UNDATED (AP) — Cheryl Miller, Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker are among a select group named the best to ever play the game during the 50 years of the women's basketball poll. As part of the season-long anniversary, a group of 13 former players and Associated Press sportswriters voted based on what players accomplished during their collegiate careers. The first team included the frontcourt of USC's Miller, Parker from Tennessee and Breanna Stewart of UConn. Taurasi, another UConn great, and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark are the first-team guards. The second-team consists of UConn's Sue Bird and Virginia's Dawn Staley in the backcourt, Delta State's Lusia Harris, Tennessee's Chamique Holdsclaw and UConn's Maya Moore in the frontcourt.
UNDATED (AP) — Efforts to reform college sports remain uncertain as fall arrives, with two major legislative attempts struggling for support in Congress. The SCORE Act, introduced in July, offers the NCAA limited antitrust exemption and prevents athletes from becoming employees. The SAFE Act, introduced last month, allows conferences to pool broadcast rights, potentially increasing revenue. Both bills aim to preempt state laws on name, image, and likeness payments. However, they differ on athletes' rights and financial strategies. The NCAA and conferences are pushing for momentum, but political hurdles and other priorities make passage uncertain.
UNDATED (AP) — Bruce Pearl is joining TNT and CBS Sports as an analyst for college basketball this season. It was announced Thursday Pearl will be part of TNT's studio team alongside Jalen Rose, Jamal Mashburn, Chris Webber, and Adam Lefkoe. He'll cover Big East and Big 12 games and also serve as a game and studio analyst for CBS during the regular season. Pearl will then move to the studio for CBS and TNT's joint coverage of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Pearl recently retired after leading Auburn to its second Final Four. He expressed excitement about this new chapter in his career.
UNDATED (AP) — The Big 12 has a couple of interesting rivalry games this week. No. 23 Utah plays at instate rival No. 15 BYU. This will be their second meeting as Big 12 opponents after BYU's 22-21 win last year on a late field goal. The last time they played with both ranked was 2009. The nation’s top two passers will be on the same field for the 121st meeting in the most-played rivalry game in the state of Texas when Baylor plays at TCU. Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson and TCU's Josh Hoover rank 1-2 in both passing yards and TD passes.
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — No. 7 Texas Tech has passed every test in dominating fashion so far this season, winning its first six games by an FBS-best 35.3 points to reach its highest ranking since 2008. The Red Raiders' next hurdle might be the most difficult one yet, playing at reigning Big 12 champion Arizona State on Saturday. The key could come down to which team’s quarterback is healthiest. Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt didn't play in last week's loss at Utah due to a foot injury, but returned to practice this week. Texas Tech's Behren Morton left last week's game against Kansas with a knee injury and is listed as day-to-day.
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — The nation’s top two passers will be on the same field Saturday. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson is the national leader with 343 yards passing per game and 19 touchdowns, and TCU’s Josh Hoover is second at 315.5 yards per game and 18 TDs. TCU is the home team for the 121st meeting in the most-played rivalry in Texas. TCU coach Sonny Dykes said both QBs are successful guys with strong faith who have done things the right way, and took advantage of their opportunities when they got them. Dykes says they are what college athletics is all about.
CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati has emerged as a strong contender in the Big 12 during its third season. The Bearcats are on a five-game winning streak and have entered the AP Top 25 for the first time in nearly three years. Coach Scott Satterfield credits the team's success to retaining key players and adding new talent. Cincinnati joined the Big 12 in 2023 and struggled initially, but now they are tied with Texas Tech and BYU at the top of the conference. Quarterback Brendan Sorsby leads the team with impressive passing and rushing stats, supported by a strong defense.
PROVO, Utah (AP) — The Holy War rivalry features a lot of overlap for coaches on both sidelines. When No. 23 Utah plays at No. 15 BYU on Saturday, many coaches on both sides will be facing the teams where they once played or coached. BYU coach Kalani Sitake spent 10 years on Utah coach Kyle Whittingham's staff. Whittingham has five assistants who played at BYU, including offensive coordinator Jason Beck. BYU has five coaches who worked under Whittingham, including two who also played for him. While the rivalry can create animosity between players and fans, the coaches share none. Many are close off the field, with Whittingham and Sitake often seen together in the offseason playing golf or attending Utah Jazz games.
