College Men's Basketball News -- March 18

Gonzaga Among Five To Clinch NCAA Berth

Top-ranked Gonzaga was among five teams to clinch a berth into the NCAA Tournament Monday night.  The Zags beat Saint Mary's to win the West Coast Conference Tournament.  James Madison, Davidson, Western Kentucky and Iona also won their respective conference tournaments.  Two more bids are on the line in title games tonight.

Notre Dame To Leave Big East For ACC Next Year

Notre Dame's basketball team will reportedly make the jump from the Big East to the ACC a year earlier than expected.  "Sports Illustrated" reports that the Fighting Irish will play in the ACC next season.  Big East presidents are expected to vote on the matter this morning in New York, prior to the start of the Big East Tournament.

Two Illinois Hoopsters Honored By Big Ten

A pair of Illinois basketball players are being honored by the Big Ten Conference.  Senior guards Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson were both named to the All-Big Ten Third Team yesterday.  Paul has averaged 16 points and four rebounds each game this season while Richardson is scoring nearly 13 points with four boards per game.  The Illini play Minnesota in the first game of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday.