INSIDER
Bucks rout Bulls 116-100 in Game 5, advance to face Celtics
Read full article: Bucks rout Bulls 116-100 in Game 5, advance to face CelticsGiannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points and nine rebounds and the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks routed the Chicago Bulls 116-100 on Wednesday night to finish off the first-round series in five games.
Joel Embiid scores 40 points, 76ers hold off DeRozan, Bulls
Read full article: Joel Embiid scores 40 points, 76ers hold off DeRozan, BullsJoel Embiid dominated with 40 points and 10 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers overcame DeMar DeRozanโs season-high, 45-point game for Chicago to beat the Bulls 119-108 on Sunday.
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.
No. 3 Illinois beats No. 9 Ohio State to take Big Ten title
Read full article: No. 3 Illinois beats No. 9 Ohio State to take Big Ten titleAs the Fighting Illini celebrated their first Big Ten Tournament title since 2005 with a 91-88 overtime victory over No. 9 Ohio State on Sunday, they quickly turned the focus to their No. Instead of withering in their fourth game in four days and being without forward Kyle Young for the second consecutive game, Ohio State (21-9) continually fought back. BIG PICTUREOhio State: They didn't win the title but the fifth-seeded Buckeyes overperformed expectations. ALL-TOURNEY TEAMAdDosunmu and Cockburn were joined on the all-tournament team by Washington and Liddell from Ohio State and Iowaโs Luka Garza, the leagueโs player of the year.
No. 3 Illinois gets past No. 5 Iowa, into Big Ten title game
Read full article: No. 3 Illinois gets past No. 5 Iowa, into Big Ten title game(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)INDIANAPOLIS โ Illinois center Kofi Cockburn learned some hard lessons dueling with Luka Garza as a freshman. The victory sends the Illini to the Big Ten Tournament championship game. They made themselves at home, cheering loudly each time Cockburn made a play, while booing the foul calls against Illinois. A 9-0 run midway through the first half gave Illinois a 22-14 lead that it never surrendered. BIG PICTUREIowa: The Hawkeyes won't go away quietly in the NCAA Tournament, as Illinois found out Saturday.
Dosunmu's return powers No. 4 Illinois over No. 7 Ohio State
Read full article: Dosunmu's return powers No. 4 Illinois over No. 7 Ohio StateIllinois guard Adam Miller, bottom, passes against Ohio State forward Justice Sueing during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, March 6, 2021. 7 Ohio State 73-68. Dosunmu's layup and three foul shots in the last 44 seconds provided the margin of victory as Ohio State failed to make another basket in the game. The teams traded punches in the second half with Ohio State up by four when Illinois mounted the final rally. โEvery game is a dogfight, every game is an NCAA Tournament game.
Intense No. 4 Illinois makes statement, drubs No. 2 Michigan
Read full article: Intense No. 4 Illinois makes statement, drubs No. 2 MichiganMichigan can still wrap that up with a win in either of its last two regular-season games โ or if Illinois loses its last game this weekend. The Wolverines are scheduled to play three fewer games than Illinois, and the size of this blowout โ without Dosunmu โ will resonate. Illinois could certainly pass Michigan as well after this game, but the Illini still have four more losses than the Wolverines. Plus, both Michigan and Illinois have more tests to come before the next poll. Michigan: The Wolverines finish the regular season with a home-and-home series against rival Michigan State, starting Thursday night in Ann Arbor.
Illini win 74-69 as Wisconsin's Trice-led rally falls short
Read full article: Illini win 74-69 as Wisconsin's Trice-led rally falls shortAfter Illinoisโ Trent Frazier sank two free throws, Illinois fouled Trevor Anderson with 1.9 seconds left before Wisconsin could attempt a tying 3-pointer. Wisconsin took 17 more shots than Illinois in the first half but still trailed 37-26 at the break because the Illini were much more efficient. AdIllinois cooled off considerably in the second half, but Wisconsin also faltered up until Trice's surge in the final minutes. Illinois led by 14 in the second half before Trice got Wisconsin back into the game. The Illini nearly crumbled down the stretch but stayed in front by going 10 of 10 on foul shots in the final 44 seconds.
Michigan St tops No. 5 Illinois 81-72, bolsters NCAA chances
Read full article: Michigan St tops No. 5 Illinois 81-72, bolsters NCAA chancesAdIn the opening 20 minutes against Illinois, he matched a career high with 10 rebounds and scored seven points to help Michigan State lead 36-26. The Alabama was a highly touted recruit when he signed with Michigan State five years ago in a recruiting class that included Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges. Michigan State: Izzo, a Hall of Fame coach, hasn't missed the NCAA Tournament since 1997. POLL IMPLICATIONSThe Illini, who haven't won at Michigan State since 2015, will likely slip in the AP Top 25 after getting upset as a seven-point favorite. Michigan State welcomes the fourth-ranked Buckeyes on Thursday night.
Cockburn scores 33 as No. 13 Illinois routs Minnesota 92-65
Read full article: Cockburn scores 33 as No. 13 Illinois routs Minnesota 92-6513 Illinois past Minnesota 92-65 in the Big Ten opener for both teams Tuesday night. Freshman guard Adam Miller added 14 points, while Trent Frazier and Ayo Dosunmu each scored 10 for Illinois (5-2). Illinois went on several runs, including a 22-5 spurt fueled by back-to-back 3s from Frazier to end the half. Illinois has struggled with turnovers this season and committed 14 against Minnesota. The outcome was never in question in the second half and Illinois used its defense and quickness to put away the Gophers.
No. 2 Baylor uses stout defense to get past No. 5 Illinois
Read full article: No. 2 Baylor uses stout defense to get past No. 5 IllinoisAnd after an uncharacteristic first half, Drew understood why his players might have been a little unnerved. โIt was a frustrating night," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. Baylor forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua started the decisive stretch by making two free throws with 12:51 left. After Illinois made a 3-pointer, Baylor scored five more points and then took control with another run, this time 9-0. ... MaCio Teague added 11 points and Tchamwa Tchatchoua had nine points and nine rebounds.
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 Garzaโs decision to return. 2 in the AP preseason poll, highest in school history. Gonzaga was the AP preseason No. He is Arizona Stateโs second preseason AP All-American, with Ike Diogu in 2003-04.