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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BKC--ACC TOURNAMENT-PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: The Atlantic Coast Conference entered the season hoping to find a jolt for men’s basketball. It heads into this week’s ACC Tournament looking like those efforts worked. By Aaron Beard. 850 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 03/09/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKC--BIG 12 TOURNAMENT-PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Top-seeded Arizona will be trying to win its first conference tournament title as a member of the Big 12 when the Wildcats begin play in the quarterfinal round on Thursday. No fewer than eight games will take place even before the quarterfinals arrive. By Dave Skretta. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 3 p.m. CT.

UPCOMING: By 03/09/2026 3:38 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBC--COLLEGE BASEBALL NOTEBOOK

DESCRIPTION: Texas is streaking into Southeastern Conference competition after winning each of its first 15 games while outscoring opponents 147-36. By Steve Megargee. 600 words.

UPCOMING: By 03/09/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKW--T25-BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: No. 1 UConn looks to win its sixth consecutive Big East tournament championship since re-entering the league in 2021. The Huskies will face Villanova for the title. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg

UPCOMING: By 03/09/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBN--CHIEFS-FREE AGENCY

Chiefs land Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker on a 3-year deal worth up to $45M, AP source says

SUMMARY: The Chiefs and Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker have agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $45 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because deals cannot become official until the new league year begins Wednesday. Walker fills perhaps the biggest need for the Chiefs with Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco both free agents. He ran for 3,555 yards and 29 touchdowns over four seasons with the Seahawks. He also had 135 yards in a 29-13 win over the Patriots in the Super Bowl to earn MVP honors.

WORDS: 496 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 1:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:00d09d814f9f3bb0503845c723411d48&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. The move comes less than two years after he signed a $212 million extension with the club. It 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: 944 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 1:25 p.m. EDT

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

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BKC--T25-MEN’S POLL

Duke marks its record 150th No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25, Wisconsin, Louisville back in poll

SUMMARY: Duke was picked No. 1 in the AP men’s basketball poll for a record 150th time on Monday. The Blue Devils grabbed 56 of 61 first-place votes after beating NC State and North Carolina last week. It is their third consecutive week at No. 1. Arizona stayed second with four first-place votes, and Michigan also got a first-place vote after beating Michigan State. Wisconsin and Louisville returned to the poll, while Miami and Saint Louis dropped out.

WORDS: 783 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 1:21 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:796199ad6d5164eed5b4cf98a38da0e9&mediaType=text

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BKN--HEAT-ROZIER

Heat will receive a second-round pick from the Hornets related to the Terry Rozier trade

SUMMARY: The Miami Heat are receiving a second-round pick in this year’s draft from the Charlotte Hornets, which essentially becomes additional compensation related to the trade of Terry Rozier two years ago. The pick will be the more favorable of either Golden State’s or Denver’s second-round selections. The settlement revealed Monday was struck by the teams amid discussions regarding the circumstances surrounding Rozier’s trade and his ongoing issues related to a federal gambling investigation. Rozier was arrested by federal officials in October and charged with assisting bettors by releasing information that wasn’t available to the general public about his playing status.

WORDS: 477 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 1:01 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4e07086892285f40f609d6af34987f29&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-IN THE PITS

Team Penske’s Phoenix sweep caps a historic IndyCar-NASCAR doubleheader weekend

SUMMARY: Team Penske made history with a rare sweep as IndyCar and NASCAR shared Phoenix Raceway for the “desert doubleheader” weekend. Josef Newgarden won IndyCar’s first race at Phoenix since 2018 and goaded his NASCAR peers to close the sweep for team owner Roger Penske. Ryan Blaney delivered and won the NASCAR Cup race. Team Penske also won both poles with David Malukas in IndyCar and Joey Logano in NASCAR. The sweep highlighted Roger Penske’s 60th year in motorsports.

WORDS: 770 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 12:53 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:594da46d9b310733037b774bc995c4ec&mediaType=text

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FBN--CHIEFS-KELCE

Chiefs and tight end Travis Kelce nearing a deal for his 14th season, AP source says

SUMMARY: Travis Kelce is close to a new deal that keeps him with the Kansas City Chiefs for a 14th season, a person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because no contract has been signed. Kelce has been weighing retirement and said he wanted to provide some clarity to the Chiefs by early March. Kansas City faces the start of free agency this week and the NFL draft in April. One reason Kelce is likely returning is to help the Chiefs bounce back from a tough 6-11 season, their worst since 2012. Another is to play again with Patrick Mahomes, who tore his ACL late last season.

WORDS: 586 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 12:38 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2c2b50e8f19786d0c4cc992f36e7c87f&mediaType=text

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BBI--WBC-RDP

South Korea joins Japan in WBC quarterfinals, advances with 7-2 win over Australia

SUMMARY: South Korea advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic, moving past the first round for the first time since 2009 by beating Australia 7-2 at the Tokyo Dome behind four RBIs from Bo Gyeong Moon, who leads the tournament with 11. The South Koreans finished second in Group C behind Japan and Shohei Ohtani, and they will next play at Miami on Friday. South Korea, Australia and Taiwan all had 2-2 records, and South Korea needed to beat Australia by five runs or more to advance based on a tiebreaker.

WORDS: 366 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 12:20 p.m. EDT

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

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-PREVIEW

Madrid-Man City, PSG-Chelsea rematches headline Champions League last-16 with newcomer Bodø/Glimt

SUMMARY: The Champions League round of 16 starts Tuesday with blockbuster rematches, teams ending long absences from this stage and the feelgood story of newcomer Bodø/Glimt. Paris Saint-Germain hosts Chelsea which last July stopped the Champions League winner adding the Club World Cup title. Real Madrid hosts Manchester City for the second time this season and the fifth straight year in the knockout rounds. In other repeat games this week from the league phase, Galatasaray hosts Liverpool and Barcelona goes to Newcastle. Bodø/Glimt hosts Sporting Lisbon on its artificial turf field inside the Arctic Circle.

