Sports

Defending national champ Ohio State takes on Miami in Cotton Bowl for trip to CFP semifinals

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Cotton Bowl has gotten much more significant for Ohio State during three trips in a row to the game. This time, the second-seeded Buckeyes are defending national champions. They play College Football Playoff first-timer Miami in a quarterfinal game there Wednesday night. The Cotton Bowl last January was a CFP semifinal game when Ohio State beat Texas on its way to a sixth AP national title. Two years ago, in a Cotton Bowl without playoff implications, Ohio State lost to Missouri. Tenth-seeded Miami made its CFP debut with a 10-3 win in the first round at No. 7 seed Texas A&M on Dec. 20.

Poll era G-O-A-T? Current USA Basketball players say it’s Breanna Stewart, others might disagree

No one will ever top what Breanna Stewart did in college at UConn, winning four national championships and the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament each time. Her success sets her apart as the Greatest Of All Time, at least in the eyes of nearly a dozen players and coaches at a USA Basketball camp this month. When asked who they believe tops their list of college players during the last 50 years of the women’s poll era, Stewart was their choice. As part of its season-long coverage of the 50-year anniversary of the poll, a panel comprised of former players, coaches and AP journalists voted on the greatest college players during the poll era. Stewart, Cheryl Miller and Diana Taurasi headlined the list along with Caitlin Clark.

NFL’s fourth-down revolution and new rules lead to record-low punts in 2025

The NFL is seeing a decline in punts, with the 2025 season on track to set a record for the fewest punts per game. This trend is driven by new kickoff rules, K-balls, and increased fourth-down aggressiveness. Teams are attempting more long field goals, with 104 tries from at least 55 yards, the most in history. The Packers have become the first team to lose three games in a season without punting. Meanwhile, Green Bay benefits from the expanded playoffs, securing the seventh seed in the NFC for the third time. The Colts and Texans have experienced remarkable turnarounds, highlighting shifting dynamics in the league.

NCAA tries to clarify NBA stance after Baylor’s addition of 2023 draft pick prompts criticism

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA says it won’t grant eligibility to any player who had signed an NBA contract after Baylor’s midseason addition of a 2023 draft pick who had been playing professionally in Europe prompted criticism from coaches across college basketball. The Bears recently signed 7-footer James Nnaji of Nigeria. He was drafted by Detroit before a series of trades that left the 21-year-old’s draft rights with the New York Knicks. The NCAA says players also aren’t eligible if they sign two-way NBA contracts with links to G League affiliates. G League players without NBA contracts have been eligible. International players with varying backgrounds have played college basketball for years.

In the NBA, 2025 might go down as the year of the injured. Nikola Jokic joined that club at the end

MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is dealing with a wave of injuries affecting top players. Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton is out for the season with a torn Achilles. Boston’s Jayson Tatum might miss the season, too. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Lakers’ LeBron James, and Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams have all missed significant time. Now, Denver’s Nikola Jokic is sidelined after a knee injury. Despite these setbacks, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says injury numbers are down. He emphasizes ongoing efforts to keep players healthy, though luck remains a factor. The league continues to seek solutions for these challenges.

Celebrini joins McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby on Team Canada’s Olympic hockey roster

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old star for the San Jose Sharks, is heading to the Winter Olympics. Celebrini is among 19 players named to Canada’s 25-player men’s hockey roster for the NHL’s return to the Olympics in Milan, Italy, in February. Celebrini ranks third in league scoring behind Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. Other new forwards include Nick Suzuki, Bo Horvat, and Tom Wilson. Canada plays its first game on February 12 against Czechia. The NHL is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, with Sidney Crosby and Drew Doughty as the only players with past Olympic experience.

Roberto Carlos reportedly undergoes heart surgery while on vacation in Brazil

MADRID (AP) — Spanish newspaper Diario AS has reported that former Brazil and Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos has undergone heart surgery. While vacationing in Brazil, an examination revealed a heart dysfunction. He initially sought tests for a small blood clot in his leg. However, a full-body MRI showed heart issues. He was admitted to hospital for surgery to insert a catheter. The procedure was expected to last 40 minutes but extended to almost three hours due to complications. The surgery was successful and Carlos is out of danger. He remains under observation for 48 hours to ensure recovery.

Life begins at 59 for the globe’s oldest professional soccer player

TOKYO (AP) — He turns 59 in February, and the globe’s oldest professional soccer player has a new club as he gets set for his 41st season. This is Kazuyoshi Miura who is known in Japan as “King Kazu.” Miura announced his signing this week with third-division J-League team Fukushima United. He is moving on loan from Yokohama FC and spent last season on loan with fourth-division club Atletico Suzuka. Miura has played professionally in Brazil, Italy, Croatia, Australia and Portugal. He made his debut in 1986 with Santos in Brazil, a club made famous by Brazilian star Pelé.

Patriots star receiver Stefon Diggs faces strangulation charge, denies allegations

BOSTON (AP) — New England Patriots star wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a dispute with his former private chef. News of the charges emerged after a court hearing Tuesday in Dedham, Massachusetts. Diggs’ lawyer said in an emailed statement that Diggs “categorically denies these allegations.” According to police, the chef told investigators that Diggs hit her and tried to choke her during a discussion about money. The 32-year-old NFL veteran joined New England this season after a trade from Houston. Diggs has been a standout player for the Patriots this season, helping his team clinch the AFC East title.

AP sources: In ‘Nassar 2.0,’ Olympics watchdog failed to close abuse case against gymnastics coach

DENVER (AP) — Young gymnasts were sounding warnings about a coach as far back as 2017. That’s the same year the U.S. Center for SafeSport was created in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual-abuse scandal. People familiar with the case involving Sean Gardner told The Associated Press he had agreed to a permanent ban from coaching early this year but the center never closed the deal. The people spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation by SafeSport and said Gardner’s case got tangled in office politics that included allegations of retaliation. SafeSport says putting Gardner on temporary suspension was effectively the same as a permanent ban. Gardner has pleaded not guilty to federal child pornography charges and is awaiting trial.