Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Cheryl Miller Award finalists

Finalists for the Cheryl Miller Award are:

Gabby Williams, Connecticut

Shakayla Thomas, Florida St.

Jill Barta, Gonzaga

Bridget Carleton, Iowa St.

Kaila Charles, Maryland

Sophie Cunningham, Missouri

Jaime Nared, Tennessee

Ariel Atkins, Texas

Teana Muldrow, West Virginia

Tashia Brown, Western Kentucky

The news keeps pounding down

Today's results:

#3 Baylor 77, #23 Oklahoma State, 64.

#8 Texas 55, Kansas 41.

#18 Ohio State 94, Penn State 64.

Central Michigan beat Buffalo in the battle of the MAC leaders, 86-79.

Oklahoma 68, Kansas State 49.

All scores.

Tomorrow's schedule features some huge showdowns.

College team news:

Florida Gulf Coast is rgw last DI school unbeaten in league play in both men's and women's basketball.

UConn and South Carolina face off tomorrow.

Azura Stevens will join the Gamecock-Husky block party.

Lady Vol hoops report.

Tennessee's recovery will boil down to each possession.

The Oregon Ducks are learning to live life without Lexi Bando.

It's February now, and urgency is increasing for Iowa.

Ohio State keeps pushing, despite a short bench.

After gaining attention, Nebraska looks to keep it during a homestand.

It's a must-see February for the Huskers.

Gonzaga carries a 12-game winning streak into a challenging week.

Kentucky's next opponent leads the league in steals, and they are uniquely equipped for the challenge.

International experience fuels Syracuse.

Ashland looks to set the DII all-time longest winning streak mark tomorrow.

College player news:

Kelsey Mitchell by the numbers.

Mitchell moved up to fourth on the NCAA all-time scoring list tonight.

You need to know about Asia Durr.

Baylor's Lauren Cox says she controls her diabetes - not the other way around.

South Carolina sophomore Tyasha Harris is working hard for more.

Syracuse alum Alexis Peterson has advice for Tiana Mangakahia: shoot more.

The 'Kat' and 'KoKo' show is a hit for Notre Dame.

Robert Morris' Honoka Ikematsu is one of the best shooters in women's basketball.

Jillian Dunston's "dirty work" is essential for Michigan.

Oregon State's freshmen continue to grow.

Hannah Caudill is about to break Montana State's all-time assists record.

Pac-12 juniors are stepping up.

UCLA guard Jordin Canada heads up the NCAA's starting five this week.

College coach news:

The contract of ASU coach Charli Turner Thorne has been extended through 2021-2022.

Colorado coach JR Payne sees positive signs as the Buffs look to end a losing streak.

South Carolina-Missouri rivalry/feud:

Dawn Staley counters Tiger athletic director Jim Sterk's accusations, calling them "serious and false."

Staley denied Sterk's claims.

South Carolina AD Ray Tanner demanded Sterk retract his statements.

Staley defended the Gamecock fan base.

A timeline of the feud.

An even more thorough explanation.

WNBA news:

Mystics post Emma Meesseman will sit out the 2018 season.

Natalie Achonwa Q&A, as she is playing in South Korea.

In her first season abroad, Brionna Jones is growing her game in Russia.

Katie Douglas has opened a fitness studio.

Bonus:

The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee will have their second top 16 reveal tomorrow.

Jordan Brand's breakout women's season is coming in the spring.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Ann Meyers Drysdale Award finalists

The list:

Darby Maggard, Belmont

Katie Lou Samuelson, Connecticut

Imani Wright, Florida St.

Asia Durr, Louisville

Chloe Jackson, LSU

Allazia Blockton, Marquette

Victoria Vivians, Mississippi State

Arike Ogunbowale, Notre Dame

Tyler Scaife, Rutgers

Kitija Laksa, South Florida

Turned up Tuesday

Today's results:

#22 TCU pounded Iowa State, 75-52. The Cyclones had few answers for the Horned Frogs' tenacious defense.

All scores.

Tomorrow's schedule.

