LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Darrion Williams has signed with Texas Tech to play a fifth season of college basketball. The 6-foot-6 forward is returning to the Lubbock campus where he played from 2023-25 before being North Carolina State’s leading scorer last season. The Red Raiders on Friday announced the signings of Williams and 6-8 transfer forward Jamichael Stillwell from UCF. Both were high school class of 2022 athletes who became eligible for a fifth season after a U.S. District Court judge in Colorado last week ruled that all players in that class who exhausted their fourth season of college eligibility this spring are eligible for a fifth season this school year. The NCAA is expected to appeal that preliminary injunction.
UNDATED (AP) — New Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers is nothing if not confident. Rogers, hired in December to replace Matt Campbell, takes over a Cyclones team that the media picked to finish last in the Big 12. Rogers admitted to reporters in Ames, Iowa this week that he was the one who picked the Cyclones to make it to the Big 12 championship game in an On3.com anonymous coaches poll. Rogers said people would wonder why he's head coach at Iowa State if he didn't think the team could win. He said he was hired to win and that's what he plans to do.
FOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders loves taking his Colorado Buffaloes to Fountain Fort Carson High School for workouts and bonding. He wishes the NCAA would allow scrimmages with other teams during the offseason. Sanders first suggested this idea when Syracuse wanted a spring scrimmage two years ago. This is the first time in four seasons that Sanders has taken his team out of town for training. The Buffaloes are coming off a tough 3-9 season, but Sanders is now cancer-free and energized. He praises his new coaching staff and the 45 players who transferred into the program.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has signed a five-year contract for the Jayhawks to participate in the Players Era Festival. This ties one of college basketball's storied programs to the innovative out-of-conference tournament. The Players Era began in Las Vegas in 2024, funneling at least $1 million toward each participating school's name, image and likeness fund. The tournament expanded last year to 18 teams and will have 24 teams split between two events this year. The Jayhawks are now locked into the tournament through the 2030-31 season. This ensures a lucrative NIL stream and a marquee early-season showcase for the team.
UNDATED (AP) — Ohio State and Oregon hold the top two spots in the USA Today preseason coaches football poll. Ohio State received 38 of the 72 first-place votes, while Oregon got six. Georgia is third with seven first-place votes. Texas and Notre Dame round out the top five. Defending national champion Indiana is sixth with 14 first-place votes. The Southeastern Conference has five of the top 10 teams. The Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll will be released on August 17.
UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA has women's flag football on the fast track to becoming a championship sport. There could be a national title game as early as spring 2028, before the LA Games, where flag football will make its Olympic debut. More than 120 schools are slated to field a team this academic year. A vote in January by Division I, II, and III officials could cement the sport's inclusion. Schools are already recruiting and game-planning to build championship rosters. The NFL has thrown its weight behind the sport, sponsoring teams and tournaments, and USA Football is developing players to bring home an Olympic medal.
