UNC Wilmington hosts N.C. A&T following Middleton's 24-point showing — and more

North Carolina A&T Aggies (11-15, 4-11 CAA) at UNC Wilmington Seahawks (24-4, 13-2 CAA)

Wilmington, North Carolina; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: N.C. A&T visits UNC Wilmington after Trent Middleton scored 24 points in N.C. A&T's 102-82 win over the Elon Phoenix.

The Seahawks are 14-2 on their home court. UNC Wilmington scores 77.0 points and has outscored opponents by 9.9 points per game.

The Aggies have gone 4-11 against CAA opponents. N.C. A&T has a 4-7 record in games decided by 10 or more points.

UNC Wilmington is shooting 44.5% from the field this season, the same percentage N.C. A&T allows to opponents. N.C. A&T has shot at a 45.6% rate from the field this season, 5.1 percentage points greater than the 40.5% shooting opponents of UNC Wilmington have averaged.

The teams meet for the second time in conference play this season. UNC Wilmington won 87-78 in the last matchup on Dec. 30. Nolan Hodge led UNC Wilmington with 24 points, and Lewis Walker led N.C. A&T with 23 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Hodge is shooting 40.8% and averaging 14.9 points for the Seahawks. Patrick Wessler is averaging 15.1 points over the last 10 games.

Walker is averaging 19.2 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Aggies. Middleton is averaging 13.6 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Seahawks: 8-2, averaging 74.6 points, 33.3 rebounds, 12.3 assists, 5.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 43.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.8 points per game.

Aggies: 4-6, averaging 72.8 points, 31.0 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 5.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.0 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Florida A&M Rattlers (11-15, 8-7 SWAC) at Southern Jaguars (13-14, 9-5 SWAC)

Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Thursday, 8:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Southern takes on Florida A&M after AJ Barnes scored 22 points in Southern's 87-73 win over the Grambling Tigers.

The Jaguars have gone 8-2 at home. Southern leads the SWAC averaging 80.6 points and is shooting 45.7%.

The Rattlers are 8-7 in conference games. Florida A&M is 3-9 in games decided by at least 10 points.

Southern's average of 6.9 made 3-pointers per game this season is the same per game average that Florida A&M gives up. Florida A&M averages 69.8 points per game, 8.5 fewer points than the 78.3 Southern allows.

The teams square off for the second time in conference play this season. Florida A&M won the last meeting 67-59 on Jan. 10. Tyler Shirley scored 17 points to help lead the Rattlers to the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Fazl Oshodi is shooting 34.7% from beyond the arc with 1.9 made 3-pointers per game for the Jaguars, while averaging 9.1 points. Michael Jacobs is averaging 13.9 points, seven assists and 1.6 steals over the last 10 games.

Jaquan Sanders is averaging 11.6 points and 3.6 assists for the Rattlers. Shirley is averaging 12.1 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Jaguars: 7-3, averaging 79.1 points, 32.5 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.1 points per game.

Rattlers: 4-6, averaging 70.2 points, 31.8 rebounds, 12.8 assists, 7.6 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 43.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.7 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

49ers, Trent Williams locked in contract dispute that reportedly could end in his release (paywall)
“The 49ers have little financial incentive to part with Williams. The 49ers would earn $4.69 million in salary cap space by releasing Williams, but such a move would trigger a $34.15 million dead-money charge.

In addition, the 49ers don’t have a replacement on the roster after not drafting an offensive tackle since 2021. Their top option is Austen Pleasants, 28, who has been waived eight times since he went undrafted in 2020.

It’s possible the 49ers haven’t made heir-apparent plans because they have confidence that Williams can reach his oft-stated longevity goal. Williams wants to join a select group of by playing in 2028 when he’s 40. Only six offensive linemen have played into their 40s since 1925: Andrew Whitworth, Jason Peters, Jackie Slater, Bruce Matthews, Jeff Van Note and Ray Brown.” 

Five offensive linemen 49ers could target at pick No. 27 in 2026 NFL Draft
“Iheanachor got a late start in football because he focused on basketball earlier in his early high school days. Those movement skills are necessary for success in the 49ers’ blocking scheme. 

Again, Iheanachor does not check all the boxes because he played right tackle in college. The 49ers need someone to protect Brock Purdy’s blindside. 

He improved his stock with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl against top competition, an indication his game is on the rise.”  

