INSIDER
Wolves beat Cavaliers 129-124 despite 51 points from Garland
Read full article: Wolves beat Cavaliers 129-124 despite 51 points from GarlandD’Angelo Russell had season highs of 30 points and 12 assists, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 29 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers 129-124.
Not rusty: Oregon soars past Iowa 95-80 into Sweet 16
Read full article: Not rusty: Oregon soars past Iowa 95-80 into Sweet 16Oregon players celebrate following a second-round game against Iowa. When another kink surfaced in the NCAA Tournament, the resilient, adaptable Ducks shook it off and soared. Chris Duarte scored 23 points and Oregon showed no signs of rust after a long layoff, beating No. 2 seed Iowa 95-80 on Monday to reach the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the past five NCAA Tournaments. “We did and it was a lot of fun.”The Ducks' sweet offensive movements left the Hawkeyes (22-9) flailing, one game short of the Sweet 16 for the fourth time under Fran McCaffery.
Sharp-shooting Iowa gets 24 from Garza to beat Grand Canyon
Read full article: Sharp-shooting Iowa gets 24 from Garza to beat Grand Canyon(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)INDIANAPOLIS – Iowa got 24 points from Luka Garza and avoided the early NCAA Tournament exit that befell other high seeds with an 86-74 victory over Grand Canyon in the West Region on Saturday night. AdGrand Canyon (17-7) gave the Havocs reason to remain on their feet early by keeping the Hawkeyes within reach before an Iowa surge before halftime allowed the Hawkeyes to pull away. Garza got off to a great start, hitting a pair of 3-pointers while scoring eight early points. Iowa made six 3s and hit 16 of 29 shots to stretch the lead to 42-31 at halftime. Grand Canyon had its first taste of the NCAA Tournament and the Havocs had a road party.
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.
Pick Six: Veterans to watch as NCAA Tournament begins
Read full article: Pick Six: Veterans to watch as NCAA Tournament begins(AP Photo/Chase Stevens)INDIANAPOLIS – There has never been a better time to have senior leadership in the NCAA Tournament than this season. AdVirginia intends to play after withdrawing from the ACC Tournament because of COVID-19 protocols, which means fans will get to say Sam Hauser running the show. Dru Smith is their leading scorer and Jeremiah Tilmon finally reached his potential this season, and both aim to help Missouri snap a four-game NCAA Tournament skid. Herb Jones is an All-American candidate and Jaden Shackelford is Alabama's leading scorer, but John Petty Jr. makes the SEC Tournament champs go. Then there's Tennessee forward John Fulkerson, who sustained facial fractures in an SEC Tournament win over Florida and underwent surgery Sunday.
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 – 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.
Garza gets 21 points, No. 5 Iowa tops No. 25 Wisconsin 77-73
Read full article: Garza gets 21 points, No. 5 Iowa tops No. 25 Wisconsin 77-73Iowa center Luka Garza walks off the court after an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. All rights reservedIOWA CITY, Iowa – It was Senior Day, but Luka Garza didn’t know he was going to have to give a speech. Minutes after the 6-foot-11 star scored 21 points and had 16 rebounds to lead the fifth-ranked Hawkeyes over No. 25 Wisconsin 77-73 Sunday, Iowa athletic director Gary Barta announced Garza’s jersey No. “Those two guys (Garza and Bohannon) were going to make sure we didn’t lose the game,” McCaffery said.
Garza, Weiskamp lead No. 9 Iowa over No. 4 Ohio State 73-57
Read full article: Garza, Weiskamp lead No. 9 Iowa over No. 4 Ohio State 73-574 Ohio State 73-57 on Sunday. But a 3-pointer from Weiskamp and a couple of baskets in the paint by Garza got the Hawkeyes out of the danger zone and Ohio State couldn't chip away down the stretch. BIG PICTUREIowa: The resilient Hawkeyes took it to Ohio State and will try to finish strong with tournament seeding in mind. Ohio State: After losing to No. Ohio State: Finishes regular season against No.
Dickinson impresses as No. 3 Michigan routs No. 9 Iowa 79-57
Read full article: Dickinson impresses as No. 3 Michigan routs No. 9 Iowa 79-57Dickinson gave Garza fits around the basket, and Franz Wagner scored 21 points to lead No. Michigan answered that with a 14-2 run that took place mostly while Dickinson was on the bench. The 7-foot-1 Dickinson, who like Garza went to high school in the Washington area, blocked Garza's first shot attempt of the game. “I know I’ve got to be better for my team,” Garza said. Michigan: The Wolverines have only one day off before playing at Indiana on Saturday.
