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TOP STORIES
COLLEGE ATHLETES-UNION
CHICAGO — The decision to allow Northwestern football players to unionize raises an array of questions for college sports. Among them, state schools vs. public schools, powerhouse programs vs. smaller colleges. But one thing is clear: This will force a debate about the extent to which college sports should be professional. By Michael Tarm. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 4 p.m.
BKC--NCAA-UCLA-FLORIDA
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Florida puts its 28-game winning streak on the line against UCLA in the South Regional semifinals. The Gators, the top overall seed, are trying to reach a fourth straight regional final. The Bruins have never beaten Florida in the NCAA tournament. By Teresa M. Walker. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts about 9:45 p.m.
BKC--NCAA-KENTUCKY-LOUISVILLE
INDIANAPOLIS — Sure, this bitter Bluegrass showdown is about bragging rights. But Louisville vs. Kentucky on Friday also has plenty riding on it — a spot in the Midwest Regional final. By National Writer Eddie Pells. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 6 p.m.
BKN--76ERS-ROCKETS
HOUSTON — Here they are, staggering into almost unknown territory. The Philadelphia 76ers are one defeat from tying the NBA record of 26 straight losses. They play a Houston Rockets team that has won four in a row and has the fourth-best record in the Western Conference. By Kristie Rieken. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts 8 p.m.
— With:
— CLEVELAND — BKN--Cavaliers-Losing Stings. By Tom Withers. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 5 p.m.
NCAA TOURNAMENT
Men:
Thursday Games:
BKC--NCAA-SAN DIEGO ST-ARIZONA
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Top-seeded Arizona tries to reach the Elite Eight for the second time in four years when the Wildcats play San Diego State. These teams, both tough on defense, met on Nov. 14, with Arizona winning 69-60 on the road. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts about 10:30 p.m.
BKC--NCAA-BAYLOR-WISCONSIN
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Baylor deploys its zone defense against Wisconsin's disciplined offense in the West Regional semifinals. The Bears and Badgers have enjoyed recent success in the postseason, but they've never faced each other before. By Greg Beacham. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts 7:45 p.m.
BKC--NCAA-DAYTON-STANFORD
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Dayton plays Stanford in a Sweet 16 game between double-digit seeded teams. The No. 11 Flyers are trying to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1984. The No. 10 Cardinal haven't been that far since 2001. By David Brandt. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts 7:15 p.m.
Friday Games:
BKC--MICHIGAN ST-VIRGINIA
NEW YORK — Virginia, the forgotten No. 1 seed, and Michigan State, the popular choice to win the whole tournament, practice at Madison Square Garden a day before they meet in the East Regional semifinals. By Basketball Writer Jim O'Connell. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 5 p.m.
BKC--NCAA-UCONN-IOWA ST
NEW YORK — By upsetting former conference rival Villanova, Connecticut earned a trip to Madison Square Garden, where its fans have plenty of happy Big East tournament memories and will surely pack the stands for a Sweet 16 game against Iowa State. By Rachel Cohen. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 5 p.m.
BKC--NCAA-TENNESSEE-MICHIGAN
INDIANAPOLIS — Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin played and coached at Purdue, but there's nothing sentimental about his return to Indiana. His team is in the round of 16 and up next is Michigan, last year's national runner-up and this year's Big Ten regular-season champ. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 6 p.m.
Women:
BKW--NCAA-LAGGING ATTENDANCE
Attendance is down for the opening two rounds of the women's basketball tournament. The NCAA hopes that with three schools hosting the regional rounds more fans will turn out. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos by 6 p.m.
BKW--NCAA--UCONN'S DEFENSE
STORRS, Conn. — Geno Auriemma has had some great offenses in his 28 seasons at Connecticut. But, he says, victories are founded on defense. And the Huskies play defense. This season's undefeated team is limiting opponents to 47 points and 30 percent shooting. By Pat Eaton-Robb. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 5 p.m.
BKW--NCAA-NORTH CAROLINA-DEFENDING DESHIELDS
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — When Diamond DeShields has her game rolling, North Carolina's star freshman is tough to stop. She has scored at least 22 points in three of the past four games and now she has the Tar Heels in the round of 16 against top-seeded South Carolina. By Aaron Beard. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 4 p.m.
BKW--NCAA-SEC STRENGTH
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The SEC sent eight teams to the NCAA tournament and five to the regional semifinals. The conference can make an even bigger statement by sending a team to the Final Four for the first time since Tennessee and LSU went in 2008. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 5 p.m.
NEW/DEVELOPING
TEN--KEY BISCAYNE
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Serena Williams tries to beat Maria Sharapova for the 15th time in a row when they meet in the semifinals at the Sony Open. By Steven Wine. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Match started 1 p.m.
FBN--COLTS OWNER-ARRESTED
CARMEL, Ind. — Colts owner Jim Irsay had $29,000 in cash and bottles of prescription drugs in his vehicle when he was arrested on suspicion of intoxicated driving, according to police. The 54-year-old billionaire says he had taken several prescription medications during the day. By Charles D. Wilson. SENT: 550 words, photos.
FBC--TEXAS A&M-MANZIEL-PRO DAY
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Johnny Manziel puts on a show at his NFL pro day for an audience that includes former President George H.W. Bush. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner causes a stir by wearing a helmet and pads. "For me, it was a no-brainer," he says. By Kristie Rieken. SENT: 130 words, photos. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos by 5 p.m.
