SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A federal judge has reinstated Illinois basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr., who had been suspended from the team since he was charged with rape in Kansas. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Lawless found that the university had violated Shannon’s civil rights. The judge noted that Shannon has a right to pursue his basketball career and make money from endorsements “while he is presumed innocent of the criminal charges.” Illinois says in a statement that Shannon will be available to participate in practices and games. Shannon was charged on Dec. 5 in Douglas County, Kansas, with rape or an alternative count of sexual battery.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Max Klesmit scored 20 consecutive Wisconsin points during a second-half stretch of just over 4 1/2 minutes, and the 11th-ranked Badgers continued their home dominance of Indiana, winning 91-79. Wisconsin has won its last 20 home games against Indiana and hasn’t lost to the Hoosiers in Madison since 1998. Klesmit finished with 26 points and went 5 of 7 from 3-point range. Indiana was missing 7-footer Kel’el Ware — its top rebounder and second-leading scorer — due to a lower-leg injury. Malik Reneau scored 28 points for the Hoosiers.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — With many players NFL eligible and others following unhappy starting quarterback Kyle McCord into the transfer portal, Ohio State football looked to be in for an unhappy winter. But it didn’t happen that way. In fact, at least a dozen key contributors eligible for the NFL draft decided to stay in Columbus for another year, and the transfer portal provided the Buckeyes with more than it took away. Coach Ryan Day got top quarterback Will Howard, running back Quinshon Judkins and center Seth McLaughlin from the portal.
UNDATED (AP) — John Wooden was not effusive with praise. Even when star center Bill Walton dominated in the 1973 national championship game, the UCLA coach took a tongue-in-cheek jab by deriding the big redhead for missing a shot. No matter. Walton’s performance against Memphis State is still one of the greatest individual games in history. Walton scored 44 points and made 21 of 22 while grabbing 13 rebounds in 33 minutes. Walton’s game was one of many top performances in the 75-year history of The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, including Pete Maravich’s season scoring mark, Stephen Curry’s NCAA Tournament run with Davidson and Indiana’s first 1976 season.
