Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
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TOP STORIES:
BKC--NCAA-NEW YORK
NEW YORK — Two programs very familiar of late with the NCAA tournament's round of eight will meet for the right to go to the Final Four. Michigan State, the No. 4 seed that has become one of the favorites to win the title, and Connecticut, a No. 7 seed enjoying the underdog role, both won Friday night in the East Regional semifinals and they will play Sunday with the winner heading to North Dallas for the Final Four. By Basketball Writer Jim O'Connell. SENT: 775 words.
BKC--NCAA-INDIANAPOLIS
INDIANAPOLIS — John Calipari finally figured out how to get his players' attention. He banned television. The Wildcats and their fans aren't complaining now. Julius Randle had 15 points and 12 rebounds, Dakari Johnson added 15 points and forced Russ Smith into missing a game-tying 3-pointer and eighth-seeded Kentucky advanced to Sunday's Midwest Regional championship game with a 74-69 victory over rival Louisville. By Michael Marot. SENT: 750 words.
— Also:
— BKC--NCAA-BracketRacket. By Basketball Writer John Marshall. SENT: 1,000 words.
— NCAA--March Madness Poll. SENT: 100 words.
— MEMPHIS, Tenn. — BKC--NCAA-Dayton-Florida. By Teresa M. Walker. SENT: 750 words, photos.
— BKC--Dayton's Depth. By David Brandt. SENT: 550 words.
— ANAHEIM, Calif. — BKC--NCAA-Wisconsin-Arizona. By Beth Harris. SENT: 750 words, photos.
BBA--ANGELS-TROUT CONTRACT
LOS ANGELES — Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels agreed Friday night to a $144.5 million, six-year contract, keeping baseball's brightest young star under club control through 2020. The Angels said the 22-year-old outfielder and his family will be at a news conference Saturday in Anaheim to formally announce the contract along with owner Arte Moreno, manager Mike Scioscia and general manager Jerry Dipoto. By Greg Beacham. SENT: 750 words.
BBO--DRUG AGREEMENT
NEW YORK — In the wake of the Biogenesis scandal that led to 14 suspensions last summer, Major League Baseball and its players' union announced Friday they are toughening penalties and increasing the frequency of testing in the most substantial revisions to their drug agreement in eight years. Players suspended during the season for a performance-enhancing drug violation will not be eligible for that year's postseason. In addition, discipline will increase from 50 games to 80 for a first testing violation and from 100 games to a season-long 162 for a second. A third violation remains a lifetime ban. By Ronald Blum. SENT: 950 words.
— With:
— BBO--Drug Agreement-Highlights. SENT: 375 words.
— BBO--Baseball Drug Testing Timeline. SENT: 650 words.
— Also:
— LAKELAND, Fla. — BBA--Tigers-Cabrera. By Jeff Berlinicke. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
— BBA--Tigers-Cabrera, Salary Details.
— AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — BKN--James-Cabrera. By Larry Lage. SENT: 140 words.
— BBA--Tigers-Cabrera's Contract. SENT: 300 words.
— MONTREAL — BBO--Olympic Stadium-Fall. SENT: 75 words.
COLLEGES:
COLLEGE ATHLETES-COLTER'S QUEST
CHICAGO — Kain Colter's grandmother often spoke about rights and equality, values she brought home from her job as a law firm office manager. Those conversations planted a seed. Colter became a quarterback at Northwestern and is now is the face of movement to give college athletes the right to form unions and bargain. By Jay Cohen and Tim Reynolds. SENT: 1,000 words.
NCAA WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT:
BKW--NCAA-BYU-CONNECTICUT
LINCOLN, Neb. — BYU has come up with two of the biggest upsets in the NCAA women's tournament to get to the school's first Sweet 16 since 2002. The 12th-seeded Cougars are going to need a monumental effort to pull off a third and beat top-ranked UConn in the regional semifinals on Saturday. No one has played UConn (36-0) within single digits during the Huskies' 42-game win streak. By Eric Olson. SENT: 700 words.
— Also:
— LINCOLN, Neb. — BKW--NCAA-DePaul-Texas A&M. By Eric Olson. SENT: 700 words.
— LINCOLN, Neb. — BKW--NCAA-BYU Rule. By Eric Olson. SENT: 225 words.
BKW--NCAA-KENTUCKY-BAYLOR
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The last time Baylor and Kentucky met, they played one of the most exciting games in the history of women's basketball. Neither coach expects another four-overtime thriller Saturday in the Sweet 16. Still, both are looking forward to another entertaining matchup with a berth in the regional finals on the line. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. SENT: 675 words, photos.
