Tajh Ariza, a consensus top-25 prospect in the Class of 2026, committed to Oregon on Friday.

• The 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward had Southern California as his other finalist before settling on the Ducks.

  The son of former NBA journeyman Trevor Ariza plays for St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif.

  Tajh Ariza, speaking to ESPN, said of Oregon, "They are going to prepare me for the next level. Coach (Dana) Altman told me that they have minutes for me and need me to play as a freshman but told me I must earn those minutes. 'We must see your work.' I have to earn it."

  He called his official visit to Eugene "great."

  "Coach Altman is a basketball guy, but he really connected with me and my family," Tajh Ariza said. "He sees me not only as a basketball player but as a person. He is a straightforward guy.

  "I was shooting in the gym with the Oregon uniform on and Coach Altman was there. He corrected my shot, and then I made almost 30 threes in a row. I got the chills making all those shots and that's when I felt he was the coach for me."

  The 247 Sports composite ranking lists Ariza as the No. 14 overall prospect in his class and the No. 6 small forward. ESPN rates him No. 24 overall, No. 9 among small forwards.

  The five-star prospect is the second top recruit Altman has lined up for 2026, joining four-star center Kendre Harrison of Reidsville (N.C.) High School.

  Trevor Ariza played for 10 teams during an 18-season NBA career, and he was a starter on the Los Angeles Lakers' 2008-09 championship team. In 1,118 career regular-season games (769 starts), the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 10.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals.

  --Field Level Media

Arkansas coach John Calipari landed a commitment from four-star forward Abdou Toure on Friday.

• The 6-foot-5 senior from Notre Dame High in West Haven, Conn., is ranked No. 34 overall in the Class of 2026 by the 247Sports composite.

  Toure chose the Razorbacks over Providence and UConn.

  "Coach Cal and his history was the main reason I chose Arkansas," Toure told ESPN. "The way he treats his players and how he cares for all his players, along with his energy, was the difference. He is always there for his players. He is the type of coach I can have an open conversation with, and he prepares his players for the NBA. I watched the practices, and they were high intensity."

  Toure averaged 15.4 points and 5.1 rebounds on the Adidas 3SSB circuit this summer. He was the Gatorade player of the year in Connecticut last season after averaging 25.1 points per game as a junior.

  Toure joins five-star forward JaShawn Andrews, who committed to the Razorbacks' 2026 class in May.

  --Field Level Media

Tarleton State coach Billy Gillispie is on temporary administrative leave as the school investigates an anonymous complaint, the university announced Friday.

• No details were provided about the complaint against Gillispie, who previously coached at Kentucky, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and UTEP.

  Officials at Tarleton State, a member of the Western Athletic Conference located in Stephenville, Texas, said there will be no further comment on the situation.

  Associate head coach Glynn Cyprien takes over as the acting head coach of the Texans, who are scheduled to open the regular season on Nov. 3 at SMU.

  Gillispie, 65, has come under fire for his coaching style before. In September 2012, he resigned after one season at Texas Tech due to health concerns -- after facing allegations of player mistreatment.

  He was fired after two winning seasons at Kentucky (2007-09), with the Wildcats' athletic director saying he "wasn't the right fit for the program."

  Gillispie has compiled a 78-74 record since joining Tarleton State in 2020-21. He led the Texans to a 25-10 mark in 2023-24 but slipped to 12-20 last season.

  Overall, he is 226-182 across 13 seasons at UTEP (2002-04), Texas A&M (2004-07), Kentucky, Texas Tech (2011-12) and Tarleton State. His teams have reached the NCAA Tournament four times.

  --Field Level Media

Jon Scheyer agreed to a two-year contract extension on Thursday that extends his current deal through the 2030-31 season.

• Scheyer, 38, has posted an 89-22 record in three seasons since succeeding the legendary Mike Krzyzewski as Duke's head coach in 2022. The Blue Devils have punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament in each of those three years, highlighted by an Elite Eight appearance in 2024 and a Final Four berth last season.

  Duke captured the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season and conference tournament titles in 2024-25. The Blue Devils rolled up 35 wins before dropping a 70-67 decision to Houston in the national semifinal.

  "Jon's remarkable impact over his first three seasons has positioned Duke basketball for sustained excellence, and we are proud to ensure his leadership well into the future," said Nina King, Duke's vice president, director of athletics.

  "He has delivered championships and national prominence, and he continues to lead a program built on character, connection and a relentless pursuit of greatness. Jon's vision for Duke basketball aligns perfectly with our highest aspirations, and we couldn't be more excited for the future of this program under his leadership."

