Final Four gets experience boost from transfer portal, COVID
“But," Self cautioned, "I would say that talent plus experience is what wins.”Good luck finding a team more experienced than Kansas. — Mitch Lightfoot will play in his 167th game and second Final Four after making it with the Jayhawks in 2018. In fact, the Jayhawks' top eight scorers have appeared in 965 games — almost certainly a record for a Final Four team. “You've got older teams and they are maybe not good enough (players) to go to the NBA, but they’re really good, talented players who can make a difference. “Older teams that have been playing together are usually more experienced than kids who are 17, 18 years old.”Four of those older teams are the last one standing in New Orleans this week.
wftv.comNo. 12 Kentucky needs OT to give Calipari his 800th win
(AP Photo/Michael Clubb) (Michael Clubb)LEXINGTON, Ky. — (AP) — To John Calipari, his latest milestone only means he's been coaching a long time. 12 Kentucky and the Hall of Fame coach needed an five extra minutes to reach 800 career on-court victories. Grady finished with 18 points and Oscar Tshiebwe added 21 points with 22 rebounds for Kentucky (16-4, 6-2 Southeastern Conference). The Wildcats led 53-38 with 12:25 left before the Bulldogs (13-6, 4-3) rallied by holding Kentucky scoreless over four minutes. Molinar scored 22 of his career-high 30 points in the second half to lead Mississippi State.
wftv.comWashington helps No. 18 Kentucky rout No. 22 Tennessee
APTOPIX Tennessee Kentucky Basketball Kentucky guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) flies through the air as he commits a foul against Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb) (Michael Clubb)LEXINGTON, Ky. — (AP) — Freshman TyTy Washington Jr. scored a career-high 28 points, Sahvir Wheeler returned from injury to add 21 points and No. Kentucky then unleashed its most energetic performance this season before its biggest crowd in a while, an effort helped by the return of point guard Wheeler from a neck injury. Santiago Vescovi scored 20 points and Kennedy Chandler 17 for Tennessee, which shot 53% but wasn't close for the final 30 minutes. Kellan Grady added 16 points and Davion Mintz 10 for the Wildcats, who made 11 of 18 from beyond the arc.
wftv.comNo. 21 Kentucky-Louisville men's game postponed by COVID
Kentucky Notre Dame Basketball Kentucky head coach John Calipari signals to players during an NCAA college basketball game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin) (Robert Franklin)This week's men's basketball showdown between No. 21 Kentucky and archrival Louisville in Lexington has been postponed because of multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the Cardinals' program. Louisville interim athletic director Josh Heird stated in a release that team-related activities have been paused indefinitely. Louisville lost 82-72 on Saturday at in-state rival Western Kentucky without senior center Malik Williams, who was reportedly out because of COVID protocols.
wftv.comCollege coaches dealing with breakthrough COVID cases
Other notable breakthrough cases have occurred in college football, with vaccinated players and coaches testing positive. His announcement follows Monday’s revelation by Georgia football Kirby Smart that “three or four” players on the second-ranked Bulldogs were sidelined with COVID-19. Kiffin did not travel with the Rebels to Atlanta for Monday night's 43-24 victory over Louisville after announcing his own breakthrough case on Saturday. “I am grateful to be vaccinated and experiencing only mild symptoms,” Kiffin said in a statement released on Twitter. Just not for us right now.”___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comKentucky outlook unclear; Calipari awaits transfer rulings
As has been the case since Calipari’s 2009 arrival at Kentucky, the Wildcats underwent their annual roster makeover. This spring the turnover included several signings of players from an overstocked NCAA transfer portal. How the Wildcats’ roster looks depends on the return of graduate guard Davion Mintz and the eligibility of transfer Sahvir Wheeler. Last season Kentucky picked up 6-9 former West Virginia forward Oscar Tshiebwe, who averaged 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game after leading the Mountaineers in scoring, rebounding and blocks as a freshman. Add in recent signee TyTy Washington, a top-12 prospect, and Calipari suggested Kentucky could have as many as six guards next season.
wftv.comKentucky NCAA hopes end after being bounced from SEC tourney
But things began spiraling downward for the Wildcats long before Thursday's disappointing 74-73 setback against Mississippi State that sealed their fate: No NCAA Tournament this year. AdDigesting the reality and enduring a losing season at college basketball's winningest program will make for a long offseason for the Wildcats. “But at the end of the day, you've gotta win games and you've gotta be tough and you've got to play winning basketball. The Wildcats rebounded to win their first three SEC games, only to seesaw between a four-game skid and three-game winning streak. One of the main issues for the Wildcats was putting up points, as Kentucky ranked 200th in Division I in scoring.
