National Sports - The Morning Sun

Kansas's Gradey Dick reacts to a three pointer during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

No. 1 seed Kansas cruises past Howard with Self still absent

Jalen Wilson had 20 points and seven rebounds for No. 1 seed and defending national champion Kansas in a 96-68 victory over Howard. The Jayhawks allowed absent and recovering coach Bill Self to rest … more

By DAVE CAMPBELL | 3/16/23

South Carolina's Zia Cooke (1) goes for a loose ball over Tennessee's Jordan Horston (25) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the championship game of the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

South Carolina's star quintet ready for one last NCAA run

Five of South Carolina's players are known collectively as “the Freshies.” And the tight-knit group is looking ahead to one last run through the NCAA Tournament. The undefeated team has been led … more

By PETE IACOBELLI | 3/16/23

Furman forward Tyrese Hughey (15) and forward Alex Williams, right, celebrate their win against Virginia during a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Pegues' 3 gives No. 13 seed Furman 68-67 win over Virginia

JP Pegues made a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds remaining, and No. 13 seed Furman completed a rally from a 12-point second-half deficit to hand fourth-seeded Virginia another first-round NCAA Tournament … more

By FRED GOODALL | 3/16/23

Maryland guard Jahmir Young (1) attempts a layup past West Virginia forward Jimmy Bell Jr. (15) in the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Maryland survives at March Madness, beats WVirginia 67-65

Maryland overcame a sluggish start and a final heave at the buzzer by Kedrian Johnson, topping West Virginia 67-65 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Johnson led all scorers with 27 points … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 3/16/23

Puerto Rico pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) is helped by team pitching coach Ricky Bones and medical staff after a World Baseball Classic game against the Dominican Republic, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Miami. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)

Mets' Díaz expected to miss season with torn patellar tendon

New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz has a torn patellar tendon and is expected to miss the entire season after hurting his right knee while celebrating a victory in the World Baseball Classic. Mets … more

3/16/23

Iona head coach Rick Pitino calls out during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Marist in the championship of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Atlantic City N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

At 70, with checkered past, Pitino is again a hot commodity

Rick Pitino is once again a hot commodity in college coaching. The 70-year-old, two-time national champion, whose Hall of Fame four-decade career has been sprinkled with scandal, has Iona back in the … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 3/16/23

Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter runs football drills during Georgia's Pro Day, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia's Jalen Carter gets 1-year probation, $1,000 fine

Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing related to a crash that killed Bulldogs offensive lineman Devin Willock and a … more

3/16/23

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain speaks to media ahead of the Formula On Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Hamiton fears Mercedes is lagging behind 3 other F1 teams

Lewis Hamilton considers Mercedes so far off the pace that it might need three teams not to finish a Formula One race in order to win one. The next race is Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Red … more

By JEROME PUGMIRE | 3/16/23

FILE -Green Bay Packers' Jordan Love throws during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. With Aaron Rodgers saying he intends to play for the New York Jets in the upcoming season, Love finally gets his chance to take over as a starting quarterback in his fourth NFL season. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

Ready for Love: Rodgers' exit would mean new era for Packers

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst valued Jordan Love’s potential enough three years ago to trade up in the draft and select him in the first round, catching the Hall of Fame-caliber … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 3/16/23

Kansas head coach Bill Self applauds his team's play against Texas Tech during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lawrence, Kan., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Kansas' Self, recovering from heart procedure, to miss game

Kansas coach Bill Self will miss the defending national champion Jayhawks’ NCAA Tournament first-round game against Howard in Des Moines, Iowa. The school made the announcement about two hours … more

By ERIC OLSON | 3/16/23

Shohei Ohtani of Japan throws during the fifth inning of the quarterfinal game between Italy and Japan at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Toru Hanai)

Ohtani leads Japan over Italy 9-3, into WBC semifinals

Shohei Ohtani pitched shutout ball into the fifth inning and sparked a four-run third with a bunt single, leading Japan over Italy 9-3 and into its fifth straight World Baseball Classic semifinal. … more

By STEPHEN WADE | 3/16/23

Miami guard Isaiah Wong (2) drives past Wake Forest guard Tyree Appleby (1) and forward Bobi Klintman (34) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Thursday, March 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Miami brings balance, unselfishness into NCAA Tournament

Miami is one of only two teams that made the NCAA Tournament's field of 68 to have four players averaging at least 13 points per game. That means they're deep, balanced and poised to possibly make … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 3/16/23

Puerto Rico pitcher Edwin Diaz, foreground is mobbed by teammates after Puerto Rico beat the Dominican Republic 5-2 during a World Baseball Classic game, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Miami. Diaz appeared to injure himself during the postgame celebration. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Mets' Díaz latest on list of freak celebration injuries

New York Mets fans began the year dreaming about a World Series closed out by Edwin Díaz. For now, they’re facing a nightmare scenario. Díaz, pitching in the World Baseball Classic for Team … more

By The Associated Press | 3/16/23

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Embiid has 36 points and 18 rebounds, 76ers top Cavs 118-109

Joel Embiid had 36 points and 18 rebounds and played the final 4:12 after initially being called for his sixth foul, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to their sixth straight victory, 118-109 over the … more

By TOM WITHERS | 3/15/23

FILE - Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts as he leaves the field after an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Jan 2. 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. Rodgers says his intention is to play for the New York Jets in the coming season as the four-time NFL MVP quarterback waits for the Green Bay Packers to trade him. Rodgers made his comments Wednesday, March 15, 2023, during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File)

NFL free agency opens with Aaron Rodgers, other QBs on move

After a flurry of moves in the two days ahead of the official start of the NFL free agency period, Aaron Rodgers made the biggest news Wednesday by announcing his intention to play for the New York … more

By ROB MAADDI | 3/15/23

Boise State guard Max Rice (12) celebrates after a 3-point basket in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UNLV during the Mountain West tournament Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

Boise State seeks 1st March Madness tournament win

Max Rice remembers the excitement he saw watching Northwestern win its first NCAA Tournament game six years ago. Now, Rice wants to do the same for his Boise State team that is looking for its first … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 3/15/23

Texas guard Marcus Carr celebrates after making a basket during the second half of the NCAA college basketball championship game against Kansas in the Big 12 Conference tournament Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Texas built strong bond to survive turmoil, hit March stride

The Texas Longhorns have team chemistry as strong as any in this NCAA Tournament. The bonds they formed over the summer were tested when former coach Chris Beard was fired in December. Now the … more

By DAVE CAMPBELL | 3/15/23

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer waves the net after Duke's win over Virginia in an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Saturday, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Scheyer leads surging Duke into March Madness for 1st time

A season removed from reaching the Final Four for a 13th time under Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski, Duke not only is in the NCAA Tournament again, but appears to be peaking at the right time with … more

By FRED GOODALL | 3/15/23

FILE - Alabama forward Brandon Miller (24) fires off a shot with Arkansas guard Nick Smith Jr. (3) and guard Davonte Davis (4) defending during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Miller was selected to the Associated Press All-America first team in results released Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)

No. 1 Alabama readies for NCAA Tournament "home" game

Alabama has the No. 1 overall NCAA Tournament seed, one of the best players in college basketball and likely a couple of games in its own backyard. For a Crimson Tide team that’s been an easy … more

By JOHN ZENOR | 3/15/23

Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk falls down after hitting a single off Pittsburgh Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Dunedin, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Bucs' Keller gets opening day nod -- and a bottle of bubbly

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton handed Mitch Keller the opening day assignment and a celebratory bottle of bubbly. Shelton broke the news to the 26-year-old right-hander that he’ll get the … more

By BERNIE WILSON | 3/15/23