March Madness games today: Breaking down Sunday's men's NCAA Tournament matchups

Selection Sundaywas just one week ago, but the men'sNCAA Tournamenthas already seen 44 teams eliminated from the field of 68. And by the end of Sunday, we will have our Sweet 16 locked in after eight second-round matchups take place across the country.

There's plenty of storylines to watch. No. 1 seeds Florida and Arizona hoping to avoid the upset bug that has typifiedprevious editions of March Madness. Likewise, there's some potential danger for No. 2 seeds Purdue and Connecticut.

So how will the day unfold and where should you be focusing your attention with 12 hours of action on tap? We ranked all eight games and broke down each of the matchups. Enjoy the drama sure to unfold.

1. No. 4 St. John's vs. No. 5 Kansas

Time/TV:5:15 p.m. ET, CBS

These are the classic matchups in the second round that match traditional powerhouses with teams capable of making deep tournament runs. And you've got one of the best coaching matchups of the second round with Rick Pitino facing off against Bill Self. Only one get advance to the regional round. St. John's, which has won 20 of its last 21 games, made light work of Northern Iowa with a balanced effort. Kansas got a needed big game for freshman standout Darryn Peterson, which could bode well for their hopes of advancing.

2. No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 5 Texas Tech

Time/TV:9:45 p.m. ET, TBS

Both teams with be without standout players with the Crimson Tide missing point guardAden Holloway after his arrest earlier this weekand the Red Raiders dealing with aseason-ending injury to forward JT Toppin. This game should be played at a frenetic pace with both teams shooting first and asking questions later. The depth of Alabama could play a critical role, but Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson has the ability to carry his team to the Sweet 16 for the second year in a row.

CINDERELLA'S TIME:Ranking the most likely upsets in the second round

3. No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 7 Kentucky

Time/TV:2:45 p.m. ET, CBS

The Wildcats were seconds away from being out of the tournament beforeheroics by Otega Owehforced overtime and they got past Santa Clara. The challenge will be much greater now with the Cyclones playing their best basketball of the season. Iowa State blew away Tennessee State in its opener with role players Killyan Toure and Nate Heise doing much of the damage. Veteran guard Tamin Lipsey may have more of the heavy lifting against Kentucky with forward Joshua Jefferson dealing with an ankle injury suffered in the first round.

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4. No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 6 Tennessee

Time/TV:6:10 p.m. ET, TNT

Orange will be the color of the day in Philadelphia with these border-state schools squaring off. The Cavaliers had a bumpy start against Wright State before pulling away late. They've not faced many teams of the caliber of the Volunteers in their ACC schedule, so a more-complete effort is needed. Ja'Kobi Gillispie was outstanding in Tennessee's blowout of Miami (Ohio) and will need to be on point again with freshman Nate Ament struggling to play effectively due to an ankle injury.

University of Akron:
Yvette Nicole Brown, Alexa Bliss, Dominique Moceanu, The Black Keys and George Wallace

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> California Baptist University: Brent Kutzle, Dustin-Leigh Konzelman, Kay Warren, Rick Warren and Marissa Figueroa (not pictured)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> University of Hawaii: Bette Midler, Larry Beil, Jason Elam, Ken Niumatalolo and Barack Obama, Sr.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> High Point University: Austin Dillon, Tubby Smith, Donna Fargo, Cody Allen and Charles F. Price (not pictured)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Howard University:
Chadwick Boseman, Thurgood Marshall, Anthony Anderson, Taraji P. Henson and Gus Johnson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Kennesaw State University: Bron Breakker, Jasmine Burke, ReesaTeesa, Larry Nelson and theRadBrad (not pictured)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Kathleen Turner, Duff Goldman, Stavros Halkias, Young Mazino and Scott Seiss

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> University of Pennsylvania: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Elizabeth Banks, John Legend and Maury Povich

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Prairie View A&M University: Megan Thee Stallion, Mr. T., Loni Love, Terry Ellis and Cecil Cooper

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Actors, athletes and icons: Famous alumni from every NCAA men's tournament team

University of Akron:Yvette Nicole Brown, Alexa Bliss, Dominique Moceanu, The Black Keys and George Wallace

5. No. 2 Connecticut vs. No. 7 UCLA

Time/TV:8:45 p.m. ET, TNT

It was a smooth start for the Huskies against pesky Furman in the first round, but aremarkable 31-point, 27-rebound effort by Tarris Reedcarried them through. The bid for third national title in three years gets more difficult against the Bruins, who are playing their best basketball of the season. Others stepped up after an off night by Donovan Dent in the first round. Dent's ability to control the game will be critical as UConn will be forced to defend a group of five scorers that all average double figures.

