Tom Izzo
FILE - In this March 9, 2003, file photo, Minnesota's Ben Johnson (22) drives past Illinois Dee Brown (11) in the first half at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill. Minnesota has picked former player and assistant Johnson to be the new head men's basketball coach, according to a person with knowledge of the hire. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because university had yet to make the announcement. (AP Photo/John Dixon, File)
New Minnesota coach is former player, assistant Ben Johnson

By Dave Campbell Mar. 22, 2021 06:19 PM EDT

Michigan State's Aaron Henry (0) is defended by UCLA's Jules Bernard (1), Tyger Campbell (10), Johnny Juzang (3) and Cody Riley (2) during the second half of a First Four game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, early Friday, March 19, 2021, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. UCLA won 86-80. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin)
710 days later, NCAA Tournament is back with 'First Four'

By Jim Litke Mar. 19, 2021 02:32 AM EDT

FILE- In this Thursday, March 4, 2021, file photo, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan State and coach Tom Izzo are in an unfamiliar position. This time, Michigan State needed a late surge just to get into the Big Dance, and they’ll have to win an extra game, too. The Spartans (15-12) will face UCLA (17-9) on Thursday in a First Four matchup of No. 11 seeds in the East Region.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Michigan St, Izzo in new spot as First Four participants

By Cliff Brunt Mar. 17, 2021 03:33 PM EDT

Iona head coach Rick Pitino, from left, Isaiah Ross and Dylan van Eyck pose with the trophy after winning an NCAA college basketball game against Fairfield during the finals of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament, Saturday, March 13, 2021, in Atlantic City, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pitino in NCAA Tournament, Kentucky out after chaotic season

By John Marshall Mar. 14, 2021 10:27 PM EDT

The Michigan bench reacts after winning the Big Ten title against Michigan State in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 2 Michigan clinches Big Ten, beats Michigan State 69-50

By Noah Trister Mar. 04, 2021 11:17 PM EST

Michigan's Hunter Dickinson gets past Wisconsin's Aleem Ford during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
After shaking off rust, No. 3 Michigan eyes rolling Buckeyes

By Andrew Seligman Feb. 18, 2021 02:58 AM EST

Gonzaga's Drew Timme, second from left, and Corey Kispert shake hands in the closing moments of Gonzaga's 76-58 win over Pacific in an NCAA college basketball game in Stockton, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
New bloods Gonzaga, Villanova still thriving amid pandemic

By John Marshall Feb. 14, 2021 03:45 PM EST

Nebraska guard Trey McGowens (2) knocks the ball from Michigan State guard Rocket Watts (2) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in East Lansing, Mich., Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Staggering Spartans struggling with play of point guards

By Larry Lage Feb. 11, 2021 02:20 PM EST

Michigan State guard Jack Hoiberg (10) hugs his father, Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg, after an NCAA college basketball game in East Lansing, Mich., Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. Michigan State won 66-56. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan State ends 4-game skid with 66-56 win over Nebraska

By Larry Lage Feb. 06, 2021 10:08 PM EST

FILE - Kansas head coach Bill Self looks on as Kansas plays TCU during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Fort Worth, texas, in this Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, file photo. Bill Self acknowledged this is a new feeling for him. In nearly two decades at Kansas, he has never been out of the hunt for the Big 12 title before the calendar flipped to February. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
Bluebloods feeling black and blue as hoops hits homestretch

By Dave Skretta Jan. 29, 2021 03:05 PM EST

Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) celebrates after scoring against Southern California with teammates Hannah Jump, left, and Haley Jones during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Santa Cruz, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
The Latest: Stanford's athletic teams set for campus return

By The Associated Press Jan. 26, 2021 01:05 PM EST

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo yells from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Latest: TCU men's basketball has 2 games postponed

By The Associated Press Jan. 18, 2021 05:59 AM EST

Georgetown head coach Patrick Ewing shouts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Butler, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Indianapolis. Butler won 63-55. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Latest: South Carolina coach Martin to miss game at LSU

By The Associated Press Jan. 14, 2021 11:37 AM EST

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo yells from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Latest: Michigan State-Iowa basketball game postponed

By The Associated Press Jan. 13, 2021 11:11 AM EST

Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino signals to his team as they play North Dakota in an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Isolation play: College teams fend off holiday loneliness

By Dave Campbell Dec. 24, 2020 12:22 PM EST

Michigan State's Joshua Langford, right, looks to pass against Oakland's Rashad Williams during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Teams led by experienced players have edge amid pandemic

By Aaron Beard Dec. 22, 2020 11:48 AM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 31, 2018, file photo, Rutgers head coach C. Vivian Stringer reacts in the final minutes of an NCAA college basketball game against Maryland in Baltimore. Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, legendary Rutgers women’s basketball coach Stringer, “Roots” and “Good Times” star John Amos, and actors Flip Wilson and Danny Aiello will be among those inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
'Full warning': Older basketball coaches at work in pandemic

By Cliff Brunt Dec. 08, 2020 02:17 AM EST

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo talks to his team during a timeout during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Eastern Michigan, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 83-67. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 13 Michigan State opens with 83-67 win over E. Michigan

By Larry Lage Nov. 25, 2020 08:38 PM EST

Iowa players kneel on the court before the playing of the national anthem before an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina Central, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
College basketball begins strange season in empty arenas

By John Marshall Nov. 25, 2020 06:45 PM EST

FILE - This Feb.16, 2020, file photo shows South Florida's Shae Leverett, left, and Connecticut's Olivia Nelson-Ododa during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tampa, Fla. UConn, one of the original members of the Big East Conference, is hoping a return to the league will help put the Huskies back among the elite programs in college basketball. The Huskies spent seven years in the American Athletic Conference, on a mostly downward trajectory since winning a fourth national title in 2014. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson, File)
The Latest: Iowa St women's hoops coach in quarantine

By The Associated Press Nov. 23, 2020 10:36 AM EST