Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon said four-time All-Star A’ja Wilson “doesn’t normally like two stinkers in a row” following the Aces’s semifinal loss to the Indiana Fever in Game 1 on Sunday. 

Hammon didn’t lie. 

The No. 2 seed Aces blew out the No. 6 seed Fever 90-68 in Game 2 on Tuesday at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas to even the best-of-five semifinal series behind a dominant offensive and defensive performance from Wilson, who finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, five steals (a playoff career high) and two blocks in 33 minutes. 

The Aces improve to 11-0 in the postseason when Wilson scores 25 or more points. She’s the fourth player in WNBA playoff history with 25 or more points and five or more steals in a game.

‘Got it back tonight, but we were angry with ourselves (after Game 1)… for not playing Aces basketball,’ said Chelsea Gray, who had 10 assists and three steals, in addition to six points. ‘Defensively we were just engaged from the start of the game.’

Hammon challenged the rest of her team to ‘give (Wilson) support’ and the Aces responded. Coming off a four-point performance in Game 1, forward NaLyssa Smith turned up the aggression and scored 18 points, a career playoff high, and grabbed seven rebounds. Jackie Young added 10 points, four assists and three rebounds and the Aces bench contributed 24 points, led by 10 from Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans. The Aces shot 53.8% from the field and 41.7% from 3.

Kelsey Mitchell had an off night and was held to 13 points, shooting 4-of-13 from the field and 1-of-6 from 3. Odyssey Sims had a team-high 16 points, while Aliyah Boston finished with a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double. Lexie Hull finished with 15 points and the bench contributed six points.

The semifinal series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Here’s everything you need to know about Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces:

End of Q3: Aces 70, Fever 52

Have yourself a night, NaLyssa Smith.

The Las Vegas forward is up to 16 points (a playoff career high), six rebounds, one steal and one assist on Tuesday against the Indiana Fever, the team that drafted Smith second overall in the 2022.

‘It’s playoffs. It’s the will to win. It’s not the first to win one game, it’s the first to win a series. We campout here with different energy,’ said Smith, who played through four fouls. ‘They tell me I need me so I do what I got to do to help this team out.’

The Aces outscored the Fever 24-17 in the third quarter and led by as many as 22 points.

A’ja Wilson has a game-high 21 points and is one rebound short of a double-double with nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks, while Jackie Young is up to 10 points, four assists and three rebounds.

Kelsey Mitchell scored a playoff career high 34 points in the Fever’s Game 1 win, but the All-Star guard has been held in check Tuesday and has been limited to 13 points, shooting 4-of-13 from the field and 1-of-6 from 3. The Fever struggled to get going offensively in the third quarter as a whole, missing nine straight shots in the frame.

The Fever only have three bench points, while the Aces have 17.

Halftime: Aces 46, Fever 35

The Aces led by as many as 18 points in the first half, but the Fever went on a 11-0 run in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 11 points at halftime.

Aces center A’ja Wilson has a team-high 13 points, four rebounds and two steals. NaLyssa Smith added 10 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the field after being held to four points in Game 1. Jackie Young recorded 10 points, three assists and two rebounds.

Kelsey Mitchell (3-of-8 FG, 1-of-5 3PT) and Lexie Hull (3-of-10 FG, 3-of-6 3PT) each have nine points for the Fever.

The Aces shot 55.9% from the field and 3-of-5 from the 3-point line, while the Fever shot 40% from the field and 5-of-13 from 3. The Aces were 5-of-5 from the free throw line, while the Fever were 2-of-2.

The Fever have an advantage on the boards with 18 rebounds (eight offensive), compared to 14 for the Aces, while Las Vegas is dominating the paint 26-16.

What time is Fever vs. Aces Game 2?

Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals series between the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces and No. 6 seed Indiana Fever is scheduled to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. local) on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

How to watch Fever vs. Aces WNBA playoffs: TV, stream for Game 2

• Date: Tuesday, Sept. 23
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT)
• Location: Michelob ULTRA Arena (Las Vegas)
• TV: ESPN
• Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

Stream Fever-Aces series on Fubo (free trial)

Aces sharing the ball

After having 12 assists and 12 turnovers in Game 1, the Las Vegas Aces already have nine assists in Game 2 with a little more than seven minutes to go in the half.