PISTORIUS TRIAL
JOHANNESBURG — Oscar Pistorius is expected to testify soon at his murder trial. The defense begins its case Friday after four weeks of prosecution-led testimony. The double-amputeee Olympian faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder for killing his girlfriend. By Christopher Torchia. SENT: 800 words, photos.
FIG--WORLDS
SAITAMA, Japan — Mao Asada sets a world record in finishing first in the short program at the world figure skating championships. Skating before a home crowd, she breaks the mark set by Yuna Kim at the Vancouver Olympics. By Jim Armstrong. SENT: 350 words, photos.
BASEBALL
BBA--ORIOLES-CRUSH DAVIS
SARASOTA, Fla. — On his 28th birthday last week, Chris Davis devoured a huge piece of peanut-butter cream pie — right out of the box. It was a rare fling for the Baltimore Orioles' first baseman, who last year led the majors with 53 home runs and 138 RBIs. By David Ginsburg. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 4 p.m.
BBN--ROCKIES-DE LA ROSA
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Jorge De La Rosa acknowledges it's hard to control his emotions on the mound. When the Colorado left-hander had trouble in the past, one of the first people he'd call was his mother in Mexico. Juana is gone now, a victim of cancer. Now De La Rosa prepares for his first opening-day start without her. By Mike Cranston. SENT: 650 words, photos.
FEATURES
HKC--DUTCHMEN ON ICE
At first glance, Union College shouldn't even be playing Division I hockey. With just 2,100 students and no athletic scholarships the New York school can't expect to compete with hockey's big boys. But the Dutchmen are rolling and ranked No. 1 entering the NCAA hockey tournament. By Tim Dahlberg. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 6 p.m.
BKN--BOBCATS-WALKER
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For the first time since leading Connecticut to a national title three years ago, Kemba Walker is playing meaningful games in March. The Bobcats' point guard could be the most important player for Charlotte if it hopes to make some noise and maybe make the playoffs. By Steve Reed. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. By 6 p.m.
GOLF
— SAN ANTONIO — GLF--Texas Open. Phil Mickelson, whose only other appearance in this event was in 1992, highlights the start of play at the Texas Open. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 7 p.m.
— CARLSBAD, Calif. — GLF--LPGA Tour. Top-ranked Inbee Park and resurgent Karrie Webb open play in the LPGA Tour's Kia Classic. UPCOMING: 600 words by 9 p.m.
— KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — GLF--EurAsia Cup. GLF--EurAsia Cup. Europe dominates fourballs, leads Asia 5-0 in first EurAsia Cup 5-0. SENT: 450 words, photos.
— LONDON — OLY--Rio Golf Course. Golf official worried by delays on Rio Olympic course; test event in jeopardy. SENT: 450 words, photos.
OTHER NEWS
— AUSTIN, Texas — SWM--NCAA Championships. NCAA men's swimming and diving championships begin with finals in the 50 and 500 meter freestyle. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos by 10 p.m.
— AUSTIN, Texas — ATH--Texas Relays. Texas Relays resume with finals in decathlon, heptathlon. UPCOMING: 300 words by 7 p.m.
— ASTANA, Kazakhstan — SOC--Platini-WCup Boycott. European soccer head "fed up" with politicians urging boycott of 2018 World Cup in Russia. SENT: 350 words, photos.
— ASTANA, Kazakhstan — SOC--UEFA-Nations League. UEFA countries vote for Nations League event, aims to feed into Euro, World Cup qualifying. SENT: 500 words.
— SETCASES, Spain — CYC--Volta a Catalunya. U.S. cyclist Tejay Van Garderen wins fourth stage of Volta a Catalunya; Joaquim Rodriguez of Spain keeps lead. SENT: 300 words.
CAPSULES
— BKC--NCAA Capsules.
— BKN--NBA Capsules.
— HKN--NHL Capsules.
— GLF--NCAA Capsules.
Thursday's Time Schedule (EDT)
Men's NCAA Tournament
Regional Semifinals
South
At Memphis, Tenn.
Dayton vs. Stanford, 7:15 p.m.
Florida vs. UCLA, 9:45 p.m.
West
At Anaheim, Calif.
Wisconsin vs. Baylor, 7:47 p.m.
San Diego State vs. Arizona, 10:17, p.m.
NBA
Portland at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.
Philadelphia at Houston, 8 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
L.A. Clippers at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
NHL
Chicago at Boston, 7 p.m.
Phoenix at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Montreal at Detroit, 7 p.m.
N.Y. Islanders at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.
Carolina at Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Minnesota at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Buffalo at Nashville, 8 p.m.
Vancouver at Colorado, 9 p.m.
Winnipeg at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
Exhibition Baseball
Washington vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lucie, Fla., 12:10 p.m.
Atlanta vs. Detroit at Lakeland, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
Toronto vs. Philadelphia at Clearwater, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
Miami vs. St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
N.Y. Yankees vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
Arizona (ss) vs. Cincinnati (ss) at Goodyear, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
Cincinnati (ss) vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix, 3:05 p.m.
Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
Cleveland vs. Arizona (ss) at Scottsdale, Ariz., 4:10 p.m.
Minnesota vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., 7:05 p.m.
Tampa Bay vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla., 7:05 p.m.
L.A. Angels at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.
Oakland at San Francisco, 10:15 p.m.
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