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		<title>Latest College Basketball News &amp; Videos from FOX Sports</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2026 14:13:01 -0400</pubDate>
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					<![CDATA[College Basketball 2025-2026 Buzz: Blackwell Withdraws From NBA Draft For Duke]]>
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				    <![CDATA[We're tracking notable injuries, news and happenings across men's and women's college basketball during the 2025-2026 season.]]>
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				<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 14:07:18 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[A big-time performance — or a key injury — can be the difference for teams in March Madness, which is already upon us. We're keeping track of notable injuries, news and happenings across men's and women's college basketball as the 2026 NCAA Tournament ensues. May 22 Former Wisconsin guard John Blackwell is withdrawing from the NBA draft and will play at Duke next season. Blackwell announced his decision Friday on Instagram. Blackwell averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game last season, teaming with Nick Boyd to give Wisconsin one of the nation’s top backcourt tandems. The 6-foot-4 guard shot 39% from 3-point range, helping the Badgers go 24-11 and reach the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. Blackwell had some of his most productive performances against Wisconsin’s toughest opponents. He scored 26 points in a road win over eventual national champion Michigan and averaged 27.5 points in the Badgers’ two victories over Final Four participant Illinois. He had 25 points in a late-season road win over Purdue, an NCAA regional finalist. Blackwell had 22 points and 10 rebounds in Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament first-round loss to High Point. He averaged 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in 2024-25. May 21 Florida center Rueben Chinyelu has withdrawn from the NBA Draft, Jon Rothstein reported. Chinyelu has been widely projected as a first-round pick, which would mean he'd receive a guaranteed contract from the NBA team that selects him. Instead, he opted to return to Florida for his fourth year of college, and take the guaranteed NIL money. Despite a season cut short after a loss to No. 9 seed Iowa in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, Chinyelu becomes the second projected first-round pick to return to the Gators as Thomas Haugh made that same decision on April 21. Florida has now retained five key players from its 2024-25 national title run, including Chinyelu, Haugh, Alex Condon, Urban Klavzar and Isaiah Brown. Florida was ranked No. 1 overall in FOX Sports' Casey Jacobsen's latest "Post-Portal Top 25." Chinyelu's decision only solidifes that. Emily Ryan, one of the most productive point guards in women's college basketball history when she played for Iowa State, has been hired as a full-time assistant at her alma mater, coach Bill Fennelly announced Thursday. Ryan played for the Cyclones from 2020-25 and was a graduate assistant last season. She finished her career with 993 assists, a school record and seventh all-time in Division I. She was just the third NCAA women's player to record at least 1,500 points, 900 assists and 600 rebounds in a career. She also ranks in the top five in program history in steals and blocks. "Emily made a tremendous impact on our program as a player and that will continue as a coach,' Fennelly said in a statement. 'Emily’s loyalty and commitment to Iowa State women’s basketball has been truly special. Our players will be learning the ‘Iowa State’ Way from one of the best Cyclones ever!" Ryan was voted to the All-Big 12 first team in 2022 and second team in 2023 and was on the league's all-defensive team in 2021. May 20 Kentucky and Gonzaga have mutually agreed to discontinue a men's college basketball series that had been scheduled to run for two more seasons. The two schools made a joint announcement Wednesday that said the move was made "to allow each program freedom to re-evaluate future scheduling priorities, including conference obligations and nonconference opportunities." Kentucky had been scheduled to host Gonzaga during the 2026-27 season. Gonzaga would have been the home team for the 2027-28 matchup. Gonzaga had gone 3-1 against Kentucky over the last four seasons, including a 94-59 triumph on Dec. 5 in Nashville, Tennessee. May 19 Flory Bidunga officially signed with Louisville, Matt Zenitz reported. The Kansas transfer had committed to the Cardinals program on April 12, but was testing the NBA Draft waters. With eight days remaining before the deadline to withdraw from the draft, Bidunga has made his decision to stay in college for his junior year. New LSU basketball coach Will Wade is finding creative ways to fill out his roster. A month ago today, when the deadline for players to enter the transfer portal closed, the Tigers had only one player solidly committed to their roster — Kentucky transfer Mouhamed Dioubate. So with time running out, Wade went in a number of directions to add to his roster. LSU received the commitment of three typical college transfers including, UTSA transfer Austin Nunez, Kansas State's Abdi Bashir Jr. and Michigan State's Divine Ugochukwu. Wade is also attempting to add former St. John's guard RJ Luis, who committed to the 2025 NBA Draft, but wasn't selected. They received the commitment of multiple other professional level basketball players — Israeli guard Yam Madar, and EuroLeague players Saliou Niang, Brice Dessert and Marcio Santos. Wade has pushed the boundaries of college basketball numerous times over the last 10 years, and is doing so again to fill out his roster. With the age and professional experience of Luis, Madar, Niang, Dessert and Santos, each must file an injunction with the NCAA to gain eligibility. There's no guarantee they'll be able to play for LSU this upcoming season, despite Wade's wishes. Therefore, Wade and LSU are from finished looking for pieces to fill out their 2026-27 roster. Former Michigan star Morez Johnson Jr. has left his name in the NBA Draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility, Johnson announced on X. Johnson started all 40 games for the Wolverines leading up to their national title win. With the news of Johnson officially heading to the Draft, the Wolverines now lose Aday Mara, Yaxel Lendeborg and Johnson from last year's starting lineup. Johnson transferred to Michigan from Illinois and instantly became a star, where he averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds. "From day one, Coach May told us he was going to help develop us on and off the court, and the goal was to win a national championship," Johnson said. "We accomplished that mission." The Wolverines finished the year 37-3 with Big Ten and national title wins in coach Dusty May's inaugural season. May 15 Illinois and coach Brad Underwood have agreed to new financial terms on his current six-year contract that runs through 2031-32, and the deal could extend through 2035-36 based on the team's performance over the next four seasons. Athletic director Josh Whitman made the announcement Thursday, about six weeks after the Illini's season ended with the program's first NCAA Final Four appearance in 21 years. Contract terms were not announced. The agreement requires approval of university trustees. "Thanks to Brad Underwood‘s tireless leadership and relentless pursuit of championships, our men’s basketball program has established itself as one of the nation’s premier programs while rewriting much of our record book," Whitman said. "He has revitalized a proud fan base and elevated our program to new heights while competing in the most dynamic, high-stakes environment in college sports history.' The Illini won the fourth-most games in program history with an overall record of 29-8 and they finished in a three-way tie for second in the Big Ten at 15-5. They won each of their first four NCAA Tournament games by double digits before losing 71-62 to UConn in the national semifinals. "Illinois is a special place, and we’re coming off a special year with a trip to the Final Four,' Underwood said. "But we know there is still more to achieve. Our focus remains competing at the highest level in pursuit of a national championship. I am more motivated than ever to help bring that title home to the University of Illinois." Underwood is 193-110 in nine seasons at Illinois with six straight NCAA appearances. Ali Jaques has been hired as the women's basketball coach at Campbell, after a season in which she helped Rhode Island win a program-record 28 games. The hiring was announced Friday. Jaques was the associate head coach at Rhode Island under Tammi Reiss, who is now the coach at Florida. Jaques has also worked at George Washington and Seton Hall in recent years, both of those stops following a nine-season run as Siena's head coach. "Campbell is a great place and that was evident from the moment I stepped on campus," Jaques said. "I knew right away this is where I wanted to be and this is the program that I want to lead." Campbell went 20-12 this past season and 13-5 in the CAA. "Ali is ready to lead her own program and I have no doubt she will turn Campbell into a championship program," Reiss said. Jaques was an elite student-athlete in college, playing both soccer and basketball at New York University. She helped lead NYU to the 1997 Division III basketball title, along with a Final Four appearance the season before. She has also coached at Northwestern, Dayton, Furman, Sacred Heart and Rider during a nearly three-decade career. May 8 The Hawkeyes have extended their head coach on a six-year deal, according to ESPN. McCollum's new deal comes in the wake of Iowa reaching the Elite Eight for the time since 1987 as a No. 9 seed, a run that saw them beat the No. 1-seeded and defending national champion Florida Gators in the second round of the tournament. Iowa finished the 2025-26 season, its first with McCollum as head coach, at 24-13 overall and 10-10 in Big Ten play, good for ninth in the conference. McCollum was previously the head coach of Drake for one season, with the Bulldogs going 31-4, reaching the NCAA Tournament and him winning 2024-25 Missouri Valley Coach of the Year honors. McCollum was previously the head coach of the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats for 15 years. May 7 Michigan and Florida headline new Players Era fields The Players Era will expand from 18 to 24 teams this year and split into two tournaments, with the two most recent national champions headlining a pair of loaded fields. Michigan, which won the national title in April, will be in the Players Era Sixteen on Thanksgiving week in Las Vegas. The Wolverines routed the Gonzaga Bulldogs, 101-61, to win last year's Players Era title. They are expected to contend again next season for the national championship even with nine newcomers on the roster. Florida, which won the national title a year ago and could be the No. 1 team heading into next season, will be in the Players Era Eight a week earlier. The Gators should have the nation's top frontcourt with the returns of Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon, as well as Rueben Chinyelu if he opts out of the 2026 NBA Draft. Florida was not in the Players last year, but opened its season in Las Vegas with a 93-87 loss to the Arizona Wildcats. The Players Era and ESPN also announced a multiyear agreement for the men's tournaments, though details weren't released. There also was a women's tournament last year, but there has been no announcement regarding another one. In the Players Era Eight, joining Florida will be Auburn, Houston, Kansas, Notre Dame, Rutgers, UNLV and West Virginia. Michigan's field in the Players 16 includes Alabama, Baylor, Creighton, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Oregon, St. John’s, San Diego State, Tennessee, Texas Christian and Texas Tech. April 29 Otzelberger signs 10-year extension with Iowa State Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger has agreed to a 10-year contract extension that will increase his annual salary to $6 million, athletic director Jamie Pollard announced Wednesday. Otzelberger led the Cyclones to a 29-8 record and their third NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in five years this past season. He is 124-53 since becoming head coach in 2021-22. "Coach Otzelberger has elevated our men’s basketball program into a perennial NCAA Tournament and Top 25 team,' Pollard said. 'This contract extension demonstrates Iowa State University’s commitment to him by making him one of the highest paid basketball coaches in the country. We are excited to reward him for the success we have enjoyed during his first five years leading the Cyclones and we look forward to continued success under his leadership." The Cyclones have appeared in 52 consecutive Associated Press Top 25 polls and were No. 8 in the final rankings. Otzelberger inherited a program coming off a 2-22 season in 2020-21 and has since led it to five straight NCAA Tournament bids. He is the only coach in program history to lead multiple teams to the Sweet 16, and his 30 wins over Top 25 opponents is a school record. "We are humbled and grateful to continue leading a program that means so much to us,' Otzelberger said. 'Iowa State is home for my family, and we are excited to be part of the community for years to come." April 28 Michigan adds three from portal, six recruits to roster Michigan has reloaded, shooting to repeat as college basketball national champions with nine newcomers. Wolverines coach Dusty May announced Tuesday that three players have been added from the transfer portal and two incoming freshman are joining four high school seniors who were signed in November. May had to add an influx of talent because All-America player Yaxel Lendeborg exhausted his eligibility while Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr. and Elliot Cadeau declared for the NBA draft. Michigan landed three players from the portal: Moustapha Thiam, a 7-foot-2 center from Cincinnati; J.P. Estrella, a 6-foot-11 forward from Tennessee; and Jalen Reed, a 6-foot-10 forward from LSU. Brandon McCoy, a guard who is ranked as the No. 14 prospect in the country by 247Sports, joins forward Lincoln Cosby to cap a recruiting class with previously signed players: Quinn Costello, Joseph Hartman, Marcus Moller and Malachi Brown. The Wolverines won their second national championship and first since 1989 earlier this month and days later, May agreed to a deal that athletic director Warde Manuel said would put him under contract for many more years. April 27 All-Big 12 C Motiejus Krivas to Return to Arizona Not only are the Arizona Wildcats looking to build on their Final Four season, but the program is also bolstered by the return of big man Motiejus Krivas. He will be the seventh confirmed player back for coach Tommy Lloyd. Krivas is coming off a strong junior season, averaging 10.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while anchoring a defense that ranked among the best in the country. His rim protection and presence in the paint made him the centerpiece of the team’s defensive identity. Still, his impact goes well beyond the box score, as opponents shoot 7 percent worse from the field when Krivas is on the court compared to when he is off. Opposing teams also score 14 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor. That level of impact on both ends of the floor positions him as one of the most valuable returning players in college basketball. With Krivas anchoring the interior, Arizona brings back a proven defensive force who changes games without needing to dominate the ball. His return gives Lloyd a reliable cornerstone as the Wildcats look to build on last season’s Final Four run. Calipari Lands Fourth Five-Star for 2026 with Mikka Muurinen The Arkansas Razorbacks continue to make national headlines under coach John Calipari. That momentum carried into Monday afternoon with the commitment of five-star forward Mikka Muurinen out of KK Partizan in Serbia. He chose Arkansas over programs including Utah, Michigan, BYU, and Alabama. Muurinen becomes the fourth commit in a loaded 2026 class for the Razorbacks, a group highlighted by three other five-star recruits. Muurinen is the fourth five-star to join the program and provides the prototypical size and versatility that John Calipari looks for. Playing against professional competition in the EuroLeague and ABA League, Muurinen posted modest raw numbers due to limited playing time but still flashed the high-upside potential of a stretch-four. Calipari’s track record of developing frontcourt talent, Muurinen fits the mold of a high-upside piece in Arkansas’ system. If his growth continues, he could become a key building block for this Razorback class. April 24 Peterson declares for NBA Draft Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson declared for the NBA draft on Friday, just as nearly everyone had expected he would ever since his arrival on campus, and the high-scoring guard figures to be among the first three players selected in June. The 6-foot-6 Peterson showed flashes of brilliance with the Jayhawks, but he also caused a lot of headaches for the team. He dealt with a severe full-body cramping issue that required hospitalization before the season, and additional injuries and illnesses caused him to miss 11 games, hurting his ability to build any continuity with the rest of his teammates. Peterson wound up averaging 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc in 24 games. He started to hit his rhythm in the postseason, scoring 24 points against TCU and 14 against Houston in the Big 12 Tournament. He had 28 points in a first-round NCAA tourney win over Cal Baptist and 21 in a last-second loss to St. John's in the second round. "To my teammates, friends and everyone at the University of Kansas, a heartfelt thank you!" Peterson posted to social media Friday. "Your belief in me, your encouragement and your constant support have been invaluable every step of the way. This journey has been everything to me, and none of it would have been possible without your love, support and sacrifices." Most mock drafts have Peterson or BYU's A.J. Dybantsa going first overall, though Duke's Cameron Boozer also could be in the mix. April 22 Nate Oats inks extension The Alabama Crimson Tide and head coach Nate Oats have agreed to a six-year contract extension, the team announced on Wednesday. The deal links Oats to Alabam through 2032, and will increase his salary to an annual average value of $7.25 million. Oats has gone 170-73 over seven seasons in Tuscaloosca, and led Alabama to Final Four in 2024. Vanderbilt extends coach Shea Ralph Vanderbilt Commodores women’s basketball coach Shea Ralph has agreed to a contract extension following her fifth and best season yet in leading the Commodores to the Sweet 16 and earning AP Coach of the Year honors. Athletic director Candice Storey Lee announced the extension. Lee noted Ralph was hired just after the university launched the Vandy United program to renovate athletic facilities as part of a commitment to compete at the highest levels. "She has delivered on that vision and is the right leader to keep elevating our women’s basketball program while inspiring our broader community as we set the standard for women’s athletics," Lee said. "Her well-deserved recognition only reinforces what we see every day — she makes teams better, empowers women and brings people together." Terms of Ralph’s extension were not announced by the school, which is a private university. Ralph led a team that returned only one starter to the most successful season in school history. Vanderbilt went 29-5, with 13 of those wins coming in the regular season against a rugged Southeastern Conference schedule. The Commodores finished tied for second in the conference, which matched the best finish in program history. They earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Sweet 16. April 21 Thomas Haugh expected to return to Florida for senior season Not only are the Florida Gators entering next season with lofty expectations and a top ranking, but one of coach Todd Golden’s key players is also set to return. Forward Thomas Haugh is expected back in Gainesville for his senior season, per ESPN. Haugh’s decision to return comes as a surprise, as he was widely projected as a consensus lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. With his return now official, the Gators could quickly find themselves positioned as a legitimate contender to debut at No. 1 in the preseason rankings He averaged 17.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 46.6% from the field. That production solidified Haugh’s status as one of the most dependable two-way contributors and a key piece of the Gators’ offense heading into next season. The decision to forgo the NBA Draft marks the first time since 2017 that a projected lottery pick has opted to return to school. The last player to make such a move was Miles Bridges, who famously returned to Michigan State for his sophomore season. Haugh is now the third starter from last season’s team to announce his return. He will rejoin forward Alex Condon and guard Boogie Fland, while center Rueben Chinyelu could also return as he continues to maintain eligibility throughout the NBA Draft process. Solo Ball to miss all of next season The UConn Huskies guard and two-time All-Big East honoree will miss the 2026-27 season due to wrist surgery, the school announced. "Solo is a true Husky and a champion who would do anything to be out on the court," UConn head coach Dan Hurley said. "This guy has shown throughout his career what a warrior he is. Solo is going to use the season to get his wrist fully healthy and then come back next year as one of the best guards in America while cementing his legacy as an all-time great at UConn." The 2026-27 season will count as a medical redshirt year for Ball, who averaged 12.8 points per game last season, while shooting 39.2/30.0/85.2. The year prior (2024-25), he averaged 14.4 points per game, while leading the Big East with a 41.4% shooting percentage from behind the arc. Ball and the Huskies are coming off a season that saw them claim a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and reach the National Championship before losing to the No. 1-seeded Michigan Wolverines in the title game. April 20 Big East commissioner to retire before 2026-2027 season Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman will retire at the end of August, the conference announced Monday. Ackerman, 66, has served in that role since 2013, presiding over the rebirth of the conference following the decision a year earlier for the Big East to split. Ackerman led the negotiations that resulted in the return of UConn in 2020 from the American Athletic Conference. "It’s been an extraordinary honor for me to serve as the Commissioner of one of the most prestigious and storied organizations in college sports," Ackerman said in a statement. "I want to thank our Presidents for entrusting me with this one-of-a-kind leadership opportunity and for supporting the investments needed to maintain the Big East's stature and meet our schools’ high competitive and academic standards.' Big East men's basketball teams won four national championships during her tenure, with two by Villanova and two by UConn — more than any other Division I conference in that span. The UConn women's team won its 12th national title in 2025. "Speaking on behalf of all the BIG EAST Presidents, we announce Commissioner Val Ackerman’s retirement with a tinge of sadness and deep gratitude," said St. John’s president, the Rev. Brian J. Shanley, who is the chair of the conference's Board of Directors. "When we re-founded the BIG EAST in 2013 as a basketball-centric conference, our first task was to find a commissioner who could provide the strategic vision needed to position us as a basketball peer with the power football conferences and compete with the country’s best. We found that visionary leader in Val Ackerman.' She presided in the relocation of the conference headquarters to New York in 2014, and the Big East moved to the famed Empire State Building last year. Ackerman also ensured that the Big East men's basketball tournament will remain at Madison Square Garden until 2032, which would be the 50th anniversary of the event there. The women's tournament is set to be held at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut until 2029. Before coming to the Big East, Ackerman was the first president of the WNBA when it was launched in 1997 and was in charge of the league for eight years. She also held positions including president at USA Basketball. Ackerman played at Virginia and was a four-year starter, becoming the first 1,000-point scorer in program history. April 15 Illinois retains three key players Tomislav Ivisic and his twin brother, Zvonimir, announced their return to Illinois, along with forward Jake Davis on Wednesday. Their announcements came moments after fellow Illini David Mirkovic announced his intention to return. So after a Final Four run, Illinois will bring back a strong core, in addition to Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks. Two star forwards remain in college ranks Two star forwards with Final Four appearances chose to play another year of college basketball instead of declaring for the NBA Draft. Illinois' David Mirkovic and Florida's Alex Condon will reportedly return to their respective teams for the 2026-27 season. Mirkovic averaged 13.3 points and eight rebounds per game as a freshman at Illinois. Condon posted 15.