6. No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 7 Miami (Fla.)

Time/TV:12:10 p.m. ET, CBS

Riding the momentum of their Big Ten tournament title, the Boilermakers look to get back into the Sweet 16 for the third year in a row. They have the enough veterans, including Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn, that know not to overlook the Hurricanes. It's been a resurgent year for Miami under first-year coach Jai Lucas. Showing resolve in a hostile environment, Malik Reneau and sub Tru Washington led the way in a first-round defeat of Missouri. Point guard Tre Donaldson, who previously played at Michigan, will know Smith well, and that matchup could prove pivotal.

7. No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 9 Utah State

Time/TV:7:50 p.m. ET, truTV

It was an easy day for the Wildcats in their opener against Long Island. After their recent tournament disappointments, they should be focused against the Aggies, who have been consistent NCAA participants but haven't put together a run to the Sweet 16 since 1970. The task of taking down Arizona will fall to the veteran backcourt of Mason Falslev and MJ Collins Jr. But the interior defense must also do its part against the bigger Wildcats.

8. No. 1 Florida vs. No. 9 Iowa

Time/TV:7:10 p.m. ET, TBS

The quest to be the second Gators to defend a national title got off to easy start with seven players scoring double figures. Frontcourt stalwarts Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon will look to assert themselves more in this round. Finally past the first round for the first time since 2021, the Hawkeyes are playing with house money. They'll look to slow the tempo and limit possessions. Bennett Stirtz should attract much of the attention from the Florida defense, meaning secondary scorers Tavion Banks and Alvaro Folgueiras will have to take advantage of openings.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:March Madness schedule: Ranking best NCAA Tournament Round 2 games today

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March 22, 2026

March Madness games today: Breaking down Sunday's men's NCAA Tournament matchups

Selection Sundaywas just one week ago, but the men'sNCAA Tournamenthas already seen 44 teams eliminated from the fiel...

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An injured star, dominant top seeds and Hall of Fame coaches face off. Here’s what to know for Sunday’s March Madness action

We've had buzzer-beaters,upsets, top seedsnarrowly survivingand national title contenders looking like, well, national title contenders.

It's been a mad, mad weekend and the Sweet 16 in the men's and women's NCAA tournament is starting to take shape.

With eight more games scheduled for Sunday, the men's tournament will wrap up its first two rounds on Sunday. The women, meanwhile, are just getting started with the Round of 32, finishing up their first weekend action on Monday.

Here's what you need to know for Sunday's action.

Iowa State and its injured star

The Midwest No. 2 seed Iowa State Cyclones looked like Final Four contenders on Friday as they eclipsed the century mark with a resounding 108-74 win over the Tennessee State Tigers.

But the joy was tempered by an injury to the Cyclones' second-team All-American Joshua Jefferson. The senior forward landed awkwardly after a layup and rolled his ankle. Jefferson left the court with assistance from athletic trainers and later returned with a boot on his injured left leg.

The 22-year-old was taken for an x-ray, which came back negative, and was diagnosed with a left ankle sprain, team head coach TJ Otzelberger told reporters after the game.

"We will continue to reevaluate over the next day or two and just see where things are when we get to Sunday and we figure out what time we play," Otzelberger added.

Iowa State will face the No. 7 seed Kentucky Wildcats in St. Louis, Missouri, in the second round. Kentucky is in the game thanks to the standout moment of the tournament,a buzzer-beating 3-pointerthat sent their game against Santa Clara into overtime, where they eventually pulled away.

Florida and Arizona look to cruise

The top seeds playing on Sunday barely broke a sweat in their opening games on Friday.

Florida put the hurt on Prairie View A&M on Friday, more than doubling them up with a 114-55 win. Arizona, meanwhile, barely had to get out of second gear against Long Island University, sending the viral 16-seed home after a 92-58 beatdown.

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The Gators and Wildcats are Final Four picks for many bracketologists (professional and amateur alike), and it's likely that they'll not exactly face huge tests on Sunday. The Gators take on Iowa and Arizona takes on Utah State.

If either the Hawkeyes or the Aggies pull off the major upset, ignore everything you just read.

Bill Self vs. Rick Pitino

What a tasty matchup of coaches we'll get in the Kansas-St. John's game.

Two Hall of Fame coaches with multiple national titles going up against each other for a spot in the Sweet 16 – there are few things better.