First quarter: Aces 26, Fever 17

For the first time in the 2025 WNBA playoffs, the Fever are trailing after the first quarter.

The Aces have picked up their defensive intensity, forcing six Fever turnovers that have lead to eight points.

‘We can still play up-tempo, but we have to be under control a little more,’ Kelsey Mitchell, who had four points for the Fever in the first quarter, said. ‘We just have to take what they give us.’

A’ja Wilson has 11 points and three rebounds to lead Las Vegas. Jewell Loyd has five points off the bench.

Fever-Aces off to a fast start

It was a track meet in the first five minutes, as the Indiana Fever tried to set a fast pace. Lexie Hull, who was listed as questionable, started the scoring with a 3-pointer for the Fever. Teammate Aliyah Boston has four rebounds.

NaLyssa Smith has four points for the Las Vegas Aces.

Indiana Fever starting lineup

Head coach: Stephanie White

• 0 Kelsey Mitchell | G 5′ 8′ – Ohio State
• 1 Odyssey Sims | G 5′ 8′ – Baylor
• 6 Natasha Howard | F 6′ 3′ – Florida State
• 7 Aliyah Boston | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina
• 10 Lexie Hull | G 6′ 1′ – Stanford

Lexie Hull will play in Game 2

Hull popped up on the Fever’s injury report on Tuesday due to back soreness, but is good to go for Game 2. She was listed among Indiana’s starting five ahead of tipoff.

Fever injury report: Lexie Hull questionable

Fever guard Lexie Hull (back) was listed as questionable on Tuesday’s injury report. Earlier Tuesday, Hull admitted after shoot-around that she’s ‘a little sore. I’m not going to lie.’ Hull added, ‘It’s catching up to me. We’re just going to keep getting warm and keep going out there and try to forget about the pain … but that’s everyone. Every one is playing with bumps and bruises.’ Hull is averaging 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game this season. 

Chloe Bibby (left knee), Caitlin Clark (right groin), Sydney Colson (left knee), Sophie Cunningham (right knee), Damiris Dantas (concussion protocol) and Aari McDonald (right foot) have all been ruled out for Game 2.

Las Vegas Aces starting lineup

Head coach: Becky Hammon

• 0 Jackie Young | G 6′ 0′ – Notre Dame
• 1 Kierstan Bell | F 6′ 1′ – Florida Gulf Coast
• 3 NaLyssa Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Baylor
• 12 Chelsea Gray | G 5′ 11′ – Duke
• 22 A’ja Wilson | C 6′ 5′ – South Carolina

Kelsey Mitchell has been carrying the Indiana Fever — it’s time everyone noticed

In a tumultuous season defined by injuries and resilience, Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell has remained a constant.

Mitchell has, in fact, been a constant for the Fever organization ever since she was drafted No. 2 overall out of Ohio State in 2018. She’s endured ups and downs during her eight-year career in Indiana, including six losing seasons and five different head coaches, enough turmoil to send any top pick packing.

But Mitchell never bailed and the 29-year-old is now leading the Fever’s improbable postseason charge.

‘There have been multiple times this season where (Mitchell) has put us on her back and she’s carried us,’ Indiana head coach Stephanie White said on Sunday after the Fever upset the Las Vegas Aces 89-73 to steal Game 1 of the WNBA playoff semifinals behind Mitchell’s 34-point performance. Full story here.

Are Caitlin Clark’s Air Force 1s the key to Indiana Fever’s playoff success?

Caitlin Clark may not be able to play for the Indiana Fever, but she’s clearly trying to influence her teammates with her shoe game. The All-Star guard, who is out with a right groin injury, has worn black Nike Air Force 1 sneakers for the last three games of the playoffs. The Fever’s record in those three games: 3-0.

It started when the Fever were down 1-0 in their best-of-3 first-round series to the Atlanta Dream. She walked out on the court with the shoes, which exude toughness, and got a big reaction from teammates.

‘I fear you, you mean business,’ Fever All-Star center Aliyah Boston joked before Game 2. ‘Black Forces?! Them (refs) better watch out.’ Read full story here.

