U.S./World Sports category, Page 173
Brad Keselowski looks to defend Talladega win, save his NASCAR seasonVideo
TALLADEGA, Ala. — The winningest active driver at Talladega Superspeedway might be able to save his season Sunday by defending last year’s victory. Brad Keselowski isn’t banking on a seventh Talladega win, though. But if it’s in reach, well, Keselowski won’t hold back in search of his first victory since...
Cantlay, Schauffele shatter 54-hole mark, take 5-shot leadVideo
AVONDALE, La. — Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele played the back nine in 8-under-par 28 and shot a 12-under 60 in best-ball play Saturday to shatter the Zurich Classic three-round record at 29-under and stretch their lead to five strokes. Cantlay and Schauffele broke the 54-hole mark of 23-under. Jonas...
Former Latrobe stars have map to follow to overseas pro basketball leagues
Professional basketball outside of the country could await former Latrobe teammates Austin Butler and Jake Biss, but what comes along with it remains somewhat of a mystery to the backcourt stalwarts. Should they not play stateside … There’s the living out of suitcases part. The strange cities part. The language...
Cantlay, Schauffele maintain 1-shot lead in Zurich ClassicVideo
AVONDALE, La. — Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele shot a 4-under-par 68 in alternate-shot play Friday at windswept TPC of Louisiana to maintain a one-stroke lead in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup partners opened with a tournament-record 59 on Thursday in best-ball play....
Ty Gibbs wins races but is viewed as NASCAR’s newest villainVideo
TALLADEGA, Ala. — First things first when it comes to Ty Gibbs and his latest controversy: Gibbs didn’t want to waste any time removing his helmet as he and Sam Mayer argued at Martinsville Speedway. What started as some jawing between Xfinity Series rivals on pit road escalated into a...
Newberry: Amid increasing abuse, officials flee youth sports
ATLANTA — When one looks at the ugly bruise encircling Kristi Moore’s left eye, it’s not surprising so many refs and umps are hanging up their stripes. Why put up with incessant taunts and threats from out-of-control parents? Why fret over potential violence — even the chance of losing your...
Pit concerns dissipate as IndyCar drivers crank up speedVideo
INDIANAPOLIS — Jimmie Johnson posted the fastest lap of his career Thursday as IndyCar drivers got back to work at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This time, there were no spins, no crashes and not as much talk about the slick warmup lane. Instead, drivers raced toward the top of the speed...
Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele open with 59 to lead Zurich Classic
AVONDALE, La. — Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are a good team even when they’re playing for cash and not just a flag. Cantlay holed a 25-foot eagle putt early and chipped in from 40 feet for birdie late, while Schauffele contributed six birdies of his own, and their three...
Kyle Busch steadily cementing a Hall of Fame NASCAR careerVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A cascade of boos rained down on Kyle Busch after his surprise win at Bristol Motor Speedway, a moment that reminded him of the icy reception the late Dale Earnhardt received after a controversial 1999 win at the track. But this wasn’t even close to that. Earnhardt...
Gonzaga stars Chet Holmgren, Andrew Nembhard declare for NBA DraftVideo
SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga stars Chet Holmgren and Andrew Nembhard announced Thursday they will enter the NBA Draft. Holmgren is expected to be a top-five pick, and Nembhard is projected as a likely second-rounder. Holmgren arrived at Gonzaga as one of the most lauded recruits in program history, a 7-footer...
2 months after Brittney Griner’s arrest, mystery surrounds her case
For another person in another country at another time, the case might have been a minor matter: an American citizen detained at an airport for allegedly possessing a cannabis derivative legal in much of the world. But the circumstances for Brittney Griner couldn’t have been worse. Griner, a WNBA All-Star...
Jay Wright resigns as Villanova coach; Kyle Neptune takes over
PHILADELPHIA — Jay Wright shocked college basketball Wednesday night with his immediate resignation at Villanova, the Big East program he led to two national championships and four Final Fours in a Hall of Fame career. The 60-year-old Wright guided Villanova to titles in 2016 and 2018 and just led the...
