Sports category, Page 286
March Madness: Mount St. Mary’s beats American 83-72 in First Four to earn date with No. 1 DukeVideo
DAYTON, Ohio — Dola Adebayo and Jedy Cordilla scored 22 points each as Mount St. Mary’s defeated American University, 83-72, in an NCAA Tournament matchup of No. 16 seeds at the First Four on Wednesday night. The Mountaineers (23-12) earned a date with No. 1 seed Duke on Friday in...
Robert Morris hopes to become latest No. 15 seed to beat the odds and take down a No. 2Video
Rarely mentioned but highly dependable, Robert Morris guard D.J. Smith never met a challenge he wouldn’t accept. Buckle up. This one should be a doozy. “It’s always great to be on the highest stage,” Smith said. “I’ve played against a lot of pro guys in … national tournaments. It’s just...
West Virginia’s Baker is ‘resilient’ after NCAA Tournament snub and losing DeVries to IndianaVideo
First, West Virginia was a surprising omission from the NCAA Tournament. Then, the Mountaineers lost their coach. It has been a lousy week for a school now facing its third men’s basketball coaching change in 21 months, all occurring since Wren Baker became West Virginia’s athletic director. He has become...
Struggling with free throws, Wofford’s Filewich turns to granny-style — with help from Rick BarryVideo
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kyler Filewich doesn’t go to the free-throw line looking for style points, just those that count on the scoreboard for Wofford. That’s why the 6-foot-9 center from Winnipeg, Manitoba, asked coaches for tips, leading him to switch from the traditional shot attempt to a throwback style. Granny-style....
Steelers add another defensive lineman, sign Esezi Otomewo to 1-year contract
The Pittsburgh Steelers added a third depth piece along the defensive line Wednesday when they signed former Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars lineman Esezi Otomewo to a one-year contract. Earlier this week, the Steelers re-signed former fifth-round pick Isaiahh Loudermilk and added free agent Daniel Ekuale, formerly of the New...
Pirates reliever Colin Holderman aims to reclaim role as setup man, as Pirates lose to Rays
Colin Holderman claims he had the best offseason of his baseball career, one where he prioritized his diet and strength training to gain weight back while adding new pitches to his repertoire. The Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever had no shortage of motivation, given his poor performance at the most critical...
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. thinks Steelers could take quarterback in 1st round — if right one is available
In his most recent mockup, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. based his first-round selection for the Pittsburgh Steelers on the belief that they would have a veteran quarterback, presumably Aaron Rodgers, in place before the draft. Kiper slotted Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon to the Steelers with the No. 21...
Pitt notebook: Putting on pads will give Pat Narduzzi opportunity to ‘see what we really have’
Coach Pat Narduzzi and staff will get serious Saturday when Pitt’s players strap on full gear for the first full live practice of the spring. The closed session — scheduled for Acrisure Stadium, weather permitting — will consist of more than 100 plays, the coach said. “Full live is an...
Banning the tush push and changes to playoff seeding are among proposed NFL rule changes
The Green Bay Packers have formally proposed a rule change to ban the tush push and the Detroit Lions proposed that playoff seeding be done based on record instead of automatically placing division winners in the top four spots. Teams made several other proposals released Wednesday that will be added...
After a challenging season, UConn is hoping to make a run at 3rd straight national title
STORRS, Conn. — Not long after seeing the path ahead in UConn’s quest for a third consecutive national title, coach Dan Hurley was determined not to repeat the error of his ways. The last time the Huskies lost an NCAA Tournament game they had not gotten over a loss in...
Commissioner Gary Bettman says the NHL and NHLPA will begin CBA talks in early April
MANALAPAN, Fla. — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league and the Players’ Association will sit down to begin negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement the week of April 1. At his news conference wrapping up the general managers’ annual spring meeting, Bettman said he did not expect either...
Vikings committed to J.J. McCarthy as starting QB after considering Aaron Rodgers, AP source says
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings have committed to moving forward with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback this season after deciding not to offer Aaron Rodgers a contract, a person with knowledge of the decision said Wednesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the...
