Duke marks its record 150th No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25, Wisconsin, Louisville back in poll

Duke was chosen No. 1 inthe AP Top 25men's college basketball poll for a record 150th time on Monday.

North Carolina Duke Basketball

The Blue Devils received 56 of 61 first-place votes from a national media panel after wins overrivals NC State and North Carolina, leaving them in the top spot for the third consecutive week.Arizona stayed secondand received four first-place votes while Michigan received the other No. 1 ballot after its impressivewin over No. 8 Michigan State.

"We've put ourselves in a position to do something special and make a run," Duke coach Jon Scheyer said.

The Blue Devils reachedNo. 1 in the AP pollfor the first time on Dec. 13, 1965, and they've spent more time there than any other men's basketball program. UCLA is second with 134 weeks on top while Kentucky is third (125).

Now, Scheyer's crew heads into the ACC Tournament as the No. 1 seed, but potentially without two of their starters. Patrick Ngongba II and Caleb Foster both were wearing boots in the second half of Duke's win over the Tar Heels on Saturday.

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"I'd be shocked if both of them are playing (in the conference tournament)," Scheyer said. "Our plan is how can we get as healthy as possible and ready as possible for two weeks from now, wherever we go (into the NCAA Tournament)."

Defending national championFlorida climbed to fourthin this week's AP poll, the highest the Gators have been since they were preseason No. 3. Houston moved up to fifth after finishing second to Arizona in the regular-season Big 12 race.

UConn dropped from fourth to sixth afterthe Huskies were upset by Marquettein their regular-season Big East finale.

Rising and fall

St. John's moved up five spots to No. 13 after beating Georgetown and Seton Hall last week. The Red Storm have won 16 of their last 17 games with the lone defeat coming to UConn, and Rick Pitino's squad is seeded No. 1 in the Big East Tournament this week.

Texas Tech, which lost All-American forward JT Toppin to a torn ACL, dropped six spots to No. 16 following losses to TCU and BYU.

In and out

Wisconsin made its fifth appearance in the poll this season at No. 23 after routing Maryland and beating Purdue on the road last week. Louisville also returned to the poll at No. 24 after wins over Syracuse and then-No. 22 Miami.The Hurricanes were the top team outside the Top 25 while Saint Louis dropped out following its loss to George Mason.Conference tournamentsArizona, Houston, No. 14 Kansas and Texas Tech are the top four seeds in the Big 12 and earned double-byes into the quarterfinals on Thursday. Duke, No. 10 Virginia, Miami and No. 19 North Carolina are the top four in the ACC and likewise begin play Thursday, as will the top four seeds in the Big East: St. John's, UConn, Villanova and Seton Hall.Michigan, No. 11 Nebraska, Michigan State and No. 9 Illinois are the top four seeds in the Big Ten and will play their quarterfinal games on Friday. So will Florida, No. 15 Alabama, No. 17 Arkansas and No. 22 Vanderbilt, the top four seeds in the SEC Tournament.No. 12 Gonzaga played Oregon State in the West Coast semifinals on Monday night, while No. 21 Saint Mary's played Santa Clara in the other semifinal. The winners will meet for the conference championship Tuesday night.No. 20 Miami (Ohio) is the top seed in the MAC tourney. The RedHawks play UMass in the quarterfinals on Thursday.NET rankingsThe rankings used by the NCAA to help seed its tournamentvaried slightly from the AP poll. The NET had Michigan instead of Arizona at No. 2 behind the Blue Devils, while BYU and Iowa — unranked in the media poll — rounded out its version of the Top 25.The RedHawks, who completed a 31-0 regular season, were ranked 55th by the NET due in large part to their strength of schedule.Conference watchThe Big Ten has six ranked teams while the Big 12 and SEC have five apiece, though the Big 12's five included three of the top seven and all within the top 16. The ACC has four ranked teams, the Big East and West Coast two apiece and the MAC one.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Wisconsin made its fifth appearance in the poll this season at No. 23 after routing Maryland and beating Purdue on the road last week. Louisville also returned to the poll at No. 24 after wins over Syracuse and then-No. 22 Miami.

