VOUX MAG

While the Women's NCAA Tournament is traditionally more chalky than the men's things could still get unpredictable and spicy. Are we sure UConn is going to win it all? Will every No. 1 seed make the Final Four? Will we have any double-digit seeds make the Sweet 16?

Let's fire off some hot takes and make a few wild predictions.

Dukegets revenge on LSU

You might remember that the Tigers marched into Cameron Indoor Stadium back in December and walloped Duke 93-77. Could LSU do that to the Blue Devils again if they meet in the Sweet 16? Perhaps.

But let's consider Duke was at its worst when the Tigers came to Durham. The very next game, the Blue Devils began a 17-game winning streak when coach Kara Lawson tweaked their starting lineup — promoting Riley Nelson off the bench — and then went on to win the ACC's regular season and tournament titles.

Lawson also has a pretty good pedigree in run-it-back games, where Duke gets a second crack at a team in a single season after losing to them earlier the year. Just look at last season:

• Duke lost its first meeting with North Carolina, then beat the Tar Heels in their second and third matchups.

• Duke lost at NC State in the regular season, then topped the Wolfpack in the ACC title game.

• South Carolina beat the Blue Devils comfortably in their first meeting last season, and their Elite Eight meeting came down to the final two possessions.

Should Duke see LSU again, it'll be better prepared.

USC loses toClemsonin the first round

Overcoming the absence of JuJu Watkins has been difficult for the Trojans this season. Jazzy Davidson has established herself as one of the top freshmen in the country, but USC finished the regular season 17-13 overall and 9-9 in Big Ten play a year after it won the conference tournament. USC is currently riding a five-game losing streak.

Meanwhile, the vibes are great in Upstate South Carolina, where Clemson is dancing for the first time since 2019 and the second time since 2002. The Tigers ended their season on a high note under second-year coach Shawn Poppie, securing their place in the tournament field with an upset win over Duke, a victory on the road at Cal and an ACC Tournament triumph over Virginia.

Throw out the stats in this matchup, we're riding with the vibes. The Tigers should have all the momentum in this game played in their home state.

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Kentucky makes the Final Four

The Wildcats' path to what would be Kenny Brooks' second Final Four appearance as a head coach has a few hurdles standing in their way, but they're manageable.

First, Kentucky has to get out of the West Virginia sub-regional. The Wildcats should be able to defeat James Madison — where Brooks first became a head coach and played for the Hall of Famer Lefty Driesell — comfortably. Kentucky will then likely face the Mountaineers, who rank 314th nationally in defending 3-pointers and 269th in defensive rebounds per game. The Wildcats should have the advantage on the boards and at the perimeter.

Kentucky would then face its second — and perhaps its biggest hurdle — which would be pulling off a Sweet 16 upset win over Texas. The Wildcats lost by 11 points in Austin earlier this season, but it was just Teonni Key's third game back from an elbow injury, Tonie Morgan had an uncharacteristic game with six turnovers, and Amelia Hassett and Jordan Obi combined for three points. The chances of all those things happening again seems unlikely.

Finally, Kentucky will likely have to get past either Michigan or Louisville in the Elite Eight. The Wildcats beat the Cardinals by double figures in Louisville earlier this season and have a noticeable size advantage over the Wolverines whose two tallest players are 6-foot-3. Kentucky has three starters above 6-foot-4.

If Kentucky gets a little bit of bracket luck, the idea of the Wildcats making it to Phoenix isn't so crazy.

Gonzaga makes the Sweet 16

No stranger to March Madness success, the Bulldogs have been to the Sweet 16 twice since Lisa Fortier became the head coach in 2014. Gonzaga ranks second nationally in 3-point shooting, making 39% of its attempts from behind the arc. The Zags are also third nationally in total rebounding rate at 57.8%. Being solid on the boards and good at shooting from deep range is usually a recipe for success in the NCAA Tournament.

Gonzaga is also has Allie Turner, the nation's third-best 3-point shooter with a 46.7% shooting clip from behind the arc. Additionally, Lauren Whittaker — a freshman — is the only player in the nation who averages at least 19 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting better than 50% from the floor and 80% from the free throw line.

Ole Miss, Gonzaga's first-round opponent, is 56th nationally in rebounding and a mediocre 225th in defending the 3-pointer. Minnesota — who would likely be Gonzaga's second round opponent — is 75th in rebounds per game and 224th in defending the 3-pointer.

