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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FBN--REPLACEMENT REFS-HISTORY

DESCRIPTION: The NFL’s last foray into replacement officials ended in embarrassment for the league when a botched call and comic confusion in a prime-time game led to the end of a lockout that marred the first three weeks of the 2012 season. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 1200 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 03/31/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--AROUND THE NBA

DESCRIPTION: Awards season in the NBA is around the corner. Boston coach Joe Mazzulla is not interested in hearing about his chances. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 03/31/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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HKN--PANTHERS-BUSINESS PRESIDENT

DESCRIPTION: The Florida Panthers are announcing the hiring of a new business operations president on Tuesday. By Tim Reynolds. Text, photo.

UPCOMING: By 03/31/2026 7:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--NBA-PLAYOFF CHASE-GUIDE

DESCRIPTION: A daily look at the NBA’s playoff chase.

UPCOMING: By 03/31/2026 10:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKC--MARCH MADNESS

DESCRIPTION: Text coverage of the men’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

BKC-NCAA--Illinois-Underwood’s Path — Illinois’ Brad Underwood coached for 26 years before finally landing his first Division I head coaching job. Now in year 39, the well-traveled 62-year-old is finally heading to the Final Four on Saturday when the Fighting Illini meet UConn. By Kristie Rieken. 700 words. Photos.

UPCOMING: By 03/31/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo, DigitalPlans

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BKW--MARCH MADNESS

DESCRIPTION: Text coverage of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

UPCOMING: By 03/31/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo, DigitalPlans

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKW--NCAA-TCU-SOUTH CAROLINA

Edwards, Makeer power South Carolina past TCU 78-52 to reach the Final Four

SUMMARY: Joyce Edwards scored 24 points and Agot Makeer added 18 to help South Carolina beat TCU 78-52 to advance to the Final Four. The top-seeded Gamecocks will face UConn in the Final Four in Phoenix on Friday night in a rematch of last season’s national championship game. South Carolina (34-3) has now reached the Final Four in six straight years and won two national championships during that stretch. Staley has been at the helm for all of them, including the undefeated 2023-24 season.

WORDS: 721 - MOVED: 03/31/2026 1:04 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e8da4c5248f848983084115ba74c70fc&mediaType=text

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BBO--DIAMONDBACKS-SOROKA

Michael Soroka throws immaculate 5th inning in Arizona Diamondbacks debut

SUMMARY: Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka threw an immaculate fifth inning on Monday night against the Detroit Tigers, becoming the fourth pitcher in franchise history to strike out three straight batters on nine pitches. The 28-year-old Soroka made quick work of Javier Baez, Kerry Carpenter and Gleyber Torres, blowing a 95 mph fastball past Torres for his 10th strikeout of the game, which tied a career high. Soroka was making his first start for the Diamondbacks after signing a $7.5 million, one-year deal during the offseason. Soroka was an All-Star for the Atlanta Braves in 2019 but back-to-back Achilles injuries caused him to miss most of the 2020 season and all of 2021 and 2022.

WORDS: 161 - MOVED: 03/31/2026 12:08 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ba26f5d72829419f4072c86f5788da9d&mediaType=text

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BKW--NCAA-MICHIGAN-TEXAS

Eyes of Texas on women’s Final Four again after Longhorns beat Michigan in regional final

SUMMARY: Madison Booker had 19 points and seven rebounds, fifth-year senior guard Rori Harmon has 13 assists and Texas is going to the women’s Final Four for the second year in a row. Justice Carlton added 15 points in the Longhorns’ 77-41 rout over Michigan in the Fort Worth Regional 3 championship game Monday night. The Longhorns led by as many as 40 points in the only regional final matching the top two seeds. Top-seeded Texas is 35-3 and going to its fifth Final Four overall. The Horns play 35-1 UCLA on Friday in Phoenix. Olivia Olson and Mila Holloway had 11 points for 28-7 Michigan.

WORDS: 967 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 11:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2956d193be35d83173ac91b5b6e84ef2&mediaType=text

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BKN--BULLS-IVEY

Bulls waive guard Jaden Ivey after anti-LGBTQ comments, remarks about religion on Instagram

SUMMARY: The Chicago Bulls waived guard Jaden Ivey on Monday in the wake of anti-LGBTQ comments and remarks about religion he made in a series of videos on his Instagram account. Ivey criticized the NBA for celebrating Pride Month and what he described as “unrighteousness.” He also wondered why when “gospel is preached that people hate it.” Coach Billy Donovan said the Bulls have employees from “all different walks of life” and Ivey’s comments don’t reflect the values of the organization. Chicago acquired Ivey from Detroit in a three-team trade on Feb. 3. The Bulls shut him down for the remainder of the season last week after being sidelined since Feb. 11 with a sore left knee.

