, which was obtained by the USA TODAY Sports Network, is set to run through June 30 with the Sun Devils. This means, even if the Sun Devils don't elect to renew Hurley's contract, there will be some money going to him if he is let go by the athletic department. Hurley is owed approximately $900,000 if he is fired.

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The Sun Devils have only made it to the NCAA Tournament three times under Hurley, and have finished with a winning record in four seasons. Hurley, the former Duke guard and brother to Connecticut coach Dan Hurley, has only won 20 or more games four times and has not led the Sun Devils to a conference title.

Since the Sun Devils moved to the Big 12, they are 29-35 overall and 11-27 in Big 12 play. The best win forArizona Stateunder Hurley in the Big 12 came just last week against No. 16 Kansas and Darryn Peterson in Tempe. It marked just the 15th win over a ranked team in his 11-seasons, and the ninth over a top-15 ranked team.

Arizona State opens up Big 12 tournament play on Tuesday, March 10 at 12:30 p.m. ET against Baylor at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri as the No. 12 seed in the bracket.

Bobby Hurley record at Arizona State

Here's a season-by-season breakdown of how Arizona State has fared under Hurley:

• 2015-16: 15-17 overall

• 2016-17: 15-18 overall

• 2017-18: 20-12 overall (NCAA Tournament)

• 2018-19: 23-11 overall (NCAA Tournament)

• 2019-20: 20-11 overall

• 2021-22: 14-17 overall

• 2022-23: 23-13 overall

• 2023-24: 14-18 overall

• 2024-25: 13-20 overall

• 2025-26: 16-15 *

* Denotes season still in progress

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Arizona State says Bobby Hurley exit reports 'premature'

Drew Carey revealed that he lost 80 lbs. in 2010

NEED TO KNOW

• The comedian and host of The Price Is Right said he was motivated to lose weight after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, along with a heart attack that took place in 2001

• He has relied on a low-carb diet and cardio workouts to sustain his weight loss

Drew Careyhas always been open about his weight loss and health journey, which began more than a decade ago.

"I was sick of being fat on the camera. Really, I just got sick of it,"The Price Is Righthost told PEOPLE in 2010. "Once I started losing weight, again, like once I started dropping a couple pant sizes, then it was easy 'cause once you see the results, then you don't wanna stop."

Though it's been 16 years since the longtime comedian dropped 80 lbs. and went from a size 44 to a size 33, he's been able to keep it off using his tried-and-true method of diet and exercise. Carey does "lots of cardio" and keeps most of his meals carb-free.

During a March 2026 appearance onTed Danson's podcast,Where Everybody Knows Your Name, Carey said he had a heart attack in 2001 but didn't realize what it was at first.

The day after he said his "heart rate went upto something really crazy" during a jog. At first, Carey brushed his symptoms off, but when he went to the hospital the following day, he learned that he'd had a heart attack and felt motivated to work on his health.

Here's everythingThe Price Is Righthost Drew Carey has said about his health and weight loss journey.

He prioritized his health after a diabetes diagnosis

During his first year as host ofThe Price Is Right, Carey told PEOPLE in March 2024 he would go out to a diner after filming and order pasta, a cupcake and an iced tea "with a bunch of lemons." Then he'd go home and eat Doritos, drink "several Pepsis" and take an Ambien before heading to bed.

"It wasmiserable to live like that," he explained, adding that his doctor gave him a wakeup call when he diagnosed him with type 2 diabetes. Carey said his doctor warned him that if he didn't change his lifestyle, his life was "going to be shorter" and that he would have "bad things to look forward to."

The formerWhose Line Is It Anyway?star was also diagnosed with heart disease in 2001 and had to undergo an angioplasty, perParade. He also had a stent inserted into one of his arteries.

He lost 80 lbs. in 2010

The warning from his doctor gave Carey the push he needed to change his lifestyle. He toldParadethat in November 2009, he had set a goal to go from 262 lbs. to 170 lbs. by the following year — and almost succeeded, losing 80 of the 92 lbs. he wanted to shed.

"I look in the mirror and I feel like I'm in my 20s again," he told the outlet in September 2010. "I feel like I have my whole life back. I could live to be 100 now."

