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Today is Monday, March 31, the 90th day of 2025. There are 275 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On March 31, 1993, actor Brandon Lee, 28, was accidentally shot to death during the filming of a movie in Wilmington, North Carolina, when he was hit by a bullet fragment that had become lodged inside a prop gun.

Also on this date:

In 1492, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain issued the Alhambra Decree, an edict expelling Jews from Spanish soil, except those willing to convert to Christianity.

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• Trump says he’s considering ways to serve a third term as president
• Richard Chamberlain, TV actor who starred in ‘Dr. Kildare,’ dies at 90
• Trump roars down multiple paths of retribution as he vowed. Some targets yield while others fight
• Today in History: March 30, Reagan shot in assassination attempt
• Transgender people are about 1% of the US population. Yet they’re a political lightning rod

In 1854, Japan and the United States signed the Treaty of Kanagawa, which opened two Japanese ports to American vessels and marked the beginning of Japan’s transition away from isolationism.

In 1918, the United States first observed daylight saving time, moving clocks ahead one hour.

In 1931, Notre Dame college football coach Knute Rockne, 43, was killed in the crash of a TWA plane near Bazaar, Kansas.

In 1968, at the conclusion of a nationally broadcast address on Vietnam, President Lyndon B. Johnson stunned listeners by declaring, “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.”

In 1995, Tejano music star Selena, 23, died after being shot by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of Selena’s fan club, who was found to have been embezzling money from the singer.

In 2004, four U.S. civilian contractors were killed by Iraqi insurgents in Fallujah, Iraq; frenzied crowds then dragged the burned, mutilated bodies and hanged two of them from a bridge.

In 2005, Terri Schiavo (SHY’-voh), 41, died at a hospice in Pinellas Park, Florida, 13 days after her feeding tube was removed in a wrenching right-to-die court battle that began in 1998.

In 2022, scientists announced they had finished fully sequencing the human genome, the full genetic blueprint for human life.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor William Daniels is 98.
• Actor Richard Chamberlain is 91.
• Actor Shirley Jones is 91.
• Musician-producer Herb Alpert is 90.
• Actor Christopher Walken is 82.
• Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, is 81.
• Former Vice President Al Gore is 77.
• Actor Rhea Perlman is 77.
• Rock musician Angus Young (AC/DC) is 70.
• Hockey Hall of Famer Pavel Bure is 54.
• Actor Ewan McGregor is 54.
• Actor Brian Tyree Henry is 43.
• Filmmaker Chloé Zhao is 43.
• Musician-producer Jack Antonoff is 41.

General Daily Insight for March 31, 2025

We have one foot firmly in reality, the other drifting off through some faraway dreamland. The Sun marches along in Aries, lighting us up with the desire to engage with the world and explore our abilities. In contrast, Venus and Mercury are still retrograde in intuitive Pisces. Not only are the cosmic lovers inspiring us to proceed gently, they’re also motivating us to look in the rearview mirror. There, we may see fated visions as they approach the North Node of destiny.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

You have been clinging to something for a long time, Aries. It could be a way of thinking about yourself, or perhaps a certain habit which you indulge in, especially when you feel sensitive or out of your comfort zone. Think of it like a childhood security blanket that you may no longer need to carry around because you have grown up, even if that growth took place without you realizing it. If it’s time to set it aside, be honest with yourself about that.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Being nice is not the same thing as being kind. There are people in your life who come off as nice by always telling you the things you like to hear. The validation from such statements doesn’t mean that keeping those people around is in your best interest. A slew of planets in your altruistic 11th house are encouraging you to choose kinder peers, those who are willing to tell you things you may not enjoy learning. That’s what’s in your best interest.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

The road to the top is rarely straight and narrow. It can seem like the path ahead is twisting and turning all over the place while your 10th House of Authority hosts two retrograde planets, but this is actually a powerful moment to allow other important factors to play themselves out. Only when these changes have happened will you be able to move forward again. When you work with patience, you can, in time, get exactly where you want to go.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

You may feel like Dorothy in her house, flying over the rainbow. However, it’s not at all clear where you’re going to land just yet — this is due to a combination of retrograde planets in your audacious 9th house. Still, this lack of knowledge doesn’t mean you aren’t headed in the right direction. The best way to reach your goals would be to avoid trying to dictate your path forward. Work within your current situation while letting the cosmos carry you as it will.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Recognizing the line — and not crossing it — won’t be easy. Your 8th House of Tension is hosting both Mercury and Venus retrograde, which can shake up the most intimate and intense connections in your life. Someone may provoke you to some degree or push your buttons about an issue which you would rather not discuss, but you may not have a choice. Establish your comfort zone as best you can, then let other people know its boundaries with polite firmness.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

The fewer expectations you have, the easier it will be to get what you want. Mercury and Venus are both retrograde in your partnership sector, making it difficult to meet anyone halfway — whether you’re attempting to make it happen in a personal sense or a professional one. You can benefit from this if you don’t expect anything from anyone, because what they bring your way of their own volition may prove much better. Treat others as you wish to be treated.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Productivity doesn’t always look the same. There is a small army of planets retrograding through your 6th House of Analysis, which may seem like a big headache at first glimpse. There is genuinely important information on offer — if you take the time to look. This will likely pertain to exploring modern ways of handling your traditional tasks, so be willing to try a different approach to old problems. Just know that it may take some time to find the right one for you.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Indulge your inner kid. It’s the perfect time to find pleasure in the things that used to make little you happy as Mercury and Venus both retrograde through your recreational 5th house. Whether it’s a bit of karaoke, drawing with markers, or even dressing up in a silly costume, it’s these small things that can currently bring a smile to your face. Take on a childlike mindset and don’t worry about your skill level or the final product — you’re allowed to enjoy the process.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

It’s alright if your feelings seem uncertain. Your emotional 4th house is hosting Mercury and Venus, who both are retrograde at the moment. This can make it difficult to look within and know exactly what is what. Even so, this does not mean you do not know the answer, but rather you’re going through a deep, slow change. Trust that things will play out for the best, even if they temporarily have you scratching your head. You don’t need all the answers this instant.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Don’t pile too much onto your plate. It’ll be tough to resist diving into life and swimming around in your surroundings while Mercury and Venus are in your chatty 3rd house. Since both planets are also retrograde, sticking to the waters you know would be much more sensible than sailing into unmapped seas. You’ll find more success keeping things simple, rather than trying to pile as many things onto your to-do list as possible. Make sure there’s space for what truly matters.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Make the most of what you have. It makes perfect sense if you want to treat yourself, what with Mercury and Venus both in your possessive 2nd house — except those planets are also retrograde, so your desire for shiny things probably won’t lead to real satisfaction. The most prudent course of action would be to root through what you already own and size things up with a new eye. What you discover hidden in your closet or cupboard could prove just the ticket!

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

This is one of those days when you could feel a little uncertain of how you wish to present yourself. Both Mercury and Venus are retrograde in your gentle sign, which may cause you to feel like you can’t do anything right. That’s not the case! Even though misunderstandings and missteps are everywhere with these two planets backing up like this, don’t discount your natural intuition. It’s okay to feel confused, as long as you keep going. Don’t overthink who you are.

