Kansas loss teaches Kentucky lessons that SEC simply can't

The Wildcats' league opponents aren't preparing them to make a run come March.

If Tom Brady, fans seek revenge in Super Bowl collision with Goodell, they'll be deflated

Newsflash: TB12 and the NFL Commissioner won't throw blows.

Cincinnati celebrates end of its Shootout skid by adding another to its winning streak

Demons have been exorcised in Cincinnati following their win over Xavier in the latest chapter of the Crosstown Shootout.

Rick Pitino fighting a battle he can't win against NCAA

Pitino has himself a very capable attorney to fight the charge against him and a logical defense. The NCAA has a big-name coach in its sights, though. When it advances this far, the game is usually over.

Pitt's crushing defeat under Kevin Stallings should remind some programs to hug their coaches

Louisville downed the Panthers by 55 points Tuesday night.

Duke's return to prominence begins with someone — anyone — playing consistently

With everything that has gone against the Blue Devils, the least they can offer in response is consistent hustle. That was missing against N.C. State, and for more than just one play.

Best way to improve NCAA Tournament selections? Establish definition of 'best'

The clearer the NCAA Tournament selection committee can be about its objective, the more comfortable those outside the selection room will become.

Sean Miller's handling of Arizona without Allonzo Trier sets Wildcats up for title run

Allonzo Trier has returned to Arizona's lineup, yes, but Sean Miller's job coaching the Wildcats without him was nothing short of masterful.

Marquette, Michigan, Iowa State among those fighting to escape NCAA Tournament endangered list

Name-brand schools are in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament. We break down what they need to do to improve their chances of gaining at least an at-large berth.

Allonzo Trier's return to Arizona feels like best news at worst time

The Wildcats welcome back one of their best players for a game against Pac-12 power UCLA, but going forward they'll have difficulty reintegrating him into the rotation.

John Calipari says frequent whistles aren't fouling up his Kentucky Wildcats

The UK coach supports greater freedom of movement, something that can only benefit his athletic squad.

One number to rate NCAA Tournament teams? It's complicated, say sport's mathletes

College basketball's analytical giants drive home the point that people who want one composite ranking (read coaches) don't fully understand the mathematical hurdles.

OG Anunoby's struggle to live up to hype at Indiana interrupted by serious knee injury

Anunoby had been playing catch-up all season. The injury puts him further behind in his development.

Pittsburghers should accept that Antonio Brown is more receiver than diva

It can be said without question that Antonio Brown embraces the role of wide receiver diva. But on the wide re-diva scale of 1-to-Terrell-Owens, however, Brown rates about a 2.

Maurice Watson's injury means Creighton must defeat history to achieve Final Four goal

Most top-ranked teams struggle down the stretch when its star goes down with an injury. Will Creighton follow that same path?

Don't think Mike Tomlin is worried about what Patriots heard in Antonio Brown video

Mike Tomlin apologized for a certain word he used in his postgame speech Sunday that was captured and aired by Antonio Brown. But that was the end of his apology.

UNC's Roy Williams will soon have response No. 800 to 'overrated' chorus

The North Carolina coach could reach 800 career wins Monday. Will he need another 800 to prove to his fellow coaches he's worthy of the accolades he receives?

Move to L.A. may be heartbreaker, but shouldn't be dealbreaker for Chargers fans

For the overwhelming majority or Chargers fans, the move to Los Angeles shouldn't even matter.

College basketball midseason All-Americans: Villanova's Josh Hart, Kentucky duo lead the way

Villanova's Josh Hart has been the best player in college basketball. Who joins him on SN's Midseason All-America Team?

College basketball rankings: Baylor goes from dumpster fire to No. 1, but job isn't done

Scott Drew spoke to SN about his goals after reaching the top of college basketball.

Hysterical Grayson Allen watch causing fans to lose grip on compelling season

Scoring surging, talent all around and big-name teams with great promise near the top of the polls. But all we care about is Grayson Allen's latest non-incident.

Kentucky should not rule out Hamidou Diallo helping it pursue 2017 NCAA title

The high-level recruit who recently enrolled at UK could jump in this season and become a contributor during SEC play and even the NCAA Tournament.

Duke's Jeff Capel firmly states his intent is to win games, not the job as Coach K's successor

The Blue Devils assistant is worried about now. He doesn't care who has next.

