Good morning, New York/New Jersey-area sports fans! Today is a bracket-busting Thursday as we get back to NCAA Tournament play with action beginning this evening in the Sweet 16. So, let's get right to it.
NBA: Maybe the New York Knicks should try something different, like, oh, playing from behind. This whole taking a lead and trying to hold onto it thing is not working out too well for them. Earlier this week the Knicks blew a fourth-quarter lead against Boston. Wednesday night the Knicks led the Orlando Magic at halftime, but lost, 111-99. The struggling Knicks are now 7-10 since the Carmelo Anthony trade and back under .500 at 35-36.
The New Jersey Nets have plenty of problems of their own, but Wednesday turned out to be a good night for the Deron Williams-less Nets. They outlasted the Cleveland Cavaliers, 98-94 in overtime to snap a four-game losing streak and get only their fifth road victory of the season.
BASEBALL: Forbes says the New York Yankees are the most valuable franchise in Major League Baseball, by a whopping 86 percent. The New York Mets, on the other hand, are one of only three teams whose value has declined in the last year. That pretty much sums up everything you need to know about the two franchises who share the city.
NFL: Big Blue View is conducting a community mock draft and the New York Giants' selection came up this morning. Who did Big Blue View select -- meaning who did I choose for the Giants? Well, head on over to Big Blue View and find out. Our New York Jets writer, Joe Caporoso, is concerned about some of the possible personnel moves he is hearing about.
NCAA TOURNAMENT: Play resumes today with the first of the Sweet 16 games. We have tonight's television schedule as well as region-by-region predictions for you.
NIT: The four semifinalists who will be in action Tuesday at Madison Square Garden have now been established. Washington State will face Wichita State in one semifinal, and Colorado will meet Alabama in the other game. The championship game will be held March 31.