AP National Sports

By DAVID BAUDER AP Media Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Here’s a pretty safe bet: last week was the first time ever that two St. Peter’s University men’s basketball games landed among the Nielsen company’s top 20 shows. The tournament’s underdog darlings beat both Kentucky and Murray State to land in the Sweet Sixteen. Fans

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Providence was trailed by a national narrative entering the NCAA Tournament, that despite earning the Midwest Region’s fourth seed, it had been more lucky than good this season because of an 11-2 record in games decided by five points or less. The Friars used that

NEW YORK (AP) — Julius Randle has been penalized $40,000 by the NBA for directing hostile language at a referee, bringing his total to $130,000 in fines this season. The latest came for his actions at the end of New York’s 108-93 loss to Utah on Sunday. Randle engaged in lengthy conversations with the officials

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — No other tournament in golf is more fickle than Match Play. The winner from the top 64 players available will have to get through seven matches over five days. That might explain why Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns are among those taking the week off

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan went into the NCAA Tournament with a troubling trend, alternating between winning and losing for 10 straight games. In a one-and-done tournament, that’s not going to work. Hunter Dickinson had an idea. The sophomore center suggested a fixed scrimmage against the team’s student

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have signed free agent wide receiver and return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud to a two-year deal. McCloud has been one of the more productive returners since entering the NFL as a sixth-round pick by Buffalo in 2018. He led the league in yards on punt returns with

By RONALD BLUM AP Sports Writer MEXICO CITY (AP) — Gio Reyna has a chance to play at Azteca for the first time Thursday night, when the U.S. faces El Tri in the start of the last trio of World Cup qualifiers. His father Claudio played one qualifier at Mexico’s famous stadium, in 2005, twice

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers free agent signee J.C. Jackson immediately upgrades a cornerback group that struggled last season. Michael Davis was inconsistent in coverage and rookie Asante Samuel Jr. dealt with injuries late in the year. Chris Harris Jr. is a free agent. Jackson joined the

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Nick Castellanos and the Philadelphia Phillies have finalized a $100 million, five-year contract. The All-Star outfielder agreed to the deal last week after the Phillies added slugger Kyle Schwarber. He’ll be introduced at the team’s spring training complex on Wednesday. Castellanos batted .309 with 34 homers, 100 RBIs and a .939

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Tulsa has named Eric Konkol its new men’s basketball coach. Konkol compiled a 153-75 record in seven seasons at Louisiana Tech. He had six seasons with at least 20 wins and finished in the top three in the Conference USA standings five times. This season, Louisiana Tech finished with a 24-10

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The second act of Madison Bumgarner’s career hasn’t been nearly as successful as the first. The four-time All-Star hopes things will turn around during his third season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 32-year-old Bumgarner has made his spring debut, giving up three runs over 2

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina is leaning heavily on its starters entering the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. First-year coach Hubert Davis is counting on the group to play major minutes as they have during a surge over the past month. That includes a win at Duke when

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has fined Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green $25,000 for directing profane language toward a game official. Green was ejected in the third quarter of the Warriors’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night after getting called for two technical fouls in an eight-second span. He was

By MARK DIDTLER Associated Press DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — George Springer played for the first time this year, Yusei Kikuchi made his Toronto debut, and the Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees in the initial exhibition matchup between the teams. Springer hit .264 with 22 homers and 50 RBIs in 78 games in his

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have signed receiver Jamison Crowder and running back Duke Johnson to one-year contracts. Crowder joins the Bills after spending the past three seasons with the AFC East rival New York Jets. Johnson also has seven seasons of NFL experience, and closed last season with another divisional rival,

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. won’t see game action in spring training, even as a designated hitter. That word from manager Brian Snitker makes it more likely that Acuña will miss at least the first month of the regular season. Acuña is recovering

By CLIFF BRUNT AP Sports Writer Arkansas guard JD Notae has a well-earned reputation as a big-time performer. He’s a first-team All-SEC performer who averages more than 18 points per game. Notae has struggled to find his shot during the NCAA Tournament. He has averaged 17.5 points, but he has been harassed into 10-for-34 shooting