w Page 332 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Pacers facing multiple concerns heading into game at Celtics
The Indiana Pacers will hope things take a turn for the better Wednesday when they face the Boston Celtics in the third stop of a five-game road trip.,Indiana, which ranks last among NBA teams in field-goal percentage (44.3%), lost to Detroit and Philadelphia in the first two games of the trip. The ...

No. 22 UNC eager to bounce back vs. Notre Dame
No. 22 North Carolina will aim to snap a two-game skid Wednesday night when it faces Notre Dame in an Atlantic Coast Conference game in Chapel Hill, N.C.,After losing both games on its road swing in California -- to Cal and Stanford -- the Tar Heels (14-4, 2-3) fell eight spots in the latest AP Top ...

Kentucky 'earning confidence' while Texas tries to resume winning ways
There's never a great time to face Kentucky on its home floor, but Texas' visit Wednesday night to Rupp Arena seems particularly untimely.,Two weeks ago, Kentucky appeared on track for its worst season since 2021. But now? The Wildcats (12-6, 3-2 SEC) are flying after back-to-back gutsy comebacks. T...

Creighton hopes to replicate previous rout of Xavier
Creighton began a season-best four-game winning streak with a 41-point romp over Xavier last month.,After losing three of five games following the completion of that streak, the Bluejays (11-8, 5-3 Big East) will bid to get back on track Wednesday when they host the Musketeers (11-7, 3-4) in Omaha, ...

In Ivisic twins, No. 11 Illinois touts 'luxury' vs. Maryland, others
When Zvonimir Ivisic transferred to Illinois this season, joining Tomislav Ivisic, the move raised the question: How would the twins, who measure 7-foot-2 and 7-1 respectively, fare on the same team? ,So far, the tandem has been a success. Coming off their most productive performance this season, t...

Georgetown hoping not to fall short again with Villanova on tap
Georgetown may be at the bottom of the Big East standings, but Villanova must not take its opponent for granted when the Hoyas visit the Wildcats on Wednesday.,Georgetown (9-9, 1-6 Big East) is looking to snap a five-game losing streak, but the team suffered two hard-fought defeats against quality o...

Boston College, eager to build on first ACC win, takes on Pitt
Boston College is hoping to turn one win into something more.,After an 81-73 overtime win over Syracuse last Saturday, the Eagles (8-10, 1-4 ACC) look to win their second straight in Atlantic Coast Conference play when Pitt (8-10, 1-4) pays a visit Wednesday night to Chestnut Hill, Mass.,"It feels g...

Hornets' recent trip 'shows growth' as Cavaliers come to town
The Charlotte Hornets have something to build on, while the Cleveland Cavaliers will reflect on a one-sided loss after their most recent games when the teams meet Wednesday night in Charlotte.,The Hornets are back home following a 3-2 road trip that included victories against the Los Angeles Lakers ...

Warriors F Jimmy Butler III tears ACL, out for season
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III sustained a season-ending torn right ACL in Monday's 135-112 win over the Miami Heat.,The Warriors announced Tuesday that Butler will undergo surgery at a date to be determined.,Butler had 17 points before he wrenched his right knee going after the ball...

Mariners avoid arbitration with RHP Bryce Miller
The Seattle Mariners avoided going to arbitration with right-hander Bryce Miller by reaching an agreement on a 2026 contract with a club option for 2027, the team announced Tuesday.,Financial terms were not disclosed. Miller filed for a salary of $2.625 million for 2026 and the Mariners countered wi...

Packers release CB Trevon Diggs after brief stint
The Green Bay Packers have released cornerback Trevon Diggs, the Packers announced Tuesday.,By releasing Diggs, the Packers will save just over $15 million against the cap in 2026.,The 2021 first-team All-Pro honoree was released by the Cowboys on Dec. 30 with three years left on his contract and su...

Trial begins for slugger Yasiel Puig in sports betting case
A trial in the federal case against former major league slugger Yasiel Puig started on Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles.,Puig, 35, faces one count of obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators about his suspected involvement in an illegal sports betting ...

Duke sues QB Darian Mensah to prevent him from transferring
Duke University sued quarterback Darian Mensah on Tuesday after his announcement that he was entering the transfer portal despite an NIL contract with the university through the end of this year.,Duke claimed that the contract gives the university exclusive rights to Mensah's name, image and likenes...

Bucs hire former Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith
Special teams coordinator Danny Smith has left the Pittsburgh Steelers after 13 seasons for the same role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.,Smith and the Steelers' entire coaching staff, though under contract through February, have been permitted to seek employment elsewhere, according to reports. Mike...

Kansas' Bill Self 'feeling much better,' will not coach vs. Colorado
Kansas head coach Bill Self acknowledged that he is "feeling much better" on Tuesday, one day after he was taken the hospital.,Assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will be the acting bench boss for the 19th-ranked Jayhawks (13-5, 3-2 Big 12) in Tuesday's game against Colorado (12-6, 2-3) in Boulder, Colo.,...

Brooks Koepka commits to hometown Cognizant Classic
Brooks Koepka's sudden return to the PGA Tour continues to benefit several of the tour's second-tier tournaments.,Koepka, who was reinstated by the tour earlier this month through a one-time Returning Player Program, has committed to the Cognizant Classic. Formerly known as the Honda Classic, the Co...

Illinois' Kylan Boswell (fractured hand) out until February
Illinois starting guard Kylan Boswell sustained a bone fracture in his right hand during practice on Monday, coach Brad Underwood told reporters Tuesday.,Per Underwood, Boswell is expected to return to the lineup in mid-February.,It's a big blow for the No. 11 Fighting Illini (15-3, 6-1 Big Ten), wh...

Surging Red Wings pursue clean sweep of Maple Leafs
The Detroit Red Wings will open a three-game road trip Wednesday night with a chance to complete a sweep of their season series with the Toronto Maple Leafs.,The Red Wings also will shoot for their third straight win overall after they rallied from a 2-0 deficit Sunday in a 4-3 overtime victory over...

Shawn Smith to referee Super Bowl LX
Shawn Smith will head up the officiating crew for Super Bowl LX, the NFL announced Tuesday.,Smith will serve as the referee of the Super Bowl for the first time in his career. He joined the NFL's officiating ranks as an umpire in 2015 before being promoted to a referee in 2018.,Umpire Roy Ellison wi...

Saints S Julian Blackmon signs 1-year contract
New Orleans Saints safety Julian Blackmon signed a one-year contract with the team Tuesday.,Financial terms were not disclosed for Blackmon, whose first campaign with the team was cut short by a torn labrum in the season opener.,Blackmon signed a one-year contract as a free agent with New Orleans on...