2026 March Sadness Wild Card Play-in Matches
Here we go, the official start of March Sadness! RA! Stiz! Scaz! Rueb! Wild cards, or carney slang from the 1930’s? You be the judge of that!
Polls will close ay 9:00 PM EDT, Btw.
2026 March Sadness Tournament Bracket Reveal
Play -in Games Region C 10 Seed Dave O’Brien (NESN) vs wild card Brian “Rear Admiral” McGonagle (Barstool), Region V 16 Seed Travis Thomas (NESN) vs wild card James “Scaz” Scaramozzino (98.5), Region N 12 Seed Mark Daniels (MassLive) vs wild card Stanley “Stiz Grimey” Bruno (WEEI), and Region T 15 Seed Chris Forsberg (NBCSB) vs wild card Eric Rueb (ProJo).
The play-in games will be on Monday, March 9th. The rest of the field will begin on Tuesday March 10th, then Thursday and Friday of that week.
2026 March Sadness Tournament Field of 68
Oyez, oyez! All those having business before the Tournament Selection Collaborative Committee of The15net dot com division of The Local Collaborative, take care and know the following will comprise the Field of 68 in the 6th Annual Mediot Madness/March Sadness Tournament:
Radio – Christian Arcand (WEEI) Marc Bertrand (98.5) Mike Felger (98.5) Andy Hart (WEEI) Greg Hill (WEEI) Ted Johnson (WEEI) Adam Jones (WEEI) Rich Keefe (WEEI) Joe Murray (98.5) Rob “Hardy” Poole (98.5) Nick “Fitzy” Stevens (WEEI) Fred Toucher (98.5) Scott Zolak (98.5)
Print – Peter Abraham (Globe) Andrew Callahan (Herald) Mark Daniels (MassLive) Kevin Paul Dupont (Globe) Chad Finn (Globe) Chris Gasper (Globe/98.5) John Karalis (SI) Doug Kyed (Herald) Sean McAdam (MassLive) Dan Shaughnessy (Globe) Christopher Smith (MassLive) Gabrielle Starr (Herald) Gary Washburn (Globe)
Television – Albert Breer (NBCSB) Lucille Burdge (NESN) Tom Caron (NESN) Jared Carrabis (NESN/98.5/Underdog) Drew Carter (NBCSB) Trenni Casey (NBCSB) Chris Forsberg (NBCSB) Lou Merloni (NESN) Kevin Millar (NESN) Dave O’Brien (NESN) Phil Perry (NBCSB) Brian Scalabrine (NBCSB) Travis Thomas (NESN)
Digital – Brian Barrett (The Ringer) Greg Bedard (BSJ) Rob Bradford (Audacy/WEEI) Mike Giardi (BSJ) Joe Haggerty (BSJ) Grant “Hogdale” Huckdale (Barstool) Jeff Howe (The Athletic) Mike Kadlick (CLNS) Taylor Kyles (CLNS) Evan Lazar (Patriots) Bob Ryan (CLNS/Globe) Jerry Thornton (Barstool) John Zannis (CLNS)
At large – Cerrone Battle (98.5) Tom “Freeze Pops” Carroll (WEEI) Courtney Cox (WEEI) Chris Curtis (WEEI) Mark Dondero (98.5) Michael Hurley (???) Kendra Middleton (98.5) Matt McCarthy (98.5) Jim Murray (98.5) Meghan Ottolini (WEEI/Celtics) Jimmy Stewart (98.5) Matt Vautour (MassLive)
This years Wild Card play-in contestants- Stanley “Stiz Grimey” Bruno (WEEI) Brian “Rear Admiral” McGonagle (Barstool) Eric Rueb (ProJo), James “Scaz” Scaramozzino (98.5). They will participate in the 4 play-in games in advance of Round One.
Brackets will be announced on Sunday, March 8th, Wild Cards go on Monday, then the First-Round matchups begin in earnest on Tuesday, March 10th.
