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NIT will no longer guarantee tournament spots for regular-season conference champions

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:37:40 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Regular-season conference champions are no longer guaranteed spots in the National Invitation Tournament, a change that disappointed at least a couple mid-major conferences.The NIT Board of Managers tweaked its qualifying rules for its postseason tournament Friday, saying regular-season champs who do not win their conference tournament and are not otherwise selected to the NCAA Tournament will not receive an automatic bid to the NIT. Instead, the NIT will guarantee two teams — based on the NET rankings — from each of the six major conferences, the Atlantic Coast, the Big East, the Big Ten, the Big 12, the Pac-12 and the Southeastern.The top two teams in the NET rankings not qualifying for the NCAA Tournament from each conference, regardless of win-loss record, will be selected. Additionally, the 12 teams automatically selected will be guaranteed the opportunity to host a game in the first round of the NIT.The decision drew complaints from the commissioners of the...

Great playing careers end at the Rugby World Cup. Not all of them on the field

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:37:40 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Dane Coles took it like a champion.Unbeknownst to Coles, his 90-test, 11-year test rugby career with New Zealand ended two weeks ago in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal win against Ireland at the Stade de France.The 2015 World Cup winner who announced in February that this World Cup was his career swansong, held out hope of playing in the semifinal against Argentina and the final on Saturday against South Africa. But another quiet word from All Blacks coach Ian Foster snuffed out his last chance.“Probably the toughest (call) I have had as a coach,” Foster said this week. “He took it the way I expected him to. He’s a champion.”The feisty Coles has always been one of the most popular All Blacks, not just for redefining the hooker position, but also for not beating around the bush. His successor, Codie Taylor, said, “His influence, his leadership, his standards that he demands and drives in the team is world-class. It’s exactly what we need. We talk about All B...

Manfred will make recommendation ahead of MLB vote on Oakland A’s proposed move to Las Vegas

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:37:40 GMT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will make a recommendation to teams ahead of their vote next month on whether the Oakland Athletics should be allowed to move to Las Vegas.Manfred said the sport’s relocation committee met three times this week. He plans a vote when owners meet from Nov. 14-16 in Arlington, Texas.“Once they have a pretty good sense of where they’re headed, I have to consult with the (committee’s) executive council,” he said Friday before the World Series opener. “And then after that consultation, I prepare a recommendation to the clubs and then go back to the executive council for an actual vote on the recommendation that I made. That would be followed by a vote of the 30 clubs.”The Nevada State Education Association formed a political action committee called Schools Over Stadiums that filed a referendum petition to repeal $380 million in public financing approved in June by Nevada’s government for a ballpark. A lawsuit to r...

Maine mass killing suspect has been found dead, ending search that put entire state on edge

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:37:40 GMT

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The man wanted in the mass shooting at a bowling alley and bar that killed 18 people and wounded 13 was found dead Friday, bringing an end to a search that put the entire state of Maine on edge for the last two days.Robert Card, who was wanted in connection with the shootings at Schemengees Bar and Grille and at Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley in Lewiston, was found dead in Lisbon Falls, Maine, Gov. Janet Mills said at a Friday night news conference.Commissioner of Maine Department of Public Safety Mike Sauschuck said Card was found at 7:45 p.m. near the Androscoggin River of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He declined to provide a specific address.Police found Card’s body at a recycling facility where he recently worked, a law enforcement official told the AP. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity. Card, 40, of Bowdoin, Maine, was a U.S. Army reservist who...

Colorado school partners with tribe to ensure 'Indian' mascot brings sense of pride

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:37:40 GMT

STRASBURG, Colo. (KDVR) — Across the country, professional sports teams and schools continue to distance themselves from controversial Native American mascots. In Colorado, more than a dozen schools have changed or removed their mascots in the past few years, following a new state law. That law allowed schools to keep their Native American mascots only if they received permission and developed a partnership with a federally recognized tribe. This celebrity was the first male Broncos cheerleader In the town of Strasburg, the "Indians" have done just that, through a relationship with the Northern Arapaho Tribe that continues to strengthen.“It’s a strong bond," Gail Ridgeley said, "and I think it was meant to be.”Ridgeley is a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe and works hand-in-hand with a new council of 10 students at the high school.Tribal elders visit Strasburg HighFriday, the entire middle school and high school crammed into the gymnasium for a special hoop dance and drum...

