BILL SELF

Ochai Agbaji scored a career-high 29 points and No. 3 Kansas beat Michigan State 87-74 at the Champions Classic on the opening night of college basketball.

Bucks honored at White House

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self was so disgusted by the last round of conference realignment — when Missouri and Texas A&M bolted the Big 12 for the SEC — that he vowed never to play the Tigers again. Self's reason was simple: The departures, along with Nebraska's move to the Big Ten and Colorado's to the Pac-12, had left the Big 12 on precarious footing. Perhaps because the Big 12 may have come out ahead — at least, when it comes to basketball.

Michael Jordan will present Kobe Bryant for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame next month.

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self has agreed to a new contract that will keep him with the Jayhawks until he retires.

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)INDIANAPOLIS – Southern California coach Andy Enfield is taking another program back to the Sweet 16. Marcus Garrett had 15 points for Kansas (21-9), which had never lost an NCAA tourney game by more than 16 points. AdMobley's four first-half 3s, doubling his career best for an entire game, staked the Trojans to a 40-21 lead at the break. Kansas trimmed its deficit to 16 early in the second half, but Enfield immediately called timeout and the momentum was over. BIG PICTURESouthern California continued a banner tournament for the Pac-12, which is now 9-1 with four of its five teams reaching the Sweet 16.

The Indiana Farmers Coliseum scoreboard goes dark after a first round NCAA college basketball tournament game between Iowa and Grand Canyon Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)If you didn’t pay attention to college basketball until the NCAA Tournament, the good news is you didn’t miss much. The loss marked the second time in the Cavaliers’ last three NCAA Tournament appearances — this time as a No. “He kind of got his legs under him and he was really, really good in the second half,” Self said afterward. “I mean really, really good.”___More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and updated bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket

The Indiana Farmers Coliseum scoreboard goes dark after a first round NCAA college basketball tournament game between Iowa and Grand Canyon Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Indianapolis. The VCU Oregon game scheduled to be played after the Iowa Grand Canyon game was cancelled after VCU was pulled from the NCAA Tournament because of COVID-19 protocols. The NCAA says the 10th-seeded Rams' first-round game Saturday against Oregon has been declared a no-contest. To get it taken away like this, it’s just a heartbreaking moment in their young lives," VCU coach Mike Rhoades said. There’s no way I can sugarcoat it.”VCU athletic director Ed McLaughlin declined to say which players tested positive, citing privacy concerns.

3 seed Kansas. 14 seed Eastern Washington 93-84 on Saturday to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Compounding problems for Kansas: Garrett, one of the nation's best defenders, picked up his third foul before the break. AdThey finally did midway through the second half. But the Eagles' defense let them down in the second half, when Kansas began getting open looks and knocking them down.

Jalen Tate spent four years at Norther Kentucky, where he made an NCAA Tournament appearance, and Connor Vanover, who began his season at California. His teammate, Tanner Groves, wound up being league MVP — yet wasn't even an all-Big Sky pick before the season. They're a tough team to guard.”BIG MOMENTS, BIG SHOTSMount St. Mary's will likely be long gone by next week. He scored the final seven points to beat Central Connecticut State, then did the same thing against Long Island. In the Northeast Conference final, he scored 17 of 21 points after halftime to book an NCAA trip.

(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)Virginia has a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Virginia was forced to withdraw from the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament semifinals Friday because a person with the team tested positive for COVID-19. “It’s certainly a unique way to prepare for the NCAA Tournament. There are replacement teams waiting if Virginia, or any team, needs to pull out of the tournament. Bennett is hopeful Virginia will take the court as scheduled, 7:15 p.m. Eastern on Saturday night at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.

"Testing, practice, getting on the bus in Philadelphia, waiting for that reply, that response time to say, ‘We’re all negative here. In the biggest adjustment to a normal March Madness, all the games will be played in and around Indianapolis over 19 days. More about that bracket: A few bubble teams are coming from unexpected places, namely UCLA and Michigan State. Teams like Louisville, Saint Louis, Colorado State and Mississippi would gladly trade places with them. In one of many first-of-its-kind moves made to accommodate a one-of-a-kind tournament, the NCAA put team Nos.

1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament bracket announced Sunday as they try to become the first team in 35 years to complete a perfect season. 4 seed Virginia 98-75 in late December. Grand Canyon lost to New Mexico State in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament title game for two straight years under previous coach Dan Majerle. Drew knows a little something about NCAA Tournament drama, hitting a game-winning 3-pointer for Valparaiso against Mississippi 23 years ago, so you never know. 5 Creighton had a 20-win season that included victories over NCAA Tournament teams Georgetown, Villanova and two over Connecticut.

