Nick Boyd scored 25 points and John Blackwell had 24 to lead Wisconsin to a 92-90 overtime victory over No. 8 Illinois on Tuesday night. The pair combined for nine of the Badgers’ 11 points in overtime, handing the Illini their second straight overtime loss. Illinois lost Saturday at No. 10 Michigan State. Wisconsin (17-7, … Read more
There were moments on Tuesday night, more than Purdue head coach Matt Painter would care to admit, when his team staggered and wobbled following an enthralling first half on the road against No. 7 Nebraska. A potent blend of relentless offensive rebounding, timely perimeter shooting and the ever-present playmaking from star point guard Braden Smith … Read more
An Alabama circuit judge on Monday denied Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction, ending the 7-foot center’s collegiate eligibility and his season with the Crimson Tide. County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet cited that Bediako “failed to demonstrate that he is entitled to the injunctive relief that he seeks,” according to … Read more
Flory Bidunga had a double-double and No. 9 Kansas defeated top-ranked and previously unbeaten Arizona 82-78 on Monday night. Arizona (23-1, 10-1 Big 12) entered Allen Fieldhouse with the second-longest winning streak in Division I men’s basketball. Kansas (19-5, 9-2) played without freshman guard Darryn Peterson, who was a late scratch with flu-like symptoms. Peterson … Read more
Zuby Ejiofor scored six of his 25 points in overtime and No. 17 St. John’s outlasted pesky Xavier on Monday night, 87-82, at Madison Square Garden for its 10th consecutive victory. With his 904th career win on the court, Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino passed Roy Williams for third place in Division I history … Read more
The men’s college basketball season keeps on delivering. A thriller between Duke and North Carolina, a Gonzaga loss to a WCC team not named Saint Mary’s, and Arizona continues to demolish everything in its path: It’s been a wild week in men’s college hoops. February is the month when players and coaches realize they are … Read more
Xzayvier Brown scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half and Oklahoma held off No. 15 Vanderbilt on Saturday, 92-91, to end a nine-game losing streak. Nijel Pack added 17 points for the Sooners (12-12, 2-9 SEC), who had a 21-point lead with 12:03 left. Oklahoma shot 53.4% from the field. Nickel hit … Read more
Jeremy Fears Jr. scored 26 points, including a tie-breaking 3-point play with 1:47 left in overtime, and had 15 assists to help No. 10 Michigan State hold on for an 85-82 win over No. 5 Illinois on Saturday night. With a chance to send the game to a second overtime, Illinois center Zvonimir Ivisic missed … Read more
Seth Trimble made a corner 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to lift No. 14 North Carolina past No. 4 Duke, 71-68, in a stunning finish Saturday night, which included fans storming the court prematurely before having to clear out for the Blue Devils to get one desperate final play. Trimble’s shot on the catch off … Read more
Fletcher Loyer scored 18 points and made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 51 seconds left Saturday to lead No. 12 Purdue past pesky Oregon, 68-64. He closed it out by making three of four free throws in the waning seconds. Braden Smith finished with 13 points, four rebounds and four assists as the Boilermakers (19-4, 9-3 … Read more