 | Edition #1227 Mar 26, 2025 |
| From The GIST Team |
Good morning!Want to start your Wednesday with some heat? Check out this video of Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens throwing the fastest pitch in NCAA softball history, clocking in at a jaw-dropping 78.2 MPH. Nothing soft about it.
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| Quote of The Day |
 | Barbra Banda is a generational talent, and we are fortunate to witness her compete at the highest level in the NWSL. She deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. |
 | — The NWSL Players Association, responding to hateful language launched at the Orlando Pride superstar forward during their 2–0 Sunday win over NJ/NY Gotham FC. No place for that in the beautiful game. |
| The Latest |
🎓🏀 Say it ain't so Source: USC women's basketball/Instagram The GIST: All four women's No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 seeds punched tickets to this weekend's Sweet 16, but not everything is going according to plan: USC sophomore sensation JuJu Watkins tore her ACL in the Trojans' 96–59 second-round Monday win over No. 9 Mississippi State, ultimately ending her season. Devastating. The immediate implications: The show must go on, as they say — for both USC and the tournament at large. But with one of the sport's brightest stars sidelined, the championship picture has been dramatically altered. The Trojans were a national title contender with Watkins in the lineup, but the climb will be significantly steeper without her.
The road ahead: Watkins will reportedly undergo surgery, and while recovery times vary, she's expected to miss at least nine months. A return next season isn't out of the question, but the superstar will certainly take her future pro career into account — and with the WNBA negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement this year (more on that below), there could be lots to weigh.
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🎓🏀 How sweet it is Source: David Zalubowski/AP Photo The GIST: Hope you're using your two days without March Madness action wisely, because the men's tournament comes roaring back tomorrow with the first half of the Sweet 16. Stretch, down some electrolytes, and set up your split screen — the Madness is only just beginning. No. 2 seed Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 6 BYU Cougars, 7:09 p.m. ET: Hold onto your butts — both of these teams' MO is high-octane, in-your-face scoring, which means this is bound to be an explosive offensive showing. BYU was crowned as a potential Cinderella and have proven they can pull off dramatic upset wins. If the glass slipper fits. No. 1 Florida Gators vs. No. 4 Maryland Terrapins, 7:39 p.m. ET: Both squads' last wins were arguably the two most exciting nail-biters of the second round. Whether they turn those dramatic finishes into fuel or feel their confidence shaken could determine the outcome of this matchup. No. 1 Duke Blue Devils vs. No. 4 Arizona Wildcats, 9:39 p.m. ET: The Wildcats are looking strong after evading No. 5 Oregon's upset attempt. But they'll really need to get their heads in the game if they want a chance against Duke and Cooper Flagg's totally normal eye — the Blue Devils look near-unstoppable after posting the biggest landslide wins of the first and second rounds. No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks, 10:09 p.m. ET: One of this year's most compelling storylines centers on Arkansas head coach John Calipari, who shockingly left Kentucky this offseason to rebuild the Razorbacks from scratch.
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| Together With Margo Paige 👜 Say goodbye to the bag check blues Source: Margo Paige Strict venue rules mean clear bags are in — but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style to be compliant. Whatever your gameday look, Margo Paige combines the practicality of transparency with high-fashion details. That's right, clear proof that functionality can be cute. ✨ Love a fringe? This boho chic crossbody is the perfect accessory. 🎨 A pop of color elevates every 'fit, meaning this semi-circle crossbody is a go-to. 🖤 Banking on a bag as bold as you are? Check out this edgy cut-out crossbody. The best part? Margo Paige bags are as sustainable as they are trendy, so you can feel good about every part of your purchase. Snag 15% off your first order, and enjoy a hassle-free game day. |
| Quick Hits |
🏀 Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier doesn't rule out league-wide strike in 2026Ahead of negotiations for the WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), WNBA Players Association vice president Collier reiterated that players will stand firm, possibly leveraging a walkout if their needs are not met.
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🏈 Quarterback (QB) Russell Wilson signs with NY GiantsCiara's husband struck a new deal yesterday, signing a one-year, $10.5M contract with Big Blue, an organization in desperate need of veteran leadership after things…didn't work out with QB Daniel Jones.
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🏒 Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin now six goals away from breaking all-time recordIt's one thing to score your 889th career goal on the precipice of making hockey history, it's another to do it against the other best team in the league. That's exactly what The Great Eight did last night, lighting the lamp in the Caps' 3–2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets, who narrowly trail Washington for the top spot in the NHL. |
🇺🇸⚽ Forward Trinity Rodman back on No. 1 USWNT rosterFor the first time since her breakout performance at the Paris Olympics, Rodman will return to the national team, joining the squad for their two April friendlies against No. 8 Brazil. Also returning to the USWNT rotation are center back Alana Cook and forward Ashley Hatch, two former Red, White, and Blue mainstays who were not named to last summer's Olympic team. It's audition season. |
⚾ Batter up! Toronto Blue Jays host home opener tomorrow at 3:07 p.m. ET vs. Baltimore OriolesNothing like a little American League East rivalry series to start the season. Though the Jays officially inked catcher Alejandro Kirk to a five-year, $58M extension yesterday, Toronto's team begins the season with more questions than answers.
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| Together With Intuit QuickBooks  Source: The GIST ⛅ The worst part of a dreary day? Spending hours on the administrative tasks that are keeping you from your actual job. Intuit QuickBooks understands — that's why The GIST's co-founders Ellen and Jacie use its intuitive, all-in-one financial platform so they can spend their time leveling the playing field.
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| The GIST's Picks |
Here's what passed The GIST squad's vibe check this week:
🎶 What to listen to"What it Takes." LSU baller, Roc Nation rapper — college hoops star Flau'Jae Johnson is truly unstoppable. Queue up her latest track, part of the NCAA's March Madness campaign. 👟 What to wearA new sneaker. The adidas Samba craze is cooling, but women's sneaker culture is just heating up. 🏀 What to look forward to watchingSeason 2 of "Full Court Press." Women's college hoops is thriving, and "Full Court Press" is back to capture every moment. Featuring Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo, the aforementioned Flau'Jae Johnson, and USC's Kiki Iriafen, the action tips off in May. |
| Fun & Games |
Take Your Pick | ||
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No. 3 Texas Tech | vs | No. 10 Arkansas |
| As you read, Arkansas head coach John Calipari is working his magic, leading the Razorbacks to the Sweet 16 after they missed the tournament entirely last season.
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Today's email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Katie Kehoe Foster, Marga Sison, Megan Murray, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore. Fact-checking by Marga Sison and Rachel Fuenzalida. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.
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