College team news:

Quinnipiac is the NCAA's team of the week.

South Carolina's history of facing Nos. 1 and 2 back-to-back is no risk, huge reward.

Gonzaga is beginning February with a challenging road trip.

Forget the Super Bowl: for Oregon, Stanford and Cal matchups loom this weekend.

North Carolina has its work cut out for March.

Talented Central Michigan flies under the radar.

Illinois has lost ten straight.

College player news:

Colorado's Alexis Robinson is gaining strength as the season progresses, after ACL surgery.

Iowa State's Bridget Carleton takes hits but keeps going.

Paulina Hersler paying dividends for Florida.

Gabby Williams is putting the finishing touches on a stellar UConn career.

College staff news:

Marquette video coordinator Rob Carver helps the team prepare.

South Carolina-Missouri rivalry:

Tiger coach Robin Pingeton hinted that Gamecock fans spit on her players.

Missouri's athletic director blames South Carolina coach Dawn Staley for fostering a hostile atmosphere.

WNBA:

Offseason preview.

All-access: Sylvia Fowles vs. Breanna Stewart in China.

Lindsay Whalen wants another title before retiring.

High school news:

Temple's incoming forward, Alexa Williamson, is a paint presence.

Monday, January 29, 2018

Much to think about

College team news:

South Carolina-Missouri is suddenly one of the best college rivalries. When will there be part II?

#13 Michigan is making up for last year's NCAA Tournament snub.

On the road with Texas basketball.

Three questions from Tennessee's recent losses.

Duquesne is off to its best start in A-10 play at 8-0.

Kansas and Kansas State came together yesterday to celebrate 50 years of basketball.

Ranked TCU isn't projected to make the NCAA Tournament?

Oregon State is on pace to crush a three-point scoring record.

Defense is fueling UMaine's four-game winning streak.

Ten sensational sophomores are making a mark in DII play.

College player news:

Brianna Fraser has broken through as Maryland's go-to bench scorer.

Sabrina Ionescu's top six songs right now.

Kalista Walters is Ms. Efficiency for Pitt.

Baylor's Kristy Wallace is ESPNW's player of the week.

College coach news:

USC coach Mark Trakh and Washington coach Jody Wynn share a deep bond through basketball.

Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer is six wins away from 1,000 for her career.

The daughter of Louisville coach Jeff Walz stole the show in yesterday's presser.

Today's results:

Kentucky topped Arkansas, 76-65.

DePaul dropped Marquette, 95-83.

All scores.

Tomorrow's schedule.

Finalists for Nancy Lieberman Award

The finalists:

Kia Nurse, Connecticut

Lexie Brown, Duke

AJ Alix, Florida State

Katelynn Flaherty, Michigan

Kelsey Mitchell, Ohio State

Sabrina Ionescu
, Oregon

Jessica Kovatch, St. Francis PA

Tiana Mangakahia, Syracuse

Brooke McCarty, Texas

Jordin Canada, UCLA

AP top 25 poll: movin' on up

This week's AP top 25 poll sees Oregon, UCLA, Maryland, Michigan, Georgia and TCU move up significantly. Ohio drops like a stone. Stanford is back in; Arizona State is back out.

1. Connecticut
2. Mississippi State
3. Baylor
4. Louisville
5. Notre Dame
6. Oregon
7. South Carolina
8. Texas
9. UCLA
10. Florida State
11. Maryland
12. Tennessee
13. Michigan
14. Texas A&M
15. Missouri
16. Oregon State
17. Georgia
18. Ohio State
19. Duke
20. Green Bay
21. West Virginia
22. TCU
23. Oklahoma State
24. Stanford
25. California

Coach’s Chair: Kamie Ethridge, University of Northern Colorado

My interview with basketball-great-turned-coach Kamie Ethridge.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Intensity, milestones

Upset:

LSU ran away from the #10 Lady Vols, 70-59.

Contentious:

During the tense game between #9 South Carolina and #11 Missouri today, a brawl broke out and two Tiger players were ejected.

The Gamecocks got revenge from their first matchup with a 64-54 win.