03/04/26 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer
Swayman apologized, can we get his daily account back please?
If there’s one consistent through line of fan behavior I’ve observed over the course of attending hundreds of games, it’s that women seem to think the request to remove your caps for the anthem doesn’t apply to them. Very strange.
Bro, sorry if I somehow unfollowed. I would never. I don’t trust this place.
The funniest thing about being a southern transplant in New England is guessing whether something labeled “spicy” on a menu is white people spicy or actually spicy.
Anytime you can bring in a headcase receivah, you gotta do it!
Does anyone else get slightly confused when the Globe Pitchbot pitch isn’t written by Felger and Mazz?
Some important news: New New Scrubs is a 10 out of 10.
Rob Bradford has such a wet voice. When he says Kutter Crawford, I almost feel the spittle on me.
It must be difficult being bisexual when you’re always on vacation.
Cakes are cooking for Adrian Lyne, James Ellroy, Emilio Estefan, Mykelti Williamson, Rick Mast, Patricia Heaton, John Mugabe, Ray Mancini, Steven Weber, Jason Newsted, Khaled Hosseini, Paul W. S. Anderson, Dav Pilkey, Kevin Johnson, Evan Dando, Patsy Kensit, Chaz Bono, Jos Verstappen, Robert Smith, Hawksley Workman, Jason Marsalis, Landon Donovan, Draymond Green, Nick Castellanos, Obi Toppin, and Brooklyn Beckham.
Rewatch both Gold Medal games in full with my 4th of July Playlist playing? Don’t mind if I do.
It’s always a great sign when middle aged broads smile and don’t show their teeth.
Hedy gang, this week’s Phrase that Pays is, “I’m sorry Aerin Frankel – autocorrect is the worst.”
Neil Sedaka’s got some jams. RIP.
I like when people say “Now I wish Canada won.” Oh yeah, rich white guys from Ontario are totally different from rich white guys from Minnesota!
Quarter zip fleece? Not my scene. I prefer the 3/8th zip.
Orange Line: Through March 8. Shuttle buses are replacing service between Back Bay and Forest Hills for signal work. Commuter Rail is fare-free between Forest Hills and South Station.
Imagine telling a chick you’re taking her to “Cream City” and then ending up in Milwaukee.
I know a place where I can go when I’m alone
Into your arms, whoa, into your arms I can go
I know a place that’s safe and warm from the crowd
Into your arms, whoa, into your arms I can go.
And if I should fall
I know, I won’t be alone
Be alone anymore.
I’m with Hurley on this one. Sumo oranges are the best. So I guess those three weeks on the Rich Shertenlieb Show weren’t entirely, fruitless?
Puerto Ricans fucking love ‘the wave.’
Steroid abuse is known to damage ligaments and tendons.
The Patriots literally didn’t think Alec Pierce could be available.
We have a Scaz AND a Stiz!?
Oh, like the Celtics never had a ‘The Naked I Night’, back during Princess Cheyenne’s heyday.
Khusnutdinov. He’s like a mini-Marchand.
Every woman thinks she’s a badass until it’s time to turn on the AC at Christian Barmore’s house.
Honk if you remember Comet Hale-Bopp.
The entertainment industry having awards shows every other week; what do they think they are, sportswriters?
I might pass on canoeing the Saco next year.
Steve Kerr declared POTS is a fake disease again. These hockey broads are having a terrible week.
I just need Hugo to say, “basketball is life.”
Pajamas at the airport? No. I wear an off the rack suit from Kohl’s when I fly. People think I’m an Air Marshal.
Seems like the deficiencies in the Patriots NFLPA report card could be easily fixed by throwing money at the problems. Oh. Right.
Ah, the famously complex flavors of Duval County, Florida.
Alex Guerrero being Brady’s snitch on the Raiders is glorious. There’s only man who can fix this: Jack Easterby.
Best bet for the weekend: World Baseball Classic Fever Grips Hub.
Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Joe Giza, and the members of #the15 were used in this column. God’s Great banana skin. Gonna get ya.
02/25/26 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer
The Fanatics guy knows that he has to do better.
All the in-sports gals must have been pissed they didn’t get to use the ‘don’t be sad USA, your women’s hockey team won!’ troll had Canada won on Sunday.
For those in recent days who’ve played curling for the first time — whaddya think?
Pfft. I can’t believe Tatum is making his comeback all about him.
I feel like they could hand out the medals and the stuffed animals at the same time.
Do you think the guys on the hockey team called Kash, “Patsy“?
If I had Tourettes my tics would be shouting “Queen of the North”, “Deuce is Everything”, and “Bobby Dalbec is The Fruith” because I’m a good fucking person.
Whole lotta Boston bars opened very early on this Sunday and they’re jam-packed. Love to see it.
Jaylen should dribble into more crowds.
Did we really need Bill Speros to blow the lid off the fact that Australia is a long way away?
Cakes are cooking for Sally Jessy Raphael, Tom Courtenay, Herb Elliott, Doug Yule, Ric Flair, Kenny Gradney, Neil Jordan, César Cedeño, James Brown, John Doe, Dennis Diken, Stuart “Woody” Wood, Jeff Fisher, Kurt Rambis, Paul O’Neill, Lee Evans, Brian Baker, Carrot Top, Veronica Webb, Alexis Denisof, Nancy O’Dell, Byron Dafoe, Daniel Powter, Sean Astin, Anson Mount, Julio Iglesias, Jr., Justin Jeffre, Chelsea Handler, Rashida Jones, Kash Patel, Bert McCracken, Tara Wilson, Jameela Jamil, Hideki Matsuyama, and Eugenie Bouchard.
Listening to Bill Simmons “fix” problems by presenting much worse alternatives is so triggering.
Just wait until someone reads the news to Ted Johnson!
According to Babz’s lengthy post, nothing is Fanatics fault, and they are all lovely, caring people. I bet they regret inviting our best and brightest in to give them the what for!
Tabitha Peterson was incredible. Tremendous shot to end it. I am all in on the women’s curling.
Breaking: Ahead of Closing Ceremonies, NBC announces it will dedicate CNBC to show nothing but Curling reruns as run-up to the next Olympiad. Only interruption with be an annual all-day Three Stooges fest on July 4 and Thanksgiving.
Hey gang with a clearly delineated organization chart! This week’s Phrase that Pays is: “My teeth are a lot straighter than yours and my stomach is definitely smaller.”
It’s really tough rooting for the Tkachuk’s.
The fact that Tourette’s guy didn’t shout “WATCH WOMEN’S HOCKEY” proves to me that he is also a raging misogynist.
All the best jobs have non-consecutive days off.
Blue Line: Delays of about 10 minutes due to a signal problem between Maverick and Aquarium. Trains may stand by at stations.
90% of my For You tab is now just “Did you see what [insert new disgusting slob from Barstool] did?!”
Is asking yourself questions as a framing mechanism gay? Yes.
Just pick up a glove!
Anytime you can beat the Lakers when Pat Reilly gets a Saturday Night Fever statue dedicated to him is delicious.
I’m getting really sick and tired of this Connor McDavid vs Josh Allen debate!
How will the Boston Globe print subscribers have any idea that Daily Jeremy Swayman shut down?
Snow core samples?
Is it racist for a honkie to cast a vote for favorite Purple Drank? (It’s Fanta, by the way. Sorry Crush!)
Do the Italians think Coldplay is American?
Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
‘Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
Should five per cent appear too small?
Be thankful I don’t take it all
‘Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
(If you drive a car, car)
I’ll tax the street
(If you try to sit, sit)
I’ll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold)
I’ll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, walk)
I’ll tax your feet
Taxman!
When God Created Adam did he have a Quarterback in mind?
You dummies don’t realize that Tourette’s guy at the BAFTA’s was obviously a work!
Paavo Nurmi!
