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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OLY--WINTER OLYMPICS COVERAGE

Text coverage is planned for these events/matches:

BIATHLON:

Coverage of the men’s 4x7.5km race.

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BOBSLED/LUGE/SKELETON:

Coverage of 2-man bobsled.

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CURLING:

Coverage of round robin play on merit.

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FIGURE SKATING:

OLY--FIG-Women’s Short Program

MILAN — The women take center stage in figure skating at the Milan Cortina Olympics with the short program. By Dave Skretta. 700 words, photos. Event starts 7:45 p.m. local/1:45 p.m. EST.

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FREESTYLE SKIING/SNOWBOARDING:

OLY--SBD-Women’s Slopestyle

LIVIGNO, Italy -- New Zealand tries to add to its burgeoning dynasty on snow when Kiwi Zoi Sadowski-Synnott goes for a second straight Olympic title in slopestyle. By Eddie Pells. AP Photos. Starts at 1 p.m./7 a.m. EST.

Also: Coverage of freeskiing men’s big air final.

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ICE HOCKEY:

OLY--HKO-Men’s Roundup

Sweden faces Latvia in the qualification round of men’s hockey at the Olympics, with the U.S. set to face the winner in the quarterfinals. Czechia plays Denmark for the chance to meet Canada in the second of four play-in games. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

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SKI JUMPING/NORDIC COMBINED:

AP-OLY-NOR-Nordic-Combined-Large Hill

TESERO, Italy — Men compete in what could be last individual Nordic combined competition in the Olympics with ski jumping on the large hill and a 10 kilometer cross-country ski race. The sport, which excludes women, has been included since the start of the Winter Olympics in 1924 but faces being eliminated because of small TV audiences and winners hailing from only a few countries. By Brian Melley. Ski jumping at 10 a.m. local/4 a.m. EST. Cross-country skiing at 1:45 p.m. local/7:45 a.m. EST.

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SNOWBOARDING:

Coverage of women’s slopestyle.

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SPEEDSKATING:

OLY--SPD-Speedskating-Team Pursuit

The Olympic women’s and men’s speedskating team pursuit medals are determined. By Howard Fendrich. Starts at 2:30 p.m. local time/8:30 a.m. EST.

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OLY--WINTER OLYMPICS FEATURES COVERAGE

AP text features planned:

OLY--Ukraine-Russian Flag Bearer

The woman who led Ukraine’s Olympic delegation into the iconic San Siro stadium for the opening ceremony was from the country many would least expect: Russia. In an exclusive interview with the AP, she explains why she volunteered to usher the team into the Games and why she has decided to speak out now. Text and photos 05G

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OLY--HKO-Heated-Rivalry-Olympics

The success of “Heated Rivalry”, the steamy television adaptation of Rachel Reid’s 2019 novel, has become impossible to ignore. The series continues to dominate social media feeds and inspire a growing fanbase in the sport, even at the Milano Cortina Games, where athletes and fans continue to show their love for the hockey romance. Text and photos, 10G

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OLY--CUR-Sports Betting

MILAN -- Curling, which piques viewers’ curiosity every four years at the Winter Olympics, is expanding its audience even more at the Milan Cortina Games. Bettors are showing significant interest in the quirky sport. By Ken Maguire. 700 words; photos. 1200 GMT.

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OLY--HKO-US-Captain Matthews -- Auston Matthews carries a lot on his shoulders in the NHL as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs in what’s known as the center of the hockey universe. He also has tons of pressure wearing the “C” for the U.S. at the Olympics, and Matthews by the time the preliminary round ended in Milan looked like exactly the leader the Americans were hoping he would be. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

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OLY--HKO-Quarterfinal Lookahead -- Canada looks primed for another run to the gold-medal game at the Olympics. The U.S. could be on a collision course to face its northern neighbor in the final, but Finland, Slovakia and others are out to spoil the story line fans in North America are rooting for. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

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OLY--SMO-Skimo Explainer

BORMIO, Italy -- The newest Olympic sport goes by the name “skimo,” which is short for ski mountaineering. It’s basic principles are just as condensed — race up the slope and back down as fast as possible. There’s so much more nuance to it, though, in a sport that traces its roots back to the late 19th century. Ski mountaineering became fashionable before the advent of mechanical lifts when the only way to go up was by climbing. And the best way to get back down was skiing. By Pat Graham. 600 words.

