Sports category, Page 1395
After struggling at plate, Pirates’ Kevin Newman reconstructs stance, swing
BRADENTON, Fla. — After a sizzling spring led to a fizzling five months where he hovered just above the Mendoza Line, Kevin Newman knew he needed to change something about his swing. He opted for a complete reconstruction. The Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop set a spring training record by hitting .606...
Playing for Steelers is ‘definitely where I wanted to be,’ says Mitch Trubisky
It was barely an hour into the NFL’s legal tampering period Monday when the Pittsburgh Steelers, notorious bystanders early in free agency, made a headline-grabbing move. They signed quarterback Mitch Trubisky to a two-year contract to compete for the starting job vacated by Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. Trubisky had a chance...
Ben Howland out as Mississippi State coach after 7 seasons
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Ben Howland is out after seven seasons with the program. A release on Thursday did not provide details about Howland’s departure, and a message left with a basketball spokesman was not immediately returned. Athletic director John Cohen thanked Howland for his devotion...
Breaking down No. 15 Delaware vs. No. 2 Villanova
No. 15 Delaware vs. No. 2 Villanova 2:45 p.m. Friday, PPG Paints Arena TV: CBS Winner plays: Winner of No. 7 Ohio State/No. 10 Loyola Chicago in second round Sunday Series history: Villanova leads 14-0 Villanova Wildcats (26-7, 16-4 Big East) Coach: Jay Wright How they got here: Villanova won...
Breaking down No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Loyola
No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Loyola Chicago 12:15 p.m. Friday, PPG Paints Arena TV: CBS Winner plays: Winner of No. 2 Villanova/No. 15 Delaware in second round Sunday Series history: Ohio State leads 4-0 Ohio State Buckeyes (19-11, 12-8 Big Ten) Coach: Chris Holtmann How they got here:...
Pitt loses backup forward Chris Payton to transfer portal
Pitt basketball lost another player Thursday when sophomore forward Chris Payton, who spent only one season on the team, entered the NCAA transfer portal. Payton joins former Pitt teammate Noah Collier, who entered the portal earlier this week. Pitt coach Jeff Capel is beginning to reconstruct his roster after a...
Steelers release ILB Joe Schobert after 1 season with organization
A day after agreeing to a two-year, $16 million contract with free agent inside linebacker Myles Jack, the Pittsburgh Steelers made the anticipated move of releasing one of last year’s starters, Joe Schobert. Schobert had his contract terminated Thursday, bringing the Steelers a $7.834 million savings off the salary cap....
A 6-pack of NCAA Tournament questions to crack open with Mike DeCourcy
Whenever March rolls around I love talking about college basketball with Mike DeCourcy. An alum of Elizabeth Forward, Point Park and The Pittsburgh Press, DeCourcy now covers the sport for Sporting News, Fox Sports and the Big Ten Network. Assuming a few six-packs will be consumed around our region during...
Pirates’ Nick Gonzales takes MLB ranking as top 2B in minors in stride
Nick Gonzales admits he was “definitely nervous” about participating in his first spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates last year, given the expectations attached to being their 2020 first-round pick. Now, he is wearing a new label. MLB Pipeline ranked Gonzales the No. 1 second baseman in the minor leagues,...
Wright State beats Bryant for NCAA Tournament win
DAYTON, Ohio — Tanner Holden had 37 points and 11 rebounds and Wright State beat Bryant, 93-82, on Wednesday night for its first NCAA Tournament victory. Playing inside the University of Dayton Arena just 12 miles from its home court, Wright State (22-13) advanced to play top-seeded Arizona in San...
AP source: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers agree to $162 million, 6-year deal
Freddie Freeman is headed home to Southern California and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The first-time free agent and the Dodgers have agreed to a $162 million, six-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity late Wednesday...
Notre Dame beats Rutgers in double-OT to cap First Four
DAYTON, Ohio — Paul Atkinson Jr. was in the right place at the right time for Notre Dame as the clock wound down in the second overtime period against relentless Rutgers. Atkinson rebounded a missed shot by Blake Wesley and put back a layup with 1.4 seconds left to give...