Honk if you remember when Payton Pritchard was hoping to move on in 2023 so he could go somewhere and have a bigger role, but Brad Stevens kept him and he earned a bigger role with the Celtics.
The first rule of being in a union is that you need to tell everyone you’re in a union.
Everyone wants to be HexClad… until it’s time to perform…pal
Tape Grindah’s cortisol level must be spiking after totally getting Stoolmogged by Ganguay who’s doing a lot of Prezmaxxing lately.
Is an Authentic Fan Council something like a Fan Advisory Group?
Tara Lipinski could definitely wreck a dick.
Love something as much as mother’s do warning you about food recalls in states three time zones away.
You can tell I’m a weather enthusiast because I use terms like ‘mashed potatoes’ and ‘wet cement’ to describe snow.
Best bet for the weekend: thawing, then refreezing. Then repeat.
Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Joe Giza, and the members of #the15 were used in this column.
02/18/26 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer
Half the cast from Varsity Blues is dead. If I’m Scott Caan, I’m staying in the crosswalks for a while.
I would like women’s hockey a lot more if these gals smiled every once in a while.
Jayson Tatum’s return to the Celtics feels like the lead-up to Spider-Man: No Way Home. Like how Sony couldn’t officially confirm Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield were coming back, but everyone pretty much knew they were.
Just a reminder that Whitey Bulger did not go to Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final in Vancouver.
Roman Anthony put on about 15 lbs of muscle and you can see it. To quote one of the great movies of all time “Babies all growns up”. And he’s only 21.
Why was it called the Breakfast Club when they were there all day?
News Item: Sources confirm Phillips Andover has named Ernie Adams their interim Head Coach. And if I were as prepared as Ernie I would have a witty remark ready to go.
‘Portuguese roll’ sounds like an insult.
Cakes are cooking for Yoko Ono, Jean M. Auel, Manny Mota, Judy Rankin, Dennis De Young, Juice Newton, Derek Pellicci, John Travolta, Raymond Rougeau, Vanna White, Andy Moog, Greta Scacchi, Julie Strain, Simon Fletcher, Kevin Tapani, Matt Dillon, Dr. Dre, Molly Ringwald, Alexander Mogilny, Raine Maida, Jillian Michaels, Regina Spektor, Alex Rios, Andrei Kirilenko, Isabel Leonard, Roberta Vinci, and Le’Veon Bell
I’ll tell ya, this Robert Duvall death won’t feel real until I read the paint-by-numbers obit that Rear Admiral writes for Barstool.
Some of you don’t follow the coaching career of the Seattle Seahawks passing game coordinator and it shows!
Let’s see if this guy’s bit goes somewhere.
Man, the latest ep of “The Pitt” was incredible. Maybe the most emotional one so far. Very powerful ending.
The guy whose brand is wearing camouflage cargo shorts everywhere will fix the issues of an apparel company for sure.
I appreciate the extra effort, but I’m good with just throwing it on the burger with some lettuce and salt and getting right after it.!!
Hey gang, this week’s Phrase that Pays is, “Don’t let the Nazi tattoo fool ya, turns out this guy is a real prick.”
For any news outlet trying to reach me by phone – the number you’re calling is my dad’s. He’s 70 and very confused.
Email can be found on my link in bio.
Any known anti-commie coffee based in NH?
RIP Elroy Face. 18-1, 2.70 out of the bullpen for the Pirates in 1959. Honest to God. Three saves for victorious Pirates in ‘60 Series. Not bad for a 5-8 guy.
Knicks are elite at winning things that don’t actually matter.
You can throw out the records when Miami (Ohio) and UMass get together.
Tried to amend my carnivorous habit
Made it nearly 70 days
Losing weight without speed, eating sunflower seeds
Drinking lots of carrot juice and soaking up rays
But at night I’d have these wonderful dreams
Some kind of sensuous treat
Not zucchini fettucini or bulgur wheat
But a big warm bun and a huge hunk of meat
Cheeseburger in paradise
Not too particular, not too precise
Heaven on Earth with an onion slice
I’m just a cheeseburger in paradise.
