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NCAA tourney selection committee will not let travel concerns dictate bracketing or seeding of field
Sports
AP Wire

NCAA tourney selection committee will not let travel concerns dictate bracketing or seeding of field

  • By MICHAEL MAROT - AP Sports Writer
  • Updated

The NCAA selection committee says it sticks to the usual rules for the March Madness bracket, even with travel and injury issues. On Wednesday, chair Keith Gill said organizers see more pressure on charter flights and security this year. He pointed to the partial government shutdown, spring break travel, and heavy demand for planes. The NCAA has already warned schools about fewer charter options and possible TSA delays. Teams still have to travel, and winners get priority during the busiest times.

National
AP

Bam! Heat's Adebayo scores 83 points, 2nd only to Wilt Chamberlain in NBA history

  • By TIM REYNOLDS - AP Basketball Writer

It’s Wilt, then Bam. Bam Adebayo had a night for all time on Tuesday, with a point total second to only Wilt Chamberlain in the NBA record books. Adebayo scored 83 points, setting league marks for free throws made and attempted in a game for the Miami Heat in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards. Adebayo started with a 31-point first quarter — and never stopped rolling. He was up to 43 at halftime, 62 by the end of the third quarter. And then came the fourth, when the milestones kept falling despite facing double-, triple- and what once appeared to be a quadruple-team from a Wizards defense that kept sending him to the foul line.

Man who helped recruit players into a sprawling NCAA basketball point-shaving scheme pleads guilty
National
AP Wire

Man who helped recruit players into a sprawling NCAA basketball point-shaving scheme pleads guilty

  • By MARC LEVY - Associated Press
  • Updated

One of the so-called fixers in a sprawling betting scheme to cash in on big bets on rigged NCAA basketball games has pleaded guilty. The federal prosecutors' office in Philadelphia says Jalen Smith appeared Monday in federal court and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bribery charges. Prosecutors say the Charlotte, North Carolina, man trained local basketball players and used those connections to recruit players in the scheme. Charges against Smith were unsealed in January along with 25 others. Prosecutors say Smith helped fix games in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. They say he placed bets and recruited players with the promise of a big payment in exchange for purposefully underperforming during a game.

David Mirkovic scores 22 points to help No. 11 Illinois to a 78-72 victory over Maryland
Illini
AP Top Story Wire

David Mirkovic scores 22 points to help No. 11 Illinois to a 78-72 victory over Maryland

  • By NOAH TRISTER - AP Sports Writer
  • Updated

David Mirkovic had 22 points and 11 rebounds as No. 11 Illinois held off Maryland 78-72. The Terrapins have had a desultory season under new coach Buzz Williams, losing 20 games for the first time since 1988-89, but they gave the Illini a battle on Sunday. Illinois led 63-62 before Ben Humrichous made a 3-pointer that started a 7-0 run for the Illini. Andre Mills scored 30 points for the Terrapins. The win gives Illinois a bye into Friday’s quarterfinals in the Big Ten Tournament.

Heiden scores 16, Stuelke's return helps send No. 9 Iowa past Illinois 64-58 in Big Ten tourney
Illini
AP Top Story Wire

Heiden scores 16, Stuelke's return helps send No. 9 Iowa past Illinois 64-58 in Big Ten tourney

  • By MICHAEL MAROT - AP Sports Writer
  • Updated

Ava Heiden scored 16 points and Hannah Stuelke finished with 13 points and five rebounds despite playing with an injured right elbow, leading No. 9 Iowa past 10th-seeded Illinois 64-58 and into Saturday’s Big Ten Tournament semifinals. The Hawkeyes have won seven straight and need two more wins to capture their fifth conference tourney crown in eight years. Jasmine Brown-Haggard finished with 22 points and Berry Wallace added 11 points as the conference’s youngest team played its third game in three nights. The Fighting Illini fell behind by double digits early and couldn't back within single digits until the final minute.

Parchment scores 15, Illinois women win 71-69 over No. 18 Michigan State in Big Ten Tournament
Illini
AP Top Story Wire

Parchment scores 15, Illinois women win 71-69 over No. 18 Michigan State in Big Ten Tournament

  • AP
  • Updated

Illinois held off Michigan State, 71-69 in the Big Ten Tournament and moves on to the quarterfinals. On Thursday night, the Illini recovered from four straight turnovers to start the game. They use an 8-0 run to take their first lead late in the first quarter. Illinois led 36-29 at halftime. Michigan State answered with a 9-0 run after the break. Illinois took the lead back with key buckets from Jasmine Brown-Hagger. Cearah Parchment scored 15, and Destiny Jackson added 14. Kennedy Blair poured in 30 for the Spartans. Illinois plays Iowa next.