Self and Kansas have been to 11 Sweet 16s during their time together, which began in 2003, but are looking to get to the second weekend for the first time since winning the 2022 national title. Kansas put together a 24-10 record this year and escaped California Baptist with an eight-point victory on Friday in a game that the Jayhawks would have liked to be a little less stressful.

Pitino and St. John's, meanwhile, had that stressless experience. The Johnnies – smarting at being chosen as a 5-see despite being the Big East regular season and tournament champions – smacked Northern Iowa 79-53 and are looking to go further than they did in last year's tournament. In that Round of 32 defeat to Arkansas, Pitino was defeated by another Hall of Fame contemporary, John Calipari and Arkansas.

Pitino has been to the Sweet 16 with three different schools – Providence, Kentucky and Louisville – and will be looking to take St. John's to the second weekend for the first time this century; the last time St. John's made it to the tournament's second weekend was 1999.

Will there be any upsets in the women's tournament?

Friday was the chalkiest day possible in the women's bracket as not a single upset took place in the Round of 64. With those same teams taking to the court on Sunday, the question remains: Can any of the underdogs pull off a win?

With three different 4 vs. 5 matches, it's possible that one of those teams (Ole Miss, Maryland and Michigan State, which narrowly avoided an upset in its opening game) could pull off the mini upset and advance. But they'll face the unique challenge in the women's tournament that the opening rounds are played in the highest-seeded team's home arena so all three of those teams will playing road games against Minnesota, UNC and Oklahoma respectively.

Otherwise, expect more dominant performances by the tournament's top teams. Michigan, LSU, Duke, TCU and Texas all rolled in their opening games. The closest contest was Duke's 17-point win over the College of Charleston, and most of those games were decided by 30 or more points.

Men's schedule

• No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 7 Miami at 12:10 p.m. ET on CBS

• No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 7 Kentucky at 2:45 p.m. ET on CBS

• No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 5 St. John's at 5:15 p.m. ET on CBS

• No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 6 Tennessee at 6:10 p.m. ET on TNT

• No. 1 Florida vs. No. 9 Iowa at 7:10 p.m. ET on TBS

• No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 9 Utah State at 7:50 p.m. ET on truTV

• No. 2 UConn vs. No. 7 UCLA at 8:45 p.m. ET on TNT

• No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 5 Texas Tech at 9:45 p.m. ET on TBS

Women's schedule

• No. 4 UNC vs. No. 5 Maryland at noon ET on ESPN

• No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 7 NC State at 1 p.m. ET on ABC

• No. 4 Minnesota vs. No. 5 Ole Miss at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN

• No. 2 LSU vs. No. 7 Texas Tech at 3 p.m. ET on ABC

• No. 3 Duke vs. No. 6 Baylor at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN

• No. 1 Texas vs. No. 8 Oregon at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN

• No. 4 Oklahoma vs. No. 5 Michigan State at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN

• No. 3 TCU vs. No. 6 Washington at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN

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March 22, 2026

An injured star, dominant top seeds and Hall of Fame coaches face off. Here’s what to know for Sunday’s March Madness action

We've had buzzer-beaters,upsets, top seedsnarrowly survivingand national title contenders looking like, well, nationa...

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Former, current NBA players sound off on NBA expansion as vote looms

It seems like a foregone conclusion that theNBA will lean toward adding more teams to its league.

The league's board of governors will meet next week to further discuss an expansion to a 32-league team and approve moving forward on bid offers for a future market in Las Vegas and returning to Seattle,according to ESPN.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said during a February news conference that in the March meeting the league won't be officially voting, but "will likely come out of those meetings ready, prepared to take a next step in terms of potentially talking to interested parties."

"It doesn't have to be a two-team expansion. Frankly, it doesn't have to be any number of teams. I think the logical next move would be to say, all right, we've had those discussions internally, we've made decisions about cities to focus on and what the opportunity is, and now we've got to go out into the marketplace," Silver said. "I think that's probably the most important step, to find out who is potentially interested in owning a franchise in particular cities, what's the value of that franchise. There's some work to do in terms of potential conference realignment. That's the next step there."

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

When is the vote and how does it work?

If passed, it potentially would bring NBA franchises to Las Vegas and back to Seattle, for the assumed return of the SuperSonics, starting in the 2028-29 season.

"I think in fairness to the cities, Seattle and Las Vegas in particular, I've been very clear I don't want to tease teams, I don't want to tease cities or mislead anyone," Silver said. "I think we wanted to get through collective bargaining, national television deals. We've done that, and now we've turned to it as a league."

The meeting is expected to take place March 24 or 25.