Josh Hart playing like NBA first-rounder in driving Villanova toward real history

When Villanova won the 2016 NCAA Championship with a victory over North Carolina, the lingering amazement was derived from the Wildcats putting their hands on that trophy without a single obvious first-round draft pick among them. Josh Hart is working very hard to change that, retroactively.

Villanova loses perfect record, No. 1 ranking, but not status as NCAA title contender

The nation's top-ranked team suffers its first defeat of the season, a road loss in conference play. No matter; the Wildcats are still a threat to repeat.

Grayson Allen back for Duke; it's up to him how long he remains active

The "indefinite" suspension handed Grayson Allen lasted one game. The focus now turns to whether he can avoid another incident.

Remember the name: Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott should be your 2016 NFL MVP

Nobody had a greater impact on the 2016 NFL regular season than Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Jeff Capel is ideal pinch hitter for Coach K, but it will be tough to not strike out

The difference between Mike Krzyzewski and Jeff Capel can be measured in several ways. No matter which measure you choose, it seems nearly an impossible distance for Capel to traverse.

Marvin Lewis deserves return given triumphs over opponents, Bengals ownership

Can Cincinnati find a better coach than Marvin Lewis? Maybe, but it certainly does not deserve one.

Mike Tomlin shouldn't take risks with Steelers starters as playoffs loom

The rule should be simple Sunday: If there’s a second teamer available to play a position, he should play that position.

Mike Tomlin spells out severe response to Terry Bradshaw for 'cheerleader' comment

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin considers Terry Bradshaw's latest jab disrespectful and "unprofessional."

As Louisville offense catches up to great D, blueblood teams gain company at top

If Louisville is not an elite basketball brand, it certainly is one that fits comfortably into the designer department. And yet the season of the blueblood had progressed for more than a month with the Cardinals serving mostly as spectators.

Duke suspends Grayson Allen indefinitely for 'inexcusable' tripping of opponent

Mike Krzyzewski took some time to think about it. It seems likely he pondered little else on the short bus ride from Greensboro to Durham following Duke’s Wednesday night victory over Elon.

Wildcats find no Kentucky home on Louisville's court

Louisville taught Kentucky a tough lesson on the difference between playing away from home and playing on the road.

Duke's Grayson Allen deserves trip to bench after latest kick

The Blue Devils standout can't keep his feet off opponents. He needs to cool his heels for at least a game.

John Calipari's ownership of Kentucky-Louisville rivalry faces severe test this time

It is not a long trip from Lexington to Louisville, but it still is a tough road.

After 'flop' against Tennessee State, Grayson Allen trip watch is getting out of hand

The vitriol against Duke guard Grayson Allen is stretching beyond the limits of reality, especially after his "flop" against Tennessee State.

Terrible Towel torturers like Bengals' Jeremy Hill never seem to learn

Those who disrespect the Terrible Towel always seem to face karma — a history lesson.

Wichita State should just say no to abandoning Missouri Valley for AAC

Joining the American Athletic Conference would be unwise, reckless and potentially counterintuitive for Wichita State.

Wake Forest scandal is a major issue, but don't forget failure by some to report it

Choosing not to report the conduct of a rogue Wake Forest broadcaster was about as dangerous as engaging in it.

Bob Huggins about to arrive at 800 wins after long trip with no rearview mirror

Bob Huggins doesn't want to look back on how he got to this point in his career. The West Virginia coach keeps his eyes fixed on what's in front of him.

NFL can prevent rapid loss of fans by addressing sluggish pace of play

Long replay reviews, too many commercial breaks and an oddly short halftime — the NFL's pace of play is a massive turn-off.

Tyler Lewis, unburdened at Butler, making his last year his best

The N.C. State transfer is having a big impact in his second season with the No. 16 Bulldogs, who took down No. 22 Cincinnati on Saturday.

Calling Mike Tomlin's Steelers tenure less than great is a massive fail

If Steeler Nation thinks coach Mike Tomlin is just "above average," it needs some education.

Harry Giles' expected return Dec. 19 won't come a moment too soon for Duke

Garnering the services of the former 5-star recruit before ACC play could be a huge boost for the Blue Devils.

Holiday spirit — and Coach K's satellite radio show — brings together Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams

Who’d have believed that Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams would sit down amiably for a half-hour of basketball conversation?

Red-hot candidate P.J. Fleck's perfect job (for now) is waiting for him at Cincinnati

If P.J. Fleck is looking for the Perfect Job, he will be dialing his recruiting calls from the 513 area code.