WORDS: 504 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 9:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:738cdd3a17c16d56ac9376bcb14dc747&mediaType=text

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US--IMMIGRATION-GIRLS SOCCER TOURNAMENT

A ‘World Cup’ for immigrant girls uses the joy of sport to counter ICE fears

SUMMARY: A Portland soccer tournament brought girls from immigrant and refugee families together to push back against fear tied to federal immigration enforcement. Organizer Som Subedi said the goal behind Sunday’s tournament was joy, unity and a place where families feel safe. Some players have felt the immigration crackdown directly. Fifteen-year-old Valeria Hernandez says her brother inspired her love for soccer but was deported to Mexico late last year. Police officers and members of an immigrant rights group were there to provide a sense of security. Donations covered fees, jerseys and new cleats, so girls could just play.

WORDS: 1037 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 6:48 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fa2e1b21aa68d120b3454a18d688e9ed&mediaType=text

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SOC--US-RICHARDS-TSA

US defender Chris Richards on what makes America unique: `Maybe the TSA lines’

SUMMARY: Ahead of the World Cup, Chris Richards has a new take on what makes America unique. “Maybe the TSA lines right now, that’s pretty American,” the U.S. defender said ahead of a World Cup warmup match against Portugal. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Richards lives much of the year in London, where he plays for English club Crystal Palace. He arrived in the U.S. last week for a pair of national team friendlies in Atlanta. France coach Didier Deschamps also referred to security, saying “we spent an incredible amount of time at the airport, with checks that I’ve never seen in my life.”

WORDS: 333 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 5:55 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:83dc51e1d0243faa1bd86a656ab3bd4e&mediaType=text

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US--TRANSGENDER ATHLETES-MINNESOTA

Trump administration sues Minnesota over transgender athletes in girls sports

SUMMARY: The Trump administration has carried out on a threat to sue the state of Minnesota and its school athletics governing body for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. The Justice Department alleges in a lawsuit filed Monday that the state Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League are violating Title IX, a federal law against sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal money. The administration has filed similar lawsuits against Maine and California, and threatened the federal funding of some universities, including San Jose State in California and the University of Pennsylvania.

WORDS: 557 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 5:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d2b7800fe6a84e5514eafefc3869d313&mediaType=text

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BBO--ROBOT UMPIRES

Through MLB’s first weekend, Salvador Perez and the Royals are ABS winners

SUMMARY: Salvador Perez and the Kansas City Royals have been baseball’s best at utilizing their robot challenges through the first weekend of the Automated Ball-Strike System. Perez topped all catchers by going 4-0 on challenges, while San Francisco’s Heliot Ramos and Cincinnati’s Eugenio Suárez were the only batters who went 2-0 — Suárez won his appeals on consecutive pitches. Three-time MVP Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels is 3-1 on challenges. Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. was the only batter who went 0-2. Kansas City and Arizona were the only perfect teams, with the Royals 4-0 and Arizona 3-0. Houston was 0-6 and St. Louis was 0-3.

WORDS: 573 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 5:18 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:84b1264a86df1d13db1bdcd72b009568&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL-MEETINGS

NFL set to begin hiring and training replacement officials, AP sources say

SUMMARY: The NFL is moving forward with plans to begin hiring and training replacement officials in the next several weeks because negotiations with the referees’ union have been unsuccessful, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the conversations are private. The league and the NFL Referees Association have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement since the summer of 2024. The current CBA expires on May 31. The NFL has increased its offer to a 6.45% annual growth rate in compensation over a six-year labor deal, but the NFLRA wants 10% plus $2.5 million for marketing fees, the people said.

WORDS: 653 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 5:13 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:501bf4642dfef36623d5a5f190f783ff&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA-LAST-SECOND HISTORY

Mullins’ Miracle: How does his shot for UConn measure up to other famous ones in March Madness?

SUMMARY: A couple of days ago, Braylon Mullins was a UConn freshman whose name carried weight mostly among the true diehards. Now he’s a part of NCAA Tournament lore. That’s what can happen at this time of year. Mullins’ 35-footer with 0.4 seconds remaining lifted UConn over Duke 73-72 in the Elite Eight on Sunday. Now that the dust has settled, it’s time to evaluate just how legendary this shot was. The factors to consider are time and score, the importance of the game, the degree of difficulty and the shot’s long-term legacy.