MIAMI — Griffin Conine hit a home run, Derek Hill scored the winning run from third on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth and the Miami Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Sunday.

Andrew McCutchen hit a lead-off homer in the top of the second inning but Nick Fortes hit an RBI double to left that drove in Hill to make it 1-1 going into the third. The 38-year-old McCutchen now has 800 career extra-base hits, third most among active players (behind Freddie Freeman with 885 and Paul Goldschmidt with 833).

Conine hit a solo shot to make it 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh. His father, Jeff Conine, helped the Marlins to World Series titles in 1997 and 2003 and is known as “Mr. Marlin.” He was inducted in the the franchise’s hall of fame earlier Sunday.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa hustled out an infield single to drive in Endy Rodriguez, who had walked to lead off the fifth inning, to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead.

With a runner on first in the top of the ninth, Miami’s Kyle Stowers made a running over-the-head catch at the warning track to rob Enmanuel Valdez of extra bases and keep the game scored at 2-2.

Key moment

Hill walked to lead off the bottom of the ninth, stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error before he scored on a wild pitch by David Bednar.

Key stat

The Marlins won three games with walk-offs to take their opening four-game series against the Pirates.

Up next

Right-hander Cal Quantrill pitches Monday for the Marlins in the first of three games against the Mets in Miami. Carmen Mlodzinski, a 26-year-old RHP, makes his first start of the season Monday as the Pirates kickoff a three-game road set against the Tampa Bay Rays.

SUNRISE — Nick Suzuki scored to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Sunday.

Suzuki scored on a snap shot with 17:58 left in the third period to put the Canadiens ahead 3-2. Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson each got an assist on the goal.

Patrik Laine, Brendan Gallagher and Slafkovsky also scored for the Canadiens.

Seth Jones and Sam Reinhart each scored for the Panthers.

Samuel Montembeault stopped 24 shots in the win for the Canadiens. Sergei Bobrovsky had 18 saves for the Panthers.

Takeaways

Canadiens: Montreal is now 4-3-3 over its last 10 games.

Panthers: Florida is 5-5-0 in its last 10.

Key moment

Gallagher helped close it out with an empty-netter with 1:44 left. Gallagher has three goals and five assists in his last seven games.

Key stat

Hutson had three assists for Montreal. It was Hutson’s 14th multi-assist game of 2024-25, tying Larry Murphy (1980-81) for second-most in a season by a rookie defenseman in NHL history — trailing Chris Chelios with 16 in 1984-85.

Up next

Next up for both clubs is a rematch on Tuesday.

Montreal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovský (20) celebrates his goal during the second period vs. the Florida Panthers on Sunday in Sunrise. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

SAN FRANCISCO — Florida All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr. arrived in a basketball-rich city while he drew comparisons to Steph Curry, perhaps the greatest Bay Area baller of them all.

Clayton brushed off the correlation to “arguably the greatest point guard in the history of basketball,” by his estimation.

Florida Gators’ Walter Clayton Jr. (1) launches a 3-point shot over Texas Tech Red Raiders’ Christian Anderson (4) during the Gators’ come-from-behind 84-79 win against Texas Tech in the Elite Eight Sunday in San Francisco. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

“That’s one of the greatest ever … changed the game,” he said.

By the time he departed the West Coast Sunday, a day after he led UF past Texas Tech 84-79 and into the Final Four, Clayton certainly had left his mark in San Francisco.

The Lake Wales native scored 13 of his team’s final 23 points to help erase a 10-point deficit in the final 6:18 and stun the Red Raiders. Clayton’s first of three 3-pointers during the furious push to the finish ignited a comeback for the ages.

“There’s not another player in America you would rather have right now than Walter Clayton with the ball in his hands in a big-time moment,” coach Todd Golden said.

Clayton received his share of help during the Gators’ Elite Eight escape.

Sixth man Thomas Haugh’s legend similarly continued grow Saturday at the Chase Center. He almost single-handedly kept Florida afloat during the first half — with 14 points of his 20 points and 6 of his 11 rebounds — until Clayton found his bearings.

Sitting alongside Haugh during postgame interviews, Clayton showered praise on the 6-foot-9 sophomore.

“He’s meant everything,” Clayton said. “He comes in every day, puts his head down and works. He’s sacrificing for the team. He plays his role and does everything we need him to do.

“I’m thankful for him and I love him.”

Even so, much of the adulation came Clayton’s way. A week after he led Florida’s past UConn with two late 3s, including with 1:07 remaining to double his team’s lead to six points during an eventual 77-75 win.

Until Saturday’s showing, the effort likely would have topped Clayton’s list of clutch shots, though he was understandably at a loss to quite recall just moments after reaching the Final Four.

“I honestly can’t even remember right now,” he said.

Florida forward Thomas Haugh (10) and guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) celebrate during the Gators’ Elite Eight win against Texas Tech. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Clayton’s ability to keep head free of thought and clutter is among his many strengths.

“He does a great job controlling his emotions,” Golden said. “Most players in that moment, their heart rate would get up. He has that special talent and ability to stay even keeled.

“The biggest thing is you need to have somebody that wants to take those shots.”

Clayton was willing and able like the greats who have come before him. The 22-year-old also knows his place in the game has begun to only unfold.

A trip to San Francisco should humble any player from outside the area.

Bill Russell won two national championships here in the 1950s, Wilt Chamberlain played four seasons in San Fran early in his career and Rick Barry won an NBA scoring title in the ’60s and a championship in the 70s.

Then, of course, there is Steph and coach Steve Kerr’s remarkable run to four NBA titles.

For now, Clayton will leave the comparisons to everyone else, embrace a trip to the Final Four in San Antonio and and try to rise to the occasion once again.

“I’ve got a ways to go,” he said. “But just thankful for the recognition.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

WASHINGTON — A curious thing happened for Terry Rozier in Saturday night’s victory in Philadelphia — he played.

For the veteran Miami Heat guard, that was the first time that happened in six games.

Ultimately, it was just 4:08 of action and hardly altered his status of being shuffled to the back of rotation.

Having entered the season with expectations of either being a side-by-side or relief component for Tyler Herro in Erik Spoelstra’s rotation, it has, instead, been the roughest of rides for Rozier over his 10 seasons.

“I think it’s just my style of play hasn’t been the best fit for what we want to do,” Rozier, 31, acknowledged during a private moment prior to Saturday night’s victory over the 76ers that extended the Heat winning streak to four. “So I’m just seeing what works and what cach likes and what fits best for the team, I’ve kind of been fighting. I kind of know what coach wants me to do. Just got to do it.”

After brief success as a spot-up shooter earlier this season, Rozier found himself reverting to the off-the-dribble play that had boosted his career during his previous NBA stops with the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets.

Over the past 19 games he has been held out by coach’s decision eight times, appearing for 12 or fewer minutes four other times over that stretch.

“It’s never easy for a competitor, especially me,” he said. “You work so hard and then it just becomes unfortunate with the situation.

“But you just try to stay positive through it all, and give grace and still be thankful that I’m in this position. You try to keep working hard, waiting for my name to be called again.”

