Michigan muscles its way to program’s 2nd national title, beating stubborn UConn 69-63
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — High-scoring Michigan had to get down and dirty to dig out the national title, making only two 3-pointers all night but still muscling its way to a 69-63 victory over stingy, stubborn UConn. Elliot Cadeau led the Wolverines with 19 points, including the team’s first 3, which came 7:04 into the second half. The second, from freshman Trey McKenney, came with 1:50 left and felt like a dagger, giving the Wolverines a nine-point lead. UConn fought to the finish in a game that had a 1950s feel. Alex Karaban scored 17 points for UConn, which was denied in its bid for a third title in four seasons.
Michigan built a roster full of transfers who carried the Wolverines to a national title
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michigan has won a national championship with a roster full of transfers. The Wolverines held off UConn 69-63 on Monday night for the program’s first title since 1989. It came behind an all-transfer starting lineup and only two rotation players who had not started their careers elsewhere. Coach Dusty May did such a good job in bringing that roster together that the Wolverines were able to counter every move by the Huskies. They were too much for UConn even though they had a rough shooting night and star Yaxel Lendeborg was hobbled by injuries.
North Carolina working to finalize deal to hire Michael Malone as basketball coach, AP source says
North Carolina is working toward finalizing a deal with NBA championship-winning coach Michael Malone to take over the Tar Heels’ basketball program. That’s according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the school hasn’t publicly discussed its search. Malone would replace former UNC player and assistant coach Hubert Davis, who was fired on March 24 after five seasons. Malone had 10-year run with Denver that included leading the Nuggets to the 2023 world title. He joins football coach Bill Belichick as another pro championship winner in Chapel Hill.
Wembanyama suffers left rib contusion vs 76ers, his status for last 3 regular-season games unknown
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama suffered a left rib contusion and was ruled out of the second half of San Antonio’s 115-102 win over Philadelphia on Monday night, leaving the status of the Spurs’ center for the rest of the regular season in doubt. Wembanyama took an inadvertent elbow to the ribs from Paul George when the Philadelphia forward was attempting to deflect a pass as the 7-foot-4 Frenchman was sprinting up court on a fastbreak with 10:49 remaining in the first half. Wembanyama tumbled to the court and remained down for a minute. Whether Wembanyama will be available for the Spurs’ final three games of the regular season — all at home — against Portland (Wednesday), Dallas (Friday) and Denver (Sunday) wasn’t known after Monday’s game.
Tiger Woods is not at the Masters. Jason Day wonders why he was behind the wheel in DUI arrest
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Tiger Woods is a topic of conversation at the Masters without even being there. Jason Day is among players who wish the best for his recovery from an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence during a car accident. But Day also says it was selfish of Woods to be driving. It follows Nick Faldo saying it’s time Woods is held accountable. Woods has entered a not guilty plea to the charge from the March 27 accident. He also was granted a motion to seek treatment outside the country. Day says he hopes Woods comes out of this better.
New Jersey Devils part ways with longtime general manager Tom Fitzgerald
The New Jersey Devils are parting ways with general manager Tom Fitzgerald in an abrupt late-season change of direction for a team that is set to miss the playoffs. Co-owner David Blitzer announced Monday that a decision had been made for Fitzgerald to leave the organization. Fitzgerald had been in charge of hockey operations since January 2020 and was responsible for building much of the core of the roster. New Jersey reached the playoffs just twice in the past five seasons.
Blue Jays RHP Scherzer leaves start against Dodgers after two innings because of forearm tendinitis
TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays right-hander and three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer left Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers after two innings because of forearm tendinitis. The 41-year-old Scherzer, who re-signed with Toronto in February, allowed two runs and two hits. Scherzer said he’s been sore for a couple of days and didn’t feel any worse after his abbreviated outing. Scherzer said he didn’t think there was anything major wrong and that in his mind he’d make his next start.
Grizzlies match NBA record by making 29 3-pointers in loss to Cavaliers
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies made 29 3-pointers against Cleveland, matching an NBA single-game record. And it wasn’t enough. Nine Grizzlies made at least one 3 in a 142-126 loss to the Cavaliers. The Grizzlies shot 49.2% from deep and 45.7% from inside the arc. The 3-point record had been shared by Milwaukee and Boston. The Bucks made 29 3s in a 144-97 victory at Miami on Dec. 29, 2020, and the Celtics equaled the record in a 132-109 win against the New York Knicks on Oct. 22, 2024. The Grizzlies made 10 3s in the first quarter, three in the second, six in the third and 10 in the final period.
UConn slows down Michigan, but physical play can’t make up for poor shooting in title game loss
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — UConn executed coach Dan Hurley’s game plan in a national championship slugfest against Michigan. The Huskies were physical, controlled the pace and held the Wolverines’ potent offense in check on Monday night. But this time, the big shots that propelled them to the cusp of a third national championship in four seasons simply didn’t fall. Fabulous freshman Braylon Mullins, do-it-all senior Alex Karaban and big man Tarris Reed Jr. all struggled from the field as the Huskies lost 69-63. Although UConn kept it close with physical play, Michigan was perfectly comfortable playing bully ball.
Dexter Lawrence asks Giants for a trade and won’t attend offseason workouts, AP sources say
Three-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade from the New York Giants and won’t attend their offseason workout program, three people familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press. Lawrence played his first seven NFL seasons with the Giants since they selected him with the 17th pick in the 2019 draft. Now 28, he still has two years left on his contract. Lawrence started all 17 games last season and finished with a career-low 31 tackles and a half-sack for a defense that ranked 30th out of 32 teams in the league.