CINCINNATI (AP) — An Ohio judge has granted a preliminary injunction for 24 men’s and women’s college basketball players suing the NCAA to be eligible, claiming the new age-based model unfairly shuts them out of further competition. Judge Christopher Wagner said Thursday the NCAA eligibility rules have been applied in an arbitrary and capricious manner. Wagner’s ruling allows the athletes in the lawsuit an opportunity to enter the transfer portal. He scheduled a conference for Aug. 4 to prepare for a trial. Downton has filed similar lawsuits against the NCAA on behalf of nearly 30 men’s and women’s basketball players.
UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA has announced that the opening round of the expanded NCAA men's basketball tournament will be split between Dayton, Ohio, and Wichita, Kansas, for at least the next two years. Both cities will host six games apiece in the new 76-team bracket on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the tournament's first week. The decision was revealed Thursday. The first edition of this format will occur on March 16 and 17. Dayton and Wichita will host triple-headers each day. Wichita's games will be at the InTrust Bank Arena. The NCAA also has removed a rule preventing schools from playing at sites where they are tournament hosts.
UNDATED (AP) — Yahoo Sports is launching college fantasy football leagues featuring a pool of players from Power Four conferences and Notre Dame. This new venture allows fans to draft college stars such as Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. The format resembles NFL fantasy leagues but with larger rosters and unique features like an "offense" position for bonus points. Ryan Spoon, president of Yahoo Media Group, said the goal is to enhance fandom for both players and schools. The stars of the college game today could help you win a title later this fall and, down the road, maybe another on your NFL fantasy team.
