AP Sports Digest

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.

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UPCOMING

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NIGERIA ANTHONY JOSHUA

DESCRIPTION: The driver in a deadly car crash that injured British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and killed his two friends in Nigeria will face trial on Tuesday in the Nigeria’s southwestern Ogun state. Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, first arraigned in December, was charged with dangerous and reckless driving in southwestern Ogun state following the road crash.

UPCOMING: By 01/20/2026 4:30 a.m. EST, Video, Photo, Text

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OLY--HKO-NORTH AMERICAN DOMINANCE

DESCRIPTION: The U.S. has carved out a dominant role in hockey alongside Canada, the cradle of the sport. That has yielded more fans, money, attention and a fierce cross-border rivalry, but it has also come with growing pains. Canada goes into the Olympics in Milan as the favorite, but the U.S. has strengths to make gold more than just a realistic possibility. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. 600 words, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/20/2026 5:00 a.m. EST, Text

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BKW--T25-TOP 25 THIS WEEK

DESCRIPTION: Iowa has gotten off to a strong start in Big Ten play, winning its first seven conference games. The 10th-ranked Hawkeyes have the difficult part of its schedule in front of them with contests against Maryland, Ohio State, USC and UCLA in their next four games. The gauntlet starts Thursday at Maryland. A victory will give Iowa its best start in the conference since the 1995-96 team won its first 11 Big Ten games. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg.

UPCOMING: By 01/20/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Text

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BKC--T25-TOP 25 THIS WEEK

DESCRIPTION: No. 6 Houston has kept winning since its lone loss of the season, yet has had a hard time making up ground in the AP Top25. The Cougars get a chance at another marquee win at No. 12 Texas Tech this week. By John Marshall. 650 words, photos

UPCOMING: By 01/20/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Text

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SKI--WCUP-WOMEN’S GIANT SLALOM

DESCRIPTION: Defending overall champion Federica Brignone marks her return from injury in the World Cup giant slalom at the Kronplatz resort. UPCOMING.

UPCOMING: By 01/20/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Photo, Text

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OLY--SMO-GIBSONS NEW TRAIL

DESCRIPTION: Anna Gibson transitioned from trail running to a new Olympic sport in just seven months. The elite runner and her longtime friend Cameron Smith will compete in mixed relay as ski mountaineering makes its debut next month in Italy. By Pat Graham. 850 words, photos, video by Brittany Peterson.

UPCOMING: By 01/20/2026 8:00 a.m. EST, Photo, Video, Text

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FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press releases its final regular-season Top 25 college football poll at 11 a.m. Eastern.

SENT: By 01/20/2026 12:00 p.m. EST, Alternate Headlines, Photo, Text, DigitalPlans

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FBN--GIANTS-HARBAUGH

DESCRIPTION: John Harbaugh gets introduced as the 21st coach of the New York Giants. The Super Bowl champion reporting directly to ownership and not to general manager Joe Schoen gives Harbaugh significant power in shaping the future of the organization. Despite taking over a team that went 4-13 and 3-14 each of the past two seasons, Harbaugh expects to compete for a playoff spot right away. By Stephen Whyno. 600 words, photos. Developing off noon EST news conference.

UPCOMING: By 01/20/2026 12:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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FBC--ALL-PLAYOFF TEAM

DESCRIPTION: Breaking down the top performers at each position in the College Football Playoff. By Steve Megargee 900 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/20/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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FBN--NFL-PLAYOFF-GUIDE

DESCRIPTION: The NFL’s postseason is down to its final four teams and both of the top seeds are still alive. The NFC West is well-represented with the division rival Seahawks and Rams meeting for the conference title. In the AFC, it’s Drake Maye and the New England Patriots against the Denver Broncos, who turn to backup QB Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix broke his ankle. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/20/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Nine games in the Champions League, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Arsenal all in action. By Steve Douglas. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/20/2026 5:30 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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BBO--HALL OF FAME

DESCRIPTION: Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones are the leading candidates to gain election to the Hall of Fame in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

UPCOMING: By 01/20/2026 6:10 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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BKC--T25-PURDUE-UCLA

DESCRIPTION: No. 4 Purdue visits UCLA on a night when the late John Wooden is honored. By Beth Harris. 300 words, photos. Begins 10 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 01/21/2026 12:30 a.m. EST, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBC--CFP-INDIANA-CIGNETTI’S MASTERPIECE

Curt Cignetti finishes his masterpiece, coaching unbeaten Indiana to title in his 2nd season

SUMMARY: Curt Cignetti came to Indiana to win championships. The old-school, blunt-spoken coach who began his Hoosiers tenure with a promise to bring swift success to the losingest program in college football completed his masterpiece on Monday night. Cignetti guided Indiana to a 27-21 win over the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff final and the first national championship in school history. The Hoosiers finished off an undefeated campaign in front of 67,227 fans at Hard Rock Stadium, concluding one of the most surprising turnarounds in college football history.