But lately it hasn’t been called, with Alec Burks the fill-in wing of choice when ailments have sidelined Duncan Robinson and Andrew Wiggins, and with 2024 second-round pick Pelle Larsson getting the starting call in Saturday’s game.

Related Articles

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• Spoelstra offers updates on Wiggins, Robinson; Heat get reinforcements

Based on how Saturday played out, with Rozier missing his two shots and scoreless, with one assist and one rebound, rotation minutes remain unlikely.

While Rozier struggled Saturday, Burks went for a season-high 20 points, shooting 6 of 12 on 3-pointers, with Larsson in his third career start filling the box score with 14 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocked shots.

Rozier said he appreciates the decisions required of Spoelstra and said he is there to support teammates who are performing.

“We’ve got a great locker room,” Rozier said, with the Heat turning their attention to Monday night’s game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. “We’ve got a lot of guys that mess around with each other. We don’t have guys that are all about themselves. You don’t get that.

“That’s why it’s been kind of easy for me. We’ve been winning. These guys that have been playing, they deserve it. I don’t want to take anything away from anyone. I just know how much I work. That’s why I’m optimistic and feel like this is going to turn.”

When or if such an opportunity comes is uncertain for Rozier, who has one more year left on his contract, at $26.6 million for next season.

“It’s been good because we’ve been winning,” he said. “But, like I said, anybody who’s a competitor wants to be out there and play. But I let coach make the decisions and live with it.”

All with no excuses.

Rozier said the neck injury that ended his season ahead of last year’s playoffs and had him in the brace in the offseason has not been a factor. And he does not mention being linked to a federal investigation into sports gambling.

“Nah, no outside factor,” he said.

Instead, he acknowledges the only thing that matters is having to be better.

“It hasn’t been easy,” he said. “Just thankful to be in this position and I can still put on the jersey and play. So hopefully I can turn things around.”

By CHRIS MEGERIAN

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday that “I’m not joking” about trying to serve a third term, the clearest indication he is considering ways to breach a constitutional barrier against continuing to lead the country after his second term ends in early 2029.

“There are methods which you could do it,” Trump said in a telephone interview with NBC News.

He also said “it is far too early to think about it.”

The 22nd Amendment, which was added to the Constitution in 1951 after President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times in a row, says “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”

NBC’s Kristen Welker asked Trump if one potential avenue to a third term was having Vice President JD Vance run for the top job and “then pass the baton to you.”

“Well, that’s one,” Trump responded. “But there are others too. There are others.”

“Can you tell me another?” Welker asked.

“No,” Trump replied.

Vance’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

Trump, who would be 82 at the end of his second term, was asked whether he would want to keep serving in “the toughest job in the country” at that point.

“Well, I like working,” the president said.

He suggested that Americans would go along with a third term because of his popularity. He falsely claimed to have “the highest poll numbers of any Republican for the last 100 years.”

Gallup data shows President George W. Bush reaching a 90% approval rating after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. His father, President George H.W. Bush, hit 89% following the Gulf War in 1991.

Trump has maxed out at 47% in Gallup data during his second term, despite claiming to be “in the high 70s in many polls, in the real polls.”

Trump has mused before about serving longer than two terms before, generally with jokes to friendly audiences.

“Am I allowed to run again?” he said during a House Republican retreat in January.

Two people are dead after a shooting that involved a Miami-Dade Transit bus driver Sunday morning, Miami Gardens police said.

Speaking to media at the scene, Miami Gardens police said an argument between the driver and passengers escalated — leading to the driver pulling out a gun and opening fire on the passengers. They were taken to Aventura Hospital, where both died.

The investigation has streets blocked around the intersection of two main thoroughfares, Northwest 183rd Street and Northwest Seventh Avenue.

Read more at: Miami Herald.

WASHINGTON — No, this is not the type of fight to the finish the Miami Heat typically target, an objective of being a No. 9 play-in seed instead of a No. 10 play-in seed.

But it nonetheless is the reality for Erik Spoelstra’s team.

With eight games remaining, the Heat will go into Monday night’s matchup against the Washington Wizards at No. 10 in the East by virtue of the Chicago Bulls, who have an identical 33-41 record, having clinched the head-to-head tiebreaker with a 2-0 lead in the three-game season series that concludes a week from Wednesday in Chicago.

Beyond that, the gap to the Nos. 7-8 spots held by the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks appears too formidable, considering Heat tiebreaker deficits in those permutations.

In the play-in round:

— The No. 9 seed hosts the No. 10 seed in an elimination game;

— The winner of that game plays at the loser of the No. 8 and No. 7 game to advance to the playoffs.

So what the Heat ostensibly eventually are facing are two must win play-in games for the right to then open the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the No. 1 seed in the East, in the best-of-seven first round.

To Spoelstra it means there still is incentive for that fight to the finish, even if on decidedly lesser terms than at the top of the playoff race.

“There is a competitive character with this group,” Spoelstra said after the Heat extended their winning streak to four with Saturday night’s 118-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at the start of this three-game trip that concludes Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics. “It’s a group that wants to figure it out, wants to play well for each other, wants to compete and get to another level.

“Guys are having fun with the competition and having these games mean something. We feel like we’re playing for something. It’s not like whatever those narratives are out there. There is something to play for and that’s exciting”

Related Articles

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• ASK IRA: Are Heat creating springboard for next season or false hope?
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• Spoelstra offers updates on Wiggins, Robinson; Heat get reinforcements

With Saturday night’s victory, the Heat stand tied with their longest winning streak of the season, this four-game surge coming on the heels of the 10-game losing streak that dropped them to the bottom of the play-in race.

“Our guys love to compete,” Spoelstra said. “I said this while we were losing games: We all felt alive. Our locker room felt alive. We felt alive from the competition, from the challenge and how frustrating it was.

“If you’re in those circumstances, that can also make you feel dead; that was not the case with this group.”

So, yes, something still to play for, standings still being watched, albeit from south of the typical standard.

“We’re still demanding more,” center and team captain Bam Adebayo said. “We’re still holding each other to a higher standard.

“I’m proud of how we’ve responded. Like I said, we didn’t let go of the rope and we found a breakthrough, and now the question is how do we sustain this success.”

Free flowing

Saturday night’s victory included 33 assists and 20-of-43 3-point shooting, with the offense continuing to trend in a far better direction.

“It’s fun basketball to play,” Adebayo said. “That’s the biggest thing about it. We’re enjoying each others’ success. For us to keep continuing that, that’s what we’ve got to do, enjoy each others’ success, share the ball, and we keep hitting that 30-assist mark, we’ll be in good shape.”

According to the Heat’s Couper Moorhead, with Saturday’s performance, the Heat became only the second team in NBA regular-season history to shoot at least 51.5% on at least 130 3-point attempts across four games, as has been the case during this winning streak. That was previously accomplished by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors.

In addition, Moorhead noted Heat guard Tyler Herro, with his 30-point performance Saturday on 11-of-17 shooting, became the fourth player in Heat history to put up at least 115 points on 63 or fewer shots across four games. The others were LeBron James (five times),  Alonzo Mourning (twice) and Dwyane Wade (once).

“He’s playing so patiently without the ball,” Spoelstra said. “It’s really slowing down for him.”

