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Analysis: Syria rebuilding hopes dim as war enters year 13

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:40 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — The recent deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria which caused billions of dollars in damage has boosted the prospects of Syria’s once widely shunned president return to the Arab fold, but appears unlikely to jump-start large-scale reconstruction in the war-ravaged country. As Syria’s conflict enters its 13th year Wednesday, President Bashar Assad’s government still refuses to make concessions to his domestic opponents, rejecting long-standing demands by the United States and its allies as a political solution remains elusive.Oil-rich Gulf Arab countries have been stepping up efforts to normalize ties with the Assad government, but analysts say the ongoing political paralysis is likely holding them back from pumping billions of dollars for reconstruction into Syria.The Feb. 6, earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, killing more than 50,000 people, including about 6,000 in Syria, exacerbated the destruction caused by Syria’s 12-year conflict which has killed n...

San Diego State faces Charleston (SC) in opening round of NCAA Tournament

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:40 GMT

Charleston (SC) Cougars (31-3, 16-2 CAA) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (27-6, 15-3 MWC)Orlando, Florida; Thursday, 3:10 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: San Diego State -5; over/under is 141.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 18 San Diego State Aztecs face the Charleston (SC) Cougars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.The Aztecs’ record in MWC play is 15-3, and their record is 12-3 in non-conference games. San Diego State scores 72.1 points while outscoring opponents by 8.5 points per game.The Cougars are 16-2 against CAA opponents. Charleston (SC) scores 80.8 points and has outscored opponents by 13.4 points per game.TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Bradley is averaging 12.9 points for the Aztecs. Micah Parrish is averaging 1.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for San Diego State.Dalton Bolon is averaging 12.4 points for the Cougars. Ante Brzovic is averaging 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds over the last 10 games for Charleston (SC).LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 9-1, averaging 65.7 points, 34.2 rebo...

Missouri Tigers face Utah State Aggies in opening round of NCAA Tournament

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:40 GMT

Utah State Aggies (26-8, 13-5 MWC) vs. Missouri Tigers (24-9, 11-7 SEC)Sacramento, California; Thursday, 1:40 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Missouri -1.5; over/under is 155BOTTOM LINE: The No. 23 Missouri Tigers and Utah State Aggies meet in the NCAA Tournament opening round.The Tigers are 11-7 against SEC opponents and 13-2 in non-conference play. Missouri is second in the SEC scoring 79.5 points while shooting 47.3% from the field.The Aggies are 13-5 in MWC play. Utah State is seventh in the MWC allowing 69.7 points while holding opponents to 42.1% shooting.TOP PERFORMERS: D’Moi Hodge is shooting 40.1% from beyond the arc with 2.9 made 3-pointers per game for the Tigers, while averaging 14.8 points and 2.6 steals. Kobe Brown is shooting 50.9% and averaging 15.1 points over the last 10 games for Missouri.Steven Ashworth is averaging 16.3 points and 4.5 assists for the Aggies. Max Shulga is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Utah State.LAST 10 GAMES: ...

Cincinnati and Virginia Tech play in NIT matchup

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:40 GMT

Virginia Tech Hokies (19-14, 8-12 ACC) at Cincinnati Bearcats (21-12, 11-7 AAC)Cincinnati; Wednesday, 9 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Bearcats and the Virginia Tech Hokies meet in the National Invitation Tournament.The Bearcats have gone 11-7 against AAC opponents, with a 10-5 record in non-conference play. Cincinnati scores 77.2 points while outscoring opponents by 8.0 points per game.The Hokies’ record in ACC games is 8-12. Virginia Tech ranks fourth in the ACC shooting 36.2% from 3-point range.TOP PERFORMERS: Landers Nolley II is shooting 45.5% and averaging 16.6 points for the Bearcats. Jeremiah Davenport is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Cincinnati.Grant Basile is averaging 16.4 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Hokies. Justyn Mutts is averaging 13.8 points over the last 10 games for Virginia Tech.LAST 10 GAMES: Bearcats: 6-4, averaging 78.5 points, 32.3 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 6.8 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the ...

Houston faces Northern Kentucky in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:40 GMT

Northern Kentucky Norse (22-12, 14-6 Horizon League) vs. Houston Cougars (31-3, 17-1 AAC)Birmingham, Alabama; Thursday, 9:20 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Houston -19.5; over/under is 122.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 2 Houston Cougars play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the Northern Kentucky Norse.The Cougars’ record in AAC play is 17-1, and their record is 14-2 against non-conference opponents. Houston averages 9.4 turnovers per game and is 1-0 when it wins the turnover battle.The Norse are 14-6 in Horizon League play. Northern Kentucky is 5-3 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.TOP PERFORMERS: Jamal Shead is averaging 10.3 points, 5.4 assists and 1.8 steals for the Cougars. Marcus Sasser is averaging 17.1 points, 3.2 assists and 1.7 steals over the past 10 games for Houston.Marques Warrick is scoring 19.1 points per game and averaging 2.4 rebounds for the Norse. Sam Vinson is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Northern Kentucky.LAST ...

