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AP Sports Digest

Posted 3/10/26

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. …

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AP Sports Digest

Posted

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.

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UPCOMING

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BKC--STANFORD-OKORIE’S CHOICE

DESCRIPTION: STANFORD, Calif. -- Ebuka Okorie had committed to Harvard, one of the few programs to seriously recruit him before he connected with Stanford and decided to go West instead. Now he’s a freshman star leading the Cardinal into the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament against Pittsburgh with a chance to finish as the ACC’s top scorer, beginning the week ahead of Duke star and ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year Cameron Boozer. The last Stanford player who led the conference in scoring was Landry Fields in 2009-10, when he scored 22 points per game. By Janie McCauley. 918 words, photos by 3 a.m. PT.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 6 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKW--NCAA TOURNAMENT-WHO’S NO 1?

DESCRIPTION: There’s little doubt that UConn and UCLA will be the top two seeds in the women’s NCAA Tournament when the bracket is revealed Sunday. The two were 1-2 in both of the selection committees top 16 reveals over the last month with the Huskies No. 1 both times. Both have been dominant since the last reveal on March 1, winning their conference tournaments convincingly. Still there’s an argument to be made that UCLA should be in the conversation for the top overall seed, especially after an eye-popping 51-point win over Iowa in the Big Ten championship game Sunday. The Bruins picked up three first-place votes in the AP Top 25 poll Monday, ending UConn’s eight-week run as the unanimous No. 1 team.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--AROUND THE NBA

DESCRIPTION: These are fun times for the Minnesota Timberwolves. They’re getting a neat and probably unexpected diversion — the World Baseball Classic. Minnesota assistant coach Micah Nori’s son is Dante Nori, and he’s been a breakout player for Italy in that tournament. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. 800 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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US-CHINA-TWO DIFFERENT OLYMPIANS

DESCRIPTION: Eileen Gu, a 22-year-old freestyle skier, and Alysa Liu, a 20-year—old figure skater, were both born to Chinese immigrants in California. Both were brought up in single-parent households, and both are attending top universities in the Golden State. Both are elite athletes who turned in gold-medal performances at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics last month. But public opinion diverges over their choices about the countries for which they compete. UPCOMING: 1,000 words and photos. By Didi Tang.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 9:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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GLF--ON THE FRINGE-PLAYERS

DESCRIPTION: PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA Tour is all about moving forward these days, especially this week. So it was a peculiar decision to begin the promotional campaign for The Players Championship by going back in time and pushing it as a major. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 900 words, photos. With Golf Notes and Golf Glance.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 11:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BKC--AP ALL-ACC

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press releases All-ACC men’s basketball honors. By Aaron Beard. 300 words, photos. For noon release.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKC--AP ALL-BIG TEN

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press All-Big Ten men’s basketball teams and individual honors are announced. By Eric Olson. 600 words, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 1:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BKC--AP ALL BIG 12

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press releases its 2025-26 All-Big 12 team. By Stephen Hawkins. 400 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BKC--SEC TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Florida Gators return to Music City as the defending Southeastern Conference tournament champs, a title that started their run to the national championship. Other teams will be trying to improve their NCAA Tournament hopes at the tournament. By Teresa M. Walker.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BKC--T25-TOP 25 THIS WEEK

DESCRIPTION: No. 20 Miami (Ohio) brings a 31-0 record into the MAC Tournament after becoming only the third school to run the table in the league in nearly seven decades. The top seed plays No. 8 seed UMass in the opening game Thursday at Rocket Arena. And despite its perfect record, it may need to win to make the NCAA Tournament field. By Dave Skretta. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 6 a.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 6 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKC--ALL-BIG EAST

DESCRIPTION: The announcement of The Associated Press all-Big East team, as determined by a media panel. By Steve Megargee. 600 words, with photos.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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US-IDITAROD-DEFENDING CHAMPION

DESCRIPTION: For a man at the top of his professional sport, the riches and product endorsements haven’t followed Jessie Holmes after he won the world’s most famous sled dog race last year. And that’s fine with him. He invested the money he earned by being a cast member of the reality TV show “Life Below Zero” to buy land in the shadow of the continent’s tallest mountain, and Holmes — a carpenter by trade — is building his own home. His nearest neighbors are 30 miles in any direction, and he lives on a shoestring budget. “There’s a lot of things that can happen in your life once you win the Iditarod,” the 44-year-old Alabama native said. “You could become a real big deal, or you could just go back out in the bush and get right back to work, you know? And that’s what I did.”

