INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Boo Buie scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half and drew a critical charge with 10.5 seconds left as Northwestern erased a 15-point second-half deficit to upend Nebraska 71-69 in the opening round of the Big Ten Conference tournament. After forcing the Nebraska turnover, Buie was fouled with 7.4 seconds remaining and made the first of two free throws. Trey McGowens pushed the ball up court only to have his contested floater in the lane deflected by Robbie Beran. Northwestern faces fifth-seeded Iowa in the second round on Thursday. Alonzo Verge Jr., scored 21 points with nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals for 13th-seeded Nebraska.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan coach Juwan Howard apologized again and says he takes full ownership for striking another coach last month. Howard is back with the Wolverines after serving a five-game suspension for hitting a Wisconsin assistant in the head during a handshake line. His actions triggered players throwing punches, leading to Michigan’s Moussa Diabate and Terrance Williams II being suspended for a game. Howard said he is seeking therapy, a move agreed upon with the school. The Wolverines will play Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud set passing records in a Rose Bowl win over Utah but the problems that had dogged Ohio State’s defense all season were still on display. The defense allowed a combined 950 yards and 87 points in the game against Utah and the humiliating loss to Michigan in the regular-season finale. So rebuilding, reorganizing and rescheming the defense will be a focus for Ohio State in spring practice, which is underway at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Much of the focus is on new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin star Johnny Davis says he expects to play in the Big Ten Tournament after getting knocked out of the Badgers’ regular-season finale on a hit he described as “dirty and uncalled for.” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard says Davis has practiced on a limited basis this week. The 12th-ranked Badgers (24-6) are the No. 2 seed in the tournament that started Wednesday in Indianapolis. The Badgers don’t play until Friday. Davis injured his ankle after getting fouled early in the second half of a 74-73 loss to Nebraska on Sunday. The play caused Nebraska’s Trey McGowens to get ejected from the game.
