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2 hours ago

Sources: Frustrated players ask for removal of MLBPA's Bruce Meyer

Player leaders expressed frustration at Major League Baseball Players Association executives during a Zoom call Monday night, the culmination of a week in which players advocated for the ouster of the union's chief labor negotiator, sources told ESPN. On a call with dozens of player representatives from the major and minor league units of the union that lasted nearly three hours, a majority of players in an informal vote told MLBPA executive director Tony Clark they wanted to replace deputy executive director Bruce Meyer with Harry Marino, the lawyer who spearheaded the unionization efforts of minor league players, sources said. Clark, who has the ability to hire and fire staff members, declined to levy a judgment on Meyer's future during the call, according to sources. Clark, Meyer and Marino declined comment when reached by ESPN. The move by players came amid an offseason that has seen a billion-dollar decrease in spending by major league teams and the extended free agency of...
2 hours ago
3 hours ago

Alex Ovechkin reaches 20 goals in 19th consecutive season

CALGARY, Alberta -- Alex Ovechkin scored twice, becoming the third player in NHL history to have at least 20 goals in 19 consecutive seasons and lifting the Washington Capitals past the Calgary Flames 5-2 on Monday night in a critical game in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. The 38-year-old Ovechkin had two power-play goals in the second period as Washington won its third straight game. He joined Gordie Howe (22) and Brendan Shanahan (19) as the only players to achieve the goal-scoring feat. Dylan Strome, Hendrix Lapierre and Tom Wilson also scored for Washington (33-25-9), which moved into the second wild-card spot in the East, one point ahead of the idle Detroit Red Wings. It's the first time the Capitals have occupied a playoff spot since Jan. 2. Kevin Rooney and MacKenzie Weegar scored for Calgary (33-30-5). The Flames finished 2-2-0 in a four-game homestand. Washington goalie Charlie Lindgren...
3 hours ago
3 hours ago

Sources: Lakers' Christian Wood to have procedure, out several weeks

LOS ANGELES -- Lakers forward Christian Wood will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks, sources told ESPN on Monday. Wood has been out more than a month already after experiencing swelling in the knee during the All-Star break. The 28-year-old big man signed a one-year, veterans minimum contract with the Lakers in the offseason, and he has averaged 6.9 points on 46.6% shooting (30.7% from 3) and 5.1 rebounds this season in 50 games. The Lakers hold a slim lead over the Golden State Warriors for the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference with 13 games remaining. Their regular-season finale is scheduled April 14.
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March 18

Source: Blake Snell agrees to 2-year, $62M deal with Giants

Blake Snell's prolonged free agency has ended. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner agreed to a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants on Monday, 10 days before his new team opens its regular season against his former one, the San Diego Padres, a source confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal includes an opt-out after the first season.  Snell's deal -- like those of fellow Scott Boras clients Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman, both of whom signed after spring training began -- gives him a higher average annual value in exchange for fewer length on his contract, but also allows him to re-enter free agency with the hope of experiencing a more robust market next offseason. Snell completes what has been a busy offseason for the Giants, who have made the playoffs only once in the past seven years and strived to acquire more star power for a team now led by three-time manager of the year Bob Melvin. The Giants added a new...
March 18
March 18

Sources: Chase Young signs $13M contract with Saints

Defensive end Chase Young has signed a one-year, fully guaranteed $13 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler on Monday. The Saints announced the agreement but did not release terms.  Young, who was traded from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers this past season, visited with the Saints on Monday and likes the setup of the defense, sources told ESPN. "I definitely plan to add a good piece," Young said in a video conference with New Orleans reporters Monday night. "I'm going to let my play do the talking." The 49ers acquired Young at the trade deadline, sending a compensatory third-round pick to the Commanders to bolster their talent at edge rusher. In San Francisco, Young became a prominent part of the Niners' rush packages, working in behind Clelin Ferrell in obvious passing situations. He had 2.5 sacks and 10 tackles with 16 pressures in nine regular-season...
March 18
March 18

Sources: Knicks' OG Anunoby to miss time after elbow flare-up

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby has had a post-surgical flare-up in his right elbow and is expected to miss more than just Monday night's game against the  Golden State Warriors, sources told ESPN. Anunoby -- who returned for three games following a Feb. 8 procedure to remove a loose particle from his shooting elbow -- will need for the elbow to calm down before he can return to the lineup, sources said. That timeline is currently unclear. Before Monday's game, a 119-112 win, coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters Anunoby flew home and underwent an MRI that came back negative.  The Knicks are 15-2 with Anunoby in the lineup since Jan. 1 and 9-10 with him sidelined. Anunoby's plus-297 plus-minus since joining the Knicks is third best in the NBA in that span, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Anunoby -- who arrived in a December trade from the Toronto Raptors -- is holding opponents to 35% shooting as the closest defender since Jan. 1,...
March 18
March 18

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer to make $10.875 million per year

