SATURDAY’S SNACKS: Two more Top 10 teams lose

By Raphielle JohnsonJan 16, 2016, 10:55 PM EST

Associated Press

GAME OF THE NIGHT: No. 2 Oklahoma 70, No. 11 West Virginia 68

Buddy Hield scored 17 points and Jordan Woodard added 13 points as the Sooners knocked off upset-minded West Virginia to all-but guarantee that they’ll be the No. 1 team in the country come Monday morning. The game was won by Khadeem Lattin, who redeemed himself for missing that free throw at Kansas.

That said … were we the only ones that were more impressed by WVU in this game?

IMPORTANT OUTCOMES

No. 5 North Carolina 67, NC State 55: The Wolfpack were competitive throughout, but North Carolina hit its stride offensively in the second half as the NC State battled foul trouble. Kennedy Meeks played well for the Tar Heels, scoring 23 points on 10-for-16 shooting. UNC managed to win despite Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson combining to score nine points, with the former tallying just three on 1-for-9 shooting.

No. 6 Villanova 55, Georgetown 50: Josh Hart and Ryan Arcidiacono scored 15 points apiece, with Hart also grabbing 11 rebounds, to lead the Wildcats to their 21st consecutive win over Big East competition. Georgetown cut the Villanova lead to three in the second half but were unable to get any closer. The Hoyas shot just 32.7 percent from the field on the day.

Clemson 76, No. 8 Miami 65: The Tigers beat a ranked opponent for the third straight game, this time beating the Hurricanes by 11 in Greenville. Jaron Blossomgame scored 25 points, with Jordan Roper and Donte Grantham adding 18 and 14, respectively. So what’s been the key for Clemson during this streak of five straight wins? It all boils down to one word.

Notre Dame 95, No. 9 Duke 91: The Blue Devils struggled defending ball screens and taking care of the defensive glass against Notre Dame, and it caught up to them down the stretch in a back and forth affair at Cameron. Bonzie Colson came off the bench to score 31 points, a career-high, with Demetrius Jackson scoring 24 and Steve Vasturia 22. Luke Kennard led the Blue Devils with a career-high 30 and Brandon Ingram (25 points) and Grayson Allen (18) were also productive. But does Duke have the pieces needed to address their defensive issues?

Auburn 75, No. 14 Kentucky 70: Kareem Canty scored 26 points to lead the Tigers to a huge win over Kentucky. Here’s the question we need to be asking: Is it time to be worried about Kentucky?

STARRED

Davidson’s Jack Gibbs: Gibbs passed the 40-point mark for the third time this season, scoring 43 in an 86-74 win over UMass. Gibbs also had eight rebounds and eight assists on the day.

Wyoming’s Josh Adams: Adams went for 38 points as Wyoming picked off New Mexico in Albuquerque, 70-68.

Washington’s Andrew Andrews: Andrews had 30 points and 12 assists as the Huskies knocked off Arizona State in Tempe.

Maryland’s Robert Carter Jr. and Rasheed Sulaimon: The two combined to score 47 points on 19-for-23 shooting in the Terrapins’ win over Ohio State.

Notre Dame’s Bonzie Colson: Colson scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, eight on the offensive end, in a win at No. 9 Duke.

Seton Hall’s Khadeen Carrington: Carrington had 22 points off the bench as the Pirates knocked off No. 12 Providence on the road.

STRUGGLED

Kentucky’s bigs: Skal Labissiere, Alex Poythress and Marcus Lee combined for 13 points, nine boards, eight fouls and just 48 minutes as No. 14 Kentucky lost at Auburn, 75-70.

Ohio State’s Marc Loving: Loving scored three points on 1-for-8 shooting in the Buckeyes’ 35-point loss at No. 3 Maryland.

Wake Forest’s Codi Miller-McIntyre: Six points and four turnovers, shooting 1-for-7 from the field, in the Demon Deacons’ loss to Syracuse.

Miami’s Angel Rodriguez: Three points on 1-for-7 shooting in the Hurricanes’ loss at Clemson.