First Call: Mike Tomlin praises specific Steelers draft prospect; advice for JuJu; Jaromir Jagr’s video for Alex Ovechkin
In Thursday’s “First Call,” it’s clear that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has eyes for at least one Georgia Bulldog in the draft. Josh Allen is giving an emphatic thumbs up to Mitch Trubisky. JuJu Smith-Schuster is getting some advice about how to angle his free agency. Jaromir Jagr congratulates...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans lob barbs back and forth over the Mitch Trubisky signing — and my opinions on it
I know, Steelers fans. You now love Mitch Trubisky. The very thought of him replacing Ben Roethlisberger would’ve turned your stomach two years ago. But it’s easy to pretend you never thought that way now. In fact, let’s just say it. Getting Trubisky will work out better for the Pittsburgh...
Pittsburgh dining options aplenty during NCAA Tournament
March Madness has arrived in Pittsburgh, bringing an influx of thousands of fans to town. And, hey, someone has to feed them. Pittsburgh features places to dine offering everything from hamburgers and pizzas to steak and seafood — most within walking distance of PPG Paints Arena (home to NCAA men’s...
Fresh to Baylor, Jeremy Sochan and Kendall Brown big for defending champsVideo
Kendall Brown was a five-star recruit whose dad is a former Harlem Globetrotters player. Jeremy Sochan was born in Oklahoma, grew up in England and has played basketball in Poland and Germany. The freshmen are roommates at Baylor and have played significant roles in the defending national champion Bears being...
Arizona’s Lloyd pulling all the right strings in first yearVideo
TUCSON, Ariz. — Tommy Lloyd has an unpretentious manner forged during formative years in rural southern Washington, professional years in Spokane. Thoughts, words and decisions are measured, the emotional tides of more mercurial coaches a waste of energy to him. Credit is deflected, attention for someone else. This outwardly easygoing...
Hoop hype: March Madness brackets get America talking againVideo
Wagering on all those parlays and long shots on the betting app: fun. Filling out a bracket and waiting for the upsets to begin: that’s why they call this March Madness. Legal sports gambling across wide swaths of the United States might have made the next three weeks’ worth of...
Engaging Oscar Tshiebwe thriving on, off the court with KentuckyVideo
LEXINGTON, Ky. — An engaging Oscar Tshiebwe has won over Kentucky basketball fans with his record-breaking play on the court and affable personality off of it. The 6-foot-9 native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo anchors the No. 7 Wildcats’ attack with his tenacity on the court, including rebounding...
History-making Providence eyes deep run in NCAA TournamentVideo
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — With his team on the verge accomplishing something that never had been done in Providence basketball history last month, Ed Cooley allowed himself to get lost in the moment. The Friars were comfortably in front of Creighton, and there was about a minute to play before they...
Former CEO, law firm partner Griff Aldrich has Longwood hoops on the riseVideo
FARMVILLE, Va. — In this small central Virginia town called Farmville, the claim to fame has been massive furniture warehouses that promise to satisfy any shopper’s preferred style. It isn’t known as an NCAA Tournament town. This week, both things are true. Welcome to Longwood University, where Griff Aldrich, a...
Browns await Deshaun Watson’s decision, sign more free agents
CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson hasn’t made up his mind, forcing the Cleveland Browns to play a waiting game they might lose. One day after making its recruiting pitch to Watson, Cleveland still hadn’t heard from the controversial Houston quarterback, who is considering at least three other teams before agreeing to...
NHL trade deadline could be full of last-minute deals
Don Waddell’s phone is not ringing much right now. The seasoned NHL executive expects that to change this weekend. “It always does,” he said. Waddell’s Carolina Hurricanes are among the many contenders with limited salary cap space that could wait until much closer to the trade deadline Monday to stockpile...
AP source: Schwarber, Phils agree to deal for about $80M
PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Schwarber is coming to Philadelphia, agreeing Wednesday to a four-year deal with the Phillies worth about $80 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. A 29-year-old slugging...
Von Miller leaves L.A. for Buffalo as free agency begins
Russell Wilson to Denver, Carson Wentz to Washington, Amari Cooper to Cleveland. Chandler Jones to Las Vegas, Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson to the LA Chargers, Brandon Scherff to Jacksonville. So what if it’s old news? Here’s some brand new news: Super Bowl champion linebacker Von Miller is leaving Los...
