TOM CANAVAN
UCLA basketball players celebrate their win over BYU after a first-round game in the NCAA college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
UCLA-Abilene Christian another unlikely matchup in NCAAs

By Tom Canavan Mar. 21, 2021 07:22 PM EDT
On one side, it's mighty UCLA. College basketball royalty.

FILE - In this Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 file photo, BYU guard Alex Barcello, right, defends Gonzaga guard Ryan Woolridge during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Spokane, Wash. Heading into the season, there wasn't a lot of talk about No. 23. BYU. This was supposed to be a rebuilding season in Provo, Utah for coach Mark Pope and his Cougars. Guess again. BYU went 20-6 playing with a returning senior guard, three transfers and a freshman and they seemingly are getting better heading into their first NCAA Tournament since 2015. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
BYU could surprise in East, gave No. 1 Zags a scare

By Tom Canavan Mar. 17, 2021 06:29 PM EDT
Heading into the season, there wasn't a lot of talk about BYU.

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell yells from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Coach Steve Pikiell not concerned about Rutgers' 4-game skid

By Tom Canavan Jan. 19, 2021 05:33 PM EST
Coach Steve Pikiell isn't worried about the four-game slide that has caused

FILE - Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell directs his team against Illinois during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Piscataway, N.J., in this Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, file photo. Rutgers won 72-57. Rutgers is heading into the basketball season with its first preseason ranking since 1978-79. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Rutgers ranked for 1st time entering season since 1978-79

By Tom Canavan Nov. 10, 2020 12:50 PM EST
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — It's time to stop talking about the postseason drought

Rutgers hoops lands highly recruited center Cliff Omoruyi

By Tom Canavan Mar. 29, 2020 03:07 PM EDT
Steve Pikiell and Rutgers took other step toward becoming a major basketball

Seton Hall's Myles Powell reacts after scoring during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova, Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Hall's Powell has no regrets despite no NCAA Tournament

By Tom Canavan Mar. 16, 2020 06:37 PM EDT
Preseason All-American Myles Powell has no regrets about returning for his

Rutgers forward Akwasi Yeboah (1) shoots in front of Purdue forward Trevion Williams (50) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, March 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Rutgers crushed: 1st NCAA spot in 29 years was but days away

By Tom Canavan Mar. 13, 2020 04:46 PM EDT
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers seemed to be a only couple of days away from ending

Xavier forward Zach Freemantle (32) defends against DePaul guard Oscar Lopez Jr. (15) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Big East men's tournament Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in New York. DePaul won 71–67. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
DePaul stuns Xavier in first round of Big East Tourney

By Tom Canavan Mar. 12, 2020 12:04 AM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — DePaul is heading to the quarterfinals of the Big East

St. John's forward Marcellus Earlington (10) drives around Georgetown center Omer Yurtseven (44) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Big East men's tournament Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
St. John's grabs momentum to down Georgetown

By Tom Canavan Mar. 11, 2020 09:32 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — St. John's biggest comeback of the season kept it alive in the

Creighton coach Greg McDermott talks to Ty-Shon Alexander (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Seton Hall in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, March 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Powell wins Big East player of year, McDermott top coach

By Tom Canavan Mar. 11, 2020 05:15 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Myles Powell, who skipped a chance to play in the NBA to become

Villanova's Saddiq Bey (41) drives against Seton Hall's Shavar Reynolds, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
No. 14 Villanova edges No. 8 Hall; Big East up for grabs

By Tom Canavan Mar. 04, 2020 11:14 PM EST
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Villanova kept its chances alive for a piece of a sixth Big

Maryland's Jalen Smith (25) dunks as Rutgers' Myles Johnson (15) watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Rutgers stuns No. 9 Maryland for school record 18th home win

By Tom Canavan Mar. 03, 2020 09:24 PM EST
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers has inched a little closer to its first NCAA

Butler forward Bryce Golden (33) and guard Kamar Baldwin (3) defend against Seton Hall guard Myles Powell (13) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, in Newark, N.J. Seton Hall won 74-72. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Mamukelashvili shot at buzzer lifts Seton Hall over Butler

By Tom Canavan Feb. 19, 2020 08:58 PM EST
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — With the game tied and less than a second to play, Seton

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (21) is fouled by Rutgers center Myles Johnson (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Harper scores 27, Rutgers beats No. 22 Illinois 72-57

By Tom Canavan Feb. 15, 2020 06:52 PM EST
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Ron Harper Jr. broke out of his shooting slump with one

Seton Hall guard Myles Cale (22) slam dunks the ball past Creighton forward Christian Bishop (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Newark, N.J.. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
No. 23 Creighton tops 10th-ranked Seton Hall 87-82

By Tom Canavan Feb. 12, 2020 09:04 PM EST
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — There is more to the Big East Conference this season than

Seton Hall's Ike Obiagu (21) defends against Xavier's Quentin Goodin (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, feb. 1, 2020, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Michael Owens)
Jones leads Xavier over No. 10 Seton Hall, win streak ends.

By Tom Canavan Feb. 01, 2020 01:29 PM EST
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Tyrique Jones had 19 points and 18 rebounds and Xavier

Seton Hall's Myles Powell (13) drives to the basket against DePaul's Paul Reed (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Powell scores 24, No. 10 Seton Hall wins 10th straight game

By Tom Canavan Jan. 29, 2020 09:15 PM EST
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Preseason All America Myles Powell was having one of those

Providence's Luwane Pipkins (12) defends Seton Hall's Quincy McKnight (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
No. 10 Seton Hall wins 9th in a row, edging Providence 73-64

By Tom Canavan Jan. 22, 2020 11:04 PM EST
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — There is more to No. 10 Seton Hall than Myles Powell — a

Rutgers guard Paul Mulcahy (4) tries to move the ball between Indiana guard Rob Phinisee (10) and forward De'Ron Davis (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020 in Piscataway, N.J. (Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media via AP)
Rutgers returns to basketball poll for first time since 1979

By Tom Canavan Jan. 20, 2020 04:07 PM EST
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers is back in the men's college basketball poll for

Rutgers remains unbeaten at home, beats Indiana 59-50

By Tom Canavan Jan. 15, 2020 09:39 PM EST
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Winning of the road in the Big Ten Conference has been