Cooper Flagg has seized the spotlight all year, and he’s the biggest star heading into March Madness
A hobbled Cooper Flagg was determined to celebrate top-ranked Duke’s latest Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title by snipping a piece of the net, even after missing two straight games. So he crossed a sea of scattered confetti and began climbing a ladder, with fans, teammates and media members closely watching...
March Madness: Rick Pitino has No. 2 seed St. John’s back in NCAAs after latest coaching revival
NEW YORK — Standing in the middle of a sold-out Madison Square Garden, confetti sticking to his suit, Rick Pitino was asked about his remarkable basketball odyssey and latest Big East championship. “I saved the best for last,” the 72-year-old Hall of Fame coach pronounced, bringing a March Madness roar...
Here are some non-traditional ways to fill in your March Madness bracket
You’ve spent the whole season glued to the scores and rankings. You’ve memorized players’ names and stats. Selection Sunday has come and gone, and now it’s time for March Madness — and you feel certain that your uber-informed NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament bracket will dominate the work poll....
Mark Madden: It’s long past time for the Penguins to tank, even if they don’t know how
The Penguins ran out of fool’s gold Tuesday night when their four-game win streak came crashing to a halt against the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena. Much of what’s wrong with the Penguins this season was on display in the third period as they saw a 2-0 lead...
Pirates right-hander Jared Jones experiencing elbow soreness, will miss final start of spring
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced Wednesday morning that right-hander Jared Jones is experiencing right elbow soreness after his most recent bullpen session. “He’s not going to make his next start in spring training, that’s for sure,” Shelton told reporters in Bradenton, Fla. “I think, with that being said, we’re...
Penguins’ response to blown lead personifies changing view of Tristan Jarry’s improved playVideo
It used to be that a result like Tuesday’s would be the type that would get a Penguins goalie skewered in Pittsburgh. Particularly Tristan Jarry. Even if he had little to do with the collapse. The Penguins blew a 2-0 lead in the third period to the New York Islanders...
First Call: Steelers reportedly ‘getting closer’ on QB situation; Bill Cowher endorses Russell Wilson
We might have some movement on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback front, and it may be Aaron Rodgers-related. Bill Cowher has some thoughts on what the Steelers should do at quarterback. A little controversy is following a new Steeler out of Cleveland. And we have an update on Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit...
Tim Benz: On Steelers QB front, Cam Heyward speaks for all of us when he says, ‘Ugghh’
On his most recent “Not Just Football” podcast, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward had a lot to say about the team’s elongated quarterback search. When he ran out of words, he actually said a lot more. “I think, just (insert exasperated sigh here) … I want to play football,”...
Joona Koppanen makes impression, scores 1st NHL goal in season debut with PenguinsVideo
The firsthand knowledge of how difficult it is to ascend to the NHL breeds a deep appreciation amongst players when their teammates debut or accomplish career firsts. First goals are particularly special moments, not only for the player himself who finds the back of a NHL net, but also his...
Lefty Caleb Ferguson wanted a chance to start for the Pirates but has thrived out of bullpen
Caleb Ferguson signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on a promise that he would get a chance to be a starting pitcher but with the understanding that he was willing to perform in any role. Most of the 28-year-old left-hander’s major league experience has come out...
Penguins collapse in 3rd period, lose to Islanders
There is potentially plenty of benefit for the Pittsburgh Penguins to meekly close out the remainder of the 2024-25 season with as few victories as possible. Presumably, a poorer record would increase the chances of better selections in the NHL’s draft this June. But the players on the current roster...
Last-second layup lifts Alabama State over Saint Francis in First Four
DAYTON, Ohio — Amarr Knox’s layup with a second left lifted Alabama State to its first NCAA Tournament win Tuesday night, 70-68 over Saint Francis in a matchup of No. 16 seeds at the First Four. Knox scored 16 points to help the Hornets (20-15) earn a date with No....
West Virginia loses coach Darian DeVries to Indiana
Indiana hired Darian DeVries as their new coach, school officials announced Tuesday. DeVries spent this past season as West Virginia’s coach. He spent the previous six at Drake. DeVries replaces former Indiana star Mike Woodson, who announced last month he would be stepping down at the end of his fourth...