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game during his sophomore season, and helped Florida win the national title in 2025. April 5 Alabama, Nate Oats agree to new contract Oats has agreed to a new deal with Alabama that will make him one of the top five highest-compensated men’s basketball coaches in the country, according to multiple reports. April 3 Tommy Lloyd signs new deal with Arizona Wildcats Lloyd has signed a new contract with the Wildcats that makes him one of the five highest-paid coaches in the sport, per ESPN. The new deal will pay Lloyd $7.5 million in average annual value over five years. Lloyd had been considered among the candidates to become the new head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. Arizona is in this year's Final Four, as it's set to take on the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday night. This season, the Wildcats are 36-2 overall and a combined 148-35 under Lloyd since he took over for the 2021-22 season. Alabama's Holloway plans to enroll in classes, rejoin team this fall Alabama guard Aden Holloway, who was arrested on felony drug charges on March 16, announced he plans to enroll at the university, with hopes to rejoin the team this fall, per ESPN. Holloway's arrest happened just days before the Crimson Tide tipped off March Madness competition, where they reached the Sweet 16 before their loss to Michigan. Holloway was a star for Alabama this season, where he averaged 16.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds. Jason Neff, Holloway's attorney, emphasized that "Although it's not Aden's call to make, given the opportunity, his intent is to play basketball next year," Neff told ESPN. April 1 Bill Self provides clarity on his future Kansas head basketball coach Bill Self announced he will return to the Jayhawks for his 24th season, per a post on the team's social media account. After Kansas' season ended in a Round of 32 loss to St. John's on March 22, Self, 63, said he was going to discuss his future with his family. He missed a game against Colorado this season and the Big 12 Tournament last season for health reasons. Those issues were a part of his thinking process, but he decided to return "with renewed clarity and the ongoing support from our administration," Self said. Elliot Cadeau treated for allergic reaction ahead of Final Four Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau is receiving medical attention for a possible allergic reaction before traveling to Indianapolis for the Final Four, the team said Wednesday. Detroit radio station WWJ 950 posted a video on X on Wednesday showing a covered individual being wheeled out of Michigan’s player development center on a gurney and loaded into a Huron Valley ambulance. Michigan later confirmed it was Cadeau, who complained of a possible allergic reaction. "Before the team departed the Player Development Center today, Elliot alerted the medical staff that he may have had an allergic reaction to something that he ate," the team said in a statement. "The doctors evaluated Elliot and he is fine. Out of an abundance of caution, he is receiving medical supervision and will be traveling to Indianapolis later today." Cadeau will meet the team in Indianapolis, where Michigan is set to take on Arizona on Saturday in a Final Four clash between No. 1 seeds. Andrzejek steps down as Campbell coach John Andrzejek stepped down as Campbell's men's basketball coach on Wednesday, citing the school's shifted priorities in a post on social media. "Over the last 6 months, it has become clear that Campbell has made the decision to shift their commitment from basketball,' Andrzejek wrote. 'Simply put — the institution now has different priorities, and they are not compatible with putting the kind of team on the floor that you deserve. As difficult as this is, I respect the decision and understand it as one that the University feels it must make in what are unprecedented times in higher education." Andrzejek joined Campbell in 2025 after a two-year stint as an assistant at Florida, where he helped lead the Gators to a national title. In his sole season in Buies Creek, he led Campbell team to a 16-18 overall record and an 8-10 record in Colonial Athletic Association play. Campbell was eliminated in the semifinals of the CAA Tournament with a 74-64 loss to Monmouth. The coach said he explored several options with Campbell's athletic department in hopes to move forward with the team, but it became clear that the school cannot support the program. "Despite months of intense work and collaboration with AD Hannah Bazemore and our terrific athletics administration, and several creative options that were proposed and thoroughly explored, there are no pathways that the institution will support to fund the program appropriately moving forward," he wrote. Andrzejek will join Louisville as associate head coach, serving under coach Pat Kelsey, Campbell said in a statement. Mar. 31 NC State hires former player Justin Gainey as head coach Will Wade left NC State after one season, leaving the head coaching position open. After a five-day search, the Wolfpack hired Tennessee associate head coach — Justin Gainey. Gainey helped lead Tennessee to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost against Michigan in the Elite Eight. Though this is his first coaching stint with the Wolfpack, he previously played with NC State for four seasons as a point guard from 1996 until 2000. He averaged 6.9 points, starting 103 of his 128 games with the Wolfpack. St. Bonaventure hires MacDonald of D-II power Daemen St. Bonaventure has hired Mike MacDonald of Division II Daemen University to succeed the retired Mark Schmidt as men's basketball coach, the school announced Tuesday. MacDonald returns to his alma mater after leading Daemen, in nearby Amherst, to a 61-3 record over the last two seasons and an appearance in the Division II Elite Eight last week. MacDonald was named Division II national coach of the year in 2025. He previously was head coach at Division I Canisius and Division III Medaille and is the only coach in college basketball history to win at least 100 games at each NCAA level. "We are extremely excited to bring Mike back to St. Bonaventure," athletic director Bob Beretta said. "As we set out to identify the next leader of our men’s basketball program, we developed a list of more than 20 characteristics that we would look for in the person who would succeed Mark Schmidt as head coach. Mike checked every box.' Schmidt, the Bonnies' all-time wins leader with 341, retired after his 19th season. St. Bonaventure finished 17-17 this season after reaching the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Daemen went 33-2 in 2025-26, winning the school’s second regional championship over Saint Anselm to reach the Elite Eight. Thirty-one of Daemen’s 33 wins were by double digits, with 14 wins by 20-plus points and five by more than 30. The Wildcats’ only two losses were to national finalists Gannon and Lander. Mar. 30 Pitino, St. John's agree to extension St. John's says Hall of Fame basketball coach Rick Pitino has signed a new agreement that will keep him under contract with the school through the end of this decade. Pitino was hired in March 2023 and given a six-year contract through 2029. Several media outlets, citing anonymous sources, reported Sunday his restructured deal includes an additional year through the 2029-30 season and a raise that will make him the second-highest paid coach in the Big East behind Dan Hurley at UConn. "We’re thrilled that Coach Pitino has signed a new agreement to remain at St. John’s, a deal that will keep him in Queens through the end of the decade," athletic director Ed Kull said in a statement. "This extension reflects our strong confidence in his leadership, vision, and commitment to our student-athletes. "Coach Pitino has changed the culture of our community and we want his presence to be felt on this campus for years to come. We look forward to more Big East championships and NCAA Tournament runs with Coach Pitino at the helm." In three seasons with the Red Storm, the 73-year-old Pitino has led a remarkable resurgence for the New York City program, coaching the Johnnies to consecutive Big East regular-season and tournament championships. St. John's reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 27 years before losing 80-75 to No. 1 overall seed Duke on Friday night. Pitino earned his 900th career win on the court this season and said he'd like to reach 1,000. He is 81-25 at St. John's and coming off consecutive 30-win seasons. Utah State hires Northern Iowa's men's basketball coach Utah State has hired longtime Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson to be its men’s basketball coach, the school announced Monday. Jacobson, who agreed to a five-year deal with the Aggies, succeeds Jerrod Calhoun, who left to take over at Cincinnati. Jacobson becomes the fifth head coach in seven seasons at Utah State. He takes over an Aggies program that has reached the NCAA Tournament in four straight seasons. "I’m thankful for the opportunity to join Utah State as it enters its next chapter in the Pac-12," Jacobson said in a news release. "I’m grateful to Cameron Walker for trusting me to lead such a historic program and to continue its tradition as one of the top men’s basketball programs in the West." Jacobson spent 20 seasons at Northern Iowa and made five NCAA Tournament appearances with the Panthers — highlighted by a Sweet 16 appearance in 2010 as a No. 9 seed. He compiled a 397-259 record at Northern Iowa and had a school- record 31 wins in the 2014-15 season. Jacobson is the all-time leader in conference game victories (220) and conference tournament victories (24) in the Missouri Valley Conference. Calhoun guided the Aggies to a 55-15 record and two NCAA Tournament appearances over two seasons before leaving for Cincinnati, his alma mater. Utah State will move to the Pac-12 Conference from the Mountain West Conference, starting with the 2026-27 season. Mar. 27 Alabama's Holloway granted permission to travel out of state Alabama guard Aden Holloway, who was arrested on felony drug charges, was granted permission by a judge to leave the state on Friday as his team prepares to face Michigan in the Sweet 16 in Chicago. It was initially unclear whether the travel permission opened the door for Holloway to play in the NCAA Tournament game that is scheduled to tip off at 7:35 p.m. Eastern, but Alabama released a statement saying that, "Nothing has changed with regard to Aden's status with the team," per ESPN. The university removed him from campus last week "pending further investigation by the UA Office of Student Conduct." Holloway, Alabama’s No. 2 scorer, was arrested March 16 after authorities found 2.1 pounds of marijuana in his apartment. He was suspended indefinitely following the arrest, but coach Nate Oats has not ruled out the possibility of his return in the NCAA Tournament. Holloway's attorney, Jason Neff, had requested his client be allowed to travel "on a trip out of the state' — without specifying where — departing Friday and returning Tuesday. Tuscaloosa County District Court Judge Joanne Jannik approved that travel Friday morning, according to court documents. If Alabama were to win Friday night, it would play in the Elite Eight on Sunday. Mar. 26 Boston College hires Luke Murray Boston College men's basketball has hired Luke Murray as its next head coach. Murray had been an assistant coach at UConn since 2021. He helped the Huskies win back-to-back national titles in 2023 and 2024. LSU Tigers hire Will Wade (again) Let Act 2 begin! LSU is hiring Wade, previously the head coach of the NC State Wolfpack, for his second stint as the Tigers' head coach on a seven-year deal, according to The Field of 68. The Tigers are coming off a 15-17 overall season (3-15 in SEC play, good for last in the conference), which marked their second consecutive losing season and third in four years. LSU head coach Matt McMahon has been fired and is due over $8 million, per ESPN. LSU fired Wade in 2022 after a recruiting scandal came to light, with him later becoming the head coach of the McNeese Cowboys for the 2023-24 season. After McNeese made the NCAA Tournament in each of Wade's first two seasons, he left to become NC State's head coach for the 2025-26 season. The Wolfpack were eliminated by the Texas Longhorns in the First Round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament last week. Over Wade's five seasons as LSU's head coach (2017-18 to 2021-22), the Tigers went a combined 105-51. Mar. 25 USF hires Chris Mack The Bulls have hired former Louisville and Xavier coach Chris Mack as their next head coach. Mack had spent the last two seasons at College of Charleston before being hired at USF. He will succeed Bryan Hodgson, who took the head coach position at Providence, after one season at USF, in which he led the Bulls to an American Athletic Conference Tournament regular- and post-season title, and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Mack will be USF's fourth coach in four years. Butler hires Ronald Nored The Bulldogs have hired long-time NBA assistant coach and former Butler guard Ronald Nored as their new head coach, the school announced. "In a rapidly evolving college basketball landscape, our priority was identifying the absolute best leader to spearhead the future of Butler Basketball. Ronald Nored is that leader," Butler Vice President and Director of Athletics Grant Leiendecker said in a statement about hiring Nored. "Ron is a relentless worker with an elite basketball IQ and a proven track record of developing talent at the highest level of basketball. He is the ultimate competitor, and he will cultivate that same quality within his team and staff. He is a gifted relationship builder who commands respect through his character and his craft." Nored, who's in his third season as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks, also has assistant NBA coaching stints with the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics under his belt, among other roles; he was the head coach of the Long Island Nets, the Brooklyn Nets' G League affiliate, for the inaugural two seasons of the program (2016-17 and 2017-18). Nored played four seasons at Butler (2008-09 to 2011-12), serving as a primary starter in each of his four seasons with the program. The four-year guard was a two-time Horizon Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-Horizon honors in his senior season. Mar. 24 Syracuse announces Gerry McNamara hire Syracuse announced that it has hired Gerry McNamara as its next head coach less than two weeks after firing Adrian Autry. McNamara spent two seasons at Siena, leading the Saints to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2026. McNamara has deep Syracuse ties, spending 12 years as an assistant with the program (2011-2023) and playing for the school from 2002-2006 — highlighted by winning a national championship with the Orange in 2003 as a freshman alongside Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony. Mar. 23 Saint Mary's to promote associate HC Mickey McConnell After the recent departure of Saint Mary's head coach Randy Bennett, the team has tabbed its next head coach. The Gaels did not have to search long after settling on associate head coach Mickey McConnell. McConnell is no stranger to the Gaels as his first stint with them was as a player. He was recruited in 2007, where he played four seasons as a sharpshooter. He averaged 10 points and four assists on nearly 50% shooting and 46% from 3-point range. His first coaching gig came in 2019 where he held a position as assistant coach at Saint Mary's. Then in 2022, he earned his first promotion to associate head coach. After four strong years in that role, he earned his most recent elevation to head coach. Arizona State set to hire St. Mary's HC Randy Bennett After 25 seasons at St. Mary's, Randy Bennett is moving on. The 63-year-old head coach has agreed to a deal to become Arizona State's next head coach, CBS Sports reported Monday. Bennett had helped turn St. Mary's into one of the top non-power conference programs in college basketball during his tenure. The Gaels made the tournament 12 times during his tenure, including each of the last five seasons. Bennett went 589-228 during his time at St. Mary's. At Arizona State, Bennett will take over for Bobby Hurley, who was fired earlier in March. Hurley failed to lead Arizona State to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons, and went 185-167 during his 11-year tenure. Cincinnati to hire Utah State HC Jerrod Calhoun Utah State's Jerrod Calhoun is going home. The Cincinnati alum will become the school's next men's basketball head coach, CBS Sports reported Monday. Calhoun, 44, has quickly risen up the coaching ranks in recent years. He became Utah State's head coach in 2024 following successful stints at Division II's Fairmont State and at Youngstown State. Utah State went 55-15 during Calhoun's tenure as head coach, making the NCAA Tournament in both seasons. Calhoun will replace Wes Miller, who failed to make the NCAA Tournament in his five seasons at Cincinnati. Creighton's McDermott retiring Greg McDermott announced Monday he would retire as Creighton's coach after the Bluejays' final game in the College Basketball Crown tournament next month. Alan Huss, who returned to his alma mater last year as associate head coach and head coach in waiting, will succeed McDermott. "It has been an incredible honor to lead the Creighton men’s basketball program for the past 16 years," the 61-year-old McDermott said in a statement. "I’m very proud of the young men that have proudly worn the Bluejay uniform and represented our program in a first-class manner. Witnessing their growth and development on and off the playing floor was especially gratifying. "I’m deeply grateful for the support of my family, our players, coaching staff and support staff, as well as the presidents, athletic directors, and all the University and athletic administrators. The support of the Omaha community consistently packing our arena with 17,000 fans has created many fond memories." McDermott is 365-188 at Creighton and 645-383 in 32 seasons as a head coach. He led Creighton to 14 seasons of 20-plus wins and 10 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including to the Elite Eight in 2023 and the Sweet 16 in 2021 and 2024. Creighton won the Big East regular-season title in 2020. The team is 15-17 this season. Huss played at Creighton from 1997-2001, was an assistant under McDermott from 2017-23 and then left to become head coach at High Point. He was 56-15 in two seasons and led High Point to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in its Division I history in 2025. "I am incredibly honored and humbled to be named the head men’s basketball coach at Creighton University," Huss said. "This University has meant so much to me as a former player, as an alumnus and through the seven years I’ve spent serving this program. Creighton helped shape who I am, and the opportunity to now lead this program is something I do not take lightly.' Florida hires Rhode Island's Weiss Florida hired Rhode Island's Tammi Reiss as the program's next women's basketball coach Monday, tasking her with rebuilding the least-accomplished program on campus. Reiss, a three-time Atlantic 10 coach of the year, spent seven seasons with the Rams and led them to the NCAA Women's Tournament for the first time in 30 years earlier this month. Rhode Island lost to Alabama in the opening round. Nonetheless, the Rams won a school-record 28 games to go along with a share of the A-10 regular-season championship and the league tournament. Reiss, 55, played alongside Dawn Staley at Virginia and appeared in three consecutive Final Fours (1990, 1991 and 1992), including the 1991 national title game. She was part of eight NCAA Women's Tournament appearances as an assistant coach, including four at Syracuse, before arriving at Rhode Island. She replaces Kelly Rae Finley, who was fired two weeks ago while the Gators were poised to miss the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. The 40-year-old Finley went 93-75 in five seasons in Gainesville, including 30-50 in Southeastern Conference play. She put together one of the program’s best collections of talent in recent years, with Liv McGill, Me’Arah O’Neal and Laila Reynolds giving the team three McDonald’s All-Americans in its starting lineup. But the trio was unable to deliver enough wins in one of the country’s deepest leagues. The Rams tripled their average attendance during Weiss' tenure and raised the program’s first three conference banners. Her overall record is 138-73, including 96 wins over the last four seasons. She twice set the program record for victories. Charlotte hiring ex-Cincinnati coach Miller The Charlotte 49ers have hired Wes Miller as their basketball coach. Miller spent the past five seasons at Cincinnati before being fired on March 13 with three years left on his contract after failing to get the Bearcats to the NCAA Tournament. He was 100-74 at Cincinnati. The Bearcats finished 18-15 this season. They had recovered from a disappointing start to win seven of nine games down the stretch and were considered an NCAA Tournament bubble team heading into the Big 12 Tournament. But the Bearcats lost to UCF 66-65 in overtime in the second round after surrendering an eight-point lead in the final two minutes of regulation, paving the way for Miller's departure. The 