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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BKN--AROUND THE NBA

DESCRIPTION: The NBA, typically, saves its best for last. Here’s hoping that rings true again this spring. Blowouts might continue, but tanking will cease. And none too soon, either. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/07/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BKN--NBA-PLAYOFF CHASE-GUIDE

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

UPCOMING: By 04/07/2026 10:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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BKC--T25-MENS POLL

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press releases the final AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll of the season.

UPCOMING: By 04/07/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, DigitalPlans, Text

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BKC--NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP-WHAT WE LEARNED

DESCRIPTION: INDIANAPOLIS -- The confetti was still flying after a Michigan win when a new tradition in college basketball kicked off -- the opening of the transfer portal. Nobody leveraged it better than the Wolverines this season. To get back to the Final Four, they’ll need to do it again. By Eddie Pells. AP Photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/07/2026 12:02 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Champions League quarterfinals first leg.

UPCOMING: By 04/07/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BBO--DIAMONDBACKS-METS

DESCRIPTION: Zac Gallen is scheduled to pitch for the Arizona Diamondbacks against Freddy Peralta and the New York Mets in the opener of a three-game series. The start time was moved up 3 hours because of a cold forecast. 300 words, with photos.

UPCOMING: By 04/07/2026 07:10 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKC--NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP

Michigan muscles its way to program’s 2nd national title, beating stubborn UConn 69-63

SUMMARY: High-scoring Michigan had to get down and dirty to dig out the national title, making only two 3-pointers all night but still muscling its way to a 69-63 victory over stingy, stubborn UConn. Elliot Cadeau led the Wolverines with 19 points, including the team’s first 3, which came 7:04 into the second half. The second, from freshman Trey McKenney, came with 1:50 left and felt like a dagger, giving the Wolverines a nine-point lead. UConn fought to the finish in a game that had a 1950s feel. Alex Karaban scored 17 points for UConn, which was denied in its bid for a third title in four seasons.

WORDS: 1021 - MOVED: 04/07/2026 1:05 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:806339fe73ae4e8d62d69e24c85dcc79&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP-UCONN

UConn slows down Michigan, but physical play can’t make up for poor shooting in title game loss

SUMMARY: UConn executed coach Dan Hurley’s game plan in a national championship slugfest against Michigan. The Huskies were physical, controlled the pace and held the Wolverines’ potent offense in check on Monday night. But this time, the big shots that propelled them to the cusp of a third national championship in four seasons simply didn’t fall. Fabulous freshman Braylon Mullins, do-it-all senior Alex Karaban and big man Tarris Reed Jr. all struggled from the field as the Huskies lost 69-63. Although UConn kept it close with physical play, Michigan was perfectly comfortable playing bully ball.

WORDS: 756 - MOVED: 04/07/2026 1:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2a9e0b3336eacac40a34dbf22a31961e&mediaType=text

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BKC--NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP-MICHIGAN

Michigan built a roster full of transfers who carried the Wolverines to a national title

SUMMARY: Michigan has won a national championship with a roster full of transfers. The Wolverines held off UConn 69-63 on Monday night for the program’s first title since 1989. It came behind an all-transfer starting lineup and only two rotation players who had not started their careers elsewhere. Coach Dusty May did such a good job in bringing that roster together that the Wolverines were able to counter every move by the Huskies. They were too much for UConn even though they had a rough shooting night and star Yaxel Lendeborg was hobbled by injuries.

WORDS: 908 - MOVED: 04/07/2026 12:53 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b29d8c1466037aee4cb3ab589902c4e6&mediaType=text

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BKN--SPURS WEMBANYAMA INJURED

Wembanyama suffers left rib contusion vs 76ers, his status for last 3 regular-season games unknown

SUMMARY: Victor Wembanyama suffered a left rib contusion and was ruled out of the second half of San Antonio’s 115-102 win over Philadelphia on Monday night, leaving the status of the Spurs’ center for the rest of the regular season in doubt. Wembanyama took an inadvertent elbow to the ribs from Paul George when the Philadelphia forward was attempting to deflect a pass as the 7-foot-4 Frenchman was sprinting up court on a fastbreak with 10:49 remaining in the first half. Wembanyama tumbled to the court and remained down for a minute. Whether Wembanyama will be available for the Spurs’ final three games of the regular season — all at home — against Portland (Wednesday), Dallas (Friday) and Denver (Sunday) wasn’t known after Monday’s game.

