Duke, Arizona, Michigan, Florida get top seeding for March Madness. Miami (Ohio) gets a shot
Duke is the top overall seed in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, with Arizona, Michigan, and Florida also landing on the No. 1 line. Miami (Ohio), which opened the season 31-0 before a loss early its conference tournament, got in as an 11 seed despite a weak schedule. They play a First Four game on Wednesday against SMU. The tournament begins Tuesday with other play-in games, including Texas versus North Carolina State.
Unbeaten UConn joined by UCLA, Texas and South Carolina as No. 1 seeds for women’s NCAA Tournament
UConn is the No. 1 overall seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament and enters March Madness needing six more victories to complete the seventh undefeated season in school history. The Huskies (34-0) are looking for their 13th national title and becoming the first team to repeat as champions since the Huskies won four in a row from 2013-16. They are joined by UCLA, Texas and South Carolina as the other No. 1 seeds.
U.S. beats Dominican Republic 2-1 to reach 3rd straight WBC title game
MIAMI (AP) — Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony homered and the United States limited the Dominican Republic’s electric offense to win a thrilling semifinal 2-1 and move a win from its second World Baseball Classic championship. The loaded U.S. team — led by NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes and featuring stars Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge — reached its third straight WBC title game after winning in 2017 and falling to Shohei Ohtani and Japan in 2023. Skenes (2-0) gave up one run on six hits through 4 1/3 innings.
New union head says 2027 MLB work stoppage could disrupt plans for big leaguers at 2028 Olympics
MIAMI (AP) — A work stoppage that leads to canceled games during the 2027 Major League Baseball season could disrupt plans under discussion to have big league players participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Major League Baseball Players Association is negotiating on the six-nation baseball event, scheduled for Dodger Stadium from July 15-20 during what could be an extended All-Star break. MLB and the union also are preparing for the start of bargaining in April or May for a labor contract to replaced the current five-year agreement that expires Dec. 1. A management lockout is expected to start Dec. 2.
WNBA commissioner says progress made in collective bargaining talks after another marathon session
NEW YORK (AP) — WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert says progress is being made towards getting a new collective bargaining agreement done. The two sides met for another marathon negotiating session that started Sunday afternoon and ended around 3 a.m. Monday morning. The two sides will get together again later Monday for a seventh consecutive day of talks. It’s been a long week of discussions with the WNBA and union meeting face-to-face for more than 72 hours since the first in-person bargaining session Tuesday.
Iranian women’s soccer team to depart Malaysia for Oman after asylum reversal
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Iran’s women’s soccer team is set to leave Malaysia after several players reversed asylum bids that sparked a diplomatic storm. The Asian Football Confederation general secretary said the team plans to fly out from Kuala Lumpur Monday night, after days of uncertainty. The squad left Australia on March 10, but six players and one staff member stayed behind on protection visas. Four players and the staffer have since rejoined the team in Malaysia. Two players still remain in Australia in a safe location. Australian authorities describe the choices personal and complex, while an Iranian diaspora groups cites pressure from Tehran.
Cameron Young is clutch on the island green and rallies to win The Players Championship
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Cameron Young finally has a big title to go with his major talent. In a thriller at The Players Championship he made a 10-foot birdie on the island green at the TPC Sawgrass to tie Matt Fitzpatrick. Young crushed a drive that set up an easy par and won when Fitzpatrick failed to make an 8-foot par putt to force a playoff. Young shot 68 and won $4.5 million. Ludvig Aberg had control of the tournament until hitting into the water on consecutive holes on the back nine. He shot a 40 on the back nine for a 76,
Dominican WBC loss ends on called strike that appeared low, a week before robot umps arrive in MLB
MIAMI (AP) — A close called third strike ended the Dominican Republic’s rally attempt and sent the United States into the World Baseball Classic title game. The U.S. won 2-1 when plate umpire Cory Blaser called Geraldo Perdomo out on a full-count slider from Mason Miller that appeared to drop below the strike zone, stranding the potential tying run at third. Major League Baseball is launching the automated ball-strike challenge system on opening day next week after years of testing, allowing teams to challenge calls to the so-called robot umpire.
Skenes pitches with poise through pressure in WBC spotlight, treats it same as Pirates outings
MIAMI (AP) — Paul Skenes shined in the World Baseball Classic semifinal, dominating an All-Star lineup in the United States’ 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic. He improved to 2-0 in the tournament, allowing Junior Caminero’s homer in a 4 1/3-inning outing. Skenes has a 1.96 ERA in 55 career starts, striking out 386 while walking 74 in 320 2/3 innings. The 6-foot-6 right-hander has not come close to the playoffs on Pirates teams that finished 76-86 in 2024 and 71-91 last year.