WORDS: 912 - MOVED: 01/20/2026 1:22 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:36b9b91c30387fa939dc52b13cda5804&mediaType=text

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FBN--TITANS-SALEH

Titans agree to hire Robert Saleh as coach as they seek to speed up rebuild, AP source says

SUMMARY: The Tennessee Titans have agreed to hire Robert Saleh as their coach, hoping he can speed up their rebuild and end the franchise’s skid of four straight losing seasons. A person familiar with the decision confirmed it to The Associated Press on Monday night, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. Saleh spent this season as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator, his second stint in that job after spending three-plus seasons as coach of the New York Jets. He did not have a winning season with the Jets and was fired after a 2-3 start in 2024, going 20-36 overall.

WORDS: 535 - MOVED: 01/20/2026 1:18 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:43522f6fcd2d3f927f2ea36162befc1b&mediaType=text

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BKN--WARRIORS-BUTLER HURT

Warriors G Jimmy Butler goes down with right knee injury against Heat, will have MRI

SUMMARY: Warriors star Jimmy Butler was helped off the court with a right knee injury at the 7:41 mark of the third quarter against his former Miami team. Butler was hurt after catching a pass in the paint and going down hard and awkwardly after a collision with the Heat’s Davion Mitchell. Butler grimaced and grabbed at his knee while down for a couple of minutes. He needed teammates Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield to escort him off the court and to the locker room after the fall. He is scheduled for an MRI exam and the team didn’t plan an update until Tuesday.

WORDS: 482 - MOVED: 01/20/2026 1:11 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e73da355d608c3d3dff223e272aea1a1&mediaType=text

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TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Defending champion Madison Keys trails early but advances to the 2nd round at the Australian Open

SUMMARY: Defending champion Madison Keys struggled early but held on to defeat Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-6 (6), 6-1 in a first-round match at the Australian Open. Ninth-seeded Keys dug herself into a deep hole at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday but recovered. She trailed 4-0 in the first set and rallied to force a tiebreaker against the Ukrainian. American Ben Shelton, a semifinalist a year ago in Australia, overcame Ugo Humbert of France 6-3, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5) to reach the second round. The left-hander was also a semifinalist at the U.S. Open in 2023.

WORDS: 659 - MOVED: 01/20/2026 1:03 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:45a1ded3c66d74f08bc0b580f1ceb86e&mediaType=text

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FBC--CFP CHAMPIONSHIP

Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami 27-21 in CFP final

SUMMARY: Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night. The Hoosiers toppled Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title. The Heisman Trophy winner finished with 186 yards passing, but it was his tackle-breaking, sprawled-out 12-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-4 with 9:18 left that defined this game. Mendoza’s TD gave turnaround artist Curt Cignetti’s team a 10-point lead — barely enough breathing room to hold off a frenzied charge by the hard-hitting Hurricanes.

WORDS: 1143 - MOVED: 01/20/2026 12:51 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8b4fb15e43e10c890e16b57551b48523&mediaType=text

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FBC--CFP-INDIANA-MENDOZA

Fernando Mendoza’s clutch play against Miami leads undefeated Indiana to its 1st national title

SUMMARY: Fernando Mendoza’s historic season has ended with a national title. He didn’t have his best statistical game, but delivered when it mattered. Mendoza completed 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards and ran for a touchdown. His rushing score came after the Hurricanes cut the deficit to three points. In the fourth quarter, Mendoza led a crucial 12-play, 75-yard drive, converting two fourth downs, including a 12-yard rushing touchdown. Coach Curt Cignetti said the play was specifically designed for this game. Mendoza’s performance helped Indiana secure its first national title. Raiders owner Mark Davis and Tom Brady were in attendance.

WORDS: 572 - MOVED: 01/20/2026 12:42 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:afddf516c11c07d143e5989f675b4da0&mediaType=text

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FBC--CFP-MIAMI FALLS SHORT

Mark Fletcher and Malachi Toney delivered for Miami in the CFP final. The Hurricanes fell just short

SUMMARY: Miami’s football team faces big changes next season with a new quarterback, new starters on both lines, and a new kicker. However, Mark Fletcher Jr. and Malachi Toney will return as offensive leaders. On Monday night, they combined for three touchdowns in Miami’s 27-21 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff championship game. Fletcher finished the season with 1,192 rushing yards, while Toney had 108 catches. Both are local talents with compelling stories that resonate with fans. Despite the loss, their performances highlight their potential to lead Miami next season.