Although an official decision won't come until July, it gives reassurance to potential suitors and bidders that an NBA team could come to a city near them.

To make it happen, 23 of the 30 league owners would need to agree to add teams to the Association. Additionally, bids would cost anywhere between $7 and $10 billion per team, according to ESPN.

Seattle-raised NBA players building excitement

Just the thought of the possibility has brought excitement to many within the NBA community whom were raised in Seattle.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero was born and raised in Seattle. He was a five-star power forward out of O'Dea High School, which he led to a Class 3A state title as a sophomore.

Banchero was 5 years old when the team relocated to Oklahoma City. Although he has no recollection of Sonics basketball, he understands the magnitude of a return and what that'd do for the city.

"If that was to happen that would be a crazy experience just for me. I never got to watch the NBA in Seattle so I don't know what that's like but I know that the city loves basketball," Banchero told USA TODAY Sports. "Big basketball town, even when the NBA did leave, obviously I grew up in that culture. Everyone's been talking about it for going on 10 years about them coming back so if the NBA was to make that happen then I'm sure that the city would be really excited."

Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II, another Seattle native, already has his sights set on suiting up for the same franchise that drafted his dad, Gary Payton Sr., with the second pick of the1990 NBA Draft.

"I would probably request a trade immediately," Payton said,joking with reporter Brian "Scoop B" Robinson. "Even though I love where I'm at, it's about being able to throw on that Sonics jersey before my career is over. I really hope they end up getting that done so I can go hoop for the hometown one time."

Playing NBA games in your hometown is special

There's a special feeling that comes with playing in your hometown as you see all your family members, old teammates and friends that you grew up with.

Memphis Grizzlies second-year guard Jaylen Wells still gets a joy out of going home to play the Sacramento Kings. The Grizzlies visited California's capital twice this season, winning both, most recently on Feb. 4 when Wells had nearly 100 people − fans, friends, you name it − waiting to greet him after the game.

"Never gets old man, just seeing familiar faces after a game. Can't complain," Wells, a Sacramento-native, told USA TODAY Sports. "It's fun. It kind of like, reminds me, kind of like a high school game where you kind of just know a lot of people in the crowd, so kind of just feels like a second home game."

Wells graduated from Folsom (Calif.) High School, where he averaged 26.3 points and 3.2 rebounds as a senior. He said he made some of his best memories in Sacramento at Folsom and at Sacramento Country Day School, a private, co-ed college preparatory school which has served pre-kindergarten to 12th graders since 1964.

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Whether he knows it or not, he's a hometown hero and a positive example to those who come from the same city, or even play on the same high school or AAU teams as he did growing up.

"I hope that's what I could be labeled as," Wells said. "I feel a lot of people kind of leave Sacramento to get the spotlight, so I was happy to be able to stay in Sacramento, go to Sacramento trainers and play on Sacramento teams just to make a name for myself in Sacramento instead of having to leave."

That homecoming feel that Wells gets at least twice a season is a feeling that Banchero would absolutely welcome given the opportunity.

Hypothetically, maybe in a venue in Uptown Seattle such as Climate Pledge Arena, in front of its capacity-filled 18,300 attendees who would be there to cheer on the SuperSonics but also show love to one of their many homegrown hoopers.

"For me to get to go back and play there one day, that would be a hell of an experience for me and my family. So if that was to happen I would definitely excited for that," Banchero told USA TODAY Sports.

SuperSonic significance in Seattle

If anyone knows how special the Sonics are to Seattle, it's Kings head coach Doug Christie.

Christie is born and raised in Seattle, having attended Rainier Beach High School after spending time in Longview, Washington. He saw the positive effects of the city's lone NBA championship in 1979, and he's seen the team leave for Oklahoma City in 2008.

He told USA TODAY Sports that he'd be "crazy excited" for the Sonics return.

"As a kid, growing up in the inner city of Seattle, that's what probably in many ways saved my life was the Sonics," Christie said. "Gus Williams and DJ [Dennis Johnson], and Jack Sikma and the '79 team that beat the Bullets. Like all of a sudden, you got hope that there's a greater capacity for your life than just what you're seeing everyday."

A city's sports team can have that affect. They breathe life and inspiration. Their presence allows some kid watching them to see a version of themselves they've never imagine.

It gives an opportunity for them dream. For the everyday working person to have a moment where they forget about the problems in their life but instead fraternize amongst fellow sports fans -alike.

"Those people in Seattle are rabid, they want a team," Christie told USA TODAY Sports. "There is everything that is built in there to make it happen. So I would be very excited, on top of the fact that, you know, Portland, Seattle, it just makes a lot of sense. A lot of money there. I would be super excited for that."