Penn State's new Lions create Paterno-free legacy with 2016 Big Ten championship

The players who came back from a two-touchdown deficit Saturday night against Wisconsin at Lucas Oil Stadium to win, 38-31 — they were removed from any of JoePa's legacy. This is their victory.

James Franklin's biggest success at Penn State: Making football the story again

Penn State is excited about football again. It can't be overstated how huge an accomplishment that is for James Franklin.

Conference title games would mean much more if they were ticket to College Football Playoff

The conference championship games this weekend are not meaningless. But these games do not mean what they could.

Indiana win over North Carolina shows it's a long way from Fort Wayne to Assembly Hall

The Hoosiers have a bad non-conference loss, but they also have two huge non-conference wins. That will likely count for something in March.

Bob Knight big loser for passing on opportunity to celebrate Indiana's championship history

Wednesday's 35th anniversary celebration of Bob Knight's second NCAA title at Indiana would have been an ideal way for him to return to Bloomington. He chose to stay away. He should do the same next year for the 30th anniversary of title No. 3.

Kentucky basketball serves as bridge for woman through gender transition

Danielle transitioned this summer and fall and has found comfort in a fully realized identity.

Here's what the five top NCAA title contenders have to overcome to win it all

There are five teams that have demonstrated serious ability to contend in terms of the talent on their rosters and their performances to date. This is a look at what makes each one of them great, and what could get in the way.

Indiana doesn't deserve extra credit for losing at 'little guy' Fort Wayne

The Hoosiers didn't do anything special by playing IPFW on the road.

Hey Dick Vitale, here's a good reason college basketball sticks with five fouls

In the NBA, teams play 20 percent more minutes (48 to the colleges’ 40) and so they get an allowance of 20 percent more fouls. It’s perfect symmetry.

Josh Jackson must stand tall for Kansas to become NCAA title challenger

Jackson has the sort of length, speed and athleticism to thrill any NBA scout, but those watching the season’s first two games saw less of him than they might have hoped. He played just 27 minutes of the overtime loss Friday, then a mere 18 minutes Tuesday.

With injured freshmen missing, Duke not suited to maintain nation's No. 1 ranking

The Blue Devils were without three key contributors but still made it a game against No. 7 Kansas at Madison Square Garden.

Kentucky's stud freshmen show they can turn it up against likes of Michigan State

De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk perform well against the Spartans in their third collegiate game. That's a good sign for the Wildcats going forward.

Villanova is no longer champions, but the Wildcats are not finished as winners

The Wildcats were outrebounded, outshot from the field, passed less productively and even converted fewer 3-point shots, but they found a way to win.

Villanova's thrilling victory shows speed kills, and college hoops again rocks

In just four days, we’ve already had three meetings of top-25 teams, and all have been sizzling basketball games.

Miles Bridges' one-and-done talent is changing the game at Michigan State

In Miles Bridges' college basketball debut, he did what he's always done in his not-yet-very-long life: He showed up, and he balled out.

Never crying uncle: In Division III, they play for love of the game, not fancy cleats

Anthony Konieczka doesn't get a scholarship, unlimited meals or the newest Nike gear. But you can't put a price on his love for football.

On NBA age limit's 10th anniversary, let's be done with 'one-and-done' complaints

The system has been terrific for basketball at all levels, and it’s not going anywhere for a long while.

Eight burning questions about the 2016-17 college basketball season

Will Duke live up to its No. 1 ranking? Will the ACC be the best conference this year? We answer all that and more.

'One and Done' Ben Simmons is ignoring his own 20 million reasons for going to college

Would Ben Simmons have a Showtime movie if he hadn't spent a year at LSU?

NCAA rulesmakers misfire with rule hiding scrimmages behind veil of secrecy

There is no logical reason a sport so starved for media attention should have a rule in place that mandates across-the-board secrecy regarding a practice competition between two Division I teams.

New NCAA rule basically will pay schools for committing academic fraud

Now it literally pays to cheat in NCAA athletics.

Rick Pitino should watch his words better than he monitored Louisville program

Pitino is lamenting the effects of the punishment Louisville designed for itself in order to mute the impact of infractions committee sanctions. That’s some bold stuff right there.

Jayson Tatum's injury diagnosis is a huge break for top-ranked Duke

Duke freshman Jayson Tatum will be just fine.