  Scheyer was a standout player who scored 2,077 career points for the Blue Devils from 2006-10 and joined the Duke coaching staff as an assistant prior to the 2013-14 season. He became associate head coach prior to the 2018-19 season and was announced as the eventual replacement for Krzyzewski in June 2021.

  Duke opens the season against Texas on Nov. 4 in the Dick Vitale Invitational in Charlotte, N.C.

  --Field Level Media

Madness is not only reserved for March when it comes to college basketball.

• Continued reports suggest the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is set to eventually expand, with the latest coming from On3 on Thursday that said the NCAA is considering a 76-team field that could arrive by 2027.

  The current 68-team field includes four play-in games each year in Dayton, Ohio, and is referred to as the First Four. The winners of those games proceed on to the traditional 64-team bracket.

  Under the reported new format, the play-in portion of the tournament could include as many as 12 games held early in the week after the conference tournaments are completed the prior weekend.

  The matchups for the 12 play-in games would be the lowest ranked conference champions against the 12 lowest ranked at-large teams.

  The NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams 1985 with a 65th team added in 2001. The current 68-team field came on board in 2011.

  --Field Level Media

Four-star shooting guard Junior County announced his commitment to UConn on Thursday.

• The 6-foot-4 prospect from Mount Pleasant, Utah, chose the Huskies over Maryland, Arizona, Purdue and Indiana.

  County is ranked No. 29 overall and No. 2 at his position in the 2026 recruiting class by 247Sports.

  "I chose UConn because of the player development, relationship, coaching style, and fit," County told 247Sports.

  County said he already has formed a "great relationship" with Huskies coach Dan Hurley.

  "I love the intensity of the practices," he said. "I think that's why he is able to get the best out of his players every day."

  County averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists on the Nike EYBL Circuit this summer.

  --Field Level Media

Lawrence Moten, the all-time leading scorer in Syracuse history, died on Tuesday, the school announced. He was 53.

• A cause of death wasn't immediately divulged. Moten's daughter, Lawrencia, told Syracuse.com that her father died at his home in Washington, D.C.

  Moten scored 2,334 points from 1991-95 for Syracuse and his No. 21 jersey was retired in 2018.

  "This is a tragic day for the Syracuse basketball family," former Orange coach Jim Boeheim, who coached Moten, said in a news release. "Lawrence's passing is such a sudden thing -- it's very hard to take. He was one of the most underrated college basketball players of all time.

  "I believe some people took his ability for granted because he made it look so easy. Lawrence was one of our greatest players and one of the best in the history of the Big East Conference."

  The D.C. native was nicknamed "Poetry in Moten," and was a three-time, first-team All-Big East selection.

  He earned multiple national Freshman of the Year accolades when he averaged 18.2 points and 6.0 rebounds in the 1991-92 campaign.

  He averaged 17.9 points and 4.8 rebounds as a sophomore, 21.5 points and 4.5 rebounds as a junior and 19.6 points and 4.2 rebounds as a senior.

  He broke the Syracuse scoring mark set by Orange legend Derrick Coleman (2,143) during his senior season. His scoring average over 121 career games was 19.3.

  One of his former teammates was current Syracuse coach Adrian Autry.

  "It's a sad day for the Orange community," Autry said in the news release. "For me, Lawrence was not only a teammate, but a friend. I can't think of anybody that was more positive or who loved Syracuse more than he did. Obviously, his basketball -- he was one of the greatest to put on the uniform. It's a big loss.

  "I was able to play alongside him for three years and watch him do some amazing things. I was fortunate to spend time with him on and off the court. I feel for his family, including his beautiful daughters. Lawrence was a positive light in this world. He was one of a kind. I'm going to miss him."

  Moten was a second-round choice of the then-Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1995 NBA Draft. But his NBA stint ended after 119 games and two-plus seasons with the Grizzlies and Washington Wizards. He averaged 6.3 points per game.

  --Field Level Media

Small forward Bo Ogden, a high-four-star recruit in the Class of 2026, committed to Texas on Tuesday.

• Ogden grew up in Austin and is the son of former Texas player and current general manager Chris Ogden, who was also an assistant coach for the Longhorns from 2008-15. The younger Ogden had Tennessee and Purdue in his final three with Texas.

  But Bo Ogden said what sealed the deal with Texas wasn't anything to do with his father, but rather new head coach Sean Miller.

