National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - Miami NCAA college basketball guards and sisters, Haley and Hanna Cavinder, practice Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in Coral Gables, Fla. Haley and Hanna Cavinder are going to the NCAA Tournament. The Miami guards are perhaps the faces of the NIL movement in college athletics. And they have a massive following on social media. (AP Photo/Matt Dirksen, File)

Miami's Cavinder twins reach March Madness after transfer

Haley and Hanna Cavinder are going to the NCAA Tournament. The Miami guards are perhaps the faces of the NIL movement in college athletics. They have a massive following on social media. What Miami … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 3/15/23

FILE - South Carolina's Aliyah Boston (4) drives to the basket as UConn's Dorka Juhasz (14) defends in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Hartford, Conn. Boston was honored for the third straight year as an All-American by The Associated Press on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.(AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

Boston, Clark headline women's AP All-America team

Aliyah Boston of South Carolina is just the 10th player to be named a first-team AP All-American for a third time. Boston was joined on the first team by Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, Villanova’s Maddy … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 3/15/23

Boston Bruins' David Pastrnak (88) celebrates his goal with Dmitry Orlov (81), Charlie McAvoy (73), Tyler Bertuzzi (59) and David Krejci (46) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Cup-hungry Boston Bruins shrug off shot at NHL records

The Boston Bruins have been cruising through the regular season,and racking up milestones along the way. They could amass the most wins in NHL history and the most points, too. The players and … more

By JIMMY GOLEN | 3/15/23

FILE - St. Peter's Doug Edert celebrates after defeating Monmouth in an NCAA college basketball game during the championship of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Atlantic City, N.J. St. By the time he and the Peacocks made history by becoming the first 15 seed to advance to the Elite Eight, Edert's mustache had its own Twitter handle and Edert himself had deals hawking chicken wings and a few other products. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Social media madness gives opportunities to Edert and others

By the time Doug Edert and tiny Saint Peter's made history by becoming the first 15 seed to advance to the Elite Eight in last year's NCAA Tournament, Edert’s mustache had its own Twitter handle … more

By EDDIE PELLS | 3/15/23

Cuban players celebrate after defeating Australia in their World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game at the Tokyo Dome Tokyo, Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Cuba beats Australia, reaches 1st WBC semifinal since 2006

Cuba advanced to the World Baseball Classic semifinals for the first time since 2006 with a 4-3 win over Australia as Alfredo Despaigne hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly and Yoelkis Guibert followed … more

3/15/23

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, Spain's Rafael Nadal answers questions at a press conference after retiring injured from his quarterfinal against Croatia's Marin Cilic at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. Nadal pulled out of the upcoming hard-court tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, because of the left hip flexor injury that has sidelined him since the Australian Open. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)

Nadal aiming to make comeback from injury at Monte Carlo

Tournament organizers say Rafael Nadal is aiming to make his comeback from a hip injury at the clay-court Monte Carlo Masters next month. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined with a … more

3/15/23

Alabama forward Brandon Miller shoots a free throw during an NCAA college basketball game against Texas A&M in the finals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Alabama won 82-63. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Alabama's Miller tops list of NBA prospects at March Madness

This isn’t the type of NCAA Tournament that will give NBA fans an idea of what they can expect in the upcoming draft. The likely first two picks in the draft are Victor Wembanyama and Scoot … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 3/15/23

Illinois guard RJ Melendez (15) shoots between Purdue guard Fletcher Loyer (2) and guard Braden Smith (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Purdue's supporting cast helps set table for March Madness

There's no secret to Purdue's success this season. Get the ball to All-American center Zach Edey and let him go to work in the post. But if the top-seeded Boilermakers hope to avoid another early … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 3/15/23

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives between Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, guard Terrence Ross (8), forward T.J. Warren (21) and center Bismack Biyombo, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Bucks clinch playoff spot, top Suns 116-104 for 50th win

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points, Brook Lopez added 21 and the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks clinched a playoff spot by beating the Phoenix Suns 116-104 to become the first team to 50 wins this … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 3/15/23

Pittsburgh's Guillermo Diaz Graham reacts after hitting a 3-point shot against Mississippi State during the first half of a First Four game against Mississippi State in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Pitt edges Mississippi St in back-and-forth First Four game