The Hurricanes were the top team outside the Top 25 while Saint Louis dropped out following its loss to George Mason.

Conference tournaments

Arizona, Houston, No. 14 Kansas and Texas Tech are the top four seeds in the Big 12 and earned double-byes into the quarterfinals on Thursday. Duke, No. 10 Virginia, Miami and No. 19 North Carolina are the top four in the ACC and likewise begin play Thursday, as will the top four seeds in the Big East: St. John's, UConn, Villanova and Seton Hall.Michigan, No. 11 Nebraska, Michigan State and No. 9 Illinois are the top four seeds in the Big Ten and will play their quarterfinal games on Friday. So will Florida, No. 15 Alabama, No. 17 Arkansas and No. 22 Vanderbilt, the top four seeds in the SEC Tournament.No. 12 Gonzaga played Oregon State in the West Coast semifinals on Monday night, while No. 21 Saint Mary's played Santa Clara in the other semifinal. The winners will meet for the conference championship Tuesday night.No. 20 Miami (Ohio) is the top seed in the MAC tourney. The RedHawks play UMass in the quarterfinals on Thursday.NET rankingsThe rankings used by the NCAA to help seed its tournamentvaried slightly from the AP poll. The NET had Michigan instead of Arizona at No. 2 behind the Blue Devils, while BYU and Iowa — unranked in the media poll — rounded out its version of the Top 25.The RedHawks, who completed a 31-0 regular season, were ranked 55th by the NET due in large part to their strength of schedule.Conference watchThe Big Ten has six ranked teams while the Big 12 and SEC have five apiece, though the Big 12's five included three of the top seven and all within the top 16. The ACC has four ranked teams, the Big East and West Coast two apiece and the MAC one.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Arizona, Houston, No. 14 Kansas and Texas Tech are the top four seeds in the Big 12 and earned double-byes into the quarterfinals on Thursday. Duke, No. 10 Virginia, Miami and No. 19 North Carolina are the top four in the ACC and likewise begin play Thursday, as will the top four seeds in the Big East: St. John's, UConn, Villanova and Seton Hall.

Michigan, No. 11 Nebraska, Michigan State and No. 9 Illinois are the top four seeds in the Big Ten and will play their quarterfinal games on Friday. So will Florida, No. 15 Alabama, No. 17 Arkansas and No. 22 Vanderbilt, the top four seeds in the SEC Tournament.

No. 12 Gonzaga played Oregon State in the West Coast semifinals on Monday night, while No. 21 Saint Mary's played Santa Clara in the other semifinal. The winners will meet for the conference championship Tuesday night.

No. 20 Miami (Ohio) is the top seed in the MAC tourney. The RedHawks play UMass in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

NET rankings

The rankings used by the NCAA to help seed its tournamentvaried slightly from the AP poll. The NET had Michigan instead of Arizona at No. 2 behind the Blue Devils, while BYU and Iowa — unranked in the media poll — rounded out its version of the Top 25.The RedHawks, who completed a 31-0 regular season, were ranked 55th by the NET due in large part to their strength of schedule.Conference watchThe Big Ten has six ranked teams while the Big 12 and SEC have five apiece, though the Big 12's five included three of the top seven and all within the top 16. The ACC has four ranked teams, the Big East and West Coast two apiece and the MAC one.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

The rankings used by the NCAA to help seed its tournamentvaried slightly from the AP poll. The NET had Michigan instead of Arizona at No. 2 behind the Blue Devils, while BYU and Iowa — unranked in the media poll — rounded out its version of the Top 25.

The RedHawks, who completed a 31-0 regular season, were ranked 55th by the NET due in large part to their strength of schedule.