College basketball's transfer 'epidemic' has an easy solution: Shut up about it

Here is the truth about the transfer “epidemic”: The overwhelming majority of players who transfer move because they barely play at their current schools. That’s pretty much all there is to it.

Big 12 is no bigger, and certainly no better, after rejecting expansion

The Big 12 Conference is still a dysfunctional mess after considering and then rejecting expansion.

Marquette guard Duane Wilson suggests rival Nigel Hayes' protest is broke

The more important element of guard Duane Wilson’s three-post sub-tweet of Badgers forward Nigel Hayes is that not all college athletes share the belief that they’re getting a raw deal.

Cousy Award watchers see big potential in freshmen

Among matters to complain about in sports, preseason all-star teams or “watch lists” may rank near the very bottom. But if you’re going to do them, might as well do them right.

Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes seems like the wrong guy to be protesting the NCAA

Nigel Hayes showed up at "College GameDay" with a sign about being broke. But a deeper look shows a flawed argument.

Melo Trimble leads class of returning stars ready to bolster Big Ten after delaying draft entry

If there is a unifying theme to Big Ten basketball this season, it is how richly the league benefited from the decision by so many key players to postpone NBA Draft entry.

There's no debate: Gonzaga's new assistant is now the second-most famous Ken Bone

Ken Bone the basketball coach was watching Sunday evening’s Presidential Debate when he suddenly became the nation’s second-most famous Ken Bone.

Top Northwestern freshman Ivanauskas will miss season with shoulder injury

Men's basketball coach Chris Collins says that he's disappointed for Ivanauskas, but expects full recovery.

When Romo comes back, no reason for Cowboys to switch from Dak

It's the little moments, the little things, that prove Dak Prescott is the Cowboys' starter, no matter Tony Romo's health.

Jets fans accuse Todd Bowles of quitting after punt late in loss to Steelers

New York's decision to punt down 11 in the fourth quarter was ridiculous.

Penn State AD Sandy Barbour douses James Franklin 'hot seat' talk

Of all the really annoying sports clichés, the coach on the “hot seat” might be the most vile. It is not merely an affront to the language. It’s also a device employed lazily, viciously and, often, inaccurately.

Duke's Grayson Allen is ready to dive into the hearts of college basketball fans, like it or not

Between returning for his junior year, probably converting to point guard and playing so darn hard, Grayson Allen is hard not to like.

A Presidential candidate we can all believe in (except Mizzou fans): Kansas coach Bill Self

If you're undecided between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, here's a presidential candidate voters — especially Kansas fans — can trust.

Duke's Harry Giles needs time to heal, not a place to hide on way to NBA Draft

Why bother even discussing whether Giles should avoid competition to prepare for the NBA Draft?

Harry Giles will keep Duke fans waiting longer for debut after knee surgery

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski says it was "the right step for Harry at the moment."

LSU's premature firing of Les Miles will cost the Tigers in the long run

Firing college coaches in the middle of the season almost never works, and usually leads to more problems down the road.

Jimbo Fisher is miles off mark in blaming LSU coaching change on playoff

It’s ridiculous that LSU fired Miles at this stage because of a replay review that didn’t go the Tigers’ way.

Ben Roethlisberger and Steelers 'stunk,' but their key is to keep that in past tense

The Steelers didn't do much right on Sunday, but a veteran Ben Roethlisberger has the secret to staying positive in the coming weeks.

Fans complaining about Penn State's targeting ejection are angry at wrong issue

Fans might not like it, but college's targeting rule is necessary — and aptly enforced.

Seahawks' Doug Baldwin has totally reasonable solution to police shooting issue

Baldwin stood up for his belief that police in the U.S. need enhanced training.

Omari Spellman ineligible to play as freshman, leaves defending champ Villanova short on players

Villanova basketball will be one player short as it attempts to repeat as NCAA champion in the 2016-17 college basketball season.

Louisville's rout of FSU shows there are lots of expansion candidates big enough for Big 12

Louisville's 63-20 victory made a statement beyond the game.

Steelers' win over Bengals wasn't much to look at, so officials apparently didn't watch

Referee Pete Morelli’s officiating crew made a complete mess of the game.

Notre Dame's Brian Kelly has style, but Mark Dantonio has Michigan State where Irish want to be

While Brian Kelly has the flair in South Bend, Mark Dantonio brings the substance to the Spartans.

Notre Dame's farewell to College Football Playoff hopes was a total team effort

Notre Dame began the college football season ranked No. 10 in The Associated Press poll, and after just three games the Fighting Irish are more likely to end the year in the Quick Lane Bowl than the College Football Playoff.

