General Sports 3d Briefing
×College Basketball
Duke espn.com clinched the outright ACC regular-season title with a dominant win over NC State. Miami (Ohio) espn.com extended its season-opening winning streak to 30 games with a 74-72 victory over Toledo. Arizona espn.com secured the Big 12 regular-season crown after defeating No. 6 Iowa State 73-57.
Tennis & Golf
Novak Djokovic espn.com suggested Wimbledon could be an ideal venue for Serena Williams' potential return. Rory Mc Ilroy espn.com called it "a shame" that Jon Rahm remains the only LIV Golf player unwilling to accept DP World Tour terms. Daniil Medvedev espn.com indicated he's among athletes trying to leave Dubai amid Middle East travel disruptions.
International Sports
New Zealand's Cole McConchie bbc.com took two wickets in two balls during the T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa. England captain Harry Brook bbc.com said his team doesn't need a perfect performance to win the T20 World Cup, citing "unity" as their driving force. Australia's Jai Opetaia espn.com will make his Zuffa Boxing debut against Brandon Glanton in Las Vegas this weekend.
Winter Paralympics
Great Britain's Jo Butterfield and Jason Kean bbc.com lost their wheelchair curling opener 10-7 to Estonia. Welsh skier Menna Fitzpatrick bbc.com said it feels "really special" to be at her third Winter Paralympic Games after a "rollercoaster" year. Fitzpatrick and Scott Meenagh bbc.com were named Great Britain's flagbearers for the opening ceremony.
Rugby
Ireland's Nick Timoney bbc.com was handed his first Six Nations start as Andy Farrell made five changes for the match against Wales. Wales recalled Ellis Mee bbc.com for the Six Nations clash with Ireland. Exeter boss Rob Baxter bbc.com expressed sadness over the end of merit-based promotion and relegation in the Premiership.
UFC & Combat Sports
Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira espn.com can thank Nate Diaz for the chance to add BMF to their UFC legacies. Jade Jones bbc.com described her journey from taekwondo to boxing as "humbling" ahead of her debut against Egypt Criss.
NFL & College Football
Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley espn.com tried to keep focus on his players after an upset win over No. 14 Kansas in what could be his final home game with the Sun Devils. Colorado mourned teammate Dominiq Ponder espn.com at practice after the 23-year-old died in a single-car crash.
WNBA & Women's Sports
WNBPA's executive committee espn.com said it remains "united" and that the league's latest CBA proposal "is not worth taking." Kelsey Plum espn.com described the WNBA's CBA offer as a "significant win" but said negotiations should continue. Kaiya Wynn espn.com announced she is leaving the Tennessee women's basketball program, calling senior day a "breaking point."
Basketball Drama
A brawl between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina espn.com in the women's Sun Belt Tournament left eight players ejected and a referee requiring medical attention after being knocked to the ground.
Coaching & Administration
Lou Holtz espn.com, the quick-witted college football coach who led Notre Dame to a 1988 national championship, died at age. Iowa State espn.com is ending its women's gymnastics program, with the AD calling it "the right decision for our athletics program."
Miscellaneous
Top-10 recruit Bruce Branch III espn.com committed to BYU, giving coach Kevin Young his third consecutive recruiting class with a five-star recruit. The USGA espn.com announced that U.S. Amateur winners will now receive the Tiger Woods Medal. Former British and Irish Lions wing Anthony Watson bbc.com revealed he cheated a concussion test during the 2017 tour of New Zealand to stay in a Test match.