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UPCOMING
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BKC--MARCH MADNESS
DESCRIPTION: Text coverage of the men’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (times Eastern):
Games (First Four):
South Region: No. 16 Prairie View vs. No. 16 Lehigh, 6:40 p.m. By Jeff Wallner. Text, photos.
Midwest Region: No. 11 Miami (Ohio) vs. No. 11 SMU, 9:15 p.m. By Jeff Wallner. Text, photos.
Previews/Features:
BKC--NCAA-Counting On The 3 -- This marked the 40th season with the 3-pointer fully integrated into college basketball as a game-changing shot. Yet the question remains: how much should a team rely on it in March? Division I teams are taking nearly 40% of their shots on 3s, yet a fraction of teams that have reached the Final Four or won the title in the 3-point era have used it at that level. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos.
BKC--NCAA-Second Chances -- In the era of the transfer portal, a look at some of the top players making the NCAA Tournament for a second (or third) school. By Steve Megargee. Text, photos.
BKC--NCAA-Missing Players -- Some of the top teams in the NCAA Tournament will be without their top players. Texas Tech’s J.T. Toppin, North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson and BYU’s Richie Saunders are among the players out for the season, forcing their teams to adjust. By John Marshall. Text, photos.
BKC--NCAA-South Florida-Hodgson -- South Florida coach Bryan Hodgson grew up just outside of Buffalo, spent his college days at nearby Fredonia State, and was an assistant under Nate Oats on a University at Buffalo team that won three NCAA Tournament berths. How fitting for Hodgson, then, to be back in Buffalo to make his tournament debut as head coach as the East region’s 11th-seeded Bulls prepare to face Louisville on Thursday. By John Wawrow. Text, photos.
BKC--NCAA-Queens Debut -- Tiny Queens University, from Charlotte, earned its way into the NCAA Tournament in its first year of eligibility after making the jump from Division II becoming just the fourth school to accomplish the feat. By Steve Reed. Text, photos.
BKC--NCAA-Purdue-Senior Trio -- Purdue seniors Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith begin their March Madness farewell tour Friday. By Mike Marot. Text, photos.
BKC--NCAA-West Preview -- In a season of ups and a few downs, Gonzaga is back in the NCAA Tournament again and still looking for that elusive mid-major breakthrough.The Bulldogs are riding 27 straight tournament appearances. Twice they’ve made it to the national championship game, in 2017 and 2021, but both times wound up as runners up. By Anne M. Peterson. Text, photos.
BKC--NCAA-East Preview -- Duke enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed and looking to capture a national championship one year after failing to do so despite having a bevy of NBA stars on their roster including Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, the leading candidates for NBA Rookie of the Year. By Steve Reed. Text, photos.
BKC--NCAA-Midwest Preview -- Michigan earned its fourth NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed despite losing the Big Ten tournament championship game to Purdue. The Wolverines now know their opponent after MEAC champion Howard hung on to defeat UMBC 86-83 in a First Four game on Tuesday. In the region’s only other game on Thursday, eighth-seeded Georgia (22-10) faces Saint Louis (28-5) in a matchup of two of the nation’s top offensive teams. By John Wawrow. Text, photos.
BKC--NCAA-South Preview -- Defending national champion Florida is the No. 1 seed in the region. Houston, the team Florida beat in last year’s title game, is seeded No. 2. Those two teams could meet in of all places, Houston, in a regional final. Meanwhile, No. 4 seed Nebraska is the only power conference team never to win an NCAA Tournament game and No. 15 seed Idaho hasn’t even played in the tournament since 1990. By Cliff Brunt. Text, photos.
UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, DigitalPlans, Text
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BKW--MARCH MADNESS
DESCRIPTION: Text coverage of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament (times Eastern):
Games (First Four):
No. 11 Richmond vs. No. 11 Nebraska at Durham, N.C., 7 p.m.
No. 16 S. F. Austin vs. No. 16 Missouri State at Austin, Texas, 9 p.m.