Big 12 schools already have Houston, they don't need the Cougars, too

The Big 12 has already has the Houston market. What incentive does it have to take the Cougars and its rising football program?

If ACC is leaving North Carolina behind, the state has a lot of catching up to do

The ACC has been a North Carolina-centric conference for years. Now it is leaving the state behind thanks to its controversial HB2 law.

Matthew Stafford, Lions save just enough time to clock Colts in season-opening win

What the Lions accomplished Sunday evening showed the whole issue of clock management, in a league as ferociously balanced as the NFL, can be as complicated as Final Jeopardy.

Lions get creative to overcome loss of Megatron, comeback by Colts

A conservative game plan might not be the best way to beat Detroit this season.

Don't blame NCAA for Charleston Southern suspensions — blame the rules

The NCAA is just an enforcer of absurd rules. Blame those that pass them: the schools.

Return of Penn State-Pitt rivalry shows how much they still need each other

Why Penn State and Pitt paused their annual game is a mystery. But it's back at noon ET today, and a good thing for both programs.

Tom Izzo is a Hall of Famer now, so he needs new challenges to drive him

The Michigan State coach is still as competitive as ever.

Allen Iverson's first college game was the perfect taste of everything to come

Georgetown took on defending champion Arkansas, and everyone knew immediately that we were seeing something special.

DeAndre Ayton shocks recruiting world by becoming first No. 1 prospect to pick Arizona

Kansas and Kentucky were the also-rans for the 7-footer.

The Big 12 expansion beauty pageant is an ugly show for all involved

The league knows who the serious candidates are. Give them a look, see if they fit, make a move. Or don't. Otherwise, it's a giant waste of time.

NFL exhibition games come with a cost, but Americans can't stop buying

Fans must have their pro football, even if some games don't count in the standings. Players pay a real price for that addiction. Owners rake in free millions.

Matt Painter and Purdue have come a long way, will stick together longer

Purdue announced on Friday a contract extension for Painter through the 2021-22 season, which gives him six seasons to run on his deal.

Carmelo Anthony's three Olympic golds are solid proof he is an all-time great

Anthony cried on camera while speaking about his Olympic accomplishments on Sunday, which he sees more value in than many critics.

Don't expect Thon Maker's NBA Draft success to start a rebellion against college hoops

Those trying to present Thon Maker as the next precedent should take a quick look back at the recent history of one-and-done players.

Kris Dunn: Experience is pivotal

Kris Dunn spent four years in college basketball, played in 95 games and two NCAA Tournaments for coach Ed Cooley and the Providence Friars, scored 1,214 points and endured two shoulder surgeries. He insists four-is-more beats one-and-done.

With another ring in sight, Shaun Livingston refuses to look back

Shaun Livingston has "accepted his journey," detours and all. His focus now is on helping the Warriors repeat; a big Game 1 performance has them headed that way.

Delly says it's nuts to think he hit Iguodala's crotch on purpose

The Cavaliers guard has a reputation for chippy play, but in this case, he says, he meant no harm. Even Iggy respects the move on some level.

It's mad to declare Warriors' regular-season record is meaningless without title

Myles Turner 'was born for' NBA

Frank Vogel’s decision to start Turner at power forward in Game 4 Saturday against the Raptors worked out just fine.

Paul George deserves more from his Pacers teammates — and front office

One of the Eastern Conference's few stars is getting no help vs. the Raptors.

Ben Simmons is Sporting News Freshman of the Year

Every aspect of Simmons' game has been oft-maligned in the past few weeks, but this is an honor he more than deserves.

Ben Simmons: Great talent, but not an All-American

Ben Simmons will likely be the top pick in the NBA Draft. That doesn't make him a first-team All-American.

Simmons will be great, but he's no LeBron James

Debunking out-of-bounds Ben Simmons, LeBron James comparisons

Ben Simmons has been hyped as the game's next LeBron, but those comparisons are not entirely accurate.

Departures of Hoiberg, Donovan to NBA not indicative of college game losing its minds

Even though some of college basketball's best coaches are heading to the NBA, it's not a cause for concern.

U.S. star Rubio Rubin hopes to continue flying through U-20 World Cup

Rubin is a rising star, and his next chance to show the world his talent comes this weekend in New Zealand.