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FBC--MICHIGAN-MOORE

DESCRIPTION: Fired Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore is due back in court on charges of stalking and home invasion against a woman with whom he had been having an affair after she broke off the relationship and reported it to school officials. Moore was fired earlier the same day.

ON MERITS: By 02/17/2026 2:00 p.m. EST, LiveVideo, Text, Video, Photo

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BKW--T25-MINNESOTA-MOMENTUM

DESCRIPTION: Minnesota has cracked the AP Top 25 for the first time this season on an eight-game winning streak that’s the second-longest in Big Ten play in program history. By Dave Campbell. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/17/2026 2:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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SOC--CHAMPIONS-LEAGUE-ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Defending champion Paris Saint Germain and European heavyweight Real Madrid are among the teams contesting playoffs to reach the Champions League round of 16

UPCOMING: By 02/17/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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BKC--T25-LOUISVILLE-SMU

DESCRIPTION: Freshman Mikel Brown Jr. has 74 points with 14 3-pointers the past two games for No. 21 Louisville, which goes to SMU looking for for its sixth win a row. By Stephen Hawkins. 300 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/17/2026 7:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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BKC--T25-MICHIGAN-PURDUE

DESCRIPTION: Michigan will try to protect its first No. 1 ranking in 13 years when it visits No. 7 Purdue on Tuesday night. The Boilermakers need a victory to maintain their chance to win the Big Ten title. 300 words, more on merit, with photos. Game time is 6:30 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 02/17/2026 9:30 p.m. EST, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKC--T25-HOUSTON-IOWA STATE

Nate Heise hits go-ahead 3-pointer in No. 6 Iowa State’s 70-67 win over No. 2 Houston

SUMMARY: Nate Heise hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and Tamin Lipsey came up with an offensive rebound in the final seconds to cap No. 6 Iowa State’s rally in a 70-67 victory over Big 12 leader and second-ranked Houston on Monday night. Heise was 3 for 3 from 3-point range hours after sister Taylor Heise scored to help the U.S. Women’s Olympic hockey team beat Sweden 5-0 to reach the gold-medal game in Milan. The Cyclones (23-3, 10-3) closed with a 17-4 run to take down a second top-10 team in three days. Iowa State topped No. 8 Kansas 74-56 on Saturday. The Cougars (23-3, 11-2) had their six-game winning streak snapped and their lead in the conference was cut to a half-game over No. 4 Arizona.

WORDS: 359 - MOVED: 02/17/2026 12:05 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5aa843c9957751ad02d119d1824656d1&mediaType=text

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US--ICE RINK-SHOOTING

Shooting at Rhode Island youth hockey game leaves 3 dead, including shooter, and 3 more wounded

SUMMARY: Authorities say a shooting during a Rhode Island youth hockey game has left three people dead, including the shooter. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said Monday night that three more victims remained hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities say they believe the shooting was a targeted attack stemming from a family dispute. The shooting occurred at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, a few miles outside Providence. Goncalves says someone had helped end the violent scene Monday afternoon by intervening and trying to subdue the shooter, who was at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena to watch a family member’s game.

WORDS: 417 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 10:48 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c8ac3e8067ce2f2ce07e4d98009ecdaa&mediaType=text

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OLY--HKW-WOMEN’S ROUNDUP

The United States and Canada will meet for gold for the 7th time in Olympic women’s hockey

SUMMARY: The United States and Canada will face off for Olympic gold for a seventh time since women’s hockey debuted at the 1998 Nagano Games in a border rivalry that never gets old. And this time, the Americans are the favorites at the Milan Cortina Games. The U.S. clinched its berth with a 5-0 win over Sweden in semifinal play. And the defending champion Canadians followed with Marie-Philip Poulin scoring twice to set the Olympic career goal record in a too-close-for-comfort 2-1 victory over Switzerland. The outcomes set up the latest showdown between the sport’s global powers in the gold medal final on Thursday.