43-year-old Miller has strong ties to North Carolina, leading the Tar Heels to a national championship as a player. He also coached a decade at UNC Greensboro, where he earned Southern Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2012 and 2018. He helped UNC Greensboro win 25 or more games in three consecutive seasons, won three conference titles and led the Spartans to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2018 and 2021. He left UNCG for Cincinnati considered one of the bright young coaches in the game after recording a school-record 185 wins, including an average of 25 wins per season over his final five years. Miller posted the most wins (217) by a coach by the age of 40. Athletic director Kevin White called Miller a "proven leader with a deep understanding of the game and strong ties to basketball in our state.' Kansas coach Self deciding whether to continue coaching Bill Self says he hasn't decided whether he will continue his Hall of Fame coaching career after the Kansas Jayhawks' season ended with a heartbreaking loss to St. John's in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The 63-year-old Self has won two national championships and built a powerhouse during his 23 seasons in charge of the Jayhawks, but he has missed several games over the past few seasons due to heart issues and other health concerns. "I’ve gone through some stuff off the court, so I’ll get back and get with family and visit and see what’s going on," Self said. "I love what I do. I need to be able to do it where I’m feeling good and healthy to do it fairly well. I’ll get back home and it will all be discussed." Self most recently missed a game at Colorado in January after taking a precautionary trip to the hospital. He also had two stents inserted in his heart in 2023, and two more last year. Self has been one of college basketball's most successful coaches since he replaced Roy Williams in Lawrence in 2003. He joined the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017, and he became the winningest coach in Kansas history in November 2024, passing Phog Allen. "My career ain’t going to be based on one game," Self said when asked if it would be tough to end his career on such a crushing defeat. "I said I was going to get back and evaluate my health situation." Mar. 22 Joshua Jefferson injury update Iowa State star forward Joshua Jefferson was ruled out for the No. 2-seeded Cyclones' second-round game against No. 7 seed Kentucky. Jefferson sustained an ankle injury in Iowa State's game against Tennessee State on Friday, and was unable to recover in time for Sunday. If the Cyclones advance to the Sweet Sixteen, Jefferson will have five days to recover and prepare for the next opponent, which would be No. 6 seed Tennessee or No. 3 seed Virginia. Mar. 20 Georgia Tech hires HC Scott Cross The Yellow Jackets announced that they've hired Troy and former UT Arlington coach as their new head coach. Cross leaves Troy, which was a No. 13 seed in this year's NCAA Tournament before losing to No. 4 seed Nebraska on March 18, after posting a combined 125-99 record over seven seasons in his respective position. He takes over a Georgia Tech program coming off a season that saw it record an 11-20 overall record and a 2-16 record in ACC play; head coach Damon Stoudamire was fired after three seasons on the job, failing to produce a winning season. Mar. 18 Belmont hires Evan Bradds as its next head coach Belmont reportedly hired Evan Bradds as its next head coach on Wednesday. Bradds was most recently an assistant coach at Duke, where he spent one season. He played at Belmont for four years from 2013-17, averaging 20 points per game as a senior. Bradds also spent multiple seasons as a coach with the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz. Bradds, 31, becomes the second-youngest active head coach in Division I basketball, behind just Nicholls coach Tevin Saddler. He follows former Belmont coach Casey Alexander, who spent seven seasons at Belmont, leading the Bruins to three Missouri Valley Conference regular-season titles, before taking the position at Kansas State on March 13. Mar. 17 Louisville star Mikel Brown Jr. out the first weekend of the tournament The Cardinals' star freshman will miss the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament due to an ongoing back injury, the school announced. "I just don’t feel 100%," Brown said in the locker room, according to The Associated Press. "I don’t feel like I can play to our standard." Brown hasn't played since Feb. 28. Through 21 games this season, Brown is averaging 18.2 points, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 41.0/34.4/84.4. Louisville is a No. 6 seed in the East Region of the tournament and faces No. 11 seed South Florida in the first round on Thursday. Mar. 16 Alabama's Aden Holloway arrested on felony drug charge The second-leading scorer for the Crimson Tide was arrested on Monday morning, days before the NCAA tournament. He was booked after agents with the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force searched a home near the Alabama campus. It was there they found and "recovered more than a pound of marijuana, paraphernalia and cash" that belonged to Holloway, according to police spokesperson Stephanie Taylor's email to The Associated Press. Following the arrest, Holloway was reportedly "removed from campus" and will not be with the team as the UA Office of Student Conduct investigates his case, the school announced Monday. Holloway has had his best season, averaging 16.8 points, shooting a prolific 43.8% from beyond the arc. This could hurt Alabama in their NCAA tournament matchup on March 20 at 12:15 PM ET against Hofstra. Matta retiring from coaching Longtime college basketball coach Thad Matta announced Monday he is retiring after a career that included 13 NCAA Tournaments and a national title game appearance with Ohio State. Matta spent the past four seasons at Butler, his second stint at the helm of his alma mater. The Bulldogs suffered a season-ending 91-81 loss to Providence in the Big East Tournament. Matta, 58, will remain on staff as a special counselor to President Jim Danko and athletic director Grant Leiendecker. Butler officials said they have begun searching for his successor. "The love my wife, my daughters and I have for Butler is what brought us back four years ago, and it feels especially meaningful that I conclude my coaching career here," he said in a statement. "Butler has always meant more to us than just basketball — and that connection is why I’m grateful to continue working with the university and offering my help in any way I can. I want this program to compete at the highest levels of the Big East and national landscape, and I am excited to be part of what we continue to build here." Matta finishes his head coaching career with a 502-223 record, winning eight conference regular-season titles at three different stops — Butler, Xavier and Ohio State. He led the Buckeyes to two Final Fours, losing to Florida in the 2007 title game. He is Ohio State’s winningest coach, compiling 337 wins over 13 seasons. Mar. 13 Billikens extend coach Josh Schertz Second-year Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz has agreed in principle to a long-term contract extension, athletic director Chris May announced Friday before the Billikens' game in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament. The Billikens (27-4) tied with Virginia Commonwealth for the A-10 regular-season championship and were the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. May locked up Schertz as the coach's name was bandied for a number of jobs in power conferences. Saint Louis entered Friday one win away from tying its season record, and in January the Billikens made their first appearance in The Associated Press Top 25 since 2020-21. They were ranked as high as No. 18 and appeared in seven straight polls before dropping out Monday. Saint Louis hired Schertz away from Indiana State in 2024 after he led the Sycamores to their first Missouri Valley regular-season championship since 2000. The Billikens were 19-15 with an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament last season. Pitt keeping embattled Capel Athletic director Allen Greene announced Friday that Jeff Capel will be back for a ninth season with Pitt despite a disappointing 13-20 mark this year, that ended with a 98-88 loss to North Carolina State in the second round of the ACC tournament. "I believe our best path forward is leadership continuity paired with clear expectations and a willingness to evolve," Greene said in a statement. Capel, who has four years left on the contract extension he signed in 2024, is 127-127 at Pitt. The Panthers have made the NCAA tournament just once during Capel’s tenure, when the 2022-23 team won 24 games and advanced to the second round. Pitt narrowly missed the tournament in 2024 and saw a 12-2 start to the 2024-25 season turn into a sluggish 17-15 finish. Things weren't any better this winter, leading to a dwindling of fan support and speculation about Capel's job security. Greene put that speculation to rest, for now anyway. He pointed to the way the Panthers played down the stretch while winning four of their final seven games as proof that all is not lost. "They fought until the end and represented this university with toughness," Greene said. "Effort alone is not enough. We must be better going forward. I know it. Jeff knows it." Mar. 12 Syracuse introduces Bryan Blair as new AD Syracuse University hired Bryan Blair as its athletic director on Thursday, at a time the ACC school is searching to regain relevance and with its once-proud men’s basketball program in transition. The 40-year-old Blair takes over after spending the past four years holding the same job at Toledo, where in 2022 he was nation’s youngest AD. And Syracuse is counting on Blair’s youth and familiarity with the NCAA’s changing revenue landscape to guide Orange athletics into the future. "Bryan Blair is the athletics leader for this moment and for the future of Syracuse University," Syracuse chancellor-elect Michael Haynie said in a release. "He is a fierce competitor who knows how to build winning programs, a visionary who approaches the business of college athletics with genuine creativity and ingenuity." He will be replacing John Wildhack, who had previously announced his retirement in July following a 10-year tenure. One of Wildhack’s final decisions was firing men’s basketball coach Adrian Autry on Wednesday. Autry was fired after three largely unsuccessful seasons in which he struggled in replacing Jim Boeheim. Anderson slips, injured on Big 12 tournament glass floor Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson strained a muscle while slipping on the new glass floor at the Big 12 Tournament, leaving the all-conference player to watch from the bench as No. 7 Iowa State beat the No. 16 Red Raiders 75-53 on Thursday. Anderson was hurt on an inbounds pass when his foot slipped near his own free throw line with about 8 and a half minutes remaining in the game. He immediately grabbed at his groin area while Iowa State proceeded to score a basket and play was stopped. Anderson limped over to the end of the Texas Tech bench, was examined by a trainer and spent the rest of the game there. "I'm feeling good," Anderson said afterward. "Obviously the floor is a bit slippery, so I think I just kind of misstepped or did a movement that caused me to slip and kind of ended up in a little unnatural position. That's what it was." The innovative glass surface has drawn mixed reviews during the Big 12 women’s tournament last week and the first two days of the men’s tournament this week. It has been praised by coaches and players alike for its glitzy ability to display graphics and hype up the fans, but numerous players in both of the events have complained about its relatively slick nature. Mar. 11 Arizona State parts with Bobby Hurley The Sun Devils will be pivoting in another direction as Bobby Hurley's coaching tenure at ASU has finished after 11 seasons, according to Chris Karpman. He will be sent on paid administrative leave for the rest of his contract in June. Previously an NBA player, Hurley took his talents to the whiteboard in 2010, assisting his brother at Wagner College, 12 years after his time in the league. He then transitioned to a head coaching position at the University of Buffalo in 2013, before taking his most recent gig with the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2015. With the Sun Devils, Hurley went 185-167 overall and held a conference game record of 90-115. Syracuse fires Adrian Autry The Orange are turning the page at head coach, as they've fired Autry after three seasons at the helm, according to CBS Sports. Syracuse lost to SMU in the first round of the ACC Tournament on Tuesday night, 86-69. This season, they went 15-17 overall and 6-12 in ACC play, good for 14th in the conference. Over Autry's three seasons at Syracuse, the Orange went a combined 49-48. Autry, who played four seasons at Syracuse (1990-91 season to 1993-94 season) and was a two-time All-Big East honoree, was an assistant coach at Syracuse under Jim Boeheim for 13 seasons before succeeding his former head coach in 2023. Mar. 10 Injuries rock Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer revealed that junior guard Caleb Foster suffered a fracture in his right foot and is out for the foreseeable future following recent surgery for the matter, per ESPN. Scheyer also announced that sophomore center Patrick Ngongba II will miss this week's ACC Tournament due to foot soreness. This season, Foster is averaging 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, while shooting 44.2/40.2/58.5. Meanwhile, Ngongba is averaging 10.7 points, six rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting 60.2% from the field. Duke (29-2, 17-1) is the No. 1 seed in the ACC. Mar. 6 North Carolina star Caleb Wilson's season is over UNC's star freshman forward broke his right thumb in a non-contact drill at practice on Thursday and will need surgery. As a result, Wilson's season is officially over. Wilson previously sustained a fractured left hand during the team's loss to Miami (Fla.) on Feb. 10. Through 24 games this season, Wilson averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting 57.8% from the field. Mar. 3 Tennessee Tech fires coach John Pelphrey Pelphrey is out after his seventh consecutive losing season ended with the Golden Eagles failing to qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. Pelphrey, 55, posted a 79-138 record that included a 13-18 mark this season. Tennessee Tech was the third head coaching stop for Pelphrey, who owns an overall record of 228-264 in 16 seasons. He posted an 80-67 record at South Alabama (2002-07) and went 69-59 at Arkansas (2007-11) before his seven-year run at Tennessee Tech. Pelphrey reached the NCAA Tournament with South Alabama in '06 and with Arkansas in '08. Michigan considers options at point guard Michigan lost the best backup point guard in college basketball, according to coach Dusty May, when L.J. Cason tore a knee ligament as the team clinched an outright Big Ten title with a win at then-No. 10 Illinois. The Wolverines will certainly miss the smooth-shooting sophomore, who averaged 8.4 points and more than one 3-pointer per game, but May said the injury will give guards an opportunity to play larger roles. Starting point guard Elliot Cadeau plays about 25 minutes a game, a number that may increase if he can avoid foul trouble. Freshman Trey McKenney, sixth-year player Nimari Burnett and senior Roddy Gayle each average about 20 minutes a game — and all of them will have a chance to be on the court more without Cason. Rutgers fires women's basketball coach Coquese Washington is out after Rutgers ended the season with 11 consecutive losses and failed to win 10 games for the second time in three years. Rutgers was 9-20 this season; its 1-17 Big Ten record was the worst in program history in conference play. Washington succeeded Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Stringer, who retired in 2022. A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately, Keli Zinn, Rutgers' athletic director, said. Mar. 1 USC, Chad Baker-Mazara part ways The USC men's basketball team announced that guard Baker-Mazara is no longer a member of the program on Sunday. He sustained an injury during the Trojans' loss to Nebraska. It was USC's fifth consecutive loss as it continues to fall off the NCAA Tournament bubble. Baker-Mazara dealt with multiple injuries this season. He sustained a knee injury in a Feb. 3 game against Indiana, which kept him out three games. He returned for USC's games against Oregon and UCLA before getting re-injured against Nebraska and parting ways with the team. That said, there's no specific reason — injury or otherwise — that's been released as the cause of his departure. Baker-Mazara was a fifth-year senior, so this could mean the end of his college basketball career. His journey included multiple different spots — Duquense, San Diego State, Auburn and one season at the junior college level. Feb. 27 Tarleton State coach Billy Gillispie won't return Gillispie, who has been away from the bench for more than a month because of medical issues, won’t return next season, the school announced Friday. Glenn Cyprien was named acting head coach on Jan. 30, about two weeks after Gillispie stepped away. The 66-year-old Gillispie said earlier this month that he was dealing with heart and blood-pressure issues that have plagued him for years. The former Kentucky coach had a kidney transplant in 2018. Feb. 18 Texas Tech star JT Toppin has torn ACL Toppin was doing his usual work in the paint Tuesday night, pouring in buckets and grabbing rebounds against Arizona State in a tough road environment. Then, late in the second half, the junior forward drove to the basket before going down in a heap, holding his right leg. Toppin stayed down for a few minutes before needing assistance to gingerly limp off the court. The school announced on Feb. 18 that Toppin suffered a torn ACL, ending his season. Toppin finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four blocks, and the Red Raiders were obviously shaken when he left the floor. He sat on the bench for a brief period before going back to the locker room. Texas Tech was trailing 61-56 at the time of the injury and fell behind 67-56 over the next few minutes. The Red Raiders regrouped and pulled to 70-67 in the final seconds, but Christian Anderson turned the ball over, costing them a chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer. San Diego fires Steve Lavin Lavin is out as the Toreros' head coach after three-plus seasons. In four combined seasons, San Diego went 46-79 under Lavin, including 11-17 this season. He had previous head-coaching stints at UCLA and St. John's. Feb. 16 Gonzaga forward Braden Huff injury update Huff will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular-season because of a left knee injury sustained in practice on Jan. 14. He was given an original timeline of 4-to-8 weeks, which meant there was a chance he'd return before the end of the regular season. However, on Feb. 16, Bulldogs coach Mark Few said that his return will likely be at least eight weeks, meaning he won't return until after the West Coast Conference Tournament concludes. Feb. 15 Kansas State fires coach Jerome Tang K-State fired Tang on Sunday "for cause," per the athletic department, citing Tang's "public comments and conduct, in addition to the program’s overall direction." Moreso, athletic director Gene Taylor filed this statement as a reason to fire Tang for cause: "There’s language in his contract that addresses certain things that can potentially bring embarrassment," Taylor said. "Basically, his comments about the student-athletes and the negative reaction to those comments from a lot of sources, both nationally and locally, is where I thought we needed to make the decision." After K-State's 91-62 loss to Cincinnati on Feb. 11, Tang said his players "do not deserve to wear this uniform." "There will be very few of them in it next year," Tang added. "I’m embarrassed for the university, and I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. It is just ridiculous. We’ve got practice at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning, and we will get this thing right. I have no answer and no words. … Right now, I’m like pissed." Tang defended those comments in a statement. "I am deeply disappointed with the university’s decision and strongly disagree with the characterization of my termination," he wrote. "I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach." Tang coached at K-State for the better part of four seasons. He led the Wildcats to the Elite Eight in 2023, his first season. Following that year, Kansas State rewarded him with a seven-year contract extension, starting with a $3.6 million base salary, including a $100,000 increase each year, and an $18.7 million buyout. The Wildcats were 10-15 overall at the time of Tang's for-cause firing. Feb. 14 BYU forward Richie Saunders sustains season-ending injury Saunders sustained a torn ACL during the Cougars' win against Colorado on Valentine's Day. The injury effectively ends the senior's college basketball career. He has played all four seasons at BYU and leads the team with 64 made 3-point shots this season. The Cougars had dropped four of their past five games previous to a 90-86 overtime victory against Colorado. They had also lost senior guard Dawson Baker to a season-ending ACL injury earlier this season. Saunders' injury is another obstacle contributing to BYU's dwindling national championship chances. The Associated Press contributed to this report.]]>
