March 21, 2022

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A weekend of second-round shockers included the exits of a 1-seed, a 2-seed, and two 3-seeds on the men’s side, and a pair of 2-seeds on the women’s. As for the NFL…

Colts Acquire Matt Ryan, Take On Remaining 2 Years, $52M

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

One of the NFL’s most unwieldy contracts is on the move. On Monday, the Falcons traded quarterback Matt Ryan to the Colts in exchange for a third-round pick, per multiple reports.

The Falcons’ all-time leader in wins (120), pass yards (59,735), pass TDs (367), and completions (5,242) is joining a Colts team that will have a new starting QB for the fifth straight season.

The 36-year-old has two years and $51.8 million remaining on his contract.

Ryan earned $276 million in 14 years with Atlanta and is the 11th-highest-paid QB in the NFL ($30M AAV).He’ll leave $40.5 million of dead cap to the Falcons — the highest all-time for a single season.Before the trade, Indianapolis had the league’s lowest team cap hit ($177.8M), providing the necessary flexibility to acquire Ryan.Atlanta cleared $8.1M with the trade, leaving them with $13.6M — the 12th-most cap space.

Ryan’s resume isn’t short of accomplishments — he was the 2016 MVP, made four Pro Bowls, and missed only three games since becoming a full-time starter in 2008.

On the other hand, he hasn’t led the Falcons to a winning season since 2016 (10-6) — and he was signal-caller when Atlanta infamously blew a 28-3 lead in Super Bowl LI.

Less than two weeks ago, the Colts traded Carson Wentz to Washington, leaving them with minimal options. Meanwhile, 2021 undrafted QB Feleipe Franks is the lone passer on Atlanta’s depth chart.

Iowa State’s Historic Turnaround From 2-Win Season

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

Last season, Iowa State men’s basketball went 2-22 and 0-18 in Big 12 play — and was picked to finish last in the conference in this year’s preseason poll [[link removed]].

On Sunday, the 11-seed Cyclones won their 22nd game of the season — a 54-49 victory over 3-seed Wisconsin — continuing a remarkable turnaround.

ISU already made NCAA tournament history Friday as the team [[link removed]] with the lowest winning percentage (.083) in the previous season to win a game.

First-year head coach T.J. Otzelberger makes [[link removed]] $1.5 million — the lowest base salary in the Big 12 — and has already racked up $150,000 in March Madness-based incentives. Bill Self, the highest-paid coach in the conference, makes $10.2 million this season before incentives.

Otzelberger made the Big Dance twice (2017, ‘18) as head coach of South Dakota State but didn’t win a game.He was previously an assistant for Iowa State and coached UNLV the past two seasons, going 29-30 without a tournament appearance.The win over the Badgers in Milwaukee was also a special homecoming — the Milwaukee native played point guard at UW-Whitewater.

Otzelberger was on staff the last time the Cyclones made the Sweet 16 (2016), but this is only their sixth time advancing past the second round — and they’ve only reached the Elite 8 or further twice (1944 and 2000).

Next up is 10-seed Miami (-2.5*) — fresh off its own upset of No. 2 Auburn — on Friday night in Chicago.

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Inside Carlos Correa’s Surprising 3-Year Twins Deal

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

The most coveted MLB free agent landed in perhaps the unlikeliest of places — and may not be there for long.

Two-time All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa agreed to terms with the Twins on a three-year, $105.3 million contract over the weekend, according to multiple reports.

The puzzling deal features opt-out clauses after each of the first two seasons, in effect making it a possible one-year commitment.

If he stays in Minnesota through 2023, he’d only be 30 and still in his prime, setting him up for a second consecutive big-money deal — but likely a long-term contract.

The $35.1M AAV is the fourth-highest all-time (Max Scherzer, $43.3M; Gerrit Cole, $36M; Mike Trout, $35.5M) and is the most ever for an infielder.Correa rejected the Astros’ one-year, $18.4M qualifying offer.He hit .279 with 26 HRs and 92 RBI in ’21 for Houston, and his 7.2 WAR ranked third in MLB.

Correa provides another potent bat and Gold Glove defense for the Twins, who are in the midst of a major overhaul this offseason after finishing 73-89. In addition to Correa, Minnesota has acquired catcher Gary Sanchez, third baseman Gio Urshela, and starter Sonny Gray.

Minnesota has the second-best odds (+500*) to win the AL Central but could feasibly grab one of two wild-card spots.

Correa (.272, 18 HRs, 59 RBI in 79 playoff games) could be the key to snapping the longest postseason losing streak in the history of North American sports (18 games).

Making Headlines

Creighton Women's Basketball/Design: John Regula

NCAAW: 10-seed Creighton upset 2-seed Iowa 64-62 to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history; Player of the Year candidate Caitlin Clark was held to a season-low 15 points. Also: 2-seed Baylor fell to 10-seed South Dakota, snapping a 12-year streak in the Sweet 16.

MLB: Infielder Trevor Story agreed to a six-year, $140 million contract with the Red Sox, according to multiple reports.

NHL: The Wild acquired reigning Vezina Trophy winner Marc-Andre Fleury from the Blackhawks for a 2022 conditional first-round draft pick.

NFL: Offensive tackle Trent Brown returned to the Patriots, agreeing to a two-year contract. Also: The Saints re-signed QB Jameis Winston to a two-year, $28 million deal.

NBA: Jamal Crawford officially announced his retirement on Twitter [[link removed]]; the 20-year veteran won three Sixth Man of the Year awards, tied for most all-time with Lou Williams.

Today's Action

NHL

07:07 PM

Bruins (-235) at Canadiens (+190)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

NBA

07:10 PM

Lakers (+175) at Cavaliers (-210)

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NHL

10:07 PM

Predators (-180) at Ducks (+155)

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*All times are EST unless otherwise noted.

*Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See [[link removed]] for details.

Written by Anthony Puccio [[link removed]], Doug Greenberg [[link removed]], Chris Kuc [[link removed]]

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