WORDS: 431 - MOVED: 04/07/2026 12:52 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a34f498aae487a107ebc9c52c6fbde4b&mediaType=text

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BBO--MARINERS-RALEIGH

Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh hits first home run of 2026 following 10-game drought

SUMMARY: Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who led the major leagues with 60 home runs last year, hit his first of the 2026 season Monday night following a 10-game drought. Raleigh’s homer was pulled deep to right field against two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom of the Texas Rangers to end a 12-pitch at-bat in the first inning. Raleigh fouled off six pitches with two strikes and connected on a 99 mph fastball low in the strike zone. His longest home run drought last season was eight games.

WORDS: 333 - MOVED: 04/07/2026 12:07 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:77ea4614826b439e109562725ea3d699&mediaType=text

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BBO--RED SOX-CONTRERAS

Willson Contreras warns Brewers if they hit him with another pitch he’ll `take one of them out’

SUMMARY: Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras had a warning for the Milwaukee Brewers after he was hit on the hand by a pitch from right-hander Brandon Woodruff. Contreras said the next time a Milwaukee pitcher plunks him, he’s going to “take one of them out. That’s a message.” Contreras has been hit by a pitch 131 times in his career, including 24 times by the Brewers — which is 10 more than any other team. He has a testy history with Woodruff, who has nailed Contreras six times. After the latest one, Contreras yelled at Woodruff from first base. Then, on a force play, Contreras slid hard into second, banging into shortstop David Hamilton’s left knee with his cleats and tearing his pants.

WORDS: 454 - MOVED: 04/07/2026 12:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c732b68d9fbd136b49a18e785ba8859a&mediaType=text

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BKN--GRIZZLIES-3-POINTERS

Grizzlies match NBA record by making 29 3-pointers in loss to Cavaliers

SUMMARY: The Memphis Grizzlies made 29 3-pointers against Cleveland, matching an NBA single-game record. And it wasn’t enough. Nine Grizzlies made at least one 3 in a 142-126 loss to the Cavaliers. The Grizzlies shot 49.2% from deep and 45.7% from inside the arc. The 3-point record had been shared by Milwaukee and Boston. The Bucks made 29 3s in a 144-97 victory at Miami on Dec. 29, 2020, and the Celtics equaled the record in a 132-109 win against the New York Knicks on Oct. 22, 2024. The Grizzlies made 10 3s in the first quarter, three in the second, six in the third and 10 in the final period.

WORDS: 279 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 11:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b6bd8c1079600634f03e7e2f633a96d5&mediaType=text

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BBO--BLUE JAYS-SCHERZER

Blue Jays RHP Scherzer leaves start against Dodgers after two innings because of forearm tendinitis

SUMMARY: Blue Jays right-hander and three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer left Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers after two innings because of forearm tendinitis. The 41-year-old Scherzer, who re-signed with Toronto in February, allowed two runs and two hits. Scherzer said he’s been sore for a couple of days and didn’t feel any worse after his abbreviated outing. Scherzer said he didn’t think there was anything major wrong and that in his mind he’d make his next start.

WORDS: 265 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 11:06 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4133cdb74a44ca0bf5565563a08a6c2b&mediaType=text

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BKC--NORTH CAROLINA-MALONE

North Carolina working to finalize deal to hire Michael Malone as basketball coach, AP source says

SUMMARY: North Carolina is working toward finalizing a deal with NBA championship-winning coach Michael Malone to take over the Tar Heels’ basketball program. That’s according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the school hasn’t publicly discussed its search. Malone would replace former UNC player and assistant coach Hubert Davis, who was fired on March 24 after five seasons. Malone had 10-year run with Denver that included leading the Nuggets to the 2023 world title. He joins football coach Bill Belichick as another pro championship winner in Chapel Hill.

