The Super Bowl is next weekend, the Australian Open is wrapping up, and college basketball is inching toward March Madness — so yeah, I’m excited. Below are my top plays for the week and beyond.
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Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina — combined double faults over/under: 4
Rybakina’s serve has been a weapon in Melbourne, while Sabalenka is arguably the best hard-court player on the women’s side. I expect a long, tightly contested final with plenty of pressure on serve, which usually produces extra double faults. Their longer matches have tended to feature lots of doubles — 7, 8 and 7 in three-set affairs, totaling 22 — and Sabalenka has had issues with double faults under pressure at times. All that points toward at least four combined double faults in this match.
Pick: 4 or more combined double faults
Illinois to reach the Final Four (+400)
The odds have shortened since Illinois’ upset win at West Lafayette, but I still like their chances. KenPom rates their offense very highly; they have multiple 3-point threats, good size, and a go-to playmaker in Keaton Wagler. Getting guard Kylan Boswell healthy and back in March would make them even tougher, and they showed they can beat quality opponents on the road.
Pick: Illinois (+400) to make the Final Four
Gonzaga to reach the Final Four (+360)
You always have to factor in the WCC’s relative weakness, but Gonzaga’s league features top-40 teams like Santa Clara and St. Mary’s this year, which helps strengthen their profile. Time without Graham Ike and Braden Huff has helped the roster build depth, and despite a November loss to Michigan, Gonzaga has quality wins over the likes of UCLA, Alabama and Kentucky. Less national hype might help them fly under the radar come March.
Pick: Gonzaga (+360) to make the Final Four
C.J. Carr to win the 2026 Heisman (+800)
Notre Dame projects to be a top-five team in 2026, with only a potentially tricky game at Miami on the schedule. After a strong freshman campaign — 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions — Carr looks primed to put up big numbers and could be Notre Dame’s first Heisman winner since Tim Brown in 1987 if everything breaks right.
Pick: C.J. Carr (+800) to win the Heisman Trophy
Fan Take: NFL fans should care because a Heisman-winning or Heisman-contending QB like C.J. Carr becomes a major watch-list prospect for the draft, shaping scouting conversations and offseason quarterback plans. More broadly, strong college performances and deeper NCAA Tournament runs help generate buzz and narrative momentum that can raise the profile of future NFL talent and influence how teams evaluate incoming players.