Previews/features:
BKW--NCAA--UCLA-Mother Bruin -- The 80-year-old mother of UCLA coach Cori Close is the Bruins’ biggest booster. She knits blankets for the players, sits in on film sessions, helps at recruiting dinners and hashes over every game with her daughter. By Beth Harris. Text, photos.
BKW—-NCAA-Second Chances -- In the era of the transfer portal, a look at some of the top women’s players making the NCAA Tournament for a second (or third) school. By Steve Megargee. Text, photos.
BKW--NCAA-Michigan Sophomores -- Unlike many of the top teams in women’s basketball, Michigan’s top four scorers are sophomores. All-Big Ten players Olivia Olson and Syla Swords lead the class that gives coach Kim Barnes Arico confidence the program is in good hands now and in the future. By Larry Lage. Text, photos.
BKW--NCAA-Gamecocks Reset -- South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is treating a 17-point loss to Texas as a useful reset before the NCAA Tournament. Her fourth-ranked Gamecocks lost the SEC title game 78-61 to Texas after a 14-0 first-quarter hole. A similar loss in the SEC title game 2022 ended with a national championship. By Steve Reed. Text, photos.
UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, DigitalPlans, Text
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GLF--MASTERS-RORY’S MENU
DESCRIPTION: Masters champion Rory McIlroy finally has a seat at the table for the Masters Club dinner, and no detail was too small when it came to a menu unlike any other for all the Masters champions. He event sent Augusta National officials to his favorite restaurant in New York to prepare one of the dishes. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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BBI--WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC GROWTH
DESCRIPTION: World Baseball Classic attendance has more than doubled since the first tournament in 2006 and television viewers for the most-watched games have tripled, showing an appetite for national team baseball heading into what could be the first Olympics with major leaguers. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--AL WEST PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners switched things up in the American League West last season and got as close as they have ever been to making a World Series. After winning their first division title since 2001, the Mariners are looking to do it again this year with their switch-hitting catcher who hit 60 homers. By Baseball Writer Stephen Hawkins.
UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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BBW--WPBL-WORKOUT
DESCRIPTION: The Women’s Professional Baseball League partnered with the Boston Red Sox for a workout at JetBlue Park in Florida, ahead of the league’s planned launch this summer. By Alanis Thames.
UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI
DESCRIPTION: Shohei Ohtani makes his spring training debut on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers when they face the San Francisco Giants. By Baseball Writer David Brandt. 500 words, photos from 1:05 p.m. PDT first pitch,
UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 7:05 p.m. EDT, Text
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US--ICE RINK SHOOTING-CHAMPIONSHIP
DESCRIPTION: Colin Dorgan lost three family members when his father opened fire during a hockey game in Rhode Island. He’s since helped lead his high school hockey team to the championship, scoring the winning goal in double overtime that helped advance the Blackstone Valley Co-op out of the semifinals into the Division 2 hockey final. Team is scheduled to play championship game starting at 4 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Video, Text
SOC--CONCACAF-NASHVILLE-INTER MIAMI
DESCRIPTION: Lionel Messi and Inter Miami face Nashville in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. The teams played to a 0-0 tie last week. By Tim Reynolds. 500 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. EDT.
UPCOMING: By 03/18/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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US--IDITAROD
Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes repeats as champion of the grueling Iditarod sled dog race
SUMMARY: Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes cruised to a repeat victory in the Iditarod, the roughly 1,000-mile sled dog race in Alaska. Holmes guided his dog team Tuesday night across the finish line in the old Gold Rush town of Nome. Holmes pumped both fists in the air as the crowd cheered for him and his team of 12 dogs. The race started March 8 in Willow. The course took dog teams and their mushers over two mountain ranges, along the frozen Yukon River and across the unpredictable Bering Sea ice. Holmes is a former cast member on the National Geographic reality show “Life Below Zero,” chronicling the struggles of people living in rural Alaska.