— Also:
— SOUTH BEND, Ind. — BKW--NCAA-Oklahoma St-Notre Dame. By Tom Coyne. SENT: 700 words, photos.
COMMENTARY:
HKO--PAUL NEWBERRY-032814
After leading Canada to a gold medal at the Sochi Olympics, Shannon Szabados took on a more imposing challenge. Playing against the guys. Szabados didn't look overmatched as the one of the few women to compete in a men's professional hockey league, starting two games in goal for the Columbus (Ga.) Cottonmouths late in the season. She lost them both, each by a single goal, but stopped nearly 90 percent of the shots that came her way and was even named the third star in one of the contests. More important, she surely inspired plenty of young girls to pursue their dreams, no matter how much the odds are stacked against them. By National Writer Paul Newberry. SENT: 850 words.
OTHER NEWS:
— PHILADELPHIA — BKN--76ers-Record Streak. By Dan Gelston. SENT: 700 words.
— PHILADELPHIA — FBN--Eagles-Jackson & Sanchez. By Dan Gelston. SENT: 775 words.
— KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — TEN--Key Biscayne. By Steven Wine. SENT: 700 words.
— UNDATED — OLY--IOC-Killy Resigns. By Stephen Wilson. SENT: 700 words.
— PRETORIA, South Africa — Pistorius Trial. By Christopher Torchia and Gerald Imray. SENT: 375 words.
— SAITAMA, Japan — FIG--Worlds. By Jim Armstrong. SENT: 375 words.
— MARTINSVILLE, Va. — CAR--NASCAR-Martinsville. By Hank Kurz Jr. SENT: 600 words.
— ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — CAR--IndyCar-St Pete-Rivalry. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. SENT: 775 words.
— STANFORD, Calif. — BBC--Stanford-Garko's Gig. By Janie McCauley. SENT: 750 words.
— RIO DE JANEIRO — SOC--WCup-Ronaldo. By Stephen Wade. SENT: 400 words.
— SAO PAULO — SOC--WCup-Tickets. By Tales Azzoni. SENT: 350 words.
Saturday's Time Schedule (EDT)
Men's NCAA Tournament
Regional Championships
South Regional
At Memphis, Tenn.
Dayton vs. Florida, 6:09 p.m.
West Regional
At Anaheim, Calif.
Wisconsin vs. Arizona, 8:49 p.m.
Women's NCAA Tournament
Notre Dame (Ind.) Regional
Kentucky vs. Baylor, Noon
Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m.
Lincoln (Neb.) Regional
UConn vs. BYU, 4:30 p.m.
DePaul vs. Texas A&M, 7 p.m.
NHL
Boston at Washington, 12:30 p.m.
San Jose at Colorado, 3 p.m.
Montreal at Florida, 7 p.m.
Detroit at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Columbus at Carolina, 7 p.m.
New Jersey at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.
Dallas at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Minnesota at Phoenix, 9 p.m.
Anaheim at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
Winnipeg at Los Angeles, 10 p.m.
NBA
Detroit at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Washington, 8 p.m.
L.A. Clippers at Houston, 8 p.m.
Miami at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m.
Sacramento at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
New Orleans at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.
Exhibition Baseball
Miami vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
Minnesota vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
N.Y. Mets vs. Toronto at Montreal, 1:05 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m.
Atlanta at Rome (AA), 2:05 p.m.
Houston (ss) vs. Texas at San Antonio, 2:05 p.m.
Detroit at Washington, 2:05 p.m.
Kansas City at Milwaukee, 2:10 p.m.
Baltimore at Norfolk (AAA), 3:05 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Montgomery (AA), 3:05 p.m.
Seattle vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Ariz., 3:10 p.m.
Cincinnati at Louisville (AAA), 4:05 p.m.
San Francisco at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Arizona, 4:10 p.m.
Cleveland at San Diego, 5:10 p.m.
Veracruz at Houston (ss), 8:10 p.m.
LA Dodgers at LA Angels, 9:05 p.m.
Major League Soccer
Chicago at D.C. United, 4 p.m.
Montreal at Philadelphia, 4 p.m.
Sporting Kansas City at Colorado, 6 p.m.
Houston at Vancouver, 7 p.m.
Portland at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Toronto FC at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.
Columbus at Seattle FC, 10 p.m.
New England at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
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