WORDS: 1095 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 4:54 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:322c300b2945a3e6972b774364db9d67&mediaType=text

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GLF--TIGER WOODS-CRASH-WHAT TO KNOW

What to know about Tiger Woods’ rollover crash in Florida

SUMMARY: Tiger Woods’ refusal to take a urine test following his recent rollover crash can be prosecuted under a change to Florida law last year. David Hill, an Orlando defense attorney who isn’t involved in Woods’ case, said Monday that under the change, refusing a law enforcement officer’s request to take a breath, blood or urine test became a misdemeanor, even for a first offense. Refusal was previously only prosecuted if a driver had refused to take a test during a prior incident. Hill says even without lab results, prosecutors could build a DUI case against the golfer by utilizing deputy testimony and video footage. Authorities say Woods did agree to a Breathalyzer test that showed no signs of alcohol.

WORDS: 738 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 4:44 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dcec962e03e2bae3c8940c104d2575c1&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL MEETINGS-ROONEY RULE

Falcons GM Ian Cunningham says ‘work to be done’ in NFL minority hiring, despite Florida AG pushback

SUMMARY: First-year Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said he’ll continue to push for more diversity in the NFL’s leadership positions, even after Florida’s attorney general wrote that the league’s minority hiring guidelines violate Florida state law. Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell saying the league’s 23-year-old Rooney Rule amounts to “blatant race and sex discrimination.” Cunningham said there’s still “work to be done” in the realm of minority hiring. The NFL will have only three Black head coaches next season. There were 10 head coach openings this season and none of them were filled by a Black coach.

WORDS: 621 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 4:07 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:373df0f26978f30b23d4d1bc1e2e0131&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA-ARIZONA-PEAT

Freshman Koa Peat helps carry Arizona into the Final Four of March Madness

SUMMARY: Koa Peat has been a winner throughout his basketball career. He won four state titles in high school in Arizona and became the first player to win four international gold medals at the junior level. So when Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd was trying to entice Peat to play for the Wildcats, he pitched him on helping the school end a 25-year Final Four drought. Peat fulfilled the wish in his first season with Arizona, leading the Wildcats to their first Final Four since 2001 with a memorable performance in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament. Arizona will take on Michigan in the national semifinals.

WORDS: 656 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 3:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:00fec28945353a3dd75b43922626c4e2&mediaType=text

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HKN--OLYMPIC FATIGUE FACTOR

After grind of Milan Cortina Games, Olympians chase rest to peak again ahead of Stanley Cup runs

SUMMARY: NHL teams are managing their Olympic players carefully as the same stars now chase the Stanley Cup with little recovery time. Coaches focus on rest for their players any way they can squeeze it in, like fewer practices, limited morning skates and shorter shifts Some players say the shift back to regular games felt difficult after the emotion of winning medals. Others said the Olympic push helped break the winter grind. The schedule is more condensed this year because of the Olympic break.

WORDS: 1062 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 2:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2f61019bc7099a726302962f75bb8ab8&mediaType=text

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FBN--NFL-MEETINGS-QBS

Options vary for veteran QBs Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Russell Wilson

SUMMARY: Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Russell Wilson are still unsigned for the 2026 season. Options vary for the four accomplished veteran quarterbacks. The 42-year-old Rodgers can return to Pittsburgh and play for new coach Mike McCarthy if he doesn’t choose to retire. Cousins will likely have to settle for a backup role somewhere unless Rodgers retires or another starter gets hurt in the offseason. Garoppolo has an opportunity to go back to the Rams for a third season to play behind NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.

WORDS: 714 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 2:44 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fb9d1c0ad6e1db9ac66081beba0fa120&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-HENDRICK

Rick Hendrick and his team made all the right calls in earning first NASCAR victory of the season

SUMMARY: Alan Gustafson ignored the phone call while packing a suitcase for the Sunday morning drive to Martinsville Speedway. Then he saw whom he’d missed — NASCAR Cup Series team owner Rick Hendrick. Gustafson called him back as soon as he got in the car. The founder of Hendrick Motorsports had a message that he wanted the crew chief for Chase Elliott to deliver to his team, and it set the tone for their first victory of the season.

WORDS: 912 - MOVED: 03/30/2026 2:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0b5f9fb6d23676f2fb95d52e360d110f&mediaType=text