11 months, 3 weeks ago

Final Four serves up the usual menu of fun stories -- and UConn looks to snuff out all of them

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Final Four this week delivers the last entry in college basketball’s heartwarming yearbook, an annual assortment of legendary longshots, coaches looking for hugs and magic oozing from every corner of the bracket. —Alabama, which plays UConn on Saturday, is in the program’s first Final Four after a complete rebuild of a roster that was supposed to make a deep run last season, then lost nine players to the pros, the transfer portal and graduation. That ‘83 squad might have been the first to inscribe “Cinderella” into the March Madness dictionary, though it’s hardly the only team that rode momentum and dreams en route to a championship no one saw coming. “Now that we made the run, get to the Final Four, I want our guys playing loose and free, but I want them thinking they’ve got a chance to win.” Purdue has the reigning Player of the Year in Edey, but a year ago, that didn’t prevent the Boilermakers from joining the 2018 Virginia team as only the second No. “When you get beat in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by a 16 seed, that doesn’t change anything.” Great as all these stories are, the stark reality is that nothing — other than the airplane — has been making much of a dent in UConn this year.

Team Tournament Coach Huskies Final Hurley Uconn Final Four Usual Menu usual menu huskies fun looks final uconn team title coach tournament second snuff games state serves

History of this topic

2 weeks, 1 day ago

UConn’s path to the Final Four: Will it include a Paige Bueckers vs. JuJu Watkins showdown?

New York Times

For the second consecutive year, UConn’s path to the Final Four will require it to advance past USC. A matchup between two of the top players in the country, UConn’s Paige Bueckers and USC’s JuJu Watkins, looms in the Elite Eight of Spokane 4. Last season, she led Oregon State to the Elite Eight by averaging 15.8 points and nine …

2 weeks, 3 days ago

UConn takes on Villanova in Big East Tournament

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Villanova Wildcats vs. UConn Huskies New York; Thursday, 9:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Huskies -6; over/under is 135.5 BOTTOM LINE: UConn plays in the Big East Tournament against Villanova. UConn makes 47.9% of its shots from the field this season, which is 5.1 percentage …

Paige Bueckers leads No. 3 UConn to Big East title game with 82-54 win over Villanova

Trending News

3 weeks ago

Paige Bueckers leads No. 3 UConn to Big East title game with 82-54 win over Villanova

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! 3 UConn held Villanova without a field goal for more than 16 minutes to beat the Wildcats 82-54 on Sunday, advancing to the Big East championship game. Sarah Strong added 20 points and 16 rebounds for the Huskies, who will be trying for their fifth …

3 weeks, 4 days ago

Karaban leads UConn to 72-66 win over No. 20 Marquette

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! STORRS, Conn. — Alex Karaban scored 21 points, including a pivotal 3-pointer with 23.7 seconds left, and UConn defeated No. Solo Ball and Hassan Diarra each scored 10 points as the two-time defending NCAA champions beat Marquette for the fifth straight time. UConn ripped off …

4 weeks ago

Paige Bueckers stars in final regular-season game as No. 5 UConn rolls past Marquette 92-57

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! STORRS, Conn. — Paige Bueckers had 19 points, seven assists and three steals in her final regular-season game to lead No. Azzi Fudd added 12 points while Aubrey Griffin finished with 11 points and four rebounds as UConn won its 38th straight regular-season Big East …

1 month, 2 weeks ago

UConn’s Liam McNeeley draws inspiration for 38-point performance from Creighton fans heckling Hurley

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! “Energy feeds energy, and I was feeling it.” Some of his motivation was drawn from the Creighton students, who have heckled Hurley unmercifully since UConn started making annual trips to Omaha when the school rejoined the Big East in 2020. “A lot of student sections …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Fudd and Strong dominate as No. 7 UConn rolls past Xavier without All-American guard Paige Bueckers.

