West Virginia has tapped Drake basketball coach Darian DeVries to move the Mountaineers past one of the ugliest years in school history.

UCLA won 86-80. But because of the pandemic, it’s been 710 days since last we saw the NCAA Tournament — who’s counting? The first four games were grafted onto the 64-team main bracket in 2011, naturally, to pad the NCAA coffers. Michigan State’s brief appearance in the tournament was coach Tom Izzo’s 23rd straight, but it was small consolation. They told me that the flight was leaving tomorrow at 9:30 (am),” Norfolk State coach Robert Jones said.

Joseph Yesufu scored 21 points and Drake held on to beat Wichita State 53-52 in a tense First Four matchup between former Missouri Valley Conference rivals. Wichita State left for the American Athletic Conference in 2017. Both mid-major powers were given at-large bids into the NCAA field, and their matchup was dominated by defense — Drake shot 38% while Wichita State shot 34%. We just didn’t get it done tonight.”AdDrake missed 10 straight shots as Wichita State built an early 18-6 lead. Wichita State was scoreless for the last five minutes of the half.

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks to team members during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan, Sunday, March 7, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)INDIANAPOLIS – Michigan State and coach Tom Izzo are in an unfamiliar position. Last time there was an NCAA Tournament, the Spartans reached the Final Four in 2019 -- the most recent of eight trips under Izzo. Izzo contracted COVID-19 early in the season, yet the Spartans opened with six straight wins. “One thing about coach Izzo -- the reason he has survived so long and he’s had such a great career is that they’re never easily defeated. MOUNT ST. MARY'S vs TEXAS SOUTHERNMount St. Mary’s (12-10) won the automatic berth out of the Northeast Conference.

Drake head coach Darian DeVries reacts as his team falls behind in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Valparaiso, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Valparaiso, Ind. – Ben Krikke scored 15 points and Valparaiso handed No. 25 Drake its first loss of the season with a 74-57 romp on Sunday. 25 Rhode Island 65-62 on Nov. 29, 2016 and are now 2-42 against ranked opponents since the start of the 1999-2000 season. Roman Penn scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half, trying to rally the Bulldogs back from a 36-24 halftime deficit.