AP Sports Digest
Sun, Jan 31, 2021
AP Sports
The highlights of Saturday's AP Sports report. An up-to-the minute listing of all stories planned, including games and events, is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom, http://newsroom.ap.org/coverageplan You can also find a link to Coverage Plan on the left navigation of the Newsroom home page, http://newsroom.ap.org
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All times EST
The supervisor is Fred Lief, followed by John Nicholson at 5 p.m. and Bob Lentz at 1 a.m. The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636. Agate, 877-836-9477.
The AP's Ralph Russo hosts the latest AP Top 25 College Football Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/idhttps-podcasts-apple-com-us-podcast-ap-top-25-college/id1138957862
TOP STORIES
FBN--SUPER BOWL-CHIEF CONCERNS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- There are injuries to tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz. And even before the season there were shortages on the offensive line. The chief concern for the Chiefs heading into the Super Bowl is those guys up front. By Dave Skretta. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 6 p.m.
TEN-AUSTRALIAN OPEN-TUNEUP TOURNAMENTS
MELBOURNE, Australia - The last group of quarantined players in Melbourne is set to be released from hotels, ending a two-week effort to reduce the chance of coronavirus spread before tuneup events leading to the Australian Open. SENT: 600 words, photos.
CAR--IMSA-ROLEX 24
The Rolex 24 at Daytona begins with NASCAR champion Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson, Scott Dixon and Juan Pablo Montoya competing in the country's most prestigious sports car race. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos; updates throughout day. Race starts 3:30 p.m.
OLY--WINTER X-CHINA'S NEXT STAR
A 17-year-old freeskier from San Francisco with roots in China could become the most recognizable daredevil in action sports. Eileen Gu, a Winter-X Games champion, could contend for gold at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, competing for the host country. By National Writer Eddie Pells. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.
NOTABLE
FBN-SUPER BOWL-TV PREPARATIONS
Ordinarily, CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus --- whose network is televising the Super Bowl -- would spend a lot of time leading to the game with sponsors and league officials. Now, with a pandemic surging, he'll be spending a lot of time in his hotel room. By Joe Reedy. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 5 p.m.
FBN--SUPER BOWL CHARITIES
The legacy of the Super Bowl stretches beyond the field in the host city, with an array of charitable efforts. The pandemic sent the NFL scrambling, but the league is intent on following through on initiatives in the Tampa Bay area. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. SENT: 850 words, photos.
- With Super Bowl matchups (sent). First sent Jan. 29 for weekend use.
GLF--FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN
SAN DIEGO -- Viktor Hovland of Norway is in front entering the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Among those two shots behind are first-round co-leader Patrick Reed and Jon Rahm, who won this tournament in 2017. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 9 p.m. With Dubai Desert Classic (sent).
FBC--SENIOR BOWL
MOBILE, Ala. -- Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger leads the National team against Alabama's Mac Jones and the American squad in the Senior Bowl, with players looking to solidify their standing in the NFL draft. By John Zenor. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game started 2:30 p.m.
BKN--GRIZZLIES-SPURS
SAN ANTONIO -- Ja Morant and Memphis return to the court for the first time in nearly two weeks to face San Antonio. The Grizzlies were on a five-game winning streak when COVID-19 shut them down. The Spurs have won three in a row. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts 8:30 p.m.
BKC--T25-VIRGINIA-VIRGINIA TECH
BLACKSBURG, Va. -- No. 8 Virginia, tough on defense and winners of its last three road games, puts its unbeaten ACC record on the line when it plays at No. 20 Virginia Tech. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts 6 p.m.
ATH--CRUISING CROUSER
Olympic shot put champion Ryan Crouser broke the world indoor record last weekend. He believes he can break it again this weekend at an American Track League meet at the University of Arkansas. By Pat Graham. SENT: 800 words, photos.
SKI--WCUP-WOMEN'S SUPER-G
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany - Lara Gut-Behrami wins her third straight World Cup super-G, 10 days before the world championship race in the discipline. The Swiss skier draws closer to overall leader Petra Vlhova, who finishes 10th. SENT: 500 words, photos. With men's slalom (sent).
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AP Sports Extra: Super Bowl:
A paginated preview of the Super Bowl on Feb. 7 is available by searching "SE" in AP Newsroom under the Graphics tab. Three page sizes are available -- full broadsheet, half broadsheet, tabloid -- with space for local advertising or content. The pages look at the Chiefs-Buccaneers matchup, keys to the game and Super Bowl facts and figures. For questions, contact Barry Bedlan at bbedlan@ap.org
SUPER BOWL 55 PREVIEW: Full-page graphic shows the probable Chiefs and Buccaneers starters, with analysis of offense and defense and key players; team stats for regular and postseason; and statistical QB comparison. 6c x 20 inches. Stand alone or with related Super Bowl stories. UPCOMING: Feb. 3.
SUPER BOWL 55 LOGOS: Super Bowl 55 logo with team helmets, logos. With any Super Bowl stories. SENT.
___
Saturday Time Schedule (EST)
NBA
Houston at New Orleans, 8 p.m.
Milwaukee at Charlotte, 8 p.m.
Portland at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Sacramento at Miami, 8 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Boston, 8:30 p.m.
Memphis at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.
Phoenix at Dallas, 9 p.m.
Detroit at Golden State, 10 p.m.
NHL
New Jersey at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Boston at Washington, 7 p.m.
Calgary at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Dallas at Carolina, 7 p.m.
Florida at Detroit, 7 p.m.
N.Y. Islanders at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Nashville at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
Colorado at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
St. Louis at Anaheim, 9 p.m.
Vancouver at Winnipeg, 10 p.m.
College Basketball (Top 25)
Men
No. 1 Gonzaga at Pepperdine, 8 p.m.
No. 2 Baylor vs. Auburn, 4 p.m.
No. 3 Villanova at Seton Hall, 3:30 p.m.
No. 8 Virginia at No. 20 Virginia Tech, 6 p.m.
No. 9 Alabama at No. 24 Oklahoma, noon
No. 10 Texas Tech at LSU, 2 p.m.
No. 11 West Virginia vs. Florida, 2 p.m.
No. 12 Missouri vs. TCU, 2 p.m.
No. 14 Wisconsin at Penn St., 3 p.m.
No. 15 Kansas at No. 18 Tennessee, 6 p.m.
No. 16 Florida St., at Georgia Tech, 4 p.m.
No. 17 Creighton at DePaul, 8 p.m.
No. 21 Minnesota at Purdue, 7:30 p.m.
No. 23 UCLA vs. Oregon St., 7 p.m.
Women
No. 18 Gonzaga at Saint Mary's (Calif.) 4 p.m.
No. 24 West Virginia at TCU, 2 p.m.
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