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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — An NCAA Tournament upset or at-large bid is like winning the lottery for the smaller conferences in college basketball. They often use it to fund conference-wide initiatives to improve team play, giving their programs a better chance to be the next Cinderella team of March Madness. But an exclusive AP analysis of more than $3 billion paid out over more than 20 years shows those windfalls are becoming harder to come by as power conferences hoard tournament revenue.
UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA's revenue distribution system puts an exact price tag on bids and wins in the NCAA Tournament leading up to the Final Four. And once conferences are paid, they distribute money back to their member schools. For the smaller conferences, a Cinderella run is a chance to reap a rare windfall.
UNDATED (AP) — With the perennially contending Gonzaga being courted by the Mountain West, school leaders sought a way to leverage their position as one of the best teams in college basketball. The cut a deal with their current conference, the West Coast Conference, to earn NCAA shares according to their success in the tournament, moving away from the even split that is common among most conferences.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn basketball first got a new arena, then finally got a coach to fill it. Eventually, wins and titles came, too. Now, the Tigers have made the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2003 and are set to face North Carolina. Not even a couple of high-profile off-court incidents have been able to derail the Tigers during Auburn's best two basketball seasons in years.
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson starting receiver Amari Rodgers injured his knee at practice and will need surgery. Tests showed Rodgers had a torn ACL. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney says Rodgers got hurt running a route Monday. Rodgers will have surgery next month. Swinney said Rodgers has a chance to return this fall if his rehabilitation goes well. Rodgers was second on Clemson's national championship squad with 55 catches for 575 yards.
ATLANTA (AP) — MaChelle Joseph has been fired as the women's basketball coach at Georgia Tech. The school says the decision followed an independent investigation into alleged mistreatment of players and staff. Joseph's attorney counters that the coach is being punished for complaining about gender equity issues at the Atlantic Coast Conference school. Joseph coached at Georgia Tech for nearly 16 seasons.
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke hasn't produced many first-round NFL draft picks in football during the past three decades. Quarterback Daniel Jones hopes to change that. He worked out for representatives from 31 of the 32 NFL teams during Dukes pro day on Tuesday. Jones has climbed draft boards following his MVP performance at the Senior Bowl and is hoping to become the second Duke first-rounder since 1987.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State has signed coach Dave Doeren to a five-year contract through the 2023 season. The school says Doeren will make $3.25 million each season. That's an increase of $250,000 per year from his previous deal. The deal replaces the five-year contract Doeren received after the 2017 season. He is 43-34 in six seasons with the Wolfpack and has made five straight bowl appearances.
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