In 1975 the Wizard of Westwood, John Wooden, retired after winning his 10th National Championship with UCLA, capping off a legendary coaching career. The Bruins’ 11th and last basketball championship occurred in 1995, due in large part to the efforts of Tyus Edney with his famous buzzer-beater and 3-point shots that propelled UCLA to the NCAA title. Will the storied basketball program be able to recapture the magic in their new conference after a 30-year drought and a half-century since Coach Wooden’s back-to-back victories? Given that UCLA is out of the running this year, could Matt Painter and his Boilermakers carry on Wooden’s legacy and win it all In a tie back to his Purdue roots? Is Zach Edey Purdue’s secret weapon to bring it home for the Big 10?

Will Caitlin Clark stay with Iowa if the Hawkeyes win the tournament? With the amount of money she is making through the NIL, would it make more financial sense for her to remain in school rather than declare for the WNBA? If Iowa loses, could she decide to continue with her one year of eligibility left to try for the brass ring and get an NCAA championship under her belt?

Shohei Ohtani finds himself at the center of more controversy after hitting his first homer with the Dodgers, as one of the fans who caught the milestone ball was whisked off by Dodger management to trade in the ball for two signed hats, bats, and a few other items of merchandise. Ohtani says he spoke to the woman about the event, but she claims she did not meet the superstar and that the Dodgers requested the return of the ball. Why the disparity between the story of the fan and that of Ohtani? Was she pressured by the organization to give up something potentially so much more valuable, possibly worth several tens of thousands of dollars, than what was offered in exchange? Will it be resolved fairly and without legal action? What should be the standard of ownership for a home run ball?

Email Fred and the Fantastics with questions and comments at sportsfred@aol.com