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					<![CDATA[The Blueprint: How Elliot Cadeau Became The Centerpiece Of Michigan's Offseason]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/how-elliot-cadeau-became-centerpiece-michigans-offseason-reload</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/how-elliot-cadeau-became-centerpiece-michigans-offseason-reload</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[FOX Sports' Michael Cohen details how Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau emerged as the centerpiece of the Wolverines’ portal-driven offseason.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 17:13:11 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[For Michigan head coach Dusty May and his coaching staff — which had already lost one key figure during the early stages of this year’s carousel — the irony of presiding over the finest campaign in school history was preparing for an offseason that might be among the program’s worst. Figuratively speaking, of course. There’s nothing desultory about the afterglow of winning a national championship. May knew he was losing assistant Justin Joyner to the head-coaching job at Oregon State, a move that was finalized nearly a month before Michigan cut down the nets in Indianapolis. He knew it was becoming increasingly likely that Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara would all turn pro following revelatory seasons out of the transfer portal. It’s now widely expected that the Wolverines will produce three first-round picks in a single year for just the second time in school history. "We tried to anticipate the worst-case scenario," Michigan assistant coach Drew Williamson told me earlier this month, "which would be all those guys leaving. And so we kind of put a game plan together for trying to find the best fits that were similar to how we wanted to play. And the guys that we knew were returning, using their strengths to put guys around them [from the portal]." That approach quickly rendered point guard Elliot Cadeau the central figure to Michigan’s rebuilding efforts — even as Cadeau joined some of his teammates in declaring for the NBA Draft, launching into the pre-draft process while maintaining his collegiate eligibility. The understanding among the Wolverines’ coaches was that Cadeau, who had just completed his junior season, was more interested in gathering feedback from scouts and executives than actually turning pro. Sure enough, Cadeau withdrew his name from the draft’s list of early entrants over the weekend, reaffirming his commitment to Michigan. That was precisely the outcome May and his staff envisioned when they observed just how integral Cadeau was to landing the program's latest batch of frontcourt reinforcements: former Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam, former Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella and former LSU forward Jalen Reed. As eager as Cadeau was to work with Michigan’s coaches in identifying portal targets — constantly peppering them with names he’d seen and heard — the Wolverines soon discovered that just as many high-level transfers were eager to be his teammate. "A pass-first point guard," May told me earlier this month, "that’s the biggest sell in today’s climate. To not have a high-volume scoring point guard helps the chemistry. When we took this job, we said, ‘We’re gonna get a good big [man] and a pass-first point guard.’ And we were going to try to make sure we have that every year. Everything else, in between, we felt like we could figure out a way to be successful." That Michigan’s coaching staff coaxed such refinement from Cadeau emphatically squashed any external concerns surrounding both his ceiling as an elite guard and his long-range consistency following two uneven seasons at North Carolina. He completed his first season with the Wolverines averaging a career-high 10.5 points per game while also ranking 11th nationally in assists (5.9 per game) among players from the power conferences. When the stakes were highest — as the Wolverines steamrolled one opponent after another during the NCAA Tournament — Cadeau’s assist rate of 35.3% ranked fourth among guards who reached the second weekend or beyond, culminating in his selection as the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four. Isolating and extracting the things Cadeau and his NBA-bound teammates had excelled at soon became the coaching staff’s primary goal once the transfer portal officially opened in early April. May understood that the chances of signing three more future first-round picks were exceedingly slim, especially once the prices for post players began to soar on the open market, but the Wolverines had two seasons’ worth of data that emphasized the benefits of high-level, fear-inducing positional size. Replicating that formula seemed like an obvious choice, with Cadeau and fellow returning guard Trey McKenney offering plenty of backcourt continuity from the title-winning group. [THE BLUEPRINT: Michigan Built A Formula Teams Are Racing To Copy] "Our phones are ringing more than they were before," assistant coach Mike Boynton told me earlier this month, "with guys reaching out saying, ‘Hey, we’re watching what you guys have been able to do with this particular type of player and we have a guy who we think has a similar game, similar skill set, and we’d like to talk to see if there’s mutual interest.’" So which of those skills did the coaches believe would mesh most seamlessly with Cadeau moving forward? May told me his early studies of the Big Ten underscored the importance of having quality screeners, a category into which he grouped ex-Wolverine center Tarris Reed Jr. and Purdue standout Trey Kaufman-Renn. That realization led Michigan toward Estrella, who averaged 10 points and 5.4 rebounds per game at Tennessee, another program known for its physicality and toughness under head coach Rick Barnes. When the Wolverines studied Estrella’s high school tape, they saw shooting mechanics solid enough to believe he could eventually expand his repertoire to include pick-and-pop opportunities with Cadeau next season. Then there were the alley-oops, a trademark of Michigan’s offense whenever Mara was on the floor. Williamson told me the staff identified a handful of transfer centers with the requisite size and mobility to "fit that mold a little bit," even if nobody could quite match Mara’s monstrous 7-foot-3, 255-pound frame — though the Wolverines certainly came close to finding a plug-and-play replacement in Thiam. A former top-60 recruit in the 2024 cycle, Thiam now stands 7-foot-2 and weighs 255 pounds after adding a considerable amount of muscle during stints at UCF and Cincinnati. He averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game for the Bearcats last season before head coach Wes Miller got fired. He preempted those numbers with an eye-catching 15-point effort against Michigan in an exhibition game at Crisler Center on Oct. 17. The chance for Thiam to be on the receiving end of passes from Cadeau was exactly what he’d hoped to find after back-to-back seasons in which his team’s point guards averaged 4.3 assists or fewer per game. "He saw enough, and I think we were able to give him enough evidence that Elliot could be maybe the best facilitator in the country," Boynton told me. "And we [explained to him how] that will make the game easier on you. You will have more baskets where you literally just have to catch it close enough to the basket to lay it in, instead of having to fight against a post defender, making a move and trying to create things yourself through double teams. You’re going to get, probably, two to three lobs per game. You’re going to be able to play in space a little bit more. You’re going to be able to get some throw-aheads because that’s the way that Elliot sees the game. "I think that was probably the thing that put us over the top versus some of the other schools that he was considering, is that he watched how we all believe Elliot helped Morez [Johnson] and Aday [Mara] make the game easier and put themselves in the position that they’re in now." For all of those portal additions to unfold while Cadeau was still technically entered in the NBA Draft speaks to the trust that runs from May to his point guard and back again, an understanding that neither side would burn the other. Michigan’s coaches even went as far as consulting with Cadeau on potential targets, drawing on film the guard himself had studied or opponents he had faced earlier in his career. Eventually, Cadeau began sending names directly to assistant coach Akeem Miskdeen, according to Williamson, because he "wanted to have a little skin in the game." That dynamic made Cadeau the most important figure in Michigan’s offseason and its bid for a second consecutive national championship. Some of his teammates might be departing, but Cadeau was always intent on running it back. "His clips and his highlights were involved in a lot of our recruiting pitches this offseason," Williamson told me. "I think that was an easy sell."]]>
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					<![CDATA[From the NBA to LSU? Luis Jr.’s Return To College Raises Eligibility Questions]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/rj-luis-committed-lsu-tigers-college-basketball-eligibility</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/rj-luis-committed-lsu-tigers-college-basketball-eligibility</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Former 2025 Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr. has committed to LSU after time in the NBA and G League, but major eligibility questions remain.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 15:34:20 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[As college basketball continues navigating the rapidly evolving NIL and transfer portal era, another major eligibility situation has emerged. Former St. John’s standout and 2025 Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr. has reportedly committed to LSU after spending time in the NBA and G League ranks with the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics. Following his breakout 2024-25 campaign with the Red Storm in which he averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, Luis entered both the transfer portal and the NBA Draft. Despite drawing significant NIL interest to remain in college basketball at the time, the 6-foot-7 wing elected to keep his name in the draft beyond the NCAA withdrawal deadline. Luis went undrafted before signing a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz. He later was traded to the Boston Celtics organization and eventually signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s NBA G League affiliate. However, injuries prevented Luis from appearing in a game during his time with Maine before he was ultimately waived. Luis has now landed at LSU, where he would join a Tigers program entering its first season back under head coach Will Wade. Wade previously coached the program from 2017-22 before returning to Baton Rouge in March. On top of the addition of Luis, Wade and LSU have aggressively targeted players with unique professional and eligibility backgrounds this offseason. That reportedly includes Israeli guard Yam Madar, a former second-round pick of the Boston Celtics in the 2020 NBA Draft. While Madar never officially signed an NBA contract or suited up for the Celtics, he played in three 2021 NBA Summer League games. So how is this allowed and what comes next? That is where the situation becomes significantly more complicated. The NCAA has previously ruled that players who sign NBA contracts, including two-way contracts, are ineligible to return to college basketball. NCAA president Charlie Baker reiterated that stance publicly last year amid another high-profile eligibility case involving former Alabama center Charles Bediako back in December. Like Luis, Bediako declared for the NBA Draft, went undrafted and later signed a two-way NBA contract with the San Antonio Spurs before attempting to return to the college ranks. Bediako challenged the NCAA’s ruling in court and briefly played in five games for Alabama after receiving a temporary restraining order, though a judge later denied his request for a preliminary injunction and ended his eligibility case. Luis, and potentially Madar, will likely have to follow a similar path to Bediako in order to gain eligibility. This case will likely depend on how the legal process and NCAA eligibility proceedings ultimately play out.]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 NBA Draft No. 1 Pick Odds: Dybantsa Favored to Land With Wizards]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/2026-nba-draft-no-1-pick-odds</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/2026-nba-draft-no-1-pick-odds</guid>
				<category>nba</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Check out the odds for who is going first in the 2026 NBA Draft, now that we know the draft order.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 16:53:20 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[We know which franchise has the No. 1 pick. Let's check out the odds for whom the Washington Wizards will take with the first selection at FanDuel Sportsbook as of May 18. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. NBA Draft No. 1 pick odds AJ Dybantsa: -280 (bet $10 to win $13.57 total)Darryn Peterson: +230 (bet $10 to win $33 total)Cameron Boozer: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)Caleb Wilson: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)Darius Acuff Jr.: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total) It's long been known that the first pick would likely be Dybantsa, Peterson or Boozer. The three freshman were outstanding last season. Dybantsa and Boozer were both consensus first-team All-Americans, and Boozer was the National Player of the Year. He averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds for Duke. As for Dybantsa, he was also the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and NCAA scoring champion, after putting up 25.5 points per game for BYU, alongside 6.8 rebounds. Peterson, who battled injury for the majority of the season, was second-team All-Big 12 after averaging 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds for Kansas. Now that we know the 2026 NBA Draft order, fans and analysts can begin to take a deeper look at team needs, beginning with the Wizards. Washington landed the first pick after finishing with the worst record in the NBA last season (17-65). At No. 2 is Utah, which had the fourth-worst record (22-60), and third is Memphis, which had the sixth-worst record (25-57). Chicago will pick fourth, and the Clippers will pick fifth.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Michigan Men's Basketball Announces 2026-27 Big Ten Opponents]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/michigan-mens-basketball-announces-2026-27-big-ten-opponents</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/michigan-mens-basketball-announces-2026-27-big-ten-opponents</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Michigan men's basketball has revealed its 2026-27 Big Ten opponents. Here's what you need to know about the Wolverines' conference slate.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 20:26:08 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Just over a month after Maize and Blue confetti filled Lucas Oil Stadium following their national championship win, Dusty May and the Michigan Wolverines have turned their attention to next season, announcing their Big Ten opponents for the 2026-27 campaign. Michigan will play 20 conference games in 2026, with home-and-home matchups against Minnesota, Ohio State and Michigan State. The Wolverines’ home slate features a group of Big Ten contenders, including Illinois, Purdue and Maryland. On the road, Michigan is set to face Wisconsin, UCLA and Indiana. Below are Michigan's Big Ten opponents for the 2026-27 season: Home Opponents: 2025-26 Record: 28-9 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Stefan Vaaks Key Returners: Andrej Stojaković (testing NBA Draft waters), Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis 2025-26 Record: 24-13 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Ty’Reek Coleman, Andrew McKeever Key Returners: Kael Combs, Cam Manyawu and Cooper Koch 2025-26 Record: 12-21 Key Transfer Portal Additions: DJ Wagner, Tomislav Buljan Key Returners: Andre Mills, Pharrell Payne 2025-26 Record: 27-8 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Anton Bonke Key Returners: Jeremey Fears Jr. (testing NBA Draft waters), Coen Carr, Jordan Scott 2025-26 Record: 15-18 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Malachi Palmer, Kyan Evans Key Returners: Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Isaac Asuma 2025-26 Record: 15-19 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Jack Karasinski, LA Pratt Key Returners: Angelo Ciaravino, Jake West 2025-26 Record: 21-13 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Andrija Jelavic, Justin Pippen Key Returners: John Mobley Jr., Amare Bynum 2025-26 Record: 12-20 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Dwayne Aristode, Tyrone Riley Key Returners: Sean Stewart 2025-26 Record: 30-9 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Caden Pierce Key Returners: C.J. Cox, Daniel Jacobsen 2025-26 Record: 16-17 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Ryan Beasley, LeJuan Watts Key Returners: Wesley Yates III, Lathan Sommerville Away Opponents: 2025-26 Record: 18-14 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Markus Burton, Aiden Sherrell Key Returners: Trent Sisley 2025-26 Record: 27-8 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Anton Bonke Key Returners: Jeremey Fears Jr. (testing NBA Draft waters), Coen Carr, Jordan Scott 2025-26 Record: 15-18 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Malachi Palmer, Kyran Evans Key Returners: Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Isaac Asuma 2025-26 Record: 28-7 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Damon Wilkinson, Sam Orme Key Returners: Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager 2025-26 Record: 21-13 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Andrija Jelavic, Justin Pippen Key Returners: John Mobley Jr., Amare Bynum 2025-26 Record: 12-20 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Brant Byers, Thomas Allard Key Returners: Ivan Juric 2025-26 Record: 14-20 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Christian Gurdak, Dorin Buca Key Returners: Tariq Francis, Darren Buchanan Jr. 2025-26 Record: 24-12 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Jaylen Petty, Filip Jovic Key Returners: Trent Perry, Eric Dailey Jr. 2025-26 Record: 18-14 Key Transfer Portal Additions: KJ Lewis, Eric Reibe Key Returners: Jacob Cofie (testing NBA Draft waters), Alijah Arenas, Rodney Rice 2025-26 Record: 24-11 Key Transfer Portal Additions: Eian Elmer, Trey Autry Key Returners: Nolan Winter, Austin Rapp]]>
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					<![CDATA[Big Bets Report: Fan Waves White Flag on Lakers, Pockets $13k]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/big-bets-report-lakers-thunder-knicks-nhl-wnba</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/big-bets-report-lakers-thunder-knicks-nhl-wnba</guid>
				<category>nba</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Patrick Everson breaks down how one bettor cashed in their chips on a potential $500k payout. That and more in this week's big bets.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 19:25:51 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[When making futures bets, it pays to have patience. An outcome could be weeks or months away. But it can also pay to know when to say when. A FanDuel Sportsbook customer believes that point has arrived for the Lakers and got a five-figure payday for bailing out early. More on that wager and other notable futures bets on NBA and NHL playoffs, along with some WNBA action, as that league’s 2026 season tips off. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Take a Free Ride This story begins on April 4, when Illinois met UConn and Michigan faced Arizona in the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four. The FanDuel bettor, who goes by @Indiana_Cers on X, put together a three-leg parlay, starting with those NCAA Tourney tilts: UConn moneyline +136 vs. Illinois, Michigan moneyline -111 vs. Arizona. But those two outcomes would’ve gotten only a nominal payout. So, to make it far juicier, the bettor added Lakers +50000 to win the NBA title. That’s 500/1, in easier-to-digest terms. Better still, the customer utilized a $250 bonus bet for the transaction. Granted, those types of promotional bets are earned over time — and surely some losing wagers — but still, this parlay was basically a free ride. At huge odds of +224654 — just shy of 2247/1 — the potential payout was a massive $561,635. UConn beat Illinois 71-62, and Michigan pounded Arizona 91-73. Then began the wait to see what the Lakers would do. Los Angeles was shorthanded in the first round, with no Luka Dončić and mostly no Austin Reaves. But LeBron James &amp; Co. had enough to beat Houston 4-2 in a best-of-7 series. However, that led to a second-round date with the defending NBA champion Thunder, who went a league-best 64-20 in the regular season and swept the Suns 4-0 in the first round. In Game 1 on Tuesday, the Lakers tumbled 108-90. That was L.A.’s fifth game this season vs. Oklahoma City, and the Lakers lost all five by an average margin of 27 points. So it was decision time — take a chance on the Lakers somehow making this series interesting or accept FanDuel’s cashout offer of $12,599.26. Said the bettor on X: "The white flag was waived." So a bonus bet that took nothing out the customer’s pocket became a nice five-figure boost to the bank account, which looked like an even smarter move after the Lakers dropped Game 2 125-107 on Thursday. Knicks of Time Entering the NBA playoffs, the Celtics had the best NBA championship odds of any Eastern Conference team, in the +500 to +600 range. But Boston bowed out early, blowing a 3-1 lead vs. the 76ers in losing the best-of-7 series 4-3. So that leaves the Knicks (+750) with the best title odds of the four remaining teams from the East. That has a DraftKings Sportsbook customer in a potentially pretty good position. The bettor put a relatively modest $67 on a seven-leg parlay that combined a bundle of sports: three MLB games, a hockey game, a soccer match, and of all things, a snooker match on the pool table. The first six legs are in, including Shaun Murphy over John Higgins in what was apparently a dramatic snooker battle. So now it’s down to the Knicks, who already have a 2-0 second-round lead over the 76ers. Granted, there’s a long way to go and should New York reach the NBA Finals, there’s the probable issue of either the Thunder or Spurs waiting on the other side. But if somehow the Knicks run the table, with that ticket’s odds of +82937 (just beyond 829/1), that 67 bucks turns into $55,634.79. Even right now, the bettor could cash out for a few thousand dollars. That cashout amount will surely grow if the Knicks do as oddsmakers expect and reach the Finals. We’ll keep you posted. Hockey Hopes The Canadiens were +195 underdogs to beat the Lightning in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. But by stealing Game 1 on the road 4-3, Montreal certainly upped its chances to advance. The two teams traded victories over the first six games, setting up Game 7 in Tampa on Sunday. And the Canadiens claimed a second road win, 2-1, to close out the series. That’s got a high-rolling BetMGM customer in a better-than-expected position. Before the first round, the bettor put $25,000 on Canadiens +1100 to win the Eastern Conference. At the moment, Montreal trails Buffalo 1-0 in a best-of-7 second-round series. That bet certainly has life, though. If the Canadiens manage to reach the Stanley Cup Final, then the bettor bags $275,000 profit (total payout $300,000). WNBA Plays The WNBA kicks off its 2026 campaign Friday, drawing some bettors to championship futures and player awards futures. At DraftKings, the New York Liberty are +220 favorites to win the title, followed by the defending champion Las Vegas Aces at +390. The Aces have won three of the last four WNBA crowns. Behind Caitlin Clark, Indiana is the +450 third choice in WNBA futures odds. But one DraftKings customer looked further down the board a few weeks ago, to a potentially up-and-coming squad. On April 4, the bettor put $1,200 on the Dallas Wings +8000 (80/1). Leading the way for Dallas is Paige Bueckers, the 2025 Rookie of the Year. And the Wings took Azzi Fudd, another UConn standout, with the No. 1 overall pick in the recent WNBA Draft. So since that bet was made, the Wings have cut their odds by more than half, now sitting at +3000, the co-seventh choice to win it all. If Dallas indeed lifts the trophy, then the bettor profits $96,000 (total payout $97,200). Related, a DraftKings customer put $1,000 on Bueckers +2000 to win the MVP award. That bet could profit $20,000.]]>
