NCAA

The University of Kansas reportedly self-imposed a four-game suspension for men's basketball head coach Bill Self and assistant Kurtis Townsend ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Stadium's Jeff Goodman reported Wednesday the punishment, which relates to an ongoing NCAA investigation into alleged violations within the program that began in 2017, also includes future recruiting restrictions.

Norm Roberts will serve as the Jayhawks' acting head coach until Self returns, per Goodman.

In August, the NCAA announced it would dissolve the Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP) once it completed all the ongoing investigations, including the one into KU. All the changes are scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1.

Despite the upcoming alterations to the governing body's review process, no timetable for the NCAA's final ruling in the Kansas case has been announced.

In May 2020, the NCAA enforcement staff announced its investigation into the five Level I violations showed "egregious" and "severe" rules violations by Self and Townsend, who allegedly "embraced, welcomed and encouraged" Adidas representatives to persuade highly rated recruits to sign with the Jayhawks, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach.

More than two years after that statement, the case remains unsettled.

Self has led the Kansas program since 2003, which ties him for the 10th-longest-tenured head coach in men's college basketball.

The 59-year-old Oklahoma native has compiled a 556-124 record (.818 winning percentage) across 19 seasons with the Jayhawks. He led the team to national championships in 2008 and 2022.

His nearly four-decade coaching career also includes stops as the head coach at Oral Roberts, Tulsa and Illinois before arriving to Kansas.

Townsend, 64, joined KU's coaching staff in 2004.

The fifth-ranked Jayhawks are scheduled to open their title defense Monday night at home against Omaha. Self and Townsend will also miss games against North Dakota State, seventh-ranked Duke and Southern Utah.

They'll be eligible to return for the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. Kansas' first game in the event is a Nov. 23 clash with NC State.

Let the debates begin.

The initial College Football Playoff rankings for the 2022 season were released Tuesday, and the Tennessee Volunteers headline the list. Ohio State, Georgia and Clemson round out the top four and presumably control their own destinies for the coveted spots.

Here is a look at the first rankings:

1. Tennessee

2. Ohio State

3. Georgia

4. Clemson

5. Michigan

6. Alabama

7. TCU

8. Oregon

9. USC

10. LSU

11. Ole Miss

12. UCLA

13. Kansas State

14. Utah

15. Penn State

16. Illinois

17. North Carolina

18. Oklahoma State

19. Tulane

20. Syracuse

21. Wake Forest

22. NC State

23. Oregon State

24. Texas

25. UCF

The biggest takeaway from the first rankings is just that: It's only the first rankings.

As ESPN's Heather Dinich noted, Ohio State was No. 16 in the first rankings in 2014, and Oklahoma was No. 15 in 2015. Both teams proceeded to make the CFP, and the Buckeyes even won the national title during that opening year of the current system.

Dinich also pointed out that 59 percent of the teams ranked in the top four in the first rankings went on to make the CFP, so that leaves plenty of room for challengers to emerge as the season progresses.

The most anticipated clashes of the college football season are also still to come.

Fans don't have to wait long for arguably the biggest one of the entire year with Georgia and Tennessee scheduled to play each other Saturday. The winner will have the inside track on the SEC East title, which could set up a showdown with Alabama in the conference championship game.

The Volunteers already defeated the Crimson Tide this season but may have to do so twice to clinch the conference crown.

It also isn't difficult to envision a scenario in which both Tennessee and Georgia make the CFP. If the winner of Saturday's clash goes on to beat Alabama to clinch the No. 1 seed in the field, the loser could sneak in as the No. 3 or 4 seed with its only loss coming to the top team.

Elsewhere, the game of the year in the Big Ten is shaping up to be a battle of undefeateds in Ohio State and Michigan.

The Buckeyes and Wolverines each defeated Penn State and Michigan State and are on a collision course for what could be one of the most memorable matchups in the storied history of the rivalry. The winner will surely be the Big Ten East champion and will then have to avoid an upset against Illinois or whichever team wins the Big Ten West to ensure a spot in the CFP.

With the SEC and Big Ten contenders all slated to play each other, TCU and Clemson may control their own destinies as undefeated challengers in the Big 12 and ACC, respectively. If they slip up, the Pac-12 could send a team to the field, with one-loss Oregon, USC and UCLA all looming.

There is still plenty left to be decided, but Tennessee has initial bragging rights from the No. 1 spot.