The Zags can beat both of those teams.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Women's NCAA Tournament hot takes: Kentucky in Final Four, USC out early

The record dead cap hit wasn't alone on the news cycle. Just two days later, theArizona Cardinals released Kyler Murrayto the dead cap tune of $54.7 million.

The two releases make the 2026 offseason one of the costliest quarterback dead-cap cycles in NFL history. And among the seven other biggest quarterback dead-cap cases, only one other offseason occupies two spots: 2023, when Tom Brady retired and when Green Bay traded Aaron Rodgers.

Ultimately, the timing matters as much as the totals. Dead cap hits land in the same windows when teams are trying to reshape their rosters through free agency and trades. Carrying $40-50 million in dead money — or nearly $100 million in Miami's case — can dictate strategy: fewer signings, more restructures and a heavier reliance on draft picks.

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However, success can come quickly to teams, even after pricey breakups. Philadelphia, for instance, made the Super Bowl two years after dealing with Carson Wentz's dead cap hit. And Denver reached the AFC title game this past season — when it was still dealing with Wilson's $32 million figure for 2025.

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)

Only the future will tell when it comes to the Dolphins and Cardinals. Miamiturned around and signed Malik Willis, formerly of Tennessee and Green Bay, while Arizonalooks to rely on Jacoby Brissett, who started 12 games last season while Murray was injured, or they might taprecently-signed journeyman Gardner Minshew.

DIG DEEPER:

• Miami Dolphins' record dead money isn't a death sentence

• Where every QB has landed in 2026 NFL offseason

• What is dead cap money in the NFL? How moving on from players impacts salary cap

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL 2026 offseason sees record QB dead cap from Dolphins, Cardinals

Brooklyn Beckhamhad long made it clear via his Instagram Stories that he no longer wants to reconcile with his parents,VictoriaandDavid Beckham, over the ongoing feud. Despite this, his parents posted sweet birthday messages for their oldest son. However, an insider said that their son wants them "to take a step back" for now.

Brooklyn Beckham 'still values family but wants relationships that feel genuine,' per source

The family feud between Brooklyn Beckham and his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, has been going on for months. While the parents are trying their best to patch things up with their oldest son, he has made it loud and clear that he has "no plans to reconcile" with them in a lengthyInstagram Story, much to everyone's surprise.

Brooklyn has even sent a legal notice to his parents, advising them to contact him only through lawyers and not to tag or mention him in their social media posts. Despite this, David and Victoria shared aseries of tributesfor his 27th birthday on Instagram last week. But instead of doing any good, the insider toldCloser, the post apparently left Brooklyn "fuming" as he felt his parents "turned his birthday back into a public spectacle."

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And they were not the only ones to wish the birthday boy. Brooklyn's younger brothers, Romeo and Cruz, also shared a picture of their sibling. Even Brooklyn's maternal grandmother, Jackie Adams, reportedly called her grandson and "urged him to bury the hatchet."

Amid all this, the insider said, "What people often overlook is that Brooklyn is hurting too." Thus, he currently "feels that putting space between himself and the family will give everyone the time they need to process what's happened and deal with it properly."

But with his parents "posting about him, it makes that healing much harder." Moreover, Brooklyn wishes "to be left alone," and feels "the best thing his parents could do is simply take a step back." Despite the feud, Brooklyn "still values family, but he wants relationships that feel genuine," said the insider, adding that "Brooklyn's trying to create a life where things are real."

The postBrooklyn Beckham Wants His Parents 'To Take a Step Back' Amid Feud — Sourceappeared first onReality Tea.

Movies and TV shows casting across the US

Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you.Backstagecompiled a list of projects casting right now across the U.S., and which roles they're looking to fill.

'72 Whaler'

- Project type: feature film- Roles:--- Hayes (lead, male, 20-28)--- Quinn (supporting, female, 19-28)--- Jim (supporting, male, 60-75)- Roles pay up to: $6,600- Casting locations: nationwide- Learn more about the feature filmhere

Untitled H Movie

- Project type: feature film- Roles:--- Featured Very Attractive Bartender (background / extra, male, 21-35)- Roles pay up to: $224- Casting locations: New York City, NY; Manhattan, NY; Brooklyn, NY; Queens, NY; Hoboken, NJ- Learn more about the feature filmhere