It's time that the NBA pays its debt to the city of Seattle andbring back the SuperSonics.

The team left after the city wouldn't renovate KeyArena or build an arena. The owner then decided to take the team to Oklahoma and rename them the Oklahoma City Thunder, taking their history with them in 2008.

The league pump faked the town with discussions of relocating the Kings to Seattle and rebranding them as the Sonics, howeverthe vote was rightfully denied by the board of governors in 2013.

Years later, KeyArena is now Climate Pledge Arena and has since been redeveloped with private financing and reopened as of 2021.

It's one of the state-of-the-art facilities which house the four-time WNBA champion Seattle Storm and NHL's Seattle Kraken. The best part is it's co-owned by Seattle and a group known as Oak View Group.

Let bygones be bygones. Bring back Seattle's NBA team.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA expansion sparks thoughts from former and current NBA players

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March 22, 2026

Former, current NBA players sound off on NBA expansion as vote looms

It seems like a foregone conclusion that theNBA will lean toward adding more teams to its league. The league...

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China pledges more balanced trade and further opening of the economy after record surplus

BEIJING, March 22 (Reuters) - Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged on Sunday to further open the country's economy to foreign firms and pursue more balanced trade with its global partners, after a year marked by trade friction and tariff ‌wars with the United States and European Union in particular.

China will import more high-quality foreign goods and work with all ‌parties to promote optimised and balanced trade development and expand the global trade pie, Li told the China Development Forum in Beijing, according to state media.

The annual two-day ​forum, which concludes on Monday, allows Beijing to lay out its economic vision and investment opportunities to foreign business leaders, Chinese officials, economists and academics.

It comes after the world's second-biggest economy reported a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus for 2025.

Challenges for Beijing are aplenty, including deflecting concerns from an increasing number of global capitals about China's trade practices and overcapacity, as well as their overreliance on key Chinese products.

While Li's speech did ‌not appear to directly mention the surplus, his ⁠pledges indicate an awareness that the issue could disrupt international relations at a time when China has reached a temporary truce with the U.S. on trade.

U.S. President Donald Trump last week postponed a trip to Beijing to ⁠meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping due to the Iran war, delaying an effort to ease tensions between the world's two biggest economies.

In a separate speech at the forum, China's central bank governor Pan Gongsheng also sought to alleviate concerns surrounding the trade surplus.

"Analysing global economic imbalances requires looking not ​only ​at trade in goods but also services, and not only at the ​current account but also the financial account," Pan said, ‌according to a transcript of his speech published by the People's Bank of China, adding that China is the country with the largest goods surplus but also the largest services deficit.

China has no need and no intention to gain trade competitive advantage through currency depreciation, Pan said.

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FOREIGN INVESTMENT PUSH

China is working to reverse a decline in foreign direct investment, which fell 5.7% year-on-year to just over 92 billion yuan ($13.36 billion) in January, following a 9.5% drop over the course of 2025.

In December, China added 200 sectors to a list of those ‌eligible for foreign investment incentives, from tax breaks to preferential land use, with ​a focus on advanced manufacturing, modern services and green and high-tech sectors.

Li said ​foreign firms would be treated in the same way as ​domestic ones, allowing enterprises from all countries to develop with confidence and realise their ambitions in China.

In a ‌separate meeting, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao told business leaders ​from a U.S. pharmaceutical trade group ​and executives from five major multinational drug companies that China will strengthen intellectual property protection and improve policy transparency.

AppleChief Executive Tim Cook in a keynote speech said that the company would continue to work with Chinese suppliers to further advance ​the industry, state media reported.

Senior executives from Samsung ‌Electronics, Volkswagen, chipmaker Broadcom Inc, industrial conglomerate Siemens, chemical producer BASF and pharmaceuticals firm Novartis are among those attending ​the forum.

Financial institutions including HSBC Holdings, UBS Group and Standard Chartered also sent representatives.

($1 = 6.8857 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by ​Liam Mo and Ryan Woo; Editing by William Mallard, Kirsten Donovan)

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March 22, 2026

China pledges more balanced trade and further opening of the economy after record surplus

BEIJING, March 22 (Reuters) - Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged on Sunday to further open the country's economy to for...

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Russia is killing Telegram, its most popular messaging app, despite fears of pushback

TheKremlin's tightening grip on Russian life has a new target: the country's most popular messaging app.

