NCAA

Mike Krzyzewski is riding off into the sunset for real -- the Duke legend is shutting down any speculation he might return for one more season ... saying he's "done with coaching."

The Blue Devils' head coach of 42 years confirmed he is, in fact, retiring for good in an interview with ESPN U on Tuesday ... just one day after his former player, Jay Williams, stated he could see Coach K return in 2023 after key assistant Nolan Smith left for Louisville.

When Coach K was asked if he was going to "pull a Tom Brady" and come back ... he says it ain't happening, but went on to say he's flattered by the comparison to the 7-time Super Bowl champ.

"Wow, to even be put in the same room, maybe, that Brady would be in is an honor, but he still has talent that can be used at a really high level," Krzyzewski said.

"I'm done with the coaching part of it, but wow."

Coach K continued ... "I've been so lucky to be in [coaching] for 47 years -- almost five decades of coaching at either West Point or Duke, and then 11 years with U.S. How lucky can you be?? To be in that arena with two of the best institutions in the world and then to represent your country in the global arena its been an unbelievable honor."

Hubert Davis is getting Kenny Smith's stamp of approval after his first year at North Carolina -- the former Tar Heels star tells TMZ Sports he's "super proud" of his team's new coach.

Davis and the 8-seed Tar Heels were 20 minutes away from cutting down the nets at the national championship game on Monday ... but the Kansas Jayhawks were able to come back from down 16 to win it all.

While the loss was crushing for UNC fans, pretty much nobody predicted the Heels would make it all the way to the title game ... and The Jet says he's thrilled with Roy Williams' replacement's success.

"I think from start to finish, his team improved the most in college basketball," the TNT analyst said on Tuesday. "Without question. Not even close. I don't think that any of us could have predicted that they'd be in the Final Four in his first year in the final game in the national championship."

"We're super proud of Hubert. I'm proud to be a Tar Heel today."

Don't say goodbye to your coach just yet, Duke fans -- former Blue Devils legend Jay Williams says there's a real possibility Mike Krzyzewski could return to Durham next season ... after one of his top assistants left the program this week.

Williams started the speculation on ESPN Radio's "Keyshawn, JWill, & Max" ... after news came out that assistant/former player Nolan Smith was going to become associate head coach at Louisville under Kenny Payne.

Williams started by saying how happy he was to see Smith get the opportunity at Louisville ... but brought his attention back to Duke and the massive hole that needs to be filled from a recruiting standpoint.

"And it leads me to think, which I’ve been thinking a lot about since I heard this news (Monday), does Coach K come back for another season?" Williams asked. One more final season?"

Of course, the North Carolina Tar Heels defeated Duke, 81-77, on Saturday ... in what was billed as Coach K's final game of his coaching career.

Williams believes Coach K might reconsider handing the keys over to Jon Scheyer now that Smith is gone ... and explains his theory.

"Here’s why I give it a legit chance," Williams said. "If you’re Nolan Smith, and you have a great relationship with all these players, you’re in the (same) conference. You’re at Louisville."

"You’re picking up the phone and [recruiting players from Duke]. It weakens the hold of Duke. If you’re Coach K, how do you strengthen that hold? -- You’re coming back."

The NBA analyst stated that he wasn't speaking on information he heard or knew -- instead, he was speculating on what Coach K MIGHT do.

Thousands of Univ. of Kansas fans swarmed a street near campus to celebrate the Jayhawks' NCAA championship Monday night -- with one fan actually surfing through the crowd in a shopping cart!!

The wild party all went down just moments after Kansas stormed back to win the title over UNC ... with roughly 70,000 people leaving their homes near Lawrence to cheer for the school's men's basketball team.

Video shows the scene was crazy -- people were shoulder to shoulder for what looked like a stretch of a couple hundred yards -- and at one point, a fan got in a cart and crowd surfed in it.

Footage reveals the people below him moved him through with ease, all while fireworks were being set off in the background.