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Sarah Strong added 15 points — all in the first half — with seven rebounds and five steals for UConn. UConn: Fudd had her season-high in points in the first game without Bueckers. Key moment UConn was already in command with a nine-point lead before …

3 months ago

UConn signs coach Jim Mora to contract extension through 2028

Associated Press

BOSTON — UConn coach Jim Mora agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2028, the school announced Saturday right before kickoff of the Huskies’ Fenway Bowl game against North Carolina. Mora will earn $10.01 million plus incentives over the next four years, the school said before UConn beat the Tar Heels 27-14 to reach nine wins for the first time …

3 months, 1 week ago

Strong, Bueckers and Shade’s hot shooting lift No. 4 UConn to 101-68 win over Iowa State

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! 4 UConn to a 101-68 victory over Iowa State on Tuesday night in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase. Key moment Shade scored UConn’s first 14 points as the Huskies raced out to a 14-6 lead in the first 4:30 of the game. Up …

4 months ago

No. 2 UConn falls again in Maui, losing 73-72 to Colorado on Jakimovski’s off-balance layup

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! 2 UConn its second loss in two days at the Maui Invitational, beating the two-time defending national champion 73-72 on Tuesday. A day after a 99-97 overtime loss to Memphis that left Huskies coach Dan Hurley livid about the officiating, UConn couldn’t shake the unranked …

4 months ago

UConn loses its cool, then loses a game. And Dan Hurley had some thoughts afterward

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! “And I’m familiar with the other two, so I’m not surprised.” His technical was one of two that sent Memphis to the line for free throws in the game; the other was about 4 minutes into the game when a team trainer apparently said something …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

No. 2 UConn cruises past South Florida as Geno Auriemma pulls within a victory of NCAA record

Associated Press

The AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! 2 UConn rolled to an 86-49 win over former conference rival South Florida on Sunday. Ashlynn Shade had 10 of UConn’s 30 points in the third quarter as the Huskies never trailed in the game. Takeaways South Florida: The Bulls’ top two scores in the …

5 months ago

UConn's Depth and Potential with a Deep Roster

Associated Press

UConn is looking to make a big push for a third consecutive national title this season, despite losing three starters to the NBA. The Huskies have a deep and experienced roster with several players who can fill the scoring void left by the departed starters. Alex Karaban is the only returning starter, but coach Dan Hurley thinks this might be …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

NCAA champions UConn and South Carolina headed to White House to celebrate national titles

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy UConn and South Carolina are …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn finishes at No. 1 in first post-March Madness AP Top 25 poll after run to repeat NCAA title

Associated Press

UConn finished atop the first Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll to be released after March Madness following its run to the first back-to-back national championship in 17 years. That win allowed UConn to become the first men’s repeat champion since Florida in 2006 and 2007, as well as joining the Gators and Duke as the only back-to-back …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Fans welcome UConn’s repeat champs back to the ‘Basketball Capital of the World’

Associated Press

STORRS, Conn. — UConn’s men’s basketball team returned Tuesday night to the campus the school has branded the “Basketball Capital of the World.” Fans lined the streets in Eastern Connecticut, cheering as the team’s buses passed by on the hourlong journey from Bradley International Airport to Gampel Pavilion. Several thousand fans waited inside the arena to hear from coach Dan …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn vs. Purdue final score: How the Huskies repeated championships and became college basketball’s greatest team.

Slate

The UConn Huskies are dynastic through whatever lens you prefer. Last year’s team was nearly as dominant, cruising past every team it faced in March Madness and beating an overmatched Cinderella, San Diego State, by 17 in the title game. But any power-conference team can get good enough to make a Final Four run sometime, and it’s never been more …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn uses strategy of shutting down Purdue’s perimeter shooters to get decisive victory

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. — UConn left Donovan Clingan on the loneliest island, stuck deep in the paint to wrestle massive Purdue center Zach Edey. Chasing the Boilermakers off the arc all night, UConn held one of the nation’s best 3-point shooting teams to one made 3 and became the first team since 2007 to repeat as national champions with a 75-60 …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn concludes a dominant run to its 2nd straight NCAA title, beating Zach Edey and Purdue 75-60

The Independent

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn concludes a dominant run to its 2nd straight NCAA title, beating Zach Edey and Purdue 75-60

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. — A basketball beatdown. Coach Dan Hurley’s Huskies delivered the latest of their suffocating hoops performances Monday night, smothering Purdue for a 75-60 victory to become the first team since 2007 to capture back-to-back national championships. “I just think it’s the best two-year run in a very, very long time, just because of everything we lost from last …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn and Purdue meet in the National Championship.