WORDS: 783 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 12:07 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:65ac1878e21b68f545d77255cec77f96&mediaType=text
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BKL--WNBA-CBA
WNBA and players union have reached an agreement in principle on a transformational new CBA
SUMMARY: The WNBA will have its first million dollar players after the league and its players’ union reached a deal in principle on a transformational new collective bargaining agreement early Wednesday morning. Specifics still need to be finalized over the next few weeks as lawyers on both sides work on the new CBA. A term sheet should be done in the next day or two. It will then need to be ratified by the players and then approved by the league’s Board of Governors.
WORDS: 739 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 12:01 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:19ec34c0a5f1eea97a9ab6881d1c6144&mediaType=text
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BKW--AP-ALL-AMERICA-TEAM
UConn teammates Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd headline AP All-America first team
SUMMARY: Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd helped UConn to an undefeated season heading into March Madness. The pair became the first teammates in six years to make The Associated Press All-America team. It’s the 10th time that teammates have made the first team, seven of those involving UConn players. The last pair to achieve the feat was Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard in 2020. Strong and Fudd were joined by Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, UCLA’s Lauren Betts and Texas’ Madison Booker. Strong was a unanimous choice from the 31-member national media panel that chooses the AP Top 25 each week.
WORDS: 874 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 11:54 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8ea2e1062c77b55da2830d9ef7cc1997&mediaType=text
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BKC--NCAA-MISSING PLAYERS
North Carolina’s Wilson, Texas Tech’s Toppin among the missing stars in the NCAA Tournament
SUMMARY: Duke is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, but could be missing two key players due to foot injuries. Point guard Caleb Foster is not likely to play until the Final Four, if the Blue Devils get there, but big man Patrick Ngongba II may be close to returning. The Blue Devils aren’t the only team missing key players in March Madness. No. 20 Texas Tech will be without All-American big man J.T. Toppin due to a torn ACL. BYU sharpshooter Richie Saunders also is out with a torn ACL. North Carolina will be without stellar freshman Caleb Wilson due to a broke thumb suffered in practice. Michigan is also missing a key player in backup point guard L.J. Cason due to a torn ACL.
WORDS: 753 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 11:19 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a3ec9e556e50662b97b1a12064a3c713&mediaType=text
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BKW--NCAA-UCLA-MOTHER BRUIN
‘Mother Bruin’ brings support as the UCLA women open March Madness
SUMMARY: When the one-loss UCLA women open March Madness this weekend, their biggest fan will be sitting in her usual spot near the bench. Patti Close is the 80-year-old mother of Bruins coach Cori Close. She knits blankets for the players, helps at recruiting dinners and often travels with the team. Spending time around them helps Patti Close fill a void left by the death of her husband a few years ago. Cori Close calls her mother the mayor of Pauley Pavilion. Patti Close draws a steady stream of visitors to her seat at halftime and she likes to drop into the post-game interview room to “get the straight scoop.”
WORDS: 1168 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 11:17 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:355e6a18e1334dd60b576de86a9ff240&mediaType=text
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BBI--WBC-US LIMITS
MLB teams pressure WBC managers to be careful with pitchers. Venezuela pushed back
SUMMARY: Venezuela manager Omar López went beyond the limit to help his nation win its first World Baseball Classic. Major league clubs routinely place restrictions on how national team managers can use pitchers at the WBC. One key for López and Venezuela in Tuesday night’s championship game was that he talked some MLB team executives into dropping their initial limitations. U.S. manager Mark DeRosa accepted such restraints. That allowed López to pitch Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia for the second straight night and third time in four days. Palencia retired three straight batters to seal a 3-2 win.
WORDS: 632 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 8:11 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:67eb96470be0cbddb94fe3f57452e34e&mediaType=text
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BKW--NCAA-GAMECOCKS RESET
No. 1 seed South Carolina resets for March Madness run after SEC title game stumble
SUMMARY: South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is treating a 17-point loss to Texas as a useful reset before the NCAA Tournament. Her fourth-ranked Gamecocks lost the SEC title game 78-61 to Texas after a 14-0 first-quarter hole. A similar loss in the SEC titgle game 2022 ended with a national championship. South Carolina will be the No. 1 seed again and will face the winner of Southern and Samford on Saturday. The Gamecocks have made the Final Four as a No. 1 seed the last five seasons.