Five top edge rusher prospects 49ers could target at No. 27 in 2026 NFL Draft
“Assuming they hold onto the 27th pick in the draft, the 49ers likely will not have the opportunity to draft such players as Arvell Reese (Ohio State), David Bailey (Texas Tech), Rueben Bain (Miami) and Keldric Faulk (Auburn).” 

49ers GM John Lynch speaks at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine
“San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch spoke to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday. Here’s everything he had to say.” 

49ers select ‘most natural left tackle prospect’ in Bucky Brooks’ latest mock draft
“The most natural left tackle prospect in the draft could give the 49ers an enviable long-term plan at the crucial position,” Brooks wrote. “Lomu’s nimble feet and quick hands would make him the perfect eventual replacement for Trent Williams on the blind side.” 

The War Room: It’s Combine Week (paywall)
“Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State: This is one of the sharpest running backs I’ve watched. He has an elite tempo to his runs. He handles small spaces in flow, and follows his blockers with outrageous patience and intelligence. He might not have the top-tier measurables, but I think he’s quick enough. On early watch, this is a guy who can start Day 1.

Chris Brazzell III, WR, Tennessee: He’s WR2 for me right now, and that’s from someone who is typically lower on big receivers. He has no business moving the way he does at 6’5” and while he’s not a wide-framed player, he blocks his tail off. His deceleration is astonishing. His route distribution at Tennessee didn’t allow him to show off his full tree, but I see the route craft and movement skills. He also Mosses people. The only thing I really dislike is his inability to toe tap. He’s lazy/inconsistent dragging his feet along the sidelines a la Brian Thomas Jr. last year.” 

49ers add developmental prospect in Mel Kiper’s latest 2026 mock draft
“From an analytics standpoint, Proctor closed his collegiate career on a strong note. According to Pro Football Focus, he posted career-best marks in 2025 with an 86.1 overall offensive grade, an 81.1 run-blocking grade, and an 84.2 pass-blocking grade. He surrendered 21 pressures and two sacks across 611 pass-blocking snaps.

At 6-foot-7 and 366 pounds, Proctor possesses rare size, so the upside is apparent.

“So, Proctor could develop in Year 1 while kicking inside to guard and/or playing a swing tackle role before perhaps taking over for Williams in 2027,” Kiper added. “He has 40 career starts — all at left tackle — and is reliable in pass protection. This would be an upside pick for GM John Lynch.”

Will QB Mac Jones be on the 49ers’ roster next season? 
“Among those who could be in need of a quarterback, Jones would make the most sense in Minnesota, Miami and Arizona, all of whom employ head coaches or offensive coordinators with a background running at least a version of Shanahan’s offensive scheme. 

While Jones won’t have full say in a potential trade, his relationship with the Niners is strong enough that if multiple offers were on the table, he’d get some say in where he lands. And it’s a safe bet that his preference would be to land in a place that most closely resembles what he’s had in San Francisco both culturally and in terms of offensive system.” 

Sacramento State Hornets (9-18, 5-10 Big Sky) at Montana Grizzlies (14-14, 8-7 Big Sky)

Missoula, Montana; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Sacramento State plays Montana after Mark Lavrenov scored 20 points in Sacramento State's 86-80 loss to the Idaho Vandals.

The Grizzlies have gone 9-6 in home games. Montana is 6-4 in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Hornets are 5-10 against Big Sky opponents. Sacramento State has a 2-1 record in one-possession games.

Montana's average of 8.1 made 3-pointers per game is 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 9.2 per game Sacramento State allows. Sacramento State averages 7.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.1 more makes per game than Montana gives up.

The teams meet for the second time in conference play this season. Sacramento State won 86-79 in the last matchup on Feb. 1. Prophet Johnson led Sacramento State with 26 points, and Te'Jon Sawyer led Montana with 31 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tyler Thompson is shooting 42.1% from beyond the arc with 2.3 made 3-pointers per game for the Grizzlies, while averaging 8.7 points. Money Williams is averaging 19.5 points and 4.6 assists over the last 10 games.

Jahni Summers averages 2.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Hornets, scoring 10.3 points while shooting 42.9% from beyond the arc. Johnson is averaging 22.1 points, seven rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.7 steals over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Grizzlies: 5-5, averaging 75.0 points, 27.9 rebounds, 14.9 assists, 6.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 74.0 points per game.

Hornets: 3-7, averaging 81.6 points, 29.5 rebounds, 13.4 assists, 8.0 steals and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 84.6 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.