CBB

AP Sports WriterVillanova set to defend national title in rebuilding yearBy DAN GELSTONVILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) Under construction: The finishing touches on the $60 million-plus in renovations of Villanova's on-campus home and the national champions that will call it home.On a miserable, soggy Tuesday, the glass entrance of the...

Syracuse suspends Frank Howard on eve of NCAA TournamentSALT LAKE CITY (AP) Syracuse senior guard Frank Howard is out ''for an indefinite period of time'' for violating school policy.The school announced Howard's suspension on Wednesday, the eve of the Orange's NCAA Tournament game against Baylor.The 6-foot-5 Howard lit...

Robinson sparks New Orleans to 82-75 OT win over McNeeseLAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) Bryson Robinson hit seven 3-pointers on his way to a career-high 31 points, scoring nine straight points for New Orleans in overtime, and the Privateers outlasted McNeese 82-75 on Saturday.Kalob Ledoux scored four quick points...

AP Sports WriterVanderbilt trying to snap 7-game skid with Kentucky nextBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The worst start ever in Southeastern Conference play sure hasn't affected the Vanderbilt Commodores' confidence.They have lost the first six games to start their SEC schedule, and the skid reached seven straight...

AP Sports WriterNCAA to play all 67 March Madness men's games in IndianaBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) The NCAA announced Monday that all 67 men's basketball tournament games including the Final Four will be played entirely in Indiana in a bid to keep the marquee event from being called...

AP Sports WriterNo. 14 Villanova rallies behind Samuels to beat UConn 61-55By DAN GELSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) Jermaine Samuels scored 19 points and made the decisive three-point play that put No. 14 Villanova ahead for good in a 61-55 win over Connecticut on Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center.Samuels converted...

The Latest: Set for tight finish in Florida-South CarolinaBy The Associated PressThe Latest on the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament (all times Eastern):4:25 p.m.The all-SEC East Regional final looks as if it will come down to the wire.There have been 12 lead changes and seven ties so far...

No. 8 Tar Heels banged up entering trip to Wake ForestCHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) It's unclear whether eighth-ranked North Carolina will have freshman reserve Nassir Little at Wake Forest on Saturday due to an ankle injury.Little, UNC's top scorer off the bench at 9.8 points, left Monday's loss...

Former Houston guard L.J. Rose to transfer to BYUPROVO, Utah (AP) Former Houston guard L.J. Rose has decided to transfer to BYU, coach Dave Rose said Tuesday. He will be eligible to play as a graduate-transfer senior during the upcoming season.Rose averaged 5.7 points and 3.6 assists during...

AP Basketball WriterDuke, not Vols, top overall seed in initial NCAA rankingsBy JOHN MARSHALLTennessee has been ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press poll the past three weeks, has one loss this season and owns Division I's longest winning streak.It wasn't enough for the NCAA Division I Basketball Committee...

Minnesota signs 6-10 center Sam Freeman of DallasMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota has signed 6-foot-10 center Sam Freeman to a national letter of intent, giving the Gophers two incoming freshmen next season.Freeman averaged 13.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks this season for Northwest High School in Dallas. He'll join...

Baylor tabbed Big 12 men's basketball favorite over KansasIRVING, Texas (AP) Baylor has been tabbed by Big 12 coaches as the favorite to win the conference title this season, with the Bears returning four starters from a team that likely would have been a No. 1 seed if...