Now is the time to right FIFA's 2022 World Cup decision gone wrong

The world’s most powerful soccer leagues must stand up to FIFA, and they have to do it now, while there still is time to do something about the massively damaging World Cup arriving in seven years.

Northwestern AD's complaints about 'one-and-done' culture are same old song

Jim Phillips is wrong in his complaints about college basketball's "one-and-done" culture.

World Cup worth it, even if FIFA shenanigans are not

The World Cup is one of the greatest sporting events in the world. It's FIFA that's the problem.

Landing Swanigan makes Purdue bigger, deeper but not automatically better

Is Caleb Swanigan's addition too much of a good thing for the Boilermakers?

A quarter-century of missed birthdays hasn't diminished a father's impact

Mike DeCourcy's father, Murray, would've been 90 years old. SN's college basketball writer wishes he could watch just one more game with him.

Rules committee's half-measures may miss mark on what ails college hoops

Some of the changes that the NCAA's rules committee is hoping to implement may actually have an undesirable effect on the game.

College basketball moving to 30-second clock in effort to increase scoring

The NCAA rules committee announced a number of critical changes on Friday in the hopes of bettering the game.

Indiana rids itself of two problems, but does that fix everything?

The dismissal of two role players at Indiana doesn't mean problems won't crop up again. But it does mean the Hoosiers are ready to move forward.

Kentucky, Calipari close to contract extension that will pay him $8 million in final season

The Wildcats make yet another move to add incentives for Calipari to stay in Lexington.

There's no defense for NCAA's march toward 30-second shot clock

John Wooden had an adage: "Never mistake activity for achievement." In considering a shortened shot clock, the NCAA rules committee may soon discover the difference.

Florida's choice of Michael White makes perfect cents

Michael White wasn't the big-name hire Florida fans wanted, but he is exactly what the school needs right now.

Yedlin's experience shows the value of U-20 World Cup for American soccer

The U-20 World Cup provides a platform for players such as DeAndre Yedlin to show something that might lead to eventual success in more prestigious competitions.

Steph Curry rewrote recruiting's rules en route to NBA MVP

Steph Curry is a rare type of player because changes in college recruiting have made him into one.

Florida can't afford to miss with Billy Donovan's replacement

Florida will have to spend a good chunk of money if it wants to hire the right guy to replace Billy Donovan.

Former UK star Derek Anderson whiffs on criticism of Calipari

Most of what the former Wildcats star said was way off-base.

With Gibbs' departure, a reminder not all grad transfers produce sterling results

According to last year's transfer statistics, graduate transfers don't have much of an impact on improving their new teams.

Overwrought fears of player poaching fuel coaches' concern about grad transfer rule

Some coaches who are in favor of the proposed graduate transfer rule are worried about their fellow coaches poaching top talent.

LeVert's return to Michigan shows seniors not an endangered species

Guys like Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Tyler Hansbrough paved the way and crushed the notion that seniors aren't good NBA players.

Duke one-and-dones

Mike Krzyzewski has become the second NCAA Division I coach to win a championship with three “one-and-done” players. He has become the first, however, to achieve this feat without an extraordinary amount of condescension and condemnation.

Bo knows what he was talking about — so why are media still getting it wrong?

Ryan responded to a postgame press conference question with an answer that some in the media decided was intended to be derogatory to two of the opponents his team faced in the NCAA Final Four.

Some of Kentucky's NBA Draft entrants should have trusted Calipari to take them further

Part of UK's historic NBA Draft class undoubtedly belongs at the next level, but others should have thought differently.

Layman returning to Maryland

The senior forward makes Maryland a serious title threat next season.

Duke's Grayson Allen jumps off the bench, into NCAA Tournament history with star turn in final

Grayson Allen showed why players shouldn't bail when the minutes are sparse. Now he has a title to his name.

Five Krzyzewski's magic number, thanks to four freshmen

Grayson Allen(!) and the rest of the Blue Devils' kids help give Coach K his fifth national championship with a comeback victory over Wisconsin.

Keys to the title: Breaking down Wisconsin, Duke ahead of the finale in Indy

We know we’re getting a worthy champion. But how do we get through these next 40 minutes? Here are the two key elements for each challenger.

Fresh success demonstrates Krzyzewski not going stale while chasing landmark fifth championship

Mike Krzyzewski could silence any last sliver of doubt on Monday night if he leads the Blue Devils to his fifth title.