  "It was all about Coach Miller," Ogden told 247Sports. "On my visit, I was able to see two practices, and I really liked the way he coaches. In everything he does, he explains it so well. I was really impressed with him and how he goes about things.

  "It's really cool (to be with his father), but I'd say my decision wasn't based on me following him," Ogden added. "It's a cool thing, but a concern of mine was not wanting to just follow him. It's something I've thought about, but ultimately it was more about what Coach Miller and his staff told me. I liked what they had planned, and that all went into my decision."

  Ogden is ranked No. 37 overall in his class, the No. 17 small forward in the country and No. 4 player in Texas by the 247Sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound prospect is playing his senior season as Westlake High School in Austin.

  He becomes the first high school player to commit since Miller left Xavier to take over the program in the spring.

  --Field Level Media

Georgia extended men's basketball coach Mike White's contract through 2031, the school announced Friday.

• White has guided the Bulldogs to a 56-46 record in three seasons, reaching the NCAA Tournament last season.

  He previously coached at Southeastern Conference rival Florida from 2015-22, compiling a 142-88 record with four NCAA appearances.

  White, 48, has a career record of 299-174 including his four seasons at Louisiana Tech (2011-15).

  The financial terms of White's new deal were not announced. He earned $3.61 million last season and was set to take home $3.71 million in 2025-26.

  The Bulldogs open the season at home against Bellarmine on Nov. 3.

  --Field Level Media

Loyola legend Sister Jean announced her retirement from her official duties with the men's basketball team, citing health issues at age 106.

• Jean Dolores Schmidt, a popular figure at Ramblers' games in Chicago, had served as the team's official chaplain since 1991.

  The Catholic nun and campus minister became a viral sensation in 2018 when 11th-seeded Loyola made a, well, miraculous run to the Final Four.

  Schmidt turned 106 on Aug. 21. In 2023, she published the memoir "Wake Up with Purpose! What I've Learned in My First 100 Years."

  The student newspaper, The Loyola Phoenix, announced her retirement earlier this week on Instagram after students had noted her absence from campus this semester.

  "While Sister Jean is no longer able to be physically present on campus, she remains a beloved friend, trusted advisor, and loyal Rambler," university president Mark C. Reed wrote in a message to the students.

  --Field Level Media

Iowa State star point guard Tamin Lipsey will be sidelined four to six weeks with a knee injury, the school announced.

• The two-time All-Big 12 selection sprained his right MCL in practice Tuesday but could return in time for the Cyclones' Nov. 3 opener against Fairleigh Dickinson.

  Lipsey averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 34 starts last season as head coach T.J. Otzelberger's squad finished 25-10 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

  Already the school's all-time leader in steals (237), the Ames, Iowa, native boasts career averages of 10.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 thefts in 103 games (all starts) with his hometown program.

  --Field Level Media

Wagner men's basketball coach Donald Copeland is suspended and under investigation for alleged repeated mistreatment of players, the New York Post reported on Wednesday.

• Athletic director Walt Hameline later confirmed the report to CBS Sports. While the allegations are still being investigated, multiple complaints were sent to school administrators to spark the probe.

  "Wagner College takes student health and well-being seriously," Hamelin said. "Upon learning of these allegations we moved quickly to review them. As we continue to do so, we will not comment further on this matter."

  Per the Post, Copeland is alleged to have verbally abused players and denied them water breaks during practice. One unidentified player allegedly hid a Gatorade bottle in the gym, and when it was found, Copeland reportedly took it out on the team.

  "You're all going to run, until the Gatorade is out of his belly," Copeland reportedly said, per a player.

  Two Seahawks players reportedly passed out from dehydration, resulting in one going to a local hospital, per the newspaper.

  A player also wrote that Copeland uses a "bullying tactic in coaching style, saying cruel things about our upbringing or using harsh or foul/inappropriate language with the players that just tear us down mentally."

  Copeland, 41, is 46-45 through three seasons with the program. He guided Wagner to the NCAA Tournament in 2024, with the Seahawks defeating Howard in a First Four game before falling to top-seeded North Carolina.

  Wagner, located in Staten Island, N.Y., saw all but two players leave the team since the conclusion of last season. Former assistant Kevin Lynch also left the program.

  --Field Level Media

Kevin Giltner was named head coach at Wofford on Monday, following the controversial departure of coach Dwight Perry earlier this month.

• Giltner played at Wofford from 2008-12 and worked on the Terriers' coaching staff from 2013-19. He followed coach Mike Young from Spartanburg, S.C., to Blacksburg, Va., and spent the past six seasons on his staff at Virginia Tech. He took over on the first day the NCAA allowed official practice for the 2025-26 season.

