Sports
Four Columbus area natives still dancing in March Madness

Xavier's Jerome Hunter puts up a shot during a second round game against Pittsburgh. Photo: Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
They were once Panthers, Jaguars, Raiders and Greyhounds. Now they're playing on college basketball's largest stage.
- If your bracket is busted β and it probably is β here are four area natives to cheer on during the Sweet Sixteen and the rest of March Madness:
Ohio State women's basketball looking for deep March Madness run

Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon of the Buckeyes swarm an Indiana player during the Big Ten Tournament. The team opens NCAA tournament play tomorrow afternoon. Photo: Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images
A season full of heart palpitations for the Ohio State women's basketball team continues this weekend in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Why it matters: The Buckeyes spent the first two months of the season undefeated, then lost five of seven conference games before getting to the finals of the Big Ten Tournament β only to get blown out by Iowa.
The wildest baseball game of 2023 has already happened

Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
The first pitch in a college baseball game between Denison and Arcadia was thrown at 11am Monday.
- Denison didn't record the final out in its ridiculous 25-23 victory until 11:10am the next day.
Columbus to host men's, women's NCAA Tournament games this weekend

North Carolina and Washington during a 2019 March Madness game at Nationwide Arena. Photo: Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Don't be surprised to see a wave of Memphis blue or Vermont green around the Arena District this week.
Dribbling the news: March Madness is back in Columbus, with our city hosting games in both the men's and women's basketball tournaments this weekend.
Ohio State may be playing shorter football games soon

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios
It appears our Buckeye blowout victories will need to wrap up sooner in the coming seasons.
Driving the news: The NCAA Football Rules Committee has proposed several measures to shorten college football games, Axios Sports writes.
ποΈ How to fake it at The Arnold

Arnold Schwarzenegger addresses the crowd at his Arnold Sports Festival in 2020. Photo: Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Get pumped β the nation's biggest and best sports festival is back this weekend.
- Never been but considering a visit to the Convention Center? Here's a guide to hide that you're an amateur.
Ohio State women's basketball opens Big Ten Tournament with Michigan

Buckeyes forward Cotie McMahon reacts to making a shot in OSU's 74-61 win over Michigan on Feb. 20. Photo: Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The road to a national championship begins Friday for the OSU women's basketball team.
Dribbling the news: The Buckeyes (23-6) open the 2023 Big Ten Tournament against Michigan at approximately 3pm today.
First month of Ohio sports betting tops $1B in wagers

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
A few weeks after FanDuel hyped a statewide "free bet" promotion, the sportsbook sent a clarifying message to Ohio bettors.
- "'Free Bets' are now called 'Bonus Bets' β¦ the only change is to the name."

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