Associated Press

Purdue Boilermakers vs. UConn Huskies Glendale, Arizona; Monday, 9:20 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Huskies -7; over/under is 145.5 BOTTOM LINE: No. TOP PERFORMERS: Tristen Newton is scoring 14.9 points per game with 6.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists for the Huskies. Lance Jones is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 2.1 made 3-pointers per game for the Boilermakers, while …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Connecticut defeats Purdue to repeat as NCAA men’s basketball champions

LA Times

Connecticut delivered another dominant performance Monday night, smothering Purdue for a 75-60 victory to become the first team since 2007 to capture back-to-back national championships. The Huskies limited the country’s second-best three-point shooting team to a mere seven shots behind the arc — Purdue only made one — while happily allowing 7-foot-4 AP Player of the Year Zach Edey to …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

How UConn built the ‘most complex’ — and efficient —offense in college basketball

New York Times

GLENDALE, Ariz. — In the summer of 2022, Connecticut coach Dan Hurley decided he was going to adopt a new offensive system and a new way of teaching set plays. “We do that because of paranoia,” says assistant coach Luke Murray, who acts as the program’s offensive coordinator. “I’ve been studying the top offenses in the country in-depth for the …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn stymies Purdue in title game, becomes first back-to-back men’s champions since 2007 Florida

New York Times

GLENDALE, Ariz. — With exactly six minutes left in Monday night’s national championship game, UConn guard Tristen Newton zoomed a pass to a cutting Stephon Castle, who skipped past Zach Edey in the paint and laid in an ordinary layup. Minutes later, the confetti cannons inside State Farm Arena erupted, finalizing UConn’s 75-60 win over Purdue in Monday’s national title …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn, Purdue set to collide in NCAA title game after dominating in a romp-filled March Madness

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The NCAA Tournament has reached its finish line, down to one game pairing the two best teams that routinely win in romps and boasting a marquee post matchup that features a two-time national player of the year. Yet there’s a short list of unexpected moments this year: namely, Jack Gohlke making 10 3-pointers to help Oakland stun …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn takes on Purdue in the National Championship

Associated Press

Purdue Boilermakers vs. UConn Huskies Glendale, Arizona; Monday, 9:20 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Huskies -6.5; over/under is 145.5 BOTTOM LINE: No. UConn averages 8.6 made 3-pointers per game, 1.4 more made shots than the 7.2 per game Purdue gives up. LAST 10 GAMES: Huskies: 10-0, averaging 81.4 points, 40.4 rebounds, 21.0 assists, 5.8 steals and 5.6 blocks per game …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn’s bid for repeat title has reached its final challenge: Purdue and star Zach Edey

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. — UConn has blown through the NCAA Tournament again to reach college basketball’s final night, this time with a chance to claim the first repeat championship in 17 years. The Huskies and Boilermakers are ready for Monday night’s championship game, a matchup set when Purdue ended North Carolina State’s wild March Madness run, followed by UConn pushing past …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Alabama falls to the UConn machine in the Final Four, but the Tide certainly made it fun for a while

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Alabama’s Grant Nelson drove the lane before winding up and throwing down a poster-worthy dunk over 7-foot-2 Donovan Clingan in the second half, defying conventional wisdom by challenging the big man at the rim. Alabama fell 86-72 to the top-seeded Huskies, unable to contain a team that’s steamrolled through this NCAA Tournament and is trying to become …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Led by Castle and Clingan, defending champ UConn returns to NCAA title game, beating Alabama 86-72

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The final result showed UConn winning its 11th straight NCAA Tournament game by at least 13 points. “We might not break you for 18 minutes, 25 minutes, but at some point if what we’re doing at both ends and on the backboard is at a high level, it just becomes hard for the other team to sustain …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Caitlin Clark leads Iowa rally for 71-69 win over UConn in women’s Final Four. South Carolina awaits

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Caitlin Clark eventually found a way. Completely shut down in the first half, the most exciting player in women’s college basketball now has one game left in her storied career at Iowa. Clark scored 21 points and made three momentum-turning 3-pointers in the second half to rally Iowa past Paige Bueckers and UConn 71-69 in the women’s Final …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn defeats Alabama in Final Four, will play Purdue for NCAA men’s title

LA Times

UConn guard Stephon Castle dunks over Alabama forward Grant Nelson during the second half of the Huskies’ 86-72 win in the Final Four of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Saturday. Connecticut kept its bid to repeat as national champion intact by surviving its first true test of the NCAA tournament, getting 21 points from freshman Stephon Castle while clamping down …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Big men are rolling for Purdue, NC State and UConn. Now they’ve got their teams in the Final Four

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. — DJ Burns Jr. isn’t interested in spending a lot of time catching the ball on the perimeter and trying to show off a shimmying crossover dribble before chucking 3-pointers for North Carolina State. That powered the 11th-seeded Wolfpack’s run through the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament and on to the program’s first Final Four appearance since the “Cardiac …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

