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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Anthony Cowan scored 20 points and ninth-ranked Maryland held on to beat No. 20 Illinois 75-66 on Friday night. The Terrapins (19-4, 9-3 Big Ten) took sole possession of first place in the conference with the win. Illinois (16-7, 8-4) fell into second place. Illinois led by as many as 14 points midway through the first half, but the Terrapins fought back and pulled to within 42-40,with a 3-pointer by Wiggins at the halftime buzzer. Maryland opened the second half with an 11-0 run to take a lead it never relinquished. Ayo Dosunmu led Illinois with 16 points. Andres Feliz added 12.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — As Michigan prepares for another game against rival Michigan State, Isaiah Livers' status is still uncertain. The 6-foot-7 junior was at Michigan's media session Friday, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be able to play Saturday when the Wolverines host No. 16 Michigan State. He was injured against Presbyterian on Dec. 21. The team described it as a groin injury. He has appeared in only one game since. He hurt himself again Jan. 25 against Illinois. Livers said he was hoping to practice Friday. Michigan State beat Michigan 87-69 early last month.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan guard Zavier Simpson reportedly crashed a vehicle registered to the wife of the Wolverines' athletic director late last month, shortly before the school announced he was suspended for a game. MLive, citing a police report, reported that officers found Simpson outside the vehicle around 3 a.m. on Jan. 26. An officer said he did not notice any smell of intoxicant from Simpson's breath. Simpson told police the car belonged to Evan Manuel, a student manager for the basketball team who is the son of athletic director Warde Manuel. Police said Chrislan Manuel, Warde Manuel's wife and the registered owner of the car, spoke with Evan and told police that Simpson had been driving. Simpson received a citation for driving too fast for conditions.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Payton Willis has struggled to find his rhythm for Minnesota. He is still feeling the effects of a sprained ankle that kept him out of three games earlier this season. A new injury turned out to be the spark he needed. Willis sat out when the Gophers lost at Illinois last week. The unexpected rest gave his ankle more time to heal. He responded in his first game back with a career-high 21 points in a win over Wisconsin. He is in his first year with Minnesota after transferring from Vanderbilt.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 9 Maryland is playing No. 20 Illinois in the Big Ten's game of the week. First place will be at stake along with perhaps a potential Big Ten Tournament tiebreaker when the Fighting Illini host the Terrapins on Friday in the only conference game that night. Maryland rallied from a 15-point deficit to win the first meeting two months ago.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The University of Wisconsin says basketball strength and conditioning coach Erik Helland has resigned. School officials say they were informed last weekend that Helland used a racial epithet in the presence of players as he recounted a story from his days in the NBA. The former Chicago Bulls staffer was placed on leave and did not travel with the Badgers for Wednesday's game at Minnesota. The school says it has no evidence Helland directed racially insensitive language toward any particular player.
UNDATED (AP) — For the first time in over a decade, Michigan State needs a football coach after Mark Dantonio announced his retirement. That puts Bill Beekman on the spot. He took over as athletic director in 2018 and the hire could define his tenure. Michigan State faces some familiar challenges. Michigan has regained the upper hand in its in-state rivalry with the Spartans, and Ohio State is as tough as ever. Penn State is also in Michigan State's division. Beekman says is prepared for this moment.
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