INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA announced Thursday that it will issue availability reports during both the men’s and women’s Division I basketball tournaments to help shield athletes from sports betting. Teams will need to submit player availability to the conference the night before their games and again two hours before tipoff. Players will assumed to be available unless designated as out or questionable. The reports will be public. If the reports are inaccurate the schools could face penalties.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska has announced a two-year contract extension with coach Matt Rhule, adding bonuses for College Football Playoff appearances. The deal runs through the 2032 season. Rhule is in his third season at Nebraska, and there was speculation two weeks ago that he might fill the job at Penn State. Last season, Rhule led Nebraska to its first winning season in eight years. Nebraska is off to a 6-2 start this season. Rhule, who earns $7.5 million this year, says his focus remains on building Nebraska football into a championship contender.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The city of Pasadena, California, and the Rose Bowl Operating Company have sued UCLA for allegedly trying to move its college football games from one of the sport’s most iconic stadiums to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, the Los Angeles Times has reported. According to the Times, the suit accuses UCLA of “profoundly” betraying its trust by attempting to relocate its home games from the facility the Bruins have called home for 43 years to the home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. UCLA’s current lease runs through 2044. But the stadium is 26 miles from campus and SoFi Stadium is about 12 miles away.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) — Former Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain and three of his former staff members face coaching restrictions and potential suspensions after agreeing to the punishments following an NCAA investigation into their role in an alleged sign-stealing scandal. The accused sign-steal, former Michigan staff member Connor Stalions, appeared in coaching gear on the Chippewas sideline for a 2023 game against Michigan State. The NCAA found one assistant coach, Jake Kostner, requested the coaching gear and a sideline pass without going through the normal processes. Kostner and Stalions had a pre-existing friendship, the NCAA found. The Chippewas also were fined $30,000 plus 1% of the football budget.
UNDATED (AP) — This week's Big Ten schedule features No. 23 Southern California visiting Nebraska in a matchup of two-loss teams who still have remote chances at contending for a College Playoff Berth if they make it through the rest of the regular season unscathced. USC leads all Bowl Subdivision teams in passing yards per game. Nebraska is allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game in the FBS. Another notable Big Ten matchup has No. 1 Ohio State hosting a Penn State team that has lost four straight games.
UNDATED (AP) — Indiana coach Curt Cignetti takes the second-ranked Hoosiers on the road Saturday to face the Maryland Terrapins. Indiana is unbeaten. Maryland was unbeaten at the end of September but hasn’t won since. The Terps have lost their last three games by a combined 10 points. They were outscored 44-7 in the fourth quarter of those games. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is a Heisman Trophy candidate, but Maryland freshman Malik Washington has been productive as well.
UNDATED (AP) — Penn State thought it had a win over Ohio State when Jim Knowles left to become the Nittany Lions defensive coordinator. However, Matt Patricia has made Ohio State's defense even stronger. The Buckeyes have allowed only four touchdowns in seven games. Ohio State is undefeated, while Penn State has struggled with four straight losses. Interim coach Terry Smith hopes to motivate his team as they face a tough challenge. Ohio State's defense is top-ranked, and their offense is led by quarterback Julian Sayin. This season marks the end of a 33-year streak of annual games between the two teams.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The landscape of college basketball is changing rapidly with name, image and likeness deals and the transfer portal reshaping teams yearly. Despite this, a group of veteran coaches like Rick Pitino, Rick Barnes and Tom Izzo continue to provide stability. These coaches have been pillars of the game for decades, but their tenure may be nearing its end. Many are in their seventies and facing the pressures of modern college basketball. Some, like Jay Wright and Tony Bennett, have already retired. Yet, the old guard remains influential, with teams like Houston and Tennessee ranked highly in preseason polls.