WORDS: 697 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 6:10 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:44daeca523cb3d4ce3e0980ff3de1133&mediaType=text
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SOC--AFCON-TITLE OVERTURNED
African soccer confederation strips Senegal of Africa Cup title and declares Morocco the champion
SUMMARY: Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title by appeals judges who overturned Senegal’s victory in a chaotic final in January. The Confederation of African Football says its appeals board ruled Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the Final” and its 1-0 win in extra time becomes a 3-0 default win for host nation Morocco. In the Jan. 18 final in Rabat, Senegal left the field in protest during stoppage time for 15 minutes, and fans tried to storm the field when Morocco was awarded a penalty. Senegal said it would appeal Tuesday’s decision.
WORDS: 721 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 4:55 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:deee4ed18e0f49b5836cf6c672df9193&mediaType=text
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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP
Champions League: Barcelona, Liverpool have work to do as Bayern looks to set up Madrid quarterfinal
SUMMARY: Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will look to complete a trio of Spanish successes over English rivals in the Champions League’s round of 16. After Real Madrid ousted Manchester City on Tuesday, Barcelona takes on Newcastle at Camp Nou with the score at 1-1 from last week’s first leg after Lamine Yamal’s stoppage-time penalty. Atletico is in a better position leading Tottenham 5-2 though faces an away match in the second leg. English hopes may rest with Liverpool, which hosts Galatasaray at Anfield needing to overturn a 1-0 loss from the first match in Istanbul. Bayern Munich leads Atalanta 6-1.
WORDS: 209 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 4:53 a.m. EDT. Will be updated.
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7a22633a3ce7909cb62a42ae157d4a2b&mediaType=text
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BBI--WBC-US-ANOTHER DISAPPOINTMENT
U.S. falls short again in WBC final as Venezuela stuns star-studded roster
SUMMARY: Aaron Judge walked slowly back and forth in the United States’ dugout on Tuesday night while Venezuelan players shed tears and fell to their knees to celebrate the country’s first World Baseball Classic title. Other players from the Americans’ $320 million roster stood frozen for several minutes before finally leaving the field. Team USA brought its most loaded roster ever to baseball’s premier international event, but the Americans lost their second straight WBC final after winning the championship in 2017.
WORDS: 860 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 2:16 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:52542d1e7a9e8d45ae3667785e913ce0&mediaType=text
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BBI--WBC-VENEZUELA-US-SCENE
In Miami for the WBC final, Venezuelan fans had plenty to celebrate as their team won the title
SUMMARY: Venezuelan and American fans packed Miami for the U.S.-Venezuela World Baseball Classic final. Venezuela won the game 3-2 on Tuesday night. The crowd turned the Marlins’ ballpark into a sea of flags, face paint and mixed identities. Some fans wore a Venezuela jersey and a U.S. flag at the same time. The tense politics between the countries has stayed mostly outside the stadium. Venezuela’s manager insisted the team was there to play baseball, not talk politics. Fans and players described the game as bigger than sports. They say it united a whole country.
WORDS: 1052 - MOVED: 03/18/2026 1:52 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:60a306c2a654b24fd27e5b859eef416f&mediaType=text
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MLB PREVIEW SPORTS EXTRA: A paginated preview of the season is in AP Newsroom by searching for “Sports Extra” or “SE” under the Graphics tab. Three versions – full broadsheet, half broadsheet and tabloid – are available. Please contact Barry Bedlan at bbedlan@ap.org with any questions.
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MOVING TOMORROW
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BKC--MARCH MADNESS
Coverage of the men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.
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BKW--MARCH MADNESS
Coverage of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
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BBO--GIANTS-VITELLO-THE VOYAGE
All eyes are on Tony Vitello as he makes the big jump from coaching the University of Tennessee to major league manager for the San Francisco Giants despite no previous professional experience as a player or coach. And everybody will be watching his high-profile managerial debut when the Giants host the New York Yankees in baseball’s season opener March 25. By Janie McCauley. 900 words, photos.
