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Tatum scores 35 points and Celtics ride 3rd-quarter rally to beat Wizards 133-129 for 40th win
Read full article: Tatum scores 35 points and Celtics ride 3rd-quarter rally to beat Wizards 133-129 for 40th winJayson Tatum scored 35 points and sparked a third-quarter rally to help the NBA-leading Boston Celtics to their 40th win of the season, 133-129 over the Washington Wizards.
Clippers, Timberwolves and Knicks each have 2 players selected as All-Star Game reserves
Read full article: Clippers, Timberwolves and Knicks each have 2 players selected as All-Star Game reservesKawhi Leonard and Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers were chosen as All-Star reserves Thursday, while the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks also had two players selected.
James scores 50, rallies Lakers past Wizards for 122-109 win
Read full article: James scores 50, rallies Lakers past Wizards for 122-109 winLeBron James scored 50 points for the 15th time in his career and helped rally the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half to a 122-109 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Gonzaga's bid for a perfect season moves on to Final Four
Read full article: Gonzaga's bid for a perfect season moves on to Final FourGonzaga (30-0) has been an offensive juggernaut rarely seen in college basketball. Ad“Everyone wants us to keep moving forward, but that’s not how we roll,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. That doesn’t lessen our desire to win this game, the next game or win two more games.”The next one won't be easy. The Bears were embroiled in one of the darkest scandals in college basketball history, when Patrick Dennehy was murdered by teammate Carlton Dotson in 2003. They played in the Final Four.”___More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/College-basketball and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25
Quite a show: Zags stay undefeated with 85-66 win over USC
Read full article: Quite a show: Zags stay undefeated with 85-66 win over USCOn Saturday in the national semifinals, the Zags will face 11th-seeded UCLA, which beat Michigan 51-49 in a later Elite Eight game. All-American Corey Kispert had 18 points and eight boards on an “off” night — only 6 for 19 from the floor. “We just tried to stay moving,” Suggs said about attacking the USC zone, which had been shutting down teams all month in Indy. “It was a little surprising," USC coach Andy Enfield said, “because we'd been playing great basketball.”The Zags have a way about doing that to people. ALL-WEST TEAMThe All-region team included both Mobley brothers, Suggs, Kispert and Timme, who was named the West's most outstanding player.
Unbeaten Zags keep rolling with 83-65 rout of Creighton
Read full article: Unbeaten Zags keep rolling with 83-65 rout of CreightonNembhard had 17 points and eight assists, both season highs, to keep the NCAA Tournament's top overall seed rolling Sunday with a 83-65 rout of fifth-seeded Creighton in the West Region semifinals. Defensively, the Zags held Creighton to 40 points over the final 30 minutes as they methodically turned a 27-25 game into a blowout. “They just play so fast, so efficient with everything they do," said Marcus Zegarowski, who led Creighton with 19 points. That just about finished off Creighton as the Zags moved within three wins of becoming the first undefeated national champion since Indiana in 1976. Gonzaga: The Zags have won their first three tournament games by a combined 77 points.
Oklahoma can't hang with Timme, Gonzaga; top seed advances
Read full article: Oklahoma can't hang with Timme, Gonzaga; top seed advancesGonzaga forward Drew Timme (2) celebrates with teammate Corey Kispert (24) after defeating Oklahoma in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Monday, March 22, 2021. Drew Timme scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and the top-seeded Bulldogs beat No. “Thought we got a little better feel for the pace of things in the second half,” Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger said. SECOND WEEKENDThe last time Gonzaga was eliminated before the tournament's second weekend was in 2015, when the Bulldogs were a No. Oklahoma failed to reach the second week for the third straight tournament appearance since reaching the Final Four in 2016.
Kispert, Gonzaga roll past Norfolk State 98-55 in NCAAs
Read full article: Kispert, Gonzaga roll past Norfolk State 98-55 in NCAAs(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)INDIANAPOLIS – Corey Kispert scored 15 of his 23 points by halftime and No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga rolled in its NCAA Tournament opener, beating Norfolk State 98-55 on Saturday night. 1 seed in tournament history. Kispert knocked down five 3s in the opening half, while Watson offered some immediate interior production off the bench. AdGonzaga: There’s history on the line for Gonzaga in this tournament run as the top overall seed for the first time in program history.
What some advanced stats may tell us about the NCAA field
Read full article: What some advanced stats may tell us about the NCAA field(AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)Two years ago, before the start of the last NCAA Tournament, we presented a system that could help narrow down the bracket, using advanced stats from recent seasons. Virginia, one of six teams that passed all of our statistical tests, did in fact win the national championship. To review: This method uses six stats in which every champion since 2008 has ranked in the top half of Division I. All these stats are available at barttorvik.com — and we'll use that information to pare down this year's contenders. Effective field goal percentage (eFG%) is a measure of field goal percentage in which 3-pointers are given extra weight.
