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SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Lindsay Schnell and Scott Gleeson discuss why predicting this year's tournament favorites is harder than ever. USA TODAY Sports
Billy Preston's career at Kansas is over before it started.
The five-star freshman never played for the No. 10 Jayhawks (15-3, 5-1 Big 12), held out because of an eligibility issue, and now he has signed to play for a professional team in Bosnia and Herzegovina, BC Ikogea.
The club made the announcement Saturday.
“We are honored to have such a tremendous talent in our organization,” the team said in a release. “We were watching his situation closely and reached out to his family to show interest and ultimately reached an Agreement with the family Attorney in California on a contract for the rest of the season. We know Billy is an NBA prospect so we will do our best to continue his development to help him excel for our club and fulfill his goal which is to be an NBA star in the near future.”
Preston, who at 6-10 was expected to deliver a strong inside presence for the Jayhawks, was held out while the school and the NCAA investigated the financial situation with a car he drove during the fall semester.
Coach Bill Self said repeatedly during the season he expected the situation to be resolved soon.
Best of 2017-18 men's college basketball: Jan. 15-21
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Indiana Hoosiers forward Clifton Moore (22) and Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward (44) battle for a loose ball during the second half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
Mike Carter, USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State Spartans guard Matt McQuaid (20) dribbles the ball as Indiana Hoosiers guard Robert Johnson (4) defends during the second half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
Mike Carter, USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Hoosiers guard Aljami Durham (1) prepares to shoot the ball as Michigan State Spartans guard Joshua Langford (1) defends during the first half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
Mike Carter, USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State Spartans forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (2) dives for a loose ball during the first half of a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
Mike Carter, USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Hoosiers forward Justin Smith (3) dunks the ball over Michigan State Spartans guard Cassius Winston (5) during the first half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
Mike Carter, Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Hoosiers guard Josh Newkirk (2) reaches for the ball during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
Mike Carter, USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Cavaliers guard Justice Bartley (2) and forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) celebrate after their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion.
Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (11) recovers a loose ball against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Brandon Alston (4) during the first half at McCamish Pavilion.
Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) passes out of the defense by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Ben Lammers (44) and forward Abdoulaye Gueye (34) during the first half at McCamish Pavilion.
Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Ben Lammers (44, center) fights for a rebound against Virginia Cavaliers guard De'Andre Hunter (12) and center Jack Salt (33) during the first half at McCamish Pavilion.
Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports
St. Mary's Gaels guard Tanner Krebs (00) celebrates after a win against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at McCarthey Athletic Center.
James Snook, USA TODAY Sports
Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Johnathan Williams (3) walks off the court after a game against Saint Mary's at McCarthey Athletic Center.
James Snook, USA TODAY Sports
St. Mary's Gaels guard Tanner Krebs (00) and St. Mary's Gaels center Jock Landale (34) celebrate after a basketball game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at McCarthey Athletic Center.
James Snook, USA TODAY Sports
Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Zach Norvell Jr. (23) shoots the basketball against St. Mary's Gaels forward Calvin Hermanson (24) and center Jock Landale (34) during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center.
James Snook, USA TODAY Sports
Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Rui Hachimura (21) shoots the basketball against St. Mary's Gaels guard Tanner Krebs (00) during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center.
James Snook, USA TODAY Sports
Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) shoots the basketball against St. Mary's Gaels center Jock Landale (34) during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center.
James Snook, USA TODAY Sports
Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Josh Perkins (13) reacts after a play against the St. Mary's Gaels during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center.
James Snook, USA TODAY Sports
Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Rui Hachimura (21) fights to rebound the basketball against St. Mary's Gaels center Jock Landale (34) during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center.
