INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NCAA officials have called for a review of how name, image and likeness compensation policies are impacting recruiting, transfers, academics and athletes’ mental health. The Division I Board of Directors asked the Division I Council to produce a preliminary report by April and to make formal recommendations by June. Georgia President Jere Morehead says the board is concerned that some NIL activity “may not only be violating NCAA recruiting rules,” but may also be negatively impacting athletes.
UNDATED (AP) — Rutgers is the hottest team in the Big Ten with four straight wins — all over opponents ranked in the Top 25. The Scarlet Knights put their streak on the line Sunday at No. 5 Purdue in the conference’s game of the week. Rutgers beat the then-No. 1 Boilermakers in December. Michigan is in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament after making it to the Elite Eight last year. After the Wolverines visit No. 15 Wisconsin on Sunday, they play four straight home games against Rutgers, Illinois, Michigan State and Iowa.
UNDATED (AP) — The Oklahoma softball program is the gold standard after winning four of the past eight national championships under coach Patty Gasso. The Sooners are the defending Women’s College World Series champions. Many of that team’s top players return. Those include reigning USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Jocelyn Alo. Oklahoma is ranked No. 1 in both the ESPN/USA Softball and the USA Today/NFCA polls. Big 12 rival Oklahoma State is among the most likely teams to stand in the way of an Oklahoma repeat. The Cowgirls’ Miranda Elish was the 2020 Softball America National Player of the Year at Texas.