WORDS: 675 - MOVED: 01/20/2026 12:06 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ea0f2ab586338255571e4889ca0df4a5&mediaType=text

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BKN--CELTICS-PISTONS

Harris scores 25, Brown misses potential game-winner and Pistons hold off Celtics for 104-103 win

SUMMARY: Tobias Harris scored 25 points and Jaylen Brown missed a jumper just before the buzzer, allowing the Detroit Pistons to hold on for a 104-103 win over the Boston Celtics in a matchup of teams with the best records in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Duren scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Cade Cunningham had 16 points and 14 assists and Duncan Robinson added 15 points for the Central Division-leading Pistons. Brown had 32 points on 11-for-28 shooting for the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics.

WORDS: 307 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 10:55 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:867fa80f668fae937859a944be350850&mediaType=text

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BKN--KNICKS-BLOWN OUT AND BOOED

Knicks are blown out, booed and losing control of a season with championship aspirations

SUMMARY: Knicks coach Mike Brown decided not to talk about basketball adjustments at halftime of a game his team had trailed by 30. His message might have been hard to hear, anyway, above all the booing. Fans at Madison Square Garden showed Monday they were fed up with a team that’s lost control of a season which had championship aspirations. The Knicks have gone from NBA Cup champions to not even being able to rule out the play-in tournament with a January freefall, losing for the ninth time in 11 games with their 114-97 loss to the Mavericks.

WORDS: 507 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 9:30 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f379800ce1ea13e0060f11c50907dfc4&mediaType=text

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HKN--PANTHERS-TKACHUK

Tkachuk is back for the Panthers. Will it be enough to spark a run to the playoffs?

SUMMARY: Matthew Tkachuk is back with the Florida Panthers, ready to help the team push for the playoffs. Tkachuk had surgery over the summer to repair a torn adductor and sports hernia after helping the Panthers win their second straight Stanley Cup. He returned to the lineup for Florida’s game against San Jose on Monday. Tkachuk missed nearly a full year of regular-season hockey because of injuries. Panthers coach Paul Maurice says Tkachuk is ready to play but won’t be overused. Despite injuries to key players, Florida remains in the playoff race, four points out of the second wild-card spot.

WORDS: 673 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 9:08 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1f5ac81dcf627ea349f22573248bad29&mediaType=text

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FBN--DOLPHINS-HAFLEY

Dolphins hire former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as head coach

SUMMARY: The Miami Dolphins hired former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as their head coach on Monday. The moved ends a swift search for a coach who will be tasked with turning around a losing franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game in 25 years. Hafley replaces Mike McDaniel, who was fired earlier this month after going 35-33 in four seasons. The Dolphins also fired longtime general manager Chris Grier during the season. Hafley met with the Dolphins for a second interview earlier Monday before he was offered the job. He will rejoin new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan in Miami.

WORDS: 715 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 8:47 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b9f81d883f5b63a78bf4b197f5a54da5&mediaType=text

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HKN--SHARKS-PANTHERS-GOALIE FIGHT

Goalie fight breaks out between Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky and San Jose’s Alex Nedeljkovic

SUMMARY: A goalie fight broke out with 14 minutes left in a game between the Florida Panthers and San Jose Sharks that had gotten increasingly chippy with post-whistle pushing and shoving. Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky beelined from his crease to even things up after San Jose’s Alex Nedeljkovic got involved in a scrum in the corner. Panthers fans chanted, “Bobby! Bobby!” after the two netminders were done tussling. Cheers followed when Bobrovsky returned from a brief trip to the locker room. The goalie nicknamed “Bob” has backstopped the NHL’s southernmost team to consecutive Stanley Cup championships.

WORDS: 144 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 8:32 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:625bb3a8087f5bfeba085c66f525a569&mediaType=text

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BKC--T25-KANSAS-SELF

Coach Bill Self doesn’t travel with No. 19 Kansas after going to the hospital, school says

SUMMARY: Kansas says coach Bill Self did not accompany the Jayhawks to Boulder for their game Tuesday night at Colorado after being taken to a hospital in Lawrence on Monday. The Jayhawks in a statement said Self was feeling under the weather and went out of an abundance of caution. The school says Self felt better after receiving IV fluids. It was not immediately clear if Self would attempt to travel for the game or if an assistant would run the bench for the 19th-ranked Jayhawks.

WORDS: 229 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 8:22 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b7707fa99739d475426a5f9b8c5def64&mediaType=text

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BKW--T25-WOMEN’S POLL

Iowa cracks top 10 in AP women’s basketball poll for 1st time in 2 years. UConn, South Carolina 1-2

SUMMARY: Iowa moved into the top 10 for the first time in two years and UConn remained the unanimous No. 1 choice in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll. The Hawkeyes last were ranked this high in the final poll of Caitlin Clark’s senior year. They had been as high as 11th a few times this season and finally were able to crack the first 10. UConn received all 30 first-place ballots from a national media panel as the top six teams in the poll were unchanged from a week earlier. The Huskies have won 34 consecutive games dating back to last season. South Carolina and UCLA were next. Texas remained fourth despite falling at South Carolina 68-65 on Thursday. Vanderbilt and LSU followed the Longhorns.