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)The biggest unknown leading into a March Madness bracket reveal more than a year in the making had nothing to do with bubble teams or top seeds. It was a signal that both teams believe they’ll have enough healthy players to be ready for their tip-offs next weekend. “The one thing I’ve found out through this, probably as much as anybody, is expect the unexpected,” said Kansas coach Bill Self. Like Virginia and Kansas, Duke pulled out of its conference tournament last week because of COVID-19., marking the end of a 13-11 season that never got on track. All par for the course and part of the plan for March Madness during a pandemic.

Virginia was forced to withdraw from the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Saturday because of a single COVID-19 case. They were already missing David McCormack and Tristan Enaruna, who both tested positive before the conference tournament. Pitino is the fifth coach to lead five teams to the NCAA Tournament, joining Lon Kruger and Tuby Smith. The Cougars routed Cincinnati in the AAC final, ending the Bearcats hope of slipping into the NCAA Tournament field of 68 as an automatic qualifier. 7 Houston and Cincinnati, which needs to win to get in the NCAA field.

Kansas head coach Bill Self watches player introductions before an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 men's tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 11, 2021. – Kansas withdrew from the Big 12 Tournament on Friday after a positive COVID-19 test within the men's basketball program, becoming the third major team to have its conference postseason come to an end beceause of the coronavirus. “Obviously we are disappointed and our players are disappointed that they can't continue to compete for the Big 12 championship,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said in a statement. It remained to be seen whether the Longhorns will return a positive test before the Big 12 title game. On Thursday, perennial power Duke pulled out of the ACC Tournament after a pair of wins because of a positive test.

Kansas head coach Bill Self watches player introductions before an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 men's tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Kansas withdrew from the Big 12 Tournament on Friday after a positive COVID-19 test within the men’s basketball program, sending No. Kansas had gone the entire season without an outbreak that caused it to cancel or postpone a game. Ad___The Minnesota Twins are the latest Major League Baseball team to receive government approval for fans to return to their games this season. Only a limited amount of family members of players and staff have been able to attend those games this season.

FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2021, file photo, Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid reacts after making a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls in Philadelphia. “The fans are always there for me when I play,” Embiid said. Ad“It’s nice to have a big guy in the MVP talk,” Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal told The Associated Press. AdHe is trying to become the first Sixer to win NBA MVP — the fans call it an MVBiid campaign — since Iverson in 2001. Nobody can guard you.’ I think that’s a big reason he’s having the season he’s having.”Morey, though, is fine with Embiid shooting from deep.

Michigan took advantage of Villanova's loss at St. John's to jump into the top three, Ohio State climbed three spots to No. The Jayhawks began their Top 25 streak on Feb. 2, 2009, when freshman guard Bryce Thompson was 6 years old. “We have plenty of games to go win and I know this team can do it,” Kansas guard Christian Braun said. 15, followed by Tennessee, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Creighton and Southern California. The Bruins dropped out, along with Kansas, Florida and Drake, whose 18-0 start was spoiled in a 74-57 loss to Valparaiso.

18 Tennessee never trailed Saturday in beating 15th-ranked Kansas 80-61 in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. This was just Tennessee's second win all-time against Kansas in six games. David McCormack led the Jayhawks with 17 points, Marcus Garrett added 15 and Jalen Wilson had 10. Kansas shot only 7 of 26 through the first 20 minutes and kept from being blown out by hitting 11 of 12 at the free throw line. Tennessee: The Vols have proven they can play stingy defense, and they dominated on the boards 38-23, scoring 14 second-chance points.

(AP Photo/Garett Fisbeck)NORMAN, Okla. – De’Vion Harmon scored 22 points and Oklahoma beat No. 9 Kansas 75-68 Saturday for its second victory this month over a top-10 opponent. Kansas, which entered the game coming off losses at Oklahoma State and No. Marcus Garrett had 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Jayhawks, who were limited to two offensive rebounds. Oklahoma: Oklahoma hasn’t cracked the Top 25 this season, but now is in sole possession of third place in a league with five top-15 teams.

Baylor guard Jared Butler (12) shoots a three-point basket past Kansas guard Marcus Garrett (0) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in Waco, Texas. Butler had a season-high 30 points and eight assists as the Bears remained undefeated with a 77-69 victory Monday night over No. 9 Kansas, which has lost consecutive Big 12 games for the first time in nearly eight years. “To win the Big 12, we’re going to need all 15 guys, we need everybody, we need the staff. “They were real focused, like we’ve been for every game,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said.

