General Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×NBA and College Basketball
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to return for Monday's game against the Boston Celtics, sources told ESPN. Meanwhile, Duke took the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press men's college basketball poll for the second straight week, extending its record with 149 appearances in the top spot. UConn heads into the postseason undefeated and remains the unanimous No. 1 choice in The Associated Press women's basketball Top.
WNBA and Legal News
WNBA star Kelsey Plum said the CBA offer from the league to the WNBPA is a "significant win," but negotiations should continue and "a strike would be the worst thing for both sides." In legal news, a judge declared a mistrial in a Miami murder case after jurors said they were hopelessly deadlocked on their second day of deliberations.
NHL and International Sports
The NHL trade deadline approaches with all the latest deals being tracked by ESPN reporters. In international rugby, Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell said it's pleasing to see pre-match plans come to fruition as Ireland aim to build on their Six Nations win over England when they play Wales on Friday. Scotland received an unexpected boost with the return of Jack Dempsey to their squad before Saturday's game with Grand Slam-chasing France.
College Sports and Golf
USC announced that leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer a member of the men's basketball program, a day after he left the Trojans' loss to Nebraska. In tragic news, Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder died early Sunday morning in a single-car crash at age. On the golf course, Nico Echavarria shot a 5-under 66 to win at PGA National, finishing at 17-under 267 and beating Shane Lowry, who had two double bogeys in his final round.
Auto Racing and Cricket
Tyler Reddick became the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the first three races of the season with a victory Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas. In cricket, fast bowler Haris Rauf is put forward as a 'marquee' player in the auction for The Hundred, alongside 13 other men from Pakistan.
Women's Basketball and Tennis
Elina Aarnisalo scored a career-high 22 points and Nyla Harris had 10 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter to help No. 21 North Carolina beat No. 12 Duke 74-69, denying Duke an outright ACC women's title. Meanwhile, tennis star Daniil Medvedev indicated he's among a small number of athletes trying to leave Dubai as the war in the Middle East has caused a widespread travel shutdown.
Formula 1 and Rugby Union
As Formula 1 enters a new era with new rules, cars, and engines, Australian Grand Prix organisers are "really confident" the travel chaos caused by the conflict in the Middle East will not impact the opening race of the season. The Six Nations trophy is to be "retired from ceremonial use" and replaced with a new one after being damaged by fire in an accident during transit. Former England captain Lewis Moody told former team-mate Ben Youngs he was "very aware" of the risks posed during his career in a new BBC documentary about concussion in rugby.
With the women's NCAA tournament automatic bids on the line, championship week predictions are being made across all conferences. In men's college basketball, ESPN agreed unanimously on 21 of 31 Champ Week winners, though the Big 12 wasn't among them. As camps get ready to open, SEC storylines are emerging with new coaches, quarterbacks, and transfers across the conference.