First-year Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer will make an average of $10.875 million per year, ranking him in the top five nationally among the highest-paid coaches in college football. His eight-year contract was approved Monday by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees, and DeBoer will make $10 million in the first year of his deal that will run through Dec. 31, 2031. His compensation will increase $250,000 per year and grow to $11.75 million in the final year of the deal. DeBoer's contract is 90 percent guaranteed if he were to be fired without cause, and there is no mitigation. His buyout if he were to leave Alabama before his contract is up is $5 million in 2024, $4 million in 2025, $3 million in 2026 and nothing from 2027-31. DeBoer's average salary ranks fourth among all college football head coaches, industry sources told ESPN. Clemson's Dabo Swinney is at the top with an average annual salary of $11.5 million. Georgia's Kirby Smart and ...
March 18
March 18

Predictions as March Madness is underway

The panel discusses their favorite teams and hopeful matchups for this year's college basketball face off.
March 18
VIDEO: Predictions as March Madness is underway
March 18

Tyler Adams ready to 'contribute' after long USMNT absence

United States captain Tyler Adams thinks he can play at least 45 minutes when he returns to the national team for the first time since the 2022 World Cup for a Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Jamaica on Thursday. Adams tore his right hamstring in training with Leeds United in March 2023 and was limited to one match and 21 minutes over the next year. He returned Sept. 27 and reinjured the leg in his Bournemouth debut, requiring a second operation. Adams made it back on the field last week, playing 20 minutes against Luton Town. The rehab process was a long and enduring one, Adams said Monday during a videoconference from training camp in Arlington, Texas, after being called into Gregg Berhalter's Nations League team. "You learn a lot about yourself in those tough moments because in those moments there's no headlines about you. There's no people talking about you anymore," Adams said. "All of a sudden, you, like, fall off a cliff and you're...
March 18
March 18

DJ LeMahieu (bruised foot) to miss time; Aaron Judge back Wed.

New York Yankees third baseman DJ LeMahieu will miss some time during spring training because of a "pretty significant bone bruise" in his right foot, manager Aaron Boone said Monday, while superstar slugger Aaron Judge is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday. LeMahieu hit a foul ball off the top of his foot on Saturday, and an X-ray and CT scan came back negative for a fracture, Boone said. "He's still pretty sore, but moving around a lot better," Boone said on the YES Network telecast. "I definitely think it's going to cost him some days here." LeMahieu, 35, has a history of foot issues and won't be rushed back in the 10 days before Opening Day. Judge hasn't taken batting practice on the infield or played since March 10 due to abdominal discomfort, mostly on the follow-through of his swings. An MRI exam on March 11 was clean, and he's been participating in defensive workouts, cage work and lifting weight while undergoing treatment. He faced high-velocity...
March 18
March 18

Yankees' DJ LeMahieu to miss time with bone bruise in foot

New York Yankees third baseman DJ LeMahieu will miss some time during spring training because of "pretty significant bone bruise" in his right foot, manager Aaron Boone said Monday. LeMahieu hit a foul ball off the top of his foot on Saturday, and an X-ray and CT scan came back negative for a fracture, Boone said. "He's still pretty sore, but moving around a lot better," Boone said on the YES Network telecast. "I definitely think it's going to cost him some days here." LeMahieu, 35, has a history of foot issues and won't be rushed back in the 10 days before Opening Day.   A three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, LeMahieu batted .243 with 15 home runs and 44 RBIs in 497 at-bats over 136 games last season. In his 13-year career, he has batted .292 with a .354 on-base percentage and a .415 slugging percentage with 122 homers and 625 RBIs in 1,561 games. Meanwhile, All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge is expected to play in a game for the first time in...
March 18
March 18

Payroll error in 2022 costs 49ers '25 pick, dip in 4th in '24

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers have forfeited a 2025 draft choice and were penalized four spots for a selection in this year's draft as a result of administrative payroll accounting errors, the NFL announced Monday. The Niners will give up their original fifth-round choice in the 2025 draft and have their 2024 fourth-round selection move from No. 131 to No. 135. "We take responsibility and accept the imposed discipline from the NFL due to a clerical payroll error," the Niners said in a statement. "At no time did we mislead or otherwise deceive the league or gain a competitive advantage in connection with the payroll mistake." According to a statement from the NFL, a league review discovered the payroll accounting errors at the end of the 2022 league year that resulted in "a misreporting of the team's cumulative player compensation." "The NFL determined that the club would have remained under the salary cap at all times regardless of the error and there...
March 18
March 18

Sources: Chase Young to sign $13M contract with Saints

Defensive end Chase Young plans to sign a one-year, fully guaranteed $13 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler on Monday. Young, who was traded from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers this past season, visited with the Saints on Monday and likes the setup of the team's defense, sources told ESPN. The 49ers acquired Young at the trade deadline, sending a compensatory third-round pick to Washington to bolster their talent at edge rusher. Upon arrival in San Francisco, Young became a prominent part of the Niners' rush packages, working in behind Clelin Ferrell in obvious passing situations. He had 2.5 sacks and 10 tackles with 16 pressures in nine regular-season games with the 49ers. He also had a sack in the 49ers' Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. For the season, Young, 24, tied a career-high with 7.5 sacks, adding 25 tackles and 41 pressures...
March 18
March 18