I’m beginning to think the Football HoF voters really didn’t care if L.C. Greenwood made it in this year or not.
Honk if you remember the Olympics Triplecast.
Max Mercy was definitely giving The Whammer restaurant and movie tips.
If the transgender Nazi can’t hold it together, what hope do the rest of us have?
You can’t tell me that Bad Bunny has sold more units worldwide than Slim Whitman or Boxcar Willie.
Everyone knows the rules: one touch of the curling stone.
Is Jonny Miller at Spring Training?
I’m not about to end up the main character on gymnastics Facebook.
Ernie will exploit a loophole in the eligibility requirements at the Prep level and stock his roster with 28-year-old hardened ex-cons.
The German bobsledders should get to wear those, you know, Prussian spiked helmets. What are they called?
Pro tip: if you’re fasting today, you can drink your bread, like the monks would.
Best bet for the weekend: North America being being well representeted in the Mens & Womens Hockey Finals.
Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Joe Giza, Old Friend Lebron and the members of #the15 were used in this column. Can’t do it Sally.
02/11/26 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer
A Super Bowl loss that doesn’t involve Mike Ditka, Buddy Ryan, Fridge Perry, the Foxboro Stadium WATS line, good ole Brett Favre, Desmond Howard, any and all New York Football Giants, or Beta testing legal formation, possession and scoring rules? I’m okay with that.
Lindsey Vonn thinks Will Campbell shouldn’t have been out there if he was less than 100%.
Scal found Cooper Flagg in an abandoned potato field in Aroostook County.
How far along has cloning technology come and if far enough can Dante Scarnecchia donate some DNA?
If Drake Maye and New England’s offense looked like that all season, maybe Sam Monson would have voted him MVP.
It’s the Olympics for Mediviac flight helicopter crews, too. Probably.
Tatum cleared to practice? How exciting!
Bad Bunny is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known in my life.
Adam Vinatieri getting into Canton is well deserved. There: I said it.
So when pitchers and catchers report, is there a set location at the Spring Training facilities, or does it vary team-to-team?
Curling is just less greasy bocce.
Cakes are cooking for Tina Louise, Lynn Goldsmith, Vangelis Kordompoulis, Jeb Bush, David Uosikkinen, Richard Mastracchio, Becky LeBeau, Carey Lowell, Sheryl Crow, Ken Shamrock, Sarah Palin, Mo Willems, Jennifer Aniston, Damian Lewis, Alex Jones, Jaroslav Špaček, Andy Lally, Brice Beckham, Peter Hayes, Brandy Norwood, Matthew Lawrence, Natasha Bobo, Kelly Rowland, Natalie Dormer, Aubrey O’Day, Mike Richards, Beat Feuz, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Rosé, and Khaled.
Czechia is the Czech Republic’s snappy nickname, like calling Tom Caron ‘TC.’
Blue Line Update: Delays of about 30 minutes while personnel address a track problem at Suffolk Downs. Riders can use Rt SL3 bus for alternate service between Airport and South Station.
Never could understand the lack of personal hygiene among the Fourth Estate.
I just watched Ron Harper Jr thoroughly out play Kevin Durant. They might have to ban Brad Stevens, man.
Charlie Puth? what is that, Comanche Indian?
Kraft setting up a war room at Gillette to track antisemitism is hilarious. Meanwhile the team is forced to choke down powdered eggs in the cafeteria.
Hey gang of AP stringers! this week’s Phrase that Pays is, “Your new name is Irridium Shafafa.”
Bad Bunny’s Halftime performance? I loved it. it was much better than ‘Cats.’ I’m going to see it again and again.
Jamie Jaquez looks like an extra in Black Sails.
The irony of a guy named Walker winning Super Bowl MVP – because he’s good at running.