  "I am unbelievably grateful for President Nayef Samhat and Director of Athletics Scott Kull giving our family the opportunity to return to Wofford and Spartanburg. This is home for us," Giltner said in a statement.

  "My time at Wofford gave me some of the best years of my life and I want the same for our current and future men's basketball student-athletes. The foundation of Wofford men's basketball was laid a long time ago, and I consider it a real privilege to build on the foundation created by my former teammates, other program alumni, and current players. The Wofford name and logo mean a great deal to me and my family; it is a great honor to lead these men and represent Spartanburg."

  Giltner, who turns 36 in October, played on two Southern Conference championship teams and helped Wofford win three more titles as an assistant coach. He was an All-Southern Conference first-team selection as a senior, when he averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 33 starts.

  Giltner takes over the program at a chaotic moment.

  Wofford issued a statement earlier this month that Perry and associate coach Tysor Anderson "will no longer lead the team," despite Perry coaching the Terriers to the conference tournament championship in 2024-25 and the school's first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019.

  A lawyer representing six Wofford players went public with claims that they faced suspension for receiving improper benefits from Perry and Anderson -- totaling $84 to $108 per player. The NCAA denied that it took any action against any student-athletes or athletic personnel at Wofford. The lawyer, Mark Peper, then told media outlets that the players had been told they would not face punishment.

  Additional reports said that Perry and Anderson covered the rent of the players' off-campus housing until their NIL checks came through, when they could reimburse the coaches. A rumor emerged that a volleyball coach at the college reported the basketball team's violations.

  Kull, the athletic director, published a letter to the Wofford community Monday that claimed Perry resigned as head coach as opposed to being fired.

  "At the beginning of the fall semester, Wofford's compliance team became aware of potential NCAA violations and began an internal investigation," Kull wrote. "After the internal investigation, Wofford's compliance team self-reported a violation pertaining to housing, and the NCAA found another violation regarding impermissible benefits. Wofford's compliance team worked with the NCAA to remediate the situation so student-athletes could compete and prepare for the season.

  "Wofford student-athletes and coaches are supportive of other teams, and, to correct misinformation widely broadcast across social media, no team -- student-athletes or coaches -- reported alleged violations to the NCAA. The Wofford men's basketball team is currently in compliance and looking forward to the 2025-26 season."

  Perry released a statement Monday night that did not confirm whether he resigned or was fired. Perry thanked his players and staff for their support throughout his tenure.

  "Due to your hard work, dedication and belief we will always have our Southern Conference Championship and NCAA Appearance from last March," Perry wrote. "... Today is about moving forward. As this chapter comes to a close, I'm excited for the next opportunity in my coaching journey and look forward to coaching and mentoring elite student-athletes with the integrity and dignity that I have been known for throughout my career."

  Peper has also claimed in media interviews that a number of players would seek to transfer if Wofford did not re-hire Perry and Anderson.

  Wofford begins its season Nov. 3 at George Mason.

  --Field Level Media

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl retired after 21 seasons in Division I and will be replaced by his son Steven Pearl.

• The Tigers made the move official on Monday afternoon.

  Bruce Pearl, 65, guided the Tigers to a 32-6 record last season and an appearance in the Final Four where they lost to eventual champion Florida 79-73 in the national semifinals. The SEC's regular-season champion entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed.

  "I'm incredibly grateful to President Dr. Roberts, Athletics Director John Cohen, and the entire Auburn leadership team for entrusting me with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Steven Pearl, 38, said in a school-issued statement. "In a sense, I've spent my lifetime preparing for this moment, learning from one of the best in BP, and building a foundation rooted in character, hard work, and team-first values. We're not starting over -- we're building forward, with the same principles that have made Auburn Basketball elite. I'm honored to lead this program, and I'm ready to rise to the moment."

  While Bruce Pearl said his son passed on several prominent coaching jobs to remain with Auburn, Cohen signaled the younger Pearl fit the program's priority of keeping the current coaching staff intact.

  "Throughout our detailed process, it became obvious to me and our staff that Steven Pearl was clearly the best fit for Auburn. His expertise in coaching defense, his skills as an evaluator, recruiter, teacher and motivator, and his relationships with our student-athletes and staff were paramount," Cohen said in a statement. "As the associate head coach on what I consider to be one of the elite coaching staffs in college basketball, Steven has played a prominent role in Auburn's unprecedented success."