WORDS: 701 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 12:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:072a85d6a6d9b4fbbf4afb420128d481&mediaType=text

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FBN--JETS-DOLPHINS TRADE

Jets acquiring Minkah Fitzpatrick from Dolphins and signing him to $40M extension, AP source says

SUMMARY: A person with knowledge of the deal says the New York Jets are trading for three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and signing him to a three-year, $40 million contract extension. On Monday, The Associated Press reported the Jets are sending the Miami Dolphins a seventh-round pick in the deal. The trade cannot become official until Wednesday when the NFL’s new league year starts. The move fills a huge hole for New York. The Jets just became the first team to finish a season with no interceptions. Fitzpatrick has 21 career picks.

WORDS: 568 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 12:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1234c6662b558cb1be35be877e5ad882&mediaType=text

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BKW--T25-WOMEN’S POLL

No. 2 UCLA ends UConn run as unanimous No. 1 in women’s AP Top 25, Texas moves up to No. 3

SUMMARY: No. 2 UCLA has closed the gap on top-ranked UConn in the latest AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll. The Bruins grabbed three first-place votes after crushing Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament championship game. UConn got the other 28 first-place votes. Texas jumped South Carolina to No. 3 after winning their head-to-head showdown in the SEC tournament final. The SEC leads the country with eight ranked teams.

WORDS: 370 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 12:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b63b5f3055219bab6b27eea81b1d85bd&mediaType=text

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FBN--FREE AGENCY RDP

Cowboys get edge rusher Rashan Gary in trade with Packers as free agency opens, AP source says

SUMMARY: A person with knowledge of the deal says the Dallas Cowboys are acquiring edge rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers in a trade just as NFL free agency opens. Dallas will send a 2027 late-round pick to the Packers. The Cowboys and Packers reached the deal just as free agents were being allowed to talk to teams and reach agreements on contracts that can’t be signed until the league year begins Wednesday. The Miami Dolphins announced they are releasing Tua Tagovailoa. That’s another big name at quarterback in free agency. Kyler Murray is being let go by Arizona.

WORDS: 574 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 11:29 a.m. EDT

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

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SOC--BRAZIL-VIOLENCE

23 red cards and police intervention as mass brawl mars end of title match in Brazil

SUMMARY: Twenty-three players have been shown a red card as a lengthy brawl requiring the intervention of military police marred the final seconds of a Brazilian soccer title match between Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro. Former Brazil forward Hulk was among the players sent off following the violence that lasted more than a minute and spread from one end of the field toward the other as substitutes, members of coaching staff and security also weighed in. It was sparked by a challenge by Cruzeiro midfielder Christian on Atletico goalkeeper Everson. According to team statistics, Cruzeiro had 12 players sent off and Atletico had 11. Cruzeiro wound up winning 1-0 in the Campeonato Mineiro final.

WORDS: 281 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 10:33 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c5db0856380c7a0baa9ac1f7ca2c60a2&mediaType=text

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OLY--PARALYMPICS-RUSSIAN ANTHEM

Russian anthem rings out at Paralympics for first time in 12 years after Voronchikhina takes gold

SUMMARY: Russia’s national anthem rings out at the Paralympics for the first time in more than a decade after Para alpine skier Varvara Voronchikhina won gold. Russian athletes are back competing under their own flag in the Winter Paralympics at Milan Cortina after years of having to do so as neutral athletes because of the country’s doping violations and military conflicts. Voronchikhina finished first in the women’s super-G standing competition on Monday and the medal ceremony took take place shortly afterward. It is the first time Russia’s anthem has been played at a major global sporting event since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the first time it is heard at the Paralympics since the 2014 Games in Sochi.

WORDS: 461 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 10:06 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:846e23dc45e78e2786d8e2054d71b0d1&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-IRAQ-PLAYOFF

Iraq coach Graham Arnold urges FIFA to postpone his team’s World Cup playoff because of Iran war

SUMMARY: Iraq coach Graham Arnold has urged soccer’s international governing body to postpone his team’s intercontinental World Cup qualifier later this month because of disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East. Arnold says many players and staff cannot leave the country because Iraq has closed its airspace until April 1. That has already forced Iraq to postpone a training camp in Houston. Iraq is due to play a winner-takes-all playoff on March 31 in Monterrey against either Suriname or Bolivia. Arnold is asking FIFA to delay the match so his squad has adequate time to prepare.

WORDS: 351 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 7:37 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a112ac21ab122b61d4135945dcbe80d8&mediaType=text

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BKC--BRACKET WATCH

Bracket Watch: Northern Iowa is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade

SUMMARY: Trey Campbell scored 23 points to lead Northern Iowa over UIC in the championship game of the Missouri Valley Tournament. The Panthers advance to the NCAAs for the first time since 2016. Also on Sunday, three other teams earned automatic bids to this year’s men’s NCAA Tournament: High Point in the Big South, Queens University in the Atlantic Sun and North Dakota State in the Summit League. Automatic bids are at stake Monday night in the Sun Belt and the Southern Conference.

WORDS: 603 - MOVED: 03/09/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9b914d6adf623bf00006e07bacfa8b27&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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BKC--SEC TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

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.

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BBI--WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

Coverage of the World Baseball Classic, including roundups slugged BBI--WBC Rdp through the quarterfinals.

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