What South Carolina players said about the scuffle.

More results:

#3 Mississippi State is 22-0 after a 69-49 victory over Ole Miss.

#3 Baylor defeateed #20 West Virginia, 83-72.

#5 Notre Dame stymied #8 Florida State, 100-69.

#7 Oregon beat Utah, 84-68.

#13 UCLA overcame Washington State, 79-71.

#15 Texas A&M stomped Vanderbilt, 91-67.

#16 Michigan routed Northwestern, 80-59.

#21 Georgia stayed perfect on the road with a 66-57 win over Florida.

Kansas State slipped by Kansas in OT, 63-59.

Asia Durr scored 26 to lead #4 Louisville past Wake Forest.

Nebraska is on fire, and today they destroyed Iowa, 92-74. It was "like a bad dream" for the Hawkeyes.

#25 Arizona State took care of Cal, 57-42.

Auburn snapped a six-game skid by downing Alabama, 69-60.

USC took out Washington, 72-61.

Western Kentucky stopped Louisiana Tech, 74-64.

All scores.

Tomorrow's schedule.

Milestones:

Sabrina Inoescu got her ninth triple-double of the season today for Oregon: 19 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.

Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico won her 400th career game today.

DIII Emmanuel coach Andrew Yosinoff reached the 800-career win plateau today, and is 15 away from the Division record.

Ceal Barry received the Jane Wahl Legacy Award for her basketball coaching achievements at Colorado.

College team news:

Five things that make Mississippi State the successful program it has become.

Duke and the Chinese National Team are collaborating.

Nebraska is holding opponents well below their scoring average.

Beating Tennessee checked a lot of boxes for LSU.

After a strong season start, New Mexico has dipped below .500 in conference play.

Twenty-five years ago, Iowa had a fairy-tale season.

College player news:

Oregon guard Maite Cazorla shook off a hand injury in Friday's game to score 21 points today.

Colorado's Annika Jank remains confident despite the team's Pac-12 struggles.

WNBA news:

The Las Vegas Aces have made some front office hirings.

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Some preludes

Upset:

Indiana snuffed Rutgers, 64-58. It's their third straight win.

More results:

#6 Texas trampled Iowa State, 87-55.

#12 Ohio State ended a three-game skid with a 78-62 win over Michigan State.

#24 TCU edged Oklahoma, 62-58.

Jim Foster's 900th win is delayed, as Mercer routed Chattanooga, 71-50.

FGCU prevailed in an intense matchup with Jacksonville, 63-58.

Colorado State got past New Mexico in overtime, 74-71.

All scores.

Tomorrow's matchups:

Does Mizzou play dirty? ‘There were some things out there that weren’t basketball.’

A'ja Wilson learned a lot from the first South Carolina-Missouri matchup.

LSU will remember Pat Summitt tomorrow as part of 'We Back Pat' week.

So many great games tomorrow, and many on at the same time. I'm crying.

College conference news:

Expect a tight finish in the Big Ten.

College team news:

Georgia is back in the top 25 and building on tradition.

Can Tennessee take charge of improving their defense?

Ohio State's defensive issues were exposed in their three-game losing streak.

NCAA Tournament talk is too early for Nebraska and coach Amy Williams.

College player news:

Ohio State's Kelsey Mitchell became the Big Ten's all-time leading scorer today.

Jordin Canada is now just the fifth Pac-12 player to have 300 career steals.

Oregon guard Maite Cazorla was injured in last night's game against Colorado. Coach Kelly Graves said she could be "out for a while." No updates from Duck WBB yet.

Ohio-to-Wisconsin transfer Kelly Karlis is contributing in practice.

Minnesota junior center Annalese Lamke has learned life lessons on her farm.

College coach news:

With USC in town, Washington coach Jody Wynn will coach against the man who coached her and hired her as a coach.

Connie Yori said she doesn't intend to coach again, but is happy to lend a hand to Creighton.

LMU coach Charity Elliott earned her 250th career win today.