UConn’s long road back to the Final Four is complete. Caitlin Clark and Iowa stand in their way

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Geno Auriemma keeps waiting for it to all fall apart. “It’s not like I wake up every morning and am like, ‘I wish I played UConn more’ — uhh, no,” Iowa guard Caitlin Clark said with a laugh. “That’s not something I wake up and think about.” The two-time AP Player of the Year, however, understands what facing …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

A look at each women’s Final Four team, through advanced stats

Associated Press

It’s a women’s Final Four full of stars. After Iowa and LSU played to a record-setting TV audience in the regional finals, the Hawkeyes are joined by South Carolina, UConn and North Carolina State for the season’s final act. An inability to shoot 3-pointers cost them in the Final Four last year, but that’s no longer a weakness with South …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Florida’s 2007 repeat came in ‘totally different environment’ than UConn is facing at Final Four

Associated Press

Billy Donovan hasn’t watched many UConn games. But he’s seen enough to know the Huskies’ bid to repeat as national champions — they are trying to become the first since Donovan’s Florida team in 2007 to do so — is happening in “a totally different environment.” For starters, there’s an abundance of talent and experience available through the NCAA transfer …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

NCAA Tournament party props sheet final edition: Guess the outcomes of the semifinal and championship games

New York Times

Follow live coverage as UConn, Purdue play for the national championship today Welcome to Part 3 — and the grand finale — of The Athletic’s party props competition for the men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments! This weekend, South Carolina, Iowa, Purdue, Alabama and the men and women from UConn and NC State will vie for championships. You’ll find seven …

11 months, 4 weeks ago

Clark leads Iowa back to the Final Four. Undefeated South Carolina will be there, too

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It's the second consecutive year that South Carolina has …

11 months, 4 weeks ago

Clark leads Iowa back to the Final Four. Undefeated South Carolina will be there, too

Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. — Caitlin Clark and Iowa are back in the Final Four again. Staley’s team will face North Carolina State, which is making its first appearance in the Final Four since 1998. It’s the second consecutive year that South Carolina has reached the Final Four undefeated and the fourth in a row the team has advanced at least this …

11 months, 4 weeks ago

Iowa tops LSU behind Caitlin Clark’s 41 points

Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. — Caitlin Clark made nine 3-pointers and finished with 41 points and 12 assists as Iowa knocked defending national champion LSU out of the women’s NCAA Tournament with a 94-87 victory on Monday night, advancing the Hawkeyes to their second straight Final Four. Clark, who also scored 41 points in the regional finals last year, and Angel Reese …

11 months, 4 weeks ago

Paige Bueckers lifts UConn back to the Final Four with 80-73 win over JuJu Watkins and USC

Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. — Stuck as a spectator during last year’s women’s NCAA Tournament, Paige Bueckers didn’t waste a moment this time. Or, as Huskies coach Geno Auriemma put it, “Today was Paige doing Paige things.” Bueckers carried UConn to the national semifinals, scoring 28 points in the Huskies’ 80-73 victory over Southern California in a regional final on Monday night. …

11 months, 4 weeks ago

UConn, Purdue, Alabama, NC State ride transfer portal additions straight into the Final Four

Associated Press

Connecticut and Purdue needed the right fit. Spencer — who had played three seasons at Loyola Maryland and last year at Rutgers — found a home in the starting lineup alongside Associated Press first-team All-American Tristen Newton and returning big man Donovan Clingan for a roster that lost some major pieces from last year’s title run. Fifth-year guard DJ Horne …

11 months, 4 weeks ago

Tall Final Four task: Beating reigning champion UConn will not be an easy task in the desert

Associated Press

The 2024 version of March Madness has apexed with a trio of streak busters in the desert. N.C. State is in the Final Four for the first time since Jim Valvano ran around trying to find someone to hug after the 1983 national championship. Purdue and big man Zach Edey will make their first Final Four appearance since Joe Barry …

11 months, 4 weeks ago

NCAA Tournament power rankings: UConn the clear No. 1 entering Final Four

New York Times

Follow live coverage as UConn, Purdue play for the national championship today The Final Four is set. 1 Connecticut Huskies 1 Last Rank UConn has been the most dominant team in the NCAA Tournament, winning its first four games by a combined 111 points. The team has all the pieces to pull it off, reaching its first Final Four since …

