Sports category, Page 329
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...
Eli Holstein learned leadership long before he became Pitt’s starting quarterback
Eli Holstein knows the drill. He is Pitt’s starting quarterback and, as such, he is expected to learn the playbook better than he knows his name, get the football out of his hand on time and fight for those extra, precious yards — even when confronted by a taller, heavier...
Andy Toole will lead Robert Morris into NCAA Tournament while seeing beyond the game
Andy Toole’s quarter-century in college basketball is reflected in six— soon to be seven — NCAA Tournament appearances, championships won in three conferences as a player and coach and, most importantly, the impact he makes on young people. Yet stories involving Robert Morris’ coach go beyond the game. This week,...
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani deliver in MLB season opener
TOKYO — Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five strong innings, Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice and the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs, 4-1, on Tuesday in MLB’s season opener at the Tokyo Dome. Playing in front of their home country, Yamamoto and Cubs...
2-time Super Bowl champ Brandon Graham retires after 15 seasons with Eagles
Brandon Graham’s career in Philadelphia began with criticisms that he was a first-round bust and ended with him being one of the most beloved Eagles players of his generation. Graham retired Tuesday following a 15-year career in Philly that was highlighted by his role in the defensive play that helped...
David Bednar’s clean inning a confidence boost for Pirates, who top Phillies on walk-off homer
Thomas Harrington was nervous before his first spring training start, even though the right-hander ranked the Pittsburgh Pirates’ No. 3 prospect was thrilled to still be in big-league camp. David Bednar was more relieved after his performance as the two-time All-Star battling to keep his closer job relied on his...
2026 NFL Draft: Main stage to be outside Acrisure Stadium; Point State Park to host festival
Steelers Nation can take some credit for bringing the league’s largest offseason event to Pittsburgh. And, for the NFL Draft next year, they’ll be taking over Point State Park, the anticipated venue of a free fan festival known as the NFL Draft Experience, documents show. Cities compete to host the...
Steelers’ Cam Heyward to Aaron Rodgers: Either you wanna be a Steeler or you don’t
Cameron Heyward is tired of being in the dark about Aaron Rodgers’ potential signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers has put the Steelers — as well as the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings — on hold regarding his football future. He hasn’t made a decision a week into NFL...
Steelers host Pitt kicker Ben Sauls for predraft visit
Ben Sauls, one of the most prolific kickers in Pitt history, had an official predraft visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday. Sauls does not count against the 30-player limit because he attended a “local” college. Although the Steelers are set at kicker with Chris Boswell, they do bring a...
Johni Broome of Auburn, Cooper Flagg of Duke unanimous picks to lead the AP All-America team
One is a fifth-year senior who began his career at a mid-major, the other a first-year wunderkind recruited by everyone. The first is a now leading a program on the rise, while the other is the unmistakable star for a traditional power. Johni Broome of Auburn and Cooper Flagg of...
The Rise of the SEC: How a league known for the gridiron became became kings of college basketball
Porter Moser spent three seasons in the Big 12 before shepherding Oklahoma to the Southeastern Conference, making the longtime coach uniquely suited to compare the erstwhile best conference in America to the current king of college hoops. “The things is, there is no bottom,” Moser explained. “That’s what we felt...
Penguins’ Tristan Jarry expected to make 5th straight start
The Pittsburgh Penguins plan to start netminder Tristan Jarry on Tuesday evening at home vs. the New York Islanders, coach Mike Sullivan revealed following his club’s morning skate in Cranberry. For Jarry, it’ll make five consecutive starts. Jarry has helped the Penguins to a four-game winning streak, matching a season-best...
