EDDIE PELLS
FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, file photo, the Kansas Jayhawks host the Baylor Bears during an NCAA college basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. For coaches, lawyers and other leaders in college basketball, the approach of the upcoming 2019-2020 season has been nothing like business as usual. The storied Jayhawks program faces serious questions about whether it will remain eligible for the postseason come March 2020 in the wake of NCAA allegations of recruiting fraud that could sink both the program and its Hall of Fame coach, Bill Self. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)
For college basketball, a season begins on the brink

By Eddie Pells Oct. 28, 2019 10:38 AM EDT
For coaches and other leaders in college basketball, the approach of the

El jugador de Virginia De'Andre Hunter (12) tira a canasta durante la primera mitad de su juego, en la final por el campeonato de baloncesto universitario NCAA el lunes 8 de abril de 2019, en Minneapolis. (AP Foto/Jeff Roberson)
Comeback Cavs! A year after pain, Virginia gets its title

By Eddie Pells Apr. 09, 2019 03:19 AM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — It was an easy question to ask, even if the answer was tough to

Virginia's Kyle Guy (5) and his teammates celebrate after defeating Texas Tech 85-77 in the overtime in the championship of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Comeback! Cavs get their title, 85-77 in OT over Texas Tech

By Eddie Pells Apr. 08, 2019 03:22 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Now that, Virginia, is the way to close out a season.

FILE - In this Dec. 23, 1982, file photo, Chaminade's Tony Randolph attempts to edge Virginia's Ralph Sampson, left, out of the play during a college basketball game in Honolulu. Virginia's basketball program, which gave us one of the sport's greatest players in Sampson and its two biggest upsets, by Division II Chaminade and the world's most famous 16 seed in UMBC, is now on the verge of writing a new chapter _ one that would nott be appreciated by nearly as many people were it not for the huge platform Virginia hoops helped create. (AP Photo/File)
History? Virginia's got plenty. And soon, maybe a title

By Eddie Pells Apr. 07, 2019 05:07 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — It is not Duke, North Carolina or UCLA. Yet when

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts on the bench during the first half against Texas Tech in the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Mooney scores, Texas Tech clamps down in 61-51 win over MSU

By Eddie Pells Apr. 06, 2019 11:14 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — For those who thought Texas Tech only plays defense, it's time to

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo directs his team during a practice session for the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, April 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Michigan State, Texas Tech get ready for a Final Four grind

By Eddie Pells Apr. 05, 2019 05:36 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hunker down, hoops fans. This one might be ugly. The

Texas Tech's Davide Moretti (25) warms up during a practice session for the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, April 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Art of the D: This Final Four, defense wins championships

By Eddie Pells Apr. 05, 2019 04:41 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A short year ago, it not only felt inevitable, it was already

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl answers questions after a practice session for the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, April 4, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Final Four runs don't mask problems in college sports

By Eddie Pells Apr. 04, 2019 05:21 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — One team's coach got kicked out of the sport for three years, and

Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard celebrates after the team's win against Gonzaga during the West Regional final in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Saturday, March 30, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. Texas Tech won 75-69. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Texas Tech coach takes the long way to the Final Four

By Eddie Pells Mar. 31, 2019 12:13 PM EDT
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — It's fair to say there would be no Final Four for Texas Tech

Texas Tech celebrates after the team scored against Gonzaga during the second half of the West Regional final in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Saturday, March 30, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Texas Tech locks down 'Zags to earn to 1st Final Four trip

By Eddie Pells Mar. 30, 2019 08:41 PM EDT
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — One player came all the way from Italy. Another arrived from

Texas Tech coach Chris Beard shouts during the first half the team's NCAA men's college basketball tournament West Region semifinal against Michigan on Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Texas Tech's coach spends life on edge, as an underdog

By Eddie Pells Mar. 29, 2019 04:03 PM EDT
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Chris Beard burst onto the scene at the NCAA Tournament three

Michigan coach John Beilein reacts during the second half of the team's NCAA men's college basketball tournament West Region semifinal against Texas Tech on Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
D up: Texas Tech clamps down in 63-44 win over Michigan

By Eddie Pells Mar. 29, 2019 01:11 AM EDT
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — More than 24 minutes into the game, the nation's best defense

Michigan forward Ignas Brazdeikis, middle, drives to the basket between Texas Tech forward Deshawn Corprew, let, and guard Jarrett Culver during the first half an NCAA men's college basketball tournament West Region semifinal Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
D up: Texas Tech clamps down in 63-44 win over Michigan

By Eddie Pells Mar. 29, 2019 12:17 AM EDT
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — More than 24 minutes into the game, the nation's best defense

Gonzaga forward Brandon Clarke during a news conference at the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Gonzaga plays Florida State in a West Regional semifinal on Thursday. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Hollywood sequel: Zags, FSU, Michigan back in SoCal

By Eddie Pells Mar. 27, 2019 05:41 PM EDT
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — From the palm trees outside to the big men inside, the Western

Gonzaga's bench celebrates during the second half against Fairleigh Dickinson during a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Gonzaga strikes a deal to get more out of tournament success

By Eddie Pells Mar. 26, 2019 02:26 PM EDT
When leaders at Gonzaga were looking to sweeten the pot for their basketball team in

Gonzaga forward Brandon Clarke, center, goes to the basket as Baylor's Mario Kegler (4) and Mark Vital (11) defend during the second half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Slammed: Clarke scores 36 in Gonzaga's 83-71 win over Baylor

By Eddie Pells Mar. 23, 2019 09:39 PM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Next stop on the Brandon Clarke Dunk 'n Swat Festival: The

Duke's RJ Barrett dribbles while defended by North Dakota State's Jaxon Knotek (2) and Jared Samuelson (11) during a first-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Columbia, S.C. Friday, March 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Odd surprise, lots of top NBA talent left in NCAA Tournament

By Eddie Pells Mar. 23, 2019 02:28 AM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — It shouldn't come as a surprise that this spring's NBA draft

Fairleigh Dickinson forward Nadi Beciri, left, is embraced by coach Greg Herenda after a second-half shot against Gonzaga in a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger)
FDU senior fashions a beautiful ending to a terrible game

By Eddie Pells Mar. 22, 2019 03:02 AM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Nobody should ever say Nadi Beciri's biggest moment came in

Gonzaga's Corey Kispert (24) celebrates with Zach Norvell Jr. (23) after scoring against Fairleigh Dickinson during the first half of a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
No drama: No. 1 Zags roll past Fairleigh Dickinson in NCAAs

By Eddie Pells Mar. 21, 2019 09:43 PM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — When it comes to a 16 seed beating a 1, it's still true —

Auburn Tigers forward Chuma Okeke (5) shoots as New Mexico State forward C.J. Bobbitt (13) defends in the first half during a first round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Missed FTs, late pass cost NM State in 78-77 loss to Auburn

By Eddie Pells Mar. 21, 2019 04:16 PM EDT
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A.J. Harris had an easy layup for the tie. He wanted a win for