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March Madness

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South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso (10) puts up a shot against Indiana guard Sydney Parrish (33) and forward Mackenzie Holmes (54) during the first quarter of a Sweet Sixteen round college basketball game during the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Cardoso helps South Carolina remain perfect with 79-75 win over spirited Indiana in Sweet 16

Kamilla Cardoso scored 22 points and top-seeded, unbeaten South Carolina held off a spirited Indiana rally to win 79-75 and advance to the Albany 1 Regional Final of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
 
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates after making a three-point basket in the second half of a second-round college basketball game against West Virginia in the NCAA Tournament, Monday, March 25, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Caitlin Clark says she heard about the Big3 offer on social media but focus is on Iowa and Sweet 16

 
Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo (3) reacts during the third quarter of a Sweet Sixteen round college basketball game against the Oregon State during the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Notre Dame star Hidalgo forced to remove nose piercing, misses time in Sweet 16 loss to Oregon State

 
Oregon State players celebrate after defeating Notre Dame in a Sweet Sixteen round college basketball game during the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

Oregon State frustrates Hidalgo and beats Notre Dame 70-65 in Sweet 16

 
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker watches batting practice before a spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Braves manager Snitker leaves family home on opening day because of ‘hostile crowd’ in Philadelphia

 

March Madness
Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. celebrates after a fast break dunk against Iowa State during the second half of the Sweet 16 college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. celebrates after a fast break dunk against Iowa State during the second half of the Sweet 16 college basketball game in the men’s NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Terrence Shannon Jr. leads Illinois past Iowa State 72-69 for first Elite Eight trip since 2005

Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 29 points and Illinois reached the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005, beating Iowa State 72-69 in an East Region semifinal on Thursday night.
 
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Alabama holds off top-seeded North Carolina 89-87 to reach Elite Eight for 2nd time ever

 

Top-seeded UConn blows through another opponent, beating San Diego State 82-52 to reach Elite Eight

 

Houston’s 5 Sweet 16s in a row its best run since Phi Slama Jama. Duke has done a lot since then

 
Oregon State players celebrate after defeating Notre Dame in a Sweet Sixteen round college basketball game during the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

March Madness: Only 1 perfect bracket remains in the ESPN Tournament Challenge

 

  1. Clark and Reese bring star power to Albany 2 Regional that features Iowa, LSU, Colorado and UCLA

  2. South Carolina feeling more pride than pressure as they bring perfect record into the Sweet 16

  3. Gonzaga’s sister act of Kayleigh and Kaylynne Truong propels Zags into Sweet 16

What’s your game?

MLB

New York Mets' Jeff McNeil (1) loses control of the ball as Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins (12) slides into him during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

McNeil and Hoskins get heated after hard slide in Brewers-Mets opener

 

  1. Braves rally for seven in the eighth to begin defense of NL East crown with 9-3 win over Phillies

  2. Yankees acquire right-hander JT Brubaker from Pirates

  3. Soft free agent market helps D-backs find angle to land Jordan Montgomery on $25M, 1-year deal

College Basketball

UConn head coach Dan Hurley argues with an official during the first half of the Sweet 16 college basketball game against San Diego State in the men's NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

UConn’s repeat try may be the last for a while. ‘It’s going to get tougher,’ coach Dan Hurley says

 

  1. UConn’s Paige Bueckers humbled by praise from Geno Auriemma that she’s best in the country

  2. Illinois’ Elite Eight run led by Terrence Shannon Jr., who faces rape charge, isn’t talking to media

  3. USC’s JuJu Watkins is in the March Madness spotlight ahead of Sweet 16 against Baylor

NBA

Houston Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr., left, knocks the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Houston. The Rockets won 117-103. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Donovan Mitchell back playing for Cavs. All-Star guard has missed 15 games since break with injuries

 

  1. 76ers’ Nick Nurse, Kelly Oubre fined $50,000 for confronting officials after narrow loss to Clippers

  2. Marcus Morris Sr. signs with Cavaliers for rest of season after forward’s 10-day contract expires

  3. Dejounte Murry scores the go-ahead jumper in overtime to push Atlanta past Boston

NHL

Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) celebrates with defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (12) after scoring in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