Badgers get defensive

Wisconsin has lots of offense but it's known more for its defense. During a crucial stretch near the end of the game, that defense was on display and Kentucky was in trouble.

Wisconsin reaches final

The perfect season is over as Wisconsin hands Kentucky its first loss of the season in the Final Four. Next for the Badgers is Duke in the national title game on Monday.

Duke advances

Duke took control and dominated in its Final Four game with Michigan State. Next stop: the national title game on Monday.

Final Four

Tom Izzo's team entered the NCAA Tournament as a 7-seed. The other three teams in Indy as 1-seeds. The Spartans face Duke at 6:09 p.m. ET.

Final Four

Many factors have led the Final Four teams to Indianapolis, but each team has one area it needs to focus on most.

Kentucky point guard Ulis makes short work of earning Calipari's trust

Calipari is confident he can count on the point guard, regardless of his size.

The only smart thing for Shaka to do was accept the Texas job

Shaka Smart parlayed his talent, determination and patience into one of the top jobs in the country.

Indy should serve up another great Final Four, but RFRA muting celebration

When Calipari, Krzyzewski, Ryan and Izzo won the games that put them on college basketball’s ultimate stage, surely they were thinking more about winning a championship than about the politics of some other state’s government.

The path of racial pioneer Perry Wallace and the integration of SEC basketball

Perry Wallace explains how he became the first African-American scholarship athlete in the Southeastern Conference.

Source: Xavier assistant Travis Steele expected to interview for Northern Kentucky job

Xavier assistant Travis Steele is expected to interview for the Northern Kentucky head coaching position within the week.

Kentucky advances to Final Four

The Wildcats have been tested at times this season but nothing like Saturday against Notre Dame. With Willie Cauley-Stein leading the way, Kentucky's quest for a national title and a perfect season are still intact.

NCAA Tournament

Mike Brey and the Fighting Irish have a chance to beat the Wildcats. Here's how.

UK's astonishing walk, not WVU's outrageous talk, leads to Sweet 16 blowout

Kentucky would have stomped on West Virginia even if the Mountaineers had knocked on their locker room door the day before with bouquets of roses.

Kentucky's punishing defense erases West Virginia's fight plan, carries Wildcats to Elite Eight

Kentucky punched West Virginia in the mouth early and the Mountaineers succumbed to a TKO.

Notre Dame's star playmaker Grants Irish a spot in NCAA Tournament Elite Eight

Notre Dame served the Shockers just their sixth loss in 71 games.

Kentucky

He's a "goofball" off the court, but Cauley-Stein herds the Wildcats on the court. He's really good at it, too.

West Virginia players go with full-court press conference, talk boldly of chances against Kentucky

One of West Virginia's players said that UK will be "36-1" after the two teams meet on Thursday.

SN source: St. John's in talks with Steve Lavin about contract extension

A source told Sporting News that St. John's is in discussions to extend his contract with the school.

Ben Howland's long journey back shows game has changed even for talented coach

Ben Howland built two programs from scratch and reenergized one of the game's greatest brands, and Mississippi State may have hired the best tactician in college coaching the past two decades.

Power forward Jalen Reynolds will play for Xavier in Sweet 16 following incident

A 4-5 week investigation will follow a reported incident on campus, but Xavier's Jalen Reynolds will play, coach Chris Mack said Tuesday.

Job status tenuous for Arizona State's Herb Sendek ahead of AD meeting

Arizona State coach Herb Sendek will meet with university AD Ray Anderson today and could exit that meeting without a job.

Ranking the Sweet 16: Can Arizona's Wildcats top Kentucky's?

Just as it was when the NCAA Tournament started, Kentucky remains the team to beat. But the field behind the Wildcats is tightening. Is Arizona best equipped to derail UK's perfect season?

West Virginia curveball

From defense to rebounding and all-around pressure, the Mountaineers present the kind of challenges that will likely give the Wildcats fits when the two teams square off Thursday night.

Terps, Trimble out as West Virginia presses on to Sweet 16

No. 5 seed West Virginia's all-out, manic pressure dismantled the typically composed Terps and earned the Mountaineers a 69-59 victory and a date in the Midwest Regional semifinals against No. 1 seed Kentucky.

Oklahoma advances

Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield didn't have a particularly great day on offense. But it was his defense on one particular play that assured the Sooners a trip to the next round.

Ellis reaction

After the incident in the Purdue game two days earlier, Cincinnati center Octavius Ellis knew he was going to hear it from fans during the Kentucky game.