Cade Cunningham scored 18 points, and the Cowboys held off a late rally to beat No. “This is what the process looks like,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton said. It was the fifth time in the past eight tries that Oklahoma State has beaten the Jayhawks at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Garrett missed a 3-pointer, and Oklahoma State got the ball in a scramble and called timeout with 17.8 seconds left. Oklahoma State hosts rival Oklahoma on Saturday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Top-ranked Kansas hasn't lost since Baylor stunned the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse in January, that run of excellence driving coach Bill Self's squad to another regular-season Big 12 title and the top seed in the conference tournament. The Jayhawks (28-3) know all too well their next loss ends a dream, whether that's to win the Big 12 Tournament this week in Kansas City or the NCAA Tournament beginning next week. 10 seed Kansas State (10-21) and eighth-seeded Oklahoma State (17-14) plays No. You’ve got to come to play,” Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said.

Azubuike finished with six points and nine rebounds while playing just 20 minutes after hurting his ankle in the opening minutes. “We were ready to play,” Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said. Azubuike returned with 9 minutes to go, but the Jayhawks couldn't shake the Wildcats and led just 35-34 at the break. Kansas State hung with the Jayhawks the entire way despite Diarra playing with four fouls down the stretch and a massive disadvantage on the boards. Kansas State visits Oklahoma State in its road finale Wednesday night.

3 Kansas suspended forward Silvio De Sousa indefinitely Wednesday for his role in the Jayhawks' brawl with Kansas State near the end of their game Tuesday night. De Sousa was the main instigator on the Kansas side, but he may not be the only one facing punishment. 22 of the Kansas Jayhawks, picks up a chair during a brawl as the game against the Kansas State Wildcats ends at Allen Fieldhouse on January 21, 2020, in Lawrence, Kansas. "The incident last night was not good for Kansas, it was not good for Kansas State, it was not good for college basketball," Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said Wednesday. The two schools are scheduled to meet again February 29 at Kansas State.

3 Kansas suspended forward Silvio De Sousa indefinitely Wednesday for his role in the Jayhawks' brawl with Kansas State near the end of their game Tuesday night. De Sousa was the main instigator on the Kansas side, but he may not be the only one facing punishment. 22 of the Kansas Jayhawks, picks up a chair during a brawl as the game against the Kansas State Wildcats ends at Allen Fieldhouse on January 21, 2020, in Lawrence, Kansas. "The incident last night was not good for Kansas, it was not good for Kansas State, it was not good for college basketball," Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said Wednesday. The two schools are scheduled to meet again February 29 at Kansas State.

Silvio De Sousa #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks picks up a chair during a brawl as the game against the Kansas State Wildcats ends at Allen Fieldhouse on January 21, 2020 in Lawrence, Kansas. Third-ranked Kansas and Kansas State ended their bitter showdown Tuesday night with a wild melee in the disabled seating behind the Wildcats' basket that included punches, shoving and at least one player threatening to swing a stool. Kansas State shot technical free throws to booing from a few thousand fans, and the one make necessitated a change to the final box score. And while Self said he didn't agree with the steal and layup attempt, he did acknowledge that Kansas State was merely playing to the final whistle. Asked what his message was in the locker room after the game, Self replied: "There was no discussion on what happened from their vantage point.

A fight between players spills into the crowd during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Kansas and Kansas State in Lawrence, Kan., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Kansas defeated Kansas State 81-59. Kansas State shot technical free throws to booing from a few thousand fans, and the one make necessitated a change to the final box score. And while Self said he didn't agree with the steal and layup attempt, he did acknowledge that Kansas State was merely playing to the final whistle. Asked what his message was in the locker room after the game, Self replied: “There was no discussion on what happened from their vantage point.

16 West Virginia 60-53 in the Big 12 opener for both teams Saturday. “The key the second half was Dot's conditioning — I think he played 40 minutes and never came out against pressure like that. He doesn't try to be anything else,” West Virginia coach Bob Huggins said. And when McBride made two foul shots for West Virginia, the Jayhawks' junior guard added his own. They forced West Virginia into 16 turnovers while allowing just seven assists, but they also gave up 15 second-chance points while getting just four themselves.

(CNN) - Kansas Jayhawks athletic director Jeff Long issued an apology Friday night following Snoop Dogg's raucous performance at an annual university event that included pole dancers. The hip-hop artist's appearance at the "Late Night in the Phog" kickoff at the University of Kansas caused controversy when Snoop, wearing a blue No. 20 Kansas jersey, sang to a cheering crowd while backed by dancers twirling around stripper poles. "We apologize for the Snoop Dogg performance at Late Night," Long said in a statement. Last week, the Kansas Jayhawks were charged by the NCAA with five Level I and two Level II violations, including a lack of institution control charge and a violation of coaching responsibilities standard.