AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Timmy Allen scored 24 points and his long jumper from just beyond the free-throw line with 21 seconds left put Texas ahead before Marcus Carr’s free throws sealed a 79-76 win over No. 8 Kansas. Texas is one of the best defensive teams in the country and had to withstand a blistering shooting half from the top-scoring team in the Big 12. Kansas led 76-72 before Texas' Tre Mitchell banked in a 3-pointer to get the Longhorns within one. A Kansas turnover then set up Allen's go-ahead shot.
UNDATED (AP) — A pair of top-10 men's basketball teams lost on Monday. Reece Beekman hit a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining to give Virginia a 69-68 win at seventh-ranked Duke. Timmy Allen scored 24 points and hit a long jumper with 21 seconds left to put 20th-ranked Texas ahead for good in a 79-76 triumph over No. 8 Kansas.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Empty seats are outnumbering occupied ones at Nebraska men's basketball home games as the team grinds through one of the worst seasons in program history under coach Fred Hoiberg. According to figures provided to The Associated Press, the average number of tickets scanned is just under 7,200. That's less than half of Pinnacle Bank Arena's capacity. Three consecutive January games drew fewer than 5,800 fans. Athletic director Trev Alberts acknowledged some fans are staying away because of the mask mandate. But he said the team's poor performance is the biggest factor and a major concern.
UNDATED (AP) — Auburn is No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the third straight week. Coach Bruce Pearl’s Tigers earned 48 of 61 first-place votes. Gonzaga earned the other 13 votes and has been ranked No. 2 throughout Auburn’s first stay at the top. Purdue, Arizona and Kentucky rounded out the top five. Texas Tech rose five spots to No. 9 under first-year coach Mark Adams. No. 22 Saint Mary's and No. 23 Murray State entered the poll. Murray State's poll appearance is its first since March 2015. Iowa State and LSU fell out from last week.
UNDATED (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams could get two former starters back from injured reserve in time for the Super Bowl. Coach Sean McVay said defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and running back Darrell Henderson are expected to practice with the Rams this week, and there’s “a good chance” Joseph-Day and Henderson can play against Cincinnati.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Saints is promoting defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to head coach. Two people familiar with the decision say the New Orleans Saints have promoted defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to head coach. Sean Payton resigned nearly two weeks ago after 16 years with the club. The 49-year-old Allen is in his second stint with the Saints. He was their secondary coach when they won the Super Bowl in the 2009 season. Allen was the Oakland Raiders’ head coach from 2012 to 2014 before returning to New Orleans in 2015.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have hired Arizona assistant Jim Dray as tight ends coach. Dray joins new coach Matt Eberflus’ staff after spending the past three seasons as an offensive quality control coach with Cleveland in 2019 and the Cardinals in 2020 and 2021. The 35-year-old Dray played eight seasons in the NFL as a tight end with the Cardinals, Cleveland, Buffalo and San Francisco.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NFL is taking a hard look at special teams, which had a disproportionate number of injuries this season. Rules changes to further limit kick plays could be coming due to concern over the amount of concussions and lower extremity injuries. The NFL’s chief medical officer indicated that one in six concussions involved special teams. 30% percent of major knee injuries and 29% of other lower body injuries were on kick teams which is alarming as only about 17% of all plays involve special teams.
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (4)Arizona 91 Arizona St. 79
Final Virginia 69 (7)Duke 68
Final (20)Texas 79 (8)Kansas 76
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Toronto 116 Charlotte 101
Final Miami 121 Washington 100
Final Golden State 110 Oklahoma City 98
Final Phoenix 127 Chicago 124
Final Utah 113 New York 104
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Ottawa 4 New Jersey 1
Final OT Toronto 4 Carolina 3