  Bruce Pearl has reached the NCAA Tournament 14 times as a head coach and has reached the Final Four on two occasions. He has a career record of 477-244 as a Division I head coach at Milwaukee (2001-05), Tennessee (2005-11) and Auburn (2014-25). He guided Milwaukee into the NCAA Tournament twice and took Tennessee to the NCAA Tournament in all six seasons with the program. Auburn has made the tournament six times in the past eight seasons, advancing to the Final Four in 2019.

  "There is nobody more qualified or in a position to maintain our culture of faith, family and doing it the Auburn way than Steven. He's actually tougher than I am, and just as competitive," Bruce Pearl said. "Out of loyalty to Auburn and me, Steven passed on several previous chances to pursue head coaching opportunities, choosing instead to invest in our men's basketball program and help it reach unprecedented heights. ... I am so pleased that the DNA of this program won't be changing and could not be prouder for Steven, Brittany and Lainey."

  Bruce Pearl is Auburn's all-time leader in wins as a head coach with 246.

  A Boston College alum, Bruce Pearl also coached at Division II Southern Indiana, leading the program to the national championship in 1995. He has assistant coaching experience at Stanford (1982-86) and Iowa (1986-92).

  Steven Pearl played for his father at Tennessee and has been an assistant coach at Auburn since 2017. He was named associate head coach in 2023.

  --Field Level Media

Alabama guard Jalil Bethea suffered an injury to his left foot during practice that required surgery, Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats announced on Sunday.

• Bethea underwent surgery on Friday in Birmingham, and he is expected to return at some point during the 2025-26 season, though there remains uncertainty over when.

  "The procedure was performed by Dr. Norman Waldrop with Andrews Sports Medicine on Friday, Sept. 19th in Birmingham," Oats' statement read. "While there is no timetable for Bethea's return, we do not anticipate this injury is season ending and we expect him to return this year."

  A former top-10 recruit, Bethea began his career at Miami, where he averaged 7.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists for the Hurricanes as a freshman in 31 games (16 starts).

  Bethea committed to the Crimson Tide out of the transfer portal in early April and was expected to become a major contributor for Alabama this season.

  Alabama finished 28-9 in 2024-25, losing in the East Regional final to top-seeded Duke 85-65.

  --Field Level Media

Aziz Olajuwon, a four-star recruit who is the son of legendary Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, announced Saturday that he has committed to Stanford.

• That rates as a bit of a stunner since one of the other finalists was Houston, where his famous dad was a star in the 1980s Phi Slama Jama era before going on to star in the NBA.

  But Aziz Olajuwon, a 6-foot-7 forward, called Stanford the best place for him in interviews with at least three outlets on Saturday.

  "I chose Stanford because it's a perfect balance of elite academics and high-level basketball," Olajuwon said. "It's a place that will challenge me on the court and in the classroom, while also preparing me for life beyond basketball. The culture and tradition at Stanford really stood out to me."

  Cincinnati and Vanderbilt were Olajuwon's other finalists.

  Olajuwon, a top-40 recruit, represents Stanford's biggest score on the player front since Kyle Smith became coach following the 2023-24 season.

  "Coach Smith and really the whole staff are people who really invest in their players, on and off the court," Olajuwon said. "Their passion, leadership and ability to connect with the teams made a huge impression on me."

  Stanford went 21-14 in Smith's first season but missed the NCAA Tournament for the 11th straight year.

  Olajuwon is predicting a change in fortunes.

  "Get ready, we're building something special," Olajuwon said. "I can't wait to put on the Stanford jersey, compete at the highest level, and give everything I have for the program and the fans. The future is bright, and I'm excited to be a part of it."

  Hakeem Olajuwon played in the NCAA Tournament championship game in both 1983 and 1984 with the Cougars falling both times -- the first time on a famous last-second basket by North Carolina State.

  In the NBA, he won the 1994 and 1995 NBA titles with the Houston Rockets and was league MVP for the 1993-94 season. Hakeem Olajuwon was a 12-time All-Star during an 18-year career that ended in 2002.

  Hakeem Olajuwon is the all-time leader in NBA history with 3,830 career blocked shots. He ranks 14th in both career points (26,946) and career rebounds (13,748). Olajuwon's 2,192 steals rank 10th.

  --Field Level Media

A lawyer representing six Wofford men's basketball players who faced suspension said Friday that they have been reinstated.

• It is the latest twist in a strange scandal that began last week with Wofford firing head coach Dwight Perry and associate head coach Tysor Anderson.

