Professional basketball
FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 file photo, Miami head coach Manny Diaz calls out a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miami coach Manny Diaz told The Associated Press on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020 that he believes the Hurricanes are already better than they were when last season's 6-7 debacle ended. Diaz says the Hurricanes have improved their roster and their coaching staff, both by additions and subtractions. He also drew a parallel to the culture that the Miami Heat have stuck with in their bounceback season this year. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
AP Interview: Manny Diaz believes Miami is already better

By Tim Reynolds Feb. 03, 2020 08:26 PM EST

In this Saturday Jan, 4, 2020, photo, New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson looks up during a workout before the Pelicans played the Sacramento Kings in an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif. Williamson, who is recovering from a knee injury, has now participated in full-court and five-on-five drills as the top overall draft choice moves closer to making his league debut. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Injured NBA prospects deal with shut-it-down conversations

By Aaron Beard Jan. 15, 2020 02:55 PM EST

Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) makes a catch against Ohio State cornerback Cameron Brown (26) during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis ramping up prep work for 2022 championship game

By Michael Marot Jan. 08, 2020 02:37 PM EST

Oregon's Sabrina Ionescu, center, celebrates with her teammates Lydia Giomi, left, Erin Boley and Ruthy Hebard, right, after defeating Kansas State 89-51 in an NCAA college basketball game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Name dropping: A few up-and-comers who may make mark in '20

By Pat Graham Dec. 30, 2019 05:25 PM EST

Virginia Cavaliers head coach Bronco Mendenhall, left, and Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen, right, pose for a photograph during a news conference for the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Florida plays Virginia in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30. (AP Photo/Mario Houben)
Cavs try to take 'next step' in Orange Bowl against Gators

By Steven Wine Dec. 29, 2019 02:12 PM EST

FILE- In this Aug. 7, 2010, file photo, Marylou Whitney watches horse racing from her box seats at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Philanthropist, socialite and horse-racing enthusiast Marylou Whitney, known as the "Queen of Saratoga," died on July 19, 2019, at her Saratoga Springs estate after a long illness. She was 93. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File)
Sports losses in 2019: Newcombe, Robinson, Starr, Havlicek

By Fred Lief Dec. 29, 2019 11:26 AM EST

AP Sportlight

Compiled By Paul Montella Dec. 29, 2019 09:25 AM EST
Dec. 30 1956 — The New York Giants win the NFL title with a 47-7 rout of the Chicago Bears. 1962 — The Green Bay...

LSU Offensive Coordinator Steve Ensminger embracxes LSU long snapper Blake Ferguson (48) before the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game between LSU and Oklahoma, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. Ensminger's daughter-in-law, Carley McCord, died in a plane crash Saturday in Louisiana on the way to the game. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Under weight of family tragedy, LSU coach crafts big win

By Charles Odum Dec. 28, 2019 10:41 PM EST

This photo provided by AcadianNews shows first responders looking over the site of a plane crash near Feu Follet Road and Verot School Road in Lafayette, La., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019. Authorities confirmed the accident but details on whether anyone was injured was not immediately known. (AcadianNews via AP)
Plane crash kills 5, including LSU coach's daughter-in-law

By Janelle Cogan And Sudhin Thanawala Dec. 28, 2019 03:48 PM EST

FILE - In this May 12, 2019, file photo, Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, second from left, celebrates his game-winning basket as time expired at the end of an NBA Eastern Conference semifinal basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, in Toronto on Sunday,. Toronto won 92-90. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
Philadelphia 76ers at Toronto Raptors 5/12/2019

Dec. 22, 2019 09:54 AM EST

FILE- In this June 12, 2019, file photo, St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube carries the Stanley Cup after the Blues defeated the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
Some of 2019's most memorable games decided by blown calls

By Paul Newberry Dec. 22, 2019 09:52 AM EST

FILE - In this March 29, 2018, file photo, rapper Nipsey Hussle watches an NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks in Oakland, Calif. Hussle has been shot and killed outside his Los Angeles clothing store, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said March 31, 2019. He was 33. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Milwaukee Bucks at Golden State Warriors 3/29/2018

Dec. 16, 2019 12:48 PM EST

AP Sportlight

Compiled By Paul Montella Dec. 12, 2019 10:17 AM EST
Dec. 14 1920 — Jack Dempsey knocks out Bill Brennan in the 12th round at Madison Square Garden to retain his world heavyweight title. ...

Thursday Sports in Brief

By The Associated Press Dec. 06, 2019 02:49 AM EST
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa said being assured he'd likely remain a high NFL draft pick could make “the biggest...

Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins (3) celebrates with fans after their 39-30 win over Virginia Tech in an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Charlottesville Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
No. 3 Clemson, No. 22 Virginia after next step in ACC game

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 01, 2019 06:13 PM EST

AP Sportlight

Compiled By Paul Montella Dec. 01, 2019 09:24 AM EST
Dec. 2 1907 — Tommy Burns defends his world heavyweight title by knocking out Gunner Moir in the 10th round at London. ...

AP Sportlight

Compiled By Paul Montella Nov. 30, 2019 09:26 AM EST
Dec. 1 1936 — End Larry Kelley of Yale wins the Heisman Trophy. 1951 — Arnold "Showboat" Boykin of Mississippi scores...

AP Sportlight

Compiled By Paul Montella Nov. 27, 2019 10:23 AM EST
Nov. 28 1906 — Tommy Burns fights to a 20-round draw with light heavyweight Jack O'Brien in a world heavyweight title bout in Los Angeles. ...

AP Sportlight

Compiled By Paul Montella Nov. 24, 2019 09:46 AM EST
Nov. 25 1925 — Red Grange, playing his first game as a professional with the Chicago Bears, is held to 36 yards in a 0-0 tie with the...

AP Sportlight

Compiled By Paul Montella Nov. 23, 2019 09:23 AM EST
Nov. 24 1904 — Fullback Sam McAllester is thrown for a touchdown to give Tennessee a 7-0 victory over Alabama. McAllester, wearing a wide...