Arizona, Michigan and Duke had looked like a clear top tier in college basketball as conference play began. All three spent time atop the AP Top 25 and went on to claim a No. 1 seed in March Madness.

INDIANAPOLIS - It was clear on March 13 what needed to happen. Illinois basketball blew two separate 15-point leads to Wisconsin. Giving up over 90 points to the Badgers, 69 of which came from just ...

Offense had stood out all season for Illinois, only for the defense to step up in March Madness. Arizona and Michigan have been part of college basketball’s top tier all year with elite play at both ...