w Page 355 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

James Madison QB Alonza Barnett III entering transfer portal
After leading James Madison to the College Football Playoff, starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Friday.,Barnett, a redshirt junior, just wrapped his fourth season with the Dukes. He tore his ACL on the final snap of the 2024 regular season...

Reports: Michigan set to hire Utah's Kyle Whittingham
Michigan's hiring of Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is imminent, multiple outlets reported on Friday afternoon.,Whittingham, 66, announced earlier this month that he is stepping down after 21 seasons as the Utes' head coach.,He led Utah to a 177-88 record over his tenure, earning one Mountain West Conf...

Scorching Aston Villa set to test extended winning streak at Chelsea
Third-place Aston Villa will see their lengthy winning streak put to its stiffest test on Saturday when they visit a fourth-place Chelsea side that is getting closer to full strength.,Unai Emery's Villa (11-3-3, 36 points) have won 10 straight in all competitions, including seven in a row in the Pre...

Rockets return home off morale-boosting win to face Cavaliers
In dire need of a performance more in line with their early-season successes and an effort that could mask the stench of three overtime losses during their just-wrapped six-game road trip, the Houston Rockets produced a result on Thursday that made their recent struggles appear aberrant.,Rockets coa...

Ohio promotes DC John Hauser to head coach
Ohio University promoted defensive coordinator John Hauser to head coach on Friday, three days after he led the Bobcats to victory in the Frisco Bowl.,Hauser, 45, was named interim coach after Ohio fired head coach Brian Smith for cause on Dec. 17. Hauser guided Ohio to a 17-10 win against UNLV on T...

Sixers sign F MarJon Beauchamp to two-way contract
The Philadelphia 76ers signed forward MarJon Beauchamp to a two-way contract Friday. Terms were not disclosed.,Beauchamp, 25, has averaged 20.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists in seven games this season for the NBA G League's Delaware Blue Coats. He is shooting 44.2% from 3-point range.,He last...

Wild looking to shake 2-game skid, host struggling Jets
The Winnipeg Jets and visiting Minnesota Wild begin their post-Christmas schedules Saturday with something to prove.,Minnesota intends to show it is positioned to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup. Winnipeg wants to be competitive and put together a consistent 60-minute effort to stabilize a sea...

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce takes (final?) bow at Arrowhead
Travis Kelce paused to take in what might have been his final introduction at Arrowhead Stadium before Thursday's game and the Kansas City Chiefs' star tight end admits emotions are heavy these days.,"You know it's -- you only get a few of those where you just get to stand there and appreciate 60-70...

Division leaders clash as Canes host Red Wings
The Carolina Hurricanes probably needed a break, a chance to wipe away the bitter taste they dealt with prior to their three-day layoff.,They'll try to get back on track when the Detroit Red Wings visit for Saturday night's game at Raleigh, N.C.,While the Hurricanes might have been feeling the holid...

Jets rule out TE Mason Taylor, DE Will McDonald, 2 others vs. Patriots
The New York Jets have ruled out defensive end Will McDonald, tight end Mason Taylor and two others for Sunday's game against New England.,Head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed Friday that McDonald (knee), Taylor (neck), defensive tackle Jay Tufele (foot) and linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (neck) will not ...
Five Teams Who Think They Can Take Down the Thunder And Why They’re Probably Wrong
After a wild Christmas Day slate, five NBA teams believe they’ve found a way to beat the Thunder. Here’s what it would take to pull it off....

Panthers ride hot streak into clash with rival Lightning
The Florida Panthers are 8-2-0 over their past 10 games and looking to stay hot Saturday night against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning.,It's a rivalry matchup pitting two teams that have combined to win four of the past six Stanley Cups. In addition, either the Lightning or the Panthers have won th...

Texas' leading rusher Tre Wisner entering portal
Leading rusher Tre Wisner is the latest Texas running back planning to enter the transfer portal, his agent confirmed to ESPN on Friday.,The junior has rushed for 597 yards and three touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 146 yards and one score in nine games this season.,Wisner saved his biggest momen...

Orlando City sign Brazilian teenager Luis Otavio
Orlando City acquired midfielder Luis Otavio from Brazilian Serie A side Internacional on Friday.,The 18-year-old Brazilian is under contract through 2027-28 with an option for 2028-29.,He will occupy a U22 Initiative roster slot in Orlando after making 28 first-team appearances for Internacional.,"...

Reports: Michigan focuses on Utah's Kyle Whittingham
Michigan's coaching search is focused on outgoing Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, multiple outlets reported on Friday.,Whittingham, 66, announced earlier this month that he is stepping down after 21 seasons as the Utes' head coach. He led Utah to a 177-88 record over his tenure, earning one Mountain We...

Nikola Jokic's 56-point triple-double lifts Nuggets past Wolves in OT
Nikola Jokic compiled 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists as the host Denver Nuggets rallied from nine down in overtime to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 142-138 on Thursday night.,The 30-year-old star produced the first NBA game ever with at least 55 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists. Jokic als...

Lakers G Austin Reaves (calf) reportedly headed for MRI
Austin Reaves exited the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the visiting Houston Rockets on Thursday night due to left calf soreness, and he is headed for MRI exam on Friday, according to The Athletic and ESPN.,Reaves, the team's second-leading scorer this season behind Luka Doncic, scored 12 points o...

Mavericks F Anthony Davis (groin) exits game vs. Warriors
Oft-injured Mavericks big man Anthony Davis left Dallas' Thursday game against the Golden State Warriors with what the team called right groin spasms.,He did not return to the Christmas Day showdown, with ESPN reporting that the team was operating with an "abundance of caution.",Following the Maveri...

Kyle Whittingham waves farewell as No. 15 Utah battles Nebraska in Vegas
One of the longest and most successful college football tenures will be coming to an end when Utah and Nebraska meet in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31.,Utah coach Kyle Whittingham announced earlier this month he would be stepping down after 21 seasons. The 66-year-old Whittingham is 177-88 with the U...

Lakers G Austin Reaves (calf) ruled out vs. Rockets
Austin Reaves won't return to the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the visiting Houston Rockets on Thursday night due to left calf soreness.,Reaves, the team's second-leading scorer this season behind Luka Doncic, scored 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting in 15 minutes during the first half.,Reaves missed...