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBN--FREE AGENCY RDP

DESCRIPTION: A roundup of activity on the second day of NFL free agency. By Schuyler Dixon.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BKC--T25-ARIZONA-AWAKA’S IMPACT

DESCRIPTION: TUCSON, Ariz. — Tobe Awaka spent most of last season as a starter before moving to the bench this year. The bruising forward has thrived in his role, providing a huge spark off the bench with his physical play and tenacious rebounding. By John Marshall. 600 words, photos by 3 p.m. PT.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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OLY--PARALYMPICS

DESCRIPTION: CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy -- Daily Winter Paralympics coverage.

UPCOMING: By 03/10/2026 8:15 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBI--WBC-RDP

Aaron Judge and Roman Anthony homer as US tops Jarren Duran and Mexico 5-3 in WBC

SUMMARY: Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer and Roman Anthony added a three-run drive in a big third inning to lead the United States to a 5-3 win over Mexico in the World Baseball Classic at Houston’s Daikin Park. The U.S. improved to 3-0 and will meet Italy on Tuesday night, seeking to secure a spot in the quarterfinals in Houston this weekend. Jarren Duran homered twice for Mexico, which will face Italy Wednesday night in the last game of Group B play. Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes allowed one hit and struck out seven in four innings for the U.S.

WORDS: 1690 - MOVED: 03/10/2026 12:35 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1d3243d13d1782cafe8714aff72bab7d&mediaType=text

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SOC--WOMEN’S-ASIAN-CUP-IRAN-EXIT-TRUMP

Australia grants asylum to 5 members of the Iranian women’s soccer team

SUMMARY: Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who were in the country for a tournament when the Iran war began. The women were transported from their hotel in Gold Coast, Australia “to a safe location” by Australian federal police officers in the early hours of Tuesday morning local time. There, they met with Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and the processing of their humanitarian visas finalized, the minister told reporters in Brisbane hours later. An official team list numbered 26 players, plus coaching and other staff. Burke didn’t detail what threats the players faced in Iran.

WORDS: 890 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 11:51 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:68edc1b5cb2903cffc070639ed1df35c&mediaType=text

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FBN--FREE AGENCY RDP

Kenneth Walker III joins Mahomes in KC and Malik Willis starts QB reset in Miami, AP sources say

SUMMARY: Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is the new running back for Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, and Miami settled on Malik Willis for a reset at quarterback after releasing Tua Tagovailoa. Indianapolis is keeping its top free agent in receiver Alec Pierce. People with knowledge of the agreements said the deals were among those reached on the opening day of NFL free agency. Two edge rushers are on the move. Jaelan Phillips is joining Carolina after Philadelphia traded for him last season. Dallas added edge rusher Rashan Gary in a trade with Green Bay.

WORDS: 1304 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 11:44 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:84b4832552cdeafc134ff317520c9982&mediaType=text

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BKN--NUGGETS-THUNDER

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ties Wilt’s record and hits winning 3 as Thunder beat Nuggets 129-126

SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drilled a step-back 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds left to cap a frantic final minute on a night he matched Wilt Chamberlain’s record for consecutive 20-point games, and the Oklahoma City beat the Denver Nuggets 129-126. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points and a career-high 15 assists, becoming the second player in NBA history to have those totals and zero turnovers. He also had nine rebounds. In the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander reached the 20-point mark for the 126th straight game, matching Chamberlain’s streak from 1961-63. Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists for the Nuggets.

