CBB

AP Basketball WriterTop-rated recruiting classes not always key to hoops titleBy JOHN MARSHALLPHOENIX (AP) Memphis' Penny Hardaway has become one of the nation's top recruiters in two seasons as a college coach.The former NBA star signed a solid recruiting class in his first year, and his second, headed...

AP Sports WriterHot stuff: Beard, Texas Tech try to build on title game runBy SCHUYLER DIXONLUBBOCK, Texas (AP) Chris Beard doesn't need the past two NCAA Tournament brackets to measure his progress at Texas Tech.With a simple stop for one of his coveted breakfast burritos on the way...

Correction: T25-Duke Preview storyDURHAM, N.C. (AP) In a story Oct. 23 about the 2019-20 Duke basketball team, The Associated Press erroneously identified a Duke freshman. His name is Cassius Stanley, not Winston.A corrected version of the story is below:Duke expects balanced talent in 1st year after ZionMike Krzyzewski...

AP Sports WriterMuch-changed TCU not concerned about 10th-place predictionBy STEPHEN HAWKINSFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) TCU felt snubbed after being left out of the NCAA Tournament last season. As for those picking the Horned Frogs to now finish at the bottom of the Big 12 standings, no big deal.''Preseason...

AP Sports WriterExperienced Creighton is looking to build on strong finishBy ERIC OLSONOMAHA, Neb. (AP) A strong finish to the regular season couldn't push Creighton into the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year. The Bluejays are using the disappointment they felt on Selection Sunday for motivation.''We remind...

AP Sports WriterNo. 16 Baylor loses Kegler as season arrivesBy STEPHEN HAWKINSWACO, Texas (AP) Baylor was forced to adjust quickly when Tristan Clark, then the nation's top field goal shooter, suffered a knee injury a week into Big 12 play last season.The No. 16 Bears had a little...

AP Sports WriterBig men in middle is something new at No. 12 Seton HallBy TOM CANAVANSOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (AP) With preseason All-America Myles Powell and three other starters back, it's no surprise Seton Hall is No. 12 in The Associated Press preseason Top 25.The surprise for opponents this...

AP Sports WriterBearcats start over with new coach, new styleBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) Mick Cronin took his defensive-oriented style to UCLA , trying to resurrect a storied program with his emphasis on rebounding and defensive deflections. There's been a lot of change in what he left behind in...

AP Sports WriterA whole different starting point for No. 19 XavierBy JOE KAYCINCINNATI (AP) Senior point guard Quentin Goodin dashed to the free throw line, received a pass and, without hesitation, bounced the ball inside to a forward breaking toward the basket for a layup. The simple move...

Associated PressNo. 8 Gonzaga must replace 4 starters from Elite Eight teamBy NICHOLAS K. GERANIOSSPOKANE, Wash. (AP) Mark Few has become accustomed to developing players at Gonzaga only to lose them to the NBA.Maybe not as many as this time around.The Bulldogs saw four of their starters from...

AP Sports WriterStability breeds high hopes at Oklahoma StateBy CLIFF BRUNTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) For the first time during his tenure at Oklahoma State, third-year coach Mike Boynton has continuity on his roster.The Cowboys have a trio of senior captains who are primed to lead the Cowboys back to...

AP Sports WriterDutcher's Aztecs look to bounce back, get NCAA berthBy BERNIE WILSONSAN DIEGO (AP) San Diego State's basketball program has gotten to the point where it's a big deal if the Aztecs don't make the NCAA Tournament.The Aztecs failed to live up to their lofty expectations last...