Lionel Messi ruled out for Argentina friendlies due to injury

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's upcoming friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica because of a right hamstring injury, the country's association said Monday. The Argentina captain was substituted early in the second half of last week's 3-1 win over Nashville in the Concacaf Champions Cup because of the injury and sat out Saturday's league victory at D.C. United. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Inter Miami CF coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said after the game that Messi's condition will be evaluated "week by week." Messi, 36, had previously been included in Argentina's squad for the international friendlies against El Salvador in Philadelphia this Friday, and against Costa Rica in Los Angeles four days later, but that changed with the AFA update on Monday. ESPN Argentina reported that Messi could still link up with the national team later this week to undergo part of...
March 18
March 18

Eagles' Kenny Pickett confident how he 'handled' Steelers exit

PHILADELPHIA -- New Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett pushed back on reports that he handled the addition of Russell Wilson poorly in Pittsburgh, leading to a trade from the Steelers. "I think the communication is what it is. It was behind closed doors. I'm confident in the way that I handled it. I handled it the way I should have handled it," Pickett said at his introductory news conference Monday. "I'm excited to be here. It worked out so well that Philly was the place I ended up landing in. Everything happens for a reason and I'm right where I'm supposed to be." Pickett, 25, was traded to the Eagles on Friday along with a 2024 fourth-round pick. The Steelers received a 2024 third-round pick (No. 98) and two 2025 seventh-round picks. The deal happened not long after Wilson was signed by the Steelers. A report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said Pickett did not deal well with the acquisition of Wilson, who is expected to be the Steelers'...
March 18
March 18

Bills give CB Taron Johnson 3-year, $31M contract extension

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Another week, another big-time extension for the Buffalo Bills with the team signing nickel corner Taron Johnson to a three-year, $31 million extension, Johnson's agent Jason Chayut told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The extension makes Johnson the highest paid nickel corner and keeps him with the team through the 2027 season. The deal tops that of Kenny Moore II, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts nearly a week ago. Johnson, 27, had one year left on his previous three-year contract extension, signed during the 2021 season. He was set to account for $12.41 million in cap space this year. The Bills have performed several moves this offseason to create more cap space with extensions among them. The new contract for Johnson comes a week after the Bills signed left tackle Dion Dawkins to a three-year extension of his own. Both Johnson and Dawkins fit the Bills' approach...
March 18
March 18

Leighton Vander Esch retiring after release from Cowboys

FRISCO, Texas -- Former  Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is retiring after dealing with recurring neck issues in his six-year career. A first-round pick in 2018, Vander Esch set a Cowboys' rookie record with 176 tackles and was named to the Pro Bowl as his "Wolf Hunter" nickname became a signature call during games. He entered the NFL with questions about his neck and missed time because of neck injuries in 2019, 2022 and 2023. Vander Esch, 28, had surgery after missing seven of the final nine games in 2019 and suffered a stinger that caused him to miss the final four regular-season games in 2022 but returned for the playoffs. Last season, he had an awkward collision with Micah Parsons after being pushed from behind by left tackle Trent Williams in the second quarter of the Cowboys' Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Vander Esch did not play again, and his retirement was expected. Last week, the Cowboys released him with...
March 18
March 18

Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot retiring after NCAA tournament

Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot, who just led his team to the NCAA tournament, announced Monday that he plans to retire at the end of the season. Dambrot, who was also LeBron James' high school coach, guided the Dukes to four wins in five days at the Atlantic 10 tournament last week, earning Duquesne its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1977. The Dukes earned an 11-seed and will face BYU on Thursday. "I didn't want to cheat (the job)," Dambrot said, with the Atlantic 10 trophy the Dukes won on Sunday standing nearby. "And I just felt like I could see myself losing that edge at some point. And that's why I said, 'I don't want to end like that.' I'm not built that way." This month will mark the end of a 40-year coaching career, with 22 of those coming as a Division I head coach. Dambrot, 65, has spent the past seven seasons at Duquesne, leading the team to three 20-win seasons. He had previously been the head coach at Akron, where he guided the Zips to five...
March 18
March 18

Duquense coach Keith Dambrot retiring after NCAA tournament

Duquesne head coach Keith Dambrot, who just led his team to the NCAA tournament, announced Monday he plans to retire at the end of the season. Dambrot, who was also LeBron James' high school coach, guided the Dukes to four wins in five days at the Atlantic 10 tournament last week, earning Duquesne its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1977. The Dukes earned an 11-seed and will face BYU on Thursday. This month will mark the end of a 40-year coaching career, with 22 of those coming as a Division-I head coach. Dambrot, 65, has spent the last seven seasons at Duquesne, leading them to three 20-win seasons. He had previously been the head coach at Akron, where he guided the Zips to five regular-season division titles and three NCAA tournament appearances, leaving as the winningest coach in program history. He was also the head coach at Central Michigan in the early 1990s for two seasons. In his 22-year career as a Division I head coach, he is 440-268 overall -- with at...
March 18
March 18

Sources: Cowboys rework Dak Prescott's contract to reduce cap hit

The Dallas Cowboys are slightly reducing quarterback Dak Prescott's massive salary cap hit by reworking his contract going into the final year of the deal, sources told ESPN's Field Yates on Monday. A $5 million roster bonus has been converted into a signing bonus to reduce the 2024 cap hit by $4 million, to just over $55 million, the sources told Yates. The Cowboys can create more salary cap relief with an extension for Prescott, who is coming off a wild-card loss at home to Green Bay that dropped his playoff record to 2-5. The Cowboys are continuing attempts to sign Prescott to a contract extension, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder. While Jerry Jones has said the club plans to keep Prescott, the team owner/general manager hasn't struck the same definitive tone he did in 2021 before signing his franchise QB to a club-record $160 million, four-year contract. The reworking of the contract included adding two more voidable years in 2027 and 2028, which pushed...
March 18
March 18