Injury report

The Heat again listed Duncan Robinson (back) and Andrew Wiggins (hamstring) as out for Monday night‘s game in Washington. Neither is on the trip.

Alec Burks is probable with his ongoing back issue.

Kevin Love remains away from the team due to personal reasons.

Nikola Jovic (hand) and Dru Smith (Achilles) remain  out.

By Jackson CastellanoOrlando Sentinel Correspondent

GAINESVILLE — Florida football, in the shadows of the Gators’ ongoing March Madness run in men’s basketball, had quite the week despite straying from its  original schedule.

The Gators hosted NFL staffers at pro-day sessions this week to show off the latest class of draft-eligible players and planned to play the first scrimmage of spring practice Saturday.

Instead, Florida held one more day of regular practice with a revised date for theopening scrimmage set for Tuesday.

Using standout pro-day performances from Desmond Watson and Trikweze Bridges as motivation, the Gators’ strengths are starting to show as the spring nears an end — particularly in the wide receiver and running back rooms.

“It’s time for guys to step up,” Gators assistant Mike Peterson said. “We are ready,  man. … When the season comes, we’ll see how it goes.”

Pro-day buzz

A handful of Florida athletes moved their draft stock this week at pro day, but perhaps no two players made bigger leaps than Watson and Bridges.

Bridges entered the week regarded, at least internally, as a combine snub after a career year during  which he led the Gators’ defensive backs.

“I was a little disappointed. In my opinion, I felt like he was a no-brainer combine player,” coach Billy Napier said.

The converted safety helped to reduce doubts at his pro day, posting a 4.38 second 40-yard dash and a 34.5” vertical jump.

Watson, whose massive frame is famous in Gainesville, put himself on the national stage after a 36-rep bench press that would’ve marked the best figure at the combine by three reps.

Redshirt senior running back Jakobi Jackson said the pro-day performances serves as a huge motivator, especially for the 2026 draft-eligible players on the roster.

“I was there.  I watched every event,” he said. “Knowing that they really prepared for pro day and took the time out and grinded for that moment, it was exciting to see.”

Two-headed monster leading new RB room

Florida relied on Montrell Johnson in the backfield last season. His 100 carries for 593 yards and six rushing touchdowns made him a contributor on the field, but his leadership and experience is what really put him ahead of the group.

As a player who followed Napier to UF from Louisiana-Lafayette takes the next step in his career, running backs coach Jabbar Juluke will need to find his new leaders in the room.

“I think Montrell Johnson is definitely going to be missed,” Juluke said. “Fortunately these young men are talented, so we’re going to continue to compete and work extremely hard.”

The prime candidates to take over production for Johnson are Jakobi Jackson and Jaden Baugh. The two combined for 1,182 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, and now look to take the next steps as leaders in the locker room.

“We’re very confident,” Jackson said. “We’re ready to play the season right now. … It’s time for me to become that leader.”

New receivers impressing

There’s been plenty of attention around a Gators wide receiver room that aims to be one of the deepest in the country.

Tre Wilson and Aidan Mizell will look to be the most impactful returners while freshman Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson, as well as UCLA transfer J. MichaelSturdivant, have fans excited to see a refurbished passing attack led by DJ Lagway.

Even Florida wideouts coach Billy Gonzalez hasn’t hesitated to praise the talent in his group.

“Super excited about those things with that group,” he said. “They’re doing a really, really good job.”

The wide receivers have caught the eyes of other position groups, even defensively, as they prove to be one of the toughest matchups in practice.

“They’re so young and so athletic,” Gators junior linebacker Jaden Robinson said.  “They’re gonna be the truth.”

Florida takes the next step of spring when it begins scrimmages Tuesday.

General Daily Insight for March 30, 2025

Dreams may as well be reality at the moment. The intuitive Moon is coming into conjunction with healing Chiron, which may demand that we work through our emotions. It’s okay — this must happen to free ourselves from longstanding burdens. Most prominently, at 8:00 am EDT, Neptune will enter Aries for the first time since 1875! Neptune’s magic will flow from the go-getter Ram for the duration of its lengthy tour. Lastly, the Moon will enter Taurus, adding some much-needed calm to an otherwise shifting sky.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

You are moving into a unique dreamscape. Illusory Neptune is entering your sign for the first time since the 1800s, offering you the power to redesign whole aspects of your life, as well as its ability to dissolve outdated parts of your life into nothing. This is not at all a quick or overnight experience, so make an effort to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. This uncertainty will be here for a while! You’ve got plenty of time to get acquainted with the unknown.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

There’s a certain kind of fog drifting your way. Magical Neptune is slipping into your fantastical 12th house, which can feel like you’re wandering through an unknown land underneath a cloudy sky. This may seem rather strange or daunting, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Exploring this unfamiliar territory can be quite a stimulating and inspiring process, one that invites you to build something truly special. This cycle is going to be a lengthy one, so get comfortable in this mysterious place.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

How you align with others shouldn’t remain static for your entire life. You are embarking on a refreshed process of redefining your relationships and communities as Neptune arrives in your 11th House of Friendship, where it hasn’t been since the mid-1800s. Neptune can dissolve the old to make space for the new, so you may struggle with certain shifts. It’s possible that people will leave your life, or you’ll decide to move on yourself so you can find more like-minded folks. Change is happening.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

It may not be entirely easy to see where you are going. Dreamy Neptune is entering your responsible 10th house, which can make it difficult to know exactly what you want to achieve and why. Likewise, long-held goals could suddenly seem less appealing than they once did, while the desire for your career to match your spiritual needs will increase. The more fun part of this is a boost to your reputation, as authority figures may see themselves in your actions.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Your view of the world is blossoming into something both beautiful and unfamiliar. Your 9th House of Philosophy bears the brunt of this major shift as magical Neptune arrives for the first time in over a century, encouraging you to look at life differently by considering unusual alternatives to every habit. You may choose to pursue spiritual enlightenment or a greater sense of the wonderful variety of lifestyles this world has to offer. Any barriers that once held you back are finally evaporating.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Certain boundaries are becoming more fluid. Mysterious Neptune is flowing into your 8th House of Inheritance, which deals with major finances as well as the deeper bonds holding your closest relationships together, be they physical or contractual. You will want to be especially careful regarding credit, taxes, and any sort of debt or loans, as the terms can become quite foggy. That said, you can also receive windfalls unexpectedly, so there are benefits to be found — as long as you stay careful.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Your partnerships require flexibility. You are entering a new phase regarding the most important connections in your life as Neptune arrives in your 7th House of Cooperation. This lengthy cycle can make it more difficult to bond directly or feel like you know exactly what is happening with the closest people in your life. Still, it can simultaneously bring in many fascinating strangers, who seem to arrive as if by magic. If someone leaves your life, someone else should arrive shortly.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Consider taking a more holistic approach to your health. Your 6th House of Details is all lit up as Neptune arrives for the first time in over a century, bringing its spiritual and fantastical energies in its wake. During this long-term cycle, you can familiarize yourself with updated ways to measure your health, particularly when it comes to the connection between your mind, body, and spirit. Broaden your notion of what wellness means to you by starting with your core and working your way out.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Self-expression is an immensely personal thing. As inspirational Neptune floats into your theatrical 5th house, it marks a watershed moment that will have you exploring different methods of bringing pleasure and beauty into your world. Hobbies and talents you have yet to utilize could become very big parts of your life, possibly even leading you all the way into the spotlight! Take some time to experiment with anything and everything that catches your attention. You never know where it will take you.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