Peabody holds off rival Salem, 27-26, in thrilling battle

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:37:40 GMT

SALEM — What started out as a sometimes ugly defensive slugfest on Friday night at Bertram Field finished with all the drama one could stand.Peabody looked like it was going to cruise to an unbeaten regular season and a Northeastern Conference Lynch Division title when it led Salem 20-0 early in the fourth quarter.Then like a tidal wave, the Witches erupted for 26 fourth-quarter points. But it was the final two that escaped them which were the difference. Devante Ozuna was stopped half a yard short on a two-point conversion attempt with no time left, giving Peabody a 27-26 win over their longtime rivals.“I don’t know how many times Peabody and Salem have played over the years but that has to be one of the best football games contested between these two teams,” Peabody coach Mark Bettencourt said. “That is a very good football team over there in Salem.”There was no indication a frantic finish was on tap when Reymi Andino returned a fumble for a touchdown on the second play of the fou...

Middleboro’s Bolu Sotonwa (273 rushing yards) celebrates birthday in style

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:37:40 GMT

ABINGTON — On his 18th birthday, Bolu Sotonwa rose to the occasion.The senior running back dashed for 273 yards and had four total touchdowns, leading the Middleboro Sachems (6-2) to a South Shore League victory over Abington (6-2).“I’ve been grinding at practice,” Sotonwa said. “After that, I just bring it out here and show the talent.”The Sachems marched into Green Wave territory on the first drive of the game but Abington was able to get a stop on fourth-and-one to neutralize the opportunity. The Green Wave were quickly forced to punt, but got another fourth down stop on the ensuing driveThe Green Wave would then march down the field, via several long runs from the trio of Ryan Simonetti, Ryan Solimini and Nazir Paulding. Facing a fourth-and-four near the goal line, a Michael Riley pass was tipped and intercepted by Sachems defensve back Andrew Falk.“(The interception) completely shifted the momentum,” Middleboro quarterback Nate Goodine said. “We were driving on offe...

Milford defense puts up a wall in blanking Franklin

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:37:40 GMT

MILFORD —Over the last few games, Milford has lost some key players to injury.But the Scarlet Hawks still have a healthy Nick Araujo, and that can be plenty.Behind another monster effort from Araujo and a smothering defense, Milford rolled to a 24-0 win over Franklin on Friday night.Milford (7-1) projects as a high seed in the D3 playoffs. Franklin falls to 5-3.“It’s obvious, we’re down some kids right now,” Milford coach Dale Olson said. “Lost a couple kids for the year, starters. Hopefully, we’ll get one back if we make a little run. Nick’s a heck of a player. We gave him 16 touches in the first half, only gave him one that was on purpose in the second half. Defense was lights out tonight. Not too often that an (coach) Eian Bain Franklin team gets shut out, so I’m really proud of our kids tonight.”Araujo had 165 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. He was also 3-for-3 on extra points, and drilled a 39-yard field goal. He mis...

Derrick White leads Celtics with 28 points, clutch plays in home-opening win over Heat

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:37:40 GMT

Jimmy Butler grabbed a loose ball and had nothing but open court in front of him on a fast break. He took his time, coasting to the hoop.There was just one problem. His name was Derrick White.While Butler thought he had an easy bucket, the Celtics guard failed to give up. He raced down the floor, caught the unsuspecting Butler and swallowed him, unleashing a ferocious chase-down block with his right hand. The Celtics regained possession. White had a few words for his teammates on the bench on his way back.That play with 3:44 to go was the signature one of a signature night for White, who willed the Celtics to a home-opening 119-111 win over the Heat, their Eastern Conference nemesis who ended their season five months ago. They overcame Tyler Herro’s 28 points and another Heat barrage from 3-point range that sunk them in the playoffs last season. They did it, in some ways, by beating them at their own game.White poured in 28 points – including 14 in the final period – and added three...

Maine mass shooting suspect found dead, officials say

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:37:40 GMT

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The man wanted in the mass shooting at a bowling alley and bar that killed 18 people and wounded 13 was found dead Friday, bringing an end to a search that put the entire state of Maine on edge for the last two days.Robert Card, who was wanted in connection with the shootings at Schemengees Bar and Grille and at Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley in Lewiston, was found dead in Lisbon Falls, Maine, Gov. Janet Mills said at a Friday night news conference.Commissioner of Maine Department of Public Safety Mike Sauschuck said Card was found at 7:45 p.m. near the Androscoggin River of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He declined to provide a specific address.Police found Card’s body at a recycling facility where he recently worked, a law enforcement official told the AP. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity.Card, 40, of Bowdoin, Maine, was a U.S. Army reservist who ...