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					<![CDATA[March Madness: NCAA Tournament, Men's and Women's, Will Expand to 76 Teams]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/march-madness-ncaa-tournament-expansion-mens-womens-76-teams</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/march-madness-ncaa-tournament-expansion-mens-womens-76-teams</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[The NCAA will expand both its men's and women's March Madness tournaments to 76 teams for next season.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 15:46:10 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The NCAA announced Thursday that it will expand its two March Madness tournaments by eight teams each next season, a move that will drop more early-round games into the first week of the highly popular and lucrative showcase without substantially changing its overall form. The new 76-team brackets will jam eight extra games — for a total of 12 games involving 24 teams — into the front half of the first week of the men's and the women's tournaments, turning what’s now known as the First Four into a bigger affair. It is the first expansion of the tournaments in 15 years, when they were bumped to 68 teams each. The 12 winners will move into the main 64-team bracket that will begin, as usual, on Thursday for the men and Friday for the women. Most of the eight new slots are expected to go to teams in the power conferences that were already commanding the lion's share of entries in thebracket. Two years ago, the SEC placed a record 14 teams in the men’s bracket. Last season, the Big Ten had nine. The move is a product of the times, which include massive expansion — the ACC, for instance, has grown from nine to 17 teams since 1996 — and the reality that mid-major schools with top-notch players will often see those players plucked away by programs with bigger budgets and the ability to pay them through revenue sharing. Cinderella? There will still be room for those, though not a single mid-major advanced past the first weekend of either tournament the last two seasons. This hardly registers as a concern of the decision-makers anymore, who will point to the TV ratings that traditionally spell out fans’ preference for Duke and North Carolina over St. Peter’s and San Diego State, especially once the Sweet 16 starts. What matters more to the biggest schools is that their teams have a chance to compete in what remains the best postseason in college sports and that they aren't iced out by lower conference champions who earn automatic bids. "You’ve got some really, really good teams who are going to end up in that 9, 10, 11 [seed] category that I think should be moved into the" 64-team bracket, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said last year in discussing how he favored expansion. There is also money at stake: Conferences earn "units" — which amounted to about $350,000 per unit for the men’s tournament last season — for placing teams in the bracket and then for every round those teams advance. The Big Ten made nearly $70 million from both tournaments, won by conference members Michigan (men) and UCLA (women). Leaders in the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC have all acknowledged that the smaller teams help make March Madness what it is, all the while steadily expanding their own power in NCAA decision-making. That brings with it the tacit threat of fracturing the single thing the NCAA does best — the basketball tournament. This move might forestall that. What it isn't expected to do is generate much more revenue. The current deal for the men's tournament is worth $8.8 billion and runs through 2032. Adding a few extra games between mid-level Power Four teams on Tuesday and Wednesday won't change that much. One reason this took as long as it did was the NCAA negotiations with CBS and TNT, which themselves have been in negotiations over their own ownership. The more drastic option of expanding the tournament to 96 teams or beyond would involve adding an extra week to a tournament that has thrived in part because of the symmetry of a six-round bracket that gets whittled down over three weeks. That basic shell began in 1985, with only slight tweaks, the latest of which came in 2011 when it was upped to 68. Reporting by The Associated Press.]]>
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					<![CDATA[The Blueprint: How Michigan Built a Formula College Basketball is Racing to Copy]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/how-michigan-built-formula-college-basketball-racing-copy</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/how-michigan-built-formula-college-basketball-racing-copy</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Michigan’s national title run is fueling a frontcourt-driven blueprint college basketball is rushing to copy. FOX Sports' Michael Cohen has the story.]]>
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				<pubDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 13:35:19 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[There was a moment during the three-week window between winning the national title on April 6 and the official announcement of his new roster on April 28 when Michigan basketball coach Dusty May toyed with making wholesale changes to a strategy that had worked wonders. Towering positional size and NBA-caliber talent in the frontcourt propelled the Wolverines to the sport’s apex, securing just the second championship in program history. Michigan’s triumph marked the fourth time in as many years that college basketball’s eventual champion tore through the competition by deploying one of the tallest rosters in the country, overwhelming opponents at the rim and in the paint. Coaches everywhere had noticed and were adjusting their roster-building strategies accordingly. But an obvious chasm separating supply from demand for elite big men in this spring’s transfer portal meant replicating that construction was akin to joining a highly competitive auction. "Let’s just put it this way," May told me last week, "this would be a great time to be the financial advisor of a quality post player, or the agent. There have been times this spring, before we were able to finish our class, where we thought that the market was so inflated. We considered kind of leaving and going a little bit smaller again. Maybe even try to sign a bunch of [wings] with a point guard and spread you out, just because we felt the bigs were so overvalued." That was before the Wolverines knew they would land former LSU forward Jalen Reed (6-foot-10, 230 pounds) and former Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam (7-foot-2, 250 pounds) on consecutive days in late April, building on a prior commitment from Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella (6-foot-11, 240 pounds). Just like that, any discussion about potentially abandoning the build that fueled arguably the greatest season Michigan has ever had was quickly scuttled. In its place was the chance to recreate what May believes is an exemplary formula, even if the individual talents might differ next season. "There's certainly an element of that," Michigan assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. told me last week. "It's never completely just swapping out guys and it will be the exact same. But there is a certain skill set that Dusty has a great appreciation for and [he has] a great way of unlocking the potential that's in some guys." So why wouldn’t May want that? By winning 64 games since joining the Wolverines ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, May is now tied with former Kentucky and current Arkansas coach John Calipari for the most victories in college basketball history through a coach’s first two seasons at a program. His two big men from that debut season — Danny Wolf (6-foot-11, 250 pounds) and Vladislav Goldin (7-feet, 255 pounds) — are both playing in the NBA. And now, as this year's draft approaches, all three members of his indomitable frontcourt trio from the national championship-winning squad are projected first-round picks: Yaxel Lendeborg (6-foot-9, 240 pounds); Aday Mara (7-foot-3, 255 pounds); Morez Johnson Jr. (6-foot-9, 250 pounds). If that happens, Michigan will match its program record for most first rounders in a single draft. Former Wolverine greats Rumeal Robinson (No. 10), Loy Vaught (No. 13) and Terry Mills (No. 16) were all first-round selections in 1990, a year after they won the school's only other national championship. "I think we’re going to have [signed] five bigs in two years out of the portal," May told me, "and I anticipate all five will be playing in the NBA next year. That hit rate is pretty high, and I think agents and players are aware." That reputational shift for May, whose stock has never been higher amid legitimate interest from NBA head coaching vacancies, began when he secured a commitment from Wolf via the transfer portal two years ago, elevating the former All-Ivy League performer at Yale into the No. 27 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Though May enjoyed tremendous success as the head coach at Florida Atlantic from 2018-24, guiding the Owls to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the Final Four, none of his players were drafted during that span. This opened the door for agents, opposing coaches and handlers in the recruiting space to discourage certain high-end prospects from joining the Wolverines early in May's tenure at Michigan, according to Boynton. May eventually began to address that perception through on-court innovation, most notably by deploying Wolf as a pseudo-point guard to unlock the ball skills and playmaking ability coveted by NBA front offices, all while pairing him with Goldin in oversized lineups that were initially questioned around the sport. That approach ultimately helped May fill one of the few perceived gaps on his résumé. The effects were noticeable almost immediately, with May telling me that "it felt like any and every big [man] in the portal, they were at least intrigued or interested," as Michigan began assembling what proved to be a championship-level roster last spring. In Lendeborg, the Wolverines knew they were acquiring someone who was, by most accounts, already capable of playing in the NBA. He was the highest-rated player in the transfer portal following two standout campaigns at UAB and projected as a fringe first-round pick before enrolling at Michigan. Fast-forward to the present, and Lendeborg, who became a consensus first-team All-American and was named Big Ten Player of the Year this past season, is now "a lock lottery guy," as Boynton described him. Still, it’s the growth May and his staff elicited from Lendeborg’s lesser-known teammates that continues to open more doors for the Wolverines in recruiting, according to Boynton and fellow assistant Drew Williamson. Transforming Mara from a bit-part player at UCLA, where he averaged 6.4 points and 4 rebounds per game during the 2024-25 campaign, into a double-figure scorer and arguably the most fearsome rim protector in the country represents masterful talent identification and coaching. As does the impressive expansion of Johnson’s repertoire to harness the athletic gifts that shimmered in a smaller role with Illinois but blossomed in full at Michigan, evidenced by 10 double-doubles and a spot on the Big Ten All-Defensive Team. "[They] probably weren’t expecting to be in the position that they’re in now," Boynton told me when asked about Mara and Johnson, both of whom are navigating the pre-draft process. "And again, because of the work that they were willing to do and the commitment that Dusty had to them not only helping our team win, but to their own individual development, [that] gave us a chance to have sort of a blueprint to tell guys like Moustapha Thiam and Jalen Reed and J.P. Estrella that we may be able to do [it] with them." Added Williamson: "I do believe we had a little proof of concept to where we were more appealing, maybe, than some other places." While the Wolverines understand the role their own success has played in radicalizing the finances for post players — whom multiple college basketball staffers said were commanding the highest fees in this year’s transfer portal — they are far from the only team to "screw up the market," as Boynton playfully described it to me. He pointed to the back-to-back championship teams at UConn in 2023 and 2024 as having tremendous positional size, headlined by eventual lottery pick Donovan Clingan (7-foot-2, 280 pounds). The same goes for last year’s winner, Florida, which utilized a frontcourt rotation that featured four players listed at 6-foot-9 or taller, with the Gators finishing sixth nationally in defensive efficiency. Seven teams that reached the Elite Eight this past March were ranked among the top 42 nationally in height, according to KenPom, including every school that advanced to the Final Four. Subsequent activity in the transfer portal, where 19 of the 41 highest-rated players are either power forwards or centers, reflected the sport’s burgeoning obsession with size — both in Ann Arbor and beyond. Those frontcourt players have spread their high-priced commitments to 15 different schools and counting, with two more still uncommitted as they weigh NBA decisions. The only two programs to land multiple players from that group are Indiana and Michigan, which signed Thiam (No. 13 overall, No. 3 C) and Estrella (No. 23 overall, No. 7 PF) to headline May’s portal haul and adhere to the championship-winning blueprint. For the Wolverines, there was no better proof of concept than cutting down the nets in Indianapolis last month. "It wasn't [just] because we were big," May told me. "It was that our bigs were really good and versatile. Just getting bigger is not the answer. It's getting bigs who are as good as the last four national champions."]]>
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					<![CDATA[Top 10 Decisions That Will Shape the 2026–27 College Basketball Season]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/top-10-decisions-will-shape-2026-27-college-basketball-season</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/top-10-decisions-will-shape-2026-27-college-basketball-season</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Here are 10 undecided players whose choices will have the biggest impact on the 2026–27 men’s college basketball season.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 15:24:05 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[It’s decision time for many of college basketball’s biggest stars. The deadline for early entrants to withdraw from the 2026 NBA Draft and retain NCAA eligibility is May 27 at 11:59 p.m. ET, giving those prospects who are "testing the waters" one final window to return to school after going through the pre-draft process. In the weeks leading up to that deadline, events like the NBA Draft Lottery and NBA Combine will help shape some of the biggest choices of the offseason. This year, 71 underclassmen declared for the draft, which is a notable drop from 106 a year ago, and part of a steady decline since 2021. The trend is a direct reflection of the new landscape in college basketball, where NIL opportunities have made returning to school a far more viable option. With that, here are the 10 undecided players whose choices will have the biggest impact on the 2026–27 men’s college basketball season. Status: Okorie intends to stay at Stanford if he doesn't remain in the NBA Draft. Impact: Okorie was one of the best pure scorers in college basketball this past season, leading the ACC with 23.2 points per game as a freshman. If he returns to college, he’ll look to expand his game beyond scoring and help guide his team to an NCAA Tournament appearance. The transfer portal has been relatively quiet for Stanford. The Cardinal have not added any players and lost only one key contributor. If Okorie returns, they would largely be running it back after a 20-13 season that ended in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Crown. Status: Graves entered the transfer portal and declared for the NBA Draft. Impact: Graves is seen as a stronger NBA Draft prospect than his production might suggest during the 2025–26 college season. As a freshman at Santa Clara, he came off the bench and averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, but his shooting (41.3% from three) and size (6-foot-9) are highly covered at the next level. If Graves returns to college, he would likely make the jump to a Power 4 program in search of a starting role and more on-ball responsibility. Status: Thomas would return to Arkansas if he doesn't stay in the NBA Draft. Impact: Thomas is an NBA first-round talent who averaged 15.6 points per game as a freshman, though he was often viewed as secondary to Darius Acuff Jr. in Arkansas’ offense. If he returns, he would likely step into a featured role for the Razorbacks. Arkansas is adding freshmen Abdou Toure and Jordan Smith to the backcourt but lost both D.J. Wagner and Acuff, positioning Thomas as the go-to option with a young supporting cast around him. That trio could make for a smooth transition as the Razorbacks look to build on their 2026 Sweet 16 run. Status: Tanner would return to Vanderbilt if he doesn't remain in the NBA Draft. Impact: Tanner was one of the most improved players in college basketball last season, jumping from 5.7 points and 1.9 assists per game to 19.5 and 5.1, respectively, as a sophomore at Vanderbilt. If he returns for his junior year, he could emerge as one of the top guards in the SEC. Tanner has yet to advance past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, most recently falling to No. 4 seed Nebraska in heartbreaking fashion when his halfcourt buzzer-beater rattled out. His return would give Vanderbilt a strong backcourt, especially with the additions of Missouri transfer T.O. Barrett and Washington State transfer Ace Glass. Status: Blackwell has committed to Duke, but could still remain in the NBA Draft Impact: Blackwell was one of the top scoring guards in the country last season, averaging 19.1 points per game as a junior at Wisconsin. He has since committed to transfer to Duke for his senior year while also testing the NBA Draft waters. If Blackwell returns to college and suits up for the Blue Devils, Duke could boast one of the most loaded backcourts in the nation. Blackwell would likely start alongside Cayden Boozer, with Caleb Foster and freshman Deron Rippey Jr. providing depth off the bench. Another year in college would give Blackwell the opportunity to further develop as an initiator, facilitator and defender, which could help improve his NBA stock. He would also aim to help Duke make a deep NCAA Tournament run after Wisconsin’s first-round exit in 2026. Status: Chinyelu would return to Florida if he doesn't remain in the NBA Draft. Impact: Chinyelu’s return to Florida would significantly boost the Gators’ chances of getting back to the national championship after failing to advance past the first weekend in 2026. Florida already returns forwards Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon, but neither provides the same level of defensive presence that Chinyelu does. For a Florida team that was ranked No. 1 in FOX Sports' Casey Jacobsen's Post-Portal Top 25, Chinyelu's return would only solidify that projection. Status: Johnson would return to Michigan if he doesn't remain in the NBA Draft. Impact: Similar to Mara, Johnson would significantly boost Michigan’s chances of defending its 2026 national title. He was one of the most improved players in college basketball last season, averaging 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore, yet was often just the Wolverines’ third or fourth option. If he returns, and Mara stays in the draft, Johnson could step into a featured role in the frontcourt. A rotation of Johnson, Thiam and Estrella would be as formidable as any in the country. Status: Mara intends to return to Michigan for his senior season if he doesn't remain in the NBA Draft. Impact: Mara’s return to Michigan would put the Wolverines firmly in the national title conversation. He boosted his NBA Draft stock with a standout run, leading Michigan to the 2026 national championship. As the most highly touted prospect in this group, a return to college would be surprising, but if he does come back, Michigan would have an even deeper frontcourt than it did last season. The Wolverines added Moustapha Thiam and J.P. Estrella through the transfer portal and could also welcome back Morez Johnson Jr. The ability to rotate those three alongside Mara would give Michigan a potentially dominant interior presence. Status: Fears intends to return to Michigan State for his redshirt junior season if he doesn't remain in the NBA Draft. Impact: Fears’ decision could make or break Michigan State’s ceiling. This past season, Fears was the Spartans’ only true initiator on offense. He is a reliable perimeter defender and, in many ways, an extension of head coach Tom Izzo on the floor. Fears averaged 15.2 points per game and led the nation with 9.4 assists, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. Those are not easy numbers to replace, and Michigan State has not added any guards through the transfer portal. If Fears remains in the NBA Draft, it would leave a significant hole in the Spartans’ backcourt. Status: Momcilovic entered the transfer portal and declared for the NBA Draft after his junior season at Iowa State. Impact: Momcilovic could raise a team’s ceiling to that of a national title contender if he decides to return, as few players possess his unique skill set. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 16.9 points per game for the Cyclones in 2026 and led the nation in 3-point shooting at 48.8%. With many top programs having already allocated the bulk of their NIL budgets, the pool of teams that can realistically afford Momcilovic might be limited. But if he does decide to return to college, whatever team he lands with will immediately become a legitimate threat entering the 2026–27 season.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Men's College Basketball Rankings: Florida, Illinois Highlight Post-Portal Top 25]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/mens-college-basketball-rankings-florida-illinois-highlight-post-portal-top-25</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/mens-college-basketball-rankings-florida-illinois-highlight-post-portal-top-25</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[With the portal closed and the NBA early-entry deadline in the rearview mirror, FOX Sports' Casey Jacobsen shares his way-too-early men's college basketball rankings.