The foundations beneath your feet may not feel as firm as they once did. Mystical Neptune is gliding into your sensitive 4th house, signaling a massive shift in all things domestic and familial. You may feel rather untethered during this cycle, prone to floating through the world, as opposed to anchoring down anywhere in particular. The concept of family may also change for you, as you slowly but surely transform your ideas about your current home and the places that shaped your past.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Your feelings about how you communicate are undergoing a gorgeously complex transformation. Illusory Neptune is arriving in your conversation sector for the first time in living memory, and it will slowly but surely redefine the way you express your ideas and how you transmit them to other people. The very nature of these ideas can also undergo major change, as Neptune breaks down old structures to create space for modern ones. Your mind will be fertile ground for such creations.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Take a look around and see how the landscape has changed. Transcendent Neptune is leaving your sign after a lengthy tour, and entering your confident 2nd house for the first time in over a century. This is the beginning of a long-term transit, during which you will be recalibrating your relationship with finances and how you use them, as well as your relationships with material objects and luxury. You will come to realize how concepts of security and comfort dramatically shift over time.

PHILADELPHIA – Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 118-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers:

– These are the traps that need to be avoided to maximize the possibility of a home play-in game.

– Which basically is the only reality that remains for the Heat to chase over their final eight games of the regular season.

– Especially with the Magic on Saturday defeating the Kings, to further secure their grasp on No. 8 in the East (they also hold the tiebreaker).

– So if the Heat at least want to host the Nos. 9-10 play-in against the Bulls (a matchup where this increasingly is headed), then games such as this, Monday night’s in Washington and then the upcoming home rematches against the 76ers and Wizards have to be wins.

– Playing down to the competition is the last thing Erik Spoelstra’s team can afford.

– (Which sounds a bit odd in itself, considering where the Heat stand in the standings.)

– The Heat, to their credit, went into Saturday aware of the pitfalls against those with nothing to lose.

– Among those out Saturday for the 76ers were Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey and a whole bunch more known quantities.

– “The guys we’re playing are much different than the guys we played the last time around,” Spoelstra noted at the morning shootaround. “They’re dangerous. They’re not playing for necessarily anything other than just to be assertive and aggressive.”

– Actually, the 76ers went into the game facing playoff elimination.

– Philadelphia has been seeking nothing more than punching a ticket to the lottery.

– Asked again pregame about the 76ers hardly being the 76ers, Spoelstra said, “We know that Philly will be dangerous. They’re not playing for anything, but they’re playing free and fast. Those teams can be really explosive.”

– Heat big man Bam Adebayo said the Heat focus in such games, including Monday in Washington, has to be on the Heat, “understanding that we can’t cough these games up, and these are the games that are most important.”

– He added, “I mean that’s the dangerous thing about it, it’s the unknown. For us, it’s going out there, playing the way we’re supposed to play, and competing at a high level, and doing things together.”

– With Andrew Wiggins out due to a hamstring issue and not with the team, the Heat opened with a lineup of Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Tyler Herro, Alec Burks and Pelle Larsson.

– Haywood Highsmith was first off the Heat bench,

– Davion Mitchell followed.

– With Kyle Anderson making it eight deep.

– With Anderson ineffective, there even was a Terry Rozier sighting in the second period.

– It was Rozier’s first appearance in six games.

– But it again was Jaime Jaquez Jr. out of the primary rotation.

– Among the few 76ers rotation players still standing Saturday was journeyman center Guerschon Yabusele, with Adebayo more than familiar with the big man because of his play at last summer’s Paris Olympics for France’s national team.

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– “That’s the story that you want,” Adebayo said, “when you see a guy go through that, out of the league, and then you have a tremendous Olympic run and you’re back in the league. That’s a story you can always tell somebody.”

– Spoelstra was asked before Saturday night’s game about the Grizzlies’ surprising dismissal Friday of coach Taylor Jenkins, despite Memphis standing among the leaders in the Western Conference.

– “It’s incredibly disappointing,” Spoelstra said, with the Heat hosting Memphis on Thursday night, in their first game back from this three-game trip. “This profession is tough and you want to be in it together, through the good and the bad, and not looking for the easy escape route to point blame. His record speaks for itself.”

– Spoelstra added, “He’ll have plenty of opportunities, but that’s why I’m grateful again for the people I work for. We’ve been through it. We’ve been through it. You can trust people when you’ve gone through the fires together and you don’t come out it just pointing fingers and blaming everybody.”

– Although the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. failed to make the playoffs, Spoelstra still called the year a success for Skyforce coach Dan Bisaccio, the former Heat video coordinator, considering Bisaccio’s work as summer-league coach.

– “Dan really did a great job developing our guys, installing a system and a culture there,” Spoelstra said. “It’s basically a full year deal. Summer league was a big part of the guys’ development.”

– Spoelstra added, “When you see Kel’el, Pelle, it goes back to last July. This year, really

grinding through a lot of different rosters, a lot of different changes, we all really respect the job Dan did. He’s a heck of a coach.”

PHILADELPHIA — The reality is that with one loss over their remaining eight games, the Miami Heat will have the team’s first losing record since 2018-19.

For now, though, for the first time in a long time, they are feeling like winners, with Saturday night’s 118-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center extending the winning streak to four, matching the longest of the season for Erik Spoelstra’s team,

Granted, this latest victory against the carcass of what remains of the 76ers hardly was a statement win. But for a team that a week ago was mired in a 10-game losing streak, you take it and move on for a Monday night game against the league-worst Washington Wizards.

“We didn’t let go of the rope,” center Bam Adebayo said, “and found a higher standard.”

So even with Andrew Wiggins sidelined, the Heat continued this late-season revival, fueled by 30 points from Tyler Herro, a season-high 20 from Alec Bucks and a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double from Kel’el Ware.

Factor in the Heat also getting double-digit scoring from Adebayo, Pelle Larsson and Haywood Highsmith and it was more than enough against a 76ers roster lacking sidelined Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, among others.

As has been the case during the streak, it was another over-the-top win, with the Heat closing 20-of-43 on 3-pointers.

“Sometimes you go through difficult things and you gain a lot of confidence from that, trust it,” Spoelstra said. “Guys are moving the ball, sharing, making quick decisions. The ball tends to find good basketball sometimes. It’s good to see guys playing free and confident.”

Five Degrees of Heat from Saturday night’s game:

1. Game flow: The Heat led 34-29 at the end of the opening period and 62-53 at halftime.

From there, the Heat saw the 76ers close within three midway through the third period, before pushing back to a 96-75 lead entering the fourth, with Burks beating the buzzer at the end of the third with a 3-pointer.

At that stage, Spoelstra was able to sit Adebayo for the night, but stayed with Herro as the 76ers trimmed what had been a 25-point Heat lead to 17 before order was restored, with Herro pulled with two minutes to play and the Heat up 21.

That allowed Spoelstra to insert returning G League players Isaiah Stevens, Keshad Johnson and Josh Christopher.

