Hello, friend

Happy women’s Sweet 16 day 2 and also…

HAPPY NWSL DAY 1!

Catch the NCAAW games today:

• No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Maryland at 11:30 am ET on ESPN

• No. 4 UCLA vs. No. 1 South Carolina at 2 pm ET on ESPN

• No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 2 UConn at 4 pm ET on ABC

• No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 1 Virginia Tech at 6:30 pm ET on ESPN2

Today’s must-reads:

• 6 reasons to watch the NWSL’s opening weekend

• How to pick your favorite NWSL team

• Much too early NWSL award predictions

⚽️ 6 reasons to watch the NWSL’s opening weekend ⚽️

Without further adieu.

Match 1: North Carolina Courage vs. Kansas City Current, Saturday March 25, 2pm ET @ WakeMed Soccer Park (North Carolina) & on Paramount+

Reason to watch: North Carolina’s Kerolin is a certified ankle snatcher and KC’s Michelle Cooper has a penchant for scoring absolute rockets.

Match 2: San Diego Wave vs. Chicago Red Stars, Saturday March 25, 10pm ET @ Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego, CA) & on CBS Sports Network

Reason to watch: God Mode Mallory Swanson, plus 18-year-old Jaedyn Shaw scored three goals in five appearances in her first games as a pro.

Match 3: Washington Spirit vs. OL Reign, Sunday March 26, 4pm ET @ Audi Field (Washington, DC) & on Paramount+

Reason to watch: When Trinity Rodman and Ashley Sanchez are cookin' they’re can’t-miss entertainment, same when Rose Lavelle and Jess Fishlock are cookin' too.

Match 4: Portland Thorns vs. Orlando Pride, Sunday March 26, 5pm ET @ Providence Park (Portland, OR) & on Paramount+

Reason to watch: If you’re a fan of excellence in sports you are contractually obligated to watch every minute of Sophia Smith and Crystal Dunn on the pitch.

Match 5: Houston Dash vs. Racing Louisville, Sunday March 26, 7pm ET @ Shell Energy Stadium (Houston, TX) & on Paramount+

Reason to watch: María Sánchez loves putting defenders in blenders and Ebony Salmon scores in bunches.

Match 6: Angel City FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, Sunday March 26, 9pm ET @ BMO Stadium (Los Angeles, CA) & on Paramount+

Reason to watch: This will very likely be 18-year-old No. 1 overall draft pick Alyssa Thompson’s debut. If you don’t know about her now, you will!

🔴 Bet on the Ohio State Buckeyes to cover the spread in the Sweet 16 🔴

The Buckeyes have played a couple close games including a 2-point win over No. 6 seed UNC. They know how to make things interesting. Now, Ohio State -10.5 will need to either win the game outright, OR lose by 10 points or fewer to cover the spread against the UConn Huskies.

You can sign up to place your first bet with BetMGM. If your bet doesn’t win, you’ll get it back in bonus bets up to $1,000.

👀 ICYMI 👀