GREG GARD

Baylor coach Scott Drew knew his sixth-ranked Bears might need time to blend a changed roster after losing four starters from a national-championship run.

The Texas basketball team walks around the concourse at Victory Field at the NCAA college basketball tournament, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Indianapolis. This is life at a basketball tournament being played in a pandemic. Starting Thursday, in an attempt to get through 67 games uninterrupted, the NCAA has placed players, coaches and staff under a virtual lock and key. “But it was not NCAA staff that encouraged meals to be had in restaurants,” he said. “Gotta make sure the game’s sharp by the time springtime comes.”Ad___More AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket

Iowa center Luka Garza walks off the court after an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. All rights reservedIOWA CITY, Iowa – It was Senior Day, but Luka Garza didn’t know he was going to have to give a speech. Minutes after the 6-foot-11 star scored 21 points and had 16 rebounds to lead the fifth-ranked Hawkeyes over No. 25 Wisconsin 77-73 Sunday, Iowa athletic director Gary Barta announced Garza’s jersey No. “Those two guys (Garza and Bohannon) were going to make sure we didn’t lose the game,” McCaffery said.

“I hope our guys don’t get too high on that.”As good as Michigan (11-0, 6-0) is playing, Howard knows it means little. Big runs can’t happen without getting stops, and Michigan forced the Badgers into their worst offensive performance of the season. Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard said Michigan put the Badgers on their heels. Michigan senior forward Isaiah Livers, who scored 13 on Tuesday, saw Michigan’s defensive potential over the summer, during scrimmages. Howard was pleased with how hard Michigan played on Tuesday but still sees areas for improvement.

7 Michigan Wolverines (10-0, 5-0)Where: Crisler Center (Ann Arbor, Michigan)When: Tuesday, January 12, 7:01 p.m. Wisconsin beat Michigan on Feb. 27, part of an eight-game win streak to close the regular season and claim a share of the Big Ten championship. “He finds (Hunter) Dickinson in those pick and rolls really well. More Michigan basketball content:Michigan ready for top-10 matchup with Wisconsin, another step up in competitionMichigan has put itself in position to win the Big TenWhat more can Hunter Dickinson do for Michigan basketball? How Michigan basketball became a ‘kick-ass defensive team’

Michigan started the season at the very back end of the top 25, picked to finish in the middle of the Big Ten. Wisconsin (10-2, 4-1 Big Ten) is coming off a double-overtime win over Indiana on Thursday. He torched Michigan for 28 in last season’s lone meeting, a Wisconsin win in Ann Arbor on Feb. 27. Brooks lost a tooth in Michigan’s last game, Tuesday’s rout of Minnesota, but will be ready to go against Wisconsin. How Michigan basketball became a ‘kick-ass defensive team’Wolverine Confidential podcast: Michigan basketball teams remain red-hot

Trice scored a season-high 29 points, lifting No. Wisconsin scored 14 of the last 21 points over the final 4:03 to turn a closely contested game into a lopsided result. The Spartans turned over the ball 14 times and Wisconsin scored 24 points off those giveaways. SCORING NOTESWisconsin had its highest total against Michigan State since 1994 and scored more than any other game at Michigan State since an 86-82 win in 1976. “They will be a top-five team all season," Izzo said.

Micah Potter scored 20 points and Aleem Ford added 12 to lead the Badgers an 85-48 non-conference victory over short-handed No. Louisville (4-1), playing its first road game, originally had been scheduled to play at Wisconsin on Dec. 9. Trevor Anderson added 11 points and Brad Davison 10 for Wisconsin (6-1), which rolled to a 44-18 halftime lead. “Obviously really pleased with the way we played,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. Wisconsin finished the half 10 of 17 beyond the arc, including three each by Trice and Davison.

One of Michigan’s top 2020 college basketball prospects has left his team. Lorne Bowman, a three-star guard from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Detroit, has withdrawn from Wisconsin as he deals with a family matter that already had caused him to take a leave of absence in October. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard confirmed the news on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. Bowman was the fourth highest rated recruit in the state of Michigan’s 2020 class, according to 247 Sports composite behind Isaiah Jackson (Kentucky), Jalen Terry (Oregon) and Scooby Johnson (Butler). Bowman finished third in Michigan Mr. Basketball voting last season.