The GIST

The women’s Final Four is set as Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles hits the transfer portal

There’s a mid-week lull in the on-court action ahead of this weekend’s Final Four, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any hoops news to catch up on. Consider this a chance to catch your breath and prepare for one last weekend of Madness.

April 01, 2025

All four No. 1 seeds advance to the men’s Final Four for the first time since 2008

🏀

All four top teams survived and thrived in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight this weekend, booking their tickets to the talent-packed main event, which tips off Saturday. Here’s how the chalkiest Final Four in recent memory came together.

March 31, 2025

South Carolina and UCLA book Final Four tickets, two spots still up for grabs

🏀

We’re smack dab in the middle of the women’s Elite Eight, meaning two Final Four tickets have already been punched and the other two are up for grabs tonight. All hoops, all the time.

March 31, 2025

The off-court icons that define March Madness culture

🏀

March Madness isn’t just a basketball tournament — it’s a cultural event. And while the buzzer-beaters and upsets define the Madness, oftentimes the characters and moments behind-the-scenes live rent-free in our brains for years to come.

March 30, 2025

Breaking down the No. 2 and No. 3 seed matchups in the women’s Sweet 16

🏀

Half of the women’s Final Four will be locked in by the next time we talk, but first we have to whittle these Sweet 16 squads down to an elite group of eight. Every one of this weekend’s games packs a serious punch, but No. 2 vs. No. 3 seed matchups are always extra spicy. Pour a glass of milk, the Madness awaits.

March 28, 2025

SEC dominates first half of men’s Sweet 16

🏀

After a long two days without March Madness action, the first half of the men’s Sweet 16 came in like a wrecking ball last night, with stunning individual performances and all-around SEC dominance.

March 28, 2025

USC’s JuJu Watkins out for season with torn ACL

🏀

All four women’s No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 seeds punched tickets to this weekend’s Sweet 16, but not everything is going according to plan: USC sophomore sensation JuJu Watkins tore her ACL in the Trojans’ 96–59 second-round Monday win over No. 9 Mississippi State, ultimately ending her season. Devastating.

March 26, 2025

Sports News

Men’s March Madness returns tomorrow with four Sweet 16 matchups

🏀

March 26, 2025

Hope you’re using your two days without March Madness action wisely, because the men’s tournament comes roaring back tomorrow with the first half of the Sweet 16. Stretch, down some electrolytes, and set up your split screen — the Madness is only just beginning.

Read Full Story

The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #447

Eat chalk: How every No. 1 seed made it to the men’s Final Four

April 01, 2025

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

Eat chalk: How every No. 1 seed made it to the men’s Final Four

March Madness, meet April reality check.

Sorry, Cinderella — this year, the men’s March Madness tourney is straight chalk, with all four top seeds advancing to the Final Four after last weekend’s Elite Eight showdowns. But how did we really get here? On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss how the transfer portal and NIL created a Final Four chalkfest. May the best teams win.

This episode was brought to you by Amazon Business, the ultimate partner for smart business buying. Amazon Business offers a one-stop shop for all of your business needs, helping companies of all shapes and sizes simplify their purchasing process. Learn more by checking out business.amazon.com today.