“Guys are getting confidence with the offense, creating shots for each other,” Spoelstra said. “Always looks better when the ball goes in.”

2. Still going: At 8 for 10 on 3-pointers the previous two games, Herro opened by converting his first two attempts from beyond the arc.

While he then missed his next two 3-pointers, he more than compensated with a falling circus shot in the lane in the second period that he turned into a 3-point play, up to 17 points by halftime.

“I drew the foul and threw the ball up,” Herro said of his circus shot. “Ball’s got magic to it sometimes.”

Herro went in having scored 29 or more in three of the previous five games.

He closed 11 of 17 from the field and 5 of 9 on 3-pointers, also with seven assists.

“He’s playing so patiently without the ball. It’s really slowing down for him,” Spoelstra said. “Guys are getting comfortable getting him the ball when he’s on the move.”

Herro said the Heat’s 33 assists made it easy on everyone.

“We know we’re all at our best when the ball is popping,” Herro said.

3. Doubling up: The double-double was Ware’s fifth in the last eight games, the sixth time in the last eight games he has reached double digits in rebounds.

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• ASK IRA: Do the Heat face multiple Davion Mitchell decisions?
• Heat’s Andrew Wiggins does not travel to Philadelphia due to hamstring issue

With his 12th double-double of the season, Ware passed Udonis Haslem (2003-04) for the fourth-highest total by a Heat rookie. The record is 18, shared by Rony Seikaly (1988-89) and Sherman Douglas (1989-90), with Grant Long third on the list at 14 (’88-89).

“My role right now is just try to rebound and defend,” Ware said.

He closed 6 of 6 from the field, including a 3-pointer.

“I love what he’s doing,” Spoelstra said. “Number is, he’s glass eating. He has such a knack for rebounding over a crowd. He does rebound in traffic, too. There’s a lot of contact down there. He finds a way to come up with it.”

4. Another spin: The Heat wheel of lineups reached a 25th combination, with Larsson starting in place of Wiggins, who remained in South Florida due to a hamstring issue.

This time Spoelstra opened with Adebayo, Ware, Herro, Larsson and Burks.

It was Larsson’s third start, with the 2024 second-round pick out of Arizona having also started in the Jan. 23 loss in Milwaukee and the March 10 home loss to the Timberwolves.

Larsson closed with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists.

“Pelle is just an ignitable player. He makes things happen out there, the steals, the deflections, the hard plays, those are momentum shifting plays that he has a knack for,” Spoelstra said.

Burks had been questionable earlier in the day due to back discomfort. He came around to close 7 of 13 from the field, including 6 of 12 on 3-pointers.

“He’s a pro’s pro,” Spoelstra said. “He’s maximizing these opportunities. When we’re playing the right way offensively, he can be one of the best beneficiaries, of the ball moving,”

The Heat’s lineup count pales in comparison to the tanking 76ers, who on Saturday unveiled their 50th lineup in their 74th game.

5. The tank angle: The 76ers’ tanking is due to far more than the injuries that have sidelined Embiid,  George, Maxey and several other rotation regulars.

As part of the highly regrettable salary dump of Al Horford in 2020, the 76ers’ pick in this year’s draft will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder if it is beyond the top six. The 76ers entered Saturday with the league’s sixth-worst record, falling to 23-51 with the loss.

As it is, the Heat’s first-round pick in June also will go to the Thunder if it is outside of the lottery’s 14 selections, which will be the case if the Heat make the playoffs.

FORT LAUDERDALE — Lionel Messi made an immediate impact for Inter Miami against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night, with what became the winning goal in a 2-1 victory that lifted the Herons into first place in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.

Messi returned to the lineup and scored less than two minutes after subbing into the match early in the second half. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner took a pass from Luis Suarez on the right side of the penalty box, made a quick move and sent a right-footed shot past two defenders into the net for a 2-0 Inter Miami lead.

It was Messi’s second goal in three Major League Soccer matches this season. He did not start the match, but was cleared to play earlier in the week after missing some time — including two World Cup qualifiers for Argentina — with an adductor injury.

Daniel Gazdag got the goal for Philadelphia (4-2-0) in the 80th minute, but Inter Miami held on from there.

Messi also was dealing with an issue with his left thigh along with the adductor injury, which happened two weeks ago in an Inter Miami game against Atlanta. But the team did not play during that two-week stretch, so the only matches Messi missed were the World Cup qualifiers — when Argentina, which Messi captained to the 2022 title, qualified for the 2026 tournament.

Messi came on Saturday in the 55th minute, and the goal came in the 57th. He’s had at least one point in all three MLS matches in which he has appeared this season for Inter Miami, which is 4-0-1 in MLS play and 8-0-1 overall this season when adding in four victories in CONCACAF Champions Cup matches.

Inter Miami jumped in front in the 23rd minute and took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a goal by Robert Taylor. Benjamin Cremaschi and Jordi Alba had the assists.

Messi came on for Taylor, and quickly stretched the lead to 2-0 with Suarez and Fafa Picault getting the assists.

The Union return home to play Orlando City next Saturday. Inter Miami — which continues CONCACAF Champions League play Wednesday at LAFC — will return to MLS play next Sunday, hosting Toronto FC.

SAN FRANCISCO — For the second time in three games, Florida’s memorable season was slipping away.

But a week after two-time national champion UConn could not hold off Walter Clayton Jr. and the Gators, Texas Tech found out why during a comeback for the ages ending with a trip for UF to the Final Four.

Rueben Chinyelu hoists the trophy next to coach Todd Golden after the Gators advanced to the Final Four by defeating Texas Tech in a regional final Saturday night in San Francisco. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

UF (34-4) chased down Texas Tech during the final six minutes for an 84-79 win Saturday to earn a trip to San Antonio for next week’s national semifinals.

“We did a great job staying the course, not getting too high or too low,” coach Todd Golden said. “At the end of the day, great teams are as good as their players lead them.”

Clayton and sophomore sixth-man extraordinaire Thomas Haugh spearheaded the comeback and combined for 50 points — 22 in the second half by Clayton.

Outmuscled and outhustled by Texas Tech (28-9) a good bit of the evening, UF trailed 71-61 with 6:18 remaining.

“They had our backs against the wall,” Golden said.

But Haugh and Clayton took charge while the Red Raiders could not keep up as Florida outscored them 20-6 during the final four minutes.

UF eventually grabbed a 78-77 edge with 59 seconds to go — the Gators’ first lead since the 13:26 mark.

Sitting to the right of Clayton and Haugh while he addressed reporters at the Chase Center, Golden said, “That would not have happened without these two guys.”

After the Gators regained the lead,  Clayton, Alijah Martin and Will Richard — the Gators’ formidable veteran backcourt trio — each hit two free throws to dispatch the Red Raiders.

“It’s crazy. I feel like I’m dreaming,” Haugh said. “I was watching the round of 64 in the eighth grade sneaking my phone into science class watching it. Now to say I’m playing in the Final Four is wild.

“It’s wild.”