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:38:54 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[More than 2,500 players flooded the men's college basketball transfer portal this offseason, triggering a seismic shakeup across the sport. But amid all the movement, programs like Florida, Duke and Illinois worked to retain key pieces. Now, with the portal closed and the NBA early-entry deadline in the rearview mirror, the picture for next season is finally coming into focus. Who’s poised to rise, and who took a step back? Let’s get into it. Here’s my updated way-too-early men’s college basketball rankings for next season: Previous Ranking: 21 Gone are Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kauffman-Renn, who contributed more than 52% of the team's scoring this past season. C.J. Cox and Omer Mayer will be looked at to take a big step forward, while Princeton transfer Caden Pierce — the 2023-24 Ivy League Player of the Year — is expected to take over one of the starting spots in the frontcourt. Previous Ranking: NR Despite losing the program’s all-time leading scorer, Bruce Thornton, to graduation, Jake Diebler should still field one of the most talented teams in the Big Ten next season. He’s bringing in a strong transfer class, highlighted by former Cal guard Justin Pippen, who is expected to join returner John Mobley Jr. in the starting backcourt. Diebler also landed five-star freshman Anthony Thompson, the highest-rated recruit to arrive in Columbus since Jared Sullinger in 2010. Losing forward Devin Royal will hurt, but rising sophomore Amare Bynum looks ready to take the next step. Previous Ranking: 17 Fresh off the most successful year in program history, Fred Hoiberg will look to build on the success his team had this past season. Pryce Sandfort, who earned All-Big Ten honors this past season, should be one of the top players in the conference next year. Hoiberg is set to bring in multiple new faces via the transfer portal. That group includes Boden Kapke (Boston College), Trevan Leonhardt (Utah Valley) and Sam Orme (Belmont), all of whom could end up in the starting five. Previous Ranking: 20 After entering the transfer portal, point guard Robert Wright III announced that he will be back at BYU for his junior season in 2026-27. He will be joined by five-star freshman standout Bruce Branch III, who is widely regarded as one of the top 2026 prospects in the nation. The Cougars will also get a boost with the addition of transfer guard Collin Chandler, who is set to return home after spending his first two seasons playing at Kentucky. Previous Ranking: NR After leading the Hurricanes to a 26-9 mark and a Round of 32 appearance in the NCAA Tournament in his first season, Jai Lucas will have an even better roster in Year 2. Lucas landed the No. 7-ranked portal class in the nation, highlighted by a pair of standout additions in Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis and former Georgia big man Somto Cyril. They will join forward Shelton Henderson, who was one of the top freshmen in the ACC last season. Previous Ranking: 18 Whether standout guard Tyler Tanner remains in the NBA Draft or not will determine how high the ceiling is for this Vanderbilt team next season. If Tanner does return to Nashville, he should be a preseason All-American and an early front-runner for SEC Player of the Year. He would be joined by an impressive five-man transfer class that includes T.O. Barrett (Missouri), Berke Buyuktuncel (Nebraska), Bangot Dak (Colorado), Ace Glass (Washington State) and Sebastian Williams-Adams (Auburn). Previous Ranking: NR Indiana head coach Darian DeVries completely retooled his roster this offseason, bringing in a six-man transfer portal class that currently ranks third in the nation, according to 247Sports.com. The class is highlighted by a dominant frontcourt duo of Aiden Sherrell (Indiana) and Samet Yigitoglu (SMU). They will be joined by former Notre Dame standout Markus Burton, who should be one of the top newcomers in the Big Ten next season if he can remain healthy. Previous Ranking: 16 Houston coach Kelvin Sampson will have to replace four starters from a team that finished 30-7 last season. That means a bigger role for forward Joseph Tugler, who averaged 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in his junior year. The Cougars do bring in the top-ranked center prospect in the nation in 7-foot-1 big man Arafan Diane. Previous Ranking: 12 Rick Barnes’ team enjoyed a memorable run to the Elite Eight last season, but the Volunteers will be tasked with replacing standout guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and freshman Nate Ament, who is projected to be a first-round pick. Barnes brought in a loaded transfer portal class, highlighted by Terrence Hill Jr. (VCU) and Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame). Previous Ranking: 6 Alabama coach Nate Oats got a contract extension earlier this month. That is perhaps the only certain thing pertaining to this roster next season. Standout guard Aden Holloway, who was arrested on felony drug charges on March 16, announced he plans to enroll at the university, with hopes to rejoin the team. Freshman forward Amari Allen is testing the NBA Draft waters, but will he stay in the draft or return to Tuscaloosa? Jaxon Richardson and Qayden Samuels are both elite recruits who will join them next season. Previous Ranking: 11 St. John's head coach Rick Pitino made it clear that it would be near impossible to replace a player like Zuby Ejiofor, who defined everything this program is about. However, Pitino always seems to find success in the portal, and that should be no different this offseason. He has already landed an elite-level scorer in Donnie Freeman (Syracuse) and will pair European point guard Quinn Ellis with returning guard Ian Jackson. Look for Pitino to add at least one or two more players via the portal. Previous Ranking: 13 The Cavaliers are set to return their leading scorer and rebounder next season. Thijs De Ridder, a 6-foot-9 forward from Belgium, enjoyed a breakout freshman campaign and should be one of the top interior players in the sport next year. Look for Chance Mallory to take over the starting point guard role for Ryan Odom's team. Previous Ranking: 9 After guiding Iowa State to its third Sweet 16 appearance in five years, head coach T.J. Otzelberger agreed to a new contract that will keep him leading the Cyclones through 2036. He will have to replace Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic, which will not be easy, but bringing back Killyan Toure and welcoming in a five-man portal class is a great place to start. Previous Ranking: NR The Trojans might be the most interesting team in college basketball this offseason. Guard Rodney Rice is returning from injury, while standout freshman Alijah Arenas is back for his sophomore season and should benefit from a full summer in the weight room. Forward Jacob Cofie returns in the frontcourt, and the additions of Georgetown transfer KJ Lewis and UConn transfer Eric Reibe have me excited to see how Eric Musselman pieces this roster together. Previous Ranking: 23 Texas head coach Sean Miller needs center Matas Vokietatis to make the jump from good to great next season, but he won’t be alone. TCU transfer David Punch should provide valuable support up front, while Colorado transfer Isaiah Johnson is one of the best unknown players in the nation. Previous Ranking: 8 Gonzaga head coach Mark Few is returning three of his top-five scorers from a year ago, led by Braden Huff. Houston transfer Isiah Harwell is looking for a breakout sophomore campaign and the Zags always have a few diaper dandies waiting in the wings. Previous Ranking: 10 Arkansas is losing standout guard Darius Acuff, but if Meleek Thomas decides to return to college, he will join forward Billy Richmond III to make up a solid core from last year's Sweet 16 team. Five-star freshman Jordan Smith Jr looks like the real deal. I think the Hogs are loaded. Previous Ranking: 4 Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo has the best point guard in the nation in Jeremy Fears Jr. But if this team wants to reach its full potential, Izzo will need forwards Coen Carr and Cam Ward, along with shooting guard Kur Teng, to take another step forward. Charlotte transfer Anton Bonke could provide valuable help down low as well. Previous Ranking: 5 Arizona is losing a lot of talent, but head coach Tommy Lloyd has managed to retain two starters in Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov, which means this group will have a very high floor. North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon will be given some freedom to create, while five-star freshman Caleb Holt could be special. Previous Ranking: 7 Freshman standout Braylon Mullins turned down the NBA for another chance at a national title with UConn. He will be joined by point guard Silas Demary and forward Jayden Ross as key veterans. Add in Duke transfer Nikolas Khamenia and Dan Hurley has real weapons at every position. Previous Ranking: NR The Cardinals went out and spent a lot of money to put together a team that I think is title worthy. Let’s start with the best defensive center in the country: Flory Bidunga. He’s flanked by Iowa transfer Alvaro Folguieras, fresh off his clutch NCAA Tournament performances. In the backcourt, Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad runs the point and Arkansas wing transfer Karter Knox rounds out a roster that has a little bit of everything. Previous Ranking: 2 The Blue Devils are set to return three starters next year, but I just feel like this group relied on Cameron Boozer so much that it’s hard for me to put them higher. Snagging Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell will help replace the scoring of Isaiah Evans, and head coach Jon Scheyer is bringing in a new crop of five-star freshman. It’s another "Final Four or Bust" year in Durham. Previous Ranking: 3 With a returning backcourt of Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney, Dusty May has the foundation for another strong team. Tennessee transfer JP Estrella and Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam were brought in to replace Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara in the frontcourt. It’s hard to see them matching last year’s defensive dominance, but it will be interesting to see how it all comes together. Previous Ranking: 1 I had Illinois as the No. 1-ranked team in my way-too-early top 25 last month, but I think head coach Brad Underwood should still feel good about this group at No. 2 after returning six of his top nine scorers, led by Andrej Stojakovic and David Mirkovic. The addition of Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks should help fill the void left by Keaton Wagler’s departure. Previous Ranking: 22 The Gators jumped up to No. 1 after forwards Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon announced they would return to Gainesville next season. Center Rueben Chinyelu is testing the NBA waters, but is expected to return as well. Adding Kentucky transfer Denzel Aberdeen to their backcourt makes them the top team in the land on paper.]]>
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				<title>
					<![CDATA[Tyran Stokes Commits To Kansas, Ending Months Of Anticipation Around Recruitment]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/recruit-tyran-stokes-commits-to-bill-self-and-kansas-over-kentucky</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/recruit-tyran-stokes-commits-to-bill-self-and-kansas-over-kentucky</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[The No. 1 college basketball recruit, Tyran Stokes, committed to Kansas on Tuesday, choosing the Jayhawks over Kentucky.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:33:58 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Tyran Stokes, the consensus No. 1 men's basketball recruit for next season, announced his commitment to Kansas on Tuesday, ending a long, drawn-out recruitment that hinged on everything from who his coach would be to what sneaker he would be wearing. Stokes made the announcement during "Inside the NBA" on ESPN. The 6-foot-7 forward from Ranier Beach High School in Seattle has long been consider the top prospect in his class. With an uncanny ability to drive to the basket, Stokes scored 63 points in a game against West Seattle this past season, and he was one of the stars of the McDonald's All-American, putting up 12 points and nine boards in leading the West team to victory. "Honestly it's been a long process, ever since I got my first offer, I think going into high school," he said. "Ever since then it's been having like, college coaches talking to me, having good relationships with different coaches. It takes a lot." Stokes had trimmed his list to Oregon, Kansas and Kentucky, but the Ducks recently dropped out of the running, leaving the race for the likely one-and-done prospect a showdown between two of college basketball's bluebloods. "Rock chalk, man. Rock Chalk," Stokes said. The Jayhawks, who landed the nation's top-ranked recruit a year ago in Darryn Peterson, had been considered the favorite ever since Stokes visited campus about a year ago. But one of the questions was whether Stokes, who signed a multi-year NIL deal with Nike last year, would play for one of the flagship schools of its biggest rival, adidas. There also was the question of whether Jayhawks coach Bill Self would return for another season amid several health issues in recent years. The Hall of Famer put that to rest when he announced earlier this month that he would be back for his 24th season. Kentucky, a high-profile Nike school, recently had Stokes back on campus for another unofficial visit, raising hopes that coach Mark Pope could land the difference-maker. Pope even reportedly offered ex-NBA player Jamal Crawford, who had served as an assistant on Stokes’ high school team, a position on his own staff for the upcoming season. The Jayhawks certainly needed Stokes in the lineup. Not only did they lose Peterson to the NBA, as expected, they also watched top big men Flory Bidunga (Louisville) and Bryson Tiller (Missouri) leave through the transfer portal along with guards Elmarko Jackson (Georgetown) and Jamari McDowell (Wake Forest). They shored up some of the roster by landing Utah forward Keanu Dawes, Toledo guard Leroy Blyden Jr. and 7-foot-2 center Christian Reeves of Charleston. They also have one of the nation's top high school classes in the fold, headlined by five-star point guard Taylen Kinney and four-star prospects Davion Adkins, Trent Perry and Luke Barnett. Still, the Jayhawks were missing the kind of scoring punch that Stokes could provide their reshaped roster. Kentucky also has been busy rebuilding its roster, adding Washington transfer Zoom Diallo, Furman's Alex Wilkins and international prospect Ousmane N'Diaye to go with prep recruits Mason Williams and Zyon Hawthorne. But like the Jayhawks, the Wildcats had hoped Stokes could make up for what they've lost. That includes floor leader Denzel Aberdeen (Florida), Andrija Jelavic (Ohio State), Mouhamed Dioubate (LSU) and Brandon Garrison (Alabama), among others. Reporting by the Associated Press.]]>
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					<![CDATA[NCAA On Track To Expand To 76-team March Madness Bracket For Next Season]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/ncaa-to-expand-to-76team-field-march-madness-bracket-for-2027-next-season</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/ncaa-to-expand-to-76team-field-march-madness-bracket-for-2027-next-season</guid>
				<category>other</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[The NCAA is still deliberating expanding March Madness on both the men’s and women’s sides to 76 teams for next season]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:27:28 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The NCAA is still deliberating expanding March Madness on both the men's and women's sides to 76 teams for next season — a much-expected development that's been in the works for years. The NCAA released a brief statement Tuesday in the wake of an ESPN report that cited unnamed sources saying a decision to add eight teams to the bracket is a mere formality that's expected in May. "Expanding the basketball tournaments would require approval from multiple NCAA committees, including the men’s and women’s basketball committees, and no final recommendations or decisions have been made at this time," the statement said. Earlier this month at the Final Four, NCAA President Charlie Baker said the committees would, in fact, return to discussing the expansion once this year's tournament was over. The tournaments have been at 68 teams since 2011, when four play-in games were added to the beginning of the first week of play. The new format would add eight more at-large teams and take eight more teams out of the main bracket for play-in games. The expansion isn't expected to generate a lot more income because it will only add games early in the first week. The current TV deal runs through 2032 and could be tweaked slightly. Regardless of finances, the expansion would give power conferences more chances to place teams in the bracket — a growing concern as those conferences seek more power and control over college sports in the era of name, image and likeness compensation and the transfer portal. Reporting by the Associated Press.]]>
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					<![CDATA[The New-Look Pac-12 Unveiled a New-Look Logo]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/pac-12-logo-gonzaga-san-diego-state</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/pac-12-logo-gonzaga-san-diego-state</guid>
				<category>college-football</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[The Pac-12 will be fully revamped for the 2026-2027 academic year, and it has a new logo to go with all the new members.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:24:35 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The Pac-12 Conference has just two members for the 2025-2026 academic year, but in July it's going to see a massive change when seven other schools join the revamped conference. To go with the new-look membership, the Pac-12 revealed a brand new logo for the conference. It retains the shield-shaped design of the original – compare to the image above – but the letters are significantly different now, somehow both rounder and sharper at the same time, and the border around it all has been removed so that the interior of the logo is also its exterior. If getting your logo news from a social media embed isn't good enough, consider receiving it by way of a conference mascot holding up a t-shirt instead: The current full members of the Pac-12 are Oregon State and Washington State, but these two will be joined by Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State and Gonzaga on July 1, 2026. Of those nine schools, eight field football teams, which allows the Pac-12 to be an FBS, rather than FCS, conference. Gonzaga, the crown jewel of the conference's basketball program, is the exception, as it hasn't had a football team since suspending play during World War II. In Aug. 2024, 10 of the 12 members of the Pac-12 left, which left it sponsoring just six sports, but the infusion of seven additional members for the 2026-2027 academic year means it is up to 19 sports in addition to retaining its FBS status.]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 NBA Draft Declarations Tracker: Duke's Cameron Boozer Declares]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/2026-nba-draft-declarations-tracker</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/2026-nba-draft-declarations-tracker</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Here are the notable college basketball players who have declared for the 2026 NBA Draft.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:25:40 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[It's that time of the year in college basketball! Some players are declaring for the NBA Draft, others are entering the transfer portal — and some are doing both. Here's who has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, as of April 10: Duke F Cameron Boozer (source) Arizona G Brayden Burries (source) Kansas G Darryn Peterson (source) Tennessee F Nate Ament (source) BYU F AJ Dybantsa (source) Florida C Rueben Chinyelu (source) Michigan F Yaxel Lendeborg (source) Washington F Hannes Steinbach (source) Baylor G Cameron Carr (source) North Carolina F Caleb Wilson (source) Arkansas G Meleek Thomas (source) Iowa State F Milan Momcilovic (source) Baylor G Tounde Yessoufou (source) Michigan State G Jeremy Fears Jr. (also entering portal for college eligibility) Stanford G Ebuka Okorie (source) Houston F Chris Cenac Jr. (source) Texas G Dailyn Swain (source) Alabama G Labaron Philon Jr. (source) Santa Clara F Allen Graves (also entering portal for college eligibility) Arizona G Jaden Bradley (source) Louisville G Ryan Conwell (source) Wisconsin G John Blackwell (also entering portal for college eligibility) Butler F Michael Ajayi (source) Texas Tech F LeJuan Watts (also entering portal for college eligibility) Tulane G Rowan Brumbaugh (also entering portal for college eligibility) California G Dai Dai Ames (also entering portal for college eligibility) Elon G Chandler Cuthrell (source) Kentucky G Malachi Moreno (also entering portal for college eligibility) Villanova G Acaden Lewis (also entering portal for college eligibility) Kansas F Flory Bidunga (also entering portal for college eligibility) North Carolina F Caleb Wilson (source) Texas Tech G Christian Anderson (source) Radford G Dennis Parker Jr. (also entering portal for college eligibility) Louisville G Mikel Brown Jr. (source) Wake Forest G Juke Harris (also entering portal for college eligibility)]]>