WORDS: 1001 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 8:03 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a9ed73ed7d0ccd11d916cbe758aa1148&mediaType=text

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FBN--DOLPHINS MOVES

Dolphins releasing star receiver Tyreek Hill in major roster cuts

SUMMARY: The Dolphins are releasing star receiver Tyreek Hill, ending the All-Pro’s four-year tenure in Miami. Hill is recovering from a season-ending injury suffered in a game against the New York Jets on Sept. 29 that required surgery to repair significant damage to his left knee, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament. It is one of several major roster cuts the Dolphins made on Monday. The Dolphins acquired Hill in a trade with Kansas City ahead of the 2022 season and gave him a $120 million, four-year contract extension.

WORDS: 816 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 7:53 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dde1b111041eaddb19d7fc0e6d962404&mediaType=text

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OLY--FIG-MALININ-SOCIAL MEDIA

Ilia Malinin hints at ‘inevitable crash’ amid Olympic pressure and online hate in social media post

SUMMARY: Ilia Malinin shares a stark video that shows his Olympic highs and a painful low, and he says more is coming. On Monday, the U.S. figure skating star posted the clip and hinted at a “version of the story” coming on Saturday. That lines up with the exhibition gala that closes Olympic figure skating. Malinin helped the U.S. win team gold, then he stumbled in the individual short program and ended up eighth. He says Olympic pressure and online hate have weighed on him. He described negative thoughts and past trauma flooding in during his skate. He later congratulated the surprise champion, Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan.

WORDS: 586 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 6:31 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ecf86a141b63a3697a4f9d95e45429d0&mediaType=text

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OLY--FRE-WOMEN’S BIG AIR

Eileen Gu wins silver for 5th Olympic medal. Canadian Megan Oldham’s gold is her 2nd of the Games

SUMMARY: Defending Olympic champion Eileen Gu has taken silver in freeski big air at the Milan Cortina Games. Canada’s Megan Oldham won the gold medal on Monday. Oldham topped the 10-woman final with a combined score of 180.75 points from two jumps. Gu was next with 179. Italy’s Flora Tabanelli took bronze while competing with an injured ACL. This is the second medal for the 24-year-old Oldham at these Winter Games. She won bronze in freeski slopestyle last week. Gu also won silver in slopestyle and still has her best event, the halfpipe.

WORDS: 938 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 6:17 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0496f21c3c42a0d062586d23432d0b64&mediaType=text

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FBN--BROWNS-HICKMAN ASSAULTED

Police: Browns safety Ronnie Hickman jumped by 4 men in a New York hotel lobby

SUMMARY: The Cleveland Browns say safety Ronnie Hickman was treated for minor injuries and released after reports that he was jumped by four men in a hotel lobby. The Browns said the 24-year-old Hickman was at home resting with his family. The New York Police Department says there have been no arrests and an investigation continues. Authorities said they responded to a 911 call at 4:35 a.m. Monday reporting an assault in a hotel lobby. Police said the suspects fled. An undrafted free agent out of Ohio State, Hickman has played 41 games over three seasons, recording 173 tackles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery.

WORDS: 155 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 5:47 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:01c36e7579f62937e4ef2b8998708914&mediaType=text

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OLY--BOB-WOMEN’S MONOBOB

Gold for Elana! Meyers Taylor, 41, wins Olympic monobob title at Milan Cortina Games

SUMMARY: Elana Meyers Taylor has won her first Olympic gold in women’s monobob, and she made history as the oldest American woman to do it at the Winter Games. She rallied in the final heat at the Milan Cortina Games and dropped to her knees in tears. Germany’s Laura Nolte took silver. Kaillie Humphries Armbruster took bronze for the United States. Meyers Taylor already owned five Olympic medals, but she had never won gold. Her sixth medal ties Bonnie Blair for the most by a U.S. woman at the Winter Games. Kaysha Love finished seventh.

WORDS: 817 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 5:30 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:14a36bf53492d42e4ac97cf0e0a84082&mediaType=text

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BBO--YANKEES-JUDGE

Yankees captain Aaron Judge, like many fans, fretted for much of offseason over lack of moves

SUMMARY: Aaron Judge says he felt frustrated watching top free agents sign elsewhere during much of the offseason, but likes New York’s late additions, After the first full-squad workout, he says the slow offseason felt “brutal.” Judge spent time describing his right elbow injury from last season and worried whether he would need surgery. He says tests after the postseason cleared him, and his arm now feels at full strength. He also talked about his MVP season and facing a hard-throwing young pitcher in camp.