Former Missouri State coach Barry Hinson choked up when talking about Jackie Stiles.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

The good, the dominating, and the struggling

Upsets:

#21 Georgia 62, #11 Missouri 50. The Bulldogs are now in sole possession of second place in the SEC.

Iowa 103, #12 Ohio State 89. It's the third straight loss for the Buckeyes. What's going on with them?

Upset avoidance:

#14 Maryland 68, Northwestern 65.

Domination:

#2 Mississippi State 90, Florida 53. The Bulldogs are now a program-best 21-0.

#3 Baylor 81, #6 Texas 56.

#5 Notre Dame 87, Pitt 53.

#9 South Carolina 90, Arkansas 42.

Another surprise:

Kentucky found their shot and blasted Alabama, 79-54.

All scores.

Tomorrow's schedule includes Pac-12 and Big East action.

College team news:

South Carolina is getting healthier with A'ja Wilson's return.

Oregon State heads to Utah seek their first road game win.

Maryland is relying on its depth to replace Blair Watson.

North Carolina is on their way back.

Ashland is looking to add more records in their historic run.

They made basketball history.

College player news:

Skayla Hill's quadruple-double got her a shout out from the NBA's LeBron James.

Kelsey Mitchell talks about her scoring success.

Tennessee's Rennia Davis is a quick study on and off the court.

Baylor is posting up big with Kalani Brown and Lauren Cox.

Myisha Hines-Allen is doing big things at Louisville.

Injured ASU guard Sabrina Haines: 'I appreciate walking.'

Loryn Goodwin is the motor that keeps Oklahoma State going.

Peyton Carter's hard work is paying off for Colorado.

The NCAA denied Te'a Cooper's hardship waiver to play for South Carolina.

College coach news:

Arizona State coach Charli Turner Thorne has made a lasting impact in her 22-year tenure.

When Washington hosts USC Sunday, it will be a coaching matchup that's been years in the making, between Mark Trakh and Jody Wynn.

Missouri State assistant coach Jackie Stiles will have cancer surgery next Friday.

We Back Pat Week:

Around the Rim talks to Tamika Catchings, Mercedes Russell and Jaime Nared about We Back Pat Week and more.

WNBA news:

Courtney Williams reflects on her MVP season in Perth.

Former players are learning life after basketball in the NBA league office.

Vanessa Nygaard’s pro pedigree elevating Windward basketball

Check out my story on the former Stanford and WNBA standout-turned high school basketball coaching star.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

So many musings

Today's upset:

Iowa State toppled #19 Oklahoma State, 78-69.

More results:

#24 TCU held on to beat Kansas State, 68-63.

Nebraska seems to be for real. They routed Purdue, 75-51.

All scores.

ACC, SEC and Big 12 on tap tomorrow.

College team news:

California and Utah are shining in Pac-12 play.

Michigan is off to the best start in program history after being "robbed" last year.

Why the Wolverines have become driven to succeed.

More fans are coming out to watch Georgia.

What separates Mississippi State from UConn?

Ohio State is seeing bounce-back wins over Iowa and Michigan State this week. Iowa is first.

Why does Syracuse struggle on the road? Stats suggest a breakthrough is near. But who is their third scorer?

Missouri is set for their road trip.

ESPN's bi-weekly mid-major rankings.

DII: Lake Erie College coach Bob Booher and his longtime assistant coach have been fired. Graduate assistant Sarah Bonar is the new coach.

College player news:

Brooke McCarty had led Texas' climb back to the top.

Will other Gamecocks join A'ja Wilson on the all-SEC team?

Erin Mathias has designs on helping Duke.

Shaneese Bailey has given youthful Miami experience and toughness.

Aggressive Oliana Squires is fueling Montana State.

Destiny Washington, Ball State's leading rebounder, is out indefinitely with an injury.

Tennessee transfer Alexa Middleton provides another reason for hope for Iowa State.

Notre Dame hopes walk-on Kaitlin Cole is no joke.

The NCAA's starting five for this week.

College coach news:

Washington State coach June Daugherty is taking an indefinite medical leave of absence.

Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens is excited, but not surprised, as the rise of Oregon basketball, thanks to coach Kelly Graves.

Holly Warlick on Lady Vols: 'This team is special. We're going to get back on track.'

Texas Tech interim coach Shimmy Gray-Miller is focused on winning the day.

Player development specialist Carlos Knox is making an immediate impact for North Texas.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Players, coaches rising

Today's results:

#16 Michigan beat short-handed Michigan State, 74-48.

All scores.

There are 44 games tomorrow.

College team news:

Gonzaga, with the 10-game winning streak, is the NCAA's team of the week.

Pac-12 teams are looking to break out of some ties this week.

Depleted Maryland remains a force in the Big Ten.

Oregon's civil war is heating up.

Talk of Nebraska entering the NCAA Tournament is a major turnaround from last season.

Duquesne has a shot at the NCAA Tournament.

South Dakota and South Dakota State are each playing well entering their rivalry game Thursday.

DII roundup.

Amherst has set a new program record with their 51-game winning streak.

College player news:

Despite Ohio State's drubbing last night, Kelsey Mitchell became the program leader in three-point shots.

West Virginia guard Tynice Martin will redshirt the season with a foot injury she originally sustained in U23 camp last summer.

Martin can help the Mountaineers next season.

Bianca Cuevas-Moore injury and redshirt update from South Carolina.

Two Gamecocks remain sidelined with injury, but one could return for the Missouri rematch.

Oregon guard Sabrina Ionescu talks triple-doubles.

Freshman Kate Cain anchors a stingy Husker defense.

Oklahoma State's Braxtin Miller hasn't played like a typical freshman.

Alyssa Rader is relishing her run with South Florida.

College coach news:

San Francisco's Molly Goodenbour became the program's most winning coach over the weekend.

Ex-Nebraska coach Connie Yori has joined the Creighton staff as a program adviser.

Karlie Samuelson is a new assistant coach at Vanguard.

WNBA news:

Maya Moore is a pioneering spirit.

Twenty-four seconds with Natalie Achonwa.

Quianna Chaney is coaching at her former high school.

High school news:

Southern California senior Shyla Latone dropped 76 points Friday night - the fourth-most in state history.

Monday, January 22, 2018

Let the cream of the crop come forth

It's that time of year when the women are beginning to separate from the girls.

An example was tonight's upset:

#14 Maryland routed #12 Ohio State, 99-69.

The Buckeye's own school newspaper called the game a decimation, and the season disappointing.

Ohio State's weak defense is costing them.

All scores.

Only nine games tomorrow, but one is Michigan State at #16 Michigan.

College team news:

The Oregon coaches have no love for back-to-back rivalry games.

Injuries are leaving Michigan State thin in the backcourt going into a tough game stretch.

The future of the Oregon Civil War is bright.

Harvard is rounding into form.

Australians are flowing on to some teams.

College player news:

Florida State's Skakayla Thomas is ESPNW's player of the week.

Stanford's Kiana Williams is a freshman in name only.

Leading scorer and rebounder Donnaizha Fountain is no longer part of the Seton Hall Pirates.

College coach news:

The coaching carousel reveals institutionalized discrimination in college basketball.

Sad news:

Davidson sophomore forward Andrea Robinson has been diagnosed with leukemia and will miss the rest of the season. Find out how to help here.

Former Baylor standout Chameka Scott has died at 33, after a long battle with cancer.

Chameka Scott tribute.

Pat Summitt:

The Pat Summitt Foundation has kicked off "We Back Pat" week.

MIT director of athletics Julie Soriero has received the NCAA's Pat Summitt Award.

AP top 25 poll changes not surprising

Lots of shifts in this week's AP top 25 poll:

1. UConn
2. Mississippi State
3. Baylor
4. Louisville
5. Notre Dame
6. Texas
7. Oregon
8. Florida State
9. South Carolina
10. Tennessee
11. Missouri
12. Ohio State
13. UCLA
14. Maryland
15. Texas A&M
16. Michigan
17. Oregon State
18. Duke
19. Oklahoma State
20. West Virginia
21. Georgia
22. Green Bay
23. Cal
24. TCU
25. Arizona State

Iowa and Rutgers out, Georgia and TCU in, for the first time in a while for both programs.