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					<![CDATA[Ranking the Top 20 Players in the Men's College Basketball Transfer Portal]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/mens-college-basketball-transfer-portal-rankings</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/mens-college-basketball-transfer-portal-rankings</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[The NCAA men's college basketball transfer portal is officially open. Here are the top 20 players who have entered.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:43:12 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Shortly after the maize and blue confetti fell in celebration of Michigan's win over UConn in the national championship game, college basketball's transfer portal was officially opened. According to reports, over 2,000 Division I men's basketball players have already entered their names into the portal, which will be open for two weeks, from April 7 to April 21. It's a deep and talented pool of transfers who will have a significant impact on the outcome of the 2026-27 college basketball season. We ranked the top 20 transfers to keep an eye on over the next two weeks as transfer decisions unfold. Burton is a dual-threat scoring guard. He led the ACC in scoring with 21.3 points per game as a sophomore and then followed that up by averaging 18.5 points per game during his junior year at Notre Dame. After three seasons with the Fighting Irish, Burton enters the portal with one year of eligibility remaining. Update: Burton has committed to play for Indiana. Freeman is a budding star who can score at all three levels. He plays with a smoothness to his game, averaging 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game en route to earning honorable mention All-ACC honors. He was a former five-star recruit in the 2024 high school class, but he has battled injuries throughout his first two seasons at Syracuse. Freeman has two years of eligibility remaining. Update: Freeman has committed to play for St. John's Sherrell is a physical presence with a strong motor on the glass. He averaged 11.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game as a sophomore at Alabama. In a system that emphasized high-volume 3-point shooting, his full skill set wasn’t on display. With two years of eligibility remaining, he could emerge as a do-it-all forward in a different role. Update: Sherrell has committed to play for Indiana. Diop is an athletic big man, and at 7-foot-1, he's a rim-protecting presence and a capable lob threat. He averaged 13.6 points and 2.1 blocks per game in his freshman season at Arizona State. He was born in Senegal and came to the United States from Spain before last season. At 21 years old, he has more experience than most rising sophomores. Lewis is a dynamic guard whose game is built on getting into the lane and creating for himself and his teammates. One of the best finishers in the nation, he averaged 12.2 points and 5.3 assists per game while leading Villanova to the NCAA Tournament. Lewis has three years of eligibility remaining but has also entered his name into NBA Draft consideration and the transfer portal. Update: Lewis has committed to play for Miami. Cyril is an imposing paint presence on both sides of the ball. He's an elite rim-protector and efficient pick-and-roll partner. He averaged 9.3 points and 2.2 blocks per game during his sophomore season at Georgia, while only playing 21.2 minutes per game. There's room for a breakout if the playing time increases, and Cyril has two years of eligibility remaining to prove that. Update: Cyril has committed to play for Miami (Fla.). Khamenia is a versatile wing and former top-20 recruit whose role was limited on a loaded Duke roster as a freshman. He averaged 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game. With expanded opportunity, he’s a strong candidate to make a major leap as a sophomore. Update: Khamenia has committed to play for UConn. Hill is another elite-level shot maker, overcoming his 6-foot-3 stature with a decisive dribble and high-arcing release. He left his mark on the 2026 NCAA Tournament, knocking down a game-winning shot to lift No. 11 seed VCU over No. 6 seed North Carolina in the first round. Hill averaged 15.0 points per game, shooting 37% from 3-point range en route to earning A-10 Sixth Man of the Year honors. He provided an offensive punch off the bench for the Rams but is certainly a starting caliber player at the high-major level with two years of eligibility remaining. Update: Hill has committed to play for Tennessee. Byrd is a standout on both ends of the floor. He withdrew his name from the NBA Draft last year and returned to San Diego State, where he averaged 10.4 points and 4.7 assists per game along with 1.2 blocks and 1.9 steals per contest. He was one of the top defenders in the nation this past season, earning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors. Update: Byrd has committed to play for Providence. Johnson is another go-to scoring guard. He separates himself with his ability to facilitate and initiate. He averaged 16.9 points and 3.0 assists per game, leading Colorado in scoring as a freshman while coming off the bench for the first half of the season. With three years of eligibility remaining, Johnson could emerge as the face of a program and the focal point offensively. Update: Johnson has committed to play for Texas. Thiam is a crafty big man with a traditional back-to-the-basket game. He's also an athletically-gifted defender, averaging a Big 12-best 2.6 blocks per game as a freshman at UCF and later helped Cincinnati finish 10th nationally in KenPom defensive efficiency. Entering his junior year, he’s a candidate to break out at his third program. Vaaks is an elite perimeter shooter with good size, standing at 6-foot-7, which will allow him to consistently get his shot off no matter what level he plays at. He averaged 15.8 points per game while shooting 35% from 3-point range as a freshman at Providence. He started 14 of the final 15 games of the season, increasing his numbers to 18.0 points per game. Update: Vaaks has committed to play for Illinois. Shelstad is an offensive engine, creating for himself at all three levels while also facilitating for his teammates. His endless range, blinding speed and timely decision-making makes up for his size (6-foot). He earned All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore but only played 12 games during his junior year at Oregon before sustaining a season-ending hand injury. He averaged 15.6 points and 4.9 assists per game for the Ducks. Update: Shelstad has committed to play for Louisville. Murauskas is a three-level scorer. He uses his height to score inside, but is also a talented perimeter shooter both off the catch and dribble. He averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in his junior season at Saint Mary's. Murauskas started his college career at Arizona, then played two seasons with the Gaels, entering the portal after head coach Randy Bennett left for Arizona State. Update: Murauskas has committed to play for ASU. Haggerty is a high-level shot taker and maker, averaging 23.6 points per game on 48.9% shooting at Kansas State this past season. He previously led the American Conference in scoring at Memphis in 2024–25. Update: Haggerty has committed to play for Texas A&amp;M. Wright plays a downhill, attacking style, always looking to penetrate the lane with his dribble to create for himself and his teammates. He averaged 18.1 points and 4.6 assists per game for BYU during his sophomore season. He also improved as a shooter, increasing his 3-point percentage from 35.2% to 41.0%. It will be Wright's second consecutive offseason entering the transfer portal, as he went from Baylor to BYU and now will play for a third school in three years. Update: Wright has returned to play for BYU. Punch is a steady interior presence on both sides of the ball, with an especially-high IQ on offense. At 6-foot-7, 245 pounds, and without a 3-point shot in his arsenal, he's undersized and might not fit every system. However, he averaged 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in his sophomore season at TCU. Update: Punch has committed to play for Texas. Harris averaged 21.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during his sophomore season at Wake Forest. He thrives in the mid-range, shooting 55.5% from inside the arc, but still has room to improve from the outside. Harris can be the lead scorer on a high-major team with two years of eligibility remaining. Blackwell averaged 19.1 points per game during his junior season at Wisconsin. In his three seasons in Madison, the Badgers were unable to advance past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, so Blackwell is seeking a place to compete for his final season of eligibility. Update: Blackwell has committed to play for Duke. Bidunga averaged 13.3 points and 2.6 blocks per game during his sophomore season at Kansas. His rim-protection prowess earned him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and a spot on the all-conference team. Bidunga entered his name into the NBA Draft, while keeping his portal options open. Update: Bidunga has committed to play for Louisville.]]>
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					<![CDATA[NCAA Tourney Star Braylon Mullins Opts To Stay at UConn, Chase National Title]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/ncaa-tourney-star-braylon-mullins-decides-to-chase-national-title-at-uconn-instead-of-heading-to-nba</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/ncaa-tourney-star-braylon-mullins-decides-to-chase-national-title-at-uconn-instead-of-heading-to-nba</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[NCAA Tournament star Braylon Mullins will stick around for one more season at UConn in hopes of winning a national championship.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:32:45 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[NCAA Tournament star Braylon Mullins will stick around for one more season at UConn in hopes of winning a national championship instead of heading straight to the NBA. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard made his announcement Saturday on his Instagram account with highlight clips of his biggest shots and the words "unfinished business." Mullins was projected to be a first-round pick. The 2025 IndyStar Indiana Mr. Basketball Award winner became a national sensation when he made a 35-footer with 0.4 seconds left to cap UConn's incredible comeback to beat top-seeded Duke 73-72 to win the East Region title, sending the Huskies to their third Final Four in four years. He had been a key player for the Huskies once he returned from an ankle injury that kept him out of UConn's first six games. He was fourth on the team in scoring at 12.0 points per game and also averaged 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals. He finished third on the team with 72 3-pointers, five behind Alex Karaban, who played in all 40 games, and Solo Ball, who played in 39. [2026 NBA Draft Declarations Tracker] Mullins scored 15 points in a victory over Illinois before finishing with 11 in the national championship game loss to Michigan — with both games being played about a 30-minute drive from his alma mater, Greenfield-Central High School. Reporting by The Associated Press.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Villanova, Notre Dame Hoops Off to Rome for 'Eternal City Tip-Off' Season Opener]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/villanova-notre-dame-pope-rome-italy-eternal-city-tip-off</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/villanova-notre-dame-pope-rome-italy-eternal-city-tip-off</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Villanova and Notre Dame men's and women's basketball are set to appear in the "Eternal City Tip-Off" in Rome on Nov. 1 on FOX and FS1.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:40:47 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The Villanova and Notre Dame men's and women's basketball teams are officially set for a one-of-a-kind season opener on an international stage. Pope included. The Fighting Irish's and Wildcats' teams will play in the "Eternal City Tip-Off" in Rome on Nov. 1 to start the 2026-27 season. The doubleheader will make history in a couple of categories: the first men's international season opener and the first Division I basketball game played in Italy. While next season officially begins on Nov. 2, the NCAA approved this special men's and women's event starting in Rome a day early. So why, specifically, are these two Catholic universities playing halfway across the world? Simply, Pope Leo XIV (whose real name is Robert Francis Provost). And, he plans to have an audience with the teams during their trip. The Pope — an American-born sports fan who resides in Vatican City in the heart of Rome — is an alumnus of Villanova in the class of 1977. What's more, his roots are in Chicago, which is relatively close to Notre Dame's campus in South Bend, Indiana. His recent election inspired the Eternal City Tip-Off. [MEN'S NCAA BASKETBALL: Illinois, Duke Highlight Way-Too-Early Top 25] The Villanova men's program has seven Final Four appearances and three national titles, with its most recent in 2018. Led by coach Niele Ivey, the Notre Dame women also have three national titles. The Fighting Irish clinched an Elite Eight appearance this season but ultimately fell to No. 1 seed UConn. The Eternal City Tip-Off will be the second time in four seasons the Notre Dame women's team has competed abroad. In 2023, The Fighting Irish played South Carolina in Paris. The men's teams will meet for the first time since 2016, and their game will air on FOX and lead into the network's NFL coverage. The women's team will play for the first time since 2018 with that matchup being broadcast on FS1.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Michigan Basketball Coach Dusty May Has 'Already' Agreed to New Contract]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/ad-warde-manuel-michigan-already-signed-coach-dusty-may-new-contract</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/ad-warde-manuel-michigan-already-signed-coach-dusty-may-new-contract</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Michigan Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel announced that the school has signed head coach Dusty May to a new contract.]]>
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				<pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:22:47 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Dusty May isn't going anywhere. Michigan Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel shared that the school has "already reached an agreement" with its head men's basketball coach on a new contract in the wake of winning the 2026 national championship title. "He will be the leader of this basketball team for many years to come," Manuel said about May on Saturday. The Wolverines finished this season at 37-3 overall and 19-1 in regular-season Big Ten play, good for first in the conference. Michigan's championship triumph was its first since the 1988-89 men's college basketball season. Over May's two seasons at the helm of Michigan, the Wolverines are a combined 64-13 overall, 33-7 in Big Ten play and reached the NCAA Tournament in both seasons; last year, Michigan reached the Sweet 16. May was considered a candidate for North Carolina's head-coaching vacancy before informing Michigan that he wasn't pursuing other college positions; UNC ultimately hired former Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone. Prior to taking over at Michigan, May was the head coach of Florida Atlantic for six seasons, a stint that featured a 126-69 combined record, reaching the Final Four in 2023 and making the NCAA Tournament in both 2023 and 2024.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Best NCAA Transfer Portal Fits for Kansas State G PJ Haggerty]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/transfer-portal-kentucky-lsu-texas</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/transfer-portal-kentucky-lsu-texas</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[K-State's PJ Haggerty entered the NCAA transfer portal. Here are the three best fits for the standout guard.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:02:18 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[PJ Haggerty could lead the nation in scoring during his fifth year of college basketball. Haggerty almost did that this past season, occasionally sitting on top of the the leaderboard before finishing the season averaging 23.4 points per game for Kansas State. That somehow was not enough to lead the Big 12 in scoring, however, as freshman phenom AJ Dybansta scored 25.5 points per game to pace not just the conference but the nation. Haggerty came in at fourth in Division I behind Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. and East Carolina's Jordan Riley in addition to Dybantsa, but ahead of the likes of the 2026 Naismith Player of the Year, Duke's Cameron Boozer – fourth isn't first, but it's still quite the accomplishment. Haggerty got there because he can score at all three levels, and do so efficiently, too, as he shot 48.9% from the field this past season. He has transferred after every season of his college career and will play out his final year of eligibility no differently, now with a fifth program. Kentucky The Wildcats lost guards Otega Oweh, Denzel Aberdeen and Collin Chandler after the season ended, so finding new scorers is paramount. Haggerty will command an expensive paycheck, but Kentucky has the money to meet whatever it is the 6-foot-3 guard is asking for. He has experience playing in this part of the country, having already played for Memphis. But after a season basing his offense around high-volume on-ball guards, head coach Mark Pope might want to go in a different direction considering how 2025-2026 went for the Wildcats, too. LSU The Tigers are starting anew after re-hiring coach Will Wade following one season at NC State. Wade is a defensive-oriented coach, but landing a scorer like Haggerty could give him an offensive baseline to build around – and being around a defense-first coach could be good for Haggerty, as well, given his individual Defensive Rating has declined every year he has played, all the way to last season' 114.3 mark. LSU has also been a reported potential destination for Haggerty, so there's mutual interest between the two sides. He is also from Crosby, Texas, just west of the Louisiana border, and has a history playing in the south, with stints at Tulsa, Memphis and TCU. Texas The Longhorns were the highest seed to make the Sweet 16 this past season as a No. 11 team, but will lose guards Tramon Mark, Jordan Pope and Chendall Weaver to graduation, and Dailyn Swain to the NBA Draft. Haggerty would help replace some of that scoring and bring a similar punch to that of Mark and Swain, two offense-first guards. Haggerty is from Texas and this would be his second time playing at a school in his home state after starting his college career at TCU. One imagines things would be different for him this time around, given that version of Haggerty played just six games and averaged nine minutes per.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Best NCAA Transfer Portal Fits for Wake Forest G Juke Harris]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/transfer-portal-michigan-north-carolina-kentucky</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/transfer-portal-michigan-north-carolina-kentucky</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Wake Forest's Juke Harris entered the NCAA transfer portal. Here are the three best fits for the standout guard.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:24:15 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Can Juke Harris' scoring prowess translate to success in his junior season? After two years at Wake Forest, in which the Deamon Deacons missed the NCAA Tournament both times, Harris entered the transfer portal. He averaged 21.4 points per game as a sophomore, mastering the mid-range as he shot 55.5% from inside the arc. But Harris' numbers didn't lead to team-wide success. Harris will have two years of eligibility to turn that around, while also entering his name into NBA Draft consideration. Michigan The defending national champions already patched a hole in their frontcourt, adding Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella on Thursday. The Wolverines could dip back into the portal to fill the holes left with guard Nimari Burnett and Yaxel Lendeborg graduating. Harris' game is more similar to Lendeborg as he's a 6-foot-7 wing who thrives inside the arc. He doesn't have the size Lendeborg had, but has proven he can score in similar areas. Michigan isn't as desperate for a wing as it was for a player like Estrella, as the Wolverines could rely on returners Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney as well as freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. for backcourt production, but Harris would be a nice luxury to have if those guys can't entirely step up. For his individual future, Michigan is a great fit for Harris as it proved it could increase the NBA stock of an inside-scoring wing like Lendeborg. Harris has entered his name into the draft, but a destination like Michigan could help improve his standing in one season. North Carolina The Tar Heels fired coach Hubert Davis following the season, replacing him with former Denver Nuggets' coach and NBA champion Michael Malone. Malone has no experience with the NCAA transfer portal, but will likely get some quick, as UNC will need to make a bevy of moves as it lost its top three players — Henri Veesaar, Caleb Wilson and Seth Trimble — to graduation or the NBA Draft, and saw a handful of other key contributors enter the transfer portal, including guards Derek Dixon and Kyan Evans. Thus, Harris could remain in North Carolina – where he's from – and be the foundational piece for Malone to build around. The offense would likely be in his hands in a program with a history of winning, and a desire to get back to a destination that Harris, too, has yet to reach. Kentucky After bringing in a slew of transfers didn't yield an overly successful season, the Wildcats will return to the drawing board and aim to do the same this offseason. With the graduation of guard Otega Oweh, and the transfers of Denzel Aberdeen and Collin Chandler, offensive creation from the guard position is a key need for Kentucky. Harris would provide that. The Wildcats could get him and pair him with a more perimeter-based guard. Similar to UNC, Harris would be the foundational piece for Kentucky to build its roster around, but 3-point shooting was an issue for the Wildcats last season; if they go this direction, they'll have to find better shooting options to play alongside Harris.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Best NCAA Transfer Portal Fits for BYU G Robert Wright III]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/transfer-portal-arizona-duke-kentucky</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/transfer-portal-arizona-duke-kentucky</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[BYU's Robert Wright III entered the NCAA transfer portal. Here are the three best fits for the standout guard.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:42:49 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Robert Wright III could be one of the best downhill guards in college basketball Wright averaged 18.1 points and 4.6 assists per game as a sophomore at BYU. Following the season, he entered the transfer portal, making it a second consecutive offseason in which Wright will choose a new team, as he started his college career at Baylor. Wright is a quick and physical guard that can use both those traits to get in the lane and create for himself and his teammates. Here are the three best fits for Wright, who has two years of NCAA eligibility remaining. Arizona The Wildcats fell in the Final Four, and will lose guards Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries, to graduation and to the NBA Draft, respectively. Wright would fill a position of need for Arizona. He'd provide a smooth transition from the departure of Bradley, as he's a similar player in the way that his goal is to attack the lane on every possession and put pressure on the defense. Systematically, the Wildcats are a great fit. In some cases, it would be odd to see a player transfer from one rival to another, but Wright has already played for two Big 12 teams, so why not make it a third? Duke The Blue Devils' season came to an end in the Elite Eight against UConn because they collapsed with sloppy plays and turnovers. It's the second straight season in which this has been their downfall, and many argue it's a result of coach Jon Scheyer's strategy to build around freshmen and put the ball in their hands. While there's a chance guards Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer return, adding Wright — a junior and veteran ball-handler — could help prevent that narrative from ending Duke's season in 2027. Duke doesn't often dip into the transfer pool, but it might course correct to avoid another devastating season-ending loss. And while Cameron Boozer is a forward, not a guard, points are points – the likely lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft scored 22.5 per game in 2025-2026, and the Blue Devils will have to replace those. Kentucky The Wildcats lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and have now failed to advance past the Sweet 16 since 2019. That is unacceptable for one of the sport's most historic programs. Wright would be revered if he helped to change that, and he's capable of doing so. It's widely publicized how much Kentucky spent on its roster last season, the results that spending got them are widely criticized. Following that disappointing season, just about every high-minute player on the Wildcats either entered the transfer portal or declared for the draft, so Kentucky has to rebuild again. They have the money to do it, and getting a solid point guard would be a good place to start. The Wildcats will have no problem affording players, so to land Wright, he'll have to trust in coach Mark Pope and his staff's ability to bounce back and reverse this trend.]]>
