![By STEVE MEGARGEE MADISON, Wis. — Five of the six major conferences have a leader or co-leader that failed to make the NCAA Tournament last season. That doesn’t mean this is a college basketball season full of Cinderella stories. Four of the major-conference leaders that got left out of March Madness last season have reached a Final Four within the last decade. But those teams’ early success shows how the 2021 rule change allowing players to transfer without sitting out a season has made it easier for established programs to bounce back quickly. “A lot of kids that are coming over from […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24013700010332-1.jpg?w=132 "By STEVE MEGARGEE MADISON, Wis. — Five of the six major conferences have a leader or co-leader that failed to make the NCAA Tournament last season. That doesn’t mean this is a college basketball season full of Cinderella stories. Four of the major-conference leaders that got left out of March Madness last season have reached a Final Four within the last decade. But those teams’ early success shows how the 2021 rule change allowing players to transfer without sitting out a season has made it easier for established programs to bounce back quickly. “A lot of kids that are coming over from […]")
Teams that missed NCAA Tournament are leading 5 of 6 major conferences, thanks in part to transfers
By STEVE MEGARGEE MADISON, Wis. — Five of the six major conferences have a leader...
College Sports
![By AARON BEARD North Carolina’s Roy Williams and Gonzaga’s Mark Few were a day from meeting for the 2017 national championship with teams relying heavily on imposing front lines. And the coaching buddies couldn’t overlook one oddity. “He said, ‘You know, this is strange — it’s the first time all year long that we’ve had to defend a team with two big guys, it’s been go chase the 3-point shot,’” Williams recalled Few saying. “I said, ‘But Mark, look around. … We’re the only two left standing,” Williams said. It’s a moment the now-retired Hall of Fame coach said the two have […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24018648145334-2.jpg?w=127 "By AARON BEARD North Carolina’s Roy Williams and Gonzaga’s Mark Few were a day from meeting for the 2017 national championship with teams relying heavily on imposing front lines. And the coaching buddies couldn’t overlook one oddity. “He said, ‘You know, this is strange — it’s the first time all year long that we’ve had to defend a team with two big guys, it’s been go chase the 3-point shot,’” Williams recalled Few saying. “I said, ‘But Mark, look around. … We’re the only two left standing,” Williams said. It’s a moment the now-retired Hall of Fame coach said the two have […]")
The 3-point shot has added volatility, variety over the years in college basketball
By AARON BEARD North Carolina’s Roy Williams and Gonzaga’s Mark Few were a day from...
![On Jan. 18, John Carroll University announced it will become the 10th member of the North Coast Athletic Conference. The announcement ends the university’s association with the Ohio Athletic Conference, which began for a second time in 1989. The Blue Streaks were also members of the OAC from 1932 to 1949. “Athletics has been an integral part of the student experience at John Carroll for more than a century and we are pleased to accept the invitation to join the NCAC during a pivotal time in our history,” said JCU President Al Miciak in a statement. The NCAC consists of […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TNH-L-JCUNCAC-0119-01-3.jpg?w=110 "On Jan. 18, John Carroll University announced it will become the 10th member of the North Coast Athletic Conference. The announcement ends the university’s association with the Ohio Athletic Conference, which began for a second time in 1989. The Blue Streaks were also members of the OAC from 1932 to 1949. “Athletics has been an integral part of the student experience at John Carroll for more than a century and we are pleased to accept the invitation to join the NCAC during a pivotal time in our history,” said JCU President Al Miciak in a statement. The NCAC consists of […]")
John Carroll officially joins North Coast Athletic Conference
On Jan. 18, John Carroll University announced it will become the 10th member of the...
