w Page 80 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights
No. 1 seed Florida opens title defense vs. No. 16 Prairie View A&M
The Florida basketball program is among the most accomplished in the sport this century. Its three national titles over that span are tied with Duke and North Carolina for second-most behind UConn.,And yet, this season's Gators, led by coach Todd Golden, accomplished something never before done in p...
No. 7 UCLA set to take show on road vs. No. 10 UCF
PHILADELPHIA -- Since UCLA joined the Big Ten, Bruins coach Mick Cronin has developed something of a reputation for noting the challenges of his team's travel schedule.,There's a dash of irony to the fact that the Bruins must fly cross-country to reach their NCAA Tournament first-round destination, ...
Senior-laden Purdue pivots to 'March mode' vs. newbie Queens
ST. LOUIS -- For the third time in four years, Purdue enters the NCAA Tournament with a top two seed and a lot of experience.,All-American point guard Braden Smith's next assist will tie him with Duke great Bobby Hurley (1,076) atop the NCAA's all-time list. Smith is the only player in NCAA history ...
No. 8 seed Villanova eager to take next step vs. No. 9 Utah State
Friday's West Region matchup between eighth-seeded Villanova and ninth-seeded Utah State in San Diego features teams with similar statistical profiles.,It also features programs with much different NCAA Tournament histories. ,For Villanova (24-8), a winner of national championships in 2016 and 2018,...
No. 15 seed Tennessee State ready to run with No. 2 Iowa State
ST. LOUIS -- Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger took in the Ohio Valley Conference evidence to fully understand what the No. 2 seed Cyclones are facing in Tennessee State, the No. 15 seed and first-round NCAA Tournament opponent for the Cyclones on Friday afternoon. ,It only took a few seconds to get...
Bennett Stirtz chasing March magic as Iowa, Clemson open NCAA Tournament
Bennett Stirtz made a big splash in the NCAA Tournament last season when he led Drake to a first-round upset of Missouri.,Now at Iowa, Stirtz tries to steer the No. 9 seed Hawkeyes on a surprise run, beginning with Friday night's first-round South region matchup against No. 8 Clemson at Tampa, Fla.,...
Southern Guards take team lead after emotional round at LIV South Africa
Ordinarily, it's the individual competition that grabs the headlines at a LIV Golf event. But Thursday at LIV Golf South Africa, it was all about the teams in the debut tournament on the continent.,Southern Guards GC, a team of four South Africans, fed off the home crowd to take the first-round lead...
No. 10 Santa Clara reaching to steal one from No. 7 Kentucky
ST. LOUIS -- There is a common denominator in the 13 losses Kentucky carries into the NCAA Tournament. All Santa Clara must do to have its best chance of reaching the second round on Friday is keep the Wildcats from scoring. ,The mission sounds simple, but assuredly seventh-seeded Kentucky (21-13) w...
Underdog Hofstra hopes to catch No. 4 seed Alabama off-balance
After spending several days in the news for all the wrong reasons, Alabama is more anxious for the NCAA Tournament than ever.,The No. 4 seed Crimson Tide (23-9) will look to put an ugly week behind them when they tip off against No. 13 seed Hofstra (24-10) on Friday afternoon in the first round of t...
Pistons star Cade Cunningham out with collapsed lung
Detroit Pistons star guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team announced Thursday.,The two-week window means Cunningham will sit out at least eight games for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons (49-19), who have 14 games remaini...
Report: Ball State targeting SMU's Chris Capko as next coach
Ball State is targeting SMU associate coach Chris Capko to be its next head coach, according to multiple reports. ,Capko, the top assistant to Andy Enfield with the Mustangs, would replace Michael Lewis, who was fired by the Cardinals on March 8 after three losing seasons.,Ball State finished with a...
Belmont hires all-time leading scorer, current Duke assistant Evan Bradds
Belmont is hiring Duke assistant Evan Bradds as head coach, but a formal introduction will wait until the Blue Devils complete their run in the NCAA Tournament. ,Bradds, 31, is Belmont's all-time leading scorer and will replace Casey Alexander. Kansas State hired Alexander as head coach this week.,"...
Top-seeded Arizona starts Final Four quest with matchup vs. Long Island
SAN DIEGO -- West Region No. 1 seed Arizona will begin its pursuit of the program's first Final Four appearance since 2001 on Friday when the Wildcats face 16th-seeded Long Island in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. ,Arizona (32-2) heads into its fifth consecutive NCAA field on a nine-game wi...
Miami (Ohio) Silences Doubters With Statement Win in First Four
Miami (Ohio) proves it belongs in March Madness with a dominant First Four win over SMU, showcasing the power of underdogs....
Report: Pistons star Cade Cunningham out with collapsed lung
Detroit Pistons star guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung and is expected to miss an extended period of time, ESPN reported Thursday.,Per the report, there is optimism that Cunningham will be back in time for the start of the playoffs, which begin on April 18. The Eastern C...
Vikings agree to terms with Carson Wentz, adding depth to QB room
The Minnesota Vikings on Thursday agreed to terms with quarterback Carson Wentz on a one-year contract, keeping him for the second season in a row.,Financial terms were not disclosed.,The Vikings' quarterback room consists of three former top-10 draft picks in Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy and Wentz. ...
Flyers strive to stay comfortable on road in clash vs. Kings
The Philadelphia Flyers will look to continue their road success and give their flickering playoff hopes another boost when they visit the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.,The Flyers (32-23-12, 76 points) have won five straight road games as they face the Kings (28-24-15, 71 points) in a clash o...
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks bid to tune out Jazz
As the odds of the Milwaukee Bucks reaching the Eastern Conference play-in round decrease, drama involving superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is increasing again.,Antetokounmpo will sit out Thursday night's game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City due to a hyperextended left knee, and the B...
Pelicans vie to extend home winning streak in rematch vs. Clippers
Dejounte Murray appears to be getting the best out of the New Orleans Pelicans.,The Pelicans will get another chance to show off their improved form on Thursday when they face the visiting Los Angeles Clippers for the second consecutive day.,Playing in his ninth game since making his season debut la...
Cavaliers finding 'synergy' ahead of clash vs. spiraling Bulls
Looking to make headway in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Cleveland Cavaliers will play the second of three straight road games when they visit the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. ,Cleveland (42-27) bounced back from a 130-120 loss at home on Sunday to struggling Dallas with a 123-116 win in Mi...