8 Of The Most Bizarre Sports Occurrences That Happened This Week

All eyes are on the NCAA basketball and the Final Four, understandably. So, you may have missed some truly bizarre sports moments that happened this week in various other areas. Some of these are comical, while others are completely coincidental.

Before we dive in, let's take a look at the entire playing field. It's a very exciting time in American professional sports.

We have the regular season races winding down before playoffs begin in the NBA and NHL. The NFL draft is around the corner. MLB is finally underway. With the men's Final Four, we have a UConn team that is dominating everyone.

The women's Final Four deserves its own topic. With starts like Caitlin Clark (Iowa) and Paige Bueckers (UConn) going toe-to-toe, this is one of the most riveting women's tournaments of all time. It's just beyond exciting, and awesome.

Now, let's take a look at the other things that transpired.

In Major League Baseball, the Houston Astros opened the season by getting swept at home vs. the New York Yankees in a four game series. Then in the next game they turned things around in a big way: Ronel Blanco pitched a no-hitter. He had 10 strikeouts, and oh, his daughter was born within the same week.

In the National League, the New York Mets went 13 innings without a single hit. That's impressive. Impressively bad, but impressive!

In the NFL, two rugby players got signed to pro teams. Prospective running back/wide receiver, Louis Rees-Zammit was signed by the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Then, the Philadelphia Eagles signed former rugby star Jordan Mailata to an astounding three-year $66 million deal.

Staying in the NFC East, Commanders' Marcus Mariota announced this week that he will be wearing #0 next season in Washington. He will be the first quarterback in NFL history to be #0.

Just when we think NFL free agency has calmed town, players found their new homes. Stefon Diggs, out of nowhere, got traded from the Buffalo Bills to the Houston Texans.

Ironically, there was some overlap between the NFL and the men's NCAA tournament. NC State star DJ Burns Jr, who has become a beloved player, was rumored to be getting interest from the NFL. Burns dismissed the idea.

In the NBA, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic started the week by hitting a scoop shot at about the three-point line vs. the Houston Rockets. What? How is that even possible?

Exhale. Now. we brace ourselves for what will be a thrilling four days of Final Four hoops. Oh by the way, I almost forgot, Wrestlemania 40 is this weekend, April 6 and 7. It's now a two-day event. It features the return of this guy named The Rock.

We're coming up on the 2024 NFL Draft, and those who are going through football withdrawals, like me, are so ready for it. The next best thing to watching the games is taking in all the draft action, so it can't come soon enough. The NFL Draft, after all, is really the main event of the offseason. Also, now that we know which new players teams have picked up in free agency, we have a few more clues about which players teams might swoop up during the draft.

Detroit will host the 2024 NFL Draft. The event, presented by Bud Light, will take place from April 25 through 27, and it's free to attend. Attendees may register for free entry by downloading the NFL OnePass app or via the web at NFL.com/DraftAccess. Also, all adults are required to register to attend and may also register up to five kids to get into the event. Fans must download the NFL OnePass app or register via the website to enter the 2024 NFL Draft Experience, presented by Rocket Mortgage. In doing so, they'll also receive digital content and enter for a chance to win exclusive prizes, according to the official NFL website. For fans who don't have a smartphone, registration is also available on the NFL's website via their Fan Services.

In addition to the main attraction, the 2024 NFL Draft Experience, presented by Rocket Mortgage, will happen throughout the entire event. The free event will offer "immersive exhibits and sponsor activations," including the chance to "take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy; enjoy the youth-focused Play 60 Zone; shop exclusive merchandise at the NFL Shop presented by Visa; and score autographs from current NFL players and Legends at the Autograph Stage," according to the NFL's website.

So, 257 players are slated to be part of the draft, and they'll be called over seven rounds. Of course, quarterbacks usually get a lot of play, and this year, 11 quarterbacks will be anxiously anticipating their new homes. I've put together five wild predictions for the NFL Draft this year, plus some under-the-radar predictions. These players could really change the strength and chemistry of the teams to which they're assigned. So, even if these aren't totally shocking picks, I think what they'll bring to their teams will be earth-shaking. Football season can't come soon enough.

It's no secret that the Bears have their sights set on Caleb Williams of USC. They traded Justin Fields to the Steelers to put the focus on Williams and his future with the team. All eyes will be on him next season. He'll be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Washington Commanders need some help. So do all the teams who are picking first in the draft, of course. But, the Commanders have been trying to rebuild for years now. There are rumors that the Commanders could trade the No. 2 pick, but I don't think so. Especially after trading Sam Howell to the Seahawks, it seems like they're keeping their No. 2 pick. Chances are, they'll snag quarterback Jaylen Daniels of LSU.

The Arizona Cardinals will get the No. 4 pick, and they'll have a few different options. It will be one of the more interesting draft picks. But, to me, it seems like going with WR Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State is a no-brainer. He'll help strengthen their offense in a big way.

New head coach Jim Harbaugh will have some fun with the NFL Draft this year. The Chargers really need some good pass catchers, so it seems like Malik Nabers of LSU would be the perfect fit. He'll be the strongest WR they have, to boot.

The New York Giants are in a bind due to Daniel Jones and his injuries. So, snagging J.J. McCarthy of Michigan would be a smart move. They'll be able to do that, based on the order they are in the draft. It will be interesting to see what consistency this Michigan guy can bring to the team.

One under-the-radar pick is possibly the Detroit Lions picking up EDGE Chop Robinson of Penn State. They already have one of the best EDGE players in the league with Aiden Hutchinson, and adding Robinson would add fuel to that fire. Their defense could get the boost they need to get to the Big Game.

The Philadelphia Eagles could bring on CB Nate Wiggins of Clemson. Their secondary needs major help, and Wiggins will be one of the best corners in the 2024 draft, so why not go for it? I'd be surprised to see them pick anyone else in the first round.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could use a good CB, and Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama fits the bill. They traded Carlton Davis to the Lions, so the Buccaneers need to pick up a CB with their pick. McKinstry is solid, and they'll put him to work on day one.

The Seattle Seahawks are in a curious position, in that they had a strong season, so they don't get a high draft pick, but they still need to add some extra talent. One smart choice would be OT Troy Fautanu of Washington. This move would put him back together with his college offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.

The Las Vegas Raiders need some help in the CB department, and they'll hit that sweet spot in the draft where they'll be able to pick up Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo. He's going to be the first cornerback picked in the 2024, in my opinion. Others agree, too. The Raiders will be a good fit for him.