![By DAVE SKRETTA LeVelle Moton had just watched North Carolina Central, a program that he has turned into a mid-major mainstay in the NCAA Tournament, get obliterated by Kansas, yet he had a hard time wiping the smile from his face. He knew that, win or lose, his team had experienced something special just by playing the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse. “Kansas is just the mecca of basketball, right?” Moton asked. “You walk in and there’s subtle signs where they play mind games — it says, ‘Welcome to the Phog.’ ‘Beware.’ I’m like, ‘Wow, you can’t even look at the […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24011578191698-1.jpg?w=132 "By DAVE SKRETTA LeVelle Moton had just watched North Carolina Central, a program that he has turned into a mid-major mainstay in the NCAA Tournament, get obliterated by Kansas, yet he had a hard time wiping the smile from his face. He knew that, win or lose, his team had experienced something special just by playing the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse. “Kansas is just the mecca of basketball, right?” Moton asked. “You walk in and there’s subtle signs where they play mind games — it says, ‘Welcome to the Phog.’ ‘Beware.’ I’m like, ‘Wow, you can’t even look at the […]")
The best programs in college basketball and the iconic venues they call home sweet home
By DAVE SKRETTA LeVelle Moton had just watched North Carolina Central, a program that he...
![By JOHN ZENOR TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Kalen DeBoer stood at a lectern, only a few feet from Nick Saban, and enthusiastically embraced the chance to both replace and learn from his larger-than-life predecessor. The outsized expectations Saban leaves behind are a big part of that. The former Washington coach, hired two days after Saban’s retirement, said he’s giving the 72-year-old ex-coach “100 percent access” to his program — saying he’d “be a fool not to” — and that Saban firmly wants the Crimson Tide’s success to continue. All that makes it easier to be the guy who replaces the guy who […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24013723673493-1.jpg?w=132 "By JOHN ZENOR TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Kalen DeBoer stood at a lectern, only a few feet from Nick Saban, and enthusiastically embraced the chance to both replace and learn from his larger-than-life predecessor. The outsized expectations Saban leaves behind are a big part of that. The former Washington coach, hired two days after Saban’s retirement, said he’s giving the 72-year-old ex-coach “100 percent access” to his program — saying he’d “be a fool not to” — and that Saban firmly wants the Crimson Tide’s success to continue. All that makes it easier to be the guy who replaces the guy who […]")
Kalen DeBoer embraces chance to replace Nick Saban at Alabama, promises ex-coach ‘100 percent access’
By JOHN ZENOR TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Kalen DeBoer stood at a lectern, only a few...
![By LARRY LAGE ANN ARBOR, Mich. — J.J. McCarthy, Michigan’s national-championship winning quarterback, is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. McCarthy made the announcement Jan. 14, a day after being begged to stay. “The decision was not easy and how could it be — I love my teammates, I love my coaches and I love it here in Ann Arbor,” he wrote on his social media accounts. Jim Harbaugh might be the next to go. Harbaugh will meet with the Los Angeles Chargers about their head coach vacancy this week, a person familiar with the situation told The […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24002096234907-1.jpg?w=132 "By LARRY LAGE ANN ARBOR, Mich. — J.J. McCarthy, Michigan’s national-championship winning quarterback, is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. McCarthy made the announcement Jan. 14, a day after being begged to stay. “The decision was not easy and how could it be — I love my teammates, I love my coaches and I love it here in Ann Arbor,” he wrote on his social media accounts. Jim Harbaugh might be the next to go. Harbaugh will meet with the Los Angeles Chargers about their head coach vacancy this week, a person familiar with the situation told The […]")
J.J. McCarthy entering NFL draft, skipping senior season after leading Michigan to national title
By LARRY LAGE ANN ARBOR, Mich. — J.J. McCarthy, Michigan’s national-championship winning quarterback, is skipping...
![By RALPH D. RUSSO Two years ago, Nick Saban sat at the head of a long, cluttered table in the meeting room adjacent to his office and talked about how college football was rapidly changing in ways that would challenge the process he used to build the Alabama dynasty. “Whether we’re recruiting you or whether you’re on our team, your focus should be on development,” Saban told the AP in March 2022. “It’s my job is to create a platform where you have a chance to develop and be successful as a person and as a student and as a player. I’d […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24001814318200-1.jpg?w=132 "By RALPH D. RUSSO Two years ago, Nick Saban sat at the head of a long, cluttered table in the meeting room adjacent to his office and talked about how college football was rapidly changing in ways that would challenge the process he used to build the Alabama dynasty. “Whether we’re recruiting you or whether you’re on our team, your focus should be on development,” Saban told the AP in March 2022. “It’s my job is to create a platform where you have a chance to develop and be successful as a person and as a student and as a player. I’d […]")
Nick Saban is latest championship-winning coach to exit amid drastic changes to college sports
By RALPH D. RUSSO Two years ago, Nick Saban sat at the head of a...