A’ja Wilson named 2025 WNBA MVP for record fourth time

A’ja Wilson was named the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2025 season. She is the first four-time MVP, besting three-time winners Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson. 

WNBA MVP voting results

A’ja Wilson received 51 of 72 first-place votes and 21 second-place votes (657 points) from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The Las Vegas Aces center won the award over finalists Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (534),  Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (391), Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (180) and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (93).

Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson stats

Wilson averaged a league-leading 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists (ties her career-high), a league-leading 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals in 40 games this season. Wilson averaged 29.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the Aces’ first-round playoff series against the Seattle Storm, including a 38-point performance in Game 3, tying her playoff career high. However, she was held to 16 points in the Aces’ Game 1 loss to the Fever, shooting a dismal 27.2% from the field. 

A’ja Wilson named Co-Defensive Player of the Year

For the third time in four seasons, Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. But this time there is a twist. Wilson will share the award with Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith, the WNBA announced Thursday.

WNBA playoffs 2025: Aces vs. Fever scores, results and schedule

All times Eastern; *-if necessary

Fever lead series 1-0

• Game 1: Fever 89, Aces 73
• Game 2, Tuesday: Fever at Aces, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
• Game 3, Friday: Aces at Fever, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
• Game 4, Sunday: Aces at Fever, 3 p.m. ET on Sunday (ABC)
• Game 5, Tuesday, Sept. 30: Fever at Aces, TBD*

Indiana Fever roster

Las Vegas Aces roster

2025 WNBA Finals schedule

*if necessary

WNBA champions by year

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By Week 3, the league’s weakest defenses have been established. The Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins have all had trouble stopping their opponents, so fantasy managers can use that knowledge when assessing their matchup-based streamers.

Fantasy managers have also learned some key surprising lessons during the early stages of the 2025 NFL season. The Indianapolis Colts have one of the league’s most efficient offenses, the Cleveland Browns defense has actually been effective at stopping the run and the Carolina Panthers have been tougher than expected against quarterbacks.

Will those trends hold up? It’s hard to say for sure, but as long as they do, fantasy managers will want to pay close attention to fantasy contributors in trickier-than-expected matchups.

What should fantasy football afficionados do at each lineup position heading into Week 4? USA TODAY Sports outlines 16 players to start or sit in your fantasy matchups this week.

Fantasy football players to start in Week 4

Quarterbacks

• Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at Dallas Cowboys)

The Cowboys have allowed the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to opposing quarterbacks through three weeks. Love should be able to pass well on a team that has allowed a league-worst 900 passing yards to quarterbacks, so expect him to bounce back after a disappointing Week 3 showing against the Browns.

• Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Chicago Bears)

The Bears are another leaky pass defense – they have surrendered a league-high eight passing touchdowns to quarterbacks – and Chicago remains without its top cornerback, Jaylon Johnson, because of a groin injury. That should create an opportunity for Smith to build upon the 289 passing yards and three touchdowns he logged in Week 3 against the Commanders.

Running backs

• J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

Dobbins has entrenched himself as the Broncos’ starter in front of RJ Harvey and has out-touched the rookie 45-18 through Week 3. That should position Dobbins to take advantage of a Bengals defense that Jordan Mason just gashed for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

• Nick Chubb, Houston Texans (vs. Tennessee Titans)

Chubb hasn’t found a lot of running room behind Houston’s shaky offensive line, but he should have a good chance to score in Week 4 against Tennessee. The Titans have allowed a league-high five rushing touchdowns to running backs while allowing the third-most points per game league-wide (31.3).

Wide receivers

• Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Chicago Bears)

Tucker is fresh off an eight-catch, 145-yard, three-touchdown outing against the Commanders. Now, he gets to face a Bears defense that has allowed the second-most FPPG to wide receivers this season. Tucker has been targeted 17 times by Smith over the last two weeks, so he should see the volume needed to emerge as a quality flex play.

• Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (at New York Giants)

Allen has been as steady as they come in his return to the Chargers, logging at least 61 yards and a touchdown in each of his three games thus far. Justin Herbert should continue to look his way often against a Giants defense that has surrendered the second-most passing yards to wide receivers (587) in 2025.