WORDS: 474 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 7:51 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fdcf45911bc81086c27089270290452f&mediaType=text

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FBN--BILLS-MCDERMOTT FIRED

Bills fire coach Sean McDermott after 9 seasons of falling short of reaching the Super Bowl

SUMMARY: The Buffalo Bills have fired coach Sean McDermott after the team again failed to reach the Super Bowl in his nine seasons. The move came two days after the Bills were eliminated in a heart-wrenching 33-30 overtime loss at Denver in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Bills went 12-5 in the regular season and had their five-year run atop the AFC East end. McDermott transformed the franchise into a perennial winner, but was knocked for failing to make a Super Bowl appearance. Buffalo became the NFL’s first team to win a playoff round in six consecutive years but not reach the Super Bowl.

WORDS: 1244 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 6:51 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:17cfca2546dfd971c40d4a2da0b96484&mediaType=text

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BBO--HALL OF FAME

Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones appear on track to gain election to the Baseball Hall of Fame

SUMMARY: Center fielders Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones appear on track to gain election to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday. As of Monday evening, Beltrán had been picked on 89.2% of ballots revealed early on Ryan Thibodaux’s online vote-tracker, while Jones was at 83%, both surpassing the 75% needed for induction. Beltrán, in his fourth ballot appearance, has steadily increased his support since 2023. Jones, on his ninth ballot, has also seen significant growth since his first appearance in 2018. If elected, they would be inducted on July 26 alongside second baseman Jeff Kent. Other candidates like Chase Utley and Félix Hernández seem likely to fall short this year.

WORDS: 824 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 6:47 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:afeaaf14f83c552dc75dc19643160e0c&mediaType=text

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BKN--BUCKS-HAWKS

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks hold off Atlanta 112-110 to snap a three-game skid

SUMMARY: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points and 17 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a three-game losing streak, holding off the Atlanta Hawks 112-110 after squandering a 23-point lead in the second half. The Hawks led 105-104 on Jalen Johnson’s 3-pointer before dropping their fourth in a row in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game. Bobby Portis hit a 3, Johnson turned the ball over and Antetokounmpo powered inside for a basket that made it 109-105 with 36 seconds to go. The Hawks still had a chance, but CJ McCollum missed a chance to tie before the buzzer. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 32 points.

WORDS: 400 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 4:51 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1743612592b15a25110645d287e5cde3&mediaType=text

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FBN--BRONCOS-ANALYSIS

Broncos defense must carry team again as backup QB Stidham set to start AFC championship game

SUMMARY: Denver’s defense must once again lead the charge as the Broncos aim for Super Bowl 60. They host the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game on Sunday. The Broncos face challenges with a backup quarterback, Jarrett Stidham, stepping in for the injured Bo Nix. Nix broke his ankle during a thrilling win over the Buffalo Bills. Denver’s defense has been strong, forcing five turnovers against the Bills. However, their ground game struggled, and injuries have hit key receivers. The Broncos hope to overcome these hurdles and secure a spot in the Super Bowl.

WORDS: 918 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 3:53 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f134064dd427290dcd720ffc2ddc157d&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA-ALL-STAR STARTERS

NBA announces All-Star Game starters, with 1st version of U.S. vs. The World format now on its way

SUMMARY: Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, New York’s Jalen Brunson, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey, Boston’s Jaylen Brown and San San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama were announced as NBA All-Star starters Monday. The game is Feb. 15 in Inglewood, California. LeBron James wasn’t picked as a starter and his record streak of All-Star selections is now in some question. This is the first year the NBA will use a U.S. vs. The World mini-tournament format for the game.

WORDS: 879 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 3:25 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1b75c5fbb019504616157ab8e6b1ce11&mediaType=text

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BKC--T25-MEN’S POLL

Arizona a unanimous No. 1 for first time, Saint Louis and Miami of Ohio join AP Top 25

SUMMARY: Arizona is the unanimous No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the first time. The Wildcats received all 61 votes from a media panel in Monday’s poll. Arizona (18-0) won both of its games last week to remain among the three undefeated Division I teams. Iowa State dropped seven spots to No. 9 after their undefeated season ended. Nebraska moved up a spot to No. 7, its highest ranking ever. Saint Louis and Miami (Ohio) joined the poll, while Tennessee and Utah State dropped out. Kansas returned, giving the Big 12 Conference six ranked teams.

WORDS: 545 - MOVED: 01/19/2026 2:16 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:215ad8f1cfb9bbe7a66bad2dada9af06&mediaType=text