CBB

AP Sports WriterHoops dream: Florida walk-on relishes moment years in makingBy MARK LONGGAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Chris Sutherland was sitting near the end of Florida’s bench, sandwiched between teammates, when he heard the chants. They were faint at first, growing louder and clearer by the second.“We want Chris! We...

NCAA Latest: Villanova an all-or-nothing team chasing titleSAN ANTONIO (AP) The Latest on the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament (all times local):12 p.m.It's been an almost all-or-nothing thing for Villanova and Jay Wright when it comes to the NCAA Tournament.The Wildcats reached the Final Four in 2009...

AP Sports WriterUCLA routs Denver 81-62 behind Riley's career-high 21 pointsBy BETH HARRISLOS ANGELES (AP) Cody Riley had career-highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds, and UCLA led all the way in routing Denver 81-62 on Sunday in the Bruins' first game in a week.Freshman Jaime Jaquez Jr....

AP Basketball WriterTOP 25 THIS WEEK: No. 2 Virginia plays 2 vs. ranked teamsBy AARON BEARDRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The questions hovered around Virginia to start the season.Have the Cavaliers seen their best Final Four chances under Tony Bennett pass them by?Can they overcome the loss of so much...

AP Basketball WriterPandemic impacts prospects of non-elite basketball recruitsBy JOHN MARSHALLPHOENIX (AP) Jake Murphy expected this summer to be his showcase for college coaches, a chance to catch an eye, hopefully earn a Division I basketball scholarship.The 6-foot-3 guard for Phoenix-based PowerHouse Hoops garnered attention from schools in...

William & Mary's Pierce to play at UNC as graduate transferCHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) William & Mary's Justin Pierce will play his final season at North Carolina as a graduate transfer.Pierce announced his decision on social media Thursday. The 6-foot-6 wing has averaged 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds...

AP Sports WriterIzzo says he never tried to cover up sex assault allegationsBy ANDREW SELIGMANROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) Michigan State coach Tom Izzo insisted Thursday he was never part of an effort to cover up allegations of sexual misconduct within the school's athletic department.The Hall of Famer said the...

NCAA probe of LSU's Wade includes offers to 11 playersBATON ROUGE, La. (AP) NCAA enforcement officials say LSU basketball coach Will Wade is suspected of offering or providing ''impermissible benefits'' to 11 prospective recruits or people associated with them.The allegation is detailed in documents made public Wednesday by...

Hagedorn helps South Dakota upset South Dakota State 99-84VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) Tyler Hagedorn scored 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting and all five South Dakota starters scored in double figures in a 99-84 victory over South Dakota State on Sunday.Hagedorn hit all four of this 3-point tries for the...

AP Basketball WriterVirginia, Texas Tech ride tough defenses into Final FourBy AARON BEARDMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Virginia's climb to its Final Four breakthrough began with a sound defensive scheme, a steadfast foundation allowing the Cavaliers to grind down even the best and most balanced of offenses for years.At Texas Tech,...

AP Sports WriterWKU's Bassey heads list of top players from smaller leaguesBy STEVE MEGARGEEJa Morant provided an inspiration to all small-conference players when he earned All-America honors at Murray last season and went to the Memphis Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft.There doesn't appear to...

Cancer sidelines Austin Peay men's basketball coachCLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Austin Peay men's basketball coach Dave Loos began a leave of absence Thursday night as he continues chemotherapy for a cancerous lymph node.''This will be our first game without Coach Loos on the sidelines since March 7, 1990,'' assistant...