Matthew Mayer
Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann shouts during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Shannon scores 17, Illinois beats Ohio State 69-60

Jan. 24, 2023 10:00 PM EST

Nebraska's Sam Griesel, center, drives between Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr., left, and Matthew Mayer during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers 1/10/2023

Jan. 10, 2023 09:56 PM EST

Alabama A&M's Brandon Powell, center, reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio)
Mayer scores 21 to lead No. 18 Illini past Alabama A&M 68-47

By Gavin Good Dec. 17, 2022 06:41 PM EST

Penn State guard Myles Dread shoots as Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. Penn St. won 74-59. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Funk, Dread hot from 3 as Penn State beats No. 17 Illinois

By Gavin Good Dec. 10, 2022 02:10 PM EST

Norfolk State guard Joe Bryant Jr. shoots a three point shot over Baylor forward Jalen Bridges in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
George scores 23 points for No. 5 Baylor over Norfolk State

Nov. 11, 2022 10:35 PM EST

North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) goes up for a shot as Baylor forward Jeremy Sochan (1) defends in the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA college basketball tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, March, 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
North Carolina Tar Heels at Baylor Bears 3/19/2022

Mar. 19, 2022 12:56 PM EDT

Baylor guard James Akinjo (11) drives against Norfolk State guard Christian Ings (0) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, Thursday, March 17, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Defending champ Baylor opens with 85-49 win over Norfolk St

By Stephen Hawkins Mar. 17, 2022 04:26 PM EDT

Kansas guard Christian Braun, right, runs the offense as Baylor guard James Akinjo defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
No. 10 Baylor rallies to beat No. 5 Kansas 80-70 in Big 12

By Stephen Hawkins Feb. 26, 2022 10:42 PM EST

Oklahoma State guard Bryce Thompson (1) gestures to the crowd following a score against Baylor during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Flagler scores 29, leads No. 10 Baylor past Oklahoma State

By Cliff Brunt Feb. 21, 2022 11:47 PM EST

TCU center Eddie Lampkin reacts after injuring his leg during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
Sochan and shorthanded No. 7 Baylor get past TCU 72-62

By Stephen Hawkins Feb. 19, 2022 02:35 PM EST

Texas Tech's Kevin Obanor (0) celebrates after scoring a 3-point shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)
Obanor paces No. 11 Texas Tech for sweep of No. 7 Baylor

Feb. 16, 2022 11:38 PM EST

Baylor forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (23) is helped from the court as he leaves the game with an apparent leg injury during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
No. 10 Baylor beats No. 20 Texas 80-63 after losing big man

By Stephen Hawkins Feb. 12, 2022 02:33 PM EST

FILE - Baylor forward Jeremy Sochan, bottom, covers his face after getting injured on a play in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. Baylor has gotten banged up over the last month, going from the undefeated No. 1 team to 4-4 over its last eight games. (AP Photo/Emil Lippe, File)
Injuries lead to inconsistency in Baylor slide from top spot

By Stephen Hawkins Feb. 08, 2022 05:06 PM EST

Kansas guard Christian Braun (2) celebrates after a shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
No. 10 Kansas quickly builds huge lead, routs No. 8 Baylor

By David Smale Feb. 05, 2022 06:36 PM EST

Baylor guard Dale Bonner (3) defends against a three-point basket attempt by West Virginia guard Taz Sherman (12) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Waco, Texas, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Akinjo scores 25 points as No. 8 Baylor overcomes WVU 81-77

By Stephen Hawkins Jan. 31, 2022 11:39 PM EST

West Virginia guard Sean McNeil (22) looks for room to make a pass as Baylor forward Jeremy Sochan (1) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Waco, Texas, Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
West Virginia Mountaineers at Baylor Bears 1/31/2022

Jan. 31, 2022 09:56 PM EST

Baylor guard Matthew Mayer (24) shoots as Oklahoma guard Elijah Harkless (55) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Flagler, Cryer lead No. 5 Baylor past Oklahoma 65-51

By Cliff Brunt Jan. 22, 2022 05:23 PM EST

Baylor forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (23) dunks the ball while being guarded by West Virginia guard Taz Sherman (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Morgantown, W.Va., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. (William Wotring)
Cryer, Mayer lead No. 5 Baylor past West Virginia 77-68

By John Raby Jan. 18, 2022 07:26 PM EST

West Virginia forward Jalen Bridges (11) protects the ball from Baylor guard Kendall Brown (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Morgantown, W.Va., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. (William Wotring)
Baylor Bears at West Virginia Mountaineers 1/18/2022

Jan. 18, 2022 05:58 PM EST

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme (2) shoots over BYU forward Caleb Lohner (33) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, in Spokane, Wash. Gonzaga won 110-84. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Gonzaga back at No. 1 in AP Top 25; Auburn up to No. 2

By John Marshall Jan. 17, 2022 12:12 PM EST