  After The Field of 68 reported Thursday that the NCAA suspended six players for receiving improper benefits, the NCAA's official X account responded to deny the report.

  "This is not accurate," the account said in a pair of posts. "The NCAA did not suspend student-athletes at this school and did not take any action against any athletic department personnel at this school."

  Attorney Mark Peper then told multiple outlets Friday that the six players have been "reinstated," effective immediately.

  Peper told The Field of 68 this week that six players who were supposed to be placed in upperclassman dorms at Wofford were instead put in underclassman dorms.

  Anderson asked the players "if they wanted to keep their current dorm assignment or rent an apartment off campus and pay for it themselves," Peper said. "They chose the latter, and Coach Anderson properly informed administration of their plan to do so."

  Then, the players were told they became ineligible by using their campus meal plans while living off campus, according to Peper. Wofford self-reported the infractions to the NCAA.

  The charges per player ranged from $84 to $108, leading to public outcry in an age where college basketball players are earning NIL money and participating in revenue sharing with their schools. Additional reports said that Perry and Anderson covered the rent until their players' NIL checks came through, when they could reimburse the coaches.

  Peper told media outlets that the players in question wanted to play for Perry and would seek to transfer if he and Anderson are not reinstated by the school.

  Perry, 37, was promoted from associate head coach to head coach at Wofford in 2022. He led the Terriers to the Southern Conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth last spring.

  --Field Level Media

Wofford has parted ways with head coach Dwight Perry after three seasons, The Field of 68 reported on Friday.

• A reason for Perry's dismissal was not listed in the report, which comes less than two months shy of the beginning of the basketball season. The Terriers open the season against Milwaukee on Nov. 8.

  Perry, 37, guided Wofford to a berth in the 2025 NCAA Tournament after it won the Southern Conference tournament. The Terriers finished the season with a 19-16 record after dropping a 77-62 decision to second-seeded Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

  He owned a 48-43 record during his two-plus seasons at the helm in Wofford.

  --Field Level Media

An NCAA probe found that 13 men's college basketball players at six schools participated in gambling schemes.

• The findings released Thursday cited players formerly associated with Arizona State, Eastern Michigan, Mississippi Valley State, New Orleans, North Carolina A&T and Temple.

  Alleged behaviors included players betting on and against their own teams, sharing information with third parties for purposes of sports betting, knowingly manipulating scoring or game outcomes, and/or refusing to participate in the enforcement staff's investigation, the NCAA said.

  None of the players are still enrolled at the schools where the alleged infractions occurred. The NCAA declined to name the student-athletes until the infractions process has concluded.

  "The NCAA monitors over 22,000 contests every year and will continue to aggressively pursue competition integrity risks such as these," said Charlie Baker, NCAA president. "I am grateful for the NCAA enforcement team's relentless work and for the schools' cooperation in these matters. The rise of sports betting is creating more opportunity for athletes across sports to engage in this unacceptable behavior, and while legalized sports betting is here to stay, regulators and gaming companies can do more to reduce these integrity risks by eliminating prop bets and giving sports leagues a seat at the table when setting policies."

  Additional cases are in various stages of investigation, according to the NCAA.

  Similar cases involving players from Fresno State and San Jose State were resolved on Wednesday, resulting in the permanent loss of eligibility for players Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez and Jalen Weaver.

  --Field Level Media

The eligibility of former Fresno State players Jalen Weaver, Mykell Robinson and Steven Vasquez have been permanently revoked due to their involvement in gambling, including betting on their own games, the NCAA's Committee on Infractions said Wednesday.

• Robinson last played for Fresno State on Jan. 11 and Weaver's last appearance was on Feb. 18. Vasquez transferred to San Jose State before the season and last played for the Spartans on Feb. 11.

  "As part of a coordinated effort, the student-athletes bet on their own games, one another's games and/or provided information that enabled others to do so during the 2024-25 regular season. Two of the student-athletes then manipulated their performances to ensure that certain bets were won. As a result, they violated ethical conduct rules, triggering permanent ineligibility," the NCAA said.

  Robinson and Vasquez conspired to place bets on Robinson to underperform during a Jan. 7 game between Fresno State and Colorado State. The three bets totaling $2,200 were flagged by a Nevada sportsbook operator with one of the bets made by Vazquez, according to the NCAA. The players netted $15,950.

  Robinson took just four shots and had three points, two rebounds and no assists during the contest.