Kentucky tops Cincinnati

In the Wildcats' quest for an undefeated season and a national title, one milestone on the way was becoming the first team to go 36-0 in a season. Mission accomplished with a victory over Cincinnati and a return to the Sweet 16.

NCAA Tournament 2015: Kentucky's perfect run continues albeit marred by shooting slump

Cincinnati pushed the Wildcats on Saturday and exposed UK's shooting slump. Will another team be able to capitalize or will Kentucky figure it out before the Sweet 16?

UCLA owes no apologies for tourney bid but should give thanks for good fortune

The Bruins weren't supposed to be heading to the Sweet 16, but a few inches of height and an easy road made all the difference.

Kentucky aversion to Cincinnati has roots in infamous but memorable stall game

The Bearcats and Wildcats have rarely met since UC took the air out of the ball and the rivalry.

UAB pulls first major upset behind heroics of freshman William Lee

The 3-14 matchup is the new 5-12 pairing this year. Just follow UAB's lead.

Chancellor compounds Syracuse disgrace in handling of Boeheim's successor

The Syracuse chancellor sent out a letter to the community in which longtime assistant coach Mike Hopkins' name wasn't mentioned.

Cincy might have to walk on water to beat UK, but will take shot at miracle

The Bearcats are the next obstacle in Kentucky's path to a perfect season. After a wild win over Purdue, they're ready to confront their neighbor.

Ball falls just right for Cincinnati in overtime win over Purdue

The Bearcats move on to the round of 32 after tying the game at the end of regulation. Troy Caupain's layup at the buzzer forces the extra session.

Ellis throws punch, ejected from game

Cincinnati forward Octavius Ellis, a player who has had anger issues in the past, was ejected Thursday night for throwing a punch at Purdue big man A.J. Hammons.

Ref's uncanny vision saves UCLA from elimination, makes Bryce Alford a hero

Wherever college basketball officials congregate to tell stories of their adventures, they will talk of the time Antinio Petty made the call of his life.

NCAA Tournament 2015: Who can catch the 'Cats?

We take a shot at predicting who will win the 2015 NCAA Tournament by ranking the team's probabilities 1-68.

Haunted by Elite Eight end last year, Arizona prepares to take next step

It's difficult getting past last season's 1-point loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament, but that's what Arizona must do. That experience and the addition of Stanley Johnson has the Wildcats moving in the right direction.

NCAA Tournament 2015: Midwest regional preview

Kentucky is easily the class of the Midwest region, but who can challenge them?

NCAA Tournament 2015: West regional preview

Roles have been reversed, but the Wildcats and Badgers are on a collision course again.

NCAA Tournament 2015: Committee shafts Wisconsin, Arizona by raising Villanova

The committee's decision to raise Villanova to a No. 1 seed means that either Wisconsin or Arizona cannot make it to the Final Four, and that's a sin.

Badgers B1G

SN player of the year Frank Kaminsky and the Badgers add a tourney title to their regular-season championship.

NCAA hoops

If you think college basketball is "boring," you haven't watched enough of this Wisconsin team.

NCAA hoops

Tom Izzo's Spartans take aim at the Big Ten Tournament title and its automatic bid to the NCAA Field of 68.

Michigan State on March toward another long tournament month

Badgers are mythbusters of college basketball's 'crisis'

NCAA Tournament

It's easy to award Kentucky a No.1 seed, but the rest of the top line isn't as clear. Consider Villanova, for example.

Jackson to return to Wisconsin, hopes to play in NCAAs

The Badgers could get a boost heading into the NCAA Tournament if all goes as planned for Traevon Jackson.

Jackson to return to Wisconsin, hopes to play in NCAAs

Indiana-Maryland

Call it luck or just good play, but Maryland has advanced past Indiana and into the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.

Ruining Purdue's NCAA Tournament hopes too tall a task for feisty Penn State

Penn State did everything it could to spoil Purdue’s anticipation of Selection Sunday, but A.J. Hammons is just too doggone tall.

Wisconsin survives Michigan despite derailing of 'Frank the Tank'

Kaminsky didn't turn in a dominant performance against the Wolverines but he managed to keep the Badger afloat.

Advancing in Big Ten Tourney keeps Indiana out of coach chaos, in NCAA hunt

The Hoosiers extend their stay in Chicago; as satisfying, they delay their return to Bloomington, where the heat on the program is intense.