Ordinary Russians and even pro-Kremlin hawks have offered rare public pushback against the campaign to throttle Telegram, warning it could backfire, not just at home but for Russia's military inUkraine.

The app is woven into the daily existence of those who support and oppose the government alike. But the Kremlin is instead pushing people to its new "national" messenger MAX, which many fear could be used to surveil them as part of a deepening crackdown on freedoms since the invasion of Ukraine. Those fears have been amplified by a wave ofmobile internet outages, includingrecent disruptions in Moscow, which authorities have justified as necessary for security.

For months, Russians have complained that Telegram was working slower and more sporadically, and this week users began reporting a major slowdown.

NBC News spoke to ordinary Russians, pro-regime figures and human rights activists about the country's new digital reality.

'Criminal' throttling of Telegram

Millions in Russia use Telegram daily for private communication and crucial information.

Russian officials, Kremlin propagandists, war bloggers, businesses and celebrities are on the app. More than a messenger, it's an ecosystem for everything from updates on incoming Ukrainian drones to general news and commentary.

But authorities have increasingly presented Telegram as a breeding ground for terrorism and criminal activity, with the country's communications regulator restricting the app and targeting its Russian founder. Similar grounds have already been used to restrict other messaging apps, including the Meta-owned WhatsApp.

The latest campaign has drawn criticism from even the most avid supporters ofPresident Vladimir Putin.

Pro-Kremlin gamer and activist Grigory Korolyov, who also goes by the nickname GrishaPutin, uses Telegram to help fundraise for the Russian army — in exchange for a donation, he offers stickers that Russian soldiers on the front lines then put on their artillery shells and fire at Ukraine.

Korolyov, 19, calls himself a "cyber warrior" in Putin's so-called special military operation, the term the Kremlin uses for its war. Despite his professed patriotism, the St. Petersburg native told NBC News he doesn't understand the logic of restricting or banning Telegram. In fact, he thinks it's "criminal."

The app has become a hub for a "patriotically leaning" audience and pro-war commentators, he said in a phone interview, and is used by thousands of people like him to fundraise for the Russian army.

"I can only assume that there is a lofty goal of making everything sovereign, but what's happening right now is just sabotage," Korolyov said.

Another activist, Olga Krygina, gathers humanitarian aid — clothes, water and medical supplies — for Russian troops and civilians in occupied areas of Ukraine, which she calls Russia's "new territories" in line with the Kremlin's rhetoric.

Originally from Ukraine's eastern city of Donetsk, Krygina, 54, now lives in St. Petersburg and told NBC News in a phone interview that Telegram has been effective in helping her organize and deliver the aid. But Krygina said she and her fellow volunteers have been growing their presence on MAX, anticipating a possible ban.

Krygina said she doesn't have any issue with using the new national messenger, though she said a Telegram shutdown "won't be pleasant."

She said she accepts the Russian government's move toward banning Telegram, because "our secret services know better."

The Kremlin says Telegram is not complying with Russian laws and not cooperating with authorities to stop serious crimes it says are being perpetrated on the app. It has confirmed to NBC News reports in two Russian newspapers that Pavel Durov, the Russian-born tech mogul who founded Telegram in 2013, is being investigated for "assisting terrorism activity." No official charges have been filed.

Durovdismissedthe case against him, calling it "a sad spectacle of a state afraid of its own people" in a post on X last month.

"Russia is restricting access to Telegram to force its citizens onto a state-controlled app built for surveillance and political censorship," Durovsaid.

It's not just Russia that has leveled these accusations, though. Durov wasarrested in Francein 2024 andchargedwith enabling various forms of criminality on his app. He waspermitted to leave Francelast year afterpledging to "significantly improve" the site's moderationof criminal activity.

Telegram did not respond to requests for comment from NBC News.

Roskomnadzor, the Russian communications regulator, has not officially said it plans to ban Telegram. Asked about the most recent slowdown on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told NBC News he had "nothing to add" and was not aware of any contacts with the messenger's management.

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'Forced' alternative

In slushy streets next to central Moscow's Pushkinskaya Square, people were reluctant to talk about a possible ban and whether they would consider switching to MAX. Most only wanted to speak their minds without sharing their full names, as is usually the case in Russia, where dissent is punished.

"Unfortunately, it's being forced, and I don't like it," said Varvara about the new national messenger. "That's why I don't install it."

Artem, 44, said he has installed MAX, but has experienced connectivity problems, blaming its developers for making a "crap" product. He said he was not worried about security, as he feels Telegram is just as unsafe.

Russia tried to ban Telegram for failing to provide the FSB state security servicewith its encryption keysin 2018, but was unsuccessful.