Boston College’s decade-long regional Beanpot drought nightmare is finally over.
If you’re a woman who’s never taken a self-defense class, now would be a good time to start.
Mike Reiss Mailbag – “That’s a very thoughtful question BigDogSaladTosser69.”
The Maine Red Claws changing their name to the Maine Celtics is like reverse of all the minor league baseball teams that went from being the ‘Podunk (MLB affiliate name)’, to, say, The ‘Cobalt City Electric Armadillos,’
Hey Peacock, can you get us Olympic feeds without announcers? This curling pair knows less about curling than a stray dog knows about The Kuiper Belt.
I’m nails
I’m a knife
I’m a preacher with a gun
I’m a one man lie
I’m a king
I’m a ruse
I’m born again with no life to lose
Cause it don’t mean all that much, does it?
But we never really had a choice
No, it don’t mean all that much to us
But we never really had a choice
We’re conscience killers
Don’t want no conscience at all.
I asked a normie what they thought about lobster-adjacent AI programs that soon will be frame mogging and jestergooning at greater than moid levels and they had no idea what I was talking about. I thought I would cry.
Green Day gets better with time. Great set.
I hope Drake Maye at least gets the benefit of the bargain that comes with the Kendall Jenner curse. If you know what I mean.
Honk if you remember Toots Shor.
The last Monday game Kansas basketball lost in their own building came on Feb. 5, 2001: 79-77 against Iowa State.
I really should have eaten an early lunch today when I had the chance.
Guyanese sounds like some men’s rights thing.
A: Benny the Ball, Choo-Choo, Brain, Spook, and Fancy-Fancy.
Finally saw Sinners and really liked it. I made a conscious effort to not learn anything about it beforehand. It was nice having no expectations.
Woodward, Bernstein, Farinella.
Tom Brady doesn’t have a dog in the fight for the Super Bowl but he does have a dog in a cloning facility which is objectively way worse.
The Globe is bringing everyone back they sent to Santa Clara? Why?
My suggestion for the Super Bowl halftime next year: Oasis. They’re the biggest band in the world again, and they’re perfect for it. Liam Gallagher would be a bit of a wild card, but oh well.
Any other ex-Celtics that can’t play more than 15 minutes a week available? Asking for a friend.
Mike Tirico went from covering a sporting event, to then covering a sporting event. He didn’t cure polio.
Pspspsps. PSPSPSPS!
Best bet for the weekend: Olympics, or Spring Training batting practice. Pick em.
Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Joe Giza, Dakota Randall, and the members of #the15 were used in this column. I beat the Devil’s tattoo.
TO’s & Threes – Celtics Column 02/09/26
By Vinny Jace, Special to the15net dot com:
Heading into the trade deadline, the Celtics rode the high of an unexpected 34-18 record that currently has them sitting as the No. 2 seed in the East, a half-game ahead of the favorites to come out of the conference, the New York Knicks. What was anticipated to be a lean season, heavily reliant on established stars, turned into an egalitarian effort where perennial no-names became big contributors. Neemias Queta evolved from fourth-string center to starter-level rim protector, while young players like Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman turned in elite individual net ratings—Gonzalez at +17.7 and Scheierman at +10.7. The Celtics enjoy a luxury few expected them to have.
Had the Celtics not modestly hit on their late-round draft picks, perhaps they don’t trade Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vučević. Simons played a position of no real need; in fact, it could be argued he was redundant even if his impact was positive. Vučević filled a void, as Boston was thin at the big positions beyond Queta. Luka Garza is slow and can’t really defend. Chris Boucher never earned consistent time on the floor. Xavier Tillman never recovered physically from his injury.
Vučević is not a flawless player and is quite frankly divisive. He’s never played for a team with real expectations or any semblance of a winning culture. He meandered through the post-Dwight Howard Orlando Magic era for most of his career, then became part of one of the worst trades of this decade when he was shipped to the perennial play-in franchise, the Chicago Bulls.