Tight end

• Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Washington Commanders)

Pitts has been a steady target for Michael Penix Jr. to open the season. He is averaging 6.3 targets per game and has posted at least four catches and 37 yards in each of Atlanta’s first three games. The Commanders have allowed the fourth-most yards to tight ends this season (213) so Pitts should be in for another solid showing.

Defense/special teams:

• Denver Broncos (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

We all saw what the Minnesota Vikings did to the Joe Burrow-less Bengals in Week 3. The Broncos – who sport a pressure rate of 50.4%, good for second in the NFL – figure to get after Jake Browning frequently and force him into negative plays. That could allow them to rise to the ranks of a top-five defensive unit in Week 4.

Fantasy football players to sit in Week 4

Quarterbacks

• Drake Maye, New England Patriots (vs. Carolina Panthers)

The Panthers may seem like a good matchup, but they have allowed a league-low two total touchdowns to quarterbacks through three weeks. Maye might still be able to rack up some passing yards, but if any of New England’s running backs get going, they may eat into the quarterback’s overall production.

• Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

The Seahawks have allowed the sixth-fewest FPPG to fantasy quarterbacks through three weeks. Murray has run for at least 32 yards in all three of his games, but he has only logged a single touchdown in back-to-back weeks. He remains a high-floor, low-ceiling option at quarterback, so it’s hard to trust him against a defense allowing just 15.7 points per game, second fewest in the NFL.

Running backs

• David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (vs. Cleveland Browns)

The Browns have been excellent against the run so far in 2025. They have allowed a league-low 127 rushing yards to running backs this season on an impressive 2.2 yards per carry average. That may prevent Montgomery, who is splitting carries with Jahmyr Gibbs and isn’t as elusive as his younger counterpart, from getting the yardage necessary to be anything more than a touchdown-dependent flex.

• Cam Skattebo, New York Giants (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

The good news? Skattebo broke out on ‘Sunday Night Football’ in Week 3, racking up 121 total yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. The bad news? The talented rookie is set to play a Chargers defense that has allowed the third-fewest FPPG to running backs in Week 4.

Could Skattebo get the volume needed to emerge as a quality flex play or low-end RB2? Sure, especially with Tyrone Tracy Jr. out because of a separated shoulder. Still, it’s hard to trust the Giants’ shaky offense, so Skattebo comes with more risk than some of the week’s other flex-level talents.

Wide receivers

• Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars (at San Francisco 49ers)

Hunter has seen his target share decrease each week and was limited to just one catch for 21 yards last week. He hasn’t yet topped 33 receiving yards in a game this season, so it’s hard to recommend trusting him against a 49ers defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest FPPG to receivers this season.

• Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots (vs. Carolina Panthers)

Diggs had six catches for 57 yards in his Patriots debut but has racked up just seven catches for 55 yards in two games since. The Panthers have performed well against receivers this year while having more issues against tight ends and running backs. Maye might look more in the direction of Hunter Henry and TreVeyon Henderson as a result, making Diggs a questionable flex play at best.

Tight end

• Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (at Buffalo Bills)

Johnson has been a revelation to start the season, but it’s hard to trust him against a Bills team that has allowed just five receptions to tight ends through three weeks. Add in that Spencer Rattler is making another tough road start and this may be a spot in which to fade Johnson, though he could be in line for some garbage-time opportunities.

Defense/special teams:

• Los Angeles Rams (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

The Colts are one of three NFL teams to not commit a turnover during the first three weeks of the season, along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills. That – plus Daniel Jones’ 2.69-second time to throw, eighth fastest among NFL quarterbacks – will prevent the Rams from making the big plays needed to be anything more than a middling stream.

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Jake Paul, on a promotional swing for his exhibition fight against Gervonta Davis, has found time to exchange verbal shots with Ryan Garcia.

Garcia fired first, last and hardest.

On Sept. 23, Garcia ripped Paul for Paul’s handling of the weight discrepancy between Paul and Davis. Paul weighed in at almost 200 pounds for his last fight and Davis weighed in at less than 135 pounds for his last fight.

