CBB

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Michigan State and Tom Izzo have repeatedly made March the Spartans' month with strong finishes and Final Four runs. The Spartans are having a tougher time locking down their NCAA Tournament spot and building late-season momentum this time around. Michigan State (17-11, 9-6 Big Ten) has won...

Kevin Keatts is focused on helping UNC Wilmington earn another shot in the NCAA Tournament - not on any other jobs. The Seahawks' third-year coach says it is ''flattering'' to hear his name mentioned for higher-profile openings but says he's mentally ''locked in'' to leading UNCW to another Colonial Athletic...

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) When No. 1 Gonzaga tries to complete an undefeated regular season on Saturday, perhaps no player will be more valuable than center Przemek Karnowski. The 7-foot-1, 300-pound senior is a nearly unstoppable force from close range. He is averaging 12.8 points per game, second on the team,...

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) North Carolina coach Roy Williams apologized to Louisville's Rick Pitino after the Cardinals coach had a heated verbal exchange with a fan as he came off the court for halftime during Wednesday night's game. ESPN video of the incident showed Pitino walking off the court when...

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Creighton basketball player Maurice Watson, who is out for the season because of a major knee injury, has been suspended from all athletic-related activities for misconduct. The university announced Wednesday that the suspension started Feb. 13 and is ''for alleged actions that are contrary to university policies...

A look at things to watch this week in the Pac-12 Conference: GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 5 UCLA at No. 4 Arizona, Saturday. This one could be the game of the year in the conference. It will be the first game between top-five teams in the AP Top 25...

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Creighton basketball player Maurice Watson, who is out for the season because of a major knee injury, has been suspended from all athletic-related activities for misconduct. The university announced Wednesday that the suspension started Feb. 13 and is ''for alleged actions that are contrary to university policies...

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) With speculation about his future increasing, Nebraska coach Tim Miles said Wednesday that his basketball program is moving in a positive direction and he believes he has the support of athletic director Shawn Eichorst and executive associate athletic director Marc Boehm. Miles addressed his situation in advance...

Georgia is facing the difficult task of finding a way to win without its best player. Coach Mark Fox said the normal ''next man up'' plan doesn't fit the challenge of replacing injured top scorer Yante Maten in the team's final four regular-season games. More than one player will be...

AP Basketball WriterOnce under fire, Pitino, Gophers surging toward NCAA TourneyBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIMINNEAPOLIS (AP) This time a year ago, Richard Pitino was at the center of a storm in Minnesota. The Golden Gophers were a disaster on the court and a distraction off of it, on their way...

AP Sports WriterJayhawks' run of Big 12 titles poised to reach 13 straightBy DAVE SKRETTALAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) There is perhaps nobody better than Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown to put into perspective the remarkable streak of conference championships put together by Kansas, one that could stretch to...

AP Sports WriterRomar's future at Washington could be tied to recruitsBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) On a recent Wednesday night at Hec Edmundson Pavilion, Michael Porter Jr. walked out of the locker room with a security detail at his side, pausing only momentarily for a photograph with a fan...