![By MITCH STACY COLUMBUS — Max Klesmit scored all of his 18 points in the second half as No. 15 Wisconsin won its fifth straight, rallying to beat Ohio State, 71-60, on Wednesday night. A 3-pointer from Klesmit put Wisconsin up by 1 with 5:16 left. The defense kept the clamps on Ohio State as Klesmit kept shooting, scoring nine of the last 14 points for the Badgers (12-3, 4-0 Big Ten). AJ Storr had 15 of his 17 points in the first half for the Badgers, the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten. Jamison Battle had another […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24011136384610.jpg?w=132 "By MITCH STACY COLUMBUS — Max Klesmit scored all of his 18 points in the second half as No. 15 Wisconsin won its fifth straight, rallying to beat Ohio State, 71-60, on Wednesday night. A 3-pointer from Klesmit put Wisconsin up by 1 with 5:16 left. The defense kept the clamps on Ohio State as Klesmit kept shooting, scoring nine of the last 14 points for the Badgers (12-3, 4-0 Big Ten). AJ Storr had 15 of his 17 points in the first half for the Badgers, the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten. Jamison Battle had another […]")
Klesmit scores 18 in the second half to rally Wisconsin to a 71-60 win over Ohio State
By MITCH STACY COLUMBUS — Max Klesmit scored all of his 18 points in the...
![By RALPH D. RUSSO PHOENIX — NCAA President Charlie Baker says Michigan won the national championship “fair and square” and defended his decision to inform the school and the Big Ten during the season that the association’s enforcement staff was investigating allegations of an in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme. The top-ranked Wolverines beat No. 2 Washington to win the College Football Playoff on Monday night, capping a perfect season, the back half of which was shadowed by the NCAA investigation and led to the Big Ten’s three-game suspension of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. In a meeting with reporters, Baker explained why the NCAA […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24009187761267-2.jpg?w=132 "By RALPH D. RUSSO PHOENIX — NCAA President Charlie Baker says Michigan won the national championship “fair and square” and defended his decision to inform the school and the Big Ten during the season that the association’s enforcement staff was investigating allegations of an in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme. The top-ranked Wolverines beat No. 2 Washington to win the College Football Playoff on Monday night, capping a perfect season, the back half of which was shadowed by the NCAA investigation and led to the Big Ten’s three-game suspension of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. In a meeting with reporters, Baker explained why the NCAA […]")
NCAA President Charlie Baker: Nobody can say Michigan didn’t win national title ‘fair and square’
By RALPH D. RUSSO PHOENIX — NCAA President Charlie Baker says Michigan won the national...
![By JOHN ZENOR Nick Saban’s coaching reign has come to an end. His dominance over college football, however, will forever linger in the lore of the sport. Saban, who won seven national championships — more than any other major college football coach — and turned Alabama back into a national powerhouse with six of those titles in just 17 seasons, is retiring, according to multiple outlets. The 72-year-old Saban restored a Crimson Tide program once ruled by Paul “Bear” Bryant to the top of college football after taking over in 2007. His decision to step away was reported Jan. 10, first by ESPN and […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24010812644583-1.jpg?w=132 "By JOHN ZENOR Nick Saban’s coaching reign has come to an end. His dominance over college football, however, will forever linger in the lore of the sport. Saban, who won seven national championships — more than any other major college football coach — and turned Alabama back into a national powerhouse with six of those titles in just 17 seasons, is retiring, according to multiple outlets. The 72-year-old Saban restored a Crimson Tide program once ruled by Paul “Bear” Bryant to the top of college football after taking over in 2007. His decision to step away was reported Jan. 10, first by ESPN and […]")
Alabama coach Nick Saban retiring after winning seven national titles, according to multiple outlets
By JOHN ZENOR Nick Saban’s coaching reign has come to an end. His dominance over college football,...