POLL ALERT: Back-to-back champion UConn finishes at No. 1 in first men's AP Top 25 to be released after March Madness

Purdue's Jones has been a perfect transfer fit in a March Madness run to the NCAA title game

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Lance Jones spent four years developing his game at a mid-major program before deciding to enter the transfer portal. The payoff came in March Madness, both for Purdue at every step of what became the best season in program history and for Jones in playing...

UConn, Purdue set to collide in NCAA title game after dominating in a romp-filled March Madness

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The NCAA Tournament has reached its finish line, down to one game pairing the two best teams that routinely win in romps and boasting a marquee post matchup that features a two-time national player of the year. Maybe that will make this version of March...

Led by Castle and Clingan, defending champ UConn returns to NCAA title game, beating Alabama 86-72

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The final result showed UConn winning its 11th straight NCAA Tournament game by at least 13 points. The reality: The Huskies were tested unlike any other time during their run toward a possible second straight national title. UConn kept its...

Wolfpack's balance fails at wrong time in Final Four power outage vs. Purdue

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — North Carolina State’s miraculous late-season run to the Atlantic Coast Conference title and an even more improbable Final Four trip had been the product of a blending of talent, balance and cohesion when the pressure peaked. One first-half tumble appeared...

After March Madness ouster, Monson feels the love in times that are 'darker than I wanted it to be'

PHOENIX (AP) — The only coach who led his team to March Madness this season, then went straight to looking for a new job, is getting lots of pats on the back this week during his visit to the Final Four. He needs them. In the quieter times that have become more common since his...

Before Alabama's biggest basketball game, the insults will be flying

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — In the 15 minutes before Alabama makes its first Final Four appearance in school history on Saturday, there probably won't be many warm and fuzzy moments in the locker room. Instead, there will be insults. Lots of them. One of the most...

High schools to high majors: Final Four includes 3 coaches with roots in high school

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The longer Nate Oats coached at Romulus High School outside of Detroit, the more comfortable he felt with his position in the coaching hierarchy. Oats had always pictured himself as a Division I college coach, yet he had built a top-tier program at Romulus...

Horne's return to NC State has played a critical role in the Wolfpack's unexpected Final Four run

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — DJ Horne has taken a long road to the Final Four. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard has been the undersized, unoffered recruit out of North Carolina State's base of Raleigh. He's been the strong mid-major performer for two years at Illinois State, followed by the...

Crimson Tide trying to slow down the UConn juggernaut in the Final Four

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Alabama coach Nate Oats had to rebuild his roster and replace three assistant coaches. The pieces ended up fitting perfectly. The fast-and-furious Crimson Tide were among one of the nation's best offenses all season and rolled into the program's first Final...