Instead, the messenger continued to grow in popularity and is widely used by Russian state officials and Kremlin propagandists. It's equally as popular among Kremlin critics.

Dmitrii Zair-Bek with Pervy Otdel, a human rights project helping people facing politically motivated charges in Russia, said they use Telegram to establish "primary contact" with Russians who need their help.

"They want to block Telegram because of organizations like us — independent information sources, not controlled by the Kremlin," he said. Zair-Bek, who is currently based outside Russia, expects many inside the country will continue using Telegram, however, by installing a virtual private network (VPN) — technology that has allowed Russians to bypass online restrictions.

Some people also told NBC News they were considering buying another phone for downloading the state-backed messenger if there is pressure to do so. The app's creators say the number of usershas already reached 100 million, or nearly 70% of Russia's population.

"I only plan to switch to MAX if there is no other way," said Maria from Moscow, who did not want her last name shared because of security concerns.

But Zair-Bek is worried it will be difficult for his organization to reach less tech-savvy people, so it is considering having some presence on MAX.

The "national messenger" is similar in functionality to Telegram, but it's also integrated with Russia's government services portal and can be used as a form ofdigital ID.

As of September, itmust be preinstalledon all electronic devices in Russia. Officials are increasingly redirecting their Telegram audiences there, with one regional governoralerting Ukrainian drone attacksonly on MAX.

But users have been reporting bugs and security concerns,rating the app poorlyand sharing online memes about pressure to use it.

'Shooting itself in the foot'

The potential Telegram ban has been harshly criticized by Russia's popular military bloggers, who say the army relies on the platform for battlefield communications in Ukraine.

"For mobile fire groups assigned to combat [drones], Telegram has long been the only (and again, in all caps, ONLY) communication channel,"wroteinfluential military channel Two Majors last month.

Some bloggers reported this week, citing sources on the front lines, that Russian soldiers were being told to remove Telegram from their phones or face punishment. NBC News could not independently verify these reports.

Firebrand politician and ardent Putin supporter Sergei Mironov has also been left fuming, calling Russian authorities "idiots" for slowing down Telegram. Russian troops "often have nothing" but Telegram to communicate,Mironov said. "Don't deprive them of what helps them defeat the enemy and save their lives."

The Russian military in Ukraine only uses "standard communications systems" not linked to messengers including Telegram, Russia's Defense Ministry insisted last month.

The Kremlin has also resisted the outrage, with Putin receiving a report at a recent public event from a commander of a communications battalion who said there were "no problems" with the army's communication systems and that Telegram was a "hostile messenger."

But military logistics specialists told NBC News the Russian army does rely on Telegram for tactical communication, and the Kremlin doesn't have much of a viable alternative.

The Russian military is likely to try replacing it with MAX, but there is no data yet on how effective it could be on the battlefield, said Ronald Ti, an expert in military logistics at King's College London.

The Kremlin has "prioritized regime security over tactical effectiveness," Ti said.

byAdministrator

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March 22, 2026

Russia is killing Telegram, its most popular messaging app, despite fears of pushback

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Welcome to allergy season. Here's how to protect yourself

ATLANTA (AP) —Allergy seasoncan be miserable fortens of millions of Americanswhen trees, grass, and other pollens cause runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing.

Where you live, what you're allergic to and your lifestyle can make a big difference when it comes to theseverity of your allergies. Experts say climate change is leading to longer and more intense allergy seasons, but also point out that treatments for seasonal allergies have become more effective over the last decade.

Here are some tips from experts to keep allergy symptoms at bay — maybe even enough to allow you toenjoy the outdoors.

New cities top the list of 'allergy capitals'

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America issuesan annual rankingof the most challenging cities to live in if you have allergies, based on over-the-counter medicine use, pollen counts and the number of available allergy specialists.

This year, the top five cities are: Boise, Idaho; San Diego; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Provo, Utah; and Rochester, New York.

Pollen helps plants reproduce — and makes us miserable

Pollen is the powdery substance made by seed-producing plants and trees that is part of their reproductive process. Earlier inthe spring, tree pollen is the main culprit. After that grasses pollinate, followed by weeds in the late summer and early fall.

Some of the most common tree pollens that cause allergies include birch, cedar, cottonwood, maple, elm, oak and walnut, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Grasses that cause symptoms include Bermuda, Johnson, rye and Kentucky bluegrass.

Here's how to track pollen levels

Pollen trackers can help you decide when to go outside. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology tracks levels through a network of counting stations across the U.S. Counts are availableat its website and via email.

