The stage is set for the 2025 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Women’s Basketball Championship, presented by United Fidelity Bank. The final day of the regular season has determined the participating teams and their seedings. Tennessee Tech secured the top spot with an impressive 18-2 record in conference play, marking their 19th title since joining the league. The Golden Eagles will enjoy a double bye straight to the semifinals. Lindenwood, finishing second with a 16-4 record, and Southern Indiana, transitioning to Division I, are also strong contenders. Eastern Illinois and Little Rock have earned single byes to the quarterfinals. The remaining slots go to Southern Indiana, UT Martin, Western Illinois, and Tennessee State. This championship event, held at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, promises intense competition and exciting matches streamed live on ESPN+.
Tennessee Tech, having claimed the OVC regular season championship, is poised to make a significant impact in this year's tournament. With an overall record of 24-5, the Golden Eagles have demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the season. Their last regular-season title was in 2012-13, making this victory particularly sweet. The team will enter the semifinals on Friday afternoon, bypassing the earlier rounds due to their top-seeded position. Meanwhile, Lindenwood, as the No. 2 seed, finished the season with a commendable 16-4 record in OVC games. Both Lindenwood and Southern Indiana, despite being in transition to Division I, remain eligible to win the OVC Tournament Championship. Should either team triumph, the NCAA Tournament automatic bid would go to the runner-up or the highest-seeded team eliminated in the semifinals if both reach the finals.
Eastern Illinois, seeded third with a 15-5 record, will join the fray on Thursday afternoon in the quarterfinals. They, along with Little Rock, who secured the fourth seed with a 12-8 record, will benefit from a single bye. The lower-seeded teams—Southern Indiana, UT Martin, Western Illinois, and Tennessee State—will start their campaigns in the first round on Wednesday. Each team brings unique strengths and strategies to the table, promising a series of competitive matchups. The Ford Center, which has hosted the event for eight consecutive years, provides an ideal setting for these high-stakes games. Located in downtown Evansville, the venue offers a vibrant atmosphere that enhances the excitement of the tournament.
The 2025 OVC Women’s Basketball Championship not only represents a pivotal moment for the participating teams but also serves as a gateway to the NCAA Women’s College Basketball Tournament. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+, available through various subscription options. For those planning to attend in person, the Ford Center enforces a bag policy to ensure safety and security. This championship, now in its 44th iteration, continues to be a cornerstone event in women’s collegiate basketball, showcasing the talent and dedication of the athletes involved. As the tournament unfolds, it promises to deliver thrilling moments and memorable victories that will be celebrated for years to come.
In a pivotal encounter for both clubs, Manchester United and Fulham are set to clash this Sunday in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The match promises to be intense, especially after United's recent triumph over Ipswich following an early red card. With key players out due to injuries and suspensions, Ruben Amorim’s team will need to strategize effectively to progress into the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Fulham, who have only reached this stage twice in eight years, aim to overcome their past controversies and advance further in the competition.
A Battle at Old Trafford: United vs Fulham
This Sunday, March 2nd, 2025, marks a significant day for football fans as Manchester United welcomes Fulham to Old Trafford for the FA Cup fifth round. The match, kicking off at 4:30 PM GMT, will be broadcast on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Sport Online. For United, the stakes are high after overcoming a challenging midweek game against Ipswich, where they secured victory despite losing Patrick Dorgu to a red card. Harry Maguire, whose last-minute goal controversially led United past Leicester, remains a crucial player for the team. However, with several key players unavailable due to injuries and suspensions, including Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans, and Amad Diallo, Ruben Amorim faces a tough lineup decision.
Fulham, on the other hand, has had a steady journey through the competition, defeating Watford and Wigan to reach this round. This is only their second appearance in the fifth round in eight seasons. They carry the memory of a contentious quarter-final loss to United in the 2022/23 season, where Aleksandar Mitrovic and Willian were sent off in the same minute, reducing Fulham to nine men. The team aims to turn the page on that incident and push forward in the tournament.
The predicted lineup for United includes Onana in goal, with a defensive line of Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire, and Yoro. Dalot and Ugarte will support Casemiro in midfield, while Fernandes, Hojlund, and Zirkzee form the attacking trio. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how this matchup unfolds, given the history and current challenges faced by both teams.
From a journalist's perspective, this match encapsulates the unpredictable nature of cup competitions. It highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in football, as both teams must navigate through adversity to achieve their goals. For United, it's about maintaining momentum despite missing key players, while for Fulham, it's an opportunity to rewrite their narrative in the FA Cup. Regardless of the outcome, this game promises to be a thrilling spectacle of skill, strategy, and determination.
At the prestigious NCAA Division III Central Diving Regional held at Denison University's Trumbill Aquatics Center in Ohio, several talented divers from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) competed with distinction. The event, which took place from February 28 to March 1, showcased remarkable performances by both male and female athletes. Among the men, notable participants included Blake Wallen from UW-Eau Claire, Tony McNiff from UW-La Crosse, and James Stadler and Declan Trant from UW-Stevens Point. Trant delivered an impressive performance, securing third place on the three-meter board with a score of 462.25. Wallen followed closely in fourth with 450.35, while McNiff placed eleventh and Stadler seventeenth. On the one-meter board, Trant again claimed third place with 451.35 points, just ahead of Wallen who finished fourth.
The women's competition was equally competitive, featuring divers like Isabella Josephs from UW-Eau Claire and Joanne Banaszak, Madison Debernado, Hannah Martini, and Madeline Weber from UW-La Crosse. In the one-meter event, Martini achieved an admirable 11th place with 393.00 points, while Banaszak came in 14th. Weber, Josephs, and Debernado also demonstrated their skills, placing 16th, 27th, and 30th respectively. Moving to the three-meter competition, Weber and Banaszak continued to shine, finishing 13th and 14th, with Martini close behind in 15th place. These results underscore the depth and talent within the WIAC diving community.
The achievements of these athletes reflect not only their individual dedication and hard work but also the strong support systems provided by their respective universities. Competing at such a high level requires immense focus, perseverance, and resilience. Their performances serve as an inspiration to aspiring divers and highlight the importance of commitment and excellence in sports. Through their efforts, these divers have set a positive example for future generations, demonstrating that with determination and passion, one can achieve great things.