James Snook, USA TODAY Sports
Nebraska Cornhuskers guard James Palmer Jr. (24) gestures after scoring a basket against the Michigan Wolverines in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) knocks the ball away from Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Thomas Allen (12) in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines guard Jordan Poole (2) drives against Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Isaiah Roby (15) in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports
Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Evan Taylor (11) and Michigan Wolverines guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (12) dive for the loose ball in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports
Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Isaiah Roby (15) dunks the ball against the Michigan Wolverines in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports
Arizona's Allonzo Trier (shoots the ball against California's Kingsley Okoroh during the second half at Haas Pavilion.
Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports
Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing reacts during the Hoyas' 88-56 loss to No. 1-ranked Villanova.
Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports
Xavier guard J.P. Macura runs into St. John's guard Bashir Ahmed during the first half at the Cintas Center.
Frank Victores, USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Commonwealth's Justin Tillman shoots the ball over Richmond's Nick Sherod in the first half at Stuart C. Siegel Center.
Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
SMU's Jahmal McMurray reacts after hitting a three-point shot during an 83-78 upset of No. 4 Wichita State.
Peter Aiken, USA TODAY Sports
Missouri cheerleaders entertain fans during the second half of the game against Tennessee.
Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports
Kansas State players celebrate with fans in the stands following a win against the Oklahoma Sooners at Bramlage Coliseum.
Scott Sewell, USA TODAY Sports
Kansas State players celebrate with fans in the stands following a win against the Oklahoma Sooners at Bramlage Coliseum.
Scott Sewell, USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma Sooners forward Brady Manek (35) dunks against Kansas State Wildcats forward Levi Stockard III (34) during the first half at Bramlage Coliseum.
Scott Sewell, USA TODAY Sports
Kansas State Wildcats forward Dean Wade (32) shoots against Oklahoma Sooners center Jamuni McNeace (4) and forward Kristian Doolittle (21) during a game at Bramlage Coliseum.
Scott Sewell, USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma Sooners forward Brady Manek (35) is blocked out by Kansas State Wildcats forward Mawdo Sallah (1) and guard Brian Patrick (11) during the first half at Bramlage Coliseum.
Scott Sewell, USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young (11) drives to the basket against Kansas State Wildcats guard Barry Brown (5) and forward Dean Wade (32) during the first half at Bramlage Coliseum.
Scott Sewell, USA TODAY Sports
Kansas State Wildcats forward Xavier Sneed (20) dunks against Oklahoma Sooners center Jamuni McNeace (4) during a game at Bramlage Coliseum.
Scott Sewell, USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Frank Martin and his team sing the alma mater after their victory over the Kentucky Wildcats at Colonial Life Arena.
Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports
South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chris Silva (30) makes a shot surrounded by Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Colonial Life Arena.
Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports
Kentucky Wildcats forward Sacha Killeya-Jones (1) and guard Hamidou Diallo (3) double team South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chris Silva (30) during the first half at Colonial Life Arena.
Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports
Kentucky Wildcats forward Wenyen Gabriel (32) tries for the layup against South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chris Silva (30) during the first half at Colonial Life Arena.
Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports
Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) and North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24) fight for the ball in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center.
Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports
Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) and North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24) fight for the ball in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center.
Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports
Clemson Tigers forward Donte Grantham (32) shoots as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center.
Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports
North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) scores in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center.
Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports
Wisconsin Badgers guard Brad Davison (34) drives on Purdue Boilermakers guard P.J. Thompson (11) in the first half at Mackey Arena.
Sandra Dukes, USA TODAY Sports
Wisconsin Badgers guard Brad Davison (34) tries to control the ball as Purdue Boilermakers guard P.J. Thompson (11) defends in the first half at Mackey Arena.
Sandra Dukes, USA TODAY Sports
Clemson Tigers forward Elijah Thomas (14) has his shot blocked by North Carolina Tar Heels forward Garrison Brooks (15) as forward Luke Maye (32) helps defend in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center.
Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports
Purdue Boilermakers forward Matt Haarms (32) celebrates after a dunk against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at Mackey Arena.
