UNDATED (AP) — Michigan State is trying to make a late push that improves its chances of earning an NCAA Tournament bid. The Spartans helped themselves in the past week with upsets of No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Illinois. But they followed those with Sunday’s loss at Maryland. The Spartans haven’t missed the NCAA Tournament since 1997. That was during coach Tom Izzo’s second season. Also this week, North Carolina and Xavier helped their chances to reach the tournament with weekend wins against ranked opponents. Meanwhile, Indiana and Minnesota lost momentum toward securing a bid.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman indicated on Twitter that he is transferring to Michigan. Bowman announced in January that he was entering the transfer portal as a grad transfer. Bowman threw for 1,602 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games last season. He played in 19 games for Texas Tech across three seasons. Joe Milton was Michigan’s starter at quarterback at the beginning of the 2020 season, but he eventually lost the job to redshirt freshman Cade McNamara. Milton entered the transfer portal, and Bowman would give the Wolverines an experienced option, assuming he’s able to play for them immediately.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Eric Ayala scored 22 points and Maryland led throughout in picking up an important 73-55 win over Michigan State. The game matched a pair of hot bubble teams with Michigan State coming in on a three-game win steak including victories over No. 5 Illinois and No. 4 Ohio State, and Maryland arriving with four consecutive conference wins. Maryland scored the first 11 points in a run that included a trio of 3-pointers, led by 10 at halftime and then fended off a brief Spartans charge midway through the second half. Joshua Langford scored 12 points and Aaron Henry 11 for Michigan State.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Irv Cross, the former NFL defensive back who became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, died Sunday. He was 81. The Philadelphia Eagles, the team Cross spent his six of his nine NFL seasons with, said Cross’ son, Matthew, confirmed his father died near his home in Roseville, Minnesota. The cause of death was not provided. From Hammond, Indiana, Cross starred in football and track and field at Northwestern. He was drafted in the seventh round by Philadelphia in 1961, was traded to Los Angeles in 1966 and returned to the Eagles in 1969 as a player coach. Cross joined CBS in 1971, becoming the first Black network sports show anchor. He left CBS in 1994.
UNDATED (AP) — UConn, Stanford, Texas A&M and South Carolina are in line for the top seeds of the women’s NCAA Tournament. The women’s basketball selection committee revealed the teams in line for the top 16 seeds. The NCAA also announced the four region names: Alamo, Hemisfair, Mercado and River Walk. Those names were chosen to honor the San Antonio region, which is hosting the entire tournament.
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Mimi Collins had 18 points and 10 rebounds to help No. 8 Maryland beat Northwestern 62-50. Diamond Miller also finished with a double-double, scoring 17 points and adding 10 rebounds for the Terrapins (19-2, 15-1 Big Ten). Ashley Owusu added 10 points and eight rebounds to help the Terrapins win a game they never trailed after grabbing the lead 12 seconds in. Diamond Miller also finished with a double-double, scoring 17 points and adding 10 rebounds. Veronica Burton scored 15 points and Lindsey Pulliam added 13 for Northwestern (13-6, 11-6).
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (AP) — Tyia Singleton and Tekia Mack led a fourth-quarter rally as No. 25 Rutgers overcame Penn State for a 60-55 win, the Scarlet Knights’ seventh straight win. Singleton had a pair of baskets and Mack two 3-pointers in a 10-0 run that gave Rutgers the lead for good. Mael Gilles scored 16 points, Arella Auirantes 14 and Mack 12 with Singleton grabbing 10 rebounds for the Scarlet Knights. Shay Hagans led Penn State with 15 points, Makenna Marisa had 12 and Cash 11 points with 11 rebounds for her 10th double-double this season
