Game Plan

As the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in a precarious situation, trailing 2-2 in their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, all eyes are on head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. The postseason chess match has taken an unexpected turn, with the Magic’s lineup adjustment, inserting the bulkier Wendell Carter Jr. into the starting five, proving to be a game-changer. Bickerstaff now faces the daunting task of countering this strategic move, one that has neutralized the Cavs’ interior advantage and unlocked Orlando’s offensive potency.

The stage is set for an electrifying first-round showdown in the Big East Tournament, as the gritty No. 8 seed Butler Bulldogs prepare to lock horns with the formidable No. 9 seed Xavier Musketeers. With the bright lights of Madison Square Garden beckoning, this clash promises to be a thriller, with the winner earning a shot at toppling the tournament’s top seed, UConn, in the quarterfinals. As the odds makers weigh in, Xavier finds itself as the slight favorite, carrying a 2-point edge over their Bulldog adversaries.