PAUL NEWBERRY
FILE - George Mikan, of the Minneapolis Lakers, polishes off the sign on the marquee of Madison Square Garden in New York, on Dec. 13, 1949. Madison Square Garden won't host the NIT semifinals and championship game the next two years, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision — ending a college basketball tradition that dates to 1938. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity late Wednesday night, March 23, 2022, because no public announcement had been made. (AP Photo/Jacob Harris, File)
Column: NIT joins other sports tradition in fading away

By Paul Newberry Apr. 01, 2022 04:41 PM EDT
With all eyes focused on the Final Four, it's doubtful that many noticed the passing

Georgia's Stetson Bennett celebrates after the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia won 33-18. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Top Dogs: Georgia celebrates title, looks ahead to 2022

By Paul Newberry Jan. 11, 2022 12:03 PM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kirby Smart learned from his former boss that the time for

Georgia's Stetson Bennett celebrates after the College Football Playoff championship football game against Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia won 33-18. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Column: Georgia wipes away 41 years of frustration

By Paul Newberry Jan. 11, 2022 01:07 AM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — After 41 agonizing years, the Georgia Bulldogs were not about to

FILE - Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks with Alabama head coach Nick Saban before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Georgia plays Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Coach Chameleon: Saban's greatness lies in his adaptability

By Paul Newberry Jan. 10, 2022 02:42 AM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Nick Saban strolled off the plane in frigid Indianapolis with a

FILE - Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks with Alabama head coach Nick Saban before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Georgia plays Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Dawg D seeks redemption vs Bama in national title game

By Paul Newberry Jan. 09, 2022 04:26 PM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Five weeks have passed, but it still seems a bit unreal.

FILE - Georgia football coach Vince Dooley is carried off the field after Georgia defeated Notre Dame 17-10 in the Sugar Bowl college football game Jan. 1, 1981, in New Orleans. Dooley loves history _ especially the kind he says favors his beloved Bulldogs. Dooley believes a rematch will work in Georgia's advantage against Alabama in the College Football Playoff title game on Monday night in Indianapolis. Dooley also has faith Georgia's defense will fare better in its second chance against Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. (AP Photo/Gene Blythe, File)
Column: State on edge as Bulldogs try to end 41-year drought

By Paul Newberry Jan. 08, 2022 06:51 PM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The picture making the rounds on social media sums up the anxiety

Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis and teammates leave the plane after the team arrived at Indianapolis International Airport on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia is scheduled to play Alabama in the College Football Playoff championship game Monday. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Flipping out: UGa QB Bennett goes old school with phone

By Paul Newberry Jan. 08, 2022 06:27 PM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Stetson Bennett went old school with his smart phone.

FILE - Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks with Alabama head coach Nick Saban before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Georgia plays Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Column: Who can stop SEC from swallowing college football?

By Paul Newberry Jan. 07, 2022 12:45 PM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — As another season winds down in the frigid heart of Big Ten

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates after winning the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Michigan, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Georgia won 34-11. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Rematch blues: Bama tries to buck history in CFP title game

By Paul Newberry Jan. 05, 2022 03:10 PM EST
A mere 37 days after they last played, Alabama faces Georgia again with a national

Mario Cristobal, left, Miami's new football coach, makes the sign of the "U" with Harry Rothwell, right, after being introduced at a NCAA college football news conference, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Coral Gables, Fla. Cristobal is returning to his alma mater, where he won two championships as a player. Rothwell is a local businessman and Hurricanes fan. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Column: Big-money coaches a symptom of misguided priorities

By Paul Newberry Dec. 10, 2021 03:29 PM EST
A new college football coach doesn’t come cheaply, especially when the one you’ve

Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins reacts during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Atlanta. Boston College won 41-30. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Georgia Tech appoints Chip Long as offensive coordinator

By Paul Newberry Dec. 05, 2021 06:43 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Chip Long, who has been an offensive coordinator at Memphis,

Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) celebrates his interception and touchdown against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Playoff bound: Bama rolls No. 1 Georgia 41-24 for SEC title

By Paul Newberry Dec. 04, 2021 07:51 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Underdog is an unusual role for Alabama.

FILE - A rain-covered logo is seen at Fenway Park before Game 1 of a World Series baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, in Boston. The clock ticked down toward the expiration of Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement at 11:59 p.m. EST Wednesday night, Dec. 1, 2021, and what was likely to be a management lockout ending the sport’s labor peace at over 26 1/2 years. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Column: Baseball can't afford another extended labor dispute

By Paul Newberry Dec. 03, 2021 05:10 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Baseball's last labor dispute was devastating, but the comeback

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 1 Georgia looks to become top dog over Alabama in SEC

By Paul Newberry Dec. 02, 2021 03:37 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have faced sporadic

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) looks to pass as he rolls out against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Column: Bearcats face uphill climb to crack playoff puzzle

By Paul Newberry Nov. 12, 2021 05:38 PM EST
You've got to feel for the Cincinnati Bearcats. No matter

Kentucky wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) carries the ball against Georgia during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Bennett, Bowers, D lead No. 1 Georgia past Kentucky, 30-13

By Paul Newberry Oct. 16, 2021 07:15 PM EDT
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — The final seconds were meaningless.

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) is sacked by Georgia linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Sic 'em! Georgia climbs to No. 1 with defense for the ages

By Paul Newberry Oct. 14, 2021 01:47 PM EDT
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia is back at No. 1 for the first time in more than a

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) is sacked by Georgia linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Georgia at rarified heights, challenge is to finish No. 1

By Paul Newberry Oct. 11, 2021 04:27 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia finds itself in a most unusual position.

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) is sacked by New Hampshire linebacker Justin Jameson (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Ga Tech faces Pitt looking to build on biggest win in years

By Paul Newberry Sep. 30, 2021 12:17 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Tech is coming off its biggest victory in years.

Georgia Tech's Dylan Leonard (80), Billy Ward (85) and Ben Wilhelm (87) sing "Ramblin Wreck" after defeating North Carolina in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Sims sparks Ga. Tech to 45-22 upset of No. 21 North Carolina

By Paul Newberry Sep. 25, 2021 11:18 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Jeff Sims was really upset for a few days. Then he pulled