Closed circuit: March Madness trip leads to life on lockdown
Read full article: Closed circuit: March Madness trip leads to life on lockdownThe Texas basketball team walks around the concourse at Victory Field at the NCAA college basketball tournament, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Indianapolis. This is life at a basketball tournament being played in a pandemic. Starting Thursday, in an attempt to get through 67 games uninterrupted, the NCAA has placed players, coaches and staff under a virtual lock and key. “But it was not NCAA staff that encouraged meals to be had in restaurants,” he said. “Gotta make sure the game’s sharp by the time springtime comes.”Ad___More AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket
Gonzaga, Baylor dominate AP All-America teams
Read full article: Gonzaga, Baylor dominate AP All-America teams(AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)Gonzaga and Baylor spent almost the entire season holding down the top two spots in the Top 25. Makes sense they'd hold down a bunch of spots on The Associated Press All-America teams. The Bulldogs' Corey Kispert and the Bears' Jared Butler led the way with first-team nods Tuesday from the national panel of 63 media members that vote each week in the AP Top 25 poll. Just like the first- and second-team All-Americans, their teams also will be playing in the NCAA Tournament this week. ___AP Basketball Writer John Marshall and AP Sports Writers Michael Marot and Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.
Gonzaga's bid for perfection begins with No. 1 overall seed
Read full article: Gonzaga's bid for perfection begins with No. 1 overall seed1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament bracket announced Sunday as they try to become the first team in 35 years to complete a perfect season. 4 seed Virginia 98-75 in late December. Grand Canyon lost to New Mexico State in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament title game for two straight years under previous coach Dan Majerle. Drew knows a little something about NCAA Tournament drama, hitting a game-winning 3-pointer for Valparaiso against Mississippi 23 years ago, so you never know. 5 Creighton had a 20-win season that included victories over NCAA Tournament teams Georgetown, Villanova and two over Connecticut.
Shirts or skins? Teams need only 5 to be eligible for NCAAs
Read full article: Shirts or skins? Teams need only 5 to be eligible for NCAAs(AP Photo/David Becker)All a team needs to play in this year's NCAA Tournament is five healthy players. AdPlayers will have their own rooms and teams will have their own floors at designated hotels throughout their stay in Indiana. But Gavitt acknowledged that as long as a team has five players, it can stick around for as long as it keeps winning. Ad“We decided if they had five players eligible and healthy," they could play, he said. “We're looking at who's played games and missed games.
No. 1 Gonzaga rallies to beat BYU 88-78 in WCC title game
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga rallies to beat BYU 88-78 in WCC title gameThe Zags won their eighth WCC title in nine years and 17th under coach Mark Few. The Cougars were the last team to beat Gonzaga, 91-78 on Feb. 22, 2020. The Cougars did just that to start the game, hitting 10 of their first 16 shots to take a 26-19 lead. Expect the Cougars to be a tough out in the NCAA Tournament. UP NEXTBYU should be a lock to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015.
Perfect Zags: No. 1 Gonzaga stays unbeaten, tops LMU 86-69
Read full article: Perfect Zags: No. 1 Gonzaga stays unbeaten, tops LMU 86-691 Gonzaga remained the only unbeaten in the country with a 86-69 win over Loyola Marymount on Saturday night. The Bulldogs (24-0, 15-0 WCC) won their 51st straight home game to set a school record and finished off a perfect regular season. Gonzaga has won 28 straight games dating to last season and is the first team to finish the regular season unbeaten since Kentucky in 2014-15. Eli Scott had 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead Loyola Marymount (12-8, 7-5), and Mattias Markusson added 19 points and 10 rebounds. AdGonzaga: The Bulldogs won their 21st straight game by double-digits as the No.
Gonzaga, Baylor sit atop AP Top 25; Kansas returns at No. 23
Read full article: Gonzaga, Baylor sit atop AP Top 25; Kansas returns at No. 232 Baylor remained atop Monday's latest AP Top 25, where they have been for all 13 polls this season. 8 in the AP poll to pull closer to the committee's seeding of seventh overall shortly before the Crimson Tide scored 115 points in a win over against Georgia. THE TOP TIERCoach Mark Few’s Bulldogs received 59 of 64 first-place votes in the new AP Top 25, while Scott Drew’s Bears claimed the other five. The Jayhawks fell out of last week’s poll for the first time in 12 years. Kansas was one of three new additions to this week’s poll, joined by No.