After clinching a spot, the Boston Bruins hope to fine-tune their game for the playoffs

 

  1. Ducks’ Ryan Strome fined $5,000 for cross-checking Kraken’s Tye Kartye

  2. West-leading Stars wrap up playoff spot, beating Canucks 3-1 for 6th straight victory

  3. Logan Cooley has 1st NHL hat trick, Coyotes stop Predators’ points streak at 18 with 8-4 win

NFL

FILE - Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) reacts after sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the first half of an NFL football game Dec. 10, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The New York Jets have acquired two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Reddick from the Eagles for a conditional third-round pick in 2026, a person with knowledge of the trade told The Associated Press on Friday, March 29. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)

AP source: Jets acquire 2-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Haason Reddick from the Eagles

 

  1. Raheem Mostert and Dolphins agree to new contract that keeps him in Miami through 2025

  2. Jaguars LB Foye Oluokun signs 3-year extension that includes $22.5M guaranteed, AP source says

  3. Michael Penix shows off athleticism at pro day with impressive 40-yard dash, vertical jump

Golf

Scottie Scheffler tees off on the first hole during the first round of the Houston Open golf tournament Thursday, March, 28, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Scottie Scheffler misses tap-in to end streak of rounds under par

 

  1. Tony Finau matches his career low and sets the target at the Houston Open

  2. Nelly Korda 3 shots back at LPGA Tour’s Ford Championship in bid to win 3 straight starts

  3. Scheffler starts with another round under par. He trails by a shot in Houston

Auto Racing

Members of William Byron's crew celebrate his win after a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

AUTO RACING: Byron first two-time winner in NASCAR. Sainz ends Verstappen’s nine-race F1 win streak

 

  1. Another Byron win has Hendrick on a roll heading toward NASCAR team’s 40th anniversary party

  2. Pole to checkered flag: Byron dominates NASCAR’s 1st road course race of season, wins at COTA

  3. Carlos Sainz wins F1 Australian GP after early exit for Verstappen with engine fire

Soccer

New England Revolution head coach Caleb Porter walks off the field at the end of an MLS soccer match against Toronto FC, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

Caleb Porter fined by Major League Soccer for criticizing replacement referee

 

  1. Wrexham takes step closer to promotion with win over Mansfield

  2. Harry Kane to make Bayern return against Dortmund. Striker back from ankle injury

  3. Alonso says he is staying with Bayer Leverkusen. Announcement ends Liverpool and Bayern speculation

More news

Montreal Canadiens' Kaiden Guhle (21) is checked into the boards by Philadelphia Flyers' Travis Konecny (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canadiens’ Guhle gets one-game suspension for slashing Flyers’ Konecny from the bench

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle has been suspended one game without pay for slashing Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny on Thursday.
 

Lille goes to third in Ligue 1 after derby win over Lens

Kosovan winger Edon Zhegrova has scored in each half for Lille to beat Lens 2-1 in the Derby du Nord in the French league.
 

New manager, old problems for Granada in La Liga defeat at Cadiz

Granada got no new manager bounce as coach José Ramón Sandoval watched his side go down at fellow relegation contender Cadiz 1-0 in the Spanish league.
 
Jannik Sinner, of Italy, follows through on a serve to Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Jannik Sinner is starting to dominate. He overwhelmed Medvedev 6-1, 6-2 in the Miami Open semifinals

Jannik Sinner is starting to dominate. He overwhelmed third-seeded Daniil Medvedev 6-1, 6-2 on Friday in the semifinals of the Miami Open to improve to 21-1 this year.
 
Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio (11) hits a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chourio sparkles in MLB debut, Brewers beat Mets 3-1 as tempers flare in season opener

Jackson Chourio sparkled in his much-anticipated major league debut, and the Milwaukee Brewers threw a one-hitter to beat the New York Mets 3-1 in their contentious season opener.
 
Players line up for opening day ceremonies before a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, March 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Mets owner Steve Cohen says he’ll be disappointed if team misses playoffs

Expectations are lower for the New York Mets entering this season. But owner Steve Cohen says he’d be “disappointed” if the team doesn’t make the playoffs.
 