A24 Chinatown TV Series

- Project type: scripted show- Roles:--- Chinatown Triad Boss Types (background / extra, 30+)--- Chinese Family Member Types (lead, 23+)--- Baby (background / extra, 1+)- Roles pay up to: $242- Casting locations: Queens, NY; Manhattan, NY; Bethpage, NY- Learn more about the scripted showhere

'Blood Doesn't Make You Family'

- Project type: vertical series- Roles:--- Teen Brandon (day player, male, 13-18)--- Young Alice (day player, female, 6-44)- Roles pay up to: $250- Casting locations: Los Angeles, CA- Learn more about the vertical serieshere

'Golden'

- Project type: documentary series- Roles:--- Bachelors (supporting, male, 50-65)--- Bachelorettes (supporting, female, 50-65)- Roles pay up to: $300- Casting locations: Miami, FL- Learn more about the documentary serieshere

'Tagalog Language Test'

- Project type: reality TV- Roles:--- Student (Yourself) (lead, 18-40)--- Student (Yourself) (models, 18-40)--- Student (Yourself) (real people, 18-40)- Roles pay up to: $150- Casting locations: Los Angeles, CA; Orange, CA; San Diego, CA; Newport Beach, CA; Rancho Cucamonga, CA- Learn more about the reality TV showhere

'Out The Kitchen'

- Project type: scripted show- Roles:--- Downscale Clubgoers (Non-SAG Covered) (background / extra, 25+)--- Teen Friends (18tly) (Non-SAG Covered) (background / extra, female, 18-20)--- Bouncer (Non-SAG Covered) (background / extra, male, 25-45)- Roles pay up to: $262- Casting locations: New York City, NY- Learn more about the scripted showhere

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'Let's Make A Deal' Season 18

- Project type: reality TV- Roles:--- Contestant/s (real people, all genders, 18+)- Casting locations: Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA; Palm Springs, CA- Learn more about the reality TV showhere

'Tokyo Vagrant'

- Project type: feature film- Roles:--- Angela (lead, female, 18-29)--- Alex (lead, male, 18-29)--- Andrew (lead, male, 30+)- Casting locations: Worldwide- Learn more about the feature filmhere

Discovery Channel Documentary Series, Historical Recreations

- Project type: documentary series- Roles:--- Jefferson Davis (lead, male, 40-60)- Roles pay up to: $200- Casting locations: Atlanta, GA- Learn more about the documentary serieshere

'Autonomous'

- Project type: feature film- Roles:--- Alistair Mallen (lead, male, 26-40)--- Maggie Thomas (lead, female, 20-30)--- Magda Jansen (supporting, female, 40-55)- Roles pay up to: $1,500- Casting locations: nationwide- Learn more about the feature filmhere

'The Warmth Below'

- Project type: scripted show- Roles:--- Todd (lead, male, 25-35)--- Sarah (supporting, female, 20-35)--- Raheem (supporting, male, 25-60)- Roles pay up to: $1,200- Casting locations: Lodi, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Sacramento, CA- Learn more about the scripted showhere

'Sydney Campbell is Dead to Me'

- Project type: feature film- Roles:--- Sydney (lead, female, 21-36)- Roles pay up to: $30,000- Casting locations: nationwide- Learn more about the feature filmhere

'The Gilded Age' Season 4, Newport, RI

- Project type: scripted show- Roles:--- Child of Principal/Twins, Ages Newborn-5 Mos (SAG-AFTRA Covered) (background / extra, 1)--- Child of Principal, Ages Newborn-5 Mos. (SAG-AFTRA (SAG-AFTRA Covered) (background / extra, 1)- Roles pay up to: $500- Casting locations: Newport, RI; Providence, RI; Boston, MA; Hartford, CT- Learn more about the scripted showhere

'Ghost'

- Project type: feature film- Roles:--- Fit Model (background / extra, male, 18-45)- Roles pay up to: $262- Casting locations: New York City, NY- Learn more about the feature filmhere

This storywas produced byBackstageand reviewed and distributed byStacker.

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.

Georgia Patriarch

Ilia II died late Tuesday after being hospitalized in critical condition with internal bleeding.

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"He was an epochal figure; it is a tremendous loss for the entire Orthodox Church," said Shio Mujiri, who temporarily took over the leadership of the church pending the election of a new patriarch.

Ilia II led the church for nearly five decades. He assumed the leadership role in 1977, when Georgia was part of the Soviet Union and religious practices were restricted, and remained a dominant spiritual and public figure after Georgia regained independence.

A new patriarch is to be elected within two months.