The fallout continues from this weekend after multiple Michigan State football players got into a postgame altercation with a Michigan player.

The Spartans announced they have suspended four additional players for their involvement in the altercation: Justin White, Jacoby Windmon, Malcolm Jones and Brandon Wright. The four of them join Angelo Grose, Itayvion Brown, Khary Crump and Zion Young, who were suspended Sunday.

Michigan State's announcement, which was jointly made by director of athletics Alan Haller and head coach Mel Tucker, stated that the suspensions were decided upon as university officials "continue to gather and review electronic evidence of the altercations." The university is also working with law enforcement and the Big Ten conference "to evaluate additional facts and evidence surrounding the events" that took place Saturday.

As Larry Lage of the Associated Press detailed, a fight broke out in the Michigan Stadium tunnel after the Wolverines' 29-7 win, and videos surfaced on social media showing multiple Spartans players "pushing, punching and kicking" Michigan defensive back Ja'Den McBurrows. His teammate and fellow defensive back Gemon Green was also seen on video surrounded by police and yelling toward Michigan State players.

"Two of our players were assaulted," Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said. "I saw on the one video. Ten-on-one. It was pretty bad. It needs to be investigated."

Tucker said in a statement on Twitter that there was "no excuse" for the actions of Michigan State players. The university's president, Samuel Stanley, also addressed the matter.

"I'm extremely saddened by this incident and the unacceptable behavior depicted by members of our football program," Stanley said. "On behalf of Michigan State University, my heartfelt apology to the University of Michigan and the student-athletes who were injured. There is no provocation that could justify the behavior we are seeing on the videos. Rivalries can be intense but should never be violent."

Michigan State fell to 3-5 with Saturday's loss, and things won't get easier this week, as the team will be massively short-handed in a road matchup against the Illinois Illini, who are 7-1.

Former Kansas and New Mexico State basketball player Gethro Muscadin died Monday as the result of injuries he suffered in a December 2021 car crash.

He was 22.

"Gethro left us late last night," Kansas coach Bill Self said Tuesday. "He was involved in a major car accident 10 months ago and has basically been in a non-responsive state since then. Although only here one year, Gethro was loved and liked by all and will always be remembered as a Jayhawk. We wish his family and loved ones the best going through this most difficult time."

Muscadin was the passenger in a one-car crash on Dec. 30, 2021, in which the vehicle "went off the road, rolled multiple times, and came to rest on the fence line," according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. The car was driven by his girlfriend, with whom he had attended a Kansas vs. Nevada basketball game the previous day.

Muscadin grew up in Haiti and came to the United States at 16 to pursue a basketball career. He spent the 2020-21 season at Kansas before transferring to New Mexico, where he averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 12 games played.

Muscadin had been in a coma for the last 10 months following the crash.

Michigan Wolverines cornerback Gemon Green has retained an attorney as the fallout from Saturday's altercation between Michigan and Michigan State continues.

Attorney Tom Mars confirmed to Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press that he will represent Garcia in a lawsuit against Spartans players stemming from a clash in the tunnel at the Big House after Michigan's 29-7 win.

In a statement, Mars said Green suffered a concussion and other injuries after being hit with a helmet.

Both teams were walking to their locker rooms after the game when a scuffle broke out.

Larry Lage of the Associated Press noted posts on social media showed multiple Michigan State players pushing, punching and kicking Wolverines cornerback Ja'Den McBurrows.

Green was seen going into the tunnel, skipping and appearing to go for a high-five with a fan in the stands when he was in a crowd of Spartans players.

Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters after the game that two of his players were "assaulted" and that athletic director Warde Manuel would speak to law enforcement about the situation.

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker announced Sunday that linebacker Tank Brown, safety Angelo Grose, defensive end Zion Young and cornerback Khary Crump were all being suspended following a review of footage.

Harbaugh said in a press conference Monday: "There needs to be accountability. There needs to be a full, thorough, timely investigation." He added that based on the footage he's seen, "I can't imagine that this will not result in criminal charges."

According to Garcia, Mars did not provide specifics on who the charges will be filed against or the nature of the charges.

Green is in his fifth year at the University of Michigan. He has appeared in all eight games for the Wolverines this season. It's unclear if he will be available for Saturday's game at Rutgers.

The FBI is reportedly investigating antisemitic displays across Jacksonville, Florida, including one that was posted during Saturday's college football game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators played at the Jaguars' TIAA Bank Field.

