National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - Troy Vincent, Executive Vice President of Football Operations at the NFL, speaks to reporters during NFL meetings in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. The NFL will consider significant changes to the kicking game. Troy Vincent said Friday, March 24, 2023, that the competition committee looked at various rules on kickoffs in college and the spring leagues to try to reduce injuries on what is one of the more dangerous plays. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

NFL to vote on changes to punts, kickoffs for safety

The NFL will consider significant changes to the kicking game, with the competition committee proposing that the league adopt the college rule that allows touchbacks on fair catches of kickoffs and … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 3/24/23

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan performs during the women's free skating program in the World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, north of Tokyo, Friday, March 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Sakamoto defends women's title at figure skating worlds

Kaori Sakamoto has fended off a challenge from South Korea’s Lee Hae-in to become the first Japanese woman to defend her title at the figure skating world championships. Sakamoto led after the … more

3/24/23

UCLA guard Kiki Rice, right, drives as Sacramento State guard Benthe Versteeg defends during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

UCLA's Kiki Rice AP Diary: On to the Sweet 16!

UCLA freshman Kiki Rice is checking in periodically from the NCAA Tournament as told to AP Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. In the second installment, Rice talks about playing in the tournament, the … more

By KIKI RICE | 3/24/23

UCLA's Jaime Jaquez Jr. (24) shoots while defended by Gonzaga's Rasir Bolton (45) in the first half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game in the West Regional of the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Gonzaga beats UCLA 79-76 in Sweet 16 on Strawther's shot

Julian Strawther hit a 3-pointer with 6 seconds left to answer a 3-pointer by UCLA’s Amari Bailey, lifting Gonzaga to a wild 79-76 win over UCLA in the Sweet 16. The Bruins were the West Region’s … more

By JOHN MARSHALL | 3/24/23

Florida Atlantic guards Bryan Greenlee (4), Brandon Weatherspoon (23) and Alijah Martin (15) react after the team defeated Tennessee 62-55 in a Sweet 16 college basketball game in the East Regional of the NCAA tournament at Madison Square Garden, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Florida Atlantic makes first Elite Eight, bounces Tennessee

Florida Atlantic, playing in just its second NCAA Tournament, moved within a victory of the Final Four by using a second-half push led by Michael Forrest to beat fourth-seeded Tennessee 62-55. The … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 3/24/23

Trevor Bauer with his new uniform and cap of Yokohama DeNA BayStars poses for photographers during a photo session of the news conference Friday, March 24, 2023, in Yokohama, near Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Trevor Bauer pulls on No. 96 for Yokohama's BayStars

Trevor Bauer was shunned by every major league team, so he’s signed a one-year deal with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. On Friday before about 75 reporters in a Yokohoma hotel, he slipped on the … more

By STEPHEN WADE | 3/24/23

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, center, chips to the green on the sixth hole during the second round of the Dell Technologies Match Play Championship golf tournament in Austin, Texas, Thursday, March 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Rory McIlroy powers his way to another win in Match Play

Rory McIlroy is really digging the long ball at the Dell Match Play. He capped off his victory against Denny McCarthy by driving the 375-yard closing hole to just inside 4 feet for an eagle that was … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 3/23/23

Alabama forward Noah Clowney (15) shoots past Maryland forward Julian Reese during the second half of a second-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, March 18, 2023. Alabama won 73-51. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Inflategate? Bouncy basketballs hot topic at March Madness

Players and coaches in the NCAA Tournament may be breathing life into a new controversy: Inflategate. Last weekend’s first and second-round games were plagued by low shooting percentages from … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 3/23/23

Alabama coach Nate Oats calls out to the team during the first half of a second-round college basketball game against Maryland in the men's NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, March 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

March Madness: Alabama aims to avoid giant-killers in South

Alabama was expected to be in the Sweet 16 as the overall top seed in the NCAA Tournament. Few thought the teams standing between the Crimson Tide and a trip to the Final Four would be No. 5 seed San … more

By GARY B. GRAVES | 3/23/23

Former Alabama football quarterback Bryce Young works in position drills at Alabama's NFL pro day, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Alabama's Bryce Young throws for NFL teams at pro day