  According to the NCAA, Robinson placed 13 prop bets on daily fantasy sites between Dec. 11, 2024 and Jan. 11, 2025.

  Weaver cooperated with the investigation and agreed to his violations. Robinson and Vasquez declined to cooperate.

  "I respect the NCAA's decision and I've taken accountability," Weaver told ESPN in a text message. "My focus is now on my professional career, where I'm committed to proving myself of the court."

  Weaver, a guard, averaged 12.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 25 games (24 starts) last season. He played two seasons with the Bulldogs after beginning his career in Nevada.

  Robinson, a guard, averaged 10.3 points and 6.2 rebounds in 17 games (16 starts) last season. Earlier in his career, he played at North Texas.

  Vasquez, a guard, played in 18 games for Fresno State over three seasons (2021-24) before transferring. He saw action in 11 games for San Jose State last season and averaged 2.1 points and 0.9 rebounds.

  Fresno State said it shared information it learned with the infractions committee.

  "Fresno State holds itself to the highest standards of integrity, character and sportsmanship, and has an unwavering commitment to compliance with all NCAA and conference rules," Fresno State said in a statement. "The University proactively shared reported information concerning sports wagering activity with the NCAA and worked collaboratively with the NCAA staff throughout the investigation.

  "While the eligibility consequences for the former student-athletes are significant, the case ultimately resulted in a Level III/Secondary violation and no sanctions for the institution. The University continues to have confidence in the Fresno State Athletics' culture and is grateful to conclude this matter."

  --Field Level Media

Billy Lange left his role as head coach at Saint Joseph's for a job with the New York Knicks and was replaced by former Cornell, Boston College and Penn head coach Steve Donahue, the school announced on Wednesday.

• Lange replaced Phil Martelli, who led the Hawks for 24 seasons, before the 2019-20 campaign. He had a record of 81-104, but his winning percentage increased each season, from .188 (6-26) in the first season to .629 (22-13) in 2024-25.

  "Billy and I shared a vision for how to run a program in the new world of college sports," Saint Joseph's athletic director Jill Bodensteiner said in a statement. "He built that infrastructure from the ground up -- people, culture, facilities, student-athlete development and talent. We have all of the pieces we need to be successful as Steve Donahue leads us into our next chapter of Hawks basketball."

  Lange will work on player development in the Knicks' front office.

  Lange, who started his coaching career in the high school ranks in 1995, previously was the head coach at the Merchant Marine Academy (1999-2001) and Navy (2004-11). He also has served as an assistant coach at Villanova and La Salle and with the Philadelphia 76ers.

  Donahue, 63, went 131-130 over the last nine seasons at Penn with one NCAA Tournament appearance, in 2018. He was named Ivy League Coach of the Year that season. Prior to that, he went 54-76 in four seasons at Boston College and was 146-138 at Cornell from the 2000-01 to 2009-10 seasons. The Big Red made the NCAA Tournament in each of his final three seasons with the school.

  "With Steve Donahue moving into the head coach role, I confidently pass along a foundation and a structure that was built brick by brick, without compromise, and occupied by united competitors whose hearts are filled with a bold vision," Lange said in a statement.

  The Hawks, of the Atlantic-10 Conference, have not played in the NCAA Tournament since 2015-16. They open the season Nov. 3 against Lafayette.

  --Field Level Media

Five-star forward Toni Bryant committed to Missouri for the 2026 class, according to multiple reports, following a commitment from five-star recruit Jason Crowe Jr. to the Tigers over the summer.

• The Tigers rebounded from an 0-18 run in SEC play in 2023-24 to a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a 22-12 record last season under head coach Dennis Gates.

  The 6-foot-9 Bryant attends Zephyrhills Christian Academy in Florida, where he was labeled by ESPN as the No. 4 power forward in the 2026 class. According to 247Sports, Bryant is the No. 21-ranked player in the 2026 class overall and the No. 5 power forward.

  Reports had Bryant considering Arizona, North Carolina, NC State, Kansas and Florida State, among others.

  Only Florida is considered to have a higher ranked 2026 class so far, with four players already committed.

  Players can make their commitment official during the early signing period in November.

  --Field Level Media

UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley considered walking away from his job earlier this year because of the intense pressures, according to an upcoming book.

• Hurley, 52, shared his feelings in "Never Stop: Life, Leadership, and What It Takes To Be Great," a book he co-wrote with author Ian O'Connor, who also writes for The Athletic.

  On Wednesday, the outlet published excerpts from the book, which is due for release at the end of September.