Nottingham Forest deducted four points for financial rules breach

Nottingham Forest have been deducted four points for breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR), the league announced on Monday, moving the side into the relegation zone. Forest had 25 points after 29 games this season, but after Monday's deduction they will drop to 21 points and move them into 18th place, one-point behind Luton Town. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) It is the second points deduction in the Premier League this season after Everton were docked 10 points -- reduced to six after appeal -- for PSR breaches and face further punishment for another breach of the same time period as Forest. "The independent Commission determined the sanction following a two-day hearing this month, at which the club had the opportunity to detail a range of mitigating factors. The Commission found that the club had demonstrated 'exceptional cooperation' in its...
March 18
March 18

Fiorentina GM Barone on life support after cardiac arrest

Fiorentina general manager Joe Barone is on life support following a cardiac arrest, the club said on Monday. Barone fell ill Sunday at the team hotel, shortly before Fiorentina's match at Atalanta, and was rushed to a hospital in Milan. The match was subsequently postponed. Fiorentina said Sunday night that Barone, who turns 58 on Wednesday, was in "critical but stable" condition. On Monday, the club said Barone remains hospitalized in the cardiac intensive care unit at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. "Joe's vital functions are being supported by artificial mechanical support techniques. No prognosis has been set," the club said. "The Barone family, the Commisso family and all of Fiorentina thank San Raffaele and all of Prof. Alberto Zangrillo's team for the work they have done since Joe was hospitalized." Barone was born in Italy but raised in New York. His wife, Camilla, rushed up from Florence on Sunday and his four children arrived from the United States on...
March 18
March 18

Clippers after Hawks loss: 'don't think we have an identity'

LOS ANGELES -- Since returning from their longest and most successful road trip of the season in early February, the LA Clippers have not been the same team. Playing Sunday against an Atlanta Hawks squad that was without the injured Trae Young, the Clippers fell behind by as many as 29 points before losing 110-93 at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers (42-25) have lost four of their past five games and are just 8-10 since they finished their seven-game Grammy road trip 6-1 and stood at 34-15 overall on Feb. 5. "It's between the ears with us," franchise star Kawhi Leonard said. "We got to go out and do it." Paul George agreed when asked if the Clippers appear to be a veteran-laden team that thinks it can turn things on when it wants to. "I mean that's what we're appearing to look like, which is not good," George said. "We want to be a team that's consistent and we want to establish an identity. I've always spoken about having an identity and I...
March 18
March 18

Wembanyama lifts Spurs in Austin; Paris on tap next season

AUSTIN, Texas -- The San Antonio Spurs put on quite the show Sunday night in one of their homes away from home. Playing at the Moody Center just 80 miles up Interstate 35 from the Frost Bank Center, the Spurs stormed back from a 10-point deficit with just under six minutes to play to force overtime and come away with a 122-115 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Victor Wembanyama had 33 points, 15 rebounds, 7 blocks, 7 assists and several clutch plays for San Antonio. He had the go-ahead dunk in overtime as well as a crucial block on Nets guard Dennis Schroder with 25.4 left to help preserve the lead. It was originally ruled as a goal tend on the floor before officials reversed the call. "I was pretty sure I had it," Wembanyama said. "I just asked the ref casually what he thought was wrong. He said backboard first, but I knew it was going to be good." Wembanyama became the fourth player in NBA history to finish a game with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, 7...
March 18
March 18

Wembanyama lifts Spurs in Austin; Paris set for next season

AUSTIN, Texas -- The San Antonio Spurs put on quite the show Sunday night in one of their homes away from home. Playing at the Moody Center just 80 miles up Interstate 35 from the Frost Bank Center, the Spurs stormed back from a 10-point deficit with just under six minutes to play to force overtime and come away with a 122-115 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Victor Wembanyama had 33 points, 15 rebounds, 7 blocks, 7 assists and several clutch plays for San Antonio. He had the go-ahead dunk in overtime as well as a crucial block on Nets guard Dennis Schroder with 25.4 left to help preserve the lead. It was originally ruled as a goal tend on the floor before officials reversed the call. "I was pretty sure I had it," Wembanyama said. "I just asked the ref casually what he thought was wrong. He said backboard first, but I knew it was going to be good." Wembanyama became the fourth player in NBA history to finish a game with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, 7...
March 18
March 18

St. John's, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh decline invites to NIT

Dreams die hard, particularly in March. The Big East found that out Sunday as three 20-win teams -- Providence, Seton Hall and St. John's -- were all snubbed by the NCAA selection committee. St. John's arguably had the biggest gripe of the three. It finished 20-13 overall, winning six games in a row -- four of them by at least 14 points -- before a loss to overall No. 1 seed UConn in the Big East semifinals on Friday.  Red Storm coach Rick Pitino backed his team's résumé on Sunday. It ranked 24th in the Basketball Power Index (BPI), best of any squad that did not make the NCAA tournament. It also had a NET ranking of 32nd, second best among teams to miss the tournament behind  Indiana State (28th). "First off, I think we should all probably never mention that word [NET] again because I think it's fraudulent," Pitino told SNY. "I think the NET is something that shouldn't even be mentioned anymore. "I think that we had a good strength of...
March 18
March 17

