UNDATED (AP) — Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh told NCAA investigators in multiple meetings this week that he will not agree to an unethical conduct charge, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation have not been shared publicly. Michigan announced two weeks ago that it received notice from the NCAA that the governing body is looking into potential rules infractions in the Wolverines football program.
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern has postponed a second straight men’s basketball game because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols. The Wildcats were slated to host Wisconsin on Saturday, but they announced that the game would not be played as scheduled. Northwestern said it would work with Wisconsin and the Big Ten Conference to find a new date. The Wildcats were supposed to play Iowa on Wednesday, but that game also was postponed. It has been rescheduled for Jan. 31 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — A California lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require schools that play major college sports to pay some athletes as much as $25,000 annually. The bill also calls for schools to pay some post-college medical expenses for athletes and to guarantee athletic scholarships for six years. The College Athlete Protection Act is sponsored by Assembly member Chris Holden, who is a former San Diego State basketball player. The bill is the type of state-level legislation the NCAA is looking to federal lawmakers to preempt.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Braden Smith had 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to help No. 3 Purdue overwhelm Minnesota 61-39. Zach Edey had 12 points, six rebounds and four blocks for the Big Ten-leading Boilermakers. They improved to 18-1 overall and 7-1 in the conference. This was their fifth consecutive win after taking their lone loss of the season to now-No. 23 Rutgers on Jan. 2. Joshua Ola-Joseph led the Gophers with 13 points. They are 7-10 overall and 1-6 in the Big Ten. Their two top scorers, Jamison Battle and Dawson Garcia, shot a combined 3 for 22 from the floor.
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A.J. Hoggard had 16 points and seven assists to help four teammates reach double figures, lifting Michigan State to a 70-57 win over No. 23 Rutgers. The Spartans overcame an awful start, trailing by nine in the opening minutes, to lead 36-30 at halftime and by as much as 16 points in the second half. The Scarlet Knights pulled within two points twice, but gave up seven straight points to trail 50-41 midway through the second half, ending their comeback hopes. Clifford Omoruyi had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Rutgers.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Emily Kiser scored 25 points, Laila Phelia added 23 and No. 14 Michigan rolled to an 81-58 win over Rutgers. Leigha Brown added 13 points and 10 assists for the Wolverines. Despite a cool fourth quarter when the lead was always in the 20s, Michigan shot 50% for the game with five 3-pointers, and 18 of 19 from the foul line. Kai Carter scored 17 points and Kaylene Smikle 12 for the Scarlet Knights, who shot 37.5% and had 20 turnovers. Kiser and Brown combined for 28 points and the Wolverines shot 52% (15 of 29) to lead 41-30 at the half.
MADISON, Wisc. (AP) — Shyanne Sellers scored 13 points in the first quarter and matched a career best with 21 points as No. 11 Maryland cruised to a 77-64 victory over Wisconsin. Maryland (15-4, 6-2 Big Ten) built a double-digit lead five minutes in and led 28-15 at the end of the first quarter. Sellers was 5 of 7 from the field and 3 of 4 from long distance. A 6-0 spurt pulled Wisconsin within 37-27 with 1:10 to play in the second quarter but the Badgers didn’t get closer. Avery LaBarbera scored 16 points and made four 3-pointers for Wisconsin (6-13, 2-6).
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Taylor Mikesell and Rebeka Mikulasikova each scored 18 points and No. 2 Ohio State beat Northwestern 84-54 on Thursday night to push its program-best, season-opening winning streak to 19 games. The Buckeyes (19-0, 8-0 Big Ten) led wire to wire and closed the first quarter on a 10-1 run, with eight of the points from Mikesell. Ohio State led by 38 points in the fourth quarter and didn’t allow Northwestern (6-12, 0-8) to come closer than nine points after the first two minutes of the second quarter. Ohio State held a 14-point halftime advantage and pulled away after scoring a game-best 27 points in the third quarter. Paige Mott scored a career-high 16 points for Northwestern. Caroline Lau added 13 points.