WORDS: 406 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 10:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1d42da79326b6811d49f45b21d09bfd2&mediaType=text

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US--CHIEFS-PARADE-SHOOTING

Prosecutor drops murder charge against shooter at Chiefs rally and cites self-defense laws

SUMMARY: A man who initially faced a murder charge for opening fire after the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2024 Super Bowl win was sentenced Monday to just two years in prison. Prosecutors said Monday that the case was complicated by the state’s self-defense laws. Dominic Miller is pleading guilty to a weapons charge as part of a plea deal. He was among at least six people to start shooting in the melee that sent players, city officials and hundreds of fans scrambling for cover. Lisa Lopez-Galvan was killed and about two dozen other people were wounded but survived.

WORDS: 555 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 10:41 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ac4cdf3860e567d3043fb548b9312274&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA-GAMBLING INDICTMENT

Man who helped recruit players into a sprawling NCAA basketball point-shaving scheme pleads guilty

SUMMARY: One of the so-called fixers in a sprawling betting scheme to cash in on big bets on rigged NCAA basketball games has pleaded guilty. The federal prosecutors’ office in Philadelphia says Jalen Smith appeared Monday in federal court and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bribery charges. Prosecutors say the Charlotte, North Carolina, man trained local basketball players and used those connections to recruit players in the scheme. Charges against Smith were unsealed in January along with 25 others. Prosecutors say Smith helped fix games in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. They say he placed bets and recruited players with the promise of a big payment in exchange for purposefully underperforming during a game.

WORDS: 738 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 8:52 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3d06ea8a78cd0016fc12f4016ce9fca9&mediaType=text

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US--IRAN-GAMING AND WAR

White House war promo videos marry action movies, sports and video games to real-life combat footage

SUMMARY: Through its social media feed, the White House has sent out a series of pumped-up videos that mix real Iran war explosions with movie action heroes, video game footage and sports heroes. That’s led some critics, including an official with the U.S. Catholic Church, to accuse the administration of trivializing a real-life conflict. One of the posts describes its video as “JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY.” Two actors, Ben Stiller of the movie “Tropic Thunder” and Steve Downes, who portrays the protagonist Master Chief in the video game Halo, said they hadn’t given permission for the depiction of their characters and demanded that they be removed.

WORDS: 1203 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 8:41 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cb4a546a4cfcfdc6083f89b059a8eb32&mediaType=text

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BBI--WBC-SKUBAL

Tarik Skubal won’t make another WBC start, citing spring plan and contract stakes

SUMMARY: Tarik Skubal will not pitch again in the World Baseball Classic. The Detroit Tigers ace said Monday he didn’t get a lot of sleep the last two nights as he mulled whether to make another start. In the end, the reigning two-time AL Cy Young Award winner decided against it. Skubal started Saturday in a win over Britain. His plan was to make only one start in the WBC and then return to the Tigers. But he reconsidered because he didn’t realize how emotional he would become while pitching for the U.S. Skubal is expected to secure a nine-figure contract after this season.

WORDS: 558 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 6:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f2a0cf995a474c670237bb31bc67198f&mediaType=text

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BKN--HAWKS-MAGIC CITY NIGHT

NBA cancels the Atlanta Hawks’ plans to celebrate the strip club Magic City

SUMMARY: The NBA has called off the Atlanta Hawks’ plans for a night celebrating the city’s Magic City adult entertainment club. The league says it did so because of “concerns” from many across the NBA. Atlanta announced the plan last month, saying the team would pay tribute to an “iconic cultural institution” with food, music and exclusive merchandise. Luke Kornet of the San Antonio Spurs spoke out about the idea of promoting a strip club and urged the parties involved to reconsider. And the league evidently heard the same messaging from others. The tribute had been scheduled for next Monday during a game against Orlando.