Sandra Dukes, USA TODAY Sports
Purdue Boilermakers forward Vincent Edwards (12) drives to the basket past Wisconsin Badgers guard Khalil Iverson (21) in the first half at Mackey Arena.
Sandra Dukes, USA TODAY Sports
Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte' Graham (4) celebrates after beating the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports
West Virginia Mountaineers forward Esa Ahmad (23) and Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte' Graham (4) get tangled up in the lane during the second half at WVU Coliseum.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports
West Virginia Mountaineers forward Sagaba Konate (50) dunks the ball during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at WVU Coliseum.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports
West Virginia Mountaineers forward Lamont West (15) shoots a three-pointer during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at WVU Coliseum.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports
Kansas Jayhawks guard Lagerald Vick (2) drives baseline while defended by West Virginia Mountaineers forward Wesley Harris (21) during the first half at WVU Coliseum.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports
Kansas Jayhawks guard Lagerald Vick (2) shoots in the lane while defended by West Virginia Mountaineers forward Lamont West (15) and forward Sagaba Konate (50) during the first half at WVU Coliseum.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports
West Virginia Mountaineers forward Sagaba Konate (50) blocks a shot from Kansas Jayhawks guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (10) during the first half at WVU Coliseum.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports
West Virginia Mountaineers forward Sagaba Konate (50) grabs a rebound during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at WVU Coliseum.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports
Duke Blue Devils guard Gary Trent Jr (2) reacts against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Watsco Center.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
Duke Blue Devils guard Trevon Duval (center) drives to the basket past Miami Hurricanes guard Anthony Lawrence II (left) and forward Dewan Huell (right) during the second half at Watsco Center.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
Miami Hurricanes forward Dewan Huell (20) dunks the ball past Duke Blue Devils forward Marvin Bagley III (35) during the second half at Watsco Center.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
Miami Hurricanes guard Ja'Quan Newton (0) trips over Duke Blue Devils forward Wendell Carter Jr (34) during the second half at Watsco Center.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
Duke Blue Devils forward Wendell Carter Jr (34) blocks the shot from Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown Jr. (11) during the second half at Watsco Center.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
Duke Blue Devils guard Gary Trent Jr (2) passes the ball while defended by Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown Jr. (11) during the first half at Watsco Center.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
Duke Blue Devils guard Trevon Duval (1) shoots the ball against the Miami Hurricanes at Watsco Center.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
Miami Hurricanes guard Lonnie Walker IV (4) shoots the ball against the Duke Blue Devils at Watsco Center.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) celebrates after defeating the Maryland Terrapins 68-67 at Crisler Center.
Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports
Maryland Terrapins forward Bruno Fernando (23) loses the ball after being fouled in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center.
Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (4) shoots the ball in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Crisler Center.
Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) dunks the ball in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Crisler Center.
Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports
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Replay
![Indiana Hoosiers forward Clifton Moore (22) and Michigan]()
1 of 69![Michigan State Spartans guard Matt McQuaid (20) dribbles]()
2 of 69![Indiana Hoosiers guard Aljami Durham (1) prepares to]()
3 of 69![Michigan State Spartans forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (2)]()
4 of 69![Indiana Hoosiers forward Justin Smith (3) dunks the]()
5 of 69![Indiana Hoosiers guard Josh Newkirk (2) reaches for]()
6 of 69![Virginia Cavaliers guard Justice Bartley (2) and forward]()
7 of 69![Virginia Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (11) recovers a]()
8 of 69![Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) passes]()
9 of 69![Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Ben Lammers (44,]()
10 of 69![St. Mary's Gaels guard Tanner Krebs (00) celebrates]()
11 of 69![Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Johnathan Williams (3) walks]()
12 of 69![St. Mary's Gaels guard Tanner Krebs (00) and St. Mary's]()
13 of 69![Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Zach Norvell Jr. (23) shoots]()
14 of 69![Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Rui Hachimura (21) shoots]()
15 of 69![Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) shoots the]()
16 of 69![Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Josh Perkins (13) reacts after]()
17 of 69![Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Rui Hachimura (21) fights]()
18 of 69![Nebraska Cornhuskers guard James Palmer Jr. (24) gestures]()
19 of 69![Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) knocks]()
20 of 69![Michigan Wolverines guard Jordan Poole (2) drives against]()
21 of 69![Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Evan Taylor (11) and Michigan]()
22 of 69![Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Isaiah Roby (15) dunks]()
23 of 69![Arizona's Allonzo Trier (shoots the ball against California's]()
24 of 69![Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing reacts during the Hoyas']()
25 of 69![Xavier guard J.P. Macura runs into St. John's guard]()
26 of 69![Virginia Commonwealth's Justin Tillman shoots the ball]()
27 of 69![SMU's Jahmal McMurray reacts after hitting a three-point]()
28 of 69![Missouri cheerleaders entertain fans during the second]()
29 of 69![Kansas State players celebrate with fans in the stands]()
30 of 69![Kansas State players celebrate with fans in the stands]()
31 of 69![Oklahoma Sooners forward Brady Manek (35) dunks against]()
32 of 69![Kansas State Wildcats forward Dean Wade (32) shoots]()
33 of 69![Oklahoma Sooners forward Brady Manek (35) is blocked]()
34 of 69![Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young (11) drives to the]()
35 of 69![Kansas State Wildcats forward Xavier Sneed (20) dunks]()
36 of 69![South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Frank Martin and]()
37 of 69![South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chris Silva (30) makes]()
38 of 69![Kentucky Wildcats forward Sacha Killeya-Jones (1) and]()
39 of 69![Kentucky Wildcats forward Wenyen Gabriel (32) tries]()
40 of 69![Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) and North Carolina]()
41 of 69![Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) and North Carolina]()
42 of 69![Clemson Tigers forward Donte Grantham (32) shoots as]()
43 of 69![North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) scores]()
44 of 69![Wisconsin Badgers guard Brad Davison (34) drives on]()
45 of 69![Wisconsin Badgers guard Brad Davison (34) tries to]()
46 of 69![Clemson Tigers forward Elijah Thomas (14) has his shot]()
47 of 69![Purdue Boilermakers forward Matt Haarms (32) celebrates]()
48 of 69![Purdue Boilermakers forward Vincent Edwards (12) drives]()
49 of 69![Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte' Graham (4) celebrates]()
50 of 69![West Virginia Mountaineers forward Esa Ahmad (23) and]()
51 of 69![West Virginia Mountaineers forward Sagaba Konate (50)]()
52 of 69![West Virginia Mountaineers forward Lamont West (15)]()
53 of 69![Kansas Jayhawks guard Lagerald Vick (2) drives baseline]()
54 of 69![Kansas Jayhawks guard Lagerald Vick (2) shoots in the]()
55 of 69![West Virginia Mountaineers forward Sagaba Konate (50)]()
56 of 69![West Virginia Mountaineers forward Sagaba Konate (50)]()
57 of 69![Duke Blue Devils guard Gary Trent Jr (2) reacts against]()
58 of 69![Duke Blue Devils guard Trevon Duval (center) drives]()
59 of 69![Miami Hurricanes forward Dewan Huell (20) dunks the]()
60 of 69![Miami Hurricanes guard Ja'Quan Newton (0) trips over]()
61 of 69![Duke Blue Devils forward Wendell Carter Jr (34) blocks]()
62 of 69![Duke Blue Devils guard Gary Trent Jr (2) passes the]()
63 of 69![Duke Blue Devils guard Trevon Duval (1) shoots the]()
64 of 69![Miami Hurricanes guard Lonnie Walker IV (4) shoots]()
65 of 69![Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) celebrates]()
66 of 69![Maryland Terrapins forward Bruno Fernando (23) loses]()
67 of 69![Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (4) shoots]()
68 of 69![Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) dunks]()
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