Duke and Oral Roberts meet in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:40 GMT

Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (30-4, 18-0 Summit League) vs. Duke Blue Devils (26-8, 14-6 ACC)Orlando, Florida; Thursday, 7:10 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Duke -6; over/under is 145.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 12 Duke Blue Devils take on the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.The Blue Devils have gone 14-6 against ACC teams, with a 12-2 record in non-conference play. Duke ranks third in the ACC with 24.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Kyle Filipowski averaging 6.4.The Golden Eagles’ record in Summit League action is 18-0. Oral Roberts averages 14.8 assists per game to lead the Summit League, paced by Max Abmas with 3.9.TOP PERFORMERS: Jeremy Roach is shooting 34.1% from beyond the arc with 1.4 made 3-pointers per game for the Blue Devils, while averaging 13.3 points and 3.1 assists. Filipowski is shooting 49.5% and averaging 15.3 points over the past 10 games for Duke.Abmas is averaging 22.2 points and 3.9 assists for the Golden Eagles. Issac...

Texas Southern takes on Fairleigh Dickinson in First 4 matchup

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:40 GMT

Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (19-15, 10-6 NEC) vs. Texas Southern Tigers (14-20, 7-11 SWAC)Dayton, Ohio; Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Texas Southern -2; over/under is 147BOTTOM LINE: The Texas Southern Tigers square off against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights in the First Four round of the NCAA Tournament.The Tigers have gone 7-11 against SWAC teams, with a 7-9 record in non-conference play. Texas Southern is 5-10 against opponents with a winning record.The Knights’ record in NEC action is 10-6. Fairleigh Dickinson ranks fourth in the NEC shooting 34.6% from 3-point range.TOP PERFORMERS: PJ Henry averages 2.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Tigers, scoring 12.8 points while shooting 34.6% from beyond the arc. John Walker III is shooting 45.6% and averaging 11.0 points over the past 10 games for Texas Southern.Joe Munden Jr. is averaging 10.4 points for the Knights. Ansley Almonor is averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Fairleigh Dickinso...

Alabama Crimson Tide play the Texas A&M-CC Islanders in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:40 GMT

Texas A&M-CC Islanders (24-10, 14-4 Southland) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (29-5, 16-2 SEC)Birmingham, Alabama; Thursday, 2:45 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Alabama -23.5; over/under is 155.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide and Texas A&M-CC Islanders square off in the NCAA Tournament first round.The Crimson Tide are 16-2 against SEC opponents and 13-3 in non-conference play. Alabama ranks fourth in the SEC with 11.2 offensive rebounds per game led by Charles Bediako averaging 2.6.The Islanders’ record in Southland play is 14-4. Texas A&M-CC is second in the Southland giving up 72.5 points while holding opponents to 44.7% shooting.TOP PERFORMERS: Jahvon Quinerly is averaging 8.1 points and 3.8 assists for the Crimson Tide. Brandon Miller is averaging 21.1 points over the last 10 games for Alabama.Isaac Mushila is averaging 14.4 points and 9.7 rebounds for the Islanders. Trey Tennyson is averaging 17.7 points over the last 10 games for Texas A&M-CC.LAS...

Northwestern Wildcats play the Boise State Broncos in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:40 GMT

Boise State Broncos (24-9, 13-5 MWC) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (21-11, 12-8 Big Ten)Sacramento, California; Thursday, 7:35 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Northwestern -1.5; over/under is 128BOTTOM LINE: The Northwestern Wildcats and Boise State Broncos meet in the NCAA Tournament first round.The Wildcats’ record in Big Ten play is 12-8, and their record is 9-3 in non-conference games. Northwestern averages 9.1 turnovers per game and is 0-1 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents.The Broncos are 13-5 in MWC play. Boise State is third in the MWC with 25.5 defensive rebounds per game led by Marcus Shaver Jr. averaging 5.5.TOP PERFORMERS: Boo Buie is averaging 17.1 points and 4.5 assists for the Wildcats. Brooks Barnhizer is averaging 11.9 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 48.2% over the past 10 games for Northwestern.Max Rice is shooting 41.5% from beyond the arc with 2.2 made 3-pointers per game for the Broncos, while averaging 13.9 points. Tyson Degenhart is shoot...

Florida and UCF square off in NIT

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:40 GMT

UCF Knights (18-14, 8-10 AAC) at Florida Gators (16-16, 9-9 SEC)Gainesville, Florida; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: The Florida Gators and the UCF Knights meet in the National Invitation Tournament.The Gators’ record in SEC games is 9-9, and their record is 7-7 against non-conference opponents. Florida averages 10.6 turnovers per game and is 0-1 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents.The Knights are 8-10 in AAC play. UCF is eighth in the AAC with 31.3 rebounds per game led by Taylor Hendricks averaging 6.8.TOP PERFORMERS: Will Richard averages 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Gators, scoring 10.6 points while shooting 40.2% from beyond the arc. Colin Castleton is averaging 16 points, 7.7 rebounds and three blocks over the last 10 games for Florida.Hendricks is scoring 15.3 points per game with 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the Knights. CJ Kelly is averaging 14.2 points and 2.1 steals over the last 10 games for UCF.LAST 10 GAMES: Gators: 3-7, averaging 73.0 p...