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					<![CDATA[College Basketball Crown: West Virginia’s Run Could Be a Springboard for What’s Next]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/crown-west-virginia-nebraska-march-madness</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/crown-west-virginia-nebraska-march-madness</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[West Virginia took home the 2026 College Basketball Crown, setting the stage for a much bigger leap forward under head coach Ross Hodge.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:19:32 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[LAS VEGAS — How drastically can the complexion of an entire season change in 64 seconds? For West Virginia, which arrived at this year’s College Basketball Crown with an overall record of just 18-14 and failed to win consecutive games since the third week in January, so much about the debut campaign for head coach Ross Hodge hinged on the answer to that question. His team trailed Stanford by six in the waning moments of an opening-round game at MGM Grand Garden Arena, the loser going home for good. The Mountaineers needed a frantic comeback. Layups by forwards DJ Thomas and Brenen Lorient gave way to three clutch free throws from guard Honor Huff with three seconds remaining to force overtime. From there, West Virginia staved off the Cardinal for an 82-77 victory that was equal parts thrilling and unexpected. Three days later — following additional wins over Creighton and tournament-favorite Oklahoma — the Mountaineers could call themselves deserving champions. They’d seen their season nearly fade to black before roaring back to cut down the nets at T-Mobile Arena. "Just to be able to will it out and win," Huff told me two days after the College Basketball Crown ended, "I think that was just a testament to us and our season. Just battling through all the things we had to prevail against to be in a position that we were in. "It’s tough because it could have went a whole other way in that last minute and a half. It really could have went south, and we would have been going home, basically. So to pull that out for our community, each other, I think it was just a great experience and just a testament to our whole season and resilience." Now, West Virginia's first year under Hodge includes: surpassing 20 wins for the first time since Bob Huggins was still prowling the sidelines in 2019-20, the program’s first postseason title of any kind since it won the Big East Tournament in 2010 and an incoming recruiting class that finished higher in the national rankings at No. 22 than any group the Mountaineers have signed since 2019. Not too shabby for someone who never held a job of any kind in the power conferences before taking over at West Virginia. This is the type of launching pad the College Basketball Crown can be for teams that are eager to keep playing despite missing the NCAA Tournament, a prospect made more enticing by $500,000 in total NIL prize money — $300,000 to West Virginia as the champion. As players and coaches have repeated ad nauseam here in Las Vegas over the last two years, having the chance to end a season victorious is special. A privilege reserved for winners of March Madness, the College Basketball Crown, the NIT and — in years when the event is actually held — the CBI. Nothing accelerates a program’s momentum and a fan base’s belief quite like lifting a trophy. "We all will remember this forever," Hodge said in his postgame news conference after beating Oklahoma in the championship game. "It’s not the ultimate goal as a program or a university, but it sets a great standard and expectation moving forward. When we are [eventually] playing in Final Fours and winning national championships, these guys will know that they started it. And they’ll look back on it, and they’ll know they laid the foundation for what is about to come." Though the College Basketball Crown is still in its infancy after just two iterations, it’s worth noting that there are loose correlations between participants and larger-scale success the following season. Three programs from last year’s original 16-team field jumped from the College Basketball Crown to the NCAA Tournament in Villanova, UCF and inaugural Crown champion Nebraska. "It might not be the NCAA Tournament championship, but it’s a postseason championship. We can still call ourselves champions," Nebraska forward Juwan Gary said in the postgame news conference following the 2025 title game. After cutting down the nets in Las Vegas last April, the Cornhuskers went on to enjoy the best season in program history, winning 28 games and advancing beyond the first round of the Big Dance for the first time, ultimately reaching the Sweet 16. There was an unlikeliness to Nebraska’s march through the College Basketball Crown that somewhat resembled the Mountaineers' experience last week. When head coach Fred Hoiberg and the Cornhuskers arrived at MGM Grand Garden Arena to begin what finished as an impressive run of four wins in seven days, they were mired in a string of five consecutive losses. But one victory begat another, and then another, and by the end of the week, even Hoiberg admitted the group had "played some pretty darn good basketball." "Down the line, the next [bunch of] years, we’re going to come back to Nebraska and people will know who this team was: Crown champions," Gary said in 2025. "That’s something that will be in my heart for sure." [CBB CROWN: 4 Takeaways From West Virginia's Title Game Comeback Win] In a reflection of college basketball’s modern era, when transfers seem to change schools on a whim, only three players who logged minutes in the Cornhuskers’ victory over UCF last April saw the floor in this year’s Sweet 16 appearance: guard Sam Hoiberg, forward Cale Jacobsen and center Burke Buyuktuncel — all of whom averaged more minutes per game in 2025-26 than they did the season before. A similar turnover is likely to occur at West Virginia, where Hodge and his staff must now replenish a roster that featured seven seniors, including all five starters against Oklahoma on Sunday. The Cornhuskers parlayed last year’s postseason uptick into a successful period of player acquisition that included high-level transfers like former Iowa forward Pryce Sandfort and former Rhode Island guard Jamarques Lawrence, two players who finished first and fourth on the team, respectively, in scoring. That is the kind of impact Hodge will search for now that five of his six leading scorers have exhausted their eligibility: Huff, Lorient, Chance Moore, Treysen Eaglestaff, Jasper Floyd and Harlan Obioha. Those players could have ended their collegiate careers with a humbling 20-point loss to BYU in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament, declining all postseason invites and moving forward with whatever comes next, be that in basketball or something else. Instead, they chose to rally around each other, around Hodge and around the Mountaineer fans for the chance to make this season special. Eventually, West Virginia cut down the nets. "To the media’s perspective or to a fan’s perspective, it doesn’t feel the same [as the NCAA Tournament]," Huff told me earlier this week. "But I would say for us, it feels the same because you’re getting to win special games and endure special experiences with the people that you love, you know what I’m saying? I think that is just as important."]]>
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					<![CDATA[Point Guard Elliot Cadeau Agrees To Return To Michigan For Senior Year]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/star-point-guard-elliot-cadeau-agrees-another-year-wolverines-ncaa-basketball</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/star-point-guard-elliot-cadeau-agrees-another-year-wolverines-ncaa-basketball</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Point guard Elliot Cadeau has decided to remain at Michigan for his senior year.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:45:55 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[After winning a national championship with Michigan, Elliot Cadeau will run it back. On Thursday, he announced his return to the Wolverines for his senior year, per PeteThamel. Cadeau found his flow with Michigan, having his best season of his college career. Though the numbers seemed solid, the trust he had in his game saw the biggest improvement during his time at Ann Arbor. In an interview with CBS reporter Matt Norlander after the national championship win, he said, "You know, just them having confidence in me and them telling me I'm a national-championship-caliber point guard and it that just meant so much to me and that's why I committed here." During the NCAA tournament, he averaged 12.3 points and 7.5 assists per game. With these numbers and his constant intensity, he earned himself the Most Outstanding Player honor in the Final Four. His best performance was against UConn, as he scored a game-high 19 points in their emphatic win. Though his potential NBA career is put on hold, Michigan's chances at another title are in good hands with Cadeau's return.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Stanford Freshman and ACC Scoring Leader Ebuka Okorie Declares for NBA Draft]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/stanford-freshman-acc-scoring-leader-ebuka-okorie-declares-nba-draft</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/stanford-freshman-acc-scoring-leader-ebuka-okorie-declares-nba-draft</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Stanford star guard Ebuka Okorie will enter the NBA Draft after leading the ACC in scoring as a freshman.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:19:56 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Stanford star guard Ebuka Okorie will enter the NBA Draft after leading the ACC in scoring as a freshman. Okorie developed from an under-the-radar recruit out of New Hampshire into one of the top freshmen in the country in his one season with the Cardinal under coach Kyle Smith. Okorie thanked Smith and the coaching staff on Thursday in his announcement on social media to enter the draft. "A year ago, you guys took a chance on a kid from New Hampshire with zero high major offers, welcoming me with open arms and allowing me to be the best version of myself on and off the court," Okorie said. Okorie made a major impact right from the start, scoring 26 points in his debut against Portland State, setting a Stanford freshman record with 36 points in an upset win over North Carolina in January and scoring 40 points in a home win over Georgia Tech. Okorie finished eighth in the country in scoring at 23.2 points per game, with the only freshmen ahead of him being projected lottery picks AJ Dybantsa of BYU and Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas. His eight games on the season with at least 30 points broke the freshman record in the ACC set by Duke’s Marvin Bagley III. Okorie excelled at getting to the basket with penetration and drawing fouls. His outside shot also improved all season, and he shot 46.9% from 3-point range in his final 12 games. He is projected to be a late first-round pick. Okorie's 719 points scored in his lone season at Stanford are the third most ever for a Cardinal player in a season, trailing only Adam Keefe's 734 in 1991-92 and Chasson Randle's 724 in 2014-15. To close out his final game in a Stanford jersey, Okorie put up 34 points against West Virginia in the College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas. Okorie was a first-team all-ACC pick and was an honorable AP All-American, averaging 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. The last time any player hit the per-game marks Okorie had in points, rebounds, assists and steals came in 2018-19 when Ja Morant of Murray State and Jermaine Marrow of Hampton did it. The Associated Press contributed to this report.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Best NCAA Transfer Portal Fits for Oregon G Jackson Shelstad]]>
				</title>
				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/transfer-portal-arizona-louisville-gonzaga</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/transfer-portal-arizona-louisville-gonzaga</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Oregon's Jackson Shelstad entered the NCAA transfer portal. Here are the three best fits for the standout guard.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:22:00 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Jackson Shelstad could have a huge bounce-back season. Shelstad sustained a season-ending hand injury in December during his third year at Oregon, and entered the transfer portal when it opened on Tuesday after playing in just 12 games for the Ducks this past season. He averaged 15.6 points and 4.9 assists per game in those dozen games he played before the injury. He's an offensive engine who can create for himself, score at all three levels and set up his teammates. He makes up for his stature — 6-foot-1, 170-pounds — with blinding speed, precise change-of-direction and a quick release on his shot. Here are the three best fits for Shelstad, who could have two years of NCAA eligibility remaining. Arizona The Wildcats made their first Final Four since 2001, before getting blown out by eventual-champion Michigan. Arizona will lose both starting members of their backcourt as Jaden Bradley is graduating and Brayden Burries is a potential top-10 NBA Draft pick, so Shelstad would help replace their production. He is a West Coast kid, originally from Oregon and attending college there, too, so this move wouldn't be far for him. The fit itself would be interesting as the Wildcats, by design, don't attempt a ton of 3-point shots and are big on size; Shelstad hoisted 8.8 per game this past season, and, again, he's 6-1. Louisville The Cardinals won their first NCAA Tournament game since 2017, but flamed out in the next round. In his two seasons at Louisville, head coach Pat Kelsey has shown an affinity for, and success in, coaching high-usage guards, including Mikel Brown Jr., Ryan Conwell, Terrence Edwards Jr. and Chucky Hepburn; Shelstad would be the next in line. He will reportedly toured the school, per The Field of 68, so the interest in this move is there from both sides. The Cardinals' system is the antithesis of Arizona's, as Kelsey allows his guards to play freely and take difficult shots, rather than the Wildcats' outside-in structure. Shelstad could adapt to either, so it's down to his preference. Gonzaga The Bulldogs failed to make the Sweet 16 for a second consecutive season, losing to No. 11 seed Texas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Gonzaga didn't have an elite guard on its roster this season, but has a history of sending ball-handlers to the NBA, such as Ryan Nembhard, Malachi Smith, Julian Strawther and Jalen Suggs. So, Shelstad would fill a gaping hole on the Bulldogs' roster, and play for a program that has developed guards with NBA aspirations. An obstacle here is that Gonzaga is not in a Power Four (or even Five) conference, although it is moving to the new-age Pac-12 from its longtime home of the West Coast Conference. Mid-major status has never deterred it under coach Mark Few, but the NIL era is a different animal, and Gonzaga might struggle to meet Shelstad's market and desired platform.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Big Ten Conference Earns Nearly $70M in March Madness Incentives]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/womens-college-basketball/big-ten-conference-earns-nearly-70m-march-madness-incentives</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/womens-college-basketball/big-ten-conference-earns-nearly-70m-march-madness-incentives</guid>
				<category>womens-college-basketball</category>
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				    <![CDATA[The Big Ten amassed nearly $70 million in revenue from NCAA distributions awarded for team performances in the 2026 tournament.]]>
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				<pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:56:29 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The Big Ten Conference amassed nearly $70 million from NCAA distributions that will be paid for team appearances and performances in the 2026 men's and women's basketball tournaments. That is by far the most among conferences, largely because the Big Ten swept the national championships — the Michigan Wolverines won the men's and the UCLA Bruins the women's — and had the Illinois Fighting Illini advance to the men's Final Four. The NCAA, which has multi-billion dollar broadcast deals for the two tournaments since 1991, has rewarded conferences for their number of tournament bids and how far those teams advance in the men’s tournament. A similar system for the women’s tournament began in 2025. The dollars are piling up: — For this year's tournaments, nine men's teams and 12 women's teams from the Big Ten combined to make at least $69.4 million, with $63 million coming from the men's side. — The Southeastern Conference, which had 10 teams in each tournament, totaled at least $56.2 million ($50.4 million for men, $5.8 million for women). — Distributions will total at least $42.9 million for the Big 12, $34.2 million for the Atlantic Coast Conference and $22.2 million for the Big East. The NCAA sends payments directly to the conferences, which distribute the money among their teams according to their policies. Payments for the 2026 tournament will begin in April 2027. How the NCAA pays tournament teams is based on ‘units’ Teams in each tournament earn what's known as a "unit" for making the field of 68 and an additional unit for each round in which it appears. The national champion is awarded an extra unit. The value of a unit increases each year. A portion of revenue from the tournaments' broadcast agreements is directed to distribution payments, 24% for the men and 41% for the women. The estimated value of a unit for the 2026 men’s tournament will be about $350,000, an NCAA spokeswoman said, and that amount will be paid annually for six years. So a single unit earned in 2026 would have a total value of at least $2.1 million over those six years and probably more because Division I distribution funds — including the basketball funds — are scheduled to increase each year, typically by 2.9%. For the women's tournament, full funding for units earned will be achieved in 2027. Payments for each unit earned will be made for three years rather than six. The unit value was $75,000 for 2026 and will decrease to about $63,000 next year as part of the NCAA’s formula for getting the fund fully up and running. Using $63,000 as an estimate for the 2028 value, a single unit earned in 2026 would be worth at least $201,000 by the time it is paid off over three years. Breaking down the money from 2026 March Madness The Big Ten's nine teams in the men's tournament appeared in 29 games. Michigan earned $14.7 million for the conference by playing in six games and receiving a seventh unit for winning the championship. Illinois earned five units for making the Final Four ($10.5 million), while the Iowa Hawkeyes and Purdue Boilermakers earned four apiece for reaching the Elite Eight ($8.4 million each). The Big Ten landed 12 teams in the women's tournament, and they combined to play in 31 games. UCLA earned just over $1.4 million by playing in six games and receiving an extra unit for winning the championship. Michigan's four games earned $804,000 and the Minnesota Golden Gophers' three earned $603,000. The championships in men's and women's basketball continued what's been a banner 2025-26 for the Big Ten. The Indiana Hoosiers won the conference's third straight College Football Playoff, and other national championships have been won in men's wrestling (Penn State), women's ice hockey (Wisconsin), men's water polo (UCLA), men's soccer (Washington) and field hockey (Northwestern). Reporting by The Associated Press.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Best NCAA Transfer Portal Fits for Wisconsin G John Blackwell]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/transfer-portal-illinois-houston-ucla</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/transfer-portal-illinois-houston-ucla</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Wisconsin's John Blackwell has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Here are the three best fits for the standout guard.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:17:40 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[John Blackwell could be one of the top scorers in the nation next season. After three years at Wisconsin, Blackwell entered the transfer portal. He averaged 19.1 points per game, while shooting 38.9% from 3-point range, this past season. He's elite at creating his shot off the dribble, or scoring off his teammates' penetration. Here are the three best transfer portal fits for Blackwell, who has one year of NCAA eligibility remaining. Illinois While it would be devastating for Badgers' fans to see their three-year star transfer in-conference, a move to the Illini would make sense for Blackwell. Illinois is losing its top two guards with Keaton Wagler likely going to the NBA Draft and Kylan Boswell graduating. Illinois' elite offensive rebounding ability would compliment Blackwell's game, as he's a high-volume perimeter shooter who hasn't shot above 45.1% in any season of his career, so his misses wouldn't be as detrimental in Illinois. More so, his father, Glynn, played for Illinois from 1984-88. The Badgers were unable to advance out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament in any of Blackwell's three seasons – the further Wisconsin got was the second round, in 2024-2025 – so he's looking to change that this year, and the Illini proved they were winners, making the Final Four this year. Houston Kelvin Sampson's NCAA title drought extended to a 13th season as the Cougars fell in the Sweet 16. Houston was led by its guard trio of Kingston Flemings, Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan, this past season. Each will move on — Flemings via draft, Sharp and Uzan via graduation. Blackwell is a perfect fit, not only because of the departures of those three guards, but because his offensive arsenal is similar to guards who have flourished under Sampson. Blackwell is a tough-shot taker and maker, just like Sharp and Flemings this season, and Jamal Shead, LJ Cryer and Marcus Sasser before them. Blackwell could still use some fine-tuning on defense, but his effort level gives Sampson a baseline to work with. Sampson has aired complaints about Houston's financial status in the name, image and likeness era of college sports, so the Cougars could struggle to afford Blackwell, but on-court fit-wise, this is a perfect marriage. UCLA The Bruins have failed to advance past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament for three seasons (and didn't even make The Dance in 2024). Blackwell could help change that. UCLA lost top scorers Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent to graduation, and guard Skyy Clark entered the transfer portal on Tuesday. With over 40 points per game of production to replace, Blackwell would be a necessary addition. He'd fit well alongside guard Trent Perry, and likely be the go-to scorer, but that duo would leave a little bit to be desired defensively. UCLA has gone all out for the top guard transfer before, doing so to land Dent last portal season when it pulled him from New Mexico. With the Bruins having a bevy of needs, they might not be able to match the market opposing suitors will pay for Blackwell, but if they do, the fit is clear.]]>
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