St. John's, Providence, OU among NCAA tournament snubs

Dreams die hard, particularly in March. The Big East found that out Sunday as three 20-win teams -- Providence, Seton Hall and St. John's -- were all snubbed by the NCAA selection committee. St. John's arguably had the biggest gripe of the three. It finished 20-13 overall, winning six games in a row -- four of them by at least 14 points -- before a loss to overall No. 1 seed UConn in the Big East semifinals on Friday.  Red Storm coach Rick Pitino backed his team's résumé on Sunday. It ranked 24th in the Basketball Power Index (BPI), best of any squad that did not make the NCAA tournament. It also had a NET ranking of 32nd, second best among teams to miss the tournament behind  Indiana State (28th). "First off, I think we should all probably never mention that word [NET] again because I think it's fraudulent," Pitino told SNY. "I think the NET is something that shouldn't even be mentioned anymore. "I think that we had a good strength of...
March 17
March 17

South Carolina, Iowa, USC, Texas top seeds for NCAA tourney

Dawn Staley and South Carolina could see some familiar faces on their path to an undefeated season. The Gamecocks, named the No. 1 overall seed in the women's NCAA tournament Sunday, are looking to become the 10th women's basketball team to go unbeaten for an entire season. They had a chance last season before falling just short against Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Final Four. The Hawkeyes received the other No. 1 seed in the Albany Regional on Sunday. The two teams wouldn't potentially face off until the national championship game this time. Iowa is a one-seed for the first time since 1992. USC and star freshman JuJu Watkins earned the Trojans' first No. 1 seed since 1986 as the top choice in a Portland Regional. Texas earned the fourth No. 1 seed, its first since 2004, and will play Drexel in the other Portland Regional opener. There was debate whether Texas or Stanford would get the fourth No. 1 seed. "To say we talked...
March 17
March 17

St. John's, Providence among snubs for NCAA tournament

Dreams die hard, particularly in March. The Big East found that out Sunday as three 20-win teams -- Providence, Seton Hall and St. John's -- were all snubbed by the NCAA selection committee. St. John's arguably had the biggest gripe of the three. It finished 20-13 overall, winning six games in a row -- four of them by at least 14 points -- before a loss to overall No. 1 seed UConn in the Big East semifinals Friday.  Coach Rick Pitino backed his team's résumé Sunday. It ranked 24th in the Basketball Power Index (BPI), best of any squad that did not make the NCAA tournament. It also had a NET ranking of 32nd, second best among teams to miss the tournament behind Indiana State (28th). "First off, I think we should all probably never mention that word [NET] again because I think it's fraudulent," Pitino told SNY. "I think the NET is something that shouldn't even be mentioned anymore. "I think that we had a good strength of schedule. KenPom, why...
March 17
March 17

Kyrie Irving wows Mavericks with lefty hook to sink Nuggets

DALLAS -- One detail about the second game-winning buzzer-beater of  Kyrie Irving's career caught the eight-time All-Star guard by surprise. "I thought I got a little closer in the paint, but I looked at it after the game and I was pretty far out," Irving said after swishing a contested left-handed hook to give the Dallas Mavericks a 107-105 win Sunday afternoon over the defending champion Denver Nuggets. The exact distance of the buzzer-beater, according to Second Spectrum tracking, was 20.1 feet. That ranks as the second-longest hook shot made by any player this season, per the NBA.com play-by-play data. "Hell of a shot by Kyrie," said Nuggets coach Michael Malone, whose team fell to 47-21, slipping a half-game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the race for first place in the Western Conference. "Give him all the credit." The longest hook this season? That was also by Irving, when he banked one in from the top of the key in a January 3 win over...
March 17
March 17

Carlos Alcaraz tops Daniil Medvedev to defend Indian Wells title

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- Carlos Alcaraz arrived at Indian Wells full of doubt about his twisted right ankle. He's leaving as a two-time champion. He defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (5), 6-1 for the second straight year in the BNP Paribas Open final on Sunday, earning his first title since winning Wimbledon last year. Alcaraz sprained his ankle at the Rio Open in late February. His first practice at Indian Wells lasted 30 minutes without any movement. His first practice with his fellow pros "was really tough for me," he said in a Tennis Channel interview. Alcaraz outlasted Jannik Sinner in a three-set semifinal after needing three sets to get out of his second-round match. "After every match I was feeling better," Alcaraz said. "I was getting more confident after every match. Winning a Master 1000 again, a really important tournament to win, gives you motivation to keep going." Alcaraz became the first man to defend his Indian Wells title since Novak...
March 17
March 17

