Dolphins and Vikings finish 1-2 in NFLPA report cards for the second straight year
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Miami Dolphins are the top-ranked team, followed by the Minnesota Vikings, for the second consecutive season in the NFL Players Association report card. The Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers round out the top five in the third annual NLPA report card released Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine. The Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals were the bottom five. JC Tretter, the NFLPA's chief strategy officer, said 1,695 players responded to the survey, an average of 52 players per team and 77% of the union's membership. The report cards were compiled between Aug. 26 and Nov. 20.
Tre Holloman's midcourt buzzer-beater could propel Michigan State to a Big Ten title
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- Tre Holloman hadn't even reached the "M" logo at midcourt when he jumped off one foot and let the ball fly. Somehow, it stayed on line before dropping through the hoop with a swish that reverberated across the Big Ten. Holloman's shot from some 65 feet away gave No. 8 Michigan State a 58-55 victory over No. 16 Maryland. The buzzer beater also gave the Spartans a half-game lead over Michigan atop the Big Ten. The Terrapins had a chance to win with the shot clock off. But after Ja'Kobi Gillespie missed a 3-pointer, there was just enough time for one final Michigan State heave.
Defensive end Abdul Carter says he's the best player in NFL 2025 draft class
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Pass rusher Abdul Carter says he should be the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft. Carter made his comments Wednesday at the NFL's annual scouting combine in Indianapolis, the first day prospects spoke with reporters. The former Penn State star is likely to be the first or second defensive player selected in April's draft. But he's got competition to go No. 1. Quarterbacks Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are clearly in the mix as is Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who is listed as a cornerback but could play receiver too -- as he did at Colorado.
Mike Green tells reporters at NFL combine he left Virginia after being accused of sexual assault
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- NFL draft prospect Mike Green says he transferred from Virginia to Marshall after being accused of sexual assault for the second time. The second-team All-America edge rusher told reporters Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine that he also was accused of sexual assault in high school, adding he was never charged and insisting he did nothing wrong. Green played in six games for the Cavaliers during the 2021 season and did not appear on the field the following year. The Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year had 17 sacks last season, the most in major college football.
Shohei Ohtani to make spring training debut against Angels on Friday night, Roberts says
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani will make his first spring training appearance of the year on Friday night. That will be against his old team, the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani will be the designated hitter. Roberts has not given a timetable for Ohtani's return to the pitching mound other than to say he hopes it would be "sooner than later". Roberts has ruled Ohtani out for the season-opening series in Tokyo on March 18-19. Ohtani injured his left shoulder sliding into second base during the World Series. He did not pitch last season while recovering from surgery to repair a ligament in his throwing elbow.
NFL reviewing possible changes to overtime rules. First downs to be measured electronically
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The NFL is considering changing overtime rules in the regular season to decrease the advantage for teams who win the coin toss. League executive Troy Vincent said the competition committee agrees overtime rules need to be addressed. Receiving the ball first has become more of an advantage than pre-2011, when overtime was sudden death. Both teams currently have an opportunity to possess the ball in overtime unless a touchdown is scored on the first possession. The rules are different in the playoffs. Also, the NFL plans to use its virtual measuring system to determine first downs in 2025, although officials will still spot the ball by hand.
New Orleans Privateers player suspensions related to possible gambling violations, AP source says
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Four New Orleans players who've been suspended since late January are under investigation for possible NCAA violations related to sports gambling, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Wednesday because university officials have stated only that the suspensions relate to unspecified violations of team rules. Privateers players James White, Jah Short, Dae Dae Hunter and Jamond Vincent have not played since late January. The revelations come days after Fresno State suspended two men's basketball players and dismissed a third amid reports that program is the subject of gambling investigations. The news also has overshadowed the Privateers' appointment of rapper Percy "Master P" Miller to spearhead NIL-related efforts.
No. 7 St. John's tops Butler 76-70 to clinch share of 1st Big East regular-season title in 33 years
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- RJ Luis Jr. scored 24 points and No. 7 St. John's clinched a share of its first Big East regular-season title in 33 years by beating Butler 76-70. Kadary Richmond had 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals for the Red Storm, who set a school record with their 16th conference win of the season. They secured the sixth Big East regular-season championship in program history and can wrap up an outright league crown Saturday with a victory over Seton Hall at Madison Square Garden or a Creighton loss at Xavier. The only outright Big East regular-season title for St. John's came in 1985 on the way to a Final Four appearance.
Shaedon Sharpe makes a case for the best dunk in the NBA this season
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Shaedon Sharpe has been one of the NBA's most gifted young dunk artists since he was selected seventh overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2022 NBA draft. But he reached a new level on Wednesday night -- possibly literally. Sharpe's vicious one-handed slam over the unfortunately placed Justin Champagnie was immediately hailed as one of the best in the NBA this season. He called it the best of his career, and it was part of an all-around career night in Portland's 129-121 win over Washington Wizards. The 21-year-old Sharpe led Portland with a career-high 36 points.
Palou, Pato, Newgarden and Fox: IndyCar starts season with big stars, big hopes and new TV partner
IndyCar enters a new era with broadcast partner Fox Sports, which takes over the television rights after the series spent 16 years with NBC Sports. The season starts Sunday in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Fox has heavily promoted the season in a marketing boost IndyCar needs. Alex Palou is the two-time reigning IndyCar champion and Josef Newgarden is the defending two-time Indianapolis 500 winner. Colton Herta and Pato O'Ward are among the many drivers trying to dethrone them.