Walter Clayton, who made the go-ahead shot for a 78-77 lead the Gators would never relinquish, drives against Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson to get to the rim Saturday. (Ezra Shaw/Getty)

The wildest stretch of postseason play so far for Florida virtually came out of nowhere. Yet the Gators, now 10-0 in March, did not give in when every opportunity was there to do so.

“It goes to show how together we all are,” Clayton said. “Many times we could easily just break, start pointing the finger, blaming each other for this and that. But we just stayed together through the end and stayed the course.

“And thankfully we got it done today.”

In the process, Clayton continued to be one of the stars of the Big Dance. His game-high 30 points included 22 in the second half and featured 3 3s during the Gators’ final push. Clayton also had 4 assists, 2 blocked shots and just 1 turnover.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound native of Lake Wales averages 21.6 points in seven postseason games.

“There’s not another player in America you would rather have right now than Walter Clayton with the ball in his hands in a big-time moment,” Golden said.

The chance for a moment almost never arrived.

On Saturday, the top seed in the West Region and a 6.5-point favorite, the Gators could not find the Red Raiders on the perimeter early on and struggled to match Texas Tech’s physicality inside with the game in the balance.

A 3-pointer by point guard Elijah Hawkins, a 31.5% shooter from beyond the arc, pushed his team’s advantage to 24-19 and was Texas Tech’s sixth 3 on its first seven tries.

Texas Tech, though, cooled off, hitting just 1 of 9 3-point attempts before halftime  while the Gators inched ahead behind Haugh, who had 12 of his 20 points and 6 of his 11 rebounds before intermission.

Meanwhile, Clayton did not score his first points until a pair of free throws with 8:47 to go in the first half. He then made three driving layups to close the half with UF up 40-37.

UF held a similar halftime advantage against Maryland (40-38) before overrunning the Terrapins for an 87-71 win. But Texas Tech wasn’t going to wilt, run or hide.

In fact, All-Big 12 selection Darrion Williams began to impose his will. The wide-bodied 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward had 4 points along with 3 rebounds and set the defensive tone inside as Texas Tech manhandled the Gators during a 12-2 run to break a 55-55 tie.

Down 67-57, UF continued to fight behind its veteran backcourt trio, noticeably absent until the game was on the line.

Layups by Martin and Richard sandwiched around a layup by Texas Tech star JT Toppin set the stage for late-game heroics by Clayton and Haugh.

As confetti fell from above, Golden and his Gators donned Final Four hats and T-shirts and soon participated in the obligatory net-cutting ceremony. Photos and videos were taken by the dozens.

Back in San Francisco where his head coaching career began just six seasons ago, the 39-year-old coach could hardly believe how far he had come in such a short time.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” Golden said. “To get Florida back to the Final Four is something that’s incredibly special. When I was fortunate enough to get this position three years ago, I’m not sure this was something … get to the Final Four by Year 3.

“But we’re awfully proud of it.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

MIAMI  — Dane Myers’ RBI single in the 12th inning drove in Otto Lopez to give Miami a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night, the Marlins’ second walk-off victory in three days.

Myers threw out Tommy Pham at home from right field in the top of the inning, then delivered his opposite-field drive to right-center off Tim Mayza for the winning run. Kyle Stowers gave the Marlins a 5-4 win on opening day with a ninth-inning RBI.

Myers, Stowers and Lopez had three hits apiece with Derek Hill adding two. George Soriano (1-0), the seventh Marlins pitcher, got the win despite giving up two hits in the 12th.

Bryan Reynolds had two hits for the Pirates. Joey Wentz (0-1) pitched two innings before leaving in the 12th after intentionally walking Lopez to open the inning. Oneil Cruz dropped Jonah Bride’s flyball near the wall in right-center to load the bases. Xavier Edwards was forced out at home before Myers’ game-winner.

The teams were tied at 3 after seven innings and each scored in the 11th.

Key moment

Griffin Conine, who pinch hit in the seventh inning, robbed Pittsburgh’s Jack Suwinski of a home run that would have given the Pirates the lead in the eighth inning. Conine leaped far above the wall to bring the ball back.

Key stat

The Marlins added to their late-inning scoring trend. After scoring five runs over the eighth and ninth innings in their first two games, they added two more in Saturday’s extra innings. On the negative side of the ledger for Miami: It has allowed 14 steals in three games, including six Saturday.

Up next

Andrew Heaney makes his Pirates debut against Max Meyer and the Marlins in Sunday’s finale of the teams’ season-opening series.

 

By JOSH DUBOW

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Coach Todd Golden cut the final strand of the net, waved it to the crowd and performed the famed Gator Chomp.

A celebration that seemed completely improbable just a few minutes earlier was in high gear. Florida is heading back to the Final Four.

Walter Clayton Jr. rescued top-seeded Florida with two late 3-pointers, and the Gators rallied from nine points down late to beat Texas Tech 84-79 in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region final on Saturday.

“It goes to show how together we all are,” Clayton said. “Many times could easily just break, start pointing the finger, blaming each other for this and that. But we just stayed together through the end and stayed the course. And thankfully we got it done today.”

The Gators (34-4) trailed 75-66 with less than three minutes to play before staging a furious rally against the third-seeded Red Raiders (28-9), who had done the same in the Sweet 16 against Arkansas.

Clayton dribbled out of the paint and hit a fadeaway 3 with 59 seconds left to give Florida a 78-77 lead, and the Gators held on from there to advance to their first Final Four since 2014 in Golden’s third season. Florida will face the South Region champion — either Auburn or Michigan State — next Saturday in San Antonio.

“There’s not another player in America you would rather have right now than Walter Clayton with the ball in his hands in a big-time moment,” Golden said. “The biggest thing in those moments is you need to have somebody that wants to take those shots. They’re obviously difficult plays, but someone that has the confidence to step up and make incredible individual plays. Walter did that for us tonight.”

The comeback provided a happy ending to Golden’s return to the Bay Area, where he played in college at Saint Mary’s and got his start as a head coach at San Francisco.

As the final horn sounded, Golden turned to the Gators fans and demonstrably pumped his fist as his players rushed out to the court to celebrate.

“It’s crazy,” forward Thomas Haugh said. “I feel like I’m dreaming. I was watching the round of 64 in the eighth grade sneaking my phone into science class watching it. Now to say I’m playing in the Final Four is wild. It’s wild.”

Clayton, who began his college career at Iona, scored 30 points to lead the Gators. Thomas Haugh added 20 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, including the two 3-pointers that started the comeback.

Clayton then tied it with his shot from long range after Texas Tech missed a second straight front end of a one-and-one as Golden called for the Gators to foul early to prolong the game.

“It was a calculated decision we had to make at that point where we needed to get more possessions in the game and it worked out well for us,” Golden said.

After Darrius Williams scored down low for Texas Tech, Clayton’s last 3 put Florida ahead to stay, and the Gators sealed it at the foul line.

Williams missed two 3s late. He had sank the game-tying basket late in regulation and game-winner in the closing seconds of overtime against Arkansas on Thursday night.

“I wish I could change a few plays that happened,” Williams said. “But can’t go back and do that. I thought we could win until it hit zero.”

Texas Tech fell just short of its second Final Four trip ever after being on the wrong side of a late-game comeback. The Red Raiders rallied from 13 points in the final five minutes to beat the Razorbacks in the Sweet 16.

