AARON BEARD
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis makes comments during a news conference at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Tuesday, April 6, 2021, after being introduced as the Tar Heels' new NCAA men's basketball coach following the retirement of Roy Williams. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Davis begins process of putting own touches on UNC program

By Aaron Beard Apr. 06, 2021 05:24 PM EDT
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Hubert Davis understands the challenge ahead of him in

Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert (24) hugs Jalen Suggs (1) as Gonzaga forward Drew Timme (2) looks on at the end of the championship game against Baylor in the men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 5, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Baylor won 86-70. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Gonzaga's pursuit of perfection ends in out-of-synch showing

By Aaron Beard Apr. 06, 2021 12:00 AM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Corey Kispert greeted his coach with a hug on the sideline

FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2021, file photo, North Carolina assistant coach Hubert Davis, left, embraces Marquette coach Steve Wojciechowski following the Marquette's win in an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C. North Carolina has reached an agreement with assistant coach Hubert Davis to take over the storied men’s basketball program. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, File)
Tar Heels turn to assistant Davis as Williams' successor

By Aaron Beard Apr. 05, 2021 04:32 PM EDT
North Carolina didn't have to look far to find the successor to Hall of Fame

Houston forward Reggie Chaney (32) and forward Fabian White Jr. (35) watch the end of a men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game against Baylor, Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Baylor won 78-59. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Houston stumbles as defense, rebounding falter in Final Four

By Aaron Beard Apr. 03, 2021 07:35 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — DeJon Jarreau made his way to Kelvin Sampson as he checked

North Carolina Head Basketball Coach Roy Williams speaks with members of the media during a news conference, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Williams is retiring after 33 seasons and 903 wins as a college basketball head coach. The Hall of Fame coach led the University of North Carolina to three NCAA championships in 18 seasons as head coach of the Tar Heels. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Tar Heels turn attention to hiring Williams' successor

By Aaron Beard Apr. 02, 2021 02:12 AM EDT
North Carolina now faces the challenge of finding Roy Williams’ successor.

In this photo provided by the University of Iowa, Iowa NCAA college basketball center Luka Garza (55) holds the 2021 AP Player of the Year trophy on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Garza was named The Associated Press men's basketball player of the year on Thursday, April 1. (Brian Ray/University of Iowa Athletics via AP)
Iowa's Luka Garza named AP men's college player of the year

By Aaron Beard Apr. 01, 2021 04:00 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Luka Garza knew what everyone expected before returning for

FILE - North Carolina head coach Roy Williams, center, celebrates with his team after their 89-72 victory over Michigan State in the championship game at the men's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament in Detroit, in this Tuesday, April 7, 2009, file phto. North Carolina announced Thursday, April 1, 2021, that Hall of Fame basketball coach Roy Williams is retiring after a 33-year career that includes three national championships. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams retiring after 33-year run

By Aaron Beard Apr. 01, 2021 10:38 AM EDT
Roy Williams has a Hall of Fame resume filled with more than 900 wins and three

Baylor players celebrate after an Elite 8 game against Arkansas in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, in Indianapolis. Baylor won 81-72. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Study: Michigan stands out in academics-based NCAA brackets

By Aaron Beard Mar. 31, 2021 04:15 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michigan fell short of the Final Four, but the Wolverines

Southern California forward Evan Mobley (4) loses the ball between Gonzaga forward Anton Watson, left, and forward Drew Timme, right, during the first half of an Elite 8 game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
USC's early turnovers doom NCAA upset bid against Gonzaga

By Aaron Beard Mar. 30, 2021 09:53 PM EDT
Southern California knew it might take a perfect game to spoil Gonzaga's

Houston guard DeJon Jarreau (3) passes over Oregon State forward Maurice Calloo (1) during the first half of an Elite 8 game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium, Monday, March 29, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Houston tops Oregon State, reaches 1st Final Four since '84

By Aaron Beard Mar. 29, 2021 09:44 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kelvin Sampson stood atop a ladder and yanked loose the

Southern California head coach Andy Enfield reacts to a call during the first half of a Sweet 16 game against Oregon in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Sunday, March 28, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Not just offense: Gonzaga trusts defense entering USC game

By Aaron Beard Mar. 29, 2021 04:43 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Gonzaga has spent its entire season pushing tempo, knocking

Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle reacts during the first half of a Sweet 16 game against Loyola Chicago in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Saturday, March 27, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Houston, Oregon State bring defensive focus to Midwest final

By Aaron Beard Mar. 28, 2021 06:56 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The formula has been simple all year for Houston under

Houston guard DeJon Jarreau (3) blocks the shot of Syracuse guard Buddy Boeheim (35) as Houston forward Reggie Chaney (32) defends in the first half of a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Houston locks in on defense, beats Syracuse 62-46 in NCAAs

By Aaron Beard Mar. 28, 2021 12:24 AM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Houston contested every 3-pointer, took away clean looks

Villanova's Justin Moore (5) is defended by North Texas' Javion Hamlet (3) during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan, Villanova push past key injuries in Sweet 16 run

By Aaron Beard Mar. 25, 2021 04:11 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Villanova spent all season operating with the security of

Baylor head coach Scott Drew and MaCio Teague (31) are interviewed after Baylor's win over Hartford in a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Friday, March 19, 2021, in Indianapolis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Transfers boost Sampson's Cougars, others into NCAA Sweet 16

By Aaron Beard Mar. 25, 2021 02:15 AM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kelvin Sampson never set out to take a once-proud Houston

Creighton guard Marcus Zegarowski (11) celebrates following a 72-58 win over Ohio a second round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Monday, March 22, 2021. Creighton defeated Ohio 72-58. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Zegarowski, Creighton beat Ohio 72-58 to reach NCAA Sweet 16

By Aaron Beard Mar. 22, 2021 08:31 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Marcus Zegarowski and his Creighton teammates battled

Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman watches from the sideline as his team played against Texas Tech in the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Smith, Arkansas hold off Texas Tech 68-66 in NCAA 2nd round

By Aaron Beard Mar. 21, 2021 08:42 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — His players began spilling onto the court at the horn, and

Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs (1) protects the ball from Norfolk State guard Mustafa Lawrence (3) during the first half of a men's college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Kispert, Gonzaga roll past Norfolk State 98-55 in NCAAs

By Aaron Beard Mar. 20, 2021 11:33 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Corey Kispert scored 15 of his 23 points by halftime and No

Morehead State's Skyelar Potter (5) pulls down a rebound during the second half of a college basketball game against West Virginia in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
McBride, West Virginia beat Morehead State 84-67 in NCAAs

By Aaron Beard Mar. 20, 2021 12:58 AM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Miles McBride knocked down shots from the start while West

Oklahoma State's Cade Cunningham (2) passes over Baylor's MaCio Teague during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Pick Six: Cunningham, Mobley lead top NBA prospects in NCAAs

By Aaron Beard Mar. 19, 2021 02:41 AM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cade Cunningham has long prepared for this moment.