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Not a single upset......of ranked teams

Upsets of the unranked kind:

Indiana hung on to beat Michigan State, 69-65.

San Diego State overcame New Mexico, 97-89. It's the second straight loss for the Lobos.

More results:

Pepperdine took two OTs to outlast San Francisco, 95-92.

Make it four in a row for TCU after today's win over Kansas, 76-66.

#4 Baylor 75, Kansas State 50. The Bears have won 14 straight.

#9 Texas whooped Texas Tech, 90-39.

#17 West Virginia bounced back with a 69-59 win over Iowa State.

#19 Michigan 86, Illinois 42.

#24 Oklahoma State 70, Oklahoma 67.

All scores.

Many great matchups tomorrow.

College team news:

Turnovers are bothering the Lady Vols during their tough stretch.

Tennessee is suffering from their Notre Dame loss.

South Carolina's roster is battered by injury.

Air Force has cancelled their games due to the government shutdown.

Strength coach Stuart Hart helps Nebraska physically and mentally.

Tomorrow's Oregon Civil War part II will produce more drama.

Eastern Michigan is a contender for a bye in the MAC Tournament.

Mid-major top 25.

College player news:

Temple's Tanaya Atkinson is double trouble for opponents.

Missouri's Sophie Cunningham is leaving a legacy built on toughness.

Gabbi Ortiz has been a rock for Oklahoma.

NCAA news:

The NCAA's DII reach has expanded to Mexico.

High school news:

South Carolina's lone forward signee is prepared to help the team with "life after A'ja."

No. 13 UCLA guts it out past No. 21 Cal, 60-52

Check out our game story and amazing photo gallery.

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Insane-in-the-membrane games

Upset:

Penn State toppled #25 Rutgers, 70-67.

Almost upset:

#12 Florida State held off Wake Forest in overtime, 81-79.

More results:

Notre Dame staged the biggest comeback in school history to defeat Tennessee, 84-70.

Louisville is 20-0 after a win at Pitt.

South Carolina got past Vanderbilt, but the injuries continue to pile up.

Geno Auriemma says UConn's win over Tulsa was "the most disgraceful effort I’ve seen at Connecticut in 32 years I’ve been here.”

Minnesota routed Wisconsin for their tenth straight win.

Miami topped Syracuse, 72-65.

Purdue escaped Northwestern, 63-60.

North Carolina State put the hurt on North Carolina, 66-53.

Florida downed Arkansas, 65-51.

LSU squeezed by Auburn, 59-56.

All scores.

Pac-12 and Big East on tomorrow's schedule.

College team news:

TCU doesn't view their two top 25 wins last week as upsets.

Vic Schaefer and Mississippi State have worked hard to reach elite status.

College player news:

Jasmine Jones' infectious energy invigorates Louisville.

Brianna Fraser has brought a Brooklyn swagger to Maryland.

Amber Smith has rediscovered her role for surging Missouri.

Cal's diminutive Asha Thomas is doing big things with the Bears.

Sophomore standout Jasmyne Harris is taking Houston to new heights.

Australian Lauren Mills has made a unique journey to Iowa State.

Katie McWilliams fills many roles for Oregon State.

College coach and administrator news:

Coaches are frustrated at the quick turnaround for Civil Wars.

Nevada senior women administrator Rhonda Bennett is the NCAA Tournament selection committee chair this year.

Final Four bid cities revealed:

Where are the West Coast cities on this list???

Bonus:

Podcast with Tamika Catchings.

High school news:

Madison Williams' McDonald's All American team selection was no surprise to anyone around her, except her mother.