  "I knew my mind, and I knew my body, and I could feel that I was completely cooked," Hurley wrote in the book about the 2024-25 season, during which the Huskies attempted to win three consecutive national titles.

  "Just burnt. I didn't even know how I was standing. I stared at the office walls, muttering, conducting a brutal review of our season. I didn't build a strong enough roster. I wasn't a good leader. ... I lost control, emotionally, at various points. I came in here some days sad and defeated, when I needed to be positive and inspiring."

  Hurley wrote that he thought of taking at least a year off after the Huskies finished 24-11 (14-6 Big East) and lost to Florida, a No. 1 seed, 77-75 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

  "I thought about leaving," Hurley wrote. "Taking a gap year. Resigning as head coach of the UConn Huskies."

  "I even talked to a TV executive about doing some commentary," Hurley continued.

  Instead, he decided to return despite the difficulties of the job.

  "Listen, I cherish my job, my players, our school, our fans, and our boosters," Hurley wrote. "I've got the very best job in the country with the very best program in college basketball over the last quarter century. All of that is hand-on-the-Bible true. But what's also true is the massive toll that coaching takes on you and your family. The whole thing is exhausting."

  --Field Level Media

George Raveling, a groundbreaking college basketball player, coach and Nike executive, has died after a battle with cancer, his family announced on Tuesday on his website.

• "(He) faced cancer with courage and grace. He transitioned peacefully at 88, surrounded by family as well as love, faith and sacred protection," the family's statement read.

  Raveling had a 335-293 career record as head coach at Washington State, Iowa and Southern California from 1972-1994, leading each school to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

  "There are no words to fully capture what George meant to his family, friends, colleagues, former players, and assistants -- and to the world," the family statement read. "He will be profoundly missed, yet his aura, energy, divine presence, and timeless wisdom live on in all those he touched and transformed."

  Born in a segregated hospital in Washington, D.C., Raveling was among the first Black college basketball players at Villanova, setting program single-game and season rebounding records during his time with the Wildcats from 1957-60.

  He became the first Black coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference when he was hired as an assistant at Maryland in 1969, and became the first Black Pac-8 coach when he was hired as head coach at WSU in 1972.

  WSU hung Raveling's name in the rafters of its basketball arena in 2019 after he led the program to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances in 1980 and 1983.

  During his collegiate coaching career, Raveling was an assistant coach on the 1984 and 1988 U.S. men's basketball Olympic teams, bringing home a gold and bronze medal.

  During that time, he helped Nike sign Michael Jordan when he was coming out of college, transforming the athletic apparel industry.

  Jordan, in the foreword for Raveling's 2025 memoir "What You're Made For," wrote, "If not for George, there would be no Air Jordan."

  After retiring from coaching, Raveling worked for Nike from 1994 until his death, quickly rising to become the organization's global basketball sports marketing director within a few years' time.

  --Field Level Media

Rick Barnes has job security at Tennessee for as long as he wants to continue coaching.

• Barnes received a lifetime contract to remain the men's basketball coach in Knoxville, athletic director Danny White announced Thursday.

  "Rick has taken our program to unprecedented heights, and we are absolutely thrilled to have him continue coaching on Rocky Top for the rest of his career," White said. "He has constructed this program the right way, achieving elite-level success on the court while also ensuring that all our players excel off the court."

  The terms of the new contract were not disclosed. It comes a few months after rumors that Barnes would retire following the 2025 NCAA Tournament, which Barnes responded to by saying he'd left his future in God's hands.

  Barnes, 71, took over at Tennessee after being fired by Texas in March 2015. The Volunteers have qualified for the past seven NCAA Tournaments and advanced to back-to-back Elite Eights.

  In 10 seasons, Barnes has coached the Vols to a 232-109 record, including a 112-67 record in the Southeastern Conference (.626). They've won three SEC championships and reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament four times.

  "I am incredibly thankful God brought me to the University of Tennessee 10 and a half years ago. It is an honor and a blessing to serve as the head basketball coach here," Barnes said in a statement. "... Tennessee basketball would not be where it is today without the consistent efforts of so many players, coaches and staff members whom I am forever indebted to. Their relentless dedication and the unrivaled support of Vol Nation are truly why we have been so successful."

  Counting his time at George Mason (1987-88), Providence (1988-94), Clemson (1994-98) and Texas (1998-2015), Barnes has gone 836-423 as a head coach, making him the active Division I wins leader in men's basketball. He took Texas to the 2003 Final Four.

  --Field Level Media