College Basketball

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michigan overpowered Arizona early and humbled the ’Cats all night long, turning the Final Four meeting billed as the Game of the Year into a 91-73 Wolverines highlight reel Saturday night. Junior center Aday Mara scored a career-high 26 points and had nine rebounds, a dinged-up Yaxel Lendeborg had 11 points in 14 minutes and the Blue …

INDIANAPOLIS — Shortly after his team grinded out a 71-62 victory over Illinois to advance to Monday’s national title game, UConn coach Dan Hurley couldn’t resist poking fun at those who picked against the Huskies. Unprompted during his press conference, Hurley pointed out that oddsmakers anointed Illinois a 1.5-point favorite over UConn even though the Huskies beat the Illini by …

INDIANAPOLIS — The horn sounded, signaling UConn’s return to the national championship game for the third time in four seasons. And freshman Braylon Mullins raised his arms in triumph, a huge smile on his face as he trotted over to join his celebrating Huskies teammates. Not far away, Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler headed dejectedly to his bench, pulling his jersey …

Yaxel Lendeborg injury updates: Michigan star hobbles to locker room after hurting ankle, knee in Final Four originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Michigan couldn’t have started much hotter against Arizona in Saturday’s Final Four matchup, but Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg ran into a couple of hiccups along the …

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michigan star forward Yaxel Lendeborg was sidelined by an ankle injury during the first half of Saturday’s Final Four game against Arizona, and it was unclear whether he would return. The first-team All-American had a rough start with two quick fouls and then exited after he stepped on the foot of Arizona big man Motiejus Krivas and …

Dan Hurley’s UConn magic all over Huskies’ march to still another NCAA Championship game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. INDIANAPOLIS – From the scowls to the play calls to the angry gestures to the rare (often sarcastic) smirks, all the way to the postgame handshake lines, Dan Hurley …

INDIANAPOLIS — Fans in orange and blue streamed through the streets of Indianapolis hours before Illinois’ national semifinal against Connecticut on Saturday and showed up early to Lucas Oil Stadium, an hour or so before tipoff. One half of the stadium was covered in orange, as were large patches of seats in the upper decks. A two-hour drive from Champaign …

Illinois men’s basketball entered the 2026 Final Four with the most statistically decorated offense in the country, an explosive and dynamic group that regularly blitzed past opponents. In the national semifinals, though, the Fighting Illini ran into a team that’s quickly starting to become their kryptonite. Advertisement In a 71-62 loss to UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, coach …

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The horn sounded, signaling UConn’s return to the national championship game for the third time in four seasons. And freshman Braylon Mullins raised his arms in triumph, a huge smile on his face as he trotted over to join his celebrating Huskies teammates. Not far away, Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler headed dejectedly to his bench, pulling his …

INDIANAPOLIS — Tarris Reed Jr. posted his third double-double of the NCAA Tournament and Connecticut beat Illinois 71-62 in the Final Four to advance to Monday night’s national championship game. The No. 3 Huskies will meet the winner of the second national semifinal between No. 1 seeds Arizona and Michigan. Advertisement Reed had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Braylon Mullins …

LAS VEGAS — It has been quite a run to say the least. Ten NCAA appearances. Fourteen years of 20-plus wins. A trip to the Elite Eight. A smooth transition from the Missouri Valley to the Big East. Not bad for a small Catholic school in Omaha, Nebraska. Greg McDermott was the guiding hand to Creighton’s basketball success over the …

After beating Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament Midwest region final on Sunday, March 30, No. 1 seed Michigan basketball is headed to its ninth Final Four appearance, starting with fellow 1-seed Arizona in Indianapolis on Saturday. Here’s a look at the program’s eight previous runs: 1964: Cazzie’s 31 not enough The dynamic duo of Cazzie Russell (left) and Detroit’s Bill …

Who are the Final Four refs? Officials assigned to UConn-Illinois, Arizona-Michigan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. It’s one of the biggest honors in officiating. Advertisement Being chosen to referee the Final Four, or even the national championship game, is a special distinction in college basketball. With the Final …

The Oklahoma men’s basketball team may soon have a general manager. OU is reportedly set to hire Lucas McKay, currently the Clemson GM. He helped create the roster for Tigers teams that have made three straight NCAA Tournaments, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2024. Advertisement Oklahoma had previously hired NBA guard Trae Young as assistant general manager in March. …

Charles Barkley makes bold Illinois prediction vs. UConn at Final Four originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Charles Barkley is not easing into his Final Four prediction. The Hall of Famer went all in on the Illinois Fighting Illini ahead of Saturday’s showdown with the UConn Huskies, and he …

Is Braylon Mullins related to Chris? How similar name links UConn star to NBA legend originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Basketball fans tuning in to March Madness have seen Braylon Mullins make a name for himself. Advertisement Mullins hit the historic game-winning shot to push UConn past Duke …

NORMAN — It appears Oklahoma men’s basketball might have found its general manager. The Sooners are hiring Lucas McKay — who held the role of general manager at Clemson and worked under Tigers coach Brad Brownell for 13 of the past 16 seasons — to an unspecified role, according to a report from TigersIllustrated.com. McKay was previously with Brownell at …

Keaton Wagler’s Jerry West Award win proves Illinois star is built for March moments originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. For a player who wasn’t supposed to dominate college basketball this quickly, Keaton Wagler has spent the entire season doing exactly that. Now, the recognition has caught up. Advertisement …

Darius Acuff Jr.’s Cousy Award win caps freshman takeover that made Arkansas must-watch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. For most freshmen, the transition to college basketball is about survival. Adjust to the speed, learn the system, and slowly carve out a role. It is rarely smooth, and even …

Tonight, graduate senior forward Ben Humrichous will take the floor on the nation’s biggest stage as Illinois prepares to play in its sixth Final Four with a shot at the program’s first ever National Championship on the line. Humrichous’ journey to Indianapolis is about as unique as any you’ll find on the court this weekend, a path less traveled by …

And then, there were four. On the men’s side of March Madness 2026, the Final Four is here with a quartet of teams left in the NCAA tournament. It’s a pair of No. 1 seeds facing off on Saturday in Indianapolis and a No. 2 seed playing a No. 3. First, it’s Illinois vs. UConn, followed by Michigan against Arizona. …

Oklahoma tops Baylor with late run, makes Vegas final Xzayvier Brown scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half to show the way for Oklahoma in a 82-69 victory over Baylor in the College Basketball Crown semifinals Saturday in Las Vegas. Advertisement Tae Davis scored 11 of his 18 points in the final 12 minutes for the Sooners …

Dan Hurley is a man of superstition. The Connecticut men’s basketball coach is also often animated on the sidelines, whether it is his displeasure with something from his team or displeasure with a call from a referee (or referees) on the officiating crew. Advertisement Speaking of officials, the Huskies will see three officials in their Final Four game on Saturday …

We will get another mid-major in the Final Four – at some point. It’s been bleak. No mid-majors making even the second weekend, let alone the third weekend for a second straight year. We’re just three years removed from TWO mid-majors in the Final Four. We love you San Diego State and Florida Atlantic. Now, we’re experiencing a second Final …

Mike Krzyzewski’s last remaining Duke player enters the transfer portal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Stanley Borden has hit the transfer portal for a second time in his career. Advertisement The last college basketball player to have played for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke is reportedly leaving UTSA, according to …