theathletic.com / .theathletic-com-college-basketball

If Rick Pitino has the players he thinks he will, St. John's can reasonably challenge UConn atop the conference. But there are questions.

The top of the ACC is poised to make a resurgence this season, but the middle of the conference is also as meaty as ever.

Iowa State and Kansas also loom as contenders in a Big 12 that should benefit from the expanded NCAA Tournament.

Pointing to the actions of Tigers men's basketball coach Will Wade, the SEC wants the option of booting LSU to remain on the table.

Both teams made the NCAA Tournament last season. They will square off at NBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix on Feb. 20.

Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee all loaded up this offseason and could have Final Four-caliber squads.

Hardaway's salary is $2.9 million this season, his eighth at Memphis.

After Michigan snapped the Big Ten's title drought last April, the conference could have multiple contenders again.

Kriisa admitted to "carrying out a fraud scheme totaling millions of dollars" that dated as far back at least 2022, prosecutors say.

Qingfang Pang, a Mississippi Valley State men's basketball player, is in ICE custody at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, La.