WORDS: 436 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 6:41 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a1733d815e4ec7b50eed9666c85abd25&mediaType=text

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FBN--DEAD MONEY

The Dolphins become the latest team to take on a big dead cap charge with $99.2M for Tua Tagovailoa

SUMMARY: The Miami Dolphins are moving on from Tua Tagovailoa but his contract will still be an albatross on the team for two more seasons. The Dolphins announced their plans to cut Tagovailoa less than two years after he signed a $212 million extension in a move that will leave a record $99.2 million of dead money on Miami’s salary cap. The charge for Tagovailoa can be split over the 2026 and ’27 seasons if the Dolphins designate Tagovailoa to be cut after June 1 but nevertheless it will have to hit the team’s salary cap, topping the $85 million charge Denver took when cutting Russell Wilson two years ago.

WORDS: 909 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 5:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:692fd27a8f3aaf4c331c65d220a638b8&mediaType=text

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SOC--WORLD CUP

World Cup chief operating officer says tournament is ‘too big’ to be postponed amid global turmoil

SUMMARY: FIFA’s World Cup chief operating officer says the tournament is “too big” to be postponed because of global turmoil caused by the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. Speaking Monday at the International Broadcast Center for the 48-nation tournament, which starts June 11, Heimo Schirgi said FIFA continues to closely monitor the Iran war and its fallout. The tournament, expanded from 32 nations to 48, is scheduled for 11 U.S. venues plus three in Mexico and two in Canada. While the Trump administration has imposed a travel ban on four of the nations that have qualified — Iran, Ivory Coast, Haiti and Senegal — it says it will make an exception for players, team officials and immediate relatives.

WORDS: 563 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 5:05 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5f06640d17deb8d5f699f284b03c9e9c&mediaType=text

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FBN--DOLPHINS-TAGOVAILOA RELEASED

Dolphins releasing QB Tua Tagovailoa, resulting in a $99 million dead cap hit. Malik Willis to sign

SUMMARY: The Miami Dolphins are moving on from Tua Tagovailoa and starting over at quarterback with Malik Willis. Tagovailoa has been the team’s primary starter for the last 5 1/2 seasons but the Dolphins said Monday he will be released. Tagovailoa wasn’t out of work for long, agreeing to a deal later Monday with the Atlanta Falcons. Miami’s move will result in a $99 million dead cap hit, the largest in NFL history, yet the Dolphins evidently saw that as the best path forward. Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan says “I recently informed Tua and his representation that we are going to move in a new direction at the quarterback position.”

WORDS: 992 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 5:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ecd1abc3a6b315dde984fad527f9c65f&mediaType=text

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FBO--BRADY-FLAG FOOTBALL

Tom Brady and the Fanatics Flag Football Classic moving from Riyadh to Los Angeles

SUMMARY: Tom Brady and the Fanatics Flag Football Classic are moving closer to home for their inaugural event, switching from Saudi Arabia to Los Angeles. The venue swap for the competition on March 21 comes on the heels of the Iran war and amid travel advisories. It was slated to be held at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Instead, the event featuring numerous NFL players and coaches relocates to BMO Stadium, which will be where flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 LA Games. The field will be full of familiar faces, including Brady as the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback makes his first official return to the huddle since his retirement from the NFL in 2023.

WORDS: 386 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 3:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0e61a6a5cf2d22c27c0bf1133007f7db&mediaType=text

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BKC--T25-ACC TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

The ACC Tournament arrives with the league poised to claim a hefty haul of March Madness bids again

SUMMARY: The Atlantic Coast Conference opens its men’s basketball tournament this week in Charlotte, North Carolina. The field is headlined by No. 1-ranked Duke among four AP Top 25 teams. The league is also positioned to claim a bigger haul of March Madness bids. That comes after seeing a declining number of bids to the NCAA Tournament since the COVID-19 pandemic. The league had fallen from a record of nine in 2017 and 2018 to five from 2022 to 2024. Then it had four last year. The league enters this week projected to have eight tournament teams.

WORDS: 1027 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 2:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:85be6cbec4c94e338f71414207b84472&mediaType=text

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