North Carolina’s Marcus Paige: Paige finished just 1-for-9 from the floor, but No. 5 North Carolina was able to hold off N.C. State.

THE REST OF THE TOP 25

Cheick Diallo had nine points, nine boards and five blocks in 21 minutes as No. 1 Kansas avoided an upset against TCU, winning 70-63.
No. 3 Maryland rebounded from its loss at Michigan in a big way, blowing out Ohio State 100-65 in College Park. Robert Carter Jr. scored 25 points and Rasheed Sulaimon 22 for the Terrapins, who shot 62.7 percent from the field. This was the worst loss of the Thad Matta era at Ohio State.
Edmond Sumner returned for No. 7 Xavier, finishing with 15 points and five assists in 25 minutes off the bench in a 74-66 win over Marquette.
No. 15 Texas A&M made an emphatic statement to the rest of the SEC in their 79-45 win at Georgia. Alex Caruso, Jalen Jones and Danuel House scored 12 points apiece for the Aggies, who limited Georgia to 28.3 percent shooting.
Monte’ Morris had 19 points to lead five players in double-figures as No. 17 Iowa State tightened up defensively in a 76-63 win at Kansas State.
No. 19 South Carolina rebounded from its first loss of the season with an 81-72 win over Missouri. Sindarius Thornwell led four Gamecocks in double figures with 22 points. Missouri’s Wes Clark racked up 26 points, six rebounds and eight assists in a losing effort.
No. 20 Pittsburgh took care of business as expected, beating Boston College 84-61. Jamel Artis scored 22 points and Cameron Johnson 20 for the Panthers, while BC’s Eli Carter scored 31 to lead all scorers.
Lester Medford hit a three-pointer as time expired to give No. 22 Baylor a 63-60 win at Texas Tech. Al Freeman scored 14 points and Terry Maston 12 for the Bears.
No. 23 Butler rebounded from a slow start to beat St. John’s 78-58. Kellen Dunham scored 24 points and Kelan Martin 22, marking the first time both scored 14 points or more in the same game since December. Prior to the start of the game, the program honored the memory of former player Andrew Smith.

OTHER NOTABLE RESULTS

Ben Simmons had 16 points and 18 boards but it was Craig Victor’s putback with 3.8 seconds left on the clock that game LSU a 78-76 win over Arkansas.
Virginia Tech moved to 4-1 in the ACC with a 78-77 win at Georgia Tech. Zach LeDay scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Hokies in the win.
Temple’s been tough to figure out this season, but they picked up another quality win by beating Cincinnati 67-65 in double overtime. Quenton DeCosey scored 22 points and Devin Coleman 15 for the Owls.
Derrick Jones had 22 points and 10 boards as UNLV improved to 2-0 with Todd Simon at the helm thanks to a 100-64 win over Air Force.
Trevor Cooney scored 21 of his 25 points in the first half and Tyler Roberson added 16 and 13 boards as Syracuse rolled to an 83-55 win at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons shot 32.6 percent and committed 18 turnovers in the loss.
Indiana took care of business on the road, beating Minnesota 70-63. Yogi Ferrell accounted for 20 points, six rebounds and seven assists in the win.
Saint Joseph’s equaled its win total from last season, moving to 14-3 with an 80-55 win over Fordham. DeAndre Bembry finished with 26 points and 12 boards for the Hawks.
VCU remained undefeated in Atlantic 10 play with a 94-89 overtime win over rival Richmond. JeQuan Lewis and Korey Billbury combined to score 49 points for Rams, who are now 5-0 in the A-10.
UNCW picked up a 97-94 overtime win over William & Mary, with Denzel Ingram scoring 30 points and C.J. Bryce 20 for the Seahawks.
Kay Felder scored 22 points and dished out nine assists as Oakland won at rival Detroit, 86-82. Paris Bass and Jaleel Hogan scored 20 apiece for the Titans.
In a matchup of two expected Sun Belt contenders, Louisiana went to Atlanta and beat Georgia State 87-54. Shawn Long went for 23 points and 18 caroms and Kasey Shepherd added 19 points for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Biden celebrates LSU women’s and UConn men’s basketball teams at separate White House events

Associated PressMay 26, 2023, 11:56 PM EDT

Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK

WASHINGTON – All of the past drama and sore feelings associated with Louisiana State’s invitation to the White House were seemingly forgotten or set aside Friday as President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed the championship women’s basketball team to the mansion with smiles, hugs and lavish praise all around.