Jamarius Burton made a go-ahead jumper with 10 seconds left and Pitt edged Mississippi State 60-59 in a back-and-forth First Four game that featured 21 lead changes — most in the NCAA Tournament in … more

By MITCH STACY | 3/15/23

Texas A&M Corpus Christi's Jalen Jackson (4) shoots against Southeast Missouri State's Phillip Russell (1) during the first half of a First Four college basketball game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Texas A&M-CC ousts SE Missouri St 75-71 in NCAA First Four

Isaac Mushila had 15 points and 12 rebounds as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi held off Southeast Missouri State 75-71 to earn the first NCAA Tournament win in program history. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi … more

By JACOB BENGE | 3/14/23

FILE -Indianapolis Colts cornerback Stephon Gilmore runs before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, in Indianapolis. The Dallas Cowboys acquired cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the Indianapolis Colts for a fifth-round draft pick, a person with knowledge of the trade said Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

Gilmore, Waller on the move; Bradberry stays with Eagles

Tuesday brought another day of wheeling and dealing for NFL teams and unrestricted free agents ahead of Wednesday's official start of free agency. In some of the biggest moves, the Cowboys acquired … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 3/14/23

Chris Beard speaks at a press conference after being announced as the new Mississippi head basketball coach, Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Bruce Newman)

Beard declines to discuss Texas exit at Ole Miss intro

Mississippi on Tuesday introduced new basketball coach Chris Beard, who repeatedly declined to discuss specifics regarding his December domestic violence arrest that led to his eventual firing at … more

3/14/23

Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles (5) is fouled by Pittsburgh guard Emy Hayford (4) during the second half of an NCCA college basketball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Injuries change dynamic heading into women's March Madness

Athletes and coaches aren’t the only ones putting in extra time this week to help their teams get ready for the NCAA Tournament. Doctors and trainers are playing a big role, with injuries leaving … more

By PAT EATON-ROBB | 3/14/23

Alabama coach Nate Oats comes off the ccourt after an NCAA college basketball game against Texas A&M in the finals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Alabama won 82-63. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Oats steers Alabama to March Madness in a turbulent season

Nate Oats has coached Alabama all the way to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. His biggest challenges have come off the court. One of his players was charged with capital murder during … more

By JOHN ZENOR | 3/14/23

Venezuela's Luis Rengifo (1) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring during the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Nicaragua. Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Venezuela tops Nicaragua 4-1 in WBC, is 3-0 in group play

Eugenio Suárez and Anthony Santander had two hits each as Venezuela beat Nicaragua 4-1 and improved to 3-0 in the World Baseball Classic. Venezuela was in position to reach the quarterfinals with a … more

3/14/23

FILE - Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts the trophy after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. The World Cup group stage format for 2026 was changed to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams by FIFA’s Council on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Why FIFA changed the format for the 2026 World Cup

The World Cup group stage format for 2026 was changed to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams by FIFA’s Council on Tuesday, increasing the total to 104 matches from 64 in the 2022 … more

By The Associated Press | 3/14/23

FILE - Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke throws to a receiver in the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. Setting up a competition at quarterback, the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with Taylor Heinicke on a two-year contract worth up to $20 million, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

AP source: QB Heinicke returning home to sign with Falcons

A person with a knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that quarterback Taylor Heinicke has agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth up to $20 million. The deal cannot be signed until … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 3/14/23

FILE - Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks during a media day ahead of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game between Georgia and TCU, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. Kirby Smart insists he has not lost control of a program that has produced back-to-back national championships but has been rocked by offseason arrests and a car crash that claimed the lives of a player and a recruiting staffer. “There’s no lack of control for our program,” Smart said Tuesday, March 14, before the Bulldogs' first spring practice. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

Georgia's Smart insists he has not lost control of program

Georgia coach Kirby Smart insists he has not lost control of a program that has produced back-to-back national championships but has been rocked by offseason arrests and a car crash that claimed the … more

By CHARLES ODUM | 3/14/23

Scottie Scheffler hits from a bunker toward the 16th green during the final round of The Players Championship golf tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Column: Scheffler's rise leads to incomplete grade on Smith

Scottie Scheffler is on a big run at the moment. His win at The Players Championship makes people forget for a moment that Jon Rahm was that player just a few weeks ago. And Rory McIlroy before that. … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 3/14/23