11 months, 4 weeks ago

UConn proud of Big East’s basketball pedigree even as football money upends college sports

Associated Press

BOSTON — Alabama and the rest of the football fans in the Southeastern Conference are about to find out what Big East basketball is all about. The Huskies have a chance to win back-to-back NCAA titles — which would make it six in 13 years for the Big East, the league that takes pride in its basketball pedigree even as …

1 year ago

Illinois’ Final Four hopes evaporate in second-half collapse against defending champ UConn

Associated Press

BOSTON — In the first half, it looked like it might be possible. For 20 minutes, Illinois played defending champion UConn better — and closer — than any of Huskies’ previous three NCAA Tournament opponents. Then, it happened — UConn scored the first 25 points of the second half over a 7 minute, 41-second span, part of a 30-0 run …

1 year ago

Donovan Clingan, UConn power back into Final Four behind 30-0 run in 77-52 rout of Illinois

Associated Press

BOSTON — Thirty points in a row — that’s quite a run. The defending national champions scored 30 straight points to power their way back to the Final Four on Saturday night, steamrolling Illinois 77-52 — a March Madness record 10th straight double-digit victory for the top-seeded Huskies. Donovan Clingan had 22 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots, and …

1 year ago

UConn powers past Illinois to advance to second consecutive Final Four

New York Times

Follow live coverage as UConn, Purdue play for the national championship today BOSTON — Dan Hurley sauntered across midcourt with 3:33 to play, a final timeout amid another March dismantling providing him a moment to take in the scene. And for the second consecutive year, they did it in dominant fashion, pummeling third-seeded Illinois 77-52 in the Elite Eight on …

1 year ago

UConn’s repeat try may be the last for a while. ‘It’s going to get tougher,’ coach Dan Hurley says

Associated Press

BOSTON — UConn is trying to be the first team to win back-to-back NCAA men’s basketball titles in 17 years — and that’s not all. It’s not easy,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said Friday as his top-seeded Huskies prepared to play No. “But it’s hard.” UConn beat San Diego State 82-52 in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night in a …

1 year ago

Top-seeded UConn blows through another opponent, beating San Diego State 82-52 to reach Elite Eight

Associated Press

BOSTON — The rematch turned into another UConn mismatch. Stephon Castle had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the defending NCAA champions, and the top-seeded Huskies advanced to the Elite Eight with another double-digit victory, beating San Diego State 82-52 on Thursday night in a rematch of last year’s title game. “Obviously, we’re very comfortable in tournament play.” Jaedon LeDee …

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Lauren Betts and UCLA reach first Final Four of women's NCAA Tournament, beating LSU 72-65

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6 hours, 48 minutes ago

Lauren Betts and UCLA reach first Final Four of women's NCAA Tournament, beating LSU 72-65

Hindustan Times

SPOKANE, Wash. — Lauren Betts had 17 points and seven rebounds despite spending the entire second quarter on the bench, and top overall seed UCLA reached its first Final Four of the women's NCAA Tournament with a 72-65 victory over LSU on Sunday. Lauren Betts and UCLA reach first Final Four of women's NCAA Tournament, beating LSU 72-65 The 6-foot-7 …

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1 day ago

Duke's great D sends Blue Devils to their 18th Final Four with an 85-65 win over Alabama

Hindustan Times

NEWARK, N.J. — Duke freshman Cooper Flagg swooped across the paint and swatted an Alabama player’s shot completely off the court. Duke's great D sends Blue Devils to their 18th Final Four with an 85-65 win over Alabama The ball landed in the stands. Flagg and the Blue Devils they’re headed to the Final Four. Duke's long, tall, NBA-ready standouts …

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1 day, 4 hours ago

UCLA shines in critical moments to defeat LSU and reach Final Four for first time

LA Times

This time, everything came together when it mattered most. Making the critical plays it needed in the final minutes, top-seeded UCLA pulled away for a 72-65 victory over the third-seeded Tigers on Sunday in a Spokane Regional final, propelling the Bruins to their first Final Four in school history. Londynn Jones added a three-pointer to push the Bruins’ lead into …

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2 days, 4 hours ago

Freshman duo of Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell lift USC into Elite Eight rematch with UConn

LA Times

It was never a question of belief. “They’re winners above everything else.” Kennedy Smith and Avery Howell signed on with the nation’s top recruiting class knowing full well their roles would look different from the starring ones they had in high school. “It just carries over to these moments, and I think that we’re so deep on this team and …

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5 days, 5 hours ago