Illinois tries to erase memories of previous matchups with UConn heading into Final Four
INDIANAPOLIS — Illinois coach Brad Underwood doesn’t need any reminders about what happened the last two times his team faced UConn. He can just plug in the game tapes, rewind them and watch them again. Back in November, the Huskies led wire-to-wire in a 74-61 victory. Two years ago in...
Penn State’s Cooper Cousins on growing at guard, his new look, and the size of PSU’s DTs
UNIVERSITY PARK — If you get a chance to take a closer look at Penn State’s football players and coaches at the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium in late April, you will notice many things look different. Interior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins is now a veteran, entering his third season...
Westmoreland college notebook: Belle Vernon’s Whitlock enters transfer portal to leave IUP
One of the most prolific playmakers to come out of Belle Vernon is looking to cash in after a big season at IUP. Devin Whitlock, a wide receiver who earned All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference first-team honors last season, has entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to his representatives with The...
‘Hoist the cone’: Players, fans embrace Pirates’ viral dugout celebrationsVideo
When diehard Pirates fan Ricky Duncan saw the Pirates “hoist the cone” meme going viral, he knew he had to show up and show out for the Bucs’ home opener Friday. Duncan spent Friday afternoon tailgating and walking throughout PNC Park with a felt traffic cone on his head. “I...
President Trump signs executive order that aims to stabilize college sports
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday aimed at restoring “order, fairness and stability” to college athletics. The order directs federal agencies to bolster the effectiveness of key rules on transferring, eligibility and pay-for-play by evaluating whether violations of such rules render a university unfit for federal grants and...
Tim Benz: Now that Konnor Griffin is up, tomorrow needs to be todayVideo
In the 34 years since the Pittsburgh Pirates were eliminated from the 1992 National League Championship Series, the list of things that this franchise does better than other MLB clubs is very short. In fact, the list might simply be one entry: selling the future. Whatever semblance of a fan...
Bob Nutting 1-on-1: After pumping up payroll, Pirates owner says ‘today really feels different’
Bob Nutting had every reason to smile before the Pittsburgh Pirates played their home opener Friday as PNC Park was abuzz with anticipation for the major-league debut of Konnor Griffin. The energy inside the ballpark was decidedly different because the Pirates pumped up their Opening Day payroll north of $100...
NFL announces Steelers’ offseason workout schedule
The Pittsburgh Steelers begin voluntary offseason workouts in less than a week, according to a schedule released Friday by the NFL. Each team can hold a nine-week program focused on training, teaching and physical conditioning under the league’s collective bargaining agreement. The Steelers’ start date is Tuesday. Teams with a...
NFL Draft top prospect profile: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State WR
TribLive is highlighting the top prospects leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The three-day event is April 23-25. Jordyn Tyson Position: Wide receiver Height/weight: 6-foot-2/203 pounds College: Arizona State Tyson was leading the Big 12 in receptions last fall when hamstring injuries interrupted the Preseason All-American’s season....
Konnor Griffin’s Pirates teammates excited for big-league arrival of 19-year-old top prospect
As Konnor Griffin navigated what undoubtedly has been a dizzying lead-up to a highly anticipated MLB debut Friday afternoon, reminders of home have abounded. Griffin’s parents, Kim and Kevin, arrived at PNC Park for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener, ready to watch their 19-year-old son — the top-ranked prospect in...
Report: Duquesne’s Jimmie Williams to enter transfer portal
Jimmie Williams, a junior guard at Duquesne, plans to enter the transfer portal, according to League Ready. Williams, a 6-foot-guard, averaged 15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in one season for the Dukes. He shot 46.4% from the field and was the only member of the Dukes to start...
Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones undergoes shoulder surgery
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones underwent surgery on his right shoulder and will miss the remainder of the season. The surgery took place March 18 and was announced by the team Friday. The prescribed recovery time is four to six months. Jones is expected to be ready for the start...
Penguins prospect Rutger McGroarty navigates ‘ups and downs’ of his 2nd pro season
One way or another, Rutger McGroarty will be on a playoff team. But it remains to be seen if he’ll be competing for the Stanley Cup. Or the Calder Cup. At the moment, it would appear the latter is a surer bet. That’s because the Pittsburgh Penguins have yet to...