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He does cardio workouts multiple times a week

Carey also credits his choice of exercise for helping him maintain his weight loss. The comedian told PEOPLE he does 45-minute cardio workouts several times a week. Though those workouts began on the elliptical, he took up running after he lost weight.

"I knew having a running goal or a race coming up would give me a little more motivation," Carey toldRunner's Worldin August 2011. "I actually was worried about the pounding, but I actually love running more than working out on the elliptical. Now if I get on the elliptical, I feel like I'm trapped."

In August 2010, he ran his first 10K in nearly 25 years.

He joked he's lost "1,000 lbs." over his lifetime

As the host ofThe Price Is Rightcan attest, keeping the weight off year after year is no easy feat. He joked with PEOPLE that he's lost somewhere around "1,000 lbs." over his "whole life."

Though Carey has noted that weight loss left him feeling great, the best reward was the improvement in his health. In addition to shedding the lbs., the comedian reported that he had reversed his type 2 diabetes and no longer needed medication.

"I always thought I was going to die before I was 60," he toldParade."My father died of a heart attack in his 40s. I'm not an idiot. The writing was on the wall."

He said he mostly avoids carbs

As for his nutrition, Carey has kept the weight off by eating "no carbs." The former host ofThe Drew Carey Showtold PEOPLE that he stays away from "starches of any kind" and opts for protein like grilled chicken and snacks like vegetables and fruit.

Per theMayo Clinic, carbohydrates are part of a healthy diet and are needed to provide a source of energy for the body, particularly the brain.

He called his weight loss "freeing"

Carey has been able to maintain his 80-lb. weight loss "more or less" for over a decade. For him, the real victory isn't physical, but emotional.

"It's better being like this," he explained to PEOPLE. "I love myself enough now to want that for myself and desire that for myself. It's a whole kind of change of mindset that you have to have about your whole life. ... but once you do, it's so freeing."

Read the original article onPeople

By John Revill and Danny Callaghan

KILCHBERG, Switzerland March 10 (Reuters) - Chocolate sales are rising faster among U.S. users of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs ‌than in the rest of the population, Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Spruengli ‌said on Tuesday, citing data that defied forecasts the drugs would reduce confectionery demand.

The company said ​an internal study, based on February data from market researcher Circana, found 15% of U.S. households use GLP-1s, representing 17.5% of chocolate sales.

GLP-1s include weight-loss drugs such as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro.

Consumers cutting back on high-calorie ‌intake categories, such as pasta, ⁠pizza and potato chips, are still looking for some kind of indulgence, chief executive Adalbert Lechner told a news conference ⁠on Tuesday.

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"They are upgrading to premium products. Less is more – small rewards with moment of bliss rather than mindless munching," said Lechner.

Lindt, which makes chocolate Easter bunnies, ​said U.S. ​sales of premium chocolate increased among ​GLP-1 users by nearly 17% in ‌2025, compared to a 6.5% rise among non-GLP-1 users.

Analysts at Berenberg had expected the introduction of oral GLP-1 weight-loss drugs to have an adverse effect on the food industry, particularly confectionery, over the next few years. They anticipated a drag on sales volumes of 0.9 percentage point for Lindt in 2027.

Lechner ‌added that he does not see GLP-1 ​drugs as a threat to future business. He ​expects regulatory approvals in Europe, ​which are anticipated soon, to have a similar impact on ‌consumer behaviour as in the U.S.

GLP-1 ​pills are predicted ​to expand the use of the drugs to patients beyond the users of injectables, including more men and younger patients, as the oral drugs ​are projected to provide ‌less drastic weight loss than their injectable counterparts.

(Reporting by John Revill ​in Kilchberg, writing by Danny Callaghan and Bernadette Hogg in GdanskEditing ​by Bernadette Baum and Andrei Khalip)

HAVANA (AP) — An impromptu sit-in protest at the steps of Havana University on Monday drew a small group of students concerned about their education amid an energy crisis worsened by aU.S. oil blockade of the island,which has reduced classes and is paralyzing the country.

Cuba Students Protest

Power outages and transportation shutdowns have forced the university to reduce the number of classes or hold them online, though many students are also struggling with slow and unreliable internet.

