Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Isaiah Roby had a career-high 28 points as Nebraska edged past Butler 80-76 in the NIT first round. James Palmer Jr. added 23 points for the Cornhuskers.

UNDATED (AP) — Reigning national champion Villanova will be in action along with Michigan, the runner-up from last year, while Belmont and Murray State open the NCAA Tournament as trendy upset picks as things get going with a full slate of games. Also in action are perennial powers Kansas and Michigan, along with Ja Morant and Murray State.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Kentucky heads into the NCAA Tournament with its usual high expectations but some questions about its top player. Sophomore PJ Washington is hobbled by a sore foot and didn’t take part in the team’s final shoot-around before the Midwest Region opener against Abilene Christian. Coach John Calipari says it’s nothing serious and Washington is expected to play Thursday.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Markis McDuffie had 20 points as Wichita State topped Furman 76-70 in the first round of the NIT. Jaime Echenique had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Wichita State (20-14).

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nick Collison’s No. 4 jersey has been retired by the Oklahoma City Thunder during a ceremony before their game against the Toronto Raptors. It’s the first number the Thunder have retired since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Penn State is poised to send out another senior class as four-time national champions and cement its status as the college powerhouse of the past decade. The Nittany Lions (14-0) are the prohibitive favorites to claim the team title at the NCAA Championships for the eighth time in nine years and for the fourth straight year. They might also be the most talented team that coach Cael Sanderson has assembled.