Conference watch

The Big Ten has six ranked teams while the Big 12 and SEC have five apiece, though the Big 12's five included three of the top seven and all within the top 16. The ACC has four ranked teams, the Big East and West Coast two apiece and the MAC one.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

The Big Ten has six ranked teams while the Big 12 and SEC have five apiece, though the Big 12's five included three of the top seven and all within the top 16. The ACC has four ranked teams, the Big East and West Coast two apiece and the MAC one.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 09, 2026

Duke marks its record 150th No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25, Wisconsin, Louisville back in poll

Duke was chosen No. 1 inthe AP Top 25men's college basketball poll for a record 150th time on Monday. Nor...

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Kate Middleton and Prince William Join King Charles at Biggest Royal Gathering Since Ex-Prince Andrew's Arrest

Kate Middleton and Prince William stepped out with King Charles for the first time since ex-Prince Andrew's arrest in February

NEED TO KNOW

• The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9

• The King was also joined by Queen Camilla and other royals for the annual service

Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamshowed their support forKing Charlesat the biggest public gathering of royals since the former Prince Andrew was arrested.

On March 9, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London, the couple's wedding day venue in April 2011. They arrived in coordinating blue ensembles, with Kate wearing a Catherine Walker coat and matching hat.

They joined King Charles,Queen Camilla,Princess Anneand her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester for the service.

Prince Albert of Monaco also joined the congregation.

Inside, the royals greeted each other warmly, including acurtsy and a kiss on the cheekfor King Charles from his daughter-in-law, Princess Kate.

In other years,Andrew Mountbatten-Windsormight have attended. But, after hestepped back from royal dutiesin the wake of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2019, he did not attend many official royal engagements. However, he continued to join the royals at family events such as funerals and holiday church outings.

In October 2025, King Charles announced that he was stripping Andrew's royal titles and honors. In addition, Andrew would have to give up his lease at Royal Lodge, the residence where he's lived for many years.

Then came the bombshell news ofAndrew's arrest on Feb. 19, his 66thbirthday, at his temporary home of Wood Farm at the royal family's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, over allegations of misconduct in public office. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

At Westminster Abbey on March 9, anti-monarchy protestors gathered outside the service with signs alluding to Andrew's scandals. Some held letters that spelled out "What did you know?" while another read "Charles, what are you hiding?"

Inside, the 1,800-strong congregation at the Commonwealth Day service heard an address from former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, who is a Royal Commonwealth Society Ambassador, while dancer Oti Mabuse gave a reflection. There was also a poem from Selina Tusitala Marsh, the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate.

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There was also the world premiere of the Commonwealth Symphony, composed by Rekesh Chauhan and a collaboration between the Royal Ballet School and Sapnay Entertainments Ltd., which unveiled a cross-cultural partnership between classical ballet and Bollywood.

The service brought together government representatives, young people and leaders from the creative community, showcasing how the Commonwealth — which comprises the U.K. and the family of 55 other nations and 2.7 billion people — can harmonize its diverse voices.

The theme is said to have been inspired by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 theme of Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.

A traditional Scottish Ceilidh band and the Melodians Steel Drum Orchestra also contributed their unique talent to the service.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Although the BBC traditionally broadcasts the Commonwealth Day service, the network did not do so this year for the first time since 1989. Instead, an episode ofEscape to the Country,a long-running reality TV show that follows prospective homeowners leaving city life,aired.

"Our decision not to broadcast the Commonwealth Day Ceremony in the same way we've done in previous years reflects the difficult choices we have to make in light of our funding challenges," the BBC said in a statement, perHello!magazine. "We can confirm BBC News plans to cover the service across its platforms, including the BBC One bulletins and rolling news channel."

King Charles also releases a message in honor of Commonwealth Day, withthis year's addressfocusing on being a "force for good" amid the world's challenges.

"We join together on this Commonwealth Day at a time of great challenge and great possibility," the King says in a preview of the full speech released over the weekend. "Across our world, communities and nations face the increasing pressures of conflict, climate change and rapid transformation. Yet it is often in such testing moments that the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth is most clearly revealed."

He continues, "Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good — grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that has a return on investment, enriched by culture, steadfast in its care for our planet, and united in friendship and in the service of its people."