The party, according to reporters on the scene, went well past midnight -- but the Lawrence Police Dept. says nearly everyone was behaved, with preliminary reports showing just three arrests were made and no significant injuries.

Meanwhile, back in New Orleans ... the Jayhawks partied their faces off after winning the game 72-69, showering each other with water and dancing in the locker room.

Ochai Agbaji, who scored 12 points in the win for Kansas, earned Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four honors. The championship was Kansas' fourth in school history.

The North Carolina Tar Heels and Kansas Jayhawks are hours away from facing off in the NCAA National Championship on Monday ... and anyone looking to catch the game in person is in luck -- 'cause ticket prices are torpedoing.

TMZ Sports has learned ... ticket prices have been steadily dropping since the title game matchup was announced.

According to Gametime -- an app for last-minute tickets -- fans can purchase seats starting at just $22 ... a far cry from Saturday's lowest asking price of $123.

Before UNC upset Duke and Kansas topped Villanova ... the top-priced seats for the big game were a whopping $9,423 per ticket.

But now, fans will have to cough up $5,561 per ticket for a premium seat in the building -- which is nothing to scoff at, but not nearly as much as they would have paid before perennial powerhouse Duke got eliminated.

There's a logical theory behind the price change -- many fans had hopes of seeing Coach K and the Blue Devils go out on top in the title game ... as Krzyzewski previously announced this season would be his last.

Coach K -- who's won 5 national championships with Duke -- was seeking that elusive 6th title ... but the Tar Heels, led by stars Caleb Love and Armando Bacot, and coach Hubert Davis had other plans.

Univ. of South Carolina students lost their minds after the school's women's basketball team won the NCAA title on Sunday ... with many stripping down to their undies and jumping into a campus fountain!!!

The wild party all happened just moments after the Gamecocks dominated UConn in a 64-49 win on Sunday ... with students choosing to celebrate the title in a wet way.

You can see in video from the scene ... students surrounded the fountain outside of Thomas Cooper Library before jumping into it. One fan actually came prepared -- and rocked a speedo for the occasion!

Fans celebrated at the school all night -- with others lighting off fireworks and climbing into trees.

Of course, this ain't the first time Gamecocks fans went all out for their women's hoops team -- you'll recall, fans got drenched in the same fountain in 2017 when they won their first title.

And, it appears the campus might need to get used to parties like this -- because coach Dawn Staley -- a former 6x WNBA All-Star point guard -- has turned the SC program around since she arrived in 2008.

The Gamecocks have won 6 SEC titles, been to four Final Fours and won two championships -- and look poised to be a powerhouse going forward for the foreseeable future.

It was bedlam on the streets of Chapel Hill Saturday night, after the Tar Heels snagged a spot in the NCAA men's basketball National Championship game.

10 people, and maybe more, were hurt after the game ... 4 were injured badly enough to require hospitalization.

Chapel Hill cops planned for a big celebration -- shutting down streets in advance -- but it got out of hand as it turned into a wild block party. There were around 40,000 fans who were reveling in the Tar Heels 81-77 win over Duke in the Final Four.

It got real when some fans started bonfires in the streets.

So, now the real dead ... North Carolina faces off with the Kansas Jayhawks Monday for the brass ring. Ya gotta wonder who Chapel Hill cops will be routing for!

Got plans tonight that don't involve Duke vs. UNC? Chris Duhon clearly thinks you're going to regret that -- telling TMZ Sports the Final Four game could be one of the biggest contests in sports history.

The Blue Devils are slated to play the Tar Heels in an NCAA Tournament semifinal game for the first time in the two rivals' history ... and Duhon -- a Duke legend -- says it's going to be can't-miss TV.

The two schools hate each other, it could be Coach K's last-ever game ... and there are future NBA players all over the court -- making it, according to Duhon, an event worth clearing the calendar for.

