College Basketball

Big men, bigger lineups: how length, size got Illinois, UConn, Arizona, Michigan to the Final Four

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tarris Reed Jr. sat at his locker Thursday, fielding questions about his run as the interior-scoring, rebound-snagging force in UConn’s latest Final Four push. Yet he wasn’t the main attraction. Advertisement That’s because across the room, an even bigger gaggle of reporters waited for freshman guard Braylon Mullins — the Indiana kid who hit an all-timer of …

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UConn teammates seeing Braylon Mullins grow beyond game-winning shot, taking ‘that leadership role’

INDIANAPOLIS — Braylon Mullins finished another interview with a national outlet, walked into UConn basketball’s locker room at Lucas Oil Stadium and encountered a media horde. About a dozen media members had staked out Mullins’ locker. When the Greenfield-Central alum took his seat, they quickly enveloped him, the lights of television cameras shining on his face. Advertisement Such is the …

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Final Four NBA Draft prospects who will be first-round picks in 2026

We’re headed toward some big basketball moments in the coming weeks. Ones that will change the lives of many young hoopsters and the faces of several NBA franchises. They’re both interconnected, of course, and the future for players and NBA teams starts Saturday night with the two Final Four semifinal matchups (Saturday, April 4, 4:09) followed by the national championship …

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Keaton Wagler leads deep group of talented freshmen still putting their imprint on March Madness

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Keaton Wagler’s high school basketball transcript contained everything a college coach would want in a recruit. The 6-foot-6 sharp-shooting Illinois guard helped Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Kansas win its first two state titles, one coming with a perfect season. He won a school record 80 games and finished among the top five on the school’s …

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Rutgers vs Creighton Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s CBC Tournament Game

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here. Las Vegas is known for its special sendoffs as a destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties. But how about for coaching careers? Advertisement The Creighton Bluejays give long-time coach Greg McDermott a “Sin City salute” when they take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights …

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Belmont basketball freshman Jack Smiley returning for sophomore season

Belmont’s freshman standout Jack Smiley will return to the Bruins for his sophomore season. Belmont confirmed, on April 2, the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman honoree will remain a Bruin following the departure of coach Casey Alexander for Kansas State and the hiring of his replacement in Evan Bradds on March 19. Smiley was in attendance for Bradds’ introductory press conference …

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Davis, Humrichous return home as crucial role players on Final Four team

Amidst the hype of the beloved “Balkan Five”, Kylan Boswell’s special senior season in his hometown, and Keaton Wagler’s rapid rise to stardom, Jake Davis and Ben Humrichous have been the unsung heroes of Illinois’ historic season. Davis and Humrichous are two of Illinois’ eight rotational players, combining to play 42.1 minutes per game for the Fighting Illini. The Illinois …

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Two NFL Rules Experts Publicly Disagree On Duke vs. UConn

UConn coach Dan Hurley’s emotions nearly cost his program a trip to the Final Four this past Sunday. After Braylon Mullins made a 3-pointer to give UConn a 73-72 lead with 0.4 seconds remaining, Hurley bumped heads with official Roger Ayers. This wild interaction nearly stole all the headlines, which is quite impressive considering Mullins drained a 35-footer for the …

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Auburn vs Illinois State Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NIT Tournament Game

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here. Auburn and Illinois State meet in the NIT semifinals tonight, with the Tigers having a few notable advantages. The stylistic differences in this matchups stand out in a large way. Advertisement My Auburn vs. Illinois State predictions and college basketball picks break down …

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It has been 50 years since the last perfect NCAA champion. Indiana will be honored not far from home

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Bob Knight’s halftime speech on March 29, 1976, was an instant classic. Indiana’s players remember walking into the locker room, down 35-29 to a Michigan team they’d already beaten twice in close games earlier that season with starting guard Bobby Wilkerson ruled out because of an injury. That’s when the late Hall of Fame coach arrived and …

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Villanova heavily pursued Final Four head coach last year

Villanova was one of the top available jobs around the nation last year. The Wildcats went through a rigorous process before landing on Kevin Willard. Now, North Carolina is looking for a new head coach and considered the top landing spot for a head coach. As the Tar Heels go through their process, new information is being shared about Villanova’s …

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How Illinois’ Keaton Wagler rose from freshman unknown to superstar

This story originally published March 19, 2026. From completely unrecognized to a superstar. That has been the story of Illinois men’s basketball freshman guard Keaton Wagler, who went from an under-recruited 3-star prospect to the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and likely NBA draft lottery pick. Advertisement Wagler has led veteran-laden, European-influenced Illinois to the 2026 Final Four. He’s …

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UNC basketball is special but still not close to powerhouse

UNC basketball is special but still not close to powerhouse originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Times are changing and the last people to get that seem to be those running historically successful programs. Recently, the University of North Carolina decided to move on from head coach Hubert Davis.  …

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