Read the original article onPeople

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 09, 2026

Kate Middleton and Prince William Join King Charles at Biggest Royal Gathering Since Ex-Prince Andrew's Arrest

Kate Middleton and Prince William stepped out with King Charles for the first time since ex-Prince Andrew's arrest in...

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Steelers reportedly trade for WR Michael Pittman Jr., agree to new 3-year, $59 million contract

The Indianapolis Colts have reportedly agreed to trade veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Network's Tom Pelisseroreportedon Monday. The teams will reportedly swap late-round picks,per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Steelers are also giving Pittman a new three-year, $59 million contract, Schefterreports. Prior to the trade, he was entering the final year of a three-year, $70 million contract extension signed with the Colts back in March of 2024.

Pittman is coming off a down season with the club, having posted his lowest receiving total since his rookie campaign, finishing the year with 784 receiving yards. He did, however, manage a career high of seven receiving touchdowns in the 2025 season, which led the team.

The news comes following word that Indy signed impending free agent wide receiver Alec Pierce to anew four-year, $116 million contract.

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Pittman has spent each of his six seasons in the league with the Colts since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, coming out of USC. Now, he rounds out the wide receiver room in Pittsburgh, which has desperately needed some depth behind star DK Metcalf.

The trade for Pittman now marks the second splash trade for wide receiver that Pittsburgh has made over the past two offseasons. Last March, the Steelersacquired Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawksin exchange for a second-round pick. The team then signed him to a lucrative five-year, $150 million contract. He finished his first season with the Steelers with a career-low 850 receiving yards.

Among Pittsburgh's departing wideouts this offseason are 2022 fourth-round pick Calvin Austin III, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year, as well as Adam Thielen, whoannounced his retirement from the NFLin January.

Still a question mark for the franchise is who will throw its wide receivers the football this year; future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a pending free agent. While thedoor is open for a returnin 2026, Rodgers indicated during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show last week thathe has not yet received a contract offer from the Steelers— nor is he a lock to play, with retirement still a possibility.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 09, 2026

Steelers reportedly trade for WR Michael Pittman Jr., agree to new 3-year, $59 million contract

The Indianapolis Colts have reportedly agreed to trade veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steele...

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Belarus journalist convicted of treason and sentenced to 9 years in prison

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarusian journalist Pavel Dabravolski was convicted Monday of treason and sentenced to nine years in a maximum-security prison, activists said, the fifth media worker to be jailed in two weeks in a relentless government crackdown on freedom of the press.

Belarus Crackdown

Dabravolski, who has reported for international and domestic news outlets and won numerous prizes for his work, was found guilty during a closed-door trial at Minsk City Court, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists. The 36-year-old most recently worked for BelaPAN, which the Belarusian authorities have designated as extremist.

President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for over three decades, has stayed in power through a relentless crackdown on dissent.

Massive protests broke out following the 2020 elections, which were widely denounced as fraudulent. More than 65,000 people were arrested and thousands were beaten. In the wake of the protests, hundreds of independent media outlets and nongovernmental organizations were shut down and outlawed.

Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said Dabravolski was being targeted by "trumped-up charges."

"Dabravolski's only 'crime' was doing his job and covering the 2020 protests after the stolen elections," she said. "We see that the conveyor belt of repression inside Belarus continues unabated."

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Activists have reported a sharp increase in government pressure on Belarus' media workers.

"Repression is escalating and Dabravolski's sentence shows that the authorities are increasing pressure on journalists in a country that already has the worst freedom of speech in Europe," Andrei Bastunets, the head of the journalists' association, told The Associated Press.

The group says that 28 journalists are imprisoned in Belarus.

"It contradicts the idea that the human rights situation in Belarus has allegedly improved due to the release of prominent political prisoners," Bastunets said.

Under Lukashenko, Belarus has faced years of Western isolation and sanctions for repression and for allowing Moscow to use its territory during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He has recently sought to improve relations with the West by releasing hundreds of political prisoners.