No. 1 Gonzaga overcomes slow start, beats Saint Mary's 73-59
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga overcomes slow start, beats Saint Mary's 73-591 Gonzaga overcame a slow start with a surge to end the first half, pulling away late to beat rival Saint Mary's 73-59 on Saturday night for its 18th straight victory spanning the past two seasons. Joel Ayayi scored 16 points for the Bulldogs (14-0, 5-0 West Coast Conference). Saint Mary's pulled to 56-48 on Dan Fotu's layup with 9:01 to play before another decisive Gonzaga burst, this time 8-0. Saint Mary's: F Kyle Bowen fouled out with 4:01 left. Saint Mary’s: At Loyola Marymount on Thursday.
Gonzaga, Big Ten continue to dominate Top 25; Wisconsin 6th
Read full article: Gonzaga, Big Ten continue to dominate Top 25; Wisconsin 6th(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)It's hard to decide who has been more dominant in men's college basketball this season: Gonzaga or the Big Ten Conference. The sixth-ranked Badgers began a run of Top 25 teams from the league, jumping three spots after wins over Nebraska and then-No. 12 Michigan State. The Hawkeyes dropped from fourth to 10th while surprising Rutgers began a run of four more Big Ten teams at No. Minnesota, whose lone loss came to Illinois and which was last ranked on Dec. 4, 2017, plays its next six against Top 25 teams: Michigan State, at Wisconsin, Ohio State, at Michigan, at Iowa and the Wolverines at home.
No. 1 Gonzaga rolls over most recent champ Virginia, 98-75
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga rolls over most recent champ Virginia, 98-75Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert (24) reacts after making a 3-point basket against Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)FORT WORTH, Texas – Corey Kispert recorded career highs with 32 points and nine 3-pointers, leading No. 1 Gonzaga to a 98-75 romp over 16th-ranked Virginia, the most recent NCAA champion, on Saturday. Gonzaga: The Zags didn't cool off at all in the second half after Kispert came out hitting 3-pointers almost from the start. Gonzaga shot 68% after halftime to beat Virginia for the third time in four meetings in the series.
No. 1 Gonzaga rallies to beat No. 11 West Virginia 87-82
Read full article: No. 1 Gonzaga rallies to beat No. 11 West Virginia 87-8211 West Virginia 87-82. Gonzaga (3-0) has won seven straight, dating to the end of last season, and already has two wins over top 15 opponents — Kansas and West Virginia (3-1). When Suggs returned in the second half, Gonzaga charged back. The Bulldogs have opened this season with wins over two top 15 foes — Kansas and West Virginia — as well as Auburn, all on neutral courts. West Virginia guard Sean McNeil also left during the first half after taking an elbow to the forehead.
Iowa's Garza heads list of notable seniors in 2020-21 season
Read full article: Iowa's Garza heads list of notable seniors in 2020-21 seasonAfter boosting his stock with an outstanding junior season that got cut short, Garza heads the list of star seniors gearing up for the 2020-21 campaign. The 6-10 forward averaged 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds, up from 7.9 points and 5.6 rebounds as a sophomore. KANSAS G MARCUS GARRETTGarrett averaged 9.2 points last season, but his biggest contributions come on the other end of the floor. VILLANOVA G COLLIN GILLESPIEThis 6-3 guard averaged 15.1 points, 4.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals last season. GONZAGA F COREY KISPERTThe 6-foot-7 Kispert earned preseason AP All-America honors as he begins his final season with the top-ranked Bulldogs.
Garza, Butler headline AP preseason All-America team
Read full article: Garza, Butler headline AP preseason All-America teamSeniors Luke Garza of Iowa and Baylor's Jared Butler headline The Associated Press 2020-21 preseason All-America team. 5 in the AP preseason Top 25, in large part due to Garza’s decision to return. 2 in the AP preseason poll, highest in school history. Gonzaga was the AP preseason No. He is Arizona State’s second preseason AP All-American, with Ike Diogu in 2003-04.
No. 1 Zags: Gonzaga begins season atop Top 25 for first time
Read full article: No. 1 Zags: Gonzaga begins season atop Top 25 for first timeFILE - Gonzaga players celebrate after defeating Saint Mary's in an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the West Coast Conference men's tournament in Las Vegas, in this Tuesday, March 10, 2020, file photo. Gonzaga will begin the college basketball season No. 1 for the first time after coach Mark Few's bunch earned 28 first-place votes in the preseason AP Top 25 poll released Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
No. 1 Zags: Gonzaga begins season atop Top 25 for first time
Read full article: No. 1 Zags: Gonzaga begins season atop Top 25 for first timeIowa was picked fifth behind national player of the year front-runner Luka Garza, its highest preseason ranking in school history. The Bears, who also have their highest preseason ranking, spent five weeks at No. THE REST OF THE POLLCreighton lost Ty-Shon Alexander to the NBA and Davion Mintz to Kentucky but still landed the highest preseason ranking in school history at No. 17, its highest preseason ranking since the final Phi Slama Jama team of Hakeem Olajuwon began the 1983-84 season at No. 6 in the final poll last season but losing Mountain West player of the year Malachi Flynn and two other elite producers.