Fox Sports makes Easter Sunday a NASCAR ratings success
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dirt will be back on NASCAR’s schedule next year and likely on Easter Sunday again if Fox Sports has its way. NASCAR delivered the most-watched race at Bristol Motor Speedway since 2016 on Sunday night when an average 4,007,000 viewers tuned in as the Cup Series raced...
Coordinator changes spice up spring practices at Big Ten schoolsVideo
MADISON, Wis. — During an offseason in which more than one out of every five Football Bowl Subdivision programs changed head coaches, the Big Ten was the lone conference that didn’t see a single move. But that doesn’t mean the league stood pat. While all 14 Big Ten members returned...
Duke’s Paolo Banchero declares for NBA DraftVideo
Duke’s Paolo Banchero is leaping to the NBA after one season as a candidate to be the No. 1 overall draft pick. The 6-foot-10, 250-pound freshman announced his decision in a social media video Wednesday, with the school saying he planned to hire an agent. “It has always been a...
Masters champ Scheffler returns to work, partners with Palmer in New OrleansVideo
AVONDALE, La. — One of the perks from winning the Masters is recognition that comes from outside the world of golf. For Scottie Scheffler, that included a letter from fellow Dallas resident and former President George W. Bush. One problem. “His handwriting is really hard to read,” Scheffler said Wednesday....
Watson embraced by teammates in Browns’ offseason programVideo
BEREA, Ohio — Deshaun Watson made a strong impression on his new teammates long ago, scrambling for first downs and rifling touchdown passes while becoming an elite quarterback playing in Houston. Now in Cleveland, the impression he makes off the field might matter more. Acquired from the Texans in a...
Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe to return for senior seasonVideo
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky forward Oscar Tshiebwe will return for his senior year with the Wildcats after a breakout season in which he swept national player of the year awards. The 6-foot-9 Tshiebwe announced his decision Wednesday on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “I’ll be here next year for Kentucky,” he said. The...
Wimbledon bans players from Russia, Belarus over Ukraine war
LONDON — Tennis players from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to play at Wimbledon this year because of the war in Ukraine, the All England Club announced Wednesday. Among the prominent men’s players affected by the ban are reigning U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who recently reached No....
With expansion on hold, College Football Playoff settles in
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — As college football tries to navigate unprecedented upheaval, the status quo holds with the College Football Playoff that crowns its national champion. The playoff is likely to stick with the current four-team format through the end of its contract. It has no plans to engage players on...
Palmer Jackson selected to U.S. Palmer Cup team
Palmer Jackson is named after the late, great Arnold Palmer, so it’s only fitting the Notre Dame star gets to play in an event named after “The King.” Jackson, a junior and Franklin Regional product, was selected to play in the Arnold Palmer Cup, a prestigious event that matches college...
Column: Jordan Spieth crossing $50M a reminder of Tiger Woods’ standardVideo
Not even inflation can diminish the dominance of Tiger Woods. The latest reminder came at Hilton Head when Jordan Spieth overcame an 18-inch miss Saturday and a three-shot deficit Sunday to beat Patrick Cantlay in a playoff for his 13th career PGA Tour victory. Along with a tartan jacket (he...
Ukrainian runners show national pride at Boston MarathonVideo
BOSTON — As he faced the hills and headwinds in the Boston Marathon, Dmytro Molchanov couldn’t stop thinking of friends and family back home in Ukraine. “When it was really tough, I tried not to give up and tried pushing, kind of fight with myself the way Ukrainians are fighting...
Duke big man Mark Williams entering NBA DraftVideo
Big man Mark Williams is the first of Duke’s multiple NBA prospects to say he’s leaving to enter the draft. The 7-foot-1, 242-pound sophomore announced his decision in a social media video Monday evening. “Playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine, just like how (attending) Duke...
Column: Bristol on dirt was messy, unusual entertainmentVideo
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Credit must be given to NASCAR for at long last shaking up the status quo and trying new things, no matter how outlandish the idea. Progressive thinking is how the Cup Series wound up back at dirt-covered Bristol Motor Speedway for a second consecutive year, this time...
