Florida star Johnson returns to help team

College basketball notebook

Keyontae Johnson is back in Florida’s basketball facility, just not on the court. He’s scouting opponents, coaching teammates, refereeing scrimmages and even talking trash from afar.

Seeing him, hearing him, being able to hug him and just having him around has created a much-needed feeling of relief for the Gators after a week of uncertainty that followed Johnson’s harrowing collapse during a game at Florida State.

“Incredibly emotional for all of us,” coach Mike White said Monday. Johnson was released from the hospital last week, 10 days after needing emergency medical attention. White said he has “no idea” whether Johnson will play again this season.

The Gators ( 3- 1) postponed four games following Johnson’s collapse. They returned to practice Sunday and will play Wednesday night at Vanderbilt (4-2).

Although the cause of Johnson’s collapse has not been revealed, the coronavirus can lead to myocarditis, a viral infection of the heart muscle.

Elsewhere

It’s hard to decide who has been more dominant in men’s college basketball this season: Gonzaga or the Big Ten. The Bulldogs remained No. 1 on Monday, earning 62 of 64 first-place votes in The Associated Press poll after their latest win over a Top 25 foe, while the Big Ten placed nine teams in the poll, with Wisconsin and Iowa in the top 10.

• Stanford faced its first real test of the season and passed to remain the top team in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll. The Cardinal beat thenNo. 10 UCLA, 61-49, on Dec. 21, pulling away late in the only game between ranked opponents last week. Stanford again received 26 firstplace votes Monday from a 30-member national media panel.