"It's going to be epic," Duhon tells us. "I think everybody is going to be there, everybody is going be watching. I think there's a possibility of being the most-watched event in sports history."

In fact, the game is so big, country music star Eric Church has actually already canceled a concert so he can watch his beloved Tar Heels.

As for Duhon's message to the Blue Devils to calm the nerves before the huge game -- watch the clip, Chris seems to have some great advice for his former squad ahead of the big matchup.

This will give you the feels ... NCAA tourney breakout star Shaheen Holloway, now former coach of St. Peter's, got some unexpected support during his introductory press conference at Seton Hall University -- his entire former team showed up to cheer on their coach.

And, in what was a really special moment, Sha asked the crowd at Walsh Gymnasium on SHU's campus in South Orange, NJ to give the players a round of applause, and the pumped-up crowd obliged.

"First, I wouldn't be up there if it wasn't for those fifteen young men right there," Shaheen said, alluding to his St. Peter's players who were in the crowd.

The crowd cheered ... just not loud enough.

"Pirate Nation we can do better than that. Pirate Nation, those fifteen young men right there, stand up. Get up!"

Of course, 45-year-old Holloway led 15-seeded St. Peters, a small private school from Jersey City, NJ, with little funding, and unheralded players, to a win over the mighty Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of March Madness.

But, that wasn't all ... the Peacocks went on to beat 7-seed Murray State in the 2nd round, before toppling 3-seed Purdue, sending them to the Elite 8.

Purdue has Jaden Ivey who many experts believe will be the first pick in the NBA Draft in a few months ... but the Peacocks held the stud guard to just 9 points, forcing 6 turnovers.

Unfortunately for Sha and the players, the magic ran out against UNC ... and St. Peters was sent home.

However, it was one of the most improbable and inspiring runs in sports history ... so when Holloway was hired by his alma mater, Seton Hall -- his dream job -- the players he just led clearly wanted to show their leader support.

Back in the late '90s, Holloway was a star at SHU. He spent 4 seasons with the Pirates where he averaged 14 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds.

The Pirates coaching gig opened up when traitor Kevin Willard (we kid), who was at the helm for 12 seasons and led SH to 5 tourney appearances (would've been 6 if the NCAA Tourney wasn't canceled over COVID in 2020).

Before getting hired as the head guy in Jersey City, Sha was an assistant coach under Willard. He only left when the opportunity to become a head coach became a reality.

For many at Seton Hall, and for Holloway, the plan was always for him to come home.

Lil Baby knew where to go for jump shot rehab -- the McDonald's All-American Game in Chi-Town -- featuring 24 of the best girls basketball players in the country ... where Baby got tips from future Duke University star Ashlon Jackson.

Baby was at the All-Star game in Chicago to perform during the halftime show of the high-profile sporting event Tuesday night. But, before the "Drip Too Hard" rapper performed, he took pics with the players and hoisted up a few shots.

5-star guard and Duke recruit, Ashlon Jackson, ranked the 16th best player in the nation, posted a video of her and Baby shooting around ... and with help of the sharpshooter, the hip-hop stars' J looked on point.

The video shows Jackson working on Baby's form and follow through ... before he proceeded to knock down a long jump shot.

And, Baby went to the right person for help. Ashlon who won the McDonald's 3-Point contest.

Baby clearly appreciated the advice ... and posed for a ton of pics with players and coaches.

FYI, the McDonald's game is a big deal. Everyone from Candace Parker to Skylar Diggins to Sabrina Ionescu have played in the McDonald's game (and on the guys side -- LeBron, Kobe, KG)

Of course, we've seen Lil Baby in action before ... when he played with fellow hooping rapper 2 Chainz in a game against Quavo & Jack Harlow in a 2-on-2 charity basketball game. Baby and 2 Chainz -- who played college basketball -- lost 21-7, and the Internet let Baby have it for a perceived lack ok skills.