Teresa Stepzinski of the Florida Times-Union reported Monday that the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and FBI Jacksonville are investigating a message that said "Kanye is right about the jews" that was projected onto the back of the stadium's video board.

Rapper Kanye West, who has changed his name to Ye, has recently posted a string of antisemitic messages on social media.

"The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has been made aware of antisemitic posts and displays in and around the City of Jacksonville," law enforcement said in a statement.

"We have been looking into these actions and will continue to work with our partner agencies regarding these reports of antisemitic messages. At this time, the Sheriff's Office has not identified any crimes having been committed; the comments displayed do not include any type of threat and are protected by the First Amendment."

According to Stepzinski, similar messages were displayed in multiple places around the city, including on a downtown building and an overpass above the interstate.

The rivalry game between Florida and Georgia has predominantly been played in Jacksonville since 1933. Georgia improved to 8-0 on the season with a 42-20 victory on Saturday.

Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh said he expects criminal charges after police complete an investigation into an alleged attack by Michigan State players on U-M players after Saturday night's rivalry game.

"I don't accept any excuses," Harbaugh told reporters Monday in regards to questions about what led up to the altercation.

Spartans head coach Mel Tucker suspended four players Sunday—linebacker Tank Brown, cornerback Khary Crump, safety Angelo Grose and defensive end Zion Young—after reviewing what he called "disturbing electronic evidence" of the situation.

Video obtained by the Detroit News on Saturday showed a group of Michigan State players surrounding Michigan defensive back Ja'Den McBurrow. A source told the Detroit News that U-M defensive back Gemon Green was also part of the altercation.

"What happened after the game is completely unacceptable," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said. "This is not how we should interact after a game. This is not the way another team should grab a player and do what they did. It's completely and totally unacceptable. This is not what a rivalry should be about, not how it should be remembered. For that to happen is unacceptable."

Manuel added police are "addressing" the situation, and the school is leaving it in their hands.

Saturday's game took place at Michigan Stadium, home of the Wolverines. U-M scored a 29-7 win to remain undefeated at 8-0.

The postgame altercation has overshadowed the contest, however, and Harbaugh said Monday it seems like a "very, very open-and-shut" case.

"Right now, we have an ongoing police investigation. What happened in the tunnel was egregious," Harbaugh said. "It's sickening to watch the videos, the ones that are on social media right now, and also the ABC tunnel cam that's in a higher elevation and shows much more of what took place."

He added both U-M players involved suffered injuries and stated Green's status for Saturday's road game against Rutgers is uncertain.

"It's been a challenge. It's been traumatic," Harbaugh said. "But we're in it right now. So, we'll face the challenge head on and support our players in every way possible."

Michigan State, which stands at 3-5 after Saturday's loss, is also back in action Saturday, facing another road test against No. 14 Illinois.

The Michigan State Spartans lost more than just Saturday's game against the archrival Michigan Wolverines.

The postgame altercation between a number of Spartans and far fewer Wolverines made headlines, and Michigan State announced it suspended safety Angelo Grose, linebacker Itayvion Brown, cornerback Khary Crump and defensive end Zion Young.

Michigan State's announcement said it decided on the punishments "after reviewing the disturbing electronic evidence collected." It also said it is working with law enforcement to review the situation.

As Larry Lage of the Associated Press noted, the scuffle happened in the tunnel after the game, with social media posts capturing multiple Spartans getting physical with Michigan defensive back Ja'Den McBurrows. It's unclear at the moment what led to the altercation.

"I'm extremely saddened by this incident and the unacceptable behavior depicted by members of our football program," Michigan State president Samuel Stanley said. "On behalf of Michigan State University, my heartfelt apology to the University of Michigan and the student athletes who were injured.

"There is no provocation that could justify the behavior we are seeing on the videos. Rivalries can be intense but should never be violent."

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker tweeted that there was "no excuse" for the incident:

"Two of our players were assaulted," Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said. "I saw on the one video. Ten-on-one. It was pretty bad. It needs to be investigated."

Michigan State's announcement said the investigation is still ongoing even though it decided on the four suspensions.

The Spartans are 3-5 on the season and one of the most disappointing teams in the country after they went 11-2 last season and won the Peach Bowl against Pittsburgh. Next up is a road trip to face the 7-1 Illinois Fighting Illini, and they will presumably be without those players.

Grose is the most notable of the players who may be missing, as he has 53 tackles and four passes defended on the season. Young has 21 tackles and one sack.