Many more remain behind bars, however, with human rights organization Viasna estimating that there are 1,140 political prisoners.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 09, 2026

Belarus journalist convicted of treason and sentenced to 9 years in prison

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarusian journalist Pavel Dabravolski was convicted Monday of treason and sentenced to nine yea...

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Ohio State President Ted Carter resigns over inappropriate relationship

After just over two years on the job,Ohio State University President Ted Carterhas resigned from the university after he disclosed an inappropriate relationship to the board of trustees.

Carter, 66, resigned over the weekend after a rare three-hour executive session for the board on March 7.

Carter told trustees in advance of that meeting that he had an inappropriate relationship with "someone seeking public resources to support her personal business," according to a university statement. He offered to resign and the board accepted.

"The Board was surprised and disappointed to learn of this matter and takes the situation and its potential impact on the university very seriously," Ohio State Board of Trustees Chair John Zeiger said in a letter accepting Carter's resignation. "We respect your decision and appreciate your cooperation in supporting an orderly leadership transition."

The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network, asked the university to clarify the nature of the relationship that led to Carter's resignation. It did not share additional information.

Trustees have consistently praised Carter during his short tenure for providing steady leadership and being an ambassador for the university's land-grant mission and vision. In August,trustees approved a 4.5% merit raise, totaling $51,233,bringing Carter's new base salary to $1,189,733, as well as a $398,475 bonus, about 35% of his base pay.

In a statement sent to the campus community March 9, Carter said he "made a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership."

"I believe we have made much progress during my time at Ohio State, and I'm sorry I'm not able to remain your president longer," Carter said. "The students, faculty and staff at this university are among the very best in the world, and the Education for Citizenship 2035 strategic plan has Ohio State poised to succeed for years to come."

Carter said he and his wife, Lynda, are leaving Ohio State with "gratitude and appreciation for this wonderful community."

"It has been an honor to serve as this university's 17th president, and we wish the university ongoing success," he said.

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Carter officially began his two-year tenure at Ohio State in January 2024.He succeeded former OSU President Kristina Johnson, who stepped down following two years at the helm in May 2023 in a sudden resignation that revealedconsternation with the board of trustees.

His initial contract was set to run through Dec. 31, 2028.

Before coming to Ohio State, Carter served as president of the University Nebraska system. The bulk of Carter's career was spent in the United States Navy.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and the Navy Fighter Weapons School − also known as Top Gun − and studied at the Navy Nuclear Power School, the U.S. Air Force Air War College, the Naval War College and the Armed Forces Staff College. He led the Naval Academy as its longest continuously serving superintendent since the Civil War.

Carter spent much of his first year at Ohio State on a "listening and learning" tour, speaking with hundreds of students, staff, faculty and other university stakeholders to craft his 10-year strategic plan. That plan − Education for Citizenship 2035 − was introduced in November 2024 and officially launched in July 2025.

His plan included rolling out multiple new scholarships, investments in six specific colleges,an AI Fluency initiativeand a $100 million initiative to attract top faculty to Ohio State.

Ohio State did not immediately announce who would step in as interim president. Zeiger said in a statement to the campus community that the board will share a transition plan later this week. In his statement, Zeiger called on all Buckeyes to help the university succeed during the transition and into the future.

"Our collective dedication to advancing Ohio State's standing as one of the nation's premier public universities is unchanged. The current strength and momentum of Ohio State and its collective leadership team make us highly confident that our momentum will continue to be strong. You play a critical role in that mission, and we will share additional information about the transition in the coming days."

Higher education reporter Sheridan Hendrix can be reached at shendrix@dispatch.com and on Signal at @sheridan.120. You can follow her on Instagram at @sheridanwrites.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch:Ohio State President Ted Carter resigns over inappropriate relationship

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 09, 2026

Ohio State President Ted Carter resigns over inappropriate relationship

After just over two years on the job,Ohio State University President Ted Carterhas resigned from the university after he ...

Read More