Eric Church has canceled a huge concert this weekend so he can watch his beloved UNC basketball team play Duke in the Final Four ... and the country music superstar's fanbase is not happy with his decision.

Church announced the cancellation in a message to his supporters Tuesday -- explaining he wants to watch the Tar Heels game on Saturday night so badly that he won't be able to perform at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

Church called the move "the most selfish thing" he's ever asked of his fans in a statement to them ... but he implored them to understand because the game just means that much to him.

"I've watched Carolina and Duke battle over the year," Church said, "but to have them matchup in the Final Four for the first time in history of the NCAA Tournament is any sports enthusiast's dream."

Some fans, though, were not understanding ... as several stormed his official Facebook page to let off their frustration.

Some called him a "clown," while others said they'd boycott his concerts going forward.

To be fair to Eric, the game is being heralded as one of the biggest college basketball games ever -- and the dude does love Carolina (he's got a hit song about it!).

Johnny Manziel wants to go back to where it all started ... telling TMZ Sports he'd love to return to the Texas A&M football program in some capacity.

Manziel was nothing short of a legend at College Station in 2012 and 2013 ... winning the Heisman trophy and becoming a household name with his highlight plays and unapologetic attitude.

Johnny -- who is set to suit up for Fan Controlled Football this season -- tells us he misses the sport ... and while a return to the NFL is out of the question, he wants to find another way to stay involved.

"I don't think I'm the same player I used to be," Johnny tells us. "I think I still have flashes, but I'm looking at what's next in my life and I want sports and football to be something that is gonna be a mainstay in my life for a long time."

"Now, it's figuring out where exactly that's gonna be -- whether its continuing to work with the FCF or something I'm really interested in as well is going back to Texas A&M and being a part of my school, or the program or whatever it is."

Johnny -- who brought up the idea of coaching while in the FCF -- tells us he wants to get back in on the action at A&M ... and the possibilities are endless.

"I miss my school, I miss College Station, I miss the feeling of those great times that I got to have when I was in college, and our new athletic director at Texas A&M, Ross Bjork, is a beauty of an individual and an awesome person."

Manziel says he wants to help A&M win championships and take the program to new heights ... and thinks the school is already on its way to making that happen.

It ain't exactly David vs. Goliath, but #11 seed Michigan is an underdog in their Sweet 16 matchup with Villanova ... but Chris Webber says that doesn't mean a thing 'cause the Wolverines are winning, and it really won't be that competitive.

TMZ Sports talked to the University of Michigan legend the night before Michigan squares off with Jay Wright's Nova squad, and asked Webber about the matchup.

"Villanova is a great team, great coach, but we have a lot of heart. I tell you what, in the bracket, I picked Houston to win just filling out things before the tournament started but after the way we've been playing since game one, I got us going all the way."

If Michigan advances, they'd play the winner of the Arizona (#1 seed) and Houston (#5 seed) game on Saturday with a trip to the Final 4 on the line.

Chris even told us how many points Michigan is going to win by.

"We're gonna win by 7. That's my prediction."

The teams followed a different path to the Sweet 16. Nova blew out #15 seed Delaware by 20 points in the first round of the tourney. They then handled #7 seed Ohio State in round two.

Michigan had a more challenging run to the Sweet 16. They beat #6 seed Colorado State by 12 in the first round, and then upset #3 seed Tennessee in the second round.

UM isn't your traditional #11 seed. They have a lot of talent and started the season ranked in the top 5 in the national polls. However, the season didn't go according to plan, and Juwan Howard's squad squeaked in as a low seed.

There's more. Chris also told us about his new partnership with Coinllectibles ... where he'll serve as president, tasked with introducing innovative sports and entertainment NFTs.

In fact, C-Webb and the company are releasing an NFT around his incredible career at Michigan on March 28.

Of course, Webber starred at Michigan between 1991 and 1993 as a member of the famed Fab Five. Chris was so good coming out of Ann Arbor that he was the 1st overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft.