"We aren't martyrs for any side; we are university students. So, none of us intended to be here, but there has been no other way," said one of protesters, who didn't want to be identified by name due to fear of government reprisals.

The First Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Modesto Ricardo Gómez, stepped out to speak to the students. He acknowledged the financial difficulties affecting higher education, and said they have been made worse by the current standoff with the Trump administration.

"Today we have been tremendously affected by the criminal and genocidal blockade of the United States government, which, without a thought for the people or our youth, is truly massacring an entire society," Gomez said.

On the main streets of Havana, many people had to walk to work or go shopping Monday. Gasoline is rationed to 20 liters per car, and getting a fill-up involvesan elaborate appointment processthat can take weeks.

During a summit in Florida with conservative Latin American and Caribbean leaders Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will turn its attention to Cuba after the war with Iran and suggested his administration would cut a deal with Havana underscoring Washington's increasingly aggressive stance against the island's communist leadership.

"Great change will soon be coming to Cuba," Trump said at the summit.

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Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on Saturday described the summit as "small, reactionary and neocolonial."

Trump also said there are high-level talks happening between Cuba and the U.S. government.

The Cuban government hasn't confirmed that meetings are happening.

The gathering in Florida, which the White House called the"Shield of the Americas"summit, came just two months after Trump ordered an audacious U.S. military operation to captureVenezuela's then-president, Nicolás Maduro,ending Venezuela's shipment of oil to Cuba.

Following the capture of Maduro, Trump signed an executive order that would impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, a move that further crippled the island plagued by a deepening energy crisis.

Since then, no oil shipment has arrived in Cuba, which only produces one-third of its own energy needs.

Follow AP's Latin America coverage athttps://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

College basketballis well into postseason mode with the remaininghigh-major conference tournamentsgetting underway around the country this week.

It's a time of the year that makes or breaks a head coach's career at their respective school. Look at the handful of universitiesthat "part ways"with head coacheseach Marchafter disappointing postseason runs.

But it's also one that can make a name for a young head coach as they lead their respective team on aMarch Madness run. A recent example of this isDusty May,who leveraged aFlorida Atlantic Final Four runinto becoming the head coach at Michigan, which won the outright Big Ten regular season championship this season.

Think you can beat our experts?Join USA TODAY's Bracket Challenge today!

The 2026 men's NCAA Tournamentis expected to be flooded with some of the top coaching talent in the country, both young and experienced. There's Dan Hurley, who's looking for his third national title in the last four yearsat Connecticut. There's also Jon Scheyerat Duke,who is looking to bring the first national championship to Durham, North Carolina since Mike Krzyzewski retired.

There are also veteran coaches such asMichigan State's Tom Izzo,Arkansas' John CalipariandKansas' Bill Self,who have all proven they can rip off a deep run in March at any time. But who are the top coaches in the sport heading into the heart of this year's conference tournaments and March Madness?

Here's a look at the top coaches, ranked, inmen's college basketballheading into March:

Ready to win March Madness?Join USA TODAY's Survivor Pool today!

Ranking top 10 coaches in men's college basketball

1. Dan Hurley, UConn

When Hurley took over the program in 2018,the Huskieshad not made the NCAA tournament in back-to-back years since 2011-12. The program lacked the physicality and toughness that it once had under Jim Calhoun. He has since built UConn back into a national powerhouse, famously warning the entire country about thisafter a loss at Villanova in 2020that the Huskies were "coming" after all.

Since then, he led the Huskies to back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024 and has his program back to being a national championship contender after not meeting expectations last season with a second-round exit in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

2. Jon Scheyer, Duke

Taking over for the legendary Krzyzewski can be a daunting task. Jon Scheyer, however, has made it look seamless, asthe Blue Devilshave retained their status as one of the top programs (with the help of players such as Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer). He's once again in the mix for national coach of the year with the Blue Devils sitting at 29-2 overall on the season and in line for their second consecutive ACC tournament title.

But Scheyer's resume is still missing a national championship, and that's what has him under Hurley on the list. That title very much could be in store for him this season, though, given how dominant the Blue Devils have been.

