Basketball gets bigger and Tennessee faces tough choices

Next year the NCAA basketball tournaments will grow. Instead of the usual number, 76 teams will compete in both the men’s and women’s events starting in 2027. That’s twenty more spots than before. The change comes as college sports leaders look for ways to give more schools a shot at the national spotlight. Meanwhile Tennessee is preparing for a rare moment. The state has not executed a woman in centuries, but a case could change that. A prisoner named Christa Gail Pike says the drugs used for lethal injections might cause her extra pain because of her health. Her lawyers argue the state’s method risks turning execution into suffering rather than justice. The debate puts Tennessee on the spot about how far punishment should go.On the baseball field Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Andy Pages is showing flashes of brilliance. Over the weekend he drove in three runs and hit a double that sparked a big inning. Yet his recent slump shows how quickly young players can swing from hot to cold. His overall numbers remain impressive, but the ups and downs remind everyone that even the best hitters go through rough patches. In the NBA playoffs Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels added extra noise to a tight series. After a win he suggested targeting Denver’s weaker defenders, naming several star players. The comment didn’t sit well with the opposing coach, who called it disrespectful. The exchange highlights how words on the court can heat up games already full of tension. Back on ice Seth Jarvis of the Carolina Hurricanes finally broke a playoff point drought. He set up two goals in a must-win game, helping his team sweep their first-round series. His regular season was strong, yet the postseason had been quiet until now. The moment proved that even steady performers need time to shine when it matters most.