Williams scored 23 points to lead Texas Tech and JT Toppin added 20.

The game was tight most of the way with neither team able to build a lead bigger than six points for the first 30 minutes as Texas Tech capitalized on turnovers and second-chance points and Florida repeatedly got to the foul line. Clayton got fouled twice on 3-pointers early in the second half, leading to five points on the six foul shots.

The Red Raiders went on a 12-2 run to go up by 10 but couldn’t hold on late.

Up next

The Final Four appearance will be Florida’s sixth. The Gators won back-to-back national titles in 2006 and ’07 under coach Billy Donovan.

___

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This ending never gets old. Never. It doesn’t matter how many times you see it happen in March Madness, or what the level the competition is, or even how often the Nova Southeastern men’s basketball team has celebrated something big in recent years.

The happiest cliché in sport is the final-second win. When Ryker Cisarik got a fingertip on the opponent’s final shot, when Tyler Eberhart grabbed the loose rebound in the final seconds of the Division II NCAA Tournament championship game, Nova Southeastern did something more than win its second title in three years.

The country’s top-scoring college team won with defense in beating Cal State Dominguez Hills 74-73.

It won by getting the exact stop on the final possession on this court in Evansville, Indiana, that it didn’t in losing the championship game a year ago.

“One shot,’’ as coach Jim Crutchfield said in explaining the emotional gulf of difference between winning and losing this game.

If you’re a general basketball fan, one who casually stumbled onto Nova Southeastern winning the Division II championship for the second time in three years and were introduced to Crutchfield’s tactics — it was a shock to your normal-sports-fan system

He is a one-of-a-kind, re-think-the-sport, don’t-follow-the-formula-of-the-day coach whose team attacks for 60 minutes in a manner that wears out opponents. Well, it typically wears out opponents. That’s why Nova had the largest margin of victory (26 points) and highest scoring average (102.5 points) in college basketball this season.

It didn’t wear out Dominguez Hills. It didn’t help that the Sharks’  3-point radar was off.

“When you’re 3 of 21, you’ve got to find a way to win,’’ Crutchfield said.

They found their way by Dallas Graziani holding everything together and the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, MJ Iraldi, scoring 27 points. They found their way despite being down 71-70 with 1:19 left after two Cisarik free throws. They had to find their way again when Dominguez Hills took the lead right back.

On the CBS broadcast, the question was whether Crutchfield would take a time out with 52 seconds left to set up a play. That’s how basketball is played normally in these big-stakes games. But what, are you kidding? That’s not how Crutchfield does it in his high-speed game.

Graziani drove and was fouled. He was part of the Sharks’ championship team two years ago, transferred to Division I Samford and then returned to Nova this year. He was coming home in a way, the Pembroke Pines kid back to his roots.

“The style fits me here,’’ he said.

He made both foul shots. He waved the offense to run up the court.

Call a timeout? What? Are you kidding? Crutchfield was waving them to run. Graziani drove and was fouled. He made both shots for the 72-71 lead.

But Dominguez Hills made a shot right back for the lead. Twelve lead changes. Eight ties. It was that kind of game.

“We had to dig deep,’’ Crutchfield said.

Iraldi was fouled on a rebound with 17.8 seconds left. He, too, made both free throws, and Nova led 74-73.

“Last year’s team was one shot away from winning a national championship,’’ Crutchfield said.

That stuck with Crutchfield for the past year, to the point last week he said, “I still think about that shot.”

He won’t have to think about this game’s final shot that way. When Eberhart got the rebound, he flung the ball high in the air, and the celebration began. Division II isn’t the NBA. But it says something that Crutchfield’s program has the NBA watching it.

“He’s built a program that’s greatness personified,’’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said on Saturday. “It’s consistent every single year. I’m glad that we have him in South Florida and not at West Liberty. Players love playing for him. I think everybody on campus loves having him there.

“And he just continues to do it. I’m enjoying watching his success. And there’s been a lot of turnover with his rosters, and he’s just continuing to be able to do it. So it’s pretty amazing. I’m happy for him.”

Late Saturday in Indiana, another national title in his portfolio, Crutchfield thought of how they won this time. Defense. A final stop.

“Maybe it wasn’t the most beautiful game to watch, but when it’s that close and guys are playing that hard it’s an exciting game for me,’’ Crutchfield said.

The Hurricanes saw immediate dividends when hosting numerous recruits on Saturday.

Miami picked up a commitment from 2026 three-star offensive lineman Joel Ervin on Saturday evening. Ervin, who decommitted from Louisville on Monday, announced his commitment on social media.

“I’m home,” Ervin wrote. “Shutting down my recruitment.”

Ervin, a Fort Myers native who plays for Fort Myers High, is 6-foot-6 and more than 300 pounds. The site’s composite ranking lists him as the No. 60 offensive tackle and No. 731 player in the class.

Ervin, who was on campus at UM on Saturday, also held offers from Auburn, Florida, USC and Texas, among others.

Ervin’s size pushed him toward the top of the Hurricanes’ recruiting board, a UM source told the Sun Sentinel. Miami also liked his quickness, strength and power. Ervin also boasts a large wingspan.

Florida also had a recent visit from the Fort Myers lineman, but he gave his pledge to the Hurricanes while in Coral Gables.

Ervin is the second offensive lineman in Miami’s 2026 class, joining four-star Ben Congdon.

IM HOME Shutting down my recruitment!!

Q: Ira, do you look at Davion Mitchell as a potential future starting point guard for the Heat or more of the energizer that Erik Spoelstra is talking about? — Dan.

A: First, it would be getting ahead of ourselves to even consider future roles with the Heat for Davion Mitchell. With Davion to be a free agent in the offseason, the Heat first have to decide whether to extend a qualifying offer. Beyond that, there could be an ensuing decision about whether to match an outside offer, which would have to be for at least three seasons So this might be as much of a salary-cap question as an issue of player evaluation. All of that said, it seems as if Erik Spoelstra has developed a comfort zone with Davion as an instant-energy reserve. So in that regard, the Heat will have to decide whether Tyler Herro is their point guard going forward, or whether another move has to be made. Losing Jimmy Butler‘s ballhandling and playmaking complicated the Heat situation when it came to the potential need for more of a true point guard.

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• Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!

Q: Not bad, the Heat got three contributing players for Jimmy Butler. That probably is more than they expected. — Steve.

A: Except … once the Heat had to punt on Jimmy Butler, it immediately became more about the future than the moment. So, yes, Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell and Kyle Anderson all have contributed. But it still has the Heat mired with a losing record and at the bottom of the play-in race. From this perspective, draft picks as future flexibility for trades would have been the preferred trade course. But the question is, in the wake of  how Jimmy forced the Heat’s  hand, whether such an option might  have been available.

Q: It looks like we will be facing Chicago or Orlando in the first game in the play-in. Who would you rather face? — Marty.

A: I’m not sure it matters, because the reality is the Heat might have to face both. Chicago certainly has been hot lately, but with Orlando there is the Paolo Banchero factor. And another play-in possibility for the Heat could be Atlanta, which already has defeated the Heat twice this season. So, no, not an easy path regardless. But then again, has anything been easy about this season?