3. Tommy Lloyd, Arizona

Speaking of former assistants who have thrived as head coaches, Tommy Lloyd is right up there with Scheyer. The former Gonzaga assistant under Mark Few is 140-35 in his five seasons withArizona, and has passedBrad Stevens for the most winsin the first five seasons.

Lloyd hasn't made it past the Sweet 16, however, and has a first-round loss to No. 15 seed Princeton in 2023.

4. Dusty May, Michigan

Everyone remembers the Owls' Final Four in 2023 that helped May land the Michigan job, and a 19-win improvement in his first season that finished with a trip to the Sweet 16.

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He bought into the transfer portal over the offseason tobuild a national championship contenderthat's in line for its fourth NCAA tournament 1-seed in program history. Their NCAA tournament resume features 14 Quad 1 wins — highlighted by their 3-0 record at the Players Era Festival Championship over San Diego State, Auburn and Gonzaga — and five top-25 wins in Big Ten play over Southern California, Nebraska, Purdue, Michigan State and Illinois.

5. Todd Golden, Florida

In Year 3at Floridalast season, Golden, then 39 years old, became theyoungest coach to lead a teamto a national championship since Jim Valvano did so at North Carolina State in 1983. It's a national championship that brought the Gators back into national contention for the first time since the Billy Donovan Era in Gainesville, putting him in the class of elite young coaches in the country.

This season, Golden has done a fantastic job of turning around the Gators' season after they went 5-4 in the first month and 0-3 against top five opponents in Arizona,Dukeand UConn. Since then, the Gators are 19-2 and are knocking at the door of the 1-seed line.

6. Tom Izzo, Michigan State

It's March, so don't count out Izzo. The 71-year-old coach has won 59 games in the NCAA tournament, which he'll be leading theSpartansto for the 28th consecutive season this year. He might not have his best national contending roster this year, but the Spartans can still do some damage in the NCAA tournament.

7. Kelvin Sampson, Houston

Houstonhasn't lost a beat under Kelvin Sampson since they made to the Big 12 in 2023. The Cougars have remained one of the top programs in the country, earning back-to-back No. 1 seeds and making the national championship game last season. The Cougars' likely top-three seeding projection in the NCAA tournament will be their fourth straight under Sampson.

Ready to win March Madness?Join USA TODAY's Survivor Pool today!

8. John Calipari, Arkansas

There aren't many active coaches who have a national title and multiple Final Four appearances on their resumes outside of John Calipari. He led the Razorbacks to a Sweet 16 appearance in Year 1 atArkansas, where they nearly made the Elite Eight.

His Xs and Os may not be what they were during the prime of his tenure at Kentucky, but he can still recruit like no other, develop NBA talent and still coach. Any form of Coach Cal is better than no Coach Cal.

9. Bill Self, Kansas

Kansas' 2025-26 season hasn't necessarily gone exactly as planned with a 22-9 record and Darryn Peterson drawing attention for his limited minutes usage. Yet, the Jayhawks still find themselves between the 3- and 5-seed line. It's a true testament to Self's coaching and adaptability.

10. Rick Pitino, St. John's

Rick Pitino ledSt. John'son a magical run last season, where it won its first Big East Tournament crown since 2000 and earned a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Basketball Hall of Fame coach, who won his900th career on-court gameearlier this season, reloaded his roster through the transfer portal and has the Johnnies once again atop the conference with UConn.

The Johnnies sometimes lack production from their front court outside of Zuby Ejiofor, but their defense is what makes them a headache for teams to scout. Just look attheir statement win at Madison Square Garden vs. the Huskies.

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Honorable Mentions

Here's a list, in no particular order, of coaches that just missed the top 10 cut line:

• Mark Few, Gonzaga

• Matt Painter, Purdue

• T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State

• Brad Underwood, Illinois

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:College basketball's top 10 coaches before conference tournaments

'Tis the season forNCAA tournamentbubble teams.

With the2025-26 men's college basketballregular season in the books, its time now to look to the conference tournaments. In the 68-team field for March Madness, only 31 conference tournament champions can earn auto berths into the NCAA tournament.

