Virginia Commonwealth pulls away in win over Davidson

RICHMOND, Va. — Guard/forward Treveon Graham, the top player for Virginia Commonwealth, had a rough first half Wednesday as he missed seven of nine shots from the field. But the overall depth of the Rams, including some unforeseen help from the bench, was more than Davidson could handle as VCU pulled away for a 71-65 […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Wisconsin fights off Purdue

MADISON, Wis. — In his 10th season at Purdue, head coach Matt Painter has stressed a desire to get back to playing the kind of hard-nosed, physical basketball that defined the Boilermakers’ program for so many years. They looked every bit the part Tuesday, making No. 4 Wisconsin work for every shot it got, but […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Top 25 roundup: Illinois stuns No. 11 Maryland

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Playing without leading scorer and rebounder Rayvonte Rice, Illinois used a career-best game from sophomore guard Malcolm Hill to hand 11th-ranked Maryland its first Big Ten Conference loss. Hill scored 10 of his 28 points in the first 6:21 of the second half, keying a 20-3 run that led the Fighting Illini […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
After sluggish start, Wichita State dumps Bradley

WICHITA, Kan. — Junior guard Fred VanVleet motioned for the crowd to get up and cheer when Wichita State took a lead in the first half Wednesday. Last season, such pleas seemed like a request to join the fun. This season, the Shockers need the help. No. 15 Wichita State muddled along with Bradley for […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Strong second half propels Xavier past Seton Hall

CINCINNATI — Playing on the road in the Big East Conference isn’t for the faint of heart, with just three road victories by league members this season. A second-half surge by Xavier on Wednesday night ensured No. 19 Seton Hall wouldn’t escape Cintas Center with a win. Senior guard Dee Davis scored 14 points and […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Jones saves No. 5 Louisville vs. Clemson

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the second consecutive game, it was the second-half heroics of Chris Jones that saved Louisville. The No. 5 Cardinals, playing their first-ever home game in the Atlantic Coast Conference, survived a 6-for-27 first-half shooting performance to grab a 58-52 victory over Clemson on Wednesday night at the KFC Yum Center. And […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Duke remains unbeaten with win over Wake Forest

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Duke found out it could respond in tight situations after a bunch of convincing outcomes. The second-ranked Blue Devils made their final five shots from the field along with several clutch free throws to escape with a 73-65 victory against upset-minded Wake Forest on Wednesday night at Lawrence Joel Coliseum. “When (Wake […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Illinois upsets No. 11 Maryland

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Without leading scorer and rebounder Rayvonte Rice, it appeared Illinois had little chance of beating 11th-ranked Maryland Wednesday night. That was until sophomore guard Malcolm Hill decided to have the best game of his college career. Pumping in 18 of his game-high 28 points after halftime, Hill led the Fighting Illini to […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Kansas edges Baylor in Big 12 opener

WACO, Texas — While ruling the Big 12 basketball scene, Kansas won every conference opener since the league began in the 1996-97 season. The 12th-ranked Jayhawks had to fight to keep that streak alive Wednesday night at 21st-ranked Baylor. Kansas guard Wayne Selden Jr. scored seven points in the final 3:02, and the Jayhawks came […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021