The first step is to try to avoid pollen altogether

The best and first step to controlling allergies is avoiding exposure. Keep the windows in your car and your home closed, even when it's nice outside.

If you go outside, wearing long sleeves can keep pollen off your skin to help ward off allergic reactions, said Dr. James Baker, an allergist at the University of Michigan. It also provides some sun protection, he added.

When you get home, change your clothes and shower daily to ensure all the pollen is off of you — including your hair. If you can't wash your hair every day, try covering it when you go outside with a hat or scarf. Don't get in the bed with your outside clothes on, because the pollen will follow.

It's also useful to rinse your eyes and nose with saline to remove any pollen, experts said. And the same masks that got us through the pandemic can protect you from allergies — though they won't help with eye symptoms.

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How to relieve allergy symptoms

Over-the-counter nasal sprays are among the most effective treatments for seasonal allergies, experts said.

But patients often use them incorrectly, irritating parts of the nose, said Dr. Kathleen May, an allergist at Augusta University in Georgia. She suggested angling the nozzle outward toward your ear rather than sticking it straight up your nose.

Over-the-counter allergy pills like Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec are helpful, but may not be as effective as quickly since they're taken by mouth, experts said.

If your allergy symptoms are impacting your quality of life, like causing you to lose sleep or loose focus at work or school, it might be time to consider making an appointment with an allergist. There are medications that can train you immune system not to overreact to allergens.

Some remedies for allergy relief that have been circulating on social media or suggested by celebrities — like incorporating local honey into your diet to expose yourself to pollen — have been debunked.

Dr. Shyam Joshi, an allergist at Oregon Health and Science University, said that's because the flowers that bees pollinate typically don't contain the airborne pollen that causes allergy symptoms.

Is allergy season changing?

Winters are milder and growing seasons are longer as the climate is changing, meaning there's more opportunity for pollen to stay in the air, resulting in longer and more severe allergy seasons.

Last year was one of the most intense allergy seasons on record, particularly in the Southeast U.S.

A version of this story was published April 19, 2025. The writer is no longer with The Associated Press.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

byAdministrator

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March 22, 2026

Welcome to allergy season. Here's how to protect yourself

ATLANTA (AP) —Allergy seasoncan be miserable fortens of millions of Americanswhen trees, grass, and other pollens cause r...

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How to watch Ohio State, Wisconsin in NCAA women's hockey title game

Wisconsin and Ohio State ought to just put the NCAA title game on their schedules.

For the fourth consecutive season, theBadgersandBuckeyeswill play for theNCAA title in women's hockeyon Sunday, March 22. Top-seeded Ohio State beat Northeastern inthe Frozen Foursemifinal while defending champion Wisconsin, the second seed, edged Penn State in overtime.

"It's special and I'm just really pumped to be able to try and do it again [Sunday] with this group that we have here," Wisconsin's Kirsten Simms toldthe Milwaukee Journal Sentinelafter the Badgers' Frozen Four win on Friday, March 20.

"It's a special team, a special group, a special energy, and so I'm really excited that that put us into the game Sunday."

Here's how to watch the NCAA title game:

Relive USA's thrilling gold‑medal OT win and celebration over Canada

When and where is the NCAA title game?

The NCAA championship game is at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 22. It will be played at Pegula Ice Arena on the Penn State campus.

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How to watch the NCAA title game

The NCAA hockey championship game will air on ESPNU.

How to stream the NCAA title game

The Frozen Four games will be streamed on ESPN+.

Who is playing in the NCAA title game?

Ohio State and Wisconsin, and it's going to be a doozy. The Badgers were the No. 1 team in the country for most of the season until theBuckeyes upset them in the WCHA title game. Now Wisconsin gets a chance to avenge that loss with a national title on the line.

The teams have met in the last three NCAA title games, withWisconsin winning last yearand in 2023 and Ohio State winning in 2024.

Players to watch

Wisconsin is led by Caroline Harvey, who addedthe Patty Kazmaier Awardfor college hockey's best player to her MVP award from the Milano Cortina Olympics. The Badgers also haveOlympic gold medalistsLaila Edwards, Ava McNaughton and Simms.

In addition to Olympian Joy Dunne, Ohio State has the country's best freshman, Hilda Svensson.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ohio State vs Wisconsin time, TV channel for NCAA hockey title game

byAdministrator

in

March 22, 2026

How to watch Ohio State, Wisconsin in NCAA women's hockey title game

Wisconsin and Ohio State ought to just put the NCAA title game on their schedules. For the fourth consecutive ...

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