The Denver Broncos secured the AFC's No. 1 seed with a 19-3 victory over the Chargers, bringing them closer to their Super Bowl LX goal, emphasizing the importance of home-field advantage and ongoing team improvements.
The Denver Broncos, after clinching the AFC West division title, are focused on winning their final game against the Chargers to secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, which offers advantages like a first-round bye and home-field advantage. Coach Sean Payton emphasized the importance of this game, comparing it to a playoff match, and highlighted the need to improve their turnover margin to enhance their playoff chances.
The Chargers have a 3% chance to secure the AFC No. 1 seed, needing to win their last two games and rely on other teams to lose, which is unlikely but still possible. They have clinched a playoff spot, partly thanks to Philip Rivers' return, and are aiming for a deep playoff run despite injuries to key players like Slater and Alt. The team remains optimistic about their prospects and the potential return of their top offensive linemen for 2026.
The Nebraska women's volleyball team is the No. 1 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, hosting the first two rounds at John Cook Arena, and aims for their third consecutive NCAA title, with their first match against Long Island on December 5.
The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference after a 135-86 win over the Dallas Mavericks, with rookie center Chet Holmgren emphasizing the team's focus on the playoffs rather than celebrating. The Thunder, with an average age of 23.9, are the youngest team to earn the top seed since seeding began in 1984. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the team's standout player, expressed pride in the accomplishment but emphasized the need for continued hard work. The Thunder and the Denver Nuggets will await the results of the West play-in games to determine their first-round opponents in the playoffs.
The NCAA Tournament has seen two No. 16 seeds upset No. 1 seeds in recent years, and the potential for another upset looms in the upcoming tournament. Stetson, Longwood, Wagner/Howard, and Montana State/Grambling State are ranked from least likely to most likely to pull off an upset against UConn, Houston, North Carolina, and Purdue, respectively. While the chances of an upset are slim, the matchups present intriguing storylines and potential for surprises in the tournament.
The University of North Carolina's men's basketball team is the No. 1 seed in the West Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament and will open play in Charlotte against the winner of the game between Howard and Wagner. Head coach Hubert Davis expressed excitement for the opportunity and emphasized the importance of preparation and play regardless of the team's seed. The Tar Heels have a storied history in the NCAA Tournament, with numerous No. 1 seeds, Final Four appearances, and championships, and they are looking to add to their impressive record in this year's tournament.
South Carolina claims the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA women's tournament bracket, marking their fourth straight season as a top seed. Other top seeds include Iowa, USC, and Texas. The bracket features several competitive matchups, with notable teams like UCLA, LSU, and Stanford in the mix.
The University of Texas women's basketball team has earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will host the first and second rounds at Moody Center. They will face Drexel in the first round, with Alabama and Florida State also coming to Austin. This marks the Longhorns' 36th appearance in the tournament and their first time as a No. 1 seed since 2004. Head coach Vic Schaefer has led the team to a 30-4 record this season, with freshman Madison Booker making history by earning multiple awards.
The NCAA men's tournament bracket was revealed with UConn claiming the No. 1 overall seed in the East region, while Houston, Purdue, and North Carolina secured the other top seeds. UConn's strong regular season and Big East tournament championship have positioned them as favorites to defend their title. The complete schedule and matchups for the tournament were also announced, with several top teams and conferences represented.
Iowa women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder expressed pride in the team's No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, emphasizing the need to focus on the immediate challenges. She also discussed the familiarity of opponents in their bracket, the team's preparation during the break, and their readiness to face different opponents in a short timeframe.
Iowa women's basketball secures its first No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since 1992, with Caitlin Clark leading the team. The Hawkeyes will begin their tournament journey against the winner of Holy Cross-UT Martin, and potential matchups include West Virginia and Princeton. The team's impressive season, marked by a 29-4 record and a conference tournament title, has positioned them for a strong tournament run.
UConn claims the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA men's tournament, with Houston, Purdue, and North Carolina also securing top seeds in their respective regions. The reigning champion Huskies are favored to win a second-straight championship after a dominant regular season and Big East tournament victory, led by a revamped roster including standout players Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer. The tournament bracket has been revealed, with exciting matchups set to unfold in the coming weeks.
North Carolina secures the No. 1 seed in the NCAA men's tournament, alongside Connecticut, Purdue, and Houston, despite a loss to North Carolina State. Upsets over the weekend have impacted the bubble picture, with teams like Seton Hall and Virginia missing out on tournament spots. The final bracket is set, with the last four in including Northwestern, Florida Atlantic, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M, while the first four out consist of St. John’s, Seton Hall, Virginia, and Indiana State. The NCAA Tournament bids by conference breakdown shows the Big 12 leading with 9 bids, followed by the SEC with 8.
Despite a recent loss in the ACC Tournament, UNC basketball is still in contention for a No. 1 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, with a strong resume and favorable projections from ESPN, CBS Sports, and the Bracket Matrix. The team's 27-7 record and performance in Quadrant 1 games have solidified their position, and they are expected to start their tournament journey in Charlotte.