ERIC OLSON

AP Sports Writer

West Virginia's Skylar King (6) in action, at bat against Ohio during an NCAA baseball game on Feb. 26, 2025, in Morgantown, W. Va,. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, file)

College baseball notebook: 30-4 Mountaineers build nation’s best record with rebuilt pitching staff

West Virginia has the best overall and road records in Division I baseball and the Big 12-leading Mountaineers are doing it with a first-year coach and a No. 1 pitcher who spent his first four seasons at a Division II school in Illinois.

High Point head coach Alan Huss calls to his players during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Alan Huss will leave High Point to become coach-in-waiting at Creighton, says it’s a ‘dream job’

High Point coach Alan Huss will return to Creighton as the head coach-in-waiting for whenever Greg McDermott decides to leave or retire. The 60-year-old McDermott just completed his 15th season with the Bluejays.

Villanova forward Kris Jenkins (2) celebrates with team mates after the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball championship game against North Carolina Monday, April 4, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, file)

Kris Jenkins, the Villanova hero in 2016 national title game, sues NCAA for money he could have made

Kris Jenkins, who made the winning shot for Villanova in the 2016 college basketball championship game, is suing the NCAA and six conferences to recoup income he contends he would have earned if athletes at the time were not barred from making money from their name, image and likeness.

Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle (22) delivers the ball to relief pitcher Jason Flores (4) during an NCAA baseball game against Texas St. on April 1, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman, file)

College baseball notebook: Surprising Longhorns are tied for 1st nearing halfway point of SEC play

Texas has a new coach and a new conference, and two of its everyday starters are out with injuries. The team picked to finish eighth in the Southeastern Conference starts the week tied with Arkansas for first place.

Georgia's Ryland Zaborowski (20) throws the ball during an NCAA baseball game against Georgia State on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)

College baseball notebook: Beat goes on for Georgia offense with Zaborowski and Burnett leading way

Ryland Zaborowski and Robbie Burnett have eased the minds of Georgia fans who may have worried that offensive production would drop off with the departures of Charlie Condon and Corey Collins.

Tennessee's Igor Milicic Jr. sits on the bench in the closing minutes of the second half in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Houston Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Tennessee’s streak of falling short of Final Four continues as shooting woes prove insurmountable

Tennessee never saw the NCAA Midwest Region final against Houston unfolding the way it did. The Volunteers missed 19 of their first 22 shots and scored just eight points in the first 15 minutes of their 69-50 loss.

Purdue's Braden Smith (3) looks to the basket as Houston's Mylik Wilson (8) defends during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament Friday, March 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Houston and Tennessee will match elite defenses in their bids to reach the Final Four

If you like defense, this NCAA Tournament Midwest Region final is for you. No. 1 seed Houston gives up the fewest points in the nation. No. 2 seed Tennessee is in the top eight in scoring defense and field-goal defense.

Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) celebrates with Tennessee guard Jordan Gainey (11) during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against UCLA, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Tennessee’s Jordan Gainey is a sixth man in name only. His coach and teammates consider him a star

When the public address announcer turns to Tennessee’s starting lineup during pregame introductions on the road, the team stays in its huddle while the five names are read rather than have the starters step onto the court individually.

Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler (5) heads to the basket past Kentucky's Koby Brea, center, and Amari Williams, right, during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament Friday, March 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Tennessee is heading back to the Elite Eight as defense clamps down in 78-65 win over Kentucky

Zakai Zeigler had 18 points and 10 assists, and Tennessee outhustled and outplayed Kentucky on both ends of the court in a 78-65 victory that sent the Volunteers to a second consecutive Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

Florida Gulf Coast's Sherwood Brown, center, celebrates with teammates after their win over San Diego State in a third-round game in the NCAA college basketball tournament, March 24, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez, File)

Don’t write off future Cinderellas just because it’s an all-power conference Sweet 16, coaches say

Nearly every year there’s at least one lovable underdog that rises from obscurity in the NCAA Tournament to capture the hearts of basketball fans and bust their brackets. Not this year.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches during the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

Deion Sanders’ push for NFL-style intersquad scrimmages at college level gains momentum with coaches

American Football Coaches Association executive director Craig Bohl said he sees the day coming when the NCAA allows NFL-style intersquad practices and scrimmages.

Arkansas batter Kuhio Aloy (25) watches the ball after hitting a home run against Central Arkansas during an NCAA baseball game, March 11, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)

College baseball notebook: Punched-up offense helps Arkansas get out to program-best 23-2 start

Arkansas’ offseason priority was to add some pop to its offense. The Razorbacks sure did. Led by six transfers in the everyday lineup, the Razorbacks have put up significantly better numbers and are 23-2 for the best start in program history.

Drake head coach Ben McCollum has words with the referee during the first half against Texas Tech in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Wichita, Kan. (AP Photo/Travis Heying)

Iowa hires McCollum, who swept Missouri Valley titles and won NCAA game in his one season at Drake

Ben McCollum, who led Drake’s dominating run through the Missouri Valley Conference and a win in the NCAA Tournament in his only season with the Bulldogs, is the new head coach at Iowa.

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) plays against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Women’s March Madness by the numbers: Watkins ahead of Clark’s 2-year point total. Now it gets tough

When Caitlin Clark set the NCAA’s career scoring record last season, JuJu Watkins was widely considered the player most likely to challenge it. She’s on pace so far. Watkins has scored more points than Clark did through two seasons.