“It’s really sad to see how dishonest he is,’’ Garcia wrote of Paul. “You are 200 pounds plus, you’ll make the 195 pound limit then shoot to 215 most likely. And you lie to yourself to hype yourself up, you are fighting a 135 pound fighter, but you don’t see how that is a bit misleading. Lying to yourself sucks.’’

“This just proves that the new blueprint is get popular be a decent fighter,’’ Garcia added. “Pick fights to win that gives you advantage and continue to rack in money. Integrity of the sport is getting ruined everyday.’’

Belatedly, Paul has fired back.

Paul, in an interview that appeared to be taped Sept. 22 in New York, responded.

“I think he’s just mad that I’m going to get an opportunity to beat Tank,’ Paul said. ‘And he obviously got knocked out and embarrassed (in Garcia’s loss to Davis in 2023), so his insecurities are coming out.”

While Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí made history by winning the women’s Ballon d’Or for a third consecutive year, France’s Ousmane Dembélé won the men’s award for the first time after helping Paris Saint-Germain claim its first UEFA Champions League title.

The Ballon d’Or awards, given out by France Football magazine to the best soccer players of the year, were presented on Monday, Sept. 22 in Paris.

Dembélé was a major catalyst for a Paris Saint-Germain squad that won a quadruple during the 2024-25 season. He scored 35 goals in all competitions for PSG, which won the won the French league, the French Cup, the French Super Cup and Champions League in a historic campaign. Dembélé is the sixth French men’s player to win the Ballon d’Or, joining Raymond Kopa (1958), Michel Platini (1983-85), Jean-Pierre Papin (1991), Zinedine Zidane (1998) and Karim Benzema (2022).

Bonmatí is the first women’s player to win three Ballon d’Or awards and do so in consecutive years. The Spanish midfielder is also the first player to win three straight Ballon d’Or awards since Lionel Messi did so in 2009-2021. Michel Platini is the only other player to win three in a row.

Bonmatí helped Barcelona win the domestic treble, and led Spain to the final of the 2025 Women’s European Championship, where Spain was defeated by England. Despite the setback in the final, Bonmatí was named the tournament’s best player.

2025 Ballon d’Or award winners

Men’s Ballon d’Or — Ousmane Dembélé (France, Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Ballon d’Or — Aitana Bonmatí (Spain, Barcelona)

Men’s Kopa Trophy (best U21 player) — Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)

Women’s Kopa Trophy (best U21 player) — Vicky López (Spain, Barcelona)

Men’s Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper) — Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper) — Hannah Hampton (England, Chelsea)

Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy (best striker) — Viktor Gyökeres (Sweden, Sporting CP/Arsenal)

Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy (best striker) — Ewa Pajor (Poland, Barcelona)

Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy (best manager) — Luis Enrique (Spain, Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy (best manager) — Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands, England national team)

Men’s Club of the Year — Paris Saint-Germain (France)

Women’s Club of the Year — Arsenal (England)

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

• Bruce Pearl announced his retirement from Auburn on Monday after 11 seasons.
• Auburn named Bruce Pearl’s son, Steven Pearl, as his dad’s successor.
• Steven Pearl served under his dad, Bruce Pearl, at Auburn for several years.

The men’s college basketball world saw a seismic coaching transition on Monday, Sept. 22.

Auburn men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl announced that, after 11 seasons with the Tigers and 21 seasons as Division I college basketball coach, he was retiring from coaching. He called his time with Auburn ‘the opportunity of a lifetime.’

Taking over for Pearl at Auburn is his son, Steven Pearl, who has served as the Tigers’ associate head coach the past two seasons. Steven Pearl played for his dad at Tennessee, and signed to a five-year deal with the Tigers after they reached the program’s second-ever Final Four appearance.

Steven Pearl will be the youngest head coach in the SEC this season at 38 years old. However, this won’t be the first coaching transition from father to son in men’s college basketball.

Here’s a history of notable father-son coaching transitions that Bruce and Steven Pearl are joining:

Father-son college basketball coaching transitions

Dick and Tony Bennett, Washington State

• Dick Bennett at Washington State (2003-06): 36-49 overall
• Tony Bennett at Washington State (2006-09): 69-33 overall

With two games remaining in the regular 2005-06 season, Washington State announced that Tony Bennett would succeed his father, Dick Bennett, in Pullman, Washington after Dick Bennett gave his letter of resignation.

