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FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2021, file photo, Drake forward Tremell Murphy, left, drives past Illinois State forward Abdou Ndiaye (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Des Moines, Iowa. The economic downturn across college sports caused by the pandemic led Drake to slash its athletic budget, including a quarter of what it spends on men's basketball. Earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament won't pull Drake out of its financial hole, but every little bit helps. Getting an extra team into the field for the Missouri Valley Conference could mean another $1.8 million--give or take--for the league to distribute to its 10 members over the next six years. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
NCAA bubble trouble: Pandemic pushes mid-majors to margins

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 04, 2021 07:37 PM EST

Michigan State forward Aaron Henry (0) celebrates with forward Gabe Brown (44) after scoring against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
The Latest: Big Ten to allow fans for basketball tournaments

By The Associated Press Mar. 04, 2021 01:58 PM EST

New Jersey Devils left wing Nikita Gusev (97) celebrates his goal with right wing Kyle Palmieri (21), center Jack Hughes (86) and defenseman Damon Severson (28) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Latest: Big West hoops tournaments banning spectators

Feb. 22, 2021 07:14 PM EST

Georgia's Crean hires former Pistons coach Michael Curry

Dec. 23, 2020 05:15 PM EST
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Former Detroit Pistons and Florida Atlantic coach Michael Curry has joined Georgia coach Tom Crean's staff. Crean on...

FILE - Duke players celebrate after the NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament championship game against Wisconsin in Indianapolis, in this Monday, April 6, 2015, file photo. The NCAA announced Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, it plans to hold the entire 2021 men’s college basketball tournament in one geographic location to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 and is in talks with Indianapolis to be the host city (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
March Madness in one place? NCAA looking at Indianapolis

By John Marshall Nov. 16, 2020 11:48 AM EST

A-10 commissioner: NCAA penalties against UMass unfortunate

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 16, 2020 02:05 PM EDT
The NCAA is stripping Massachusetts of victories in men’s basketball and women’s tennis for overpaying 12 athletes about $9,100 in financial aid over three...

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, the national office of the NCAA in Indianapolis is shown. A set of proposals to permit NCAA athletes to earn money from endorsements and sponsorships deals will go up for vote in January, the last step for the association to change its rules but not the last word on how name, image and likeness compensation will work. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
After NIL, next NCAA challenge is restructuring Division I

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 15, 2020 03:35 PM EDT

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Sep. 17, 2020 02:10 PM EDT
Sept. 20 1913 — Twenty-year-old amateur Francis Ouimet beats Britain’s Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in an 18-hole playoff to win the U.S. Open....

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2019, file photo, Southern Mississippi coach Jay Ladner argues a call with the referee during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. While the major sports are finding ways to return to competition, college basketball is in a holding pattern, much like college football. College basketball coaches do have an advantage over the football coaches while in limbo. Since their season starts later, they get a chance to see how things play out, both in professional sports and in college football. (Brad Tollefson/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via AP, File)
College basketball stuck in holding pattern during pandemic

By John Marshall Jul. 26, 2020 03:39 PM EDT

The gates of St. Edwards' Lewis-Chen Family Soccer Field are locked and marked closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Austin, Texas. In response to the economic impact of COVID-19, St. Edwards says they are cutting cut six sports programs including men's and women's tennis, men's and women's golf and men's soccer. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Latest: Georgia St plans to reopen athletic facilities

By The Associated Press May. 29, 2020 06:53 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 5, 2018, file photo, Mike Smith rides Justify to victory during the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The move of the Triple Crown’s first leg to Labor Day weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic will mark the first time the Derby won’t run on the first Saturday in May since 1945. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
The Latest: North Carolina considering allowing NASCAR race

By The Associated Press Apr. 23, 2020 04:22 PM EDT

FILE - From left are American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco, in a 2017 file photo and Vice President Mike Pence in a 2020 file photo. The commissioners of the major college football conferences held a 30-minute conference call Wednesday, April 15, 2020, with Vice President Mike Pence and stressed to him that college sports could not return from the coronavirus shutdown until college campuses have re-opened. “We were able to talk about the differences between us and professional sports,” American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco said. (AP Photo/File)
Commissioners tell VP no football before campuses open

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 15, 2020 04:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 18, 2019, file photo, jockey Tyler Gaffalione, right, reacts aboard War of Will, as they crosses the finish line first to win the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore. A measure in Maryland to redevelop Pimlico Race Course to keep the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown in Baltimore is scheduled for a hearing before state lawmakers. The “Racing and Community Development Act of 2020” is set for a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
The Latest: NCAA suspends infraction hearings, arguments

By The Associated Press Apr. 03, 2020 09:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2020, file photo, LSU baseball head coach Paul Mainieri watches his players practice before an NCAA college baseball game against Indiana, in Baton Rouge, La. The widely praised NCAA decision to extend the eligibility of spring sports athletes who had their seasons abruptly end because of the coronavirus pandemic creates headaches for baseball and softball coaches who have to manage rosters that could become unwieldy. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton, Fle)
Survey: Athletic directors bracing for financial crisis

By Ralph D, Russo Apr. 02, 2020 01:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, file photo, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes talks with guard Santiago Vescovi, of Uruguay, during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. With competition canceled across all NCAA divisions due to the coronavirus, many foreign athletes face a dilemma, return home or stay. Tennessee's men’s basketball team has players from France, Serbia, Uruguay and Finland, which meant Mary-Carter Eggert, the director of basketball operations, became a travel agent, looking for the best flights. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Pandemic fallout: NCAA slashes distribution by $375 million

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 27, 2020 01:22 AM EDT

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks about the coronavirus in the James Brady Briefing Room, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Latest: Fauci, Curry talk on Instagram, as Obama watches

By The Associated Press Mar. 26, 2020 04:43 PM EDT

FILE - This March 12, 2020, file photo, shows the national office of the NCAA in Indianapolis. The NCAA will distribute $225 million to its Division I members in June, $375 million less than had been budgeted this year because the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of the men's basketball tournament. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Pandemic fallout: NCAA slashes distribution by $375 million

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 26, 2020 02:45 PM EDT

Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger looks on in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Latest: USA Gymnastics to ask for Olympic postponement

By The Associated Press Mar. 23, 2020 01:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 31, 1997, file photo, Arizona's Miles Simon hoists the ball aloft as Arizona beat Kentucky 84-79 in overtime to win the national championship at the NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File)
Final Four stardom not always followed by long NBA career

By Steve Megargee Mar. 22, 2020 12:16 PM EDT

Luis Rivera, left, sanitizes seats in Bridgestone Arena after the remaining NCAA college basketball games in the Southeastern Conference tournament were cancelled Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. The tournament was cancelled Thursday due to coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
The Latest: First NHL player has coronavirus

By The Associated Press Mar. 17, 2020 08:43 PM EDT