UConn, Houston, Purdue, North Carolina secure No. 1 seeds

Defending national champion UConn, a day removed from winning the Big East tournament and improving to 31-3, was chosen as the men's No. 1 overall seed Sunday during the NCAA tournament selection show. The Huskies, who have won seven in a row and finished 7-2 this season against teams in the Associated Press Top 25, are joined on the 1 line by Houston, Purdue and North Carolina, three teams that have been consistently in the top 10 during 2023-24 but lost in their respective conference tournaments last week. UConn will open its title defense at Barclays Center in Brooklyn against Stetson on Friday. Should the Huskies advance, they will play either Florida Atlantic or Northwestern. "It's tough no matter where you are," UConn coach Dan Hurley told ESPN's Bracketology panel after the selection show. "There's so much depth in college basketball these days. This time of year comes down to who plays the best to their identity." For the Cougars and Boilermakers, Sunday's selections mark...
March 17
March 17

Scheffler repeats at Players after Clark lip-out on 18

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- In the first 49 years of the Players Championship, there had never been a repeat winner. Jack Nicklaus couldn't do it (three times). Neither could Fred Couples (twice), Davis Love III (twice), Tiger Woods (twice) and so many others. On Sunday, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler became the first back-to-back Players winner in the 50th edition of the "fifth major" at TPC Sawgrass, chasing down Xander Schauffele from 5 strokes back at the start of the final round to win with a 72-hole total of 20 under. "It's tough enough to win one Players," said Scheffler, who closed with an 8-under 64. "So to have it back-to-back is extremely special. Yeah, really thankful." With the two most recent major championship winners, Brian Harman (The Open) and Wyndham Clark (U.S. Open), and the world's sixth-ranked golfer, Schauffele, chasing him, Scheffler could only watch from the driving range as the trio tried to make...
March 17
March 17

Trabzonspor fans storm pitch, charge players after loss to Fenerbahce

Fans of Turkey's Trabzonspor stormed the pitch and brawled with security forces and players from visiting Fenerbahce after their team lost 3-2 on Sunday, in the latest incident in a league that has been marred by controversy this season. Brazilian midfielder Fred scored twice in the first period to give Fenerbahce, who are second in the Super Lig two points behind rivals Galatasaray, a half-time lead over Trabzonspor. Macedonian midfielder Enis Bardhi curled in a free kick after 63 minutes for Trabzonspor and Trezeguet equalised with a penalty in the 78th. Fenerbahce's Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi scored an 87th-minute winner as tensions ran high between the two teams, which have a history of chaotic encounters, and with fans hurling objects onto the field. Fenerbahce's players celebrated in the centre of the pitch after the final whistle. A supporter ran onto the field and fought with Fenerbahce defender Bright Osayi-Samuel....
March 17
March 17

Duquesne wins Atlantic 10 title for first NCAA bid in 47 years

Duquesne-colored red, white and blue streamers fell from the rafters at Barclays Center with the Dukes leading by 15 in the Atlantic 10 tournament championship game, their first NCAA tournament bid in 47 years in reach. Problem was, there was still about 18 minutes left to play. Jimmy Clark III, Dae Dae Grant, coach Keith Dambrot and Duquesne eventually got the the full postgame celebration -- with a few less streamers -- beating fifth-seeded VCU 57-51 on Sunday to earn their first invite to March Madness since 1977. For the sixth-seeded Dukes (24-11), who started the conference season with a five-game losing streak, the hard way is the only way they know. "This isn't a situation we haven't been in before so we knew exactly what to do," said Clark, who scored nine points and made four free throws in the final 21 seconds left to help seal the title. The Dukes led by 14 at the half, but bringing home that long-awaited NCAA bid was a struggle. Duquesne scored only 21 points...
March 17
March 17

Yale earns Ivy League title, NCAA tournament berth on buzzer-beater

NEW YORK -- Matt Knowling hit a jumper at the buzzer and Yale closed the game on an 8-1 run to beat Brown 62-61 in the championship game of the Ivy League tournament Sunday, sending the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament for the seventh time. Kino Lilly Jr. sank two free throws to give the fourth-seeded Bears (13-18) a 60-54 lead with 27 seconds remaining. Bez Mbeng answered with a three-point play for No. 2 seed Yale (22-9) to make it a one-possession game. Nana Owusu-Anane hit the second of two free throws for Brown, but John Poulakidas buried a 3-pointer and the Bulldogs trailed 61-60 with 14 seconds left. Poulakidas fouled Malachi Ndur, who missed two free throws to set the stage for Knowling. "I don't even know. ... It's hard to process right now," Knowling said after the game. "I just wanted to put myself in a position to clean up any misses around the basket. ... I work on my floater every day and it went in and I'm at a...
March 17
March 17

Source: Patriots, ex-Vikings WR K.J. Osborn agree to deal

The New England Patriots filled a need at wide receiver by agreeing to a one-year contract with K.J. Osborn, a source told ESPN on Sunday. The agreement is for $4 million and can be worth up to $6 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Patriots had made an aggressive free agent pitch to receiver Calvin Ridley before he decided to sign with the Tennessee Titans. Even after adding Osborn, the expectation is that New England still hopes to upgrade at receiver, perhaps looking to the draft. NFL scouts view the position as one of the deepest and most talented this year, and the Patriots own the No. 3 pick, in addition to selections near the top of the second (No. 34), third (No. 68) and fourth (No. 103) rounds. Osborn joins a depth chart that is topped by veterans JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne and Jalen Reagor, as well as promising slot receiver  Demario "Pop" Douglas (2022 sixth-round pick). The Vikings...
March 17
March 17

