State Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) walks off the field before an NFL wild-card football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. The Vikings are entering free agency with a salary cap crunch and pressing needs yet again at a vital position. Their top three cornerbacks from last season are all hitting the market: Patrick Peterson, Duke Shelley and Chandon Sullivan. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

The Las Vegas Raiders have signed free-agent cornerback Duke Shelley. Shelley played for the Chicago Bears in 2019-21 and then joined the Minnesota Vikings last season. He has 11 starts over 41 games … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 3/23/23

Today in Sports - Japan’s Prime Minister postpones Olympics.

Today in Sports, March 24 more

By The Associated Press | 3/23/23

Oral Roberts head coach Paul Mills calls a play against Duke during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Wichita State hires ORU's Paul Mills to lead hoops program

Wichita State hired Paul Mills away from Oral Roberts to turn around its languishing men’s basketball program. The Shockers landed what has been one of the hottest names among mid-major coaches. … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 3/22/23

Alabama coach Nate Oats reacts after a score during the second half of the team's second-round college basketball game against Maryland in the men's NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, March 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

March Madness betting guide: Alabama, Houston favored

March Madness isn’t just about filling out — and later trashing — brackets. There are more ways to bet the field in the NCAA Tournament, an event that will consume basketball fans until the … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 3/22/23

Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell celebrates after scoring against Kentucky during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Super seniors lead the way into March Madness Sweet 16

March Madness has reached the Sweet 16 and so-called super seniors have had a huge impact on the teams that made it this far. Nine of the 16 teams have players in fifth seasons granted by the NCAA … more

By JOHN MARSHALL | 3/22/23

Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) reacts after a basket against Marquette in the second half of a second-round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Transfer portal provided boost for most March Madness teams

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is not a big fan of the transfer portal in general, lamenting that it gives young people an easy out instead of an opportunity to overcome challenges at a potentially … more

By LARRY LAGE | 3/22/23

Kansas State Wildcats take on the Michigan State Spartans in Sweet 16

The No. 15 Kansas State Wildcats and Michigan State Spartans play in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Thursday's meeting is the first this season between the squads. Kansas State is 11-7 against the Big … more

By The Associated Press | 3/22/23

Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang celebrates with members of the pep band after defeating Kentucky in a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Jerome Tang has rising Kansas State feeling sweet again

In less than a year, Jerome Tang has taken a Kansas State program that was down to two scholarship players and built a team headed to the Sweet 16. The longtime Baylor assistant has changed the … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 3/21/23

FILE - Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon delivers his State of the State address to the Wyoming Legislature on Feb. 14, 2022, in Cheyenne, Wyo. Wyoming has become the 19th state to ban transgender athletes from playing on girls or women's sports teams after the Republican governor opted not to veto the legislation. Gov. Gordon allowed the bill to become law without his signature Friday, March 17, 2023, saying he supports and agrees with the overall goal of fairness in competitive female sports. (Rhianna Gelhart/The Wyoming Tribune Eagle via AP, File)

Wyoming bans transgender youth from girls' sports teams

Wyoming has become the 19th state to ban transgender athletes from playing on girls' or women's sports teams after the Republican governor opted not to veto the legislation. Gov. Mark Gordon allowed … more

3/20/23

Alabama forward Brandon Miller (24) blocks the shot of Maryland guard Jahmir Young (1) during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, March 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

March Madness rounds the corner to the Sweet 16

Underdogs have blown up every bracket in the country in what may be the maddest March ever. Defending national champion Kansas and fellow No. 1 seed Purdue are gone. The Sweet 16 will be without blue … more

By JOHN MARSHALL | 3/20/23

Nowell's huge 2nd half leads Kansas State past Kentucky

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Markquis Nowell scored 23 of his 27 points after halftime, and Kansas State overcame a horrid start from outside by hitting a couple of clutch 3-pointers while topping … more

By The Associated Press | 3/19/23

Kentucky guard Cason Wallace vies for the ball with Kansas State guard Cam Carter during the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Nowell, late 3s lift Kansas State past Kentucky in NCAAs

Markquis Nowell scored 23 of his 27 points after halftime, helping Kansas State beat Kentucky 75-69 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The win sends the third-seeded Wildcats to the Sweet 16 … more

By AARON BEARD | 3/19/23

Marquette head coach Shaka Smart cheers on his team against Vermont in the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Friday, March 17, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Marquette coach Smart faces mentor Izzo in NCAA 2nd round

Marquette coach Shaka Smart has long sought the advice and counsel of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo. The two friends will face each other on Sunday when the second-seeded Golden Eagles meet the … more

By MITCH STACY | 3/18/23

Kansas guard Dajuan Harris Jr. reacts after getting injured in the first half of a second-round college basketball game against Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Kansas point guard Harris leaves in 1st half with injury

Kansas point guard Dajuan Harris Jr. left late in the first half of the Jayhawks’ second round NCAA Tournament game against Arkansas with an apparent injury to his right ankle. Harris was hurt … more

3/18/23

Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves celebrates after scoring against Providence during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 17, 2023, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Calipari pushing Kentucky to play free in March Madness run

Kentucky coach John Calipari is pushing his team to play free and loose during March Madness. The sixth-seeded Wildcats face third-seeded Kansas State on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA … more

By AARON BEARD | 3/18/23

Fairleigh Dickinson players celebrate beating Purdue 63-58 after a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Friday, March 17, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson topples No. 1 seed Purdue

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Fairleigh Dickinson became the second No. 16 seed in history to win an NCAA Tournament game, stunning top-seeded Purdue 63-58 behind 19 points from Sean Moore and a … more

By The Associated Press | 3/18/23

Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell drives to the basket past Montana State guard Tyler Patterson during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 17, 2023, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Kansas St tops Montana St, 1st March Madness win since 2018

Markquis Nowell had 17 points and 14 assists and No. 3 seed Kansas State held off 14th-seeded Montana State 77-65 for its first NCAA Tournament win since knocking off Kentucky in 2018 to reach the … more

By STEVE REED | 3/18/23

Providence guard Jared Bynum (4) Steals the ball from Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves (12) during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 17, 2023, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Reeves, Tshiebwe lead Kentucky past Providence in NCAAs

Antonio Reeves scored 22 points and Oscar Tshiebwe pulled down 25 rebounds in an overpowering display, helping Kentucky beat Providence 61-53 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Tshiebwe’s … more

By AARON BEARD | 3/17/23

Kansas acting head coach Norm Roberts directs his team in the first half of a first-round college basketball game against Howard in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

March Madness without Self: Roberts has KU running smoothly

Norm Roberts appears to have transitioned smoothly into his acting head coach role for top-seeded Kansas despite all the day-to-day uncertainty and chatter about Bill Self’s status in the NCAA … more

By ERIC OLSON | 3/17/23

Kansas Jayhawks and Arkansas Razorbacks play in NCAA Tournament second round

The No. 4 Kansas Jayhawks take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Saturday's meeting is the first this season for the teams. Kansas is 13-5 against the Big 12, and … more

By The Associated Press | 3/17/23