Wieskamp-led No. 15 Iowa routs Michigan State 88-58
Read full article: Wieskamp-led No. 15 Iowa routs Michigan State 88-5815 Iowa still had enough from the rest of its team to rout Michigan State 88-58 on Saturday. Michigan State started the afternoon hoping to earn a quality win against a team it lost by just six points to earlier this month. Michigan State: Izzo was in his second season the last time he didn't coach in the NCAA Tournament, and the next time might be next month. POLL IMPLICATIONSThe Hawkeyes should move up in the Top 25 after routing Michigan State on the road and beating No. 25 Rutgers by 13 points earlier in the week.
Big Ten moves men's tournament from Chicago to Indianapolis
Read full article: Big Ten moves men's tournament from Chicago to IndianapolisFILE - Big Ten signage is shown outside The Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, in this March 12, 2020, file photo. Big Ten officials have decided to move next month's men's basketball tournament from Chicago to Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)INDIANAPOLIS – The Big Ten Conference announced Tuesday that its men's basketball tournament will move from Chicago to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the site of this year's Final Four. Big Ten officials see the advantages of Indianapolis as a tournament site, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Local leaders have spent two months scrambling to accommodate the NCAA, which announced last month that all 67 men's tourney games will be played in Indianapolis and its surrounding communities.
Franklin's late shot sends Indiana past No. 8 Iowa 67-65
Read full article: Franklin's late shot sends Indiana past No. 8 Iowa 67-65Indiana guard Armaan Franklin (2) shoots the winning basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. Franklin sank a 15-foot, tiebreaking jumper with 1.8 seconds left to cap off a late rally that gave the Hoosiers a 67-65 victory over No. “If you’re going to take the last shot, that’s the guy we wanted to get the ball," Miller said. Iowa has lost two straight overall, four of its last five and both games this season to Indiana. Indiana improved to 2-5 against ranked opponents this season — both against Iowa.
Indiana shuts down No. 4 Iowa for 81-69 road upset
Read full article: Indiana shuts down No. 4 Iowa for 81-69 road upsetIndiana guard Rob Phinisee (10) celebrates with teammates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)IOWA CITY, Iowa – Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 23 points despite second-half foul trouble and Indiana’s defense shut down No. They were 9 of 34 from the field in the second half, including 1 for 10 on 3-pointers. INJURY REPORTIowa guard CJ Fredrick did not play in the second half because of a lower leg injury. ... Indiana guard Trey Galloway did not play because of a sore back.
Duke falls out of AP Top 25; Gonzaga, Baylor remain 1-2
Read full article: Duke falls out of AP Top 25; Gonzaga, Baylor remain 1-2(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)Gonzaga and Baylor maintained their grip on the top two spots in The Associated Press men's basketball poll Monday. “Everyone has dealt with this,” said Wright, whose team finally gets back on the court Tuesday night against Seton Hall. The Golden Gophers were followed by Auburn, one of this week's poll newcomers, Missouri and Clemson. “We’re still finding out about our team,” said coach Mike Krzyzewski, whose team nearly rallied from an 18-point deficit against Virginia Tech. IN AND OUTThe Bruins were the other newcomer to this week's poll after improving to 11-2 and 7-0 in the Pac-12 with consecutive wins over Washington State and Washington.
Garza scores 33, No. 5 Iowa beats No. 16 Minnesota 86-71
Read full article: Garza scores 33, No. 5 Iowa beats No. 16 Minnesota 86-71Iowa center Luka Garza (55) celebrates with teammate Jordan Bohannon (3) after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. All rights reservedIOWA CITY, Iowa – Luka Garza scored 33 points and Joe Wieskamp added 20 as No. Iowa, which led 39-37 at halftime, opened the second half with a 22-6 run. Minnesota (10-4, 3-4) rallied from a 63-45 deficit to get to within five points twice late in the second half. The 1,000th point came on a free throw with 17:48 left in the second half.
No. 10 Iowa wins 77-75 as free throws cost No. 14 Rutgers
Read full article: No. 10 Iowa wins 77-75 as free throws cost No. 14 RutgersIowa guard Jordan Bohannon (3) shoots against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Piscataway, N.J., Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. 10 Iowa, but otherwise, 14th-ranked Rutgers managed to stifle the Big Ten's top offense. Garza scored 15 of his 25 points in the second half and Iowa took advantage of Rutgers' abysmal free-throw shooting for a 77-75 victory Saturday. Rutgers (7-2, 3-2 Big Ten) has struggled at the foul line this season, hitting just 62%. “Wins and losses happen, but what we took away from today is we got to hit foul shots,” Rutgers guard Ron Harper Jr. said.