Erik ten Hag hopes Liverpool win is Man United's 'moment'

Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United to make the thrilling FA Cup win over Liverpool "the moment" they turn their season around. Substitute Amad Diallo scored the winner in the 121st minute to seal an incredible 4-3 victory after extra time to earn United a semifinal against EFL Championship side Coventry at Wembley next month. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Ten Hag's team have endured a disappointing season, but could still end the campaign with a trophy and a place in the Champions League. "This could be the moment," Ten Hag said after the win. "The team has the belief and energy to do amazing things. When you beat Liverpool you can beat any opponent." Ten Hag faces questions about his future following the arrival of new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but the Dutchman says his players showed why he is the right man for the job with their performance against Jurgen Klopp's side. "The first 35 minutes, we showed...
March 17
March 17

Source: Browns reach deal with ex-Ravens QB Tyler Huntley

The Cleveland Browns agreed to terms with former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley on a one-year contract for the veterans minimum salary, a source told ESPN on Sunday. The Browns now have three quarterbacks on their roster behind starter Deshaun Watson. Cleveland signed Jameis Winston last week to be Watson's backup. The Browns also have Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who started three games as a rookie last season after being a fifth-round selection out of UCLA. It's more insurance for the Browns, who had to juggle quarterbacks last season when Watson injured his throwing shoulder and made just six starts, eventually needing surgery. PJ Walker, Thompson-Robinson and Joe Flacco all started games last season when Watson was injured. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said in January that Watson remains on track to return this spring from the surgery he underwent in November. Huntley has been the Ravens' primary backup...
March 17
March 17

Man Utd edge Liverpool in 4-3 thriller to make FA Cup semis

Amad Diallo scored deep in extra time after Marcus Rashford made amends for a bad miss to lift Manchester United to a 4-3 victory over rivals Liverpool and into the FA Cup semifinals on Sunday. United's victory at Old Trafford kept alive their only hope of silverware this season and spoiled Liverpool's dreams of hoisting four trophies in manager Jurgen Klopp's final campaign with the team. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Erik ten Hag's side will face Championship outfit Coventry City in the semifinals after they upset Wolves 3-2 on Saturday. "Listen to the noise -- you can tell what a big game it is, a huge occasion," Rashford told ITV. "I haven't had the season I wanted, but nights like this at Old Trafford are what it's all about. "We have to get something out of this season ... it's a massive game in the history of Manchester United." Scott McTominay gave United a 10th-minute lead, but...
March 17
March 17

Gators' Micah Handlogten suffers fractured leg in SEC final

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Florida center Micah Handlogten fractured his lower left leg in the opening minutes of the Southeastern Conference tournament final Sunday and was taken off the court on a stretcher. "You just hate to see it for him because he does everything the right way and works hard," Florida coach Todd Golden said as he fought to control his emotions after the 86-67 loss to No. 12 Auburn. "That's a super fluky injury you know that you don't see very often in this game. Playing a big-time game like this, to go out that way, I just feel for him." Handlogten, a 7-foot-1 sophomore, had two rebounds in two minutes and was trying to come down with a third when he landed awkwardly on his left foot with 17:46 remaining in the first half. He immediately went down in pain and rolled onto his side, putting his hands to his face. The sound of bone apparently breaking could be heard on TV with blood immediately visible on the back of his calf. Play...
March 17
March 17

Mavericks' Luka Doncic back in lineup after hamstring injury

DALLAS -- Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic will play Sunday against the Denver Nuggets after missing a game because of left hamstring soreness, coach Jason Kidd said. Doncic exited with 6:48 remaining in Wednesday's win over the Golden State Warriors after feeling tightness in the hamstring, ending his streak of seven consecutive triple-doubles. He did not make the trip to Oklahoma City for Thursday night's loss to the Thunder. MRI results on Doncic's hamstring were "clean," Kidd said Thursday night. Doncic leads the NBA in scoring with 34.3 points per game and ranks third in assists (9.8) and 17th in rebounds (9.0).
March 17
March 17

Jake Diebler gets 5-year deal as Ohio State basketball coach

Ohio State has promoted interim head coach Jake Diebler to the full-time role after the sides agreed to a five-year deal, the school announced Sunday. Diebler took over for Chris Holtmann in mid-February after the seventh-year head coach was fired following a 4-10 start to Big Ten play. In his first game as interim head coach, Diebler led Ohio State to a 73-69 win over then-No. 2 Purdue. The Buckeyes went 6-2 after Diebler took over, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament before narrowly losing on Friday night to Illinois, 77-74. They played themselves onto the NCAA tournament bubble with regular-season wins over the Boilermakers, Michigan State and Nebraska and then a conference tournament victory over Iowa. Diebler joined Holtmann's staff in 2019 after spending three years under Bryce Drew at Vanderbilt. The older brother of former Ohio State guard Jon Diebler, who left the Buckeyes as the Big Ten's all-time leader in 3-pointers made (he has...
March 17
March 17