The visit had once appeared in jeopardy after Jill Biden suggested that the losing Iowa team be invited, too. But none of that was mentioned as both Bidens heralded the players for their performance and the way they have helped advance women’s sports.

“Folks, we witnessed history,” the president said. “In this team, we saw hope, we saw pride and we saw purpose. It matters.”

The ceremony was halted for about 10 minutes after forward Sa’Myah Smith appeared to collapse as she and her teammates stood behind Biden. A wheelchair was brought in and coach Kim Mulkey assured the audience that Smith was fine.

LSU said in a statement that Smith felt overheated, nauseous and thought she might faint. She was evaluated by LSU and White House medical staff and was later able to rejoin the team. “She is feeling well, in good spirits, and will undergo further evaluation once back in Baton Rouge,” the LSU statement said.

Since the passage of Title IX in 1972, Biden said, more than half of all college students are women, and there are now 10 times more female athletes in college and high school. He said most sports stories are still about men, and that that needs to change.

Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally funded education programs and activities.

“Folks, we need to support women sports, not just during the championship run but during the entire year,” President Biden said.

After the Tigers beat Iowa for the NCAA title in April in a game the first lady attended, she caused an uproar by suggesting that the Hawkeyes also come to the White House.

LSU star Angel Reese called the idea “A JOKE” and said she would prefer to visit with former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, instead. The LSU team largely is Black, while Iowa’s top player, Caitlin Clark, is white, as are most of her teammates.

Nothing came of Jill Biden’s idea and the White House only invited the Tigers. Reese ultimately said she would not skip the White House visit. She and co-captain Emily Ward presented team jerseys bearing the number “46” to Biden and the first lady. Hugs were exchanged.

Jill Biden also lavished praise on the team, saying the players showed “what it means to be a champion.”

“In this room, I see the absolute best of the best,” she said, adding that watching them play was “pure magic.”

“Every basket was pure joy and I kept thinking about how far women’s sports have come,” the first lady added, noting that she grew up before Title IX was passed. “We’ve made so much progress and we still have so much more work to do.”

The president added that “the way in which women’s sports has come along is just incredible. It’s really neat to see, since I’ve got four granddaughters.”

After Smith was helped to a wheelchair, Mulkey told the audience the player was OK.

“As you can see, we leave our mark where we go,” Mulkey joked. “Sa’Myah is fine. She’s kind of, right now, embarrassed.”

A few members of Congress and Biden aides past and present with Louisiana roots dropped what they were doing to attend the East Room event, including White House budget director Shalanda Young. Young is in the thick of negotiations with House Republicans to reach a deal by the middle of next week to stave off what would be a globally calamitous U.S. financial default if the U.S. can no longer borrow the money it needs to pay its bills.

The president, who wore a necktie in the shade of LSU’s purple, said Young, who grew up in Baton Rouge, told him, “I’m leaving the talks to be here.” Rep. Garret Graves, one of the House GOP negotiators, also attended.

Biden closed sports Friday by changing to a blue tie and welcoming the UConn’s men’s championship team for its own celebration. The Huskies won their fifth national title by defeating San Diego State, 76-59, in April.

“Congratulations to the whole UConn nation,” he said.

Marquette’s Prosper says he will stay in draft rather than returning to school

Associated PressMay 26, 2023, 7:08 PM EDT

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

MILWAUKEE — Olivier-Maxence Prosper announced he is keeping his name under NBA draft consideration rather than returning to Marquette.

The 6-foot-8 forward announced his decision.