John Chaney, commanding Temple basketball coach, dies at 89
John Chaney, one of the nations leading Black coaches and a commanding figure during a Hall of Fame basketball career at Temple, has died. He was twice named national coach of the year and his teams at Temple won six Atlantic 10 conference titles. “Coach Chaney was like a father to me,” McKie said. AdIn 1994, he had a heated exchange following a game against UMass in which he threatened to kill coach John Calipari. “John Chaney was more than just a Hall of Fame Basketball coach.
Florida’s Keyontae Johnson rejoins team, works as coach amid recovery
(AP Photo/Matt Stamey, File)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Keyontae Johnson is back in Florida's basketball facility, just not on the court. The Gators (3-1) postponed four games following Johnson's collapse and took 15 days off. “Our guys are ready to move forward, not move on from Keyontae, but move forward with him," White said. Kentucky’s John Calipari is one of several coaches across college basketball who have said they would like to know if Johnson’s collapse was related to his positive COVID-19 test months earlier. “If Keyontae is not playing, we won’t be the same team," White said.
Florida's Johnson leaves hospital 10 days after collapse
(AP Photo/Matt Stamey, File)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida forward Keyontae Johnson is being released from the hospital Tuesday, 10 days after collapsing on the court at Florida State and needing emergency medical attention. Kentucky's John Calipari is one of many coaches in college basketball who have said they would like to know if Johnson's collapse was related to his positive COVID-19 test months earlier. Witnesses said Johnson was standing near midcourt and suddenly fell forward and landed on his face. Like many of his Florida teammates, Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 during the summer. The SEC mandates strict protocols, including rigorous heart testing, before players can be cleared to return to play following positive COVID-19 tests.
No. 22 Tar Heels top Kentucky for Wildcats' 5th loss in row
North Carolina won 75-63. 22 North Carolina from a double-digit deficit to beat Kentucky 75-63 at the CBS Sports Classic. BIG PICTURENorth Carolina: The Tar Heels are 0-2 against teams ranked in the AP Top 25, losing 69-67 to No. ... North Carolina has completed its nonleague schedule and will play its next 20 games in the Atlantic Coast Conference. UP NEXTNorth Carolina: Plays at North Carolina State in its ACC opener Dec. 22.
Gonzaga, Baylor remain atop AP Top 25 after game scrapped
West Virginia and Gonzaga play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, in Indianapolis. Gonzaga was scheduled to play Baylor but the game was cancelled due to COVID. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)Gonzaga and Baylor remained atop the AP Top 25 men's basketball poll Monday after their hotly anticipated weekend game in Indianapolis was called off about 90 minutes before tipoff because of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing within the Bulldogs' program. Wisconsin was tied with the Longhorns, followed by Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Texas Tech, Virginia, Richmond and Florida State. The final five were Rutgers, Ohio State, Arizona State, San Diego State and Louisville.
Wright powers Georgia Tech past slumping No. 20 Kentucky
Moses Wright scored 21 points and Georgia Tech recovered from a poor start to the season to beat No. Georgia Tech (1-2) rebounded with a strong performance following losses to state rivals Georgia State and Mercer. BIG PICTUREEven by Kentucky standards, this is a major rebuilding job and the Wildcats' youth showed against Georgia Tech. It was a key recovery for coach Josh Pastner's Georgia Tech team. Georgia Tech: At Nebraska on Wednesday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Michigan's Juwan Howard lands top-rated recruiting class
Juwan Howard's coaching acumen was never in doubt when he took over as Michigan's coach in 2019. Howard's 2021 class, rated No. The first day of the early signing period was Wednesday, but Michigan won't officially announce its 2021 recruiting class until the last player in it has signed on Friday. 4 overall recruiting class, topped by Trey Patterson, a 6-7 forward from Somerset, New Jersey, rated No. Coach Leonard Hamilton and the Seminoles still have three more commits expected to sign soon, including five-star players Matthew Cleveland and Jalen Warley, in a class rated No.