Jake Diebler gets 5-year deal as Ohio State basketball coach

Ohio State has promoted interim head coach Jake Diebler to the full-time role after the sides agreed to a five-year deal, the school announced Sunday. Diebler took over for Chris Holtmann in mid-February after the seventh-year head coach was fired following a 4-10 start to Big Ten play. In his first game as interim head coach, Diebler led Ohio State to a 73-69 win over then-No. 2 Purdue. The Buckeyes went 6-2 after Diebler took over, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament before narrowly losing on Friday night to Illinois, 77-74. They played themselves onto the NCAA tournament bubble with regular-season wins over the Boilermakers, Michigan State and Nebraska and then a conference tournament victory over Iowa. Diebler joined Holtmann's staff in 2019 after spending three years under Bryce Drew at Vanderbilt. The older brother of former Ohio State guard Jon Diebler, who left the Buckeyes as the Big Ten's all-time leader in 3-pointers made (he has...
March 17
March 17

Gators' Micah Handlogten stretchered off during SEC final

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Florida center Micah Handlogten severely injured his lower left leg in the opening minutes of the Southeastern Conference tournament final Sunday and was taken off the court on a stretcher. Handlogten, a 7-foot-1 sophomore, had two rebounds in two minutes and was trying to come down with a third when he landed awkwardly on his left foot with 17:46 remaining in the first half. He immediately went down in pain and rolled onto his side, putting his hands to his face. The sound of bone apparently breaking could be heard on TV with blood immediately visible on the back of his calf. Play continued as Aden Holloway took a pass and finished a layup on the other end for No. 12 Auburn. Play then stopped with 17:39 left as trainers rushed out to tend to Handlogten, and everyone inside Bridgestone Arena went silent. His parents were brought to the court from their seats in the stands. Handlogten's leg was placed inside an air cast before he...
March 17
March 17

Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) out vs. Suns

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phoenix Suns because of left hamstring soreness. Antetokounmpo is missing his first game since March 4 against the LA Clippers, when he did not play because of a left Achilles issue. He is averaging 30.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. Antetokounmpo's absence comes as the Bucks get wing Khris Middleton back. Middleton is in the starting lineup for his first game after missing more than a month with a left ankle sprain. The Bucks enter Sunday with a one-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
March 17
March 17

Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) out vs. Suns, sources say

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play in Sunday's game against the Phoenix Suns because of left hamstring soreness, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Antetokounmpo, who was listed as questionable, will miss his first game since March 4 against the LA Clippers, when he did not play because of a left Achilles issue. Antetokounmpo's absence comes as the Bucks get wing Khris Middleton back. Middleton is set to play in his first game after missing more than a month with a left ankle sprain. The Bucks enter Sunday with a one-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
March 17
March 17

Hobart survives five hours, 4 OTs to reach D-III hockey semis

Hobart and Curry started their NCAA Division III men's hockey quarterfinal Saturday night. The game ended Sunday morning. Bauer Morrissey's goal at 15:17 of the fourth overtime -- a few minutes after midnight -- gave defending national champion Hobart a 4-3 victory and a trip back to the NCAA semifinals. Curry goalie Shane Soderwall tied the Division III men's record with 98 saves. He had stopped 61 in a row before Morrissey ended a game that lasted a little over five hours. "I kind of just blacked out," Morrissey said after Hobart's 102nd and final shot of the game. Soderwall, a freshman, matched the Division III single-game saves mark set by Justin Lochner for Augsburg against Gustavus Adolphus in what was a four-overtime Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference playoff semifinal on Feb. 27, 2010. Augsburg lost that game 6-5. Soderwall's 98 saves tied the second most in NCAA hockey history; Sirena Enright stopped 101 for Chatham in a Division III women's game against...
March 17
March 17

Jerome Bettis Jr. follows in dad's footsteps, commits to Notre Dame

It has been nearly 32 years since Jerome Bettis played football for Notre Dame, but come 2025, a new Bettis will don the Fighting Irish uniform. The Pro Football Hall of Famer's son, Jerome Bettis Jr., announced his commitment to Notre Dame on Sunday and will follow in his father's footsteps. Bettis is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect from Woodward Academy in Georgia, and he chose the Irish over Texas A&M, Duke and Ole Miss. He understands that playing for Notre Dame will naturally bring comparisons to his father, which he embraces, but he said he also wants to forge his own path. That journey started in youth football as a running back wearing the same No. 36 his father wore. He said he changed positions to wide receiver in seventh grade and switched to No. 4 in eighth grade to make a name for himself on his own merit. "One of the biggest things was changing my number, and so me really getting my number away from his, that was a big step for me realizing that at...
March 17
March 17

Jerome Bettis Jr. follows in dad's steps, commits to Notre Dame

It has been nearly 32 years since Jerome Bettis played football for Notre Dame, but come 2025, a new Bettis will don the Fighting Irish uniform. The Pro Football Hall of Famer's son, Jerome Bettis Jr., announced his commitment to Notre Dame on Sunday and will follow in his father's footsteps. The younger Bettis is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect from Woodward Academy in Georgia, and chose the Irish over Texas A&M, Duke and Ole Miss. He understands that playing for Notre Dame will naturally bring comparisons to his father, which he embraces, but he also wants to create his own legacy and forge his own path. That journey started as a running back wearing the No. 36, the same as his father, in youth football. He changed positions to wide receiver in seventh grade and changed his number in eighth grade and tried to make a name for himself on his own merit. "One of the biggest things was changing my number, and so me really getting my number away from his, that was a...
March 17

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