Basketball

What needs to happen for Duke men’s basketball to make the NCAA tournament?

By Elsie A. Dotson 12 months ago
Feb 6, 2021

  • John GasawayESPN Insider

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    • ESPN Insider college basketball contributor
    • First began covering college hoops in 2004
    • Has written for Basketball Prospectus and the Wall Street Journal

After losing at home to North Carolina 91-87, Duke’s record now stands at 7-7. A team that was ranked No. 9 in the AP’s preseason poll is on a trajectory to miss the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1995.

Can Mike Krzyzewski’s squad change that trajectory, even at this late date? Put it this way: The Blue Devils are at the point where earning an at-large bid will require either running the table the rest of the way or something very close to it.

Coach K’s team has just three games remaining on its schedule against opponents that appear more likely than not to reach the NCAA tourney: Virginia, Louisville and a rematch against the Tar Heels in

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College basketball picks, schedule: Predictions, odds for Kentucky vs. Tennessee and other key games

By Elsie A. Dotson 12 months ago

Saturday looks like it could be a big day for college basketball. And if it goes anything like this last few days have gone, we could see a wild day on the hardwood.

We’ve already seen 10 ranked teams — including five in the top-10 and eight in the top-16 — take losses this week in the sport. So with 17 ranked teams in action Saturday, there’s bound to be some high-profile teams stumble in similar fashion.

On tap for the day include ranked matchups in the SEC, Big 12 and Big Ten with real conference title implications at stake as the regular season slowly grinds to a halt.

Our staff has convened once again to lay out our picks for the day ahead, so keep scrolling to get against the spread and straight up advice to fade or follow as you wish.

Jonathan Coachman is joined by Mike McClure

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Texas continues to tumble, Alabama leaves the door open in SEC

By Elsie A. Dotson 12 months ago

A chaotic week in college basketball culminated Saturday with — you guessed it! — yet another chaotic slate of games. Two top-10 teams bit the dust and a total of four ranked teams took losses on a day where surprising results and stunning outcomes were again the theme, fittingly capping a week where five of the top-10 teams in the sport had already taken spills.



a man standing on a baseball field

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Oklahoma State defeating No. 6 Texas in a double-overtime thriller took the cake as the biggest stunner of the day. Though Texas had lost its last two, the Cowboys, who were underdogs on their home court, overcame a mediocre performance from potential No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham to claim their biggest win of the season and establish themselves again as a legitimate tourney team.

No. 18 Missouri also laid claim to a top-10 win, defeating No. 10 Alabama 68-65. The

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Anonymous email calls out Stanford for issuing bonuses to football, basketball staff

By Elsie A. Dotson 12 months ago

Stanford is drawing criticism for handing out bonuses to staff members who traveled with the football and both basketball teams throughout the pandemic. With the university set to cut 11 of its sports programs, there is internal concern about the hypocrisy of handing out bonuses amid a financial crunch.



a group of people playing a game of basketball: Stanford guard Kiana Williams shoots against Oregon during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Santa Cruz, Calif., Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

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Stanford guard Kiana Williams shoots against Oregon during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Santa Cruz, Calif., Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

An anonymous Stanford staffer sent an email that circulated through the Stanford athletic department expressing concern about the bonuses and department leadership, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The email also stated the bonuses were worth up to $5,000, but a Stanford statement disputed that figure.

Stanford did confirm that the university awarded bonuses to staffers traveling with the football and basketball teams:

“The scope and value of

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