Like Simons, Vučević’s reputation is that his offensive numbers are empty calories—a product of bad systems—and that he’s a defensive black hole. For what it’s worth, the Celtics have managed to cobble together a top-10 defense this year despite playing players we’d define as bad defenders, and Vučević doesn’t appear any worse than those already incorporated into the rotation. Joe Mazzulla has shown an adeptness at hiding players’ issues and not over-relying on them when he doesn’t have to.
Vučević’s debut against Miami saw him matched up against elite defensive big Bam Adebayo. It was clear early on that he had his hands full as the Celtics fell into a 22-point hole before mounting a 98-96 comeback victory. Part of that surge came from Vučević dragging Adebayo out of the paint, hitting cutters to the basket, contesting rebounds, and converting on second-chance points. It’s not an elixir that renders bigs like Adebayo non-issues, but it gives Boston a fighting chance when Queta is on the bench.
Vučević notched a double-double in his Celtics debut: 11 points (4-8 FG), 12 rebounds (6 offensive), and 4 assists in 28 minutes off the bench. Prior to the game, he expressed a willingness to convert his role from starter to bench player to accommodate the team:
Even if Vučević doesn’t have the ideal traits for a big man on a championship contender, his attitude fits the mold perfectly—and that in itself is a huge win.
This trade is low-risk, high-reward for Boston. Simons was nice but wasn’t a long-term option and was likely to command a salary too rich for Boston’s blood. Vučević, if things go smoothly, could remain in Boston at a modest price and serve as a reliable backup big when Tatum returns to full strength next season. The trade also contributed to lessening Boston’s tax bill. Currently, they reside in the repeater tax, but by avoiding the luxury tax this season and next, they’ll become standard taxpayers. This opens a runway from 2027-28 to 2029-30 to spend more liberally.
Back in June, the Celtics’ projected salary and luxury tax bill was $540 million. Today it’s at $186.5 million, and they are only two games worse than they were last year. The Celtics cut costs when they had no choice given the unique situation they found themselves in, and they remain contenders to come out of the conference. And now they have added a big man who can potentially help them do that.
Vinny Jace appears on the Beyond Entitled podcast. He does not live in the Balkans.
Football Cat’s Super Bowl LX Pick
The Patriots are back in the Super Bowl for the 12th time in the past 41years. For all you non-math majors out there, that equates to 29.3% of the time. Not bad for a franchise that used to play in a Zayre’s parking lot back in the AFL days.
The Patriots have now been to 4 more Super Bowls than any other team, with an overall record of 6-5 heading into Sunday’s game. If they win, they will break a tie with the Steelers for the most wins in Super Bowl history. If they lose, they will break a tie with the Broncos for most losses in Super Bowl history. So win or lose they are guaranteed to make history. We here at Football Cat World Headquarters just hope everyone has fun!
Speaking of fun, here is a fun fact: Sam Darnold is 0-4 against the Patriots in his career, three losses with the Jets and one with the Panthers. He has thrown 1 touchdown and 9 interceptions, with a combined passer rating of 41.2. The Patriots are the monkey in Sam Darnold’s wrench.
And as we head into the long off season, remember Tom Brady may hate you but Football Cat loves you. See you in September.
Sunday Dinner Time
Seahawks (-4.5) at Patriots
Fake Seabids can’t exorcise these ghosts. Drake Maye IS!
Football Cat lives in New Hampshire, enjoys watching football, and is a cat.
02/04/26 Cleaning Out the Sports Junk Drawer
I hope when BB does get in he sends Jordon to accept for him like Sacheen Littlefeather.
Stadium Series Bag Job.
No one likes a salary dump more than the Boston Red Sox.
The Cool Kids table once more eludes Mister Kraft.
Mike Conley Jr. would fill the ‘defensive guard with a white wife’ spot on the C’s roster.
Gronk really white-knuckles his ad reads with Edelman, doesn’t he?
Vučević brings a lot of Montenegrin delicacies like priganice and palacinke. Culinarily speaking it really opens up the dessert spacing.
