Baylor’s first national title denies Zags perfection
Indiana University is still the last undefeated national men’s Division I basketball champion, winning in 1976.
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Fife returning to Indiana University as part of Woodson’s staff
New Indiana University Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Woodson on Monday added Dane Fife as associate coach. Fife played on former IU Coach Bob Knight’s final team and helped lead IU to the 2002 national championship game.
Dane Fife to return to Indiana as part of Woodson’s staff
Fife spent the last 10 seasons working on Tom Izzo’s staff at Michigan State, the final three as associate head coach.
Tourney talk: Local sports execs heap praise on city leaders
Check back here for the latest stories, plus tidbits about the NCAA tournament in Indianapolis.
Dr. Virginia Caine: Don’t let up on public health precautions
I can confidently say that bringing the buzz of college basketball back to our city was only possible through the everyone’s efforts to mask up, socially distance, and operate within the constructs of necessary public health orders. We must not let up now.
Pushing for change: College athletes’ voices grow strong
From seemingly small issues of inequality in NCAA Tournament weight rooms to life-and-death issues of police brutality and endemic racism, athletes are increasingly calling for change, intent on molding what the future should look like for everyone.
Gonzaga’s last hurdles: a quick turnaround—and Baylor
The meeting Monday is one most hoops fans have waited for all year — two years, really — a matchup between two teams who have been on a collision course since the bracket came out.
It’s on: Gonzaga vs. Baylor for the national championship
The showdown between Baylor and Gonzaga that was called off in December because of the coronavirus pandemic is finally back on, with the biggest stakes of all: The two best teams all season will play for the national championship Monday night.
Baylor trio of Butler, Teague, Mitchell headed to title game
The only reason Baylor’s backcourt can’t be considered a true brotherhood is the blood coursing through their veins.
Plump still big hit at NCAA Tourney time
At age 84, the affable, silver-haired Bobby Plump remains one of the state’s top basketball ambassadors and nothing, not a pandemic or an unprecedented NCAA Tournament, can keep those yearning to meet him away.
Video: Jim Morris talks about the origins, success of the Indianapolis sports strategy
IBJ Publisher Nate Feltman talks with Morris about the history of the city’s sports strategy and what it has meant for the Indy economy.
College athletic directors concerned NIL compensation will skew competitive balance
Not everyone in college sports believes it’s for the better as athletes get closer to earning money from third parties for use of their names, images or likenesses.
Gonzaga beats determined UCLA on last-second shot in overtime to stay undefeated
The Zags now face Baylor in the championship game on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.
John Feinstein: Indianapolis has long history with Final Four, but this chapter is one to forget
This is the 41st time I have attended the Final Four. I have never seen anything like this version. And I hope never to see anything like it again.
Bearing down: Baylor routs Houston 78-59 to reach title game
Led by Jared Butler and the rest of their brilliant backcourt, a defense that refused to give Houston an inch, and a coach intent on making the most of his first trip to the Final Four, the Bears roared to a 78-59 victory Saturday night in their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament semifinals in 71 long years.
Diaper dandy: After stay in NICU, infant will make debut among Final Four cutouts
After a surprise delivery five weeks early in December, feisty 3-month-old Molly Skolnick of Carmel will be represented at the Final Four by a seat-filling cutout as part of an April Fools ruse concocted by her parents.
Final Four ticket prices setting records due to limited capacity
Fortune magazine reported that ticket prices are 145% higher than any other Final Four in history. Brokers say the prices would be even higher if a Midwestern team was in the final rounds.
Volunteers key to city’s March Madness efforts
Volunteers are coordinating bus transportation for teams, running to the store for toothpaste for players, sanitizing practice courts, doing laundry for the teams, beautifying the city with new trees, picking up trash, setting up seating pods in the venues and assisting out-of-town media and other guests with just about anything they may need.
5 Indiana connections to this weekend’s Final Four (other than location)
Indiana teams were noticeably absent from the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament this year—only Purdue even made the field of 68 teams. But there are still some Indiana-related reasons to watch the Final Four. Here are five of them.
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson gets emotional talking about his father
John W. “Ned” Sampson, the longtime coach of Pembroke High School in North Carolina, once went toe-to-toe with members of the Ku Klux Klan.