Sports

Oregon-Indiana headed for a rematch, Ole Miss to play Miami as college football’s final four is set

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — When Indiana met Oregon in October, the game served as the best test yet of whether the Hoosiers were a one-year wonder or a program that was here to stay. They met that challenge with a double-digit win that snapped Oregon’s 18-game home winning streak. Next week comes a rematch with a trip to the national title game at stake. A pair of Big Ten blowouts — Indiana 38, Alabama 3 and Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0 — set up Oregon-Indiana, Part 2 in the national semifinals at the Peach Bowl next Friday. Miami will play Ole Miss, a 39-34 winner over Georgia.

US hockey picks 4 Nations-heavy roster for the Winter Olympics, adding Keller, Thompson and Jones

The U.S. unveiled its roster for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, with the vast majority of it comprised of players who took part in the 4 Nations Face-Off early last year. The only additions were forwards Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller and defenseman Seth Jones. Thompson and Keller helped the U.S. win the world hockey championship for the first time since 1933, while Jones was a key piece of the Florida Panthers’ second consecutive Stanley Cup run. Only Anaheim’s Chris Kreider and Adam Fox of the New York Rangers are not back from the 4 Nations.

Hilary Knight set to make 5th Olympics appearance as US women’s hockey unveils 23-player roster

Hilary Knight is set to make her fifth Olympic appearance, and this time lead a younger, faster U.S. women’s national team favored to win gold at the Milan Cortina Winter Games next month. The 36-year-old Knight headlines the list as USA Hockey released its 23-player Olympic women’s roster. It’s a group that returns just 11 members from the team that won the silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Games, and features several newcomers, highlighted by defender Laila Edwards. From Cleveland, the 21-year-old Wisconsin senior is set to become the first Black female hockey player to compete for the U.S. at the Olympics.

Chelsea’s interim coach says players ‘really focused’ on Man City after Maresca exit

LONDON (AP) — Calum McFarlane says he’s had a “whirlwind” 24 hours at Chelsea since being elevated from under-21s coach to interim manager and then tasked with facte Pep Guardiola and Manchester City on Sunday. The Englishman was put in charge while Chelsea finds a replacement for Enzo Maresca. McFarlane led team training Friday after his security pass was upgraded so he could access the first-team building. The London club announced on Thursday that Maresca left his position as manager — following a reported deterioration in his relationship with the team’s hierarchy.

Trump wants to overhaul the ‘president’s golf course.’ He hasn’t played there yet

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Presidents often find solace in golfing, and Joint Base Andrews in Maryland is a favorite spot because it’s close to the White House and has built-in security. Known as “the president’s course,” Andrews has hosted presidents dating back to Gerald Ford. Barack Obama played it more than 100 times. Then there’s Donald Trump. He’s an avid golfer but doesn’t play Andrews, preferring courses his family owns. Now, he’s planning a major renovation project for the golf courses at Andrews with legendary champion Jack Nicklaus serving as architect. The White House says the project’s cost, and when work will start, hasn’t been determined — nor has who will pay for it.

College football’s Urban Meyer joins board of Florida college transformed by DeSantis

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — College football Hall of Famer Urban Meyer has been appointed to the board of trustees at New College in Sarasota. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis named Meyer to the board this week. The Republican governor has transformed the college from a progressive institution into an “anti-woke” stronghold. DeSantis’s allies took over the board two years ago. Meyer is currently a college football analyst for FOX Sports. He previously coached the University of Florida and the Ohio State football teams to national championships. Meyer’s appointment was announced Tuesday, along with the reappointment of two other trustees. It is subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

The ACC had an improved nonconference showing. That could help its cause for more March Madness bids

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference is aiming to turn an improved showing in nonconference play into its goal of earning more March Madness bids. The ACC had just four NCAA Tournament bids last year for its lowest haul in a dozen years. But ACC teams had a better showing in marquee nonconference matchups. The league has four ranked teams with No. 6 Duke, No. 12 North Carolina, No. 16 Louisville and No. 21 Virginia as it dives into conference play. The league also has secured more Quadrant 1 victories that top a team’s postseason résumé.

Durant has been hurt the way Jokic was. He hopes the Nuggets star doesn’t also become ‘injury prone’

NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant left what ended up being his final game with the Brooklyn Nets after getting hurt similar to the way Nikola Jokic just was. In fact, Durant missed time two seasons in a row with a knee injury caused when someone fell into his leg. Jokic, the three-time NBA MVP, was hurt Monday night in Miami when Denver teammate Spencer Jones stepped on the center’s left foot and his knee buckled. Durant sprained his left knee in January 2022 when a teammate fell into his knee. Durant then sprained his right knee in a Jan. 8, 2023, game when then-Heat star Jimmy Butler fell backward into him.

Venus Williams is back at the Australian Open 5 years after her last appearance, 28 after her 1st

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams has received a wild-card entry for the Australian Open beginning Jan. 18 in Melbourne. The tournament announced Friday that the 45-year-old Williams would make a return to Melbourne Park 28 years after her first appearance. In 1998, she defeated her younger sister Serena in the second round before eventually losing in the quarterfinals to Lindsay Davenport. Venus had announced in November that she would play in Auckland, New Zealand, where she also received a wild card, and also at the Hobart International a week later and just before the start of the Australian Open.

Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and Houston Astros agree to $54 million, 3-year contract, AP source says

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $54 million, three-year contract. Imai gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $16 million this year and $18 million in each of the final two seasons. He can earn an additional $9 million in escalators based on innings. A 27-year-old righty, Imai went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA last season for the Pacific League’s Seibu Lions. He struck out 178 batters in 163 2/3 innings. He is a three-time All-Star.