Sports

No. 15 seed Oral Roberts tops Florida 81-78

Published on Mon, 03/22/2021 - 3:10pm
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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Dunk City, say hello to Max Abmas and soaring Oral Roberts. 

The fraternity of No. 15 seeds to reach the second week of the NCAA Tournament has its second member. 

“It’s really just mind blowing,” forward Kevin Obanor said. “We’re grateful. Just happy that we got the win.”

Abmas and Obanor led the way as Oral Roberts pulled off another surprise Sunday night, reaching the round of 16 with an 81-78 victory over Florida.

710 days later, NCAA Tourney back with ‘First Four’

Published on Fri, 03/19/2021 - 3:05pm
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By JIM LITKE
AP Sports Writer

 

Who are we kidding? “First Four” still sounds more like an educational toy than the prelude to three of the best weeks in sport. 

But because of the pandemic, it’s been 710 days since last we saw the NCAA Tournament — who’s counting? — so let’s not quibble over names and go straight to the opening-night review:

Pretty, pretty good.

Michigan ups stadium capacity, requires teen athlete COVID testing

Published on Fri, 03/19/2021 - 3:01pm

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan on Friday eased outdoor stadium capacity restrictions before Opening Day but ordered weekly testing of teen athletes amid a climbing coronavirus case rate that ranks fourth nationally over the past week.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said, for now, she does not plan to tighten COVID-19 restrictions — noting ongoing vaccinations while also citing concerns about virus variants that more easily spread.

“If we all take our own personal responsibility here, we can keep these things reengaged and do it safely,” she said during a news conference.

Unusual teams are the hallmark of NCAA Tourney

Published on Thu, 03/18/2021 - 3:43pm
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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — One of the beauties of the NCAA Tournament is that every team has a story.

Some are more unique than others.

Take the first-round matchup between third-seeded Arkansas and No. 14 seed Colgate, which pits two of the fastest teams in the country against each other in a game Friday that could easily approach triple-digits for scoring.

Bruins-Sabres game still on

Published on Thu, 03/18/2021 - 3:39pm

(AP) -— The Buffalo Sabres’ home game against the Boston Bruins will go on as scheduled “as of now.”

The teams issued the same announcement Thursday based on the results of COVID-19 tests and contact tracing.

The Sabres canceled their pregame practice after a member of their staff was placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. The Bruins also canceled their session after a player was placed in the protocol.

The Denver Nuggets of the NBA and the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL will allow up to 4,050 fans into Ball Arena starting April 2.

Ross thinks Chicago Cubs lineup will rebound in full season

Published on Wed, 03/17/2021 - 3:31pm
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CHICAGO (AP) — When it comes to all the questions surrounding the Chicago Cubs these days, there is at least one that doesn’t seem to be bothering David Ross very much.

The second-year manager thinks his team’s biggest offensive stars will rebound over the course of a more conventional season.

Woods returns to Florida to recover

Published on Wed, 03/17/2021 - 3:30pm
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By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer

 

Tiger Woods is back at home in Florida to resume his recovery from career-threatening leg injuries he suffered when his SUV ran off a road and down a hill in the Los Angeles suburbs last month.

“Happy to report that I am back home and continuing my recovery,” Woods said in a tweet posted Tuesday night. “I am so grateful for the outpouring of support and encouragement that I have received over the past few weeks.”

Veterans to watch as NCAA starts

Published on Tue, 03/16/2021 - 4:06pm
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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There has never been a better time to have senior leadership in the NCAA Tournament than this season.

There was no real offseason for young players to improve. No exhibitions and fewer non-conference games for teams to come together. And the shadow cast by COVID-19 that threatened to derail a season with a single positive test.

Record-setting Saints QB Brees announces retirement at 42

Published on Mon, 03/15/2021 - 3:47pm
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By BRETT MARTEL
AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Drew Brees era with the New Orleans Saints — marked by a Super Bowl celebration, raucous record-setting nights in the rebuilt Superdome and the undersized quarterback's outsized role in a historic city's rebirth — has ended.
Brees, the NFL's leader in career completions and yards passing, has decided to retire after 20 NFL seasons, including his last 15 with New Orleans.

UConn finishes No. 1 in women's AP Top 25 for 16th time

Published on Mon, 03/15/2021 - 3:45pm

By DOUG FEINBERG

AP Basketball Writer