Former Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel throws out a ceremonial first pitch ahead of an opening day baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Ex-Phillies manager Manuel throws opening-day pitch in 1st visit to Citizens Bank Park since stroke

Former Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel threw the first pitch on opening day in his first visit to Citizens Bank Park since he suffered a stroke in September.
 
FILE -Baylor head coach Scott Drew, right, talks with associate coach John Jakus, left, during a break in their game with Iowa State in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Waco, Texas. Baylor associate head coach John Jakus agreed to become Florida Atlantic's new head coach on Wednesday night, March 27, 2024. Jakus agreed to a five-year deal.(AP Photo/Rod Aydelotte, File)

FAU introduces John Jakus, who is hoping plenty of Owls come back next season

John Jakus is already recruiting at Florida Atlantic. Among his top targets: players with plenty of collegiate experience who have been part of 60 wins over the last two years and made it to the Final Four last season.
 

Friday’s Transactions

BASEBALL

Major League Baseball

American League

BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Placed RHPs Tyler Burch and Peter Van Loon on the Bowie (EL) 60-day IL.
 
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez holds up his Silver Slugger award for last season, after a presentation before the team's opening-day baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

MLB’s percentage of international-born players drops slightly to 27.8%, lowest since 2016

The percentage of Major League Baseball players born outside the 50 states dipped slightly to 27.8%, its lowest level since 2016.
 
Morning light strikes the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. The Minnesota Legislature returns from its Easter break on Tuesday with lots of bills in the pipeline. They include a myriad of low-profile proposals but several high-profile pieces of legislation are in the mix, ranging from cannabis and sports betting, to rights for trans people, to maintaining the state's roads and bridges. (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski)

Minnesota Legislature will return from Easter break with plenty of bills still in the pipeline

The Minnesota Legislature will return from its Easter break with plenty of bills in the pipeline. Bills awaiting legislative attention on Tuesday include several high-profile pieces of legislation, ranging from cannabis and sports betting, to rights for trans people, to maintaining the state’s roads
 
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli reacts during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders in Bengaluru, India, Friday, March 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

Kohli 83 in vain as Kolkata thumps Bengaluru in IPL

Virat Kohli’s meticulous 83 has gone in vain for Royal Challengers Bengaluru after they were chased down by Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
 
FILE - Clemson's Reed Rohlman, left, returns to the dugout after scoring during an NCAA college baseball game against South Carolina at Carolina Stadium in Columbia, S.C., Monday, March 2, 2015. Reed Rohlman, a former Clemson all-Atlantic Coast Conference outfielder who was drafted in the 35th round by Kansas City and played three years in the Royals organization, has died in Florida, his former school said Friday, March 29, 2024. He was 29. The school said he died Wednesday.(Mark Crammer/The Independent-Mail via AP, File)

Former Clemson outfielder Rohlman, a two-time all-ACC selection, dies at 29

Former Clemson all-Atlantic Coast Conference outfielder Reed Rohlman has died in Florida. His former school announced Rohlman’s death. He was 29.
 
This photo provided by the St. Paul Saints shows a pig named Ozempig on Thursday, March 28, at a farm in Wisconsin. Some people have criticized the Minnesota team's decision to name the pig after the weight loss drug Ozempic, saying the play on words belittles people who are overweight. (St. Paul Saints Baseball via AP)

‘Ozempig’ remains Minnesota baseball team’s mascot despite uproar that name is form of fat-shaming

For a Minnesota minor league baseball team known for a history of outlandish promotions, the idea of naming its longtime live pig mascot after the weight loss drug Ozempic made perfect sense.
 
FILE - Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara gives remarks at his jersey retirement ceremony after an NCAA college basketball game against Wake Forest in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, March 4, 2023. Gerry McNamara has signed a deal to take over as coach at Siena, deciding to leave Syracuse after two decades as a standout player, assistant and eventually ascending to associate head coach for the Orange. McNamara's signing was announced by Siena on Friday, March 29, 2024, and makes him a collegiate head coach for the first time. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)

Siena hires former Syracuse standout Gerry McNamara as its new coach

Gerry McNamara is the new coach at Siena. He has decided to leave Syracuse after two decades as a standout player, assistant and eventually ascending to associate head coach for the Orange.
 