Penguins assign forward Avery Hayes to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Pittsburgh Penguins rookie forward Avery Hayes was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL). The team announced the transaction on Friday but the assignment was reflected on the AHL’s website on Thursday evening. In 13 NHL games this season, the right-handed Hayes has three goals while averaging 10:38...
Mark Madden: The Pirates made a bold move with Konnor Griffin, but it can’t stop there
I never thought the Pittsburgh Pirates would sign Konnor Griffin long-term. I never thought the overlap of having both Griffin and Paul Skenes would be as lengthy as it now could be. Might be three years beyond this one. I never thought the Pirates would suddenly show legit ambition concerning anything...
Joe Starkey: Top 10 most memorable Pirates’ openers at PNC Park
Don Kelly will try to Buc history Friday. It has been 58 years since a Pirates manager won his first home opener. The likes of Chuck Tanner, Jim Leyland and Clint Hurdle — not to mention Bill Virdon, Gene Lamont, Lloyd McClendon, John Russell, Jim Tracy and Derek Shelton —...
Konnor Griffin’s MLB debut has the baseball world talking about his potential for the Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates promoting Konnor Griffin to make his major league debut in the home opener was the talk of the baseball world Thursday, and with good reason. The 19-year-old shortstop is the consensus No. 1 prospect in the game, has dominated every level of the minor leagues and is...
Mike McCarthy brings stellar NFL Draft track record to Steelers war room
The Pittsburgh Steelers will select a record-breaking player in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft if Mike McCarthy can repeat what he did in Green Bay and Dallas. Sure, that’s a lot to ask. But his first draft pick in Green Bay became the Packers’ all-time leading tackler:...
First Call: Ex-Steeler says Mike Tomlin ‘created dysfunction;’ Charlie Batch won’t waver on Aaron Rodgers
Friday’s “First Call” has an interesting critique of Mike Tomlin from a former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker. Charlie Batch is sticking by his story as to what is going on with Aaron Rodgers. An ex-Steelers safety is heading to a division rival. We examine a busy night in the NHL’s Eastern...
Huff and West Virginia secure overtime win over Stanford
LAS VEGAS — Honor Huff scored eight of his 21 points in overtime, and West Virginia beat Stanford, 82-77, on Thursday night in the College Basketball Crown quarterfinals. Huff shot 5 for 14 from the field and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line for the Mountaineers (19-14). Treysen Eaglestaff...
Pirates farm report for April 2, 2026: Endy Rodriguez homers as Indianapolis falls to 0-6
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 0-6) remained winless on the season with a 9-8 loss to Columbus (Guardians). RHP Brandan Bidois (0-2, 9.00) gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth to take the loss. RHP Noah Davis (3.72) started and pitched 4 ⅔ scoreless, no-hit innings, striking out three and...
Penguins, goaltender Stuart Skinner struck down by Lightning
The Pittsburgh Penguins don’t necessarily have a starting goaltender. But they have one who has been getting a few more starts than the other as of late. Such was the case Thursday as Stuart Skinner was in net for the Penguins for a second consecutive game. With Skinner making 27...
Hubbard’s bold finish gives him a 1-shot lead in Texas Open
SAN ANTONIO — Mark Hubbard was bold all the way to the end, taking on a creek at the par-5 18th and converting his sixth birdie over his final eight holes Thursday to post a 7-under-par 65 at dark for one-shot lead in the storm-delayed opening round at the Valero...
McCarthy has heavy hand in offense but still values offensive coordinator, QB coach
PHOENIX — He’s a head coach who calls his own plays, and he has acknowledged he “has to be in that quarterbacks (position meeting) room.” In that sense, from the outside, it would seem that new Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, in theory, wouldn’t even need an offensive coordinator or...
2-time All-Pro cornerback Gilmore announces his retirement
Two-time All-Pro cornerback and 2019 NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, who last played in 2024, has announced his retirement. Gilmore issued an Instagram post Thursday that showed video highlights of his career and closed with the message, “The game ends here, but the journey continues.” “To...