WORDS: 724 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 9:08 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c2cce07c581c2877411e4ecdc955ea17&mediaType=text

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HKN--DEVILS-GM OUT

New Jersey Devils part ways with longtime general manager Tom Fitzgerald

SUMMARY: The New Jersey Devils are parting ways with general manager Tom Fitzgerald in an abrupt late-season change of direction for a team that is set to miss the playoffs. Co-owner David Blitzer announced Monday that a decision had been made for Fitzgerald to leave the organization. Fitzgerald had been in charge of hockey operations since January 2020 and was responsible for building much of the core of the roster. New Jersey reached the playoffs just twice in the past five seasons.

WORDS: 594 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 8:24 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:48e886001ff701f691ed09fa0dabcd9f&mediaType=text

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BBO--RAYS-TROP OPENS

Rays are victorious in return to Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton tore off the roof in 2024

SUMMARY: With cowbells ringing in the stands, Bryan Baker was fired up after striking out Pete Crow-Armstrong to give the Tampa Bay Rays a triumphant return to Tropicana Field. Back home for the first time in 561 days after Hurricane Milton shredded the roof and caused extensive damage throughout the stadium, the Rays beat the Chicago Cubs 6-4 on Monday in front of a sellout crowd of 25,114. It cost nearly $60 million to replace the titled roof and rebuild the Trop after a hurricane swept through downtown St. Petersburg on Oct. 9, 2024.

WORDS: 555 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 7:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9bb66939e9f91fad0d87900771831ab3&mediaType=text

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GLF--MASTERS

Tiger Woods is not at the Masters. Jason Day wonders why he was behind the wheel in DUI arrest

SUMMARY: Tiger Woods is a topic of conversation at the Masters without even being there. Jason Day is among players who wish the best for his recovery from an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence during a car accident. But Day also says it was selfish of Woods to be driving. It follows Nick Faldo saying it’s time Woods is held accountable. Woods has entered a not guilty plea to the charge from the March 27 accident. He also was granted a motion to seek treatment outside the country. Day says he hopes Woods comes out of this better.

WORDS: 835 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 7:29 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9e0253dce1563cb2e0c8c2fd861aa3dd&mediaType=text

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BKN--BULLS-KARNISOVAS & EVERSLEY FIRED

Bulls fire Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley after six years in a front-office shakeup

SUMMARY: The Chicago Bulls fired executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley, ending a six-year run that produced just one playoff appearance. The Bulls gutted their roster before the trade deadline. But Karnisovas and Eversley won’t be around for the next phase of a revamp. Chicago was 224-254 during their tenure. The Bulls are 12th in the Eastern Conference at 29-49 and are missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

WORDS: 822 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 6:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f0aa7ff19acebbfbdf6c85bce7aebf49&mediaType=text

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BBO--CUBS-RAYS

Mullins, Aranda and Caminero homer to lead Rays over Cubs 6-4 in return to Tropicana Field

SUMMARY: Cedric Mullins, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Chicago Cubs 6-4 in their first game at Tropicana Field in 561 days. The Rays were back in their domed stadium after playing the 2025 season across the bay in Tampa at Steinbrenner Field — the spring training home of the New York Yankees — because Hurricane Milton destroyed the Trop’s roof and caused extensive damage. A sellout crowd of 25,114 welcomed the Rays home. Shane McClanahan, making his first start at the Trop since July 22, 2023, allowed two runs and one hit in four innings. He struck out five and walked four.

WORDS: 393 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 6:30 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cb74da490e5cf469bbeb5fed9b57ca21&mediaType=text

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BBO--EARLY TRENDS

The Tigers, led by catcher Dillon Dingler, have been baseball’s best at ABS challenges

SUMMARY: Major League Baseball’s first week of challenges to robot umpires shows catchers outperforming batters. The Automated Ball-Strike System has a 55.2% success rate, with fielding teams winning 59.7% of challenges. Catchers lead with a 60.4% success rate. Detroit Tigers and Dillon Dingler excel, winning 75% of calls. New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone and others are adapting to the system. Offense is at a record low, with a .234 batting average, while fastball velocity hits a record high of 94.6 mph.