After 35 years of eligibility, it’s finally Ken Anderson’s turn!
Cakes are cooking for Gary Conway, John Schuck, John Steel, Florence LaRue, Johnny Gamble, Dan Quayle,Jeannie Wilson, Alice Cooper, Michael Beck, James Dunn, Robert Jan Stips, Patrick Bergin, Jerry Shirley, Lisa Eichhorn, Kitarō, Lawrence Taylor, Denis Savard, Clint Black, Dan Plesac, Kevin Wasserman, Brandy Ledford, Joe Sacco, Gabrielle Anwar, Rob Corddry, Oscar De La Hoya, Natalie Imbruglia, Cam’ron, Gavin DeGraw, Kimberly Wyatt, Carly Patterson, and Charlie Barnett.
I prefer my jerseys the way Bob Kraft likes his handjobs – cheap and from Asia.
Dave Portnoy runs like he tore both groin muscles. WTF.
NBA season doesn’t technically start until Dennis Schroder gets traded.
Lindsay Vonn must have been a hockey player in a past life.
Gosling always gets lumped in with Reynolds because of the first name. But Gosling is 100 times the actor that Reynolds is. Obviously chicks and gay men like him but he can actually act.
No news story involving an au pair has ever ended well.
Blue Line: Delays of about 15 minutes due to a maintenance train inspecting the overhead wires on the main line. Trains may stand by at stations.
Sean McDonough loves to talk about anything other than what’s going on the ice at that time.
Veronica’s Dad > Steve Burton’s daughter
News Item: Jeffrey Epstein scouted women for New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch. Turns out the girls couldn’t play football so they then panicked and drafted Evan Neal.
Things that only happen flying out of Providence: Seeing your car in the long-term parking lot from the plane.
Hey gang of middle school sweethearts, this week’s Phrase that Pays is, “I like Ann Michael. Kinda cute and she’s not a psychotic Brazilian.”
Max Shulga has a monk haircut.
I predict that Bad Bunny will be the Star of the Super Bowl. It will be the ICING on The Cake.
Was kinda hoping the Cs would start all the white guys for the inaugural Pioneers Classic. For the Lol’s!
What’s less believable? That Robin Leach killed somebody in front of a bunch of witnesses, or that someone actually enjoyed a Bill Speros column?
Goalie fights are fun, but also gay.
You know it’s healthy when you describe the flavor by color and not an actual flavor.
Just wait until someone reads the news to Ted Johnson!
Mike Conley Jr. looks like he was designed in a lab for the sole purpose of being called ‘Unc’ by other black people.
McKone’s hair on Terri Schiavo-style life support.
How does one go about watching more overtime hockey than most people? Sounds like a Zamboni driver’s lament.
Oh, mother, tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Spend your lives in sin and misery
In the House of the Rising Sun.
Well, I got one foot on the platform
The other foot on the train
I’m goin’ back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain.
Even for a radio guy, Jon Wallach is shockingly untalented.
Could a senile old man list the rosters of the 1954 and 1955 Fort Wayne Pistons? I think not!
Honk if you remember the original Floramo’s.
Imagine the poor Ukrainian sex-trafficking victim who had to listen to Kraft slur on about his RKK Air Force 1s.
These “in sports” people never fail to see the hypocrisy of them smirking and snarking their way through Black Monday (and mixed Thursday) and then crying about the Washington Post closing down its Sports Page.
Jordon Hudson has been 24 years old longer than Melanie Wilkes was pregnant with Beau in Gone With the Wind.
One confusing thing is that Super Bowl LX is pronounced the same as Super Bowl LIX.
No nights off in the Big East except for most of them.
Best bet for the weekend: Hype, hype, and then, even more hype.
Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, Brother John Irons, Joe Giza, Old Friends Directional Brian and Moe’s Tavern and the members of #the15 were used in this column. No more Mister Nice Guy.
The 15 