“Thank you Marquette nation, my coaches, my teammates and support staff for embracing me from day one,” Prosper said in an Instagram post. “My time at Marquette has been incredible. With that being said, I will remain in the 2023 NBA Draft. I’m excited for what comes next. On to the next chapter…”

Prosper had announced last month he was entering the draft. He still could have returned to school and maintained his college eligibility by withdrawing from the draft by May 31. Prosper’s announcement indicates he instead is going ahead with his plans to turn pro.

Prosper averaged 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds last season while helping Marquette go 29-7 and win the Big East’s regular-season and tournament titles. Marquette’s season ended with a 69-60 loss to Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32.

He played two seasons at Marquette after transferring from Clemson, where he spent one season.

Kansas’ Kevin McCullar Jr. returning for last season of eligibility

Associated PressMay 25, 2023, 9:18 PM EDT

Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports

Kevin McCullar Jr. said that he will return to Kansas for his final year of eligibility, likely rounding out a roster that could make the Jayhawks the preseason No. 1 next season.

McCullar transferred from Texas Tech to Kansas for last season, when he started 33 of 34 games and averaged 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds. He was also among the nation’s leaders in steals, and along with being selected to the Big 12’s all-defensive team, the 6-foot-6 forward was a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.

“To be able to play in front of the best fans in the country; to play for the best coach in the nation, I truly believe we have the pieces to hang another banner in the Phog,” McCullar said in announcing his return.

Along with McCullar, the Jayhawks return starters Dajuan Harris Jr. and K.J. Adams from a team that went 28–8, won the Big 12 regular-season title and was a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where it lost to Arkansas in the second round.

Perhaps more importantly, the Jayhawks landed Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson, widely considered the best player in the portal, to anchor a lineup that was missing a true big man. They also grabbed former five-star prospect Arterio Morris, who left Texas, and Towson’s Nick Timberlake, who emerged last season as one of the best 3-point shooters in the country.

The Jayhawks also have an elite recruiting class arriving that is headlined by five-star recruit Elmarko Jackson.

McCullar declared for the draft but, after getting feedback from scouts, decided to return. He was a redshirt senior last season, but he has another year of eligibility because part of his career was played during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a big day for Kansas basketball,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said. “Kevin is not only a terrific player but a terrific teammate. He fit in so well in year one and we’re excited about what he’ll do with our program from a leadership standpoint.”

Clemson leading scorer Hall withdraws from NBA draft, returns to Tigers

Associated PressMay 25, 2023, 9:15 PM EDT

Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson leading scorer PJ Hall is returning to college after withdrawing from the NBA draft on Thursday.

The 6-foot-10 forward took part in the NBA combine and posted his decision to put off the pros on social media.

Hall led the Tigers with 15.3 points per game this past season. He also led the Tigers with 37 blocks, along with 5.7 rebounds. Hall helped Clemson finish third in the Atlantic Coast Conference while posting a program-record 14 league wins.

Clemson coach Brad Brownell said Hall gained experience from going through the NBA’s combine that will help the team next season. “I’m counting on him and others to help lead a very talented group,” he said.

Hall was named to the all-ACC third team last season as the Tigers went 23-10.

George Washington adopts new name ‘Revolutionaries’ to replace ‘Colonials’

Associated PressMay 24, 2023, 7:12 PM EDT

Getty Images

WASHINGTON — George Washington University’s sports teams will now be known as the Revolutionaries, the school announced.

Revolutionaries replaces Colonials, which had been GW’s name since 1926. Officials made the decision last year to drop the old name after determining it no longer unified the community.

GW said 8,000 different names were suggested and 47,000 points of feedback made during the 12-month process. Revolutionaries won out over the other final choices of Ambassadors, Blue Fog and Sentinels.

“I am very grateful for the active engagement of our community throughout the development of the new moniker,” president Mark S. Wrighton said. “This process was truly driven by our students, faculty, staff and alumni, and the result is a moniker that broadly reflects our community – and our distinguished and distinguishable GW spirit.”

George the mascot will stay and a new logo developed soon for the Revolutionaries name that takes effect for the 2023-24 school year. The university is part of the Atlantic 10 Conference.