NCAA's first top 16 reveal

What do you think of the NCAA's projected top 16 picks? (If the bracket were made today)

1. UConn (No. 1 seed – Albany Region)
2. Mississippi State (No. 1 seed – Kansas City Region)
3. Louisville (No. 1 seed – Lexington Region)
4. Oregon (No. 1 seed – Spokane Region)
5. Tennessee
6. Notre Dame
7. Texas
8. South Carolina
9. Baylor
10. Ohio State
11. Florida State
12. UCLA
13. Missouri
14. Texas A&M
15. Rutgers
16. Georgia

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

This news load is bananas

No corner of the basketball world left untouched today.....

Upset:

#24 Oklahoma State upended #17 West Virginia, 79-73. It's the second straight loss for the Mountaineers.

Thrillers:

Penn squeaked by Villanova, 79-77.

Dayton 63, Fordham 62.

Eastern Michigan 69, Western Michigan 67.

UNLV 68, New Mexico 66.

Washington State 78, Washington 75 (OT).

More results:

Oklahoma beat Kansas State, 76-71.

Buffalo 67, Ohio 63.

Toledo 72, Ball State 66.

Texas Tech 68, Kansas 56. It's the first win for the Raiders since they fired coach Candace Whitaker.

All scores.

Tomorrow's schedule features #6 Tennessee at #5 Notre Dame.

NCAA news:

The Division I Council has approved a proposal to start women's college basketball season the Tuesday before the second Friday in November.

College team news:

Mid-majors are missing an opportunity for at-large inclusion in the NCAA Tournament.

Oregon-Oregon State Civil War preview. Defense could be the deciding factor.

Oregon needs to keep a firm grip on the wheel in Pac-12 play.

You know it's going well at Mississippi State when they redshirt five-star recruits.

Colorado is looking for road wins this weekend in Arizona.

The Buckeyes lament their mental errors in last night's Michigan loss.

Iowa is in the midst of a skid.

Stanford rountbable: LA schools rematch.

Purdue seeks consistency in the Big Ten.

The ship is turning slowly for the Loyola Phoenix.

UConn might actually try to go more than six deep.

College player news:

The NCAA's starting five for the week.

The Pac-12 has super sophomores.

A'ja Wilson is expected to miss her second straight game tomorrow with a sprained ankle.

Natalie Butler left UConn, and became college basketball's leading rebounder at George Mason.

Oregon's Ruthy Hebard faces off with Marie Gulich this weekend in Oregon's Civil War.

Maddie Washington is happy to do what the Beavers need.

Destiny Pitts is one of Minnesota's best players as a freshman.

Maurane Corbin is having new adventures in her first season at Utah.

Kiana "Lucky" Rudd has been added to the West Virginia roster.

Starting young has helped UTEP's Najala Howell in clutch moments.

College coach news:

Keep room in your heart for Jackie Stiles as she battles cancer.

Dawn Staley will look for the same effort and performance from her Gamecocks even without A'ja Wilson.

UC Santa Barbara coach Bonnie Henrickson's contract has been extended one year, through 2020-2021.

Milestones:

Longtime Bentley coach Barbara Stevens notched her 1,000th career win today.

Central Michigan senior Tinara Moore broke the school's career blocks record tonight.

WNBA news:

Liz Cambage is set to return to the Dallas Wings this season.

Sun guard Rachel Banham got into the spirit overseas.

International news:

Courtney Williams was named the WNBL Perth Lynx's most valuable player.

Jr. WNBA graduate Arielle Lanot pushes for women's basketball in the Philipines.

High school news:

Eighth-grader Jaden Newman made 17 three-point shots in a high school game to tie the national record.

Sexual assault lawsuit:

Layshia Clarendon is suing the University of California regents in alleging she was sexually assaulted as a freshman by a longtime athletic department employee.

Dawn Staley spoke out to support Clarendon.

High school rankings, by region

Best high school rankings I've seen, because they go by region:

Northeast

Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine.

St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (14-1)
Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (12-0)
Riverdale Baptist, Upper Marlboro, Md. (11-3)
Rock Creek Christian, Upper Marlboro, Md. (17-4)
Manasquan, N.J. (8-1)
Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (12-2)
Newton South, Newton, Mass. (11-0)
North Allegheny, Wexford, Pa. (11-0)
Long Island Lutheran, Brooksville, N.Y. (9-3)
Baldwin, N.Y. (9-1)

South

Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and Louisiana.