WORDS: 860 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 5:15 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:27e0e98ad6a6c08d4a012f6f493ee1b0&mediaType=text

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GLF--MASTERS-REED’S RETURN

Patrick Reed’s long road back: Leaving LIV, waiting out a PGA Tour return and playing in the Masters

SUMMARY: Patrick Reed is back at the Masters, walking among the Georgia pines. Soon enough, he will be back on the PGA Tour. Reed was one of the early stars who left for the lucrative, Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit a few years ago. But he decided to return earlier this year, and he’ll be eligible to play in PGA Tour events again come fall. In the meantime, he’s been playing on the European tour, where he already has two wins sandwiched around a playoff loss in Bahrain. His game is in good shape as he prepares to play Augusta National, where he won the green jacket in 2018.

WORDS: 839 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 5:10 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:912737f731c6217f5e7755619ff0da3f&mediaType=text

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BBO--METS-BELTRAN-NUMBER RETIRED

Mets to retire Carlos Beltrán’s No. 15 in ceremony before he enters team’s hall of fame on Sept. 19

SUMMARY: The New York Mets will retire Carlos Beltrán’s No. 15 and he will enter the team’s hall of fame before their home game against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 19. Beltrán will become the ninth player in franchise history to have his number retired. Tom Seaver, Mike Piazza, Jerry Koosman, Keith Hernandez, Willie Mays, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry and David Wright previously had their numbers retired. The Mets also have retired the numbers of former managers Gil Hodges and Casey Stengel. Outfielder Tyrone Taylor is changing his number from 15 to 28.

WORDS: 369 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 3:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9b15bb166786c599567193e398800583&mediaType=text

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BBO--TIME CHANGES

Winter weather forecasts force Mets, Guardians and White Sox to move up Tuesday starts to afternoon

SUMMARY: The anticipation of winter weather has forced the New York Mets, Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox to change scheduled night games to afternoon starts on Tuesday. The Mets say scheduled night games against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday and Wednesday have been changed to afternoon games because of expected cold and windy conditions. Tuesday’s game between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians has been moved up five hours to a 1:10 p.m. first pitch. The White Sox moved Tuesday’s start against the Baltimore Orioles from 6:40 p.m. CT to 2:10 p.m. because of expected cold temperatures.

WORDS: 339 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 3:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:82d7c9aff125063a987d74db3cfd3683&mediaType=text

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BKW--TRANSFER PORTAL OPENS

Iowa State star Audi Crooks joins transfer portal rush as 1,100 players enter on first day

SUMMARY: Audi Crooks is one of nine Iowa State players who officially entered the NCAA transfer portal Monday on the first day it was open. The nation’s second-leading scorer is one of more than 1,100 Division I women’s basketball players who entered the portal within the first 12 hours after it opened just after midnight, according to an Associated Press review of the portal. In January, the NCAA approved moving the portal’s opening to the day after the national championship game for a 15-day window.

WORDS: 512 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 3:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6cace92228acbea3750504af60e4be16&mediaType=text

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FBN--GIANTS-LAWRENCE

Dexter Lawrence asks Giants for a trade and won’t attend offseason workouts, AP sources say

SUMMARY: Three-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade from the New York Giants and won’t attend their offseason workout program, three people familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press. Lawrence played his first seven NFL seasons with the Giants since they selected him with the 17th pick in the 2019 draft. Now 28, he still has two years left on his contract. Lawrence started all 17 games last season and finished with a career-low 31 tackles and a half-sack for a defense that ranked 30th out of 32 teams in the league.

WORDS: 224 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 3:04 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d6f2cd8d788e614da2657063269dd1d3&mediaType=text

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BBO--METS-SOTO

Mets expect Juan Soto to be sidelined 2 to 3 weeks by strained right calf

SUMMARY: New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto is projected to miss two to three weeks because of a strained right calf. New York put the four-time All-Star on the 10-day injured list Monday, a move retroactive to Saturday. The Mets said the typical timeframe for a return to play for this type of injury is about two to three weeks. Infielder Ronny Mauricio was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse. Soto, 27, is in the second season of a record $765 million, 15-year contract. Soto was hurt Friday night trying to run from first to third during the Mets’ 10-3 win at San Francisco.

WORDS: 155 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9940a2d382491ebbc1c35ebed2c4cf30&mediaType=text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW

PSG-Liverpool and Real Madrid-Bayern Munich headline the Champions League quarterfinals

WORDS: 946 - MOVED: 04/06/2026 2:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:af3e4ffe67b0d201ecb10851d780ee0d&mediaType=text

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