REQUIRED READING:March Madness favorites: Ranking top 20 teams based on odds

While some teams on the bubble can secure their bids for the Big Dance by winning their respective conferences, there are not enough of those for each of them all to qualify.

Then there are teams that are not even in the conversation for the NCAA tournament that are potentially in line to steal a bid completely by winning their conference tournaments.

Here's a look at four teams that potentially steal bids from teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble by winning their conference tournaments in the Power Five:

Florida State(17-14, 10-8 ACC)

Florida State has quietlybeen one of the hottest teams in college basketball overthe last couple of months. Following a loss to SMU on Jan. 24, the Seminoles were sitting at a season-worst four games below .500 at 8-12 and just 1-6 in ACC play.

Since that point, FSU has won nine of its 11 games, including three three-game winning streaks in that span. The team has found its footing under first-year coach Luke Loucks, who is following in the footsteps of legendary coach Leonard Hamilton.

Of course, the Seminoles will have their work cut out for themselvesto win the conference tournament. FSU earned the No. 8 seed for the tournament and will take on No. 9 California on Wednesday, March 11. If it wins that, it will face No. 1 Duke on Thursday, March 12.

No. 4 North Carolina could potentially await the Seminoles in the semifinals, while No. 3 Miami and No. 2 Virginia are the two teams favored to get in from the other side of the bracket into the championship game.

REQUIRED READING:March Madness bracketology: Latest NCAA tournament bubble predictions

Oklahoma (17-14, 7-11 SEC)

ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardimoved Oklahoma to his "next four teams out"on Sunday, March 8. That's quite a rise for a program that looked poised to fire coach Porter Moser on Feb. 4, when theSoonerssat at 1-9 in conference play amid a nine-game losing skid.

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However, Oklahoma closed out the season with six wins in its final eight games, including a four-game winning streak to close out the regular season. The Sooners have found their footing and could make some noise in the SEC Tournament.

For Oklahoma, a couple of wins in the conference tournament could position it to make the NCAA Tournament — but winning it all would guarantee entry. As the No. 11 seed, the Sooners open the tournament against No. 14 South Carolina.

If they beat the Gamecocks, they play No. 6 Texas A&M and, assuming a win vs. the Aggies, No. 3 Arkansas in the quarterfinals. No. 2 Alabama could await them in the semifinals, if they make it that far. That would likely be enough to get into the NCAA Tournament, but a win against Florida in the championship game would not only lock up a spot, but also help in seeding.

REQUIRED READING:March Madness teams rising, falling in NCAA Tournament bracket predictions

Cincinnati(17-14, 9-9 Big 12)

Following a regular season finale loss to TCU on Saturday, March 7, Cincinnati is in the first four teams out according toUSA TODAY Sports' latest bracketology.However, the Bearcats have shown throughout the regular season they can hang with the best teams in the Big 12 and are a threat to go on a run.

Cincinnati has wins over then-No. 2 Iowa State and then No. 2 Arizona on its resume. Baba Miller ― an FSU transfer ― has lived up to the potential he had coming out of Spain, before having to sit out his freshman season by theNCAA for receiving improper benefits.

The Bearcats will open the Big 12 Tournament against No. 16 Utah on Tuesday, March 10, and must face No. 8 UCF if it advances. No. 1 Arizona would await Cincinnati in the quarterfinals if it were to win that one.

According to KenPom,the Bearcats have the 12th-best defense in the country this season. If it can hold up in the Big 12 Tournament, Cincinnati has a real chance to make a deep run.

Marquette (12-19, 7-13 Big East)

Marquette is the biggest reach on this list, as the Golden Eagles have underperformed all season. But could Saturday's 68-62 upset victory over No. 4 UConn could be a sign of things to come?

The victory denied the Huskies the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, but also set up a potential rematch in the second round, if the Golden Eagles can defeat No. 10 seed Xavier in the first round on Wednesday, March 11 to kick off the tournament.

A team seven games below .500 has likely shown us what its true colors are already. But all you need to do in March Madness is get hot at the right time and win games when they count the most.

It helps that Nigel James Jr. has seemed to play his basketball at the right time. He has averaged 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists over his last six games.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Power 5 conference teams that can steal NCAA Tournament bids