Nick Saban not surprisingly says his quarterback, Bryce Young, is the best prospect in the upcoming NFL draft. Now, the star Alabama passer and 2021 Heisman Trophy winner is trying to convince NFL … more

By JOHN ZENOR | 3/23/23

Aric Almirola (10), Tyler Reddick (45), Kyle Larson (5), and Alex Bowman (48) wreck exiting Turn 4 during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Hampton, Ga. (AP Photo/Skip Williams)

Sloppy racing could make it tough for NASCAR road ringers

The upcoming NASCAR race at Circuit of the Americas in Texas will feature two former Formula One world champions, an IndyCar driver and a sports car star who has a win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on … more

By JENNA FRYER | 3/23/23

Philadelphia Phillies' Rhys Hoskins is out at home plate with the tag by Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen in the first inning of their spring training baseball game in Dunedin, Fla., Sunday, March 5, 2023. (Fred Thornhill/The Canadian Press via AP)

Phillies' Rhys Hoskins taken off field with left knee injury

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins has been carted off the field during a spring training game. Hoskins apparently hurt his left knee while fielding a grounder. Teammates gathered … more

3/23/23

Pittsburgh forward Guillermo Diaz Graham celebrates after their win against Iowa State in a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 17, 2023, in Greensboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Soundtrack of this year's March Madness begins with 'CLANK!'

Iowa State was quick to say that its miserable shooting performance in the NCAA Tournament had nothing to do with some wonky rims in Greensboro, North Carolina. Nevertheless, the Cyclones were among … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 3/23/23

FILE - South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley celebrates after beating UConn, 64-49, to win the championship game of the NCAA college basketball Final Four in Minneapolis, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Women’s college basketball believes it has the makings for a hit reality TV show. Those engaged in the sport hope to give network execs another glimpse this weekend of why they need to ante up during March Madness. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Women hope Sweet 16 next step to own March Madness TV deal

Women’s college basketball believes it has the makings for a hit reality TV show. Those engaged in the sport hope to give network execs another glimpse this weekend of why they need to ante up … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 3/23/23

Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) passes the ball in the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, March 20, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Success-starved Kings close in on long-awaited playoff berth

The Sacramento Kings might just be riding the beam all the way to the NBA playoffs. The resurgent Kings are on the verge of ending the their long playoff drought with first-year coach Mike Brown … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 3/23/23

Princeton guard Ryan Langborg (3) and forward Caden Pierce (12) celebrate the team's win in a second-round college basketball game against Missouri in the men's NCAA Tournament in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, March 18, 2023. Princeton won 78-63. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

Princeton Tigers add to their March Madness lore

The Princeton Tigers are the biggest surprise of March Madness. The No. 15-seed Tigers knocked off Arizona and Missouri to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1967. The Tigers are heavy … more

By DAN GELSTON | 3/23/23

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and Draymond Green (23), along with staff, celebrate a basket late in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Mavs owner Cuban plans protest over free bucket for Warriors

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he plans to protest a two-point loss to Golden State after a confusing sequence led to an uncontested basket for the Warriors. Kevon Looney had an easy dunk on … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 3/23/23

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid brings the ball up during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago BullsWednesday, March 22, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Sixers star Joel Embiid exits with mild right calf tightness

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid left the team's 116-91 victory over the Chicago Bulls with mild right calf tightness. Embiid, one of the front-runners for the NBA MVP award, finished with 12 … more

By JAY COHEN | 3/22/23

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) plays in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Morant returns, scores 17 coming off the bench for Grizzlies

Two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant was welcomed back Wednesday night with a standing ovation and cheers throughout the arena in his first action after missing nine games — eight because of an NBA … more

By CLAY BAILEY | 3/22/23

FILE -Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. NFL free-agent tight end Foster Moreau was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma during a physical with the New Orleans Saints, he posted Wednesday, March 22, 2023 on Twitter.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

NFL tight end Foster Moreau says he has cancer

NFL free-agent tight end Foster Moreau posted on Twitter that he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma during a physical with the New Orleans Saints. The 25-year-old Moreau said he was stepping … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 3/22/23