Arizona Wildcats hoops star Bennedict Mathurin says he has been trying to apologize to a TCU dancer this week ... after he appeared to accidentally touch her chest following a game this weekend.

The alleged moment happened after the Wildcats' 85-80 win over the Horned Frogs in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday ... when the 6'6" Canadian baller -- the 2022 Pac-12 Player of the Year -- took a bow in front of fans and spread his arms as he was headed to the locker room.

From one angle, Mathurin's hand appeared to make contact with the dancer's chest ... but a different clip shows he actually might have avoided touching her.

Either way, the 19-year-old said he is actively trying to reach out to the student to personally apologize.

"I actually sent an email trying to reach out to the cheerleader," Mathurin said.

"Through the TCU athletic department, I reached out to her and that is it."

Dave Heeke, Arizona's athletic director, backed Mathurin's words ... saying the hooper did reach out to TCU to try to resolve the situation.

"While he does not recall any contact, he has attempted to reach out to the TCU student through their Athletic Department to apologize."

The 1-seed Wildcats and Mathurin will face the 5-seed Houston Cougars on Thursday in Sweet 16.

Caitlyn Jenner is teeing off on transgender athlete Lia Thomas' recent NCAA championship ... claiming the Penn swimmer's accomplishment should NOT be counted.

As we previously reported, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation declaring runner-up and Sarasota native Emma Weyant the "rightful winner" of the women's 500-yard freestyle race ... after the Olympic silver medalist lost to Thomas by 1.75 seconds.

Jenner is siding with DeSantis ... saying Weyant is clearly deserving of the #1 spot, and anyone who agrees isn't a bigot -- they're just using their brain.

"It's not transphobic or anti-trans, it's COMMON SENSE!" Jenner tweeted on Tuesday.

While 72-year-old Jenner has fully supported Thomas' decision to be her true self, the 1976 Olympic gold medalist has been critical of her participation in women's sports in the past.

Jenner's stance is women's sports need to be protected ... and when trans athletes like Thomas compete against biological women, it's creating an unfair advantage.

As for the NCAA, the org. decided transgender athlete participation would be determined on a sport-by-sport approach ... which means the national governing bodies for each sport are in charge of creating their own set of rules on the matter.

Thomas started at Penn on the men's team in 2017 ... and had some of the fastest times in the country. She started undergoing hormone replacement therapy in early 2019, and publicly came out as trans later that year.

Governor Ron DeSantis is denouncing transgender swimmer Lia Thomas' NCAA championship win ... saying Florida native Emma Weyant, who came in second, is the "rightful winner."

Thomas became the first openly trans athlete to win a Div. I championship in NCAA history on March 17 after beating out Weyant -- an Olympic silver medalist at the 2020 Games -- in the 500-yard freestyle.

The controversial win has had the sports world buzzing ... with many debating whether Thomas should even be allowed to compete against biological women.

The Florida gov. made his stance crystal clear on Tuesday ... issuing a proclamation to declare Weyant the true victor.

"By allowing men to compete in women's sports, the NCAA is destroying opportunities for women, making a mockery of its championships, and perpetuating a fraud," DeSantis tweeted.

"In Florida, we reject these lies and recognize Sarasota's Emma Weyant as the best women's swimmer in the 500y freestyle."

Weyant -- who won silver in the 400m IM in Tokyo -- grew up in Sarasota, FL before choosing to compete at Virginia in college.

Thomas joined the Penn men's swimming team in 2017 ... posting some of the fastest times in the nation. She started hormone replacement therapy in early 2019, and came out as trans later that year.

Thomas competed on the men's team a total of three years before being eligible to compete against women.

Thomas joined the women's team this past season after undergoing testosterone suppression treatment for more than one year ... winning the 500-yard freestyle, finishing fifth in the 200 free and eighth in the 100.