AP Sports Digest
Tue, Jan 26, 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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TOP STORIES
BKN-VIRUS OUTBREAK-NBA
San Antonio's game in New Orleans was called off Monday night in the latest virus-related postponement for the NBA, one that came when the league determined that neither team would have enough players available. Also, the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were ruled out for Tuesday's game in Atlanta because of the league's health and safety protocols. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. SENT: 610 words, photos. With BKN-NBA-All-Star Future (sent).
FBN-NEW ENGLAND-BRADY
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Patriots fans are sticking with Tom Brady even though he's now playing for Tampa Bay. Many New England fans say they'll be rooting for Brady and the Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. By Jimmy Golen. SENT: 800 words, photos.
BBO--SPRING TRAINING-CACTUS LEAGUE
The Cactus League wants spring training delayed because of the coronavirus with just over three weeks before pitchers and catchers report. The request, in a letter to MLB obtained by the AP, comes from Arizona mayors and other state leaders. By Jake Seiner. SENT: 550 words, photos.
SUPER BOWL ADS-SITTING OUT THE GAME
For the first time since 1983, when Anheuser-Busch introduced Bud Light, the beer giant isn't advertising its iconic Budweiser brand during the Super Bowl. Instead, it's putting that ad money toward vaccination awareness efforts. By Mae Anderson and Dee-Ann Durbin. SENT: 800 words, photos.
BKN-KOBE BRYANT-PHOTO GALLERY
It's been a year since Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash in Southern California. The AP has moved thousands of photos of Bryant, who won five championships in his 20 NBA seasons. Bryant's NBA life is depicted in photo form. UPCOMING: 630 words, photos by 3 a.m.
AP POLLS
BKC--T25-COLLEGE BKB POLL
Gonzaga, Baylor and Villanova remain 1-2-3 in the men's AP poll. Michigan, now on pause for two weeks because of COVID, is No. 4, with Texas completing the top five. Alabama is No. 9, its highest ranking in 14 years. By Basketball Writer Aaron Beard. SENT: 750 words, photos. With BKC--T25-Top 25 This Week (upcoming).
BKW-T25-WOMEN'S BKB POLL
NEW YORK -- Louisville and North Carolina State withstand upset bids by unranked teams to remain the top two schools in the AP women's poll. UConn and South Carolina stay at Nos. 3 and 4 while UCLA climbs to No. 5. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. SENT: 400 words, photos.
COMMENTARY
BKN-AROUND THE NBA
Kobe Bryant's legacy may be stronger than ever. Tuesday marks one year since the helicopter crash that took the lives of Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people. Bryant's Lakers are not planning any formal marking of the day, nor is the NBA. It is not a day for celebration. It is a day for remembrance. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. UPCOMING: 780 words, photos by 3 a.m. With BKN-Kobe Bryant-Photo Gallery (upcoming).
FBN-BEHIND THE CALL
Tom Brady's victory in his first NFC championship appearance after nine AFC titles in New England came down to two crucial coaches' calls. By Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton. UPCOMING: 1,000 words, photos by 3 a.m.
CAR--IMSA-IN THE PITS
Jimmie Johnson and Chase Elliott are both racing in this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona. The sports car event is among the most prestigious in the world. The two NASCAR champions are the headliners. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. SENT: 800 words, photos.
NOTABLE
FBN--BUCCANEERS ANALYSIS
TAMPA, Fla. -- It took five coaching changes in a decade before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally got it right, luring Bruce Arians out of retirement. Two seasons later, the 68-year-old coach has the team in the Super Bowl. By Fred Goodall. SENT: 830 words, photos.
FBN--CHIEFS ANALYSIS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Travis Kelce has spent the better part of a month insisting the Kansas City Chiefs have yet to put everything together. They still didn't in their AFC championship game win over Buffalo. By Dave Skretta. SENT: 850 words, photos.
FBN--PACKERS WRAPUP
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers said he's not sure what his future holds in Green Bay. That was all it took to raise concerns about the Packers' ability to contend in 2021 and beyond. By Steve Megargee. SENT: 800 words, photos.
FBN--BILLS WRAPUP
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills received one more reminder of how much they still have to improve before they can be measured against the NFL's elite following a 38-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game. By John Wawrow. SENT: 880 words, photos.
BKC--T25-TEXAS TECH-WEST VIRGINIA
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -Miles McBride made a go-ahead jumper with 6 seconds left and finished with a season-high 24 points, helping No. 11 West Virginia rally for a wild 88-87 victory over No. 10 Texas Tech. SENT: 500 words, photos.
GLF--THOMAS-CITI
Justin Thomas will keep Citi bank as a sponsor. The world's No. 3 golfer lost Ralph Lauren as a sponsor after muttering a homophobic slur to himself. Citi will require Thomas to donate a "meaningful portion" of his deal as part of an active role in LGBTQ causes. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. SENT: 400 words, photos.
OLY--IOC-ITALY WARNED
ROME - The IOC is set this week to consider imposing a humiliating probation on Italy's team for the Tokyo Games. At issue is a two-year domestic dispute the Olympic body says amounts to government interference. By Andrew Dampf. SENT: 500 words, photos.
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Tuesday Time Schedule (EST)
NBA
L.A. Clippers at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.
Washington at Houston, 8 p.m.
New York at Utah, 9 p.m.
NHL
Florida at Columbus, 7 p.m.
N.Y. Islanders at Washington, 7 p.m.
N.Y. Rangers at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Boston, 7 p.m.
Chicago at Nashville, 8 p.m.
Edmonton at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Detroit at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Anaheim at Arizona, 9 p.m.
San Jose at Colorado, 9 p.m.
St. Louis at Vegas, 9 p.m.
Toronto at Calgary, 9 p.m.
College Basketball (Top 25)
Men
No. 5 Texas vs. No. 24 Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
No. 9 Alabama vs. Kentucky, 7 p.m.
No. 12 Missouri at Auburn, 9 p.m.
No. 18 Tennessee vs. Mississippi St., 7 p.m.
No. 22 Saint Louis vs. Dayton, 8:30 p.m.
Women
No. 1 Louisville vs. Miami 4 p.m.
No. 9 Baylor vs. TCU, 8 p.m.
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