UMBC players celebrate a teammate's basket during the second half against Virginia in a first-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Charlotte, N.C., March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

Men’s March Madness by the numbers: No. 16 seeds are 2-154. So, yes, we’re saying there’s a chance

The first two days of the NCAA Tournament are for the little guys, also known as No. 16 seeds. Teams from under-the-radar conferences that have rarely, if ever, experienced March Madness get to test themselves against No. 1 seeds.

Omaha head coach Chris Crutchfield directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 100-64. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Omaha Mavericks’ trash (can) turns into treasure with program earning its first March Madness bid

The Omaha Mavericks’ vision was making the NCAA Tournament when it announced 14 years ago it would move from Division II to Division I. Circumstances seemed less than ideal for the breakthrough to happen this season.

Drake's Bennett Stirtz (14) looks to pass as Bradley's Christian Davis (5) defends during the first half of the championship game in the Missouri Valley Conference NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 9, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Drake Bulldogs are more bite than bark with a band of D2 transfers who followed their coach to Iowa

The stage is set for Drake to become one of those lovable March Madness underdogs. This will be the Bulldogs’ eighth NCAA Tournament appearance and third straight. This one is different.

Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello pictured before an NCAA College World Series baseball game against Florida State on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher, File)

College baseball notebook: Vols’ clear dominance makes them consensus No. 1 after sweep of Florida

Tennessee’s dominance through the first month of the season has become so apparent that one of the most authoritative college baseball media outlets demoted an LSU team on a 15-game winning streak from No. 1 in its Top 25 replaced it with the Volunteers.

Iowa State's Curtis Jones (5) shoots over Brigham Young's Trevin Knell (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

‘No-ego guy’ Curtis Jones, nation’s top bench scorer, content with ‘sixth starter’ role for Cyclones

The best reserve in the country might be a starter for the NCAA Tournament. Iowa State’s Curtis Jones wouldn’t necessarily consider it a promotion. Jones is the leading scorer in the nation among players who primarily come off the bench.

McNeese State head coach Will Wade signals to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)

Clemson alum Will Wade says he’ll be ‘all McNeese’ when ball goes up for NCAA opener against Tigers

It will be old home week for McNeese State coach Will Wade. The 12th-seeded Cowboys open the NCAA Tournament in Providence, Rhode Island, on Thursday against No. 5 Clemson.

Houston guard Emanuel Sharp celebrates after winning an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona for the championship in the Big 12 Conference tournament, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Houston a top seed for 3rd straight year, looks to make deeper run after 2 Sweet 16 losses in a row

Houston earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year and will open against first-time qualifier SIU-Edwardsville in Wichita, Kansas, on Thursday.

Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery walks off the court at the end of the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Hawkeyes’ worst season in 7 years prompts firing of Fran McCaffery, program’s all-time wins leader

Iowa has fired coach Fran McCaffery after the Hawkeyes won their fewest games and had their lowest Big Ten regular-season finish in seven years.

Damon LaSalle (19) blocks against University of Mount Saint Vincent's Olatomiwa Ibitayo (4) during a men's NCAA Division III college volleyball game, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Aches, pains and joy for 40-year-old man savoring his second chance to play college volleyball

Damon LaSalle is making the most of his second chance. He’s a 40-year-old volleyball player for New Jersey City University. Most of his teammates weren’t born 20 years ago when he was one of the biggest stars in Division III.

American Athletic Conference sets minimum for schools to share with athletes at $10M over 3 years

The American Athletic Conference will require each member except Army and Navy to provide athletes with at least $10 million in additional benefits over the next three years.

Purdue's Braden Smith looks to pass during an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Friday, March 7, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

Purdue’s Braden Smith is AP’s Big Ten player of the year, Izzo is top coach, Tonje newcomer of year

Braden Smith of Purdue is the Associated Press Big Ten player of year, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo is coach of the year and Wisconsin’s John Tonje the newcomer of the year.

UCLA's Mulivai Levu (39) runs during an NCAA baseball game against BYU on Feb. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)

College baseball notebook: Oregon, UCLA and Washington win inaugural Big Ten series on the road

Three of the four West Coast schools came out of their inaugural Big Ten baseball series happy. Southern California, not so much. Oregon ran its win streak to 11 games with a road sweep of USC.

Iowa State center Audi Crooks (55) catches a pass in front of Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

March Madness is coming, and women’s players are urging fans to keep cool in social media posts

Iowa State women’s basketball star Audi Crooks has a love-hate relationship with social media. Sometimes she’ll scroll through her direct messages and find a note from a little girl who sees her as a role model and asks for advice, words of encouragement or to take a picture with her after the next

Tennessee players celebrate their 6-5 victory against Texas A&M in Game 3 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals in Omaha, Neb., June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)

College baseball notebook: Defending champion Volunteers show no dropoff with newcomers leading way

Tennessee hasn’t missed a beat coming off its national championship season. The Volunteers are 11-0 and coming off their most challenging weekend to date with three wins in the Astros Foundation College Classic in Houston.

Fox Sports analyst and Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson looks on prior to the NFC Championship NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Jan. 29, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)

Jimmy Johnson retires from Fox Sports after being a face of its NFL coverage for most of 3 decades

Jimmy Johnson has announced his retirement from Fox Sports after being part of its NFL coverage for most of the network’s 31 years. The 81-year-old Johnson made the announcement during an appearance on “The Herd With Colin Cowherd.”

Steve Shaw, then-SEC supervisor of officials, speaks during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, July 16, 2019, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)

NCAA committee proposes charged timeout if player goes down with apparent injury after ball spotted

The NCAA Football Rules Committee announced it would propose that a team be charged with a timeout if one of its players falls to the ground because of an apparent injury after the ball is spotted for the next play.