DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Men’s and women’s basketball coaches across the country are coping with the challenge of physical conditioning that comes with COVID-19 pauses. After a program is down because of virus protocols, it’s about players getting back into “game shape” after an abrupt halt to the schedule. They also must avoid injuries from pushing too hard too quickly. No. 2 Duke, No. 5 UCLA and Florida are among teams on the men’s side. No. 11 UConn also faces that test as the Huskies return this weekend from a roughly three-week stoppage.
UNDATED (AP) — AP College Football Writer Ralph Russo says college football needs a peacemaker. He says the administrators responsible for managing the College Football Playoff appear to be at an impasse when it comes to expansion. Nobody is against expanding the current field of four, but they now seem to be entrenched in opposing positions regarding how and when. The CFP’s management committee is scheduled to meet in Indianapolis this weekend to discuss a new format for deciding a champion. Russo says someone needs to have the authority to build consensus among the group.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Florida State senior midfielder Jaelin Howell won the Herman Trophy for the second straight year Friday night as the top women’s college soccer player and Georgetown junior midfielder Dante Polvara took the men’s award. Howell, from Lone Tree, Colorado, had three goals and four assists in 23 games last season for the national champion Seminoles. She’s the sixth repeat female winner of the award conducted by the Missouri Athletic Club, following Mia Hamm, Cindy Parlow, Christine Sinclair, Morgan Brian, and Catarina Macario. Howell edged Brigham Young senior midfielder Mikayla Colohan and Santa Clara senior forward Kelsey Turnbow in voting by coaches. Polvara, from Pleasantville, New York, had seven goals and six assists in 22 games.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s defensive struggles are leading to changes on Mack Brown’s coaching staff. In a statement, the school said Friday that defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and assistant Jovan Dewitt won’t return to the football staff next season. That comes after the Tar Heels have allowed more points and yards per game in each of the three seasons since Brown’s return for his second stint at the school. The school described Bateman’s exit as a “mutual” parting after conversations between Brown and Bateman after the season. Dewitt had coached outside linebackers and special teams.
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Former Clemson defensive end Nick Eason has been hired as the team’s defensive tackles coach. Eason’s hiring was approved by the school’s board of trustees on Friday. Eason replaces Todd Bates, who left to join the Tigers’ former defensive coordinator Brent Venables, the new Oklahoma head coach. Eason received a three-year contract at $750,000 a year. Eason played at Clemson from 1999-2002 before playing 10 years in the NFL with Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Arizona. After his playing career, Eason worked on several NFL coaching staffs. He was Auburn’s defensive line coach this past season.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.