AP Sports Digest

Thu, Feb 4, 2021
AP Sports

The highlights of the 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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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-LOSERS TO WINNERS

Leonard Fournette was cut by Jacksonville before the season, while Le'Veon Bell was released by the New York Jets midway through. Steve McLendon was dealt to Tampa at the trade deadline. And now all are in the Super Bowl -- while their former teams combined for three wins this season. By Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos by 3 a.m.

FBN--SUPER BOWL-CHIEFS FANS-NATIVE IMAGERY

The Kansas City Chiefs barred headdresses and war paint amid the nationwide push for racial justice, but its effort to make its popular "war chant" more palatable is getting a fresh round of scrutiny from Native American groups as the team prepares to make its second straight Super Bowl appearance. By Heather Hollingsworth. SENT: 820 words, photos.

OLY-TOKYO-MORI

TOKYO - Yoshiro Mori, the president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee, said on Thursday he would not resign despite pressure on him to do so after making derogatory comments earlier in the week about women. By Stephen Wade. SENT: 340 words, photos.

OLY-BEIJING 1-YEAR MARK

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will open a year from Thursday. Most of the venues have been completed as the Chinese capital becomes the first city to hold both the Winter and Summer Olympics. But these Olympics are presenting some major problems and calls for boycotts and protests. By Stephen Wade. SENT: 840 words, photos.

FBC-SIGNING DAY

Alabama continues recruiting at a level that should strengthen the reigning national champion's status as college football's premier program. If anything, coach Nick Saban's ability to land the nation's top prospects grows stronger with each passing year.. By Steve Megargee. SENT: 870 words, photos. With separates on each Power Five conference of 750 words apiece in a "things to know" format (sent).

BKC-T25-VILLANOVA-ST. JOHN'S

NEW YORK - Freshman guard Posh Alexander and his pumped-up teammates doused Mike Anderson with water after their biggest win yet under the second-year St. John's coach. By Mike Fitzpatrick. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.

BKC-T25-HOUSTON-EAST CAROLINA

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Jayden Gardner and East Carolina didn't get to savor a sea of court-storming home fans after claiming a huge upset. Instead, the Pirates left the court in a somewhat subdued celebration - until letting loose in the locker room, that is. By Aaron Beard. SENT: 530 words, photos. With BKC-T25-Big Ten This Week (upcoming).

TEN-AUSTRALIAN-OPEN

MELBOURNE - Players are isolating and getting tested for COVID-19 instead of playing tuneup tournaments four days before the Australian Open as concern grows over the impact on the year's first tennis major. By John Pye. SENT: 670 words, photos.

NOTABLE

FBN-SUPER BOWL-MAHOMES-NUMBERS

It doesn't really seem to matter what approach defenses take against Patrick Mahomes. He can pick apart blitzes or sit back and find receivers when teams drop into coverage. He's dangerous from the pocket and even more lethal when he's on the run. He can throw short and let his receivers run after the catch or strike with the deep pass. Here's a look at where Mahomes shines most and where he may be a little more ordinary. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. SENT: 850 words, photos.

FBN-SUPER BOWL--THE VIRTUOSO

Tom Brady was a baby-faced quarterback 19 years ago when Kurt Warner of the Rams spoke about his desire not only to win a second title but to become the first quarterback to win five Super Bowls. It turned out one quarterback in that game did go on to amass an unparalleled collection of rings. By Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton. SENT: 880 words, photos.

FBN-SUPER BOWL-FREE AGENTS

It's unlikely Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady will have their same receiving corps next season. Kansas City and Tampa Bay have several starters, including a few notable pass catchers, scheduled to become free agents next month. By Mark Long. SENT: 920 words, photos.

FBN-SUPER BOWL-CHIEFS-ART OF THE CLOSE SHAVE

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Chiefs would be the first to tell you that the final score is all that matters. But the defending champions also would be the first to tell you the final score doesn't always tell the whole story. By Dave Skretta. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

FBN-SUPER BOWL-BUCS-OLD SHADY

LeSean McCoy was one of the NFL's most elusive playmaking running backs for years, a consistent and key part of productive offenses. At 32, he doesn't see nearly as many snaps anymore -- but he has seen plenty of winning lately. McCoy was a part of Kansas City's Super Bowl-winning squad a year ago and finds himself on the other sideline this time around as a lightly used backup for Tampa Bay. By Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. SENT: 850 words, photos.

- With FBN-Super Bowl Notebook (sent), FBN-Super Bowl-Cowher's Perspective (upcoming).

- For all of AP's Super Bowl coverage, visit our hub in AP Newsroom.

GLF-PHOENIX OPEN

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Justin Thomas knew what to expect when he drove up to TPC Scottsdale for the first time this week. He was still a bit surprised just how different the Waste Management Phoenix Open looks. By John Nicholson. SENT: 480 words, photos. With GLF-DeChambeau-Rule Changes (sent).

BKW-T25-SOUTH FLORIDA PAUSED

It's been a rough few weeks for Jose Fernandez and his South Florida team. The 14th-ranked Bulls were put on pause because of COVID-19 issues within the women's basketball program on Jan. 21. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. UPCOMING: 530 words, photos by 3 a.m.

BKW-T25-MARYLAND-FRESE

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland women's basketball coach Brenda Frese stands one win away from matching the school record for the program. By David Ginsburg. SENT: 740 words, photos.

CAR-NASCAR-SEASON PREVIEW

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - NASCAR roars into 2021 hyping the season as the best ever. Michael Jordan and Pitbull have both joined the sport as new team owners. The schedule has been overhauled and includes the first Cup Series race on dirt since 1970. The sport is still faced with challenges and is navigating the pandemic. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.

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AP Sports Extra: Super Bowl:

A paginated preview of the Super Bowl 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 (upcoming). Stands alone or with related Super Bowl stories.

SUPER BOWL 55 LOGOS: Super Bowl 55 logo with team helmets, logos (sent).

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Thursday Time Schedule (EST)

NBA

Golden State at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Utah at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Portland at Philadelphia, 8 p.m.

Houston at Memphis, 9 p.m.

Denver at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m.

NHL

¶ Dallas at Columbus, 7 p.m.

¶ Nashville at Florida, 7 p.m.

¶ Ottawa at Montreal, 7 p.m.

¶ Vancouver at Toronto, 7 p.m.

¶ Washington at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.

¶ Arizona at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

¶ Calgary at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.

¶ Carolina at Chicago, 8 p.m.

College Basketball (Top 25)

Men

No. 1 Gonzaga at Pacific, 9 p.m.

No. 7 Ohio St. at No. 8 Iowa, 7 p.m

Women

No. 1 Louisville at Boston College, 8 p.m.

No. 2 South Carolina at Auburn, 7 p.m.

No. 7 Texas A&M vs. LSU, 9 p.m.

No. 8 Baylor vs. Kansas, 8 p.m.

No. 10 Maryland vs. Wisconsin, 4 p.m.

No. 11 Ohio St. vs. Iowa, 6 p.m.

No. 15 Kentucky at Mississippi 7 p.m.

No. 16 Arkansas at Missouri, 8 p.m.

No. 17 Indiana vs. Rutgers 8 p.m.

No. 25 Georgia at Alabama 7 p.m.