WORDS: 1218 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 5:24 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d431dc1c101483030d8de42355f36737&mediaType=text

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OLY--FIG-FEMALE ROLE MODELS

The ‘Blade Angels’ are redefining the image of US women’s figure skating

SUMMARY: The three U.S. women who will be going for Olympic gold when their figure skating competition begins Tuesday night are role models for a whole new generation. They call themselves the “Blade Angels,” but they are hardly the innocent ice princesses of yesteryear. Amber Glenn is 26 and speaks candidly about LGBTQ+ rights, politics and mental health. Alysa Liu retired at 16, spent two years of self-discovery, and made a comeback while becoming a hero to the alt, punk and emo crowd. Isabeau Levito may portray an ice-princess image, but her searing sarcasm comes through away from the cameras.

WORDS: 1371 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 5:23 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f526d8d269b0fc1656b177ed6a46175a&mediaType=text

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OLY--SKI-MCGRATH’S MELTDOWN

Olympic meltdown: Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath loses gold medal in slalom, then control of emotions

SUMMARY: Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath saw his gold-medal hopes slip away in the Olympic slalom and decided to send his ski poles sailing along with them. He tossed each pole over the netting, then climbed the fencing on the side of the course to begin a long walk to the wilderness. It was part of an epic Olympic meltdown that turned the men’s slalom into high-tragic theater Monday. As the first run leader, McGrath was the last to go among the top 30 racers. He had a medal within his sights until he straddled a gate and was out. He lost a medal and then control of his emotions in a race won by Loic Meillard of Switzerland.

WORDS: 802 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 3:41 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2d4ac3376f808c8f14ad46eedc5899f1&mediaType=text

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BKW--T25-WOMEN’S POLL

Geno Auriemma ties Tara VanDerveer for most AP Top 25 appearances as UConn stays No. 1

SUMMARY: Geno Auriemma has tied Tara VanDerveer for most appearances in the AP women’s basketball Top 25 poll when UConn remained No. 1. Auriemma has led the Huskies to 654 appearances in the poll during his 41-year Hall of Fame career to match VanDerveer, who retired from Stanford in 2024. UConn has been ranked for the past 621 consecutive weeks, dating to the preseason 1993-94 poll, and once again was a unanimous choice at No. 1 from the 31-member national media panel. Monday was the 900th poll in the 50-year history of the rankings.

WORDS: 444 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 3:38 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ed9b503cb40a9886a13fcd112ea6517f&mediaType=text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW

Real Madrid returns to Benfica for Champions League revenge mission with Mbappé back

WORDS: 691 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 2:33 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9236ecbc4b8dffb3974b9685d8e7d4f0&mediaType=text

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BKC--T25-MEN’S POLL

Michigan rises to No. 1 in AP Top 25 men’s hoops poll for 1st time since January 2013

SUMMARY: Michigan is No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the first time in 13 years, ending Arizona’s nine-week reign. The Wolverines claimed 60 of 61 first-place votes in Monday’s new poll to climb one spot and supplant the Wildcats. Arizona had been unbeaten entering last week before falling at Kansas and at home to Texas Tech. It marks Michigan’s first No. 1 ranking since January 2013. Houston, Duke, Arizona and UConn rounded out the top five. No. 24 Wisconsin and No. 25 Alabama were the week’s new additions. They replaced Clemson and Kentucky.

WORDS: 734 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 2:05 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c8609da09f04c8475fc32d4e25ba38be&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-IN THE PITS

From antitrust fight to victory lane: Michael Jordan’s 23XI grabs a Daytona 500 win

SUMMARY: Michael Jordan celebrated a Daytona 500 win as a team owner when Tyler Reddick won NASCAR’s season opener. The victory comes after Jordan led the federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR that NASCAR settled in December. If there are hard feelings, it was not evident Sunday. NASCAR chairman Jim France congratulated Jordan in victory lane. Jordan and partner Denny Hamlin say the relationship between teams and the sanctioning body have been good since the settlement. They say both sides want progress.

WORDS: 705 - MOVED: 02/16/2026 1:49 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d411cae741310396836eb348221a9e98&mediaType=text