NOAH TRISTER
Baylor guard Mark Vital (11) shoots over Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert (24) during the second half of the championship game in the men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 5, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Analysis: Baylor's strengths shine in title-game blowout

By Noah Trister Apr. 06, 2021 02:43 AM EDT
You could have turned off the national championship after about three minutes

Gonzaga forward Drew Timme drives to the basket ahead of Southern California forward Evan Mobley (4) during the second half of an Elite 8 game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
An advanced-stats look at this year's Final Four teams

By Noah Trister Apr. 02, 2021 03:13 PM EDT
Gonzaga and Baylor breezed through their regions without much difficulty.

Senior members of the Hope College women's basketball team take the floor as the school honors them during senior day festivities before their final game, Feb. 27, 2021, in Holland, Mich. The ceremony earned the Flying Dutch a technical foul, but it was a tribute to the seniors who were playing their final regular-season game. On Feb. 3, the women's basketball team at Hope beat Trine for its 34th consecutive victory, then found out the bad news. The NCAA had canceled winter championships in Division III, including men's and women's basketball. For a second straight season, the Flying Dutch wouldn't have a chance to compete for a national title. (William Kennedy/The Holland Sentinel via AP)
No NCAA Tournament, yet lots of memories for top D3 teams

By Noah Trister Apr. 01, 2021 02:45 AM EDT
On Feb. 3, the women's basketball team at Hope College in western Michigan beat

Loyola of Chicago's Cameron Krutwig (25) grabs a rebound above Illinois' Trent Frazier (1) during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Sunday, March 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Senior savvy: Experience shines through in NCAA Tournament

By Noah Trister Mar. 24, 2021 07:06 PM EDT
Michigan's second-round game against LSU was intense from the start. Up and

Oral Roberts forward Francis Lacis (22) celebrates after a college basketball game against Florida in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Sunday, March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis. Oral Roberts won 81-78. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
In terms of chaos, this year's Sweet 16 field is historic

By Noah Trister Mar. 23, 2021 03:07 AM EDT
By at least one measure, this is the most chaotic Sweet 16 field to date.

Oregon State guard Ethan Thompson (5) and head coach Wayne Tinkle celebrate beating Oklahoma State 80-70 after a men's college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Again, Syracuse makes Sweet 16 as double-digit seed

By Noah Trister Mar. 22, 2021 03:13 AM EDT
For the third time since 2016, Syracuse is headed to the Sweet 16 as a double

Texas head coach Shaka Smart gathers his team during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 men's tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
NCAA Tournament success has eluded Smart since VCU run

By Noah Trister Mar. 19, 2021 05:29 PM EDT
Shaka Smart has lived the highs and the lows of the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan head coach Juwan Howard questions a call as his team played against Ohio State in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan program in good hands with Howard

By Noah Trister Mar. 19, 2021 01:19 PM EDT
Juwan Howard reflected recently on his first two seasons as Michigan’s coach —

Michigan guard Mike Smith (12) celebrates as Michigan took the lead at halftime in an NCAA college basketball game against Maryland at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ivy stays sidelined, but transfers representing league well

By Noah Trister Mar. 19, 2021 02:49 AM EDT
Three years ago, Mike Smith and Seth Towns were playing against each other in

Michigan head coach Juwan Howard directs his team as they played Maryland in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
What some advanced stats may tell us about the NCAA field

By Noah Trister Mar. 18, 2021 02:49 AM EDT
Two years ago, before the start of the last NCAA Tournament, we presented a

Gonzaga players celebrate after defeating BYU in an NCAA college basketball game for the West Coast Conference men's tournament championship Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Several top teams seeking 1st title in this NCAA Tournament

By Noah Trister Mar. 15, 2021 02:27 AM EDT
If you're tired of watching the same old powerhouses, this is an NCAA

Maryland guard Eric Ayala (5) shoots over Michigan State guard Jack Hoiberg (10) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 11, 2021. Maryland defeated Michigan State 68-57. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Bubble watch: Boise St loses again; Syracuse, MSU also fall

By Noah Trister Mar. 12, 2021 02:15 AM EST
Now the wait begins for Boise State. Syracuse and Michigan

Michigan head coach Juwan Howard, left, shakes hands with Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo after the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 2 Michigan clinches Big Ten, beats Michigan State 69-50

By Noah Trister Mar. 04, 2021 09:14 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — At some point during Michigan's giddy postgame

Wild night of OTs, last-second shots in Horizon Tournament

By Noah Trister Mar. 03, 2021 12:06 AM EST
College basketball's postseason has already turned wild — in the Horizon League

Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) drives on Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Tuesday, March 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Intense No. 4 Illinois makes statement, drubs No. 2 Michigan

By Noah Trister Mar. 02, 2021 09:19 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Trent Frazier, Andre Curbelo and No. 4 Illinois arrived

Michigan forward Isaiah Livers reacts after hitting a three-point basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Next Big Ten Showdown: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 4 Illinois

By Noah Trister Mar. 01, 2021 05:27 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Illinois coach Brad Underwood gained a new appreciation

Iowa center Luka Garza (55) is defended by Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Dickinson impresses as No. 3 Michigan routs No. 9 Iowa 79-57

By Noah Trister Feb. 25, 2021 11:49 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Hunter Dickinson showed early on that he could guard

Michigan's Hunter Dickinson, left, posts up against Ohio State's E.J. Liddell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Garza, Dickinson ready to renew acquaintances

By Noah Trister Feb. 24, 2021 08:03 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Once Hunter Dickinson established himself as one of the

FILE- In a Dec. 4, 2020 file photo, Detroit Mercy head coach Mike Davis prepares to talk to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, in East Lansing, Mich. In a college basketball season unlike any other, players have had to adjust to coronavirus protocols and just general anxiety about what's to come. Even for those who manage to avoid catching the virus, the mental strain can be a real issue. Detroit Mercy's men's basketball program paused activities earlier this season, citing the mental health of its players. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
After mental health break, a turnaround at Detroit Mercy

By Noah Trister Feb. 24, 2021 04:21 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Mercy’s men’s basketball team began the season with

FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2020, file photo, Michigan head coach Juwan Howard, center right, walks off the court with his team at halftime of an NCAA college basketball game against Oakland at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. Third-ranked Michigan finally returns to the court this weekend for the first time in over three weeks, and the Big Ten leaders will hope their virus-induced layoff hasn't knocked them out of the impressive groove the Wolverines were in. (AP Photo/Tony Ding, File)
No. 3 Michigan hopes to shake off rust after long layoff

By Noah Trister Feb. 12, 2021 05:00 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A three-week hiatus did little to diminish Michigan's