Riverdale, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (18-1)
Winter Haven, Fla. (17-0)
Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (14-2)
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, Chattanooga, Tenn. (17-2)
Westridge Academy, Kernersville, N.C. (17-1)
Holy Innocents Episcopal, Atlanta (16-1)
Southeast Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C. (17-0)
Hoover, Ala. (21-1)
Princess Anne, Virginia Beach (11-1)
Westwood, Blythewood, S.C. (16-1)

Frontier

Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming

Duncanville, Texas (28-1)
Eagle, Idaho (17-0)
Copper Hills, West Jordan, Utah (15-1)
Belt, Mont. (11-0)
Steele, Cibolo, Texas (25-3)
Conway, Ark. (16-1)
Regis Jesuit, Aurora, Colo. (11-3)
Putnam City West, Oklahoma City (13-2)
Richardson, Texas (23-3)
Bartlesville, Okla. (12-0)

Pacific

California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Hawaii, Oregon, Alaska.

Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (16-0)
St. Mary’s, Stockton, Calif. (17-2)
Centennial, Las Vegas (17-3)
Central Valley, Spokane, Wash. (14-0)
Southridge, Beaverton, Ore. (13-1)
Mesquite, Gilbert, Ariz. (17-3)
Pinewood, Los Altos Hills (14-1)
Eastlake, Sammamish, Wash. (14-0)
Seton Catholic, Chandler, Ariz. (16-3)
Windward, Los Angeles (11-3)

Midwest

Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Edwardsville, Ill. (18-0)
Eastview, Apple Valley, Minn. (13-0)
Mercer County, Harrodsburg, Ky. (17-2)
Montini Catholic, Lombard, Ill. (22-1)
Boylan Catholic, Rockford, Ill. (17-0)
Newark, Ohio (11-0)
Carmel, Ind. (20-1)
Lakota West, West Chester, Ohio (12-1)
East Kentwood, Kentwood, Mich. (10-0)
Strafford, Mo. (15-0)

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Down they go (again).....and more rich storylines

Upendings:

#19 Michigan took down #8 Ohio State.

Nebraska knocked off #20 Iowa, 74-65.

Almost upset:

#14 Maryland hung on to beat Indiana, 74-70.

All scores.

Tomorrow's schedule features #17 West Virginia at #24 Oklahoma State.

College team news:

TCU is the NCAA's team of the week.

UConn has to work on rebounding and rotation.

The Longhorns must build on their eye-opening loss to UConn.

It's rivalry week in the Pac-12.

The rankings of Oregon and Oregon State make this year's Civil War a rarity.

Oklahoma State needs multiple players to fill the void left by Areanna Combs.

MAC power rankings.

Division II roundup.

College player news:

Kelsey Mitchell reflects on her climb up the scoring list.

Consistent Teana Muldrow is driving West Virginia.

Ruthy Hebard: Outstanding as a freshman and still going strong in year two for Oregon.

After her 14th concussion, Missouri State's Audrey Holt is stepping away from basketball.

FGCU have added William & Mary transfer Tyra Cox.

Tatum Rembao is making an immediate impact for Creighton.

How the McNeill twins have sparked Virginia Union to a 16-1 start.

Ursuline College's Camryn Hill becomes one of the youngest in NCAA history to score 1,000 points.

NCAA top 16 seeds:

Continuing a two-year-old tradition, the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee will reveal their mock top 16 seeds on Thursday.

WNBA news:

A mock WNBA draft, chosen by a panel of league's coaches, GMs.

Crystal Robinson is a new assistant coach for the Seattle Storm.

Tina Charles has been given a franchise tag by the New York Liberty.

The Dream's Bria Holmes will miss the 2018 season due to pregnancy.

Candace Parker and Skylar Diggins-Smith will be features in Nickelodean's upcoming series "Crashletes."

McDonald's All American Game:

Rosters were revealed today.

Teammates will be divided for the game.