UNDATED (AP) — Top-ranked and unbeaten Miami heads to North Carolina on Saturday for the headlining game on the Atlantic Coast Conference's weekly schedule. The Hurricanes are rolling with the nation's top offenses and have generally won games in blowouts. The Tar Heels are coming off a loss to Syracuse and are 0-11 all-time against No. 1-ranked teams. The schedule includes No. 14 Wake Forest's home game against Virginia and Clemson's trip to Florida State in a matchup of struggling brand-name programs. N.C. State also hosts California in its first game since the midseason firing of longtime coach Dave Doeren.
UNDATED (AP) — Top-ranked Miami enters Saturday's trip to North Carolina with an unbeaten record and an offense rolling to huge numbers. The Hurricanes lead the Bowl Subdivision ranks by averaging 49.0 points and 551.9 yards per game. That's fueled by the prolific Darian Mensah-to-Malachi Toney passing attack, which has been so good that the school is touting both players for the Heisman Trophy. It represents a huge challenge for the Tar Heels and a defense they've relied on all year under coach Bill Belichick. UNC has allowed six Bowl Subdivision opponents to average 22.5 points in regulation this year.
UNDATED (AP) — The eligibility chaos playing out in lawsuits and courthouses all over the country has reached the basketball season. The first Division I men's and women's basketball games start Sunday. Yet that comes as legal cases tied to eligiblity inch their way through the court system. Many cases are centered on the NCAA's adoption of an age-based model giving athletes a fifth year going forward. Others deal with athletes returning to college after signing with professional teams. The cases have created volatility with players still waiting to be cleared or facing hearings that could change their status abruptly during the season.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court has filed an order to keep players involved in an eligibility case available to play for teams nationwide. This decision maintains a previous ruling that stayed a lower-court decision declaring the players ineligible. The case involves the NCAA and players like Filip Borovicanin of Xavier. The court was asked to determine the legality of an executive order by Gov. Mike DeWine granting athletes a fifth year of eligibility, defying NCAA rules. The NCAA sued DeWine, claiming the order disrupts fair competition. This issue has led to lawsuits and chaos as coaches finalize rosters.
UNDATED (AP) — March Madness is getting supersized. The men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament fields are growing to 76 teams this season, up from 68. This marks the first time the men’s draw has expanded since it went from 64 teams to 68 in 2011. The women’s draw didn’t go from 64 to 68 teams until 2022. Here's a breakdown of the new men's and women's tournament formats with important dates and locations.