Tony Bennett had a successful three-year stint with the Cougars before he was hired away to Virginia in 2009. In his first two seasons at Washington State, the Cougars had back-to-back seasons with at least 26 wins under Tony Bennett and made two consecutive trips to the men’s NCAA tournament.

Bob and Pat Knight, Texas Tech

• Bob Knight at Texas Tech (2001-08): 138-82 overall
• Pat Knight at Texas Tech (2007-11): 50-61 overall

Like the Bennetts, Bob Knight had a succession plan that involved his son, Pat Knight, when the legendary college basketball coach reached the near end of his career at Texas Tech. Announced back in 2005 but made official during the middle of the 2007-08 season, Pat Knight took over for his dad in February 2008 after Bob Knight decided to retire midseason.

Pat Knight didn’t come near the level of success that his dad had at Indiana or Texas Tech, as he only had one winning season at Texas Tech, when the Red Raiders went 19-16 overall in the 2009-10 season. He was fired by Texas Tech before the 2011 Big 12 tournament.

Homer, Scott and Bryce Drew, Valparaiso

• Homer Drew at Valparaiso (1988-2002; 2003-2011): 370-306 overall
• Scott Drew at Valparaiso (2002-03): 20-11 overall
• Bryce Drew at Valparaiso (2011-16): 124-49

The Drew Family has a lot of history with the Valparaiso basketball program, largely in part to what Homer Drew built there. The other reason is that both of his sons, Scott and Bryce, replaced their dad in some capacity.

Scott Drew was the first son to succeed Homer Drew at Valparaiso, which was short lived after he was hired away by Baylor after the 2002-03 season. In his lone season at Valparaiso, Scott Drew led the Beacons to a 20-11 overall record and the Mid-Continent Conference regular season crown.

Homer Drew came out of retirement as a result, leading the program again from 2003 through his permanent retirement in 2011.

Bryce Drew built some consistent success at Valparaiso over his five seasons, as the Beacons won four Horizon League regular season titles, two Horizon League tournament titles and made two trips to the men’s NCAA tournament.

Eddie and Sean Sutton, Oklahoma State

• Eddie Sutton at Oklahoma State (1990-2006): 368-161 overall
• Sean Sutton at Oklahoma State (2006-08): 39-29 overall

One of the all-time great Oklahoma State basketball head coaches, Eddie Sutton took a medical leave after a February 2006 car accident, where he pleaded no contest to drunk driving charges. That led to his son, Sean Sutton, taking over the Cowboys mid-season.

Sean Sutton did not last long in Stillwater after taking over full-time for his dad, as he resigned from his post after two seasons. In his time at Oklahoma State, the Cowboys posted a 39-29 overall record and missed the NCAA men’s tournament in each of those two seasons.

Gene and Murry Bartow, Alabama-Birmingham

• Gene Bartow at UAB (1979-1996): 350-193 overall record
• Murry Bartow at UAB (1996-2002): 103-83 overall record

Murry Bartow look over for his dad, Gene Bartow, the winningest coach in Alabama-Birmingham basketball program history, in 1996.

Just the second head coach in UAB history, Bartow guided the Blazers to an 18-14 mark and an NIT appearance in his first season. He followed that season up with back-to-back seasons of at least 20 wins and a tournament appearance in 1999.

Bob and Matt McKillop, Davidson

• Bob McKillop at Davidson (1989-2022): 634-380
• Matt McKillop at Davidson (2022-present): 48-49

The last notable father-to-son transition happened in 2022 when Matt McKillop replaced Bob McKillop, who coached Steph Curry for three seasons, at Davidson. Bob McKillop retired in June of 2022 after 33 seasons at the helm of the program.

Entering his fourth season at Davidson, Matt McKillop, who had been an assistant coach under his father 14 seasons, holds an overall record of 48-49. The Wildcats went 6-12 in the Atlantic 10 last season and made it to the second round of the conference tournament.