Minnesota takes down No. 4 Iowa 102-95 with 3-point spree
Read full article: Minnesota takes down No. 4 Iowa 102-95 with 3-point spreeIowa guard Joe Wieskamp (10) and Minnesota guard Gabe Kalscheur (22) vie for the ball in overtime of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)MINNEAPOLIS – Brandon Johnson made all four his 3-point attempts in overtime and finished with 26 points and nine rebounds, leading Minnesota's late surge to upset No. They trailed by seven points with 44 seconds left in regulation and outscored the Hawkeyes 29-15 the rest of the way. Then Carr hit the tying 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds remaining, bringing the Gophers bench players leaping onto the court. Garza started gobbling up rebounds and turning them into gimme putbacks, and Iowa looked like it was in control.
Suggs leads top-ranked Gonzaga over No. 3 Iowa 99-88
Read full article: Suggs leads top-ranked Gonzaga over No. 3 Iowa 99-88Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs (1) shoot a 3-pointer during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 in SIoux Falls, S.D. Suggs entered the game against Iowa averaging 13.3 points per game. We got into the double bonus relatively early in the second half, but then we miss 12 free throws, which is also very uncharacteristic of our team.”Iowa seemed to have one last gasp midway through the second half. Entering the game, Gonzaga was just 16 for 55 from beyond the arc in its first three games. Iowa: The 99 points scored by Gonzaga is the most Iowa has given up this season.
Top-ranked Gonzaga returns to practice as No. 3 Iowa awaits
Read full article: Top-ranked Gonzaga returns to practice as No. 3 Iowa awaitsThe Bulldogs finally got back on the court to practice this week following a two-week break due to COVID-19 cases within the program. It looked like the first practice of the year to the Gonzaga head coach. The matchup with Baylor was going to be the showcase event for the early portion of the college basketball schedule. The first full squad practice for Gonzaga since the day before the Baylor game was scheduled for Thursday. Their whole lives are about playing basketball.”While facing the Hawkeyes is a marquee opportunity for Gonzaga, there is still hope of facing Baylor.
No. 3 Iowa's date with No. 1 Gonzaga headlines Top 25 slate
Read full article: No. 3 Iowa's date with No. 1 Gonzaga headlines Top 25 slateThe Hawkeyes followed by scoring 105 points against Iowa State and 106 points against Northern Illinois while shooting 55% and making 23 3-pointers over the two games. 13 Illinois – which tumbled seven spots in this week’s poll after losing to Missouri – visits No. 25 Michigan were the additions to this week’s poll. The Cowboys have a chance to play their way into next week’s AP Top 25 with a pair of Big 12 games. Richmond, which fell out of last week’s poll from No.
Gonzaga, Baylor remain atop AP Top 25 after game scrapped
Read full article: Gonzaga, Baylor remain atop AP Top 25 after game scrappedWest Virginia and Gonzaga play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Indianapolis. Gonzaga was scheduled to play Baylor but the game was cancelled due to COVID. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)Gonzaga and Baylor remained atop the AP Top 25 men's basketball poll Monday after their hotly anticipated weekend game in Indianapolis was called off about 90 minutes before tipoff because of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing within the Bulldogs' program. Wisconsin was tied with the Longhorns, followed by Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Texas Tech, Virginia, Richmond and Florida State. The final five were Rutgers, Ohio State, Arizona State, San Diego State and Louisville.
Garza, Nunge lead No. 3 Iowa past Western Illinois, 99-58
Read full article: Garza, Nunge lead No. 3 Iowa past Western Illinois, 99-58(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)IOWA CITY, Iowa – Luka Garza and Jack Nunge came to Iowa in the same recruiting class. 3 Iowa stayed unbeaten with a 99-58 win over Western Illinois on Thursday night. “It’s been a long road for me — it’s been over a year since I’ve played a game,” Nunge said. “You can watch film all you want on Garza,” Western Illinois coach Rob Jeter said. Iowa led 48-26 at halftime before Western Illinois (0-1) reeled off an early second-half run to get to 61-46.
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.
Purdue routs No. 17 Iowa 104-68 in offensive outburst
Read full article: Purdue routs No. 17 Iowa 104-68 in offensive outburstPurdue center Matt Haarms (32) celebrates during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Iowa in West Lafayette, Ind., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. Purdue defeated Iowa 104-68. Evan Boudreaux scored a season-high 18 points to lead five Purdue players in double figures in a 104-68 rout of No. The Hawkeyes scored first on Luka Garza's basket, but then Purdue (13-10, 6-6 Big Ten) scored 17 straight points to lead for good. Purdue: Plays Indiana on the road Saturday, aiming for a sixth straight win in the rivalry.