At the age of 67, Larijani had become a visible emblem of the regime and its continuity. He even took part in a public rally in Tehran last week, despite being a prime target for Israel since the conflict began on February 28.

Throughout the first two weeks ofthe war, Larijani was also prolific on social media, goading US President Donald Trump and on Monday warning Muslims across the Persian Gulf: "You know that America has no loyalty to you, and that Israel is your enemy. Stop for a moment and think about yourselves and the future of the region."

Larijani's death at the hands of an Israeli airstrike will deprive the Iranian leadership of one of its most astute and powerful voices – and may make any negotiations to end the war more difficult, analysts say. To many observers, Larijani had become the de facto leader of Iran amid the upheavals of recent weeks, especially in the days followingSupreme Leader Ali Khamenei's death.

He has been a "true insider who spent decades at the center of the system, which gave him credibility across different parts of the elite," according to Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

"The Islamic Republic is designed to survive the loss of individuals, but figures with such diversified experience are not easy to replace."

Israeli strikes, both in June and in the latest round of conflict, have killed many experienced Iranian commanders and security officials. But the loss of Larijani, the head of Iran's National Security Council, is of a different order.

He may not always have been a target. A source familiar with private plans and discussions told CNN that in September last year, he was the US and Israel's most favored transitional candidate. But after he pushed for a crackdown against Iranian protesters, took a front seat in lashing out at the US and Israel and assumed a key role in strategizing kinetic military actions, Israel turned its sights on him in early February.

His death will have limited immediate impact on the conduct of the war, but its political management will become more complicated, according to Azizi, because of his command of Iran's political messaging and his international contacts.

Someone like President Masoud Pezeshkian – a prominent moderate largely sidelined since the conflict began – would be unable to bring together a coalition within the elite to negotiate an end to the war, Azizi believes. It would require a figure of Larijani's stature to bring different factions on board to reach a potential agreement.

Half a century of service

Over nearly five decades, Larijani held key positions in the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the security establishment, state media and parliament.

The Supreme National Security Council praised Larijani's long political career, describing him as a figure who "until the very last moments of his life" worked toward the advancement of Iran and called for unity in the face of external threats.

"This kind of trajectory is relatively rare" in the Islamic Republic, Azizi told CNN. "The only position he lacked on his resume was that of president."

Larijani was a skillful navigator of the shifting politics of the Islamic Republic, a "pragmatic conservative" who could work in different camps within the system, while completely loyal to the republic, according to Azizi.

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He was a commander in the IRGC during the war with Iraq in the 1980s, and later the head of the state broadcaster.

Larijani was Iran's chief nuclear negotiator in the first decade of the century. Western diplomats who negotiated with him described him as sophisticated and intelligent. And increasingly he had the ear of Khamenei on security issues, after his appointment as an adviser in 2004.

For 12 years until 2020, he was speaker of Iran's parliament, broadening his power base.

In aCNN interviewin 2015, Larijani praised the deal negotiated by the Obama administration that limited Iran's nuclear program in return for sanctions relief, describing it as "a beginning for better understanding of other issues."

After last year's conflict with Israel, Larijani returned to prominence as head of the National Security Council and was regarded by many analysts as the most important decision-maker in the country.

He also became Iran's chief international voice, more so than even Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with recent visits to Moscow, Beirut, Abu Dhabi and Oman. He met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of January and set out Iran's conditions for a nuclear agreement after visiting Oman, which was mediating between Washington and Tehran.

Larijani's core position within the regime was reinforced by his family's prominent clerical background. He was married to the daughter of a prominent ayatollah. One of his brothers, Sadegh, is also an ayatollah and former head of Iran's judiciary. Another brother, Mohammad-Javad Larijani, has also held various roles in the Islamic Republic.

Larijani was also an established academic. Trained originally in mathematics and computer science at Sharif University of Technology, he held a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Tehran and wrote extensively about the work of German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

In recent days, Larijani had been vocal and eloquent about Iran's readiness for sustained conflict.

"Unlike the United States, [Iran] has prepared itself for a long war," he posted onXsoon after the US began its campaign.

His death may make it longer. On Monday, state media announced that a 71-year-old former IRGC commander, Mohsen Rezaei, had come out of retirement to become the senior military adviser to Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

That suggests the leadership is becoming more reliant on the Iraq war generation and therefore more militarized, Azizi told CNN – without the counterbalance of Larijani's pragmatism.

Christiane Amanpour contributed to this report.

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