Sports on TV for Mar. 30 - 31

(All times Eastern)

Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts

Saturday, Mar. 30

1 a.m.
 

Bangladesh pins hopes on Shakib in 2nd test after crushing defeat in opener against Sri Lanka

Bangladesh will start the second and final test against Sri Lanka on Saturday emboldened by the return of star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan from injury.
 

Today in Sports - Michael Phelps becomes the youngest American swimmer to set a world record

Today in Sports, March 30 - Michael Phelps becomes the youngest American swimmer to set a world record
 

This Date in Baseball - For the first time ever, all 30 teams are active on opening day

This Date in Baseball, March 30 - For the first time ever, all 30 teams are active on opening day
 

Sports on TV for Apr. 1 - 7

Adv30

(All times Eastern)

Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts

Monday, Apr. 1

5 p.m.
 
FILE - Police officers patrol the Trocadero plaza near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. France says it has asked 46 countries if they can supply more than 2,000 police officers to help secure the Paris Olympics. Organizers are finalizing security planning for the July 26-Aug. 11 Games, the French capital’s first in a century. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

France asks for foreign police and military help with massive Paris Olympics security challenge

France says it has asked 46 countries if they can supply more than 2,000 police officers to help secure the Paris Olympics.
 

Andy Murray to miss Monte Carlo and Munich tournaments because of ankle injury

Andy Murray still has no timetable to return from an ankle injury as the three-time Grand Slam champion’s management team has confirmed that he’ll miss upcoming clay-court tournaments in Monte Carlo and Munich.
 
North Carolina State's Jannah Eissa warms up prior to a second-round college basketball game against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Hijab-wearing players in women’s NCAA Tournament hope to inspire others

N.C. State’s Jannah Eissa and UC Irvine’s Diaba Konate are bringing visibility and inspiration to Muslim women by wearing hjiabs while they play basketball.
 
FILE - France's players pose for photographers before the international friendly soccer match between Germany and France in Dortmund, Germany, on Sept. 12, 2023. For Muslim soccer players in deeply secular France, observing Ramadan is a tall order. Wielding a principle of religious neutrality enshrined in the French constitution, the country's soccer federation does not accomodate players who want to fast and refrain from drinking or eating from sunrise to sunset. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

French soccer federation limits support for players’ Ramadan observance. Critics see discrimination

For Muslim soccer players in deeply secular France, observing Ramadan is a tall order. The country’s soccer federation wields the principle of religious neutrality enshrined in the French constitution, and doesn’t make things easy for players who want to refrain from drinking or eating from dawn to
 
Tane Edmed, bottom left, of the Waratahs is tackled during during the Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Rebels in Sydney, Australia, Friday, March 29, 2024. (James Gourley/AAP via AP)

Crusaders end 5-match losing streak and Rebels beat Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific

Former Wales winger Johnny McNicholl has scored a try in each half as the Christchurch-based Crusaders snapped a five-match losing start to the Super Rugby Pacific season with a 37-26 win over the Chiefs.
 

Marquette and NC State square off in the Sweet 16

The No. 8 Marquette Golden Eagles and NC State Wolfpack meet in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The teams match up Friday for the first time this season.
 

Houston and Duke meet in the Sweet 16

The No. 2 Houston Cougars and No. 13 Duke Blue Devils square off in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The teams square off Friday for the first time this season.
 

UConn Huskies and Illinois Fighting Illini meet in Elite 8

The No. 1 UConn Huskies and No. 10 Illinois Fighting Illini meet in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
 

Tennessee Volunteers take on the Creighton Bluejays in Sweet 16

The No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers and No. 11 Creighton Bluejays meet in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The teams match up Friday for the first time this season.
 

Alabama Crimson Tide face the Clemson Tigers in Elite 8

The No. 19 Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers play in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. The teams meet Saturday for the second time this season.